Medical device including scanned beam unit with operational control features
First Claim
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1. A method of controlling a medical device, the method comprising:
- generating a beam of radiation using a radiation source assembly;
directing the beam of radiation toward a distal end of the medical device using an optical fiber;
directing the beam of radiation onto an area of interest by scanning a reflector in a scanning pattern, the reflector receiving the beam of radiation from the optical fiber;
collecting radiation from the area of interest using a collector;
detecting the collected radiation; and
detecting a loss of scan condition of the reflector automatically using a control system by examining a periodic structure of the detected radiation, wherein the loss of scan condition is detected based upon deviations from an expected periodic structure of the detected radiation.
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Abstract
A method of controlling a medical device is provided. The method includes generating a beam of radiation using a radiation source assembly. The beam of radiation is directed toward a distal end of the medical device using an optical fiber. The beam of radiation is directed onto an area of interest by scanning the reflector in a scanning pattern, the reflector receiving the beam of radiation from the optical fiber. Radiation is collected from the area of interest using a collector to generate a signal for use in producing a viewable image. A loss of scan condition of the reflector is detected automatically by a control system.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of controlling a medical device, the method comprising:
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generating a beam of radiation using a radiation source assembly; directing the beam of radiation toward a distal end of the medical device using an optical fiber; directing the beam of radiation onto an area of interest by scanning a reflector in a scanning pattern, the reflector receiving the beam of radiation from the optical fiber; collecting radiation from the area of interest using a collector; detecting the collected radiation; and detecting a loss of scan condition of the reflector automatically using a control system by examining a periodic structure of the detected radiation, wherein the loss of scan condition is detected based upon deviations from an expected periodic structure of the detected radiation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A medical device, comprising:
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a radiation source assembly including a radiation source configured to generate a beam of radiation; an optical fiber that directs the beam from the radiation source assembly toward a distal end of the medical device; a reflector that receives the beam from the optical fiber, the reflector configured to direct the beam onto an area of interest by scanning in a scanning pattern; a collector arranged and configured to receive radiation from the area of interest and to pass received radiation to a radiation detector, wherein the radiation detector outputs a signal corresponding to a characteristic of the received radiation for use in producing a viewable image; a filter responsive only to frequency components of the outputted signal, wherein the filter is configured to produce an output based on at least one predetermined range of frequency components of the outputted signal; a comparator adapted to provide an indication when the output of the filter exceeds or is below a predetermined limit; and a qualifier adapted to examine temporal variations in the indication of the comparator, wherein the temporal variations are analyzed to determine if the reflector has stopped scanning. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A medical device, comprising:
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a radiation source assembly including a radiation source configured to generate a beam of radiation; an optical fiber that directs the beam from the radiation source assembly toward a distal end of the medical device along a path defined by the optical fiber; a reflector that receives the beam from the optical fiber, the reflector configured to direct the beam onto an area of interest by scanning in a scanning pattern; a collector arranged and configured to receive radiation from the area of interest and to pass received radiation to a radiation detector, wherein the radiation detector outputs a signal corresponding to a characteristic of the received radiation for use in producing a viewable image; a beam splitter arranged and configured to separate reflected radiation returning through the optical fiber from the distal end of the medical device toward a proximal end of the medical device from the beam of radiation, wherein the beam splitter directs the reflected radiation to a return beam detector; and a processor adapted and configured to examine temporal signal variations in an output of the return beam detector, wherein the temporal frequency content of the signal variations is analyzed to determine if the reflector is scanning - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification