Abstract:
An apparatus for illuminating a sample(s) can be provided. For example, a first arrangement can transmit a first electro-magnetic radiation and a second electro-magnetic radiation; the first and second electro-magnetic radiations can have different wavelengths from one another. The first arrangement can transmit the first and second electro-magnetic radiations to different spatial locations on the sample(s). A second arrangement(s) can be configured to receive a third radiation(s) provided from the sample(s), the third radiation(s) can be associated with an interaction of the first and second electro-magnetic radiations in the sample(s). A processing third arrangement can be configured to receive, from the second arrangement, at least one fourth radiation that can be based on the third radiation(s), and generate information regarding a sub-surface portion(s) of the sample(s) based on the fourth radiation.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
       [0001]    This application relates to and claims priority from U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/758,130 filed Jan. 29, 2013 and U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/791,996 filed Mar. 15, 2013, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    This invention was made with Government support under grant number NIH 2R01HL076398-06 awarded by the National Institute of Health. The Government has certain rights therein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0003]    The present disclosure relates generally to exemplary methods and apparatus for providing mesoscopic optical imaging of structures in a catheter, and more particularly to exemplary embodiments of methods, systems and apparatus for providing and/or utilizing mesoscopic spectrally encoded tomography (MSET) of structures in a catheter. 
       BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
       [0004]    A majority of diseases arise within luminal organs such as the coronary arteries and the gastrointestinal tract. Understanding and diagnosis of these diseases can require knowledge of their gross and microscopic structure. 
         [0005]    An optical imaging catheter has become an important tool to assess and diagnose diseases arising from luminal organs. Since many of the mechanisms involving diseases occur on a microscopic scale, high-resolution imaging techniques have become relevant. Two important techniques for high-resolution imaging are optical frequency domain imaging (OFDI) and spectrally encoded confocal microscopy (SECM), where rotationally scanning catheters can be used for studying the cross-sectional and three-dimensional microstructure of luminal tissues. However, e.g., OFDI and SECM provide information at a maximum depth of 1-2 millimeters. Therefore, a method to perform optical imaging of structures located at greater depths would be valuable. 
         [0006]    To address this unmet need and advance catheter-based diagnosis, it may be possible to utilize other optical tomography techniques, such as, e.g., laminar optical tomography (LOT) or diffuse optical tomography (DOT). LOT facilitates imaging of absorbing or fluorescent contrast in tissues to depths of 2-3 millimeters, in the so-called mesoscopic regime. Meanwhile, the domain of DOT has been on the order of centimeters, with breast and brain as two of the more common tissues of interest. The resolution of LOT is 100-200 micrometers, whereas DOT exhibits a resolution of several millimeters. However, neither LOT nor DOT has been implemented as a catheter-based solution. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, there may be a need to address at least some of the above-described deficiencies. 
       SUMMARY OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0008]    It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide a catheter-based approach to perform mesoscopic optical tomography. In accordance with certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, exemplary methods and apparatus can be provided, which enable the implementation of spectrally encoded mesoscopic tomography of structures in a catheter. 
         [0009]    Another one of the objects of the present disclosure is to provide a catheter-based approach to perform optical tomography at greater depths, and more specifically in the mesoscopic regime. 
         [0010]    In order to perform mesoscopic optical tomography in a catheter, we propose to spectrally encode multiple wavelengths to generate different sources at specific spatial locations. Furthermore, we collect the information from each source separately by spectral-encoded detection of light coming out of the sample. A source-detector separation of, e.g., at most 10 mm can indicate that information from approximately 5 mm deep within the tissue can be collected, thus facilitating the assessment of the mesoscopic region. The exemplary technique can be flexible in terms of providing different source-detector arrangements by modifying the spectral encoding scheme. 
         [0011]    Catheter-based mesoscopic spectrally encoded tomography can be performed in conjunction with exemplary embodiments of the devices, apparatus and methods according to the present disclosure utilizing steady state, time-resolved, and/or frequency-resolved data. The utilization of such exemplary information facilitates a determination of the optical parameters of the sample. In an exemplary tomography setup according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, such data can facilitate a reconstruction of the domain under review. 
