Having A Short Coherence Length Source Patents (Class 356/479)
  • Patent number: 8537367
    Abstract: An optical imaging apparatus based on optical frequency domain measurement (OFDM) collects scatter data at multiple locations within or on the DUT as a function of time. A light source launches light into a device under test (DUT) which scatters light at one or more locations along the DUT. A light detector detects a portion of light scattered at each of multiple locations along the DUT. Data is determined using OFDM data processing that corresponds to an amount of light collected at each of the multiple locations along the DUT as a function of time. The data is stored for each of the multiple locations along the DUT. User information is provided that indicates an amount of light scattered at each of the multiple locations along the DUT based on the stored time domain data. The OFDM processing permits fine time resolution (e.g., 0.1 picoseconds) that allows small optical delay distances (e.g., 30 microns) to be resolved and allows for accurate detection of small amounts of scatter (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Luna Innovations Incorporated
    Inventor: Mark E. Froggatt
  • Publication number: 20130235382
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a device for optical coherence tomography (OCT) includes a signal detection device and a computer arrangement. The signal detection device is designed to detect an interference signal (G(?)) for an object to be imaged in an optical frequency range (?). The computer arrangement is designed to determine intermediate signals (G1(k), G2(k)) in a spatial frequency range (k) from the intermediate signal (G(?)), whereby each of the intermediate signals (G1(k), G2(k)) is dispersion-compensated for a different depth (z1, z2) of the object. A locally resolved image signal (FFT1, FFT2) is determined for each of the intermediate signals (G1(k), G2(k)) by applying a Fourier transformation to the particular intermediate signal (G1(k), G2(k)). A tomography signal (G(z)) is determined from the image signals (FFT1, FFT2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: WAVELIGHT GMBH
    Inventors: Ole Massow, Henning Wisweh
  • Publication number: 20130235383
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a full-field optical coherence tomography system (300) for imaging an object (319), comprising a light source (301), a first interferometric device having means for splitting an input light beam and comprising at least a reflecting surface (307), a second interferometric device having means for splitting the spectrally modulated output beam and comprising at least a reflecting surface, a multichannel acquisition device (321), the system (300) being characterized in that at least one of the interferometric devices includes at least a focusing optical element arranged to focus at least one of the input beams or at least one of the output beams onto the corresponding reflecting surface of the corresponding interferometric device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: LLTECH MANAGEMENT
    Inventors: Albert Boccara, Anne Latrive, Bertrand Le Conte De Poly, Fabrice Harms
  • Publication number: 20130235384
    Abstract: An optical measurement apparatus that measures a property of a scatterer, including: a light source that supplies illumination light having at least one spectral component; an illumination fiber that propagates, to a distal end thereof, light supplied from a proximal end thereof by the light source and illuminates light onto the scatterer from the distal end; first and second light detection fibers, each outputting, from a proximal end thereof, returned light from the scatterer, the returned light entering from a distal end thereof, the first and second light detection fibers having distal end positions different from each other in a longitudinal direction; a detection unit that detects light output from the proximal ends of the first and second light detection fibers; and a measurement unit that measures a property of the scatterer based on a result of the detection by the detection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventors: Yuki SHONO, Hideyuki TAKAOKA, Ryosuke ITO
  • Patent number: 8531676
    Abstract: Provided are forward-imaging optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems and probes. In one embodiment, a scanning reflector surface is configured to be rotated about two axes in a single operating plane to direct light transmitted along the sample path to a sample to be imaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignees: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Volcano Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan C. Condit, Nathaniel J. Kemp, Kumar Karthik, Thomas E. Milner, Xiaojing (John) Zhang
  • Patent number: 8526006
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system and to a corresponding method for optical coherence tomography having an interferometer (10) for emitting light with which a specimen (1) is irradiated, the interferometer (1) comprising a beam splitter (13) and at least one reflector (12) the optical distance (I) of which from the beam splitter (13) is changeable, a specimen objective by means of which light emitted by the interferometer (10) is focussed in a focus lying within the specimen (1), and a detector (30) for collecting light which is reflected by the specimen (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Agfa HealthCare NV
    Inventors: Rainer Nebosis, Rainer Scheunemann, Edgar-Gerald Kopp
  • Publication number: 20130222812
    Abstract: An optical coherence tomography apparatus includes a light source, a light coupling module, and an optical path difference generating module. The light source emits a coherent light. The light coupling module divides the coherent light into a first incident light and a second incident light. The first incident light is emitted to an item to be inspected and a first reflected light is generated. The second incident light is emitted to the optical path difference generating module, a second reflected light is generated according to the second incident light by the optical path difference generating module through changing the transparent/reflection properties of at least one optical devices of the optical path difference generating module, so that there is a optical path difference between the first reflected light and the second reflected light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Crystalvue Medical Corporation
    Inventor: Crystalvue Medical Corporation
  • Publication number: 20130222813
    Abstract: A calibration jig allowing simple and repeatable calibration of a probe optical tomographic apparatus is disclosed. The jig includes a holding member removably attachable to an attachment section of the apparatus and a reflective surface held by the holding member. The reflective surface reflects measurement light emitted from an emitting section of the attachment section and directs reflected light back to the emitting section. If a probe of the apparatus is covered with a sheath, the jig may include a light transmitting member, which generates the same dispersion as dispersion at the sheath, between the emitting section and the reflective surface. The reflective surface may be a single reflective surface disposed within an area corresponding to twice a coherence length of the laser light with a zero path position of the reflective surface being the center of the area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: FUJIFILM Corporation
  • Publication number: 20130215431
    Abstract: A method for increasing the imaging rate for an optical coherence tomography system is disclosed. The method comprises generating an interferometric signal by interrogating each of M object points on a sample with a unique set of wavelength components that are collectively spectrally interleaved within a spectral range, forming the interferometric signal based on the wavelength components reflected from the interrogated object points, dispersing the interferometric signal across a two-dimensional array of detectors, and forming an image based on the dispersed spectral components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventor: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
  • Publication number: 20130215432
    Abstract: An integrated swept wavelength optical source uses a filtered ASE signal with an optical amplifier and tracking filter. This source comprises a micro optical bench, a source for generating broadband light, a first tunable Fabry Perot filter, installed on the bench, for spectrally filtering the broadband light from the broadband source to generate a narrowband tunable signal, an amplifier, installed on the bench, for amplifying the tunable signal, and a second tunable Fabry Perot filter, installed on the bench, for spectrally filtering the amplified tunable signal from the amplifier. A self-tracking arrangement is also possible where a single tunable filter both generates the narrowband signal and spectrally filters the amplified signal. In some examples, two-stage amplification is provided. The use of a single bench implementation yields a low cost high performance system. For example, polarization control between components is no longer necessary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: Axsun Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Axsun Technologies, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8514404
    Abstract: The invention discloses an optical interferometer which can be used to provide simultaneous measurements over multiple path lengths and methods to employ such an interferometer as to achieve a variety of functions covering simultaneous measurements at different depths separated by an increment of a multiple differential delay matched in the interferometer as well as imaging. Optical sensors, optical coherence tomography (OCT) set-ups, optical sensing methods and OCT methods are disclosed which can provide: (i) multiple en-face images at several depths with dynamic dispersion compensation, (ii) fast acquisition of cross sections, (iii) fast acquisition of 3D volumes of a scattering object while maintaining dynamic focus; (iv) fast acquisition of long axial measurement profiles, non mechanical, with dynamic focus, range scalable, with applications in tracking and OTDR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: University of Kent
    Inventor: Adrian Podoleanu
  • Publication number: 20130208240
    Abstract: Presented here are new processing techniques for optical coherence tomography (OCT) data that allow for improved visualization and use of full-range OCT images. These techniques minimize the central line artifact and the complex conjugate artifact without requiring additional system hardware or significantly increasing post-processing time. The central line artifact is minimized by normalizing each A-scan to account for ripples at the zero-delay position. The complex conjugate artifact is minimized by segmentation of a layer or layers that cross the zero-delay position, and in some embodiments by further segmentation of other surfaces based on the segmentation of the initial layer or layers. The segmentation information is then used to selectively attenuate the complex conjugate image. It may also be used for other purposes, such as dewarping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8508748
