Patent US 5,200,838

An image acquisition system employs spaced lateral effect diodes for acquiring signals which are processed to generate signals indicative of a three dimensional image of an object. An endoscope is adapted for operation in association with an optical scanner which generates a beam of radiation tracing out a raster. The endoscope employs at least one optical channel comprising a bundle of coherent flexible optical fibers. Elemental photodetectors which may be mounted at either the distal end of the endoscope probe or the proximal end of the endoscope probe are employed for sensing reflected radiation and generating a video signal. The optical channel may also be employed for transmission of a therapy beam. The endoscope is capable of obtaining multi-spectral and multi-dimensional images of the tissue under examination.