US6191862B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Methods and apparatus for high speed longitudinal scanning in imaging systems
Assignee: LightLab Imaging Inc
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Filing: 1999-01-20
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Granted: 2001-02-20
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Expires: 2019-01-20
Abstract
Abstract An imaging system wherein an optical signal is transmitted to both a sample to be measured and a rotating element which is calibrated to the system. A return signal is detected by the system, and a scan analyzer and correction unit uses the system calibration information along with synchronization information to correct for return signal degradation or errors due to imperfections in the rotating element in real time. This allows for an accurate measurement of the sample. The system can also include a coarse path-length adjustment unit to allow the system to track a region of interest within a sample to further allow for accurate sample measurement.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric A. Swanson
- 👤 Christopher L. Petersen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 21:08
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/17; G01N21/47; G01N21/4795; G01B; G01B11/00; G01B11/24; G01B11/2441; G01B9/00; G01B9/02; G01B9/02001; G01B9/02002; G01B9/02015; G01B9/02027; G01B9/02028; G01B9/02055; G01B9/02062; G01B9/02064; G01B9/02067; G01B9/02069; G01B9/0207; G01B9/02072; G01B9/02074; G01B9/02083; G01B9/0209; G01B9/02091; A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/0059; A61B5/0062; A61B5/0066; A61B5/0082; A61B5/0084; G01B2290/00; G01B2290/35
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
An apparatus, comprising: an interferometer which receives broadband light and outputs a reference output signal and a probe signal directed to a sample which produces a sample return signal; an optical path-length scanning unit which receives the reference output signal from the interferometer and outputs a reference return signal to said interferometer, said interferometer combining the reference return signal and the sample return signal and outputting an interferometer output signal; a detector unit which receives the interferometer output signal and outputs a detector output signal; a scan analyzer and correction unit coupled to said detector unit that receives the detector output signal; and a scanning unit controller coupled to an optical path-length scanning unit, said scanning unit controller controls said optical path-length scanning unit and outputs a controller signal to said scan analyzer and correction unit, wherein said scan analyzer and correction unit analyzes the controller signal and the detector output signal and determines scan correction information.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
157 words
An apparatus, comprising: an interferometer which receives broadband light and outputs a reference output signal and a probe signal directed to a sample which produces a sample return signal; an optical path-length scanning unit which receives the reference output signal from the interferometer and outputs a reference return signal to said interferometer, said interferometer combining the reference return signal and the sample return signal and outputting an interferometer output signal; a detector unit which receives the interferometer output signal and outputs a detector output signal; a scan analyzer and correction unit coupled to said detector unit that receives the detector output signal; and a scanning unit controller coupled to an optical path-length scanning unit, said scanning unit controller controls said optical path-length scanning unit and outputs a controller signal to said scan analyzer and correction unit, wherein said scan analyzer and correction unit analyzes the controller signal and the detector output signal and determines scan correction information.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said scan analyzer and correction unit comprises an optical path-length position unit which receives the controller signal and detector output signal and generates scan correcting data.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein said optical path-length position unit comprises a scan correction unit and a marker detector, wherein said marker detector receives said controller signal and outputs marker information to said scan correction unit which analyzes said detector output signal and said marker information and outputs said scan correction data.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein said scan analyzer and correction unit further comprises a signal correction processor which receives said scan correction data and modifies said detector output signal using said scan correction data and outputs scan corrected sample data.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the optical path-length scanning unit comprises a rotating element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein said rotating element comprises a CAM.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said optical path-length scanning unit comprises a reflecting surface and said scanning unit controller includes a galvanometric motor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said interferometer comprises a double-pass unit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said optical path-length scanning unit comprises a rotating helical mirror.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein said rotating helical mirror has a depth which varies approximately linearly in time when driven at an approximate constant rotational speed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said optical path-length scanning unit comprises a rotating disc.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein said rotating disc is transmissive.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein said rotating disc is reflective.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein said rotating disc has an index-of-refraction that varies with angle of rotation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the said optical path-length scanning unit comprises a translational element.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the said optical path-length scanning unit comprises a rotating element and a translational element.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said optical path-length scanning unit comprises a reflective surface mechanically coupled to a rotating belt.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a coarse path-length adjustment mechanism.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
159 words
An apparatus, comprising: an interferometer which receives broadband light and outputs a reference output signal and a probe signal directed to a sample which produces a sample return signal; a rotating optical path-length scanning unit which receives the reference output signal and outputs a reference return signal to said interferometer, said interferometer combining the reference return signal and the sample return signal and outputting an interferometer output signal; a detector unit for receiving the interferometer output signal and outputting a detector output signal; scan analyzer and correction unit coupled to said detector unit including an optical path-length position unit for receiving the detector output signal; and scanning unit controller coupled to said rotating optical path-length scanning unit, for controlling said rotating optical path-length scanning unit and for outputting a controller signal to said scan analyzer and correction unit, wherein said scan analyzer and correction unit analyzes the controller signal and the detector output signal and determines scan correction information.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
159 words
An apparatus, comprising: an interferometer which receives broadband light and outputs a reference output signal and a probe signal directed to a sample which produces a sample return signal; a rotating optical path-length scanning unit which receives the reference output signal and outputs a reference return signal to said interferometer, said interferometer combining the reference return signal and the sample return signal and outputting an interferometer output signal; a detector unit for receiving the interferometer output signal and outputting a detector output signal; scan analyzer and correction unit coupled to said detector unit including an optical path-length position unit for receiving the detector output signal; and scanning unit controller coupled to said rotating optical path-length scanning unit, for controlling said rotating optical path-length scanning unit and for outputting a controller signal to said scan analyzer and correction unit, wherein said scan analyzer and correction unit analyzes the controller signal and the detector output signal and determines scan correction information.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the optical path length scanning unit substantially retro-reflects the reference output signal received from the interferometer to output a reference return signal to said interferometer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus according to claim 19 , wherein the rotating optical path length scanning unit substantially retro-reflects the reference output signal received from the interferometer to output a reference return signal to said interferometer.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the rotating element comprises micro retro-reflectors.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus according to claim 19 , wherein the rotating optical path-length scanning unit comprises a rotating element having micro retro-reflectors.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-02-20 | 2004-08-21 | 2005-02-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-02-20 | 2008-08-21 | 2009-02-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-02-20 | 2012-08-21 | 2013-02-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |