Surgery – Endoscope – Having imaging and illumination means
Reexamination Certificate
2004-09-27
2009-06-09
Leubecker, John P (Department: 3739)
Surgery
Endoscope
Having imaging and illumination means
C600S109000, C362S574000
Reexamination Certificate
active
07544163
ABSTRACT:
The apparatus and methods herein provide quantitatively controllable light sources and expanded dynamic range endoscopy systems that can improve the quality of images and the ability of users to distinguish desired features when viewing tissues by providing methods and apparatus that improve the dynamic range of images from endoscopes, in particular for example with endoscopes that have dynamic range limited because of small image sensors and small pixel electron well capacity, and other optical system constraints. The apparatus and methods herein, for example, combine light sources with quantitatively variable spectral output and quantitatively variable wavelength dependent intensity distribution with image sensors and controllers to create an expanded dynamic range endoscopy system. By digitally combining illumination data from the digitally controllable light source with the digital image data from the image sensor the system synthesizes expanded dynamic range images whose dynamic range exceeds the dynamic range of the image sensor alone thus providing greatly enhanced information content in the acquired images.
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MacKinnon Nicholas B.
Stange Ulrich
Graybeal Jackson LLP
King Joshua
Leubecker John P
Tidal Photonics, Inc.
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