Miniature spectrometer
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A spectrometer, comprising:
- a light source for illuminating tissue; and
a plurality of light detectors for detecting optical properties of the illuminated tissue, the plurality of light detectors adapted for converting optical signals to electrical signals, the light source and the plurality of light detectors adapted for placement together within a body.
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Abstract
A miniaturized spectrometer is adapted for placement within a body near tissue to be characterized. The spectrometer includes a light source and a plurality of light detectors. The light source generates light to illuminate the tissue. The detectors detect optical signals from the illuminated tissue and convert these optical signals to electrical signals. The miniaturized spectrometer can be disposed at the distal end of an interventional device. Optical conduits, such as fiber optic cables or strands, extending the length of the interventional device are not required when the miniature spectrometer is employed.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. A spectrometer, comprising:
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a light source for illuminating tissue; and
a plurality of light detectors for detecting optical properties of the illuminated tissue, the plurality of light detectors adapted for converting optical signals to electrical signals, the light source and the plurality of light detectors adapted for placement together within a body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 36, 37, 38)
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23. A spectrometer module comprising a plurality of light detectors for detecting optical properties of tissue, wherein each detector comprises multiple channels for detecting light emission having multiple wavelengths, is capable of converting optical signals to electrical signals, and is sufficiently small to allow the module to be placed within a body.
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24. A method for characterizing tissue comprising:
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providing a spectrometer comprising a light source and a plurality of light detectors adapted for converting optical signals to electrical signals;
placing the spectrometer inside a body near tissue to be characterized;
connecting the light source and the plurality of light detectors to a power source;
illuminating the tissue; and
measuring optical properties of the illuminated tissue.
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34. A method for characterizing tissue comprising:
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placing a spectrometer comprising a plurality of light detectors inside a body near tissue to be characterized, wherein the at least one light detector converts optical signals to electrical signals;
connecting the plurality of light detectors to a power source;
illuminating the tissue; and
measuring optical properties of the illuminated tissue.
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35. A spectrometer, comprising:
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a source of ultraviolet (UV) light for illuminating tissue; and
at least one light detector for detecting UV light emissions from the illuminated tissue, the at least one light detector adapted for converting UV light emissions into electrical signals, the light source and the at least one light detector adapted for placement together within a body.
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Specification