JP2010057566A - In-vivo observation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an in-vivo observation apparatus for scanning observation observable effectively. <P>SOLUTION: This in-vivo observation apparatus has a function of scanning an illumination light, and the scanning means for actualizing the scanning function is mounted on a site except a part inserted in the living body. Furthermore, it has an image guide for illumination which transmits the light from the scanning means to an imaged subject, an image guide for imaging which transmits the light from the imaged subject, and an imaging element for detecting the light from the image guide for imaging as an image, and the scanning means and the imaging element are mounted in the scanning unit, and the image guide for irradiation and the image guide for imaging are mounted in the inserted part connected to the scanning unit. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for observing the inside of a living body.

  In recent years, various special observation techniques have been proposed in the field of medical endoscopes. For example, the joint strength inspection apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 is an apparatus for detecting unstable plaque in a blood vessel wall by collecting deep scattered light.

  Some endoscopes having a scanning function are provided with a scanning mechanism at the distal end portion of the endoscope. For example, Patent Document 2 discloses an endoscope including a scanning mechanism that performs scanning by vibrating a fiber with an electromagnet coil and a magnet.

Since a surgical endoscope needs to be sterilized for each case, the scanning mechanism at the tip must be sealed, so that it can withstand the sterilizer environment. Further, conventionally, it is necessary to prepare an endoscope dedicated for scanning observation separately from that for normal observation.
Special table 2007-525248 JP2008-116922

  In view of the above situation, an object of the present invention is to provide an in-vivo observation device for scanning observation capable of efficient observation. A further object of the present invention is to provide an in-vivo observation device for scanning observation that can be easily cleaned and sterilized. A further object of the present invention is to provide an in-vivo observation device capable of special observation and normal observation in one device.

Means for solving the above object are as follows:
In the in-vivo observation apparatus having a function of scanning illumination light, the in-vivo observation apparatus is characterized in that a scanning unit that realizes the scanning function is arranged at a portion that is not an insertion portion to be inserted into the living body.

  According to the present invention, an in-vivo observation device for scanning observation capable of efficient observation is provided. In addition, an in-vivo observation device for scanning observation having a configuration that can be easily cleaned and sterilized is provided. Furthermore, an in-vivo observation device capable of special observation and normal observation in one device is provided.

  Hereinafter, aspects and embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having substantially the same functions and configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be given only when necessary.

  An in-vivo observation device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. The in-vivo observation apparatus 10 includes at least a scanning unit 2 that transmits light supplied while scanning, an illumination image guide 3 that transmits light from the scanning unit 2 to the subject, and light from the subject. And an imaging device 5 for detecting light from the imaging image guide 4 as an image.

  The “in vivo observation apparatus” in the present invention refers to an endoscope, for example, a surgical rigid endoscope, a digestive endoscopy, an otolaryngological endoscope, a urological endoscope, a surgical microscope, and a medical imaging. Any device such as a device for observing the inside of a living body may be used.

  The illumination light source 1 that supplies light to the scanning unit 2 may be provided in the in-vivo observation device 10 or may be disposed outside the in-vivo observation device 10 to supply desired light. The illumination light source 1 may be any light source known per se that can supply light to be used. For example, when a blood vessel is observed using scattered light, a laser capable of irradiating near infrared rays is preferable.

  Further, the shape and size of incident illumination light to be scanned may be arbitrary, and may be, for example, a dot shape or a linear shape (that is, a line scan).

  The sexual body observation apparatus 10 may further include a further optical system. That is, the optical system 6 a is disposed between the scanning unit 2 and the illumination image guide 3, the optical system 6 b is disposed adjacent to the subject side of the illumination image guide 3, and the optical system 6 b is disposed adjacent to the subject side of the imaging image guide 4. The system 6c may include an optical system 6d between the image guide 4 for image pickup and the image pickup device 5. The optical systems 6a to 6d may be at least one lens and / or mirror.

  The scanning unit 2 may be any scanning unit known per se that can transmit light while scanning. For example, a scan mirror system such as a galvanometer mirror scanner, a polygon mirror, a rotating mirror, a scan mirror system using a vibration mirror, a scan system using a Nipow disk, and a scan system that vibrates an optical fiber may be used.

