JP6981148B2 - Imaging device and dermoscopy camera - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus and a dermoscopy camera .

In recent years, an increase in skin diseases such as melanoma (malignant melanoma) has become a problem due to aging and ozone layer depletion. For diagnosing such skin diseases, an imaging device called a dermoscopy camera capable of photographing the pigment distribution and color tone inside the skin is utilized. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a camera-equipped mobile phone to which a dermoscope can be attached and detached. During dermoscopy photography, the skin disease area is photographed with a camera-equipped mobile phone equipped with a dermoscope, and during normal photography, the skin disease area is photographed with a camera-equipped mobile phone with the dermoscope removed.

However, the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem that the skin disease portion, which is the subject, cannot always be captured at the central position. Specifically, when making a dermoscopy diagnosis, many dermatologists take pictures according to the following procedure.
1) To identify an individual, take a picture of the patient's chart using a normal camera.
2) In order to identify the position of the diseased part, the diseased part and its surroundings are photographed in a non-contact state as clinical photography.
3) Use a dermoscopy camera to photograph the diseased part in contact.

Then, since the "mole", which is the main subject of the dermoscopy camera, is very small, there is a problem that it is difficult to capture the subject at the center position of the shooting range at the time of shooting.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-192944

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image pickup device and a dermoscopy camera that can easily capture a very small subject at a center position accurately.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the image pickup apparatus according to the present invention is an image pickup device that includes a contact member that comes into contact with the subject and images the subject through the contact member, and is a light source for subject illumination. A light guide member that collects at least a part of the light from the light source as an aim on the central axis of photography and in front of the contacted member, and a shape in which the tip of the cone is cut. A tubular cover body is provided, and the contacted member is attached to an end portion of both ends of the cover body on the smaller diameter side, and the light source member is an outer peripheral surface of the cover body. It is characterized by being provided in.
Further, the dermos copy camera according to the present invention is a dermos copy camera that includes a light transmitting member that comes into contact with the subject and captures the subject through the light transmitting member, and is a dermos copy camera that captures the subject through the light transmitting member, and is a light source for subject illumination and light from the light source. A light guide member that collects light as an aim at at least a part of it on the center axis of photography and in front of the light transmitting member, and a tubular cover body having a shape in which the tip of a conical body is cut. The light transmitting member is attached to the end of the cover body on the smaller diameter side of both ends, and the light source member is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cover body. It is characterized by.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image pickup device and a dermoscopy camera that can easily capture a very small subject at a center position accurately.

It is sectional drawing which shows typically the image pickup apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a front view which shows typically the image pickup apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the aiming of the image pickup apparatus which concerns on this embodiment, (a) shows the focusing of aiming, (b) shows the optical axis of aiming, respectively. It is a figure explaining the aiming of the image pickup apparatus which concerns on this embodiment, (a) is the state which approaches a subject while condensing the aim, (b) is the state which captured the subject at the center position (b). c) shows the state reflected on the image sensor, respectively. It is a side sectional view schematically showing a conventional image pickup apparatus. In the figure explaining the conventional image pickup apparatus, (a) shows the state of approaching a subject, (b) shows the state of capturing a subject at a displaced position, and (c) shows the state of being reflected by an image sensor. Each is shown.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a camera to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. The camera is applied to a dermoscopy camera, which is an image pickup device for diagnosing cancer (mole) such as "mole", and a close-up camera, which is an image pickup device that more generally shoots by touching a subject. However, in the present specification, the dermoscopy camera will be used as a representative. In the specification of the present application, "Dermoscope" and "Dermoscopy" are used according to the proper use of "Microscope: microscope" and "Microscopy: inspection by microscope or use of microscope (method)". ) ”Is used to mean a magnifying glass (device) for skin examination and skin examination using the same magnifying glass or use (act) of the same magnifying glass.

(Overall configuration of dermoscopy camera 1)
The dermoscopy camera 1 according to the present embodiment provides a condensing structure having an aim for accurately capturing a very small subject at a center position by secondarily using a built-in light source. .. Hereinafter, it will be described in detail.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an image pickup apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view schematically showing the image pickup apparatus according to the present embodiment. 3A and 3B are views for explaining the aiming of the image pickup apparatus according to the present embodiment, in which FIG. 3A shows the focusing of the aiming, and FIG. 3B shows the optical axis of the aiming. 4A and 4B are views for explaining the aiming of the image pickup device according to the present embodiment, in which FIG. 4A captures the state of approaching the subject while condensing the aiming, and FIG. 4B captures the subject at the center position. The state is shown, and (c) shows the state reflected on the image sensor. FIG. 5 is a side sectional view schematically showing a conventional image pickup apparatus. 6A and 6B are views for explaining a conventional image pickup apparatus, in which FIG. 6A shows a state of approaching a subject, FIG. 6B shows a state of capturing a subject at a displaced position, and FIG. 6C shows a state of being captured by an image pickup device. The state of each is shown.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the dermoscopy camera (imaging device) 1 is composed of a camera body (imaging device body, also simply referred to as “main body”) 10 and a lens unit 20 provided in front of the camera body 10. It is roughly configured. The lens unit 20 takes a picture of a skin diseased part in contact with the "mole" as the main subject.

