JPH11104061A - Trans-endoscopic fluorescent observation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a trans-endoscopic fluorescent observation device capable of reducing costs and enhancing resolution. SOLUTION: A fluorescent image pick-up means 44 is built into the ocular part 17 of an endoscope 2, together with a white image pick-up means, and light coming via a lens 41 during fluorescent image pick-up is made to be incident on a dichroic mirror 42; red light is selectively reflected, is further reflected by a mirror 45, transmitted through a red filter 46, and focused on an I.I.(Image intensifier) 7, whereas for light transmitted through the dichroic mirror 42, only green light components that components that influence the determination of a structure are extracted by a green filter 43; the latter light is further enlarged by a zoom lens 44 and focused on the common I.I. 7 so that resolution is enhanced and so that the latter light occupies a large area. Red and green fluorescent images are multiplied by the I.I. 7, are received by a common fluorescent CCD 8, and subjected to photoelectric conversion.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transendoscopic fluorescence observation apparatus for performing endoscopic fluorescence observation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a transendoscopic fluorescent observation apparatus having a function of observing fluorescence has been disclosed for an endoscope which irradiates a subject with visible light and observes reflected light.

[0003] In order to facilitate the identification of abnormal sites such as cancer tissues by fluorescence observation, fluorescence is detected in two wavelength bands and imaged. For this reason, in the conventional example, since each fluorescent light is imaged by two image intensifiers, there is a problem that the cost cannot be reduced as compared with the case where one fluorescent light is used. In addition, the size of the camera is increased, and the operability is also reduced.

On the other hand, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 6-90134 discloses an apparatus which can be applied to an endoscope to perform fluorescence observation. In this device, the subject is irradiated with laser light through an endoscope or the like, and the fluorescence from the subject is guided through the endoscope and the dichroic mirror, and further reflected by four mirror segments. 4 that transmits light of each of the four wavelengths
One detector provided with one filter segment receives light, and the output of the detector is image-processed by a computer to detect cancerous tissue. It is also described that an image intensifier is provided before the detection device.

[0005]

In the prior art disclosed in the above publication, the resolution is reduced because the light is received by one detecting device divided into four filter segments that transmit light of each of the four wavelengths. was there.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a transendoscopic fluorescence observation apparatus capable of reducing cost and improving resolution.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided a transendoscopic fluorescence observation apparatus which irradiates excitation light transendoscopically, detects fluorescence generated from a living tissue in at least two wavelength bands, and forms an image. Spectral image dividing means for dividing the fluorescent image into optical images of at least two wavelength bands of a short wavelength and a long wavelength, and an optical image of the short wavelength band in the optical image divided by the spectral image dividing means. A magnifying optical system for enlarging the size, one image intensifier for doubling the brightness of each optical image including the image passing through the magnifying optical system, and photoelectrically converting each of the multiplied optical images By providing a solid-state image sensor, the size of an optical image in a short wavelength band related to the structure is enlarged by an enlargement optical system to improve the resolution, and one image intensifier is commonly used. Low It is realized the door of.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 4 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 shows an entire configuration of a transendoscopic fluorescence observation apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the rotating filter, FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the imaging means for fluorescence observation, and FIG. 4 shows the area of two fluorescence images formed on the imaging element for fluorescence observation.

As shown in FIG. 1, a fluorescence observation apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes an optical endoscope (hereinafter, referred to as an endoscope) 2 inserted into a living body, and the endoscope. A light source device 3 that supplies illumination light to the imaging device 2, an imaging camera 4 that is detachably attached to the endoscope 2, and an image captured by a normal observation (normal) or white CCD 5 built in the imaging camera 4. White camera control unit (abbreviated as CCU) that performs processing to generate a normal image by performing signal processing on a normal observation imaging signal
6 and a fluorescence image signal generated by a fluorescence CCD 8 which is built in the imaging camera 4 and captures a fluorescence image via an image intensifier (abbreviated as II) 7 to generate a fluorescence image. CCU 9 for performing the processing, an image processing apparatus 10 for performing image processing on a video signal (image signal) output from the CCU 9 for fluorescence, and a CCU for white
6 and a monitor 12 for displaying an image signal from the image processing device 10 via a superimposing circuit 11, a control device 13 for controlling the operation of the image processing device 10, and an operation for switching between normal observation and fluorescence observation. And a foot switch 14 performed via the control device 13.

