Rugged fiber optic probe for raman measurement
First Claim
1. An optical probe for use in light scattering analysis of a sample comprising:
- a) a housing having a proximal end, a distal end and defining a first cavity;
b) a filter assembly positioned within the first cavity;
c) a probe tip positioned at the distal end of the housing and defining a second cavity which communicates with the first cavity;
d) a fiber assembly positioned within the second cavity and communicating with the filter assembly;
e) a transmitting/receiving line positioned in the first cavity and communicating with the filter assembly; and
f) at least one spring urging the fiber assembly and the transmitting receiving line together thereby holding the filter assembly therebetween.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical probe for conducting light scattering analysis is disclosed. The probe comprises a hollow housing and a probe tip. A fiber assembly made up of a transmitting fiber and a receiving bundle is inserted in the tip. A filter assembly is inserted in the housing and connected to the fiber assembly. A signal line from the light source and to the spectrometer also is connected to the filter assembly and communicates with the fiber assembly. By using a spring-loaded assembly to hold the fiber connectors together with the in-line filters, complex and sensitive alignment procedures are avoided. The close proximity of the filter assembly to the probe tip eliminates or minimizes self-scattering generated by the optical fiber. Also, because the probe can contact the sample directly, sensitive optics can be eliminated.
153 Citations
32 Claims
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1. An optical probe for use in light scattering analysis of a sample comprising:
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a) a housing having a proximal end, a distal end and defining a first cavity; b) a filter assembly positioned within the first cavity; c) a probe tip positioned at the distal end of the housing and defining a second cavity which communicates with the first cavity; d) a fiber assembly positioned within the second cavity and communicating with the filter assembly; e) a transmitting/receiving line positioned in the first cavity and communicating with the filter assembly; and f) at least one spring urging the fiber assembly and the transmitting receiving line together thereby holding the filter assembly therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. An optical probe for use in light scattering analysis of a sample comprising:
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a) a housing; b) first carrying means, positioned within the housing, for carrying first and second test signals in which the first test signal is delivered to a sample and the second test signal is received from the sample; c) second carrying means, positioned within the housing and communicating with the first carrying means, for carrying the first and second test signals; d) means, interposed between the first and second carrying means, for filtering the first test signal; e) means, interposed between the first and second carrying means, for filtering the second test signal; and f) means for urging the first and second carrying means together thereby holding the first and second test signal filtering means therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification