Patent Description:
The present disclosure generally relates to optical devices and systems, and methods of their manufacture. In particular, the present disclosure relates to compensating for astigmatism caused by an optical component of an optical device and system as well as to assemblies for providing optical sensing functions and illumination within internal structures.

Optical devices and systems often are used to route an optical signal therethrough, and emit the optical signal so that the emitted optical signal is directed towards a target. For example, an optical device may be used to route light supplied from an optical fiber through several optical components, such as lenses and other transparent elements, for example, transparent glass or plastic tubes, of the device, before emitting the light so the emitted light is focused at a predetermined location external to the device.

In an optical device, the optical properties of optical components through which light is passed or which reflect or refract light may determine transmission characteristics of the light emitted from the optical device. As is well known, light is composed of bundles of rays traveling in two planes, known as tangential and sagittal planes, that are orthogonal to each other. When light travels through an optical component of the optical device, the optical properties and geometry of the outer surfaces of the optical component may cause the two planes of rays of the light emitted from the optical component to have different focal lines or points, which is a condition known as astigmatism.

An optical device often includes an optical component to compensate for astigmatism expected to be caused by another optical component of the device, such that the two planes of rays constituting the light emitted from the optical device may be focused at a same focal point or line. For example, an optical probe that operates to emit light having a focus line or beam waist at a target location external to the probe sometimes includes a transparent tube through which the light is emitted from the probe. The tube of the probe acts as an optical lens that causes astigmatism in the light passing therethrough. The optical probe, therefore, includes another optical component, such as an optical prism, through which the light passes before the light passes through the tube, and which causes astigmatism in the light that compensates for the astigmatism expected to be caused by the tube. The astigmatism caused by the other optical component, thus, provides for the desirable condition that the light emitted from the optical probe has minimal or no astigmatism.

A continuing need exists for an optical component that may compensate for astigmatism caused by another optical component in an optical device and where the optical component can be manufactured with relative ease and at low cost. Document <CIT> relates to a lateral light emitting device. The lateral light emitting device is free from variations and degradation in beam quality and reduction in reliability caused by adhesive, can be easily produced, and has a small outer diameter in order to be usable for a thin blood vessel and the like. The above described problem is solved by the lateral light emitting device, which includes an optical fiber, a rod lens fused to an end of the optical fiber, and a prism having a polygonal section fused to a distal end surface of the rod lens. Document <CIT> seeks to enable a probe device to be inserted into a channel of an endoscope, to stably perform scanning of a low interference light, and to obtain a stable tomogram. A fourth single mode fiber <NUM>, which introduces a low interference light into a hollow flexible shaft <NUM> inserted into the interior of an insertable tubular sheath <NUM>, is inserted into a forceps channel of an endoscope, with the rear end thereof supported rotatably together with the flexible shaft <NUM> by a connector part <NUM>. The connector part <NUM> is connected with a light rotary joint, whereby a rotation of a rotor is transmitted by the flexible shaft <NUM> to a front end body <NUM> at its front end side to radiate the low interference light introduced by the fourth single mode fiber <NUM> to an organism tissue side through a GRIN lens <NUM> and a microprism <NUM>, to stably scan the low interference light radially by a circumferential rotation, so that a stable tomogram can be obtained.

The invention provides an optical probe as defined by claim <NUM>.

By way of description only, embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:.

An x-y-z coordinate system having mutually orthogonal x, y, and z axes is used in <FIG> and referred to in the description below to describe the configuration of optical components of the present disclosure, where the x, y, z axes form planes x-y, x-z, and y-z. In addition, reference is made to x, y, and z axial lines to describe structural features of an optical component extending in a direction parallel to or along the x, y, and z axes, respectively.

An optical assembly <NUM> is described with reference to <FIG>. The optical assembly <NUM> includes an optical fiber <NUM>, an optical lens system <NUM> and an optical component or prism <NUM>. The lens system <NUM> may include one or more optical lenses (not shown) that transmit light supplied from the optical fiber <NUM> to the optical component <NUM>. The optical component <NUM> is coupled to the lens system <NUM> at an optical interface <NUM>. The optical interface <NUM> is formed by a planar surface <NUM> of the lens system <NUM> that faces and is in contact with a planar surface <NUM> of the optical component <NUM>. The optical component <NUM> is made of a transparent material, such as plastic or glass, and is configured in the form of a prism having surfaces arranged to reflect and then emit light supplied from the lens system <NUM> in a predetermined direction.

Referring again to <FIG>, the optical component <NUM> is in the shape of a triangular prism including the planar surface <NUM>, a planar surface <NUM>, and a planar surface <NUM>. The surface <NUM> extends in a plane parallel to the x-y plane. The surface <NUM> extends in a plane parallel to the x-z plane. The surface <NUM> and the surface <NUM> define an angle θ, e.g., <NUM> degrees, therebetween.

The effect the optical component <NUM> has on light that is passed through the optical component <NUM> and then emitted from the optical component <NUM> at the surface <NUM> is now described. For simplicity, it is assumed that a light beam I supplied from the fiber <NUM> to the lens system <NUM> is transmitted by the lens system <NUM> so that the light beam I is traveling in the z axis direction when incident on the surface <NUM> of the optical component <NUM>, and that the light beam I incident upon the surface <NUM> of the optical component <NUM> does not have astigmatism. The light beam I incident on the surface <NUM> travels through the optical component <NUM> in the direction of the z-axis to the planar surface <NUM>. Based on the angle of incidence of the light beam I at the surface <NUM>, which is at an angle θ relative to surface <NUM>, the surface <NUM> reflects the beam I in the direction R, where the direction R is generally in the y-axis direction, toward the surface <NUM>. The reflected light beam I is then emitted from the optical component <NUM> at the surface <NUM>. It is further assumed that the reflected light beam I that is emitted at the surface <NUM> does not have astigmatism.

