Abstract: The invention relates to a medical inspection apparatus (1), such as a microscope or endoscope, and to a medical inspection method such as microscopy or endoscopy. Visible image data (11) representing a visible-light image (49) and fluorescence image data (12) representing a fluorescent-light image (51) and a pseudocolor (70, 71) are merged to give an improved visual rendition of an object (2) which comprises at least one fluorophore (6) to mark special features of the object (2). This is accomplished in that an image processing unit (18) of the microscope (1) or endoscope is configured to compute a color (ro, go, bo) of an output pixel (54) in the pseudocolor image (53) from at least one pseudocolor (rp, gp, bp), a color (ri, gi, bi) of a first input pixel (50) in the visible-light image (49) and an intensity (f) of a second input pixel (52) in the fluorescent-light image (51).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an illumination filter system (2) for medical imaging, in particular multispectral fluorescence imaging, as performed e.g. in a microscope (1) or endoscope, such as a surgical microscope, in particular a surgical multispectral fluorescence microscope, comprising a first optical filter (35). The present invention also relates to an observation system (3) for medical imaging, in particular multispectral fluorescence imaging, as performed e.g. in a microscope (1) or endoscope, in particular a multispectral fluorescence microscope, comprising a beam splitter (21) adapted to split a light image (13) into a first light portion (16, 17) along a first light path (18) and a second light portion (20) along a second light path (19).

Abstract: Method for automatically setting at least a unit parameter for a medical unit or unit part with parameter values relating to a particular user. According to the method, a user is identified, a corresponding parameter set is selected and unit parameters are set with the selected parameter set. The preceding steps are only implemented when an authentication signal for activating the identification, selection and setting processes is received or present. The authentication signal can be based on use of a user priority database. The invention also relates to a corresponding medical unit and medical system.

Abstract: The invention relates to an illumination system (10) for a fluorescence microscope (3) for observation of an object (17) containing at least one fluorophore (19), to a microscope (1) and to a microscope method for illumination of an object (17) comprising at least one fluorophore (19). Solutions of the art have the disadvantage that orientation within an object (17) is difficult and visibility of fluorescing regions of the object (17) is non satisfying.

Abstract: Medical observation apparatus (1) and method for observing an object or patient (67) in an operation area (21). Solutions of the art (3, 5) do not allow displaying further information, are expensive, bulky and non-intuitive.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, an image processor (26) and a medical observation device (1), such as a microscope or endoscope, for observing an object (4) containing a bolus of at least one fluorophore (12). The object (4) is preferably live tissue comprising several types (16, 18, 20) of tissue. According to the method, a set (34) of component signals (36) is provided. Each component signal (36) represents a fluorescence intensity development of the fluorophore (12) over time in a different type of tissue. A time series (8) of input frames (10) is accessed, one input frame (10) after the other. The input frames (10) represent electronically coded still images of the object (4) at subsequent time. Each input frame (10) contains at least one observation area (22) comprising at least one pixel (23).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an illumination filter system (2) for medical imaging, in particular multispectral fluorescence imaging, as performed e.g. in a microscope (1) or endoscope, such as a surgical microscope, in particular a surgical multispectral fluorescence microscope, comprising a first optical filter (35). The present invention also relates to an observation system (3) for medical imaging, in particular multispectral fluorescence imaging, as performed e.g. in a microscope (1) or endoscope, in particular a multispectral fluorescence microscope, comprising a beam splitter (21) adapted to split a light image (13) into a first light portion (16, 17) along a first light path (18) and a second light portion (20) along a second light path (19).

Abstract: A signal to noise ratio adjustment circuit is configured to determine, whether a signal to noise ratio of a first image is below a first threshold and to determine, whether a variation of imaged content between the first image and a preceding second image of a video sequence is below a second threshold. The signal to noise ratio adjustment circuit is further configured to generate a third image having an increased signal to noise ratio as compared to the first image or the second image if the signal to noise ratio is below the first threshold and if the variation is below the second threshold.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, an image processor (26) and a medical observation device (1), such as a microscope or endoscope, for observing an object (4) containing a bolus of at least one fluorophore (12). The object (4) is preferably live tissue comprising several types (16, 18, 20) of tissue. According to the method, a set (34) of component signals (36) is provided. Each component signal (36) represents a fluorescence intensity development of the fluorophore (12) over time in a different type of tissue. A time series (8) of input frames (10) is accessed, one input frame (10) after the other. The input frames (10) represent electronically coded still images of the object (4) at subsequent time. Each input frame (10) contains at least one observation area (22) comprising at least one pixel (23).

Abstract: A controller for a microscope is configured to receive image data representing a wound and to determine a line of sight to a bottom of the wound using the image data. The controller is further configured to output a control signal for the microscope, the control signal instructing the microscope to align its optical axis with the line of sight.

Abstract: An image processing device (100) for a medical observation device (102), such as a microscope (104) or endoscope, is disclosed. The image processing device (100) comprises an image processor (106). The image processor (106) is configured to obtain a digital pseudocolor pattern (116), which has a pattern characteristic (118) and comprises a pseudocolor (120). The image processor (106) is further adapted to combine the digital pseudocolor pattern (116) with an input area (122) of retrieved digital input image (108, 110), thus forming a patterned region (124). Moreover, the image processor (106) is adapted to vary the pattern characteristic at a location (126) in the patterned region (124) depending on one of the intensity (I) and brightness (B) at a corresponding location (128) in the input area (122) of at least one of the digital input images (108, 110) and retrieved digital input image (108, 110); and to output at least one digital output image (130) comprising the patterned region (124).

Abstract: A method and system for computing an HDR image (38) from a digital color input image (4) of an object (30) containing a fluorescing fluorophore (22) acquires the input image using a color camera (2) having at least two different types (16, 17, 18) of color sensor (8), such as an R, G and B sensor. The input image may be recorded in a co-sensing wavelength band (64, 66, 68) wherein different spectral responsivities (58, 60, 62) of the different types of color sensor overlap. The input image comprises different digital monochrome input images (6), each recorded by a different type of color sensor. Light incident on the camera may be filtered using a band-pass filter (32) having a tunable pass band (34) which defines the co-sensing wavelength band and may be adjusted depending on spectral responsivities of the color sensors, the fluorophore, and characteristics of the monochrome input images.

Abstract: An image-processing device (64) for a fluorescence observation device (1), such as a microscope or endoscope, emulates a first type (82) of fluorescence display device on a second type (63) of fluorescence display device (1). Proficient use of a fluorescence observation device (1) for surgery requires years of training and experience. As technology quickly advances, new types of fluorescence observation devices provide different and more information than older types of fluorescence observation devices, however adoption of newer types is slow because new training is needed. The present disclosure facilitates the switch from one type of fluorescence observation device to another by providing a type-emulation module (108), which allows the imaging result obtained from the first type of fluorescence observation device to be emulated on the second type. The type-emulation module (108) is applied to a digital fluorescence image (20) in which the fluorescence of a fluorescing fluorophore (8) is recorded.

Abstract: The invention is related to an interchangeable optical module (1) for a microscopic or an endoscopic apparatus, in particular for a fluorescence microscope, the module (1) including at least one optical element (2), such as a beam-splitter (3), at least one beam path (B1, B2), in which the at least one optical element (2) is arranged, and at least one optical filter (5) which is arranged in the at least one beam path (B1, B2). The invention is further related to a microscopic apparatus comprising at least one receptacle for receiving at least one interchangeable optical module (1) according to the invention. In order to allow different measurement techniques in one apparatus and to easily change the setup, it is intended according to the invention that the optical module (1) further includes at least one refractive element (7) which is arranged in the at least one beam path (B1, B2).

Abstract: The invention relates to an augmented reality surgical microscope (1) having a camera (2), preferably a multispectral or hyperspectral camera. The augmented reality surgical microscope (1) retrieves input image data (22) of an object (8) comprising in particular live tissue (10). The input image data (22) comprise visible-light image data (26) as well as fluorescent-light image data (24) of at least one fluorophore (14). The augmented reality surgical microscope (1) permits the automatic identification and marking in pseudo-color (86) of various types of vascular plexus structures (54a 54b, 54c) and/or of blood flow direction (56) depending on the fluorescent-light image data (24). A pre-operative three-dimensional atlas (36) and/or ultrasound image data (39) may be elastically matched to the visible-light image data (26). The augmented reality surgical microscope (1) allows different combinations of the various image data to be output simultaneously to different displays (75).

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical observation device (1) such as a microscope or endoscope. Further, the invention relates to a method for processing medical images. Input image data (52) are generated by a visible-light camera (28) and overlaid with auxiliary input data (58) such as fluorescent-light image data (65) generated from auxiliary input data (58) e.g. a fluorescence camera (32) or an ultrasound sensor (40, 42). From the auxiliary input data (58), subsequent sets (84) of pseudo-color image data (86) are generated by an image processor (80). The pseudo-color images (84) are merged with the input image data (52) to obtain output image data (94). A pseudo-color pattern field (88) comprising at least one of a temporally and/or spatially modulated pattern (87) is generated depending on the content of at least one of the image input data (52) and the auxiliary input data (58).

Abstract: The invention relates to a catadioptric medical imaging system (1), in particular a surgical microscope (2). During surgery, it may be necessary to gain more information about a surgical cavity (6), in particular the type of tissue (29) at the inside walls (4) of the surgical cavity (6). To solve this problem, the catadioptric medical imaging system (1) according to the invention comprises a camera device (8) and a convex catoptric mirror (20) adapted to be inserted into the surgical cavity (6). The catoptric mirror (20) is mounted on an arm (22) and spaced apart from the camera device (8).

Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasound head (2), to a medical observation device (1) and to a method for observing live biological tissue (4). In order to provide the surgeon with a means of quickly gaining information on sub-surface structure in the surgical area during the operation, the method comprises the steps of contacting the tissue (4) with an ultrasound head (2) and recording ultrasound data (36) and optical image data (34) through the ultrasound head (2). The ultrasound head (2) comprises a sensor side (6) for contacting the tissue (4) and an ultrasound receiver (10). The sensor side (6) is at least sectionwise optically transparent so that light may enter the ultrasound head (2).

Abstract: Medical observation apparatus (1) and method for observing an object or patient (67) in an operation area (21). Solutions of the art (3, 5) do not allow displaying further information, are expensive, bulky and non-intuitive.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical microscope (1) and a method for observing an object (3) in an observation area (5) during surgery and to a retrofit-kit (41) for a surgical microscope (1). Solutions of the art may have an inflexible observation direction, require preoperative planning, and may be expensive and bulky. The inventive surgical microscope (1) overcomes these disadvantages by at least one optical carrier (47) for variably deflecting an observation axis (33) of an optical observation assembly (7) into an optical viewing axis (53) directed towards the observation area (5), the optical carrier (47) comprises at least one optical beam deflector (49) and is arranged between the optical observation assembly (7) and the observation area (5).