JP2004222938A - Endoscope apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an endoscope apparatus capable of distinguishing a lymph node by simple constitution without using a face sequential system. <P>SOLUTION: The endoscope apparatus 1 is constituted of a camera head 20 for changing over between an infrared ray head filter and a visible light head filter to pick up an image, a light source device 30 for changing over between an infrared ray source filter for restricting the illumination light from a lamp 31 to a wavelength region in the vicinity of 805 nm and a visible light source filter for restricting the illumination light to a visible light wavelength region, an image processing part 41 for processing an imaging signal from the camera head 20 and a CCU 40 provided with a mode detecting part 42 for detecting the optical mode changed over by the camera head 20. The image processing part 41 performs color converting processing wherein a part corresponding to black in a usual observation image (visible light image) at the time of changeover of the filters is detected and the detected black part is converted to white with respect to the image signal of an infrared observation image before displayed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus capable of observing infrared light.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, some endoscope apparatuses perform special light observation using ultraviolet light, infrared light, or the like, in addition to normal endoscope observation using visible light. In infrared light observation (hereinafter referred to as infrared observation), an endoscope apparatus uses a drug called indocyanine green (ICG), which has an absorption peak in near-infrared light near 805 nm in a living body as a contrast agent. It has been practiced to increase the accuracy of detecting blood vessels and lymph nodes (also called lymphatic vessels).
[0003]
For this reason, in an endoscope apparatus capable of infrared observation, when performing infrared observation at a single wavelength near 805 nm, ICG staying in a lymph node or the like absorbs infrared light near 805 nm. It is darker (blacker) than other parts and can be detected.
[0004]
However, in the conventional endoscope apparatus, when there is a black portion from the beginning, such as the deposition of coal powder in the lungs, when infrared observation is performed, the lymph nodes where ICG is retained in the infrared observation image, which is a monochrome image, are generated. It becomes indistinguishable.
[0005]
On the other hand, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-41942, in addition to the infrared light near 805 nm, which is the absorption wavelength of ICG, the endoscope apparatus has 930 nm which is hardly absorbed by ICG. There has been proposed an apparatus that irradiates nearby infrared light in a plane-sequential manner and assigns an image formed by each irradiating light to a different color component, thereby giving a pseudo color to the ICG for display.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-41942 A
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the endoscope described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-41942 irradiates illumination light in a plane-sequential manner, when the endoscope is moved to specify a tumor position during normal observation with visible light, a normal observation image is obtained. There is a possibility that color shift may occur.
[0008]
In addition, the endoscope device described in the above publication has to provide a rotary filter having a filter for infrared light in addition to the filter for visible light, and perform image reading and image processing in synchronization with the rotary filter. . For this reason, the endoscope device described in the above-mentioned publication increases in size and cost.
[0009]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has as its object to provide an endoscope apparatus capable of distinguishing lymph nodes with a simple configuration without using a frame sequential method.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention is a light source capable of irradiating light having a wavelength from at least visible light to near-infrared light, and an illumination unit that supplies illumination light from the light source to a subject, An imaging unit that receives reflected light from a subject illuminated by the illumination light from the illumination unit to capture an image, and an optical filter system provided in at least one of the illumination unit and the imaging unit; Image processing means for processing an image signal transmitted from the means and generating a video signal, wherein the optical filter system includes a visible light filter transmitting a visible light wavelength region, and an infrared light wavelength region. A transmitting infrared light filter, wherein the image processing means performs a specific color conversion process on the obtained video signal when the filter is switched between the visible light filter and the infrared light filter. Features .
An endoscope apparatus according to claim 2 of the present invention is a light source capable of irradiating at least light having a wavelength from visible light to near-infrared light, and illuminating means for supplying illumination light from the light source to a subject. And an imaging unit that receives reflected light from a subject illuminated by the illumination light from the illumination unit to capture an image, and the illumination unit or the imaging unit, and an optical filter system provided in at least one of the imaging unit, An image processing unit that processes an image signal transmitted from the imaging unit and generates a video signal, wherein the optical filter system includes a filter that transmits an absorption wavelength region of the contrast agent, and an absorption of the contrast agent. A filter for transmitting light outside the wavelength range, and a filter switching means for switching between these filters.