    Abstract: An optical inspection system can include an optical coherent tomography (OCT) tool having an optical column with a beam splitter optically coupled to an objective. Illumination optics are coupled to the beam splitter. An OCT focusing system is optically coupled to the objective via the beam splitter. The OCT focusing system includes a broadband light source, a reflector, a photo-detector, all of which are connected by optical fiber to a fiber coupler in an interferometer configuration. The objective is optically coupled to the fiber coupler in the OCT focusing system by an optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventor: Amnon Manassen
  • Publication number: 20130201485
    Abstract: A system and method for depth-resolved imaging of a sample are presented. The system for depth-resolved imaging of a sample includes a substrate of substantially flexible material., a plurality of waveguides disposed on the substrate, an optical element disposed at a distal end of the plurality of waveguides, and one or more interferometers. Light is collected from the sample through the optical element and plurality of waveguides on the flexible substrate on its path to the one or more interferometers. The interferometers are configured to combine a reference light with the light received by at least a portion of the plurality of waveguides to resolve contributions from one or more depths of the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: MEDLUMICS, S.L.
    Inventors: Jose RUBIO-GUIVERNAU, Eduardo Margallo-balbas
  • Publication number: 20130194541
    Abstract: In order to change a size of an imaging area of a tomographic image of an object to be inspected easily, provided is an optical tomographic apparatus for acquiring a tomographic image of an object to be inspected, the optical tomographic apparatus including a control unit for controlling a measuring light path length changing unit to change an optical path length of measuring light in a case where the size of the imaging area of the tomographic image is changed, and for controlling a movable unit for moving a focus lens for focusing the measuring light to the object to be inspected along an optical path to move the focus lens in association with the change in the optical path length of the measuring light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroshi Aoki, Hirofumi Yoshida, Yukio Sakagawa
  • Publication number: 20130194542
    Abstract: In order to change a size of an imaging area of a tomographic image of an object to be inspected easily, provided is an optical tomographic apparatus for acquiring a tomographic image of an object to be inspected, the optical tomographic apparatus including a control unit for controlling a measuring light path length changing unit to change an optical path length of measuring light in a case where the size of the imaging area of the tomographic image is changed, and for controlling a reference light path length changing unit to change an optical path length of reference light in association with the change in the optical path length of the measuring light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroshi Aoki, Hirofumi Yoshida, Yukio Sakagawa
  • Publication number: 20130194581
    Abstract: An optical coherence tomographic apparatus which obtains a tomographic image of an object based on light obtained by combining return light from the object irradiated with measurement light through a first lens and reference light corresponding to the measurement light, the apparatus comprises a scanning unit provided on an optical path of the measurement light and configured to scan the measurement light on the object; a second lens disposed between the scanning unit and the object; an optical path branching unit disposed between the first lens and the second lens and configured to make the optical path of the measurement light branch off to an observation optical path for observation of the object; a dividing unit that splits light emitted from a light source into the measurement light and the reference light; and a focus lens disposed between the dividing and scanning units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hirofumi Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20130188136
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a planar image acquisition unit configured to acquire a planar image of a subject, a tomographic image acquisition unit configured to acquire a tomographic image of the subject, and a polarization adjustment member disposed in a common optical path of a portion of an optical system in the planar image acquisition unit and a portion of an optical system in the tomographic image acquisition unit and configured to adjust polarization states of a measuring beam for the planar image and a measuring beam for the tomographic image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
  • Publication number: 20130188139
