Abstract: A spectrally encoded endoscopic probe having high resolution and small diameter comprising at least one flexible optical fiber; an energy source; a grating through which said energy is transmitted such that the energy spectrum is dispersed; a lens for focusing the dispersed energy spectrum onto a sample such that the impingement spot for each wavelength is a separate position on the sample, the wavelength spectrum defining a wavelength encoded axis; means for mechanically scanning the sample with focused energy in a direction perpendicular to the wavelength encoded axis; a means for receiving energy reflected from the sample; and, a means for detecting the received reflected energy. The probe grating and lens delivers a beam of multi-spectral light having spectral components extending in one dimension across a target region and which is moved to scan in another direction. The reflected spectrum is measured to provide two dimensional imaging of the region.

Abstract: According one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, method and system can be provided for applying a laser radiation to at least one portion of a biological structure. For example, a beam of the laser radiation can be provided to the portion, whereas a cross-sectional area of the beam is at most about 1/10th of an entire area of the at least one portion. The beam can be applied to the portion (a) based on a predetermined pattern, (b) while modulating a wavelength of the laser radiation, and/or (c) while monitoring a depth of the application of the laser radiation.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling at least one of at least two sections of at least one fiber can be provided. The apparatus can include an arrangement which may be provided between the first and second sections of a particular continuous fiber of the fibers. A particular one of the first and second sections may be provided in a particular orientation that is perpendicular to an extension of the particular fiber. The arrangement is capable of controlling the particular fiber such that the particular one of the sections is capable of being rotated for at least 360° with respect to the particular orientation. The arrangement can include a further arrangement that is capable of at least partially wrapping the particular fiber around the second arrangement, and controlling the particular fiber such that the particular one of the sections is capable of being rotated with respect to the particular orientation during a transmission of the electro-magnetic radiation.

Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods for generating data associated with at least one portion of a sample can be provided. For example, according to one exemplary embodiment of such systems and methods, it is possible to provide a particular radiation using at least one first arrangement. The particular radiation can include at least one first electro-magnetic radiation directed to at least one sample and at least one second electro-magnetic radiation directed to a reference arrangement. The first radiation and/or the second radiation can comprise a plurality of wavelengths. The first electro-magnetic radiation can be spectrally dispersed along at least one portion of the sample. The second electro-magnetic radiation measured at two or more different lengths of the reference arrangement with respect to the first arrangement.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer-accessible medium for identifying characteristics of at least a portion of a blood vessel contained within a tissue can be provided. For example, it is possible to utilize a radiation source configured to provide a radiation to the tissue. In addition, a probe can be provided which may be adapted to receive the radiation returned from the tissue; Further, a system may be utilized which can be configured to process data relating to the tissue. The data can indicate whether the blood vessel is in a vicinity of an end portion of the probe.

Abstract: Method, apparatus and arrangement according an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be provided for obtaining information associated with a sample such as a portion of an anatomical structure. The information can be generated using first data, which can be based on a signal obtained from a location on the sample, and second data, where the second data can be obtained by combining a second signal received from the sample with a third reference signal. An image of a portion of the sample can also be generated based on the information. For example, the first data can be associated with spectral encoding microscopy data, and the second data can be associated with optical coherence tomography data.

Abstract: Method and apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be provided. For example, first data associated with a first signal received from at least one region of at least one sample can be provided based on a first modality, and second data associated with a second signal received from the at least one sample can be provided based on a second modality which is different from the first modality. Third data associated with a reference can be received. Further data can be generated based on the first, second and third data. In addition, third data associated with a second signal received from the at least one sample can be obtained. Each of the third data can be based on a further modality which is different from the first modality and the second modality, and the further data can be further determined based on the third data. Further, the first modality can be a spectral-encoded modality, and the second modality can be a non-spectral-encoding modality.

Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods for obtaining information associated with at least one portion of a sample can be provided. For example, a first radiation can be received and at least one second radiation and at least one third radiation can be provided as a function of the first radiation. Respective intensities of the second and third radiations can be modulated, whereas the second and third radiations may have different modulation frequencies, and the modulated second and third radiations can be directed toward the portion. The photoluminescence radiation can be received from the portion based on the modulated second and third radiations to generate a resultant signal. The signal can be processed to obtain the information which is/are photoluminescence lifetime characteristics and/or a polarization anisotropy of the portion. According to another exemplary embodiment, the photoluminescence radiation can be received and the photoluminescence radiation may be based on wavelengths thereof.

