JP2002000547A - Fluorescent imaging instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the noise superimposed upon fluorescent images by preventing dust from entering into an enclosure housing a light source when the incident end section of a light guide is removed from the enclosure in a fluorescent imaging instrument which picks up the image of the fluorescence emitted from an observing section irradiated with exciting light emitted from the light source by guiding the excited light to the observing section by means of the light guide. SOLUTION: Upon termination of the fluorescent imaging by means of a CCD imaging element 131 ends, a CCD cable 140 is removed from a processor section 150 and the light guide 111 is removed from the opening 104 of a light source section 100. A head section 10 composed of an inserting section 110 which is inserted into the body cavity of a subject and an control section 120 which bends the insertion portion 110 is kept after cleaning. A cap 106 is fitted to the bearing section 105 of the light source section 100 and the opening 104 is closed with a cap 106 by means of a user. Consequently, dust can be prevented from entering into the enclosure 103 housing a semiconductor laser 101 from the opening 104 when the imaging instrument is kept.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for irradiating an observation section of a living body with a fluorescent diagnostic agent previously injected with excitation light to image fluorescence emitted from the fluorescent diagnostic agent or injecting the fluorescent diagnostic agent in advance. The present invention relates to a fluorescence imaging device that captures autofluorescence emitted from a dye in a living body without using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a living body observation section is irradiated with excitation light in an excitation wavelength region of an indwelling dye in a living body, and a fluorescence imaging apparatus for imaging fluorescence emitted by the indwelling dye or a fluorescent diagnostic agent is injected into a living body in advance. There is known a fluorescence imaging apparatus that irradiates excitation light in an excitation wavelength region of a fluorescent diagnostic agent to generate fluorescence from the fluorescent diagnostic agent, and captures the fluorescence.

[0003] Fluorescent images picked up by these fluorescent image pickup apparatuses are mainly used for photodynamic diagnosis for diagnosing a tumor portion by displaying the localization / infiltration range of a lesion as an image.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-59783 discloses that
A fluorescent imaging apparatus for performing this photodynamic diagnosis is disclosed. This type of fluorescence imaging apparatus basically includes an excitation light irradiating unit that irradiates the living body observation unit with excitation light and an imaging unit that captures fluorescence emitted from the living body observation unit. It is configured in a form incorporated in an endoscope inserted into the camera, an operating microscope, a colposcope, or the like.

FIG. 6 shows an example in which the above-mentioned fluorescence imaging apparatus is incorporated in a fluorescence endoscope apparatus. Usually, such a fluorescent endoscope apparatus includes a head section 10 including an insertion section 110 and an operation section 120 for operating bending of the insertion section 110, and a semiconductor laser.
A light source unit 300 in which an excitation light source such as 101 is disposed, a processor unit 150 that performs image processing of a captured image, and a monitor 160
And the like, and a rack unit 30 accommodated by a steel rack. Imager with CCD image sensor
130 may be built in the operation unit 120 of the head unit 10 as shown in FIG.

Normally, the light source unit 300 includes the semiconductor laser 101,
Power supply 102 and condenser lens 108 for the semiconductor laser 101
And the like are housed in the housing 103, and are arranged in the rack unit 30 as described above. The housing 103 has an opening 104 to which the light guide 111 is connected. At the time of performing the fluorescence endoscopy, the light guide 111 extending from the operation unit 120 is connected to the opening 104 of the light source unit 300.

The excitation light L1 emitted from the light source unit 300 is guided by the light guide 111 to the tip of the insertion unit 110, irradiates the observation unit 1, and the fluorescence L2 emitted from the observation unit 1 The guide 112 guides the light from the distal end of the insertion section 110 to the imaging section 130, and the image is captured by the CCD imaging element 131. The captured fluorescent image is the CCD cable 14
The data is output to the processor unit 150 via 0, and displayed on the monitor 160.

