JP2002165108A - Image acquisition device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image acquisition device, capable of mutually synchronizing image signals with each other and performing image processing or the like by utilizing mutually each image signal, when image signals are acquired by picking up an imaging through a plurality of imaging means, in an imaging acquisition device which picks up through imaging means to convert the image into an image to be an electrical signal and outputs the image signal, on the basis of a clock signal with a prescribed frequency. SOLUTION: The clock signal generating means 40 is common to a first, second, and third imaging means 10, 20, and 30, and when a first, second, and third control means 11, 21, and 31 receive a trigger signal from an external trigger signal generating means 50, image signals synchronized with each other are outputted from the first, second; and third imaging means 10, 20, and 30 on the basis of the clock signal generated from the common clock signal means 40, and each image signal is stored in a first, second, and third memories 12, 22, and 32, with the same timing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image acquisition apparatus for capturing an image and acquiring it as an image signal, and more particularly to an image acquisition apparatus for acquiring an image signal by capturing an image with a plurality of image pickup means. It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there have been various image acquisition devices which take an image by an image pickup means such as a CCD, convert the image into an electric signal, and output the image signal based on a clock signal of a predetermined frequency. Used in technical fields.

In the above-described image acquisition apparatus, when an image is taken by a plurality of image pickup means and output as an image signal, and the image signals are mutually used to simultaneously perform image processing or the like, the image signals are mutually connected. Must be synchronized. For example, in a diagnostic image used in image diagnosis in the medical field, an image may be captured from the same measured part under different conditions, and image processing or the like may be performed by mutually using the images.

[0004] Specifically, when a living tissue is irradiated with excitation light in the excitation light wavelength region of the dye in the living body, the intensity of fluorescence emitted from the normal tissue differs from that from the diseased tissue (specifically, the solid line in FIG. As shown in the figure, normal tissue emits strong fluorescence and diseased tissue emits weak fluorescence as indicated by a broken line.) In the technology of displaying the infiltration range as a fluorescence image, when displaying the intensity of the fluorescence by the excitation light as an image as described above, the intensity of the excitation light applied to the living tissue is uniform because the living tissue has irregularities. is not. Further, the intensity of the fluorescent light emitted from the living tissue is almost proportional to the illuminance of the excitation light, but the illuminance of the excitation light decreases in inverse proportion to the square of the distance. For this reason, a diseased tissue that is closer to a tissue than a normal tissue that is farther from the light source may receive stronger fluorescence. Can not. In order to reduce such inconvenience, the ratio of two types of fluorescence intensities obtained from different wavelength bands (a narrow band around 480 nm and a wide band from around 430 nm to around 730 nm) is obtained by division, and an operation image based on the division value is obtained. That is, an image display method based on the difference in the shape of the fluorescence spectrum that reflects the tissue properties of the living body, or a near-infrared light that is uniformly absorbed by various living tissues as the reference light. A method of irradiating the tissue, detecting the intensity of the reflected light reflected by the living tissue irradiated with the reference light, determining the ratio with the fluorescence intensity by division, and displaying an operation image based on the division value, That is, a method of obtaining a value reflecting the fluorescence yield and displaying an image has been proposed. In addition, a method of assigning color information to a division value of the fluorescence intensity in a different wavelength band or a division value of the fluorescence intensity and the intensity of the reflected light due to the irradiation of the reference light, and displaying the lesion state of the biological tissue as an image based on the color difference, Further, by synthesizing a color image indicating the lesion state of the living tissue with the difference in color and a luminance image obtained by assigning luminance information to the intensity of the reflected light by the irradiation of the reference light, A method of showing an image having a feeling of unevenness by reflecting the shape in the image has also been proposed.

[0005]

However, when an image is captured by using a plurality of image capturing means and an image signal is obtained as described above, it is necessary that each image signal be synchronized with each other. If not taken, image processing or the like using each output image signal mutually (for example, arithmetic processing between fluorescent images of different wavelength bands as described above, based on reflected light by irradiation of a fluorescent image and reference light, Calculation processing between images with a reflected image, or display processing when simultaneously displaying a fluorescent image and a normal image based on reflected light reflected from a measurement unit by irradiation of illumination light (particularly, superimposing a fluorescent image and a normal image (Display processing of (overlapping)) cannot be appropriately performed.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention takes an image by an imaging means and converts it into an image signal which is an electric signal.
In an image acquisition device that outputs the image signal with reference to a clock signal having a predetermined frequency, when acquiring an image signal by capturing an image with a plurality of imaging units, each image signal is synchronized, and each image signal is synchronized. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image acquisition device capable of obtaining an image signal which can be used for mutual image processing.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first image acquiring apparatus, comprising: an image pickup unit for picking up an image and outputting the image as an image signal; Clock signal generating means for generating a clock signal having a period, trigger signal generating means for generating a trigger signal for setting a timing at which an image signal is output from the imaging means, and a trigger signal generated from the trigger signal generating means are received. Control means for outputting an image signal from the imaging means based on a clock signal generated from the clock signal generation means, wherein the clock signal generation means has a plurality of imaging means. And a clock signal generated by the common clock signal generating means when the control means receives a trigger signal. It is characterized in that in which to output the synchronized image signals from a plurality of image pickup means in the image signal each other based.

Here, the above-mentioned "imaging means" means a CCD or the like, but any means may be used as long as it outputs an image signal based on a reference clock signal having a predetermined period.

Outputting an image signal based on a reference clock signal having a predetermined period means, for example, that when the image pickup means is a CCD, the image signal is output by outputting a horizontal / vertical synchronization signal in accordance with the clock signal. Means to output.

[0010] A second image acquiring apparatus according to the present invention comprises an image pickup means for picking up an image and outputting it as an image signal, and a clock signal having a predetermined cycle serving as a reference of the cycle of the image signal output from the image pickup means. Clock signal generating means for generating a trigger signal, a trigger signal generating means for generating a trigger signal for setting a timing at which an image signal is output from the imaging means, and a clock signal generating upon receiving a trigger signal generated from the trigger signal generating means. An image acquisition apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to output an image signal from an imaging unit based on a clock signal generated from the unit; storing and outputting each of the plurality of imaging units and each image signal output from the plurality of imaging units; Detecting that the storage of the image signals output from the plurality of imaging units has been completed in the plurality of storage units and the plurality of storage units. And a detecting means for outputting a can detect signals, a plurality of storage means, it is characterized in that in response to the detection signal for each image signal each other and outputs a synchronized image signal.

