Paired angled rotation scanning probes and methods of use
US7364543B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 26, 2006 |
| Grant date | Apr 29, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 5, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B5/0066
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Probes, and systems and methods for optically scanning a conical volume in front of a probe, for use with an imaging modality, such as Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). A probe includes an optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end and defining an axis, with the proximal end of the optical fiber being proximate a light source, and the distal end having a first angled surface. A refractive lens element is positioned proximate the distal end of the optical fiber. The lens element and the fiber end are both configured to separately rotate about the axis so as to image a conical scan volume when light is provided by the source. Reflected light from a sample under investigation is collected by the fiber and analyzed by an imaging system. Such probes may be very compact, e.g., having a diameter 1 mm or less, and are advantageous for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures. A fluid medium can be introduced between two lens elements at the distal end of the probe to switch a mode from side viewing to forward viewing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.