JP5996279B2 - Object measuring apparatus and object measuring method using endoscope, and endoscope tip hood - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an object measurement device and an object measurement method for measuring the size of an object using an endoscope, and an endoscope tip hood used in the device and method.

  Endoscopes are used in various fields of medicine and engineering, and are widely used for inspecting and measuring the presence, position, size, and the like of objects in narrow spaces. In particular, in the medical field, in the examination of lesions such as tumors and tumors that have developed in the digestive tract such as the pharynx, esophagus, and intestines, the position of the lesion is identified using an endoscope and the size is measured. Determine whether the excision is necessary. Therefore, there is a need for an object measurement technique that measures the size of an object at the distal end of an endoscope. As such an object measurement technique, those described in Patent Documents 1 to 5 are known.

(1) Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a technique for measuring a length by visual observation by contacting a small scale rod-shaped scale with a scale from the distal end of the endoscope through the forceps hole of the endoscope. Yes.

  In Patent Literature 1, a wire having a scale portion on the front end side and having a bending behavior that allows the scale portion to move within the observation field of view, a channel for guiding the wire, and a rear end side of the wire are provided. A sheath with a measure including a wire driving device that moves back and forth is disclosed.

  In Patent Document 2, a length measuring tool constituted by an optical fiber is projected from the distal end of an endoscope, and a groove is formed in an annular shape at regular intervals on the side of the optical fiber of the projected portion. Is disclosed. The light projected through the optical fiber is irregularly reflected by the groove, leaks out of the optical fiber from the groove, and the scale appears to emit light.

(2) Patent Document 3 discloses an object measurement technique for projecting a scale on an object using a light guide fiber for scale projection and measuring the dimension of the object.

(3) In Patent Document 4, a signal is transmitted from a transmitter toward an object, a signal reflected by the object is received by a receiver, and the signal transmitted from the transmitter reaches the receiver. The distance between the receiver and the object is calculated based on the time until and the scale graduation at the position where the object exists is determined from this distance and the viewing angle specific to the endoscope. An image displayed on an observation image of an object is disclosed.

(4) In Patent Document 5, as an endoscope hood for measuring the size of a tumor (lesioned tissue) of the hypopharynx, it is a cylindrical opening with both ends made of a transparent flexible material. An endoscope hood is disclosed in which a treatment hole is bored and an axial scale is provided on at least a part of a peripheral wall. The size measurement of the diseased tissue by the endoscope hood is performed as follows. First, in a state where the insertion portion of the endoscope is allowed to pass through the endoscope hood, the insertion portion of the endoscope is inserted from the patient's mouth so that the tip reaches the esophagus. Next, the endoscope hood is shifted along the insertion portion of the endoscope, and the endoscope hood is inserted from the oral cavity into the esophagus. At this time, the peripheral wall of the endoscope hood pushes the hypopharynx. Next, while moving the distal end of the insertion portion of the endoscope within the tube of the endoscope hood, the inner wall surface of the hypopharynx or the esophagus is observed through the peripheral wall of the endoscope hood, and the presence or absence of a diseased tissue is examined. When a lesion is found, the endoscope hood is rotated to align the scale with the diseased tissue, and the size of the diseased tissue is measured by reading the scale with the endoscope.

  On the other hand, as an endoscope hood used for securing an endoscope visual field at the time of magnifying observation of a tissue with an endoscope, in addition to the one described in Patent Document 5, for example, described in Non-Patent Documents 1 to 3 What is attached to the endoscope tip is known. FIG. 12 shows an endoscope hood (product code (JAN): 4547410074611) described in Non-Patent Document 1. The endoscope hood described in Non-Patent Document 1 secures an endoscope field of view during magnified observation of the gastrointestinal tract, and has a main body formed in a short cylindrical shape. It is formed in a two-step shape so that the endoscope insertion side has a large diameter and the tip side has a small diameter, and a flat part is provided so that a part of the inner wall surface of the middle stage matches the D-cut part of the endoscope tip. It is formed to have. When using, align the flat part of the hood with the D-cut part of the endoscope tip, attach the hood to the tip of the endoscope, and sterilize the plastic hood and the tip of the endoscope with a stretchable plastic tape. Are securely fixed and used (see FIG. 12B).

  Endoscope hoods such as those described in Non-Patent Documents 1 to 3 are used by being attached to the endoscope tip, in order to distinguish them from the guide tube type endoscope hood described in Patent Document 5, Hereinafter, an endoscope hood of the type attached to the endoscope tip is referred to as an “endoscope tip hood”.

  In general, a general-purpose endoscope is not attached with an endoscope tip hood, but in particular, with a colonoscope, by attaching an endoscope tip hood, (1) it becomes easy to insert easily ( 2) It has been reported that the discovery rate of polyps is also increased (Non-Patent Documents 5 and 6).

