IP Library Granted Patent US 8,416,421
Granted Patent B2
US 8,416,421 · App. 12/568,069 · Granted Apr 9, 2013

Optical coherence computed tomography

Inventors: Lihong Wang (Creve Coeur, MO); Li Li (Richmond Heights, MO)
Assignee: Washington University
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,416,421
App. No.
12/568,069
Granted
Apr 9, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system, method, and device for imaging a sample. In embodiments, a light from a low-coherence source or a wavelength-swept source is used to illuminate the sample. Pathlength-resolved intensity profiles of the light reemitted from the sample are recorded and measurements are taken. A reconstruction algorithm is used to invert the pathlength-resolved measurements to form an image.

Claims (14)

1. An optical coherence computed tomography device, comprising:

a light source;

a first optical fiber coupler configured to split a light into a first light and a second light, the second light going through a reference arm;

a first fiber tip configured to direct the first light to a surface of a sample, wherein the first fiber tip is further configured to be scanned to illuminate different locations on a surface of the sample;

a second optical fiber coupler configured to collect reemitted light; and

a second fiber tip configured to be scanned to measure light reemitted from the different locations on the surface of the sample, wherein the first fiber tip and the second fiber tip are mounted on translation stages;

wherein the measurement is inverted to form an image.

2. The optical coherence computed tomography device according to claim 1 , wherein the light source is a broadband superluminescent diode.

3. The optical coherence computed tomography device according to claim 1 , wherein the light source is a mode-locked Ti-Sapphire laser.

4. The optical coherence computed tomography device according to claim 1 , wherein the light source is a wavelength-swept laser.

5. The optical coherence computed tomography device according to claim 1 , further comprising a first imaging system configured to direct the first light from the first fiber tip to the sample.

6. The optical coherence computed tomography device according to claim 1 , wherein the reference arm includes a second imaging system.

7. The optical coherence computed tomography device according to claim 6 , wherein the second imaging system is coupled to a second arm of the second optical fiber coupler.

8. The optical coherence computed tomography device according to claim 6 , wherein the second imaging system is configured to direct a portion of light from the source to interfere with the reemitted light from the sample.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 15, 2020
From: WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
To: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Reel/Frame 053222/0132 →
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded Mar 31, 2017
From: WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
To: NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (NIH), U.S. DEPT. OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (DHHS), U.S. GOVERNMENT
Reel/Frame 042125/0719 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 20, 2010
From: WANG, LIHONG; LI, LI
To: WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
Reel/Frame 024713/0248 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61101911 · Oct 1, 2008
Related Publication 20100079768A1 · Apr 1, 2010