Methods and apparatus for forward-directed optical scanning instruments

An optical imaging system comprising:

• a light source;
• a sample illuminator in communication with said light source and positioned to illuminate a sample;
• a probe having a housing, said housing having a longitudinal axis, a first ends a second end, and an outer surface, said sample illuminator at least partially located within said housing;
• a scanning mechanism at least partially positioned in said probe housing and comprising a scanning device selected from the group consisting of a rotating elliptical knob, a wire controlled pivot, a pneumatic device, a rigid tube under tension or an electrostatic device, wherein said device is in communication with an optical element, said optical element selected from a group consisting of a lens, a fiber, said lens and fiber, and a beam deflection element such that actuation of the device causes a beam of light emitted from said sample illuminator to scan said sample;
• a reference arm adjustable to select a predetermined depth within said sample;
• a beam splitter positioned to direct light from said light source to both said sample illuminator and said reference arm;
• a sample light collector disposed apart from said sample illuminator and positioned to collect reflected light altered by said sample from said predetermined depth within said sample;
• a detector generating a signal in response to incident light;
• a beam combiner positioned to direct light from said sample light collector and said reference arm to said detector, said detector generating a signal in response to said combined light;
• and
• a processor in electrical communication with said detector, said processor producing an image in response to said signal from said detector.

An optical imaging system comprising:

• a light source;
• a sample illuminator in communication with said light source and positioned to illuminate a sample;
• a probe having a housing, said housing having a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end, said sample illuminator at least partially located within said housing;
• a scanning mechanism at least partially positioned in said probe housing and comprising at least one lens and an electro-optic beam deflector, said scanning mechanism causing a beam of light emitted from said sample illuminator to scan said sample;
• a reference arm adjustable to select a predetermined depth within said sample;
• a beam splitter positioned to direct light from said light source to both said sample illuminator and said reference arm;
• a sample light collector disposed apart from said sample illuminator and positioned to collect reflected light altered by said sample from said-predetermined depth within said sample;
• a detector generating a signal in response to incident light;
• a beam combiner positioned to direct light from said sample light collector and said reference arm to said detector, said detector generating a signal in response to said combined light;
• and
• a processor in electrical communication with said detector, said processor producing an image in response to said signal from said detector.

An optical imaging system comprising:

• a light source;
• a sample illuminator in communication with said light source and positioned to illuminate a sample;
• a probe having a housing, said housing having a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end, said sample illuminator at least partially located within said housing;
• a scanning mechanism at least partially positioned in said probe housing and comprising a mirror movable in at least one axis, said scanning mechanism causing a beam of light emitted from said sample illuminator to scan said sample;
• a reference arm adjustable to select a predetermined depth within said sample;
• a beam splitter positioned to direct light from said light source to both said sample illuminator and said reference arm;
• a sample light collector disposed apart from said sample illuminator and positioned to collect reflected light altered by said sample from said-predetermined depth within said sample;
• a detector generating a signal in response to incident light;
• a beam combiner positioned to direct light from said sample light collector and said reference arm to said detector, said detector generating a signal in response to said combined light;
• and
• a processor in electrical communication with said detector, said processor producing an image in response to said signal from said detector.

An optical imaging system comprising:

• a light source;
• a sample illuminator in communication with said light source and positioned to illuminate a sample;
• a probe having a housing, said housing having a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end, said sample illuminator at least partially located within said housing and being attached to a surgical instrument having an operating tip;
• a scanning mechanism at least partially positioned in said probe housing and comprising a scanning device selected from the group consisting of a rotating elliptical knob, a piezoelectric transducer, a wire-controlled pivot, a pneumatic device, a rigid tube under tension or an electrostatic device, wherein said device is in communication with an optical element, said optical element selected from a group consisting of a lens, a fiber, said lens and fiber, and a beam deflection element such that actuation of the device causes a beam of light emitted from said sample illuminator to scan said sample;
• a reference arm adjustable to select a predetermined depth within said sample;
• a beam splitter positioned to direct light from said light source to both said sample illuminator and said reference arm;
• a sample light collector disposed apart from said sample illuminator and positioned to collect reflected light altered by said sample from said predetermined depth within said sample;
• a detector generating a signal in response to incident light;
• a beam combiner positioned to direct light from said sample light collector and said reference arm to said detector, said detector generating a signal in response to said combined light;
• and
• a processor in electrical communication with said detector, said processor producing an image of the region of said operating tip scanned by light emitted from said probe in response to said signal from said detector.

An optical imaging system comprising:

• a light source;
• a sample illuminator in communication with said light source and positioned to illuminate a sample;
• a probe having a housing, said housing having a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end, said sample illuminator at least partially located within said housing;
• a scanning mechanism at least partially positioned in said probe housing and comprising a scanning device selected from the group consisting of a rotating elliptical knob, a piezoelectric transducer, a wire-controlled pivot, a pneumatic device, a rigid tube under tension or an electrostatic device, wherein said device is in communication with an optical element, said optical element selected from a group consisting of a lens, a fiber, said lens and fiber, and a beam deflection element such that actuation of the device causes a beam of light emitted from said sample illuminator to scan said sample;
• a surgical laser fiber located within said probe housing, said surgical laser capable of incising, coagulating, or disrupting a portion of the sample;
• a reference arm adjustable to select a predetermined depth within said sample;
• a beam splitter positioned to direct light from said light source to both said sample illuminator and said reference arm;
• a sample light collector disposed apart from said sample illuminator and positioned to collect reflected light altered by said sample from said predetermined depth within said sample;
• a detector generating a signal in response to incident light;
• a beam combiner positioned to direct light from said sample light collector and said reference arm to said detector, said detector generating a signal in response to said combined light;
• and
• a processor in electrical communication with said detector, said processor producing an image of the region to be illuminated by said surgical laser in response to said signal from said detector.

An optical imaging system comprising:

• a light source;
• a sample illuminator in communication with said light source and positioned to illuminate a sample, said sample illuminator comprising:
• a housing defining a bore;
• an illumination optical fiber having a first end and a second end, said first end located within said bore and said second end in optical communication with said light source;
• an optical train having a first and second end and located within said bore;
• a beam splitter positioned adjacent said second end of said optical train;
• one or more viewing optical components positioned to receive light passing through said beam splitter from said optical train;
• and
• scanning optics positioned to receive light reflected by said beam splitter from said optical train;
• a probe having a housing comprising a laparoscope defining a bore, said sample illuminator at least partially located within said housing;
• a scanning mechanism at least partially positioned in said probe housing, said scanning mechanism causing a beam of light emitted from said sample illuminator to scan said sample;
• a reference arm;
• a sample light collector positioned to collect light altered by said sample;
• a detector generating a signal in response to incident light;
• a beam combiner positioned to direct light from said sample light collector and said reference arm to said detector, said detector generating a signal in response to said combined light;
• and
• a processor in electrical communication with said detector, said processor producing an image in response to said signal from said detector.