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 58-70203 JP-A-2-45030 JP 59-71736 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-161337 JP 2010-29491 A

FUJIFILM Corporation, “Food DH-10GZ”, [online], February 18, 2009, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency / Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Information Providing Website, [Search May 28, 2012], Internet <URL: http://www.info.pmda.go.jp/downfiles/md/PDF/671001_14B2X10002A0K509_A_02_01.pdf> Keiichiro Kume, “Development of New Device for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and its Concept: Strategies in the Age of Minimally Invasive Treatment”, Occupational Medical University Journal, Occupational Medical University Society, December 1, 2010, Vol. 32, No. 4, pp. 349-365. Olympus Medical Systems Co., Ltd., “Disposable Advanced Attachment”, [online], August 29, 2008, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency / Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Information Homepage, [Search May 28, 2012], Internet <URL: http://www.info.pmda.go.jp/downfiles/md/PDF/180590_13B1X00277000020_A_01_15.pdf> Japan Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Engineers Safety Management Committee, “Guidelines for Endoscope Cleaning and Disinfection (2nd Edition)” [online], 2004, Japan Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Engineers website, [Heisei Search on May 28, 2012], Internet <URL: http://www.jgets.jp/CD_GL2.html> Kim HH, et.al. "Transparent-cap-fitted colonoscopy shows higher performance with cecal intubation time in difficult cases", World J Gastroenterol, 2012 Apr 28, 18 (16). Pp.1953-1958. Rastogi A, et.al. "Higher adenoma detection rates with cap-assisted colonoscopy: a randomised controlled trial", Gut. 2012 Mar, 61 (3), pp.402-8, Epub 2011 Oct 13.

  By the way, in the examination of the diseased tissue in the gastrointestinal tract, there are the following problems in the object measuring technique using the endoscopes of Patent Documents 1 to 5 described above.

  (1) With the measurement techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, forceps holes (Non-Patent Document 4) provided in the operation part on the proximal end side of the endoscope are used to assign a scale rod to a lesion site in the digestive tract. From Fig. 1 and Fig. 2), a guide wire with a scale bar is inserted into the forceps channel, and it is necessary to finely adjust the position, orientation, and fold angle of the bar scale at the wire tip by operating the guide wire. Therefore, there are problems that the operation is complicated and difficult, size measurement takes time, and the burden on the patient undergoing the examination is large.

  FIG. 13 is an actual photograph of the distal end portion of a guide wire with a rod-like scale similar to that described in Patent Document 1. FIG. 13 shows a state in which the guide wire 100 is passed through the insertion portion 12 of the endoscope. A rod-like scale 101 is attached to the tip of the guide wire 100. The angle of the bar scale 101 with respect to the guide wire 100 can be freely manipulated and adjusted through the guide wire 100. The bar scale 101 is provided with striped scales 101a at intervals of 5 mm. 14A is a photograph showing a state where the guide wire 100 with the rod-shaped scale 101 of FIG. 13 is inserted into and removed from the forceps hole 16 of the operation unit 11 of the endoscope, and FIG. It is a photograph showing a mode that the rod-shaped scale 101 is operated with the operation lever 102 attached to the proximal end part of the. The operation lever 102 adjusts the direction and the bending angle of the bar scale 101. FIG. 15 is an example of an observation image observed by the endoscope 10 using the guide wire 100 with the rod-shaped scale 101 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 15, the operation lever 102 is operated to adjust the direction and the folding angle of the bar scale 101 so that the bar scale 101 is horizontally directed to the lesion site 50, and attached to the bar scale 101. The size of the lesioned part 50 can be measured by reading the scale 101a. However, it is difficult and complicated to adjust the direction and bending angle of the bar-shaped scale 101 from the operation lever 102 because of remote control, and it takes time to measure the size.

  In addition, many commonly used endoscopes have a single forceps channel. In this case, the size of the lesion site is measured by inserting a guide wire with a rod-like scale into the forceps channel when measuring the lesion site. After that, when it becomes necessary to excise or clean the lesion site, the rod-shaped guide wire with the scale is pulled out from the forceps channel as shown in FIG. 14 (a), and the grasping forceps and the excision wire are inserted into the forceps channel instead. It is necessary to perform treatment. However, as can be seen from the photograph in FIG. 14 (a), the wire length of the guide wire is long, and insertion and removal of the wire is a very complicated operation. In addition, during insertion and removal of the wire, the endoscope insertion part may be pulled out, or the tip of the endoscope may be displaced from the position of the lesion site, resulting in a very poor operating efficiency. There is. As can be seen from FIG. 15, the distal end of the insertion portion 12 of the endoscope 10 and the lesion site 50 are separated from each other, and the distal end of the insertion portion 12 of the endoscope 10 is maintained at a fixed position during insertion and removal of the guide wire. That is quite difficult.

  (2) The measurement technique described in Patent Literature 3 projects a scale image on a lesion site using a light guide fiber, and measures the size of the lesion site from the projected image. The scale of the scale image changes depending on the distance from the lesion site to the lesion site, so the operator cannot know the size of the lesion site at first glance, and measures the distance from the light guide fiber to the lesion site by some method. It is necessary to calculate the scale and convert the size of the lesion site from the measured scale value. Therefore, there is a problem that the measurement work is complicated and takes time. It is also assumed that the scale image is difficult to read due to the influence of mucus reflection at the lesion site, or that the scale image is distorted and difficult to read due to the unevenness of the lesion site. Therefore, it is expected to be unusable. Furthermore, as described above, when the forceps channel uses one endoscope, as in the case of (1), the problem of the complexity of inserting and removing the wire and the endoscope during the operation of inserting and removing the wire It is assumed that the insertion part is pulled out and the problem of misalignment occurs.

  (3) The measurement technique described in Patent Document 4 performs size measurement by converting a distance measurement based on signal reflection and a size value of a lesion site observed from an endoscope-specific viewing angle. As in the case of 2), since the size of the lesion site cannot be known at a glance, it is difficult to immediately determine the necessity of resection while continuously performing endoscopic observation. In addition, distance measurement by signal reflection is assumed to cause an error depending on the situation inside the digestive tract. For example, when the lesion site in the digestive tract is soiled with a gel or solid substance such as mucus or stool, accurate distance measurement becomes difficult, and the size value of the lesion site cannot be converted. .

