A method of visually quantifying a test material along with an imaging
apparatus for practicing the method is disclosed. The method comprises:
(a) illuminating the test material at a known angle of incidence with
diffuse light of a known and adjustable polarization state; (b) receiving
light from the test material with a polarization state modified by the
test material; (c) measuring an intensity of the polarization components
of the received light for each illuminated pixel substantially
simultaneously; (d) calculating the Stokes Vector in two dimensions for
each illuminated pixel; and (e) creating an image map for the known
polarization state. The method may also include adjusting the known
polarization or the incident angle of the diffuse light to create
additional image maps. The method and apparatus are intended for use in
medical imaging including minimally invasive surgery.