JP2010131265A - Imaging apparatus, imaging method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus, imaging method, and a program, wherein both an image having visualized uneven surfaces and an image having visualized blood vessels can be obtained almost at the same time. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus, taking the image of an subject having pigments scattered over its surfaces, includes: a light irradiation part to irradiate the subject with light in a first wavelength band, whose color absorption is higher than a first prescribed value, as well as light in a second wavelength band, whose color absorption is lower than the first prescribed value, and absorbance of blood is higher than a second prescribed value; an imaging part to take the images of light in the first and second wavelength bands, of the light returning from the subject; and an image generation part to generate the first and second images of light in the first and second wavelength bands taken by the imaging part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, method, and program for imaging a subject in which a pigment is scattered on a surface.

According to Patent Document 1, it is described that the surface layer portion and the deep layer portion are observed by changing the wavelength band. Patent Document 2 describes that a fine blood vessel is imaged using light having a wavelength that is strongly absorbed by blood.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-170009 JP 2002-095635 A

  However, according to Patent Document 1, it is possible to obtain images of the surface layer portion and the deep layer portion by changing the wavelength, but it is not possible to observe surface irregularities. According to Patent Document 2, blood vessels can be imaged, but surface irregularities cannot be observed.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, in the first aspect of the present invention, an imaging apparatus is an imaging apparatus that images a subject having a pigment dispersed on a surface thereof, and the absorption rate of the pigment is the first. Light in a first wavelength band greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and light in a second wavelength band in which the absorption rate of the dye is less than or equal to the first predetermined value and the absorption rate of blood is greater than or equal to a second predetermined value. An irradiating unit that irradiates the subject, an imaging unit that images the light in the first wavelength band of the return light from the subject and the light in the second wavelength band of the return light from the subject, respectively. And an image generation unit that generates a first image of light in the first wavelength band captured by the imaging unit and generates a second image of light in the second wavelength band captured by the imaging unit.

  The irradiation unit may switch and irradiate light of the first wavelength band and light of the second wavelength band, the imaging unit may include an imaging element, and the imaging element includes the first imaging element. The light of the wavelength band and the light of the second wavelength band may be sequentially imaged.

  The irradiation unit may simultaneously irradiate light in the first wavelength band and light in the second wavelength band, and the imaging unit may emit light in the first wavelength band and light in the second wavelength band. You may have the filter part which switches and permeate | transmits, and the image pick-up element which images sequentially the light of the said 1st wavelength band and the light of the said 2nd wavelength band which permeate | transmitted the said filter part.

  The irradiation unit may simultaneously irradiate light in the first wavelength band and light in the second wavelength band, and the imaging unit may include a first filter that transmits light in the first wavelength band, A second filter that transmits light in two wavelength bands, and the light in the first wavelength band that has passed through the first filter and the light in the second wavelength band that has passed through the second filter. Each may be imaged.

  The imaging unit includes a filter unit in which a plurality of first filters and a plurality of second filters are arranged in the same plane, and a plurality of light receiving the light in the first wavelength band that has passed through the first filter. You may have an imaging device with which the 1st light receiving element and the several 2nd light receiving element which receives the light of the said 2nd wavelength band which permeate | transmitted the said 2nd filter were arranged on the same plane.

  The imaging unit includes a first imaging element that images the light in the first wavelength band that has passed through the first filter, and a second imaging element that images the light in the second wavelength band that has passed through the second filter. May be included.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, in a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for imaging a subject having a pigment dispersed on a surface, wherein the first wavelength has an absorption rate of the pigment equal to or greater than a first predetermined value. Irradiation step of irradiating the subject with light in a band and light in a second wavelength band in which the absorption rate of the dye is equal to or lower than the first predetermined value and the absorption rate of blood is equal to or higher than a second predetermined value An imaging step of imaging the light in the first wavelength band of the return light from the subject and the light in the second wavelength band of the return light from the subject, and the imaging unit An image generation step of generating a first image of the light in the first wavelength band and generating a second image of the light in the second wavelength band captured by the imaging unit.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, in a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for executing a computer that captures an image of a subject having a pigment dispersed on a surface, wherein the computer has a first absorption rate of the pigment. Light in a first wavelength band that is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and light in a second wavelength band that has an absorption rate of the dye that is less than or equal to the first predetermined value and a blood absorption rate that is greater than or equal to a second predetermined value An imaging unit that images the irradiation unit that irradiates the subject, light in the first wavelength band of return light from the subject, and light in the second wavelength band of return light from the subject And a first image of light in the first wavelength band captured by the imaging unit, and function as an image generation unit that generates a second image of light in the second wavelength band captured by the imaging unit .

