Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for examining a sample using a substantially monostatic, substantially confocal optical system comprising transmitting optics that focus an illuminating light upon the sample and receiving optics that collect light emitted from the sample following illumination thereof. In certain embodiments, the receiving optics may be arranged circumferentially around the light path traversed by the illuminating light. In certain embodiments, video apparatus may be included to produce images or to align the system in proximity to the target tissue. The systems and methods of the present invention may be directed towards the examination of a body tissue to provide a medical diagnosis.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for determining a characteristic of a sample of a material by the interaction of electromagnetic radiation with the sample. The apparatus includes a source of electromagnetic radiation, an optical assembly and a detector. The optical assembly sequentially illuminates a plurality of volume elements in the sample with an intensity distribution in the sample that drops off substantially monotonically from a first region in a first optical path and collects electromagnetic radiation emanating from each of the volume elements. The optical assembly collects the electromagnetic radiation emanating from each of the volume elements with a collected distribution that drops off substantially monotonically from a second region in a second optical path. The first and second regions at least partially overlap in each of the volume elements.

Abstract: A system and method for classifying specimens using a plurality of spectral data types. Spectra are recorded as amplitudes at a series of discrete wavelengths. Pluralities of reference spectra are recorded for specimens having known conditions. A spectrum of a first type is observed for a test specimen. The specimen is characterized as to a first known condition. In the event that the specimen does not exhibit the first known condition, a spectrum of a second type is observed and analyzed to determine which of a plurality of conditions is to be ascribed to the test specimen. In some embodiments, the test specimen can comprise human cervical tissue, and the known conditions can include normal health, metaplasia, CIN I and CIN II/II.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for determining a characteristic of a sample of a material by the interaction of electromagnetic radiation with the sample. The apparatus includes a source of electromagnetic radiation, an optical assembly and a detector. The optical assembly sequentially illuminates a plurality of volume elements in the sample with an intensity distribution in the sample that drops off substantially monotonically from a first region in a first optical path and collects electromagnetic radiation emanating from each of the volume elements. The optical assembly collects the electromagnetic radiation emanating from each of the volume elements with a collected distribution that drops off substantially monotonically from a second region in a second optical path. The first and second regions at least partially overlap in each of the volume elements.

Abstract: An optical probe collects light emanating from a specimen that selectively andpreferentially represents a localized volume element within the sample, with illuminationintensity and collection efficacy both dropping off away from the localized volume element to limit the integrated contribution from outside the element. For example, the optics provide high peak illumination and high collection efficiency which both overlap in volume elements of a limited size corresponding to a structure or process of the specimen. The resulting collected signal comprising one or more spectral segments is highly correlated with optical characteristics, such as absorbance, scattering or fluorescence characteristics of material in the small volume elements. A processor may apply a previously-derived vector or matrix transform to the collected responses to produce an output.

Abstract: An optical probe collects light responses from a specimen that selectively and preferentially emanates from a localized volume element within the sample, with illumination irradiance and collection efficiency both dropping off away from the localized volume element, and a processor applies a vector or matrix transform to collected responses to produce an output. The optics provide high peak illumination and high collection efficiency which both overlap in small volume elements that are limited in length, width or depth to correspond to a structure or process of the specimen so that the collected spectra or other responses have high signal strength and enhanced correlation values to small or otherwise inaccessible or masked effects present in macroscopic or submacroscopic regions.