Imaging system, method and distal attachment for multidirectional field of view endoscopy

Abstract

An exemplary apparatus for imaging at least one anatomical structure can be provided. For example, the apparatus can include an endoscopic first arrangement, a radiation source second arrangement which provides at least one electro-magnetic radiation, and a third arrangement attached to at least one portion of the endoscopic arrangement. The third arrangement can contain an optical arrangement which, upon impact by the at least one electro-magnetic radiation and based thereon, may transmit a first radiation and reflects a second radiation. The first radiation can impact at least one first portion of the anatomical structure(s), and the second radiation can impact at least one second portion of the anatomical structure(s). The first and second portions can be at least partially different from one another. Further, the first and second radiations can have characteristics which are different from one another.

1 . An apparatus for imaging at least one anatomical structure, comprising:
 a radiation source arrangement which provides at least one electro-magnetic radiation;   an optical arrangement which, upon impact by the at least one electro-magnetic radiation and based thereon, transmits a first radiation and at least partially reflects a second radiation, wherein the first radiation impacts at least one first portion of the at least one anatomical structure, and the second radiation impacts at least one second portion of the at least one anatomical structure, the first and second portions being at least partially different from one another;   a detector arrangement which is associated with the radiation source arrangement; and   an electronic arrangement which is configured to synchronize the radiation source arrangement and the detector arrangement,   wherein the optical arrangement causes the first and second radiations to have characteristics which are different from one another, and   wherein the radiation source arrangement includes a modulation arrangement which is configured to alternate the first and second radiations.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the characteristics are wavelengths or polarizations. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the optical arrangement causes the first and second radiations to have spectral regions in red, green and blue band which do not substantially overlap with one another. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first radiation is directed in a forward direction, and wherein the second radiation is directed in a backward direction or a side direction. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the optical arrangement includes a cap that is connected to an end portion of the imaging probe first arrangement. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the optical arrangement causes the second radiation to simultaneously illuminate between 270 and 360 degrees of a field of view. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the radiation source arrangement includes a modulation arrangement which is configured to modulate the first and second radiations. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the electronic arrangement is configured to control the detector arrangement to detect signals from the at least one anatomical structure illuminated by the first and second radiations, and separate the signals based the synchronization with the modulation arrangement. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one anatomical structure is a luminal anatomical structure. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the optical third arrangement includes at least one opening which facilitates a passage of instrumentation, air gasses and fluids therethrough. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a tube associated with the optical arrangement, and provides a passage of instrumentation, air gasses and fluids therethrough. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second radiations has a specific polarization status. 
     
     
         15 . A method for imaging at least one anatomical structure, comprising:
 providing at least one electro-magnetic radiation using a radiation source arrangement;   synchronizing the radiation source arrangement and a detector arrangement which is associated with the radiation source arrangement;   transmitting a first radiation and at least partially reflects a second radiation upon an impact thereon by the at least one electro-magnetic radiation and based thereon using an optical arrangement;   alternating the first and second radiations, and causing the first and second radiations to have characteristics which are different from one another; and   causing an impact of (i) the first radiation on at least one first portion of the at least one anatomical structure, and (ii) the second radiation on at least one second portion of the at least one anatomical structure, the first and second portions being at least partially different from one another.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the first and second radiations are alternated by a modulator of the radiation source arrangement. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising detecting signals from the at least one anatomical structure illuminated by the first and second radiations with the detector arrangement, and separating the signals based the synchronization with the modulator. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising causing the first and second radiations to have spectral regions in red, green and blue band which do not substantially overlap with one another. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising directing the first radiation in a forward direction, and the second radiation is a backward direction or a side direction. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising causing the second radiation to simultaneously illuminate between 270 and 360 degrees of a field of view.