JPH08224208A - Fluorescence observing endoscope device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To detect two kinds of fluorescence of specific wavelength without performing mechanical switching by a rotary filter, etc. CONSTITUTION: The endoscope 4 of this fluorescence observing endoscope device 1 comprises a light guide 10 which introduces a laser beam emitted from a laser 9 to a living body inner cavity, a concave lens 11 which diffuses and illuminates the laser beam, an objective lens 12 which projects the fluorescent image of a lesion 3 on a color image pickup element 5 and an optical filter 13 which transmits specific wavelength of the fluorescent image. The optical filter 13 is provided with transmission characteristic to transmit a green color of 500-540nm and a red color of 640-700nm.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fluorescence observation endoscopic apparatus for irradiating light endoscopically and observing and diagnosing a lesion such as cancer based on fluorescence from a tissue, and more particularly, to specify a plurality of fluorescences. The present invention relates to a fluorescence observation endoscope apparatus that detects a wavelength and forms an image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, autofluorescence from a living body or fluorescence of a drug injected into a living body is detected as a two-dimensional image, and from the fluorescent image, a disease state such as degeneration of living tissue or cancer (for example, type of disease or infiltration). Range) technology for diagnosing
57 and 5042494.

When light is applied to living tissue, fluorescence having a wavelength longer than that of the excitation light is generated. Examples of fluorescent substances in the living body include NADH (nicotinamide adenine nucleotide), FMN (flavin mononucleotide), pyridine nucleotide, and the like, and recently, the correlation between these endogenous substances and diseases is becoming clear. .

In addition, HpD (hematoporphyrin), P
photofrin, ALA (δ-amino levu
Fluorescent agents such as linic acid) have the property of accumulating in cancer, and by injecting these fluorescent agents into the living body,
A disease site can be diagnosed by performing fluorescence observation.

[0005]

Japanese Patent Application No. 5-304427 filed by the present applicant is a technique for endoscopically diagnosing a lesion site from the above-mentioned fluorescence. this is,
The autofluorescence emitted from the tissue is detected in two bands, that is, a green region and a red region, and this is processed and displayed between images. A rotary filter is used to switch the light region.

However, there is a problem in that the device is large and expensive because the rotary filter and the like are mechanically switched to detect fluorescence in two wavelength regions.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and can be realized without mechanical switching by a rotary filter or the like.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a fluorescence observation endoscope apparatus capable of detecting fluorescence of one specific wavelength.

[0008]

The fluorescence observation endoscope apparatus of the present invention irradiates excitation light to an organ in a body cavity transendoscopically and observes fluorescence from a tissue as a two-dimensional image. In the observation endoscope apparatus, at least two different wavelength bands are provided on the light-receiving side of an image sensor that converts the two-dimensional image into electronic signals having sensitivity in a plurality of different wavelength bands.
By arranging an optical filter that passes wavelengths in two regions, wavelengths in at least two different regions in the wavelength band are passed by the optical filter, and two specific wavelengths can be transmitted without mechanical switching by a rotary filter or the like. It is possible to detect fluorescence.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 to 4 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a fluorescence observation endoscope apparatus for diagnosing a lesion by fluorescence, and FIG. 2 is a diagram of FIG. FIG. 3 is a characteristic diagram showing the transmission characteristic of the interference filter of the optical filter, FIG. 3 is a characteristic diagram showing the transmission characteristic of the color filter of the optical filter of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a transmission characteristic of the optical filter of FIG. 1 and the spectral characteristic of the color image sensor. FIG.

(Structure) As shown in FIG. 1, the fluorescence observation endoscope apparatus 1 of the present embodiment has a light (excitation light) in the blue or ultraviolet region.
A light source 2 that emits light, an endoscope 4 that guides the excitation light to a living body lumen and observes fluorescence generated from a lesion 3, and a color imaging device 5 incorporated in the endoscope 4 to drive a lesion. A camera control unit 6 for converting the fluorescent image of the part 3 into a video signal, an image processor 7 for processing the video signal to facilitate recognition of the lesion 3 and a normal part, and a monitor for displaying the output of the image processor 7 as an image. 8 is included.

