JP2015198735A - biological observation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a biological observation system capable of reducing a burden of an operator in diagnosing a lesion.SOLUTION: The biological observation system is provided with: an illumination light generation part that irradiates a subject with illumination light for obtaining an observation image of the subject and oxygen saturation information indicating the magnitude of an oxygen saturation degree; an imaging part that receives light from the subject and generates an imaging signal of the subject; an observation image generation part that generates the observation image of the subject on the basis of the imaging signal and outputs the observation image to a display device; an oxygen saturation information acquisition part that acquires oxygen saturation information on the subject on the basis of the imaging signal; a determination part that determines, on the basis of the oxygen saturation information, whether or not a low oxygen area, which is an area where the magnitude of the oxygen saturation degree is less than a threshold, is present in an image obtained by imaging the subject; and a notification processing part that notifies, when a determination result that there is the low oxygen area is obtained by the determination part, of a low oxygen state along with the output of the observation image from the observation image generation part to the display device.

Description

  The present invention relates to a living body observation system, and more particularly to a living body observation system used for observation of living tissue.

  In endoscopic observation in the medical field, for example, a narrow-band light observation image obtained by irradiating a subject such as a biological mucous membrane with narrow-band light, which is light narrowed to have a predetermined wavelength band Based on the above, there is conventionally known a diagnostic method for identifying the type of lesion included in the subject and the grade of malignancy. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an endoscope system having a configuration applicable to the above-described diagnostic technique.

  Specifically, in Patent Document 1, in an endoscope system, narrowband light N1 set to a wavelength band of 410 ± 10 nm, narrowband light N2 set to a wavelength band of 440 ± 10 nm, and 470 The narrowband light N3 set in the wavelength band of ± 10 nm and the narrowband light N4 set in the wavelength band of 540 ± 10 nm are sequentially irradiated on the subject, and the narrowband lights N1 and N4 irradiated on the subject A blood vessel enhancement image is generated based on the return light of the narrow band light, an oxygen saturation image is generated based on the return light of the narrowband light N2 to N4 irradiated to the subject, and the generated blood vessel enhancement image and oxygen saturation image are generated. Is disclosed in parallel for display on a monitor.

  Here, according to the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, in a special observation mode, a blood vessel having a color tone that is significantly different from a white light observation image obtained by irradiating a subject such as a biological mucous membrane with white light. The enhanced image and the oxygen saturation image are always displayed in parallel on the monitor. Therefore, according to the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a problem that an excessive burden is imposed on the operator when diagnosing a lesion while confirming an image displayed on the monitor in the special observation mode. ing.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a living body observation system that can reduce the burden on an operator when diagnosing a lesion.

  The living body observation system of one embodiment of the present invention generates illumination light that irradiates a subject with illumination light for acquiring an observation image of the subject and oxygen saturation information indicating the magnitude of oxygen saturation An imaging unit that receives light from the subject and generates an imaging signal of the subject; an observation image generation unit that generates an observation image of the subject based on the imaging signal and outputs the observation image to a display device; An oxygen saturation information acquisition unit that acquires oxygen saturation information of the subject based on the imaging signal, and a magnitude of oxygen saturation in an image obtained by imaging the subject based on the oxygen saturation information A determination unit that determines whether or not there is a hypoxic region that is an area that is less than a predetermined threshold, and when the determination unit obtains a determination result that the hypoxic region exists, the observation image generation From the display to the display device When the observation image is output, it is informed that the hypoxic state is present, and when the determination result that the hypoxic region exists is not obtained, the observation image is not informed that the hypoxic state is present. A notification processing unit for outputting the information to the display device.

  According to the living body observation system of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the burden on the operator when diagnosing a lesion.

The figure which shows the structure of the principal part of the biological observation system which concerns on an Example. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of spectral characteristics of a primary color filter. The figure for demonstrating an example of the wavelength of the light emitted from a light source device. The figure which shows an example of a structure of the image signal process part in the biological observation system which concerns on an Example. The figure which shows an example of the look-up table used for the process which concerns on acquisition of an oxygen saturation value. The figure for demonstrating the process performed when acquiring oxygen saturation using the lookup table of FIG. The figure which shows an example of the display mode at the time of alert | reporting presence of a low oxygen area | region. The figure which shows an example of an oxygen saturation mask image. The figure which shows the example different from FIG. 8 of an oxygen saturation mask image. The figure which shows an example of the display mode of a white light observation image in case a low oxygen area | region exists. The figure which shows the example different from FIG. 10 of the display mode of the white light observation image in case a low oxygen area | region exists. The figure which shows an example of the display aspect of a narrow-band light observation image in case a low oxygen area | region exists. The figure which shows the example different from FIG. 12 of the display aspect of the narrow-band light observation image in case a low oxygen area | region exists.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
1 to 7 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of the living body observation system according to the embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the living body observation system 101 includes an elongated insertion portion that can be inserted into a subject that is a living body, and also captures an imaging signal by imaging a subject such as a living tissue in the subject. Output from the endoscope 1 that outputs the light, the light source device 2 that supplies illumination light used for observing the subject via the light guide 6 that is inserted and disposed inside the endoscope 1, and the endoscope 1. A processor 3 that generates and outputs an observation image or the like corresponding to the imaging signal, a display device 4 that displays an observation image or the like output from the processor 3, and an instruction or the like corresponding to a user input operation to the processor 3 And an input device 5 having switches and / or buttons that can be performed.

