High-Throughput Alignment-Insensitive Optical Connector for Laser-Based Photoplethysmography

摘要

One embodiment of an optical coupling for use in a photoplethysmographic device having a first light guide (160) with core (150) that mates to a second light guide (210) that has a core (220) with a diameter and numerical aperture that are larger than those of the first light guide. This results in a high-throughput optical coupling that is insensitive to lateral offset and angular misalignments of the light guide axes. It allows the use of lower-cost, lower-precision molded parts in the manufacture of optical connectors, yet maximizes the light that is available for delivery to the tissue-under-test. Other embodiments are described and shown.