Handpiece with integrated optical system for photothermal radiometry and luminescence measurements

摘要

An apparatus is provided for performing photothermal measurements on a object. The apparatus, which may be provided as a handpiece, houses optical components including a laser, an infrared detector, a dichroic beamsplitter, and focusing and beam directing optics for the delivery of a laser beam to, and the collection of photothermal radiation from, a measured object. Some of the optical components may be provided on an optical bench that is directly attached to a thermally conductive tip portion for the passive heat sinking of internal optical components. The apparatus may further include a sampling optical element and a photodetector for the detection of luminescence, and a camera for obtaining an image of the object during a diagnostic procedure. The apparatus may be employed for the scanning of a tooth to determine an oral health status of the tooth.

主权项

1. An apparatus for detecting photothermal radiation from an object, said apparatus comprising:
an elongate housing comprising: a handheld proximal portion comprising an inner recess; and a thermally conductive distal portion connected to said handheld proximal portion, said thermally conductive distal portion comprising a longitudinal inner bore and a distal aperture; a thermally conductive optical bench attached to said thermally conductive distal portion; a laser for producing a laser beam within said housing, said laser is mounted on said thermally conductive optical bench; a focusing element positioned to focus said laser beam through said distal aperture within said thermally conductive distal portion and onto a surface of said object, and to collect photothermal radiation generated within said object in response to said laser beam; a dichroic beamsplitter positioned within said housing to spatially separate said photothermal radiation from said laser beam; and an infrared detector for detecting said photothermal radiation, infrared detector is mounted on said thermally conductive optical bench; said thermally conductive optical bench is mechanically suspended within said inner recess of said proximal portion, without contacting said proximal portion, via attachment to said thermally conductive distal portion, such that heat generated by said laser and said infrared detector flows through said optical bench into said thermally conductive distal portion for passive heat sinking therefrom.