  The endoscope 1 images an illumination optical system 11 that irradiates the subject with light transmitted by the light guide 6 and reflected light (return light) emitted from the subject in accordance with the light emitted from the illumination optical system 11. The imaging unit 12 that outputs the obtained imaging signal is provided at the distal end of the insertion unit. The endoscope 1 includes a scope switch 13 that can give various instructions to the processor 3 in accordance with user operations.

  The imaging unit 12 is configured to capture reflected light (return light) from a subject illuminated by illumination light emitted from the light source device 2 and output an imaging signal. Specifically, the imaging unit 12 matches the imaging surface of the objective optical system 12a with an objective optical system 12a that forms an image of reflected light (returned light) emitted from the subject and a primary color filter 121. The image pickup device 12b is arranged.

  The image pickup device 12b includes, for example, a CCD and is driven according to the image pickup device drive signal output from the processor 3, and images reflected light (return light) from the subject imaged on the image pickup surface. The obtained imaging signal is output.

  The primary color filter 121 has a spectral sensitivity as illustrated in FIG. 2 in each wavelength band of the red color range, the green color range, and the blue color range. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of spectral characteristics of the primary color filter.

  That is, the imaging unit 12 according to the present exemplary embodiment captures a subject illuminated with R light (described later) with a pixel group having sensitivity in the red region, and increases sensitivity of the subject illuminated with G light (described later) in the green region. A pixel group having a sensitivity in a blue region of a subject illuminated with NB1 light (described later), a subject illuminated with NB2 light (described later), and a subject illuminated with NB3 light (described later). It is comprised so that it may image.

  For example, the scope switch 13 is instructed to the processor 3 to set (switch) the observation mode of the living body observation system 101 to either the white light observation mode or the narrowband light observation mode in accordance with a user operation. An observation mode switch (not shown) that can be performed is provided.

  The light source device 2 includes a light source driving unit 21 and a light emitting unit 22.

  The light source drive unit 21 includes, for example, a drive circuit. The light source driving unit 21 generates a light source driving signal for causing each light source of the light emitting unit 22 to emit light in a predetermined order based on the illumination control signal output from the processor 3, and emits the generated light source driving signal. It is configured to output to the unit 22.

  The light emitting unit 22 includes narrow band light sources 22a, 22b and 22c, a green light source 22d, and a red light source 22e.

  The narrow-band light source 22a includes, for example, a blue LED (light emitting diode) or a blue LD (laser diode), and is configured to generate NB1 light that is narrow-band blue light. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of the wavelength of light emitted from the light source device.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the NB1 light has a peak wavelength and a wavelength band such that the amount of change in the absorption coefficient with respect to the amount of oxygen saturation of blood hemoglobin is lower than that of the NB2 light and NB3 light described later. It has.

  The peak wavelength λP1 of the NB1 light is set as a wavelength such that a difference value ΔA1 obtained by subtracting the absorption coefficient of reduced hemoglobin from the absorption coefficient of oxyhemoglobin is smaller than later-described difference values ΔA2 and ΔA3. In the present embodiment, the peak wavelength λP1 is preferably set to a wavelength around 400 nm.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the wavelength band of the NB1 light is set to a shorter wavelength side than the wavelength bands of the NB2 light and the NB3 light in the blue region. Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, the wavelength band of the NB1 light is set as a wavelength band that does not overlap with the wavelength bands of the NB2 light and the NB3 light in the blue region. In the present embodiment, preferably, the wavelength band of the NB1 light is set as a wavelength band including a wavelength of 415 nm.

  The narrow-band light source 22b includes, for example, a blue LED or a blue LD, and is configured to generate NB2 light that is narrow-band blue light.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the NB2 light has a peak wavelength and a wavelength band such that the amount of change in the absorption coefficient relative to the amount of change in oxygen saturation of blood hemoglobin is higher than that of the NB1 light.

