title: Fluorescence endoscopy instrumentation for improved tissue characterization.
abstract: An endoscopic instrument for normal optical inspection and simultaneous fluorescence characterization is described. The equipment is primarily intended for early cancer detection using characteristic fluorescence from the tumor-seeking agent hematoporphyrin derivative. A dimensionless ratio of two fluorescence intensities is monitored making the equipment insensitive to target distance and surface topography. A measurement example is given and possible improvements are discussed.
mesh_terms: D019723:Endoscopes; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods; D005453:Fluorescence; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis