US6178346B1 — Infrared endoscopic imaging in a liquid with susp…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 95 words

A method of acquiring an image of a structure obscured in the visible wavelength-region by blood, comprising the steps of: projecting monochromatic infrared illumination at a wavelength corresponding to a local absorption minima through the blood to the structure to be imaged, such that at least some of said infrared illumination is reflected or scattered by the structure; collecting at least some of the reflected or scattered infrared illumination at the same wavelength; and transmitting at least some of the collected scattered illumination to an infrared camera, whereby an image of the structure is formed.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 95 words

A method of acquiring an image of a structure obscured in the visible wavelength-region by blood, comprising the steps of: projecting monochromatic infrared illumination at a wavelength corresponding to a local absorption minima through the blood to the structure to be imaged, such that at least some of said infrared illumination is reflected or scattered by the structure; collecting at least some of the reflected or scattered infrared illumination at the same wavelength; and transmitting at least some of the collected scattered illumination to an infrared camera, whereby an image of the structure is formed.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein the projecting step includes inserting the infrared light source directly to a position proximate the structure.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 2 , wherein the projecting step includes projecting illumination through an air interface.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 2 , wherein the projecting step includes projecting illumination through a gel interface.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein the projecting step includes inserting a transmission line capable of transmitting infrared illumination to a position proximate the structure.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 5 , wherein the projecting step is accomplished using a transmission line which is a fiber optic cable.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method of claim 5 , wherein the projecting step includes inserting the transmission line into a body of a patient.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method of claim 7 , wherein the projecting step includes flexibly inserting the transmission line through the vascular system of a patient.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein the projecting step includes projecting illumination having a wavelength greater than 1.4 microns.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 44 words

The method of claim 9 , wherein the projecting step includes projecting illumination having a wavelength in a range selected from the group consisting of 1.4 to 1.8 microns, 2.1 to 2.4 microns, 3.7 to 4.3, 4.6 to 5.4, and 7 to 14 microns.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 38 words

The method of claim 10 , wherein the projecting step includes projecting illumination having a wavelength in a range selected from the group consisting of 1.4 to 1.8 microns, 2.1 to 2.4 microns and 3.7 to 4.3 microns.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method of claim 11 , wherein the projecting step includes projecting illumination having a wavelength in a range selected from the group consisting of 1.4 to 1.8 microns, and 2.1 to 2.4 microns.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein the collecting step utilizes a device positioned proximate an end of said transmission line for concentrating said infrared illumination.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method of claim 13 , wherein the collecting step is accomplished using a device which is a hood.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method of claim 14 , wherein the collecting step is accomplished using a hood which is flared.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 38 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein the projecting step includes transmitting infrared illumination along a first transmission line, and the transmitting step includes transmitting infrared illumination along a second transmission line separate from the first transmission line.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method of claim 16 , wherein the projecting step is accomplished such that the first transmission line and second transmission line are fiber optic cables.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 35 words

The method of claim 16 , wherein the projecting step is accomplished such that the second transmission line defines a core and the first transmission line is a bundle of fibers positioned around the core.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 33 words

The method of claim 16 , wherein the projecting step is accomplished such that the first transmission line and second transmission line are positioned along side each other in a half circular configuration.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein the transmitting step includes transmitting at least some scattered collected illumination through an optical relay lens engaged with the camera.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 39 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein the projecting step includes projecting infrared illumination through a fiber and thence through a fiber optic head, the fiber optic head directing illumination in a desired direction with respect to the structure.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 41 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein the projecting step includes projecting infrared illumination through a fiber and thence through a fiber optic head having an optical axis, the illumination passing through the optical axis at an angle other than parallel.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 39 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein the projecting step includes projecting infrared illumination through a fiber and thence through a fiber optic head, the fiber having a polished faceted end for concentrating said illumination in a desired direction.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein the projecting step and transmitting step are performed on a common transmission line.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method of claim 24 , wherein the projecting step and transmitting steps are accomplished using a common transmission line that includes fiber optic cables.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method of claim 25 , wherein the projecting step and transmitting step are performed using an optical beamsplitter.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein the projecting step includes projecting polarized illumination.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein the projecting step includes projecting pulsed light.

Claim 30

Independent Claim 143 words

A device for imaging an object within a bloody liquid medium, the device comprising: an endoscope catheter including a fiber optic cable suitable for transmitting infrared light, said fiber optic cable having a distal end and a proximal end; an infrared light source engaged with the proximal end of said cable, said light source for transmitting monochromatic infrared light at a wavelength corresponding to a local absorption minima; an optical head assembly engaged with the distal end of said cable for transmitting infrared illumination from the infrared light source through the bloody liquid medium to the object and for receiving reflected and scattered light from the object and transmitting said reflected light to said cable; and a lens and an infrared camera for receiving said reflected and scattered light from said cable at the same wavelength and forming an image of said object.

Claim 31

Independent Claim 143 words

A device for imaging an object within a bloody liquid medium, the device comprising: an endoscope catheter including a fiber optic cable suitable for transmitting infrared light, said fiber optic cable having a distal end and a proximal end; an infrared light source engaged with the proximal end of said cable, said light source for transmitting monochromatic infrared light at a wavelength corresponding to a local absorption minima; an optical head assembly engaged with the distal end of said cable for transmitting infrared illumination from the infrared light source through the bloody liquid medium to the object and for receiving reflected and scattered light from the object and transmitting said reflected light to said cable; and a lens and an infrared camera for receiving said reflected and scattered light from said cable at the same wavelength and forming an image of said object.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 21 words

The device of claim 29 , wherein the infrared light source produces infrared illumination at a wavelength greater than 1.4 microns.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 23 words

The device of claim 29 , wherein the infrared light produces infrared illumination at a wavelength corresponding to a water absorption local minimum.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 39 words

The device of claim 31 , wherein the infrared light source produces infrared illumination in the wavelength regions consisting of 1.4 to 1.8 microns, 2.1 to 2.4 microns, 3.7 to 4.3, 4.6 to 5.4, and 7 to 14 microns.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 33 words

The device of claim 32 , wherein the infrared light source produces infrared illumination in the wavelength regions consisting of 1.4 to 1.8 microns, 2.1 to 2.4 microns and 3.7 to 4.3 microns.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 29 words

The device of claim 33 , wherein the infrared light source produces infrared illumination in the wavelength regions consisting of 1.4 to 1.8 microns and 2.1 to 2.4 microns.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 28 words

The device of claim 29 , further comprising an image processor and video processor engaged with the infrared camera for processing the image formed by said infrared camera.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 22 words

The device of claim 29 , further comprising a guide wire or stylet for guiding said endoscope catheter to a desired site.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 21 words

The device of claim 29 , further comprising a light focusing hood attached to said catheter proximate said optical head assembly.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 32 words

The device of claim 29 , wherein at least a portion of the optical head assembly is housed within a transparent window attached to the distal end of the fiber optic cable.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 26 words

The device of claim 29 , further comprising a beamsplitter so that the infrared illumination and the reflected and scattered light share a common optical path.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 70 words

The device of claim 29 , wherein the fiber optic cable includes illuminating fibers and imaging fibers separate from said illumination fibers; the illuminating fibers being engaged with the light source and the optical head, for transmitting light between the light source and the optical head; the imaging fibers being engaged with the infrared camera and the optical head, for transmitting light between the infrared camera and the optical head.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 19 words

The device of claim 29 , wherein the light source generates light having a wavelength of about 2.1 microns.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 22 words

The device of claim 29 , wherein the imaging fibers form a core and the illuminating fibers are arranged around said core.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 20 words

The device of claim 29 , wherein the infrared light source generates light having a wavelength of about four microns.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 14 words

The device of claim 29 , wherein the infrared light source generates polarized light.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 18 words

The device of claim 29 , wherein the infrared light source generates pulsed light in a flash configuration.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 76 words

An imaging device comprising: means for directing infrared illumination at a wavelength through blood so that at least some of the infrared illumination will reflect from an object within said blood, thereby generating reflected illumination; said illumination being monochromatic and corresponding to a local absorption minima of the blood; means for receiving said reflected illumination at the same wavelength; and an infrared camera engaged with said receiving means capable of forming an image of the object.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 76 words