Abstract: Exemplary apparatus for obtaining information for a structure can be provided. For example, the exemplary apparatus can include at least one first optical fiber arrangement which is configured to transceive at least one first electromagnetic radiation, and can include at least one fiber. The exemplary apparatus can also include at least one second focusing arrangement in optical communication with the optical fiber arrangement. The second arrangement can be configured to focus and provide there through the first electromagnetic radiation. Further, the exemplary apparatus can include at least one third dispersive arrangement which is configured to receive a particular radiation which is the first electromagnetic radiation and/or the focused electromagnetic radiation, and forward a dispersed radiation thereof to at least one section of the structure. At least one end of the fiber can be directly connected to the second focusing arrangement and/or the third dispersive arrangement.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a plurality of electromagnetic radiations to a sample is provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus can include an arrangement which has a specific portion with a plurality of channels. One of channels can facilitate a first radiation of the radiations to be forwarded to the sample that is within an anatomical structure, and another one of the channels can facilitate a second radiation of the radiations to be forwarded to the sample. The first radiation may have a first wavelength band, and the second radiation may have a second wavelength band. The first wavelength band may be substantially different from the second wavelength band. According to another exemplary embodiment, the first radiation can be adapted to be delivered to a first area of the sample, and the second radiation may be capable of being delivered to a second area of the sample. The first area may be substantially enclosed by the second area.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, method and system can be provided for obtaining information associated with at least one portion of a sample. For example, a temperature change can be caused in the portion of the sample. At least one first electro-magnetic radiation can be forwarded to a section near or in the portion of the sample. A deformation of the section can be identified at a plurality of depths as a function of (i) a phase of at least one second electro-magnetic radiation provided from the section, and/or (ii) a rate of change of the phase and/or an amplitude of the second electro-magnetic radiation. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, method and system can be provided for controlling a temperature distribution in a sample. For example, an electro-magnetic radiation can be provided to the section in the sample at a particular wavelength.

Abstract: Method, apparatus and arrangement according an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be provided for analyzing and/or illustrating at least one portion of an anatomical structure. For example, light can be forwarded to such portion so as to generate first information which is related to the portion. For example, the light can be provided on or within a subject. The first information can be received, and at least one section of the portion may be selected based on the first information so as to generate second information. A magnification of a display of the portion may be progressively modified as a function of the second information.

Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods for obtaining a photoluminescence radiation from at least one portion of a sample can be provided. For example, using the exemplary embodiment, it is possible to receive a first radiation and disperse the first radiation into at least one second radiation and at least one third radiation. The second and third radiations can be provided to different locations of the portion. In addition, it is possible to receive the photoluminescence radiation from the portion based on the second and third radiations.

Abstract: Method, apparatus and arrangement according an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be provided for generating an image of at least one portion of an anatomical structure. For example, the portion can have an area greater than about 1 mm2, and the image can have a resolution a transverse resolution that is below about 10 ?m. For example, light can be scanned over such portion so as to generate first information which is related to the portion, where the light may be provided through a diffraction arrangement to generate a spectrally dispersed line. Method, apparatus and arrangement according to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be provided for positioning a radiation or optical beam within an anatomical structure based on signals generated by scanning a portion of the structure using the same or a different beam.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and systems to optically analyze samples such as tissue based on speckle patterns of microscopic motion, such as Brownian motion.

Abstract: Apparatus, catheter and method for obtaining information regarding a tissue structure (e.g., a blood vessel) can be provided. For example, it is possible to utilize a transceiving arrangement which includes at least one section adapted to be provided in a proximity of at least one portion of the tissue structure and in a bodily fluid, and which is adapted to transmit and receive electromagnetic radiation. The bodily fluid may be blood, pus, necrotic debris, mucus, urine and/or fecal matter.

Abstract: Apparatus, method and storage medium which can provide at least one first electro-magnetic radiation to a sample and at least one second electromagnetic radiation to a reference, such that the first and/or second electromagnetic radiations have a spectrum which changes over time. In addition, a first polarization component of at least one third radiation associated with the first radiation can be combined with a second polarization component of at least one fourth radiation associated with the second radiation with one another. The first and second polarizations may be specifically controlled to be at least approximately orthogonal to one another.

Abstract: Software systems, arrangements and processes for evaluating an image associated with at least one portion of an anatomical structure are provided. For example, first information associated with the at least one portion of the anatomical structure second information associated with the at least one portion of the anatomical structure can be received. Third information can be generated by determining a relationship between the first information and the second information. Further, the image can be evaluated using a predetermined pathological scoring criteria and the third information.

Abstract: Apparatus, system and method are provided which utilize signals received from a reference and a sample. In particular, a radiation is provided which includes at least one first electromagnetic radiation directed to the sample and at least one second electromagnetic radiation directed to the reference. A frequency of the radiation varies over time. An interference can be detected between at least one third radiation associated with the first radiation and at least one fourth radiation associated with the second radiation. It is possible to obtain a particular signal associated with at least one phase of at least one frequency component of the interference, and compare the particular signal to at least one particular information. Further, it is possible to receive at least one portion of the radiation and provide a further radiation, such that the particular signal can be calibrated based on the further signal.

Abstract: Systems, arrangements and methods for obtaining three-dimensional imaging data are provided. For example, a broadband light source can provide a particular radiation. A first electro-magnetic radiation can be focused and diffracted, and then provided to at least one sample to generate a spectrally-encoded line. A second electro-magnetic radiation may be provided to a reference, which may include a double-pass rapidly-scanning optical delay, where the first and second electro-magnetic radiations can be based on the particular radiation. An interference between a third electro-magnetic radiation (associated with the first electro-magnetic radiation) and a fourth electro-magnetic radiation (associated with the second electro-magnetic radiation) can be detected. The spectrally-encoded line may be scanned over the sample in a direction approximately perpendicular to the line. Image data containing three-dimensional information can then be obtained based on the interference.