The endoscope 2 has an elongated insertion section 15, an operation section 16 at the rear end, an eyepiece section 17 at the rear end, and a light guide cable 18 extending from the operation section 16. A connector 19 is provided at an end of the connector 18 and can be detachably connected to the light source device 3.

A light guide 21 having a function of transmitting white light and excitation light is inserted into the insertion portion 15, the operation portion 16, and the light guide cable 18, and the connector 19 is mounted on the light source device 3 by inserting the connector 19. White light or excitation light is supplied from the light source device 3.

In the light source device 3, for example, a metal halide lamp 23 is provided as a normal observation illumination light source and an excitation light source.
The light passes through the rotating filter 25 that is rotated, and is further supplied to the light incident end of the light guide 21 via the condenser lens 26.

As shown in FIG. 2, the rotary filter 25 is provided with two fan-shaped openings in a disk shape, and each opening is provided with a transparent glass 27 and a blue filter 28 that transmits light of a blue wavelength. . When the transparent glass 27 is on the optical path, white light as normal illumination light is supplied to the light guide 21, and when the blue filter 28 is on the optical path, the light guide 21 is excited for fluorescence observation. Light is provided.

The light transmitted by the light guide 21 is further expanded from the distal end surface fixed to the illumination window at the distal end portion 29 of the insertion portion 15 through the illumination lens 31 and illuminates the subject side such as the surface of an organ in a body cavity. Is done.

An observation window is provided adjacent to the illumination window, and an objective lens 32 is attached to the observation window.
The fluorescent light excited and emitted by the reflected light or the excitation light from the illuminated subject forms an image at the image forming position by the objective lens 32.

A leading end face of the image guide 33 is arranged at this image forming position, and the image is transmitted to the rear end face by the image guide 33 inserted through the insertion portion 15 or the like. The eyepiece 3 attached to the eyepiece 17 facing the rear end face
Via 4, the normal observation image can be observed with the naked eye in an enlarged manner.

When the imaging camera 4 having the function of an external camera for fluorescence observation is mounted on the eyepiece 16, a movable mirror 36 is arranged inside the imaging camera 4 so as to face the eyepiece 34. An image forming lens 37 is arranged on the optical path side reflected by the movable mirror 36, and further forms an image on the white CCD 5 via a reflecting prism 38 arranged opposite to the image forming lens 37.

The signal photoelectrically converted by the CCD 5 is input to the CCU 6 for white, converted into a video signal, and then converted into a video signal. Is displayed.

The movable mirror 36 is driven by a driver 39. The driver 39 is controlled by the control device 13. That is, in the case of normal observation, the movable mirror 36 is set on the optical path as shown by the dotted line. In the case of fluorescence observation, the control device 13 sends a control signal to the driver 39, and the movable mirror 36 is controlled by the driver 39. As shown by the solid line, it is set in a state of being retracted from the optical path, and the light that has passed through the lens 34 is guided to the fluorescent imaging unit 40 side. The fluorescence imaging means 40 is shown in an enlarged manner in FIG.

That is, the image forming lens 41 is arranged to face the lens 34, and the dichroic mirror 4 faces the image forming lens 41 at a 45 ° angle on its optical path.
The dichroic mirror 42 selectively reflects light having a red wavelength, for example, and transmits light having other wavelengths.

The light transmitted through the dichroic mirror 42 is further transmitted through a green filter 43 that selectively transmits only light of a green wavelength and a zoom lens 44 that expands.
I. 7 which is incident on the light source, is amplified, and opposes the fluorescent CCD.
Image 8 The light reflected by the dichroic mirror 42 is further reflected by a mirror 45, and passes through a red filter 46 that selectively transmits only light of a red wavelength.
I. 7 which is incident on the light source, is amplified, and opposes the fluorescent CCD.
Image 8