The clock signal generating means may be provided corresponding to each of the plurality of image pickup means.

The detecting means has a plurality of event generators provided corresponding to the plurality of storage means and generating an event when the storage of each image signal is completed in each storage means. A detection signal may be output when an event is generated from all of the generating units.

The detecting means has a counting means for counting events, and outputs a detection signal when the number of events counted by the counting means becomes n times (n ≧ 1) of the plurality of imaging means. Things.

The detecting means is provided in correspondence with each of the plurality of storage means, and sets a flag when each image signal is stored in each storage means. A flag confirmation unit for confirming whether or not the flag has been set, and outputting a detection signal when the flag confirmation unit has confirmed that the flag has been set in all of the plurality of flag units.

Further, the flag checking means may check whether or not flags are set in a plurality of flag portions at predetermined time intervals.

Further, the plurality of flag units generate an event when the flag is set, and the flag checking means checks whether the flag is set in the plurality of flag units when the event occurs. be able to.

The clock signal generating means generates a reference signal having a frequency twice as long as a predetermined period, and divides the frequency of the reference signal output from the reference signal generating section by half. A frequency divider, and the reference signal is divided into two by the frequency divider to output a clock signal. Here, the frequency divider divides the frequency of the reference signal by half using either the rise or fall of the reference signal.

Further, the imaging means may be configured to irradiate excitation light to the measured section to capture fluorescent images in mutually different wavelength bands based on the intensity of the fluorescent light generated from the measured section.

The imaging means reflects the fluorescence image based on the intensity of the fluorescence generated from the measured portion by irradiating the measured portion with the excitation light and the reference light to reflect the reflected light from the measured portion. A reference light image based on the intensity of the reflected light is captured.

Further, the imaging means irradiates excitation light to the measured part to irradiate the measured part with a fluorescent image and a reference light in different wavelength bands based on the intensity of the fluorescence generated from the measured part. A reference light image based on the intensity of the reflected light reflected from the measured portion may be taken.

Here, the above-mentioned “reference light” may be used when performing the above-described distance correction of the fluorescent image or the like, or may be used as a normal light (for capturing a normal image of the measured portion). Illumination light).

Also, an endoscope inserted into a living body for guiding excitation light to a portion to be measured and irradiating the portion with the excitation light to guide fluorescence generated from the portion to be measured to imaging means. It can be in the form of an endoscope having an insertion portion.

The light source of the excitation light is a GaN-based semiconductor laser, and the wavelength band of the excitation light is from 400 nm to 42 nm.
It can be in the range up to 0 nm.

[0024]

According to the first image acquisition apparatus of the present invention, the image acquisition apparatus has a plurality of imaging means, and the clock signal generation means has
The control means, based on a clock signal generated by the common clock signal generating means when receiving a trigger signal, generates a synchronized image signal from each of the plurality of imaging means. Since output is performed, each image signal can be stored in the memory at the same timing, and image processing and the like can be appropriately performed using each image signal. In addition, by using a common clock signal, the exposure time when an image is captured by a plurality of imaging units can be the same for the plurality of imaging units, so that an image suitable for image-to-image calculation can be obtained.

Further, a second image acquisition apparatus according to the present invention includes a plurality of image pickup means, a plurality of storage means for storing and outputting respective image signals output from the plurality of image pickup means, and a plurality of storage means. Detecting means for outputting a detection signal when detecting that the storage of the image signals output from the plurality of imaging means has been completed, wherein the plurality of storage means are synchronized with each other in response to the detection signals. Since the taken image signals are output, the image processing and the like can be appropriately performed by mutually using the image signals.

When the clock signal generating means is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of imaging means, the clock signal output from the clock signal generating means is output to the plurality of imaging means. Since the wiring does not need to be routed, generation of noise due to the routing of the clock signal wiring can be prevented.

Further, the detecting means has a plurality of event generating sections provided in correspondence with the plurality of storing means and generating an event when the storing of each image signal is completed in each storing means. When a detection signal is output when an event is generated from all of the generators, a synchronized image signal can be output from each storage unit with a simple configuration.

Further, the detecting means has a counting means for counting events, and outputs a detection signal when the number of events counted by the counting means becomes n times (n ≧ 1) of the plurality of imaging means. In this case, the event can be detected with a simpler configuration.

Further, a plurality of flag units are provided corresponding to the plurality of storage units, respectively, for setting a flag when the storage of each image signal is completed in each storage unit. Flag checking means for checking whether or not the flag has been set, and when the flag checking means outputs a detection signal when checking that the flags have been set in all of the plurality of flag sections, With a simple configuration, synchronized image signals can be output from the respective storage units.

If the flag checking means checks whether or not flags are set in a plurality of flag portions at predetermined time intervals, it is possible to check whether or not the flags have been set with a simple configuration. it can.

A plurality of flag sections generate an event when a flag is set, and the flag check means checks whether a flag is set in the plurality of flag sections when an event occurs. In this case, the flag can be checked more efficiently.

The clock signal generating means generates a reference signal having a frequency twice as long as a predetermined period, and divides the reference signal output from the reference signal generating section by half. In the case where the frequency divider has a frequency divider and the reference signal is frequency-divided by half by the frequency divider to output a clock signal, the frequency divider may generate either a rising edge or a falling edge of the reference signal. , The accuracy of the duty ratio of the clock signal is improved, and the synchronization of the image signals can be accurately obtained.

In the case where the imaging means captures fluorescent images in different wavelength bands based on the intensity of the fluorescent light generated from the measured section by irradiating the measured section with the excitation light, the image capturing means differs from each other. Appropriate calculation between the fluorescence images in the wavelength band can be performed.

Further, the imaging means irradiates a fluorescence image based on the intensity of the fluorescent light generated from the measured part by irradiating the measured light with the excitation light and the reference light to reflect the reflected light from the measured part. If a reference light image based on the intensity of the reflected light is taken, appropriate calculation between the fluorescence image and the reference light image can be performed.

