An endoscope apparatus includes a light source apparatus, an image processing circuit configured to subject a first image or a second image obtained by irradiating first or second narrow band light to predetermined image processing and output the image, and a control circuit configured to perform control to acquire signal intensity information about a signal intensity of the image pickup signal outputted from the image pickup device in response to irradiation with the first narrow band light based on a current operation state of a light source configured to generate first narrow band light and further maintain a ratio of respective brightnesses of the first image and the second image used for generating the observation image to be a predetermined ratio based on the signal intensity information.

There is provided a medical dimming control apparatus including: a dimming control section configured to control a dimming in relation to an imaging of an observation target by an imaging device in accordance with a set dimming mode. The dimming mode at least includes a first dimming mode that controls the dimming at a first tracking speed and a second dimming mode that controls the dimming at a second tracking speed that is slower than the first tracking speed, and the dimming control section sets the first dimming mode on the basis of a change in an imaging-related behavior in the imaging device, and sets the second dimming mode in a case of determining that a predetermined condition is satisfied while executing the control in accordance with the first dimming mode.

The disclosure relates to an endoscopic system. The system may include a single optical fiber. The system may further include a light source which transmits light into the single optical fiber. An image sensor may be provided within the endoscopic system and disposed at a distal end of the single optical fiber. The endoscopic system may be additionally fitted with a diffuser on the distal end of the single optical fiber which outputs a light cone that is broader than an output of the single optical fiber without the diffuser.

An imaging system, such as a surgical microscope, laparoscope, or endoscope or integrated with these devices, includes an illuminator providing patterned white light and/or fluorescent stimulus light. The system receives and images light hyperspectrally, in embodiments using a hyperspectral imaging array, and/or using narrowband tunable filters for passing filtered received light to an imager. Embodiments may construct a 3-D surface model from stereo images, and will estimate optical properties of the target using images taken in patterned light or using other approximations obtained from white light exposures. Hyperspectral images taken under stimulus light are displayed as fluorescent images, and corrected for optical properties of tissue to provide quantitative maps of fluorophore concentration. Spectral information from hyperspectral images is processed to provide depth of fluorophore below the tissue surface. Quantitative images of fluorescence at depth are also prepared. The images are displayed to a surgeon for use in surgery.

A tissue detection system includes a probe having a body defining a distal end portion for positioning in contact with or close proximity to tissue. The probe includes an emission optical fiber extending from an input end through the probe body to an output end at the distal end portion of the probe body, and a detection optical fiber extending from an output end through the probe body to an input end at the distal end portion of the probe body. An emitter is coupled to the input end of the emission optical fiber and a detector is coupled to the output end of the detection optical fiber. One or more optical elements is disposed at the detector filter out electromagnetic radiation received from the detection optical fiber below a pre-determined wavelength threshold or outside of a pre-determined wavelength range.

Systems, devices and methods for imaging hard-to-view and hard-to-reach places in the oral cavity, such as at the base of the tongue and tonsillar regions, are described. An example mobile intraoral imaging system includes a white light source and a blue or ultraviolet light source for illuminating a region in the oral cavity. The system includes a mobile device configured to receive information associated with reflected and autofluorescent light from the region in the oral cavity, as well as a semi-flexible probe that includes a bendable tip; the probe is changeable in shape to allow insertion in the oral cavity and includes a camera that is positioned at a section of its tip to capture the reflected and autofluorescent light. The system enables quick acquisition of high-quality images, and allows remote imaging and diagnosis of suspicious lesions in the oral cavity.

The present invention provides a system for extension of dynamic range and contrast of a video capture under fluorescence imaging conditions using a single detector. For this purpose, the system (100) comprises of a light engine (107) which sequentially switches between a high-intensity fluorescence excitation light mode (107A), a low-intensity fluorescence excitation light mode (107B) and NIR reflectance light (107C). Correspondingly, a detector (103) captures three data streams—High Intensity Fluorescence Data (105A), Low Intensity Fluorescence Data (105B) and NIR Reflectance Data (105D). A scene processing unit (105) then processes the three data streams and generate two additional data streams—a Wide Dynamic Range Fluorescence Data Stream (105C) and an Enhanced Vascular Index Data Stream (105E). The system also uses a Selective Visualization Unit (106) to allow the user to visualize any of five data streams.

Pulsed hyperspectral, fluorescence, and laser mapping imaging without input clock or data transmission clock 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 plurality of bidirectional data pads and a controller in communication with the image sensor. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises one or more of: electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 513 nm to about 545 nm, from about 565 nm to about 585 nm, from about 900 nm to about 1000 nm, an excitation wavelength of electromagnetic radiation that causes a reagent to fluoresce, or a laser mapping pattern.

Methods are provided for the highlighting of features in composite images through the alternating of images having complementary colors. An image having a feature of interest is used to generate one or more pseudo color images. A series of a pseudo color images and one or more additional pseudo color or original color images are then alternately displayed so that the differently colored regions among the series of images are easily recognizable to an operator. The differently colored regions differ in having hues that are complementary to one another. The methods are particularly useful for the display of information using two or more imaging modalities and channels, such as is the case for some medical applications in which a natural-light image of pink or light-red tissue with deeper red or blue vasculature is overlaid with another functional image. In these cases, a feature present in the functional image can be more easily perceived when displayed in a composite overlay with an underlying image from another imaging modality or channel.

Provided are endoscopic image acquisition system and method that make observation of images easier when images are collected. The endoscopic image acquisition system includes a wavelength pattern changing unit that changes a wavelength pattern of irradiation light with which a part to be observed in a body cavity of a patient is irradiated or returning light from the part to be observed. Images of an observation wavelength pattern are captured at a certain frame rate. In response to acceptance of an acquisition instruction, images of a plurality of wavelength patterns different from one another are sequentially captured. The images of the plurality of wavelength patterns different from one another are stored in a storage unit. An image of a wavelength pattern other than the observation wavelength pattern is set not to be displayed.