APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PRODUCTION AND INTEGRATION OF COMPACT ILLUMINATION SCHEMES
First Claim
1. Apparatus (10,15) for production of compact lighting schemes, comprising:
- at least one lighting source (20) configured to provide an illumination beam, anda beamsplitting assembly (30) that includes a sequence of one or more beamsplitters (32,40) of varying transmit-reflect ratios, wherein the sequence of one or more beamsplitters is configured such that a source beam for a subsequent beamsplitter of the sequence is one of the resulting beams from a preceding beamsplitter of the sequence; and
wherein the illumination beam of the at least one light source is passed through the beamsplitting assembly and wherein the beamsplitting assembly divides the illumination beam of the at least one light source into one or more beams (34a,34b,34c,34d;
42a,42b) of desired intensity to provide an illumination scheme selected from the group consisting of a center focused intensity scheme and a graduated intensity scheme.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus, systems and methods are provided for production and integration of compact illumination schemes. More particularly, disclosed embodiments relate to apparatus/systems and methods for production of highly compact illumination schemes, whereby photoacoustic waves are induced in a target sample. Additionally, the disclosed apparatus/systems and methods are effective to produce compact and portable integrated transducer-illumination arrays. Apparatus disclosed generally include at least one lighting source and a beamsplitting assembly. Systems disclosed generally include one or more apparatus for the production of compact lighting schemes, an ultrasonic transducer assembly and means for coupling the one or more apparatus and US transducer assembly with a target sample.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. Apparatus (10,15) for production of compact lighting schemes, comprising:
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at least one lighting source (20) configured to provide an illumination beam, and a beamsplitting assembly (30) that includes a sequence of one or more beamsplitters (32,40) of varying transmit-reflect ratios, wherein the sequence of one or more beamsplitters is configured such that a source beam for a subsequent beamsplitter of the sequence is one of the resulting beams from a preceding beamsplitter of the sequence; and wherein the illumination beam of the at least one light source is passed through the beamsplitting assembly and wherein the beamsplitting assembly divides the illumination beam of the at least one light source into one or more beams (34a,34b,34c,34d;
42a,42b) of desired intensity to provide an illumination scheme selected from the group consisting of a center focused intensity scheme and a graduated intensity scheme. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A system (6) for compactly integrating illumination apparatus (10,15,56) with an ultrasonic transducer assembly (50), the system comprising:
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one or more illumination apparatus (10,15,56) for the production of compact lighting schemes, the one or more illumination apparatus including (i) at least one lighting source (20,52) configured to provide an illumination beam, and (ii) a beamsplitting assembly (30) that includes a sequence of one or more beamsplitters (32,40) of varying transmit-reflect ratios, wherein the sequence of one or more beamsplitters is configured such that a source beam for a subsequent beamsplitter of the sequence is one of the resulting beams from a preceding beamsplitter of the sequence, wherein the illumination beam of the at least one light source is passed through the beamsplitting assembly and wherein the beamsplitting assembly divides the illumination beam of the at least one light source into one or more beams (34a,34b,34c,34d;
42a,42b) of desired intensity before passing said beams relative to a target sample (70);an ultrasonic transducer assembly (50) including at least one ultrasonic transducer;
wherein said ultrasonic transducer assembly detects ultrasonic waves emanating relative to the target sample;a reflective layer (68) coupled with one or more direction-altering mirror assemblies (66), wherein the reflective layer is positioned directly below the ultrasonic transducer assembly (50), wherein the one or more direction-altering mirror assemblies (66) are positioned (i) directly below a respective beamsplitting assembly of the one or more illumination apparatus (10,15,56) and (ii) below the ultrasonic transducer assembly (50), and wherein the one or more direction-altering mirror assemblies (66) are angled such that the one or more beams of desired intensity eminating from the respective one or more illumination apparatus (10,15,56) are then reflected off of the reflective layer (68) toward the area of the target sample (70) directly under the transducer assembly (50); and means (60,62,64) for coupling the one or more illumination apparatus (10,15,56) for the production of compact lighting schemes and the ultrasonic transducer assembly (50) with a target sample (70). - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 14, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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11. (canceled)
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12. (canceled)
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13. (canceled)
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15. (canceled)
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17. (canceled)
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18. A method for imaging a target sample, comprising:
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providing one or more illumination apparatus (10,15,56) for the production of compact lighting schemes, the one or more illumination apparatus including (i) at least one lighting source (20,52) configured to provide an illumination beam, and (ii) a beamsplitting assembly (30) that includes a sequence of one or more beamsplitters (32,40) of varying transmit-reflect ratios, wherein the sequence of one or more beamsplitters is configured such that a source beam for a subsequent beamsplitter of the sequence is one of the resulting beams from a preceding beamsplitter of the sequence, wherein the illumination beam of the at least one light source is passed through the beamsplitting assembly and wherein the beamsplitting assembly divides the illumination beam of the at least one light source into one or more beams (34a,34b,34c,34d;
42a,42b) of desired intensity before passing said beams relative to a target sample (70);providing an ultrasonic transducer assembly (50) including at least one ultrasonic transducer;
wherein said ultrasonic transducer assembly detects ultrasonic waves emanating relative to the target sample;providing a reflective layer (68) coupled with one or more direction-altering mirror assemblies (66), wherein the reflective layer is positioned directly below the ultrasonic transducer assembly (50), wherein the one or more direction-altering mirror assemblies (66) are positioned (i) directly below a respective beamsplitting assembly of the one or more illumination apparatus (10,15,56) and (ii) below the ultrasonic transducer assembly (50), and wherein the one or more direction-altering mirror assemblies (66) are angled such that the one or more beams of desired intensity eminating from the respective one or more illumination apparatus (10,15,56) are then reflected off of the reflective layer (68) toward the area of the target sample (70) directly under the transducer assembly (50); and coupling (60,62,64) the one or more illumination apparatus (10,15,56) for the production of compact lighting schemes and the ultrasonic transducer assembly (50) with a target sample (70).
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Specification