| abstract |
An improved spectroscopy illuminator ( 103 ) for generating broadband light and for delivering the light to a sample with an improved delivery efficiency, for higher optical density and/or reduced thermal transfer uses a solid-state broadband white LED ( 107 ) to produce broadband light ( 114 ), which is then transmitted to a sample region ( 125 ), such as a living tissue or blood in vivo or a biological sample in a spectrophotometer target region. The solid-state source keeps both the illuminator and sample cool during operation, allowing the illuminator to be integrated into the tip of a medical probe, a medical system such as an oximeter, or other monitoring systems or devices making measurements based on light scattering, absorbance, fluorescence, phosphorescence, Raman effects, use of a contrast agent, or other known spectroscopy techniques. Systems incorporating the improved illuminator, and methods of use are also disclosed. |