Endoscopic polarized multispectral light scattering scanning method

A method of spectral analysis of light reflected from a surface of an esophagus, the method comprising:

• obtaining, with an imager, at least one video image of at least one site of the surface of the esophagus;
• illuminating, with light from an optical probe, the at least one site with polarized and collimated light having a first polarization;
• processing reflected light from the at least one site to obtain at least one spectrum;
• analyzing, with a processor, the at least one spectrum to determine wavelength-dependent values of a reduced scattering coefficient for a sub-epithelial region of the at least one site;
• determining at least one indicator of at least one abnormal change at the at least one site from the wavelength-dependent values of the reduced scattering coefficient;
• and
• presenting a representation of the at least one video image in association with the at least one indicator.

An apparatus for obtaining characteristics of a surface of an esophagus, the apparatus comprising:

• an endoscope;
• an optical probe configured to be inserted into the endoscope, wherein the probe is moveable and rotatable with respect to the endoscope, the probe comprising:
• polarization and collimation optics configured to illuminate at least one portion of the esophagus with polarized collimated light having a first polarization, and
• light collection optics configured to receive light backscattered by the at least one portion as a result of the illumination;
• at least one spectrometer configured to generate at least one spectrum from the received light;
• an imager configured to capture at least one image of the at least one portion;
• an analysis unit configured to analyze the at least one spectrum to determine wavelength-dependent values of a reduced scattering coefficient for a sub-epithelial region of the at least one portion and to detect at least one abnormal morphological change of the at least one portion;
• and
• a user interface configured to present to a user information comprising the at least one image in association with at least one visual representation of the at least one abnormal morphological change.