KR20180128219A - Vascular endoscope using face angle lenses and method of use - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a vascular endoscope using face angle lenses. The vascular endoscope using face angle lenses according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: a probe having first and second face angle lenses arranged to face each other so that reflective surfaces thereof face each other, wherein at least one of the first and second face angle lenses is rotatable around an optical axis; an optical fiber coupled to a rear end of the probe and transmitting an image signal obtained from the probe to the rear end; and a camera module coupled to a rear end of the optical fiber and visualizing the image signal.

Description

[0001] Description [0002] Vascular endoscopy using a face angle lens and method of using the same [

The present invention relates to a vascular endoscope using a face angle lens and a method of using the vascular endoscope. More particularly, the present invention relates to a vascular endoscope capable of improving a viewing angle by using a face angle lens facing each other, and a method of using the vascular endoscope.

In the field of medical imaging, there is a growing demand for imaging technology that can obtain information about the tissue under the microscope as well as the imaging technology that can obtain information about the tissue surface. In particular, most cancers develop from the lower part of the epithelium and propagate into the dermis cells where the blood vessels are present. Therefore, if early detection is possible, the cure rate becomes higher.

Conventional imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance imaging (CT), computer tomography (CT), and ultrasound can take an internal tomographic image through the skin. However, there is a disadvantage in that it is impossible to detect early cancer of small size due to low resolution.

On the other hand, technologies such as recently introduced optical coherence tomography (OCT) and photoacoustic tomography (PAT) use light unlike conventional methods. Therefore, penetration depth in skin is as low as 1 ~ 2 mm (OCT case) and 30 ~ 50 mm (PAT case), but resolution is as high as 10 times of ultrasound and can be used for diagnosis of early cancer. However, in order to more accurately analyze the tumor inside the human body, it is important to take a direct observation and morphological approach.

In particular, optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a medical imaging technology that indirectly photographs the inside and the inside of blood vessels and organs from the outside to visualize them, and has a disadvantage that the volume of equipment is very large. Therefore, there has been an effort to visualize the inside and the inside of the blood vessel and the organ by directly photographing the inside and the inside of the blood vessel.

In order to morphologically approach the internal diagnosis of human body such as endoscopic, laparoscopic, and surgical robots, it is necessary to use a small endoscope that can receive light from a light source and send it to the inside of the human body. Such a small endoscope includes a series of optical lens groups for focusing light at a specific distance and an optical scanning element for irradiating light in a certain area.

The scanning method includes a method of controlling the optical path by changing the tilt angle of the mirror and a method of directly controlling the optical path by changing the optical fiber. The scanning method of the mirror has a limitation in reducing the diameter of the probe because the direction of the light must be changed more than once. On the other hand, the scanning method of the optical fiber can minimize the diameter of the probe, but there is a limit to shorten the length due to the presence of an actuator for driving the fiber.

In addition, even if a scanning method of optical fibers is used, there is a limitation in space that a probe can not be moved by freely driving an actuator in a limited space such as an inner surface of a blood vessel. As described above, the optical fiber scanning method has a disadvantage in that it is difficult to appropriately diagnose the inner surface of the blood vessel due to the limitation of the length of the probe. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a small endoscopic instrument specialized in endoscopy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a vascular endoscope using a face angle lens and a method of using the vascular endoscope.

The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned technical problems, and other technical problems which are not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vascular endoscope using a face angle lens, wherein a first face angle lens and a second face angle lens are arranged so that a refractive surface faces each other, At least one of the second face angle lenses being rotatable about an optical axis; An optical fiber coupled to a rear end of the probe and transmitting an image signal obtained from the probe to a rear end; And a camera module coupled to a rear end of the optical fiber for visualizing the image signal.

Preferably, the probe is arranged such that when the face angle of the first face angle lens is a first angle and the face angle of the second face angle lens is a second angle, the first face angle lens and the second face The angle formed by the refracting surface of the first face angle lens and the refracting surface of the second face angle lens is changed from the first angle and the second angle sum to the first angle and the second angle from the first angle and the second angle sum as a result of rotation of at least one of the angle lenses about the optical axis, It is up to the angle difference.

Preferably, the first face angle lens and the second face angle lens have the same face angle and the same diameter.

Preferably, the same face angle is 8 degrees, the same diameter is 2 mm, and the first face angle lens and the second face angle lens are green lenses (GRIN lenses).

Preferably, the first face angle lens and the second face angle lens have different face angles and the same diameter.

Preferably, the first face angle lens and the second face angle lens are filled with a fluid between the refracting surfaces.

Preferably, the fluid is air.

