Diagnostic spectrally encoded endoscopy apparatuses and systems and methods for use with same

A system for characterizing a sample, the system comprising:

• an apparatus for characterizing the sample, the apparatus including:
• (i) an interface including a light guiding component, and a motor;
• (ii) a spectral encoder including a light focusing component and a light dispersive component;
• and
• (iii) a speckle detector including a motion controller that operates to change a speed of the motor, and one or more processors that operates to calculate a speckle intensity autocorrelation function and/or process or perform laser speckle imaging (LSI);
• a light source that operates to send light to the light guiding component of the apparatus for characterizing the sample;
• a rotary junction connected to or with the interface of the apparatus;
• and
• a spectrometer including one or more detectors.

A method for characterizing a sample with speckle detection using a Spectrally Encoded Endoscopy (“SEE”) system, the method comprising:

• forming a SEE image of the sample;
• designating at least a partial region or line in the SEE image;
• calculating a speckle intensity autocorrelation function to determine a sample type in the designated region or line and/or performing or processing laser speckle imaging (LSI);
• and
• causing a display of the SEE system to display the sample type information together with the SEE image.