Methods and apparatus for imaging using a light guide bundle and a spatial light modulator

A method of making an viewing system comprising:

• a) providing a spatial light modulator;
• b) providing a light guide bundle having a proximal end and a distal end;
• and,
• c) placing the spatial light modulator in optical connection to the proximal end of the light guide bundle in a same conjugate image plane as the proximal end such that the spatial light modulator controls the location of light impinging on the proximal end.

A method of making a flexible endoscope system comprising:

• a) providing a spatial light modulator;
• b) providing a light guide bundle comprising at least 100 light guides having a proximal end and a distal end, at least the distal end of the light guide bundle disposed within an endoscope;
• c) placing the spatial light modulator in optical connection to the proximal end of the light guide bundle in a same conjugate image plane as the proximal end such that the spatial light modulator controls the location of light impinging on the proximal end;
• and,
• d) operably connecting a controller comprising computer-implemented programming to the spatial light modulator wherein the controller is able to set to an on-state groups of pixels of the spatial light modulator corresponding to cores of corresponding light guides in the light guide bundle to provide groups of on-pixels and able to set to an off-state pixels corresponding to inter-core areas of the light guide bundle to provide off-pixels.

A method of illuminating a target comprising:

• a) transmitting light from a light source to a proximal end of a light guide bundle via a spatial light modulator wherein the spatial light modulator transmits the light substantially only to cores of light guides in the light guide bundle;
• b) transmitting the light from the proximal end of the light guide bundle to a distal end of the light guide bundle and emitting the light from the distal end of the light guide bundle;
• and,
• c) illuminating the target with the light emitted from the distal end of the light guide bundle.

A method of obtaining an image of a target comprising:

• a) transmitting light from a light source via a spatial light modulator to a light guide bundle, then emitting the light from a distal end of the light guide bundle to illuminate the target and thereby cause light to emanate from the target to provide emanating light;
• b) collecting the emanating light that contacts the distal end of the light guide bundle;
• and
• c) transmitting the emanating light via the light guide bundle to a detector to provide an image of the target at the detector.