Three-Dimensional Imaging Using Swept, Confocally Aligned Planar Excitation

An imaging apparatus comprising:

• a first set of optical components having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the first set of optical components includes an objective disposed at the distal end of the first set of optical components;
• a second set of optical components having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the second set of optical components includes an objective disposed at the distal end of the second set of optical components, wherein the second set of optical components has a first magnification in a first radial direction and a second magnification in a second radial direction that is perpendicular to the first radial direction, and wherein the first magnification is at least 1.5 times the second magnification;
• a scanning element that is disposed proximally with respect to the proximal end of the first set of optical components and proximally with respect to the proximal end of the second set of optical components,
• wherein the scanning element is arranged to route a sheet of excitation light so that the sheet of excitation light will pass through the first set of optical components in a proximal to distal direction and project into a sample that is positioned distally beyond the distal end of the first set of optical components, wherein the sheet of excitation light is projected into the sample at an oblique angle, and wherein the sheet of excitation light is projected into the sample at a position that varies depending on an orientation of the scanning element,
• wherein the first set of optical components routes detection light from the sample in a distal to proximal direction back to the scanning element, and
• wherein the scanning element is also arranged to route the detection light so that the detection light will pass through the second set of optical components in a proximal to distal direction and form an intermediate image plane at a position that is distally beyond the distal end of the second set of optical components;
• and
• a light detector array arranged to capture images of the intermediate image plane.