Patent ID: 7096058
Filing Date: 2006-08-22
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A laser blood-flow meter comprising: a laser-beam irradiator for irradiating laser beams to a biological structure; a detector for detecting scattered beams resulted from scattering of said laser beams in said biological structure, said laser blood-flow meter measuring blood flow of said biological structure in accordance with said scattered beams detected by said detector; a beam-collector for collecting said scattered beams to direct the collected beams to said detector; and a light-guide arranged between said detector and said beam-collector for guiding beams collected by said beam-collector to said detector; a case in which said laser-beam irradiator, said beam-collector and said detector are arranged; a first beam-turner for turning said laser beams irradiated from said laser-beam irradiator towards said biological structure; and a second beam-turner for turning said scattered beams towards said beam-collector, wherein said detector and said laser-beam irradiator are disposed on a common side relative to said biological structure such that said detector detects backward-scattered beams, wherein said case comprises a flat contact-surface, as at least a part of an external surface thereof, at which said case makes contact with a surface of said biological structure when blood flow of said biological structure is measured, wherein said laser-beam irradiator, said beam-collector and said detector are arranged in order on a path substantially parallel with said flat contact-surface, wherein said contact-surface comprises a beam-transmissive portion through which said laser beams can transmit, and wherein said laser blood-flow meter further comprises a beam-block which prevents laser beams having passed through said beam transmissive portion from being directed towards said second beam-turner and said beam-collector with reaching said biological structure.