Compact confocal endoscope and endomicroscope method and apparatus
US8047985B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 2, 2005 |
| Grant date | Nov 1, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 12, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B23/2407
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention provides a confocal endoscope, microscope or endomicroscope including a light source of coherent light for illuminating a sample, a beam splitter and light receiving means, wherein an incident beam of light from the light source is directed onto the beam splitter and hence onto the sample, and light returning from the sample and incident on the beam splitter is deviated or displaced by the beam splitter by a small angle or distance relative to the incident beam, and received by the light receiving means located to receive the returning light and near the light source. The invention also a method for performing confocal endoscopy or microscopy including illuminating a sample by means of an incident or excitatory beam of coherent light, and deviating or displacing light returning from the sample by a small angle or distance relative to the incident beam.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.