New incoherent autofluorescence/fluorescence system for early detection of lung cancer.

A new autofluorescence (AF) system for bronchoscopy that operates as compact as a conventional white light bronchoscopy system is described. The system is also capable of white light illumination and excitation of aminolevulinic acid (ALA) induced fluorescence. Changing between white light and (auto-) fluorescence mode is easy and always possible. Broad band excitation with blue light (AF: 380-460 nm; ALA 380-440 nm) delivers high intensity illumination at the distal end of the bronchoscope (AF typically 50 mW). A special optical observation technique makes the AF directly visible to the eye instead of indirect techniques used in other AF systems. A compact (160 g)and sensitive (typically 0.2 lux) camera can be used for documentation.