Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus (10) for reliable quantitative measurement of a fluorescent blood analyte in tissue (12) comprising: at least one light source (14), the light source (14) emitting excitation light at least at a first wavelength range between 350 nm and 450 nm to the tissue (12); a detection unit (16), the detection unit (16) measuring: a) a portion of the fluorescent light emitted by the fluorescent blood analyte excited at the first wavelength range; and b) a portion of the auto fluorescence emitted by the tissue (12); and/or c1) a portion of the remitted excitation light at the first wavelength range, and c2) a portion of the remitted light at a second wavelength range; and a control unit (18), the control unit (18) operating the light source (14) and detection unit (16). The present invention is further directed to a method for quantitative measurement of a fluorescent blood analyte in tissue (12).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for noninvasive measurement of a fluorescent analyte concentration in the blood of a patient by exciting the blood and the analyte at two wavelength ranges and measuring the emission spectrum of the fluorescent analyte when (i) the difference of emission intensities at the excitation wavelength ranges of the fluorescent analyte is greater than that of background fluorophores, and (ii) when blood absorbance at the two excitation wavelength ranges is similar. An apparatus and method for measurement of a fluorescent analyte concentration in the blood of a patient is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for noninvasive measurement of a fluorescent analyte concentration in the blood of a patient by exciting the blood and the analyte at two wavelength ranges and measuring the emission spectrum of the fluorescent analyte when (i) the difference of emission intensities at the excitation wavelength ranges of the fluorescent analyte is greater than that of background fluorophores, and (ii) when blood absorbance at the two excitation wavelength ranges is similar. An apparatus and method for measurement of a fluorescent analyte concentration in the blood of a patient is provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus (10) for reliable quantitative measurement of a fluorescent blood analyte in tissue (12) comprising: at least one light source (14), the light source (14) emitting excitation light at least at a first wavelength range between 350 nm and 450 nm to the tissue (12); a detection unit (16), the detection unit (16) measuring: a) a portion of the fluorescent light emitted by the fluorescent blood analyte excited at the first wavelength range; and b) a portion of the auto fluorescence emitted by the tissue (12); and/or c1) a portion of the remitted excitation light at the first wavelength range, and c2) a portion of the remitted light at a second wavelength range; and a control unit (18), the control unit (18) operating the light source (14) and detection unit (16). The present invention is further directed to a method for quantitative measurement of a fluorescent blood analyte in tissue (12).

Abstract: A fluorescence diagnosis system has a viewing system at least one light source and a camera system. The at least one light source can be operated in three modes, a first generating white light, a second with a first fluorescence excitation light of a first excitation wavelength and a third in which a second fluorescence excitation light of a second excitation wavelength is generated producing a fluorescence image in the NIR range. The camera system is sensitive at least in the visible and the NIR range. The system further comprises an image processing system for converting the fluorescence image in the NIR range into a visible image.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for noninvasive measurement of a fluorescent analyte concentration in the blood of a patient by exciting the blood and the analyte at two wavelength ranges and measuring the emission spectrum of the fluorescent analyte when (i) the difference of emission intensities at the excitation wavelength ranges of the fluorescent analyte is greater than that of background fluorophores, and (ii) when blood absorbance at the two excitation wavelength ranges is similar. An apparatus and method for measurement of a fluorescent analyte concentration in the blood of a patient is provided.

Abstract: In a method for controlling a multi-color output of an image of a medical object for assisting medical personnel, the medical object is illuminated with light with an illumination spectrum. By means of an image sensor, image data are acquired for a group of one or more color channels. Image information concerning an additional color channel, which is not among the group of one or more color channels, is generated depending on the acquired image data. An image output device for multi-color output of the image is controlled depending on the acquired image data and the acquired image information.

Abstract: In a method for controlling a multi-color output of an image of a medical object for assisting medical personnel, the medical object is illuminated with light with an illumination spectrum. By means of an image sensor, image data are acquired for a group of one or more color channels. Image information concerning an additional color channel, which is not among the group of one or more color channels, is generated depending on the acquired image data. An image output device for multi-color output of the image is controlled depending on the acquired image data and the acquired image information.

