Abstract: A variety of optical probes and methods have utility in the examination of various materials, especially materials in the interior of cavities having restricted access through orifices or passageways. One type of such optical probe is elongated and includes a distal optical window, a divergent light source, a spatial mixer, and a light collector. Light from the light source is mixed in the spatial mixer to achieve uniform diffuse light in the vicinity of the optical window. The light collector receives light from the target through the spatial mixer. The optical probe may be made of two sections, a reusable section and a disposable. The disposable is elongated and contains a mounting section, an inside surface suitable for the spatial mixing of light, and an optical element which helps to seal the reusable probe section from the target.

Abstract: A variety of optical probes and methods have utility in the examination of various materials, especially materials in the interior of cavities having restricted access through orifices or passageways. One type of such optical probe is elongated and includes a distal optical window, a divergent light source, a spatial mixer, and a light collector. Light from the light source is mixed in the spatial mixer to achieve uniform diffuse light in the vicinity of the optical window. The light collector receives light from the target through the spatial mixer. The optical probe may be made of two sections, a reusable section and a disposable. The disposable is elongated and contains a mounting section, an inside surface suitable for the spatial mixing of light, and an optical element which helps to seal the reusable probe section from the target.

Abstract: A variety of optical probes and optical methods have utility in the examination of various materials, especially materials in the interior of cavities having restricted access through orifices or passageways. An optical probe useful, for example, in examining the epithelia and other tissues of anatomical structures within the body cavities and tubular organs and viscera of mammals is elongated and includes an optical window (240, 302, 1002), a light source (222, 312, 314, 510, 520, 1020, 1200, 1400, 1700), a spatial mixer (224, 304, 2004, 2104, 2204, 2304), and a light collector (210, 320, 720, 1120). The light from the light source is mixed in the spatial mixer, thereby removing any reflected images and irradiation artifacts to achieving uniform diffuse light in the vicinity of the optical window. The light collector receives light from the target through the spatial mixer, but the field of view of the light collector excludes any residual reflections and fluorescence from the spatial mixer.

Abstract: Apparatus consisting of a flat, two-dimensional array of laser/photo diodes; an optical storage card positioned below the array; and a mechanism to move the card in both the X- and Y-directions to position the laser/photo diode array over any one particular location on the card. A further mechanism serves to move the card in the X- and Y-directions and angularly to provide an initial alignment of the card with respect to the laser/photo diode array. Yet another mechanism moves the card in the Z-direction for focusing purposes. A laser/optical interface positioned between the laser/photo diode array and the card which is formed of an array of collimating and focusing holographic micro lenses (HOE) with surface diffraction patterns. An electronic section functions as an interface between a central processing unit (CPU) and the lasers and photo diodes of the array. The optical storage card is a thin, re-writable phase-change type.