OPTICAL PROBE AND ASSEMBLY THEREOF

An optical probe (200) includes a lens combination, an optical fiber assembly (205), and a cover (260). The lens combination includes a first lens (220) and a second lens (650). The first lens has a generally planar first lens surface (215) defining an oval edge. The second lens has a generally planar second lens surface (629) operatively coupled to the first lens surface. The second lens has four primary edges (681, 682, 683, 684) and at least two secondary edges (686, 687, 688, 689) connecting pairs of the primary edges. Each primary edge extends in substantially a straight line between two spaced-apart points at the oval edge of the first lens. The optical fiber and the lens combination are configured such that a light beam exiting the optical fiber enters the lens combination at an entering surface of the first lens, passes through the first lens and exits the first lens at the first lens surface. The cover circumferentially surrounds the optical fiber assembly. The lens combination is also presented as a separate entity. The probe further comprises a first adhesive (730) that attaches the first lens, or first optical component, to the second lens, or second optical component, the first adhesive at least partially circumferentially surrounding the second end surface of the second optical component. The probe also comprises a second adhesive (735) that attaches the second optical component to the cover.