Abstract: A variety of optical probes and optical methods have utility in the examination of various materials, especially materials in the interior of cavities having restricted access through orifices or passageways. An optical probe useful, for example, in examining the epithelia and other tissues of anatomical structures within the body cavities and tubular organs and viscera of mammals is elongated and includes an optical window (240, 302, 1002), a light source (222, 312, 314, 510, 520, 1020, 1200, 1400, 1700), a spatial mixer (224, 304, 2004, 2104, 2204, 2304), and a light collector (210, 320, 720, 1120). The light from the light source is mixed in the spatial mixer, thereby removing any reflected images and irradiation artifacts to achieving uniform diffuse light in the vicinity of the optical window. The light collector receives light from the target through the spatial mixer, but the field of view of the light collector excludes any residual reflections and fluorescence from the spatial mixer.

Abstract: An optical body cavity probe (110, 310, 1200, 1300) is provided with a disposable flexible comformable sheath (120) having an optical window (220), or a disposable rigid sheath (320, 1210, 1310) having an optical window (420). The electronic system includes optical sources for generating the illuminating electromagnetic energy, filters or spectrum analyzers for isolating returned wavelengths of interest, and a computer for processing the returned wavelengths of interest to determine the tissue properties of interest as well as to calibrate the system. For calibration purposes, a removable calibration body (510, 910, 1010, 1220, 1330, 1430) bearing a fluorescence pattern resides on the outside of the optical window (500, 900, 1000, 1210, 1310, 1420) so as to be in the field of view of the probe when the sheath is installed over the probe.