The head 10 needs to be cleaned after use. Therefore, when the inspection is completed, the head unit 10 is detached from the rack unit 30 and, after being cleaned, is stored in a clean state separately from the rack unit 30.

[0009]

As described above, when the fluorescent endoscope apparatus is not used, the head unit 10
It is stored separately from the rack unit 30. Therefore, the incident end of the light guide 111 for guiding the excitation light L1 is removed from the opening 104 of the light source unit 300, and the light source unit 300 is stored with the opening 104 opened. For this reason, during storage, the housing 10 of the light source unit 300 is
In some cases, dust may intrude into the light guide 111 from the semiconductor laser 101 when capturing a fluorescent image.
If the light adheres or floats between the optical paths up to the incident end face of the laser light, the excitation light L1 may be scattered, or the excitation light L1 may emit fluorescent light from dust, which may cause noise in the captured fluorescent image.

When the imaging section is provided in the rack section 30, an emission end of an image guide extended from the operation section is connected to an opening of a housing for accommodating the imaging element. . Therefore, when the fluorescence endoscope apparatus is not used, the emission end of the image guide is removed from the opening of the imaging unit, and the imaging unit is stored with the opening being opened. For this reason, dust may enter the housing of the imaging unit from the opened opening. If this dust adheres or floats in the optical path from the exit end of the image guide to the image forming surface of the image sensor, the fluorescent image may cause
The fluorescent light may be scattered or the fluorescent light may emit fluorescent light from the dust, which may cause noise in the fluorescent image.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is directed to a fluorescent image pickup apparatus having a light source unit or an image pickup unit provided with an opening to which a light guide or an image guide is connected. It is an object of the present invention to provide a fluorescence imaging apparatus capable of preventing dust from entering a part, reducing noise superimposed on a fluorescence image to be captured, and capturing a clearer fluorescence image.

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fluorescence image capturing apparatus comprising: a light source unit for emitting excitation light; a light guide for guiding the excitation light emitted from the light source unit to a position near an observation unit; An imaging unit for imaging fluorescence emitted from an observation unit irradiated with the excitation light guided by the light guide, wherein the light source unit is configured such that an incident end of the light guide is detachably attached. A housing having an opening to be attached, and an excitation light source disposed in the housing, and when the incident end is not attached to the opening, dust enters the housing through the opening. And a dust intrusion prevention means for preventing the intrusion.

Here, the “imaging unit that captures the fluorescence emitted from the observation unit irradiated with the excitation light guided by the light guide” refers to the observation unit irradiated with the excitation light guided by the light guide. Any device may be used as long as it captures the fluorescence emitted from the unit. For example, a device that directly captures fluorescence or a device that captures an image via an image guide or the like may be used.

[0014] The above-mentioned dust intrusion preventing means is provided when the incident end of the light guide is removed from the opening.
One that automatically closes the opening can be used.

A second fluorescence imaging apparatus according to the present invention comprises a light source for emitting excitation light, and an image guide for guiding fluorescence emitted from an observation unit irradiated with the excitation light emitted from the light source. An imaging unit for imaging fluorescence guided by the image guide, wherein the imaging unit has an opening to which an emission end of the image guide is detachably attached, and the housing A dust intrusion preventing means for preventing dust from entering the housing through the opening when the emission end is not attached to the opening. It is characterized by the following.

Here, “the light source unit for emitting the excitation light and the observation unit irradiated with the excitation light emitted from the light source unit” means, for example, that the excitation light emitted from the light source unit is directly or a light guide. Means an observation unit irradiated through the like.

As the dust intrusion preventing means, a means for automatically closing the opening when the emission end of the image guide is removed from the opening can be used.

In the first and second fluorescence imaging devices, a lid for closing the opening can be used as the dust intrusion prevention means. Further, in the present fluorescence imaging apparatus, at least a part of the light guide and the image guide can be configured as a fluorescence endoscope apparatus disposed in the endoscope.