  It should be noted that the above summary of the invention does not enumerate all the necessary features of the present invention. In addition, a sub-combination of these feature groups can also be an invention.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention, but the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. In addition, not all the combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential for the solving means of the invention.

  FIG. 1 illustrates an imaging apparatus 100 according to an embodiment. In the present embodiment, the imaging apparatus 100 will be described as applied to an endoscope system. The imaging apparatus 100 includes an endoscope 101, an image generation unit 102, an irradiation unit 103, a display unit 104, a recording unit 105, and forceps 106. 1 shows an enlarged view of the distal end portion 121 of the endoscope 101.

  The endoscope 101 includes a forceps port 111, an imaging unit 112, and a light guide 113. The distal end portion 121 of the endoscope 101 has a lens 131 as a part of the imaging unit 112 on the distal end surface 130 thereof. Further, the distal end portion 121 has an emission port 132 as a part of the light guide 113 on the distal end surface 130 thereof.

  The irradiation unit 103 irradiates the subject with light. The irradiating unit 103 has light of a first wavelength band in which the absorption rate of the pigment sprayed on the subject is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value, the absorption rate of the pigment is equal to or less than the first predetermined value, and blood Irradiation is performed with light in the second wavelength band having an absorptance greater than or equal to a second predetermined value. The irradiation unit 103 includes a light source 107 and a rotary filter 108. The light source 107 emits light. The light source 107 may be a light bulb or an LED. The rotary filter 108 includes a first filter that transmits light in the first wavelength band and a second filter that transmits light in the second wavelength band. The irradiating unit 103 switches the light in the first wavelength band and the light in the second wavelength band by rotating the rotary filter 108, and the light in the first wavelength band and the light in the second wavelength band are transmitted to the subject. Irradiate. An LED that emits light in the first wavelength band and an LED that emits light in the second wavelength band may be provided at the distal end portion 121 of the endoscope 101, and the subject emits light by emitting light from the LED. May be.

  The light guide 113 is composed of, for example, an optical fiber. The light guide 113 guides the light irradiated by the irradiation unit 103 to the distal end portion 121 of the endoscope 101. The light emitted from the irradiation unit 103 is emitted from the emission port 132 of the distal end surface 130 via the light guide 113 and is irradiated to the subject.

  The imaging unit 112 includes a lens 131 and a CCD 160. Note that the imaging unit 112 may include an imaging element such as a CMOS instead of the CCD 160. The CCD 160 images the light of the subject that has entered through the lens 131. The CCD 160 sequentially captures the return light of the first wavelength band and the return light of the second wavelength band, which the irradiation unit 103 switches and irradiates. Note that the imaging unit 112 includes an imaging element driving driver that drives the CCD 160, an AD converter, and the like (not shown). That is, an image picked up by the image pickup device is read by the image pickup device driving driver and converted into a digital signal by the AD converter. The image sensor driving driver, AD converter, and the like are controlled by an information processing device such as a CPU. The information processing apparatus may be provided in the imaging unit 112 or may be provided in the imaging apparatus 100.

  The forceps 106 is inserted into the forceps port 111. The forceps port 111 guides the forceps 106 to the distal end portion 121. Note that the forceps 106 may have various tip shapes. In addition to the forceps 106, the forceps port 111 may be inserted with various treatment tools for treating a living body. The nozzle 133 delivers water or air.

