Near infrared imaging

Abstract

The application discloses endoscopes and wands, light sources, and other inventions useful for near infrared imaging, particularly for medical purposes. It discloses endoscope or wand devices ( 260 ) having transmitting members that transmit between about 95% and 99.9% of the energy at a wavelength within the infrared spectrum. It also discloses wands and endoscopes having at least one channel for transmitting and receiving light in the visible spectrum and at least one channel for transmitting and receiving light in the infrared spectrum.

1 - 32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . A wand or endoscope comprising a prism for separating visible light from infrared light, the prism comprising:
 at least one channel configured to receive and transmit light in the visible spectrum; and   at least one channel configured to receive and transmit light in the infrared spectrum.   
     
     
         34 . The prism of  claim 33 , wherein said at least one channel is configured to receive and transmit light in the infrared spectrum to a detector capable of detecting light in the infrared spectrum. 
     
     
         35 . The prism of  claim 33 , further comprising a gold coating on at least one prism surface, said prism surface being angled to reflect infrared light to the at least one channel configured to receive and transmit light in the infrared spectrum. 
     
     
         36 . The prism of  claim 33 , further comprising an optical coating on at least one prism surface, said prism surface being configured to transmit light in the infrared spectrum and configured to reflect between 0.5% and 5% of light in the infrared spectrum.