Patent ID: 7019296

Claim:
A method for producing a volumetric image of a sample comprising the steps of: A) providing a near infrared imaging detection system and a visible imagery system, wherein said near infrared imaging detection system comprises: i) an illumination source for illuminating an area of a sample using light in the near infrared radiation wavelength; ii) a device for collecting a spectrum of near infrared wavelength radiation light transmitted, reflected, or emitted from said illuminated area of said sample and producing a collimated beam therefrom; iii) a near infrared imaging spectrometer for selecting a near infrared radiation image of said collimated beam; and iv) a detector for capturing said selected near infrared images; v) an algorithm for processing the near infrared images captured by the detector and visible image data captured from said area of said sample using said visible imagery system; B) moving said sample relative to an objective; C) collecting near infrared and visible images of said sample relative to said objective in a plurality of focus depths by repeating steps A–B; and D) processing said collected near infrared and visible images to reconstruct said volumetric image of said sample.