Further, the imaging means irradiates excitation light to the measured part, thereby irradiating the measured part with a fluorescent image and a reference light in mutually different wavelength bands based on the intensity of the fluorescence generated from the measured part. In the case where the reference light image based on the intensity of the reflected light reflected from the measured portion is to be captured, it is possible to perform appropriate calculations between the fluorescent light images of different wavelength bands and between the fluorescent light image and the reference light image. it can.

Further, an endoscope inserted into a living body, which guides excitation light to a portion to be measured and irradiates the portion with the excitation light to guide fluorescence generated from the portion to be measured to imaging means. In the case of an endoscope having an insertion portion, it is possible to perform appropriate calculation between images captured by the endoscope, and to obtain an image more suitable for diagnosis.

The light source of the excitation light is a GaN-based semiconductor laser, and the wavelength band of the excitation light is from 400 nm to 42 nm.
When it is within the range up to 0 nm, fluorescence can be more efficiently excited.

[0038]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image acquisition device according to the present invention.

The image acquisition apparatus according to the present invention includes first, second and third image pickup means 10, 20, and 30 for picking up an image and outputting the image signal as image signals, and first, second and third image pickup means. A clock signal generating means 40 for generating a clock signal having a predetermined cycle which is a reference of a cycle of an image signal output from 10, 20, 30; and first, second and third imaging means 10, 20, 30 Trigger signal generating means 50 for generating a trigger signal for setting a timing at which an image signal is output, and a clock signal generated from the clock signal generating means 40 upon receiving a trigger signal generated from the trigger signal generating means 50. It comprises first, second and third control means 11, 21, 31 for outputting image signals from the first, second and third imaging means 10, 20, 30. First, second and third imaging means 1
The image signals output from 0, 20, and 30 are stored in the first, second, and third memories 12, 22, and 32, respectively, and then output to the image processing unit 60.
0 performs image processing based on image signals output from the first, second, and third memories 12, 22, 32.

As shown, the clock signal generating means 40
A common clock signal is output to the first, second, and third imaging units 10, 20, and 30. Also,
The clock signal generator 40 has a reference signal generator 41 for generating a reference signal having a frequency twice as high as that of the clock signal, and a frequency divider 42 for dividing the reference signal by half. The reference signal generated from the clock signal is divided by a frequency divider 42 into two and output as a clock signal.

The first, second and third image pickup means include a CC
An image sensor such as D means any device that captures an image and outputs an image signal based on the clock signal of the clock signal unit 40.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 shows an example of a timing chart in the operation of the present embodiment. First, a trigger signal is generated from the trigger signal generation means 50, and the first, second and third imaging means 10,
20 and 30 are first, second and third control means 11 and
Exposure is started by being driven by 1 and 31, respectively. Then, when the trigger signal falls, the first, second and third imaging means 10, 20,
30 ends the exposure. Further, after the next trigger signal rises, the first, second, and third imaging means 10, 20, and 30 start exposure again and output an image signal by the first exposure at the rise of the next clock signal. . At this time, the first, second and third imaging means 10,
The image signals output from 20, 30 are synchronized because they share the clock signal and the trigger signal. Then, the first, second and third imaging means 1
The image signals output from 0, 20, and 30 are stored in first, second, and third memories 12, 22, and 32, respectively, and then output to image processing means 60. Is done.

The first, second and third image pickup means 1
The images picked up by 0, 20, and 30 may be different images or the same image as long as the images are image-processed simultaneously by the image processing unit 60 later.

In the present embodiment, the first, second and third memories 12, 22, and 32 are provided. However, in the case where the image processing means 60 is provided with a storage medium having the same function. Is not necessary.

According to the image acquisition apparatus of the present embodiment, the first, second and third image pickup means 10, 20, 30
And the clock signal generating means 40 is common to the first, second and third imaging means 10, 20 and 30, and the first, second and third control means 11, 21, 31
Are synchronized by the respective image signals from the first, second and third imaging means 10, 20, 30 based on the clock signal generated from the common clock signal generation means 40 when the trigger signal is received. Since the image signals are output, the first and second image signals are output at the same timing.
And the third memories 12, 22, and 32, and image processing and the like can be appropriately performed by mutually utilizing the image signals. In addition, by using a common clock signal, the exposure time when an image is captured by a plurality of imaging units can be the same for the plurality of imaging units, so that an image suitable for image-to-image calculation can be obtained.

Next, a description will be given of a second embodiment of the image acquisition apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of the present embodiment. The description of the same elements as those in the first embodiment will be omitted unless particularly necessary.

The second embodiment of the image acquiring apparatus according to the present invention comprises first, second and third image pickup means, external trigger signal generating means 50, and clock signal generating means 16 and 2.
6 and 36, respectively, and upon receiving a trigger signal generated from the trigger signal generating means 50, first, second and third imaging based on the clock signals generated from the clock signal generating means 16, 26 and 36. Means 10, 2
First, second, and third control means 15, 25, and 35 for outputting image signals from 0, 30 and each image signal output from the first, second, and third imaging means 10, 20, 30 , And second and third buffers 13, 23, 3 for temporarily storing the respective image signals and outputting each image signal in response to a detection signal output from an event detection unit 70 described later.
3 and first, second and third buffers 13, 23, 3
3, the first, second and third imaging means 10, 20,
First, second, and third event generators 14, 24, and 34 that generate an event when it is detected that the storage of each image signal output from 30 has been completed;
When an event issued from the second and third event generators 14, 24, and 34 is detected, and when it is detected that an event is issued from all event generators, the first, second, and third buffers 13 are used. , 23, and 33, and an event detecting means 70 for generating a detection signal.
After the respective image signals output from the second and third buffers 13, 23, 33 are stored in the first, second and third memories 12, 22, 32, respectively, the image processing means 60
And the image processing means 60 outputs the first, second and third
Performs image processing based on image signals output from the memories 12, 22, and 32.

Here, in the present embodiment, the clock signal generating means 16, 26, and 36 are configured to be built in the first, second, and third control means 15, 25, and 35, respectively. As in the case of the first embodiment, the image pickup means may be common. However, in the present embodiment, it is not necessary to use a common clock signal generating unit for each imaging unit as in the first embodiment. It is necessary to arrange a wiring for supplying a clock signal to the clock signal, and the wiring of the wiring may cause a clock signal having a generally high frequency to be a noise source of an image signal. It is desirable to provide a configuration provided separately for each imaging means.

