Patent ID: 6597941
Filing Date: 2003-07-22
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An apparatus for identifying a body member located adjacent a surgical site comprising:a first light energy source configured to emit infrared light energy having a wavelength between 700 nm to 1300 nm; a first light guide connected to said first light energy source for receiving the infrared light energy and constructed to apply the infrared light energy to the body member so the infrared light energy penetrates and is emitted through the body member; a second light energy source configured to emit light energy having a wavelength different than the wavelength of the infrared light energy emitted by the first light energy source; a filter configured to filter infrared light energy from the light energy emitted by said second light energy source so that said filter emits substantially infrared free light energy; a light emitter configured to introduce the substantially infrared free light energy into the surgical site; a video camera sensitive to both received infrared free light energy and infrared light energy that is configured to generate image-defining video signals based on the received infrared free light energy and on the infrared light energy emitted through the body member; a video monitor configured to receive the video signals and display an image defined by the video signals.