Optical assay system for intraoperative assessment of tumor margins

A system for imaging a sample, the system comprising:

• a biological sample containment and illumination apparatus for holding a biological sample for illumination by a plurality of electromagnetic radiation probes, the biological containment and illumination apparatus comprising a plurality of frame members positioned with respect to each other to form an interior space for receiving a biological sample, wherein at least one of the plurality of frame members includes a plurality of probe receiving locations for receiving a plurality of electromagnetic radiation probes and for positioning the probes with respect to the biological sample to allow illumination of plural locations of the biological sample by the probes;
• a plurality of electromagnetic radiation probes for illuminating the plural locations of the biological sample via the probe receiving locations with electromagnetic radiation generated by an electromagnetic radiation source and for detecting electromagnetic radiation reflected from or emitted by the biological sample via the probe receiving locations;
• a detector coupled to the probes for receiving electromagnetic radiation signals indicative of the electromagnetic radiation detected by the probes and for converting the electromagnetic radiation signals to electrical signals;
• and
• a processor coupled to the detector for receiving the electrical signals and for determining, based on the electrical signals an indication of a physical property of the biological sample.