Patent ID: 6507687
Filing Date: 2003-01-14
Classification: A61B,G02B

Abstract:
Imaging apparatus for generating an optically sectioned image of a specimen, the imaging apparatus comprising:a first light source; a second light source; a fiber optic bundle having a first end and a second end and arranged such that scattered first source light that has been scattered from said specimen when illuminated by the first light source and scattered second source light that has been scattered from said specimen when illuminated by the second light source is collected at the second end and is guided to the first end; a lens system for focusing light from the second end of the fiber optic bundle onto said specimen and for focusing light scattered from said specimen to the second end of the fiber optic bundle; and an analyzer for receiving light from the first end of the fiber optic bundle scattered first source light and scattered second source light and for extracting an optically sectioned image of said specimen from both the scattered first source light and the scattered second source light wherein the fiber optic bundle is adapted to apply structure to light from the first light source that is guided by the fiber optic bundle to said specimen and wherein the second light source and the fiber optic bundle are arranged such that either the fiber optic bundle applies a structure to light from the second light source incident on said specimen which is different to the structure applied by the fiber optic bundle to light from the first light source or the fiber optic bundle applies no structure to light from the second light source incident on said specimen.