Apparatus and method for providing information for at least one structure

Abstract

A spectrally encoded endoscopic probe having high resolution and small diameter comprising at least one flexible optical fiber; an energy source; a grating through which said energy is transmitted such that the energy spectrum is dispersed; a lens for focusing the dispersed energy spectrum onto a sample such that the impingement spot for each wavelength is a separate position on the sample, the wavelength spectrum defining a wavelength encoded axis; means for mechanically scanning the sample with focused energy in a direction perpendicular to the wavelength encoded axis; a means for receiving energy reflected from the sample; and, a means for detecting the received reflected energy. The probe grating and lens delivers a beam of multi-spectral light having spectral components extending in one dimension across a target region and which is moved to scan in another direction. The reflected spectrum is measured to provide two dimensional imaging of the region.

1 - 67 . (canceled)  
   
   
       68 . An apparatus for providing information for at least one structure, comprising: 
 a first arrangement which includes at least one of an optical fiber and an optical waveguide, the first arrangement is configured to forward at least one first electromagnetic radiation to the sample and receive at least one second electromagnetic radiation from the sample which is associated with the at least one first electromagnetic radiation, the first arrangement including a first electromagnetic radiation transceiving portion and a second electromagnetic radiation transceiving portion which is different from the first electromagnetic radiation transceiving portion; and    a second arrangement facilitating the information as a function of the second electromagnetic radiation that is provided from at least one of the first electromagnetic radiation transceiving portion or the second electromagnetic radiation transceiving portion.    
   
   
       69 . The apparatus according to  claim 68 , wherein the first electromagnetic radiation transceiving portion comprises a fiber core region.  
   
   
       70 . The apparatus according to  claim 69 , wherein the second electromagnetic radiation transceiving portion comprises a further fiber core region.  
   
   
       71 . The apparatus according to  claim 68 , wherein the second electromagnetic radiation transceiving portion comprises a fiber inner cladding region.  
   
   
       72 . The apparatus according to  claim 68 , wherein the first arrangement includes a dispersive arrangement configured to receive at least one portion of the at least one first electromagnetic radiation and forward a dispersed radiation thereof to at least one section of the at least one structure.  
   
   
       73 . The apparatus according to  claim 68 , wherein the first arrangement includes a dispersive arrangement configured to receive at least one portion of the at least one second electromagnetic radiation.  
   
   
       74 . The apparatus according to  claim 68 , wherein the first arrangement is configured to forward the at least one first electromagnetic radiation via a central core of the first electromagnetic radiation transceiving portion.  
   
   
       75 . The apparatus according to  claim 74 , wherein the first arrangement is configured to detect of the at least one second electromagnetic radiation via the central core and an outer cladding of the second electromagnetic radiation transceiving portion.