Fluorescence endoscopy video systems with no moving parts in the camera
First Claim
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1. A fluorescence endoscopy video system including:
- a multi-mode light source for producing white light, fluorescence excitation light or fluorescence excitation light with a reference reflectance light;
an endoscope for directing the light from the light source into a patient to illuminate a tissue sample and to collect reflected light or fluorescence light produced by the tissue;
a camera positioned to receive the light collected by the endoscope, the camera including;
a low light image sensor having integrated filters with color output;
one or more filters positioned in front of the low light color image sensor for selectively blocking light with wavelengths below 470 nm and transmitting visible light with wavelengths greater than 470 nm; and
one or more optical imaging components that project images onto the low light color image sensor;
an image processor/controller that receives image signals from the low light color image sensor and combines and interpolates image signals from pixels having filters with the same integrated filter characteristics to fluorescence or reflectance light and then encodes the images as video signals; and
a color video monitor for displaying superimposed video images from the pixels of the low light image sensor.
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Abstract
A fluorescence endoscopy video system includes a multi-mode light source that produces light for white light and fluorescence imaging modes. Light from the light source is transmitted through an endoscope to the tissue under observation. The system also includes a compact camera for white light and fluorescence imaging, which may be located in the insertion portion of the endoscope, or attached to the portion of the endoscope outside the body. The camera can be utilized for both white light imaging and fluorescence imaging, and in its most compact form, contains no moving parts.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A fluorescence endoscopy video system including:
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a multi-mode light source for producing white light, fluorescence excitation light or fluorescence excitation light with a reference reflectance light;
an endoscope for directing the light from the light source into a patient to illuminate a tissue sample and to collect reflected light or fluorescence light produced by the tissue;
a camera positioned to receive the light collected by the endoscope, the camera including;
a low light image sensor having integrated filters with color output;
one or more filters positioned in front of the low light color image sensor for selectively blocking light with wavelengths below 470 nm and transmitting visible light with wavelengths greater than 470 nm; and
one or more optical imaging components that project images onto the low light color image sensor;
an image processor/controller that receives image signals from the low light color image sensor and combines and interpolates image signals from pixels having filters with the same integrated filter characteristics to fluorescence or reflectance light and then encodes the images as video signals; and
a color video monitor for displaying superimposed video images from the pixels of the low light image sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for producing white light and/or autofluorescence images at video frame rates, comprising:
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a light source that produces blue light for fluorescence excitation and reference reflectance light or modified white light with reduced green and red content for white light imaging;
an endoscope for delivering light from the light source to an in-vivo tissue sample;
a camera positioned at the distal tip of the endoscope;
the camera including;
a low light color image sensor; and
a filter that substantially blocks reflected excitation light from reaching the low light image sensor; and
an image processor/controller coupled to the low light color image sensor that produces red, green, and blue reflectance images from images acquired by the low light color image sensor in response to the modified white light and autofluorescence and reflectance images from images acquired by the low light color image sensor in response to blue excitation light and reference reflectance light, wherein said processor selectively outputs red, green and blue reflectance images for white light imaging or an autofluorescence image and a reflectance image for fluorescence/reflectance imaging.
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16. A system for producing white light and/or autofluorescence images at video frame rates, comprising:
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a light source that produces blue light for fluorescence excitation or a modified white light with reduced green and red content for white light imaging;
an endoscope for delivering light from the light source to an in-vivo tissue sample;
a camera positioned at the distal tip of the endoscope;
the camera including;
a low light color image sensor; and
a filter that substantially blocks reflected blue light from reaching the low light color image sensor; and
an image processor/controller coupled to the low light color image sensor that produces images from light passing through different pass-bands of a filter positioned in front of, or integral with, the low light color image sensor in response to illumination of the tissue sample with the modified white light and autofluorescence images created from light passing through different pass-bands of the filter in response to illumination of the tissue sample with blue excitation light, wherein said image processor/controller selectively outputs images created in response to the modified white light to a color monitor to produce a composite white light image or autofluorescence images to a color monitor.
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Specification