Abstract: A fibre endoscope system (100) comprises a catheter (10) with a probe head (10a) for entering into a body cavity (C) adjacent or near a sample region (S). A source fiber (11) has a first fiber ending (11a) and a signal fiber (12) has a second fiber ending (12a) both remote from the probe head (10a) but separate. A sampling fiber (13) has a third fiber ending (13a) disposed at the probe head (10a). A fiber coupler (15) is configured to optically couple at least the source fiber (11) to the sampling fiber (13), and the sampling fiber (13) to the signal fiber (12). A sampling fiber length (L13) of the sampling fiber (13) between a fiber coupler (15) and the third fiber ending (13a) is shorter than a source fiber length (L11) of the source fiber (11) between the fiber coupler (15) and the first fiber ending (11a).

Abstract: A dark field digital holographic microscope is disclosed which is configured to determine a characteristic of interest of a structure. The dark field digital holographic microscope comprises an illumination device configured to provide at least: a first beam pair comprising a first illumination beam of radiation (1010) and a first reference beam of radiation (1030) and a second beam pair comprising a second illumination beam of radiation (1020) and a second reference beam of radiation (1040); and one or more optical elements (1070) operable to capture a first scattered radiation and to capture a second scattered radiation scattered by the structure resultant from the first and second illumination beams respectively. The beams of the first beam pair are mutually coherent and the beams of the second beam pair are mutually coherent. The illumination device is configured to impose incoherence (ADI) between the first beam pair and second beam pair.

Abstract: An imaging system (100) comprises a multimode waveguide (Wm) configured to receive input light (Li) from a light source (20) into its proximal side (13p) and output a corresponding speckle pattern (Pn) based on the input light (Li) out of its distal side (13d) for illuminating a sample (S) to be imaged. A single-mode waveguide (Ws) is connected to the multimode waveguide (Wm) for coupling the input light (Li) from the light source (20) to the multimode waveguide (Wm). The multimode waveguide (Wm) has a relatively short length (Zm) and relatively high flexural rigidity (R) for maintaining a unique relation between the input characteristic (?,A) of the input light (Li) into the multimode waveguide (Wm) and a spatial distribution (Ixy) of the speckle pattern (Pn). The single-mode waveguide (Ws) may be relatively long and flexible (F) for allowing movement of the short rigid multimode waveguide (Wm).

Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring hemoglobin concentration (cHb). A retinal tissue having blood vessels is illuminated by light including two isosbestic wavelengths (?1,?2). The isosbestic wavelengths(?1,?2) correspond to isosbestic points where oxy- and deoxyhemoglobin (HbIO2,Hb) have the same molar extinction coefficient. Measurements are collected of a plurality of backscattered reflection intensities (I(?b,?1), I(xt,?1), I(?b,?2), I(xx,X2)). Preferably, the measurements are spectrally resolved at least for the two isosbestic wavelengths (?1,?2) and position-resolved for at least a blood vessel location (xb) coinciding with a selected blood vessel and a tissue location (xt) coinciding with the retinal tissue without blood vessel. The hemoglobin concentration (cHb) can be calculated based on a combination of the measurements at the two isosbestic wavelengths (?t,?2).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for determining a characteristic of a structure. In one arrangement, the structure is illuminated with first illumination radiation to generate first scattered radiation. A first interference pattern is formed by interference between a portion of the first scattered radiation reaching a sensor and first reference radiation. The structure is also illuminated with second illumination radiation from a different direction. A second interference pattern is formed using second reference radiation. The first and second interference patterns are used to determine the characteristic of the structure. Azimuthal angles of the first and second reference radiations onto the sensor are different.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for determining a characteristic of a structure. In one arrangement, the structure is illuminated with first illumination radiation to generate first scattered radiation. A first interference pattern is formed by interference between a portion of the first scattered radiation reaching a sensor and first reference radiation. The structure is also illuminated with second illumination radiation from a different direction. A second interference pattern is formed using second reference radiation. The first and second interference patterns are used to determine the characteristic of the structure. Azimuthal angles of the first and second reference radiations onto the sensor are different.