  The image generation unit 102 generates a first image of light in the first wavelength band captured by the imaging unit 112. Further, the image generation unit 102 generates a second image of light in the second wavelength band captured by the imaging unit 112. In addition, the image generation unit 102 may perform various image processes on the image captured by the imaging unit 112. Further, when the imaging unit 112 includes a color filter, the image generation unit 102 may generate image data of a luminance color difference signal. The image generation unit 102 may be realized by an information processing device such as a CPU, or may be realized by an electronic circuit or an electric circuit.

  The display unit 104 displays the image generated by the image generation unit 102. The display unit 104 displays the first image and the second image generated by the image generation unit 102. The display unit 104 may include a display such as a liquid crystal, an organic EL, or a plasma, and a display control unit that controls the display. The display control unit may be realized by an information processing device such as a CPU. The recording unit 105 records the image generated by the image generation unit 102. The recording unit 105 records the first image and the second image generated by the image generation unit. The recording unit 105 may include a recording medium such as a flash memory and a recording control unit that records an image on the recording medium. The recording control unit may be realized by an information processing device such as a CPU.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the rotation filter 108. The rotary filter 108 includes a first filter 141 and a second filter 142. The first filter 141 transmits light in the first wavelength band in which the absorption rate of the pigment dispersed on the subject is equal to or higher than the first predetermined value. The second filter 142 transmits light in the second wavelength band in which the absorption rate of the dye is equal to or lower than the first predetermined value and the absorption rate of blood is equal to or higher than the second predetermined value. The rotary filter 108 is provided with a first filter 141 and a second filter 142 on the same circumference. In addition, a shaft 143 serving as a center of rotation is provided at the center of the rotary filter 108. In addition, examples of the dye dispersed on the subject include an indigo carmine dye, a crystal violet dye, and a methylene blue dye.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the correspondence relationship between the light source 107 and the rotary filter 108. The irradiation unit 103 can set one of the first filter 141 and the second filter 142 on the optical path of the light emitted from the light source 107 by rotating the rotary filter 108 about the shaft 143. it can. The irradiation unit 103 can irradiate the subject by switching the light in the first wavelength band and the light in the second wavelength band by rotating the rotary filter 108. The irradiation unit 103 includes a control unit that controls the light source 107 and the rotary filter 108. This control unit may be realized by an information processing device such as a CPU.

  FIG. 4 shows a graph of the light absorptance at each wavelength. The horizontal axis in FIG. 4 indicates the wavelength of light, and the vertical axis indicates the relative absorption coefficient. The higher the relative absorption coefficient, the higher the light absorption rate. The solid line indicates the absorption rate at the wavelength of the indicocarmine pigment, and the dotted line indicates the absorption rate at the wavelength of oxyhemoglobin flowing in the artery. The dashed line indicates the absorption rate at a wavelength of reduced hemoglobin flowing in the vein. At a wavelength of 450 nm or less, oxyhemoglobin and reduced hemoglobin are higher than the absorption rate of indicocarmine dye. Further, at a wavelength greater than 450 nm, oxygenated hemoglobin and reduced hemoglobin are lower than the absorption rate of the oxidized indicocarmine dye. For this reason, when light having a spectrum having a peak at 500 nm to 610 nm higher than 450 nm is irradiated, the irradiated light is easily absorbed by the indigo carmine dye dispersed on the surface of the subject that is the observation site. Further, when light having a spectrum having a peak from 450 nm or less is irradiated, the irradiated light is hardly absorbed by the indigo carmine pigment dispersed on the surface of the subject that is the observation site. Therefore, when light having a spectrum having a peak at 450 nm or less is irradiated, it passes through the indicocarmine dye and is absorbed by oxygenated hemoglobin and reduced hemoglobin in the blood of the blood vessels under the tissue of the subject.

  Therefore, when the indigo carmine pigment is scattered on the subject, as shown in the black frame of FIG. 4, light having a spectrum having a peak at 450 nm to 610 nm where the absorption rate of the indigo carmine pigment is equal to or higher than the first predetermined value is used. A transmitting filter is used as the first filter 141. In addition, a filter that transmits light having a spectrum having a peak at 400 nm to 450 nm in which the absorption rate of the indicocarmine dye is equal to or lower than the first predetermined value and the blood absorption rate is equal to or higher than the second predetermined value. Is used as the second filter 142. In addition, the 1st filter 141 may permeate | transmit the light of the 1st wavelength band from which the absorption degree of an indicocarmine pigment | dye becomes more than 1st predetermined value. Further, the second filter 142 transmits light in the second wavelength band in which the absorption degree of the indicocarmine dye is equal to or lower than the first predetermined value and the blood absorption degree is equal to or higher than the second predetermined value. Good. Note that when the indicocarmine pigment is dispersed, the first filter 141 may transmit only light having a spectrum having a peak near 570 nm. Alternatively, only light having a spectrum having a peak near 610 nm may be transmitted. Further, the wavelength of maximum absorption of the indicocarmine dye is 610 nm. However, if the wavelength is long, the first filter 141 has a maximum of the indicocarmine dye because a deeper image below the tissue is captured. It is preferable to transmit light having a spectrum having a peak at a wavelength shorter than the absorption wavelength.

  FIG. 5 shows the absorption rate at the wavelength of the crystal violet dye. The horizontal axis in FIG. 5 indicates the wavelength, and the vertical axis indicates the molar extinction coefficient. The higher the molar extinction coefficient, the higher the light absorption rate. The crystal violet dye has an absorptance that rapidly increases after about 450 nm, and decreases abruptly after 590 nm. Therefore, when the crystal violet dye is dispersed on the subject, as shown in the black frame of FIG. 5, light having a spectrum having a peak at 550 nm to 590 nm where the absorption rate of the crystal violet dye is equal to or higher than the first predetermined value is transmitted. A filter is used as the first filter 141. As described above, the second filter 142 has a crystal violet dye absorption rate of 400 nm to 450 nm where the absorption rate of the blood is equal to or lower than the first predetermined value and the blood absorption rate is equal to or higher than the second predetermined value. Transmits light with a wavelength having a peak. In addition, when spraying crystal violet, the first filter 141 may transmit only light having a spectrum having a peak near 590 nm. Further, the wavelength of maximum absorption of the crystal violet dye is 590 nm, but if the wavelength is long, the first filter 141 has a maximum absorption of the crystal violet dye because a deeper image below the tissue is captured. It is preferable to transmit light having a spectrum having a peak at a wavelength shorter than the wavelength.

  FIG. 6 shows the absorptance at the wavelength of methylene blue dye. The horizontal axis in FIG. 5 indicates the wavelength, and the vertical axis indicates the molar extinction coefficient. The methylene blue dye has an absorption peak once around 290 nm, and the absorption decreases after 290 nm. Then, the absorption rate suddenly increases from around 550 nm, and the absorption rate decreases rapidly after 665 nm. Therefore, when methylene blue dye is sprayed on the subject, as shown in the black frame of FIG. 6, a filter that transmits light having a spectrum having a peak at 550 nm to 665 nm where the absorption rate of the methylene blue dye is equal to or higher than the first predetermined value. Used as the first filter 141. As described above, the second filter 142 has a peak at 400 nm to 450 nm where the absorption rate of the methylene blue dye is equal to or lower than the first predetermined value and the degree of blood absorption rate is equal to or higher than the second predetermined value. Transmits light of a wavelength having In addition, when methylene blue pigment | dye is spread | dispersed, the 1st filter 141 may permeate | transmit only the light of the spectrum which has a peak near 665 nm. Alternatively, only light having a spectrum having a peak near 290 nm may be transmitted. The maximum absorption wavelength of the methylene blue dye is 290 nm and 665 nm. However, if the wavelength is long, the first filter 141 absorbs the maximum absorption of the methylene blue dye because a deep image penetrates and a blurred image is captured. It is preferable to transmit light having a spectrum having a peak at a wavelength shorter than 665 nm which is the wavelength.

  Next, the operation of the imaging apparatus 100 will be described. First, a pigment is sprayed on the surface of a subject that is an observation site. Then, the pigment stays in the concave portion on the surface of the subject, and the pigment does not stay in the convex portion. When the irradiation unit 103 irradiates the subject that is the observation site with light in the first wavelength band, the portion where the dye stays absorbs the light in the first wavelength band, and the portion where the dye does not stay is It does not absorb much light in the first wavelength band compared to the staying part. Then, when the imaging unit 112 captures the return light in the first wavelength band, an image of the surface of the subject with contrast can be captured. That is, the staying part becomes dark, and the non-staying part becomes a bright image. Thereby, the 1st image which visualized the unevenness | corrugation of the surface of a to-be-photographed object can be imaged. Then, the image generation unit 102 generates an image of light in the first wavelength band captured by the imaging unit 112. The display unit 104 displays an image of the generated light in the first wavelength band.

  Note that when indicocarmine pigment is dispersed, a filter that transmits light having a spectrum having a peak at 450 nm to 610 nm is used as the first filter 141, so that light in the first wavelength band of 450 nm to 610 nm is used for the subject. Can be irradiated. Further, when the crystal violet dye is dispersed, a filter that transmits light having a spectrum having a peak at 550 nm to 590 nm is used as the first filter 141, so that the subject has a first wavelength band having a peak at 550 nm to 590 nm. Can be irradiated. When methylene blue dye is dispersed, a filter that transmits light having a spectrum having a peak at 550 nm to 665 nm is used as the first filter 141, so that the subject has a first wavelength band having a peak at 550 nm to 665 nm. Light can be irradiated.

  Next, when the irradiation unit 103 irradiates light in the second wavelength band, the light is absorbed by the blood of the blood vessel under the tissue of the subject without being absorbed much by the pigment dispersed on the surface. Then, when the imaging unit 112 captures the return light in the second wavelength band, it is possible to capture a second image that visualizes the blood vessel. In other words, the blood vessel portion becomes dark and a portion other than the blood vessel portion becomes a bright image. Note that since a filter that transmits light having a peak at 400 nm to 450 nm is used as the second filter 142, the subject can be irradiated with light in the second wavelength band of 400 nm to 450 nm.

  Further, the irradiating unit 103 may alternately irradiate the light of the first wavelength band and the light of the second wavelength band at the frame rate period interval of the CCD 160. In this case, the first image of the light in the first wavelength band and the second image of the light in the second wavelength band are alternately and sequentially captured. The display unit 104 may display the first image in the first wavelength band and the second image in the second wavelength band at the same time, or may display either one of them. When the first image and the second image are displayed simultaneously, for example, the first image may be displayed in the first display area and the second image may be displayed in the second display area. Further, the irradiation unit 103 may alternately switch and irradiate the light in the first wavelength band and the light in the second wavelength band at a predetermined interval, for example, at an interval of 10 seconds. Further, the irradiation unit 103 may switch between the light in the first wavelength band and the light in the second wavelength band in accordance with a user switching instruction. The imaging unit 112 sequentially captures light in the first wavelength band and light in the second wavelength band. The display unit 104 may display either the first image or the second image. Further, the display unit 104 may display an image of light in the currently irradiated wavelength band.

  As described above, the light having the first wavelength band in which the absorption rate of the dye dispersed on the surface of the subject is equal to or higher than the first predetermined value, the absorption rate of the dye being equal to or lower than the first predetermined value, and the absorption of blood. Since the subject is switched to the light of the second wavelength band whose rate is equal to or higher than the second predetermined value, the subject is irradiated, so that an image in which the blood vessel is visualized can be taken in a state where the pigment is dispersed on the subject. In addition, the first image that visualizes the unevenness of the surface of the subject and the second image that visualizes the blood vessel can be captured substantially simultaneously. In addition, it is possible to immediately take an image of a person who wants to take and observe. Note that an information processing apparatus such as a CPU may function as the imaging apparatus 100 by executing a predetermined program.

