Patent ID: 6249340
Filing Date: 2001-06-19
Classification: A61B,A61C,G01J,G01N

Abstract:
A method comprising the steps of:moving a probe in proximity to an object through relative movement between the probe and the object, wherein the probe provides light to the object from one or more light sources, and receives light from the object through a plurality of light receivers, wherein the plurality of light receivers comprise one or more first light receivers and one or more second light receivers, wherein the one or more first light receivers have a first numerical aperture and the one or more second light receivers have a second numerical aperture different from the first numerical aperture;determining the intensity of light received by more than one of the light receivers; andmeasuring the optical characteristics of the object, wherein the measurement produces data indicative of the optical characteristics of the object and includes at least first and second measurements with the probe at first and second distances from the object;wherein light from the one or more of the first or second light receivers is coupled to one or more sensors, wherein the one or more sensors generate at least one signal having a frequency proportional to the light intensity received by the one or more sensors.