Fluoroscopic apparatus

• US 5,701,903 A
• Filed: 06/22/1995
• Issued: 12/30/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Sano, Hiroshi, Adachi, Rensuke
• Primary Examiner(s): Lateef, Marvin M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHAW, SHAWNA JEANNINE
• Application Number:
  US08/493,680
• Time in Patent Office: 922 Days
• Field of Search: 128/665, 128/664, 128/634, 600/109, 600/112, 600/153, 600/160, 600/168, 600/172, 600/178, 600/181, 348/45, 348/47, 348/49, 348/54, 348/65, 348/68, 348/72-76
• US Class Current: 600/478
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00186 with imaging filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/043 for fluorescence imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0638 providing two or more wavelengths
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0646 with illumination filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0071 by measuring fluorescence emission
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence

Abstract

A fluoroscopic apparatus in which an object image formed by an objective optical system provided at a front end of an insertion portion of an endoscope is transmitted to an ocular optical system through a first bundle of image guiding optical fibers to view the object image includes an excitation light filter which permits light having a wavelength band for exciting fluorescence from an object to be viewed to pass therethrough. The excitation light filter is retractably inserted in an optical path of illuminating light with which the object is illuminated. A beam splitter is provided in the ocular optical system to split the object image transmitted to the ocular optical system into an image for normal observation and for an image for fluorescence observation. A second bundle of image guiding optical fibers is provided in an optical path of the image for fluorescence observation to transmit the image to an image intensifier. Another filter for fluorescence observation is provided in the optical path of the image to permit light having a wavelength band other than the wavelength band which can pass through the excitation light filter to pass therethrough.

Claims

1. A fluoroscopic apparatus in which an object image formed by an objective optical system provided at a front end of an insertion portion of an endoscope is transmitted to an ocular portion through a first bundle of image guiding optical fibers to view the object image, comprising;

an excitation light filter which permits light having a wavelength band for exciting fluorescence from an object to be viewed to pass therethrough, said excitation light filter being retractably inserted in an optical path of illuminating light with which the object is illuminated;

a beam splitter provided in the ocular portion to split the object image transmitted to the ocular portion through said first bundle of image guiding optical fibers into an image for normal observation and an image for fluorescence observation;

a first image pickup device provided for receiving said image for normal observation, said first image pickup device being positioned behind said beam splitter in an optical path for normal observation extending from said beam splitter;

a first image forming lens in said optical path for normal observation disposed between said beam splitter and said first image pickup device, said first image forming lens converging and forming an object image of light transmitted through said beam splitter;

an optical path of the image for fluorescence observation extending from said beam splitter to a second image pickup device;

an image intensifier disposed outside said ocular portion and within said optical path for florescence observation;

a second bundle of image guiding optical fibers provided in said optical path of the image for fluorescence observation to transmit the image from said beam splitter to said image intensifier;

a second image forming lens in said optical path for fluorescence observation disposed between said beam splitter and said image intensifier, said second image forming lens converging and forming an object image of light transmitted through said beam splitter onto a receiving surface of said second bundle of image guiding optical fibers;

a filter for fluorescence observation, provided in the optical path of the image for fluorescence observation to permit light having a wavelength band other than the wavelength band which can pass through the excitation light filter to pass therethrough; and

a second image pickup device positioned in said optical path for fluorescence observation behind said image intensifier to receive an image intensified by said image intensifier.

2. A fluoroscopic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least said beam splitter and said second bundle of image guiding optical fibers are detachably attached to the ocular optical system.

3. A fluoroscopic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the images for normal observation and fluorescence observation split by the beam splitter are shown on a same monitor.

4. A fluoroscopic apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the images for normal observation and fluorescence observation, shown on the same monitor have substantially a same size.

5. A fluoroscopic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said excitation light filter comprises a rotatable filter having a transparent portion which permits light of all wavelengths to pass therethrough and a filter portion which permits light having a wavelength band for exciting fluorescence from an object to be viewed to pass therethrough.

6. A fluoroscopic apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a first shutter provided in the normal observation optical path, a second shutter provided in the fluorescences optical path, and control means for opening and closing the first and second shutters in synchronization with the rotation of the rotating filter.