JP2008012211A - Endoscope apparatus for magnified observation - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope apparatus for magnified observations for performing a series of endoscopic examinations for finding a cancerous lesion in an early stage by screening and diagnosing it by a microscopic super-magnifying observation continuously in a short period of time. <P>SOLUTION: In the endoscope apparatus for magnified observations which is equipped with an observation window 12 for normal observations and an observation window 15 for magnified observations, the endoscope apparatus for magnified observations is equipped with an excitation light emitting means 54 for emitting excitation light to generate self-fluorescence from living tissues from an illumination window 11 and an excitation light cut filter 24 which cuts off light of a wavelength band of the excitation light and transmits light of a wavelength band of the self-fluorescence in the observation window 12 for normal observation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a magnifying observation endoscope apparatus in which a magnifying observation observation window for capturing a magnified observation image of a subject and a normal observation observation window that are brought into contact with or in close proximity to the surface of the subject are provided.

  A technique for inspecting the presence or absence of a lesion by visually observing the inside of a luminal organ in the body with an endoscope is widely performed. However, even if a lesion is found by such endoscopy, it is often difficult to make a diagnosis as to whether or not the lesion is cancer.

  Therefore, tissues that are considered suspicious by endoscopy are collected using biopsy forceps, etc., but in most cases it is not cancer or anything. It damages the mucous membrane of the lumen wall and causes bleeding.

Therefore, in recent years, for example, an endoscopic device for magnifying observation that can superscopically observe a range less than 1 mm, such as a confocal endoscope, has been developed, without collecting biopsy tissue, There is a possibility that a diagnosis of whether or not a cancer is present can be performed with a considerable probability only by direct observation with an endoscope (for example, Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3).
JP 2004-344201 A JP-A-2005-80769 JP-A-2005-640

  In the endoscope apparatus for magnification observation that can only perform microscopic super-magnification observation, it is impossible to perform a so-called screening test in which a wide range is observed and a suspicious part is found from among them. Therefore, the endoscope apparatus for magnifying observation has a configuration in which a super magnifying observation function is added to a normal endoscope capable of performing a screening examination.

  However, normal endoscopic observation can easily find lesions with obvious deformation or discoloration on the mucosal surface, but it is difficult to find early cancers with very small surface changes. Even if there is a typical super-magnification observation function, it cannot be effectively used for diagnosis, and there are many cases in which treasure is lost.

  In addition, even when the microscopic ultra-magnification observation function is effectively utilized to diagnose early cancer etc., the position of the lesion site is lost as soon as the normal observation state is switched, and the subsequent lesion In many cases, it was not possible to carry out the treatment smoothly.

  Therefore, the present invention provides an endoscopic apparatus for magnifying observation that can continuously perform a series of endoscopic examinations for finding early cancer lesions and the like by screening and diagnosing them by microscopic super-magnification observation in a short time. And providing an endoscope apparatus for magnifying observation that can easily identify a site observed by super magnifying observation when switching from the super magnifying observation state to the normal observation state. With the goal.

  In order to achieve the above object, an endoscope apparatus for magnification observation according to the present invention includes an illumination window for emitting illumination light, and an optical image of a subject illuminated by illumination light emitted from the illumination window as a subject. Magnification with an observation window for normal observation for capturing from a distance between them and an observation window for magnifying observation for capturing a magnified observation image of the subject in contact with or in close proximity to the surface of the subject In the observation endoscope apparatus, an excitation light emitting means for emitting excitation light for generating autofluorescence from a living tissue from an illumination window is provided, and light in the wavelength region of the excitation light is cut to reduce autofluorescence. An excitation light cut filter that allows light in the wavelength band to pass therethrough is provided in the observation window for normal observation.

  In the observation window for magnification observation, the position of the tip surface of the optical single fiber scanned in a two-dimensional direction perpendicular to the optical axis and the position near the surface of the observation window for magnification observation are in a confocal positional relationship. An arranged confocal optical system may be provided.

  The illumination window emits laser light in the first wavelength range for generating autofluorescence from the living tissue, and the magnified observation observation window emits laser light emitted from an optical single fiber. Laser light in a second wavelength range different from the first wavelength range may be emitted.

