| abstract |
A fluorescence imaging system includes a light source, preferably a pulsated laser (1), which irradiates an object, optionally via further optical components (2, 3, 5), so as to induce fluorescence radiation in the object. This radiation images the object on a detector plane (11). In accordance with the invention there is provided a beam-splitting system (6), such that the fluorescent object is reproduced in the form of at least three, and preferably four separate and mutually adjacent images. A selected filter is placed in each of the paths of these partial light beams. The detector plane has a plurality of image-point detectors each of which produces a respective electric signal, so that there is obtained for each image point at least three, and preferably four intensity signals recorded for a respective frequency band determined by respective filters. These signals are processed mathematically to provide a weighted signal value, which may be dimensionless. These weighted image-point values are reproduced, for example on a video-monitor (13), which makes possible fluorescence reproduction rich in contrast and free from disturbances with respect to spectral signatures. One example of the use to which the invention can be put is the detection of cancer cells to which a fluorescence signature has been imparted with the aid of HPD. |