In this embodiment, the fluorescence imaging means 40
There are two different wavelength ranges, that is, a short wavelength range and a long wavelength range where the wavelength is short, and more specifically, a configuration in which a fluorescence image is divided and obtained in a green wavelength range and a red wavelength range. In addition, as described with reference to FIG. 3, for example, a zoom lens 44 is disposed as an enlargement optical system on the optical path for obtaining a green fluorescent image, and a second lens 47 larger than the first area 47 for capturing a red fluorescent image. Are common in the region 48 of I. 7 is occupied.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, one I.D. I. The light having a green wavelength is incident on the light receiving surface 7 in an area 48 enlarged by the zoom lens 44, and an area 47 smaller than the area 48.
, Light of a red wavelength is incident, and after each of the light is amplified, I.P.I. I7
Are imaged in the same areas as the areas 47 and 48 in. In addition,
Also in FIG. 3, the regions 47 and 48 are schematically indicated by arrows.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the energy is high, and the imaging region at a short wavelength that contributes to the structure of the fluorescent image (or determines the structure dominantly) has a small energy and contributes to the color tone (or normal). It is characterized in that a fluorescent image with high resolution can be obtained by making it wider than an imaging region at a long wavelength (which shows the color tone of a cancer tissue portion different from the site).

In this embodiment, the foot switch 1
In the case where the state in which the normal image capturing and the fluorescent image capturing are periodically performed is selected in step 4, the image displayed on the monitor 12 can be selected, and the normal image capturing and observation state (display state) is set. Or set to an imaging and observation state with a fluorescent image.

For example, when a state in which the normal image capturing and the fluorescent image capturing are periodically performed is selected by turning on the alternate image capturing mode selection switch of the foot switch 14, the display selection switch of the foot switch 14 is normally used. An image display and a fluorescent image display can be selected. On the other hand, the imaging mode selection switch allows selection between an imaging and observation state (display state) of a normal image and an imaging and observation state of a fluorescent image.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. When the white light imaging mode is selected by the imaging mode selection switch of the foot switch 14, the selection or instruction signal is input to the control device 13, and the control device 13 sets the movable mirror 36 via the driver 39 to the state of the dotted line, and ,
By controlling the motor 24, the rotary filter 25 is set so that the transparent glass 27 is positioned on the optical path.

In this state, the white light of the metal halide lamp 23 of the light source device 3 passes through the transparent glass 27 and enters the light guide 21, is transmitted by the light guide 21, and is attached to the distal end portion 29 of the endoscope 2. The light is further emitted from the distal end surface to an observation target site such as a diseased part in a body cavity through an illumination lens 31 to illuminate the site.

The illuminated portion is formed on the front end surface of the image guide 33 by the objective lens 32, and the image is transmitted to the rear end surface on the eyepiece 17 side, and further transmitted to the movable mirror 36 of the imaging camera 4. CCD5 for white by being reflected etc.
Is imaged. After being photoelectrically converted by the CCD 5 and input to the white CCU 6 and converted to a video signal, the image signal is input to the monitor 12 via the superimpose circuit 11.
A normal endoscopic image captured under white light is displayed on the monitor screen.

When a subject to be observed, such as an affected part, is observed under illumination of visible light, and a fluorescent diagnosis is desired, a foot switch 1
When the fluorescence imaging mode is selected by the imaging mode selection switch 4, the selection or instruction signal is input to the control device 13. The control device 13 sets the movable mirror 36 via the driver 39 to the state of the solid line and the motor 24. To set the rotary filter 25 to a state where the blue filter 28 is located on the optical path.

In this state, the white light of the metal halide lamp 23 of the light source device 3 is transmitted to the light guide 21 by passing only the blue wavelength component by the blue filter 28, transmitted by the light guide 21, and transmitted by the endoscope 2. Tip 2
The light is further emitted from the distal end surface attached to the body 9 through an illumination lens 31 to an observation target site such as an affected part in a body cavity, and illuminates the site.

Then, the illuminated portion is irradiated with excitation light, and the fluorescence generated by the excitation light is imaged on the distal end surface of the image guide 33 by the objective lens 32, and the image is transmitted to the eyepiece 17 side. Is transmitted to the rear end face, and further passes through the imaging lens 41 of the imaging camera 4, and the red fluorescent component is reflected by the dichroic mirror 42,
Through I. I. After being imaged on the light receiving surface 7 and optically amplified, it is imaged on the fluorescent CCD 8, and the green fluorescent component passes through the dichroic mirror 42, further passes through the green filter 43, and is enlarged by the zoom lens 44. , I. I. An image is formed on the light-receiving surface 7 and the light is amplified.

The signal photoelectrically converted by the fluorescent CCD 8 is input to the fluorescent CCU 9. The fluorescent CCU 9 converts the signal into a video signal and outputs the video signal to the image processing device 10.
The image processing apparatus 10 separates the image of the first area 47 and the image of the first area 48 shown in FIG. 4 and temporarily stores them in different memories, and then enlarges the image of the first area 47, for example. Image processing is performed to make the same size as the image of the second area 48, and a fluorescent image is generated.

