JP2020081031A - Information processing device, treatment device, notification method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an information processing device for providing a user with information that allows a progress of optical treatment to be grasped.SOLUTION: An information processing device for supporting optical treatment in which treatment light is irradiated to a subject includes: progress information generation means for generating information indicating a progress of optical treatment on the basis of a reception signal of a photoacoustic wave generated when excitation light is irradiated to the subject; and notification control means for notifying of the progress of the optical treatment by notification means on the basis of the information indicating the progress of the optical treatment.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device that supports optical treatment by light irradiation.

In the medical field, optical treatment has been proposed in which treatments such as removal of moles and stains and hair loss are performed by light irradiation. Patent Document 1 describes a laser treatment apparatus that irradiates a lesion tissue with a laser in order to treat a lesion tissue such as a nevus, skin tumor, or hemangioma.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2006-030622

However, if the light irradiation is excessive or insufficient in the optical treatment, the therapeutic effect may be reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device that provides a user with information that allows the user to grasp the progress of optical therapy.

An information processing apparatus according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus that supports optical therapy for irradiating a subject with therapeutic light, and is light generated by irradiating the subject with excitation light for exciting a photoacoustic wave. Based on the received signal of the acoustic wave, progress information generating means for generating information indicating the progress of the optical treatment, and notification control means for notifying the notifying means of the progress of the optical treatment based on the information indicating the progress of the optical treatment. Have.

According to the information processing apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to provide the user with information that allows the user to know the progress of optical therapy.

Block diagram of a treatment apparatus according to the first or third embodiment The figure which shows the photoacoustic signal data in 1st embodiment. Operation flowchart of the treatment apparatus in the first or third embodiment Schematic diagram of a part of the treatment apparatus according to the first embodiment Block diagram of a treatment apparatus according to a second embodiment Operation flowchart of the treatment apparatus in the second embodiment The figure which shows the display screen in 2nd embodiment The figure which shows the frequency component of the photoacoustic signal data in 3rd embodiment. The figure which shows the display screen in 3rd embodiment Block diagram of specific examples of information processing unit and its peripherals

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and their relative arrangements of the components described below should be appropriately changed according to the configuration of the device to which the invention is applied and various conditions, and the scope of the present invention is not limited. It is not intended to be limited to the following description.

<First Embodiment>
In optical treatment, it is difficult for the user to visually recognize the state of the treatment target site inside the subject, and thus it is difficult to grasp the appropriate completion timing of the optical treatment. As a result, if the light irradiation is excessive or deficient, there is a possibility that the therapeutic effect may be reduced, such as recurrence or prolonged downtime. The present embodiment relates to an apparatus for grasping the progress of optical therapy by analyzing a received signal of a photoacoustic wave generated from a subject.

FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram showing a treatment apparatus according to this embodiment. The treatment apparatus shown in FIG. 1 includes a light source 101, a housing 103, a light transmission unit 104, an acoustic sensor 105, an information processing unit 106, a notification unit 107, a power supply unit 108, and a signal data generation unit 109. The housing 103 that can be held by the user stores an optical transmission unit 104, an acoustic sensor 105, a signal data generation unit 109, an information processing unit 106, a notification unit 107, and a power supply unit 108.

The light source 101 emits light as treatment light for treatment. Further, the light source 101 generates light as excitation light for exciting the photoacoustic wave. The treatment light desirably satisfies the condition of light used for treatment by light irradiation. The excitation light of the photoacoustic wave is preferably pulsed light that satisfies the heat confinement condition and the stress confinement condition. For example, the pulse width of the pulsed light as the excitation light may be on the order of nanoseconds for efficient generation of photoacoustic waves. For example, as the light source 101, a laser such as a YAG laser, a ruby laser, an alexandrite laser, an LD, or an LED can be used. The user may be able to set irradiation parameters such as irradiation light quantity, frequency, wavelength, etc., by operating the user interface of the treatment apparatus. The treatment device may also include a control interface for starting and stopping the irradiation. In addition to the pulsed light, the light source 101 may also include a light source capable of generating continuous light with a visually observable intensity as the guide light. A helium neon laser, a semiconductor laser, an LED, or the like is used as the light source for the guide. The irradiation positions of the guide light and the treatment light on the subject 102 are substantially coincident with each other, and the user irradiates the treatment light after adjusting the guide light to the treatment target site on the subject. The light source that emits the treatment light and the light source that emits the excitation light of the photoacoustic wave may be configured by a single light source as in the present embodiment, or may be configured by separate light sources. .. Since a single light source emits both therapeutic light and excitation light, the cost of the light source can be reduced.

The subject 102 is a treatment target of the optical treatment apparatus and is a part of the body of the subject. The site to be treated is the skin of the subject, and in particular, a mole of the skin, a spot, a bruise, a hair root and the like can be mentioned. When the subject 102 is irradiated with excitation light, a light absorber such as melanin or hemoglobin contained in the treatment target 102 absorbs the excitation light and a photoacoustic wave is generated.

The housing 103 stores the optical transmission unit 104, the acoustic sensor 105, the signal data generation unit 109, the information processing unit 106, the notification unit 107, and the power supply unit 108. The housing 103 is configured to be held by a user. The user holds the housing 103 and defines the position of the housing 103 with respect to the subject 102, so that the positional relationship between the emitting end of the optical transmission unit 104, the receiving surface of the acoustic sensor 105, and the subject 102 is determined. Can be defined. As a result, the desired position of the subject 102 can be irradiated with light, and the photoacoustic wave from the desired position of the subject 102 can be received by the acoustic sensor 105. For this reason, the housing 103 only needs to house at least the acoustic sensor 105 and the light emitting unit of the light transmitting unit 104.

The light transmission unit 104 guides the light from the light source 101 to the subject 102. The optical transmission unit 104 may include an optical system for expanding or contracting the beam to an appropriate size. Note that the optical transmission unit 104 may have any configuration as long as the subject can be irradiated with desired light. Further, when the light source 101 directly irradiates the subject 102 with light, the light transmission unit 104 is not necessary.

The light source 101 and the light transmission unit 104 for irradiating the subject 102 with the excitation light for exciting the photoacoustic wave are collectively referred to as a first light irradiation unit. On the other hand, the light source 101 and the light transmission unit 104 for irradiating the subject 102 with the treatment light for optical treatment are collectively referred to as a second light irradiation unit. The first light irradiating means and the second light irradiating means may be composed of a common light source and a light transmitting section as in the present embodiment, or each light irradiating means may have a different light source and light transmitting section. You may have. Moreover, each light irradiation means may have a common light source and may have different light transmission parts.

The acoustic sensor 105 as a receiving unit is an acoustic sensor that receives a photoacoustic wave and converts it into an electric signal. In the present specification, the reception signal of the photoacoustic wave as the electric signal output from the acoustic sensor 105 as the receiving unit is also referred to as a photoacoustic signal. The acoustic sensor 105 can employ an electromechanical conversion element such as a piezo element or a CMUT. Further, the acoustic sensor 105 may employ an optical electromechanical conversion element capable of non-contact detection of acoustic waves.

