Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining positioning of a energy delivery element include deploying a energy delivery element at a treatment site proximal to a vessel wall; using a multi-region pressure sensing apparatus to sense pressures applied in a plurality of directions about the energy delivery element; and determining an orientation of the energy delivery element based on the pressures measured in the plurality of directions about the energy delivery element.

Abstract: A light source is gated ON and OFF in response to a pulsed signal. Photo emissions from the light source are coupled to a material under test. Resonant fluorescent emissions from the material are coupled to a photodiode. Current from the photodiode is coupled into an amplifier system comprising a first and second amplifier stages. The first amplifier stage is gated to a low gain when the light source is turned ON and the gain is increased when the light source goes from ON to OFF. The second amplifier stage has digitally programmable offset and gain settings in response to control signals. The output of the second amplifier stage is digitized by an analog to digital converter. A controller generates the pulse control signal and the control signals.

Abstract: A neural probe array includes a probe body that is implanted into a subject, a fixture body to support a rear end of the probe body, a cladding extending in a lengthwise direction of the probe body in an upper part of the probe body, and an optical waveguide member installed on the cladding along the cladding, and the cladding is embedded in a recessed cavity formed in the upper part of the probe body. A method for manufacturing the neural probe array includes forming the cavity in an upper part of a first substrate, embedding the cladding in the cavity, forming the optical waveguide member on the cladding along the cladding, and forming the probe body by cutting the first substrate off.

Abstract: An optical fiber assembly includes optical fibers, an array member, an adhesive part, a cylindrical member and a fixing member. The fibers are inserted into the array member, and the array member is inserted into a cylindrical part of the cylindrical member. The adhesive part is disposed on one-end side of the array member. The fibers extend through the one end. The cylindrical part and the fixing member are fixed to each other in a state in which (i) the array member is sandwiched between a terminal part of the cylindrical member and the fixing member in an axial direction and (ii) the array member is positioned in the axial direction in relation to the cylindrical part. Thereby, the array member and the adhesive part are housed in a structure constituted of the cylindrical member and the fixing member.

Abstract: A medical system provides navigation assistance to a surgeon so that the surgeon may navigate a flexible medical device through linked passages of an anatomical structure to a target in or adjacent to the anatomical structure. As the medical device moves through the linked passages, images are captured by an image capturing element at its distal end and pose and shape information for the medical device are received from sensors disposed in the medical device. A 4-D computer model of the anatomical structure is registered to the medical device using one or both of 4-D shape registration and virtual camera registration so that the captured image and a virtual image generated from the perspective of a virtual camera are registered to each other and displayed while providing an indication of a navigational path to the target.

Abstract: Biological tissue such as skeletal and cardiac muscle can be imaged by using an objective-based probe in the tissue and scanning at a sufficiently fast rate to mitigate motion artifacts due to physiological motion. According to one example embodiment, such a probe is part of a system that is capable of reverse-direction high-resolution imaging without needing to stain or otherwise introduce a foreign element used to generate or otherwise increase the sensed light. The probe can include a light generator for generating light pulses that are directed towards structures located within the thick tissue. The system can additionally include aspects that lessen adverse image-quality degradation. Further, the system can additionally be constructed as a hand-held device.

Abstract: Implementations of the tissue illumination systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein take advantage of the translucent nature of tissue to reveal properties by light transmission, for example, tissue type, tissue transition locations, underlying structures, and the like, that are not easily distinguished by reflected light. Illuminating a back-side of a translucent tissue permits a user to distinguish between different types of tissue, tissue transition locations, and/or structures that are difficult or impossible to discern under overhead or front-side illumination. Implementations include a light source that is positionable behind a tissue or disposable within a body cavity or duct, for example, within a heart ventricle.

Abstract: Systems for visualizing cardiac tissue during an ablation procedure are provided. In general, the systems include an imaging module configured to measure absorbance data at first and second wavelengths wherein the ratio of these absorbance values identifies the nature of the tissue (e.g., lesion, de novo tissue, etc.). The imaging module can also include a video system having at least two chips with corresponding bandpass filters centered at the first and second target wavelengths. The system can also include a processor and/or video monitor for combining the images produced by the various chips, determining treated and non-treated tissue based on the ratio of absorbance values at the target wavelengths, and displaying images of the treatment area. Methods of visualizing cardiac treatment areas during ablation procedures are also provided herein.

Abstract: An intravascular rotary blood pump possesses a catheter (10), a pumping device (50) fixed distally to the catheter (10) and at least one pressure sensor (30; 60) firmly connected to the pumping device (50) and having a pressure-sensitive area (32) which is exposed to the surroundings and aligned orthogonally to the general longitudinal axis of the blood pump.

Abstract: A distributed sensor and a method for identifying an internal anatomical landmark (R) includes inserting (502) a distributed sensing device (212) into a volume of a body and extending (504) a portion of a length of the distributed sensing device beyond an area of interest. Parameters are measured (506) using sensors (202) located along the length of the distributed sensing device (212), and a transition region is determined (510) based upon a parameter value difference between adjacent sensors. A location of an anatomical landmark is assigned (512) using the transition region.

Abstract: Systems and methods for hyperspectral analysis of cardiac tissue are provided. In some embodiments, a method for visualizing ablation lesions includes illuminating at one or more illumination wavelengths a surface of tissue having an ablation lesion; collecting a spectral data set comprising spectral images of the illuminated tissue acquired at multiple spectral bands each at one or more acquisition wavelengths; distinguishing between the ablation lesion and an unablated tissue based on one or more spectral differences between the ablation lesion and unablated tissue; and creating a composite image of the tissue showing the ablation lesion and the unablated tissue.

Abstract: The disclosure includes an apparatus for insertion into a body lumen. The apparatus can comprise an optical fiber pressure sensor. The optical fiber pressure sensor can comprise an optical fiber configured to transmit an optical sensing signal. A temperature compensated Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) interferometer can be in optical communication with the optical fiber. The FBG interferometer can be configured to receive a pressure and modulate, in response to the received pressure, the optical sensing signal. A compliant member such as a sensor membrane can be in physical communication with the FBG interferometer. The membrane configured to transmit the received pressure to the FBG interferometer.

Abstract: An optogenetic probe, an optogenetic system, and a method for fabricating an optogenetic probe are provided. The optogenetic probe has a proximal and a distal end, and includes an elongated body made of a body glass material and extending longitudinally between the proximal and distal ends. The optogenetic probe also includes at least one optical channel, each including an optical channel glass material having a refractive index larger than a refractive index of the body glass material, so as to guide light therealong. The optogenetic probes also includes at least one electrical channel, each including an electrical channel structure having an electrical conductivity larger than the electrical conductivity of the body glass material, so as to conduct electricity therealong. The optogenetic probe further includes at least one fluidic channel, each adapted for transporting fluid therealong. Each optical, electrical and fluidic channel extends longitudinally within the elongated body.

Abstract: Dynamic colorectal PDT methods, devices and photosensitizer compositions to treat abnormal cell growth in anal tissue such as perianal and intra-anal intraepithelial neoplasia grade III are presented. Dynamic colorectal PDT method comprises the steps of administering topically, intravenously or orally a photosensitizer composition; irradiating; monitoring treatment parameters before, during and/or after irradiation. Photosensitizer composition comprises Temoporfin and excipients/carriers, appropriate for the application method. An applicator is provided for colorectal PDT treatments enhancing irradiation delivery and monitoring treatment parameters. Preferably, applicator is made of a material, used to monitor the fluence rate simultaneously while doing optical spectroscopy. Measurement probe devices are provided for monitoring PDT treatment parameters in-vivo.

Abstract: Provided are an optical switch, an optical probe including the optical switch, and a medical imaging apparatus including the optical probe. The optical probe includes a probe body that is configured to be insertable into a body cavity, and an optical switch that is disposed in the probe body and includes a first region formed of a material having a first refractive index, and a second region that forms an interface with the first region and is configured to have a fluid is introduced into the second region, wherein the optical switch is configured to change a path of propagation of incident light according to a second refractive index of the second region.

Abstract: Fiber scanning optical probes and medical imaging apparatuses including the same are provided. The fiber scanning optical probe includes an optical fiber; an actuator attached onto the optical fiber and configured to drive the optical fiber at a driving resonance frequency; a mass provided at a side of the optical fiber and configured to control the driving resonance frequency; and a frequency separator provided on a portion of the optical fiber between the actuator and the mass, the frequency separator being configured to separate the driving resonance frequency into separate resonance frequencies.

Abstract: A monitoring device configured to be attached to the ear of a person includes a base, an earbud housing extending outwardly from the base that is configured to be positioned within an ear of a subject, and a cover surrounding the earbud housing. The base includes a speaker, an optical emitter, and an optical detector. The cover includes light transmissive material that is in optical communication with the optical emitter and the optical detector and serves as a light guide to deliver light from the optical emitter into the ear canal of the subject wearing the device at one or more predetermined locations and to collect light external to the earbud housing and deliver the collected light to the optical detector.

Abstract: A diagnostic probe includes a tube having a predetermined length; a deformable cylinder installed by being fitted into the tube such that both ends thereof are exposed to an outside; a guide needle formed in a hollow shape, having a predetermined length, and arranged to surround an outer circumference of the tube; a direction controller connected with an end of the tube, and positioning or vibrating the tube in a radial direction by receiving power from the outside; a vibration generator vibrating the cylinder in an axial direction by receiving power from the outside; and a handle unit connected with the other end of the tube, and connected with the direction controller and the vibration generator.

Abstract: Catheter systems and methods for determining blood flow rates based on light reflection measurements. The catheter may include a lumen extending between a proximal end of the catheter and a distal end of the catheter. The catheter may include fluid infusion openings at the distal end region of the catheter that are configured to permit the indicator fluid to exit the catheter from the lumen. The catheter system may include an optical fiber having one or more sensors thereon for sensing light reflected by blood particles in a body vessel lumen. A blood flow rate may be determined based on the sensed light reflected by blood particles in the body vessel lumen.

Abstract: The present invention in one aspect relates to a method for surgical margin evaluation of tissues during breast conserving therapy at a surgical site of interest. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of acquiring a plurality of spatially offset Raman spectra from the surgical site of interest, identifying tissue signatures from the plurality of spatially offset Raman spectra, and determining surgical margins of the surgical site from the identified tissue signatures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable device which analyses cervical tissue using two simultaneous measurements, namely an electrical measurement and an optical measurement. The aforementioned device examines different areas of cervical tissue, taking electrical measurements from same in different frequency ranges and optical measurements in three different wavelengths. Once the measurements have been obtained, they are processed by a configurable device or microcontroller in accordance with mathematical formulae obtained from multiple measurements taken from healthy and cancerous tissues. Three possible responses can be obtained from the processing of the measurements: healthy tissue, cancerous tissue or the presence of human papilloma virus. The inventive device can be used as a self-detection device since it is equipped with an attachment for positioning same upon detection of proximity to the cervix in order to take a correct measurement.

Abstract: A system for optical coherence tomography includes a source of optical radiation, an optical fiber, and a graded index fiber attached to a distal end of the optical fiber. The optical fiber and the graded index fiber are together configured to provide a common path for optical radiation reflected from a reference interface at a distal end of the graded index fiber and from a target.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for a tapered optical guide which may be used to guide light from a light source to a tubular element. Light guided through the tubular element may be projected onto a cavity surface for imaging. The tapered optical guide may comprise multiple optical fibers defining an elongated body having an elongated channel. The elongated body may converge from a first end to a second end such that a first end body diameter is larger than a second end body diameter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a blood vessel wall analyzing apparatus provided with a structure enabling accurate measurement of plaque components in a blood vessel wall in a state that reduces the burden on a patient. In the blood vessel wall analyzing apparatus (1), measurement light is illuminated onto a measured portion within a blood vessel such as a carotid artery (C) from a light illuminating unit (30) provided outside the blood vessel, while light from the measured portion is detected in a light receiving unit (40) provided outside the blood vessel. Thus, since the status of the blood vessel wall can be analyzed without inserting an apparatus involved in measurement into the blood vessel, the burden on the patient is reduced during measurement.

Abstract: A catheter imaging probe for a patient. The probe includes a conduit through with energy is transmitted. The probe includes a first portion through which the conduit extends. The probe includes a second portion which rotates relative to the conduit to redirect the energy from the conduit. A method for imaging a patient. The method includes the steps of inserting a catheter into the patient. There is the step of rotating a second portion of the catheter relative to a conduit extending through a first portion of the catheter, which redirects the energy transmitted through the conduit to the patient and receives the energy reflected back to the second portion from the patient and redirects the reflected energy to the conduit.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an illumination system for endoscopic applications comprising at least one substantially monochromatic light source having a predefined central wavelength between 400 and 500 nm or between 500 and 550 nm, an optical transmission path adapted to guide light emanating from the light source to an endoscopic region of examination, and an optical band-rejection filter, wherein the illumination system is adapted to illuminate at least a part of the region of examination by generating autofluorescence in surrounding tissue, and the band-rejection filter is adapted to attenuate at least said light source wavelength to a viewer and wherein said light source is the single light source in the illumination system.

Abstract: A voxel tagging system (100) includes a sensing enabled device (104) having an optical fiber (126) configured to sense induced strain within the device (Bragg grating sensor). An interpretation module (112) is configured to receive signals from the optical fiber interacting with an internal organ, e.g. heart, and to interpret the signals to determine positions visited by the at least one optical fiber within the internal organ. A data source (152, 154) is configured to generate data associated with an event or status, e.g. respiration, ECG phase, time stamp, etc.. A storage device (116) is configured to store a history (136) of the positions visited in the internal organ and associate the positions with the data generated by the data source (152, 154).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotating catheter tip for optical coherence tomography based on the use of an optical fiber that does not rotate, that is enclosed in a catheter, which has a tip rotates under the influence of a fluid drive system to redirect light from the fiber to a surrounding vessel and the light reflected or backscattered from the vessel back to the optical fiber.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an all-fiber-optic scanning endomicroscope capable of high-resolution second harmonic generation (SHG) imaging of biological tissues. The endomicroscope has an overall 2.0 mm diameter and consists of a single customized double-clad fiber, a compact rapid two-dimensional beam scanner, and a miniature compound objective lens for excitation beam delivery, scanning, focusing, and efficient SHG signal collection. Endomicroscopic SHG images of murine cervical tissue sections at different stages of normal pregnancy reveal progressive, quantifiable changes in cervical collagen morphology with resolution similar to that of bench-top SHG microscopy. A device according to an embodiment of the present invention can also be used to assess other pathologies, such as cancer. fibrosis, and inflammation. The present invention allows for diagnosis, monitoring of the effect of therapeutics, and surgical or interventional guidance.

Abstract: An intravascular rotary blood pump possesses a catheter (10), a pumping device (50) disposed distally of the catheter and having at its distal end a flexible flow cannula (53) through which blood is either sucked or discharged by the pumping device (50) during operation of the blood pump, and at least one pressure sensor (27, 28A, 30) having at least one optical fiber (28A) which is laid along the flow cannula (53). The optical fiber (28A) and, where applicable, a sliding tube (27) in which the optical fiber (28A) is laid extend along a neutral fiber of the flow cannula (53).

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for positioning medical devices onto (or close to) a desired portion of the interior wall of an internal channel, such as for scan imaging, for photodynamic therapy and/or for optical temperature measurement. In one embodiment, a catheter assembly has a distal portion that can be changed from a configuration suitable for traversing the internal channel to another configuration suitable for scan at least a spiral section of the interior wall of an internal channel, such as an artery. In one example, the distal portion spirals into gentle contact with (or close to) a spiral section of the artery wall for Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) scanning. The spiral radius may be changed through the use of a guidewire, a tendon, a spiral balloon, a tube, or other ways.

Abstract: A system is provided including a thoracic bio-impedance or bio-reactance (TBIR) analysis module, a photoplethysmograph (PPG) analysis module, and a cardiac output module. The TBIR module is configured to obtain TBIR information from a TBIR detector, and the PPG analysis module is configured to obtain PPG information from a PPG detector. The cardiac output module is configured to determine the cardiac output of a patient using the TBIR information and the PPG information.

Abstract: The present application relates to an internal optical spectroscope comprising: a needle sleeve insertable into and removable from targeted living tissue; a shaft housed by the needle sleeve including at least one v-shaped trough including an aft side and a next-to-aft side; a light source comprising variable light wave lengths of both visible and near infrared light; at least one light transmission fiber comprising a transmitting end; at least one light detector fiber comprising a receptive end; and data processor. The present application also relates to a method of performing an optical biopsy in situ.

