Abstract: An optical scanning probe assembly for microscopic guide optic scanning and inspection of tissues includes an outer housing having a spring element for a scanning motor. The spring element is formed as a hollow tube configured to receive an optical guide, where the hollow tube has a mechanical stiffness larger than the optical guide to be received. The assembly further includes a lens system and a deflector configured to deflect the distal end of the hollow tube in directions transverse to the longitudinal extension of the hollow tube, so as to form an optical scan pattern.

Abstract: An optical probe system having a probe with an optical guide (G) having a distal end. The optical guide (G) is mounted inside a housing (H) so that the distal end is displaceable with respect to the housing (H). A set of actuators (A), e.g. electromagnetic drive coils, can displace the distal end by application of a drive signal (Vx, Vy). A control unit (CU) generates the drive signal (Vx, Vy) so as to provide a scanning frequency which varies according to an amplitude of the drive signal (Vx, Vy). With such probe system it is possible to scan a field of view with a scanning frequency that varies with the scanning radius. Taking into account the maximum allowable drive current, it is possible to increase scanning speed compared to scanning at the mechanical resonance frequency of the optical system, since small radii can be scanned at a high scanning frequency.

Abstract: An optical system for detecting light from a 2D area of a sample (36) comprises a collection lens (34) for collecting light from a collection region of the sample. A light detector (44) is positionally fixed with respect to the sample, and a reflector arrangement (61) directs collected light to the detector. The reflector arrangement comprises movable components and the collection lens (34) is movable relative to the sample. The collection lens and the movable components are configurable to define different collection regions, and the movement of the components effects a direction of the light from the collection region to a substantially unchanged area of the light detector (44). This arrangement avoids the need for a bulky detector in order to detect signals from a 2D sample area formed by scanning across the sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical probe (1) suitable for miniature applications. An example application is a fiber-based confocal miniaturized microscope. The optical probe comprises a coil-based actuation system (9, 10) comprising drive coils (9) capable of displacing the distal end (3) of an optical guide (2) housed (4) by the optical probe. The probe makes use of a feedback loop which alternate between driving the displacement of the optical guide by driving a current through the drive coils and switching off the current through the drive coils, and while the drive current being switched off, measure the speed of the distal end of the optical guide. The measured speed is compared to the set-point speed, and if a difference is detected, the drive current is adjusted to eliminate, or at least bring down, this difference.

Abstract: An optical probe system having a probe with an optical guide (G) having a distal end. The optical guide (G) is mounted inside a housing (H) so that the distal end is displaceable with respect to the housing (H). A set of actuators (A), e.g. electromagnetic drive coils, can displace the distal end by application of a drive signal (Vx, Vy). A control unit (CU) generates the drive signal (Vx, Vy) so as to provide a scanning frequency which varies according to an amplitude of the drive signal (Vx, Vy). With such probe system it is possible to scan a field of view with a scanning frequency that varies with the scanning radius. Taking into account the maximum allowable drive current, it is possible to increase scanning speed compared to scanning at the mechanical resonance frequency of the optical system, since small radii can be scanned at a high scanning frequency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical probe (1) suitable for miniature applications. An example application is a fibre-based confocal miniaturized microscope. The optical probe comprises a coil-based actuation system (9, 10) comprising drive coils (9) capable of displacing the distal end (3) of an optical guide (2) housed (4) by the optical probe. The probe makes use of a feedback loop which alternate between driving the displacement of the optical guide by driving a current through the drive coils and switching off the current through the drive coils, and while the drive current being switched off, measure the speed of the distal end of the optical guide. The measured speed is compared to the set-point speed, and if a difference is detected, the drive current is adjusted to eliminate, or at least bring down, this difference.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical scanning probe assembly for microscopic guide optic scanning and inspection of tissues suitable for application in, e.g. in vivo medical inspection and biopsy. The assembly comprises an outer housing (3) comprising: i) a spring element for a scanning motor, the spring element formed as a hollow tube (5) adapted to receive an optical guide, the hollow tube having mechanical stiffness larger than the optical guide to be received, ii) a lens system (7) and iii) N means for deflecting (6) the distal end of the hollow tube in directions transverse to the longitudinal extension of the hollow tube, so as to form an optical scan pattern. The optical assembly is particularly advantageous as it increases the freedom to optimize the optical and mechanical performance of the system which is defined respectively by the optical guide and by the hollow tube. The probe can be used in resonant and non-resonant scanning modes.

