Patent ID: 6134458
Filing Date: 2000-10-17
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A light probe for an infrared body chemistry measurement instrument, comprising:an illumination ring of a light-conducting material, having a plurality of facets on an exterior circumferential surface thereof and having an inner circumferential surface at about a forty-five degree angle, wherein light radially entering said illumination ring from one of said plurality of facets is redirected by said inner circumferential surface in a radially perpendicular direction;a plurality of infrared light emitting devices, each positioned at one of said plurality of facets and capable of emitting infrared light into said plurality of facets of said illumination ring;an optical detector coaxially located within said illumination ring;a shielding ring coaxially located between said optical detector and said illumination ring, and capable of preventing said infrared light from passing radially from said illumination ring to said optical detector; anda cover enclosing a combination of said illumination ring, said plurality of infrared light emitting devices, said optical detector, and said shielding ring, with said cover having a central opening which exposes said optical detector, said shielding ring, and said illumination ring, wherein a length dimension of said light probe is less than a diameter dimension.