         [0012]    Further, according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a device/apparatus can be provided which can include a mesoscopic spectrally encoded tomography-optical frequency domain imaging/spectrally encoded confocal microscopy (MSET-OFDI/SECM) catheter that illuminates the tissues and collects signals from the inside of the lumen, a MSET-OFDI/SECM system which generates light sources, detects returning lights, and processes signals, and a MSET-OFDI/SECM rotary junction which rotates and pulls back the catheter and connects the moving catheter to the stationary system. In another exemplary embodiment, a dual-modality catheter system can be provided for simultaneous microstructural and deep imaging of arteries in vivo. Any of these embodiments can benefit from the use of steady state, time-resolved, and/or frequency-resolved data. 
         [0013]    For example, according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, an arrangement can provide electro-magnetic radiation to an anatomical structure through one optical fiber. Such exemplary arrangement can employ the same fiber to perform OFDI/SECM imaging, and an adjacent fiber for MSET. The arrangement can also include at least one apparatus, which is configured to transmit the radiation(s) via OFDI/SECM and MSET fiber(s) to and from the anatomical structure. 
         [0014]    The exemplary apparatus can be provided in an optical coherence tomography system. Further, a system can be provided which obtains information regarding the anatomical structure and deeper structural information based on the radiation(s) using spectrally encoded mesoscopic tomography. 
         [0015]    The exemplary apparatus can also be provided in a probe, a catheter, an eye box, an endoscope, etc. Further, at least one additional fiber can at least be located adjacent to the other fiber(s). In addition, at least one additional fiber can at least be located adjacent to the other fiber(s). Also, spectrally encoded mesoscopic tomography can be performed with at least one fiber with multiple cores. 
         [0016]    According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, method and computer-accessible medium can be provided for determining at least one characteristic of at least one structure or composition. Using such method and/or computer-accessible medium, it is possible to receive first data associated with the structure(s), where the first data include information which facilitates a correction of a physical parameter associated with the structure(s). Second data associated with at least one structure or composition can be received which is different from the first data. The first and second data can be obtained from substantially the same location on or in the structure(s). Further information associated with the second data can be ascertained based on the physical parameter. Then, the characteristic(s) of at least one structure or composition can be determined based on the further data. These data include at least one of the following: steady state, time-resolved, and frequency-resolved data. 
         [0017]    For example, the first data can include optical coherence tomography data. The second data can include mesoscopic spectrally encoded tomography data. The physical parameter can be the size of a deeply embedded tissue, internal structure, etc. The further information can include absorption and/or scattering properties of the tissue(s). The computer-accessible medium can include instructions. When the instructions are executed by a computer arrangement, the computer arrangement is configured to perform the above-described exemplary procedures. 
         [0018]    According to yet further exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, an arrangement can be provided for transmitting at least one electro-magnetic radiation between at least two separate waveguides in an optical fiber. Such exemplary arrangement can include at least one first waveguide, and at least one second waveguide, where the optical fiber, which contains the first waveguide(s) and/or the second waveguide(s), can be rotatable. At least one first optical arrangement can be provided which communicates with the first waveguide and/or the second waveguide to transmit the at least one electro-magnetic radiation there through. At least one second arrangement can be provided which is configured to rotate the first optical fiber which contains the first waveguide and/or the second waveguide. 
         [0019]    At least one fourth arrangement can also be provided which is configured to generate at least one image of a sample as a function of the first optical coherence tomography radiation and the second mesoscopic spectrally encoded tomography radiation. The generated image(s) can be provided for an anatomical structure (e.g., a lumen). 
         [0020]    According to further exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, an arrangement can be provided for performing exclusively mesoscopic spectrally encoded tomography in a single waveguide of an optical fiber. Mesoscopic spectrally encoded tomography can be performed by utilizing steady state, time-resolved, and frequency-resolved data. 
