Optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging systems having adaptable lens systems and related methods and computer program products

A scanning optical imaging system for imaging structures adjacent a posterior surface of a substantially spherical ball-lens device, the system comprising:

• a source of optical radiation having an associated source arm path;
• a sample arm having an associated sample arm path coupled to the source arm path, the sample arm delivering optical radiation from an output of the source to a first optical subsystem following the output of the source, at least one scanning mirror following the first optical subsystem, at least one optical element following the at least one scanning mirror, and the substantially spherical ball lens device following the at least one optical element;
• a non-zero working distance between the at least one optical element and the substantially spherical ball lens device,
• wherein the working distance between the at least one optical element and the substantially spherical ball lens device are configured to adjust such that a conjugate of the at least one scanning mirror is imaged interior to the substantially spherical ball lens device, posterior to an anterior surface of the substantially spherical ball lens device and anterior to the posterior surface of the substantially spherical ball lens device;
• and
• wherein the optical radiation from the output of the source is focused to an intermediate conjugate anterior to the substantially spherical ball lens device, wherefrom the intermediate conjugate of the optical radiation from the output of the source is focused to a region posterior to an image of the at least one scanning mirror and to a region adjacent the posterior surface of the substantially spherical ball lens device,
• wherein structures adjacent the posterior surface of the substantially spherical ball lens device include the subject under test.