  (4) In the measurement technique described in Patent Document 4, a scale attached in the axial direction to a guide tube type endoscope hood is directly addressed to a lesion site, and the scale is observed by an endoscope to determine the size. It is a read-out, simple, and it is possible to know the size of the lesion site at a glance. However, it is necessary to bring the outer surface of the endoscope hood into close contact with the lesion site, which may be difficult to operate. In patent document 4, it is a technique specialized in the size measurement of the tumor in the hypopharynx which is usually constricted, and it is thought that it is easy to make the outer surface of the endoscope hood adhere to the inner wall of the hypopharynx by pharyngeal reflex. . However, for example, when measuring the size of a tumor or tumor inside the large intestine, it is generally assumed that it is not easy to make the outer surface of the endoscope hood adhere well to the tumor or tumor. In addition, it is considered that the tumor or tumor may be crushed by bringing the outer wall surface into close contact with the tumor or tumor, and it may be difficult to accurately measure the size.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an object measurement technique that can solve each problem assumed in the conventional measurement technique as described above and can easily measure the object size at the tip of the endoscope. It is in.

  The present invention is mainly intended for endoscopy in the medical field, but the scope of application of the present invention is not limited to the medical field, and in general, various objects using an endoscope are used. It can also be applied to size measurement.

A first configuration of an object measuring apparatus according to the present invention is an object measuring apparatus that measures the size of an object in front of an endoscope distal end using an endoscope,
An endoscope tip hood that is detachably attached to the endoscope distal end so that a tip edge protrudes from the endoscope distal end, and is formed in a short cylindrical shape;
A scale attached to the distal edge of the endoscope distal hood along the circumferential direction of the distal edge;
An imaging unit that is connected to the proximal end side of the endoscope and that captures an image of an object observed through the endoscope and an image of the scale of the endoscope tip hood, and generates image data;
Pattern extraction means for extracting the object image and the scale image from the image data generated by the imaging means;
Size calculating means for comparing the object image with the scale image and calculating the size of the object is provided.

  According to this configuration, in a state where the endoscope distal end hood is in contact with the target, the imaging unit captures the object image of the target and generates image data. Here, in the observation image observed by the endoscope, the image of the tip edge of the endoscope front end hood with a closed curve surrounding the center of the visual field and the scale that radiates outward from the image of the tip end as a center. An image is observed. Next, the pattern extraction means extracts an object image and a scale image from the image data. Then, the size calculating means compares the object image with the scale image and calculates the size of the object image. Thereby, the size of the object can be measured.

  Since the endoscope tip hood is fixed to the distal end of the endoscope, the tip edge image and the scale image in the observation image always maintain the same shape. Therefore, if the image of the leading edge and the scale image are registered in advance, it is very easy to extract the leading edge image and the scale image from the observation image. Further, by comparing the actual tip edge shape and scale interval with the tip edge image and scale image in the observation image, calibration of the aberration of the endoscope and the blur of the observation image due to reflection are calibrated. It is also possible. Therefore, accurate size measurement is possible.

  Here, the “endoscope” is not limited to medical use. Therefore, it includes not only a medical endoscope but also an endoscope used for industrial use. For example, an endoscope used for an internal inspection of a violin, an inspection inside a pipe, or an inside of a nuclear reactor is also included. “Endoscope distal end” refers to the tip of the insertion portion of the endoscope. The “object” is not limited to a tumor or a mass. “Cylinder” refers to a hollow shape and is not necessarily limited to a cylinder. Moreover, the variation of the form according to a use, such as a cut food of 1/3 round, is also contained. Also included is a hood provided with a “side hole” that prevents a liquid reservoir from being formed in a part of the cylinder. However, it is particularly preferable that the endoscope has a circular shape from the viewpoint of the tip of the endoscope having a circular shape and facilitating size measurement. The “endoscope tip hood” is preferably made of a transparent material, but is not necessarily transparent. “Size of object image” refers to the size of a physical outer shape such as a diameter, a maximum diameter, and an area.

  The interval of the “scale” is not particularly limited, but is preferably an equal interval from the viewpoint of allowing the operator to easily recognize the object size during observation. The shape of the “scale” is preferably a linear shape parallel to the tube axis of the endoscope tip hood from the viewpoint of facilitating pattern recognition of the scale image in the observation image.

  The method of determining the “scale” interval can be as follows. When the shape of the distal end edge of the endoscope distal end hood is circular, since the scale is attached along the distal end edge, the scale observed in the observation image is an arc. Therefore, the length of the object measured on the arc-shaped scale is x, the actual length of the observed object (the length of the string when the arc-shaped scale is applied) is y, and the endoscope tip When the diameter of the hood tip edge is φ, the three parties have the following relationship.

  When adding a scale, the above formula is used for the back calculation according to the most accurate measurement object.

  For example, when measuring the diameter of a polyp of the large intestine with a medical endoscope, the center of the size requiring accuracy is 5 mm. This is because when a colon polyp is discovered, if it is less than 5 mm, it will be untreated and if it is 5 mm or more, it will be excised. In this case, the outer diameter of the commonly used colonoscope (the inner diameter of the endoscope tip hood) is 11.3 mm. When applied to the above equation, y = 4.84 if x = 5, and y if x = 6. = 5.72. Therefore, if the measurement at a scale of 1 mm interval is 1 mm, the specification will be met.

  The outer diameter of commercially available medical and industrial products for endoscopes is almost 5 to 20 mm, and can be approximated by measuring 1 mm at a scale of 1 mm, but the above formula is used when accuracy is required. And a special scale.

  When there are a plurality of measurement ranges that require accuracy, it may be possible to provide a plurality of scale groups having different scales using the above equation. For example, the measurement at the 1 mm interval scale is 1 mm for the half circumference, and the measurement at the 0.9 mm interval scale is 1 mm for the remaining half circle.

The second configuration of the object measuring apparatus according to the present invention is such that, in the first configuration, the tip is exposed on the tip edge surface along the circumferential direction of the tip edge of the endoscope tip hood. A plurality of electrodes arranged at equal intervals;
A power source for applying a voltage to each of the electrodes;
Energization detecting means for detecting a current flowing through each electrode or a resistance between adjacent electrodes;
A contact width for determining a width at which the distal end edge of the endoscope distal end hood is in contact with the object based on the current of each electrode detected by the energization detecting means or the magnitude of the resistance between the electrodes. And a determination unit.

  According to this configuration, in a state where the endoscope tip hood is in contact with the object, a voltage is applied to each electrode, and the current flowing through each electrode or the magnitude of the resistance between each electrode is measured. At this time, the size of the object can be automatically detected from the continuous row width of electrodes through which a relatively large current flows. Alternatively, the size of the object can be automatically detected from the continuous width of the electrodes having a small interelectrode resistance.

A first configuration of an object measuring method according to the present invention is an object measuring method for measuring the size of an object in front of an endoscope distal end using an endoscope,
An endoscope tip hood that is formed in a short cylinder shape at the distal end of the endoscope and that has a scale on the tip edge along the circumferential direction thereof, and the tip edge protrudes from the endoscope distal end. In the state where the position of the distal end of the endoscope is adjusted so that the distal end edge of the endoscope distal end hood contacts the object to be observed, the proximal end of the endoscope A first step of capturing an image of the object observed through the endoscope and an image of the scale of the endoscope tip hood and generating image data by an imaging means connected to the side;
A second step in which a pattern extraction means extracts the object image and the scale image from the image data generated by the imaging means;
And the size calculating means includes a third step of comparing the object image with the scale image and calculating the size of the object.

A first configuration of an endoscope tip hood according to the present invention is a short cylindrical endoscope tip hood to be attached to a distal end of an endoscope,
A cylindrical endoscope mounting portion that fits closely to the distal end of the endoscope;
A cylindrical cap portion extending from the distal end of the endoscope mounting portion;
The front end edge of the cap part is provided with the scale attached along the peripheral direction of the front end edge.

  The second configuration of the endoscope front end hood according to the present invention is such that, in the first configuration, the front end is exposed to the front end edge surface along the circumferential direction of the front end edge of the cap portion, etc. A plurality of electrodes arranged at intervals are provided.

  According to the present invention described above, since the distal end edge of the endoscope distal end hood is attached along the circumferential direction of the distal end edge, the relative position between the scale and the endoscope distal end is always fixed. Therefore, it is easy to fix the scale on the object.

  In addition, since the scale is integrated with the endoscope front end hood, it is not necessary to insert / remove a dedicated wire for the scale into / from the endoscope insertion portion as in the prior art. Therefore, when the stool and the polyp are entangled, it is necessary to wash away the stool with the washing water, but since the endoscope lumen is not occupied by the scale dedicated wire, the washing water can be injected as it is.

  Further, since the distance between the scale and the endoscope tip is always constant, the scale of the scale image to be observed is always constant. Since the scale is provided at the distal end of the endoscope front end hood, the distance between the scale and the front end of the endoscope and the distance between the target and the front end of the endoscope are obtained by bringing the endoscope front end hood into contact with the target. The distance to the distance can be made equal and the scales of both observation images can be made equal, and at the same time, the scale can be fixed to the object. Thereby, the size of the object image can be accurately calculated from the image data.

  In addition, since the scale is arranged in a circle along the tip edge of the endoscope tip hood, it is easy to align the tip of the endoscope tip hood around the object to be observed. It is. Even if the polyp is small, it is possible to measure the size by applying the polyp to some position on the periphery of the endoscope front end hood.

  Further, in the observation image observed by the endoscope, the image of each scale is observed as a radial straight image outward from the image of the distal end edge of the endoscope distal end hood (FIG. 5, FIG. 5). 7). Therefore, it is very easy to extract a scale image from the image data of the observation image by pattern recognition, and image processing in the automation of size measurement becomes easy and accurate. In particular, when the endoscope tip hood is a cylinder, the image of the tip edge is circular, and the scale image is a linear image arranged radially at equal intervals outward from this circle, making pattern recognition extremely easy. Even if there is image distortion due to the aberration of the endoscope or image blur due to reflection, the scale image can be easily corrected from the pattern, and distortion can be corrected by taking the average value of the scale interval. Can be easily done. Therefore, it becomes easy to automate size measurement.

  Furthermore, since the endoscope tip hood is detachable from the endoscope, the scale can be attached to any endoscope by fitting the endoscope tip hood to the distal end of the endoscope. is there. That is, it is not necessary to prepare a dedicated endoscope. In addition, the endoscope tip hood is inexpensive, and an expensive wire scale is not necessary.