         [0021]    The exemplary MSET technique can be performed individually and in conjunction with optical frequency domain imaging (OFDI) or spectrally encoded confocal microscopy (SECM). According to certain exemplary embodiments, it is possible to provide system, apparatus and method to facilitate an acquisition of mesoscopic information from tissue by employing steady state, time-resolved, and/or frequency-resolved MSET data. 
         [0022]    These and other objects of the present disclosure can be achieved by provision of an apparatus for illuminating a sample(s) that can include, for example, a first arrangement that can transmit a first electro-magnetic radiation and a second electro-magnetic radiation, the first and second electro-magnetic radiations can have different wavelengths from one another. The first arrangement can transmit the first and second electro-magnetic radiations to different spatial locations on the sample(s). A second arrangement(s) can be configured to receive a third radiation(s) provided from the sample(s), the third radiation(s) can be associated with an interaction of the first and second electro-magnetic radiations in the sample(s). A processing third arrangement can be configured to receive, from the second arrangement, at least one fourth radiation that can be based on the third radiation(s), and generate information regarding a sub-surface portion(s) of the sample(s) based on the fourth radiation. 
         [0023]    In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the first and second arrangements can be spatially separated from one another. The separation can be by more than 1 mm, more than 2 mm, more than 5 mm, and/or more than 10 mm. The processing third arrangement(s) can generate the information by applying a diffuse, a mesoscopic tomography or a reconstruction procedure to obtain a composition or a structure of the at least one sub-surface portion. 
         [0024]    In certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the first arrangement and/or the second arrangement can include a waveguide arrangement. The waveguide arrangement can include an optical fiber arrangement, which can include a fiber bundle. The first arrangement and/or the second arrangement can include a dispersive optical arrangement. The first arrangement and/or the second arrangement can include a lens arrangement. In certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the first arrangement and/or the second arrangement can be provided in a housing, which can be structured to be provided into the sample(s) which can be an anatomical structure. The housing can be part of a catheter or an endoscope. 
         [0025]    In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, a fourth arrangement can be configured to receive a fifth electro-magnetic radiation from the second arrangement(s) that can be based on third radiation(s), the fourth arrangement can provide data that can be of reflectance confocal microscopy, SECM, OFDI, SD-OCT, FFOCM, 2 nd  and 3 rd  harmonic microscopy, fluorescence microscopy or RAMAN. A laser source can provide a source radiation for receipt by the first arrangement. In certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, a light modulating arrangement can be configured to modulate an intensity of the first and second electro-magnetic radiations, thereby modulating an intensity of the third radiation. The processing arrangement can obtain the intensity information regarding the modulation and a phase of the third radiation. The processing arrangement can utilize information regarding a modulation and a phase to generate further information regarding the sample(s). The further information can be tomographic information, structural information, compositional information or optical property information. 
         [0026]    These and other objects, features and advantages of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, when taken in conjunction with the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0027]    Further objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures showing illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure, in which: 
           [0028]      FIG. 1(   a ) is a side cross-sectional view of a mesoscopic spectrally encoded tomography-optical frequency domain imaging (MSET-OFDI) optical imaging catheter with a side-viewing ball lens, and a conventional diffractive element for MSET detection, according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0029]      FIG. 1(   b ) is a side cross-sectional view of a mesoscopic spectrally encoded tomography-optical frequency domain imaging (MSET-OFDI) optical imaging catheter with a side-viewing ball lens, and a grazing configuration of the diffractive element to facilitate deeper imaging in the MSET detection, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0030]      FIG. 2(   a ) is a side cross-sectional view of a mesoscopic spectrally encoded tomography-spectrally encoded confocal microscopy (MSET-SECM) optical imaging catheter with a reflective/diffractive component for SECM, and a diffractive element for MSET, according to still exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0031]      FIG. 2(   b ) is a side cross-sectional view of a mesoscopic spectrally encoded tomography-spectrally encoded confocal microscopy (MSET-SECM) optical imaging catheter, where both diffractive elements are used in a grazing configuration to permit deeper imaging, according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0032]      