Patent ID: 6137585
Filing Date: 2000-10-24
Classification: A61B,G01B

Abstract:
An apparatus for detecting the distribution of light backscattering potential in an object, comprising:the object, the object defining a reference surface and a measurement site:an interferometer emitting plural light beams, at least one of the light beams being directable toward the object, the light beams being reflectable by respective surfaces to establish respective reflected light beams, the interferometer including at least one scanning mirror positioned and supported to move at least one of the beams in at least one dimension;at least one non-moving frequency shifter positioned in at least one path of the light beams;a receiver receiving the reflected beams and generating a signal representative thereof, the signal being usable for determining a multidimensional distribution of light backscattering potential in the object, wherein the plural light beams include at least a reference beam directed at the reference surface and a measurement beam directed at the measurement site, such that axial motion of the object relative the interferometer equally affects the reference beam and measurement beam.