JPH10186238A - Remote control microscope system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable an operation method to be easily learned, to enhance working efficiency and to remote-control a system while viewing a video by arranging a photographing operation switch and a transmission operation switch at a position near a remote control microscope. SOLUTION: A video signal photographed by a camera 103 is displayed on a monitor 112 on an observation side through a communication network 109. An observer operates the operation knob of a stage operation part 115 while viewing the video. Then, a generated pulse signal is transmitted to a computer for control 107 on a request side through the network 109. Based on the number of received pulses, the stage 105 of the remote control microscope 102 is moved. When enlargement magnification is changed, the observer operates an objective lens operation part 114 while viewing the video on the monitor 112 so as to change the magnification of the objective lens 104 of the microscope 102. Besides, when a focal point is changed, the observer operates a focus handle 116 while viewing the video on the monitor 112 so as to execute the focusing of the microscope 102.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote pathological diagnosis system, and more particularly to a technique effective when applied to a remote control device of a remote control microscope connected via a communication network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIG. 2, for example, a remote operation microscope system as one of the conventional remote pathological diagnosis systems includes a requesting apparatus 201, an observing apparatus 207, and a requesting apparatus 201 and an observing apparatus 207. And a communication network 206 for connecting

[0003] The requesting apparatus 201 is a remote control microscope 20.
2, a camera 203 for converting an image of the remote operation microscope 202 into an electric signal, a control computer 204 for controlling operation of an electric unit (not shown) for driving an adjustment mechanism of the remote operation microscope 202, a camera 203 and the control And a line connection device 205 on the requesting side for connecting the computer for communication 204 to the communication network 206.

On the other hand, the observation side device 207 is
20 for displaying an image of a pathological specimen taken by the
9, a control box 210 for instructing a change in imaging conditions of a remote operation microscope 202 which is a remote operation device, and a hand switch 21 for instructing operation of an electric unit (not shown).
1 and an observation-side line connection device 208 for connecting each of the above-described observation-side remote control devices and the communication network.

In the remote operation microscope system shown in FIG. 2, first, a local worker or the like sets a pathological specimen on a remote operation microscope 202 installed in a local medical office or the like on the request side. Next, an operator on the observation side (observer), for example, a specialist in pathological cytology, sets imaging conditions from the control box 210 and gives an instruction for imaging. The setting and the photographing instruction are input to the line connection device 208 on the observation side, and then transmitted to the line connection device 205 on the requesting side via the communication network 206.
Enter 4 The control computer 204 sets the shooting conditions and the like of the camera 203 based on the instruction, and when the setting is completed, causes the camera 203 to start shooting. The image of the pathological specimen taken by the camera 203 is input to the line connection device 205 on the requesting side, and is then transmitted via the communication network 206 to the line connection device 2 on the observation side.
08, and displayed on the monitor 209. Next, the observer operates the hand switch 211 to adjust the imaging position based on the image displayed on the monitor 209, and moves the pathological specimen to a site that the observer wants to observe. On the other hand, the imaging condition of the pathological specimen was changed from the control box 210.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of another remote operation microscope system. In this remote operation microscope, the configuration and operation of the requesting apparatus 201 are the same as those of the remote operation microscope system shown in FIG. Met.

On the other hand, the observation side device 307 connects the operation computer 309 to the line connection device 308 on the observation side,
By a program operating on the operation computer,
The operation instruction of the electric unit of the remote control microscope 202 is issued.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION As a result of studying the above prior art, the present inventor has found the following problems.

The conventional remote operation microscope system uses various systems to operate a control box and a hand switch 211, which are remote operation devices provided on the requesting side, or a remote operation microscope mounted on an operation computer 309. However, there is a problem that the observer has to learn and memorize a plurality of operation methods for each system to be used.

[0010] Further, if the operator forgets the learned operation method, the operator cannot operate the remote-controlled microscope system unless the user manually checks the operation method again, so that the observation efficiency is reduced. There was a problem.

Further, in the remote operation microscope system using the operation computer 309 shown in FIG. 3, the observer works while moving the viewpoint to both the microscope image of the camera 203 and the operation image. Therefore, there is a problem that a great deal of fatigue is given to the observer.
Therefore, there is a problem that the time required for observation increases.

An object of the present invention is to provide a remote-controlled microscope system that allows the user to easily learn the operation method.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a remote control microscope system capable of improving the work efficiency of an observer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a remote-controlled microscope system that allows an observer to perform a remote operation while observing a microscope image.

The above and other objects and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0016]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Among the inventions disclosed in the present application, the outline of a representative one will be briefly described.
It is as follows.

In a remote operation microscope system for operating a remote operation microscope on which a pathological specimen to be observed is placed by a remote operation device connected via a communication network, the remote operation device is located near the remote operation microscope. Is provided with an operation switch for controlling the photographing operation of the remote control microscope and the transmission operation of the photographed image.

