Fluorescence imaging scope with dual mode focusing structures

A first optical device for use in endoscope procedures and operable to image in a first mode with white light at a first time interval and a second mode with fluoresced light outside the visible band at a subsequent, second time interval comprising:

• an image sensor assembly including a single and no more than one image sensor, the single image sensor operable for capturing both white light images and fluoresced light images;
• and
• a focus adjustment mechanism comprising a liquid-based, deformable lens, wherein the focus adjustment mechanism is positioned in the first optical device and is configured to automatically adjust the focus of the first optical device between two pre-determined states when the mode is switched from the white light mode to the fluoresced light mode, and wherein the automatic focus adjustment compensates for a chromatic focal difference between the white light image and the fluoresced light image caused by the dispersive or diffractive properties of optical materials or optical design employed in an assembly construction of the first optical device or an optional second optical device connected to the first optical device, or both, wherein the focus adjustment having been automatically adjusted by the focus adjustment mechanism is a known, prescribed adjustment based on the known dispersive or diffractive properties of optical materials or optical design employed in the assembly construction of the first optical device and/or the second optical device, obviating, thereby, a need to apply autofocus processing when toggling between the two modes.

A first optical device for use in endoscope procedures and operable to image in a first mode with white light at a first time interval and a second mode with fluoresced light outside the visible band at a second time interval and comprising:

• an image sensor assembly including a single and no more than one image sensor operable for capturing both white light images and fluoresced light images;
• an optical assembly positioned in the first optical device, or in a second optical device that attaches to the first optical device, the optical assembly including one or more optical lens elements, all either fixed in place or adjustable by manual movements, and configured when attached to direct light received from a subject scene toward the image sensor assembly;
• and
• a liquid-based deformable lens in the first optical device optically arranged to be between the optical assembly and the image sensor and operable to automatically adjust the focus of the first optical device wherein the automatic focus adjustment compensates for a chromatic focal difference between the white light image and the fluoresced light image caused by the dispersive or diffractive properties of optical materials or optical design employed in an assembly construction of the first optical device or the second optical device, or both,
• wherein the adjustment is a known, prescribed adjustment to the focus adjustment mechanism based on the known dispersive or diffractive properties of optical materials or optical design employed in the assembly construction of the first optical device and/or the second optical device, obviating, thereby, a need to apply autofocus processing when toggling between the two modes.