  According to the present invention, in the endoscope apparatus for magnifying observation provided with the observation window for normal observation and the observation window for magnifying observation, the excitation light for generating autofluorescence from the living tissue is emitted from the illumination window. In addition to providing excitation light emission means, an excitation light cut filter that cuts light in the wavelength region of excitation light and passes light in the wavelength region of autofluorescence is provided in the observation window for normal observation. This enables a series of endoscopic examinations to detect early cancer lesions etc. by screening and diagnose them by microscopic ultra-magnification observation in a short time continuously. By emitting laser light in a first wavelength range for generating fluorescence and emitting laser light in a second wavelength range different from the first wavelength range from the observation window for magnification observation, each wavelength range By laser light Properties in combination with the dye solution and the like of varying characteristics, when switched from ultra magnifying observation state to the normal observation state, it is possible to easily identify the site observed by ultra-magnification observation.

  An illumination window for emitting illumination light, an observation window for normal observation for capturing an optical image of the subject illuminated by illumination light emitted from the illumination window from a position at a distance from the subject, and the subject Excitation light for generating autofluorescence from living tissue in an endoscope apparatus for magnification observation provided with a magnification observation window for capturing a magnified observation image of a subject in contact with or in close proximity to the surface of the subject Excitation light emitting means for emitting light from the illumination window is provided, and an excitation light cut filter that cuts light in the wavelength region of excitation light and passes light in the wavelength region of autofluorescence is provided in the observation window for normal observation .

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 2 schematically shows the entire system of the endoscope apparatus for magnifying observation according to the present invention, and an observation window, an illumination window, and the like are arranged at the most distal end portion of the flexible insertion portion 1 to be inserted into the body. The distal end main body 2 is connected, and the operation portion 3 in which various operation members are arranged is connected to the proximal end of the insertion portion 1.

  In the insertion portion 1, the treatment instrument insertion channel 4 is inserted and arranged over the entire length, and a liquid injection tool 40 or the like is connected to the hand base 31 of the distribution tube 30 passed through the insertion section 1 to spray a fluorescent dye solution or the like. It can be sprayed from the tip of the tube 30.

  A first connector 7 and a second connector 8 which are connected to a video processor 5 and a confocal image processor 6 which are arranged outside the endoscope are connected to the tip of a cord extending from the operation unit 3. Is provided.

  9 is a main monitor for displaying an image based on the video signal output from the video processor 5, and 10 is an enlarged image monitor for displaying an enlarged image based on the video signal output from the confocal image processor 6.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the most distal portion of the insertion portion 1, and an illumination window 11 for emitting illumination light to the distal end surface of the distal end portion main body 2 and illumination with illumination light emitted from the illumination window 11. A normal observation observation window 12 for taking in the optical image of the subject from a position at a distance from the subject is arranged side by side facing forward. 4 a is an outlet opening of the treatment instrument insertion channel 4.

  Further, a magnified observation observation window 15 for capturing a magnified observation image of the subject in contact with or in close proximity to the surface of the subject is provided forward of the tip of the projecting portion that projects forward from the tip surface of the tip portion main body 2. It is arranged toward. In addition, illustration of an air supply / water supply nozzle etc. is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the most distal portion of the insertion portion 1, and an objective optical system 21 for obtaining a wide viewing angle (for example, about 100 ° to 140 °) is disposed in the observation window 12 for normal observation. Thus, the imaging surface of the solid-state imaging device 22 is arranged at the projection position of the subject by the objective optical system 21. Reference numeral 23 denotes a signal cable for transmitting an imaging signal obtained by the solid-state imaging device 22.

  Further, between the objective optical system 21 and the solid-state imaging device 22, light in the wavelength region of excitation light that generates autofluorescence from living tissue (for example, light having a wavelength shorter than 450 nm) is cut and longer. An excitation light cut filter 24 that allows light in the wavelength band to pass therethrough is disposed.

  A confocal optical system 25 is disposed in the observation window 15 for magnification observation of this embodiment, and the position of the distal end surface 26a of the optical single fiber 26 (single mode fiber) disposed in the back thereof and the observation for magnification observation. It is set so that the outer surface position of the window 15 (or a position slightly ahead of it) is in a confocal positional relationship.