1 is a perspective view of an endoscope front end hood according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an endoscope to which an endoscope distal end hood according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is attached. FIG. (A) Overall view, (b) A schematic cross-sectional view of the main part of the insertion portion 12. It is a figure showing the whole structure of the object measuring device which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the object measurement apparatus in FIG. 3. 2 is an example of an observation image observed by an endoscope 10. It is the figure which showed typically the example of the observation image of the lesioned part 50 by the endoscope 10 with which the endoscope front end hood 1 of Example 1 was mounted | worn. (A) shows the case where the lesioned part 50 is in the circle of the cap part tip image 51, and (b) shows the case where the lesioned part 50 crosses the circle of the cap part tip image 51. It is an example of the edge image produced with respect to the image data of FIG. (A) The figure which represents the state which displayed the image data of FIG. 5 and the edge image of FIG. 7 (a) superimposed, (b) The figure of the image which added size information to the image data of FIG. It is a perspective view of the endoscope front end hood which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. It is a figure showing the whole structure of the object measuring device which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. It is a block diagram showing the function structure of the object measuring device of FIG. The endoscope hood described in Non-Patent Document 1 (product code (JAN): 4547410074611). It is a real photograph of the front-end | tip part of the guide wire with a rod-shaped scale similar to the thing of the patent document 1. 13A is a photograph showing a state where the guide wire 100 with the rod-shaped scale 101 in FIG. 13 is inserted into and removed from the forceps hole 16 of the operation unit 11 of the endoscope, and FIG. 9B is a proximal end of the guide wire 100. 6 is a photograph showing a state in which the bar scale 101 is operated by an operation lever 102 attached to the section. It is an example of the observation image observed with the endoscope 10 using the guide wire 100 with the rod-shaped scale 101 of FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an endoscope distal end hood according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The main body 2 of the endoscope distal end hood 1 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a flat outer side surface and an inner side surface and a constant diameter over the entire length. The main body 2 includes a cylindrical endoscope mounting portion 3 that is tightly fitted to the distal end of the endoscope insertion portion, and a cylindrical cap portion 4 that extends from the tip of the endoscope mounting portion 3. The endoscope mounting part 3 and the cap part 4 have the same diameter. The inner diameter and the outer shape of the endoscope mounting portion 3 and the cap portion 4 can be arbitrarily set according to the distal end portion of the endoscope to be mounted, but are usually 10 to 15 mmφ. The length of the cap portion 4 (projection length from the endoscope distal end) can be arbitrarily determined according to a request for securing the endoscope visual field, but is usually about 2 to 10 mm.

  The boundary between the endoscope mounting part 3 and the cap part 4 is visible from the outside, and at least the cap part 4 is made of a transparent material. Specifically, (1) a configuration with a mark or boundary line for identifying the boundary between the endoscope mounting portion 3 and the cap portion 4, and (2) the endoscope mounting portion 3 is cloudy and the cap A configuration in which the portion 4 is transparent, (3) a configuration in which the endoscope mounting portion 3 is made of a stretchable material such as vinyl or acrylic elastomer, and the cap portion 4 is made of a plastic having no stretchability can be adopted.

  The tip edge 4a of the cap part 4 is provided with a scale 5 at equal intervals over the entire circumference along the circumferential direction of the tip edge 4a. The interval of the scale 5 can be about 1 mm to 5 mm. In the example of FIG. 1, the interval between the scales 5 is 1 mm for the short scale line and 5 mm for the long scale line.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the endoscope to which the endoscope distal end hood according to the first embodiment of the present invention is mounted. FIG. 2A is an overall view, and FIG. 2B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the main part of the insertion portion 12. In FIG. 2 (b), the configuration of portions not related to the present invention is omitted.

  The endoscope 10 is generally widely used and includes an operation unit 11, an insertion unit 12, a universal cord unit 13, and a connector unit 14. The insertion portion 12 is a portion that is inserted into an examination site such as the digestive tract, and is configured by an elongated flexible tube. The endoscope distal end hood 1 described with reference to FIG. 1 is attached to the distal end 15 that is the distal end of the insertion portion 12. The endoscope front hood 1 has the endoscope mounting portion 3 tightly fitted to the distal end portion 15. When used, the endoscope front hood 1 is connected to the endoscope mounting portion 3 with a sterilized elastic plastic tape (not shown). The distal end portion 15 is securely fixed. By attaching the endoscope tip hood to the endoscope 10 in this manner, particularly when used for an inspection in the large intestine, difficult insertion is facilitated, and the polyp discovery rate is increased (Non-Patent Document 5). , 6).

  The operation unit 11 is provided with a forceps hole 16 for inserting a treatment instrument such as a guide wire with forceps. In addition, a tubular forceps channel 17, a suction channel 18, a water supply channel 19, and an air supply channel 20 are formed in the insertion portion 12, and an optical fiber 21 is provided.

  The forceps channel 17 is a lumen through which a treatment tool is passed. The proximal end side communicates with the forceps hole 16, and the distal end side opens on the distal end surface 15 a of the distal end portion 15.

  The suction channel 18 communicates with the suction base 22 of the connector portion 14 at the proximal end side, communicates with the vicinity of the forceps hole 16 of the forceps channel 17 on the distal end side, and communicates with the distal end surface 15 a of the distal end portion 15 via the forceps channel 17. Communicate. The suction channel 18 is a lumen used for sucking and discharging dirt when cleaning the digestive tract.

The water supply channel 19 has a proximal end side communicating with the water supply port 24 of the connector portion 14 and a distal end side communicating with the tip surface 15 a of the tip portion 15. Further, the air supply channel 20 communicates with the air supply port 23 of the connector portion 14 at the proximal end side and communicates with the distal end surface 15 a of the distal end portion 15 at the distal end side.
The water supply channel 19 and the air supply channel 20 are connected in the vicinity of the distal end portion 15 and open to the distal end surface 15a as a single lumen. The water supply channel 19 and the air supply channel 20 are lumens for inserting cleaning water and air into the digestive tract when the digestive tract is cleaned.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the object measuring apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 3, the endoscope front end hood 1, the endoscope 10, the operation unit 11, the insertion unit 12, the universal cord unit 13, and the connector unit 14 are illustrated in FIG. This is the same as that described in FIG.

  A camera 30 for taking an observation image formed through the optical fiber 21 is attached to the eyepiece 29 (see FIG. 2) of the operation unit 11 of the endoscope 10. The camera 30 is a normal CCD camera.

  Moreover, the connector part 14 of the endoscope 10 is connected to a light source device 31 with an air / water feeding function. This light source device 31 with air / water supply function is a high-intensity light source for illumination incident on the optical fiber 21 from the light guide 25 (see FIG. 2), and gas such as air or carbon dioxide gas from the air supply port 23 to the air supply channel 20. And an air supply device for supplying cleaning water and a chemical solution from the water supply port 24.

  A computer 32 is connected to the camera 30. The computer 32 processes the image captured by the camera 30 and automatically measures the size of the object observed by the endoscope 10 and stores the captured image.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the object measuring apparatus of FIG. In FIG. 4, a camera 30 and a computer 32 correspond to those having the same reference numerals in FIG.

  The computer 32 includes an input device 40, a display device 41, an interface unit 42, an image input unit 43, a frame memory 44, a pattern extraction unit 45, a size calculation unit 46, an image composition unit 47, and a storage device 48.

  The input device 40 is an ordinary computer input device such as a keyboard or a mouse. The display device 41 is a normal computer display device such as a display. The interface unit 42 is an interface for capturing an image signal output from the camera 30 into the computer 32. The image input unit 43 stores an image signal input from the camera 30 via the interface unit 42 in the frame memory 44. The pattern extraction unit 45 reads an image stored in the frame memory 44 and performs image processing for extracting an object image and a scale image from the read image. This image processing is performed by a known contour extraction process such as edge extraction. The size calculation unit 46 compares the object image extracted by the pattern extraction unit 45 with the scale image, and calculates the size of the object. The image synthesis unit 47 synthesizes the contour image of the object image extracted by the pattern extraction unit 45 or the text image of the size information of the object calculated by the size calculation unit 46 with the image to be processed, and the display device 41 or The data is output to the storage device 48.

  The operation of the object measuring apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described below.

(1) Search and observation of lesion site First, the operator inserts the operation unit 11 of the endoscope 10 into the digestive tract of the patient, and images captured by the camera 30 and displayed on the display device 41 of the computer 32 are displayed. While looking, the operation unit 11 is moved forward / backward to search for the lesion site 50.

  When the lesion site 50 is found, the operator brings the cap tip 4a of the endoscope tip hood 1 into contact with the periphery of the lesion site 50. As a result, the position of the cap portion distal end 4 a of the endoscope distal end hood 1 is fixed around the lesion site 50.

  At this time, an observation image observed by the endoscope 10 is as shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, the tumor-like image near the center is the lesion site 50, the image surrounding the lesion site 50 and appearing in a circle is the image of the cap tip 4 a (cap tip image 51), and the cap tip image 51 is the center. A linear image extending radially outward is the image of the scale 5 (scale image 52).

  Since the distance from the cap portion tip 4a to the tip of the endoscope 10 is equal to the distance from the lesion site 50 to the tip of the endoscope 10, the distance between the inner peripheral ends of the scale image 52 and the lesion site 50 are compared. The size of the lesion site 50 can be read immediately. Accordingly, there is no need for complicated operations such as alignment as in the case of the guide wire with a rod-shaped scale in FIG. 13, and the size of the lesioned part 50 is quickly measured to determine whether or not resection is necessary. This greatly reduces the burden on the patient undergoing the examination. In addition, since it is not necessary to insert and remove the guide wire with a rod-like scale into and from the endoscope insertion portion, the work efficiency of the inspection is greatly improved.

  Further, since the distance from the tip of the scale 5 to the tip of the endoscope 10 and the distance from the lesion site 50 to the tip of the endoscope 10 are always equal, it is not necessary to correct the scale of the interval of the scale 5. It is no longer necessary to measure the distance from the distal end of the endoscope 10 to the lesion site 50. Therefore, all the various problems related to the conventional distance measurement are solved.

  An example of the actual size measurement of the lesion site 50 will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of an observation image of a lesion site 50 (tumor (polyp)) by the endoscope 10 to which the endoscope distal end hood 1 of Example 1 is attached. 6A shows a case where the lesioned part 50 is in the circle of the cap part tip image 51, and FIG. 6B shows a case where the lesioned part 50 crosses the circle of the cap part tip image 51. . In any case, the length of the arc portion A along the circle of the cap portion tip image 51 can be read by the scale image 52. On the other hand, the diameter B of the lesioned part 50 is as shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b). Generally, the polyp excision indication is 5 mm in most rules, and 6 mm in some cases. Therefore, it is necessary to measure the length of the diameter B in FIG. When the inner diameter (diameter) of the cap tip 4a is 2R, the length of the diameter B is accurately converted by B = 2R · sin (A / 2R). On the other hand, in an endoscope tip hood of an endoscope for digestive tract examination that is currently widely used, the inner diameter of the tip of the cap portion is about 9.2 to 13.6 mm. Therefore, for example, if 2R = 11.3 mm, B = 4.84 mm if A = 5 mm, and B = 5.72 mm if A = 6 mm. Therefore, the difference between A and B is considered to be within the range of reading error, and may be regarded as approximately A≈B. Therefore, it is possible to immediately determine whether or not the polyp is suitable for resection by reading the scale image 52 to determine whether the diameter of the polyp is 5 mm or 6 mm.