An imaging device comprising: means for directing infrared illumination at a wavelength through blood so that at least some of the infrared illumination will reflect from an object within said blood, thereby generating reflected illumination; said illumination being monochromatic and corresponding to a local absorption minima of the blood; means for receiving said reflected illumination at the same wavelength; and an infrared camera engaged with said receiving means capable of forming an image of the object.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 103 words

A non-invasive method of imaging an object within a closed environment such as an eye that has a mixture of blood and vitreous humor, where the blood has rendered the object opaque in the visible spectrum comprising the steps of: introducing monochromatic infrared illumination into the closed environment so that the infrared illumination is reflected and scattered by the environment; said monochromatic infrared illumination being at a wavelength corresponding to a local absorption minima of the blood; and receiving said reflected and scattered light at the same wavelength with an infrared camera to form an image of the object within the closed environment.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 103 words

A non-invasive method of imaging an object within a closed environment such as an eye that has a mixture of blood and vitreous humor, where the blood has rendered the object opaque in the visible spectrum comprising the steps of: introducing monochromatic infrared illumination into the closed environment so that the infrared illumination is reflected and scattered by the environment; said monochromatic infrared illumination being at a wavelength corresponding to a local absorption minima of the blood; and receiving said reflected and scattered light at the same wavelength with an infrared camera to form an image of the object within the closed environment.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 16 words

The method of claim 47 , that uses infrared illumination wavelengths from 1.6 to 12 microns.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 47 , wherein the introducing step introduces infrared illumination through an air-media interface.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method of claim 47 , wherein the introducing step introduces the infrared illumination though an interface selected from the group consisting of liquid and gel.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method of claim 47 , wherein the introducing step introduces polarized infrared illumination.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method of claim 51 , wherein the introducing step introduces pulsed infrared illumination.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 97 words

Apparatus for forming an image within a closed environment containing a liquid or gel wherein blood has rendered the closed environment opaque in the visible spectrum, comprising: means for introducing infrared illumination into the closed environment, whereby the illumination is scattered and reflected; means for collecting the scattered and reflected illumination to form an image of objects or surface details of the closed environment; and whereby said means for introducing illumination introduces monochromatic illumination at a wavelength corresponding to a local absorption minima and the collecting means collects the scattered and reflected illumination at the same wavelength.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 97 words

Apparatus for forming an image within a closed environment containing a liquid or gel wherein blood has rendered the closed environment opaque in the visible spectrum, comprising: means for introducing infrared illumination into the closed environment, whereby the illumination is scattered and reflected; means for collecting the scattered and reflected illumination to form an image of objects or surface details of the closed environment; and whereby said means for introducing illumination introduces monochromatic illumination at a wavelength corresponding to a local absorption minima and the collecting means collects the scattered and reflected illumination at the same wavelength.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 22 words

The apparatus of claim 53 , wherein the introducing means introduces infrared illumination having a wavelength of from 1.6 to 12 microns.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 29 words

The apparatus of claim 53 , that uses a fixed focal length optical objective to introduce the infrared illumination into the environment, and receive the illumination exiting the environment.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 25 words

The apparatus of claim 53 , wherein at least one of the introducing means and collecting means includes a variable focal length or zoom lens.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 19 words

The apparatus of claim 53 , further comprising a beamsplitter engaged with the introducing means and the collecting means.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 32 words

The apparatus of claim 53 , further comprising a beamsplitter engaged with the introducing means such that the an illumination optical path and an imaging optical path share a common optical element.

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 29 words

The apparatus of claim 53 , wherein the introducing means introduces illumination from a fiber optic element distributed around a circumference or to one side of an objective lens.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 20 words

The apparatus of claim 53 , further comprising a CPU engaged with the collecting means for enhancing the collected illumination.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 35 words

The apparatus of claim 53 , wherein the introduced illumination has an intensity and a duty cycle, and further comprising a CPU processing unit that controls the intensity and duty cycle of the introduced illumination.

Claim 67

Dependent Claim 26 words

The apparatus of claim 53 , further comprising an ophthalmic repair or surgical laser that can be used to affect repairs or procedures of an eye.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2004-01-23	2004-07-24	2005-01-23	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2008-01-23	2008-07-24	2009-01-23	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2012-01-23	2012-07-24	2013-01-23	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Infrared endoscopic imaging in a liquid with suspended particles: method and apparatus

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