With this configuration, an endoscope apparatus capable of distinguishing lymph nodes with a simple configuration without using a frame sequential method is realized.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First Embodiment)
1 to 8 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an endoscope apparatus provided with the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a view of the camera head of FIG. FIG. 3 is a front view showing a turret of the light source device of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a graph showing spectral transmission characteristics of a visible light head filter and a visible light source filter, and FIG. 5 is an infrared light head. FIG. 6 is a graph showing spectral transmission characteristics of the filter and the infrared light source filter, FIG. 6 is an image display example showing a normal observation image obtained by the endoscope apparatus of the present embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 8 is an image display example showing an infrared observation image obtained by the endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment.
[0012]
As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes, for example, an optical endoscope (hereinafter simply referred to as an endoscope) 10 having an elongated insertion portion 11, The camera head 20 is detachably mounted on the endoscope 10 and has an image sensor described later. The camera head 20 serves as an endoscope imaging unit, the light source device 30 supplies illumination light to the endoscope 10, and performs signal processing for the camera head 20. It comprises a camera control unit (abbreviated as CCU) 40 as an image processing means for performing, and a monitor 50 which receives a video signal from the CCU 40 and displays an endoscope image.
Although the endoscope apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is configured using the optical endoscope 10, the present invention is applied to an endoscope apparatus configured using an electronic endoscope having a built-in image sensor. The invention may be applied.
[0013]
The endoscope 10 includes an insertion portion 11, a large-diameter grip portion 12 continuously provided at a rear end of the insertion portion 11, and an eyepiece portion 13 formed at a rear end of the grip portion 12. You.
The light guide 14a for transmitting illumination light is inserted through the endoscope insertion section 11 (the insertion section 11 of the endoscope 10). The light guide 14a is connected to the light source device 30 via a light guide cable 16 connected to a light guide base 15 provided on the grip portion 12.
[0014]
The light source device 30 is provided with a lamp 31 such as a xenon lamp. The lamp 31 generates illumination light including a wavelength from a visible light wavelength region to a near infrared light wavelength region. The light from the lamp 31 passes through a turret 32 provided with an optical filter system, which will be described later, via an aperture (not shown) on the illumination optical path.
[0015]
The turret 32 is rotatably rotated about a rotation shaft 33b by a motor 33, and a desired optical filter is arranged on an illumination optical path. The motor 33 is electrically connected to a control circuit 34, and is controlled and driven by the control circuit 34.
The light that has passed through the optical filter of the turret 32 is condensed by a condenser lens (not shown), and is applied to the incident end face of the light guide cable 16 as illumination light for normal observation using visible light or infrared observation using infrared light. Incident.
[0016]
Illumination light from the light source device 30 is transmitted from the light guide cable 16 to the light guide 14a in the endoscope 10 via the light guide base 15, and is expanded by the illumination window 14b attached to the insertion portion distal end 11a. Illuminate the patient's part to be examined.
The insertion portion distal end portion 11a captures a subject image from an observation window 17a provided adjacent to the illumination window 14b, and the captured subject image is condensed by an objective optical system 17b and transmitted to an image transmission device such as a relay lens system. The light enters the optical system 17c. Then, the subject image is transmitted to the rear end face side by the image transmission optical system 17c. Then, the subject image transmitted by the image transmission optical system 17 c is expanded by an eyepiece optical system 18 provided in the eyepiece 13 and can be observed through an eyepiece window 19 provided in the eyepiece 13.
[0017]
The camera head 20 is detachably attached to the endoscope eyepiece 13 (the eyepiece 13 of the endoscope 10). On the distal end side of the camera head 20, an imaging window 21 is provided at a position facing the eyepiece window 19 of the endoscope eyepiece 13, and an imaging optical system 22 is arranged behind the imaging window 21. In the camera head 20, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 23 is arranged as an image pickup device at an image forming position of the image forming optical system 22, and photoelectrically converts a subject image formed on the image pickup surface.
[0018]
The camera head 20 has a head filter unit 24 provided with an optical filter system described later on an imaging optical path between the imaging optical system 22 and the CCD 23.
The head filter unit 24 is provided with a switching lever as a filter switching unit for switching to a desired optical filter in an optical mode for normal observation (hereinafter, normal observation mode) or an optical mode for infrared observation (hereinafter, infrared observation mode). 25 are provided integrally. The switching lever 25 protrudes from the camera head housing 20a and can be manually switched.
[0019]
A camera cable 26 extends from the rear end of the camera head 20. The camera cable 26 is provided with a connector 26a at its rear end. The connector 26a is detachably connected to the CCU 40. When the connector 26a of the camera cable 26 is connected to the CCU 40, the CCD 23 and the CCU 40 are electrically connected via signal lines.
[0020]
The CCD 23 is driven and controlled by receiving a drive signal from a drive circuit (not shown) provided in the CCU 40. Then, the CCD 23 photoelectrically converts the subject image formed on the image plane based on the input drive signal, and accumulates electric charges. The electric charge accumulated in the CCD 23 is read out as an image signal by a drive circuit and transmitted to an image processing unit 41 in the CCU 40.
[0021]
The image processing unit 41 performs signal processing on the transmitted imaging signal, generates a standard video signal, and outputs the standard video signal to the monitor 50. The monitor 50 displays an endoscope image for normal observation (hereinafter, a normal observation image) or an endoscope image for infrared observation (hereinafter, an infrared observation image) on a display screen based on the obtained video signal. It is displayed.
[0022]
In the present embodiment, the image processing unit 41 detects a black portion in the normal observation image (visible light image) when the filter is switched, and converts the detected black portion into a white signal with respect to the video signal of the infrared observation image. The color conversion processing for converting and displaying the image is performed. In this case, the image processing unit 41 detects a black portion where the luminance signal becomes 0 in the normal observation image (visible light image).
[0023]
Further, the CCU 40 is provided with a mode detection unit 42 that detects a normal observation mode or an infrared observation mode in which the head filter unit 24 of the camera head 20 is switched by the switching lever 25.
The mode detection unit 42 is electrically connected to the control circuit 34 of the light source device 30. The mode detection unit 42 transmits a mode detection signal to the control circuit 34 of the light source device 30 so that the turret 32 arranges a desired optical filter on the illumination optical path based on the detected optical mode.
[0024]
Here, the head filter section 24 of the camera head 20 and the turret 32 of the light source device 30 are configured as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 is a front view of the head filter unit 24 of the camera head 20, and FIG. 3 is a front view of a turret 32 of the light source device 30.
As shown in FIG. 2, the head filter section 24 holds and fixes a visible light head filter 24a for normal observation and holds and fixes an infrared light head filter 24b for infrared observation.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 3, the turret 32 holds and fixes a visible light source filter 32a for normal observation and holds and fixes an infrared light source filter 32b for infrared observation.
FIG. 4 is a graph showing the spectral transmission characteristics of the visible light head filter 24a and the visible light source filter 32a, and FIG. 5 is a graph showing the spectral transmission characteristics of the infrared light head filter 24b and the infrared light source filter 32b. is there.
[0026]
The visible light head filter 24a and the visible light source filter 32a are designed as visible light filters, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, so that the wavelength region is limited to a visible light wavelength region of 415 to 780 nm.
The infrared light head filter 24b and the infrared light source filter 32b are designed as infrared light filters, as shown in FIG. 5, as bandpass filters including a wavelength region around 805 nm, which is the absorption wavelength of ICG (indocyanine green). ing.
[0027]
In the endoscope apparatus 1 configured as described above, the endoscope insertion section 11 is inserted into the body cavity of the patient by the operation of the operator, and the insertion section distal end 11a is located near a lesion (tumor) such as the stomach. Be guided. At this time, the endoscope apparatus 1 is in the normal observation mode, and the operator inserts the endoscope insertion section while observing the normal observation image using visible light on the monitor 50.
