Spectroscopy light source

• US 20030181805A1
• Filed: 01/17/2003
• Published: 09/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated (TDK Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated (TDK Corporation)
• Inventors: Canady, Larry D., Robey, Brian Lee, Hill, Ralph Henry Jr., Edgar, Reuben W. Jr., Catterson, Christopher B.
• Granted Patent: US 6,836,502 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/410
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/10 Arrangements of light sources specially adapted for spectrometry or colorimetry
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/507 the elements being in intimate contact with parts other than the semiconductor body or integrated with parts other than the semiconductor body
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/54 having a particular shape

Abstract

A light source for a spectroscopy unit that measures tissue includes a block for engaging tissue and a light source. The block is formed of translucent material. The light source is positioned in close proximity to the block either directly or through use of a light fiber. The light source produces light at a single wavelength or small range of wavelengths shorter than the desired range of wavelengths to be produced by the light source for the spectroscopy unit. A luminescent material is placed in the light path between light source and the tissue to produce the desired wavelength of light when pumped by the light source.

Claims

1. A spectroscopy light source for use in spectroscopy systems that measure the light absorption characteristics of a target comprising:

(a) a light source made of a semiconductor;

(b) an electrode in electrical connection with the semiconductor, the semiconductor radiating light at a primary wavelength when energized;

(c) a luminescent material placed between the semiconductor and the target, the luminescent material producing light at a range of desired wavelengths when being irradiated by light radiating from the light source.

2. A spectroscopy light source for use in spectroscopy systems that measure the light absorption characteristics of a target, comprising:

(a) a light source

(b) a block formed of a material allowing light transmission therethrough, the block formed with a luminescent material therein.

3. The spectroscopy light source of claim 2 wherein the block is shaped to fit against tissue.

4. The spectroscopy light source of claim 2 wherein the block is made from Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA).

5. The spectroscopy light source of claim 2 wherein the luminescent material has a substantial wavelength response from about 600 nm to about 1000 nm.

6. The spectroscopy light source of claim 5 wherein the luminescent material has a substantial wavelength response from about 720 nm to about 850 nm.

7. The spectroscopy light source of claim 5 wherein the light source is a light emitting diode operating at 680 nm.

8. The spectroscopy light source of claim 2 where the luminescent material is selected from the group of dyes comprising:

argon-ion pumped dyes, infrared dyes, nitrogen-pumped dyes and krypton-ion pumped dyes.

9. The spectroscopy light source of claim 2 wherein the luminescent material is a solid compound.

10. The spectroscopy light source of claim 9 wherein the luminescent material includes Cadmium Sulfide.

11. The spectroscopy light source of claim 9 wherein the luminescent material includes a metal salt.

12. The spectroscopy light source of claim 9 wherein the luminescent material includes a metal sulfate.

13. The spectroscopy light source of claim 2, wherein the block is formed as a rectangular prism, one surface being a tissue engaging surface, the opposite surface being formed with a reflective surface thereon to reflect escaping light back onto the tissue.

14. The spectroscopy light source of claim 13, wherein the surfaces other than the mirrored surface, the tissue engaging surface and a surface where the light will enter from the light source, are metalized to prevent light from escaping.

25. The spectroscopy light source of claim 9 wherein the luminescent material includes a metal sulfate.

15. A spectroscopy light source for use in spectroscopy systems that measure the light absorption characteristics of a target comprising:

(a) a light source;

(b) a light carrying fiber formed with a luminescent material therein, the light carrying fiber being in operational connection with the light source;

(c) a block for transmitting light into the target and connected to the light fiber.

16. The spectroscopy light source of claim 15 wherein the block is shaped to fit against tissue.

17. The spectroscopy light source of claim 15 wherein the block is made from Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA).

18. The spectroscopy light source of claim 15 wherein the luminescent material has a substantial wavelength response from about 600 nm to about 1000 nm.

19. The spectroscopy light source of claim 18 wherein the luminescent material has a substantial wavelength response from about 720 nm to about 850 nm.

20. The spectroscopy light source of claim 18 wherein the light source is a light emitting diode operating at 680 nm.

21. The spectroscopy light source of claim 15 where the luminescent material is selected from the group of dyes comprising:

argon-ion pumped dyes, infrared dyes, nitrogen pumped dyes and krypton-ion pumped dyes.

22. The spectroscopy light source of claim 15 wherein the luminescent material is a solid compound.

23. The spectroscopy light source of claim 22 wherein the luminescent material includes Cadmium Sulfide.

24. The spectroscopy light source of claim 22 wherein the luminescent material includes a metal salt.

26. The spectroscopy light source of claim 15 wherein the block is formed as a rectangular prism, one surface being a tissue engaging surface, the opposite surface being formed with a reflective surface thereon to reflect escaping light back onto the tissue.

27. The spectroscopy light source of claim 26, wherein the surfaces other than the mirrored surface, the tissue engaging surface and a surface where the light will enter from the light source, are metalized to prevent light from escaping.

28. A method of producing light in a range of desired wavelengths of light, for irradiating a target in to be measured by a spectroscopy system, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a narrowband light source having a maximum wavelength below wavelengths in the range of desired wavelengths;

(b) placing a luminescent material between the light source and the target material, the luminescent material producing light at a range of desired wavelengths when being irradiated by light radiating from the light source.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the step of providing a narrowband light source is accomplished by providing a light emitting diode.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the step of providing a narrowband light source is accomplished by providing a diode laser.

31. The method of claim 29 wherein the step of providing a narrowband light source is accomplished by providing a laser.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein the step of providing a luminescent material is accomplished by providing an argon-ion pumped dye.

33. The method of claim 28, wherein the step of providing a luminescent material is accomplished by providing a krypton-ion pumped dye.

34. The method of claim 28, wherein the step of providing a luminescent material is accomplished by providing a nitrogen pumped dye.

35. The method of claim 28, wherein the step of providing a luminescent material is accomplished by providing a nitrogen pumped dye.

36. The method of claim 28, wherein the step of providing a luminescent material is accomplished by providing an infrared dye.

37. The method of claim 28, wherein the step of providing a luminescent material is accomplished by providing a compound including cadmium sulfide.