Miniature spectrometer

• US 6,119,031 A
• Filed: 07/22/1997
• Issued: 09/12/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Corporation
• Inventors: Crowley, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Ruth S.
• Application Number:
  US08/898,604
• Time in Patent Office: 1,148 Days
• Field of Search: 600/473, 600/476, 600/310, 600/339, 600/341, 600/342, 600/343, 600/325, 600/327, 600/332, 600/475, 600/477, 600/479, 600/407
• US Class Current: 600/407
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0075 by spectroscopy, i.e. measuring spectra, e.g. Raman spectroscopy, infrared absorption spectroscopy A61B5/0071 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6848 Needles
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2003/1213 Filters in general, e.g. dichroic, band
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0208 using focussing or collimating elements, e.g. lenses or mirrors; performing aberration correction
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0259 Monolithic
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/36 Investigating two or more bands of a spectrum by separate detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/3166 using separate detectors and filters
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/25 Colour; Spectral properties, i.e. comparison of effect of material on the light at two or more different wavelengths or wavelength bands
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/33 using ultraviolet light G01N21/39 takes precedence

Abstract

A miniaturized spectrometer is adapted for placement within a body near tissue to be characterized. The spectrometer includes a light source and a plurality of light detectors. The light source generates light to illuminate the tissue. The detectors detect optical signals from the illuminated tissue and convert these optical signals to electrical signals. The miniaturized spectrometer can be disposed at the distal end of an interventional device. Optical conduits, such as fiber optic cables or strands, extending the length of the interventional device are not required when the miniature spectrometer is employed.

Claims

1. A tissue spectroscopy device comprising:

a spectrometer comprising a substrate, a light source disposed on a first surface of the substrate, and a light detector disposed on the first surface of the substrate, the light detector comprising a first channel and a second channel and a filter disposed on the first channel;

an optically transparent housing surrounding the spectrometer; and

an interventional device for delivering the spectrometer to tissue.

2. The tissue spectroscopy device of claim 1 wherein the optically transparent housing comprises a first lens disposed near the light source, and a second lens disposed near the light detector.

3. The tissue spectroscopy device of claim 1 wherein the spectrometer further comprises a heat sink disposed on a second surface of the substrate opposite the first surface.

4. The tissue spectroscopy device of claim 1 wherein the spectrometer further comprises a light modulator disposed on the first surface of the substrate, a mirror disposed on the light modulator at an angle to receive light emitted by the light source, and an etched gap between the light modulator and the light source.

5. The tissue spectroscopy device of claim 1 wherein the light detector comprises an avalanche photodiode array.

6. The tissue spectroscopy device of claim 1 wherein the substrate comprises doped silicon.

7. The tissue spectroscopy device of claim 1 wherein the substrate comprises an epoxy fiberglass resin substrate.

8. The tissue spectroscopy device of claim 1 wherein the light detector comprises a plurality of silicon dioxide layers disposed on an n type silicon layer.

9. The tissue spectroscopy device of claim 1 wherein the optically transparent housing comprises a material selected from a group consisting of polystyrene, polycarbonate, and methyl-methacrylate.