In the following description, as shown in FIG. 1, the imaging target side is the front (front, front) of the dermoscopy camera 1, the opposite side is the rear, and the vertical direction when the dermoscopy camera 1 is viewed from the front is the same. The explanation will be based on a Cartesian coordinate system in the vertical direction. Further, unless otherwise specified, the attachment of each member may be performed by an appropriate method such as attachment using screws, screws or the like, attachment such as fitting, or the like.

(About the configuration of the camera body 10)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the camera body 10 has a housing 11, such as a zoom lens unit 12 inside the housing 11, a circuit wiring board 30 and an image sensor 31 behind the zoom lens unit 12. Contains various components. The housing 11 is provided with a power button (not shown) in addition to the shutter button 18 on the upper surface.

Further, inside the housing 11, a storage unit that stores a captured image read by the image sensor 31 according to the operation of the shutter button 18, a control unit that controls each of the above-mentioned parts, and a power supply are supplied to each of the above-mentioned parts. Although a battery unit for supplying is provided, these illustrations are omitted.

For the camera body 10, a known photographing device used for ordinary photographing, for example, a configuration of a commercially available digital camera can be adopted. For example, the zoom lens unit 12, the circuit wiring board 30, and the image pickup element 31 may be used. , Known parts can be used. The zoom lens unit 12 has a known optical lens. Further, as the image pickup device 31, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor can be used. Further, the camera body 10 is provided with a touch panel type screen (not shown) for displaying the captured image and executing various settings of the dermoscopy camera 1.

(About the configuration of the lens unit 20)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lens unit 20 includes a tubular cover body (lens cover) 40 having a conical tip cut off, and a cover member fitted into the opening 41b of the cover body 40. 24 and.

The cover body 40 is made of a resin such as a polyvinyl chloride derivative or an acrylic resin. The outer shape of the cover body 40 has a tapered shape toward the front, and the inside thereof is hollow. Further, the hollow portion of the cover body 40 also has a shape whose diameter is reduced toward the front.

As shown in FIG. 1, an LED 13a is provided behind the cover member 24 of the cover body 40 so as to surround the zoom lens portion 12. The LED 13a is mounted on an LED substrate (not shown). The LED substrate has an annular shape, and a plurality of LEDs 13a are mounted on the front surface thereof. The plurality of LEDs 13a are arranged concentrically with respect to the center of the LED substrate at equal intervals. As a result, the LED substrate on which the LED 13a is mounted functions as a ring flash that emits light forward from the outer peripheral position of the zoom lens unit 12. The LED 13a is composed of an LED that emits white light.

In the present embodiment, the LED 13a is provided inside the cover body 40, but the LED 13a may be provided on the side of the camera body 10. For example, when the lens unit 20 is rotatably provided with respect to the camera body 10, by providing the LED 13a on the camera body 10, the camera body 10 illuminates a wide skin surface including a skin disease portion. Can be taken.

The cover member 24 is fitted in the opening 41b formed at the tip of the cover body 40, and is arranged close to the front of the LED 13a. The cover member 24 is made of transparent glass or a synthetic resin such as acrylic, and the cover member 24 is brought into contact with the subject at the time of photographing. Since the dermoscopy camera 1 also performs sterilization, cleaning, and the like after shooting, the cover member 24 and the cover body 40 are securely sealed.

Here, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a sighting device 13c is provided at the outer tip of the cover body 40. The sighting device 13c is provided at a position in front corresponding to the LED 13a, and inside the aiming device 13c, a guide for condensing a part of the light emitted from the LED 13a to the front outside the cover member 24. The optical member 13b is housed. Note that FIGS. 1 and 2 show two LEDs 13a and two aiming devices 13c / light guide members 13b corresponding to them, but the number of arrangements thereof is not limited to two and is necessary. It can be set arbitrarily according to.

When the LED 13a is provided on the side of the camera body 10, the sighting device 13c may be provided at the rear end or the intermediate position instead of the outer tip of the cover body 40.

Although not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in addition to the above, the cover body 40 has a light guide plate that directs a part of the light emitted from the conversion lens and the LED 13a to the cover member 24 for subject lighting. Alternatively, a polarizing filter may be provided inside the cover member 24.