The light source 2 has a built-in laser 9 such as an excimer, He-Cd, or argon which emits light in the blue or ultraviolet region. The endoscope 4 includes a light guide 10 that guides the laser light emitted from the laser 9 to a living body cavity, a concave lens 11 that diffuses and illuminates the laser light, and a fluorescent image of the lesion 3 on a color image sensor 5. Objective lens 12 for projection
And an optical filter 13 that transmits a specific wavelength in the fluorescence image from the objective lens 12.

The endoscope 4 of the fluorescence observation endoscope apparatus 1 includes a light guide 10 for guiding the laser light emitted from the laser 9 to the internal cavity of the living body, and a concave lens 11 for diffusing and illuminating the laser light.
The objective lens 12 for projecting the fluorescence image of the lesion 3 on the color image sensor 5 and the optical filter 13 for transmitting a specific wavelength of the fluorescence image. The optical filter 13 has a green color of 500 nm to 540 nm and 640 nm.
It has a transmission characteristic of transmitting a red color of up to 700 nm.

The optical filter 13 comprises an interference filter having a transmission characteristic as shown in FIG. 2 and a color filter having a transmission characteristic as shown in FIG. 3, and the optical filter 13 is as shown by a solid line in FIG. It has excellent transmission characteristics.

Although not shown, the light source 2 has a switching means for switching the light of the xenon lamp that emits white light, the laser 9 and the light of the xenon lamp to the light guide 10. Further, the endoscope 4 has a built-in image pickup element (not shown) for picking up an image of white light.

(Operation) The laser light emitted from the laser 9 is incident on the light guide 10 incorporated in the endoscope 4 and guided to the lumen of the living body. The laser light is diffused by the concave lens 11 and applied to the living body lumen. The laser light causes autofluorescence to be emitted from the lesioned part 3 and the surrounding normal part, and this is projected onto the color image sensor 5 through the objective lens 12. At this time, the optical filter 13 is arranged between the objective lens 12 and the color image pickup device 5, and the optical filter 1
3 transmits a green color of 500 nm to 540 nm and a red color of 640 nm to 700 nm as shown by the solid line in FIG.

On the other hand, the spectral sensitivity of the color image sensor is shown in FIG.
It has sensitivity in each region of red, green and blue as shown by the broken line. That is, in the color image pickup device 5, fluorescence of 500 nm to 540 nm is emitted in the overlapping portion of the optical filter 13 and the color image pickup device 5, that is, in the green region of the color image pickup device 5, and 640 nm to 700 nm is emitted in the red region. Fluorescent light enters. This color image sensor 5 is controlled by the camera control unit 6.
Each color video signal is converted into, for example, an RGB signal.

As a precaution, the R signal is fluorescence from 640 nm to 700 nm, and the G signal is fluorescence from 500 nm to 540 nm. The image processor 7 weights each of these RGB signals and corrects the linearity. This weighting is set so that it is easy to distinguish between a normal part and a lesion part, and misdiagnosis is reduced.

The optical filter 13 has a wavelength of approximately 480 nm.
You may comprise so that the light of 560 nm and 620 nm-700 nm vicinity may be included and transmitted.

(Effect) As described above, by making the two wavelength regions of the optical filter 13 which are transmitted correspond to any one of the spectral characteristics R, G and B of the color image pickup device, the fluorescence of the two wavelength regions can be detected. It can be extracted as R, G, B video signals.
Then, each fluorescence wavelength region can be independently weighted and sensitivity corrected, and the lesion area and the normal area can be displayed more clearly and easily. Further, since only one image pickup element is required for picking up a fluorescent image, the device can be downsized.

Next, a second embodiment will be described. 5 and 6 relate to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the distal end of the endoscope of the fluorescence observation endoscope apparatus.
FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a modified example of the distal end of the endoscope of FIG. 5. Since the second embodiment is almost the same as the first embodiment, only different configurations will be described, the same configurations will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

As a technique for endoscopically diagnosing a lesion from fluorescence, there is JP-A-63-234939. This is because a filter for cutting excitation light that extracts only fluorescence is provided between the image pickup device at the tip of the endoscope and the objective lens, and this filter is moved by a wire so that it can be inserted into and removed from the optical path. ing.