The signal data generation unit 109 is a circuit block that receives a photoacoustic signal from the acoustic sensor 105 and performs amplification, A/D conversion, and digital signal processing. As the digital signal processing performed by the signal data generation unit 109, filter processing for noise removal or frequency response correction processing of the acoustic sensor is performed. The photoacoustic signal data after digital signal processing is stored in the memory. The signal data generation unit 109 includes an amplifier circuit, an A/D converter, an FPGA, a memory, a microprocessor, and the like.

In the present embodiment, for example, the sampling frequency of the A/D converter of the signal data generator 109 is 500 MHz. Then, the signal data generation unit 109 stores the data for the period of 10 μs from the emission of the pulsed light in the memory. When the sound velocity inside the subject is 1500 m/s, photoacoustic signals from a depth of up to 15 mm can be stored within 10 μs. The signal data generation unit 109 includes an optical sensor (not shown) for detecting the light emission timing. Then, the data for a period of 10 μs from the timing when the light sensor detects the light emission timing is sampled and stored in the internal memory.

The information processing unit 106 as an information processing device performs a process of generating information regarding the progress of treatment on the photoacoustic signal data stored in the memory.

The notification unit 107 notifies the user of the information regarding the progress of the treatment generated by the information processing unit 106. The information processing unit 106 corresponds to a notification control unit that controls the notification by the notification unit 107. For example, the notification unit 107 includes a light emitting unit such as an LED. The microprocessor in the information processing unit 106 communicates with the notification unit 107 in accordance with the progress of the treatment such as the completion of the treatment, and controls to turn on the LED or change the color of the LED. Further, a plurality of LEDs may be adopted as the notification unit 107, and the number of lit LEDs may be changed according to the progress of treatment. Although an LED is shown as an example of the light emitting means here, any means may be used as long as it notifies the user of the result by light. During optical therapy, the user may wear protective glasses to protect his eyes from laser light. The LED uses a color that is easily visible even when wearing protective glasses.

Further, a sound generating means for generating a sound may be adopted as the notification unit 107. For example, a speaker may be provided as the notification unit 107, and a sound may be output when the treatment is completed to notify the user of the treatment completion. By using the sound, the treatment completion timing can be known without looking at the LED during the treatment while wearing the protective glasses, and the workability of the user is improved.

A vibrator (vibrating means) may be used as the notification unit 107. The information processing unit 106 causes the vibrator to perform vibration according to the progress of the treatment. For example, when the treatment is completed, the user may be notified of the treatment completion by vibrating the portion gripped by the user. By using the vibration, it is possible to know the treatment completion without looking at the LED during the treatment while wearing the protective glasses. In addition, since it is assumed that the sound from the high-voltage power supply, the fan, etc. is loud during the treatment, there is a possibility that the sound notification may be missed. Even in that case, if vibration is used as the notification method, the treatment completion timing can be grasped even when the noise is large.

Further, the notification unit 107 may notify the user of the intensity itself of the photoacoustic signal data. In this case, the information processing unit 106 does not have to generate the information indicating the progress of the treatment based on the photoacoustic signal data. For example, a plurality of LEDs may be adopted as the notification unit 107, and the number of LEDs to be turned on may be changed according to the intensity of the photoacoustic signal data to notify the user. Since the user can perform the optical treatment while confirming the decrease in the intensity of the photoacoustic signal, it is possible to perform the treatment with good visibility as to whether the irradiation is correct or how much irradiation is required.

Reference numeral 108 is a power source for the information processing unit 106, the notification unit 107, and the signal data generation unit 109. A small battery or the like can be used for the power supply unit 108.

FIG. 10 shows a specific configuration example of the information processing unit 106 according to this embodiment. The information processing unit 106 according to this embodiment includes a CPU 1310, a GPU 1320, a RAM 1330, a ROM 1340, and an external storage device 1350. Further, a liquid crystal display 1410 as a notification unit, a mouse 1510 as an input unit, and a keyboard 1520 are connected to the information processing unit 106. Further, the information processing unit 106 is connected to an image server 1210 as a storage device such as a PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System). Thereby, the image data can be stored in the image server 1210 and the image data in the image server 1210 can be displayed on the liquid crystal display 1410.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the treatment apparatus according to this embodiment.

In step S301, the information processing unit 106 as a setting unit sets the light irradiation parameter according to the treatment content of the subject 102. The light irradiation parameter includes information such as the amount of irradiation light, frequency, wavelength, irradiation time. The user may operate the interface of the light source 101 to instruct the light irradiation parameters. The information processing unit 106 also sets treatment conditions such as information on the number of treatments, treatment details, and types of light sources. The treatment condition may be manually designated by the user or may be automatically set by the information processing unit 106. Further, the information processing unit 106 may automatically set the light irradiation parameter according to the treatment condition.

Subsequently, in step S302, the treatment apparatus irradiates the subject 102 with light. The user applies gel or the like for acoustic matching to the subject 102 and positions it on the front surfaces of the optical transmission unit 104 and the acoustic sensor 105. Then, the user operates the interface of the light source 101 to give a laser irradiation start instruction. In order to efficiently propagate the photoacoustic wave to the acoustic sensor, the user needs to acoustically contact the acoustic sensor 105 and the subject 102. Note that if the acoustic sensor 105 can detect an acoustic wave without contacting the subject 102, acoustic matching between the acoustic sensor 105 and the subject 102 is unnecessary.

Then, in step S303, the light source 101 confirms the control instruction from the user. If the irradiation start instruction has been issued, the process proceeds to step S304. If the laser stop instruction has been issued, the process proceeds to step S308. If no instruction is given, the treatment apparatus waits until the user gives a control instruction.

Subsequently, in step S304, the light source 101 generates treatment light based on the irradiation parameter set in step S301, and irradiates the subject 102 via the optical transmission unit 104.

Subsequently, in step S305, the light source 101 generates excitation light of a photoacoustic wave and irradiates the subject 102 via the optical transmission unit 104. The pulsed light is absorbed at the light absorption site inside the subject 102, and a photoacoustic wave is generated. When the treatment light and the excitation light are common light, step S304 and step S305 are executed at the same time. Further, the excitation light may be irradiated once for each irradiation of the treatment light, or the excitation light may be irradiated after the treatment light is irradiated plural times. Regarding how many times the therapeutic light is irradiated and then the excitation light is irradiated, a method in which the user indicates the number of times or a method in which the information processing unit 106 determines the number of times based on the treatment condition can be adopted.

Subsequently, in step S306, the acoustic sensor 105 receives the photoacoustic z-wave generated from the subject 102 and outputs the photoacoustic signal to the signal data generation unit 109. The signal data generation unit 109 amplifies and A/D converts the photoacoustic signal and stores digital data called photoacoustic signal data in a memory.

