Patent ID: 6501551
Filing Date: 2002-12-31
Classification: A61B,B82Y,G01B,G01J,G01N,G11B,H01S

Abstract:
An apparatus for performing imaging of a structure in situ comprising:a light source; a photodetector; a processor in electrical communication with said detector; an optical probe unit comprising a housing defining a channel, said housing having at least a portion which is at least partially transparent to radiation from said light source; a beam director located within said housing and positioned to direct radiation to and from said structure in situ through said at least partially transparent portion; an interferometer optically coupled to said light source, said optical probe unit, and said photodetector; and, a Faraday rotator positioned to direct radiation from said interferometer to said photodetector, wherein said photodetector generates a signal in response to radiation altered by said structure in situ; and wherein said processor generates an image of said structure in situ in response to said signal from said photodetector.