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a tomographic image acquisition unit configured to acquire a tomographic image indicating a polarization state of a subject based on beams of different polarizations obtained by splitting a beam into which a return beam from the subject irradiated with a measuring beam and a reference beam corresponding to the measuring beam have been combined, and a control unit configured to control an optical path length difference between the return beam and the reference beam according to positional information of a predetermined region in the tomographic image indicating the polarization state of the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
  • Publication number: 20130188133
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a planar image acquisition unit configured to acquire a planar image of a subject, a tomographic image acquisition unit configured to acquire a tomographic image indicating a polarization state of the subject, and a display control unit configured to cause a display unit to display the planar image and the tomographic image indicating the polarization state side by side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
  • Publication number: 20130188134
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a tomographic image acquisition unit configured to acquire a polarization-sensitive tomographic image of a subject by using a polarization adjustment member which adjusts a polarization state of a measuring beam, and a display control unit configured to cause a display unit to display the polarization-sensitive tomographic image and a display form indicating a state of the polarization adjustment member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
  • Publication number: 20130188195
    Abstract: An optically corrective microprobe for white light interferometry is disclosed. In white light interferometry which uses different spectral ranges, the dispersion-induced dependency of optical path differences on the wavelength between measurement light bundle and reference light bundle is compensated by an efficient, easily miniaturized arrangement. A reference beamsplitter with partially reflecting filters in at least two different spectral ranges for generating at least two transmitted measurement light bundles and associated reflected reference light bundles of nonoverlapping spectral ranges is arranged between the light output surface of the light-conducting fiber and the focusing optics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: GRINTECH GmbH
    Inventor: GRINTECH GmbH
  • Publication number: 20130188196
    Abstract: A lateral-distortion corrected optical coherence tomography system. The system can include an optical coherence tomography sensor, a light source, a fiber-optic system arranged to provide a reference beam and an observation beam, an optical detection system arranged to receive combined light from the reference beam and the observation beam and to provide detection signals, and a data processing system arranged to communicate with the optical detection system and receive the detection signals. The data processing system can be configured to assemble an image corresponding to a scanning path by constructing a plurality of A-scans from the detection signals, determining displacement information from the plurality of A-scans, and arranging the plurality of A-scans according to the displacement information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventor: The Johns Hopkins University
  • Patent number: 8493567
    Abstract: An optical tomographic image acquisition apparatus comprises a light source unit emitting light; a light dividing device dividing the light from the unit into measurement light and reference light; a projecting device arranged inside a tubular sheath to project the measurement light onto an object; a combining device combining reflected light reflected from the object or the sheath and the reference light; an interference light detecting device detecting interference light between the reflected light and the reference light; an interference signal acquiring device acquiring an interference signal; a tomographic image acquiring device acquiring an optical tomographic image; and a reference position adjustment section detecting a sheath interference signal that is an interference signal of the reflected light reflected from the sheath from the interference signals and adjusts an optical tomographic image reference position as a reference to acquire the optical tomographic image based on the detected sheath inte
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Inoue
  • Publication number: 20130182260
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for a swept source optical coherence tomography (OCT) system utilizing a fast scanning mechanism in the sample arm and a slowly swept light source. The position data is collected rapidly while the wavelength of the source is swept slowly. The system reduces the sweep speed requirements of the light source enabling higher power, greater imaging range, and linear sweeps of the source frequency. The OCT components (or most of them) may be implemented within a hand held imaging probe. In operation, a triangulation scan may be used to orient the imaging probe with respect to a fixed coordinate system; preferably, OCT data captured by the device is then transformed to that same orientation with respect to the fixed coordinate system to improve the scanning results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: D4D TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: D4D Technologies, LLC
  • Publication number: 20130182261
