We perform the design , fabrication,
characterization and application of new miniature fiber optic
probes for four-dimensional elastic light scattering
"fingerprinting" (4D-ELF). Various multi- and singlemode fiber based
probes were developed, manufactured and applied to biological
tissues and cell cultures. Multimode probes are typically
based on 200 micron core fibers and illuminate areas of 0.3-3
mm in diameter. They may allow fast scanning of specimens as it
provides large amount of light to be delivered to an area of
measurements.
Endoscopically
compatible
polarization sensitive 4D-ELF probe (Figure 1) has the outer diameter
under 3 mm. It is based on three 200 micron core optical fibers. It
can be inserted into the biopsy channel of commercially available
standard colonoscopes.
Figure
1. Endoscopically compatible
polarization sensitive 4D-ELF probe, the outer diameter is under 3
mm
.
Figure 2 showed a standard colonoscope
Olympus CF 30L with inserted multichannel fiber optic probe. This
probe consists of 37 multimode fibers (200 mm core diameter). The
total length of the probe is 1.93 meters. The central fiber is
normally used for illumination of the tissue, and 36 fibers are
organized into 3 fiber rings consisting of 6, 12 and 18 fibers,
respectively. Polarizer sheets cover the probe tip allowing the
collection
of co-polarized and cross-polarized backscattered light (with respect to an incident light
from the central fiber).
Figure 2. A
standard colonoscope Olympus CF 30L with inserted multichannel fiber optic
probe.
Various optical elements are used
for light collimation and angle selectivity of the probes,
including GRIN lenses, miniature aspherical lense and ball
lenses.
