A scanning endoscope, amenable to both rigid and flexible forms, scans a
beam of light across a field-of-view, collects light scattered from the
scanned beam, detects the scattered light, and produces an image. The
endoscope may comprise one or more bodies housing a controller, light
sources, and detectors; and a separable tip housing the scanning
mechanism. The light sources may include laser emitters that combine
their outputs into a polychromatic beam. Light may be emitted in
ultraviolet or infrared wavelengths to produce a hyperspectral image. The
detectors may be housed distally or at a proximal location with gathered
light being transmitted thereto via optical fibers. A plurality of
scanning elements may be combined to produce a stereoscopic image or
other imaging modalities. The endoscope may include a lubricant delivery
system to ease passage through body cavities and reduce trauma to the
patient. The imaging components are especially compact, being comprised
in some embodiments of a MEMS scanner and optical fibers, lending
themselves to interstitial placement between other tip features such as
working channels, irrigation ports, etc.