Angular depth resolved raman spectroscopy apparatus and method

A method for analyzing a tissue sample, comprising:

• using a light source to produce a light beam having one or more wavelengths of light that cause a tissue sample to produce Raman light signals upon interrogation of the tissue sample by the one or more wavelengths of light, wherein the light beam is oriented to impinge on an exposed surface of the tissue sample at a point of incidence (POI), and oriented so that the light beam enters the tissue sample at an oblique angle relative to the exposed surface of the tissue sample at the POI;
• collecting first Raman light signals at a first predetermined lateral distance from the POI and transferring the first Raman light signals to a light detector configured to receive said first Raman light signals and produce first light detector signals representative of the first Raman light signals, and collecting second Raman light signals at a second predetermined lateral distance from the POI and transferring the second Raman light signals to the light detector configured to receive said second Raman light signals and produce second light detector signals representative of the second Raman light signals;
• and
• analyzing the first light detector signals to produce information regarding the tissue sample at a first position within the sample, the first position located at a first lateral distance from the POI and at a first depth distance from the exposed surface, and analyzing the second light detector signals to produce information regarding the tissue at a second position within the sample, the second position located at a second lateral distance from the POI and at a second depth distance from the exposed surface, wherein the second lateral distance is greater than the first lateral distance and the second depth distance is greater than the first depth distance.