Imaging with an 'optical brush'

New imaging system uses an open-ended bundle of optical fibers: No lenses, protective housing needed.

Date: February 12, 2016
Source: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Summary:
A new imaging device has been developed that consists of a loose bundle of optical fibers, with no need for lenses or a protective housing. The fibers are connected to an array of photosensors at one end; the other ends can be left to wave free, so they could pass individually through micrometer-scale gaps in a porous membrane, to image whatever is on the other side.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/02/160212130514.htm

It looks like this technique has a way to go before if finds real-world applications, but they mainly seem like the remaining steps are mostly just the application of existing materials, software, and processes, so perhaps it might only be a year or two away? I'll try to check back on this one with a web search a year from now to see if there are any updates.