Probe
First Claim
1. A probe comprising:
- an acoustic wave detector that detects at least an acoustic wave from a subject;
an optical fiber that guides light emitted from a light source to a probe body; and
a light guide plate that guides light from a light entrance end to a light exit end, the light entrance end being optically coupled to the optical fiber and the light exit end being located in the vicinity of the acoustic wave detector,wherein the light guide plate is secured in the probe body with a securing material provided at least partially around the light guide plate,the probe comprises a surface that faces the subject during use, andat least one layer of air is provided between the light guide plate and a side surface of the acoustic wave detector, the layer of air extending from the surface of the probe body toward the interior of the probe body and being open at the surface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An acoustic wave detector that detects an acoustic wave from a subject, an optical fiber that guides light emitted from a light source to a probe body, and a light guide member that guides light from a light entrance end, which is optically coupled to the optical fiber, to a light exit end, which is located in the vicinity of the acoustic wave detector, are provided. The light guide member is secured in the probe body with a securing material provided at least partially around the light guide member. The conditional expression below is satisfied:
sin−1(n2/n1)×(180°/π)<90°−θi
where n1 is a refractive index of the light guide member, n2 is a refractive index of the securing material, and θi is a spread angle of incoming light from the optical fiber.
8 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A probe comprising:
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an acoustic wave detector that detects at least an acoustic wave from a subject; an optical fiber that guides light emitted from a light source to a probe body; and a light guide plate that guides light from a light entrance end to a light exit end, the light entrance end being optically coupled to the optical fiber and the light exit end being located in the vicinity of the acoustic wave detector, wherein the light guide plate is secured in the probe body with a securing material provided at least partially around the light guide plate, the probe comprises a surface that faces the subject during use, and at least one layer of air is provided between the light guide plate and a side surface of the acoustic wave detector, the layer of air extending from the surface of the probe body toward the interior of the probe body and being open at the surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification