JP2014054420A - Calibration method and protective member - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a calibration method, when a probe is brought into contact with or closer to a calibration specimen, capable of reliably preventing contamination of the probe, and a protective member.SOLUTION: The calibration method of a probe system applies measurement light from a distal end of a probe 11 inserted into an internal lumen, to a measuring object and acquires radiation light radiated from the measuring object. The calibration method includes: a first step of inserting the previously sterilized or disinfected probe 11 into a sterilized or disinfected protective member 50 that covers the distal end of the probe 11, before applying the measurement light; and a second step of bringing the distal end of the probe 11 closer to or into contact with a calibration specimen 60, the Raman spectrum of which is known. This configuration eliminates direct contact between the probe 11 and the unsterilized or non-disinfected calibration specimen 60 so as to reliably prevent the contamination of the probe 11.

Description

  The present invention relates to a probe system for inspecting the presence or absence of a lesion such as cancer and its progress by irradiating measurement light to a measurement target site in a body lumen and acquiring radiation emitted from the measurement target site. The present invention relates to a calibration method and a protective member used when performing the calibration method.

  In recent years, a method of observing a body lumen with an electronic endoscope has been widely used. This observation method has an advantage that the burden on the subject is small because it is not necessary to excise the lesion because the body tissue is directly observed. Recently, in addition to a so-called video scope, diagnostic devices and ultrasonic devices utilizing various optical principles have been proposed and some of them have been put into practical use. As described above, as a technique for directly observing the body tissue, a new measurement principle is introduced or a plurality of measurement principles are combined.

  In addition, it is known that by observing and measuring the fluorescence from the body tissue and the fluorescent material applied or injected into the body tissue, information that cannot be obtained simply by looking at the image of the body tissue can be obtained. It has been. There has also been proposed a fluorescence image endoscope system that applies this technique to acquire a fluorescence image and displays it by overlapping with a normal visible image. Such a system is highly promising because it leads to early detection of malignant tumors.

  On the other hand, a method for determining the state of a body tissue by acquiring fluorescence intensity information without forming a fluorescence image is also known. In many of these methods, fluorescence is acquired without using an image sensor mounted on an electronic endoscope.

  Probes (diagnostics) for making a fluorescence diagnosis include those that reach the body via the forceps channel of the endoscope, or those that are integrated with the endoscope (for example, see Patent Document 1). .

  Such a probe propagates the light emitted from the light source and irradiates the body tissue as excitation light. A variety of light such as reflected light, autofluorescence, and Raman scattered light is emitted as emitted light from the body tissue irradiated with the excitation light. Spectroscopic analysis of the light to be measured by separating the radiated light for each wavelength component at the probe and selectively receiving it, or by separating the radiated light for each wavelength component after receiving the radiated light non-selectively. Measure. For example, in spectroscopic measurement of Raman scattered light, generally, laser light having a narrow line width is irradiated as excitation light, and Raman scattered light generated by irradiation of excitation light is received. Then, the received Raman scattered light is dispersed, and the dispersed light is detected by a detector (for example, a CCD detector) having a different wavelength or wave number of light to be detected at each detection position (for example, see Patent Document 2). ).

In the spectroscopic measurement of Raman scattered light, the following characteristics (a) to (co) affect the shape and intensity of spectral data obtained as a result of the spectroscopic measurement. Here, the characteristics other than (e) are determined by the characteristics of the entire endoscope system including the probe and the measuring device having the detector.
(A) Wavelength of excitation light (b) Intensity of excitation light (c) Spectral transmittance in optical system between light source and probe (d) Spectral transmittance for excitation light of probe (e) Intensity of Raman scattered light in body tissue (F) Spectral transmittance for Raman scattered light from the probe (g) Spectral transmittance in the optical system between the probe and detector (g) Wavelength dependence of the light receiving sensitivity of the detector (g) Detection position of the detector (pixel coordinates) ) And the wavelength of the scattered Raman scattered light (e) Detection sensitivity of the endoscope system (ratio between the amount of light emitted from the light source and the amount of light received by the detector)

  Therefore, unless proper calibration is performed for characteristics other than (e), individual differences between measurement devices / probes, changes in the spectroscopic measurement environment (temperature / humidity) in the same measurement device / probe, and misalignment over time For this reason, an error occurs in the performance of the measuring apparatus. If an error occurs in the performance of the measuring apparatus, even if the same sample is measured, the finally obtained measurement value varies.