Preferably, the camera module includes a 5 mm fixed focus lens, a 2X extender, and a CMOS camera sensor.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of using a vascular endoscope using a face angle lens, the first face angle lens and the second face angle lens being arranged so that their refraction surfaces face each other, Obtaining an image signal through at least one of an angle lens and a second face angle lens through a probe rotatable about an optical axis; Transmitting the acquired video signal to a subsequent stage through an optical fiber; And visualizing the transmitted video signal through a camera module.

The effects according to the present invention are as follows.

Typical endoscopic devices used in clinical procedures are 0.7 ~ 1.9mm in diameter and are used for intraoperative or percutaneous diagnosis and treatment of peripheral vascular and coronary artery disease. However, since the diameter is very small, it is impossible to drive freely within a limited space such as blood vessels.

In this environment, the use of the angioscope using the face angle lens proposed by the present invention can improve the visual field of about 23.2% without movement of the distal end as compared with the conventional angioscope. This allows visualization of the inner surface of the blood vessel to directly observe intravascular lesions. Unlike the conventional method using the angiographic method, unique information can be provided.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly understood to those of ordinary skill in the art from the following description.

1 is a view for explaining an endoscope using a face angle lens according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2A to 2C are views for explaining the rotation of two face angle lenses which can be used in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 3A to 3C are views for explaining control of an optical path according to rotation of two face angle lenses which can be used in an embodiment of the present invention.
4A to 4B are views for explaining a face angle green lens used in an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of using an angioscope using a face angle lens according to an embodiment of the present invention.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments, but includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention. Like reference numerals are used for like elements in describing each drawing.

The terms first, second, A, B, etc. may be used to describe various elements, but the elements should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, the second component may also be referred to as a first component. And / or < / RTI > includes any combination of a plurality of related listed items or any of a plurality of related listed items.

It is to be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another element, it may be directly connected or connected to the other element, . On the other hand, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another element, it should be understood that there are no other elements in between.

The terminology used in this application is used only to describe a specific embodiment and is not intended to limit the invention. The singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In the present application, the terms "comprises" or "having" and the like are used to specify that there is a feature, a number, a step, an operation, an element, a component or a combination thereof described in the specification, But do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries are to be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the contextual meaning of the related art and are to be interpreted as either ideal or overly formal in the sense of the present application Do not.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a view for explaining an endoscope using a face angle lens according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1, the angioscope 100 using the face angle lens proposed in the present invention includes a probe 120 having two green lenses (GRIN lens, Graded-Index lens) having a face angle . The probe 120 transmits the image through the optical cable 130 to the rear end, which can be imaged through the camera module 140 and 150 and visualized in a separate computing device 160.

In more detail, the probe 120 used as the end of the endoscope includes two green lenses. These two green lenses are green lenses with face angles and can rotate along the optical axis while facing each other. There is an air gap between the two green lenses. Of course, in some cases, it can be filled with a fluid other than the air gap.

Here, the face angle refers to an angle at which one side of the lens is tilted with respect to the optical axis. A lens having a face angle is called a face angle lens. Generally, a green lens is a cylindrical shape, but in some cases, one surface may be perpendicular to the optical axis and the other surface may be inclined at a certain angle to the optical axis. A more detailed description of the face angle lens will be given in Figs. 4A to 4B.

When a target such as the USAF 1951 target (110, USAF 1951 target) is measured with the probe (120) configured as described above, refraction occurs inside the probe (120) due to the difference in refractive index between the two green lenses and the air gap. Thus, the optical path can be controlled without driving the probe 120 of the small endoscope with an actuator.

It is difficult to actively control the probe 120 in a limited space such as a blood vessel. Therefore, even if the external angle of the probe 120 is the same as that of the probe 120 using the face angle lens proposed in the present invention, You can adjust the lens internally to gain additional visibility.

The thus obtained video signal can be transmitted to the camera module 150 through the optical cable 130. Referring to FIG. 1, the camera module is shown as a CMOS camera 150 using a lens group 140 of a 5 mm fixed focal length lens and a 2x extender. However, this is for the purpose of understanding the invention, and it is possible to combine other lens groups or other camera sensors.

As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention is characterized in that two face angle lenses are arranged to face each other and one or more face angle lenses are rotated around the optical axis to control the optical path. Thus, even if the probe 120 does not move to secure a field of view, it is possible to secure a field of view by simply rotating the green lens in the probe 120. [

Particularly, in the case of an endoscopic vascular endoscope, there is a large space restriction. In the case of using the angioscope using the face angle lens proposed in the present invention, it is possible to secure an additional visual field of about 23.2% It is highly utilized.