    Abstract: An optical tomographic imaging method according to one aspect of the present invention is a method of: splitting light emitted from a wavelength sweep light source into measuring light and reference light; radiating the measuring light onto a measuring subject; combining reflection light from the measuring subject with the reference light; detecting interfered light obtained by combining the reflection light with the reference light as an interference signal; and Fourier-transforming the interference signal to acquire a tomographic image of the measuring subject, and includes steps of: generating tomographic data of the measuring subject based on the interference signal; generating surface data of the measuring subject based on the interference signal; constructing a tomographic image that is based on the generated tomographic data; constructing a surface image that is based on the outputted surface data; and generating a display image from the tomographic image and the surface image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Hirota
  • Publication number: 20130182259
    Abstract: Systems and methods for enhancing spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT] are provided. In particular, a system and method for calibration of spectral interference signals using an acquired calibration signal are provided. The calibration signal may be logarithmically amplified to further improve the accuracy of the calibration. From the calibration signal, a series of more accurate calibration data are calculated. An acquired spectral interference signal is calibrated using these calibration data. Moreover, systems that include logarithmic amplification of the spectral interference signal and variable band-pass filtering of the spectral interference signal are provided. Such systems increase the dynamic range and visualization capabilities relative to conventional spectral domain OCT systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Inventors: Mark Brezinski, Bin Liu, Ehsan Azimi
  • Publication number: 20130182218
    Abstract: In order to place a coherence gate as close as possible to a object, provided is a tomographic image photographing apparatus including: a moving unit for moving the coherence gate corresponding to a difference between an optical path length of measuring light and an optical path length of reference light; and a control unit for controlling the moving unit so as to further move the coherence gate from a second position based on first combined light and second combined light of the object, which are respectively acquired at a first position of the coherence gate and the second position at which the coherence gate is placed after being moved from the first position to the object side by the moving unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
  • Patent number: 8488126
    Abstract: An optical image measurement device 1 causes an interference light generator to split a low-coherence light into a signal light and a reference light, and superimposes the signal light propagated through a measured object 5000 and the reference light propagated through the reference mirror 9 to generate an interference light. Two-dimensional photosensor arrays 14 and 15 detect the interference light. A computer 16 forms an image of the measured object 5000 based on the detection result. By inserting the optical fiber bundle 5 into the measured object 5000 to perform a measurement, a tomographic image of a deep tissue of the measured object 5000 can be obtained. Furthermore, the optical image measurement device 1 can form a high-resolution image of the deep tissue of the measured object 5000 because performing a measurement using the OCT technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Topcon
    Inventors: Kinpui Chan, Yasufumi Fukuma
  • Patent number: 8488124
    Abstract: An optical low-coherence reflectometry with spectral reception for obtaining images without coherent noise caused by self-interference of the radiation scattered from the studied object and by spurious reflections in the optical path of the system is disclosed. Two or more consecutive measurements of the interference spectrum are made. During at least one measurement of the interference spectrum by means of the interference control unit the phase between the interfering parts of the radiation is modulated by a certain law during exposure, which results in averaging and zeroing of the cross-correlation (useful) component of the registered spectrum, and during at least one additional measurement of the interference spectrum, the phase between the interfering parts of the radiation is not modulated during exposure. The phase between the interfering parts of the radiation may be set to be different in additional measurements of the interference spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Limited Liability Company “Biomedical Technologies”
    Inventors: Grigory Valentinovich Gelikonov, Valentin Mikhailovich Gelikonov, Pavel Andreevich Shilyagin
  • Patent number: 8488125
