A simple and efficient biopsy scanner with improved z-axis resolution

An optical imaging apparatus with an improved axial resolution comprises at least one optical detection assembly (24) and at least one translation unit (26, 26a, 26b). The at least one translation unit (26, 26a, 26b) is configured to move the sample container and the at least one optical detection assembly (24) relative to each other in a first scanning direction (38) to obtain a plurality of first images of the sample. The apparatus further comprises a rotation unit (28), wherein t he rotation unit (28) is configured to either: i) rotate the at least one optical detection assembly around an axis of rotation by an angle of about 90 degrees such that a second scanning direction (48) is orthogonal to the first scanning direction (38) or ii) rotate the sample container around an axis of rotation by an angle of about 90 degrees such that the second scanning direction is parallel to the first scanning direction (38) . In both cases, the axis of rotation is perpendicular to a plane defined by the optical axis of the optical detection assembly (24) and the first scanning direction. Images acquired along the first and second scanning direction (38, 48) are combined to create a three-dimensional reconstruction of the sample