Title:
OPTICAL PROBE HAVING AND METHODS FOR UNIFORM LIGHT IRRADIATION AND/OR LIGHT COLLECTION OVER A VOLUME
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO2000003272
Kind Code:
A3
Abstract:
A variety of optical probes and optical methods have utility in the examination of various materials, especially materials in the interior of cavities having restricted access through orifices or passageways. An optical probe useful, for example, in examining the epithelia and other tissues of anatomical structures within the body cavities and tubular organs and viscera of mammals is elongated and includes an optical window (240, 302, 1002), a light source (222, 312, 314, 510, 520, 1020, 1200, 1400, 1700), a spatial mixer (224, 304, 2004, 2104, 2204, 2304), and a light collector (210, 320, 720, 1120). The light from the light source is mixed in the spatial mixer, thereby removing any reflected images and irradiation artifacts to achieving uniform diffuse light in the vicinity of the optical window. The light collector receives light from the target through the spatial mixer, but the field of view of the light collector excludes any residual reflections and fluorescence from the spatial mixer. The optical probe may be made of two sections, a reusable section and a disposable section. Disposables (910, 2000, 2100, 2200, 2300) suitable for use with the reusable probe section (900) are elongated and contain a spatial mixing section utilizing an inside surface suitable for the spatial mixing of light, an elongated section extending from the spatial mixing section for mounting the disposable onto the reusable probe section, and a protective window or lens for sealing the reusable probe section from the target. Disposables may be constructed from various low cost materials.
Inventors:
ROGER HILDWEIN L
WILCOX ROBERT L
DECKERT CURTIS K
WILCOX ROBERT L
DECKERT CURTIS K
Application Number:
PCT/US1999/015100
Publication Date:
June 15, 2000
Filing Date:
July 01, 1999
Export Citation:
Assignee:
LIFESPEX INC (US)
International Classes:
G02B23/26; A61B1/00; A61B1/06; A61B1/303; A61B1/307; A61B1/31; G02B23/24; (IPC1-7): G02B23/24; A61B1/00; A61B1/07; A61B1/303
Domestic Patent References:
| WO1997014287A2 | 1997-04-24 |
Foreign References:
| US4500181A | 1985-02-19 | |||
| US3631852A | 1972-01-04 | |||
| US3889661A | 1975-06-17 | |||
| US4930872A | 1990-06-05 | |||
| EP0426063A1 | 1991-05-08 | |||
| US4350147A | 1982-09-21 |
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