US 12,357,154 B2
Short wave infrared imaging endoscopy
Paul R. Schuster, Baltimore, MD (US); and Chad N. Weiler, Columbia, MD (US)
Assigned to The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD (US)
Filed by The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD (US)
Filed on May 11, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/317,495.
Application 17/317,495 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/254,686, filed on Jan. 23, 2019, granted, now 11,693,229.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/647,007, filed on Mar. 23, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2021/0321866 A1, Oct. 21, 2021
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61B 1/00 (2006.01); A61B 1/005 (2006.01); A61B 1/04 (2006.01); A61B 1/05 (2006.01); A61B 1/06 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 1/00096 (2013.01) [A61B 1/00009 (2013.01); A61B 1/00043 (2013.01); A61B 1/00188 (2013.01); A61B 1/0052 (2013.01); A61B 1/0057 (2013.01); A61B 1/046 (2022.02); A61B 1/05 (2013.01); A61B 1/063 (2013.01); A61B 1/0638 (2013.01); A61B 1/0646 (2013.01); A61B 1/0669 (2013.01); A61B 1/0676 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An imaging apparatus comprising:
a flexible elongate member having a distal end and proximal end, the flexible elongate member comprising:
a shortwave infrared (SWIR) imaging sensor configured for wavelengths from 1.0 micrometer to 1.7 micrometers;
a distal lens optically coupled to the SWIR imaging sensor and disposed at the distal end of the flexible elongate member, the distal lens configured to focus light energy at a SWIR wavelength onto the SWIR imaging sensor;
a compact SWIR illumination source disposed entirely at the distal end of the flexible elongate member and configured to provide light energy at the SWIR wavelength at the distal end of the flexible elongate member for output to illuminate an object, wherein the light energy at the SWIR wavelength is not guided from the proximal end to the distal end of the flexible elongate member, wherein the imaging apparatus does not include illumination fiber that directs light energy at the SWIR wavelength from the proximal end to the distal end of the flexible elongate member; and
one or more control cables disposed within the flexible elongate member enabling movement of the flexible elongate member; and
a handle coupled to the flexible elongate member; and
mechanical controls operably coupled to the control cables for directing the flexible elongate member and focusing capabilities for imaging.