Patent ID: 6069698
Filing Date: 2000-05-30
Classification: A61B,G01B

Abstract:
An optical imaging apparatus comprising:a light source to generate a low coherence light beam;an optical probe which incorporates a sample beam transmitter which includes a single mode fiber to transmit a sample beam containing the low coherence light beam to a test sample, and to also transmit the sample beam upon being reflected by the test sample;a coupler which is detachably connectable to the optical probe via an optical connector and which allows the reflected sample beam and a reference beam containing the low coherence light beam to interfere with each other;a detector which detects the interfering beams;an image signal generator to generate image signals on the basis of signals detected by the detector;a first transmission time altering unit which alters the transmission time of the reference beam in accordance with a scan range of the optical probe so that the interference between the reflected beam and the reference beam takes place within the scan range in the axial direction with respect to the optical light paths of the sample beam and the reference beam, anda second transmission time altering unit to alter the transmission time of the reference beam in accordance with a light path length of the sample beam transmitter.