  The illumination image guide 3 transmits the light emitted from the scanning unit 2 to the subject. The light transmitted to the subject is transmitted by the imaging image guide 4 and detected as an image by the imaging device 5. The illumination image guide 3 and the imaging image guide 4 may be relay lenses or optical fibers.

  The image sensor 5 may be any image sensor known per se, and may be, for example, a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor.

  The in-vivo observation device 10 may further include a control unit 7 for controlling the illumination light source 1, the scanning unit 2, and the image sensor 5. The control unit 7 may be constructed by a processor and software stored in a storage unit, and may be a control device such as a computer in which software for performing desired control is installed in advance. Further, a display unit (not shown) and / or an input unit (not shown) may be operably connected to the control unit 7.

  According to the present invention, the constituent elements described above are arranged for each unit and are provided in the in-vivo observation device 10. More specifically, the apparatus of the present invention will be described.

<First Embodiment>
A first embodiment is shown in FIGS. Please refer to FIG. In the first embodiment, the in-vivo observation device 10 includes a scanning unit 31 that transmits irradiated light while scanning, an insertion unit 22 that is inserted into the living body and transmits the light, and light from a subject. An imaging unit 32 for detection is provided. The scanning unit 31 includes the illumination light source 1 and the operation means 2. The insertion unit 22 includes an optical system 6a, an illumination image guide 3, an optical system 6b, an optical system 6c, an imaging image guide 4, and an optical system 6d. The imaging unit 32 includes the imaging element 5. Furthermore, the illumination light source 1, the scanning unit 2, and the image sensor 5 are controlled by a control unit 7 provided outside the in-vivo observation device 10. Further, although not shown, a display unit and / or an input unit may be operatively connected to the control unit 7.

  When the in-vivo observation device 10 shown in FIG. 2A is represented for each unit, the configuration shown in FIG. 6B is obtained. The observation in this case is performed as follows.

  (1) In accordance with an operator instruction, the control unit 7 instructs the irradiation light source 1 to perform irradiation, and irradiation is started. (2) The light from the irradiation light source 1 is scanned by the scanning unit 2 in the scanning unit 31 and transmitted to the illumination image guide 3 of the insertion unit 22. (3) The light transmitted to the illumination image guide 3 is irradiated from the distal end of the insertion portion 22 as irradiation light to the scan range of the subject as a continuous point or a discontinuous point. (4) Optical information about a desired imaging range is captured from the distal end of the insertion unit 22, passes through the imaging image guide 4 in the insertion unit 22, and is detected by the imaging device 5 of the imaging unit 32. (5) The detected image is processed in the control unit 7 as necessary and displayed on the display unit 24.

  In such an in-vivo observation device 10, the scanning unit 31, the insertion unit 22, and the imaging unit 32 may be detachably connected. In that case, the connection between the scanning unit 31, the insertion unit 22, and the imaging unit 32 may be achieved by a known fitting mechanism. With the detachable configuration, the in-vivo observation device 10 can wash and / or sterilize only the insertion unit 22 and the imaging unit 32 after use. As a result, the scanning unit is not required to have the hermeticity required in the sterilization operation or the like. The scanning unit 31 may be exchangeable with another desired light source system, for example, the white light source irradiation unit 36. With such a configuration, the light source can be exchanged during observation or every observation. Thereby, a plurality of types of observations and / or observations can be performed by one apparatus.

  Further, according to the in-vivo observation device 10, the dot-like or linear light information scanned by the scanning unit 2 and irradiated on the subject is detected as an image of a desired area by the image sensor 5. Thereby, it is possible to perform scanning observation efficiently.

  In the in-vivo observation device 10 illustrated in FIG. 6B, the imaging unit 32 and the insertion unit 22 may be detachably connected together with the scanning unit 31. In that case, the scanning unit 31 and the imaging unit 32 may be detachably connected, or may not be detachable.

    The in-vivo observation device 10 illustrated in FIG. 2A may be modified as illustrated in FIG. 2B is the same as the apparatus shown in FIG. 2A except that the optical system 6a is provided in the scanning unit 31 and the optical system 6d is provided in the imaging unit 32. It may be the same.