  The tip surface 26 a of the optical single fiber 26 is scanned two-dimensionally on a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the confocal optical system 25 by a scanning mechanism 27 using, for example, electromagnetic force, and the inside of the optical single fiber 26 is scanned. When the laser beam transmitted and emitted from the distal end surface 26a is focused on a subject near the outer surface of the magnifying observation observation window 15 and reflected from the subject, the reflected light is reflected from the distal end surface of the optical single fiber 26. Focus on 26a. In addition, when the fluorescent pigment | dye is scattered on the mucous membrane surface in a body, the fluorescence excited with the laser beam becomes a to-be-photographed object.

  Therefore, the reflected light that returns to the base end side through the optical single fiber 26 is displayed at a position corresponding to the scanning movement of the distal end surface 26a, so that the object near the surface of the observation window 15 for magnification observation is 1 mm or less. It is possible to obtain a sharp microscopic enlarged image of a certain area (for example, an area of 0.5 mm). However, the optical system in the observation window 15 for magnification observation does not use the confocal optical system 25 in which the tip surface 26a of the optical single fiber 26 is used as a substitute for a pinhole. It does not matter even if it is designed to allow magnified observation.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system configuration of an endoscope apparatus for magnification observation according to the present invention. In the back side of a concave lens provided in an illumination window 11, there is a space from the insertion portion 1 to the first connector 7. The exit end of the light guide fiber bundle 28 for illumination arranged at is arranged.

  In the video processor 5, a video signal processing circuit 51 for processing an endoscope observation image picked up by the solid-state image pickup device 22 and outputting a video signal to the main monitor 9, and the entire video processor 5 A system controller 52 and the like for performing operation control are provided.

  The video processor 5 also serving as a light source device includes a white light source 53 for supplying illumination light for normal observation, and excitation light for generating autofluorescence from a living tissue (for example, a first light having a length shorter than 450 nm). A laser light source 54 for excitation light for emitting a laser beam in the wavelength region is also provided.

  The white light emitted from the white light source 53 and the excitation light emitted from the laser light source 54 are both guided to the condensing lens 56 by, for example, a half mirror 55 and incident on the incident end of the light guide fiber bundle 28 for illumination. .

  Therefore, by selectively turning on / off the white light source 53 and the laser light source 54, one of white light for normal observation and excitation light for generating fluorescence can be emitted from the illumination window 11 toward the subject. .

  Further, the rotating disk 57 partially cut out is disposed at, for example, the emission end of the white light source 53 and rotated by the drive motor 58, and the light emission timing of the laser light source 54 is synchronized with the rotation of the rotating disk 57, thereby illuminating. Excitation light and white light can be alternately emitted from the window 11. Note that the laser light source 54 may be left on.

  With such a configuration of the video processor 5, when white light is irradiated on the subject from the illumination window 11, a normal endoscope observation image with a wide viewing angle can be obtained regardless of the presence or absence of excitation light irradiation. The image is captured at 22 and the image is displayed on the main monitor 9.

  In addition, when only the excitation light (that is, laser light in the first wavelength range shorter than 450 nm) is irradiated from the illumination window 11, the excitation light reflected from the object is cut by the excitation light cut filter 24. Therefore, only the fluorescence image generated from the living body is displayed on the main monitor 9.

  If the excitation light and the white light are alternately emitted from the illumination window 11 under the control of the system controller 52 (or if the excitation light is always emitted and the white light is emitted intermittently) Since the endoscopic observation image and the fluorescence image are alternately obtained, they can be displayed side by side on the main monitor 9 at the same time.

  In this way, a normal endoscopic image with a wide field of view is useful for observing during endoscope insertion and finding clear lesions in a screening manner. Fluorescence is emitted from cancer cells even when irradiated with excitation light. Since it does not occur (or the occurrence is very weak), cancer cells and the like that are difficult to find in a normal endoscopic observation image can be found by screening with a fluorescence image.

  In the confocal image processor 6, a laser beam having a second wavelength range different from the first wavelength range (that is, a wavelength range longer than 450 nm, specifically, for example, 488 nm) is emitted. A focusing laser light source 61 is arranged.

  The laser light source 61 and the light receiving element 62 are connected in parallel to the rear end face 26 b of the optical single fiber 26 by an optical coupler 63. Accordingly, not only the laser light of the second wavelength range from the laser light source 61 is incident on the optical single fiber 26 but also the light emitted from the rear end face 26b of the optical single fiber 26 (the laser light of the second wavelength range). Reflected light) enters the light receiving element 62.

  The laser light incident on the optical single fiber 26 from the laser light source 61 via the optical coupler 63 is emitted from the distal end surface 26 a of the optical single fiber 26, hits the subject at a focal position near the surface of the observation window 15 for magnified observation, and is reflected. Then, the reflected light is focused on the tip surface 26 a of the optical single fiber 26 and enters the light receiving element 62 through the optical single fiber 26.

  The operation control of the scanning mechanism 27 that scans the distal end surface 26a of the optical single fiber 26 is performed by a synchronization control circuit 65, and the output signal from the light receiving element 62 is synchronized with the movement of the distal end surface 26a of the optical single fiber 26. The image signal processing circuit 64 forms an image and the image signal is output to the magnified image monitor 10, and a microscopic magnified image of an area of about 1 mm or less of the subject near the surface of the magnification observation window 15 is magnified image monitor. 10 is displayed.

  Therefore, if the endoscope apparatus for magnification observation of the present invention is used, early cancer lesions and the like are found by screening by observing not only a normal endoscopic observation image but also autofluorescence generated from a living body, and subsequently A series of endoscopic examinations can be performed continuously in a short time by diagnosing it by microscopic super-magnification observation.

  In addition, when performing super-magnification observation, it is preferable to spray the fluorescent dye solution on the mucosal surface of the body through the spray tube 30 from the injection device 40. As the fluorescent dye solution, an optical single fiber 26 is used. When a laser beam having a second wavelength range emitted through the irradiation window 11 is irradiated, a laser beam having a characteristic of generating fluorescence in a state different from other portions under the irradiation with the laser beam having the first wavelength range from the illumination window 11 is used. Thus, the confocal observation position can be easily confirmed by subsequent fluorescence observation.

It is a block diagram which shows the system configuration | structure of the endoscope apparatus for magnification observation of the Example of this invention. It is a schematic diagram of the whole system of the endoscope apparatus for magnification observation of the example of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the most advanced part of the insertion part of the endoscope apparatus for magnification observation of the example of the present invention. It is side surface sectional drawing of the most advanced part of the insertion part of the endoscope apparatus for magnification observation of the Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Insertion part 2 Tip part main body 11 Illumination window 12 Observation window for normal observation 15 Observation window for magnified observation 21 Objective optical system 22 Solid-state imaging device 24 Excitation light cut filter 25 Confocal optical system 26 Optical single fiber 26a Tip surface 27 Scanning mechanism 53 White light source 54 Laser light source (excitation light emitting means) for emitting laser light in the first wavelength range
61 A laser light source for emitting laser light in the second wavelength region

Claims (3)

An illumination window for radiating illumination light, and an observation window for normal observation for capturing an optical image of a subject illuminated by illumination light emitted from the illumination window from a position spaced from the subject. In the endoscope apparatus for magnifying observation provided with an observation window for magnifying observation for capturing a magnified observation image of the object in contact with or in close proximity to the surface of the object,
Excitation light emitting means for emitting excitation light for generating autofluorescence from a living tissue from the illumination window is provided, light in the wavelength region of the excitation light is cut, and light in the wavelength region of the autofluorescence is An endoscope apparatus for magnifying observation, wherein an excitation light cut filter to be passed is provided in the observation window for normal observation.   In the observation window for magnification observation, the position of the tip surface of the optical single fiber scanned in a two-dimensional direction perpendicular to the optical axis and the position near the surface of the observation window for magnification observation are in a confocal positional relationship. The endoscope apparatus for magnifying observation according to claim 1, further comprising a confocal optical system arranged.   From the illumination window, laser light in a first wavelength range for generating autofluorescence from a living tissue is emitted, and from the observation window for magnification observation, the laser light is emitted from the optical single fiber. The endoscope apparatus for magnification observation according to claim 2, wherein a laser beam having a second wavelength range different from the first wavelength range is emitted.

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