Patent ID: 6687010
Filing Date: 2004-02-03
Classification: G01B

Abstract:
An optical probe apparatus producing a signal whose components interfere with each other, comprising:a soft elongated insertion unit capable of being inserted into a subject; a low coherent light source; a light introduction block including a single-mode optical fiber over which low coherent light is irradiated from the distal end of said insertion unit to an object in said subject and over which light reflected from said object is detected; a covergence block, incorporated in the distal part of said insertion unit, for covering light emitted from said optical fiber at said object and detecting light reflected from said object; a scanning/irradiating unit for irradiating said low coherent light emitted from said single-mode optical fiber for the purpose of scanning; and an interference block for causing reflected light detected over said single-mode optical fiber and reference light supplied from said light source to interfere with each other, wherein said insertion unit has a sheath that is a thin tubular member; said scanning/irradiating unit has said light covergence block, which is fused to the distal end of said single-mode optical fiber, and a reflecting surface formed as part of said convergence block enclosed in said sheath; and wherein at least said single-mode optical fiber and said convergence block are rotatable together within said sheath for the purpose of scanning.