Optical examination device, system and method

• US 20080045840A1
• Filed: 04/27/2007
• Published: 02/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/1995
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Britton Chance
• Original Assignee: Britton Chance
• Inventors: Chance, Britton
• Application Number:
  US11/796,684
• Publication Number:
  US 20080045840A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/476
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/146 for optical coupling
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0042 for the brain
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0059 using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence A61B5/0093, A61B5/1455, A61B5/02416 and A61B5/0261 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0091 for mammography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4312 Breast evaluation or disorder diagnosis A61B5/0091 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6814 Head

Abstract

As part of an examination device, an input or output optical coupler device for transmitting photons between an optical source or detector and an examined body part includes an array of optical fibers with end portions freely protruding as cantilevers from a support. The optical fibers have the end portions fabricated, sized and distributed to penetrate freely extending hair when the support is placed on the head or other surface of a subject to make optical contact directly over an array of points with the surface of the scalp or skin below the free hair.

Claims

1. An input or output optical coupler device for transmitting photons between an optical source or detector and the brain, comprising an array of optical fibers with end portions freely protruding as cantilevers from a support in the manner of bristles from a hairbrush, the end regions of the fibers sized and distributed to penetrate freely extending hair on the head or other surface of a subject to make optical contact directly over an array of points with the surface of the scalp or skin below the free hair a source and a detector in which a set of fibers transmits light to the scalp from the source, and a set of such fibers receives light from the scalp at known distance from the source fibers for transmission to the detector.

3. The device of claim 1 in which the fibers or protective devices over the fibers have smooth, enlarged tips that comfortably engage the skin or scalp.

2. (canceled)

4-46. -46. (canceled)

47. An optical examination device for in vivo examination of biological tissue, comprising:

an optical source for emitting light in the visible to infrared range and an optical detector for detecting light;

an array of optical fibers including end portions freely protruding from a support and arranged for engaging the scalp or skin of a subject at distal ends of said fibers, said optical fibers including proximal ends arrayed for coupling light from said light source into source fibers and for coupling light from detector fibers into said optical detector by indexing in space fiber locations with respect to tissue positions corresponding to said distal ends engaging the scalp or skin of said subject; and

a controller constructed and arranged to control operation of said light source and said optical detector and control introduction and detection of light at said arrayed proximal ends.

48. The optical examination device of claim 47 in which the fibers are resiliently flexible laterally to bend and conform a pattern of fiber tips to variations in the shape of the skull, breast or other portion of the body.

49. The optical examination device of claim 47 in which the freely extending end portions of the fibers have a length to diameter ratio of between about 5 and 200.

50. The optical examination device of claim 49 in which the ratio is between about 20 and 150.

51. The optical examination device of claim 49 in which the ratio is between about 50 and 125.

52. The optical examination device of claim 47 in which the free end portions of the optical fibers have diameter of the order of 0.1 to 3.0 millimeter and have a length between about 0.5 to 3 cm.

53. The optical examination device of claim 52 in which the free end portions of the optical fibers have diameter of about 0.2 to 0.5 millimeter and length between about 1 and 2.5 cm.

54. The optical examination device of claim 47 constructed as a handheld probe, and being sized and configured to be moved and placed against the breast.

55. The optical examination device of claim 47 constructed as a handheld probe, and being sized and configured to be moved and placed against the head.

56. The optical examination device of claim 47 wherein said distal ends of said fibers are constructed for placement against the head.

57. The optical examination device of claim 47 wherein said distal ends of said fibers are constructed for placement against the breast.

58. The optical examination device of claim 47, wherein said optical fibers are arranged with respect to said support to transmit selected pressure in a resiliently compliant manner.

59. The optical examination device of claim 47, including a disposable protective element adapted for engagement with the skin or scalp.

60. The optical examination device of claim 59, wherein said disposable protective element includes an end cup or sleeve disposably surrounding said distal end of said optical fiber freely protruding as a cantilever from a support.

61. The optical examination device of claim 59, wherein said disposable protective element is used with a dispenser constructed to apply several said disposable elements to said distal end.

62. The optical examination device of claim 60, wherein multiple end caps or sleeves are held in alignment by said dispenser in position to be entered by corresponding fibers by juxtaposition of said dispenser with the corresponding fibers.