The light beam I that is emitted from the optical component <NUM> at the surface <NUM> is formed from rays traveling in the orthogonal x-y and y-z planes, as represented by the planar shapes A, B, respectively. As shown in <FIG>, since the surface <NUM> is planar, i.e., not curved, the beam waists j, i, i.e., the location at which the spot size of the beam is at a minimum, in the x-y plane (planar shape A) and y-z plane (planar shape B), respectively, are at the same position.

Positioning a transparent element <NUM>, e.g., a lens, in the path of the light emitted from the optical component <NUM> at the surface <NUM> may have an effect upon the emitted light, where the effect depends on the shape and optical properties of the element <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, a transparent element <NUM>, such as a concave lens having concave shaped surfaces <NUM> and <NUM>, may be positioned over the surface <NUM> of the optical component <NUM> such that the reflected light emitted at the surface <NUM> passes through the surface <NUM>, portion <NUM> of the lens <NUM> between the surfaces <NUM> and <NUM>, and then is emitted from the element <NUM> at the surface <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, after the light emitted at the surface <NUM> passes through the concave lens <NUM>, the beam waist i in the y-z plane (shape B) is closer to the surface <NUM> than the beam waist j in the x-y plane (shape A).

The effect that a lens, which has curved surfaces, such as concave lens <NUM>, and is external to a first optical component of an optical device, and through which light emitted from the first optical component passes, has upon the light emitted from the first optical component, may be compensated for by having the light pass through another, second optical component with a curved surface, i.e., another lens, of the optical device before the light is emitted from the first optical component of the optical device toward the external lens. As discussed above (see <FIG>), the curved shape of the surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> of the lens <NUM> may cause the light emitted from the optical component <NUM> to have astigmatism.

By providing another, second optical component in the form of a lens with curved surfaces through which light passes before being emitted from a first optical component of an optical device toward an external lens, astigmatism may be caused in the light emitted from the first optical component to compensate for the astigmatism caused by the external lens, such that the light ultimately emitted from an optical system including the optical device and the external lens has minimal or no astigmatism.

In an embodiment that does not form part of the claimed invention as shown in <FIG>, an optical assembly <NUM> includes an optical component <NUM> having a concave surface <NUM>. The optical assembly <NUM> is substantially similar to the optical assembly <NUM> with the exception that optical component <NUM> has been replaced by optical component <NUM>. The optical assembly <NUM> includes optical fiber <NUM> and optical lens system <NUM>, as in the optical assembly <NUM>, and the optical component <NUM>. The optical component <NUM> is similar to the optical component <NUM> with the exception that the optical component <NUM> includes the concave surface <NUM> as opposed to planar surface <NUM>. The optical component <NUM> is coupled to the lens system <NUM> at optical interface <NUM>, which is formed by planar surface <NUM> that contacts planar surface <NUM> of the optical component <NUM>.

The concave surface <NUM> is a plane curve defined between a first edge <NUM>, which extends in a direction of an axial line x1, and a second edge <NUM>, which extends in a direction of an axial line x2. The plane curve of the surface <NUM> extends in a negative y-axis direction from each of the first and second edges <NUM>, <NUM>, forming a concave surface that bulges inwardly in a direction away from an imaginary x-z plane V, which extends through the edges <NUM>, <NUM> of the component <NUM>. The concave surface <NUM> has a longitudinal dimension extending in a direction of the x-axis and an axial line x3 extends through points of greatest depth along the longitudinal length of the concave surface <NUM>. In some embodiments of the optical component <NUM>, the edge <NUM> of the concave surface <NUM> is also the edge of the planar surface <NUM> such that the concave surface <NUM> and the planar surface <NUM> share a common edge extending in a straight line, and the edge <NUM> of the concave surface <NUM> is also the edge of the planar surface <NUM> such that the concave surface <NUM> and the planar surface <NUM> share a common edge extending in a straight line. Similar to the optical assembly <NUM>, when a light beam I is incident upon the surface <NUM> of the optical component <NUM> of the assembly <NUM>, the light beam enters and passes through the component <NUM> and is reflected by surface <NUM> in direction R generally in the y-axis direction and toward concave surface <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the concave surface <NUM> is adapted such that the light emitted from the optical component <NUM> at the surface <NUM> has the characteristics that the portion of the emitted light that is in the y-z plane (represented by planar shape C) has a beam waist k that is at a first distance D1 from imaginary x-z plane V, and the portion of the emitted light that is in the x-y plane (represented by planar shape D) has a beam waist <NUM> that is at a second distance D2 from the plane V, where the first distance D1 is greater than the second distance D2. In particular, the portion of the emitted light in the x-y plane (represented by planar shape D) propagates away from the surface <NUM> as a converging beam portion that converges to the beam waist <NUM> at the second distance D2, and then propagates as a diverging beam portion from the second distance D2 to distances greater than the second distance D2 from the plane V. In other words, the portion of the emitted light that is in the x-y plane (represented by planar shape D) propagates as a diverging, i.e., widening, beam portion as the distance the beam portion propagates away from a distance D2 from the surface <NUM> increases. The portion of the emitted light in the y-z plane (represented by planar shape C) propagates away from the surface <NUM> as a converging beam portion that converges to a beam waist k after propagating a first distance D1 from the plane V, which is a greater distance away from the surface <NUM> than the distance that the portion of the emitted light in the x-y plane (represented by planar shape D) propagates before converging to the beam waist <NUM>. The first distance D1 from the plane V at which the beam waist k of the portion in the y-z plane is located is a function of the concavity of the surface <NUM>, such that the greater the concavity of the surface <NUM> in the negative y-axis direction, the greater the first distance D1. Conversely, the lesser the concavity of the surface <NUM> in the negative y-axis direction, the smaller the first distance D <NUM>.

