초록 ▼

An optical coupler for in vivo examination of biological tissue includes an optical input port positionable on or near the examined tissue, a first light guide optically coupled to the optical input port and constructed to transmit optical radiation of a visible or infra-red wavelength from a source

An optical coupler for in vivo examination of biological tissue includes an optical input port positionable on or near the examined tissue, a first light guide optically coupled to the optical input port and constructed to transmit optical radiation of a visible or infra-red wavelength from a source to the optical input port. The optical coupler also includes an optical detection port, positionable on or near the examined tissue, constructed and arranged to receive radiation that has migrated in the examined tissue from the input port. Connected to the detection port is a detector light guide, constructed to transmit radiation from the detection port to an optical detector. Disposed at least partially around the examined tissue and the input and detection ports is optical medium arranged to couple the radiation to the tissue, limit escape of photons, or account for photons that escaped from the tissue. The optical coupler also enables a precise relative geometry of input and detection ports. The optical coupler may further include a system for altering controllably absorptive or scattering properties of the optical medium. The optical coupler may be further adapted for needle localization procedure, ultrasonic examination of tissue, and may include coils for magnetic resonance imaging of the tissue also examined optically.

대표청구항 ▼

An optical coupling system for non-invasively monitoring a region of living tissue, comprising: an excitation port positionable at the tissue and adapted to introduce optical radiation into the monitored tissue; an excitation light guide defining an excitation channel for conveying said radiation fr

An optical coupling system for non-invasively monitoring a region of living tissue, comprising: an excitation port positionable at the tissue and adapted to introduce optical radiation into the monitored tissue; an excitation light guide defining an excitation channel for conveying said radiation from a source to said excitation port; a detection port, positionable at the tissue, adapted to receive radiation that has migrated in the tissue from said excitation port to said detection port, said detection port having a detection area larger than an input area of said excitation port; a detecting light guide, connected to said detection port, for conveying said radiation from said detection port to an optical detector; and optical matching fluid, contained within a flexible optically transparent bag, disposed partially around the monitored tissue and said excitation and detection ports.