Imaging system for combined full-color reflectance and near-infrared imaging

An imaging system for acquisition of NIR images and full-color images comprising:

• a light source providing visible light and NIR light to a sample area;
• a camera having a blue light detector configured to detect blue reflectance light, a green light detector configured to detect green reflectance light, and a red/NIR light detector configured to detect red reflectance light and NIR fluorescence returned from the sample area:
• a controller in signal communication with the light source and the camera for:
• illuminating the sample area with blue light and green light continuously and, at the same time, illuminating the sample area with red light and NIR light according to a predetermined timing scheme in which at least one of the red light and the NIR light is switched on and off periodically,
• simultaneously acquiring first image signals from the blue light detector, second image signals from the green light detector, and third image signals from the red/NIR light detector,
• determining from the third image signals and the predetermined timing scheme the red reflectance light image signals and NIR fluorescence image signals separately from one another, wherein red reflectance light image signals and the NIR fluorescence image signals are determined in synchronism with the switched red light and NIR light;
• and
• a display receiving the first image signals, the second image signals, and the separately determined red reflectance light image signals of the third image signals and rendering therefrom a full-color reflectance image of the sample area, the display further receiving the separately determined NIR fluorescence image signals of the third image signals and rendering therefrom an NIR image of the sample area.