In this case, the green fluorescent image which is dominant in determining the structure or contour of the tissue is enlarged by the zoom lens 44 and I. 7 and light-amplified, photoelectrically converted by the CCD 8 for fluorescence, and magnified more than the red fluorescence image related to color information. I. 7 on the light receiving surface,
Maintain high resolution (for example, if the image is taken in an area of the same size, the color information indicates whether it is malignant or benign,
The outline of the boundary between the malignant and benign parts becomes unclear).

Therefore, when a fluorescent image of two wavelength bands is superimposed and displayed on the monitor screen, the structure or contour of the tissue is clearly displayed in the fluorescent image, and each part of the clearly displayed tissue is a cancer tissue. Is displayed as color information. Because of this, the size of the malignant part,
The shape and the like can be known in detail, and the malignant tissue portion can be easily examined in detail by biopsy, and a fluorescent image with high resolution that can be easily diagnosed can be obtained.

Further, it is attached to the eyepiece 17 of the endoscope 2,
The imaging camera 4 that obtains fluorescent images in two wavelength bands is connected to one I.D. I. 7 so that the cost can be reduced,
Since it can be made lightweight and compact, it is possible to avoid being difficult to operate due to being large and heavy, and good operability can be secured.

When the alternate imaging mode is selected, the controller 13 rotates the motor 24 at a constant speed, and when the transparent glass 27 is positioned on the optical path, the movable mirror 36 is indicated by a dotted line via the driver 39. In this state, when the blue filter 28 is located on the optical path, the movable mirror 36 is set to the state shown by the solid line via the driver 39.

The image signal picked up by the white CCD 5 is processed by the white CCU 6, and the image signal picked up by the fluorescent CCD 8 is processed by the fluorescent CCU 9 and then processed by the image processing device 10. Output to the superimpose circuit 11.

Then, the operator can display the white image or the fluorescent image selected by the operator using the foot switch 14, or simultaneously display the white image and the fluorescent image. In this case, the fluorescent image can be displayed with a high resolution as described above.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when a fluorescent image is displayed on the monitor 12, the structure or outline of the tissue is clearly displayed, and each part of the clearly displayed tissue is a malignant tissue such as a cancer tissue. Whether it is benign or not is displayed by color information. For this reason, the size, shape, and the like of the malignant portion can be known in detail, and the malignant tissue portion can be easily examined in detail by biopsy, and a fluorescent image with high resolution that can be easily diagnosed can be obtained.

Further, it is attached to the eyepiece 17 of the endoscope 2 and
The imaging camera 4 that obtains fluorescent images in two wavelength bands is connected to one I.D. I. 7 so that the cost can be reduced,
Since it can be made lightweight and compact, it is possible to avoid being difficult to operate due to being large and heavy, and good operability can be secured.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
3 shows a fluorescence imaging unit 51 according to the embodiment. In FIG. 3, the fluorescence imaging means 51 has a disk-shaped neutral density filter (abbreviated as ND filter) 52 on a light path for imaging red, for example, in which the transmittance is continuously changed in the circumferential direction. The ND filter 52 is rotatable by a motor 53 so that an optical path portion where red light is incident can be set to an arbitrary transmittance state.

Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. According to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. I. Since two fluorescent images are formed on 7,
If you try to adjust their strength properly, you can easily adjust them.

Conventionally, two I.D. I. Since the fluorescence image of each wavelength band was obtained at I. I. By adjusting the gain of the two fluorescent images, the intensity of both fluorescent images could be adjusted to an appropriate intensity and displayed by superimposing or the like. I. In the case where the optical amplification is performed in step 7, only the adjustment of the weight by the image processing device can be performed, but according to the present embodiment, by disposing the ND filter 52 on one optical path,
The intensity of both fluorescent images can be adjusted to an appropriate intensity and displayed by superimposing.

FIG. 6 shows a fluorescent imaging means 55 according to a modification of the second embodiment. In this variation, FIG.
The red filter 46 is formed of an interference filter, and the interference filter can be rotated by a stepping motor 56 from a state perpendicular to the optical path to an appropriate angle θ.