Subsequently, in step S307, the information processing unit 106 as the progress information generating unit analyzes the photoacoustic signal data and generates information indicating the progress of the treatment. For example, the information processing unit 106 determines whether to end the treatment based on the photoacoustic signal data. Then, when it is determined that the treatment should be ended, the information processing unit 106 generates information indicating the completion of the treatment as the information indicating the progress of the treatment. The information processing unit 106 generates information indicating the completion of optical therapy when the photoacoustic signal data satisfies a predetermined condition. The predetermined condition in each embodiment will be described later.

It is said that, when the subject 102 is repeatedly irradiated with light in the optical treatment, the melanin particles at the treatment site disappear or are crushed by the light. As a result, it is assumed that the intensity of the photoacoustic wave emitted from the treatment site gradually decreases as the treatment progresses.

FIG. 2A is an example of the photoacoustic signal data generated by the signal data generation unit 109 by one light irradiation immediately after the start of treatment. The horizontal axis shows the elapsed time from the light irradiation, and the vertical axis shows the intensity of the photoacoustic signal data. Reference numeral 201 is a reception signal of a photoacoustic wave generated on the surface of the acoustic sensor by light irradiation. On the other hand, reference numeral 202 is a received signal of a photoacoustic wave generated from a treatment target region (for example, a mole or stain containing melanin particles) inside the subject 102.

FIG. 2B is an example of the photoacoustic signal data generated by the signal data generation unit 109 by irradiating the treatment light a plurality of times and performing the laser irradiation once when the treatment is advanced. The horizontal axis represents the elapsed time from laser irradiation, and the vertical axis represents the intensity of photoacoustic signal data. Reference numeral 203 is a received signal of a photoacoustic wave generated on the surface of the acoustic sensor. On the other hand, reference numeral 204 is a received signal of a photoacoustic wave generated from the treatment target site inside the subject 102. The reception signals 201 and 203 of the photoacoustic waves generated on the surface of the acoustic sensor are almost unchanged even if the treatment progresses. On the other hand, regarding the reception signals 202 and 204 of the photoacoustic waves generated from the treatment target region, the reception signal 204 after the treatment has a smaller intensity. This is because the melanin particles, which are the light absorption sites inside the subject, are decomposed and disappeared by the laser irradiation, and the absorption amount of the excitation light at the treatment target site is reduced. In the analysis of the photoacoustic signal data in the information processing unit 106, the reception signals 201 and 203 of the photoacoustic waves generated by the acoustic sensor are excluded from the analysis target, and the reception signals 202 and 204 of the photoacoustic waves generated at the treatment target site are analyzed. set to target. For example, the information processing unit 106 sets, as the analysis target, the signal data having the highest intensity among the photoacoustic signal data after a certain period of time from the light irradiation. For example, the period for searching for the signal to be analyzed may be a period after the light irradiation timing has elapsed by a value (time) obtained by dividing the distance between the acoustic sensor and the subject by the sound velocity of the photoacoustic wave. In addition, the received signal of the photoacoustic wave generated at the treatment target site may be extracted from the photoacoustic signal data that is a time signal, and the signal may be extracted by any method as long as it can be an analysis target.

FIG. 2C shows a temporal change of the intensity of the received signal of the photoacoustic wave generated at the treatment target site for each light irradiation. The horizontal axis represents the order number of light irradiation (a value indicating how many times the light irradiation is performed), and the vertical axis represents the intensity of the received signal of the photoacoustic wave from the treatment target site. Reference numerals 205 and 206 are thresholds for signal strength. Reference numeral 207 is the time when the information processing unit 106 determines that the treatment is completed. When the repetition frequency of light irradiation is 1 Hz, the peak value of the signal intensity is stored in the memory at a cycle of 1 second. FIG. 2(c) is a bar graph showing this peak value. The intensity of the photoacoustic signal data decreases as the number of irradiations increases (the treatment progresses), and when the intensity falls below the threshold value 205, it is determined that the treatment is completed. The threshold 205 may be a fixed value in advance, or the user may operate the input means to instruct the threshold 205. Further, the information processing unit 106 may set the treatment completion threshold 205 based on the intensity of the received signal of the photoacoustic wave immediately after the treatment is started. For example, the photoacoustic wave immediately after the start of treatment is a photoacoustic wave generated by any one of the first to tenth light irradiation. In order to prevent unnecessary light irradiation, the information processing unit 106 may set the threshold value 205 based on the intensity of the received signal of the photoacoustic wave generated by the first light irradiation. For example, the information processing unit 106 sets any one of 1/100 to 1/3 of the intensity of the photoacoustic signal data immediately after the start of treatment as the threshold 205. In addition, the information processing unit 106 sets any one of 1/10 to 1/5 of the intensity of the photoacoustic signal data immediately after the start of treatment as the threshold 205. Further, the information processing unit 106 may similarly set the threshold value based on the intensity of the photoacoustic signal data obtained by the irradiation of the excitation light performed before the irradiation of the treatment light. As described above, by using the intensity of the photoacoustic signal data actually acquired from the subject as a reference, the difference in light transmittance between the skin and the skin tissue and the acoustic wave between the acoustic sensor 105 and the subject 102 are detected. It is possible to reduce the influence of individual differences due to the difference in transmission efficiency. This makes it possible to more accurately determine the completion of treatment.

The threshold 205 may be changed depending on the treatment condition. The information processing unit 106 can acquire the information indicating the treatment condition based on the user's instruction or the medical record information. For example, the information processing unit 106 may change the threshold value 205 according to the ordinal number of treatments (how many treatments) as the treatment condition. In the case of spot treatment, it is assumed that the amount of melanin is large when the order number of the treatment is small. Therefore, if the threshold value is small, a large amount of light irradiation is required for one treatment, and downtime may be long. On the other hand, since it is assumed that the amount of melanin is small when the order number of the treatment is large, the treatment may end with insufficient light irradiation in one treatment when the threshold value is high. Therefore, the information processing unit 106 preferably sets the threshold value 205 to be smaller as the number of ordinal treatments increases. Further, the information processing unit 106 may change the threshold value 205 according to the type of the treatment target site as the treatment condition.

Further, the information processing unit 106 may estimate the remaining treatment time by analyzing the signal intensity of the photoacoustic signal data, and generate information indicating the remaining treatment time (information indicating the progress of treatment). A method for estimating the remaining treatment time by analyzing the signal intensity of the photoacoustic signal data will be described later.

Further, when the acoustic sensor 105 and the subject 102 are not in acoustic contact with each other, the photoacoustic wave generated inside the subject does not reach the acoustic sensor 105 sufficiently. As a result, the intensity of the photoacoustic signal becomes smaller and becomes less than or equal to the threshold value 205, so that the treatment may be determined to be completed. In order to prevent this, the information processing unit 106 sets another threshold value 206 lower than the threshold value 205, and when it is lower than the threshold value 206 at the start of treatment, or when the intensity of the photoacoustic signal suddenly changes during the treatment, the threshold value 206 or less is set. When it becomes, it may be determined that the contact of the acoustic sensor 205 is poor. Then, the information processing unit 106 may cause the notification unit 107 to notify that the contact is poor. It is desirable to set the threshold value 206 to a value corresponding to the noise level measured in advance or a value between the noise level and the threshold value 205.