The clock signal generating means 16, 26,
36 is a clock generator 40 according to the first embodiment.
In the same manner as in the first embodiment, a reference signal generating unit (not shown) for generating a reference signal having a frequency twice as high as that of the clock signal and a frequency dividing unit for dividing the reference signal by half are provided.

Further, in the present embodiment, the image signals output from the respective image pickup means are stored in the first, second and third buffers 13, 23, 33, and the respective buffers store the image signals. When the first, second, and third event generators 14, 24, and 34 detect that the process has ended, an event is generated. However, it is not always necessary to adopt this configuration, and the first, second, and Third buffers 13, 23, 3
3, the first, second and third event generators 1
4, 24, and 34 are provided in the first, second, and third memories 12, 22, and 32, respectively, and the first, second, and third memories 12, 22, and 32 complete storing the respective image signals. Then, the first, second, and third event generators 14, 24, 34 may generate an event. However, the first, second and third buffers 13,
When a FIFO or the like is used as 23, 33, it is easier to create an event generating unit if the first, second, and third buffers 13, 23, 33 are provided. .

The event detecting means 70 includes a counting means 71, which detects that an event has occurred in the first, second and third event generators 14, 24 and 34 and counts the number of the event. Output a detection signal when an event has occurred from all event generators. When counting events, the counting means 71 outputs a detection signal when an event is generated from all the event generators, that is, when 3 is counted as the number of events, and then resets the counter. Alternatively, a detection signal may be output when n times 3 (n ≧ 1) has been counted, and the counter may be reset when a predetermined multiple of 3 has been reached.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. First, a trigger signal is generated from the trigger signal generating means 50, and the first, second, and third imaging means 10, 20, and 30 control the first, second, and third control in response to the rise of the first clock signal thereafter. Exposure is started by being driven by means 11, 21, and 31, respectively. At this time, since the clock signal generating means is provided for each of the imaging means, there is a possibility that the exposure timing is shifted at most by a half cycle of the clock signal. Next, when the trigger signal falls, the first, second, and third imaging means 10, 2
The first, second and third image pickup means 10, 20, 3 are set by the fall of the next clock signal for 0, 30, respectively.
0 ends the exposure at each timing. further,
After the rise of the next trigger signal, the first, second and third imaging means 1 are activated by the rise of the next clock signal.
Exposures 0, 20, and 30 start the exposure again at their respective timings and output image signals from the first exposure. Then, the first, second and third imaging means 10, 20, 3
The image signals output from 0 are stored in first, second and third buffers 13, 23 and 33, respectively. First
When the storage of the image signal in each of the second and third buffers 13, 23, and 33 is completed, the first, second, and third event generators 14,
Events occur at 24 and 34, respectively. This event is detected by the event detecting means 70. The event detecting means 70 counts the total number of events generated in the first, second and third event generating units 14, 24 and 34 by the counting means 71, and this total is n times 3 (n ≧ 1). Outputs a detection signal when it becomes. This detection signal is output to the first, second and third buffers 1
3, 23, 33 at the same time.
And the third buffers 13, 23, and 33 output the respective image signals to the first, second, and third memories 12, 22, and 32 in response to the detection signal. After each image signal is stored in the first, second and third memories 12, 22, 32, respectively, it is output to the image processing means 60, and each image signal is subjected to simultaneous image processing and the like.

According to the image acquiring apparatus of the present embodiment, the first, second and third image pickup means 10, 20, 30
And first, second and third imaging means 10, 20, 30
And the first, second and third buffers 13, 23, 33 for storing and outputting the respective image signals output from the first, second, and third buffers 13, 23, 33. An event detecting means for outputting a detection signal when it is detected that the storage of the image signals output from the second and third imaging means has been completed. Since the buffers 13, 23, and 33 output synchronized image signals among the image signals in response to the detection signal, the image processing is appropriately performed by mutually using the image signals. Can be.

Also, since the clock signal generating means is provided corresponding to the first, second and third imaging means 10, 20, 30, respectively, the clock signal output from the clock signal generating means is provided. To the first, second and third
This eliminates the need to route the wiring for outputting to the imaging units 10, 20, and 30. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the generation of noise due to the routing of the clock signal wiring.

An event detecting means 70 is provided corresponding to the first, second and third buffers 13, 23 and 33, respectively, and the first, second and third buffers 1 are provided.
3, 23, and 33 have first, second, and third event generators 14, 24, and 34 that generate an event when storage of each image signal is completed. Since a detection signal is output when an event is generated from all of the generators 14, 24, and 34, a synchronized image signal can be output from each memory with a simple configuration.

The event detecting means 70 has a counting means 71 for counting events, and the number of events counted by the counting means 71 is determined by the first, second and third imaging means 10, 20, and 30. n times (n ≧ 1)
Since the detection signal is output at the time of, the event can be detected with a simpler configuration. Note that the buffer and the event generator may be integrated into a memory.

Next, a third embodiment of the image acquisition apparatus according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the present embodiment. The description of the same elements as those in the second embodiment will be omitted unless particularly necessary.

The third embodiment of the image acquisition apparatus according to the present invention is similar to the first, second and third image pickup means 10, 20,
30, first, second, and third control means 15, 25, and 35 respectively including built-in clock signal generation means 50, external trigger signal generation means 50, and clock signal generation means 16, 26, and 36. Buffers 13, 23, 33 and the first, second and third buffers 13, 23, 33
First, second, and third flag units 17, 27, and 37 for setting flags when it is detected that the storage of each image signal output from the second and third imaging units 10, 20, and 30 has been completed, respectively. It is checked whether or not flags are set in the first, second and third flag sections 17, 27 and 37, and when the flags are set in all the flag sections, the first, second and third buffers 13 are set. , 23, and 33 for generating detection signals, and the image signals output from the first, second, and third buffers 13, 23, and 33 are output from the first, second, and third buffers, respectively. After being stored in the memories 12, 22, and 32 of the third memory, the image data is output to the image processing means 60, and the image processing means 60 outputs the image data based on the image signals output from the first, second, and third memories 12, 22, and 32. Image processing Is performed.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. This embodiment is almost the same as the above-described second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the image signals output from the first, second, and third imaging units 10, 20, and 30 are different. First, second and third buffers 1 respectively
The same applies to the operation up to storage in 3, 23, and 33, and a description thereof will be omitted.

In this embodiment, the first, second and third
When the storage of the image signal in each of the buffers 13, 23, and 33 is completed, the first,
Flags are set in the second and third flag sections 17, 27, and 37, respectively. The flag confirmation means 80 is provided at predetermined time intervals for the first, second and third flag sections 17, 2
It is checked whether flags are set at 7, 37. The flag checking means 80 includes first, second, and third flag units 17, 2
A detection signal is output when the flag is raised in all of 7 and 37. The detection signals are simultaneously output to the first, second and third buffers 13, 23 and 33, respectively, and the first, second and third buffers 13, 23 and 33 respond to the detection signals and The signals are first, second and third
Are output to the memories 12, 22, and 32. The respective image signals are respectively stored in first, second and third memories 12, 22, 32.
After that, it is output to the image processing means 60, and each image signal is subjected to simultaneous image processing and the like.

In the present embodiment, the flag checking means 80 checks the first, second and third flag portions at predetermined time intervals, but the first, second and third flag portions 17 , 27, and 37 generate an event when the flag is set, and the flag checking unit 80 may check whether the flag is set in the flag unit when the event is detected. Other operations are the same as in the second embodiment.

According to the image acquisition apparatus of the present embodiment, the first, second and third buffers 13, 23, 33
And first and second and third flag sections 17, 27 for setting flags when the storage of the respective image signals in the first, second and third buffers 13, 23, 33 is completed. , 37 and flag checking means 80 for checking whether or not a flag is set in the first, second and third flag sections 17, 27, 37.
0 is the first, second, and third flag units 17, 27, 3
7, if it is determined that the detection signal is output when it is confirmed that all the flags have been set, the first, second and third detection circuits have a simple configuration as in the second embodiment.
Can output synchronized image signals from the buffers 13, 23, and 33.

The flag checking means 80 sets the first, second and third flag sections 17, 27, 3 at predetermined time intervals.
If it is determined whether or not a flag has been set at 7, it is possible to check with a simple configuration whether or not the flag has been set.

The first, second and third flag sections 1
7, 27, and 37 generate an event when a flag is set, and the flag confirmation unit 80 sets the first, second, and third flag units 17, 2 when the event occurs.
If it is determined in steps 7 and 37 whether the flag has been set, the flag can be checked more efficiently.

Next, an embodiment in which the image acquiring apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a fluorescent endoscope will be described. In this embodiment, the first embodiment is applied to a fluorescent endoscope. FIG. 5 shows a schematic configuration diagram of the present embodiment.

The fluorescent endoscope according to the present embodiment has an endoscope insertion portion 100 inserted into a site suspected of a lesion of a patient.
And an image signal processing unit 1 for processing information obtained from a living tissue into an image signal, and a monitor 600 for displaying a signal processed by the image signal processing unit 1 as a visible image. The image signal processing unit 1 includes an illumination unit 110 including three light sources that respectively emit a normal image white light Lw, an autofluorescence image excitation light Lr, and a reference image reference light Ls.
And an autofluorescence image Zj generated from the living tissue 9 by the irradiation of the excitation light and a reflected image Zs generated from the living tissue 9 by the irradiation of the reference light, converted into digital values and output as two-dimensional image data. Image detection unit 300
And an operation such as distance correction is performed from the two-dimensional image data of the autofluorescence image output from the image detection unit 300, color information is assigned to the calculated value, and luminance information is assigned to the two-dimensional image data of the reflected image. An image processing unit 400 for combining and outputting two pieces of image information, and converting a normal image into digital values to obtain two-dimensional image data, and converting the two-dimensional image data and an output signal of the image processing unit 400 into a video signal. And output display signal processing unit 500
And a foot switch 2 for switching between a normal image display state and a composite image display state.

The endoscope insertion section 100 includes a light guide 101 extending to the distal end therein, and an image fiber 102. An illumination lens 103 is provided at the distal end of the light guide 101, that is, at the distal end of the endoscope insertion section 100. The image fiber 102 is a multi-component glass fiber, and is provided with an excitation light filter 104 and a condenser lens 105 at the tip. Light guide 101
The white light light guide 101a, the excitation light light guide 101b and the reference light light guide 101c are bundled and integrated into a cable, and the white light light guide 101a, the excitation light light guide 101b and the reference light light guide 101c are It is connected to the lighting unit 110. One end of the image fiber 102 is connected to the image detection unit 300.

The illuminating unit 110 includes a GaN-based semiconductor laser 111 that emits excitation light Lr for an auto-fluorescent image, a semiconductor laser power supply 112 electrically connected to the GaN-based semiconductor laser 111, and a white light Lw for a normal image. , A white light source 115 electrically connected to the white light source 114, a reference light source 117 emitting the reference light Ls for the reflected image, and a reference light source electrically connected to the reference light source 117 A power supply 118 is provided.

An image fiber 102 is connected to the image detecting unit 300, and a collimating lens 301 for forming an autofluorescence image, a normal image, and a reflected image transmitted by the image fiber 102, and a normal image transmitted through the collimating lens 301 are formed. Totally reflected at right angles, collimating lens 3
The movable mirror 302 moves and passes the fluorescent image and the reflected image transmitted through the collimator 01 to the position shown by the broken line, and the dichroic mirror 30 reflects the fluorescent image (light having a wavelength of 750 nm or less) transmitted through the collimating lens 301 in a right angle direction.
3. A half mirror 308 that transmits 50% of the light amount of the auto-fluorescent image reflected by the dichroic mirror 303 and reflects 50% in a right angle direction, and a fluorescent image that reflects the auto-fluorescent image transmitted through the half mirror 308 in a right angle direction Mirror 313,
A broadband fluorescent image condensing lens 304 for forming an autofluorescent image reflected in a direction perpendicular to the fluorescent image mirror 313, and 4 from the autofluorescent image transmitted through the broadband fluorescent image condensing lens 304.
A wideband bandpass filter 305 for selecting a wavelength of 30 nm to 730 nm, a high-sensitivity image sensor 306 for a wideband fluorescent image for capturing an autofluorescence image transmitted through the wideband bandpass filter 305, and a high-sensitivity image sensor 30 for a wideband fluorescent image
A / D converter 307, which converts the autofluorescence image captured by the camera 6 into a digital value and outputs it as two-dimensional image data
A broadband fluorescent image memory 319 for storing two-dimensional image data based on a broadband autofluorescent image output from the D-converter 307, and a narrowband fluorescent image for forming an autofluorescent image reflected at right angles to the half mirror 308. Condenser lens 309,
A narrow band-pass filter 310 for extracting a wavelength of 430 nm to 530 nm from the auto-fluorescence image formed by the narrow-band fluorescence image condenser lens 309, and a narrow-band fluorescence for capturing an auto-fluorescence image transmitted through the narrow-band band-pass filter 310. An A / D converter 312 that converts an autofluorescence image captured by the high-sensitivity image sensor 311 for image and the high-sensitivity image sensor 311 for narrow-band fluorescence image into a digital value and outputs it as two-dimensional image data, and outputs from the A / D converter 312 A narrow-band fluorescence image memory 318 for storing two-dimensional image data based on the narrow-band autofluorescence image obtained, a reflection image condenser lens 314 for forming a reflection image transmitted through the dichroic mirror 303,
The image sensor 315 for reflected image and the image sensor 31 for reflected image for imaging the reflected image formed by the condensing lens 314 for reflected image
5, an AD converter 316 that converts the reflected image captured by the digital camera 5 into a digital value and outputs it as two-dimensional image data, and a memory 317 for reflected image that stores two-dimensional image data based on the reflected image output from the AD converter 316. A clock signal having a predetermined frequency which is a reference of the cycle of each image signal output from the high-sensitivity image sensor 311 for narrow-band fluorescent image, the high-sensitivity image sensor 312 for wide-band fluorescent image, and the image sensor 315 for reflected image is generated. Clock signal generating means 700, trigger signal for timing output of each image signal output from high-sensitivity image sensor 311 for narrowband fluorescent image, high-sensitivity image sensor 306 for broadband fluorescent image, and image sensor 315 for reflection image And an external trigger signal generating means 800 for outputting the same.

The image calculation unit 400 corresponds to the two-dimensional image data of the autofluorescence image stored in the broadband fluorescence image memory 319 and the two-dimensional image data of the autofluorescence image stored in the narrowband fluorescence image memory 318. An auto-fluorescence image calculation unit 403 that calculates a calculation value of each pixel by performing a calculation according to a ratio of each pixel value and assigns color information to the calculation value;
The reflection image calculation unit 404 that assigns luminance information to each pixel value of the reflection image stored in the reflection image memory 317, the image signal having the color information output from the autofluorescence image calculation unit 403 and the reflection image calculation unit 404 An image synthesizing unit 405 is provided for synthesizing an image signal having luminance information to be output to generate and output a synthesized image.

The display signal processing unit 500 includes a normal image mirror 501 that reflects the normal image reflected by the movable mirror 302 in a direction perpendicular to the normal image, and a normal image collection that forms the reflected image reflected by the normal image mirror 501. An optical lens 502, a normal image pickup device 503 for picking up a normal image formed by the normal image condensing lens 502, and a reflected image picked up by the normal image pickup device 503 converted into a digital value to be a two-dimensional image. A / D converter 504 for outputting data, and a normal image memory 50 for storing digitized normal image signals
5. A video signal processing circuit 5 that converts the normal image signal output from the normal image memory 505 and the synthesized image signal output from the image synthesis unit 405 into a video signal and outputs the video signal.
06. The monitor 600 switches and displays a normal image and a composite image.

Next, the operation of the fluorescent endoscope to which the fluorescent image display device for performing the fluorescent image display method in the above embodiment is applied will be described.

First, the operation when a composite image is displayed using an autofluorescence image and a reflection image in two different wavelength bands will be described.

At the time of capturing an autofluorescence image in two different wavelength bands, the GaN-based semiconductor laser 111 drives the semiconductor laser power supply 112 based on a signal from the control computer 200 to emit excitation light Lr.
The light passes through the excitation light condensing lens 113, is incident on the excitation light light guide 101 b, is guided to the distal end portion of the endoscope insertion section 100, and is then emitted from the illumination lens 103 to the living tissue 9. Living tissue 9 generated by irradiation with excitation light Lr
Is collected by the condenser lens 105, passes through the excitation light cut filter 104, enters the tip of the image fiber 102, and
, And enters the collimator lens 301. The excitation light cut filter 104 is a long-pass filter that transmits all fluorescence having a wavelength of 420 nm or more. Since the wavelength of the excitation light Lr is 410 nm, the excitation light reflected by the living tissue 9 is cut by the excitation light cut filter 104. The auto-fluorescent image transmitted through the collimating lens 301 is
The light is reflected at a right angle by the dichroic mirror 303. Then, the light passes through the half mirror 308 at a transmittance of 50%, and is reflected at a reflectance of 50%. Half mirror 30
The auto-fluorescent image transmitted through 8 is reflected by the fluorescent image mirror 313 in a direction perpendicular to the fluorescent image mirror 313 and is formed by the broadband fluorescent image condensing lens 304. The light passes through the broadband bandpass filter 305 and is imaged by the high-sensitivity image sensor 306 for wideband fluorescence image. In addition, the auto-fluorescent image reflected by the dichroic mirror 303 and reflected by the half mirror 308 is formed by the narrow-band fluorescent light condensing lens 309, passes through the narrow-band band-pass filter 310, and is transmitted to the narrow-band fluorescent image. An image is captured by the high-sensitivity image sensor 311.

The reference light Ls is emitted from the reference light source 117 at the same time as the excitation light is emitted.
The light passes through the reference light condensing lens 119, is incident on the reference light guide 101 c, is guided to the end of the endoscope, and is then emitted from the illumination lens 103 to the living tissue 9. The reflected image from the living tissue 9 generated by the irradiation of the reference light Ls is condensed by the condensing lens 105 and
5 is transmitted through the excitation light cut filter 104, enters the tip of the image fiber 102, passes through the image fiber 102, and passes through the collimator lens 301.
Incident on. The reflected image transmitted through the collimating lens 301 is transmitted through the dichroic mirror 303, is formed by the condensing lens 314 for reflected image, and is formed by the imaging element 3 for reflected image.
15 is imaged.