This interference filter has a transmission characteristic as shown by the solid line in FIG. 7 when its filter surface is perpendicular to the optical path, and when it is tilted from this state by an angle θ, for example, the transmission characteristic as shown by the dotted line in FIG. Characteristics.

Therefore, by adjusting this angle, the transmission intensity of red light can be adjusted. The operation and effect of this modification are similar to those of the second embodiment. Although the ND filter 52 and the like are arranged on the optical path side for obtaining a red fluorescent image,
It may be arranged on the optical path side where a green fluorescent image is obtained. Further, they may be arranged in both optical paths.

Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the first embodiment, a white imaging unit for obtaining a white observation image and a fluorescence imaging unit for obtaining a fluorescence observation image are provided exclusively. However, in the present embodiment, these are shared by a common imaging device. The end portion of the insertion portion of the endoscope is reduced in diameter by realizing the image pickup means. FIG. 8 shows a configuration of an image pickup means provided at the distal end of the endoscope, and FIG. 9 shows both images picked up by a CCD serving as a common image pickup device.

An endoscope 61 shown in FIG. 8 is an electronic endoscope having an image pickup means built in a distal end portion 63 of an insertion portion 62. A light guide 64 is inserted into the insertion portion 62, and a proximal side of the light guide 64 is connected to a light source device (not shown), and illumination light and excitation light are supplied from the light source device. This light source device is the same as the light source device 3 shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 5 denotes an R, G, B filter for supplying illumination light for normal observation in the order of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) and B for transmitting excitation light for fluorescence observation. It has a filter. The B filter that transmits the excitation light and the B filter for normal observation may be shared.

R, G, B transmitted by the light guide 64
The field-sequential light or the blue excitation light is emitted to the subject side through the illumination lens 65 of the distal end portion 63. The illumination lens 6
Adjacent to 5, an objective lens 66 for normal observation or white observation and an objective lens 67 for fluorescence observation are arranged. The light incident on the objective lens 66 is further transmitted through the relay lens 68, and the C
An image is formed on the CD 70.

The light incident on the objective lens 67 is split into two lights via a prism 72 provided with a dichroic mirror 71. Then, the light transmitted through the dichroic mirror 71 further transmits only the light of the green wavelength through the green filter 73. I. After being optically amplified at 74, the lens 75
Is imaged on the CCD 70 facing the opening of the mask 69.

The light reflected by the dichroic mirror 71 further passes through the red filter 76 so that only light having a red wavelength is transmitted. I. After the light is amplified at 74, the image is formed on the CCD 70 facing the opening of the mask 69 via the lens 77. In addition, I.P. between the green filter 73 and the lens 75 and between the red filter 76 and the lens 77, respectively. I. May be arranged, but in the present embodiment, one I. I. 74.

In this embodiment, the common CCD 70 uses a green fluorescent image 79G and a red fluorescent image 7G as shown in FIG.
9R and a white image 79W are captured. The white image 79W is actually synthesized from the R, G, and B component images captured under the R, G, and B illuminations.

The output of the CCD 70 is input to a CCU (not shown), which performs signal processing to generate a video signal, and displays each image on a monitor. According to the present embodiment, the distal end portion 63
By realizing the white imaging unit and the fluorescence imaging unit with an imaging unit using a common imaging device, the diameter of the distal end portion 63 can be reduced.

(Fourth Embodiment) Next, FIG. 10 and FIG.
A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, as in the third embodiment, the distal end portion is reduced in diameter by realizing the same using an imaging unit using a common imaging element. FIG. 10 shows a configuration of an image pickup means provided at the distal end of the endoscope, and FIG. 11 shows both images picked up by a CCD serving as a common image pickup device.

The endoscope 81 shown in FIG. 10 is the same as the endoscope 6 shown in FIG.
1, the configuration of the imaging unit on the fluorescent side is different. That is,
On the optical path between the objective lens 67 and the mask 69, the excitation light cut filter 82, I.P. I. 83 and a lens 84 are arranged.

That is, in this embodiment, the CCD 70 picks up a white image 79W and a fluorescent image 79K as shown in FIG. In the third embodiment, two fluorescent images in two wavelength ranges are separated and imaged. However, in the present embodiment, two fluorescent images in two wavelength ranges are imaged without being separated. It has a configuration.

Other configurations are the same as those in FIG. 8, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted. According to this embodiment, it is possible to omit an optical system for separating a fluorescent image in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the objective lens 67 by adopting a configuration in which two fluorescent images in two wavelength ranges are imaged without being separated. Thus, the diameter of the distal end portion 63 can be reduced.

