Spatially offset hyperspectral imaging systems and methods thereof

Abstract

A method for spatially locating a target inside a sample and providing spectral information for imaging the target includes illuminating a light source onto a sample to produce a backscattered optical signal; spectrally scanning and detecting the backscattered optical signal at selected spectral increments using a rapid wavelength-tuning solid-state device; providing three-dimensional spectral information (x, y, wavelength) from the sample at a series of wavelengths of interest; spatially scanning the backscattered signal in a two-dimensional plane at selected spatial increments; providing three-dimensional spatial information (x, y, z) from the sample at a series of spatial dimensions of interest; and combining the three-dimensional spectral information and the three-dimensional spatial information to produce a four-dimensional (x, y, z, and wavelength) data hypercube for use in collecting data from inside the sample.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.