Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes at least one memory and at least one processor that executes instructions stored in the memory to receive an input image based on image data, execute noise reduction processing on the image data, and output noise-reduced output data based on a result of the noise reduction processing, wherein the noise reduction processing calculates a value using reference pixels based on a first frequency range, and subtracts a value using pixels based on a second frequency range.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying an endoscope image in a preferred orientation. An endoscope scans a sample with spectrally encoded light by rotating imaging optics inside an endoscope guide. A processor generates an image based on light returned from the sample, and rotates the image by a first angle offset value and a second angle offset value to display the rotated image in the preferred orientation. The first offset value is an angle difference between a specific direction in which the image is to be displayed on a display and a direction in which the tip of the endoscope is oriented with respect to the imaging plane. The second offset value is an angle difference between a direction of the line of scanning light projected onto a plane perpendicular to the tip and the specific direction in which the image is to be displayed.

Abstract: An endoscopic probe extending from a proximal end to a distal end thereof, and configured to be inserted in a tubular lumen to observe a sample is disclosed. The probe includes a first waveguide enclosed within an inner sheath and extending from the proximal end to the distal end along an axis of the inner sheath; and a plurality of second waveguides having at least the distal ends thereof arranged in one or more rings around the inner sheath to surround the distal end of the first waveguide. At the distal end, the axis of each of the second waveguides is tilted with respect to the axis of the first waveguide by a tilt angle which can be adjustable. This novel endoscopic probe has a resultant numerical aperture larger than the numerical aperture of each of the second waveguides, and it may be applicable to forward-viewing spectrally encoded endoscopes (SEE).

Abstract: Exemplary apparatus, systems, methods of making, and methods of using a rotary junction are provided. A rotary junction having multiple channels is provided herein. The rotary junction has a first coupling optic and a second coupling optic where the rotating optical fiber or other waveguide comping from the first coupling optic passes through the second coupling optics.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising at least: a first waveguide; a second waveguide; and a diffractive element. The first waveguide guides a first band of onto the diffractive element such that the first band is diffracted at an mth non-zero order over a first range of angles. The second waveguide guides a second band onto the diffractive element such that the second band is diffracted at the mth non-zero over the first range of angles. The second waveguide guides a third band onto the diffractive element such that the third band is diffracted at the nth non-zero order over the first range of angles. Wavelengths of the first band, the second band, and the third band do not overlap with each other. The mth order and the nth order are different from each other.

Abstract: A spectrally encoded endoscopy optical device includes a bundle of multi-mode optical fibers that transmits light received from an imaging target to a spectrometer. A far field pattern of light transmitted through a fundamental mode of at least one of the multi-mode optical fibers is nonparallel to an optical axis of the spectrometer for reducing nonuniformity of the far field pattern at an input sensor of the spectrometer. For still further reduction of such nonuniformity, a far field pattern of light transmitted through a fundamental mode of the bundle of multi-mode optical fibers is nonparallel to an optical axis of the spectrometer.

Abstract: Exemplary apparatus, systems, methods of making, and methods of using a rotary junction are provided. A rotary junction having multiple channels is provided herein. The rotary junction has a first coupling optic and a second coupling optic where the rotating optical fiber or other waveguide comping from the first coupling optic passes through the second coupling optics.

Abstract: A spectrally encoded endoscopic probe. The probe has a light guiding component, a light focusing component, and a grating component. The probe is configured such that a set of light beams of multiple wavelengths are diffracted by the grating component in different orders at substantially the same angle. The set of light beams includes at least 3 light beams. Each light beam among the set of light beams is associated with a different wavelength.

Abstract: A spectrally encoded endoscopy optical device includes a bundle of multi-mode optical fibers that transmits light received from an imaging target to a spectrometer. A far field pattern of light transmitted through a fundamental mode of at least one of the multi-mode optical fibers is nonparallel to an optical axis of the spectrometer for reducing nonuniformity of the far field pattern at an input sensor of the spectrometer. For still further reduction of such nonuniformity, a far field pattern of light transmitted through a fundamental mode of the bundle of multi-mode optical fibers is nonparallel to an optical axis of the spectrometer.

Abstract: A Spectrally Encoded Forward View or Multi-View Endoscope, Probe, and Imaging Apparatus and system, and methods and storage mediums for use therewith, are provided herein. At least one apparatus or system may comprise a first waveguide; an optical system; and a diffraction grating. The first waveguide may be for guiding light from a light source to an output port of the first waveguide. The optical system may comprise at least a first reflecting surface and a second reflecting surface. The first reflecting surface may be arranged to reflect light from the output port of the first waveguide to the second reflecting surface. The second reflecting surface may be arranged to reflect light from the first reflecting surface back through the first reflecting surface to the diffraction grating. The diffraction grating may diffract light from the second reflecting surface in several lights/colors of non-zero diffraction orders in a first direction.

Abstract: An endoscopic probe includes a rotatable core for guiding first light from a first light source to a sample; a non-rotatable sheath arranged concentrically around the rotatable core; and a plurality of fibers surrounding the distal end of the non-rotatable sheath. The rotatable core includes a plurality of patterns built-in at the distal end thereof. Some of the fibers are used to detect the first light scattered by the sample, some fibers are used to irradiate the patterns with second light, and some fibers are used to collect the second light reflected from the patterns. The fibers are aligned with plurality of patterns to collect the reflected second light as the rotatable core rotates, and the rotation position of the rotatable core is determined by correlating intensity variation the reflected light with time collection. NURD of a SEE image is compensated based on the position information.

