Three-dimensional imaging using swept, confocally aligned planar excitation with an image relay

1. An imaging apparatus comprising:

a first set of optical components having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the first set of optical components includes a first objective disposed at the distal end of the first set of optical components;

a bidirectional beam relay disposed at the distal end of the first set of optical components, wherein the beam relay has a proximal end, and wherein the first objective is disposed adjacent to the proximal end of the beam relay, wherein both angle and position information of incoming light arriving at the beam relay is preserved in outgoing light that exits the beam relay;

a second set of optical components having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the second set of optical components includes a second objective disposed at the distal end of the second set of optical components;

a scanning element that is disposed proximally with respect to the proximal end of the first set of optical components and proximally with respect to the proximal end of the second set of optical components,

wherein the scanning element is arranged to route a sheet of excitation light so that the sheet of excitation light will pass through the first set of optical components in a proximal to distal direction, pass through the beam relay in a proximal to distal direction, and project into a sample that is positioned distally beyond the distal end of the beam relay, wherein the sheet of excitation light is projected into the sample at an oblique angle with respect to the optical axis of the beam relay, and wherein the sheet of excitation light is projected into the sample at a position that varies depending on an orientation of the scanning element,

wherein the beam relay and the first set of optical components route detection light from the sample in a distal to proximal direction back to the scanning element, and

wherein the scanning element is also arranged to route the detection light so that the detection light will pass through the second set of optical components in a proximal to distal direction and form an intermediate image plane at a position that is distally beyond the distal end of the second set of optical components; and

a light detector array arranged to capture images of the intermediate image plane.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the beam relay has a distal end, and wherein the distal end of the beam relay is disposed adjacent to the objective.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the beam relay comprises a GRIN lens.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the beam relay comprises a Hopkins rod lens telescope.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the beam relay comprises a glass lens endoscope.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a light redirector positioned to redirect at least one of the excitation light and the detection light so that a path of the excitation light and a path of the detection light are parallel.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the beam relay comprises a plurality of beam relay segments and a plurality of articulating joints, wherein each of the articulating joints is disposed between adjacent beam relay segments, and wherein each of the articulating joints comprises at least one optical element configured to redirect light between the adjacent beam relay segments.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the scanning element is integrated into one of the articulating joints.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a tool that is movable between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein when the tool is moved to the extended position, a tip of the tool is positioned within a field of view of the imaging apparatus,

wherein the excitation light exits the first set of optical components in a sideways-facing direction with respect to a proximal-to-distal axis of the first set of optical components.