The degree of concavity of the surface <NUM> may be selected in view of the curvature of surfaces of an external optical component, such as the surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> of the component <NUM>, through which the light emitted at the surface <NUM> is to pass through, such that the light emitted from the optical component <NUM> and then passing through the external component <NUM> is emitted from the component <NUM> with minimal or no astigmatism.

As shown in <FIG>, the component <NUM> may be provided with the curved surface <NUM> such that the beam waists k, <NUM> in the y-z plane (planar shape C) and in the x-y plane (planar shape D) respectively of the light beam I emitted from the lens <NUM> are at the same distance from the imaginary plane V.

During use, the optical assembly <NUM> may be used to illuminate objects or structures. Medical uses for the optical assembly <NUM> may include illuminating internal body structures during a minimally invasive surgical procedure. The optical assembly <NUM> may be adapted such that the spot size of the light beam emitted from the assembly <NUM> may correspond with the structures that are desired to be illuminated. In an embodiment, the light beam emitted from the assembly <NUM> may be elliptical and have a spot size of approximately between <NUM> and <NUM>. In an embodiment that does not form part of the claimed invention, the assembly <NUM> may be adapted to provide that the spot size of the emitted light beam may facilitate the illumination and identification of particular cells, e.g., cancer cells.

A method of manufacturing the optical component <NUM> is described with reference to <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, a plate P, e.g., a glass or a polymer, is provided. Optical component <NUM> may be cut from the plate P. The shape of the optical component <NUM> is formed by cutting the desired shape from the plate P. The planar surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> may be formed by using a tool, such as a laser or other cutting instrument, that cuts depth-wise, in a direction of the x axis, into the plate P. Further, the concave surface <NUM> may be formed by using the same tool and cutting depth-wise into the plate P, in a direction of the x axis, along a desired radius of curvature G. The shape of the optical component <NUM>, thus, may be completely formed by cutting only depth-wise, in a direction of the x axis, into the plate P. The manufacture of the optical component <NUM> is easily performed simply by cutting depth-wise into the plate, and there is no need to perform any further cutting or shaping after removal of the optical component <NUM> from the plate P, following such cutting.

Referring now to <FIG> and <FIG>, optical probe <NUM> generally includes optical fiber <NUM>, potting <NUM>, spacer <NUM>, first optical component <NUM> which as in this example may be a GRIN lens, second optical component <NUM> which as in this example may be but is not limited to being a prism lens, inner cover <NUM> which as in this example may be in the form of a sheath or tube, exterior cover <NUM> which as in this example may be in the form of a sheath or tube, and outer cover <NUM> which as in this example may be in the form of a sheath or tube, and end cap <NUM>.

Optical fiber <NUM> may be but is not limited to being a conventional optical fiber. Optical fiber <NUM> may be formed by a core, cladding surrounding the core and jacket <NUM> surrounding the cladding. Jacket <NUM> may be a coating, such as but not limited to an acrylic, urethane, or epoxy, which in some arrangements may be applied and cured onto the cladding of the optical fiber at the time the fiber is fabricated. A portion of jacket <NUM> may be stripped away to expose the cladding. A portion of jacketed optical fiber <NUM> including the exposed cladding portion of the optical fiber <NUM> may extend through and be circumferentially surrounded by potting <NUM> and into abutment against surface 210A of spacer <NUM> that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis defined by optical fiber <NUM>. Potting <NUM> may be made of an adhesive, such as but not limited to epoxy, such that upon curing the outer surface of the portion of optical fiber <NUM> within potting <NUM> may conform to and be held rigidly by the potting. In this manner, potting <NUM> may be self-adhered to spacer <NUM> such that an end surface of optical fiber <NUM> is held in abutment with surface 210A of the spacer. Additionally, optical fiber <NUM> preferably may be fused to surface 210A of spacer <NUM>, such as by heating the fiber, before potting <NUM> is applied about the fiber. In such arrangements, a portion of jacket <NUM> may be stripped away to expose the cladding of optical fiber <NUM> and after fusing the fiber to surface 210A of spacer <NUM>, coating <NUM> (see, e.g., <FIG>) which may be but is not limited to being an epoxy, urethane, acrylic, or polyimide coating may be applied to the cladding of the optical fiber. In some such arrangements, a greater amount of coating <NUM> may be applied near the interface of optical fiber <NUM> and spacer <NUM> such that the coating is thicker in that region than elsewhere along the coated cladding of the optical fiber (as shown in <FIG>, for example). In this manner, the distal end of optical fiber <NUM> may be better supported to prevent separation of the optical fiber from spacer <NUM> during higher rotational speeds of the optical probe.

