CPC A61B 1/0646 (2013.01) [A61B 1/00078 (2013.01); A61B 1/00096 (2013.01); A61B 1/00121 (2013.01); A61B 1/00126 (2013.01); A61B 1/00163 (2013.01); A61B 1/00186 (2013.01); A61B 1/00188 (2013.01); A61B 1/018 (2013.01); A61B 1/04 (2013.01); A61B 1/05 (2013.01); A61B 1/0638 (2013.01); A61B 1/0661 (2013.01); A61B 1/0684 (2013.01); A61B 1/127 (2013.01); G02B 5/208 (2013.01); G02B 13/14 (2013.01); G02B 27/0006 (2013.01); G02B 27/141 (2013.01); G02B 27/30 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |
1. A device for maintaining an optical path of an optical imaging system free of fog, the device comprising:
an elongated member disposed along an optical axis and comprising:
a distal end and a proximal end;
an interface section disposed between the distal end and the proximal end;
a near-infrared (NIR) light-absorbing optical window disposed at the distal end; and
an optical system disposed along the optical axis, wherein the optical system comprises at least one optical lens element positioned along the optical axis; and
a light source coupled to the interface section, wherein the light source is configured to transmit light toward an area of interest through a plurality of optical fibers disposed circumferentially around the elongated member; and
a coupling module coupled to the elongated member at the proximal end, wherein the coupling module includes a NIR light source operable to provide NIR light and is configured to:
transmit the NIR light to the NIR light-absorbing optical window through the proximal end and the at least one optical lens element positioned along the optical axis; and
receive a light beam from the area of interest along the optical axis.
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