Abstract: A system for generating multi-wavelength fluorescence and reflectance images includes a single multi-mode light source for producing both multi-wavelength excitation light for fluorescence imaging and illumination light having red, green and blue components, light source filters positioned stationarily during an imaging mode and transmitting substantially all the multi-wavelength excitation light intensity and selectively transmitting a predetermined portion of one or more of the red, green and blue component intensity. A camera receiving light collected from a tissue sample includes two color image sensors, with spectral filters positioned in front of the color image sensors. The corresponding filters block excitation light and transmit at the first color image sensor reflectance light at wavelengths other than the excitation light, and transmit at the second color image sensor multi-wavelength fluorescence light at wavelengths other than the multi-wavelength excitation light.

Abstract: A system for performing short wavelength imaging with a broadband illumination source includes an image processor that receives signals from a color image sensor. The image processor reduces the contribution of red illumination light to an image by computing blue, green, and blue-green (cyan) color components of display pixels from the signals received from the image sensor. The blue, green, and cyan color component values are coupled to inputs of a color monitor for display to produce a false color image of the tissue.

Abstract: A fluorescence endoscopy video system includes a multi-mode light source that produces light for white light and fluorescence imaging modes. A filter is positioned at the distal end of an imaging endoscope so that the endoscope can produce fluorescence and white light images of a tissue sample.

Abstract: A fluorescence endoscopy video system includes a multi-mode light source that produces light for white light and fluorescence imaging modes. A filter is positioned at the distal end of an imaging endoscope so that the endoscope can produce fluorescence and white light images of a tissue sample.

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.

Abstract: A lightweight hand-held skin abnormality detection system includes a source of excitation light that causes tissue under examination to produce fluorescence light. The fluorescence light produced along with the beam of reference light is provided to a beam splitter which divides the fluorescence light and the reference light into separate optical channels. Each optical channel produces an image of the tissue under examination. A passive optical combiner superimposes the image produced by each optical channel for viewing by a user.

Abstract: An imaging system for white light and fluorescence endoscopy that includes an automatic gain control circuit 30 that adjusts the brightness of an image produced based on distribution of pixel intensities in one or more video frames. The magnitude of the image signals produced by a pair of high sensitivity imaging devices such as intensified CCD transducers are compared to a number of reference thresholds. A time-over-threshold counter (112) determines the number of pixels in the image signals having magnitudes greater than or less than the reference thresholds. The distribution of pixel intensities is supplied to a decision tree algorithm (116) that determines whether the gain of the-intensified CCD transducers (44a, 44b) used to produced the autofluorescence images or the intensity of the excitation light produced by a light source (36) should be increased or decreased.

Abstract: An imaging system for white light and fluorescence endoscopy that includes an automatic gain control circuit 30 that adjusts the brightness of an image produced based on distribution of pixel intensities in one or more video frames. The magnitude of the image signals produced by a pair of high sensitivity imaging devices such as intensified CCD transducers are compared to a number of reference thresholds. A time-over-threshold counter (112) determines the number of pixels in the image signals having magnitudes greater than or less than the reference thresholds. The distribution of pixel intensities is supplied to a decision tree algorithm (116) that determines whether the gain of the-intensified CCD transducers (44a, 44b) used to produced the autofluorescence images or the intensity of the excitation light produced by a light source (36) should be increased or decreased.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for imaging diseases in tissue are presented. The apparatus employs a light source for producing excitation light to excite the tissue to generate autofluorescence light and for producing illumination light to generate reflected and back scattered light (remittance light) from the tissue. Optical sensors are used to receive the autofluorescence light and the remittance light to collect an autofluorescence light image and a remittance light image. A filter acts to integrate the autofluorescence image over a range of wavelengths in which the autofluorescence intensity for normal tissue is substantially different from the autofluorescence intensity for diseased tissue to establish an integrated autofluorescence image of the tissue. The remittance light image provides a background image to normalize the autofluorescence image to account for image non-uniformity due to changes in distance, angle and illumination intensity.

Abstract: Apparatus for imaging diseases in tissue comprising a light source for generating excitation light that includes wavelengths capable of generating characteristic autofluorescence for abnormal and normal tissue. A fiber-optic illuminating light guide is used to illuminate tissue with light that includes at least the excitation light thereby exciting the tissue to emit the characteristic autofluorescence. An imaging bundle collects emitted autofluorescence light from the tissue. The autofluorescence light is filtered into spectral bands in which the autofluorescence intensity for abnormal tissue is substantially different from normal tissue and the autofluorescence intensity for abnormal tissue is substantially similar to normal tissue. An optical system is used to intercept the filtered autofluorescence light to acquire at least two filtered emitted autofluorescence images of the tissue.

Abstract: A system for detecting cancerous or precancerous lesions directs light produced from a mercury arc lamp into an illumination guide of an endoscope. Autofluorescence light produced by the tissue under examination is divided into red and green spectral bands by a dichroic mirror. Light in the red and green spectral band is applied to a pair of image intensified CCD cameras. The output of the camera that receives light in the red spectral band is coupled to a red video input of a color video monitor. Light produced by the camera that receives light in the green spectral band is coupled to the blue and green video inputs of the video monitor. The system produces a false color display, whereby healthy tissue appears cyan in color and cancerous or precancerous lesions appear reddish in color. The image displayed allows the operator to see the lesions within the context of the underlying tissue structures.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for imaging diseases in tissue are presented. The apparatus employs a light source for producing excitation light to excite the tissue to generate autofluorescence light and for producing illumination light to generate reflected and back scattered light (remittance light) from the tissue. Optical sensors are used to receive the autofluorescence light and the remittance light to collect an autofluorescence light image and a remittance light image. A filter acts to integrate the autofluorescence image over a range of wavelengths in which the autofluorescence intensity for normal tissue is substantially different from the autofluorescence intensity for diseased tissue to establish an integrated autofluorescence image of the tissue. The remittance light image provides a background image to normalize the autofluorescence image to account for image non-uniformity due to changes in distance, angle and illumination intensity.