Abstract: A fibre endoscope system (100) comprises a catheter (10) with a probe head (10a) for entering into a body cavity (C) adjacent or near a sample region (S). A source fiber (11) has a first fiber ending (11a) and a signal fiber (12) has a second fiber ending (12a) both remote from the probe head (10a) but separate. A sampling fiber (13) has a third fiber ending (13a) disposed at the probe head (10a). A fiber coupler (15) is configured to optically couple at least the source fiber (11) to the sampling fiber (13), and the sampling fiber (13) to the signal fiber (12). A sampling fiber length (L13) of the sampling fiber (13) between a fiber coupler (15) and the third fiber ending (13a) is shorter than a source fiber length (L11) of the source fiber (11) between the fiber coupler (15) and the first fiber ending (11a).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for determining a characteristic of a structure. In one arrangement, the structure is illuminated with first illumination radiation to generate first scattered radiation. A first interference pattern is formed by interference between a portion of the first scattered radiation reaching a sensor and first reference radiation. The structure is also illuminated with second illumination radiation from a different direction. A second interference pattern is formed using second reference radiation. The first and second interference patterns are used to determine the characteristic of the structure. Azimuthal angles of the first and second reference radiations onto the sensor are different.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided. In particular, at least one first electro-magnetic radiation may be provided to a sample and at least one second electro-magnetic radiation can be provided to a non-reflective reference. A frequency of the first and/or second radiations varies over time. An interference is detected between at least one third radiation associated with the first radiation and at least one fourth radiation associated with the second radiation. Alternatively, the first electro-magnetic radiation and/or second electro-magnetic radiation have a spectrum which changes over time. The spectrum may contain multiple frequencies at a particular time. In addition, it is possible to detect the interference signal between the third radiation and the fourth radiation in a first polarization state. Further, it may be preferable to detect a further interference signal between the third and fourth radiations in a second polarization state which is different from the first polarization state.

Abstract: Exemplary apparatus and method are provided. In particular, an electromagnetic radiation can be emitted with, e.g. a light source arrangement. For example, the light source arrangement can include a cavity and a filter, and a spectrum of the electromagnetic radiation can be controlled, e.g., with such cavity and filter, to have a mean frequency that changes (i) at an absolute rate that is greater than about 100 terahertz per millisecond, and (ii) over a range that is greater than about 10 terahertz. Additionally or alternatively, the light source arrangement can include a frequency shifting device which can shift the mean frequency of the electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided. In particular, at least one first electro-magnetic radiation may be provided to a sample and at least one second electro-magnetic radiation can be provided to a non-reflective reference. A frequency of the first and/or second radiations varies over time. An interference is detected between at least one third radiation associated with the first radiation and at least one fourth radiation associated with the second radiation. Alternatively, the first electro-magnetic radiation and/or second electro-magnetic radiation have a spectrum which changes over time. The spectrum may contain multiple frequencies at a particular time. In addition, it is possible to detect the interference signal between the third radiation and the fourth radiation in a first polarization state. Further, it may be preferable to detect a further interference signal between the third and fourth radiations in a second polarization state which is different from the first polarization state.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided. In particular, a radiation can be provided which includes at least one first electro-magnetic radiation directed to a sample and at least one second electro-magnetic radiation directed to a reference, whereas a frequency of the radiation varies over time. An interference between at least one third radiation associated with the first radiation(s) and at least one fourth radiation associated with the second radiation(s) can be detected to generate an electrical first signal. A second signal associated with at least one phase of at least one frequency component of the electrical first signal can be obtained. Further, comparison data can be generated by comparing the second signal to at least one particular information.

Abstract: A system, process and software arrangement are provided to determine at least one position of at least one portion of a sample. In particular, information associated with the portion of the sample is obtained. Such portion may be associated with an interference signal that includes a first electro-magnetic radiation received from the sample and a second electro-magnetic radiation received from a reference. In addition, depth information and/or lateral information of the portion of the sample, may be obtained. At least one weight function can be applied to the depth information and/or the lateral information so as to generate resulting information. Further, a surface position, a lateral position and/or a depth position of the portion of the sample may be ascertained based on the resulting information.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided. In particular, at least one first electro-magnetic radiation may be provided to a sample and at least one second electro-magnetic radiation can be provided to a non-reflective reference. A frequency of the first and/or second radiations varies over time. An interference is detected between at least one third radiation associated with the first radiation and at least one fourth radiation associated with the second radiation. Alternatively, the first electro-magnetic radiation and/or second electro-magnetic radiation have a spectrum which changes over time. The spectrum may contain multiple frequencies at a particular time. In addition, it is possible to detect the interference signal between the third radiation and the fourth radiation in a first polarization state. Further, it may be preferable to detect a further interference signal between the third and fourth radiations in a second polarization state which is different from the first polarization state.