The auto-fluorescent image picked up by the high-sensitivity image sensor 306 for broadband fluorescent image and the high-sensitivity image sensor 311 for narrow-band fluorescent image and the reflected image picked up by the reflected image pick-up element 315 are image signals which are electric signals. , And the image signal is output based on the clock signal generated from the clock signal generation means 700. At this time, the image signal starts to be output in response to a trigger signal issued from the external trigger signal generating means 800. Therefore, the image signals output from the respective image sensors are synchronized with each other. The image signal output from the high-sensitivity image sensor 306 for wideband fluorescent image is input to the AD converter 307 and digitized, and then stored in the memory 319 for wideband fluorescent image. The image signal output from the A / D converter 311
2 is digitized and stored in the narrow-band fluorescence image memory 318, and the image signal output from the reflection image pickup device 315 is input to the AD converter 316 and digitized, and then converted to the reflection image image. It is stored in the memory 317.

Then, the narrow band fluorescent image memory 3 and the narrow band fluorescent image memory 3 stored in the narrow band fluorescent image memory 318 are used.
The wideband autofluorescence image stored in 19 is calculated by the autofluorescence image calculation unit 403 in accordance with the ratio of each pixel value of the corresponding image, color information is assigned to the calculated value, and color information is obtained. Generate and output image signals. The reflection image stored in the reflection image memory 317 is assigned a luminance information to each pixel value by the reflection image calculation unit 404, and an image signal having the luminance information is generated and output. The two image signals output from the autofluorescence image calculation unit 403 and the reflection image calculation unit 404 are synthesized by the image synthesis unit 405. The synthesized image synthesized by the image synthesis unit 405 is output to the video signal processing circuit 5.
In step 06, the converted image is input to the monitor 600 after the DA conversion, and the composite image is displayed.

Next, the operation when a normal image is displayed will be described. First, the white light source 115 is driven based on a signal from the control computer 200 and the white light source 114 is driven.
, The white light Lw is incident on the white light light guide 101 a via the white light condenser lens 116, and is guided to the distal end of the endoscope insertion section 100, and then the illumination lens 103. Irradiate the living tissue 9 from the. The reflected light of the white light Lw is condensed by the condenser lens 105, passes through the excitation light filter 104, is incident on the tip of the image fiber 102, and is incident on the collimator lens 301 via the image fiber 102. The reflected light transmitted through the collimator lens 301 is reflected by the movable mirror 302 and the normal image mirror 501, and is incident on the normal image condenser lens 502. The normal image transmitted through the normal image condenser lens 502 is formed on a normal image pickup device 503. The video signal from the normal image pickup device 503 is input to the AD converter 504, digitized, and stored in the normal image memory 505. The normal image memory 5
The video signal processing circuit 506 inputs the normal image signal stored in the monitor 05 to the monitor 600 after DA conversion, and displays the visible image on the monitor 600.

A series of operations relating to the operation of displaying the composite image and the operation of displaying the normal image are performed by the control computer 2.
00. The switching between the composite image display state and the normal image display state is performed by pressing the foot switch 2.

According to the fluorescent endoscope according to the present embodiment,
The clock signal generating means 700 includes a high-sensitivity image sensor 306 for a broadband fluorescent image and a high-sensitivity image sensor 3 for a narrow-band fluorescent image.
11 and the reflection image pickup device 315, and the control computer 200 receives a trigger signal from the external trigger signal generation means 800 and receives a trigger signal from the common clock signal generation means 700. The image signals synchronized with each other are output from the high-sensitivity image sensor 306 for imaging, the high-sensitivity image sensor 311 for narrow-band fluorescence image, and the image sensor 315 for reflection image, so that each image signal is output at the same timing. Thus, the image data can be stored in the narrow band fluorescent image memory 318, the wide band fluorescent image memory 319, and the reflected image memory 317, and image processing can be appropriately performed by mutually using the image signals. In addition, by using a common clock signal, the high-sensitivity
6. Since the exposure time for capturing an image with the high-sensitivity image sensor 311 for narrow-band fluorescence image and the image sensor 315 for reflection image can be made the same for a plurality of image pickup units, an image suitable for image-to-image calculation can be obtained. Obtainable.

In the above embodiment, the first embodiment is applied to a fluorescent endoscope. Similarly, the second and third embodiments are applied to a fluorescent endoscope. Can be. At this time, similarly to the above embodiment, it is possible to synchronize the image signals of the broadband fluorescence image, the narrowband fluorescence image, and the reflection image, and further,
When a buffer for storing an image signal of a normal image based on the normal image obtained by irradiation of the illumination light and an event generating unit or a flag unit are provided, it is also possible to synchronize the image signal of the normal image, And a display process (particularly, a display process of superimposing (superimposing) a fluorescent image and a normal image) when the normal image and the normal image are simultaneously displayed can be appropriately performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image acquisition device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a timing chart of the operation of the image acquisition device according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image acquisition device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a third embodiment of the image acquisition device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a fluorescence endoscope to which the first embodiment of the image acquisition device according to the present invention is applied;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an intensity distribution of a fluorescence spectrum of a normal tissue and a diseased tissue.

