Spectrally encoded imaging using band-shifting imaging probes

A method of spectrally encoded fluorescence imaging for imaging a sample, the method comprising the steps of:

• labeling the sample with band-shifting florescence imaging probes, the band-shifting florescence imaging probes comprising fluorophores that exhibit excitation-dependent emission bands;
• providing a multi-wavelength excitation light source for fluorescent excitation of the labeled sample;
• introducing spectral encoding to the excitation light such that the different wavelengths of the excitation light are focused at different spatial positions in the sample thereby generating fluorescence at the different spatial positions;
• generating fluorescence exhibiting a band shift excited by the excitation light with different wavelengths, at the different spatial positions of the labeled sample, forming band-shifted fluorescence spectrums;
• and
• detecting image information encoded in the band-shifted fluorescence spectrums using detectors operable to resolve different wavelengths, thereby recording image signals of the sample at the different spatial positions.