ENDOSCOPE
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An endoscope comprising:
- a first light source configured to illuminate biological tissue with light;
a first detector configured to detect macroscopic images and fluorescent images from the tissue by reflected light and fluorescent light induced in said tissue;
a second light source configured to illuminate the tissue with light;
a confocal microscopic waveguide configured to supply light from said second light source to said tissue and to supply microscopic fluorescent images of said tissue; and
a second detector configured to detect the microscopic fluorescent images from said confocal microscopic waveguide;
wherein light from said first light source and light from said second light source are transmitted to said tissue along different optical paths.
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Abstract
An endoscope comprising a first light source for illuminating biological tissue with light, a first detector for detecting macroscopic images and fluorescent images from the tissue by reflected light and fluorescent light induced in the tissue, a second light source for illuminating the tissue with light, a confocal microscopic waveguide for supplying light from the second light source to the tissue and for supplying microscopic fluorescent images of the tissue, and a second detector for detecting the microscopic fluorescent images from the confocal microscopic waveguide.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. An endoscope comprising:
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a first light source configured to illuminate biological tissue with light;
a first detector configured to detect macroscopic images and fluorescent images from the tissue by reflected light and fluorescent light induced in said tissue;
a second light source configured to illuminate the tissue with light;
a confocal microscopic waveguide configured to supply light from said second light source to said tissue and to supply microscopic fluorescent images of said tissue; and
a second detector configured to detect the microscopic fluorescent images from said confocal microscopic waveguide;
wherein light from said first light source and light from said second light source are transmitted to said tissue along different optical paths. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of inspecting a patient'"'"'s tissue by use of an endoscope, comprising:
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applying an exogenous contrast agent to the patient;
illuminating said tissue with said endoscope;
detecting with said endoscope a light image of said tissue;
detecting with said endoscope a macroscopic fluorescent image; and
detecting with said endoscope a microscopic confocal fluorescent image of said tissue. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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23. An endoscope comprising:
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a selector mechanism configured to select between a plurality of modes of operation, the modes of operation comprising;
a white light color mode of operation in which a color image of a patient'"'"'s tissue is obtained;
a macroscopic fluorescent mode in which a macroscopic fluorescent image of the tissue is obtained; and
a microscopic confocal fluorescent mode in which a microscopic fluorescent image of said tissue is obtained. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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27. A method of obtaining images of a patient with a single endoscope, the method comprising:
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administering an exogenous contrast agent to the patient; and
obtaining one or more of a white light color image, a macroscopic fluorescent image and a microscopic confocal fluorescent image of tissue of said patient.
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Specification