Scanning beam with variable sequential framing using interrupted scanning resonance
First Claim
1. A scanning device that is employed to scan a region with a beam of light, comprising:
- (a) a light conductive medium configured to convey light from a source, for scanning the region with the light, wherein the light conductive medium comprises an optical fiber;
(b) a scanning element coupled to the light conductive medium and configured to direct light conveyed through the light conductive medium to the region by scanning the region in one or more desired patterns;
(c) a driver that is coupled to the scanning element, the driver applying a force to the scanning element causing the scanning element to move so that the light beam scans over the region in the one or more desired patterns; and
(d) a control that supplies a driving signal to the driver to vary at least one of an amplitude and a direction of the force applied by the driver to the scanning element, the driving signal providing a first plurality of scanning frames to generate a first scanning pattern along an axis and a second plurality of scanning frames to generate a second scanning pattern along the axis, the control comprising software that, when executed, causes the control to generate the first scanning pattern along the axis with the first plurality of scanning frames and the second scanning pattern along the axis with the second plurality of scanning frames, the first plurality of scanning frames causing the driver to move the scanning element in a first mode at a resonant or near-resonant condition to provide the first scanning pattern along the axis during each of the first plurality of scanning frames in order to achieve a first function, the second plurality of scanning frames causing the driver to move the same scanning element in a second mode to provide the second scanning pattern and scan a portion of the region with the second scanning pattern along the axis during each of the second plurality of scanning frames in order to achieve a different second function, wherein the second plurality of scanning frames interrupts the first plurality of scanning frames wherein at least one characteristic of the first scanning pattern in the first mode is different from the second scanning pattern in the second mode based on the selected first and second functions.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A scanning device for use in an endoscope or other applications can be driven to scan a region with one or more different scanning parameters during successive scanning frames. The scanning device, which can include an optical fiber or reflective surface driven by an actuator to move relative to one or more axes, can be provided with a drive signal that is different during successive scanning frames so that the scanning pattern can be caused to differ between the successive scanning frames by one or more of size, amplitude in at least one direction, depth, duration, shape, and resolution. Thus, different scanning frames can be employed for imaging, carrying out a diagnosis, rendering a therapy, and/or monitoring a site, using the appropriate scanning pattern, appropriate light source, and other parameters for each function that is carried out by the scanning device.
344 Citations
39 Claims
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1. A scanning device that is employed to scan a region with a beam of light, comprising:
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(a) a light conductive medium configured to convey light from a source, for scanning the region with the light, wherein the light conductive medium comprises an optical fiber; (b) a scanning element coupled to the light conductive medium and configured to direct light conveyed through the light conductive medium to the region by scanning the region in one or more desired patterns; (c) a driver that is coupled to the scanning element, the driver applying a force to the scanning element causing the scanning element to move so that the light beam scans over the region in the one or more desired patterns; and (d) a control that supplies a driving signal to the driver to vary at least one of an amplitude and a direction of the force applied by the driver to the scanning element, the driving signal providing a first plurality of scanning frames to generate a first scanning pattern along an axis and a second plurality of scanning frames to generate a second scanning pattern along the axis, the control comprising software that, when executed, causes the control to generate the first scanning pattern along the axis with the first plurality of scanning frames and the second scanning pattern along the axis with the second plurality of scanning frames, the first plurality of scanning frames causing the driver to move the scanning element in a first mode at a resonant or near-resonant condition to provide the first scanning pattern along the axis during each of the first plurality of scanning frames in order to achieve a first function, the second plurality of scanning frames causing the driver to move the same scanning element in a second mode to provide the second scanning pattern and scan a portion of the region with the second scanning pattern along the axis during each of the second plurality of scanning frames in order to achieve a different second function, wherein the second plurality of scanning frames interrupts the first plurality of scanning frames wherein at least one characteristic of the first scanning pattern in the first mode is different from the second scanning pattern in the second mode based on the selected first and second functions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 38)
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17. A method for scanning a light beam over a region, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing light to a scanning element from a first light source for the light beam, the first light source being selected to carry out a first function when scanning the light beam in the region using a first scanning pattern along an axis; (b) driving the scanning element in the first scanning pattern along the axis at a resonant or near-resonant condition, to scan the region with the light beam emitting light from the first light source during each of a first plurality of scanning frames; (c) providing light to the same scanning element from a second light source for the light beam, the second light source being selected to carry out a second function when scanning the light beam in the region using a second scanning pattern along the axis; and (d) driving the same scanning element in the second scanning pattern along the axis during each of a second plurality of scanning frames, so as to scan a portion of the region with the light beam during each of the second plurality of scanning frames, wherein the second plurality of scanning frames interrupts the first plurality of scanning frames and wherein the first scanning pattern along the axis differs in at least one characteristic from the second scanning pattern along the axis based on the selected first and second functions. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39)
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Specification