[0028]
Then, the surgeon inserts a puncture needle (not shown) into the body cavity, inserts the puncture needle into a lower layer of a lesion (tumor), and locally injects an ICG having an absorption wavelength around 805 nm. Then, the ICG locally injected into the lesion (tumor) migrates from the injection site to the lymph vessels, reaches the sentinel lymph node 5 to 15 minutes later and stays in the sentinel lymph node.
[0029]
Here, in the case of normal observation, the CCU 40 transmits the mode detection signal to the control circuit 34 of the light source device 30 based on the detected normal observation mode by the mode detection unit 42 detecting the normal observation mode.
[0030]
The control circuit 34 of the light source device 30 controls and drives the motor 33 based on the transmitted mode detection signal so that the turret 32 arranges the visible light source filter 32a on the illumination light path. Then, the turret 32 arranges the visible light source filter 32a on the illumination optical path by the rotation of the motor 33.
[0031]
Thus, the illumination light generated by the lamp 31 of the light source device 30 and including the wavelength from the visible light wavelength region to the near-infrared light wavelength region passes through the visible light source filter 32a of the turret 32, and the above-described FIG. As described above, the light is limited to the visible light wavelength region of 415 to 780 nm, and is supplied from the light guide cable 16 to the light guide 14a in the endoscope 10 via the light guide base 15 through the condenser lens.
Then, the endoscope 10 illuminates a target portion such as a patient from the insertion portion distal end portion 11a with the visible light transmitted through the light guide 14a.
[0032]
The endoscope 10 transmits the subject image captured from the distal end of the insertion section 11 by the image transmission optical system 17c and transmits it to the eyepiece window 19 via the eyepiece optical system 18. Then, the camera head 20 uses the visible light head filter 24a of the head filter unit 24 switched by the switching lever 25 to switch the subject image captured from the eyepiece window 19 of the endoscope 10 through the imaging window 21 to the visible light wavelength region 415. The image is captured by the CCD 23 with the wavelength limited to ７780 nm and photoelectrically converted.
[0033]
The CCU 40 receives the imaging signal from the CCD 23 and performs signal processing in the image processing unit 41. The image processing unit 41 performs signal processing on the transmitted imaging signal to generate a video signal, outputs the video signal to the monitor 50, and displays a normal observation image on a display screen of the monitor 50, for example, as illustrated in FIG. Further, the image processing unit 41 detects a black portion where the luminance signal of the normal observation image becomes 0.
[0034]
Here, as shown in FIG. 6, the normal observation image 61 includes, for example, a tumor 62 near the center of the display image, and two charcoal powder deposits 63 displayed darkly (black) on the right side of the tumor 62. Exists. At this time, the lymph node does not appear in the normal observation image 61 because the lymph node exists at a depth of 2 to 3 mm from the surface.
[0035]
Next, in order to identify the sentinel lymph node in the vicinity, the surgeon switches the switching lever 25 of the camera head 20 to switch the optical filter of the head filter unit 24 to the infrared light head filter 24b, and performs infrared observation. Switch to mode.
Then, the mode detection unit 42 of the CCU 40 detects the switched infrared observation mode, and transmits a mode detection signal to the control circuit 34 of the light source device 30 based on the detected infrared observation mode.
[0036]
The control circuit 34 of the light source device 30 controls and drives the motor 33 based on the transmitted mode detection signal so that the turret 32 arranges the infrared light head filter 24b on the illumination light path. Then, by the rotation of the motor 33, the turret 32 arranges the infrared light source filter 32b on the illumination light path.
[0037]
As a result, the illumination light including the wavelengths from the visible light wavelength region to the near-infrared light wavelength region generated by the lamp 31 of the light source device 30 passes through the infrared light source filter 32b of the turret 32, as described above. As described in 5, the light guide in the endoscope 10 is limited to the infrared light wavelength region including the vicinity of 805 nm, which is the absorption wavelength of ICG, from the light guide cable 16 via the light guide base 15 via the condenser lens. 14a.
