摘要:
An image scanner for microscopic objects. The image scanner has a microscope with a high precision computer controlled motor driven stage to provide X,Y plane displacements in order to scan microscopic objects under the microscope. There is an image sensor and a digitizer in association with the microscope to sense a horizontal image line or a two dimensional image and provide a digital representation of the line or image. A digital signal processor processes digitized signals from the sensor. There is a computer to control the mechanical and electronic scanning and to store and display information from the digital signal processor. Methods of scanning a microscopic object are also described. The methods comprise positioning the object on a motorized stage of a microscope having an image sensor in a focal plane. The object is scanned and signals received from the sensor during scanning are digitized. The digitized signals are processed with a digital signal processor in order to automatically recognize objects while the sample is being scanned. The processed information contained in the signals and the location coordinates of objects are stored. The methods include automatical revisiting of recognized objects for further analysis.
摘要:
Apparatus for imaging diseases in tissue comprising a light source for generating excitation light that includes wavelengths capable of generating characteristic autofluorescence for abnormal and normal tissue. A fibreoptic illuminating light guide is used to illuminate tissue with light that includes at least the excitation light thereby exciting the tissue to emit the characteristic autofluorescence. An imaging bundle collects emitted autofluorescence light from the tissue. The autofluorescence light is filtered into spectral bands in which the autofluorescence intensity for abnormal tissue is substantially different from normal tissue and the autofluorescence intensity for abnormal tissue is substantially similar to normal tissue. An optical system is used to intercept the filtered autofluorescence light to acquire at least two filtered emitted autofluorescence images of the tissue. The acquired images are displayed in real time on a display monitor in such a manner as to delineate abnormal and normal tissue.
摘要:
A solid state microscope for viewing and scanning microscopic objects. The solid state microscope has a light source with a condensor and diffusion filter. A moveable stage is provided to allow X, Y, Z plane displacements in order to scan objects under the microscope. There is an objective to magnify the image of the object and project this image onto a two dimensional solid state image sensor. The solid state image sensor sends signals to an analog-to-digital converter where the signals are digitized and sent to a frame memory. A monitor is used to display the image of the object as stored in frame memory. The present invention can be interfaced with a computer 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.
摘要:
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.
摘要:
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.
摘要:
Apparatus for the diagnosis of a skin disease site by visual fluorescence inspection comprising an excitation light source for illuminating the disease site, a light guide for transmitting the excitation light directly to the disease site to generate fluorescence light and viewing goggles for processing the excitation light reflected and the fluorescence light emitted from the disease site to provide a fluorescence image of the disease site to a user. The fluorescence image is used to aid the medical assessment of skin conditions and the diagnosis of cutaneous diseases by supplementing the visual assessment of skin lesions made by the naked eye. The apparatus can be used in several modes of operation that permit the viewing of full color fluorescence images and enhanced two color images. The apparatus can also use image intensifying equipment to amplify fluorescence light so that even very weak fluorescing objects can be seen. A method for acquiring and viewing the fluorescence images is also disclosed.
摘要:
Optical systems that provide for simultaneous images and spectra from an object, such as a tissue sample, an industrial object such as a computer chip, or any other object that can be viewed with an optical system such as a microscope, endoscope, telescope or camera. In some embodiments, the systems provide multiple images corresponding to various desired wavelength ranges within an original image of the object, as well as, if desired, directional pointer(s) that can provide both an identification of the precise location from which a spectrum is being obtained, as well as enhancing the ability to point the device.
摘要:
Apparatus for diagnosis of a skin disease site using spectral analysis includes a light source for generating light to illuminate the disease site and a probe unit optically connected to the light source for exposing the disease site to light to generate fluorescence and reflectance light. The probe unit also collects the generated fluorescence and reflectance light and transmits this light to a spectrometer to be analyzed. The spectrometer generates and displays spectral measurements of the fluorescence light and the reflectance light which in together assist the user in diagnosing the disease site. The apparatus makes use of a conventional personal computer using a plug-in spectrometer card to provide a compact and low costs system. The system performs combined fluorescence and reflectance spectral analysis in a quick and efficient manner to provide a powerful tool for dermatologic diagnosis.
摘要:
Apparatus for imaging diseases in tissue comprising a light source for generating excitation light that includes wavelengths capable of generating characteristic autofluorescence for abnormal and normal tissue. A fiber-optic illuminating light guide is used to illuminate tissue with light that includes at least the excitation light thereby exciting the tissue to emit the characteristic autofluorescence. An imaging bundle collects emitted autofluorescence light from the tissue. The autofluorescence light is filtered into spectral bands in which the autofluorescence intensity for abnormal tissue is substantially different from normal tissue and the autofluorescence intensity for abnormal tissue is substantially similar to normal tissue. An optical system is used to intercept the filtered autofluorescence light to acquire at least two filtered emitted autofluorescence images of the tissue. The acquired images are displayed in real time on a display monitor in such a manner as to delineate abnormal and normal tissue.
摘要:
Optical systems that provide for simultaneous images and spectra from an object, such as a tissue sample, an industrial object such as a computer chip, or any other object that can be viewed with an optical system such as a microscope, endoscope, telescope or camera. In some embodiments, the systems provide multiple images corresponding to various desired wavelength ranges within an original image of the object, as well as, if desired, directional pointer(s) that can provide both an identification of the precise location from which a spectrum is being obtained, as well as enhancing the ability to point the device.