Optical device components

• US 7,961,305 B2
• Filed: 10/22/2008
• Issued: 06/14/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Curators of the University of Missouri (University of Missouri)
• Original Assignee: Curators of the University of Missouri (University of Missouri)
• Inventors: Rosenthal, Robert D., Xu, Zhi
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham; Hoa Q
• Application Number:
  US12/256,028
• Publication Number:
  US 20090116017A1
• Time in Patent Office: 965 Days
• Field of Search: 356 39- 40, 356436-440, 600/310, 600/318, 600/316, 600/319, 362/154, 362/247, 362/298, 362/304, 362/346, 362/302, 362/303
• US Class Current: 356/39
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0059 using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence A61B5/0093, A61B5/1455, A61B5/02416 and A61B5/0261 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/474 Details of optical heads therefor, e.g. using optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/0633 Directed, collimated illumination

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention relate to an internal reflection light funnel, including an internal reflection cone having a first diameter at an entrance end and a second diameter at an exit end, the first diameter being greater than the second diameter; and a light source embedded within the cone. The funnel has a half angle of less than about 25 degrees.

Claims

1. An internal reflection light funnel, comprising:

a solid internal reflection cone, of frusto-conical shape, having a first diameter at an entrance end and a second diameter at an exit end, the first diameter being greater than the second diameter;

a light source, embedded within the cone;

a passage for receiving a biological sample located directly below the exit end; and

wherein the funnel has a half angle of less than about 25 degrees.

2. The internal reflection light funnel of claim 1, wherein the cone comprises a polymeric material.

3. The internal reflection light funnel of claim 1, wherein the cone comprises an acrylic material.

4. The internal reflection light funnel of claim 1, wherein the funnel has a half angle of about 10 to about 15 degrees.

5. The internal reflection light funnel of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises a plurality of light sources positioned near the entrance end.

6. The internal reflection light funnel of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises infrared emitting diodes.

7. The internal reflection light funnel of claim 1, wherein the light sources are positioned in a three dimensional arrangement.

8. The internal reflection light funnel of claim 7, wherein the three dimensional arrangement comprises light sources positioned in horizontal and vertical layers.

9. The internal reflection light funnel of claim 1, wherein the light source comprise incandescent light sources.

10. An apparatus, comprising:

a light source to generate a plurality of light beams, each of the plurality of light beams having a different wavelength range;

a solid internal reflection light funnel, of frusto-conical shape, to direct the plurality of light beams to a target area, the light source embedded within the light funnel;

a passage for receiving a biological sample located at the target area;

an aperture to direct the plurality of light beams emitting from the target area to a lens, the lens configured to collect the light beams emitting from the target area;

a detector comprising a plurality of light-sensing devices each configured to detect a light beam and configured to generate an output signal indicative of an intensity of light detected; and

a processor for analyzing the output signal and generating measurement data.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of interference filters each configured to pass a different one of the plurality of light beams emitting from the target area as a function of wavelength range.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a transmission grating, positioned between the lens and detector.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the light source comprises one or more light emitting diodes.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the light source comprises one or more incandescent light sources.

15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the wavelength range comprises differing wavelength ranges between about 800 nm and about 1600 nm.

16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the processor is used to determine a blood characteristic.

17. An apparatus, comprising:

a light source configured to generate a plurality of light beams, each of the plurality of light beams having a different wavelength range;

a solid internal reflection light funnel, of frusto-conical shape, to direct the plurality of light beams to a target area, the light source embedded within the light funnel;

a passage for receiving a biological sample located at the target area;

a solid light collection funnel, of frusto-conical shape, for collecting the plurality of light beams emitting from the target area at an entrance opening and for directing the plurality of light beams through an exit opening;

a detector comprising a plurality of light-sensing devices each configured to detect a light beam directed through the exit opening and to generate an output signal indicative of the power of light detected; and

a processor for analyzing the output signal and generating measurement data.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the processor is used to determine a blood characteristic.