本发明之一实施例系关于一种成像探头，其包括：一第一组件，其在一正向路径中供应电磁辐射用于照明该探头前方之空间之一前视场；一第二组件，其在一后向路径中供应电磁辐射用于照明该探头旁边之空间之一后视场；及一影像传感器。该探头进一步包含成像路径中之一成像设备，其使该前视场及该后视场成像至该影像传感器上。较佳地该正向路径、该后向路径及该等成像路径不被该探头之任意组件阻挡。较佳地，该前视场及该后视场在该影像传感器上以相对于彼此之一固定空间关系对准。此探头亦可结合现有内视镜或腹腔镜使用，使得其易于合并至不同制造商之当前仪器中，使得使用此产品更容易且更便宜，而无一全新内视镜检查或腹腔镜平台之开支。

One embodiment of the invention is directed to an imaging probe which comprises a first element supplying electromagnetic radiation in a forward path for illuminating a forward field of view of space in front of the probe, a second element supplying electromagnetic radiation in a rearward path for illuminating a back field of view of space alongside the probe and an image sensor. The probe further includes an imaging device in imaging paths imaging the forward and back fields of view onto the image sensor. Preferably the forward path, the rearward path and the imaging paths are unobstructed by any component of the probe. Preferably the forward and back fields of view are registered in a fixed spatial relationship relative to one another on the image sensor. This probe can also be used with existing endoscopes or laparoscopes so that it will be easily merged into current instruments of different manufacturers, making it easier and cheaper to use this product without the expense of a totally new endoscopy or laparoscope platform.