Abstract: The present document describes a pressure guidewire comprising a shaft tube, a tip portion and a fiber optic pressure sensor. The shaft tube comprises a middle section and a sensor housing extending distally relative to the middle section, the sensor housing having a distal end. The tip portion extends distally relative to the shaft tube. The pressure sensor is embedded in the sensor housing. The sensor housing defines a cavity, inside the sensor housing, which is distal relative to the pressure sensor and delimited at a proximal end thereof by the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A device for scanning a body orifice or surface including a light source and a wide angle lens. The light from the light source is projected in a pattern distal or adjacent to the wide angle lens. Preferably, the pattern is within a focal surface of the wide angle lens. The pattern intersects a surface of the body orifice, such as an ear canal, and defines a partial lateral portion of the pattern extending along the surface. A processor is configured to receive an image of the lateral portion from the wide angle lens and determine a position of the lateral portion in a coordinate system using a known focal surface of the wide angle lens. Multiple lateral portions are reconstructed by the processor to build a three-dimensional shape. This three-dimensional shape may be used for purposes such as diagnostic, navigation, or custom-fitting of medical devices, such as hearing aids.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and system useful as a new diagnostic modality to differentiate the etiology of heartburn/chest pain by measuring esophageal blood flow. Furthermore, the device and system of the present invention can be used as a new diagnostic modality to differentiate the etiology of abdominal pain by measuring blood in the wall of gastrointestinal tract including rectum and colon blood flow.

Abstract: A medical device system may include a guidewire including a distal pressure sensor and a proximal end. A connector cable may be coupled to the proximal end of the guidewire and may have a proximal end. A signal conditioning unit may be coupled to the proximal end of the connector cable. One or more of the guidewire, the connector cable, and the signal conditioning unit may include an optical fiber having a core with a tapered outer diameter.

Abstract: At the leading end of a probe (11) is provided a holding part (56) that has a space (60) having an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the probe (11). A liquid discharge groove (61) that communicates between the space (60) and the outer peripheral side surface of the holding part (56) is formed in the holding part (56).

Abstract: An optical measurement device includes: a measurement light source unit that emits measurement light; measurement probe including an illumination fiber configured to radiate the measurement light to a living tissue, and a light-receiving fiber configured to receive return light of the measurement light reflected and/or scattered from the living tissue; a detection unit that detects the return light; an illumination control unit that causes the measurement light source unit to execute alternately emission and stoppage of the measurement light during the measurement and to emit the measurement light such that the emission time is longer than the stoppage time; and a computation unit that removes, from an intensity of return light of the measurement light detected by the detection unit, a detected intensity of return light of the observation light radiated by an endoscope and reflected from the living tissue.

Abstract: An endoscope 100 includes a first light source 45 that emits white illumination light, a second light source 47 that emits narrow-band light and an imaging section that has an imaging device 21 having plural detection pixels and images a region to be observed. The imaging section is caused to output a captured image signal including both a return light component of the white illumination light from the region to be observed by and a return light component of the narrow-band light the white illumination light. From the captured image signal, the return light component of the narrow-band light is selectively extracted, and a brightness level of the extracted return light component of the narrow-band light is changed by changing a light amount of light emitted from the second light source 47.

Abstract: Electrophysiology mapping and visualization systems are described herein where such devices may be used to visualize tissue regions as well as map the electrophysiological activity of the tissue. Such a system may include a deployment catheter and an attached hood deployable into an expanded configuration. In use, the imaging hood is placed against or adjacent to a region of tissue to be imaged in a body lumen that is normally filled with an opaque bodily fluid such as blood. A translucent or transparent fluid, such as saline, can be pumped into the imaging hood until the fluid displaces any blood, thereby leaving a clear region of tissue to be imaged via an imaging element in the deployment catheter. A position of the catheter and/or hood may be tracked and the hood may also be used to detect the electrophysiological activity of the visualized tissue for mapping.

Abstract: A method for imaging a tissue includes collecting a light signal from at least part of said tissue, using a fiber optic probe for fluorescence imaging, wherein the fiber optic probe comprises a plurality of optic fibers, and wherein a distal tip of the fiber optic probe is placed at a distance from said tissue, said imaging being made confocal at a proximal tip of said fiber optic probe. A fluorescence imaging system includes an endoscope equipped with a working channel, in which a fiber optic probe has been inserted, wherein the fiber optic probe is movable between a retracted position and at least one position of extension, said fiber optic probe comprising a plurality of optic fibers for performing imaging of a tissue, said imaging being confocal via a processor located at a proximal tip of said fiber optic probe.

