Substantially monostatic, substantially confocal optical systems for examination of samples

Abstract

The present invention relates to systems and methods for examining a sample using a substantially monostatic, substantially confocal optical system comprising transmitting optics that focus an illuminating light upon the sample and receiving optics that collect light emitted from the sample following illumination thereof. In certain embodiments, the receiving optics may be arranged circumferentially around the light path traversed by the illuminating light. In certain embodiments, video apparatus may be included to produce images or to align the system in proximity to the target tissue. The systems and methods of the present invention may be directed towards the examination of a body tissue to provide a medical diagnosis.

1 - 51 . (canceled)  
     
     
         52 . An apparatus for examining a sample, comprising: 
 an optical probe capable of illuminating a sample; and    a substantially monostatic, substantially confocal optical system comprising transmitting optics adapted to direct illumination upon the sample, and receiving optics adapted to collect light emitted from the sample following illumination thereof.    
     
     
         53 . The apparatus of  claim 52 , wherein the illuminating optics are disposed around a circumference of a light path for receiving light emitted from the sample.  
     
     
         54 . The apparatus of  claim 52 , further comprising a barrier element adapted to inhibit scattered illumination from entering the receiving optics.  
     
     
         55 . The apparatus of  claim 52 , wherein the apparatus is adapted to bring illuminating light to a focus point at a location in the sample, and wherein the apparatus is adapted to collect light emitted from the location as a result of illumination with the illuminating light.  
     
     
         56 . The apparatus of  claim 52 , wherein the illuminating light is provided by a broadband source and the emitted light comprises backscattered light.  
     
     
         57 . The apparatus of  claim 52 , wherein the illuminating light is provided by a laser and wherein the light emitted from the sample comprises fluorescence.  
     
     
         58 . The apparatus of  claim 57 , wherein the laser is a Nd:YAG laser.  
     
     
         59 . A method for diagnosing a medical condition, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a substantially monostatic, substantially confocal optical probe comprising transmitting optics and collecting optics, wherein the transmitting optics are disposed around a circumference of a light path for receiving light emitted from a body tissue;    illuminating the body tissue;    collecting light emitted from the body tissue;    measuring a set of data related to the collected light; and    diagnosing a medical condition using the set of data.    
     
     
         60 . An apparatus for examining a sample comprising: 
 an optical probe capable of illuminating a sample;    an optical system comprising transmitting optics adapted to direct illumination upon the sample, wherein the illuminating light comprises broadband light, and receiving optics adapted to collect light emitted from the sample following illumination thereof; and    a barrier adapted to inhibit scattered illumination from entering the receiving optics.    
     
     
         61 . The apparatus of  claim 60 , wherein the optical system comprises a substantially monostatic, substantially confocal optical system.  
     
     
         62 . The apparatus of  claim 60 , wherein the receiving optics comprises components separate and distinct from the transmitting optics.  
     
     
         63 . The apparatus of  claim 60 , wherein the receiving optics are arranged circumferentially around a light path for the illumination.  
     
     
         64 . The apparatus of  claim 60 , wherein the illuminating optics are arranged circumferentially around a light path for receiving light emitted from the sample.  
     
     
         65 . The apparatus of  claim 60 , wherein the sample comprises cervical tissue.  
     
     
         66 . The apparatus of  claim 60 , further comprising a system for obtaining video information of the sample.  
     
     
         67 . The apparatus of  claim 66 , wherein the video information is used for at least one of focusing the probe and positioning the probe.