Fiber optic light mixer

• US 20040086230A1
• Filed: 11/05/2002
• Published: 05/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated (TDK Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated (TDK Corporation)
• Inventors: Myers, Dean E., Schmidt, Mark A., Quast, Kenneth R., Lewandowski, Mark S.
• Granted Patent: US 6,892,006 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/46
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/146 for optical coupling
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14552 Details of sensors specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0218 using optical fibers
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/10 Arrangements of light sources specially adapted for spectrometry or colorimetry
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/2808 using a mixing element which evenly distributes an input signal over a number of outputs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3845 ferrules comprising functional elements, e.g. filters
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3873 Connectors using guide surfaces for aligning ferrule ends, e.g. tubes, sleeves, V-grooves, rods, pins, balls
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3885 Multicore or multichannel optical connectors, i.e. one single ferrule containing more than one fibre, e.g. ribbon type optical ribbon cable G02B6/4403, G02B6/448

Abstract

An optical structure for combining light from a plurality of individual optical fibers into a single optical transmission device. The structure can be incorporated into the optical probe of a spectrophotometric instrument and includes a plurality of optical send fibers having input and output ends and an optical light mixer having input and output ends. The output ends of the send fibers are secured in optical communication with the input end of the light mixer.

Claims

1. An optical structure for combining light from a plurality of individual optical fibers into a single optical transmission device, including:

a plurality of optical send fibers having input and output ends and diameters, for transmitting light from the input ends to the output ends;

an optical light mixer having input and output ends; and

structure for securing the output ends of the send fibers in optical communication with the input end of the light mixer.

2. The optical structure of claim 1 wherein the structure for securing the send fibers to the light mixer includes adhesive.

3. The optical structure of claim 1 and further including a ferrule encompassing the output ends of the send fibers.

4. The optical structure of claim 3 and further including adhesive for securing the output ends of the send fibers within the ferrule.

5. The optical structure of claim 4 wherein the structure for securing the send fibers to the light mixer includes adhesive.

6. An optical tissue probe including the optical structure of claim 1 mounted thereto with the output end of the light mixer in communication with a tissue-facing surface of the probe.

7. The optical structure of claim 1 wherein the light mixer includes an optical fiber.

8. The optical structure of claim 7 and further including:

a send fiber ferrule for encompassing the output ends of the send fibers;

a mixer fiber ferrule for encompassing the input end of the light mixer ferrule; and

a housing for joining the send fiber ferrule and the mixer ferrule and to urge the output ends of the send fibers into optical communication with the input end of the light mixer.

9. The optical structure of claim 1 wherein each of the send fibers transmits light having a different wavelength.