IMAGE RELAYING CANNULA WITH DETACHABLE SELF-ALIGNING CONNECTOR

摘要

An optical cannula configured for implantation in biological tissue or other samples provides minimal invasiveness while accessing image deep structures within the sample. The cannula has a stabilizer portion that is used to affix the cannula to the sample, and an extension portion that protrudes into the sample and is either formed by, or contains, an optical probe that images a target area within the sample to an object image provided to an external optical device. The cannula has an integrated coupler portion that detachably connects to a connector of the external device, providing removable and interchangeable connection to external optical systems.

主权项

1. A system for coupling an optical image of an object located within a biological sample to an optical device external to the biological sample, the system comprising:
an optical cannula having a stabilizer portion adapted for mounting the optical cannula to a surface of the sample, a coupling for detachably receiving a connection, and an optical probe having a proximal end disposed at a position outside the sample and terminating within or proximate to the coupling, wherein the optical probe extends through the stabilizer portion and into the sample and has a distal end for receiving light returning from the object, wherein the light returning from the object is coupled through the optical probe to the proximal end of the optical probe to provide the optical image of the object outside of the sample, and wherein the optical probe is mechanically integrated within the cannula that the proximal end of the optical probe is mechanically aligned with the coupling; and a detachable connector for detachably connecting the optical device to the coupling of the optical cannula to supply the connection, wherein the optical device is optically coupled to the proximal end of the optical probe and aligned with an optical axis of the optical probe by the attachment to the connector to the coupling.