Patent ID: 9591961
Date: 2017-03-14
CPC Classifications: A61B,Y10T

Claim:
1. A method of making an optical imaging device, comprising the steps of: providing a body having a central longitudinal lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the body; disposing an optical conduit within the central longitudinal lumen of the body and operably coupled with an optical imaging device; disposing a rotating reflecting element at a distal end of the body in optical communication with the optical conduit; positioning a gradient index lens proximal to the rotating reflecting element and in optical communication between the optical conduit and the rotating reflecting element; mounting a plurality of vane members on a central rotary axle of the rotating reflecting element, wherein each of the plurality of vane members comprising an energy absorbing surface and an energy reflecting surface to provide for a thermal gradient when optical energy impinges on the plurality of vane members, and the rotating reflecting element further comprises a capillary tube having an inner lumen in optical communication with the optical conduit and the plurality of vane members are provided along the inner lumen, wherein the inner lumen includes a light scattering material for directing incident light toward the energy reflecting surface and the energy absorbing surface; and selecting a scattering coefficient for the light scattering material that scatters light incident radially outward.