(About the progress of LED light during dermoscopy shooting)
FIG. 3 shows the progress of the LED light of the dermoscopy camera 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3A, when the dermoscopy camera 1 is brought closer to the subject in the X direction (forward direction), the central region A is recognized on the subject. This is formed as a result of the light emitted from the LED 13a being focused by the above-mentioned sighting device 13c.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3B, a part of the light emitted from the LED 13a travels toward the cover member 24 as shown by the arrow L1, passes through the cover member 24, and is passed by the arrow L2. It is emitted forward as shown in. The light emitted from the cover member 24 illuminates the subject. On the other hand, a part of the light emitted from the LED 13a travels toward the light guide member 13b of the sighting device 13c as shown by the arrow L3, passes through the light guide member 13b, and moves forward as shown by the arrow L4. Emitted. The light emitted from the plurality of light guide members 13b is focused on a position at a certain distance on the extension line of the central axis of the dermoscopy camera 1, that is, the aiming point S.

(Example of using Dermoscopy camera 1)
When performing dermoscopy photography using the dermoscopy camera 1, the photographer attaches the lens unit 20 to the camera body 10 as shown in FIG. At that time, a known configuration can be adopted for the mode in which the lens unit 20 is attached to the camera body 10. For example, the lens unit 20 may be screwed into the camera body 10 or magnetized by a magnetic material. Further, the lens unit 20 may be rotatably attached to the camera body 10 by providing a rotating portion (not shown) on the lens unit 20 and a rotating support portion on the camera body 10.

Then, the photographer presses the power button to turn on the power, and for example, half-presses the shutter button 18 to cause the LED 13a to emit light. At that time, in the case of the dermos copy camera 1'without the aiming device 13c as shown in FIG. 5, as shown in FIG. 6 (a), the dermos copy camera 1'is brought close to the skin diseased portion M in the X direction (forward direction). Even if the dermos copy camera 1'is displaced downward with respect to the skin diseased portion M in the process, the photographer can position the skin diseased portion M at the center of the cover member 24 as shown in FIG. 6 (b). As shown in FIG. 6 (c), the skin disease portion M is imaged at a position shifted upward on the image pickup element 31 of the camera body 10. In order to adjust to the center position, the photographer needs to repeat trial and error many times.

On the other hand, in the dermoscopy camera 1 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A, the dermoscopy camera 1 is brought close to the skin disease portion M in the X direction (forward direction) within a certain width W. In the process of moving, the light emitted from the sighting device 13c displays the central region A on the subject. As shown in FIG. 4B, the photographer confirms that the dermoscopy camera 1 is displaced downward with respect to the skin disease portion M by the touch panel type screen of the camera body 10, and the dermoscopy camera 1 is Y. It can be moved in the direction (upward direction) and adjusted so that the skin disease portion M is located at the center of the cover member 24 as shown in FIG. 4 (c).

Then, the cover member 24 is brought into contact with the skin disease portion. The light emitted from the cover member 24 reaches under the skin while suppressing diffuse reflection on the surface of the skin disease portion M, and is reflected by the substance under the skin. This reflected light is taken into the dermoscopy camera 1 via the cover member 24. The captured light is magnified 10 to 30 times through the conversion lens and the zoom lens unit 12, and is imaged at the center position on the image sensor 31 of the camera body 10. When the shutter button 18 of the camera body 10 is fully pressed at an arbitrary timing, the captured image read by the image sensor 31 is stored in the storage unit of the camera body 10. The captured image stored in this way can be used for examination and diagnosis of, for example, melanocytic nevus, malignant melanoma, seborrheic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma, vascular lesion and Bowen's disease.

(About the effect of the embodiment)
As described above, in the dermoscopy camera 1 according to the present embodiment, the LED 13a of the light source built in the lens unit 20 or the camera body 10 is secondarily used as an aim to take a picture when the subject is brought into contact with the dermoscopy camera 1. It can be captured in the center of the range.

Further, in the dermoscopy camera 1, the illumination of the subject by the LED 13a and the aiming by condensing the light of the LED 13a are at the same timing, so that it is not necessary to separately provide an illumination and aiming switch, and the photographer can use the photographer. No special operation is required to aim.

In this way, since the lens unit 20 can be reliably aimed at the time of dermoscopy shooting, the image located at the center of the shooting medium can be recorded, and the need for re-shooting is reduced, and the medical treatment time is reduced. It is possible to shorten the time and make an accurate diagnosis.

Further, since the dermoscopy camera 1 does not require any special function or device other than the sighting device 13c and the light guide member 13b, the dermoscopy camera 1 is provided with a simple and inexpensive structure that achieves both lighting and aiming. be able to.

