Thermographic imaging endoscope for tumour diagnosis - has liq. crystal layer transferring cold light to observation area image converter

摘要

The endoscope has an image converter receiving the IR image and providing a visible heat image. The image converter comprises a fluidic crystal layer (2) adjacent the distal end of a sleeve (6) which incorporates the objective (5) and receiving cold light from the opposite side to that facing the eyepiece. This sleeve (6) can slide relative to the endoscope tube and it is double-walled, with an optical conductor (8) between the inner and outer walls. The optical conductor (8) receives cold light at the proximal end for illumination of the investigated area (7) at the distal end.