Abstract
Although the technique for imaging tissue hemoglobin distribution by analyzing electronic endoscopic images using two narrow-band interference filters of 569nm and 650nm, based on organ reflectance spectrophotometry, has some drawbacks such as the effect of regular catoptric lighting and insufficient light intensity, it does offer many useful advantages not available with conventional endoscopy. These advantages are as follows : 1. The ability to produce two-dimensional hemoglobin distribution charts. 2. The average hemoglobin concentration (hemoglobin index, Hb-I) can be measured within any region of interest (ROI). 3. Measurement can be performed under physiological conditions because a non-contact method is introduced in this system. 4. Errors in reproduciibility caused by changes in the examination method are avoided. 5. Instantaneous and repeated measurements are possible. Because of these advan-tages, this imaging method is highly evaluated for its great potential role in research and clinical applications.
