Configurable multi-wavelength laser light engine for endoscopic fluorescence imaging

Multiple clinically approved dyes and several new dyes currently in clinical studies are used for fluorescence-guided surgery, diagnosis and imaging. These present a wide range of absorption and emission spectra and create a demand for endoscopic illumination sources with multiple wavelengths. Fluorescent imaging with simultaneous white light overlay image benefit from laser light sources for fluorescence excitation and white light illumination to allow for easy spectral filtering on imaging side. Emerging applications with imaging of two or more complementary fluorescent dyes further adds to desire for a configurable multi-wavelength endoscopic light source. The multi-wavelength configurable and cloud connected oncology laser platform Modulight ML7710 was developed further to accommodate the light engine requirements of real-time multi-wavelength endoscopic fluorescence imaging. The configurable medical illumination platform enables simultaneous multi-wavelength fluorescence excitation with wide dynamic range and color balance adjustable RGB white light illumination. Multi-wavelength light output functionality was further developed to support industry standard endoscopic light guides without the need of additional external optical elements. Laser light sources for imaging typically suffer from unwanted speckle patterns. This issue is solved with internal speckle remover which greatly reduces speckle contrast even when used with high-speed imaging applications. The platform also offers possibility for spectral measurement of fluorescence from the target to the supplement or facilitate high-resolution imaging. The configurable touchscreen user interface allows for simple application for specific operation and cloud-based connectivity enables modern configuration, data logging, planning and control with platform for future machine learning and AI analysis.