    Abstract: An optical tomography imaging a tomogram by using a coherent light by a backscattering light of a measured object and a reflected light of a reference mirror, which has supercontinuum light sources, an optical system having group velocity dispersion connected to the supercontinuum light source, an optical detection element detecting a coherent light by a backscattering light of the measured object and a reflected light of the reference mirror, a timing detection element detecting a timing of each wavelength component in an output light from the optical system having the group velocity dispersion, and a unit sampling a signal from the optical detector by using a timing signal from the timing detection element with a signal from the supercontinuum light source as a trigger, and detecting an optical tomogram signal imaging a tomogram, thereby acquiring an optical tomogram at a higher speed than a conventional SS-OCT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kentaro Furusawa, Natsuhiko Mizutani, Ryo Kuroda
  • Publication number: 20130176572
    Abstract: An optical probe for irradiating light onto a subject includes an optical path control unit configured to receive light from outside the optical probe, and change a path of the light within the optical probe; an optical path length control element configured to receive the light having the changed path from the optical path control unit, and change an optical path length of the light as the optical path control unit changes the path of the light; and an optical output unit configured to receive the light having the changed optical path length from the optical path length control element, and output the light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicants: Korea University Research and Business Foundation, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Korea University Research and Business Foundation
  • Publication number: 20130169971
    Abstract: This patent specification describes an OCT imaging system that implements at least one of the following: (1) adjusting the path length of a reference arm during an OCT scan of a curved sample or between OCT scans; (2) adjusting the focus of a scanning beam as the scanning beam moves across the curved sample during the OCT scan or between OCT scans; (3) adjusting polarization control during the OCT scan or between OCT scans; and/or (4) changing dispersion compensation across the OCT scan or between OCT scans.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: WASATCH PHOTONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Wasatch Photonics, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130169972
    Abstract: Discloses is an optical coherence tomography (OCT) which uses an active mode-locking fiber laser in order to obtain image information of a sample. An imaging device in accordance with an embodiment comprises: a light source unit; a light separation unit; a reference unit; a diagnostic unit; a light coupling unit; and a signal processing unit. The imaging device removes a high-priced variable filter which has mechanical restrictions by directly delivering a modulation signal to a light source unit, so it can overcome mechanical restrictions and reduce costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: PUSAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY - UNIVERSITY COOPERATION FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Chang Seok Kim, Myung Yung Jeong, Hwi Don Lee
  • Patent number: 8478384
    Abstract: An optical coherence tomography system and method with integrated pressure measurement. In one embodiment the system includes an interferometer including: a wavelength swept laser; a source arm in communication with the wavelength swept laser; a reference arm in communication with a reference reflector; a first photodetector having a signal output; a detector arm in communication with the first photodetector, a probe interface; a sample arm in communication with a first optical connector of the probe interface; an acquisition and display system comprising: an A/D converter having a signal input in communication with the first photodetector signal output and a signal output; a processor system in communication with the A/D converter signal output; and a display in communication with the processor system; and a probe comprising a pressure sensor and configured for connection to the first optical connector of the probe interface, wherein the pressure transducer comprises an optical pressure transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Lightlab Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Schmitt, Christopher Petroff
  • Publication number: 20130163003
    Abstract: An apparatus for optical swept-source coherence tomography comprises a spectrally tuneable source for emitting coherent light, and a detector for acquiring the intensity of remitted light backscattered from an object irradiated with the coherent light of the source. Further, the apparatus comprises a control device, which is set up to control the light source and the detector in such a way that the detector performs intensity acquisitions in accordance with a defined number of measurements, while the light source is tuned, the control device further being set up, for the purpose of altering the measurement depth or/and the axial resolution of the tomography, to alter the defined number of measurements or/and a spectral measurement bandwidth, within which the detector performs the intensity acquisitions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventors: Ole Massow, Henning Wisweh, Tobias Jeglorz
  • Publication number: 20130162948