Abstract: A method for generating at least one section of a virtual 3D model of a body interior, in particular a hollow organ, uses data that are provided by at least one endoscope introduced into the body interior. The data comprise at least one position and orientation of the endoscope, the at least one position and orientation being assigned at least one distance between the endoscope and the at least one point on a surface of the body interior, and at least one endoscopic image of the surface of the body interior in the region of the at least one point on the surface of the body interior. From the said data relating to a number of different positions and orientations of the endoscope is/are generated the section or sections of the 3D model in superposition with the associated endoscopic image. An appropriate apparatus is also described.

Abstract: A method for generating at least one section of a virtual 3D model of a body interior, in particular a hollow organ, uses data that are provided by at least one endoscope introduced into the body interior. The data comprise at least one position and orientation of the endoscope, the at least one position and orientation being as signed at least one distance between the endoscope and the at least one point on a surface of the body interior, and at least one endoscopic image of the surface of the body interior in the region of the at least one point on the surface of the body interior. From the said data relating to a number of different positions and orientations of the endoscope is/are generated the section or sections of the 3D model in superposition with the associated endoscopic image. An appropriate apparatus is also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a confocal microendoscope, in which the diameter of optical fibres at the proximal end (8) of an optical fibre bundle (9) is greater than at the distal end (15). This permits the efficiency of coupling the light of a light source to be increased, without reducing the resolution of the microendoscope. In addition, the proximal ends (8) of the optical fibres (10) are arranged in a grid, for example, by means of a fibre receiving unit (11) that holds the individual optical fibres. A microlens unit (13) can also be provided, said unit allocating a microlens (14) to each optical fibre end.

Abstract: A fluorescence diagnosis system has a viewing system at least one light source and a camera system. The at least one light source can be operated in three modes, a first generating white light, a second with a first fluorescence excitation light of a first excitation wavelength and a third in which a second fluorescence excitation light of a second excitation wavelength is generated producing a fluorescence image in the NIR range. The camera system is sensitive at least in the visible and the NIR range. The system further comprises an image processing system for converting the fluorescence image in the NIR range into a visible image.

Abstract: An endoscopic or microscopic apparatus for diagnosis by means of a light-induced reaction in biologic tissue “in vivo” which is created by a photo-amboceptor or by autofluorescence is provided. The inventive apparatus is characterized by the feature that at least one reference wavelength &lgr;r is provided which is longer by up to 2&Dgr;&lgr; at maximum or smaller than the wavelength &lgr;s at the point of intersection.

Abstract: A method of and a device for the endoscopic fluorescence diagnosis of tissue, wherein the tissue is exposed to stimulating light via an endoscope for stimulation of fluorescence, which stimulating light is suitable, on account of its spectral distribution, to stimulate at least two different fluorescence modes in the tissue without filter switching in the stimulation beam path, and wherein the fluorescence light of the different fluorescence modes can be selectively observed.

Abstract: A device for “in vivo” diagnosis by means of a photosensibilisator light-induced reaction or a reaction caused by intrinsic fluorescence in biological tissue, having an illumination system, which is provided with at least one light source having a lamp system which generates incoherent light in a wavelength range of at least 380 to 680 nm, a light delivering unit which directs the light of said illumination system at the therapy and/or to-be-diagnosed tissue area, and an imaging, image-recording and image-transmitting unit which images the light coming from said tissue area in a proximal image plane.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing various laser wavelengths from the same laser medium by means of resonator mirrors. In accordance with the apparatus any desired, given combination of laser wavelengths can be brought to emission simultaneously or at least in very rapid alternation (switching time 1 ms) with the use of standard resonator mirrors linearly arranged outside of a laser medium, with part of at least one of the resonator mirrors being configured so that it serves as resonator limitation for a certain laser wavelength or wavelength group but another part of the at least one of the resonator mirrors constitutes an intracavity element for the respective other wavelength(s) or wavelength group(s).