Abstract: An optical probe includes: a tubular shaft having an opening extending from a proximal end to a distal end, a light guiding component arranged in the opening of the tubular shaft; and a distal optics component arranged distally to the light guiding component at the distal end of the tubular shaft. The distal optics component has a beam directing surface aligned with an optical axis of the light guiding component and at least one surface directly bonded to the distal end of the light guiding component and/or to the distal end of the tubular shaft. A light beam transmitted through the light guiding component is directed and shaped by the beam directing surface of the distal optics component. The distal optics component is directly molded over the distal end of the light guiding component and at least partially inside the tubular shaft.

Abstract: Exemplary spectrally encoded probes are provided having forward view capabilities. These probes are configured such that the detection element comprises a plurality of light collecting components, where the distal ends at least partially surround the illumination element and the proximal ends form a linear array that is optically connected to a dispersive component.

Abstract: A grating element has an interface configured to cause light beams, include N visible color lights, incident to the interface to diffract at different orders. An imaging lens is configured to focus the N visible color lights diffracted by the grating element. A sensor is configured to receive and detect the focused N visible color lights. The focused N visible color lights include at least a first color light and a second color light. The first color light is diffracted in a first diffraction order and corresponds to a first wavelength resolution for the first color light. The second color light is diffracted in a second diffraction order and corresponds to a second wavelength resolution for the second color light. The first diffraction order is higher than the second diffraction order and the first wavelength resolution is smaller than the second wavelength resolution.

Abstract: A Spectrally Encoded Forward View or Multi-View Endoscope, Probe, and Imaging Apparatus and system, and methods and storage mediums for use therewith, are provided herein. At least one apparatus or system may comprise a first waveguide; an optical system; and a diffraction grating. The first waveguide may be for guiding light from a light source to an output port of the first waveguide. The optical system may comprise at least a first reflecting surface and a second reflecting surface. The first reflecting surface may be arranged to reflect light from the output port of the first waveguide to the second reflecting surface. The second reflecting surface may be arranged to reflect light from the first reflecting surface back through the first reflecting surface to the diffraction grating. The diffraction grating may diffract light from the second reflecting surface in several lights/colors of non-zero diffraction orders in a first direction.

Abstract: A spectrally encoded endoscopic probe. The probe has a light guiding component, a light focusing component, and a grating component. The probe is configured such that a set of light beams of multiple wavelengths are diffracted by the grating component in different orders at substantially the same angle. The set of light beams includes at least 3 light beams. Each light beam among the set of light beams is associated with a different wavelength.

Abstract: A grating element has an interface configured to cause light beams, include N visible color lights, incident to the interface to diffract at different orders. An imaging lens is configured to focus the N visible color lights diffracted by the grating element. A sensor is configured to receive and detect the focused N visible color lights. The focused N visible color lights include at least a first color light and a second color light. The first color light is diffracted in a first diffraction order and corresponds to a first wavelength resolution for the first color light. The second color light is diffracted in a second diffraction order and corresponds to a second wavelength resolution for the second color light. The first diffraction order is higher than the second diffraction order and the first wavelength resolution is smaller than the second wavelength resolution.

Abstract: A spectrally encoded endoscopic probe. The probe has a light guiding component, a light focusing component, and a grating component. The probe is configured such that a set of light beams of multiple wavelengths are diffracted by the grating component in different orders at substantially the same angle. The set of light beams includes at least 3 light beams. Each light beam among the set of light beams is associated with a different wavelength.

Abstract: An endoscopic probe extending from a proximal end to a distal end thereof, and configured to be inserted in a tubular lumen to observe a sample is disclosed. The probe includes a first waveguide enclosed within an inner sheath and extending from the proximal end to the distal end along an axis of the inner sheath; and a plurality of second waveguides having at least the distal ends thereof arranged in one or more rings around the inner sheath to surround the distal end of the first waveguide. At the distal end, the axis of each of the second waveguides is tilted with respect to the axis of the first waveguide by a tilt angle which can be adjustable. This novel endoscopic probe has a resultant numerical aperture larger than the numerical aperture of each of the second waveguides, and it may be applicable to forward-viewing spectrally encoded endoscopes (SEE).

Abstract: Two-dimensional image acquiring apparatuses, systems, methods and storage mediums are provided herein. An apparatus includes a Spectrally Encoded Endoscopy (“SEE”) probe including a diffractive element, the diffractive element operating to separate and diffract a transmitted light into separated light beams such that the diffracted light beams are superposed or substantially superposed on a target region; an image sensor that operates to acquire one or more intensities from a detected light; and an imaging optical system that operates to image light beams separated from the detected light, wherein the diffractive element, the imaging optical system, and the sensor are disposed for each of the light beams separated from the detected light to acquire spectral data of each of the light beams separated from the detected light. The diffractive element operates to rotate such that an image of the image sensor is changed, and a two-dimensional image is acquired.