However, in the method of moving the excitation light cut filter with a wire, the length of the wire depends on the length of the endoscope.
In addition, the resistance to move the wire increases due to the lengthening of the endoscope and the like, which causes a problem of poor followability and responsiveness.

In view of this, in the second embodiment, the fluorescence observation endoscope apparatus which enables switching with good response by freely inserting and removing the fluorescence observation filter between the image pickup element and the objective lens by the piezoelectric actuator. Will be described.

In the first embodiment, in addition to the color image pickup device 5 for picking up a fluorescent image, an image pickup device (not shown) for picking up a white light image is provided, but this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. By inserting / removing the filter 13 in / from the optical path, one color image pickup device 5 switches and observes both the fluorescence image and the white light image.

(Structure) As shown in FIG. 5, the optical filter insertion / removal device 14 is located inside the distal end of the endoscope 4 on the observation side.
This is a piezoelectric actuator 15, a base 16 for holding the piezoelectric actuator 15 by a frictional force, an optical filter 13 having a rotatable shaft 18, and an actuator control (not shown) for controlling the operation of the piezoelectric actuator 15. It is composed of circuits. The other structure is the same as that of the first embodiment.

(Operation) During fluorescence observation, the optical filter 13 is inserted in the optical path between the color image pickup device 5 and the objective lens 12, as indicated by the solid line in FIG.
Also, the color image pickup device 5 has the characteristics shown in FIG. 4 as in the first embodiment, and is 500 nm to 540 nm, 640 nm.
The fluorescence of nm to 700 nm is output as the R and G signals of the video signal.

On the other hand, when observing white light, the piezoelectric actuator 15 is controlled by the actuator control circuit (not shown).
The optical filter 13 moves as shown by the dotted line in FIG.
It is rotated around 8 and removed from the optical path. At this time, the light source 2 is switched from the excitation light to the white light in synchronization with this operation, and is captured by the color image sensor 5 as a normal color image.

The piezoelectric actuator 15 is composed of a piezoelectric element, and when a positive or negative voltage is applied to one end of this piezoelectric element for a short time, one end thereof expands or contracts rapidly, and at that time, moves forward or backward by pressure. When the voltage is returned so as not to exceed the frictional force between the piezoelectric element and the base, the piezoelectric element is held at that position. By repeating this operation, it is possible to move forward and backward like a scooping insect.

(Effect) As described above, in this embodiment, in addition to the effect of the first embodiment, the use of the piezoelectric actuator 15 makes it possible to switch between a fluorescent image and a white light image in a compact and reliable manner.

FIG. 6 shows a modification of FIG. 5, which is a color image pickup device 5.
In this example, a monochrome image sensor is used instead of the.

(Structure) Optical filter insertion / removal device 2 of FIG.
0 is a first piezoelectric actuator 21, a first base 22 for holding the piezoelectric actuator 21 by frictional force,
A rotatable first optical filter 23, a second piezoelectric actuator 24, a second base 25 that holds the piezoelectric actuator 24 with a frictional force, a rotatable second optical filter 26, and a visible region. And a monochrome image pickup device 19 having high sensitivity. The other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

(Operation) Each optical filter 23, 26
Are rotatively moved along the first groove 27 and the second groove 28 by the respective piezoelectric actuators 21 and 24. For example, the optical filter 23 transmits light of 500 nm to 540 nm, and the optical filter 26 transmits light of 640 nm to 700 nm. On the other hand, the monochrome image pickup device 19 has sensitivity in the entire visible region. That is, by sequentially inserting and removing the optical filters 23 and 26 by the piezoelectric actuators 21 and 24, an image can be taken out as a video signal at each wavelength. When observing white light, the optical filters 23, 26 are used.
Both of them are removed from the optical path, and a white light image is obtained by sequentially irradiating light of R, G, B from the light source 2. Other functions are the same as those in the first embodiment.

(Effect) Therefore, in addition to the effect of the first embodiment, it is possible to obtain a fluorescence image and a white light image with high resolution by using the monochrome image pickup device.

