the present invention is related to a system for optical coherence tomographic imaging of turbid materials utilizing multiple channels of information . the multiple channels of information may be comprised and encompass spatial , angle , spectral and polarization domains . more specifically , the present invention is related to methods and apparatus for utilizing optical sources , systems or receivers capable of providing , processing or recording a multiplicity of channels of spectral information for optical coherence tomographic imaging of turbid materials . in these methods and apparatus the multiplicity of channels of spectral information that can be provided by the source , processed by the system , or recorded by the receiver are used to convey simultaneously spatial , spectral or polarimetric information relating to the turbid material being imaged tomographically . the multichannel optical coherence tomographic methods can be incorporated into an endoscopic probe for imaging a patient . the endoscope comprises an optical fiber array and can comprise a plurality of optical fibers adapted to be disposed in the patient . the optical fiber array transmits the light from the light source into the patient , and transmits the light reflected by the patient out of the patient . the plurality of optical fibers in the array are in optical communication with the light source . the multichannel optical coherence tomography system comprises a detector for receiving the light from the array and analyzing the light . the methods and apparatus may be applied for imaging a vessel , biliary , gu and / or gi tract of a patient .