PHOTOSENSITIVE DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a photosensitive diagnostic device configured to project an optical signal, capture reflected portions of the optical signal, and convert the captured portions of the optical signal into an electrical signal indicative of characteristics of a sample analyzed by the device. In accordance with one embodiment, a photosensitive diagnostic device comprises an illumination source and a detector. The illumination source comprises an output face configured to project an optical signal characterized by at least one diagnostic frequency. The detector comprises a photosensitive input face configured to capture reflected portions of the optical signal. The photosensitive input face of the detector is further configured to convert the captured portions of the optical signal into one or more electrical signals at least partially representing a degree of change in the diagnostic frequency of the optical signal. The output face of the illumination source and the photosensitive input face of the detector lie in a substantially common plane. The present invention further relates to a diagnostic system comprising an embodiment of the photosensitive diagnostic device herein described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description of specific embodiments of the present invention can be best understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a photosensitive diagnostic device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a photosensitive diagnostic device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

Claims

1. A photosensitive diagnostic device comprising an illumination source and a detector, wherein: the illumination source comprises an output face configured to project an optical signal characterized by at least one diagnostic frequency;the detector comprises a photosensitive input face configured to capture reflected portions of the optical signal;the photosensitive input face of the detector is further configured to convert the captured portions of the optical signal into one or more electrical signals at least partially representing a degree of change at the diagnostic frequency of the optical signal; andthe output face of the illumination source and the photosensitive input face of the detector lie in a substantially common plane.

2. The photosensitive diagnostic device of claim 1, wherein the output face of the illumination source and the photosensitive input face of the detector are exposed such that the output face and the photosensitive input face are configured to contact a surface of a sample to be analyzed by the device.

3. The photosensitive diagnostic device of claim 1, wherein the illumination source comprises a light generating element and a light transmitting element.

4. The photosensitive diagnostic device of claim 3, wherein the light generating element comprises a laser, a broadband laser, a multi-spectral laser, a laser diode, a quantum cascade laser, gas laser, or other laser.

5. The photosensitive diagnostic device of claim 3, wherein the light transmitting element of the illumination source comprises an optical fiber, a bundle of optical fibers, a fiber optic plate, or a combination thereof.

6. The photosensitive diagnostic device of claim 3, wherein the light generating element is configured to generate the optical signal characterized by the at least one diagnostic frequency.

7. The photosensitive diagnostic device of claim 6, wherein the diagnostic frequency is configured to penetrate a sample to be analyzed by the device.

8. The photosensitive diagnostic device of claim 1, wherein the diagnostic frequency comprises a wavelength range of from about 2.0 μm to about 2.5 μm.

9. The photosensitive diagnostic device of claim 1, wherein the detector comprises a semiconductor detector.

10. The photosensitive diagnostic device of claim 1, wherein the photosensitive input face of the detector is configured such that the electrical signals at least partially represent changes in the spectral characteristics of the optical signal.

11. The photosensitive diagnostic device of claim 1, wherein the photosensitive input face of the detector is configured such that the electrical signals at least partially represent changes in the amplitude of the optical signal.

12. The photosensitive diagnostic device of claim 1, wherein the photosensitive input face of the detector comprises a plurality of distinct photosensitive elements configured to generate independent electrical signals, each of which may at least partially represent the degree of change at the diagnostic frequency of the optical signal.

13. The photosensitive diagnostic device of claim 12, wherein the distinct photosensitive elements are arranged about the output face of the illumination source in the substantially common plane.

14. The photosensitive diagnostic device of claim 12, wherein the distinctive photosensitive elements are arranged concentrically about the output face of the illumination source in the common plane.

15. The photosensitive diagnostic device of claim 12, wherein the photosensitive input face is configured such that at least one of the photosensitive elements is substantially immediately adjacent to at least one other photosensitive elements.

16. The photosensitive diagnostic device of claim 12, wherein the device is configured such that at least one of the photosensitive elements is substantially immediately adjacent to the output face of the illumination source.

17. The photosensitive diagnostic device of claim 1, wherein the photosensitive input face of the detector comprises an index matching gel configured to: enhance the capture of the reflected portions of the optical signal by the photosensitive input face of the detector; andsubstantially eliminate reflection of the reflected portions of the optical signal from the photosensitive input face of the detector such that the photosensitive input face captures a greater percentage of the reflected portions of the optical signal.

18. The photosensitive diagnostic device of claim 17, wherein the index matching gel is applied to the photosensitive input face of the detector along the substantially common plane.

19. A photosensitive diagnostic device comprising an illumination source and a detector, wherein: the illumination source comprises an output face configured to project an optical signal characterized by at least one diagnostic frequency;the detector comprises a photosensitive input face configured to capture reflected portions of the optical signal;the photosensitive input face of the detector is further configured to convert the captured portions of the optical signal into one or more electrical signals at least partially representing a degree of change at the diagnostic frequency of the optical signal;the output face of the illumination source and the photosensitive input face of the detector lie in a substantially common plane; andthe output face of the illumination source and the photosensitive input face of the detector are exposed such that the output face and the photosensitive input face are configured to contact a surface of the sample to be analyzed by the device.

20. A diagnostic system comprising: a photosensitive diagnostic device comprising an illumination source and a detector, wherein: the illumination source comprises an output face configured to project an optical signal characterized by at least one diagnostic frequency;the detector comprises a photosensitive input face configured to capture reflected portions of the optical signal;the photosensitive input face of the detector is further configured to convert the captured portions of the optical signal into one or more electrical signals at least partially representing a degree of change at the diagnostic frequency of the optical signal;the output face of the illumination source and the photosensitive input face of the detector lie in a substantially common plane;a processor configured to analyze the electrical signals of the detector and to present analyses of the electrical signals to an operator of the diagnostic system; andone or more circuitry components configured to transmit the electrical signals of the detector from the device to the processor.