[0038]
Then, the endoscope 10 illuminates a test portion such as a patient from the insertion portion distal end portion 11a with the infrared light transmitted through the light guide 14a.
The endoscope 10 transmits the subject image captured from the distal end of the insertion section 11 by the image transmission optical system 17c and transmits it to the eyepiece window 19 via the eyepiece optical system 18. Then, the camera head 20 uses the infrared light head filter 24b of the head filter unit 24 switched by the switching lever 25 to switch the subject image captured from the eyepiece window 19 of the endoscope 10 via the imaging window 21 to the absorption wavelength of ICG. Is limited to the infrared light wavelength region including around 805 nm, and the image is captured by the CCD 23 and photoelectrically converted.
[0039]
The CCU 40 receives the imaging signal from the CCD 23 and performs signal processing in the image processing unit 41. The image processing unit 41 performs signal processing on the transmitted imaging signal to generate a video signal, outputs the video signal to the monitor 50, and displays a monochrome observation infrared image on the display screen of the monitor 50.
[0040]
Here, if the infrared observation image 64 obtained by the conventional endoscope apparatus has two sentinel lymph nodes 65 on the left side of the tumor 61 as shown in FIG. Of the sentinel lymph node 65 is displayed dark (black).
However, in the infrared observation image 64 obtained by the conventional endoscope apparatus, the two portions of the charcoal powder deposition 63 displayed darkly (black) on the right side of the tumor 61 as shown in FIG. Because of the display, it was not possible to distinguish the portion of the coal powder deposit 63 from the sentinel lymph node 65.
[0041]
Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the lung application SW is pressed down (not shown), the image processing unit 41 determines that the luminance signal detected in the normal observation image 61 becomes 0 as described above. A color conversion process is performed to convert the portion to white in the infrared observation image 64 for display.
[0042]
Therefore, in the infrared observation image 66 obtained by the endoscope apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. Only two sentinel lymph nodes 65 existing on the left side of the tumor 62 are displayed in dark (black). It goes without saying that the image processing is the same regardless of which image processing is used as long as the lymph nodes can be identified.
Thereby, the endoscope apparatus 1 of the present embodiment can identify the sentinel lymph node 65 on the display screen of the infrared observation image 66.
[0043]
Therefore, in the endoscope apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, it is easy to distinguish the portion of the coal powder deposit 63 from the sentinel lymph node 65, and it is particularly applicable to the lung.
In addition, in the endoscope apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, since the illuminating means is not a frame sequential method, a color shift occurs in a normal observation image even when the endoscope is moved to specify a tumor position during normal observation using visible light. Nothing.
[0044]
Furthermore, the endoscope apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can be configured inexpensively because the other configuration can be made completely the same as the conventional one only by changing the image processing unit 31.
As a result, the endoscope apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can distinguish the (sentinel) lymph node 65 with a simple configuration without using the frame sequential method.
[0045]
(Second embodiment)
9 to 15 relate to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a front view showing a turret of a light source device used in the endoscope device according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 11 is a graph showing the spectral transmission characteristics of the infrared light source filter, FIG. 11 is a front view showing a head filter portion of a camera head used in the endoscope apparatus according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 13 is a graph showing spectral transmission characteristics of the optical head filter, FIG. 13 is an image display example showing an infrared observation image in which sentinel lymph nodes are displayed in black, and FIG. 14 is an image showing an infrared observation image in which sentinel lymph nodes are displayed in white FIG. 15 is an image display example showing an infrared observation image in which a sentinel lymph node is displayed blinking.
[0046]
In the first embodiment, color conversion is performed in which a black portion in a normal observation image (visible light image) is detected, and the detected black portion is converted to white for a video signal of an infrared observation image and displayed. Although the processing is performed, the second embodiment is configured to perform the blinking processing for blinking and displaying the lymph node portion. The rest of the configuration is the same as in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will not be repeated.
