Imaging device including two image sensors enabling multiple imaging modes and associated imaging systems

An endoscopic or exoscopic imaging device, comprising:

• an optical component configured to receive an input light from a surgical scene, the optical component including a spectral filter that separates input light into two different, spectrally distinct portions of output light, wherein a first of the two different spectrally distinct portions of output light has a continuous spectrum and a second of the two spectrally distinct portions of output light has a discontinuous spectrum;
• a first image sensor with a first color filter array (CFA), the first image sensor configured to detect a first at least three spectrally distinct spectral channels;
• a second image sensor with a second CFA, the second image sensor configured to detect a second at least three spectrally distinct spectral channels;
• an illumination device that illuminates a scene to be imaged with a first spectral content;
• and
• a blocking filter upstream from the spectral filter, the blocking filter blocking light between about 700 nm and 800 nm, and wherein both the first CFA and the second CFA are three channel RGB CFAs, and wherein the red channel of at least one of the image sensors has sensitivity into the near infrared spectrum,
• wherein the output light in combination with the first CFA and the second CFA result in at least six spectrally distinct spectral channels, and
• wherein the illumination device provides white light with wavelengths between about 450 nm and about 650 nm, and wherein a white light image is created from a blue light channel and a green light channel of the first image sensor and a blue light channel, a green light channel, and a red light channel of the second image sensor.