The present invention is related to a
system for optical coherence tomographic imaging of turbid (i.e., scattering) materials utilizing multiple channels of information. The multiple channels of information may be comprised and encompass spatial, angle, spectral and polarization domains. More specifically, the present invention is related to methods and apparatus for utilizing optical sources, systems or receivers capable of providing (source),
processing (
system) or recording (
receiver) a multiplicity of channels of spectral information for optical coherence tomographic imaging of turbid materials. In these methods and apparatus the multiplicity of channels of spectral information that can be provided by the source, processed by the
system, or recorded by the
receiver are used to convey simultaneously spatial, spectral or polarimetric information relating to the turbid material being imaged tomographically. The multichannel optical coherence tomographic methods can be incorporated into an endoscopic probe for imaging a patient. The
endoscope comprises an
optical fiber array and can comprise a plurality of optical fibers adapted to be disposed in the patient. The
optical fiber array transmits the light from the
light source into the patient, and transmits the light reflected by the patient out of the patient. The plurality of optical fibers in the array are in
optical communication with the
light source. The multichannel
optical coherence tomography system comprises a
detector for receiving the light from the array and analyzing the light. The methods and apparatus may be applied for imaging a vessel, biliary, GU and / or GI tract of a patient.