Next, a third embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the distal end of the endoscope of the fluorescence observation endoscope apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Since the third embodiment is almost the same as the first embodiment, only different configurations will be described, the same configurations will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

As in the first and second embodiments, when ultraviolet to blue light such as excitation light is passed through the optical fiber constituting the light guide 10, the fiber itself produces fluorescence, and light other than excitation light is emitted. There is a possibility that the living body is irradiated with light and is detected together with the autofluorescence from the living body, which may cause a decrease in the contrast of the fluorescent image.

In view of the above, in the third embodiment, in addition to the purpose of the first embodiment, a filter that allows excitation light to pass through the light guide irradiation end side and absorbs or reflects light other than that, particularly on the long wavelength side, is arranged. Therefore, it is intended to provide a fluorescence image with higher contrast.

FIG. 7 shows a structure for blocking the fluorescence generated in the light guide when the excitation light is incident from the light source 2.

That is, in the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, a fluorescence blocking device 29 for blocking the fluorescence generated in the light guide 10 is provided in the tip of the endoscope 4.
The fluorescence blocking device 29 of the light guide 10 includes an excitation light transmission filter 30 that transmits only the excitation light of the light source 2, a piezoelectric actuator 31 that rotationally moves the excitation light transmission filter 30 to insert and remove it from the optical path, and a piezoelectric actuator 3.
The base 32 holds 1 by a frictional force. The other structure is the same as that of the first embodiment.

(Operation) First, the light guide 1 for fluorescence observation.
When excitation light, in particular, blue light having a high energy of ultraviolet light is incident on 0, fluorescence due to the material of the light guide 10 is generated in the visible region. Therefore, the excitation light transmission filter 3
When it is 0, only excitation light can be passed through and fluorescence can be removed. On the other hand, at the time of observing white light, by removing the excitation light filter 30 from the optical path, white light can be emitted to the living body lumen.

The operation of the piezoelectric actuator 31 for inserting and removing the excitation light transmission filter 30 from the optical path is the same as that of the piezoelectric actuator 15 of the second embodiment shown in FIG.

(Effect) According to the present embodiment, since the reflected light due to the fluorescence of the light guide can be removed, the autofluorescence from the tissue can be detected with a good S / N ratio, and the ability to discriminate between the lesion area and the normal area is further enhanced.

Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. 8 and 9 relate to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a fluorescence observation endoscope apparatus, and FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a configuration of the optical probe of FIG. Since the fourth embodiment is almost the same as the first embodiment, only different configurations will be described, the same configurations will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The fourth embodiment is an example of supplying the excitation light by using an optical probe that passes the excitation light through the channel of the endoscope 4 instead of the light guide 10 of the endoscope 4.

That is, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the excitation light of the laser 9 is applied to the internal cavity of the living body via the optical probe 34 which passes through the channel 33 of the endoscope 4. There is. The light source 2 includes a white light source such as a Xe lamp 35.

As shown in FIG. 9, the optical probe 34 includes an optical fiber 36 for transmitting the excitation light, an excitation light transmission filter 37 for transmitting only the wavelength of the excitation light, and a concave lens 38 for diffusing the excitation light in the lumen of the living body. A pipe 39 for fixing the optical fiber 36, the excitation light transmission filter 37, and the concave lens 38.
And a tube 40 that protects the optical fiber 36.

Other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

According to this embodiment, since the optical probe 34 dedicated to the excitation light is provided, the same effect as that of the third embodiment can be obtained without the need of the actuator 31 as in the third embodiment. it can.

Now, the acquisition control of the white light image and the excitation light image by the white light and the excitation light in each of the above embodiments will be described.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a fluorescence observation endoscope apparatus for controlling acquisition of a white light image and an excitation light image.

FIG. 10 shows a fluorescence observation endoscope apparatus 41 for fluorescence observation. This fluorescence observation endoscope apparatus 41 is a Xe lamp or laser for generating white light and excitation light and white light or excitation light. A light source 42 having a built-in switching device for selecting, and an endoscope 43 for transmitting light from the light source 42 to a lumen of a living body to obtain a white light image and a fluorescent image of a living tissue,
The white light image camera for picking up a white light image and a fluorescent image and a high-sensitivity camera for a fluorescent image (not shown) which are detachably attached to the eyepiece portion 44 of the endoscope 43 are built in and the light source 42 is provided.
Camera 45 having a switching device (not shown) for switching each camera in synchronization with the light of the above, a camera control unit 46 for driving the camera 45 and converting it into a video signal, and a lesion part by processing the video signal. An image processor 47 that makes it easy to recognize a normal portion, and a monitor 48 that displays the output of the image processor 44 as an image.
A VTR 49 for recording a white light image or a fluorescent image, a video printer 50 for printing out a white light image or a fluorescent image, a light source 42, a camera control unit 46,
It is composed of a VTR 49 and a control unit 51 for controlling the video printer 50.

The endoscope 43 comprises an elongated insertion portion 52 and an operation portion 53 provided at the base end of the insertion portion 52, and the control unit 51 is incorporated in the operation portion 53 of the endoscope 43. A push button-shaped switch A54, a switch B55, and a mode changeover switch 56 are used for remote operation. The button 57 in the figure is for operating the air and water supply and suction functions of the endoscope. A universal cable 58 extends from the operation section 53 of the endoscope 43, and the end of the universal cable 58 is detachably connected to the light source 42. The white light or the excitation light from the light source 42 is transmitted by the universal cable 58.
And a light guide (not shown) inserted through the insertion section 52 transmits the light to the tip of the endoscope 43, irradiates the lesion area in front of the tip of the endoscope, and a white light image or a fluorescence image from the lesion area is inserted into the insertion section 52. Also, the image is transmitted to the eyepiece unit 44 by an image guide (not shown) which is inserted through the operation unit 53 and the camera 4
The image is taken at 5.

With such a configuration, the switch A54,
By operating the switch B55 and the mode switching switch 56, it is possible to switch between the fluorescent image and the white light image and to switch between the moving image and the still image.

That is, first, when the mode changeover switch 56 is pushed, as shown in Table 1, the modes are 1, 2,
3, 1, ..., For example, when the switch A54 is pressed in the mode 1, the white light image is switched to the fluorescent image. At this time, the control unit switches the white light to the excitation light by the light source 42, and switches the white light image camera to the fluorescent high sensitivity camera by the camera 45. Here, pressing the switch B55 produces a still image, and further pressing produces a moving image.

[0055]

[Table 1] In mode 2, the sensitivity of the high-sensitivity camera for fluorescence can be adjusted. When the switch A54 is pressed, the sensitivity is improved, and when the switch B55 is pressed, the sensitivity is decreased. Switch A5 in mode 3
4. By operating the switch B55, the recording of the VTR 49 can be turned on / off and the video printer 50 can print out. It should be noted that each mode, the arrangement of the functions of the switches, and other functions are not limited to this.

[Additional remarks] (Additional remark 1) In the fluorescence observation endoscope apparatus for transendoscopically irradiating an organ in a body cavity with excitation light and observing fluorescence from a tissue as a two-dimensional image, the two-dimensional image Fluorescence observation endoscope in which an optical filter for passing wavelengths of at least two different regions in the wavelength band is arranged on the light receiving side of an image sensor that has sensitivity to a plurality of different wavelength bands and converts it into an electronic signal. apparatus.

(Additional Item 2) In the fluorescence observation according to Additional Item 1, the image pickup device is arranged at a distal end portion of the endoscope, and the optical filter is arranged in an optical path of the endoscope objective lens and the image pickup device. Endoscope device.

(Additional Item 3) The fluorescence observation endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 1, wherein the image pickup element has sensitivity in each of red, green and blue regions.

(Additional Item 4) The fluorescence observation endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 3, wherein the filter transmits a part of wavelength bands of red and green regions of the image pickup device, and reflects or absorbs other wavelength bands.

(Appendix 5) The wavelength of the filter is approximately 4
5. The fluorescence observation endoscope apparatus according to item 4, which transmits light including wavelengths of 80 nm to 560 nm and 620 nm to 700 nm.

(Additional Item 6) In a fluorescence observation endoscope apparatus for irradiating an organ in a body cavity with excitation light transendoscopically and observing fluorescence from a tissue as a two-dimensional image, the fluorescence observation endoscope apparatus is arranged at the tip of the endoscope. An image sensor for converting the captured two-dimensional image into an electronic signal,
A fluorescence observation endoscope apparatus having means for inserting and removing an optical filter that transmits a specific wavelength region by a movable actuator composed of a piezoelectric element between an optical path of the endoscope objective lens.

(Additional Item 7) The fluorescence observation endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 6, wherein the image pickup element has sensitivity in each of red, green, and blue regions.

(Additional Item 8) The fluorescence observation endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 7, wherein the optical filter transmits a part of wavelength bands of red and green regions of the image pickup device and reflects or absorbs the other wavelength bands.

(Supplementary note 9) The fluorescence observation endoscope apparatus according to supplementary note 8, wherein the wavelength of the optical filter is such that light having wavelengths of approximately 480 nm to 560 nm and 620 nm to 700 nm is included and transmitted.

(Additional Item 10) The fluorescence observation endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 6, wherein the image pickup element has a uniform sensitivity in the visible region.

(Additional Item 11) The fluorescence observation endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 10, wherein the number of the optical filters and the number of the actuators are at least two, and the transmission wavelength regions of the respective optical filters are different.

(Additional Item 12) The fluorescence observation endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 11, wherein the wavelength of the optical filter transmits light including wavelengths of approximately 480 nm to 560 nm and 620 nm to 700 nm.

(Supplementary Note 13) A means for transmitting the excitation light in a fluorescence observation endoscope apparatus for transendoscopically irradiating the internal organs with the excitation light and observing the fluorescence from the tissue as a two-dimensional image. The fluorescence observation endoscope apparatus in which an excitation light transmission filter that transmits only excitation light and reflects or absorbs at least a region longer than the wavelength is arranged at the light emission end of the.

(Additional Item 14) The fluorescence observation endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 13, wherein the excitation light transmitting means is a light guide built in the endoscope.

(Additional Item 15) The fluorescence observation endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 13, wherein the excitation light transmitting means is an optical probe having a thickness capable of being inserted through a channel of the endoscope.

(Additional Item 16) The fluorescence observation endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 13, wherein the excitation light transmitting filter transmits a wavelength shorter than 450 nm.

(Additional Item 17) The fluorescence observation endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 14, wherein the excitation light transmission filter can be inserted into and removed from the optical path.

(Additional Item 18) The fluorescence observation endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 17, wherein the inserting / removing means is a movable actuator composed of a piezoelectric element.

[0074]

As described above, according to the fluorescence observation endoscope apparatus of the present invention, the two-dimensional image is sensitive to a plurality of different wavelength bands and is converted into an electronic signal on the light receiving side of the image sensor.
Since the optical filters that pass the wavelengths of at least two different regions in the wavelength band are arranged, the optical filters pass the wavelengths of at least two different regions of the wavelength band, and the mechanical switching is performed by the rotary filter or the like. There is an effect that fluorescence of two specific wavelengths can be detected without using.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an overall configuration of a fluorescence observation endoscope apparatus for diagnosing a lesion part by fluorescence according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a characteristic diagram showing transmission characteristics of an interference filter of the optical filter of FIG.

3 is a characteristic diagram showing transmission characteristics of a color filter of the optical filter of FIG.

4 is a characteristic diagram showing transmission characteristics of the optical filter of FIG. 1 and spectral characteristics of a color image sensor.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a distal end of an endoscope of a fluorescence observation endoscope apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a modified example of the distal end of the endoscope of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a distal end of an endoscope of a fluorescence observation endoscope apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a fluorescence observation endoscope apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a sectional view showing the configuration of the optical probe of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a fluorescence observation endoscope apparatus that controls acquisition of a white light image and an excitation light image.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... Fluorescence observation endoscope apparatus 2 ... Light source 3 ... Lesion 4 ... Endoscope 5 ... Color image sensor 6 ... Camera control unit 7 ... Image processor 8 ... Monitor 9 ... Laser 10 ... Light guide 11 ... Concave lens 12 ... Objective Lens 13 ... Optical filter

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A fluorescence observation endoscope apparatus transendoscopically irradiating excitation light to a body cavity organ to observe fluorescence from a tissue as a two-dimensional image, wherein the two-dimensional image has a plurality of different wavelength bands. A fluorescence observation endoscope apparatus, characterized in that an optical filter for passing wavelengths of at least two different regions of the wavelength band is arranged on the light-receiving side of an image pickup device having sensitivity to convert to an electronic signal. .