Fluorescence imaging in a light deficient environment

An endoscopic system for use in a light deficient environment, the system comprising:

• two or more image sensors each comprising a pixel array that detects electromagnetic radiation, wherein the pixel array of one image senor receives a different range of wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation from the pixel array of another image sensor and the two or more image sensors simultaneously output data;
• a light engine comprising a plurality of sources of electromagnetic radiation, wherein the plurality of sources comprises:
• a visible source that pulses a visible wavelength of electromagnetic radiation;
• and
• an excitation source that pulses a fluorescence excitation emission comprising electromagnetic radiation only within a waveband that is 50 nm wide or less;
• a waveguide transmitting one or more pulses of electromagnetic radiation from the light engine to a distal tip of an endoscope;
• and
• a controller in communication with the image sensor and the light engine, wherein the controller instructs the light engine to cycle the visible source and the excitation source in a pulse cycle pattern;
• wherein the light engine pulses only the visible source during a first blanking period of the two or more image sensors, and wherein the two or more image sensors each read out a visible exposure frame comprising only color visualization data during a readout period immediately subsequent to the first blanking period;
• and
• wherein the light engine pulses only the excitation source during a second blanking period of the two or more image sensors, and wherein the two or more image sensors each readout a fluorescence exposure frame comprising only fluorescence visualization data during a readout period immediately subsequent to the second blanking period.