Patent ID: 8100826
Filing Date: 2012-01-24
Classification: A61B,G01J,G01N,G02B,H04N

Abstract:
1. A method of obtaining an image of a target having good dynamic range comprising: a) emitting illumination light from a tunable light source configured to emit illumination light comprising a variable selected spectral output and a variable wavelength dependent intensity distribution, wherein the light source is configured to independently increase or decrease the variable selected spectral output and the variable wavelength dependent intensity distribution as desired, to illuminate a target; b) sensing emanating light from the target via an image sensor configured to detect light emanating from a target and transmit an image of the target to a processor; and, c) determining whether the emanating light saturates, overexposes or underexposes sensing elements of the image sensor; d) where the emanating light saturates, overexposes or underexposes sensing elements of the image sensor, selectively adjusting the selected spectral output and wavelength dependent intensity distribution of the illumination light to provide a compensatory illumination light configured to compensate for the oversaturation or underexposure in a specific wavelength distribution in the image without substantially changing acceptable wavelengths; and, e) combining data about the adjusting of the light source with data from the image to provide an enhanced dynamic range compared to the image sensor alone.