Subsequently, in step S308, the information processing unit 106 issues an instruction to the notification unit 107 to notify the user of the progress of the treatment based on the information indicating the progress of the treatment. The user receives the notification and determines whether or not the laser light irradiation (treatment) should be ended. When it is determined that the user should end, the user operates the interface of the light source 101 to give an irradiation stop instruction. Even if the user does not give an irradiation stop instruction, the irradiation stop instruction may be automatically given inside the light source when the irradiation time designated in step S301 has elapsed. In addition, when the user does not give an irradiation stop instruction even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the information indicating the completion of the treatment was output from the information processing unit 106 to the notification unit, the information processing unit 106 functions as a light source. The irradiation stop instruction may be given.

In step S309, the light source 101 stops the irradiation of the treatment light and ends the treatment for the current treatment position on the subject 102. If there is another place to be treated, the user returns to step S301 and continues the treatment for the next place on the subject 102.

FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram showing a state of the treatment apparatus and the subject of the present embodiment. Reference numeral 401 is a bundle fiber as a part of the optical transmission unit 104 for transmitting the pulsed light from the light source 101. Reference numeral 402 is a housing. The case 402 stores a notification unit 107, a power supply unit 108, an information processing unit 106, a signal data generation unit 109, and an optical transmission unit 104. Reference numeral 403 denotes a tip portion of the housing 402, from which guide light and pulsed light are emitted toward the subject 102. The acoustic sensor 105 and the light emitting end of the light transmitting unit 104 are stored in the tip portion 403. A part or the whole of the member of the tip portion 403 may be a transparent member, or a part of the member may be opened so that the user can visually recognize the guide light.

FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of the notification unit 107 of FIG. Reference numeral 404 is a first LED, and reference numeral 405 is a second LED. As a result of analyzing the photoacoustic signal by the information processing unit 106, when it is determined that the optical treatment should be ended, the LED 404 is turned on. By checking the LED 404 during the treatment, the user can know whether or not the optical treatment should be ended. As a result of analyzing the photoacoustic signal by the information processing unit 106, when it is determined that the contact of the acoustic sensor is poor, the LED 405 is turned on. The user can confirm whether or not the photoacoustic wave can be correctly received by confirming the LED 405 during the treatment.

FIG. 4C is an example of a mode different from the notification unit 107 shown in FIG. In FIG. 4C, a graph 406 showing a time series change of the intensity of the photoacoustic signal is displayed on the liquid crystal screen serving as the notification unit 107. In the graph 406, the information processing unit 106 analyzes the photoacoustic signal data and displays the peak intensity of the photoacoustic signal data for each light irradiation in time series. Reference numeral 407 is a threshold for determining the completion of treatment. Reference numeral 408 is the number of light irradiations up to the present. The information processing unit 106 may display the light irradiation number 408 by counting the light emission control signal of the light source 101. Further, the information processing unit 106 may count the number of light irradiations by observing the intensity of the photoacoustic signal and display the number of light irradiations 408. Reference numeral 409 is a character string that displays the progress of the treatment. When the information processing unit 106 determines that the treatment is completed in step S307, the treatment completion is displayed on the display screen. On the other hand, when the information processing unit 106 determines that the treatment has not been completed, the information processing unit 106 displays on the display screen that the treatment is being performed. Further, when it is determined that the contact between the acoustic sensor 105 and the subject 102 is poor, it can be displayed as poor contact. In the example of FIG. 4C, the progress of the treatment is being treated, and the irradiation frequency is the 15th shot. When receiving the photoacoustic wave during the treatment, the information processing unit 106 may analyze the photoacoustic signal data every time the photoacoustic signal data is received and update the graph 406 in real time.

FIG. 4D shows another example of the form of the notification unit 107. In FIG. 4D, an indicator 410 indicating the progress of treatment is displayed on the liquid crystal screen serving as the notification unit 107. When the indicator 410 reaches the right end, it indicates that the treatment is completed. The information processing unit 106 calculates the change rate of the intensity of the photoacoustic signal and estimates the number of irradiations required until the intensity of the photoacoustic signal becomes equal to or less than the threshold value 205. Then, the information processing unit 106 estimates the remaining treatment time by multiplying the number of irradiations required until the intensity of the photoacoustic signal data becomes equal to or less than the threshold value 205 by the light irradiation cycle. That is, the information processing unit 106 generates information indicating the completion timing of the optical treatment based on the photoacoustic signal data, and estimates the remaining treatment time based on this information. The information processing unit 106 generates the indicator 410 based on the elapsed time from the start of treatment and the remaining treatment time. Further, the information processing unit 106 causes the notification unit 107 to display the remaining treatment time as a numeral 411. The example of FIG. 4D shows that the treatment is completed after 30 seconds.

Although the information processing unit 106 analyzes the photoacoustic signal data to determine the contact state between the acoustic sensor 105 and the subject 102 in the present embodiment, the method for determining the contact state is not limited to this. For example, a contact sensor for confirming the contact state may be separately provided in the housing. Further, the contact state may be determined by changing the intensity of the returning light of the guide light according to the contact state between the housing and the subject.

Although the notification unit 107 is arranged in the housing 402 in the present embodiment, the location of the notification unit is not limited to this. For example, the notification unit 107 may be arranged on the user interface of the light source 101 or in a place where the user can easily see, and the information from the information processing unit 106 may be transferred to the notification unit 107 by cable or wireless and displayed. As a result, the position and size of the screen of the notification unit 107 are not limited to the housing, and improved visibility is expected. Further, the LED as the notification unit 107 may notify the progress of the treatment by projecting light on the subject 102. Thereby, the user can know the progress of the treatment without shifting the line of sight from the subject 102.

In the present embodiment, an example in which the signal data generation unit 109 includes an optical sensor for detecting the emission timing of the excitation light has been described, but the emission timing detection method is not limited to this method. For example, the signal data generation unit 109 may always sample the photoacoustic signal and detect the reception signal 201 of the photoacoustic wave generated on the surface of the acoustic sensor as the light emission timing. As a result, the number of components inside the housing can be reduced, and the device can be downsized and the usability can be improved.

As described above, in the treatment device of the first embodiment of the present invention, based on the photoacoustic signal which is the reception signal of the photoacoustic wave generated by the light irradiation, the user is provided with information indicating the progress of the treatment. You can be notified. For example, the user can be notified if the treatment should be terminated. As a result, the user can grasp the appropriate timing for completing the treatment during the treatment, and reduce the risk of insufficient irradiation or excessive irradiation.

