Calibration tool for an optical measuring device with an optical fiber probe

• US 20050275836A1
• Filed: 06/15/2005
• Published: 12/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Imalux Corp.
• Original Assignee: Imalux Corp.
• Inventors: Harrington, Stephanie A.S., Feldchtein, Felix I., Breedlove, J. Lloyd
• Granted Patent: US 7,227,629 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 356/243.100
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/27 using photo-electric detection G01N21/31 takes precedence; circuits for computing concentration logarithmic circuits G06G7/24; photometric circuits in general G01J
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/274 Calibration, base line adjustment, drift correction
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/278 Constitution of standards
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/4795 spatially resolved investigating of object in scattering medium in vivo A61B

Abstract

An optical measurement device calibration tool includes an optical probe suitable for calibrating various optical imaging devices, for example, low coherence reflectometers and optical coherence tomography devices. In a preferred embodiment the calibration tool comprises a container containing a calibration substance with stable optical scattering and absorption properties. The calibration substance includes a gel, paste or grease substance and is covered a protective seal, which is at least partially transparent providing optical contact between the optical probe and the calibration substance. The protective seal is covered with a viscous complementary material. Another protective seal made at least partially removable is placed above the viscous complementary material and may serve as a cover for the container. The calibration tool maintains the advantages of calibration tools using liquids and solid states as calibration substance and is more cost-effective and more convenient for calibrating optical measuring devices such as in medical applications.

Claims

1. A calibration tool for an optical measurement device with an optical probe, comprising:

a container;

the container being filled at least partially with a calibration substance with stable optical scattering and absorption properties and including a first protective seal, and

the first protective seal being at least partially transparent, the first protective seal having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface of the first protective seal being in optical contact with the calibration substance, the second surface of the first protective seal allowing for an optical contact with the optical probe of the optical measurement device.

2. The calibration tool according to claim 1, wherein the calibration substance is viscous.

3. The calibration tool according to claim 1, wherein the first protective seal is pliable.

4. The calibration tool according to claim 3, wherein the first protective seal is made as a polymer membrane.

5. The calibration tool according to claim 1, wherein the calibration substance includes a gel substance.

6. The calibration tool according to claim 1, wherein the calibration substance includes a paste substance.

7. The calibration tool according to claim 1, wherein the calibration substance includes a grease substance.

8. The calibration tool according to claim 7, wherein the grease substance includes a high vacuum grease substance.

9. The calibration tool according to claim 1, wherein the second surface of the first protective seal is covered with a viscous complementary material.

10. The calibration tool according to claim 9, wherein the viscous complementary material includes a gel substance.

11. The calibration tool according to claim 9, wherein the viscous complementary material includes a paste substance.

12. The calibration tool according to claim 9, wherein the viscous complementary material includes a grease substance.

13. The calibration tool according to claim 9, wherein the viscous complementary material includes a wetting agent.

14. The calibration tool according to claim 1, wherein the container further includes a second protective seal, which is made at least partially removable, the second protective seal having a first surface, which faces the second surface of the first protective seal, and a second surface.

15. The calibration tool according to claim 14, wherein the second surface of the second protective seal serves as a cover for the container.

16. The calibration tool according to claim 14, wherein the second protective seal is made as a safety cap.

17. The calibration tool according to claim 14, wherein the container further includes a removable safety cap.

18. The calibration tool according to claim 1, wherein the container is disposable.