2A to 2C are views for explaining the rotation of two face angle lenses which can be used in an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2A, two face angle lenses are disposed inside the probe 120 so as to face each other. A first face angle lens 121 is disposed at the foremost end of the probe 120, and a second face angle lens 123 is positioned with a constant air gap.

The two face angle lenses 121 and 123 shown in FIG. 2A have the same diameter, and face angles facing each other are not particularly limited. That is, the angle of the first face angle lens 121 and the angle of the second face angle lens 123 may be different from each other. In the present invention, however, it is assumed that the two face angle lenses 121 and 123 all have the same angle of &thetas;

At this time, any one of the two face angle lenses 121 and 123 can be rotated. At this time, the face angle lens rotates about the optical axis, which is not shown in FIG. 1, but can be rotated through an actuator inside the probe 120.

In FIG. 2A, when the first face angle lens 121 disposed at the front end portion rotates 180 degrees, the state shown in FIG. 2B is obtained. Referring to FIG. 2B, it can be seen that the refracting surfaces of the first and second face angle lenses 121 and 123 are parallel. By differently arranging the refracting surfaces of the two face angle lenses 121 and 123, a viewing angle different from that of FIG. 2A can be ensured.

Here, if the second face angle lens 123 is rotated, the state shown in FIG. 2C is obtained. Referring to FIG. 2C, similarly to FIG. 2A, the first face angle lens 121 and the second face angle lens 123 are arranged to face each other again. However, it is arranged in a state of being inverted by 180 degrees as compared with the case of FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, when any one of the face angle lenses arranged so that their refracting surfaces face each other is rotated around the optical axis, the refracting surfaces are arranged in parallel to each other with the refracting surfaces facing each other Can be changed.

Of course, this can be arranged in parallel only when the angle of the first face angle lens 121 and the angle of the second face angle lens 123 are the same. If the angle of the first face angle lens 121 and the angle of the second face angle lens 123 are different from each other, when arranged as shown in FIG. 2B, the refracting surface is not parallel but has an angle corresponding to the difference between the angles of the two face angle lenses.

In this way, when the face angle lens is rotated around the optical axis, the position of the point at which the image is formed on the optical cable is changed, that is, the searchable region can be changed by the endoscope, thereby improving the viewing angle. This is particularly effective in endoscopes with limited space.

FIGS. 3A to 3C are views for explaining control of an optical path according to rotation of two face angle lenses which can be used in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a view for explaining a view in the case where two face angle lenses 121 and 123 are arranged in a state in which the refracting surfaces are parallel as shown in FIG. 2B. 3A, when the refraction surfaces of the two face angle lenses 121 and 123 are arranged in parallel, the refractive index and the air gap between the first face angle lens 121 and the air gap and the refractive index and air gap between the second face angle lens 123 Are offset from each other, and the image collected on the optical fiber 130 is an image at a position corresponding to an extension of the optical fiber.

3B in which the first face angle lens 121 rotates by 180 degrees, the first face angle lens 121 and the second face angle lens 123 face each other with an angle of? , The optical path is deformed and an image of the b position (solid line), which is higher than the position a (dotted line) in FIG. 3A, is collected in the optical fiber 130. That is, even if the position of the probe 120 is not changed, another field of view can be secured.

When the image signals are collected while the two face angle lenses 121 and 123 are continuously rotated, the same result as shown in FIG. 3C can be obtained. 3C, when the first face angle lens 121 rotates counterclockwise and the second face angle lens 123 rotates clockwise, the angle of the refracting surface of the two face angle lenses causes the amount of x-axis It is possible to obtain a view of a certain portion of the region and a certain portion of the region of the sound.

4A to 4B are views for explaining a face angle green lens used in an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4A, an image of a face-angle green lens can be seen. A gradient lens is a lens made by giving a constant refractive index distribution to a glass. Such a green lens is usually a glass column, and its front and rear boundary is flat, and the refractive index gradually changes with distance from its center axis.

Although FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate that the light advances straight inside the face angle lens in order to facilitate understanding, when the probe 120 is implemented using a green lens having a face angle, the refractive index Due to the distribution, the light does not go straight as in the case of Fig. 2A or 2B.

However, the feature of arranging the two green lenses having face angles to face each other and controlling the optical path due to the angle between the refracting surfaces of the two green lenses while rotating the optical axis around the lens is that, even if a green lens is used, 3C.

Returning back to FIG. 4a, most of the green lenses sold on the market are only angled or have an angle of 8 degrees. Also, depending on the green lens, the measurable wavelength and the measurable distance are different. However, since most of the face angle lenses are commercialized as products of 8 degrees, the present invention proposes a vascular endoscope using such products.

