US 2021/0267443 A1 · Medical Imaging Device With Multiple Imaging Modes

Abstract

Improved fluorescent imaging and other sensor data imaging processes, including hyperspectral imaging, devices, and systems are provided to enhance endoscopes with multiple wavelength capabilities and providing sequential imaging and display. A first optical device is provided for endoscopy imaging in a white light and a fluoresced light mode with an imaging unit including one or more image sensors. A mechanism in the first optical device to automatically adjust the focus of the first optical device using one or more deformable, variable-focus lenses, wherein the automatic focus adjustment compensates for a chromatic focal difference between the light collected at distinct wavelength bands caused by the dispersive or diffractive properties of the optical materials or optical design employed in the construction of the first or second optical devices, or both. Further variable spectrum imaging is enhanced with the use of adjustable spectral filters.

Claims27

Dependent claims

A medical imaging system, comprising a medical imaging device comprising a shaft and operable to capture a first image with a first finite wavelength band of light, and to capture a second image with a second finite wavelength band of light, wherein the first wavelength band of light and the second wavelength band of light are different, comprising:

a first imaging lens to capture light from an illuminated subject scene;
an imaging unit, comprising one or more image sensors, operable to capture images in the first wavelength band and the second wavelength band;
a deformable lens located upstream of the one or more of the image sensors;
an adjustment control circuit;
and
an image processor,
wherein that the deformable lens is adjusted by the adjustment control circuit, such that the focus of the medical imaging device compensates for chromatic focal difference between the light received by the one or more image sensors at the first wavelength band and light received by the one or more image sensors at the second wavelength band, wherein the chromatic focal difference is a result of the dispersive or diffractive properties of optical materials or an optical design employed in an assembly construction of the medical imaging device, and further wherein the image processor receives a first image from the imaging unit and a second image from the imaging unit.

4 more elements

A method for displaying sequential composite frames of an subject scene generated by a medical imaging device, wherein each the sequential frame is a composite of an image of the subject scene captured in a first spectrum and an image captured in a second spectrum, wherein at least some portion of both captured images is represented in the composite frame;

comprising the steps of sequentially capturing, processing, and displaying a plurality of processed frames, wherein the method of generating each composite frame comprises the steps of;
illuminating the subject scene with a first wavelength band of light in a finite spectrum;
collecting image light from the illuminated subject scene with an objective lens;
directing the collected image light to pass through a deformable lens, and to an image sensor;
adjusting the focal length of the deformable lens, such that an image captured by the image sensor is in-focus;
capturing in-focus image data of the subject scene in the first spectrum;
transmitting the captured in-focus image data of the subject scene in the first spectrum to an image processor;
illuminating the subject scene with a second wavelength band of light, the second wavelength band of light in a second finite spectrum;
collecting image light from the second spectrum illuminated subject scene with the objective lens;
directing the collected second spectrum image light through the deformable lens and to the image sensor;
adjusting the focal length of the deformable lens, such that an second spectrum image light image captured by the image sensor is in-focus;
capturing an in-focus image data of the subject scene in a second spectrum at least partially outside of the first spectrum;
transmitting the captured, in-focus image data of the subject scene in the second spectrum to the image processor;
processing the transmitted images by combining at least portions of the transmitted first spectrum captured image data with at least portions of the second spectrum captured image data to produce a first processed frame;
and
displaying on a display device and/or storing in a computer memory the processed frame.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Medical Imaging Device With Multiple Imaging Modes

Life of this patent

Medical Imaging Device With Multiple Imaging Modes

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims27