Fluorescence scope system for dermatologic diagnosis
DCFirst Claim
1. A binocular viewing apparatus comprising a frame adapted to be worn on the head of a user, the frame comprising first and second light filters fixedly mounted on either side of the frame, the first filter positioned to transmit a first independent fluorescence image to a first eye of the user and the second filter positioned to transmit a second independent fluorescence image to a second eye of the user, wherein each filter blocks at least light having a wavelength of about 442 nm or less and each filter is a band pass filter that passes the fluorescence light in at least two different selected wavelength bands.
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Abstract
Apparatus for the diagnosis of a skin disease site by visual fluorescence inspection comprising an excitation light source for illuminating the disease site, a light guide for transmitting the excitation light directly to the disease site to generate fluorescence light and viewing goggles for processing the excitation light reflected and the fluorescence light emitted from the disease site to provide a fluorescence image of the disease site to a user. The fluorescence image is used to aid the medical assessment of skin conditions and the diagnosis of cutaneous diseases by supplementing the visual assessment of skin lesions made by the naked eye. The apparatus can be used in several modes of operation that permit the viewing of full color fluorescence images and enhanced two color images. The apparatus can also use image intensifying equipment to amplify fluorescence light so that even very weak fluorescing objects can be seen. A method for acquiring and viewing the fluorescence images is also disclosed.
223 Citations
35 Claims
- 1. A binocular viewing apparatus comprising a frame adapted to be worn on the head of a user, the frame comprising first and second light filters fixedly mounted on either side of the frame, the first filter positioned to transmit a first independent fluorescence image to a first eye of the user and the second filter positioned to transmit a second independent fluorescence image to a second eye of the user, wherein each filter blocks at least light having a wavelength of about 442 nm or less and each filter is a band pass filter that passes the fluorescence light in at least two different selected wavelength bands.
- 10. Apparatus as claimed 9 in which the first and second light filters comprise first and second band pass filters, the first band pass filter passing fluorescence light at a first wavelength band to the first image intensifier and the second band pass filter passing fluorescence light at a second wavelength band to the second image intensifier.
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23. Apparatus for diagnosis of skin disease sites by visual fluorescence inspection comprising:
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an excitation light source for providing excitation light for illuminating the disease site; means for transmitting the excitation light directly to the disease site to generate fluorescence light; and means for processing the excitation light reflected and the fluorescence light emitted from the disease site to provide a fluorescence image of the disease site to a user, wherein the means for processing comprises first and second band pass filters, each filter blocking the excitation light and passing the fluorescence light in at least two different preselected wavelength bands, wherein each filter is arranged in either side of binocular frames to transmit an independent fluorescence image to each eye of the user. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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32. A method of evaluating a potential human skin disease site by visual inspection comprising the steps of:
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illuminating the disease site with a excitation light under conditions suitable and for a time sufficient to generate fluorescence light in the skin disease site; passing the fluorescence light through at least one band pass light filter that passes the fluorescence light in at least two different selected wavelength bands, the at least one filter mounted in a binocular frame that is adapted to be disposed on the head of a user, the at least one filter blocking at least light having a wavelength of about 442 nm or less, thereby blocking the excitation light reflected from the disease site and transmitting the fluorescence light emitted from the disease site to at least one eye of the user to provide a transmitted fluorescence image; and viewing and evaluating the transmitted fluorescence image. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35)
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Specification