Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for utilizing light, including ultraviolet, optical and/or infrared, for detecting a body in an object, such as biomaterial or tissue, animal and/or human tissue. The body or object may be made fluorescent by the use of dyes or agent. Light is used to illuminate the body and object and the scattered light, fluorescent and/or emitted light, reflected light and transmitted light are detected and used to reconstruct the body and/or object using an iterative analysis. Further, the method and apparatus may be extended to endoscopic applications to make subcutaneous images of internal tissue above, on, in or beyond endoscopic pathways such as esophagus, stomach, colon, bronchial tubes and/or other openings, cavities and spaces animate or inanimate, and in man-made or industrial materials as carbon/resin structures.

Abstract: A method to detect a structure of interest includes shading a target from ambient light. A first plurality of images is acquired from the target. Background in the first plurality of images is reduced to minimize or eliminate brightness variation in the images and to generate a first plurality background-reduced images. A second plurality of images is acquired from the target. Background in the second plurality of images is reduced to generate a second plurality of background-reduced images. Noise in the second plurality of background-reduced images is reduced to generate a noise-reduced image, which is then multiplied to generate an amplified image. A structure of interest is detected in the amplified image. An imaging device that can be used to carry out the method is also included and includes an illuminator that shades the target from ambient light and scatters light.