Method and apparatus for pseudo-projection formation for optical tomography

A method for multi-dimensional imaging of a specimen region, comprising the steps of:

• a) arranging at least two sets of illumination and image capturing systems in an arc about a specimen region;
• b) operating each set of illumination and image capturing systems to capture images from a continuum of parallel focal planes, where each of the continuum of parallel focal planes is within the specimen region and is substantially perpendicular to the incident light rays from one of said illumination and image capturing systems, such that a set of pseudo-projection images are simultaneously compiled from each of said illumination and image capturing systems, wherein each of the set of pseudo-projection images is produced during a single exposure of one of the illumination and image capturing systems and wherein each of the set of pseudo-projection images includes an integration of a range of focal plane images;
• and
• c) wherein the arc at least partially encircles the specimen region so that the set of pseudo-projection images is suitable for use in tomographic image reconstruction.

A method for multi-dimensional imaging of a specimen region, comprising:

• a) illuminating the specimen region;
• b) continuously sampling along an optical axis at a fixed viewpoint through the thickness of the specimen region to produce a pseudo-projection image of the specimen onto a two-dimensional array of detectors during a single exposure of the two-dimensional array of detectors, wherein the pseudo-projection image thus formed includes an integration of a range of focal plane images;
• and
• c) repeating steps a) and b for two or more viewpoints to produce a set of pseudo-projection images.