STUB LENS ASSEMBLIES FOR USE IN OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY SYSTEMS

Stub lens assemblies for use in optical coherence tomography. The stub lens assembly has an optical fiber having an end, and an optical fiber ferrule that supports the optical fiber. The stub lens assembly also has a sleeve having a central channel with first and second ends, with the optical fiber ferrule supported within the central channel at the first end. The stub lens assembly further includes a stub lens element having a stub section with a proximal end that resides adjacent the optical fiber end within the central channel of the sleeve. The stub section is formed integral with a lens, which has a lens surface. The sleeve supports the optical fiber end and the proximal end of the stub section in a cooperative optical relationship.