What Is Narrow Band Imaging (NBI) Endoscopy?

Narrow Band Imaging (NBI) is an advanced endoscopic technology designed to enhance the visualization of gastrointestinal mucosal structures and blood vessels. Unlike traditional white light endoscopy, NBI uses specialized narrow-band filters to isolate specific wavelengths of light, improving the contrast between mucosal tissues and their underlying vascular networks—critical for detecting early-stage diseases like precancerous lesions or inflammation.

How NBI Technology Works

Traditional electronic endoscopes use xenon lamps emitting "white light," a broad spectrum combining red (605nm), green (540nm), and blue (415nm) wavelengths. NBI systems replace these broadband filters with narrow-band filters, retaining only two key wavelengths:

• 415nm (blue light): Penetrates shallowly into mucosal layers, highlighting superficial capillary networks.
• 540nm (green light): Reaches deeper mucosal layers, visualizing intermediate vascular structures.

Blood absorbs blue and green light strongly, creating a stark contrast between vascular tissues and surrounding mucosa. This "electronic staining" effect eliminates the need for chemical dyes, allowing instant switching between white light and NBI modes during procedures.

Advantages of NBI Over Traditional Endoscopy

NBI outperforms conventional white light endoscopy in several key areas:

• Enhanced vascular visualization: Sharply defines mucosal blood vessels, aiding detection of abnormal vascular patterns in conditions like Barrett's esophagus or colitis.
• Improved mucosal detail: Clearly shows glandular structures (e.g., irregular pits in early tumors), increasing diagnostic accuracy for precancerous lesions.
• Convenience: No need for dye spraying—simply toggle NBI mode, reducing procedure time and patient discomfort.
• Targeted wavelength penetration: Different NBI wavelengths (415nm/540nm) focus on specific tissue depths, providing layered insights into mucosal health.

Clinical Applications of NBI

NBI is widely used in gastrointestinal diagnostics, including:

• Detecting early-stage esophageal, gastric, and colorectal cancers by identifying abnormal vascularization.
• Evaluating Barrett's esophagus for dysplastic changes.
• Differentiating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) from other mucosal disorders.
• Guiding biopsy sampling by highlighting suspicious areas with high precision.

Trust OPTOStokes for NBI Filter Solutions

The performance of NBI systems depends heavily on high-quality narrow-band filters. OPTOStokes offers 415nm and 540nm filters optimized for NBI endoscopy—designed to deliver precise wavelength isolation, consistent light transmission, and durable performance. Whether you need off-the-shelf filters for standard systems or custom specifications for specialized equipment, our products meet international medical device standards, ensuring reliable diagnostic results.

For questions about NBI filter compatibility or to discuss your specific needs, email our technical team at sales@optofilters.com or leave a message on our website. We’ll help you find the right solution to enhance your endoscopic procedures.