Abstract: There is provided a new apparatus, system, and method of use for laser speckle imaging that allows for omni-directional viewing. The omni-directional viewing can include a reflector and switches configured for switching the illumination on the lumenal tissue such that the light reflected from the lumenal tissue at any given time is reflected from one or more substantially non-overlapping sections of a lumenal tissue. This apparatus may be particularly useful for tissue analysis such as analysis of vulnerable plaque.

Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining information regarding a biological structure(s) can include, for example a light guiding arrangement which can include a fiber through which an electromagnetic radiation(s) can be propagated, where the electromagnetic radiation can be provided to or from the structure. An at least partially reflective arrangement can have multiple surfaces, where the reflecting arrangement can be situated with respect to the optical arrangement such that the surfaces thereof each can receive a(s) beam of the electromagnetic radiations instantaneously, and a receiving arrangement(s) which can be configured to receive the reflected radiation from the surfaces which include speckle patterns.

Abstract: A measurement probe is configured to be detachably connected to an optical measurement apparatus for optically measuring a living tissue and includes: an illuminating fiber configured to apply illumination light to the living tissue; a plurality of light receiving fibers configured to receive, at different positions, the backscattering light which is applied by the illuminating fiber and backreflected and/or backscattered from the living tissue; and a support section that is substantially cylindrical and configured to make a distance from each distal end of the illuminating fiber and the plurality of light receiving fibers to the living tissue constant, and permit the illumination light to pass through at least a part of a side surface thereof. An illumination area of the illumination light applied by the illuminating fiber on the living tissue is larger than the area of a distal end of the support section.

Abstract: Methods of measurement of biometric indicators in a mammalian subject are described. Biometric indicators of interest include hematocrit, plasma volume, volume of distribution, and glomerular filtration rate. The methods are especially applicable to subjects with rapid blood loss and to subjects with unstable hematocrits. Hematocrit may be measured by administering an injectate with a dynamic fluorescent marker and a static fluorescent marker, or a single static marker with two fluorescent tags, into the vascular system of the subject, and monitoring the emission intensities of the markers or fluorescent tags over a period of time. Hematocrit may then be calculated using a calibrated spectrometric analyzer by determining the raw ratio of the markers at T0, calculating the apparent hematocrit, and applying a correction factor.

Abstract: An optical measuring device includes: a light source unit; a measurement probe including a fiber bundle, an illumination fiber that illuminates a living tissue with a illumination light, and a plurality of light-receiving fibers that receives return light of the illumination light reflected and/or scattered at the living tissue; a detection unit that receives the return light of the illumination light detected by the plurality of respective light-receiving fibers, and performs photoelectric conversion to detect respective signal intensities; and an association unit that associates the respective signal intensities detected by the detection unit with distances from the illumination fiber to the respective light-receiving fibers on an end face of a distal end portion of the measurement probe, when light having an intensity gradient around the illumination fiber is projected to the end face of the distal end portion of the measurement probe.

Abstract: In the optical structure observation apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention, a middle layer of a measured object having a layer structure at least including a surface layer and the middle layer is extracted and flattened to be a same flat plane, the optical stereoscopic structure image is reconstructed with the flattened middle layer as the reference layer, the three-dimensional converted optical structure image is generated, and at least the three-dimensional converted optical structure image is imaged and displayed on the display device, whereby the structure information with the middle layer in the measured object having the layer structure as a basal plate can be visually determined.

Abstract: An imaging method includes providing a handpiece having a probe tip insertable into human or animal tissue disposed at an end thereof, and, an optical coherence tomography (OCT) probe connected to the handpiece such that a functionality of the OCT probe is provided at the probe tip. The probe tip is disposed adjacent to or into human or animal tissue. Imaging of the tissue, measuring at least one of a feature size or a quantifiable characteristic of a structure in the tissue for biometry analysis, and/or performing a diagnostic procedure on the tissue or a device implanted in the tissue is performed with the OCT probe.

Abstract: A catheter includes a catheter main body provided with a window portion through which an inspection wave passes, a drive shaft provided with a detection unit detecting the inspection wave and concurrently installed advanceably and retractably in an axial direction inside the catheter main body, and a bias member biasing a force onto the drive shaft for moving the drive shaft forward toward the distal side thereof.