As in the example shown, spacer <NUM> may be substantially in the form of a cylindrical rod and may be transparent such that a light beam emitted by optical fiber <NUM> enters the spacer at surface 210A and passes through the spacer. In some arrangements, spacer <NUM> may be but is not limited to being made of glass. Spacer <NUM> and first optical component <NUM> may have complementary end surfaces, i.e., facets, set at oblique angles to each of their longitudinal axes which may reduce beam reflection back into optical fiber <NUM> from a light beam emitted from the optical fiber. In this manner, as shown, the complementary end surfaces of spacer <NUM> and first optical component <NUM> may be in abutment with each other. First optical component <NUM> and spacer <NUM> may be attached to each other such as but not limited to by an adhesive, such as but not limited to epoxy, applied along their complementary end surfaces or by being heated to fuse their complementary end surfaces together.

Second optical component <NUM> may be substantially the same as optical component <NUM> described previously herein, and thus features of second optical component <NUM> with like reference numerals as those of the features of optical component <NUM> have essentially the same form and serve essentially the same purpose as the corresponding features of optical component <NUM>. In this manner, a light beam emitted from optical fiber <NUM> may pass through spacer <NUM>, pass through first optical component <NUM>, enter second optical component <NUM> through planar first surface <NUM>, be reflected at planar angled surface <NUM>, and be emitted from exit surface <NUM>, which may be a concave surface as in the example shown or alternatively a planar surface, of the second optical component. A first end of second optical component <NUM> which includes and defines first surface <NUM> may be affixed by adhesive <NUM>, such as by but not limited to being by epoxy, to optical interface surface, i.e., facet, <NUM> at an end of first optical component <NUM> opposite the end of the first optical component having the surface complementary to the obliquely angled end surface of spacer <NUM>. In some arrangements, planar angled surface <NUM> may be coated with a reflective coating <NUM> to avoid attachment of potential contaminants on the angled surface such that an interface of the angled surface and the reflective coating provides complete or substantially complete internal reflection of light which impinges on the angled surface from within second optical component <NUM>. The potential contaminants may even include an adhesive coating over the reflective coating that may be used to add mechanical strength. Coating <NUM> may be a polymer resin, which may be but is not limited to being a dielectric thin film applied using a known thin film deposition process, or metallization applied by an evaporation technique known to those skilled in the art. Such a dielectric coating may be but is not limited to being made of a polymer or combination of polymers, or more preferably may be stacked layers, e.g., alternating layers, of silicon dioxide (SiO<NUM>) and titanium dioxide (TiO<NUM>) or other metal oxide that may be deposited, for example, by way of an evaporation process for forming evaporated coatings or a physical vapor deposition (PVD) process such as sputtering. In a preferred arrangement, the dielectric coating may include four (<NUM>) alternating layers of SiO<NUM> and TiO<NUM>. Appropriate reflective metals for the metallization may be but are not limited to being aluminum, silver, and gold. In some other arrangements, planar angled surface <NUM> may be uncoated when the angled surface is directly exposed to air, and in such arrangements the interface of the angled surface with air may provide for complete or substantially complete internal reflection of light which impinges on the angled surface from within second optical component <NUM>. Coating <NUM>, thus, may be provided such that internal reflection at planar angled surface <NUM> is the same or substantially the same as when the coating is absent and the angled surface is directly exposed to air.

As further shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, inner cover <NUM> may extend along a length of and circumferentially surround potting <NUM>, spacer <NUM>, and first optical component <NUM> as well as a portion of second optical component <NUM>. As in the example shown, inner cover <NUM> may be a thin tube which, in some arrangements, may be formed of a polymer resin such as but not limited to polyethylene terephthalate (PET) which may be heat shrunk to various components and an adhesive such as epoxy. PET tubing, when used, may be coated with an adhesive at any portions of the tubing interfacing with other components. In this manner, inner cover <NUM> may be adhered to all or at least portions of outer surfaces of each of potting <NUM>, spacer <NUM>, and first optical component <NUM> such that the inner cover may conform to these components. As a result, potting <NUM>, spacer <NUM>, and first optical component <NUM> may be fixed together and held in axial alignment along a common longitudinal axis.

Exterior cover <NUM> may be affixed or otherwise adhered to inner cover <NUM>, such as by but not limited to being by an adhesive which may be but is not limited to being a high strength glue, e.g., heat curable epoxy, a urethane-based adhesive, or an acrylic adhesive. Exterior cover <NUM> may be but is not limited to being a torque coil for receiving and exerting torque to the entire assembly of optical probe <NUM>. In this manner, exterior cover <NUM>, and as a result optical probe <NUM>, may be rotated by an attached motor at high speed up to at least <NUM>,<NUM> rpm. To withstand these rotational speeds, exterior cover <NUM> may have multiple layers of wound coils, and preferably two (<NUM>) or more layers of such coils which may be coiled in alternating directions. Exterior cover <NUM> may be but is not limited to being made of metals such as stainless steel.

As shown, exterior cover <NUM> may extend along only a portion of inner cover <NUM>. In this manner, the remainder of inner cover <NUM> may be affixed to end cap <NUM>, as shown. Exterior cover <NUM> may also be affixed to end cap <NUM> by an adhesive, such as but not limited to an epoxy. End cap <NUM> may be molded by a polymer resin, e.g., a high viscosity resin such as but not limited to heat curable epoxy, a urethane-based adhesive, or an acrylic adhesive. End cap <NUM> may extend distally from its attachment with inner cover <NUM> to beyond second optical component <NUM> such that the end cap surrounds second optical component <NUM> with the exception of cap opening <NUM>. Cap opening <NUM> may have a sufficiently large diameter such that a light beam reflected from planar angled surface <NUM> and exiting exit surface <NUM> of second optical component <NUM> may pass through end cap <NUM> without obstruction. Cap opening <NUM> also may have a sufficiently small diameter such that the end cap may obstruct second optical component <NUM> from exiting the cap opening should the second optical component become dislodged from its attachment to first optical component <NUM>.