FIG. 3(   a ) is a side cross-sectional view of a standalone mesoscopic spectrally encoded tomography (MSET) optical imaging catheter with one source and multiple detectors according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0033]      FIG. 3(   b ) is a side cross-sectional view of a standalone mesoscopic spectrally encoded tomography (MSET) optical imaging catheter with multiple sources and multiple detectors according to a further exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0034]      FIG. 4(   a ) is a schematic diagram and a bench-top embodiment of a mesoscopic spectrally encoded tomography-optical frequency domain imaging (MSET-OFDI) system, the setup also represents a standalone MSET with one source and multiple detectors according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0035]      FIG. 4(   b ) is a schematic diagram and a bench-top embodiment of a mesoscopic spectrally encoded tomography-spectrally encoded confocal microscopy (MSET-SECM) system, the setup also represents a standalone MSET with multiple sources and multiple detectors according to a further exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0036]      FIG. 5(   a ) is an exemplary image of a tissue-mimicking phantom with one inclusion and the corresponding MSET experimental results by utilizing the exemplary methods, devices and apparatus according to the present disclosure; and 
           [0037]      FIG. 5(   b ) is an exemplary image of a tissue-mimicking phantom with two inclusions and the corresponding MSET experimental results by utilizing the exemplary methods, devices and apparatus according to the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
       [0038]    Throughout the figures, the same reference numerals and characters, unless otherwise stated, are used to denote like features, elements, components or portions of the illustrated embodiments. Moreover, while the subject disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the figures, it is done so in connection with the illustrative embodiments. It is intended that changes and modifications can be made to the described exemplary embodiments without departing from the true scope and spirit of the subject disclosure as defined by the appended claims. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0039]      FIG. 1(   a ) shows a side cross-sectional view of a mesoscopic spectrally encoded tomography-optical frequency domain imaging (MSET-OFDI) optical imaging catheter with a side-viewing ball lens, and a conventional diffractive element for MSET detection, according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, as shown in  FIG. 1(   a ), an MSET-OFDI system  100  is employed. A modulated broadband or swept-source light  102  is split  104  and delivered through a fiber  106 . Optical elements  108 ,  110 , and  112  (e.g., spacer and lenses) can be used to focus the light  114  onto the sample  116 . An arrangement of diffractive element  124 , lens  126 , spacer  128 , and output fiber  130 , can serve to spectrally detect  122  scattered light  120  coming from different depths within the sample. Information for Optical Frequency Domain Imaging  118  may be obtained from the output of fiber  106  after traversing the splitting unit. Steady state, time-resolved, and/or frequency-resolved data  134  can be obtained after spectral separation or photodetection  132  from the output MSET fiber  130 . MSET information, including a structural reconstruction, can be obtained from the OFDI processing unit output  136  and the steady state, time-resolved, and/or frequency-resolved data  134 . Exemplary elements in  FIG. 1(   a ) are as follows: MSET-OFDI system  100 , fiber  106 , 130 , spacer  108 , 128 , lens  110 , 126 , ball lens  112 , and diffractive element  124 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 1(   b ) shows a side cross-sectional view of the MSET-OFDI optical imaging catheter with a side-viewing ball lens, and a grazing configuration of the diffractive element to facilitate deeper imaging in the MSET detection, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, as shown in  FIG. 1(   b ), an MSET-OFDI system  100  is employed. A modulated broadband or swept-source light  102  is split  104  and delivered through a fiber  106 . Optical elements  108 ,  110 , and  112  (e.g., spacer and lenses) can be used to focus the light  114  onto the sample  116 . The arrangement of reflective element  140 , diffractive element  138 , lens  126 , spacer  128 , and output fiber  130 , can serve to spectrally detect  122  scattered light  120  coming from different depths within the sample. The diffractive element  138  can be used in a grazing configuration to enable wide spectral separation. Information for Optical Frequency Domain Imaging  118  may be obtained from the output of fiber  106  after traversing the splitting unit. Steady state, time-resolved, and/or frequency-resolved data  134  can be obtained after spectral separation or photodetection  132  from the output MSET fiber  130 . MSET information, including a structural reconstruction, can be obtained from the OFDI processing unit output  136  and the steady state, time-resolved, and/or frequency-resolved data  134 . Exemplary elements in  FIG. 1(   b ) are as follows: MSET-OFDI system  100 , fiber  106 , 130 , spacer  108 , 128 , lens  110 , 126 , ball lens  112 , reflective element  140 , and diffractive element  138  at grazing configuration. 