Abstract: An optical system for detecting light from a 2D area of a sample (36) comprises a collection lens (34) for collecting light from a collection region of the sample. A light detector (44) is positionally fixed with respect to the sample, and a reflector arrangement (61) directs collected light to the detector. The reflector arrangement comprises movable components and the collection lens (34) is movable relative to the sample. The collection lens and the movable components are configurable to define different collection regions, and the movement of the components effects a direction of the light from the collection region to a substantially unchanged area of the light detector (44). This arrangement avoids the need for a bulky detector in order to detect signals from a 2D sample area formed by scanning across the sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tray mechanism consisting of sliding means comprising an electrical tray motor, for moving a tray—provided for containing a disc (for example an optical disc) on which information is recorded—from a projected position, for the placement of the disc or its discharge, to a contained one, for the reproduction of recorded information, or reciprocally, and a drive power source, for supplying an applied voltage to said tray motor. Control means supply different values of the voltage applied to the tray motor according to different mechanical functions controlled by said motor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of limiting a power supply current in a system comprising a power supply (10), a motor (12) operating at different speeds, a driver (14) for driving the motor and a controller (16) for controlling the driver, the method comprising the steps of: specifying a first value that is related to a maximum power supply current (IPSmax); determining a second value that is related to an electromagnetic force-dependent voltage (VEMF) of the motor; determining a desired third value (Cdes) that is related to a desired motor current (IMdes); determining a first boundary value (a) and a second boundary value (b) for the third value, taking into account the first value and the second value; comparing the boundary values (a) and (b) to the third value (Cdes); and setting the third value in dependence on the result of the comparing step

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of recovering energy from the turntable motor (12) in an optical disc drive comprising a power supply and a circuitry (10) that is capable of selectively feeding a current from the power supply into the motor in a first state and from the motor into the power supply in a second state, the method comprising the steps of: decelerating the motor, during decelerating the motor, repeatedly calculating a ratio between a duration of the first state and a duration of the second state in dependence on an angular velocity of the motor, such that a current integrated over the whole decelerating process is fed from the motor into the power supply, and after calculating the ratio, selecting the duration of the first state and the duration of the second state in accordance with the calculated ratio. The present invention further relates to an optical device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of recovering energy from the turntable motor (12) in an optical disc drive comprising a power supply and a circuitry (10) that is capable of selectively feeding a current from the power supply into the motor in a first state and from the motor into the power supply in a second state, the method comprising the steps of: decelerating the motor, during decelerating the motor, repeatedly calculating a ratio between a duration of the first state and a duration of the second state in dependence on an angular velocity of the motor, such that a current integrated over the whole decelerating process is fed from the motor into the power supply, and after calculating the ratio, selecting the duration of the first state and the duration of the second state in accordance with the calculated ratio. The present invention further relates to an optical device.

Abstract: An optical disc drive apparatus (1) comprises: rotating means (4) for rotating an optical disc (2); a sledge (10) radially displaceable with respect to an apparatus frame (3); a platform (20) radially displaceable with respect to said sledge (10); an optical system (30) for scanning a disc, the optical system (30) defining an optical path (80) which is substantially fixed with respect to the sledge (10) and comprising an optical element (34) which is fixed with respect to the platform (20); an optical detector (35) fixed to said sledge (10); vibration detection means for detecting vibrations caused by the rotating disc; said vibration detection means comprising radial displacement detection means for detecting a radial displacement of said platform (20) with respect to said sledge (10).