Abstract: A method for axial scanning to be used in transmission in one of the arms of OCT interferometers, with reduced walk-off and loss. Procedures are disclosed of using the scanning delay line in conjunction with the transverse scanners to generate B and C-scan OCT images.

Abstract: OCT apparatus includes an interferometer, having an input beam splitter and a 50/50 output splitter. The splitting ratio of the input splitter may be optimized depending on the source power of light source and on the mismatch of the balanced receiver. The input splitter is a plate beam-splitter to minimize the stray reflected light in the interferometer and allow sequential operation of the apparatus in the OCT or in the confocal regime. The switching between the two regimes may be at will, or synchronous with the en-face scanning which results in quasi-simultaneous OCT/confocal imaging or in alternatives frames, confocal and OCT. By using polarization sensitive elements, two channels are provided in each regime, OCT and confocal. The two confocal polarization sensitive channels may allow adjustments of compensators prior to OCT measurements or OCT imaging.

Abstract: An optical coherence tomography (OCT) apparatus includes an optical source, an interferometer generating an object beam and a reference beam, a transverse scanner for scanning an object with said object beam, and a processor for generating an OCT image from an OCT signal returned by said interferometer. At least the optical source, the interferometer, and the scanner are mounted on a common translation stage displaceable towards and away from said object. A dynamic focus solution is provided when the scanner and a folded object path are placed on the translation stage.

Abstract: OCT apparatus includes an interferometer, having an input beam splitter and a 50/50 output splitter. The splitting ratio of the input splitter may be optimized depending on the source power of light source and on the mismatch of the balanced receiver. The input splitter is a plate beam-splitter to minimize the stray reflected light in the interferometer and allow sequential operation of the apparatus in the OCT or in the confocal regime. The switching between the two regimes may be at will, or synchronous with the en-face scanning which results in quasi-simultaneous OCT/confocal imaging or in alternatives frames, confocal and OCT. By using polarization sensitive elements, two channels are provided in each regime, OCT and confocal. The two confocal polarization sensitive channels may allow adjustments of compensators prior to OCT measurements or OCT imaging.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multiple channel optical mapping apparatus which can deliver one or simultaneously at least two images of different depth resolutions or sequentially, images with different depth resolutions, or a combination of these images, or a single image with adjustable depth resolution. The multiple channels could be either multiple confocal channel and one or two optical coherence tomography channel, or two optical coherence tomography channels, or two confocal channels. The channels, either OCT or confocal can operate on the same wavelength or on different wavelengths. The apparatus can display both transversal as well as longitudinal images in an object, particularly the eye.

Abstract: An ultrasonic scanner has a housing, an ultrasonic transducer mounted within the housing for back-and-forth motion about a pivot, a permanent magnet affixed to the rear of the transducer, and electromagnetic means to effect movement of the transducer/magnet assembly. The electromagnetic means comprises two or more longitudinally mounted electromagnets, and optionally two radially mounted permanent magnets which serve as decelerating buffers. Electrical means are provided for energizing the transducer and receiving signals therefrom. Digitizing means are provided to convert the received signals to digital form. Sequential control means are provided to energize the electromagnet coils in a programmed sequence, and furthermore to synchronize transducer motion, periodic energization of the transducer, and digitization of signals received from the transducer. Display means are provided to present the signals received by the transducer to an operator, in the form of a time-varying tomographic image.

Abstract: Optical mapping apparatus with adjustable depth resolution is provided. The optical mapping apparatus can display transversal images in an object, particularly the eye. The apparatus can deliver two or more images with different depth resolutions, or a combination of these images, or only one image with adjustable depth resolution. There is also provided optical mapping apparatus with adjustable depth resolution, where OCT images are corrected for the curvature at the back of the eye lens.