Adaptive imaging methods and systems for generating enhanced low light video of an object for medical visualization are disclosed and include acquiring, with an image acquisition assembly, a sequence of reference frames and/or a sequence of low light video frames depicting the object, assessing relative movement between the image acquisition assembly and the object based on at least a portion of the acquired sequence of reference video frames or the acquired sequence of low light video frames, adjusting a level of image processing of the low light video frames based at least in part on the relative movement between the image acquisition assembly and the object, and generating a characteristic low light video output from a quantity of the low light video frames, wherein the quantity of the low light video frames is based on the adjusted level of image processing of the low light video frames.

Imaging, testing and/or analysis of subjects are facilitated with a capillary-access approach. According to an example embodiment, a capillary is implanted into a specimen and adapted to accept an optical probe to facilitate optical access into the specimen. In some applications, the capillary is implanted for use over time, with one or more different probes being inserted into the capillary at different times, while the capillary is implanted. Certain applications involve capillary implantation over weeks, months or longer. Other applications are directed to the passage of fluid to and/or from a sample via the capillary. Still other applications are directed to the passage of electrical information between the sample and an external arrangement, via an implanted capillary.

A fluorescence observation apparatus including a light source that radiates illumination light and excitation light; a return-light-image generating portion and a fluorescence-image generating portion that generate a return-light image and a fluorescence image, respectively; a fluorescence detecting portion that detects a fluorescence region in the fluorescence image; a return-light-image adjusting portion that adjusts gradation values of the return-light image; a superimposed-image generating portion that generates a superimposed image by using the return-light image, in which the gradation values have been adjusted, and the fluorescence image; and a coefficient setting portion that sets, in the case in which the fluorescence region is detected, a degree-of-reduction of the gradation values, so that the gradation values of the return-light image are decreased as compared with the case in which the fluorescence region is not detected.

Pulsed fluorescence imaging in a light deficient environment is disclosed. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an image sensor comprising a pixel array for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a controller configured to synchronize timing of the emitter and the image sensor. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 770 nm to about 790 nm or from about 795 nm to about 815 nm.

An endoscopic imaging system for use in a light deficient environment includes an imaging device having a tube, one or more image sensors, and a lens assembly including at least one optical elements that corresponds to the one or more image sensors. The endoscopic system includes a display for a user to visualize a scene and an image signal processing controller. The endoscopic system includes a light engine having an illumination source generating one or more pulses of electromagnetic radiation and a lumen transmitting one or more pulses of electromagnetic radiation to a distal tip of an endoscope.

A medical control device includes: an imaging controller configured to control an imaging device to cause the imaging device to capture normal light emitted from a light source and received by way of an observation target in a first period to generate a first captured image, and to capture excitation light emitted from the light source and received by way of the observation target and fluorescence light from the observation target excited by the excitation light in a second period to generate a second captured image; and image processing circuitry configured to: perform an adjustment process to reduce a component of a color corresponding to the excitation light included in the second captured image; and generate a superimposed image by superimposing the first captured image and the second captured image subjected to the adjustment process.

An endoscopic device comprising a housing, first imaging means in the housing for detecting light emanating from objects from a predetermined first surrounding region annularly surrounding the endoscopic device and for producing a first image of the first surrounding region, a first image sensor for detecting the first image and for producing a first image signal, a first image sensor for sensing the first image and for generating a first image signal representing the first image, a second imaging means in the housing for sensing light emanating from objects in a predetermined second surrounding region and for generating a second image of the second surrounding region, and a second image sensor for sensing the second image and for generating a second image signal representing the second image. The first imaging device comprises a catadioptric imaging system with a first reflective surface, a second reflective surface, and a light refracting interface.

According to some aspects, a medical imaging system is provided. The medical imaging system includes an illumination device and a medical imaging device. The illumination device includes a first light source configured to emit first light having a wavelength range. The illumination device further includes a second light source configured to emit second light having at least one predetermined wavelength band. The at least one predetermined wavelength band is within the wavelength range. The illumination device further includes a dichroic mirror configured to attenuate a portion of the wavelength range corresponding to the at least one predetermined wavelength band and to multiplex the second light with the first light such that the portion of the wavelength range of the first light is attenuated. The light multiplexed by the dichroic mirror is emitted from the illumination device along an optical axis and irradiates an observation site. The medical imaging device includes at least one sensor configured to receive light from the observation site.

A rigid-scope optical system includes: an image-formation optical system that causes an image in each of wavelength bands to be formed in a predetermined imaging device, the wavelength bands including a fluorescence wavelength band and a visible light wavelength band; and a color-separation-prism optical system having a dichroic film that separates an optical path of light to be imaged into an optical path of the visible light wavelength band and an optical path of the fluorescence wavelength band, in which the image-formation optical system causes the respective images to be formed in a fluorescence imaging device and a visible light imaging device, the fluorescence imaging device and the visible light imaging device being disposed to cause an amount of misalignment to correspond to a difference between an optical path length of fluorescence and an optical path length of visible light.

A stereo colposcope having variable linearity filter systems for both the excitation step and the suppression step, and can be used universally with any fluorescent compound or drug, as is the case of photodynamic diagnosis (PDD). The colposcope is a two-way colposcope because the treatment can be administered by an optical system or by a light-producing radio-frequency electrical current with a diathermic effect which facilitates photodynamic treatment. The colposcope produces ozone, which has an antiseptic effect when applied to the genital tract. A monitor provides for three-dimensional viewing through the use of two video cameras with the DLP (Digital Light Processing) and HDTV (High Definition Television) systems with the use of active lenses.