Abstract:
A quantitative light microscope for viewing and scanning microscopic objects that uses a solid state detector (7) in the primary image plane. The microscope has a light source (1) with a condensor (2) and diffusion filter (3). A moveable stage (5) is provided to allow X, Y, Z plane displacements in order to scan objects under the microscope. There is an objective (6) to magnify the image of the object and project this image onto a two dimensional solid state image sensor (7) positioned in the primary image plane of the objective. The solid state image sensor (7) sends signals to an analog-to-digital converter (8) where the signals are digitized and sent to a frame memory (9). A monitor (10) is used to display the image of the object as stored in frame memory. The present invention can be interfaced with a computer (12) to allow for automatic focusing and scanning of an image. The computer also houses storage means to store images. Methods of scanning an object are also described. A prism element can be used to obtain spectral scans of an object. In another scanning method, a first edge row of pixels is used to detect an object of interest in the scanned image. This first detection row activates an area of the sensor array at a later time to capture the entire image. In this way, only relevant information is collected and processed.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for imaging diseases in tissue are presented. The apparatus employs a light source for producing excitation light to excite the tissue to generate autofluorescence light and for producing illumination light to generate reflected and back scattered light (remittance light) from the tissue. Optical sensors are used to receive the autofluorescence light and the remittance light to collect an autofluorescence light image and a remittance light image. A filter acts to integrate the autofluorescence image over a range of wavelengths in which the autofluorescence intensity for normal tissue is substantially different from the autofluorescence intensity for diseased tissue to establish an integrated autofluorescence image of the tissue. The remittance light provides a background image to normalize the autofluorescence image to account for image non-uniformity due to changes in distance, angle and illumination intensity. A monitor displays the integrated autofluorescence image and the remittance light image to produce a normalized image in which diseased tissue is distinguishable from normal tissue. The optical sensor can be installed adjacent the one end of an endoscope probe inserted into a body cavity. A method for imaging diseased tissue using an integrated fluorescence image and a normalizing remittance image is also disclosed.
Abstract:
A system for detecting cancerous or precancerous lesions directs light produced from a mercury arc lamp (100) into an illumination guide (106) of an endoscope. Autofluorescence light produced by the tissue under examination is divided into red and green spectral bands by a beam splitter (120). Light in the red and green spectral band is applied to a pair of image intensified CCD cameras (126, 130). The output of the camera that receives light in the red spectral band is coupled to a red video input of a color video monitor (150). Light produced by the camera that receives light in the green spectral band is coupled to the blue and green video inputs of the video monitor. The system produces a false color display, whereby healthy tissue appears cyan in color and cancerous or precancerous lesions appear reddish in color. The image displayed allows the operator to see the lesions within the context of the underlying tissue structures. The color contrast is adjustable to account for the autofluorescence property changes from patient to patient and from location to location.
Abstract:
A system for detecting cancerous or precancerous lesions directs light produced from a mercury arc lamp (100) into an illumination guide (106) of an endoscope. Autofluorescence light produced by the tissue under examination is divided into red and green spectral bands by a beam splitter (120). Light in the red and green spectral band is applied to a pair of image intensified CCD cameras (126, 130). The output of the camera that receives light in the red spectral band is coupled to a red video input of a color video monitor (150). Light produced by the camera that receives light in the green spectral band is coupled to the blue and green video inputs of the video monitor. The system produces a false color display, whereby healthy tissue appears cyan in color and cancerous or precancerous lesions appear reddish in color. The image displayed allows the operator to see the lesions within the context of the underlying tissue structures. The color contrast is adjustable to account for the autofluorescence property changes from patient to patient and from location to location.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for imaging diseases in tissue are presented. The apparatus employs a light source for producing excitation light to excite the tissue to generate autofluorescence light and for producing illumination light to generate reflected and back scattered light (remittance light) from the tissue. Optical sensors are used to receive the autofluorescence light and the remittance light to collect an autofluorescence light image and a remittance light image. A filter acts to integrate the autofluorescence image over a range of wavelengths in which the autofluorescence intensity for normal tissue is substantially different from the autofluorescence intensity for diseased tissue to establish an integrated autofluorescence image of the tissue. The remittance light image provides a background image to normalize the autofluorescence image to account for image non-uniformity due to changes in distance, angle and illumination intensity. A monitor displays the integrated autofluorescence image and the remittance light image to produce a normalized image in which diseased tissue is distinguishable from normal tissue. The optical sensor can be installed adjacent the end of an endoscope probe inserted into a body cavity. A method for imaging diseased tissue using an integrated fluorescence image and a normalizing remittance image is also disclosed.
Abstract:
An appatatus and a method for detecting malignancy associated changes relies on use of the microscope having a high sampling density light transducer. Images of the cell nuclei are obtained in precise focus. The images are segmented using a relocation algorithm for precisely locating the edge of the nucleus. The features of the images including DNA distribution are analyzed using multivariate analysis to detect malignance associated changes.