Endoscope system and imaging device thereof
OwnerOsamu KURODAinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An imaging device for an endoscope includes an image pickup lens, a spectral characteristics variable optical element, and a CCD. The spectral characteristics variable optical element passes only light of a specific wavelength in accordance with the distance between first and second plates, and reflects light of the other wavelengths. The CCD converts the light reflected from the variable optical element into an image signal. In fluorescence endoscopy, a fluorescent labeling agent is administered on an internal body part to be examined. Application of excitation light to the body part causes the fluorescent labeling agent to emit fluorescence. The variable optical element removes the excitation light from the fluorescence by regulation of the distance between the first and second plates.
Claims8
An imaging device for an endoscope comprising:
- an image pickup lens for forming image light from light incident from a section to be examined;
- a spectral characteristics variable optical element for passing the image light of a specific wavelength out of the image light incident from the image pickup lens, and reflecting the image light of the other wavelengths, the spectral characteristics variable optical element including plural plates disposed in parallel with leaving a predetermined distance and a drive section for varying the distance in accordance with the wavelength of the image light to be passed, each of the plates having a transparent base and a half mirror film attached to the base;
- and
- an image sensor for capturing the image light reflected from the spectral characteristics variable optical element, and outputting an image signal corresponding to the image light.
An endoscope system including an endoscope for applying excitation light for exciting a fluorescent substance to a section to be examined, and capturing fluorescence emitted by application of the excitation light from the section to be examined as image light, the endoscope system comprising:
- (A) an imaging device for the endoscope including:
- an image pickup lens for forming the image light from light incident from the section to be examined;
- a spectral characteristics variable optical element for passing the image light of a specific wavelength out of the image light incident from the image pickup lens, and reflecting the image light of the other wavelengths, the spectral characteristics variable optical element including plural plates disposed in parallel with leaving a predetermined distance and a drive section for varying the distance in accordance with the wavelength of the image light to be passed, each of the plates having a transparent base and a half mirror film attached to the base;
- and
- an image sensor for capturing the image light reflected from the spectral characteristics variable optical element, and outputting an image signal corresponding to the image light;
- and
- (B) a controller for controlling the drive section so that the wavelength of the image light passing through the spectral characteristics variable optical element coincides with a wavelength of the excitation light.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.