(Fifth Embodiment) Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the fluorescence imaging means 40 of FIG. 3 is replaced with the fluorescence imaging means 9 of FIG.
The light having passed through the lens 41 is split into two lights through a prism 92 provided with a dichroic mirror 91. Then, the light transmitted through the dichroic mirror 91 further transmits only the light of the green wavelength through the green filter 93. I. After being optically amplified at 94, the image is formed on a monochrome CCD 8A via a fiber 95A.

The light reflected by the dichroic mirror 91 further transmits only light of a red wavelength through the red filter 96, and I. After being optically amplified at 94, the fiber 95
The image is formed on the monochrome CCD 8B via B.

In the present embodiment, the fluorescence imaging means 90 is
I. I. 94, the two fluorescent images are divided and formed into images, and each of the two fluorescent images is divided into two fibers 9
Light is guided to the CCDs 8A and 8B at 5A and 95B, respectively. The image signals photoelectrically converted by the CCDs 8A and 8B are input to the CCUs 9A and 9B, respectively, converted into video signals, and then superimposed by a superimpose circuit to superimpose two fluorescent images on a monitor. Is displayed.

According to this embodiment, I.I. I. Since the optical amplification is performed in common at 94, the cost of the imaging camera can be reduced, and the size and weight can be reduced. Also, two fibers 9
Since the light is guided to the CCDs 8A and 8B by 5A and 95B, it is not necessary to separate two fluorescent images by image processing.

(Sixth Embodiment) Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the fluorescence imaging means 40 of FIG. 3 is replaced with the fluorescence imaging means 98 of FIG.
In the present embodiment, the mirror 45 is made rotatable, and I. The fluorescent image light-amplified at 7 is received by two CCDs 8A and 8B.

As shown in FIG. 13, one CCD 8B is movable in the optical axis direction and in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction. As described above, since the position adjusting means that can change the position where the fluorescent image is formed on one CCD 8B is provided,
When the outputs of the two CCDs 8A and 8B are displayed in a superimposed manner, they can be superimposed with high accuracy, and therefore, the diagnostic performance in the case of performing a diagnosis with a superimposed image with high accuracy can be improved.

In the first embodiment, for example, the zoom lens 44 is used as the magnifying optical system. However, the present invention is not limited to the zoom lens 44, and may be an optical system that magnifies only by a fixed magnification. Further, the magnifying optical system is constituted by the green filter 43 and I. The arrangement is not limited to the arrangement on the optical path 7 and may be arranged between the dichroic mirror 42 and the green filter 43.

In the first embodiment, the spectral image dividing means for dividing the image into two wavelength ranges is employed. However, the spectral image dividing means for dividing the image into two or more plural wavelength regions may be employed. good. Note that the present invention belongs to embodiments and the like constituted by combining the above-described embodiments and the like in a partial manner.

[Supplementary Notes] In a transendoscopic fluorescence observation apparatus for irradiating excitation light in a transendoscopic manner and detecting and imaging fluorescence generated from a living tissue in at least two wavelength bands, the fluorescence image is converted into at least a short wavelength and a long wavelength. A spectral image dividing unit for dividing the optical image into two wavelength bands of an optical image, and an enlargement optical system for enlarging the size of the optical image of the short wavelength band in the optical image divided by the spectral image dividing unit. A single image intensifier for doubling the brightness of each optical image including the image having passed through the magnifying optical system, and a solid-state imaging device for photoelectrically converting each of the multiplied optical images. An endoscopic fluorescent observation device.

2. In Supplementary Note 1, the short wavelength band is a green region, and the long wavelength band is a red region. 3. In the above supplementary note 2, the image in the green area is projected onto the image intensifier larger than the image in the red area. 4. In Supplementary Note 1, the transendoscopic fluorescence observation device is an external fluorescence observation camera that is detachably attached to an eyepiece of an endoscope.

5. In a transendoscopic fluorescence observation apparatus for irradiating excitation light in a transendoscopic manner and detecting and imaging fluorescence generated from a living tissue in at least two wavelength bands, the fluorescence image is converted into at least a short wavelength and a long wavelength. A spectral image dividing unit for dividing the optical image into two optical bands of two wavelength bands; one image intensifier for doubling the brightness of each optical image divided by the spectral image dividing unit; A solid-state imaging device for photoelectrically converting each of the doubled optical images, and a brightness changing unit disposed between the spectral image splitting unit and the image intensifier, for changing the brightness of at least one of the split optical images. Having.

