Probes, and systems and methods for optically scanning a conical volume in
front of a probe, for use with an imaging modality, such as Optical
Coherence Tomography (OCT). A probe includes an optical fiber having a
proximal end and a distal end and defining an axis, with the proximal end
of the optical fiber being proximate a light source, and the distal end
having a first angled surface. A refractive lens element is positioned
proximate the distal end of the optical fiber. The lens element and the
fiber end are both configured to separately rotate about the axis so as
to image a conical scan volume when light is provided by the source.
Reflected light from a sample under investigation is collected by the
fiber and analyzed by an imaging system. Such probes may be very compact,
e.g., having a diameter 1 mm or less, and are advantageous for use in
minimally invasive surgical procedures.