<Second embodiment>
Next, the second embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, information indicating the progress of treatment is generated and information processing for treatment support for notifying the progress of treatment is performed by an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that is separate from the treatment apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a treatment apparatus according to the second embodiment. The treatment apparatus shown in FIG. 5 includes a light source 501, an optical transmission unit 504, a light emission timing detection unit 511, and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 507. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 507 includes a probe 503 that can be held by a user, an information processing unit 506, a user interface 510, and a power supply unit 508. The probe 503 stores the acoustic sensor 505 and the signal data generation unit 509, and has a function as a housing having these configurations. Regarding the light source 501, the subject 502, the optical transmission unit 504, the acoustic sensor 505, the signal data generation unit 509, and the information processing unit 506 according to the present embodiment, the same name configuration as that of the first embodiment will be redundantly described. Will be omitted and different parts will be mainly described.

The optical transmission unit 504 includes a branch optical system that branches a part of the pulsed light and guides it to the light emission timing detection unit 511. The branch optical system is composed of a beam splitter, a lens, a fiber coupler, or the like. Note that the optical transmission unit 504 may have any configuration as long as the subject can be irradiated with desired light. Further, when the light source 501 directly irradiates the subject 502 with light, the light transmission unit 504 is unnecessary.

The probe 503 is connected to the information processing unit 506 by a cable or wirelessly, and the photoacoustic signal data generated by the signal data generation unit 509 is sent to the information processing unit 506.

The acoustic sensor 505 as a transmitting unit also has a function of transmitting ultrasonic waves to the subject 502 by applying a voltage from the outside. The treatment device according to the present embodiment may include both an acoustic sensor having a receiving function and an acoustic sensor having a transmitting function. Further, a probe attached to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 507 may be used as the probe having at least one function of receiving and transmitting acoustic waves.

The light emission timing detection unit 511 is a circuit that detects the light emission timing of the excitation light. For example, the light emission timing detection unit 511 includes a photodiode, a threshold comparison circuit, and a pulse signal generation circuit. The photodiode inputs the pulsed light with a pulse width of about 10 ns branched by the optical transmission unit, the threshold value comparison circuit compares the intensity of the input light with the threshold value, and generates the pulse signal when the intensity of the input light is higher than the threshold value. The circuit outputs a digital pulse signal with a pulse width of about 100 μs. This digital pulse signal is called a trigger signal. The trigger signal is input to the signal data generation unit 509 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 507 via the cable. The power of the light emission timing detection unit 511 is supplied from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 507 by a cable.

The probe 503 stores the optical transmission unit 504, the acoustic sensor 505, and the light emission timing detection unit 511. The probe 503 is configured so that the user can hold it. The user holds the probe 503 and defines the position of the probe 503 with respect to the subject 502, thereby defining the positional relationship between the emitting end of the optical transmission unit 504, the receiving surface of the acoustic sensor 505, and the subject 502. be able to. Accordingly, light can be emitted to a desired position of the subject 502, and the photoacoustic wave from the desired position of the subject 502 can be received by the acoustic sensor 505.

The signal data generation unit 509 is stored in the probe 503, but may be provided in the probe 503. Further, a part of the signal data generation unit 509 may be stored in the probe 503 and the other may be provided outside the probe 503. For example, of the functions of the signal data generation unit 509, the probe 503 may be provided with a function of performing A/D conversion, and a function of performing digital signal processing and a function of storing signal data may be provided outside the probe 503. Good.

The information processing unit 506 as an image generation unit reads out one or a plurality of photoacoustic signal data corresponding to a plurality of times of light irradiation, performs image reconstruction processing, and generates a photoacoustic image. The image generation method by the information processing unit 506 will be described later.

The user interface 510 as an input unit and a notification unit displays the photoacoustic image generated by the information processing unit 506 and the progress of the treatment while the user sets the operation condition of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and gives an operation start instruction. Or to display. The user interface 510 includes button switches, a display, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like. The user inputs the subject information via the user interface 510 before starting the treatment. The subject information includes the subject's ID, the type of case, the number of treatments, and the like. Examples of types of cases include nevus of Ota, nevus pigmentosa, flat nevus, senile pigment spots, and sporadic egg spots. Information indicating the progress of the treatment generated by the information processing unit 506 is also displayed on the display of the user interface 510.

The power supply unit 508 supplies electric power to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 507. The power supply unit 508 is connected to a commercial power supply and supplies power to the signal data generation unit 509, the information processing unit 506, and the user interface 510. Further, the power supply unit 508 may supply power to another configuration, for example, the light emission timing detection unit 511 via the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 507.

FIG. 6 shows an operation flow of the second embodiment. In the present embodiment, a photoacoustic image is generated in step S310, the progress of treatment is determined based on the photoacoustic image in step S309, and information indicating the progress of treatment is generated. The same steps as those shown in FIG. 3 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In step S310, the information processing unit 506 generates a photoacoustic image from the photoacoustic signal data generated by the signal data generation unit 509. The photoacoustic image generated by the information processing unit 506 reflects the absorption amount or absorption rate of light energy. The photoacoustic image is an image representing a spatial distribution of at least one piece of object information such as generated sound pressure (initial sound pressure) of photoacoustic wave, light absorption energy density, and light absorption coefficient. The photoacoustic image may be an image showing a two-dimensional spatial distribution or an image (volume data) showing a three-dimensional spatial distribution. In order to grasp the three-dimensional structure of the measurement target, the photoacoustic image may be an image showing a two-dimensional spatial distribution in the depth direction from the surface of the subject or an image showing a three-dimensional spatial distribution.

The information processing unit 506 can also generate a spectral image of the subject using a plurality of photoacoustic images corresponding to a plurality of wavelengths. The spectroscopic image in the present specification is an image generated using photoacoustic signals corresponding to each of a plurality of wavelengths, which is based on a photoacoustic wave generated by irradiating a subject with light having a plurality of different wavelengths. Is. The spectral image may be an image showing the concentration of the specific substance in the subject, which is generated using the photoacoustic signals corresponding to each of the plurality of wavelengths. Examples of the specific substance include substances that constitute the subject such as hemoglobin, glucose, collagen, melanin, fat and water. Also in this case, it is necessary to select a contrast agent having a light absorption spectrum different from the light absorption coefficient spectrum of the specific substance. Further, the spectral image may be calculated by different calculation methods depending on the type of the specific substance.

As a reconstruction algorithm for converting the signal data into a photoacoustic image having a two-dimensional or three-dimensional spatial distribution, an analytical reconstruction method such as a back projection method in the time domain or a back projection method in the Fourier domain, or a model base. Method (repetitive arithmetic method) can be adopted. Examples of the back projection method in the time domain include Universal back-projection (UBP), Filtered back-projection (FBP), and phased addition (Delay-and-Sum).

