OPTICAL COHERENT TOMOGRAPHY APPARATUS AND FIBEROPTIC LATERAL SCANNER

The present invention pertains to the analysis of the internal structures of objects using optical means. This invention more precisely relates to an optical coherent tomography apparatus as well as to a fiberoptic lateral scanner which is part of said apparatus and which is used in the composition of a fiberoptic probe. This invention also relates to a method for studying biological tissues in vivo, wherein said method is used for diagnosing the tissues studied according to the condition of the base membrane. To this end, an interferometer includes a measuring shoulder that comprises the lateral scanner. The mobile part of the scanner is made in the shape of a current conductor (19) surrounding the magnetic system in the region of one of its poles (25) and also includes an optical fibre (13) which is rigidly attached to the conductor (19) and which is used as a resilient bracket, thus enabling the miniaturisation of the fiberoptic probe. The magnetic system is made in the shape of two permanent magnets (22, 28) which are aligned at their analogous poles (25, 29), while the optical fibre (13) is arranged in a through-opening defined by grooves that face each other and are formed in said permanent magnets (22, 28) on the side of the aligned poles. This system optimises the structure of the fiberoptic probe while limiting the dimensions of the probe housing. The fiberoptic probe is placed in the distal end of the instrument channel of an endoscope or borescope. This apparatus can thus be used for studying biological tissues in vivo and for carrying out a non-invasive diagnosis thereof according to the condition of the base membrane (46).