[Description of Signs] 1 Image signal processing unit 10 First imaging unit 11, 15 First control unit 12 First memory 13 First buffer 14 First event generation unit 16, 26, 36, 40 Clock signal Generating unit 17 First flag unit 20 Second imaging unit 21, 25 Second control unit 22 Second memory 23 Second buffer 24 Second event generating unit 27 Second flag unit 30 Third imaging Means 31, 35 Third control means 32 Third memory 33 Third buffer 34 Third event generating section 37 Third flag section 41 Reference signal generating section 42 Dividing section 50 External trigger signal generating section 60 Image processing Means 70 Event detecting means 71 Counting means 80 Flag checking means 100 Endoscope insertion unit 101 Light guide 101a White light light guide 101 b Excitation light light guide 101c Reference light light guide 102 Image fiber 103 Illumination lens 104 Excitation light cut filter 105 Condensing lens 110 Illumination unit 111 GaN-based semiconductor laser 112 Power supply for semiconductor laser 113 Excitation light condensing lens 114 White light source 115 White Power supply for light source 116 Condensing lens for white light 117 Reference light source 118 Power supply for reference light source 119 Condensing lens for reference light 200 Control computer 300 Image detection unit 301 Collimating lens 302 Movable mirror 303 Dichroic mirror 304 Condensing lens for broadband fluorescent image 305 Broadband bandpass filter 306 High-sensitivity image sensor for wideband fluorescent image 307, 312, 316, 504 AD converter 308 Half mirror 309 Condenser lens for narrowband fluorescent image 3 0 Narrowband bandpass filter 311 High-sensitivity image sensor for narrowband fluorescence image 317 Reflection image memory 318 Narrowband fluorescence image memory 319 Wideband fluorescence image memory 400 Image operation unit 403 Autofluorescence image operation unit 404 Reflection image operation unit 405 Image synthesis unit 500 Display signal processing unit 501 Normal image mirror 502 Normal image condenser lens 503 Normal image imaging element 505 Normal image memory 506 Video signal processing circuit 600 Monitor

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) H04N 5/232 H04N 5/232 Z F term (reference) 2G043 BA16 EA01 FA07 GA21 GB21 HA01 HA02 HA05 HA09 JA03 KA01 KA02 KA09 LA03 NA05 NA06 4C061 AA00 BB00 CC06 DD00 GG01 JJ11 LL08 5C020 AA01 AA11 AA12 5C022 AA08 AB15 AB17 AB61 AB64 AB68 AC01 AC42 AC69

Claims (14)

[Claims] An imaging unit that captures an image and outputs the image signal as an image signal; a clock signal generation unit that generates a clock signal having a predetermined period that is a reference of a period of the image signal output from the imaging unit; Trigger signal generating means for generating a trigger signal for taking a timing at which the image signal is output from the imaging means; and the clock signal generating means when the trigger signal generated from the trigger signal generating means is received. An image acquisition device comprising: a control unit that outputs the image signal from the imaging unit based on a clock signal. The image acquisition device includes a plurality of the imaging units, and the clock signal generation unit is common to the plurality of imaging units. Wherein said control means, when receiving said trigger signal, said common clock signal generation means emits said An image acquisition apparatus, wherein the plurality of image pickup means output the image signals synchronized with each other based on a clock signal. 2. An image pickup means for picking up an image and outputting the image signal as an image signal, a clock signal generating means for generating a clock signal having a predetermined cycle which is a reference of a cycle of the image signal output from the image pickup means, Trigger signal generating means for generating a trigger signal for setting a timing at which the image signal is output from the imaging means, and a clock generated from the clock signal generating means upon receiving a trigger signal generated from the trigger signal generating means An image acquisition apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to output the image signal from the imaging unit based on a signal. A plurality of the imaging units, and each of the image signals output from the plurality of the imaging units is stored and output. A plurality of storage means, and the storage of the image signals output from the plurality of imaging means in the plurality of storage means is completed. Detecting means for outputting a detection signal when detecting the image signal, wherein the plurality of storage means output the image signal synchronized with each of the image signals in response to the detection signal. Characteristic image acquisition device. 3. The image acquisition apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said clock signal generation means is provided corresponding to each of said plurality of imaging means. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detecting unit includes a plurality of event generating units that are provided corresponding to the plurality of storage units, respectively, and generate an event when the storage of each of the image signals is completed in each of the storage units. 4. The image acquisition device according to claim 2, wherein the detection signal is output when an event is generated from all of the plurality of event generation units. 5. The detecting means has a counting means for counting the event, and when the number of the events counted by the counting means is n times (n ≧ 1) of the plurality of imaging means. 5. A detection signal is output.
The image acquisition device according to the above. 6. A plurality of flag units provided in correspondence with the plurality of storage units, respectively, for setting a flag when the storage of each of the image signals is completed in each of the plurality of storage units, A flag confirmation unit for confirming whether or not the flag has been set in the flag unit, wherein the flag confirmation unit outputs the detection signal when confirming that the flag has been set in all of the plurality of flag units. 4. The method according to claim 2, wherein
The image acquisition device according to the above. 7. The image acquisition apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the flag confirmation unit confirms whether or not flags are set in the plurality of flag units at predetermined time intervals. 8. The plurality of flag units generate an event when the flag is set, and the flag confirmation unit determines whether a flag is set in the plurality of flag units when the event occurs. 7. The image acquisition device according to claim 6, wherein the confirmation is performed. 9. A reference signal generating unit for generating a reference signal having a frequency twice as long as the predetermined period, wherein the clock signal generating unit generates a reference signal output from the reference signal generating unit. 9. A frequency dividing section for dividing the frequency of the reference signal into two, and the frequency dividing section divides the frequency of the reference signal by half to output the clock signal. The image acquisition device according to claim 1. 10. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the imaging unit captures fluorescence images in different wavelength bands based on the intensity of the fluorescence generated from the measured portion by irradiating the measured portion with excitation light. Any one of claims 1 to 9
Item. 11. The imaging unit irradiates a fluorescence image and a reference light based on the intensity of the fluorescence generated from the measurement target unit by irradiating the measurement target unit with excitation light. The image acquisition device according to claim 1, wherein the image acquisition device captures a reference light image based on the intensity of light reflected from the measurement unit. 12. The measurement section irradiates the measurement section with a fluorescence image and a reference light in mutually different wavelength bands based on the intensity of fluorescence generated from the measurement section by irradiating the measurement section with excitation light. The image acquisition apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the image capturing apparatus captures a reference light image based on the intensity of light reflected from the measurement target. 13. A method for guiding the excitation light to the portion to be measured and irradiating the portion to be measured with the excitation light to insert fluorescent light generated from the portion to be measured into a living body for guiding the fluorescence to the imaging means. 13. An endoscope having an endoscope insertion portion to be inserted.
Item. 14. The pump light source is a GaN-based semiconductor laser, and the wavelength band of the pump light is from 400 nm to 4 nm.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the distance is up to 20 nm.
14. The image acquisition device according to any one of 0 to 13.