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:
Feb. 15, 2005
Filed:
Nov. 26, 2001
Mark E. Fauver, Seattle, WA (US);
Eric J. Seibel, Seattle, WA (US);
Chris M. Brown, Seattle, WA (US);
Per G. Reinhall, Seattle, WA (US);
Quinn Y. J. Smithwick, Bothell, WA (US);
Mark E. Fauver, Seattle, WA (US);
Eric J. Seibel, Seattle, WA (US);
Chris M. Brown, Seattle, WA (US);
Per G. Reinhall, Seattle, WA (US);
Quinn Y. J. Smithwick, Bothell, WA (US);
University of Washington, Seattle, WA (US);
Abstract
Small, rugged scanners micro-fabricated from commercial optical fibers to form waveguides or other structures. The scanning waveguide has a distal portion on which is formed a non-linear taper with a diameter that decreases toward a distal end. Optionally, a hinge portion having a reduced diameter can be formed in the distal portion, improving the scanning properties of the waveguide. A micro-lens can be integrally formed at the distal tip of the waveguide with either a droplet of an optical adhesive, or by using an energy beam to melt the material of the waveguide to form a droplet. The droplet is shaped with an externally applied force. When mechanically driven in vibratory resonance, the tip of the optical waveguides moves in linear or two-dimensional scan patterns of relatively high amplitude and frequency, and large field of view. The scanner can be used either for image acquisition or image display.