  Therefore, in a measuring apparatus, measurement of the characteristics (hereinafter referred to as “calibration measurement”) is usually performed using a calibration sample having known characteristic information (hereinafter referred to as “calibration sample”), By comparing the measurement result with known characteristic information, calibration for characteristics other than (e) is performed.

  This calibration measurement is generally performed before the spectroscopic measurement of Raman scattered light in the body tissue. In the calibration measurement, in order to perform the spectroscopic measurement accurately, it is necessary to prevent contamination of the probe by contacting the sterilized or disinfected probe with the calibration sample.

  By the way, the point which needs to prevent contamination is the same also at the time of calibration of the white balance of a general endoscope. When calibrating the white balance of an endoscope, for example, a white balance adjustment tool that has a bottomed cylindrical shape that is open at one end and closed at the other end and whose entire inner surface is opaque white is used as a dedicated tool. ing. For this reason, it is necessary to sterilize or disinfect the white balance adjusting tool separately from the endoscope, and there is a problem in that it takes time and effort in the preparation stage of white balance calibration.

  For this problem, an endoscope holding cylinder is provided inside the white balance adjustment tool, and positions the endoscope insertion portion at a predetermined position in the white balance adjustment tool without contacting the inner surface of the white balance adjustment tool. Has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 3). Further, a technique has been proposed in which a white balance adjustment tool is attached as a protective cap to an insertion portion of an endoscope in advance so that gas sterilization and white balance adjustment can be performed with the protective cap attached (for example, (See Patent Document 4).

JP 2005-522293 A International Publication No. 2010/24397 JP 2006-334112 A JP 2002-51968 A

  However, the techniques described in Patent Documents 3 and 4 above are calibration of white balance in an endoscope for the purpose of image acquisition, and the calibration measurement of a probe for the purpose of spectroscopic measurement of Raman scattered light, It differs greatly in the following points. Since an endoscope is used at a distance of several to several tens [mm] from a tissue to be observed (for example, an affected part), the white balance adjustment tool and the endoscope are similarly used during white balance calibration. There is a distance between them. In addition, if there is a member having a certain reference color tone, it is possible to calibrate the white balance of the endoscope. Therefore, it is relatively easy to sterilize or disinfect the white balance adjustment tool.

  On the other hand, in a probe that is measured in contact with or in close proximity to a body tissue, various calibration measurements are preferably performed in the state of being in contact with or close to a calibration sample. In probe calibration measurement, the amount of information required for a calibration sample is larger than that of a white balance adjustment tool, and the degree of accuracy of the property is high. Disinfection may denature the calibration sample, and calibration measurement may not be performed accurately.

  As described above, the calibration of the probe is completely different from the calibration of the white balance of the endoscope, and the probe that has been sterilized or disinfected is brought into contact with or close to a calibration sample that has not been sterilized or disinfected. It is necessary to do in the state that was let. For this reason, even if the techniques described in Patent Documents 3 and 4 are applied, contamination of the probe cannot be reliably avoided during probe calibration measurement.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a calibration method and a protection member that can reliably prevent contamination of a probe when brought into contact with or close to a calibration sample.

The calibration method according to the present invention includes:
A method for calibrating a probe system that irradiates measurement light from a distal end portion of a probe inserted into a body lumen to measurement light, and obtains radiation emitted from the measurement target,
A first step of inserting the probe sterilized or disinfected in advance into a protective member that covers the tip of the probe and is sterilized or disinfected;
A second step of bringing the tip of the probe into proximity to or in contact with a calibration sample having a known Raman spectrum in a state of being inserted into the protective member,
Performing calibration in a state where the tip of the probe inserted into the protection member is in proximity to or in contact with the calibration sample;
It is characterized by that.
The protective member according to the present invention is
The measurement light is used in a calibration method of an endoscope system that irradiates measurement light from a tip portion of a probe inserted into a body lumen to measurement light, and obtains radiated light emitted from the measurement light target. A protective member covering the tip of the probe before irradiating
The bottom part is formed of a transparent thin film member, which is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape including a cylindrical peripheral wall part and a bottom part.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a calibration method and a protection member that can reliably prevent contamination of a probe when it is brought into contact with or close to a calibration sample.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the endoscope system and probe system in this Embodiment. It is a perspective view of the front-end | tip part of the endoscope main body in this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows a mode that the Raman spectrum of the calibration sample in this Embodiment is measured. It is a figure which shows the structure of the protection member in this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the manufacturing method of the protection member in this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the Raman spectrum of the calibration sample in this Embodiment, and the Raman spectrum of a protection member (bottom part). It is a figure which shows the example of the Raman spectrum of various resin materials. It is a flowchart which shows the calibration method of the probe system in this Embodiment.

Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.
[Configuration of Endoscope System 1]
The endoscope system 1 shown in FIG. 1A irradiates measurement light to a measurement target site (for example, a lesioned part) of a body lumen (hereinafter referred to as “lumen”) and emits radiation emitted from the measurement target site. Consists of a probe system 100 for inspecting the presence or absence of a lesion such as cancer and its progress by acquiring light, an endoscope main body 2 inserted into a body lumen, and an endoscope control device 3 Is done. The probe system 100 includes a probe 11 and a measuring device 4. The endoscope main body 2 includes a flexible long introduction portion 21 formed so as to be able to be introduced into a lumen, an operation portion 22 provided at a proximal end portion 21a of the introduction portion 21, and an operation portion 22. And a cable 23 that connects the introduction unit 21 and the endoscope control device 3 in a communicable manner.

  The introduction portion 21 has flexibility that can be easily bent according to the curvature of the lumen when entering the inside of the lumen over substantially the entire length thereof. In addition, the introduction part 21 has a mechanism (not shown) that can bend a certain range (operable part 21c) on the tip part 21b side at an arbitrary angle in accordance with the operation of the knob 22a of the operation part 22.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the distal end portion 21b of the endoscope body 2 includes a camera CA, a forceps channel CH, an air / water supply nozzle (not shown), and the like.

  The light guide LG guides the illumination light (visible light) emitted from the illumination light source 41a of the measuring device 4 to the tip portion 21b, and emits the illumination light from the tip portion 21b.

  The camera CA is an electronic camera provided with a solid-state imaging device, images an area illuminated with illumination light emitted from the light guide LG, and transmits the imaging signal to the endoscope control device 3.

  The forceps channel CH is a lumen having a diameter of, for example, 2.6 [mm] formed in the introduction portion 21 so as to communicate with the introduction port 22b formed in the operation portion 22. Various devices for observing the lesion, diagnosing the lesion, performing surgery on the lesion, and the like can be inserted into the forceps channel CH. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the presence or absence of a lesion such as cancer is detected by optical measurement of irradiating the measurement target site in the lumen with light and acquiring the radiated light emitted from the measurement target site. A probe 11 that can be inspected for its progress can be inserted. At the time of optical measurement, the probe 11 protrudes from the forceps channel CH by about 30 [mm] at the maximum.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the probe 11 is a long flexible tubular member extending from the probe base end portion 11a to the probe tip end portion 11b. The probe 11 is connected to the measuring device 4 via a connector 46 provided at the probe base end portion 11a. A probe system 100 is configured by the probe 11 and the measuring device 4.

[Configuration of Measuring Device 4]
Next, the configuration of the measuring device 4 will be described. The measurement device 4 includes an illumination light source 41a that generates illumination light for observation, a measurement light source 41b that generates measurement light for measurement, a spectrometer 42, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 43, and a storage device 45. An input device 5 and a monitor 7 are connected to the measuring device 4. The CPU 43 controls each part related to measurement and executes calibration described later.

  The input device 5 inputs a user instruction to the measurement device 4. In the present embodiment, the input device 5 is configured by, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a switch, or the like. The monitor 7 receives the image data output from the measuring device 4 and displays various images.

  The illumination light source 41a emits illumination light for observation when an instruction to execute the process of illuminating the observation target site in the lumen is input to the input device 5. When the probe 11 is introduced into the lumen by being inserted into the forceps channel CH, the probe 11 guides the illumination light emitted from the illumination light source 41a and emits it to the observation target site.

  The measurement light source 41b emits excitation light such as xenon light when an instruction to execute processing for inspecting a living tissue of a measurement target site (for example, a lesion) in a lumen is input to the input device 5. When the probe 11 is introduced into the lumen by being inserted into the forceps channel CH, the probe 11 guides the excitation light emitted from the measurement light source 41b and emits the measurement light to the measurement target site. The probe 11 receives light from the measurement target part as biological information of the measurement target part and guides it to the spectroscope 42 of the measurement device 4.

  In the present embodiment, the method of measuring the measurement target part includes irradiating the measurement target part with laser light having a predetermined wavelength as excitation light, and fluorescence or Raman scattering emitted from the measurement target part as a result of irradiating the excitation light. Fluorescence spectroscopy or Raman spectroscopy that receives light as radiant light and obtains a spectral spectrum necessary for diagnosis is applied.

  The spectroscope 42 performs spectrum analysis on the radiated light from the measurement target portion guided by the probe 11. For example, the spectroscope 42 includes a diffraction grating 42a and a CCD detector 42b as shown in FIG. Instead of the CCD detector 42b, a detector comprising a CMOS type light receiving sensor may be used.

  The diffraction grating 42a is a transmission type diffraction grating, and radiates light from the measurement target part into each wavelength (spectral) and emits the light toward the CCD detector 42b.

  The CCD detector 42b is formed by, for example, two-dimensionally arranging 1024 pixels (pixels) vertically and horizontally. The CCD detector 42b detects the fluorescence spectrum or the Raman spectrum of the measurement target site. The light split by the diffraction grating 42a is incident on the pixel on the CCD detector 42b in accordance with the split wavelength. By obtaining the correspondence between the position of the pixel on which the separated light is incident and the spectral wavelength, the spectral wavelength can be obtained from the position of the pixel on which the light is incident. In addition, the intensity of the wavelength corresponding to each pixel can be obtained from the detection output output from each pixel. Then, by detecting the pixel and detecting the output of each pixel, it is possible to obtain a fluorescence spectrum or Raman spectrum representing the intensity of fluorescence or Raman scattered light for each different wavelength with respect to the measurement target region.

  The CPU 43 diagnoses the presence or absence and type of a lesion in the measurement target site in the lumen based on the spectrum analysis result by the spectroscope 42. Then, the CPU 43 causes the monitor 7 to display the diagnosis result image by outputting the diagnosis result image data indicating the diagnosis result to the monitor 7. The user can evaluate the extent of the lesion and the degree of illness by looking at the diagnosis result image displayed on the monitor 7.

  The storage device 45 is an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or the like built in the measurement device 4. The storage device 45 stores a diagnosis result by the CPU 43 and the like. Note that the storage device 45 does not have to be built in the measuring device 4, and may be externally attached to the measuring device 4, or may exist on the communication network. good.

[Configuration of Endoscope Control Device 3]
Next, the configuration of the endoscope control device 3 will be described. The endoscope control device 3 is a device for controlling illumination and photographing of the endoscope body 2 in response to an operation from an operator, and includes an image processing unit 32 and a CPU 33. An input device 6 and a monitor 8 are connected to the endoscope control device 3.

  The input device 6 inputs a user instruction to the endoscope control device 3. In the present embodiment, the input device 6 is configured by a keyboard, a mouse, a switch, or the like, for example. The monitor 8 receives the image data output from the endoscope control device 3 and displays various images.

  The video processing unit 32 receives an imaging signal from the endoscope body 2, performs predetermined signal processing on the imaging signal, and outputs the processed signal to the monitor 8 as an endoscope video signal. Thereby, an endoscopic video based on the endoscopic video signal is displayed on the screen of the monitor 8. That is, when an observation target region in the lumen is imaged, the image is displayed on the monitor 8. The CPU 33 controls the operation of the video processing unit 32.

[Calibration method of probe system 100]
Next, a calibration method of the probe system 100 will be described. Here, the calibration method of the probe system 100 is a method of adjusting using a calibration sample so that the values output from the respective devices constituting the probe system 100 become correct values. Calibration of the probe system 100 is correct when there are individual differences between the measuring devices 4 and 11, changes in the spectroscopic measurement environment (temperature and humidity) of the same measuring device 4 and probe 11, misalignment over time, etc. This is done because no result is obtained. For example, the following (A) to (K) are mentioned as calibration items in spectroscopic measurement of Raman scattered light.
(A) Wavelength of excitation light emitted from measurement light source 41b (A) Intensity of excitation light emitted from measurement light source 41b (C) Spectral transmittance in optical system between measurement light source 41b and probe 11 (D) Probe 11 (E) Spectral transmittance for Raman scattered light from the probe 11 (f) Spectral transmittance in the optical system between the probe 11 and the CCD detector 42b (g) Wavelength of light receiving sensitivity of the CCD detector 42b Dependency (g) Correspondence relationship between detection position (pixel coordinates) of CCD detector 42b and wavelength of Raman scattered light incident on the detection position (g) Detection sensitivity of endoscope system 1 (emitted from measurement light source 41b) The ratio of the amount of excitation light to be received and the amount of light received by the CCD detector 42b)
Here, the spectral transmittance represents the transmittance for each wavelength of light. The wavelength dependency of the light receiving sensitivity indicates that the light receiving sensitivity changes depending on the measurement wavelength.

  In various calibrations in the probe system 100, a calibration sample whose fluorescence spectrum or Raman spectrum (hereinafter simply referred to as “spectrum”) is known is irradiated with excitation light, and the emitted light emitted from the calibration sample is spectrally separated. And measure the spectrum. Then, by comparing the spectrum as the measurement result with the known spectrum, the calibration items shown in the above (a) to (g) are calibrated. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing how the spectrum of the calibration sample is measured.

  FIG. 3A shows a state in which the excitation light is irradiated with the tip of the probe 11 in contact with the calibration sample 60 and the emitted light emitted from the calibration sample 60 is received. FIG. 3B shows a state in which the excitation light is irradiated in a state where the tip of the probe 11 is close to the calibration sample 60 and the emitted light emitted from the calibration sample 60 is received.

  In FIG. 3C, the position of the probe 11 is fixed by the position fixing member 70, and the excitation light is irradiated in a state where the tip of the probe 11 is in contact with the calibration sample 60, and is emitted from the calibration sample 60. A state in which the emitted light is received is shown. In FIG. 3D, the position of the probe 11 is fixed by the position fixing member 70, and the excitation light is irradiated in a state where the tip of the probe 11 is brought close to the calibration sample 60, and is emitted from the calibration sample 60. A state in which the emitted light is received is shown.

  In any embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D, the probe 11 is sterilized or disinfected. Therefore, in the present embodiment, in order to prevent the probe 11 from being contaminated by contact with the calibration sample 60, the probe 11 is inserted into the protective member 50 having a shape that covers the tip of the probe 11. At that time, the protective member 50 is sterilized or disinfected.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the protection member 50 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape including a cylindrical peripheral wall portion 50a and a bottom portion 50b. The peripheral wall portion 50a has an inner diameter close to the outer diameter of the probe 11, and functions as a rigid holding portion for reliably holding the probe 11. The bottom 50 b is a facing portion that faces the tip of the probe 11 when the probe 11 is inserted into the protection member 50.

  In the present embodiment, the bottom 50b is configured by bonding or fusing the transparent thin film member 80 to the peripheral wall 50a as shown in FIG. In addition, you may comprise the protection member 50 by integrally forming the surrounding wall part 50c and the bottom part 50d with the transparent thin film member 80, as shown in FIG.4 (b). Moreover, the protection member 50 should just be a member which covers the front-end | tip part of the probe 11, for example, the sampling bag which can be obtained easily may be sufficient as it.

  It is required to make the portion of the protective member 50 where the tip of the probe 11 abuts, that is, the bottom 50b, as thin as possible. This is because when the calibration is performed, the probe 11 and the calibration sample 60 are required to be substantially in contact with each other. On the other hand, in order to prevent perforation of the bottom 50b by the probe 11, the bottom 50b needs to have sufficient strength. Further, since the protection member 50 is used in a sterilized or disinfected state, it is necessary to sufficiently withstand the sterilization or disinfecting.

  Therefore, as a material of the protective member 50 (particularly, the bottom 50b), polyethylene (hereinafter referred to as “PE”), polypropylene (hereinafter referred to as “PP”), which can be processed into a film shape and can be gas sterilized, Polyethylene terephthalate (hereinafter referred to as “PET”), polystyrene (hereinafter referred to as “PS”) and polyvinyl chloride (hereinafter referred to as “PVC”) are used.

[Calibration of calibration items (e), (f), (ki)]
In the calibration of the calibration items (e), (f), and (g), a calibration sample 60 that generates known fluorescence when irradiated with excitation light, or a calibration light source having a known spectral intensity is used. It is done. For example, in the calibration using the calibration sample 60 that generates known fluorescence by irradiation with excitation light, the fluorescence generated by the protective member 50 and the Raman scattered light adversely affect the fluorescence detection result of the calibration sample 60. Calibration cannot be performed correctly. Therefore, it is necessary to suppress the generation of fluorescence and Raman scattered light from the protective member 50, particularly the bottom 50 b facing the tip of the probe 11.

  In the present embodiment, considering that the fluorescence of the protective member 50 itself is weak, generation of fluorescence is suppressed by not adding an additive such as a colorant to the protective member 50. Considering that the intensity of Raman scattered light is generally lower than that of fluorescence, the generation of Raman scattered light is suppressed by setting the thickness of the bottom 50b to 10 to 100 [μm]. In the calibration using the calibration light source, since the intensity of the fluorescence and the Raman scattered light emitted from the protection member 50 is small, it is not a problem to perform the calibration by inserting the probe 11 into the protection member 50. .

[Calibration items (A) and (K)]
In the calibration of the calibration items (a) and (ku), the Raman scattered light of the calibration sample 60 whose Raman spectrum is known was measured and dispersed with the detection position (pixel coordinate) of the CCD detector 42b. Calibration is performed for the correspondence with the wavelength or wave number (for example, 600 to 1700 [cm ⁻¹ ]) of the Raman scattered light. At this time, the fluorescence and Raman scattered light generated by the protective member 50 adversely affect the detection of the Raman scattered light emitted from the calibration sample 60, and calibration cannot be performed correctly. Therefore, it is necessary to suppress the generation of fluorescence and Raman scattered light from the protective member 50, particularly the bottom 50 b facing the tip of the probe 11. Therefore, as described in the calibration of the calibration items (e), (f), and (g), the generation of fluorescence is suppressed by not adding an additive such as a colorant to the protective member 50, and the bottom 50b. The generation of Raman scattered light is suppressed by setting the thickness of the material to 10 to 100 [μm].

  At the time of calibration measurement, Raman scattered light from the bottom 50b is also simultaneously detected by the CCD detector 42b, but the material of the bottom 50b (hereinafter also referred to as “transparent thin film member 80”) is known, calibration. From the point that the scattering intensity of the transparent thin film member 80 is smaller than that of the calibration sample 60, it is easy to detect the Raman peak of the Raman scattered light of the calibration sample 60.

  The correspondence between the detection position (pixel coordinates) of the CCD detector 42b and the wavelength or wave number of the dispersed Raman scattered light is obtained by approximating the correspondence of several points obtained during calibration measurement with a polynomial. It is obtained by calculating a coefficient. Therefore, in the calibration measurement, it is necessary to obtain a correspondence relationship of at least (polynomial order + 1) points. In order to increase the accuracy of calibration, it is desirable that the degree of the polynomial is at least 2 or more, and in this case, it is necessary to obtain a correspondence relationship of 3 points or more.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6A, a material having a Raman peak number three or more less than that of the calibration sample 60 is used for the transparent thin film member 80. As shown in FIG. 6B, the wave number of the Raman peak does not overlap with the calibration sample 60 whose Raman peak number is 3 or more, in other words, the Raman peak wave number different from the Raman peak wave number in the calibration sample 60. A material having a wave number may be used for the transparent thin film member 80. The wave number of the Raman peak refers to the wave number at the peak of the mountain in the Raman spectrum. Further, as shown in FIG. 6C, a transparent thin film member 80 is made of a material having a Raman peak having a scattering intensity lower than that of the Raman peak in the calibration sample 60 having three or more Raman peaks. Also good. As a material satisfying these characteristics, PE is suitable. As shown in FIG. 7, since the Raman spectrum of PE has few Raman peaks in a narrow region of 1000 to 1500 [cm ⁻¹ ], the transparent thin film member 80 having a thickness of about 100 [μm] to 1 [mm]. Also, the Raman spectrum obtained from the transparent thin film member 80 and the Raman spectrum obtained from the calibration sample 60 can be easily distinguished.

[Calibration of calibration items]
In the calibration of the calibration item (K), in order to obtain accurate intensity information of the Raman scattered light emitted from the measurement target region, the intensity of the excitation light emitted from the measurement light source 41b and the CCD detector Using the ratio with the Raman scattered light intensity received by 42b, the variation in detection efficiency among the measurement devices 4 and the variation in detection efficiency over time in the same measurement device 4 are corrected. In this correction, the measurement results of the calibration samples 60 that can be regarded as the same may be compared, and the measurement can be performed in a state where the probe 11 and the calibration sample 60 are in contact with each other by using the protective member 50. it can. Therefore, it is possible to minimize the occurrence of an error in the calibration result of the detection efficiency due to the change in the distance between the probe 11 and the calibration sample 60, and consequently, highly accurate calibration can be performed.

  Note that the calibration items (c) and (d) are not important items as compared with other calibration items because a narrow-band laser beam is used as excitation light in the spectroscopic measurement of Raman scattered light.

[Calibration method of probe system 100]
Next, a calibration method for calibration items (a) and (c) in the probe system 100 will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG.

  First, the user inserts the sterilized or disinfected probe 11 into the sterilized or disinfected protective member 50 (step S100). Next, the user brings the tip of the probe 11 close to or in contact with the calibration sample 60 whose Raman spectrum is known (step S120).

  Next, the measurement light source 41b irradiates the calibration sample 60 with laser light for exciting the calibration sample 60 from the tip of the probe 11 via the protective member 50 (step S140). Next, the spectroscope 42 receives the Raman scattered light emitted from the calibration sample 60 through the protective member 50, splits the received Raman scattered light, and detects the dispersed Raman scattered light for each detection position. Detection is performed by the CCD detector 42b having a different wavelength or wave number of the Raman scattered light (step S160).

  Next, CPU43 calculates | requires the Raman spectrum of the calibration sample 60 based on the detection result by the spectroscope 42 (step S180). Finally, the CPU 43 enters the detection position (pixel coordinates) of the CCD detector 42b and the detection position based on the Raman spectrum obtained in step S180 and the known Raman spectrum of the calibration sample 60. Calibration is performed for the correspondence with the wavelength of the Raman scattered light (step S200).

[Effects of the present embodiment]
As described above in detail, in the calibration method according to the present embodiment, the measurement light is irradiated from the tip of the probe 11 inserted into the body lumen to the measurement target, and the emitted light is emitted from the measurement target. Is a calibration method of the endoscope system 1 for acquiring the measurement information, and before irradiating the measurement light, the protection member 50 that covers the distal end portion of the probe 11 and is sterilized or disinfected is previously sterilized. Or it has the 1st step which inserts the disinfected probe 11, and the 2nd step which makes the front-end | tip part of the probe 11 approach or contact the calibration sample 60 whose Raman spectrum is known. Therefore, the probe 11 that has been sterilized or sterilized and the calibration sample 60 that has not been sterilized or sterilized are not in direct contact, and contamination of the probe 11 can be reliably prevented.

  In the present embodiment, the material and size of the protection member 50 are appropriately selected so that the fluorescence and Raman scattered light generated by the protection member 50 do not adversely affect the calibration measurement result. Yes. Therefore, various calibrations based on the result of calibration measurement can be performed with high accuracy.

  In the above embodiment, a taper portion that narrows from the insertion side of the probe 11 in the axial direction of the protection member 50 toward the bottom portion 50b may be formed inside the protection member 50. With this configuration, when the probe 11 is inserted into the protection member 50, the probe 11 can be reliably held by the taber portion.

  In addition, each of the above-described embodiments is merely an example of actualization in carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited thereto. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist or the main features thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Endoscope system 2 Endoscope main body 3 Endoscope control apparatus 4 Measuring apparatus 5,6 Input device 7,8 Monitor 11 Probe 11a Probe base end part 11b Probe front end part 21 Introduction part 21a Base end part 21b Front end part 21c Operation unit 22 Operation unit 22a Knob 23 Cable 32 Video processing unit 33 CPU
41a Illumination light source 41b Measurement light source 42 Spectroscope 42a Diffraction grating 42b CCD detector 43 CPU
45 Storage Device 46 Connector 50 Protection Member 50a, 50c Peripheral Wall 50b, 50d Bottom 60 Calibration Sample 70 Position Fixing Member 80 Transparent Thin Film Member 100 Probe System CH Forceps Channel LG Light Guide CA Camera

Claims (11)

A method for calibrating a probe system that irradiates measurement light from a distal end portion of a probe inserted into a body lumen to measurement light, and obtains radiation emitted from the measurement target,
A first step of inserting the probe sterilized or disinfected in advance into a protective member that covers the tip of the probe and is sterilized or disinfected;
A second step of bringing the tip of the probe into proximity to or in contact with a calibration sample having a known Raman spectrum in a state of being inserted into the protective member,
Performing calibration in a state where the tip of the probe inserted into the protection member is in proximity to or in contact with the calibration sample;
A calibration method characterized by that. A step executed after the second step, wherein the calibration sample is irradiated with laser light for exciting the calibration sample from the tip of the probe via the protective member. A third step;
The Raman scattered light emitted from the calibration sample is received through the protective member, the received Raman scattered light is dispersed, and the wavelength or wave number of the Raman scattered light is detected at each detection position. A fourth step of detecting with different detectors;
A fifth step of determining a Raman spectrum of the calibration sample from the detection result of the detector;
A sixth step of calibrating the correspondence between the detection position in the detector and the wavelength or wave number of the Raman scattered light incident on the detection position based on the Raman spectrum;
The calibration method according to claim 1, comprising: The protective member is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape composed of a cylindrical peripheral wall portion and a bottom portion,
The calibration method according to claim 1, wherein the bottom portion is formed of a transparent thin film member. The protective member is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape including a bottom portion and a cylindrical peripheral wall portion,
The calibration method according to claim 1, wherein the bottom portion and the peripheral wall portion are formed of a transparent thin film member. The said 6th step calibrates the correspondence of the detection position in the said detector, and the wave number of the Raman scattered light contained in the range of 600-1700 [cm < ^-1 >]. Calibration method according to item. Among the protective members, when the probe is inserted into the protective member, the material of the facing portion facing the tip of the probe is one of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene and polyvinyl chloride,
The opposing portion is formed in a film shape,
The calibration method according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the facing portion is 10 to 100 [μm].   Among the protective members, when the probe is inserted into the protective member, the number of Raman peaks in the material of the facing portion facing the tip of the probe is three or more less than the number of Raman peaks in the calibration sample. The calibration method according to claim 1. The number of Raman peaks in the calibration sample is 3 or more,
The Raman peak wavenumber in the material of the facing portion facing the tip of the probe when the probe is inserted into the protection member among the protection members is different from the wavenumber of the Raman peak in the calibration sample. The calibration method according to any one of 1 to 6. The number of Raman peaks in the calibration sample is 3 or more,
The Raman peak intensity in the material of the facing portion facing the tip of the probe when the probe is inserted into the protection member among the protection members is higher than the Raman peak intensity in the calibration sample. The calibration method according to any one of 1 to 6.   The calibration according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein a material of an opposing portion of the protective member that faces the tip of the probe when the probe is inserted into the protective member is polyethylene. Method. The measurement light is used in a calibration method of an endoscope system that irradiates measurement light from a tip portion of a probe inserted into a body lumen to measurement light, and obtains radiated light emitted from the measurement light target. A protective member covering the tip of the probe before irradiating
The protection member formed in the bottomed cylinder shape which consists of a cylindrical surrounding wall part and a bottom part The said bottom part is formed with the transparent thin film member.

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