[0047]
The endoscope apparatus according to the second embodiment is configured by further fixing and holding an infrared light head filter 24c to a turret 32B of a light source device 30, as shown in FIG.
This infrared light head filter 24c is designed as a bandpass filter having a wavelength region of 900 nm or less of a non-absorbing wavelength where ICG is not absorbed as shown in FIG.
[0048]
On the other hand, the head filter section 24B of the camera head 20 is configured by fixedly holding an infrared light source filter 32c instead of the infrared light source filter 32b as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 12, the infrared light source filter 32c is designed as a bandpass filter having a wavelength region around 805 nm, which is the absorption wavelength of ICG, and having a non-absorption wavelength of 900 nm or less at which ICG is not absorbed.
[0049]
Therefore, when the infrared light source filter 32b is disposed on the illumination light path of the lamp 31, the endoscope apparatus is supplied with infrared light of about 805 nm, and as shown in FIG. An infrared observation image 67 in which 65 is displayed in black is obtained.
[0050]
Further, when the infrared light source filter 32c is disposed on the illumination light path of the lamp 31, the endoscope apparatus is supplied with infrared light of 900 nm or less, and as shown in FIG. An infrared observation image 68 in which 65 is displayed in white is obtained. In both of the two types of infrared observation images 67 and 68, the portion of the coal powder deposit 63 is displayed dark (black).
[0051]
As a result, the endoscope apparatus switches the infrared light source filter 32b and the infrared light source filter 32c continuously and alternately on the illumination light path of the lamp 31 as shown in FIG. With respect to the image 69, it is possible to perform a blinking process of blinking only the sentinel lymph node 65 while the portion of the coal powder deposit 63 remains black.
[0052]
As a result, the endoscope apparatus according to the second embodiment obtains the same effects as those of the first embodiment, and further includes the infrared light without performing any special processing in the image processing unit 41. Lymph nodes can be easily and inexpensively identified only by adding one light source filter.
[0053]
Note that the endoscope apparatus according to the second embodiment is configured without performing special processing in the image processing unit 41, but may be configured to perform blinking processing in the image processing unit 41.
In this case, although not shown, the image processing unit 41 connects the infrared light source filter 32b and the infrared light source filter 32c of the turret 32 on the illumination light path of the lamp 31 in synchronization with the driving of the motor 33 of the light source device 30. Based on the two types of infrared observation images 67 and 68 obtained by switching, the portion of the sentinel lymph node 65 is detected, and the detected portion of the sentinel lymph node 65 is compared with the video signal of the infrared observation image. A blinking process for blinking is performed.
[0054]
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to only the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.
[0055]
[Appendix]
(Additional Item 1) A light source capable of irradiating at least light having a wavelength from visible light to near infrared light,
Illumination means for supplying illumination light from the light source to a subject,
Imaging means for receiving reflected light from a subject illuminated by the illumination light from the illumination means and capturing an image,
An optical filter system provided in at least one of the illumination unit or the imaging unit;
An image processing unit that processes an imaging signal transmitted from the imaging unit and generates a video signal;
With
The optical filter system has a visible light filter that transmits a visible light wavelength region, and an infrared light filter that transmits an infrared light wavelength region,
The endoscope apparatus, wherein the image processing unit performs a specific color conversion process on the obtained video signal when the filter is switched between the visible light filter and the infrared light filter.
[0056]
(Additional Item 2) A light source capable of irradiating at least light having a wavelength from visible light to near infrared light,
Illumination means for supplying illumination light from the light source to a subject,
Imaging means for receiving reflected light from a subject illuminated by the illumination light from the illumination means and capturing an image,
An optical filter system provided in at least one of the illumination unit or the imaging unit;
An image processing unit that processes an imaging signal transmitted from the imaging unit and generates a video signal;
With
The optical filter system includes a filter that transmits an absorption wavelength region of a contrast agent and a filter that transmits outside the absorption wavelength region of a contrast agent, and a filter switching unit that switches these filters is provided. Endoscope device.
