Importance

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Abstract

A fiberoptic assembly for optical spectroscopic analysis of a sample. In a preferred embodiment, the assembly is well-suited for use inside the working channel of an endoscope and comprises a tubular outer jacket and a tubular inner jacket, the inner jacket being coaxial with and positioned inside the outer jacket. The open front end of the inner jacket is spaced rearwardly a short distance relative to the open front end of the outer jacket. The outer jacket has an outer diameter of approximately 2.2 mm. The assembly also includes a plug made of fused silica. The plug has a front cylindrical portion of comparatively large cross-sectional diameter and a rear cylindrical portion of comparatively small cross-sectional diameter. The front portion is mounted within the outer jacket by a friction-fit and extends longitudinally from the open front end thereof to the open front end of the inner jacket. The rear portion of the plug is mounted within the inner jacket by a friction-fit and extends rearwardly from its open front end for a short distance. A narrow-band filter in the form of a dielectric-coating is formed on the rear end of the rear portion of the plug. The assembly also includes an illumination fiber centered within the inner jacket and spaced rearwardly a short distance from the narrow-band filter. The output end of the illumination filter is shaped to collimate light emergent therefrom. The assembly additionally comprises a plurality of light collection fibers, which fibers are disposed within the outer tubular jacket and are spaced about the outside of the inner tubular jacket.

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First Claim