Patent ID: 6804549
Filing Date: 2004-10-12
Classification: A61B,A61K

Abstract:
A sentinel lymph node detection method, comprising:focusing a fluorescent image composed of fluorescent light having a wavelength band within the near-infrared wavelength band emitted from a near-infrared fluorescent colorant, which emits fluorescent light having a wavelength band within the near-infrared wavelength band, that has been injected into the area of tissue under examination in the vicinity of a diseased portion, which includes the sentinel lymph node, upon irradiation thereof by stimulating light; and converting said focused fluorescent image composed of fluorescent light having a wavelength band within the near-infrared wavelength band to a visible image, wherein a normal image composed of the reflected light reflected by the area of tissue under examination that has been irradiated by an illuminating light composed of visible light and said visible image are superposed and observed.