The "dust intrusion prevention means" may be any means as long as it can prevent dust from intruding into the housing through the opening, and includes, for example, an air curtain.

[0020]

According to the first fluorescent image pickup apparatus of the present invention, dust enters the housing through the opening when the light guide end is not provided with the light guide entrance end. Dust intrusion prevention means is provided to prevent dust from entering the housing of the light source unit from the opening during storage, so that when capturing a fluorescent image, excitation light is scattered or excited. Since fluorescent light is not emitted from dust due to light, noise superimposed on the captured fluorescent image can be reduced, and a clearer fluorescent image can be captured.

In the second fluorescence imaging apparatus of the present invention,
Dust intrusion preventing means for preventing dust from entering the housing from the opening when the emission end of the image guide is not attached to the opening provided in the imaging unit, so that the opening during storage is provided. Since dust does not enter the housing of the imaging unit from the unit, fluorescence is not scattered, and fluorescence is not emitted from the dust due to the fluorescence, noise superimposed on the captured fluorescence image is reduced, and the image is more clear. A fluorescent image.

If the dust intrusion preventing means automatically closes the opening when the light guide or the image guide is removed from the opening, the light source unit remains open. Alternatively, the imaging unit is not stored, and dust intrusion can be reliably prevented.

If a lid for closing the opening is used as the dust intrusion preventing means, it is possible to prevent dust from intruding into the housing with almost no increase in manufacturing cost.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. First, a fluorescence endoscope apparatus according to a first specific embodiment to which the fluorescence imaging apparatus according to the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a fluorescent endoscope apparatus, and FIGS. 2 and 3 show the main parts. This fluorescence endoscope device uses a light guide to guide the excitation light emitted from the excitation light source provided in the rack section to irradiate the living body observation section, and image-guides the fluorescence emitted from the observation section. And the light is guided by the C
The image is captured by a CD image sensor, and the fluorescent image is displayed on a monitor.

The fluorescent endoscope apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises a head unit 10 and a rack unit 11. The head section 10 is portable, and has an insertion section 110 inserted into a site suspected of a lesion of a patient;
An operation unit 120 connected to the rear end of the operation unit 110, an imaging unit 130 provided in the operation unit 120, and a C provided in the imaging unit 130
And a CCD cable 140 for outputting an image signal picked up by the CD image pickup device. The rack unit 11 includes a light source unit 100 for emitting excitation light, a processor unit 150 connected to a CCD cable 140, and a monitor 160 electrically connected to the processor unit 150.

The light source unit 100 includes a GaN-based semiconductor laser 101 that emits excitation light L1 having a wavelength of 405 nm, and a power supply for the semiconductor laser that is electrically connected to the GaN-based semiconductor laser 101.
102, a housing 103 containing a GaN-based semiconductor laser 101 and a semiconductor laser power supply 102 is provided.

The housing 103 is provided with a receiving portion 105 having a circular opening 104 for communicating the inside and the outside of the housing at the center so as to protrude toward the outside. A cap 106, which is a lid for closing the opening 104,
Attached via 107. FIG.
And an external view of the cap 106.

The insertion section 110 has a light guide 111 and an image guide 112 which extend to the tip inside.
The distal end of the light guide 111, that is, the distal end of the insertion section 110 is provided with an illumination lens 113, and the distal end of the image guide 112 is provided with a condenser lens 114 and an excitation light cut filter 115.
It has.

The light guide 111 is a silica glass fiber, extends from the insertion portion 110, and as shown in FIG.
A holder 117 is attached to the fitting portion 116 at the incident end. Image guide 112 is a multi-component glass fiber.

The operating section 120 is provided with an operating mechanism (not shown) and an image pickup section 130, and the image pickup section 130 is provided with a CCD image pickup device 131.