The above embodiment may be modified as follows.
(1) In the above-described embodiment, the rotation unit 108 is provided in the irradiation unit 103 so as to irradiate the light in the first wavelength band and the light in the second wavelength band. As described above, the irradiation unit 103 may irradiate the subject with white light.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of the imaging unit 112 of Modification Example (1). The imaging unit 112 includes a lens 131, a rotation filter 108, and a CCD 160. The CCD 160 images light that has passed through the rotary filter 108 out of the light that has passed through the lens 131. Here, the imaging unit 112 sets one of the first filter 141 and the second filter 142 on the optical path of the lens 131 and the CCD 160 by rotating the rotary filter 108 about the axis 143. Can do. That is, by rotating the rotary filter 108 around the axis 143, the wavelength band of the light projected on the CCD 160 out of the return light of the white light irradiated by the irradiation unit 103 is set to the first wavelength band and the second wavelength. Switch to band. When the first filter 141 is set on the optical path, the CCD 160 can image light in the first wavelength band. When the second filter 142 is set, the CCD 160 has the second wavelength band. Can be imaged. As a result, in a state where the pigment is dispersed on the surface of the subject, the first image that visualizes the unevenness of the surface of the subject that is the observation site and the second image that visualizes the blood vessel can be captured almost simultaneously.

  (2) In the above embodiment, the rotation filter 108 is provided in the irradiation unit 103. However, the imaging unit 112 is provided with a filter unit in which the first filter 141 and the second filter 142 are arranged in the same plane. Also good. The CCD 160 includes a plurality of first light receiving elements that receive light in the first wavelength band that has passed through the first filter 141, and a plurality of second light receiving elements that receive light in the second wavelength band that has passed through the second filter 142. Prepare. That is, the CCD 160 includes a plurality of first light receiving elements that receive light in the first wavelength band that has passed through the first filter, and a plurality of second light receiving elements that receive light in the second wavelength band that has passed through the second filter. Are arranged in the same plane. In this case, the irradiation unit 103 irradiates the subject with white light.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of a correspondence relationship between the filter unit 170 and the CCD 160 according to the modification (2). The CCD 160 has a plurality of first light receiving elements 161 and second light receiving elements 162. The filter unit 170 includes a plurality of first filters 141 that transmit light in the first wavelength band and second filters 142 that transmit light in the second wavelength band. The first filter 141 and the second filter 142 are arranged in the same plane in a matrix at one light receiving element interval. Note that the first filter 141 and the second filter 142 do not have to be arranged in a matrix, and the first filter 141 and the second filter need only be arranged at a constant periodic interval. The light transmitted through each first filter 141 is received by the first light receiving element of the CCD 160. The light transmitted through each second filter 142 is received by each second light receiving element 162 of the CCD 160. That is, the light transmitted through the first filter 141 is received by the first light receiving element 161 corresponding to the first filter 141. The light transmitted through the second filter 142 is received by the second light receiving element 162 corresponding to the second filter 142. The irradiation unit 103 irradiates white light, and among the return light, light in the first wavelength band is received by the first light receiving element 161 through the first filter 141 of the filter unit 170, and light in the second wavelength band is received. The light is received by the second light receiving element via the second filter 142 of the filter unit 170. Thereby, the 1st image which visualized the unevenness | corrugation of the surface of a to-be-photographed object, and the 2nd image which visualized the blood vessel can be imaged simultaneously.

  Then, the image generation unit 102 generates a first image of light in the first wavelength band and a second image of light in the second wavelength band from the image captured by the CCD 160. That is, the image generation unit 102 generates a first image from the charge accumulation amount of the first light receiving element 161 that has received light in the first wavelength band. Further, a second image is generated from the amount of charge accumulated in the second light receiving element 162 that has received light in the second wavelength band. Then, the display unit 104 displays the first image and the second image. The display unit 104 may display the first image and the second image at the same time, or may display either one of them.