Abstract: In depth-resolved imaging of scattering media, incident light interacts with tissue in a complex way before the signal reaches the detector: Light interacts with media between the light source and a specific depth, then scatters at that depth and the backscattered light again interacts with media on its way to the detector. The resulting depth-resolved signal therefore likely does not directly represent a physical or optical property of the media at those depths. Exemplary systems, methods and computer-accessible medium can determine physical or optical properties based on such depth-resolved signals. For example, almost all the light can interact with the media, and that the energy of the incident light at a certain depth is likely therefore related to the integral of the scattered light from all deeper locations. Based on the detected signals, the properties of the media can be estimated in an iterative way.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided. In particular, at least one first electro-magnetic radiation may be provided to a sample and at least one second electro-magnetic radiation can be provided to a non-reflective reference. A frequency of the first and/or second radiations varies over time. An interference is detected between at least one third radiation associated with the first radiation and at least one fourth radiation associated with the second radiation. Alternatively, the first electro-magnetic radiation and/or second electro-magnetic radiation have a spectrum which changes over time. The spectrum may contain multiple frequencies at a particular time. In addition, it is possible to detect the interference signal between the third radiation and the fourth radiation in a first polarization state. Further, it may be preferable to detect a further interference signal between the third and fourth radiations in a second polarization state which is different from the first polarization state.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided. In particular, at least one first electro-magnetic radiation may be provided to a sample and at least one second electro-magnetic radiation can be provided to a non-reflective reference. A frequency of the first and/or second radiations varies over time. An interference is detected between at least one third radiation associated with the first radiation and at least one fourth radiation associated with the second radiation. Alternatively, the first electro-magnetic radiation and/or second electro-magnetic radiation have a spectrum which changes over time. The spectrum may contain multiple frequencies at a particular time. In addition, it is possible to detect the interference signal between the third radiation and the fourth radiation in a first polarization state. Further, it may be preferable to detect a further interference signal between the third and fourth radiations in a second polarization state which is different from the first polarization state.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided. In particular, at least one first electro-magnetic radiation may be provided to a sample and at least one second electro-magnetic radiation can be provided to a non-reflective reference. A frequency of the first and/or second radiations varies over time. An interference is detected between at least one third radiation associated with the first radiation and at least one fourth radiation associated with the second radiation. Alternatively, the first electro-magnetic radiation and/or second electro-magnetic radiation have a spectrum which changes over time. The spectrum may contain multiple frequencies at a particular time. In addition, it is possible to detect the interference signal between the third radiation and the fourth radiation in a first polarization state. Further, it may be preferable to detect a further interference signal between the third and fourth radiations in a second polarization state which is different from the first polarization state.

Abstract: In depth-resolved imaging of scattering media, incident light interacts with tissue in a complex way before the signal reaches the detector: Light interacts with media between the light source and a specific depth, then scatters at that depth and the backscattered light again interacts with media on its way to the detector. The resulting depth-resolved signal therefore likely does not directly represent a physical or optical property of the media at those depths. Exemplary systems, methods and computer-accessible medium can determine physical or optical properties based on such depth-resolved signals. For example, almost all the light can interact with the media, and that the energy of the incident light at a certain depth is likely therefore related to the integral of the scattered light from all deeper locations. Based on the detected signals, the properties of the media can be estimated in an iterative way.

Abstract: An apparatus and source arrangement for filtering an electromagnetic radiation can be provided which may include at least one spectral separating arrangement configured to physically separate one or more components of the electromagnetic radiation based on a frequency of the electromagnetic radiation. The apparatus and source arrangement may also have at least one continuously rotating optical arrangement which is configured to receive at least one signal that is associated with the one or more components. Further, the apparatus and source arrangement can include at least one beam selecting arrangement configured to receive the signal.