Hereinafter, the operation of the fluorescence endoscope apparatus having the above-described configuration to which the fluorescence imaging apparatus according to the present invention is applied will be described.
First, the operation of the fluorescent endoscope apparatus when displaying a fluorescent image will be described.

When the present fluorescent endoscope apparatus is not used, the head section 10 is detached from the rack section 11 and is stored separately from the rack section 11 in a cleaned state. At this time, a cap 106 is fitted to a receiving portion 105 provided on a housing 103 of the light source portion 100 of the rack portion 11, and an opening 104 of the receiving portion 105 is closed.

Prior to capturing the fluorescent image, the CC of the head unit 10
A D cable 140 is connected to the processor section 150, and the cap 106 is removed from the receiving section 105 of the light source section 100, and is an entrance end of a light guide 111 extending from the operation section 120 of the head section 10. A fitting portion 116 is inserted into and attached to the opening 104 of the receiving portion 105. Since the holder 117 is mounted on the insertion section 116, the insertion section 116 is received in a state where the tip of the insertion section 116 is inserted into the opening 104 and the holder 117 and the receiving section 105 are in contact with each other. It is attached to the bearing 105.

Next, the operation of the present fluorescent endoscope apparatus when displaying a fluorescent image will be described. Power supply for semiconductor laser 10
2 is driven, and a wavelength of 40
The excitation light L1 of 5 nm is emitted. The excitation light L1 passes through the lens 108, enters the light guide 111 at the incident end, and
After being guided to the tip of 110, the light is illuminated from the illumination lens 113 to the observation unit 1.

The fluorescent light L2 from the observation unit 1 generated by irradiating the excitation light L1 is condensed by the condenser lens 114, passes through the excitation light cut filter 115, enters the tip of the image guide 112, and After passing through the guide 112, the lens 132 of the image pickup unit 130 causes the CCD image pickup device 131 to operate.
Is imaged.

An image signal picked up by the CCD image pickup device 131 is output to a CCD cable 140 and is sent to a processor unit 150.
Image processing is performed on the monitor 16 as a fluorescent image.
Displayed as 0. Note that the above series of operations is controlled by a controller (not shown).

When the display of the fluorescent image is completed, the CCD cable 140 connected to the processor section 150 is removed, and the fitting section 116 of the light guide 111 is connected to the light source section 100.
From the opening 104. Thereafter, a cap 106 is attached to the receiving portion 105 of the light source unit 100 by the user, and the opening 104 is closed by the cap 106.

With the above-described operation, when the light guide 111 is not connected to the opening 104 provided in the light source unit 100, the opening 104 is closed by the cap 106. Since the dust is prevented from entering the inside of the fluorescent lamp 103 and the excitation light L1 is not scattered or fluorescent light is not emitted from the dust by the excitation light L1 when capturing the fluorescent image, noise superimposed on the captured fluorescent image is reduced. Is reduced, and a clearer fluorescent image can be captured.

Also, the cap 106 is inexpensive,
It can be easily attached to the 103, and can prevent the intrusion of dust with almost no increase in cost.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, a description will be given of a fluorescence endoscope apparatus as a second specific embodiment to which the fluorescence imaging apparatus according to the present invention is applied. FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a fluorescence endoscope device to which the fluorescence imaging device according to the present invention is applied, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a main part thereof.

The present fluorescence endoscope apparatus guides an excitation light emitted from a light source section provided in a rack section by a light guide to irradiate the living body observation section with a fluorescent light emitted from the observation section. Is guided by an image guide, an image is taken by a CCD image pickup device in an image pickup unit provided in a rack unit, and the fluorescent image is displayed on a monitor. An opening provided in the light source unit and the image pickup unit The door is automatically closed.

This fluorescent endoscope apparatus comprises a head section 20 and a rack section 21. The head section 20 includes an insertion section 210 inserted into a site suspected of a lesion of a patient, and an operation section 220 connected to a rear end of the insertion section 210.
It is portable. The rack unit 21 includes a light source unit 200 that emits excitation light, an imaging unit 230 that captures a fluorescent image, and the imaging unit 230.
It comprises a processor section 150 electrically connected to 230 and a monitor 160 electrically connected to the processor section 150.

