Patent ID: 9453966
Filing Date: 2016-09-27
CPC Classification: A61B,G02B

Claim Text:
1. An optical probe comprising: an optical fiber including a glass filament having a proximal end, a distal end, a first central axis, and a first circular cross-section being perpendicular to the first central axis and having a first diameter, the filament transmitting light between the proximal and distal ends, and a resin layer covering a side of the filament, whereas a portion of predetermined length from the distal end of the filament is not covered with the resin layer; an optical connector connected with the optical fiber at the proximal end; a deflecting optical element made of glass having a second central axis, a second circular cross-section, and a refractive index profile, the second circular cross-section being perpendicular to the second central axis and having a second diameter larger than the first diameter, the refractive-index profile being gradually decreases as distanced from the second central axis in the second circular cross-section, whereas a first end of the deflecting optical element is connected with the optical fiber at the distal end, and a second end of the deflecting optical element has a face having a normal vector, an angle between the normal vector and the second central axis being larger than a critical angle of total reflection; a protective tube surrounding a portion of predetermined length of the optical fiber and an entire length of the deflecting optical element, the protective tube adhering to a side of the deflecting optical element, whereas an inside diameter of a part covering the optical fiber is smaller than an inside diameter of a part covering the deflecting optical element; and a jacketing tube extending along and surrounding the optical fiber and capable of freely rotating relative to the optical fiber, the optical connector, and the deflecting optical element.