Infrared endoscopic imaging in a liquid with suspended particles: method and apparatus
US6178346A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 23, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jan 23, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 23, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B5/0075
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A device and method for imaging an object that is situated within a fluid environment having suspended particles uses infrared illumination. In a representative application, a catheter having fiber optics is inserted into the vasculature of a patient. The fiber optics transmits infrared light to an optical head at a distal end of the catheter, which transmits the light into a bloody environment to an object to be imaged. Light reflecting from the object is collected and transmitted throughout the fiber optic to an infrared camera, so that an image is formed. Proper selection of the wavelength of infrared illumination allows objects to be imaged through what would otherwise be an opaque liquid. The invention has particular utility in the field of medical imaging.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.