  The peak wavelength λP2 of the NB2 light is set as a wavelength such that a difference value ΔA2 obtained by subtracting the absorption coefficient of oxyhemoglobin from the absorption coefficient of reduced hemoglobin is larger than the above-described difference value ΔA1. In the present embodiment, the peak wavelength λP2 is preferably set to a wavelength around 440 nm.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the wavelength band of the NB2 light is set to a longer wavelength side than the wavelength band of the NB1 light and to a shorter wavelength side than the wavelength band of the NB3 light in the blue region. Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, the wavelength band of the NB2 light is set as a wavelength band that does not overlap with the wavelength bands of the NB1 light and the NB3 light in the blue region.

  That is, the wavelength band of NB2 light is set as a wavelength band in which the absorption coefficient changes in the visible region (blue region) according to the oxygen saturation of blood hemoglobin.

  The narrow-band light source 22c includes, for example, a blue LED or a blue LD, and is configured to generate NB3 light that is narrow-band blue light.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the NB3 light has a peak wavelength and a wavelength band such that the amount of change in the absorption coefficient with respect to the amount of change in oxygen saturation of blood hemoglobin is higher than that of the NB1 light.

  The peak wavelength λP3 of NB3 light is set as a wavelength at which a difference value ΔA3 obtained by subtracting the absorption coefficient of reduced hemoglobin from the absorption coefficient of oxyhemoglobin is larger than the above-described difference value ΔA1. In the present embodiment, the peak wavelength λP3 is preferably set to a wavelength in the vicinity of 470 nm.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the wavelength band of the NB3 light is set to a longer wavelength side than the wavelength bands of the NB2 light and the NB3 light in the blue region. Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, the wavelength band of the NB3 light is set as a wavelength band that does not overlap with the wavelength bands of the NB1 light and the NB2 light in the blue region.

  That is, the wavelength band of NB3 light is set as a wavelength band in which the absorption coefficient changes in the visible region (blue region) according to the oxygen saturation level of blood hemoglobin.

  The green light source 22d includes, for example, a green LED. Further, the green light source 22d is configured to generate G light that is green light having a wider wavelength band than the NB1 light, the NB2 light, and the NB3 light as illustrated in FIG. It is assumed that the wavelength band of G light is set so as not to overlap with the wavelength band of NB3 light. In the present embodiment, the wavelength band of G light is preferably set as a wavelength band including a wavelength of 540 nm.

  The red light source 22e includes, for example, a red LED. Further, the red light source 22e is configured to generate R light which is red light having a wider wavelength band than the NB1 light, NB2 light, and NB3 light as illustrated in FIG.

  The processor 3 includes a preprocessing unit 31, an image signal processing unit 32, a display image generation unit 33, and a control unit 34.

  The preprocessing unit 31 includes, for example, a noise reduction circuit, an A / D conversion circuit, and the like, and performs digital processing by performing processing such as noise removal and A / D conversion on the imaging signal output from the endoscope 1. An image signal is generated, and the generated image signal is output to the image signal processing unit 32.

  The image signal processing unit 32 is configured to operate based on a system control signal output from the control unit 34. Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the image signal processing unit 32 includes a color component separation unit 32A, a memory 32B, an oxygen saturation information acquisition unit 32C, and a determination unit 32D. Yes. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the image signal processing unit in the biological observation system according to the embodiment.

  The color component separation unit 32A images the image signal output from the preprocessing unit 31 by capturing the NB1 component obtained by imaging the reflected light (return light) of the NB1 light and the reflected light (return light) of the NB2 light. Obtained NB2 component, NB3 component obtained by imaging reflected light (return light) of NB3 light, G component obtained by imaging reflected light (return light) of G light, and reflected light of R light (return) Color separation processing is performed to separate each R color component obtained by imaging (light). Further, the color component separation unit 32A is based on the system control signal output from the control unit 34, and the oxygen saturation information acquisition unit 32C and the display image generation unit each color component obtained by the color separation process described above for one frame. It is configured to output to each of 33.

  The memory 32B stores a lookup table (described later) used for processing of the oxygen saturation information acquisition unit 32C.

  The oxygen saturation information acquisition unit 32C includes each pixel included in an image for one frame based on each color component output for each frame from the color component separation unit 32A and a lookup table stored in the memory 32B. A process (to be described later) for obtaining an oxygen saturation value is performed every time. Further, the oxygen saturation information acquisition unit 32C indicates oxygen saturation information indicating the magnitude of the oxygen saturation of the subject illuminated by the illumination light emitted from the light source device 2 based on the oxygen saturation value acquired by the above-described processing. And processing for outputting the acquired oxygen saturation information to the determination unit 32D. The oxygen saturation information acquisition unit 32C is configured to perform processing related to acquisition of oxygen saturation information and output to the determination unit 32D for each frame based on the system control signal output from the control unit 34. ing.

