Patent ID: 7952718
Filing Date: 2011-05-31
Classification: A61B,G01B,G01N

Abstract:
1. A method for performing optical coherence tomography (OCT), comprising the steps of: (a) advancing an OCT probe comprising an optical fiber and a compound lens to a position adjacent to a sample, wherein the compound lens includes a plurality of optical elements; (b) directing light from a distal end of the optical fiber through the compound lens, the compound lens being configured to focus light from the OCT probe at a predefined working distance, while enabling a smaller focused spot size to be achieved at the predefined working distance as compared to an OCT probe having a similar diameter that is configured to focus light at the predefined working distance using a single component lens, the step of directing light from the distal end of the optical fiber through the compound lens comprising the steps of: (c) collecting light received back from the sample; and (d) using light received back from the sample to generate OCT data.