    Abstract: A system, in one embodiment, includes an optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging system having a light source configured to emit light. The OCT imaging system further includes a beam splitter configured to receive the light from the light source, split the light into a first light portion directed along a sample arm comprising a sample and a second light portion directed along a reference arm comprising a reference mirror, receive a first reflected light portion from the sample arm and a second reflected light portion from the reference arm, combine the first and second reflected light portions to obtain an interference signal. Further, the OCT imaging system includes a controller having logic configured to perform an auto-ranging process to match the reference arm with the sample arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Siavash Yazdanfar, Sora Kim, Chulmin Joo
  • Publication number: 20130162978
    Abstract: A system, in one embodiment, includes an optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging system having a light source configured to emit light. The OCT imaging system further includes a beam splitter configured to receive the light from the light source, split the light into a first light portion directed along a sample arm comprising a sample and a second light portion directed along a reference arm comprising a reference mirror, receive a first reflected light portion from the sample arm and a second reflected light portion from the reference arm, combine the first and second reflected light portions to obtain an interference signal at a detector. Further, the OCT imaging system includes a controller having logic configured to perform an auto-focusing process to determine the optimal position for a lens in the sample arm in order to bring the sample into focus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Siavash Yazdanfar, Sora Kim, Chulmin Joo
  • Publication number: 20130155413
    Abstract: A system includes an interference microscope having one or more optical elements arranged to image a test object to an image plane by combining test light from the test object with reference light from a reference object to form an interference pattern at the image plane, wherein the test and reference light are derived from a common broadband light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: Zygo Corporation
    Inventors: Jan Liesener, Mark Davidson, Peter J. de Groot, Xavier Colonna de Lega, Leslie L. Deck
  • Patent number: 8467067
    Abstract: There is provided a dynamic light-scattering measuring apparatus including: a Mach-Zehnder interferometer; and a low-coherence light source. Further, there is provided a method for measuring light-scattering intensity of particles in a medium, including the steps of: providing a Mach-Zehnder interferometer; and measuring light-scattering intensity from light emitted from a low-coherence light source, in accordance with a dynamic light-scattering intensity measuring process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Ishii, Sohichiro Nakamura, Yuki Sato
  • Publication number: 20130141731
    Abstract: An optical interference apparatus of detecting an object is provided. The optical interference apparatus includes a light source capable of emitting a light beam, an optical coupler, a reflector, a first lens set and a light sensing unit. The optical coupler is capable of dividing the light beam into a measuring sub-light beam and a reference sub-light beam. The reflector reflects the reference sub-light beam. The first lens set includes a first lens. The measuring sub-light beam is transmitted to the object. The object reflects or scatters a part of the measuring sub-light beam back to the first lens. The first lens is capable of extending a depth of field of the first lens set. The light sensing unit is adapted to detect an interference signal formed by the reference sub-light beam and the measuring sub-light beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventor: Chuan-Chung Chang
  • Publication number: 20130135626
    Abstract: An optical coherence tomography apparatus includes a light source, a light coupling module, and an optical path difference generating module. The light source emits a coherent light. The light coupling module divides the coherent light into a first incident light and a second incident light. The first incident light is emitted to an item to be inspected and a first reflected light is generated. The second incident light is emitted to the optical path difference generating module, a second reflected light is generated according to the second incident light by the optical path difference generating module through changing the transparent/reflection properties of at least one optical devices of the optical path difference generating module, so that there is a optical path difference between the first reflected light and the second reflected light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: CRYSTALVUE MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Crystalvue Medical Corporation
  • Publication number: 20130135624
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus for frequency domain optical coherence tomography comprises an image scanning unit that receives measurement data from an optical coherence tomography device, while moving a measurement point to the next adjacent point at each measurement time by controlling the optical coherence tomography device, and generates depth information based on the measurement data to produce a raw tomographic image. The apparatus includes a noise reduction unit that reduces noise from the raw tomographic image to produce a result tomographic image. The noise reduction unit reduces the noise from the raw tomographic image by subtracting the depth information generated by the image scanning unit at each measurement time from the depth information generated at another measurement time adjacent to said each measurement time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Inventors: Ji Hyun KIM, Jichai Jeong