  Based on the oxygen saturation information output from the oxygen saturation information acquisition unit 32C, the determination unit 32D determines whether or not a low oxygen region in which the magnitude of the oxygen saturation is less than a predetermined threshold TH exists in the image. It is comprised so that the determination process for determining may be performed. The determination unit 32D performs the above-described determination process for each frame based on the system control signal output from the control unit 34, and outputs the determination result obtained by the above-described determination process to the display image generation unit 33. Is configured to do.

  The display image generation unit 33 has a function as an observation image generation unit, and includes a system control signal output from the control unit 34 and each color component output from the image signal processing unit 32 (output from the color component separation unit 32A). And an image corresponding to each color component), and the generated observation image is output to the display device 4.

  For example, when the display image generation unit 33 detects that the observation mode of the living body observation system 101 is set to the white light observation mode based on the system control signal output from the control unit 34, the image signal processing unit The luminance value of the R component output from 32 is assigned to the R channel corresponding to the red color of the display device 4, and the luminance value of the G component output from the image signal processing unit 32 is assigned to the G channel corresponding to the green color of the display device 4. The luminance value obtained by assigning and adding the NB1 component, the NB2 component, and the NB3 component output from the image signal processing unit 32 is assigned to the B channel corresponding to the blue color of the display device 4 to generate a white light observation image. It is configured.

  For example, when the display image generation unit 33 detects that the observation mode of the living body observation system 101 is set to the narrow-band light observation mode based on the system control signal output from the control unit 34, the image signal processing is performed. The luminance value of the G component output from the unit 32 is allocated to the R channel, the luminance value obtained by adding the NB1 component and the NB2 component output from the image signal processing unit 32 is allocated to the G channel, and the image signal processing unit 32 The narrow band light observation image is generated by assigning the luminance value obtained by adding the NB1 component and the NB2 component output from the B channel to the B channel.

  Based on the determination result output from the determination unit 32D, for example, when the display image generation unit 33 detects that the hypoxic region does not exist in the image, the display image generation unit 33 observes the observation image (white light observation image or narrow band light observation). The image is output to the display device 4 as it is.

  Based on the determination result output from the determination unit 32D, for example, when the display image generation unit 33 detects that a low oxygen region exists in the image, the display image generation unit 33 notifies the presence of the low oxygen region in the image. Processing for generating visual information including a predetermined symbol or a predetermined character string and outputting the generated visual information to the display device 4 together with an observation image (white light observation image or narrowband light observation image) Is configured to do.

  That is, the display image generation unit 33 of the present embodiment has a function as a notification processing unit, and when the determination result that the low oxygen region exists in the image is obtained by the determination unit 32D, the low oxygen region The processing for notifying the presence of the image is performed together with the output of the observation image (white light observation image or narrowband light observation image) to the display device 4.

  The control unit 34 is configured to generate and output an image sensor driving signal for driving the image sensor 12b.

  The control unit 34 is configured to generate an illumination control signal for generating NB1 light, NB2 light, NB3 light, G light, and R light in a predetermined order, and output the illumination control signal to the light source driving unit 21. .

  The control unit 34 includes, for example, a CPU or a control circuit, and generates a system control signal for performing an operation corresponding to the observation mode set in the observation mode switching switch of the scope switch 13 to generate an image signal processing unit. 32 and the display image generation unit 33.

  Then, the effect | action of the biological observation system 101 which concerns on a present Example is demonstrated. Hereinafter, for the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that the NB1 image, the NB2 image, the NB3 image, the G image, and the R image corresponding to each color component described above are obtained by the color separation processing of the color component separation unit 32A. To proceed.

  The controller 34 simultaneously generates the NB1 light and the G light at the first timing ta with the power-on of the processor 3, and the NB2 light and the R light at the second timing tb after the first timing ta. An illumination control signal for generating light at the same time and sequentially repeating the operation of generating NB3 light at the third timing tc after the second timing tb is generated and output to the light source driving unit 21. .

  Based on the illumination control signal output from the control unit 34, for example, the light source driving unit 21 causes only the narrow-band light source 22a and the green light source 22d to emit light at the first timing ta, and the narrow-band light source 22b at the second timing tb. Then, a light source driving signal is generated so that only the red light source 22e emits light and only the narrow-band light source 22c emits light at the third timing tc, and is output to the light emitting unit 22. Then, according to the operation of the light source driving unit 21, NB1 light and G light, NB2 light, R light, and NB3 light are sequentially irradiated through the illumination optical system 11 and reflected light from the subject ( An imaging signal obtained by imaging the (return light) is output from the imaging device 12b, and an image signal generated based on the imaging signal from the imaging device 12b is output from the preprocessing unit 31.