         [0041]      FIG. 2(   a ) shows a side cross-sectional view of the MSET-SECM optical imaging catheter with a reflective/diffractive component for SECM, and a diffractive element for MSET, according to still exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, as shown in  FIG. 2(   a ), an MSET-SECM system  200  is employed. A modulated broadband or swept-source light  202  is split  204  and delivered through a fiber  206 . With elements  208 ,  210 , and  212  (e.g., spacer, lens, and reflective/diffractive element), different wavelengths are encoded spectrally to generate multiple sources  214  at different spatial points on the sample  216 . The arrangement of diffractive element  224 , lens  226 , spacer  228 , and output fiber  230 , serve to spectrally detect  222  scattered light  220  coming from different depths within the sample. Information for Spectrally Encoded Confocal Microscopy  218  may be obtained from the output of fiber  206  after traversing the splitting unit. Steady state, time-resolved, and/or frequency-resolved data  234  may be obtained after spectral separation or photodetection  232  from the output MSET fiber  230 . MSET information, including a structural reconstruction, may be obtained from the SECM processing unit output  236  and the steady state, time-resolved, and/or frequency-resolved data  234 . Exemplary elements in  FIG. 2(   a ) are as follows: MSET-SECM system  200 , fiber  206 , 230 , spacer  208 , 228 , lens  210 , 226 , reflective/diffractive element  212 , and diffractive element  224 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 2(   b ) shows a side cross-sectional view of the MSET-SECM optical imaging catheter, where both diffractive elements are used in a grazing configuration to permit deeper imaging, according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, as shown in  FIG. 2(   b ), an MSET-SECM system  200  is employed. A modulated broadband or swept-source light  202  is split  204  and delivered through a fiber  206 . With elements  208 ,  210 ,  238 , and  240  (e.g., spacer, lens, reflective element, and diffractive element), different wavelengths can be encoded spectrally to generate multiple sources  214  at different spatial points on the sample  216 . The exemplary arrangement of diffractive element  242 , reflective element  244 , lens  226 , spacer  228 , and output fiber  230 , can serve to spectrally detect  222  scattered light  220  coming from different depths within the sample. Exemplary grazing configurations, both for input and output ports, can facilitate wide source-detector separations, and thus deeper imaging. Information for Spectrally Encoded Confocal Microscopy  218  may be obtained from the output of fiber  206  after traversing the splitting unit. Steady state, time-resolved, and/or frequency-resolved data  234  may be obtained after spectral separation or photodetection  232  from the output MSET fiber  230 . MSET information, including a structural reconstruction, may be obtained from the SECM processing unit output  236  and the steady state, time-resolved, and/or frequency-resolved data  234 . Exemplary elements in  FIG. 2(   b ) are as follows: MSET-SECM system  200 , fiber  206 , 230 , spacer  208 , 228 , lens  210 , 226 , reflective element  238 , 244 , and diffractive element  240 , 242  at grazing configuration. 
