JP-2022510272-A5 -

Dates

Publication Date

20221205

Application Date

20191126

Description

In this specification, the drawings are provided for illustrative purposes only and not to limit them. The aforementioned and other purposes, aspects, features, and advantages of various embodiments can be better understood by referring to the accompanying drawings in conjunction with the following description. The present invention provides, for example, the following: (Item 1) A system comprising a plurality of light sources, each having a light phase and a dark phase, wherein the system is arranged and configured such that the light phase of the first light source occurs between the dark phase of the second light source, with respect to a first light source and a second light source among the plurality of light sources. (Item 2) The system described in item 1, which is arranged and configured such that the bright phase of the second light source occurs between the dark phase of the first light source. (Item 3) The system described in item 2, which is arranged and configured such that the bright phase of the first light source coincides with the dark phase of the second light source, and the dark phase of the first light source coincides with the bright phase of the second light source. (Item 4) The system according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the first light source is a sweeping light source (for example, a sweeping laser) (for example, one that emits near-infrared light). (Item 5) The system described in item 4, wherein the dark phase with respect to the first light source includes a circulating phase. (Item 6) The system according to item 5, wherein the dark phase for the first light source is the circulating phase. (Item 7) The system according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the second light source is a sweeping light source (e.g., a sweeping laser) (e.g., one that emits near-infrared light). (Item 8) The system according to item 7, wherein the sweeping light source is configured and arranged such that its emitted wavelength band includes (for example, is centered on) a characterization peak for characterizing arterial plaque (for example, by sweeping through the band). (Item 9) The characteristic evaluation peak is approximately 1300 nm (for example, in the range of approximately 1280 nm to approximately 1320 nm) of the system described in item 8. (Item 10) The sweep light source is operable to sweep within a second light source wavelength band, the second light source wavelength band not exceeding 300 nm (for example, the central emission wavelength of the second light source wavelength band is in the range of approximately 1100 nm to approximately 1400 nm), according to any one of items 7 to 9. (Item 11) The system according to item 10, wherein the wavelength band is not in the range exceeding 150 nm. (Item 12) The first light source is a swept light source laser capable of operating to emit light within a first light source wavelength band in the range not exceeding 200 nm (for example, not exceeding 125 nm) (for example, the central emission wavelength of the first light source wavelength band of the first light source is in the range of about 1100 nm to about 1400 nm) as described in any one of the preceding items. (Item 13) The system according to item 12, wherein the first light source wavelength band includes (for example, centered on) a first source characterization peak for characterizing arterial plaque (for example, the first source characterization peak is approximately 1200 nm). (Item 14) The system according to any one of items 1 to 3 and 7 to 11, wherein the first light source is a broadband light source (for example, in addition the second light source is a broadband light source) [for example, in addition the second light source is a swept light source (for example a swept light source laser) (for example one that emits near-infrared light)]. (Item 15) The system according to item 14, wherein the broadband light source emits light having multiple wavelengths in the range of 150 nm (for example, including one or more characterization peaks for characterizing arterial plaque). (Item 16) The system described in item 15, wherein one or more characteristic evaluation peaks include a peak at approximately 1200 nm. (Item 17) The system includes a common probe for the first light source and the second light source, wherein the common probe includes an optical fiber, as described in any one of the preceding items. (Item 18) The system according to item 17, wherein the system is operable to (i) provide the first light source through the cladding of the optical fiber and the second light source through the core of the optical fiber, (ii) provide the second light source through the cladding of the optical fiber and the first light source through the core of the optical fiber, or (iii) provide both the first and second light sources through the core of the optical fiber. (Item 19) The system according to item 17 or 18, comprising a rotary connector arranged and configu