  The color component separation unit 32A performs color separation processing for separating the image signal output from the preprocessing unit 31 into the NB1 image, the NB2 image, the NB3 image, the G image, and the R image, and performs the color separation processing. Each image obtained by the above is output to the oxygen saturation information acquisition unit 32C and the display image generation unit 33 by one frame.

  Based on the NB1 image and the NB2 image output from the color component separation unit 32A, the oxygen saturation information acquisition unit 32C subtracts the luminance value of the target pixel Pi in the NB1 image from the luminance value of the target pixel Pi in the NB2 image. The division value DA is calculated by Further, the oxygen saturation information acquisition unit 32C removes the luminance value of the target pixel Pi in the NB1 image from the luminance value of the target pixel Pi in the NB3 image based on the NB1 image and the NB3 image output from the color component separation unit 32A. Thus, a process for calculating the division value DB is performed.

  Here, the lookup table stored in the memory 32B includes, for example, an X axis that defines the division value DA as the X coordinate value, and a Y axis that defines the division value DB as the Y coordinate value, as shown in FIG. Are expressed as a result of adding a V-axis defining an oxygen saturation value indicated as a value of 0% to 100% as a V coordinate value with respect to an orthogonal coordinate system (hereinafter abbreviated as XY coordinate system). The 5 is represented as a line segment having a negative slope in the XY coordinate system. Therefore, according to the lookup table illustrated in FIG. 5, for example, when the division value DA is larger than the division value DB, a relatively large oxygen saturation value is acquired, while the division value DA is divided. If it is smaller than the value DB, a relatively small oxygen saturation value is acquired. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a look-up table used for processing related to acquisition of the oxygen saturation value.

  Based on the division values DA and DB and the lookup table including the XY coordinate system and the V axis as shown in FIG. 5, the oxygen saturation information acquisition unit 32C has coordinates (Xd, Yd) corresponding to the division values DA and DB. ) Is specified in the XY coordinate system, and the V coordinate value at the intersection of the perpendicular line from the specified coordinates (Xd, Yd) to the V axis and the V axis is acquired as the oxygen saturation value Vdi of the pixel of interest Pi. Such processing is performed (see FIG. 6). FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining processing performed when oxygen saturation is acquired using the lookup table of FIG.

  The oxygen saturation information acquisition unit 32C acquires the oxygen saturation value Vd for each pixel included in the image for one frame by repeatedly performing the process described above while changing the pixel of interest Pi. .

  Then, the oxygen saturation information acquisition unit 32C outputs the oxygen saturation value Vd for each pixel included in the image for one frame to the determination unit 32D as oxygen saturation information. Alternatively, the oxygen saturation information acquisition unit 32C calculates an average oxygen saturation value AVd that is an average value of the oxygen saturation values Vd for each pixel included in an image for one frame, and calculates the calculated average oxygen saturation. The value AVd is output to the determination unit 32D as oxygen saturation information. Alternatively, the oxygen saturation information acquisition unit 32C calculates an average oxygen saturation value RVd that is an average value of the oxygen saturation values Vd for each pixel included in a predetermined region of interest set in an image for one frame. Then, the calculated average oxygen saturation value RVd is output to the determination unit 32D as oxygen saturation information. In the present embodiment, preferably, the predetermined region of interest is set as a region including the central portion of the image.

  The determination unit 32D performs determination processing for determining whether or not a low oxygen region exists in the image based on the oxygen saturation information output from the oxygen saturation information acquisition unit 32C.

  Specifically, the determination unit 32D, based on the oxygen saturation information output from the oxygen saturation information acquisition unit 32C, satisfies, for example, less than the threshold TH in each oxygen saturation value Vd in the oxygen saturation information. If it is detected that one or more objects are included, it is determined that a hypoxic region exists in the image, and each oxygen saturation value Vd in the oxygen saturation information is less than the threshold value TH. When it is detected that no object exists, it is determined that there is no hypoxic region in the image.

  Alternatively, the determination unit 32D, based on the oxygen saturation information output from the oxygen saturation information acquisition unit 32C, for example, one of the average oxygen saturation value AVd or the average oxygen saturation value RVd included in the oxygen saturation information. If the value is less than the threshold value TH, it is determined that a hypoxic region is present in the image, and if the one value included in the oxygen saturation information is greater than or equal to the threshold value TH, It is determined that there is no hypoxic region inside.

  Then, the determination unit 32D outputs the determination result obtained by performing the determination process as described above to the display image generation unit 33.

  In the present embodiment, for example, by setting the threshold value TH used in the determination process of the determination unit 32D to 30%, the presence or absence of a lesion such as cancer that exhibits an oxygen saturation level of about 20 to 30% is suitably set. Can be detected.

  When the display image generation unit 33 detects that the hypoxic region does not exist in the image based on the determination result output from the determination unit 32D, the display image generation unit 33 observes an observation image (white light observation image or narrow band light observation image). Is output to the display device 4 as it is.

  When the display image generation unit 33 detects the presence of a low oxygen region in the image based on the determination result output from the determination unit 32D, the display image generation unit 33 notifies the presence of the low oxygen region in the image. Processing for generating visual information including a predetermined symbol or a predetermined character string and outputting the generated visual information to the display device 4 together with an observation image (white light observation image or narrowband light observation image) I do. Then, according to such processing of the display image generation unit 33, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, an observation image (white light observation image or narrowband light observation image) and a predetermined position outside the observation image are displayed. The icon 71 that is lit or blinking is displayed in the screen of the display device 4 together. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display mode when the presence of the low oxygen region is notified.

  When the display image generation unit 33 according to the present embodiment detects the presence of a low oxygen region in the image, the display image generation unit 33 generates visual information for notifying the presence of the low oxygen region in the image. The generated visual information is not limited to the process for outputting the visual information to the display device 4 together with the observation image. For example, the audio information for notifying the existence of the hypoxic region in the image is generated, and the generation is performed. The processing for outputting the observation image to the display device 4 may be performed while outputting the sound information to a sound output device such as a speaker.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, lesions exhibiting low oxygen saturation compared to arterial blood and venous blood without changing the color tone of the entire image in the white light observation image and the narrow band light observation image. The operator can be notified of the presence or absence. Further, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent as much as possible the missed lesion in the white light observation mode. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the burden on the operator when diagnosing the lesion can be reduced.

(Second embodiment)
8 to 13 relate to a second embodiment of the present invention.

  In this embodiment, the processing of the display image generation unit 33 is different from that of the first embodiment, but the configuration of the first embodiment can be used for other than the processing of the display image generation unit 33. it can. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the description regarding the processing of the display image generation unit 33 will be mainly performed while omitting the detailed description regarding the part that can use the configuration of the first embodiment.

  The display image generation unit 33 divides the luminance value of the NB2 image by the luminance value of the NB1 image when detecting the presence of a hypoxic region in the image based on the determination result output from the determination unit 32D. Thus, the oxygen saturation mask image MB1 corresponding to the calculation result of the division value DA for each pixel included in the image for one frame is generated. Alternatively, the display image generation unit 33 divides the luminance value of the NB3 image by the luminance value of the NB1 image when detecting the presence of a hypoxic region in the image based on the determination result output from the determination unit 32D. Thus, the oxygen saturation mask image MB2 corresponding to the calculation result of the division value DB for each pixel included in the image for one frame is generated. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of an oxygen saturation mask image. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the oxygen saturation mask image different from FIG.

  In the oxygen saturation mask image MB1, as shown in FIG. 8, a low oxygen region having a relatively small division value DA is shown as a dark region, and a non-low oxygen region having a relatively large division value DA. Is generated as an image as shown as a bright region. Each division value DA of the oxygen saturation mask image MB1 is calculated as a value less than 1.

  In the oxygen saturation mask image MB2, as shown in FIG. 9, a low oxygen region having a relatively large division value DB is shown as a bright region, and a non-low oxygen region having a relatively small division value DB. Is generated as an image that is shown as a dark region. Each division value DB of the oxygen saturation mask image MB2 is calculated as a value of 1 or more.

  When the observation mode of the biological observation system 101 is set to the white light observation mode and the display image generation unit 33 detects that a low oxygen region exists in the image, the display image generation unit 33 displays the oxygen saturation mask image MB1 or MB2 The luminance value obtained by multiplying the R image output from the image signal processing unit 32 is assigned to the R channel, and the luminance value of the G image output from the image signal processing unit 32 is the G channel corresponding to the green color of the display device 4. And a luminance value obtained by adding the NB1 image, the NB2 image, and the NB3 image output from the image signal processing unit 32 is assigned to the B channel corresponding to the blue color of the display device 4 to generate a white light observation image. .

  For example, when the oxygen saturation mask image MB1 is multiplied by the R image by the processing of the display image generation unit 33 described above, a white light observation image as shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display mode of a white light observation image when a low oxygen region is present.

  The low oxygen region in the white light observation image of FIG. 10 is displayed in cyan so that the intensity increases according to the low oxygen saturation. In addition, the non-hypoxic region in the white light observation image of FIG. 10 is displayed in a color tone that is substantially the same as when the hypoxic region does not exist in the image.

  For example, when the oxygen saturation mask image MB2 is multiplied by the R image by the processing of the display image generation unit 33 described above, a white light observation image as shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the display mode of the white light observation image in the case where the low oxygen region exists, which is different from FIG.

  The low oxygen region in the white light observation image of FIG. 11 is displayed in red so that the intensity increases according to the low oxygen saturation. In addition, the non-hypoxic region in the white light observation image of FIG. 11 is displayed in a color tone that is substantially the same as when the hypoxic region does not exist in the image.

  On the other hand, when the observation mode of the living body observation system 101 is set to the narrow-band light observation mode and the display image generation unit 33 detects that the low oxygen region exists in the image, the display image generation unit 33 detects the oxygen saturation mask image MB1. Alternatively, the luminance value obtained by multiplying the G image output from the image signal processing unit 32 by MB2 to the R channel and adding the NB1 component and the NB2 component output from the image signal processing unit 32 Is assigned to the G channel, and a luminance value obtained by adding the NB1 component and the NB2 component output from the image signal processing unit 32 is assigned to the B channel, thereby generating a narrowband light observation image.

  For example, when the oxygen saturation mask image MB1 is multiplied by the G image by the processing of the display image generation unit 33 described above, a narrowband light observation image as shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display mode of a narrow-band light observation image when a low oxygen region is present.

  The low oxygen region in the narrow-band light observation image of FIG. 12 is displayed in a cyan color that increases in intensity according to the low oxygen saturation. In addition, the non-hypoxic region in the narrow-band light observation image of FIG. 12 is displayed with a color tone that is substantially the same as when the hypoxic region does not exist in the image.

  For example, when the oxygen saturation mask image MB2 is multiplied by the G image by the processing of the display image generation unit 33 described above, a narrowband light observation image as shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the display mode of the narrow-band light observation image when a low oxygen region exists, which is different from FIG.

  The low oxygen region in the narrow-band light observation image of FIG. 13 is displayed in red so that the intensity increases according to the low oxygen saturation. In addition, the non-hypoxic region in the narrow-band light observation image of FIG. 13 is displayed with a color tone that is substantially the same as when the hypoxic region does not exist in the image.

  That is, the display image generation unit 33 of the present embodiment has a function as a notification processing unit, and when the determination result that the low oxygen region exists in the image is obtained by the determination unit 32D, the low oxygen region The processing for notifying the presence of the image is performed together with the generation of the observation image (white light observation image or narrow band light observation image). In addition, the display image generation unit 33 according to the present embodiment calculates the division value of the color tone of the low oxygen region included in the observation image when the determination unit 32D obtains the determination result that the low oxygen region exists in the image. It is configured to perform processing for changing based on DA or division value DB.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the white light observation image and the narrow band light observation image, it is possible to easily identify the position where the lesion showing the oxygen saturation lower than the arterial blood and the venous blood exists. Information can be presented to the surgeon. Further, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent as much as possible the missed lesion in the white light observation mode. Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, in the narrow-band light mode, a narrow-band light observation image that can specify the type of lesion, the malignancy, etc. is displayed without depending as much as possible on the individual's proficiency in interpretation. be able to. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the burden on the operator when diagnosing the lesion can be reduced.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is needless to say that various changes and applications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Endoscope 2 Light source device 3 Processor 4 Display apparatus 5 Input device 6 Light guide 11 Illumination optical system 12 Imaging part 13 Scope switch 21 Light source drive part 22 Light emission unit 22a, 22b, 22c Narrow-band light source 22d Green light source 22e Red light source 31 Preprocessing unit 32 Image signal processing unit 32A Color component separation unit 32B Memory 32C Oxygen saturation information acquisition unit 32D Determination unit 33 Display image generation unit 34 Control unit 101 Living body observation system

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-13656

Claims (10)