The information processing unit 506 reconstructs the photoacoustic signal data to generate initial sound pressure distribution information (sound pressures generated at a plurality of positions) as a photoacoustic image. Further, the information processing unit 506 calculates the optical fluence distribution of the light emitted to the object 502 inside the object 502 and divides the initial sound pressure distribution by the optical fluence distribution to obtain the absorption coefficient distribution information. You may acquire as a photoacoustic image. A known method can be applied to the method of calculating the optical fluence distribution. Further, the information processing unit 506 can generate a photoacoustic image corresponding to each of the lights of a plurality of wavelengths. Specifically, the computer 150 can generate a first photoacoustic image corresponding to the first wavelength by performing a reconstruction process on the photoacoustic signal data obtained by the light irradiation of the first wavelength. it can. Further, the information processing unit 506 can generate the second photoacoustic image corresponding to the second wavelength by performing the reconstruction process on the photoacoustic signal data obtained by the light irradiation of the second wavelength. .. In this way, the information processing unit 506 can generate a plurality of photoacoustic images corresponding to lights having a plurality of wavelengths. Even when the measurement is performed using light having three or more wavelengths, three or more photoacoustic images corresponding to light having three or more wavelengths can be similarly generated.

In step S307, the information processing unit 506 generates information indicating the progress of treatment based on the photoacoustic image. For example, the information processing unit 506 analyzes the photoacoustic image and determines whether the treatment should be ended. As described in the first embodiment, it is assumed that the intensity of the photoacoustic wave emitted from the treatment site gradually decreases as the treatment progresses. Therefore, it is assumed that the image value of the photoacoustic image reflecting the light absorption coefficient also becomes smaller as the treatment progresses. For example, examples of the photoacoustic image whose image value decreases as the treatment progresses include a distribution image of the initial sound pressure proportional to the light absorption coefficient, the light absorption energy density, and the light absorption coefficient. Similar to the first embodiment, even when these photoacoustic images are used, the information processing unit 506 can determine whether or not the treatment should be ended by the comparison process of the image value and the threshold value. This threshold value may be a fixed value in advance, or the user may operate the input means to instruct the threshold value. Further, similarly to the first embodiment, the information processing unit 506 determines the timing of the completion of the treatment based on the time change of the image value when the light irradiation is periodically repeated and the light irradiation repetition frequency. You can estimate. The information processing unit 506 may also generate information indicating the progress of treatment based on the image value of the photoacoustic image as the spectral image.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a display screen of the user interface 510 of this embodiment. Reference numeral 801 is a patient ID of the subject 502 input by the user. Reference numeral 802 is the number of optical treatments to date. The example of FIG. 7 shows that it is the second optical treatment. Reference numeral 803 indicates the content of treatment of the subject 502. The type of case entered by the user is displayed. Reference numeral 804 is the type of light source. The effective laser wavelength varies depending on the type of case. Therefore, the type of the light source emitted by the subject is also displayed. Reference numeral 805 is a graph showing a time series change of the image value of the photoacoustic image generated by the reconstruction by the information processing unit 506. When receiving the photoacoustic wave during the treatment, the information processing unit 506 updates the graph 805 in real time by generating a photoacoustic image each time the photoacoustic signal data is received and analyzing the photoacoustic image. You may do it.

As described in the first embodiment, it is assumed that the intensity of the photoacoustic wave emitted from the treatment site gradually decreases as the treatment progresses. Therefore, as indicated by reference numeral 805, it is assumed that the image value of the photoacoustic image reflecting the light absorption coefficient also decreases as the treatment progresses. The information processing unit 506 may determine the threshold value 806 according to the treatment frequency information 802, the treatment content 803, and the light source type 804 specified by the user. The type of light source and the number of times required for treatment may vary depending on the treatment content. For example, treatment may be performed in stages, such that the first treatment degrades 50% of the total melanin particles and the second treatment degrades 25% of the total melanin particles. The information processing unit 506 can determine the optimal treatment end by changing the threshold value according to the treatment frequency information 802, the treatment content 803, and the light source type 804 input by the user. Also in the first embodiment, such a threshold value setting may be similarly performed.

Reference numeral 806 is a predicted time for completion of treatment. The information processing unit 506 estimates the number of irradiation times required until the image value of the photoacoustic image becomes equal to or less than the threshold value 806 from the rate of change of the image value of the photoacoustic image generated by the signal data generating unit 509. Then, the number of irradiations required until the image value of the photoacoustic image becomes equal to or less than the threshold value 806 is multiplied by the light irradiation cycle to estimate the remaining treatment time, and the treatment time is displayed as a number. The information processing unit 506 may notify the estimated treatment time by a method other than the numerical value (for example, a progress bar). The example in FIG. 7 indicates that the treatment is completed after 30 seconds.

The information processing unit 506 may store information indicating the treatment condition such as the treatment frequency information, the treatment content, and the type of the light source in the memory in association with the patient ID. Therefore, if the user inputs the information indicating the treatment condition such as the patient ID, the treatment frequency information, the treatment content, and the type of the light source in the first treatment, the user only needs to input the patient ID in the second and subsequent treatments. Information indicating the associated treatment condition can be automatically set. When the patient ID is input, the information processing unit 506 can automatically read the information associated with the patient ID and display the information on the user interface 510. That is, the information processing unit 506 as the history information acquisition unit can acquire the first treatment information (information indicating the history of the optical treatment) and set the treatment condition based on the history information. Furthermore, the information processing unit 506 may set the threshold value 806 based on the treatment condition set based on the history information. That is, the information processing unit 506 may set the threshold value 806 based on the history information. The case where the image value of the photoacoustic image falls below the threshold value 806 set in this way may be a case where the photoacoustic image satisfies a predetermined condition. Further, the information processing section may similarly set the threshold value for the photoacoustic signal data in the first or third embodiment described later. It should be noted that the user can manually change the treatment conditions such as the treatment frequency information, the treatment content, and the type of the light source using the keyboard of the user interface 510 after the second treatment.

Although not shown in FIG. 7, the user interface 510 can display the photoacoustic image of the inside of the subject 502 reconstructed by the information processing unit 506 according to a user's instruction.

In the present embodiment, an example in which the light emission timing detection unit 511 is arranged inside the probe 503 to detect the light emission timing of pulsed light has been described, but the light emission timing detection method is not limited to this method. For example, the light source 501 may be provided with a connector that outputs a pulse signal indicating a light emission timing, and the pulse signal from the light source 501 may be input to the signal data generation unit 509 to synchronize the light source and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. Accordingly, the number of parts inside the connecting member can be reduced, and the connecting member can be downsized and the usability can be improved.

As described above, in the optical treatment apparatus of the second embodiment, the determination condition for the treatment completion can be changed according to the subject information. As a result, the user can grasp the appropriate treatment completion timing according to the treatment content and the treatment plan, and can reduce the risk of insufficient irradiation or excessive irradiation.

