Abstract: A microscope, endoscope or optical coherence tomograph, comprising a light source, a flexible light transmitter (18) for receiving and transmitting light from the light source, an optical element (20) with a forward end (30) for receiving the light from the light transmitter (18) and a rear wall (26) having an internal surface for reflecting the light laterally, and an external sleeve (14) enclosing the optical element (20) and transparent to the light in at least a region of the sleeve where the light is directed by the internal surface (26). The internal surface (26) has an optical figure suitable for focussing the light to an observational field (28) external to the sleeve (14). A confocal configuration may be used.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus and method, the apparatus comprising a light transmitter, a mount for supporting the light transmitter located remotely from its exit tip, a drive for driving the light transmitter to vibrate resonantly in a first direction and to vibrate non-resonantly in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and a synchronizer for synchronizing vibration of the light transmitter in the first and second directions so that the exit tip of the light transmitter executes a scan pattern. The drive applies a driving force to the light transmitter between the mount and the exit tip.

Abstract: A scanning method and apparatus, the apparatus comprising a fork with first and second forwardly extending tines and a rearwardly extending counterweight member, a mount for supporting the fork at a point between the tines and the counterweight member, and a drive for effecting relative vibration between the tines to provide a fast scan and for driving the fork to provide a slow scan transverse to the fast scan.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus and method, the apparatus comprising a light transmitter, a mount for supporting the light transmitter located remotely from its exit tip, a drive for driving the light transmitter to vibrate resonantly in a first direction and to vibrate non-resonantly in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and a synchronizer for synchronizing vibration of the light transmitter in the first and second directions so that the exit tip of the light transmitter executes a scan pattern. The drive applies a driving force to the light transmitter between the mount and the exit tip.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus and method, the apparatus comprising: a light transmission means (90) having an exit tip; first and second drive means (92,94) for resonantly driving the light transmission means (90) in orthogonal directions; wherein the first and second drive means (92,94) are operable to move the tip in an elliptical pattern while varying the eccentricity of the elliptical pattern, whereby a portion of the elliptical pattern having a centre on the minor axis of the elliptical pattern approximates—at least in appearance—a raster pattern.

Abstract: An electrically operated tuning fork apparatus includes a tuning fork having a base and a pair of tines. The tines have tips remote from the base, and are formed of or include material in which a magnetic field can be induced. The tuning fork apparatus also includes an electrical coil configured to receive at least a portion of both tines of the tuning fork. At least one of the tines can be vibrated relative to the other of the tines by passing a varying current through the coil to induce mutually repulsive magnetic fields in the tines.