As shown, adhesive <NUM> may extend around a portion of a circumference of planar first surface <NUM> of second optical component <NUM>, covering a portion of one or more side surfaces <NUM>, planar angled surface <NUM>, and exit surface <NUM> which extend from the second optical component. As shown in <FIG>, adhesive <NUM> may extend to an inner surface of inner cover <NUM> such that adhesive <NUM> is bound by second optical component <NUM> and the inner cover. In this manner, inner cover <NUM> may provide additional support to maintain the position of second optical component <NUM> against first optical component <NUM>, especially in response to shear forces that may be imparted onto the second optical component during high speed rotation of optical probe <NUM>.

In some arrangements, as shown, outer cover <NUM> may extend along only a portion of exterior cover <NUM> and along only a portion of end cap <NUM> at its maximum diameter. As further shown, outer cover <NUM> may overlie cap opening <NUM>. In this manner, outer cover <NUM> may provide an additional barrier to prevent second optical component <NUM> from exiting cap opening <NUM> should the second optical component become dislodged from its attachment to first optical component <NUM>. Outer cover <NUM> may be sufficiently thin such that the cover does not act as a lens to undesirably focus or disperse the light exiting exit surface <NUM> of second optical component <NUM> that passes through the cover, i.e., such that the cover causes little to no "lens effect" as known to those skilled in the art.

As shown in <FIG>, in an alternative arrangement, optical probe 200A may be the same or substantially the same as optical probe <NUM> with the exception that optical probe 200A may include adhesive 230A in place of adhesive <NUM>. Unlike adhesive <NUM>, adhesive 230A may substantially cover second optical component <NUM> and be further bound by resin cap <NUM>. In such arrangements in which adhesive 230A surrounds angled surface <NUM> of second optical component <NUM>, the second optical component may include reflective coating <NUM> covering the angled surface to provide complete or substantially complete internal reflection of light at the angled surface of the second optical component.

Referring now to <FIG>, optical probe <NUM> may be substantially the same as optical probe <NUM> with the exception that optical probe <NUM> may include exterior cover <NUM> and end cap <NUM> in place of exterior cover <NUM> and end cap <NUM>, respectively. Exterior cover <NUM> may be substantially the same as exterior cover <NUM> with the exception that exterior cover <NUM> may include a plurality of holes 367A, 367B to insert an adhesive such as but not limited to an epoxy, urethane, or acrylic adhesive. End cap <NUM> may be substantially the same as end cap <NUM> with the exception that end cap <NUM> may not contact inner cover <NUM>. Instead, end cap <NUM> may be press-molded or glued into exterior cover <NUM> such that the end cap may be maintained in position during translation and high speed rotation of optical probe <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, optical probe <NUM> may be substantially the same as optical probe <NUM> with the exception that optical probe <NUM> may include inner cover <NUM>, exterior cover <NUM>, end cap <NUM>, and adhesive <NUM> in place of inner cover <NUM>, exterior cover <NUM>, end cap <NUM>, and adhesive <NUM>, respectively. Inner cover <NUM> may be substantially the same as inner cover <NUM> with the exception that inner cover <NUM> may extend only along portions of potting <NUM> and spacer <NUM>. Exterior cover <NUM> may be substantially the same as exterior cover <NUM> with the exception that exterior cover <NUM> may have an end face <NUM> that circumferentially surrounds spacer <NUM> and that is set at an oblique angle to the longitudinal axis of optical fiber <NUM>. End cap <NUM> may be substantially the same as end cap <NUM> with the exception that end cap <NUM> may extend proximally to circumferentially surround spacer <NUM> and may have an end face <NUM> that is complementary to end face <NUM> of exterior cover <NUM>. Alternatively, the exterior cover may extend further in a distal direction to first optical component <NUM> and the end cap may have a corresponding smaller length. In either alternative, adhesive <NUM> may be applied, as shown, to extend proximally such that the adhesive meets and attaches to inner cover <NUM>. In this manner, adhesive <NUM> may provide even greater support of second optical component <NUM> during translation and high speed rotation of optical probe <NUM>. In some alternative arrangements, the inner cover may extend to first optical component <NUM> and adhesive <NUM> may extend proximally a correspondingly shorter distance to meet and attach to the inner cover while still providing additional support to second optical component <NUM>.

Additionally, as shown, adhesive <NUM> may fill a substantial portion of a space defined between end cap <NUM> and first optical component <NUM>, providing still greater support of second optical component <NUM>. In some cases where adhesive <NUM> surrounds angled surface <NUM> of second optical component <NUM>, the second optical component may include reflective coating <NUM> covering the angled surface to provide for complete or substantially complete internal reflection of light at the angled surface of the second optical component. Further, due to the complementary angled end faces <NUM>, <NUM>, exterior cover <NUM> may impart torque onto end cap <NUM> during rotation of the exterior cover in such arrangements.

As shown in <FIG>, optical probe <NUM> may be substantially the same as optical probe <NUM> with the exception that optical probe <NUM> may include exterior cover <NUM> and end cap <NUM> in place of exterior cover <NUM> and end cap <NUM>, respectively. Exterior cover <NUM> may be substantially the same as exterior cover <NUM> with the exception that exterior cover <NUM> may include end face <NUM> defining groove <NUM> in place of end face <NUM>. End cap <NUM> may be substantially the same as end cap <NUM> with the exception that end cap <NUM> may have end face <NUM> in place of end face <NUM> in which case end face <NUM> may include key <NUM> which may be received in groove <NUM> of end face <NUM> of exterior cover <NUM>. In this manner, exterior cover <NUM> may impart torque onto end cap <NUM> during rotation of the exterior cover.