<Third embodiment>
Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to the treatment device shown in FIG. In the third embodiment, when the progress of the treatment is estimated based on the photoacoustic signal data, the progress of the treatment is estimated based on the frequency component of the photoacoustic signal data. In the present embodiment, the information processing unit 106 performs, for example, Fourier transform processing: FT (Fourier Transform) on the photoacoustic signal data in the time direction to convert the time signal into frequency components. Then, the signal strength of a specific frequency component is set as an analysis target. Then, the information processing unit 106 generates information indicating the progress of treatment based on the signal intensity of the frequency component to be analyzed.

An example of frequency analysis of a photoacoustic signal is shown in FIG. FIG. 8A is a diagram showing the signal strength after converting the photoacoustic signal data into frequency components by FT processing. The horizontal axis represents frequency and the vertical axis represents signal strength. Reference numeral 601 is a graph showing the signal intensity of each frequency component of the photoacoustic signal data immediately after the start of optical treatment. Reference numeral 602 is a graph showing the signal intensity of each frequency component of the photoacoustic signal data after the optical treatment has proceeded. Reference numeral 603 is a threshold for the frequency. This threshold value may be a fixed value in advance, or the user may operate the input means to instruct the threshold value. Of the photoacoustic signal data generated by the signal data generation unit 109, a component having a frequency lower than the threshold 603 is called a low frequency component. On the other hand, a component having a frequency higher than the threshold 603 is called a high frequency component. The standard of the frequency component that maximizes the signal intensity included in the photoacoustic signal data is a value obtained by dividing the size of the light absorption site by the speed of sound. Therefore, it is assumed that the frequency of the photoacoustic signal data shifts to the higher frequency side as the size of the fragment of melanin to be treated becomes smaller as the treatment progresses. In this embodiment, when it is desired to crush the size of melanin particles to 30 μm by optical treatment, the frequency component of 50 MHz tends to have the maximum signal intensity. Therefore, when it is desired to crush the size of melanin particles to 30 μm by optical treatment, 50 MHz may be used as a threshold, a frequency lower than 50 MHz may be a low frequency component, and 50 MHz or higher may be a high frequency component. Further, when it is desired to crush the size of melanin particles to 15 μm by optical treatment, the frequency component of 100 MHz tends to have the maximum signal intensity. Therefore, when it is desired to crush the size of melanin particles to 15 μm by optical treatment, 100 MHz may be set as the threshold 603, a frequency smaller than 100 MHz may be a low frequency component, and 100 MHz or more may be a high frequency component. The frequency at which the signal intensity becomes maximum also changes depending on the pulse width of the irradiation light and the treatment conditions such as the acoustic sensor 105. In this way, the threshold value 603 may be changed depending on the treatment condition. The information processing unit 106 may set the threshold value 603 designated by the user. In addition, the information processing unit 106 estimates the size of the light-absorbing site to be crushed after crushing based on the information indicating the treatment condition such as the treatment content, the number of treatments, or the type of the light source. The frequency at which the corresponding signal strength becomes maximum may be used as the threshold.

The signal intensity 601 immediately after the start of optical treatment has many low frequency components and few high frequency components. This is because the size of the melanin grains of moles and spots is large and the frequency of the photoacoustic wave generated at the treatment target site is low. On the other hand, the signal intensity 602 after the optical treatment has many high-frequency components and few low-frequency components. This is because the lumps of melanin grains that make up the moles and stains are decomposed by light irradiation and become finer, and as a result, the frequency of the photoacoustic wave generated at the treatment target site becomes higher.

FIG. 8B shows a temporal change of the low frequency component of the photoacoustic signal data when the optical treatment is performed by performing the light irradiation a plurality of times. The horizontal axis represents the elapsed time from the start of treatment, and the vertical axis represents the signal intensity. Reference numeral 604 is a graph showing the change over time of the integrated value of the signal intensity of the low frequency component of the photoacoustic signal data. Reference numeral 605 is a threshold for the intensity of the low frequency component. The threshold value 605 can be determined in consideration of the size of the fragment of melanin that is turned over after light irradiation. In other words, the threshold value 605 is determined based on the particle size (crushing degree) that is expected to be aesthetically effective because the fragments of melanin crushed after light irradiation is decomposed and absorbed. The threshold value 605 is determined according to the treatment conditions such as the rest period of the irradiation site, the treatment content, the number of treatments, and the type of light source. In the process of step S307, the information processing unit 106 determines that the melanin has been sufficiently decomposed when the signal intensity 604 of the low frequency component falls below the threshold 605, and indicates that the treatment has been completed (the progress of the treatment is shown. (Information indicating) is generated. That is, the information processing unit 106 generates information indicating that the treatment is completed at the timing t606. Further, the information processing unit 106 may analyze the frequency component of the photoacoustic signal data to estimate the remaining treatment time and generate information indicating the remaining treatment time (information indicating the progress of treatment). A method for estimating the remaining treatment time based on the frequency component of the photoacoustic signal data will be described later.

Then, in step S309, the information processing unit 106 uses the information indicating the progress of the treatment to notify the user of the progress of the treatment via the display of the user interface 510 as a notification unit.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a display screen of the user interface 510 of this embodiment. Reference numeral 701, reference numeral 702, reference numeral 703, and reference numeral 704 correspond to reference numeral 801, reference numeral 802, reference numeral 803, and reference numeral 804 in FIG. 7, respectively, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Reference numeral 705 is a graph showing the change over time of the low-frequency component of the photoacoustic signal data when the optical treatment is advanced. When receiving the photoacoustic wave during the treatment, the information processing unit 106 may analyze the photoacoustic signal data every time the photoacoustic signal data is received, and update the graph 705 in real time. Reference numeral 706 is a threshold for the intensity of the low frequency component of the photoacoustic signal data. The threshold value 706 changes depending on the treatment frequency information 702, the treatment content 703, and the light source type 704 specified by the user. The type of light source and the number of times required for treatment vary depending on the treatment content. For example, treatment may be performed in stages, such that the first treatment degrades 50% of the total melanin and the second treatment degrades 25% of the remaining melanin. The information processing unit 106 can perform the optimal treatment completion determination by changing the threshold value based on the treatment conditions such as the treatment frequency information 702, the treatment content 703, and the light source type 704 input by the user. Reference numeral 707 is a predicted treatment completion time (remaining treatment time). The information processing unit 106 calculates the time change rate of the low frequency component of the photoacoustic signal data, and estimates the number of irradiations required until the low frequency component of the photoacoustic signal data becomes equal to or less than the threshold value 706. Then, the information processing unit 106 multiplies the number of times of irradiation required until the low-frequency component of the photoacoustic signal data is equal to or less than the threshold value 706 by the repetition cycle of light irradiation, estimates the remaining treatment time, and displays the window 707 as numbers. indicate. The example in FIG. 9 indicates that the treatment is completed after 30 seconds.