The light source unit 200 includes a GaN-based semiconductor laser 101 for emitting excitation light L1 having a wavelength of 405 nm, a power supply for the semiconductor laser.
102, a housing 201 accommodating a GaN-based semiconductor laser 101 and a power supply 102 for a semiconductor laser. Housing 20
As shown in FIG. 5, a receiving portion 203 having a circular opening 202 for communicating the inside and outside of the housing 201 at the center is provided on the housing 20.
1, and an opening / closing lid 204 serving as a lid is provided inside the housing 201 by being urged in the direction of arrow A by a spring 205.

The insertion section 210 includes a light guide 211 and an image guide 212 extending to the inside thereof.
The light guide 211 is made of a silica glass fiber, the image guide 212 is made of a multi-component glass fiber, and both extend from the operation unit 220. As shown in FIG.
A holder 215 that has a flange portion and covers up to the incident end of the light guide 211 is attached to the fitting portion 213 that is the incident end of the light guide 211. Further, a holder 216 which has a flange portion and covers up to the emission end of the image guide 212 is also attached to the fitting portion 214 which is the emission end of the image guide 212. The operation unit 220 is provided with an operation mechanism not shown.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a connection state of the light guide 211 in the light source unit 200.
Since the configuration of the connection state of the image guide 212 is the same as the configuration of the light source unit 200, the number of the imaging unit 230 is also described. Hereinafter, the connection state of the image guide 212 in the imaging unit 230 will be described with reference to FIG.

The image pickup section 230 includes a CCD image pickup device 231 and a housing 233 for accommodating the CCD image pickup device 231. Similarly to the light source unit 200, the housing 233
3 having a circular opening 234 communicating the inside and outside
235 is provided so as to protrude toward the outside of the housing 233. Inside the housing 233, an opening / closing lid 237 as a lid is provided with a spring.
236 to be urged in the direction of arrow A.

Hereinafter, the operation of the fluorescence endoscope apparatus having the above configuration will be described. The operation at the time of capturing the fluorescent image is such that the fluorescent image is captured not by the image pickup device arranged in the operation unit of the head unit, but by the image pickup unit 230 provided in the rack unit 21.
Since the operation is the same as that of the fluorescence endoscope apparatus according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 except that the operation is performed by the CD image pickup device 231, the description is omitted, and the light source unit 200 is described with reference to FIG. The operation of the opening / closing lid 204 and the opening / closing lid 237 in the imaging section 230 will be described.

When the present fluorescent endoscope apparatus is not used, the head section 20 is detached from the rack section 21 and stored separately from the rack section 21 in a cleaned state.

First, the operation of the opening / closing lid 204 of the light source unit 200 will be described. During storage, the open / close lid 204 of the light source 200 is
205, the opening 202 is closed. When the fitting portion 213 of the light guide 211 is inserted when the head portion 20 is attached to capture a fluorescent image, the opening / closing lid 204 is pushed up by the holder 215 of the fitting portion 213 and the spring 205 is pressed. It turns to the arrow B side against it and is kept in the state shown in the figure.

When the fluorescent image has been captured, the fitting portion 213 of the light guide 211 is inserted into the opening 202 to remove the head portion 20.
When it is removed from the door, the opening / closing lid 204
Turns to the arrow A side, and automatically closes the opening 202.

Next, the operation of the opening / closing lid 237 of the imaging section 230 will be described. Like the light source unit 200, during storage, the opening / closing lid 237 of the imaging unit 230 is urged toward the arrow A by the spring 236,
The opening 234 is closed. When attaching the head unit 20 to capture a fluorescent image, the image guide 212
When the insertion portion 214 is inserted, the opening / closing lid 237 is
4 is pushed up by the holder 216, and is turned to the arrow B side against the spring 236 to be held in the state shown in the figure.