As shown in <FIG>, optical probe <NUM> may be substantially the same as optical probe <NUM> with the exception that optical probe <NUM> may not include potting <NUM> and end cap <NUM>, may include a combination of inner cover <NUM> and outer cover <NUM> in place of a combination of inner cover <NUM>, end cap <NUM> and outer cover <NUM>, exterior cover <NUM> in place of exterior cover <NUM>, optical fiber <NUM> in place of optical fiber <NUM>, and first adhesive <NUM> in place of adhesive <NUM>, and additionally may include second adhesive <NUM>. Inner cover <NUM> may be substantially the same as inner cover <NUM> with the exception that inner cover <NUM> may act as a sleeve extending around and only along spacer <NUM> and first optical component <NUM>. Like inner cover <NUM>, inner cover <NUM> may extend distally beyond first optical component <NUM>. Outer cover <NUM> may extend along and directly cover a distal portion of exterior cover <NUM>, directly cover a portion of optical fiber <NUM> (without jacket <NUM>) with the exception of adhesive that may be applied between the outer cover and the optical fiber as discussed further herein, directly cover the entirety of inner cover <NUM>, and directly cover second optical component <NUM>. In this manner, outer cover <NUM> may be the outermost component at the distal end of optical probe <NUM> in which the outer cover may cover a majority of the end of optical probe <NUM>. As shown, outer cover <NUM> may define an opening at its distal end such that, in contrast to optical probe <NUM>, optical probe <NUM> may be exposed to its surroundings. In this manner, inner cover <NUM>, a combination of the inner cover, spacer <NUM> and first optical component <NUM>, or a combination of the inner cover, the spacer, the first optical component, and second optical component <NUM> may be inserted through the opening defined at the distal end of the outer cover. Exterior cover <NUM> may be substantially the same as exterior cover <NUM> with the exception that exterior cover <NUM> may have a distal end face <NUM> that circumferentially surrounds optical fiber <NUM> (without jacket <NUM>). Exterior cover <NUM> may define step <NUM> at its distal end in which outer cover <NUM> extends over the step such that the exterior cover and the outer cover form a continuous, uninterrupted outer surface of optical probe <NUM>.

In some arrangements, as shown in <FIG>, first adhesive <NUM>, which may be but is not limited to being an epoxy, urethane, or acrylic adhesive, may be applied to the same region adjacent to first optical component <NUM> and second optical component <NUM> but may also be further applied distally and generally below angled surface <NUM>, which may be coated with reflective coating <NUM> (see <FIG>), of second optical component <NUM> and may also be applied, as shown, to extend proximally. In this manner, first adhesive <NUM> may any of or, as shown, all of attach inner cover <NUM> to spacer <NUM> and first optical component <NUM>, attach outer cover <NUM> to inner cover <NUM>, and attach outer cover <NUM> to exterior cover <NUM>. Still referring to <FIG>, optical fiber <NUM> (without jacket <NUM>) may be directly attached to spacer <NUM>, or the first optical component <NUM> in some alternative arrangements without the spacer, and may have a thickness such that outer cover <NUM> is spaced apart from an exposed surface of the optical fiber to form a gap defined by the exposed surface of the optical fiber, the outer cover, the spacer (or alternatively the first optical component), and exterior cover <NUM>. In this manner, this gap, which initially during fabrication is an air gap, allows for variation in either or both of the concentricity of optical fiber <NUM> and spacer <NUM> and the diameters of the optical fiber and the spacer.

As shown, the entirety of this gap may be filled with second adhesive <NUM>, which may be but is not limited to being an epoxy, urethane, or acrylic adhesive, or in alternative arrangements a resilient filling material, e.g. a resilient polymer, with the exception that first adhesive <NUM> may be applied between the second adhesive and outer cover <NUM>. As in this example, second adhesive <NUM> or the resilient filling material may be softer, i.e., more compressible, than first adhesive <NUM>. Use of adhesive in the gap may provide support for optical fiber <NUM> during rotation of optical probe <NUM>. In alternative arrangements, the entirety of the gap may be filled with second adhesive <NUM> or the resilient filling material, or the entirety of the gap may be filled with first adhesive <NUM>. In still other arrangements, the gap may not be filled at all such that the gap remains as an air gap. In this manner, stresses that may be caused by uneven forces acting at various regions along the interface of optical fiber <NUM> and first adhesive <NUM> due to the filling of the gap when using second adhesive <NUM>, or the resilient filling material, may be avoided.

With reference to <FIG>, in fabricating optical probe <NUM>, a distal portion of optical fiber <NUM> after stripping fiber jacket <NUM> away from a portion of the optical fiber may be attached by an adhesive or otherwise fused to a proximal end of spacer <NUM>. For example, a distal end of optical fiber <NUM> preferably may be fused to the proximal end of spacer <NUM> by welding or other high heating method. In another example, an adhesive may be applied around a circumference of optical fiber <NUM> and to spacer <NUM> in which the adhesive may also be applied between the distal end of the optical fiber and the spacer or in which an anti-reflective coating may be applied to either or both of the distal end of the optical fiber and the spacer. Next, either first optical component <NUM> may be attached by an adhesive or otherwise fused, such as by welding or other high heating method to spacer <NUM> or to second optical component <NUM>. Exterior cover <NUM> then may be slid over stripped and unstripped portions of optical fiber <NUM>. Next, inner cover <NUM> may be slid proximally over attached spacer <NUM> and first optical component <NUM>, which in some arrangements may have an adhesive such as first adhesive <NUM> pre-applied to either or both of their surfaces, such that a proximal end of the inner cover is in alignment with spacer <NUM>. An amount of first adhesive <NUM>, which may only be a drop, may be applied to either spacer <NUM> or first optical component <NUM> through hole 760A of inner cover <NUM>, in the example shown spacer <NUM>. Additional first adhesive <NUM> may then be applied onto any of or all of an outer surface of inner cover <NUM>, step <NUM> of exterior cover <NUM>, and an inner surface of outer cover <NUM>. Outer cover <NUM> then may be slid proximally over inner cover <NUM> and onto step <NUM> of exterior cover <NUM>, although in alternative arrangements the outer cover and the inner cover may be formed as an integral, monolithic component in the same form as the combination of outer cover <NUM> and inner cover <NUM> shown in <FIG> such that the component has various stepped regions. Outer cover <NUM> may include hole 770A in which the outer cover preferably may be positioned such that the hole is positioned axially between a distal end of exterior cover <NUM> and a proximal end of inner cover <NUM>. In this manner, step <NUM> of exterior cover <NUM> may be sized such that a proximal portion of outer cover <NUM> proximal to hole 770A of the outer cover may extend over the step of the exterior cover such that the exterior cover and the outer cover form a continuous, uninterrupted outer surface of optical probe <NUM>.

Additional first adhesive <NUM> or preferably second adhesive <NUM> may be applied through hole 770A and into the gap defined by defined by the exposed surface of optical fiber <NUM>, outer cover <NUM>, first optical component <NUM>, and exterior cover <NUM>. In alternative arrangements of optical probe <NUM> without either or both of hole 760A of inner cover <NUM> and hole 770A of outer cover <NUM>, adhesive may be applied, respectively, to the combination of spacer <NUM> and first optical component <NUM> and to the gap defined by the exposed surface of optical fiber <NUM>, outer cover <NUM>, first optical component <NUM>, and exterior cover <NUM>.

In some arrangements, outer cover <NUM> may be but is not limited to being made of metals, such as stainless steel, and various polymers, such as but not limited to polyimide. When made of stainless steel or polyimide, outer cover <NUM> may be machined into a desired form, such as that best shown in <FIG>. In some arrangements, outer cover <NUM> may be molded over exterior cover <NUM>. In some such arrangements, outer cover <NUM> and inner cover <NUM> may be a monolithic component in the form of a single continuous molded part and further may be in the same form as the combination of outer cover <NUM> and inner cover <NUM> shown in <FIG>. In some alternative arrangements, such as for relatively low rotational speeds which preferably may be less than or approximately equal to <NUM> rpm, the outer cover may abut the distal end of the exterior cover instead of overlapping with the exterior cover.

Referring now to <FIG>, optical probe <NUM> may be substantially the same as optical probe <NUM> with the exception that optical probe <NUM> may further include end cap <NUM>. In such an arrangement, end cap <NUM> may be attached to the distal end of optical probe <NUM>. As shown, end cap <NUM> may be applied in the form of a transparent thin sheath that may circumferentially surround a distal portion and the distal end of outer cover <NUM>. As in this example, end cap <NUM> may be but is not limited to being made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or other plastics that may be liquid-resistant, and in some instances moisture resistant, up to a highest pressure experienced in the bloodstream of a human or other living being, as appropriate. During fabrication of optical probe <NUM>, optical probe <NUM> may be formed by applying PET resin around a distal portion and over the distal end of outer cover <NUM>. The PET resin may then be cured through the application of heat to optical probe <NUM>. In this manner, the PET resin may harden and shrink. As shown, in shrinking, the cured PET resin may form flat sections in regions in which the resin is applied over holes or openings, e.g., over distal opening <NUM> defined by the distal end of outer cover <NUM> or over side opening <NUM> of outer cover <NUM>. The thickness of end cap <NUM> may be in the range of preferably approximately <NUM> to approximately <NUM>, and more preferably approximately <NUM>. In this manner, liquid materials, and in some instances moisture, may be prevented from entering into outer cover <NUM> through distal opening <NUM> or side opening <NUM> while at the same time interference on light emissions through end cap <NUM> may be minimized.

