The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 26, 2004
Filed:
Sep. 12, 2001
Robert Bennett, Nympsfield, GB;
Brian J E Smith, Bristol, GB;
Renishaw PLC, Gloucestershire, GB;
Abstract
A spectroscopic probe includes a monolithic block ( ) of transparent material and GRIN lenses ( ). Light for illuminating a sample is delivered by an optical fiber ( ), and light scattered by the sample is output by an optical fiber ( ). The block ( ) has opposing angled faces ( A, B), coated with a dichroic filter coating and a reflective coating respectively. A method for making blocks ( ) is also disclosed, in which the coatings are first provided on a large sheet, and blocks ( ) are then cut from the sheet using angled cuts. Since the coated block reduces the number of components required, the probe can be miniaturized, e.g. for use in an endoscope.