  (3) In the above embodiment, the rotary filter 108 is provided in the irradiating unit 103. However, the first CCD 141 and the second filter 142 in the imaging unit 112 and the first CCD that images the light transmitted through the first filter. A second CCD that images the light transmitted through the second filter may be provided. An imaging element such as a CMOS may be provided instead of the CCD. In this case, the irradiation unit 103 irradiates the subject with white light.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of the imaging unit 112 of Modification Example (3). The imaging unit 112 includes a lens 131, a half mirror 181, a first filter 141, a second filter 142, a first CCD 163, and a second CCD 164. The half mirror 181 splits the light that has passed through the lens 131 into two light beams. The half mirror 181 splits the incident light into two light beams by transmitting a part of the incident light and reflecting a part of the incident light. The first filter 141 transmits light in the first wavelength band among the light transmitted through the half mirror 181. The first CCD 163 images the light transmitted through the first filter 141. The second filter 142 transmits light in the second wavelength band among the light reflected from the half mirror 181. The second CCD 164 images light that has passed through the second filter.

  The irradiation unit 103 irradiates white light, and among the return light, light in the first wavelength band is imaged by the first CCD 163 and light in the second wavelength band is imaged by the second CCD 164. Thereby, the 1st image which visualized the unevenness | corrugation of the surface of a to-be-photographed object, and the 2nd image which visualized the blood vessel can be imaged simultaneously. The display unit 104 displays the first image captured by the first CCD 163 and the second image captured by the second CCD 164. The display unit 104 may display the first image and the second image at the same time, or may display either one of them.

  (4) In the above embodiment, the rotation filter 108 is provided in the irradiation unit 103, but a variable spectral element such as an etalon may be provided in the imaging unit 112. The variable spectroscopic element is provided between the lens 131 and the CCD 160, and the CCD 160 images the light that has passed through the etalon. In this case, the irradiation unit 103 irradiates the subject with white light. Among the return light of the white light irradiated by the irradiation unit 103, the variable spectroscopic element passes one of the light having the wavelength in the first wavelength band and the light having the wavelength in the second wavelength band. The CCD 160 is imaged. Thereby, the CCD 160 can selectively capture the first image and the second image. The variable spectroscopic element may alternately pass light having a wavelength in the first wavelength band and light having a wavelength in the second wavelength band at a frame rate period interval of the CCD 160. In this case, the first image of the light in the first wavelength band and the second image of the light in the second wavelength band are alternately and sequentially captured. The display unit 104 may display the first image in the first wavelength band and the second image in the second wavelength band at the same time, or may display either one of them.

  In addition, the variable spectroscopic element may alternately switch and pass the light in the first wavelength band and the light in the second wavelength band at a predetermined interval, for example, at an interval of 10 seconds. Further, the variable spectral element may switch and pass the light in the first wavelength band and the light in the second wavelength band in accordance with a user switching instruction. The imaging unit 112 sequentially captures light in the first wavelength band and light in the second wavelength band. The display unit 104 may display either the first image or the second image. Further, the display unit 104 may display an image of light in the currently irradiated wavelength band. Thereby, even in a state where the pigment is scattered on the surface of the subject, it is possible to capture the first image in which the irregularities on the surface are visualized and the second image in which the blood vessels are visualized. Further, the first image and the second image can be taken substantially simultaneously.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment. It is apparent from the scope of the claims that the embodiments added with such changes or improvements can be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The order of execution of each process such as operations, procedures, steps, and stages in the apparatus, system, program, and method shown in the claims, the description, and the drawings is particularly “before” or “prior to”. It should be noted that the output can be realized in any order unless the output of the previous process is used in the subsequent process. Regarding the operation flow in the claims, the description, and the drawings, even if it is described using “first”, “next”, etc. for convenience, it means that it is essential to carry out in this order. It is not a thing.

