Optical coherence tomography apparatus and methods

An optical coherence tomography imaging probe for imaging a sample, the probe comprising:

• an elongate body having a wall defining a bore, a proximal end and distal end;
• the elongate body adapted to enclose a portion of a single slidable optical fiber within the bore, the single optical fiber having a longitudinal axis;
• and a first optical assembly attached to a distal end of the single optical fiber, wherein the first optical assembly comprises a beam director adapted to direct light emitted from the distal end of the single optical fiber and receive light reflected from the sample;
• a linear actuator disposed at the proximal end of the elongated body, the actuator adapted to affect relative linear motion between the elongate body and the single optical fiber;
• and
• a second optical assembly attached to the wall at the distal end of the elongate body, the second optical assembly comprising a reflector in optical communication with the first optical assembly, the reflector positioned at a predetermined angle to the longitudinal axis, the reflector adapted to direct the light through the distal end of the elongate body, receive light reflected from the sample and transmit it through the single optical fiber.