An illumination light generator that irradiates the subject with an illumination light for obtaining an observation image of the subject and oxygen saturation information indicating the magnitude of oxygen saturation;
An imaging unit that receives light from the subject and generates an imaging signal of the subject;
An observation image generation unit that generates an observation image of the subject based on the imaging signal and outputs the observation image to a display device;
An oxygen saturation information acquisition unit that acquires oxygen saturation information of the subject based on the imaging signal;
A determination unit that determines, based on the oxygen saturation information, whether or not there is a low oxygen region in which an oxygen saturation level is less than a predetermined threshold in an image obtained by imaging the subject. When,
When the determination result that the hypoxic region exists is obtained by the determination unit, the observation image generation unit notifies the display device that the hypoxic state is present together with the output of the observation image. A notification processing unit that outputs the observation image to the display device without notifying that the hypoxic state is present when the determination result that the hypoxic region exists is not obtained;
A living body observation system comprising: The illumination light generation unit includes a first light having a wavelength band that has different wavelength bands as the illumination light and has a light absorption coefficient that changes according to the oxygen saturation of blood hemoglobin in the subject; Second light and third light having a wavelength band such that the amount of change in the absorption coefficient with respect to the amount of oxygen saturation of blood hemoglobin is lower than that of the first light and the second light. And
The oxygen saturation information acquisition unit is obtained by imaging the first image obtained by imaging the subject illuminated by the first light and the subject illuminated by the second light. The oxygen saturation information is acquired based on the second image and the third image obtained by imaging the subject illuminated by the third light. The living body observation system described in 1. The oxygen saturation information acquisition unit obtains the first division value obtained by dividing the luminance value of the third image from the luminance value of the first image as a process for acquiring the oxygen saturation information. And an oxygen saturation value corresponding to a combination of the second divided value obtained by dividing the luminance value of the third image from the luminance value of the second image by imaging the subject. The living body observation system according to claim 2, wherein processing for obtaining each pixel in the obtained image is performed. The determination unit detects the subject when it detects that each oxygen saturation value calculated by the oxygen saturation information acquisition unit includes one or more of the oxygen saturation values less than the predetermined threshold. The living body observation system according to claim 3, wherein it is determined that the low oxygen region is present in an image obtained by imaging. The oxygen saturation information acquisition unit further calculates an average value of oxygen saturation values for each pixel in an image obtained by imaging the subject as a process for acquiring the oxygen saturation information. The process or the process of calculating an average value of oxygen saturation values for each pixel included in a predetermined region of interest set in an image obtained by imaging the subject is performed. The living body observation system according to 3. When the determination unit detects that the average value calculated by the oxygen saturation information acquisition unit is less than the predetermined threshold value, the low oxygen region is included in an image obtained by imaging the subject. The living body observation system according to claim 5, wherein the living body observation system is determined to be present. When the determination result that the low oxygen region exists is obtained by the determination unit, the notification processing unit notifies the presence of the low oxygen region as a process for notifying the presence of the low oxygen region. The living body observation system according to claim 2, wherein processing for generating visual information for generating the visual information and outputting the generated visual information together with the observation image to the display device is performed. The notification processing unit is configured to notify the presence of the low oxygen region when the determination result that the low oxygen region exists is obtained by the determination unit. The living body observation system according to claim 3, wherein processing for changing a color tone of the low oxygen region included in the observation image is performed based on a division value of 2. The illumination light generation unit includes the first light that is blue light, the second light that is blue light on a longer wavelength side than the first light, the first light, and the second light. Generating the third light that is blue light shorter than the light, the fourth light that is red light, and the fifth light that is green light;
When the determination result that the low oxygen region exists is obtained by the determination unit, the notification processing unit generates a fourth image obtained by imaging the subject illuminated by the fourth light. The observation image generation unit performs a process of multiplying the first division value or the second division value, and when the determination unit obtains a determination result that the hypoxic region exists, A luminance value of the fourth image multiplied by the division value or the second division value is assigned to the red channel of the display device, and a first value obtained by imaging the subject illuminated by the fifth light. 5 is assigned to the green channel of the display device, and the luminance value obtained by adding the first image, the second image, and the third image is assigned to the blue channel of the display device. The observed image Generate
The living body observation system according to claim 1. The illumination light generation unit includes the first light that is blue light, the second light that is blue light on a longer wavelength side than the first light, the first light, and the second light. Generating the third light, which is blue light on the shorter wavelength side than the light, and the fourth light, which is green light,
When the determination result that the low oxygen region exists is obtained by the determination unit, the notification processing unit generates a fourth image obtained by imaging the subject illuminated by the fourth light. The observation image generation unit performs a process of multiplying the first division value or the second division value, and when the determination unit obtains a determination result that the hypoxic region exists, A luminance value obtained by assigning the luminance value of the fourth image multiplied by the division value or the second division value to the red channel of the display device and adding the first image and the third image. Is assigned to the green channel of the display device, and the observation image is generated by assigning the luminance value obtained by adding the first image and the third image to the blue channel of the display device.
The living body observation system according to claim 1.

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