Patent ID: 6083158
Filing Date: 2000-07-04
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A method of displaying a multicolor map image containing at least 3 distinct colors, a first color representing high oxygen content, a second color representing low oxygen content and the third color representing absence of oxygen in an area of viewed animal tissue comprising the steps of:illuminating the area with a non-collimated, broad band light source containing 3 preselected wavelengths, two of the wavelengths being absorption peaks of oxyhemoglobin and one of the wavelengths being an absorption peak of deoxyhemoglobin;filtering an image reflected from the area through a set of three narrow band filters to filter light at the three preselected wavelengths to provide three distinct image signals, each having an intensity;processing the three distinct image signals into a composite three color video image signal representative of relative blood oxygen content throughout the area of tissue; anddisplaying the composite signal on a video color monitor as said multicolor map image.