[0057]
(Additional Item 3) The endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 1, wherein the transmission wavelength region of the infrared light filter is a bandpass filter including an absorption wavelength of a contrast agent.
[0058]
(Additional Item 4) The endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 1, wherein the transmission wavelength region of the infrared light filter is a bandpass filter including about 805 nm.
[0059]
(Additional Item 5) The endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 1, wherein the transmission wavelength region of the infrared light filter is a bandpass filter of about 900 nm or less.
[0060]
(Additional Item 6) The endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 1, wherein the specific color for which the image processing means performs color conversion is black.
[0061]
(Additional Item 7) An additional item 2, wherein the area of the contrast agent displayed on the display image is blinked by continuously and alternately switching the filters by the filter switching of the filter switching means. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 1.
[0062]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize an endoscope apparatus capable of distinguishing lymph nodes with a simple configuration without using a frame sequential method.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an endoscope apparatus provided with a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a front view showing a head filter unit of the camera head of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a front view showing a turret of the light source device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a graph showing spectral transmission characteristics of a visible light head filter and a visible light source filter.
FIG. 5 is a graph showing spectral transmission characteristics of an infrared light head filter and an infrared light source filter.
FIG. 6 is an image display example showing a normal observation image obtained by the endoscope apparatus according to the embodiment;
FIG. 7 is an image display example showing an infrared observation image obtained by a conventional endoscope apparatus.
FIG. 8 is an image display example showing an infrared observation image obtained by the endoscope apparatus according to the embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a front view showing a turret of a light source device used in the endoscope device according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a graph showing the spectral transmission characteristics of the infrared light source filter of FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is an exemplary front view showing a head filter unit of a camera head used in the endoscope apparatus according to the second embodiment;
FIG. 12 is a graph showing the spectral transmission characteristics of the infrared light head filter of FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is an image display example showing an infrared observation image in which sentinel lymph nodes are displayed in black
FIG. 14 is an image display example showing an infrared observation image in which sentinel lymph nodes are displayed in white
FIG. 15 is an image display example showing an infrared observation image in which sentinel lymph nodes are displayed blinking.
[Explanation of symbols]
1. Endoscope device
10 ... Endoscope
11 ... insertion part
12 ... gripping part
13 ... Eyepiece
14a… Light guide
20… Camera head
23 ... CCD (Charge Coupled Device)
24 ... Head filter section
24a ... Visible light head filter
24b ... Infrared light head filter
25 ... Switch lever
30 ... light source device
31 ... Lamp
32 ... Turret
32a ... visible light source filter
32b ... Infrared light source filter
33 ... Motor
34 ... Control circuit
40 ... CCU (camera control unit)
41 ... Image processing unit
42: Mode detection unit
50 ... Monitor

Claims (2)

A light source capable of irradiating at least light having a wavelength from visible light to near infrared light,
Illumination means for supplying illumination light from the light source to a subject,
Imaging means for receiving reflected light from a subject illuminated by the illumination light from the illumination means and capturing an image,
An optical filter system provided in at least one of the illumination unit or the imaging unit;
An image processing unit that processes an imaging signal transmitted from the imaging unit and generates a video signal;
With
The optical filter system has a visible light filter that transmits a visible light wavelength region, and an infrared light filter that transmits an infrared light wavelength region,
The endoscope apparatus, wherein the image processing unit performs a specific color conversion process on the obtained video signal when the filter is switched between the visible light filter and the infrared light filter. A light source capable of irradiating at least light having a wavelength from visible light to near infrared light,
Illumination means for supplying illumination light from the light source to a subject,
Imaging means for receiving reflected light from a subject illuminated by the illumination light from the illumination means and capturing an image,
An optical filter system provided in at least one of the illumination unit or the imaging unit;
An image processing unit that processes an imaging signal transmitted from the imaging unit and generates a video signal;
With
The optical filter system includes a filter that transmits an absorption wavelength region of a contrast agent and a filter that transmits outside the absorption wavelength region of a contrast agent, and a filter switching unit that switches these filters is provided. Endoscope device.

Images