Patent ID: 6293911
Filing Date: 2001-09-25
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An endoscope system, comprising:an endoscope having an elongated insertion part capable of being inserted into a living body;an administering means for use in administering a fluorescent substance to the inside of a living body, said fluorescent substance emitting a fluorescence with wavelengths in a first infrared spectrum which is transmitted by a living tissue more efficiently than light with wavelengths in the visible and ultraviolet spectra, said fluorescent substance being apt to be accumulated in a lesion;an excitation light irradiating means for irradiating excitation light to said living tissue inside said living body to which said fluorescent substance has been administered, said excitation light having wavelengths in a second infrared spectrum different from said first infrared spectrum, said excitation light irradiating means irradiates said excitation light intermittently to said living body;an imaging means incorporated in said endoscope, for cutting off said excitation light and producing a fluorescence image using fluorescence with wavelengths in said first infrared spectrum emanating from said florescent substance, said imaging means being responsive to said excitation light intermittently irradiated to said living body to output a first image signal when said excitation light is irradiated and a second image signal when said excitation light is not irradiated;a first memory for storing said first image signal output from said imaging means when said excitation light is irradiated;a second memory for storing said second image signal output from said imaging means when said excitation light is not irradiated;a subtracting means for subtracting said second image signal stored in said second memory from said first image signal stored in said first memory;a signal processing means for processing an output signal of said subtracting means and for producing a video signal; anda display means for displaying an image represented by said video signal.