OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY OPTICAL PROBE SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO REDUCE ARTIFACTS
A system for reducing artifacts produced in images using an optical probe system is provided. The artifacts are reduced by reducing power of secondary beam paths produced by non-Fresnel reflections by at least one of absorption, scattering and rejection of the secondary beam paths.
1 . A system for reducing artifacts produced in images using an optical probe system, comprising means for reducing power of secondary beam paths produced by non-Fresnel reflections by at least one of absorption, scattering and rejection of the secondary beam paths.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the system includes an enclosure and an optical component contained in the enclosure, and the means for reducing power of the secondary beam paths includes a medium positioned between the optical component and the enclosure, and
wherein the medium is configured to absorb and/or scatter stray light within the enclosure,
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the system includes a molded optical component having an air interface index of refraction selected to permit non-Fresnel reflections to pass through and out of the molded optical component.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the system includes an optical component, and the means for reducing power of the secondary beam paths includes a transparent enclosure configured to contain the optical component and a medium positioned between the optical component and the enclosure, and
wherein the medium and the enclosure are configured to transmit stray light through the medium and enclosure.
5 . A system for reducing stray light in a fiber optic system, comprising:
an enclosure for use with the fiber optic system;
an optical component contained in the enclosure; and
a medium positioned between the optical component and the enclosure,
wherein the medium is configured to absorb and/or scatter stray light within the enclosure.
6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the medium is an adhesive configured to affix the optical component within the enclosure.
7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein an index of refraction of the medium is approximately equal to or greater than an index of refraction of the optical component.
8 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the enclosure is a rigid and non-transparent structure configured to rotate the optical component.
9 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the fiber optic system is an Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) system for imaging tissue.
10 . A system for reducing stray light in a fiber optic system, comprising;
a molded optical component having an air interface index of refraction selected to permit non-Fresnel reflections to pass through and out of the molded optical component.
11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the molded optical component includes a GRIN lens having an index of refraction approximately equal to or less than an index of refraction of the molded optical component.
12 . A system for reducing stray light in a fiber optic system, comprising:
an enclosure for use with the fiber optic system;
an optical component contained in the enclosure; and
a medium positioned between the optical component and the enclosure,
wherein the medium and the enclosure are configured to transmit stray light through the medium and enclosure.
13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the medium is an adhesive configured to affix the optical component within the enclosure.
14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein an index of refraction of the enclosure is greater than an index of refraction of the optical component.
15 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the enclosure is a rigid and non-transparent structure configured to rotate the optical component.
16 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the fiber optic system is an Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) system for imaging tissue.
17 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the optical component includes a GRIN lens having an index of refraction approximately equal to or less than an index of refraction of the enclosure.
18 . A method for reducing artifacts produced in images using an optical probe imaging system, comprising the steps of:
reducing power of secondary beam paths produced by non-Fresnel reflections by at least one of absorption, scattering and rejection of the secondary beam paths.