         [0043]      FIG. 3(   a ) shows a side cross-sectional view of a standalone mesoscopic spectrally encoded tomography (MSET) optical imaging catheter with one source and multiple detectors according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, as shown in  FIG. 3(   a ), a MSET system  300  is employed. A modulated broadband or swept-source light  302  is split  304 , delivered, and collected through a fiber  306 . A −45 deg. polarizer, followed by a 45 deg. polarization rotator can be used to selectively transmit light through a polarization sensitive splitting unit (e.g., components  308 ,  310 , and  314 ). Additionally, light reflected at the splitting unit can also be minimized. Elements  314 ,  316 ,  318 , and  320  (e.g., polarization sensitive splitting unit, spacer, 45 deg. polarization rotator, and 45 deg. polarizer) can function as one or more optical isolators. Lenses  312 ,  322 , and  324  can be used to relay and focus light  326  onto the sample  328 . The perpendicularly polarized component of the scattered light  330  can be spectrally detected  332  by the diffractive element, splitting unit, lens, rotator, and polarizer (see, e.g., components  334 ,  314 ,  312 ,  310 , and  308 ). A non-reciprocal element, such as a circulator, can be used to isolate the diffuse light. It is possible to use a diffractive element in a grazing configuration to enable wide spectral separation. Steady state, time-resolved, and/or frequency-resolved data  338  may be obtained after spectral separation or photodetection  336  from the output fiber  306 . MSET information, including a structural reconstruction, may be obtained from the steady state, time-resolved, and/or frequency-resolved data  338 . Exemplary elements in  FIG. 3(   a ) are as follows: MSET system  300 , fiber  306 , −/+45 deg. Polarizer  308 , 320 , 45 deg. polarization rotator  310 , 318 , lens  312 , 322 , polarization sensitive splitting unit  314 , diffractive element  334 , a spacer  316 , and ball lens  324 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 3(   b ) shows a side cross-sectional view of the MSET optical imaging catheter with multiple sources and multiple detectors according to a further exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, as shown in  FIG. 3(   b ), a MSET system  300  is employed. A modulated broadband or swept-source light  302  is split  304 , delivered, and collected through a fiber  306 . A −45 deg. polarizer, followed by a 45 deg. polarization rotator can be used to selectively transmit light through a polarization sensitive splitting unit (see, e.g., components  308 ,  310 , and  314 ). Additionally, light reflected at the splitting unit can also be reduced and/or minimized. Elements  314 ,  316 ,  318 , and  320  (e.g., polarization sensitive splitting, spacer, 45 deg. polarization rotator, and 45 deg. polarizer) can function as one or more optical isolators. Lenses  312 ,  322 , and  342  can be used to relay light. With spacer  340 , lens  342 , reflective element  344 , and diffractive element  346 , e.g., different wavelengths can be encoded spectrally to generate multiple sources  348  at different spatial points on the sample  328 . The perpendicularly polarized component of the scattered light  330  can be spectrally detected  332  by the diffractive element, splitting unit, lens, rotator, and polarizer (see, e.g., components  334 ,  314 ,  312 ,  310 , and  308 ). A non-reciprocal element, such as a circulator, can be used to isolate the diffuse light. Grazing exemplary configurations, both for input and output ports, can facilitate wide source-detector separations, and thus deeper imaging. Steady state, time-resolved, and/or frequency-resolved data  338  may be obtained after spectral separation or photodetection  336  from the output fiber  306 . MSET information, including a structural reconstruction, may be obtained from the steady state, time-resolved, and/or frequency-resolved data  338 . Exemplary elements in  FIG. 3(   b ) are as follows: MSET system  300 , fiber  306 , −/+45 deg. Polarizer  308 , 320 , 45 deg. polarization rotator  310 , 318 , lens  312 , 322 , 342 , polarization sensitive splitting unit  314 , diffractive element  346 , 334 , spacer  316 , 340 , and reflective element  344 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 4(   a ) shows a schematic diagram and a bench-top embodiment of the MSET-OFDI system, the setup also representing a standalone MSET system with one source and multiple detectors according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure. This exemplary configuration can be equivalent to the one employed with an exemplary MSET-OFDI system and can be utilized to study external organs or other bench-top samples. In particular, as shown in  FIG. 4(   a ), modulated broadband or swept-source light  402  is delivered through a fiber  400 , employed on the return path for Optical Frequency Domain Imaging. Optical elements  404 ,  408 ,  412 , and  416  (e.g., lenses, diffractive element, and splitting unit) can be used to collimate  406 , diffract (zero-order diffraction shown)  410 , split  414 , and focus the light  418  onto the sample  420 . An arrangement of lens  416 , splitting unit  412 , and diffractive element  432 , can serve to spectrally detect  430  scattered light  428  coming from different depths within the sample. The spectrally detected light  430  is collimated  434  and coupled  438 , through use of at least one lens  436 , into the output MSET fiber  440 . Information for OFDI may be obtained after the reflected light  418  from the sample is split  422 , diffracted  424 , and coupled  426  into the output OFDI fiber  400 . Steady state, time-resolved, and/or frequency-resolved data can be obtained after spectral separation or photodetection from the output MSET fiber  440 . Exemplary elements in  FIG. 4(   a ) are as follows: fiber  400 , 440 , lens  404 , 416 , 436 , splitting unit  412 , and diffractive element  408 , 432 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 4(   b ) shows a schematic diagram and an exemplary bench-top embodiment of the MSET-SECM system, the setup also representing a standalone MSET system with multiple sources and multiple detectors according to a further exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. This exemplary configuration can be equivalent to the one employed in an exemplary embodiment of the MSET-SECM system and may be used to assess external organs or other bench-top samples. In particular, as shown in  FIG. 4(   b ), modulated broadband or swept-source light  402  is delivered through a fiber  442 , utilized on the return path for Spectrally Encoded Confocal Microscopy. Optical elements  404 ,  408 ,  412 , and  416  (e.g., lenses, diffractive element, and splitting unit) can be used to collimate  406 , diffract  444 , split  446 , and focus the light  448  onto the sample  420 . An arrangement of lens  416 , splitting unit  412 , and diffractive element  432 , can serve to spectrally detect  430  scattered light  428  coming from different depths within the sample. The spectrally detected light  430  is collimated  434  and coupled  438 , through use of at least one lens  436 , into the output MSET fiber  440 . Information for SECM may be obtained after the reflected light  448  from the sample is split  450 , diffracted  452 , and coupled  454  into the output SECM fiber  442 . Steady state, time-resolved, and/or frequency-resolved data can be obtained after spectral separation or photodetection from the output MSET fiber  440 . Exemplary elements in  FIG. 4(   b ) are as follows: fiber  442 , 440 , lens  404 , 416 , 436 , splitting unit  412 , and diffractive element  408 , 432 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 5(   a ) illustrates an exemplary image of a tissue-mimicking phantom with one inclusion and the corresponding MSET experimental results by utilizing the exemplary methods, devices and apparatus according to the present disclosure.  FIG. 5(   b ) is an exemplary image of a tissue-mimicking phantom with two inclusions and the corresponding MSET experimental results by utilizing the exemplary methods, devices and apparatus according to the present disclosure. 
         [0048]    The foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the disclosure. Various modifications and alterations to the described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein. Indeed, the arrangements, systems and methods according to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can be used with and/or implement any OCT system, OFDI system, SD-OCT system or other imaging systems, and for example with those described in International Patent Application PCT/US2004/029148, filed Sep. 8, 2004 which published as International Patent Publication No. WO 2005/047813 on May 26, 2005, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/266,779, filed Nov. 2, 2005 which published as U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0093276 on May 4, 2006, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/501,276, filed Jul. 9, 2004 which published as U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0018201 on Jan. 27, 2005, and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2002/0122246, published on May 9, 2002, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous systems, arrangements, and procedures which, although not explicitly shown or described herein, embody the principles of the disclosure and can be thus within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. In addition, all publications and references referred to above can be incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. It should be understood that the exemplary procedures described herein can be stored on any computer accessible medium, including a hard drive, RAM, ROM, removable disks, CD-ROM, memory sticks, etc., and executed by a processing arrangement and/or computing arrangement which can be and/or include a hardware processors, microprocessor, mini, macro, mainframe, etc., including a plurality and/or combination thereof. In addition, certain terms used in the present disclosure, including the specification, drawings and claims thereof, can be used synonymously in certain instances, including, but not limited to, e.g., data and information. It should be understood that, while these words, and/or other words that can be synonymous to one another, can be used synonymously herein, that there can be instances when such words can be intended to not be used synonymously. Further, to the extent that the prior art knowledge has not been explicitly incorporated by reference herein above, it can be explicitly being incorporated herein in its entirety. All publications referenced above can be incorporated herein by reference.