When the capturing of the fluorescent image is completed and the head portion 20 is removed, the fitting portion 214 of the image guide 212 is moved to the opening 23.
4, the opening / closing lid 237 is rotated by the urging force of the spring 236, and the opening 234 is automatically closed.

By the above operation, when the light guide 211 is not connected to the opening 202 provided in the light source section 200 and when the image guide 212 is not connected to the opening 234 provided in the imaging section 230. Automatically opens and closes the openings 202 and 234 by the opening / closing lids 204 and 237.
233 can prevent dust from entering the inside. Therefore, at the time of capturing the fluorescent image, the excitation light L1 is not scattered in the light source unit 200, and the excitation light L1 does not emit fluorescence from dust, and the imaging unit 230 also scatters the fluorescence L2, Since no fluorescent light is emitted from the dust due to the fluorescent light L2, noise superimposed on the captured fluorescent image can be reduced, and a clearer fluorescent image can be captured.

Further, the opening / closing lids 204 and 237 are provided with the opening portions.
Since the openings 202 and 234 are automatically closed, the rack 21 is not stored with the openings 202 and 234 opened. Further, even when the rack portion 21 is removed for a short time, such as when the head portion 20 is replaced, the openings 202 and 234 are not opened, so that dust can be reliably prevented from entering.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a fluorescence endoscope apparatus according to a first embodiment to which a fluorescence imaging apparatus of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an external view of a light source unit used in the fluorescent endoscope apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a fitting portion of a light guide used in the fluorescence endoscope apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a fluorescence endoscope apparatus according to a second embodiment to which the fluorescence imaging apparatus of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of an opening / closing lid used in the fluorescent endoscope apparatus of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a conventional fluorescent endoscope apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Observation section 10,20 Head section 11,21,30 Rack section 100,200,300 Light source section 101 GaN semiconductor laser 103,201,233 Housing 105,203,235 Receiving section 106 Cap 110,210 Insert section 111,211 Light guide 112,212 Image guide 116,213,124 Insert section 120,220 Operation section 130,230 Imaging Unit 131,231 CCD image sensor 140 CCD cable 150 Processor unit 160 Monitor 204,237 Open / close lid

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A light source unit for emitting excitation light, a light guide for guiding the excitation light emitted from the light source unit to the vicinity of an observation unit, and an observation unit illuminated with the excitation light guided by the light guide. A fluorescence imaging device comprising: an imaging unit that captures fluorescence emitted from the unit; wherein the light source unit is disposed in a housing having an opening to which an incident end of the light guide is detachably attached, and is disposed in the housing. An excitation light source; and a dust intrusion prevention means for preventing dust from entering the housing from the opening when the incident end is not attached to the opening. Fluorescent imaging device. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said dust intrusion prevention means automatically closes said opening when said light guide entrance end is removed from said opening. Fluorescent imaging device. 3. The fluorescence imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of said light guide is provided in an endoscope. 4. A light source unit for emitting excitation light, an image guide for guiding fluorescence emitted from an observation unit irradiated with the excitation light emitted from the light source unit, and a light guide provided by the image guide. A fluorescence imaging apparatus having an imaging unit for imaging fluorescence, wherein the imaging unit includes a housing having an opening to which an emission end of the image guide is detachably attached, and imaging means arranged in the housing. A fluorescence imaging device, comprising: dust intrusion prevention means for preventing dust from entering the housing through the opening when the emission end is not attached to the opening. 5. The dust intrusion prevention means automatically closes the opening when the emission end of the image guide is removed from the opening. Fluorescent imaging device. 6. The fluorescence imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein at least a part of said image guide is provided in an endoscope. 7. The fluorescence imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said dust intrusion prevention means is a lid for closing said opening.