PROBE FOR OPTICAL IMAGING

摘要

A probe for a three-dimensional (3D) scanning optical imaging which prevents rotational irregularity, axial runout, friction, rotation transmission delays of a rotational part by reducing occurrences of rotation transmission delays, torque loss, and the like, and can perform scanning of a certain length in an axial direction and obtain a three-dimensional observation image, in a probe for OCT image diagnosis. A fixed side optical fiber that transmits light between a tip side and a rear side of a probe and is non-rotatably disposed, a first optical path conversion means that rotates to emit a light ray in a substantially radial direction, a rotation side optical fiber which is rotated by a motor, and a second optical path conversion means that rotates and emits light toward the first optical path conversion means are collinearly disposed. In this way, it is possible to obtain a high quality 3D observation image.

主权项

1. A probe for optical imaging which guides light entering a tip side to a rear side, the probe comprising:
a non-rotatably disposed fixed side optical fiber incorporated in a substantially tube-shaped catheter; a first optical path conversion means disposed on a tip side of the fixed side optical fiber and driven by a first motor to rotate, thereby emitting a light ray in a substantially radial direction; a rotation side optical fiber positioned between the fixed side optical fiber and the first optical path conversion means, optically connected by an optical rotary connector, and driven by a second motor to rotate; and a second optical path conversion means for rotating and emitting light by inclining an optical path to a tip side of the rotation side optical fiber by a minute angle with respect to a rotation center, wherein the fixed side optical fiber, the first optical path conversion means, the rotation side optical fiber, and the second optical path conversion means are collinearly disposed.