  In addition, the in-vivo observation device 10 illustrated in FIG. 2A may have a configuration in which the scanning unit 21 includes a scanning unit 31 and an imaging unit 32 as illustrated in FIG. 3A.

  The structure as shown in FIG. 3A may be interpreted as a structure as shown in FIG. In this case, the observation in the in-vivo observation device 10 is performed as follows. (1) In accordance with an operator instruction, the control unit 7 instructs the irradiation light source 1 to perform irradiation, and irradiation is started. (2) The light from the irradiation light source 1 is scanned by the scanning means 2 in the scanning unit 21 and transmitted to the illumination image guide 3 in the insertion portion 22. (3) The light transmitted to the illumination image guide 3 is irradiated to the scan range 27 of the subject as a continuous point or a discontinuous point as irradiation light 25, for example, irradiation laser light 25, from the distal end of the insertion portion 22. Is done. (4) Optical information about a desired imaging range 28 is taken from the distal end of the insertion unit 22, passes through the imaging image guide 4 in the insertion unit 22, and is detected by the imaging device 5 provided in the scanning unit 21. (5) The detected image is processed in the control unit 7 as necessary and displayed on the display unit 24.

  In such an in-vivo observation device 10, the scanning unit 21 and the insertion unit 22 may be detachably connected. In that case, the connection between the scanning unit 21 and the insertion portion 22 may be achieved by a known fitting mechanism. Due to the detachable configuration, the in-vivo observation device 10 can clean and / or sterilize only the insertion portion 22 after use. Therefore, the scanning unit is not required to have a sealing property required in a sterilization operation or the like.

  Further, according to the in-vivo observation device 10, the dot-like or linear light information scanned by the scanning unit 2 and irradiated on the subject is detected as an image of a desired area by the image sensor 5. Thereby, it is possible to perform scanning observation efficiently.

  The in-vivo observation device 10 illustrated in FIG. 3A may be modified as illustrated in FIG. The in-vivo observation device 10 shown in FIG. 3B may be the same as the device shown in FIG. 3A except that the optical systems 6a and 6d are provided in the scanning unit 21.

<Second Embodiment>
A second embodiment is shown in FIGS. 4 (A) and (B). Please refer to FIG. The in-vivo observation device 10 includes a scanning unit 21 and an insertion unit 22. The scanning unit 21 includes an illumination light source 1 and scanning means 2. Therefore, in this aspect, the scanning unit 21 may be interpreted as a scanning unit. The insertion unit 22 includes an optical system 6a, an irradiation image guide 3, an optical system 6b, an optical system 6c, an imaging image guide 4, and an imaging device 5.

  The illumination light source 1, the scanning unit 2, and the image sensor 5 are controlled by a control unit 7 installed outside the in-vivo observation device 10.

  In such an in-vivo observation device 10, the scanning unit 21 and the insertion unit 22 may be detachably connected. This connection is achieved by a fitting mechanism known per se.

  Observation in the in-vivo observation device 10 is performed as follows. (1) In accordance with an operator instruction, the control unit 7 instructs the irradiation light source 1 of the scanning unit 21 to perform irradiation, and irradiation is started. (2) The light from the irradiation light source 1 is scanned by the scanning unit 2 in the scanning unit 21 and transmitted to the illumination image guide 3 of the insertion unit 22. (3) The light transmitted to the illumination image guide 3 is irradiated from the distal end of the insertion portion 22 as irradiation light to the scan range of the subject as a continuous point or a discontinuous point. (4) Optical information about a desired imaging range is taken from the distal end of the insertion unit 22, passes through the imaging image guide 4 in the insertion unit 22, is sent to the imaging device 5 and is detected. (5) The detected image is processed in the control unit 7 as necessary and displayed on the display unit 24.

  The in-vivo observation device 10 shown in FIG. 4 (A) may be modified as shown in FIG. 4 (B). The in-vivo observation device 10 shown in FIG. 4B is the same as the device shown in FIG. 4A except that the optical system 6a is provided in the scanning unit 21.

  According to the in-vivo observation device 10, dot-like or linear light information scanned by the scanning unit 2 and irradiated on the subject is detected as an image of a desired area by the image sensor 5. Thereby, it is possible to perform scanning observation efficiently.

  Further, the in-vivo observation device 10 can wash and / or sterilize only the insertion portion 22 after use. As a result, the scanning unit is not required to have the hermeticity required for sterilization scanning or the like. Further, by making the scanning unit 21 exchangeable with another desired light source system, the light source can be exchanged during observation or for each observation. Thereby, a plurality of observations and / or observations can be performed by one apparatus.

<Third Embodiment>
A second embodiment is shown in FIGS. 5 (A) and (B). Please refer to FIG. The living body observation apparatus 10 includes a scanning unit 21 and an insertion unit 22. The scanning unit 21 includes an illumination light source 1 and scanning means 2. Therefore, in this aspect, the scanning unit 21 may be interpreted as a scanning unit. The insertion unit 22 includes an optical system 6a, an irradiation image guide 3, an optical system 6b, an optical system 6c, and an image sensor 5.

  The illumination light source 1, the scanning unit 2, and the image sensor 5 are controlled by a control unit 7 installed outside the in-vivo observation device 10.

  In such an in-vivo observation device 10, the scanning unit 21 and the insertion unit 22 may be detachably connected. This connection is achieved by a fitting mechanism known per se.

  Observation in the in-vivo observation device 10 is performed as follows. (1) In accordance with an operator instruction, the control unit 7 instructs the irradiation light source 1 of the scanning unit 21 to perform irradiation, and irradiation is started. (2) The light from the irradiation light source 1 is scanned by the scanning unit 2 in the scanning unit 21 and transmitted to the illumination image guide 3 of the insertion unit 22. (3) The light transmitted to the illumination image guide 3 is irradiated from the distal end of the insertion portion 22 as irradiation light to the scan range of the subject as a continuous point or a discontinuous point. (4) Optical information about a desired photographing range is taken from the distal end of the insertion portion 22 and sent to the image sensor 5 to be detected. (5) The detected image is processed in the control unit 7 as necessary and displayed on a display unit (not shown).

  According to the in-vivo observation device 10, the dot-like or linear light information that is scanned by the scanning unit 2 and irradiated on the subject is detected as an image of a desired area by the image sensor 5. Thereby, it is possible to perform scanning observation efficiently.

  In the in-vivo observation device 10, the scanning unit 21 and the insertion unit 22 may be detachably connected. In that case, the connection between the scanning unit 21 and the insertion portion 22 may be achieved by a fitting mechanism known per se. Due to the detachable configuration, the in-vivo observation device 10 can clean and / or sterilize only the insertion portion 22 after use. As a result, the scanning unit is not required to have the hermeticity required for sterilization scanning or the like. Further, the scanning unit 21 may be exchangeable with another desired light source system. With such a configuration, the light source can be exchanged during observation or every observation. Thereby, a plurality of types of observations and / or observations can be performed with one apparatus.

  Further, the apparatus shown in FIG. 5A may be changed as shown in FIG. The in-vivo observation device 10 shown in FIG. 5B may be the same as the device shown in FIG. 5A except that the optical system 6 a is provided in the scanning unit 21.

<Fourth Embodiment>
A fourth embodiment will be described below. This embodiment is an apparatus that uses the in-vivo observation apparatus 1 shown in the first embodiment to perform observation by using a special light for special observation, for example, near infrared rays, and capturing a scattered image. .

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which backscattered light passing through the scattering medium is detected and the light intensity data is acquired. FIG. 7A shows a case where a heterogeneous portion 102 having larger absorption than the scattering medium 101 exists inside the scatterer S. FIG. The light irradiated by the irradiation light source 201 is attenuated by the influence of the heterogeneous portion 102, the attenuated backscattered light 401 is detected by the detection means 204, and the light intensity data is acquired. Here, the light intensity data detected in the case shown in FIG. 7A is referred to as data in which the influence of the foreign portion is dominant, or the foreign portion detection signal. On the other hand, FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating a case where the heterogeneous portion 102 does not exist inside the scatterer S. In this case, the light irradiated by the irradiation light source 201 is not attenuated, but the backscattered light 402 scattered by the scattering medium 101 is detected by the detecting means 204, and the light intensity data is acquired. Here, the light intensity data detected in the case shown in FIG. 7B is referred to as data in which the influence of the scattering medium is dominant, or the scattering medium detection signal.

