Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for optical coherence reflectometry, in particular for optical coherence tomography, wherein the apparatus for optical coherence reflectometry comprises a wavelength scanning laser source for providing a light signal, and splitting means for dividing said light signal into a sample light field and a reference light field, wherein the sample light field is directed to the sample being measured, and the light reflected from the sample is amplified without correspondingly amplifying the light reflected in the reference light field. Thereby, it is possible to direct substantially all light energy from the first reflected light field to the detectors, and to obtain fully the utilization of the amplification of the first reflected light field. The optica amplifier inserted in the sample reflected light field is different from the source so that the effect of the light source may be regulated independent of the degree of amplification.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for optical coherence reflectometry, in particular for optical coherence tomography. The invention particularly relates to the route of the light field in the sample arm. The reflected light field in the sample arm is amplified before being received by a combining means, said combining means being capable of receiving the reflected light field from the sample arm as well as the second reflected light field from the reference arm. Thereby, it is possible to direct substantially all light energy in the sample arm to the combining means, and to obtain fully the utilisation of the amplification of the reflected light field since preferably only the reflected light field is amplified by the optical amplifier. This leads to an improved signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) whereby an increase of the maximal penetration depth is obtained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method for emitting plane laser light to biological tissue, wherein in high power lasers are modulated in order to provide an output beam consisting of high temporal and/or spatial coherence and at the same time is capable of delivering an output beam having a high power when being delivered through fibres having a core diameter of less than 400 &mgr;m. The method and system may in particular be used for photodynamic treatment (PDT) Optical fibers and/or thermal treatment. In a preferred embodiment the system and method also includes a monitoring system for the effect actually delivered to the biological tissue. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method of treatment using the system, as well as a method for diagnosing using the system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for optical coherence reflectometry, in particular for optical coherence tomography, wherein the apparatus for optical coherence reflectometry comprises a wavelength scanning laser source for providing a light signal, and splitting means for dividing said light signal into a sample light field and a reference light field, wherein the sample light field is directed to the sample being measured, and the light reflected from the sample is amplified without correspondingly amplifying the light reflected in the reference light field. Thereby, it is possible to direct substantially all light energy from the first reflected light field to the detectors, and to obtain fully the utilisation of the amplification of the first reflected light field. The optical amplifier inserted in the sample reflected light field is different from the source so that the effect of the light source may be regulated independent of the degree of amplification.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for optical coherence reflectometry, in particular for optical coherence tomography. The invention particularly relates to the route of the light field in the sample arm. The reflected light field in the sample arm is amplified before being received by a combining means, said combining means being capable of receiving the reflected light field from the sample arm as well as the second reflected light field from the reference arm. Thereby, it is possible to direct substantially all light energy in the sample arm to the combining means, and to obtain fully the utilisation of the amplification of the reflected light field since preferably only the reflected light field is amplified by the optical amplifier. This leads to an improved signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) whereby an increase of the maximal penetration depth is obtained.