The information processing unit 106 may generate a photoacoustic image from the photoacoustic signal data and display the photoacoustic image on the user interface 510. The information processing unit 106 may start the generation of the photoacoustic image or the display of the already generated photoacoustic image according to the instruction of the user. Further, the information processing unit 106 may display an image obtained by converting the photoacoustic image into a spatial frequency. In this way, by displaying the image converted into the spatial frequency, it is possible to know the distribution of the particle size of melanin at the treatment site. Therefore, the user can grasp the progress of the treatment while referring to the distribution of the particle size of melanin at the treatment site.

As described above, according to the information processing according to the present embodiment, the progress of the treatment can be grasped by analyzing the change in the frequency component caused by the change in the size of the melanin grain in the treatment target site. Thereby, the treatment can be performed while confirming the effect of the optical treatment.

In the present embodiment, an example in which the treatment completion is determined when the low frequency component 604 is below the predetermined threshold value 605 has been described, but conversely, the treatment completion is determined when the high frequency component exceeds another threshold value. Good. Alternatively, the both may be combined, and it may be determined that the treatment is completed when the low frequency component falls below a predetermined threshold and the high frequency component exceeds another threshold. When the central reception band of the acoustic sensor is a band corresponding to the low frequency component, the treatment may be determined to be completed when the intensity of the received photoacoustic signal is below a predetermined threshold. Further, when the central reception band of the acoustic sensor is a band corresponding to a high frequency component, the treatment may be determined to be completed when the intensity of the received photoacoustic signal exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Further, in the present embodiment, the FT processing is performed by the information processing unit 106 when obtaining the frequency component of the photoacoustic signal, but the method of obtaining the frequency component is not limited to this. Any process other than the FT process may be applied as long as the photoacoustic signal data which is a time signal can be converted into frequency components in the time direction. For example, a low-pass filter that selectively extracts low-frequency components or a high-pass filter that selectively extracts high-frequency components may be used. This can be realized with a smaller circuit scale than in the case where FT processing is applied to photoacoustic signal data, which leads to downsizing and cost reduction of the processing unit of the optical therapy apparatus.

Further, the information processing according to the present embodiment may be applied to the signal data generation unit, the information processing unit, and the notification unit of the external ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus as in the second embodiment.

As described above, in the treatment apparatus according to the third embodiment, the photoacoustic signal data can be frequency-analyzed to notify the user of the progress of treatment. This allows the user to grasp the progress of the treatment during the optical treatment according to the degradation of melanin at the treatment target site. Therefore, the user can provide an appropriate treatment while confirming the progress of the treatment, and can suppress insufficient irradiation or excessive irradiation.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention is also realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and the computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or device reads the program. This is the process to be executed.

The information processing unit in each of the above-described embodiments may be realized as a single device, or may be a mode in which a plurality of devices are communicably combined with each other to execute the above-described processing. include. The above-described processing may be executed by a common server device or server group. It suffices that the plurality of devices forming the information processing unit can communicate at a predetermined communication rate, and they do not need to exist in the same facility or in the same country. A form in which the above-described embodiments are appropriately combined is also included in the embodiment of the present invention.

106 information processing unit 107 notification unit

Claims (18)

An information processing device for supporting optical therapy of irradiating a subject with therapeutic light,
Based on a received signal of a photoacoustic wave generated by irradiating the subject with excitation light, a progress information generation unit that generates information indicating the progress of the optical treatment,
Notification control means for notifying the progress of the optical treatment by the notifying means, based on information indicating the progress of the optical treatment,
An information processing device comprising: The progress information generation means generates information indicating completion of the optical treatment as information indicating the progress of the optical treatment,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification control unit notifies the completion of the optical treatment by the notification unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the progress information generation unit generates information indicating completion of the optical treatment when the received signal of the photoacoustic wave satisfies a predetermined condition. The said progress information generation means produces|generates the information which shows the completion of the said optical treatment, when the signal strength of the low frequency component of the received signal of the said photoacoustic wave exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The information processing device described in 1. The said progress information production|generation means produces|generates the information which shows the completion of the said optical treatment, when the intensity|strength of the high frequency component of the received signal of the said photoacoustic wave is less than a predetermined threshold value. Information processing equipment. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the progress information generation means generates information indicating completion of the optical treatment when the intensity of the received signal of the photoacoustic wave is lower than a predetermined threshold value. .. Having history information acquisition means for acquiring information indicating a history of optical therapy for the subject,
7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the progress information generation unit sets the predetermined threshold value based on information indicating a history of the optical treatment. The progress information generation means sets the predetermined threshold value based on the intensity of the received signal of the photoacoustic wave generated by the irradiation of the excitation light executed before the irradiation of the treatment light. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6. The progress information generation means generates information indicating the timing of completion of the optical treatment as information indicating the progress of the optical treatment,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification control unit causes the notification unit to notify the time until the timing at which the optical therapy is scheduled to be completed. The progress information generating means, obtained by irradiation of the excitation light a plurality of times, based on the reception signal of the photoacoustic wave corresponding to each of the plurality of times of irradiation, and the cycle of the irradiation of the excitation light, The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the information generating apparatus generates information indicating a time until a timing at which the optical therapy is scheduled to be completed. The progress information generating means,
Generate a photoacoustic image by performing an image reconstruction process using the received signal of the photoacoustic wave,
Based on the photoacoustic image, to generate information indicating the particle size of the light absorber in the subject,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information indicating the progress of the optical therapy is generated based on the information indicating the granularity. First light irradiating means for irradiating the subject with therapeutic light for optical treatment;
Second light irradiating means for irradiating the subject with excitation light,
Receiving means for receiving a photoacoustic wave generated by irradiation of the excitation light to the subject, and outputting a photoacoustic signal,
Processing means for generating information indicating the progress of the optical therapy based on the photoacoustic signal;
Have
The treatment device, wherein the processing means causes the notification means to notify the progress of the optical therapy based on the information indicating the progress of the optical therapy. The first light emitting means and the second light emitting means have a common light source,
The treatment device according to claim 12, wherein the common light source generates the treatment light and the excitation light. A casing that can be held by a user, including a light emitting portion of the first light emitting means and a light emitting means as the notification means,
The treatment device according to claim 12, wherein the processing unit controls light emission of the light emitting unit based on information indicating the progress of the optical treatment. A housing that can be held by a user, including a light emitting portion of the first light emitting means and a vibrating means as the notification means,
The treatment device according to claim 12, wherein the processing unit controls vibration of the vibrating unit based on information indicating the progress of the optical treatment. A housing that includes a light emitting portion of the first light emitting means and a sound generating means as the notification means, and that can be held by a user;
The treatment apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the processing unit controls a sound emitted by the sound generating unit based on information indicating the progress of the optical treatment. A notification method for notifying the progress of optical therapy for irradiating a subject with therapeutic light,
Based on the received signal of the photoacoustic wave generated by irradiating the subject with excitation light, generating information indicating the progress of the optical treatment,
A notification method characterized in that a notification means notifies the progress of the optical therapy based on information indicating the progress of the therapy. A program for causing a computer to execute the notification method according to claim 17.

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