Optical examination device, system and method
First Claim
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, 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, wherein the optical source and the optical detector are cooperatively engaged with 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.
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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.
7 Citations
66 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, 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, wherein the optical source and the optical detector are cooperatively engaged with 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.
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2. (canceled)
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4-46. -46. (canceled)
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47. An optical examination device for in vivo examination of biological tissue, comprising:
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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; an indexer for indexing in space fiber locations with respect to tissue positions corresponding to said distal ends engaging the scalp or skin of said subject and said proximal ends arrayed for coupling light from said light source and for coupling light into said optical detector; 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. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62)
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Specification