As shown in <FIG>, optical probe <NUM> may be substantially the same as optical probe <NUM> with the exception that optical probe <NUM> may include end cap <NUM> in place of end cap <NUM>. End cap <NUM> may be substantially the same as end cap <NUM> with the exception that a distal portion of end cap <NUM> may be in the form of a tube. As shown, the tubular portion of end cap <NUM> may neck down in a distal direction. In such arrangements, adhesive <NUM>, which may be but is not limited to being an epoxy, urethane, or acrylic adhesive, may be applied into a distal end of end cap <NUM> such that the adhesive provides a complete barrier to liquids entering the end cap. In this manner, end cap <NUM> may provide a stronger barrier configured to withstand greater compression forces at the distal end of optical probe <NUM> relative to end cap <NUM> of optical probe <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, second optical component <NUM> may be attached to first optical component <NUM> as shown and may be used in place of second optical component <NUM>. Second optical component <NUM> may be substantially the same as optical component <NUM> with the exception that second optical component <NUM> may have a truncated planar surface <NUM>, a truncated planar (angled) surface <NUM>, and a truncated concave exit surface <NUM> in place of planar surface <NUM>, planar surface <NUM>, and concave surface <NUM> of optical component <NUM> and further may have a larger perimeter than optical component <NUM> about an axis extending in a direction perpendicular to truncated planar surface <NUM> and passing through truncated planar surface <NUM>. Truncated planar surface <NUM> may include four primary edges <NUM>-<NUM> and four secondary edges <NUM>-<NUM> extending between pairs of each of the primary edges. In the arrangement shown, the four primary edges <NUM>-<NUM> are of equal size and the four secondary edges <NUM>-<NUM> are of equal size, although in alternative arrangements, these edges may have different sizes from at least some of their counterpart edges. Ends of each of the four secondary edges <NUM>-<NUM> may confront points on the outer diameter of first optical component <NUM> when second optical component <NUM> is properly aligned with the first optical component, such that the entirety of a profile of second optical component <NUM> lies within optical interface surface <NUM> of the first optical component. In this manner, a larger aperture, as depicted by inscribed circle <NUM>, is formed by truncated planar surface <NUM> of second optical component <NUM> than is provided by planar surface <NUM> of optical component <NUM>. As a result, more light from first optical component <NUM> may enter second optical component <NUM> at planar surface <NUM> than may enter at surface <NUM> of optical component <NUM>. Desirably, the truncated exit surface <NUM> may have a predetermined truncated configuration relative to concave surface <NUM> of optical component <NUM>, the truncated angled surface <NUM> may have a predetermined truncated configuration relative to angled surface <NUM>, and exit surface <NUM> may have a predetermined concave configuration, to provide that all or substantially all of the light entering at planar surface <NUM> exits the second optical component <NUM> at exit surface <NUM> and to maximize the amount of light exiting the second optical component that enters the second optical component at planar surface <NUM>.

During use, optical probe <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or any such optical probe using second optical component <NUM> in place of second optical component <NUM>, may be used to illuminate objects or structures. In some arrangements, optical probe <NUM> may be used for certain medical procedures, including for illuminating internal body structures, such as may be needed for optical coherence tomography (OCT) or other medical imaging techniques, during minimally invasive surgical procedures. During such procedures, optical probe <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be moved along internal body structures, e.g., a blood vessel, through a catheter, which may be catheter tubing, preferably without friction with the catheter and caused to be rotated by way of a rotary joint or other mechanical connection. Optical probe <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be configured such that the spot size of a light beam emitted from the probe may correspond with the structures that are desired to be illuminated. In one arrangement, the light beam emitted from probe <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be elliptical and have a spot size of approximately between <NUM> and <NUM>. In an embodiment, probe <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be configured such that the spot size of the emitted light beam facilitates the illumination and identification of particular cells, e.g., cancer cells.

With reference to <FIG>, in one example, optical probe <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be part of respective optical system 1000A, 1000B, 1000C in which the respective optical probe may be inserted into a tube of catheter <NUM> and in which the respective optical probe may be attached to connector and motor assembly <NUM>. Connector and motor assembly <NUM> may include optical connector <NUM> for transmitting a light beam to respective optical probe <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. Connector and motor assembly <NUM> may further supply a rotational force to exterior cover <NUM> to cause a rotation of attached second optical component <NUM>, <NUM>. In this manner, in the example optical probe <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may facilitate illumination of artery <NUM> to identify abnormalities of the artery as discussed above. Optical probe <NUM> includes outer cover <NUM> and optical probe <NUM>, <NUM> includes respective end cap <NUM>, <NUM> such that the optical probe may operate in a liquid or otherwise moist environment such as in the example shown in which flushing liquid is added into catheter <NUM> through side tube <NUM> of the catheter.

Referring now to <FIG>, in another example, optical probe <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be part of another optical system substantially similar to optical system 1000A, 1000B, 1000C with the exception that this alternative system may include catheter <NUM> in place of catheter <NUM>. Catheter <NUM> may be substantially the same as catheter <NUM> with the exception that catheter <NUM> includes tip <NUM>, which as shown may be pointed, that separates the optical system from the liquid or otherwise moist surroundings of artery <NUM> exterior to the catheter and generally does not include a side tube such as side tube <NUM> of catheter <NUM>.

It is to be further understood that the disclosure set forth herein includes any possible combinations of the particular features set forth above, whether specifically disclosed herein or not. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect, arrangement, configuration, or embodiment, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects, arrangements, configurations, and embodiments of the technology, and in the technology generally.

Furthermore, although the technology herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present technology. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the scope of the claims.

Claim 1:
An optical probe (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
an optical fiber assembly including an optical fiber (<NUM>);
an optical lens assembly including a first lens (<NUM>) having a first lens end surface and a second lens (<NUM>, <NUM>) having a second lens end surface confronting the first lens end surface, a generally planar second lens angled surface (<NUM>, <NUM>), and a second lens exit surface (<NUM>, <NUM>) arranged such that light reflected by the second lens angled surface is directed towards the second lens exit surface,
wherein the second lens end surface of the second lens is attached to the first lens end surface by a first adhesive (<NUM>),
wherein the second lens end surface is arranged at a predetermined angle relative to the second lens angled surface such that a light beam entering the second lens at the second lens end surface is reflected at the second lens angled surface, and
wherein the second lens is a prism lens; and
a first cover (<NUM>, <NUM>) attached to and circumferentially surrounding the optical fiber assembly, characterized in that:
the first adhesive (<NUM>) or a second adhesive (<NUM>) attaches the first lens to the first cover, and in that the first adhesive (<NUM>) at least partially circumferentially surrounds the second lens end surface and is bounded by the first cover.