  For example, when the scatterer S as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B is continuously detected, a light intensity graph as shown in FIG. 7C is obtained. In this graph, light intensity data 402 in which the influence of the scattering medium 101 is dominant and light intensity data 401 in which the influence of the heterogeneous portion is dominant exist, and thus data having different intensities are detected. It is possible to detect the presence of the heterogeneous portion 102 in the scatterer S using such a difference in intensity.

  In particular, when performing detection using scattered light, scattered light that spreads radially from the incident point of the subject when the irradiation light is scanned spreads according to the depth in the subject by the light receiving surface of the image sensor. Since certain light reception data is detected at a time for each scanning point, the detection efficiency can be very high. In addition, light emitted from a position away from the position where the irradiated light is incident on the subject is detected. However, when the position of the foreign substance (102) inside the subject is unknown or inserted like an endoscope In the case where the distance between the subject and the subject is easily changed, the light receiving position in the image sensor changes even if the incident light is incident from the same incident position, so that the light is received on a two-dimensionally wide surface like the image sensor. This is also very convenient in that a detection error can be prevented.

  By special observation using backscattered light as described above, for example, blood vessels, lymph vessels, and nerves in tissues such as muscles or fats as the scatterer S can be detected as extraneous portions.

The block diagram which shows one example of this invention. The block diagram which shows one example of this invention. The block diagram which shows one example of this invention. The block diagram which shows one example of this invention. The block diagram which shows one example of this invention. The block diagram which shows one example of this invention. The figure which shows the example of a measurement using the apparatus of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1. 1. Illumination light source 2. Scanning means 3. Image guide for lighting Image guide for imaging 5. Image sensor 6. Optical system 7. Control unit 10. In vivo observation device 21. Scanning unit 22. Insertion section 24. Display unit 26. Subject 27. Scan range 28. Shooting range 31. Scanning unit 32. Imaging unit 36. White light source irradiation unit

Claims (11)

  An in-vivo observation apparatus having a function of scanning illumination light, wherein the in-vivo observation apparatus is configured such that a scanning unit that realizes a scanning function is arranged at a portion that is not an insertion portion to be inserted into the living body.   The in-vivo observation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an illumination image guide that transmits light from the scanning unit to the subject, an imaging image guide that transmits light from the subject, and the imaging An image sensor for detecting light from the image guide as an image, the scanning means and the image sensor are arranged in a scanning unit, and the irradiation image guide is inserted in an insertion section connected to the scanning unit. And an imaging image guide are arranged in the living body.   The in-vivo observation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an illumination image guide that transmits light from the scanning unit to the subject; and an imaging device for detecting light from the subject as an image. An in-vivo observation apparatus comprising: the scanning unit disposed in a scanning unit; and the irradiation image guide and the imaging element disposed in an insertion portion connected to the scanning unit.   The in-vivo observation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an illumination light source for supplying light to the scanning unit in the scanning unit.   The in-vivo observation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the supplied light is laser light, and light from the subject is scattered light.   The in-vivo observation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the insertion unit is detachable from the scanning unit.   The in-vivo observation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an illumination image guide that transmits light from the scanning unit to the subject, an imaging image guide that transmits light from the subject, and the imaging An image sensor for detecting light from the image guide as an image, the scanning unit is disposed in the scanning unit, and the irradiation image guide and the imaging image guide are inserted in the insertion unit connected to the scanning unit. And an imaging device are arranged in the living body observation apparatus.   The in-vivo observation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an illumination image guide that transmits light from the scanning unit to the subject, an imaging image guide that transmits light from the subject, and the imaging An image sensor for detecting light from the image guide as an image, the scanning unit is disposed in the scanning unit, the image sensor is disposed in the imaging unit, and is connected to the scanning unit and the imaging unit. An in-vivo observation device, wherein the irradiation image guide and the imaging image guide are arranged in an insertion portion.   Furthermore, the in-vivo observation apparatus of any one of Claim 8 or 8 which equips the said scanning part with the illumination light source for supplying light to the said scanning means.   The in-vivo observation apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the scanning unit is detachable.   The in-vivo observation apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the supplied light is laser light, and the light from the subject is scattered light.

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