(About the modification of the embodiment)
The present embodiment is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and applications are possible. In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the lens unit 20 may be rotatably attached to the camera body 10, but the movement mode of the lens unit 20 is not limited to such rotation, for example, the camera. It may be slid with respect to the main body 10. In short, at the time of dermoscopy photography, the front of the zoom lens unit 12 may be arranged so as to be covered with the lens unit 20. The zoom lens unit 12 may be configured as a fixed-magnification lens unit in consideration of the intended use of the dermoscopy camera 1.

Further, in the above embodiment, the light source is the LED 13a arranged on the circumference, but other light sources may be adopted. For example, a high-intensity light such as a halogen lamp, a semiconductor light emitting element, and a light emitting element such as an organic electroluminescence can be used.

Further, although it has been explained that the LED 13a is composed of an LED that emits white light, for example, an ultraviolet light source, a blue light source, or a green light light source may be adopted. Further, the light sources having different colors of light may be provided so that the light sources of different colors can emit light independently. In this way, different images can be obtained by irradiating light of different colors to obtain captured images, and by comparing different images and superimposing the images, the skin disease part can be inspected and the images can be superposed. Diagnosis can be facilitated.

Further, the lens unit 20 may be provided with another known light guide member instead of the light guide plate as the light guide member that collects the light from the LED 13a toward the tip for subject illumination. For example, an optical fiber that guides light toward the tip may be provided.

Further, the image pickup apparatus according to the present embodiment is not limited to the image pickup apparatus for dermoscopy photography, such as the dermoscopy camera 1 described in the above embodiment. Further, the subject is not limited to the skin disease part. For example, the present invention is also applied to an image pickup device or the like in which a subject is accurately photographed at the center position of an image pickup element when inspecting very small cracks, holes, etc. for maintenance of a structure or the like. Can be done.

Further, it has been explained that in the above-mentioned dermoscopy camera 1, the camera body 10 is provided with a shutter button 18 and a touch panel type screen (not shown) for executing various settings of the dermoscopy camera 1. However, an operation receiving unit such as a shutter button 18 or a touch panel type screen (not shown) may be provided in an operation unit physically separated from the camera body. The camera body and the operation unit can communicate in both directions using existing communication technology. By operating the operation unit, the photographer can perform various settings of the camera body, shutter operation, and the like.

The inventions described in the claims originally attached to the application of this application are described below. The claims described in the appendix are the scope of the claims originally attached to the application for this application.
[Claim 1]
It ’s an image pickup device.
A light source for subject lighting and
An image pickup apparatus comprising: a light guide member that collects light from the light source as a target in front of the center axis of photography.
[Claim 2]
With more lens cover,
The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light source is provided inside the lens cover, and the light guide member is provided outside the lens cover.
[Claim 3]
With more lens cover,
The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the light source is provided in the main body of the imaging device, and the light guide member is provided on the outside of the lens cover.
[Claim 4]
The image pickup apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a plurality of the light sources are mounted and at least two light guide members are provided corresponding to each light source.
[Claim 5]
The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the image pickup apparatus is compatible with dermoscopy photography.

1 ... Dermos copy camera 10 ... Camera body, 11 ... Housing, 12 ... Zoom lens unit, 13a ... LED, 13b ... Light guide member, 13c ... Sighting device, 18 ... Shutter button 20 ... Lens unit, 24 ... Cover member 30 ... Circuit wiring board, 31 ... Image pickup element 40 ... Cover body, 41b ... Opening

Claims (5)

An imaging device provided with a contacted member that comes into contact with a subject and images of the subject through the contacted member.
A light source for subject lighting and
A light guide member that collects at least a part of the light from the light source as an aim on the center axis of photography and in front of the contacted member.
A cylindrical cover with a cut tip of the cone,
Equipped with
The contacted member is attached to the end of the cover body on the smaller diameter side of both ends.
The light guide member is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cover body.
An imaging device characterized by this. The light source is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cover body.
The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1. A device main body to which the cover body is attached and an image pickup element is provided is provided.
The light source is provided in the apparatus main body.
The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1. A zoom lens is provided to enable magnified photography of the subject in contact with the contacted member.
The zoom lens is provided inside the cover body.
The image pickup apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A dermoscopy camera that includes a light transmitting member that comes into contact with a subject and captures the subject through the light transmitting member.
A light source for subject lighting and
A light guide member that collects at least a part of the light from the light source as an aim on the center axis of photography and in front of the light transmitting member.
A cylindrical cover with a cut tip of the cone,
Equipped with
The light transmitting member is attached to the end of the cover body on the smaller diameter side of both ends.
The light guide member is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cover body.
A dermoscopy camera that features that.

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