  Moreover, when the lesioned part 50 is entangled with filth such as feces and mucus, it is necessary to measure the size after washing the filth with washing water. However, the endoscope tip hood 1 of this embodiment was used. In this case, since the suction channel 18 is not occupied by the guide wire with a rod-like scale, the washing water can be injected as it is, and the size of the lesioned part 50 can be simultaneously measured while washing.

  Furthermore, the endoscope distal end hood 1 is detachable from the distal end portion 15 of the insertion portion 12 of the endoscope 10 that has been conventionally used. Therefore, the scale 5 can be attached only by attaching the endoscope tip hood 1 to the endoscope 10 that has been used so far, and it is economical because it is not necessary to prepare a dedicated endoscope separately. . Moreover, since the endoscope front hood 1 has a simple structure, it can be manufactured at a low cost, and is far more economical than a conventional guide wire with a rod-shaped scale.

(2) Imaging and recording of a lesioned part Next, when a lesioned part 50 is found, it is necessary to record a photograph of the lesioned part 50 in the examination chart as an examination result. At this time, the operator inputs an image recording instruction to the computer 32 by the input device 40. When an image recording instruction is input, first, the pattern extraction unit 45 reads the image data of the observation image at that time from the frame memory 44, and the object image (lesion site 50), the scale image 52, and the cap from the read image data. A front end image 51 is extracted.

  For example, it is assumed that the image data of FIG. 5 is read as the image data of the observation image. The pattern extraction unit 45 performs known image processing such as noise removal, area division, edge extraction, and edge smoothing on the image data, thereby generating an edge image as shown in FIG. . Since the cap portion front end image 51 is circular and the scale image 52 is known to be a straight line extending radially outward from the cap end front end image 51 at substantially equal intervals, the cap portion is obtained by a known pattern recognition process. The tip image 51 and the scale image 52 can be easily estimated and extracted (see FIG. 7B).

  On the other hand, since the object image (lesion site 50) has various shapes and is difficult to uniquely identify, the operator selects the region of the object image (lesion site 50) using the input device 40. To do. The pattern extraction unit 45 displays the image data of FIG. 5 and the edge image of FIG. 7A on the display device 41 so as to overlap each other as shown in FIG. 50) prompts the user to select a region. It is assumed that the operator selects, for example, the region A in FIG. 8A as the region of the object image (lesion site 50) using the input device 40 such as a mouse. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7B, the object image (lesion site 50), the scale image 52, and the cap portion tip image 51 are extracted.

  Next, the size calculation unit 46 compares the object image (lesion site 50) and the interval between the inner peripheral edges of the scale image 52, and calculates the actual size of the lesion site 50. Here, as the “size”, various values such as the maximum diameter, the minimum diameter, and the area of the lesion site 50 can be set according to the purpose. Finally, the image synthesis unit 47 synthesizes the text image of the size information of the target object calculated by the size calculation unit 46 with the read image data, and outputs it to the display device 41 and saves it in the storage device 48. As a result, the detected lesion site can be recorded, the size can be automatically measured and recorded together with the scale image 52, and the examination evidence power and the efficiency of creating the examination chart can be improved.

  For example, when the image of FIG. 7B is extracted, the size calculation unit 46 detects the intersections with the scale images 52 along the circumference of the cap portion tip image 51, and averages the intersection intervals. From this, the scale of the unit length of one scale is calculated. In general, the intersection interval is a constant interval due to various factors such as image distortion due to lens aberration of the endoscope 10, displacement when the endoscope tip hood 1 is attached, and blurring of a photograph due to reflection during photographing. Therefore, the unit length scale should be determined based on the average value of the intersection intervals. Then, for example, the maximum diameter x, the minimum diameter y, the area S (see FIG. 7B) and the like of the object image (lesion site 50) are calculated from the image of FIG. The actual maximum diameter x, minimum diameter y, area S, and the like of the object image (lesion site 50) are calculated by conversion according to the scale. Then, the image composition unit 47 adds these pieces of information to the image data of FIG. 5 as a text image as shown in FIG. 8B and outputs the information to the display device 41 or the storage device 48.

  As described above, according to the object measuring apparatus of the present embodiment, when an object such as the lesioned part 50 is found while observing with an endoscope, the size can be confirmed visually and the object can be checked with one touch. Since the photograph can be taken and recorded and stored together with the size of the object, it is possible to significantly improve the inspection efficiency and the record creation efficiency as compared with the conventional technique. In addition, the operator can immediately recognize the size of the lesioned part 50 during the examination, and can immediately determine whether or not the resection application is necessary, thereby dramatically reducing the burden on the patient undergoing the examination. Is possible.

  In addition, since the scale 5 is provided at equal intervals along the tip end edge 4a of the cap, in the observation image observed by the endoscope 10, the scale 5 is outside the tip image 51 of the circular cap part as shown in FIG. Is observed as a scale image 52 that spreads radially at equal intervals. Therefore, even when the photograph of the observed image is blurred due to light reflection or the like, or is distorted due to lens aberration of the endoscope, the pattern can be obtained by simple pattern recognition (extraction of a circular pattern and a straight line pattern). As shown in FIG. 7B, it is possible to automatically extract the cap tip image 51 and the scale image 52 and perform approximate correction of the pattern. Further, by taking the average value of the interval between the intersections of the cap portion tip image 51 and the scale image 52, scale error correction due to distortion of the image data can be easily performed, and the size calculation of the object by the endoscope is automated. Is extremely easy.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the endoscope front end hood according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 9, the main body 2, the endoscope mounting part 3, the cap part 4, the cap part front edge 4a, and the scale 5 correspond to those of the same reference numerals in FIG.

