Probe optical assemblies and probes for optical coherence tomography

1. A probe optical assembly for a probe for an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system, comprising in order along an axis:

an optical fiber having an end that defines an object plane;

a stub lens element having a lens and a stub section with a proximal end that resides adjacent the optical fiber end, the stub section being formed integral with the lens, the lens having a proximal end that includes a lens surface, the lens having a diameter D 2 or a cross-sectional dimension D 2 ′ and the stub section having a cross-sectional dimension D 1 , such that D 1 ≠D 2 or D 1 ≠D 2 ′;

a light-deflecting member arranged adjacent and spaced apart from the lens surface of the stub lens element, the light-deflecting element having an axis that defines a working distance WD to an image plane; and

wherein the optical fiber end, the stub lens element and the light-deflecting member are arranged in a cooperative optical relationship to define an optical path between the object and image planes that is folded by the light-deflecting member.

2. The probe optical assembly of claim 1 , wherein the optical fiber and stub lens are supported in a cooperative optical relationship by a sleeve having a central channel in which the stub section resides.

3. The probe optical assembly of claim 1 , wherein the optical fiber is supported by an optical fiber ferrule, which in turn at least partially resides within the central channel of the sleeve.

4. The probe optical assembly of claim 1 , wherein the light-deflecting member comprises a prism having a total-internal-reflection surface.

5. The probe optical assembly of claim 1 , wherein the optical fiber end and the proximal end of the stub section of the stub lens element have respective angles relative to the axis.

6. The probe optical assembly of claim 1 , wherein the optical fiber end abuts the proximal end of the stub section.

7. The probe optical assembly of claim 1 , wherein the light-deflecting member is reflective and includes at least one surface having optical power.

8. The probe optical assembly according of claim 1 , wherein the optical fiber comprises a single-mode optical fiber.

9. The probe optical of claim 1 , wherein light emitted from the optical fiber end and traveling over the optical path forms an image spot at the image plane having an image mode field diameter MDF IM in the range 15 microns≦MFD IM ≦100 microns.

10. The probe optical assembly according of claim 1 , wherein the working distance WD is in the range 5 mm≦WD≦15 mm.

11. The probe optical assembly of claim 1 , wherein the stub lens element and light-deflecting member are each part of a monolithic and transparent support member.

12. The probe optical assembly according of claim 1 , wherein the stub lens element and light-deflecting member are supported by a transparent support substrate.

13. A probe for an optical coherence tomography system, comprising:

the probe optical assembly of claim 1 ; and

a transparent jacket that contains the probe optical assembly and through which the optical path passes.

14. The probe of claim 13 , wherein the transparent jacket has a diameter D 3 in the range 1.0 mm≦D 3 ≦2.0 mm.

15. The probe of claim 13 , where the transparent jacket comprises polymer tubing.

16. A probe optical assembly that defines an optical path and that is suitable for use in forming an optical coherence tomography (OCT) probe, comprising:

a stub lens sub-assembly comprising i) an optical fiber having a first end and a second end, and ii) a stub lens element having a central axis, a lens with a curved lens surface that defines a distal end, and a stub section integrally formed with the lens and having a proximal end, the stub lens sub-assembly being configured so that the optical fiber end is in optical communication with the stub lens proximal end over the optical path;

a support member configured to operably support the stub lens sub-assembly so that the lens of the stub lens element resides within the interior; and

a light-deflecting member having a second axis and operably supported by the support member so that the first and second axes are generally coaxial, and wherein a portion of the second axis is folded to define a fold in the optical path.

17. The probe optical assembly of claim 16 , wherein the light-deflecting member is reflective and includes at least one surface having optical power.

18. The probe optical assembly of claim 16 , wherein the optical path includes an object distance OD between the optical fiber end and the lens surface, and wherein the object distance OD is in the range of 1.0 mm to 3.0 mm.

19. The probe optical assembly of claim 16 , wherein light emanating from the optical fiber end travels over the optical path and forms an image spot having an image mode field diameter in the range of 15 microns to 100 microns.

20. An optical coherence tomography (OCT) probe, comprising:

the probe optical assembly of claim 16 ; and

a transparent jacket having an interior that contains the probe optical assembly, said jacket has a diameter D 3 in the range 1.0 mm≦D 3 ≦2.0 mm; and/or comprises polymer tubing.

21. The probe optical assembly of claim 1 , wherein D 2 >D 1 or D 2 ′>D 1 .

22. The probe optical assembly of claim 1 , wherein the said light-deflecting member is formed integral with said stub lens element.

23. The probe optical assembly of claim 1 , wherein the said stub section is situated in a sleeve having a central channel in which the stub section resides and sad lens is situated outside of said sleeve.

24. The probe optical assembly of claim 1 , wherein said lens had a diameter D 2 or a cross-sectional width D 2 ′, and D 2 or and D 2 ′ is greater than ferrule's inner diameter.

25. The probe optical assembly of claim 1 , wherein said lens has a curved surface situated over said light-deflecting member.

26. The probe optical assembly according of claim 2 , wherein the stub lens element and light-deflecting member are supported by a transparent support substrate.