Arrangements, devices, endoscopes, catheters and methods for performing optical imaging by simultaneously illuminating and detecting multiple points on a sample

Abstract

Devices, arrangements, endoscopes, catheters and methods adapted to propagate at least one electro-magnetic radiation are provided. In particular, a waveguide apparatus specifically configured may be utilized to split the electro-magnetic radiation into a plurality of beams that are intended to illuminate a biological sample, and impart a unique associated characteristic unto each of the beams. The beams may be intended to illuminate a biological sample at distinct locations, and impart a unique associated characteristic unto each of the beams. In addition, a control apparatus may be provided which is configured to control at least one of the fibers and which can be input to the fibers so as to modify the unique associated characteristics of the beams being propagated along the fibers, and thereby modify the characteristics of the distinct locations on the sample.

1 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . An arrangement adapted to propagate at least one electro-magnetic radiation, comprising:
 a waveguide apparatus which includes a structure that is specifically configured to split the at least one electro-magnetic radiation into a plurality of beams that are intended to illuminate a biological sample, wherein the waveguide apparatus includes a circularly-cylindrical waveguide; and   a computer processing arrangement configured to receive information regarding the beams, and generate at least one image of at least one portion of the biological sample based on the information.   
     
     
         32 . The arrangement according to  claim 31 , wherein the structure is specifically configured to impart at least one unique associated characteristic unto each of the beams. 
     
     
         33 . The arrangement according to  claim 31 , wherein the beams have a substantially the same wavelength. 
     
     
         34 . The arrangement according to  claim 31 , wherein the beams produce orders of rings on the biological sample. 
     
     
         35 . The arrangement according to  claim 31 , wherein the circularly-cylindrical waveguide is at least one fiber. 
     
     
         36 . A method for propagating at least one electro-magnetic radiation, comprising:
 using a structure of a waveguide apparatus, split the at least one electro-magnetic radiation into a plurality of beams that are intended to illuminate a biological sample, wherein the structure includes a circularly-cylindrical waveguide; and   using a computer processing arrangement, receiving information regarding the beams, and generating at least one image of at least one portion of the biological sample based on the information.   
     
     
         37 . The method according to  claim 36 , further comprising, with the structure, imparting at least one unique associated characteristic unto each of the beams. 
     
     
         38 . The method according to  claim 36 , wherein the beams have a substantially the same wavelength. 
     
     
         39 . The method according to  claim 36 , further comprising, with the beams, producing orders of rings on the biological sample. 
     
     
         40 . The method according to  claim 36 , wherein the circularly-cylindrical waveguide is at least one fiber.