  The endoscope front end hood 1 of the present embodiment is provided with electrodes 5a on the end surface of the cap end front edge 4a of each scale 5, and each electrode 5a has a lead wire 5b provided along the outer surface of the main body 2. Through the signal cable 7 and can be individually connected to an external power source. The lead wire 5b is made of a translucent conductor, and is covered with a transparent insulating film and insulated from the outside in the same manner as the flexible printed circuit board.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the object measuring apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The endoscope tip hood 1 and the signal cable 7 are the same as those shown in FIG. The endoscope 10, the operation unit 11, the insertion unit 12, the universal cord unit 13, the connector unit 14, the camera 30, the light source device 31 with an air / water supply function, and the computer 32 are the same as those in FIG. The object measuring apparatus according to the present embodiment further includes a current detector 33 and a constant voltage power source 34.

  The current detector 33 is connected to the electrode 5a attached to each scale 5 in FIG. 9 via the signal cable 7, and is a circuit that detects the current value flowing through each electrode 5a. The detected current value is input to the computer 32 via the interface board. The constant voltage power supply 34 is a power supply for applying a constant voltage to the electrodes 5 a attached to each scale 5 via the current detector 33 and the signal cable 7.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the object measuring apparatus of FIG. In FIG. 11, parts similar to those in FIG. 10 or FIG. The object measuring apparatus according to the present embodiment further includes a contact width detection unit 49. The contact width detector 49 detects the width in which the cap edge 4a of the endoscope distal hood 1 is in contact with the lesion site 50 based on the value of the current flowing through each electrode 5a detected by the current detector 33.

  A method for measuring the size of the lesion site 50 by the object measuring apparatus of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described. Note that the method for measuring the size based on the image observed by the endoscope 10 is the same as that in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted. Here, only the method using the electrode 5a will be described.

  In this case, the operator adjusts the position of the insertion portion 12 of the endoscope 10 so that the tip end edge 4a of the cap tip hood 1 of the endoscope tip hood 1 is the lesion site 50 as shown in FIG. The position is adjusted so as to hit the vicinity of the center, and the cap edge 4a is lightly pressed against the lesion site 50 so that the cap edge 4a contacts the entire width of the lesion site 50. At this time, a constant voltage is applied to each electrode 5 a by a constant voltage power supply 34.

  At this time, a large current flows through the electrode 5a in contact with the lesion site 50, and almost no current flows through the electrode 5a not in contact with the lesion site 50.

  The contact width detector 49 detects the electrode 5a through which a relatively large current flows, and calculates the number of widths of the detected row of the electrodes 5a. Then, the contact width of the lesioned part 50 is calculated by multiplying the width number by a predetermined interval between the electrodes 5 a, and output to the image composition unit 47.

  The image composition unit 47 adds the contact width of the lesion site 50 detected by the contact width detection unit 49 to the observation image of the endoscope 10 as a text image and outputs the text image to the display device 41 or the storage device 48.

  As described above, according to the object measuring apparatus of the present embodiment, the size of the lesion site 50 is automatically detected from the continuous row width of the electrodes 5a through which a relatively large current flows. Accordingly, in the case where the color of the lesioned part 50 is difficult to distinguish from the surrounding colors, the contact width of the lesioned part 50 is obtained even if it is difficult to accurately determine the size of the lesioned part 50 by image processing alone. Thus, the size of the lesioned part 50 can be accurately detected.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Endoscope front hood 2 Main body 3 Endoscope mounting part 4 Cap part 4a Cap part front edge 5 Scale 5a Electrode 5b Lead wire 6 Connector 7 Signal cable 10 Endoscope 11 Operation part 12 Insertion part 13 Universal cord part 14 Connector Part 15 Tip 15a Tip 16 Forceps hole 17 Forceps channel 18 Suction channel 19 Water supply channel 20 Air supply channel 21 Optical fiber 22 Suction cap 23 Air supply port 24 Water supply port 25 Light guide 26 Suction button 27 Air supply / water supply button 28 Angle Knob 29 Eyepiece 30 Camera 31 Light source device with air / water feeding function 32 Computer 33 Current detector 34 Constant voltage power supply 40 Input device 41 Display device 42 Interface unit 43 Image input unit 44 Frame memory 45 Pattern extraction unit 46 Size calculation unit 47 Image composition unit 48 Storage device 49 Contact width detection unit 50 Lesion site 51 Cap part tip image 52 Scale image

Claims (1)

An object measuring device that measures the size of an object in front of an endoscope distal end using an endoscope,
An endoscope tip hood that is detachably attached to the endoscope distal end so that a tip edge protrudes from the endoscope distal end, and is formed in a short cylindrical shape;
A scale attached to the distal edge of the endoscope distal hood along the circumferential direction of the distal edge;
An imaging unit that is connected to the proximal end side of the endoscope and that captures an image of an object observed through the endoscope and an image of the scale of the endoscope tip hood, and generates image data;
Pattern extraction means for extracting the object image and the scale image from the image data generated by the imaging means;
A size calculating means for comparing the object image with the scale image and calculating the size of the object;
A plurality of electrodes arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the distal end edge of the endoscope distal end hood so that the distal end is exposed on the distal end edge surface;
A power source for applying a voltage to each of the electrodes;
Energization detecting means for detecting a current flowing through each electrode or a resistance between adjacent electrodes;
A contact width for determining a width at which the distal end edge of the endoscope distal end hood is in contact with the object based on the current of each electrode detected by the energization detecting means or the magnitude of the resistance between the electrodes. object measuring apparatus characterized by comprising: a judging means.