Development of a fluorescence video endoscopy imaging system for the early detection of cancer in the gastrointestinal tract

摘要

Abstract: The utility of autofluorescence imaging for the early detection of lung cancer has been previously demonstrated. The aim of this work is to extend the use of real time autofluorescence imaging to the early detection of cancer of the esophagus, stomach, and colon. A prototype fluorescence imaging system was developed which produces real time video images of tissue autofluorescence. The system consist of a filtered blue light source, two intensified CCD cameras, a fiber optic endoscope, and a computer based control center. The system produces a real time pseudo color display based on images acquired from two fluorescence bands. These bands were selected based on in vivo fluorescence spectroscopic studies. The generated pseudo image clearly delineates the abnormal tissue areas for biopsy. Early cancer sties missed under conventional white light examination became visible under fluorescence imaging. A further development allows the fluorescence imaging system to be used in an alternate fashion. The system captures a fluorescence image in the green and a reflectance image in the red-near IR. Different spectral information was exploited in the two imaging modes. !16