Among the products illustrated in FIG. 4A, products such as GRIN 2915 and GRIN 2913 can not be used to make the endoscopic apparatus proposed in the present invention because they have a cylindrical shape with a face angle of 0 degrees. As shown in FIG. 4A, GRIN 2306A and GRIN 2301A can be used to make the endoscopic endoscope proposed in the present invention because one side is cut at a certain angle and the other side is flat.

That is, only the green lens exemplified as the 8-degree face angle on the right side is suitable for making the endoscope proposed in the present invention. At this time, various combinations of green lenses can be used according to the specifications of the endoscopic vascular endoscope required. Through this, it is possible to control the wavelength and focal distance of the endoscope.

4B is a table summarizing specifications of various types of green lenses. This is the specification of the merchandise that is actually being sold. However, the angle of the face angle is not particularly limited in the present invention, but most commercially available products have an angle of 8 degrees, so that the face angle of 8 degrees will be mainly described.

Referring to FIG. 4B, various kinds of products such as GRIN 2306A, GRIN 2308A, GRIN 2310A, GRIN 2313A, and GRIN 2315A on the upper side are green lenses having a face angle of 8 degrees. Using these green lenses, we actually implemented the vascular endoscope and tested its performance.

The endoscopic endoscope tested and manufactured in the present invention is a 2-mm-diameter and 420-mm-long endoscopic endoscope. The spatial resolution was evaluated by MTF calculation. As a result, it was possible to improve the visual field of about 23.2% compared with the conventional endoscope. Of course, if the face angle is other than 8 degrees, the degree of improvement of the viewing angle can also be changed.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of using an angioscope using a face angle lens according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, in a probe arranged so that two face angle lenses face each other, a face angle lens is rotated around an optical axis (S1100). Then, even if the position of the probe is unchanged, the optical path is changed due to the angle formed by the refracting surfaces of the two face angles, thereby securing an additional field of view.

The video signal of the obtained field of view is transmitted to the rear end through the optical fiber (S1200). The transmitted video signal is imaged by the camera module and can be used to diagnose the lesion on the inner surface of the blood vessel. Especially, in case of limited space such as blood vessels, it is possible to increase the performance of the endoscope in that additional sight can be secured without controlling the position of the probe.

The angioscope using the face angle lens proposed in the present invention has been described above. However, in the present invention, only two face angle lenses are described to facilitate understanding, but it is also possible to use a plurality of face angle lenses depending on the implementation.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, You will understand. It is therefore to be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive.

100: vascular endoscope
120: Two Face Angle Lenses Facing each other
130: Optical cable
140: Lens group
150: CMOS camera sensor
160:

Claims (9)

A first face angle lens and a second face angle lens disposed so as to face each other with a refracting surface and at least one of the first face angle lens and the second face angle lens being rotatable about an optical axis;
An optical fiber coupled to a rear end of the probe and transmitting an image signal obtained from the probe to a rear end; And
A camera module coupled to a rear end of the optical fiber for visualizing the video signal,
Vascular endoscopy. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the probe comprises:
When the face angle of the first face angle lens is a first angle and the face angle of the second face angle lens is a second angle,
Wherein an angle formed between the refracting surface of the first face angle lens and the refracting surface of the second face angle lens as a result of rotation of at least one of the first face angle lens and the second face angle lens about the optical axis, Wherein the second angle is varied from a second angle sum to a difference between the first angle and the second angle.
Vascular endoscopy. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the first face angle lens and the second face angle lens are arranged so that,
Having the same face angle and the same diameter,
Vascular endoscopy. The method of claim 3,
The same face angle is 8 degrees,
The same diameter is 2 mm,
Wherein the first face angle lens and the second face angle lens are green lenses (GRIN lenses, Graded-Index lenses)
Vascular endoscopy. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the first face angle lens and the second face angle lens are arranged so that,
Having different face angles and the same diameter,
Vascular endoscopy. The method according to claim 1,
And the first face angle lens and the second face angle lens are arranged between the refracting surfaces of the first face angle lens and the second face angle lens,
Which is filled with fluid,
Vascular endoscopy. The method according to claim 6,
The fluid may comprise,
Air in,
Vascular endoscopy. The method according to claim 1,
The camera module includes:
A 5 mm fixed focus lens, a 2X extender, and a CMOS camera sensor.
Vascular endoscopy. Wherein the first face angle lens and the second face angle lens are disposed so as to face the refracting surface, and at least one of the first face angle lens and the second face angle lens acquires a video signal through a probe rotatable about an optical axis step;
Transmitting the acquired video signal to a subsequent stage through an optical fiber; And
And visualizing the transmitted video signal through a camera module.
A method using a vascular endoscope.

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