6. In Addition 5, the brightness changing means is a variable ND filter. 7. In Addition 5, the brightness changing means is an interference filter that can change an angle with respect to an optical axis.

8. Appendix 5 further includes an enlargement optical system that enlarges the size of an optical image in a short wavelength band in the optical image divided by the spectral image division unit. 9. In Appendix 5, the transendoscopic fluorescence observation device is an external camera for fluorescence observation that is detachable from an eyepiece of an endoscope.

10. By irradiating excitation light transendoscopically to image fluorescence generated from the living tissue, irradiating white light, imaging reflected light from the living tissue, and displaying the fluorescence image and the white image for diagnosis In a transendoscopic fluorescence observation apparatus, one solid-state imaging device that captures both the fluorescence image and the white image is divided into the fluorescence image and the white image, and each image is formed on the solid-state imaging device. And a solid-state imaging device for multiplying the brightness of the fluorescent image, and at least one image intensifier arranged in the optical path of the fluorescent image divided by the objective optical system. An endoscopic fluorescent observation device. 11. In Supplementary Note 10, the fluorescence image is divided into images of two wavelength bands and amplified by the image intensifier.

[0073]

As described above, according to the present invention, a transendoscopy irradiates excitation light transendoscopically, detects fluorescence generated from a living tissue in at least two wavelength bands, and forms an image. A spectroscopic image observation device, a spectral image dividing unit for dividing the fluorescent image into optical images of at least two wavelength bands of a short wavelength and a long wavelength, and a short wavelength in the optical image divided by the spectral image dividing unit. A magnifying optical system for enlarging the size of the optical image in the wavelength band of the wavelength band, and one image intensifier for doubling the brightness of each optical image including the image passing through the magnifying optical system; and Since a solid-state image sensor for photoelectrically converting each optical image is provided, the resolution is improved by enlarging the size of an optical image in a short wavelength band related to the structure by the magnifying optical system, and improving the resolution of one image. Intensifier In common use can be achieved at low cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a transendoscopic fluorescence observation apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a configuration of a rotary filter.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging unit for fluorescence observation.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing regions of two fluorescent images formed on a fluorescent observation imaging device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a fluorescent imaging unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a fluorescence imaging unit according to a modification of the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating transmission characteristics when an interference filter is tilted.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a distal end portion of an endoscope according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a fluorescent image and the like formed on a CCD.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a distal end portion of an endoscope according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a fluorescent image and the like formed on a CCD.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a fluorescence imaging unit according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a fluorescence imaging unit according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Transendoscopic fluorescence observation device 2 ... Endoscope 3 ... Light source device 4 ... Imaging camera 5 ... White CCD 6 ... White CCU 7 ... I. I. (Image intensifier) 8 ... CCD for fluorescence 9 ... CCU for fluorescence 10 ... Image processing device 11 ... Superimpose circuit 12 ... Monitor 13 ... Control device 14 ... Foot switch 15 ... Insertion section 21 ... Light guide 23 ... Metal halide lamp 24 ... Motor 25 ... Rotating filter 27 ... Transparent glass 28 ... Blue filter 32 ... Objective lens 33 ... Image guide 36 ... Movable mirror 40 ... Fluorescence imaging means 42 ... Dichroic mirror 43 ... Green filter 44 ... Zoom lens 45 ... Mirror 46 ... Red filter 47 First area 48 Second area

Continuing on the front page (72) Nobuyuki Michiguchi 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yumi Hirao 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Within Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takeshi Ozawa 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Within Olympus Optical Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Takefumi Uesugi 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optics Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A transendoscopic fluorescence observation apparatus for irradiating excitation light transendoscopically, detecting fluorescence generated from a living tissue in at least two wavelength bands, and imaging the fluorescence image, A spectral image dividing unit for dividing the optical image into two wavelength bands of a short wavelength and a long wavelength, and enlarging the size of the optical image of the short wavelength band in the optical image divided by the spectral image dividing unit. A magnifying optical system, one image intensifier for doubling the brightness of each optical image including the image passing through the magnifying optical system, and a solid-state imaging device for photoelectrically converting each of the multiplied optical images. A transendoscopic fluorescence observation device comprising: