# US 9,433,350 B2 · Imaging system and method for the fluorescence-optical visualization of an object > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,433,350 B2 - Document ID: US9433350B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/376,795 - Filed: 2010-06-08 - Published: 2012-10-25 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2009-06-10 - Assignees: W.O.M. World of Medicine GmbH - Applicants: Karl-Heinz Günter Schönborn; Andreas Bembenek; Jörn Ole Becker; Martin Bock; Andreas Lutz - Inventors: Karl-Heinz Günter Schönborn; Andreas Bembenek; Jörn Ole Becker; Martin Bock; Andreas Lutz - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9433350B2 ## CPC - A61B 5/0059: {using light, e.g. diagnosis by transillumination, diascopy, fluorescence (photoacoustic A61B5/0093; optical measurement of heart rate A61B5/02416; optical measurement of blood flow A61B5/0261; optical measurement of analytes A61B5/1455)} - A61B 1/00009: {of image signals during a use of endoscope} - A61B 1/00096: {Optical elements} - A61B 1/00186: {with imaging filters} - A61B 1/043: {for fluorescence imaging} - A61B 1/051: {Details of CCD assembly} - A61B 1/0638: {providing two or more wavelengths} - A61B 5/0062: {Arrangements for scanning} - A61B 5/14556: {by fluorescence (A61B5/14555 takes precedence)} - A61B 5/418: {lymph vessels, ducts or nodes} - G01N 21/6456: {Spatial resolved fluorescence measurements; Imaging} - G02B 21/16: adapted for ultraviolet illumination {; Fluorescence microscopes (G02B21/0076 takes precedence)} - G02B 21/365: {Control or image processing arrangements for digital or video microscopes (G02B21/361, G02B21/362 take precedence)} - H04N 23/11: for generating image signals from visible and infrared light wavelengths - H04N 23/54: Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils - A61B 1/00048: {Constructional features of the display} - A61B 1/0005: {combining images e.g. side-by-side, superimposed or tiled} - A61B 1/00172: {with means for scanning} - A61B 1/041: {Capsule endoscopes for imaging} - A61B 2090/366: {using projection of images directly onto the body} - A61B 2090/373: {using light, e.g. by using optical scanners} - H04N 23/555: {for picking-up images in sites, inaccessible due to their dimensions or hazardous conditions, e.g. endoscopes or borescopes} - H04N 25/131: including elements passing infrared wavelengths - H04N 25/135: {based on four or more different wavelength filter elements} - H04N 2209/048: having several pick-up sensors - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract An imaging system for the fluorescence-optical visualization of a two-dimensional or three-dimensional object is provided. The imaging system comprising an illumination unit, which is designed and provided for emitting optical radiation in a predetermined wavelength range in order to illuminate the object and excite a fluorescent substance contained in the object, and a capturing unit, which is designed and provided for capturing an optical signal from the region of the object and for splitting the optical signal into a fluorescence signal having a first wavelength range and a signal of visible light having a second wavelength range. The optical capturing unit has an optoelectronic converter having a plurality of partial regions and serving for converting the fluorescence signal into a first electronic data signal and the signal of visible light into a second electronic data signal. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An imaging system for the fluorescence-optical visualization of a two-dimensional or three-dimensional object, comprising: an illumination unit, which is designed and provided for emitting optical radiation in a predetermined wavelength range in order to illuminate the object and excite a fluorescent substance contained in the object, a capturing unit, which is designed and provided for capturing an optical signal from the region of the object and for splitting the optical signal into a fluorescence signal having a first wavelength range and a signal of visible light having a second wavelength range, wherein the optical capturing unit has an optoelectronic converter having a plurality of partial regions and serving for converting the fluorescence signal into a first electronic data signal and the signal of visible light into a second electronic data signal, wherein the optical capturing unit comprises a dichroic prism for splitting the captured optical signal into the fluorescence signal and the signal of visible light, wherein the optoelectronic converter having said plurality of partial regions is arranged on an area of the dichroic prism and is connected to said area of the dichroic prism such that the optoelectronic converter with said plurality of partial regions faces the area of the dichroic prism. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The imaging system as claimed in claim 1, wherein of the partial regions of the optoelectronic converter a first partial region converts the fluorescence signal into a first electronic data signal and a second partial region converts the signal of visible light into a second electronic data signal. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The imaging system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the optical capturing unit has a dichroic prism for splitting the captured optical signal into the fluorescence signal and the signal of visible light, the dichroic prism being connected to the optoelectronic converter having a plurality of partial regions. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The imaging system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the captured optical signal is additionally split into a fluorescence excitation signal having a third wavelength range, which differs from the first wavelength range and the second wavelength range. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The imaging system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the fluorescence excitation signal has a wavelength range of between 700 nm and 800 nm. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The imaging system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the dichroic prism is connected to an absorber element, which absorbs a fluorescence excitation signal. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The imaging system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the dichroic prism is connected to a further optoelectronic converter, which converts a fluorescence excitation signal into a third electronic data signal. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The imaging system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the further optoelectronic converter is designed as a black-and-white converter. ### Claim 9 (depends on 4) The imaging system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the optoelectronic converter having a plurality of partial regions has a third partial region which converts the fluorescence excitation signal into a third electronic data signal. ### Claim 10 (depends on 4) The imaging system as claimed in claim 4, wherein a partial region of the optoelectronic converter having a plurality of partial regions converts both the signal of visible light and the fluorescence excitation signal. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The imaging system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the illumination unit has an optical coupling element for coupling the fluorescence excitation radiation and the radiation in the range of visible light and couples the coupled optical radiation thus generated into an optical waveguide for illuminating the object. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The imaging system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the optical waveguide can be connected to an element for adapting the emission characteristic of the optical radiation for illuminating the object from outside or for illuminating regions within the object. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The imaging system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the optical waveguide, for adapting the emission characteristic, can be connected to at least one of a diffuser or an endoscope. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The imaging system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the imaging system has a control and processing unit for controlling at least one of the illumination unit or the capturing unit. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The imaging system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the control and processing unit is designed to generate from the acquired signals a real image obtained from at least one of the signal of visible light, a fluorescence image obtained from the fluorescence signal or an infrared absorption image obtained from a fluorescence excitation signal. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The imaging system as claimed in claim 15, wherein at least one of the fluorescence image or the infrared absorption image are super-imposed on the real image or the individual images are displayed alongside one another. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The imaging system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a two-axis scanner for projecting a generated fluorescence image onto the object. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The imaging system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the two-axis scanner is designed to direct a light beam of a light source for generating a fluorescence image on the object periodically over the object. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The imaging system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the two-axis scanner is additionally designed to at least one of direct optical radiation of a light source onto the object or to direct optical signals from the object toward a detector. ### Claim 20 A method for the fluorescence-optical visualization of a two-dimensional or three-dimensional object, in which: an optical radiation is emitted in a predetermined wavelength range in order to illuminate the object and excite a fluorescent substance contained in the object, an optical signal is captured from the region of the object and the optical signal is split into a fluorescence signal having a first wavelength range and a signal of visible light having a second wavelength range, wherein a dichroic prism splits the captured optical signal into the fluorescence signal and the signal of visible light and an optoelectronic converter connected to the dichroic prism and having a plurality of partial regions converts the fluorescence signal in a first electronic data signal by means of a first partial region and converts the signal of visible light into a second electronic data signal by means of a second partial region, wherein the optical capturing unit comprises a dichroic prism which splits the captured optical signal into the fluorescence signal and the signal of visible light, wherein the optoelectronic converter having said plurality of partial regions is arranged on an area of the dichroic prism and is connected to said area of the dichroic prism such that the optoelectronic converter with said plurality of partial regions faces the area of the dichroic prism.