1 illustrates an imaging apparatus 100 according to an embodiment. An example of the rotary filter 108 is shown. An example of the correspondence between the light source 107 and the rotation filter 108 is shown. The graph of the light absorptance in each wavelength is shown. The absorptance at the wavelength of the crystal violet dye is shown. The absorptance at the wavelength of the methylene blue dye is shown. An example of the image pick-up part 112 of the modification (1) is shown. An example of a correspondence relationship between the filter unit 170 and the CCD 160 in the modification example (2) is shown. An example of the image pick-up part 112 of the modification (3) is shown.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image pick-up apparatus 101 Endoscope 102 Image generation part 103 Irradiation part 104 Display part 105 Recording part 106 Forceps 107 Light source 108 Rotary filter 111 Forceps opening 112 Imaging part 113 Light guide 121 Front end part 130 Front end surface 131 Lens 132 Output port 133 Nozzle 141 First filter 142 Second filter 143 Axis 160 CCD
161 First light receiving element 162 Second light receiving element 163 First CCD
164 2nd CCD
170 Filter unit 181 Half mirror

Claims (8)

An imaging device for imaging a subject with a pigment dispersed on a surface,
Light in a first wavelength band having an absorption rate of the dye equal to or higher than a first predetermined value, an absorption rate of the dye being equal to or lower than the first predetermined value, and an absorption rate of blood being equal to or higher than a second predetermined value An irradiation unit that irradiates the subject with light of the second wavelength band of
An imaging unit that images each of the light in the first wavelength band of the return light from the subject and the light in the second wavelength band of the return light from the subject;
An imaging apparatus comprising: an image generation unit configured to generate a first image of light in the first wavelength band captured by the imaging unit and generate a second image of light in the second wavelength band captured by the imaging unit. The irradiation unit is
Switch and irradiate light of the first wavelength band and light of the second wavelength band,
The imaging unit
Having an image sensor,
The image sensor is
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first wavelength band light and the second wavelength band light are sequentially imaged. The irradiation unit is
Simultaneously irradiating light in the first wavelength band and light in the second wavelength band;
The imaging unit
A filter unit that switches between and transmits light in the first wavelength band and light in the second wavelength band;
The imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising: an imaging element that sequentially images the light in the first wavelength band and the light in the second wavelength band that have passed through the filter unit. The irradiation unit is
Simultaneously irradiating light in the first wavelength band and light in the second wavelength band;
The imaging unit
A first filter that transmits light in the first wavelength band;
A second filter that transmits light in the second wavelength band;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first wavelength band light transmitted through the first filter and the second wavelength band light transmitted through the second filter are each imaged. The imaging unit
A plurality of first filters and a plurality of second filters arranged in the same plane; and
A plurality of first light receiving elements that receive the light in the first wavelength band that has passed through the first filter, and a plurality of second light receiving elements that receive the light in the second wavelength band that has passed through the second filter. The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising imaging elements arranged in the same plane. The imaging unit
A first imaging device that images the light in the first wavelength band that has passed through the first filter;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: a second imaging element that images the light in the second wavelength band that has passed through the second filter. A method for capturing an image of a subject having a pigment dispersed on the surface,
Light in a first wavelength band having an absorption rate of the dye equal to or higher than a first predetermined value, an absorption rate of the dye being equal to or lower than the first predetermined value, and an absorption rate of blood being equal to or higher than a second predetermined value Irradiating the subject with light in the second wavelength band of
An imaging step of imaging the light in the first wavelength band of the return light from the subject and the light in the second wavelength band of the return light from the subject;
A method comprising: an image generation step of generating a captured first image of the first wavelength band light and a captured second image of the second wavelength band light. A program that executes a computer that captures an image of a subject on which a pigment is dispersed.
The computer,
Light in a first wavelength band having an absorption rate of the dye equal to or higher than a first predetermined value, an absorption rate of the dye being equal to or lower than the first predetermined value, and an absorption rate of blood being equal to or higher than a second predetermined value An irradiation unit that irradiates the subject with light of the second wavelength band of
An imaging unit that images each of the light in the first wavelength band of the return light from the subject and the light in the second wavelength band of the return light from the subject;
A program that generates a first image of light in the first wavelength band captured by the imaging unit and functions as an image generation unit that generates a second image of light in the second wavelength band captured by the imaging unit.

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