  • Publication number: 20130135625
    Abstract: A method and system to provide for increased signal intensity and improved signal quality in Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (FDOCT) by capturing the real and virtual images of an object being imaged by FDOCT in sequence or consecutively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: NOVARTIS AG
    Inventor: Novartis AG
  • Patent number: 8451452
    Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for acquiring depth resolved aberration information using principles of low coherence interferometry and perform coherence gated wavefront sensing (CG-WFS). The wavefront aberrations is collected using spectral domain low coherence interferometry (SD-LCI) or time domain low coherence interferometry (TD-LCI) principles. When using SD-LCI, chromatic aberrations can also be evaluated. Methods and devices are disclosed in using a wavefront corrector to compensate for the aberration information provided by CG-WFS, in a combined imaging system, that can use one or more channels from the class of (i) optical coherence tomography (OCT), (ii) scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, (iii) microscopy, such as confocal or phase microscopy, (iv) multiphoton microscopy, such as harmonic generation and multiphoton absorption. For some implementations, simultaneous and dynamic aberration measurements/correction with the imaging process is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Inventors: Adrian Podoleanu, Simon Tuohy
  • Patent number: 8451456
    Abstract: A device for determining the surface topology and associated color of a structure, such as a teeth segment, includes a scanner for providing depth data for points along a two-dimensional array substantially orthogonal to the depth direction, and an image acquisition means for providing color data for each of the points of the array, while the spatial disposition of the device with respect to the structure is maintained substantially unchanged. A processor combines the color data and depth data for each point in the array, thereby providing a three-dimensional color virtual model of the surface of the structure. A corresponding method for determining the surface topology and associated color of a structure is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Cadent Ltd.
    Inventor: Noam Babayoff
  • Publication number: 20130128277
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for interferometry, including a light source for generating coherent radiation, a detector and a beam splitter for dividing the radiation generated by the light source. The radiation is divided into a sample arm in which a sample to be examined can be positioned and a reference arm. An optical reference element, which is partially transparent to the radiation, reflects a part of the radiation to the detector and behind which the sample to be examined can be positioned is disposed in the beam path of the sample arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventors: Holger Lubatschowski, Ole Massow
  • Patent number: 8446593
    Abstract: A method for increasing the imaging rate for an optical coherence tomography system is disclosed. The method comprises generating an interferometric signal by interrogating each of M image points on a sample with a plurality of wavelength bands that are collectively spectrally interleaved, time encoding the interferometric signal, and sampling the time-encoded interferometric signal at a single detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventor: Audrey Ellerbee
  • Publication number: 20130120757
    Abstract: Systems, methods and applications for adjusting the imaging depth of a Fourier Domain optical coherence tomography system without impacting the axial resolution of the system are presented. One embodiment of the invention involves changing the sweep rate of a swept-source OCT system while maintaining the same data acquisition rate and spectral bandwidth of the source. Another embodiment involves changing the data acquisition rate of a SS-OCT system while maintaining the same sweep rate over the same spectral bandwidth. Several applications of variable imaging depth in the field of ophthalmic imaging are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc.
    Inventors: Lingfeng YU, Matthew J. Everett, Mary K. Durbin, Utkarsh Sharma
  • Patent number: 8441648
    Abstract: A calibration jig allowing simple and repeatable calibration of a probe optical tomographic apparatus is disclosed. The jig includes a holding member removably attachable to an attachment section of the apparatus and a reflective surface held by the holding member. The reflective surface reflects measurement light emitted from an emitting section of the attachment section and directs reflected light back to the emitting section. If a probe of the apparatus is covered with a sheath, the jig may include a light transmitting member, which generates the same dispersion as dispersion at the sheath, between the emitting section and the reflective surface. The reflective surface may be a single reflective surface disposed within an area corresponding to twice a coherence length of the laser light with a zero path position of the reflective surface being the center of the area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Watanabe, Yuichi Teramura