US Patent 7242832 Device for tissue characterization

A probe for use in characterizing tissue. The probe includes a plurality of optical fibers and an optical element. Each fiber includes a distal portion and a proximal portion. The fibers transmit light through the fiber to a surrounding area and collect light reflected back from the surrounding area. The optical element may be adjacent an outer periphery of the distal portion of the plurality of optical fibers. The optical element reduces an optical path length through blood.