According to the above-mentioned means, for example, a remote control device installed on the client side is provided with an operation switch having the same shape as the remote control microscope on the request side, and the mounting position of the operation switch and the operation method In this case, the observer can operate the remote-controlled microscope in the same manner as a microscope that has been used on a daily basis. However, there is no need to learn a new operation method. Further, it is possible to prevent the user from forgetting the operation method.

Therefore, the observation efficiency of the observer can be improved.

Further, since the observer can operate the remote control microscope in the same manner as a microscope that has been used every day, it is possible to always perform a desired operation while observing the microscope image. The use of extra effort can be prevented.

Therefore, the observation efficiency of the observer can be further improved.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings together with embodiments (examples) of the invention.

In all the drawings for describing the embodiments of the present invention, components having the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their repeated description will be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a remote operation microscope system according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein 101 is a requesting apparatus, 102 is a remote operation microscope (microscope), 103 is a camera, and 104 is an objective lens. , 105 is the stage, 10
6 is a focus handle, 107 is a control computer, 108 is a line connecting device on the requesting side, 109 is a communication network, 110 is a device on the observing side, 111 is a line connecting device on the observing side, 112 is a monitor, and 113 is a remote microscope operating device. (Remote operation device), 114 is an objective lens operation unit, 11
Reference numeral 5 denotes a stage operation unit, and 116 denotes a focus handle operation unit.

In FIG. 1, a requesting apparatus 101 is an apparatus installed in a local medical office, for example, and includes a remote control microscope 102, a control computer 107 for controlling the remote control microscope 102, and a remote control microscope 102. 10 that converts the image of the pathological specimen captured by the camera into an electric signal
And a line connection device 108 on the requesting side for connecting these devices to the communication network 109.

The objective lens 104 is a well-known objective lens, and switches the magnification when observing a pathological specimen mounted on the stage 105. The objective lens 10
4 is a motorized unit for an objective lens (not shown)
The magnification can be changed. The electric unit for the objective lens operates based on a control signal from the control computer 107.

The stage 105 is a well-known stage for mounting, positioning and moving a pathological specimen to be observed. The stage 105 is moved forward and backward and left and right by a moving knob (not shown) or a motorized unit for the stage (not shown). Can be moved in a two-dimensional plane. However, the motorized unit for the stage is the control computer 107.
Operates in accordance with the control signal of

The focus handle 106 is an adjustment handle for performing a well-known focus adjustment. The focus can be adjusted by the focus handle 106 or a focus electric unit (not shown). However, the focus electric unit operates based on a control signal from the control computer 107.

The control computer 107 is connected to the line connection device 108 on the requesting side.
Based on the signal 08, drive control of each electric unit described above is performed. The control computer 107 is
It is also connected to the camera 103 and controls the aperture of the camera 103 and the like.

The line connection device 108 on the request side converts the signal format of the communication network 109 into the signal format of the control computer, and converts the image (photographed image) of the pathological specimen photographed by the camera 103 into the signal format of the communication network 109. This is a well-known line connection device for converting to a camera 103, a control computer 107, and a communication network 109.

Each of the above-mentioned electric units is, for example, a well-known electric unit including a well-known stepping motor and a gear for transmitting the driving force of the motor to each adjusting mechanism.

The communication network 109 is a well-known communication network, for example, a LAN (L
ocal Area Network).

The observation apparatus 110 is, for example, an apparatus installed in a university hospital or the like, and includes a monitor 112 for displaying an image of a pathological specimen taken by the camera 103, and a remote microscope operating device for operating the remote operating microscope 102. 113 and an observation-side line connection device 111 for connecting these devices to the communication network 109.

The remote microscope operation device 113 has a shape imitating the remote operation microscope 102, and includes the objective lens 104.
Lens operation unit 11 for controlling switching of the magnification of the lens
4. It has a stage operation unit 115 for controlling the movement of the stage 105 in the two-dimensional direction, and a focus handle operation unit 116 for controlling the focus handle 106 for performing focus adjustment. However, each of the operation units described above is disposed at the same position as the main body of the remote control microscope 102 or in the vicinity thereof. The operation method of each of the operation units described above is the same as that of the remote control microscope 102.

The objective lens operation unit 114 is an operation unit for instructing switching of the magnification of the objective lens 104 of the remote control microscope 102. This objective lens operation unit 11
4 is the objective lens 1 of the remote control microscope 102, for example.
04 has the same shape as the operation knob for switching the magnification. The operation knob is connected to, for example, an encoder (not shown), and generates a predetermined number of pulse signals in accordance with the operation of the operation knob, and the pulse signal is input to a controller (not shown). The controller outputs the above-mentioned pulse signal as an objective lens operation signal to the line connection device 111 on the observation side.

The stage operation unit 115 is an operation unit for instructing movement of the stage 105 of the remote control microscope 102. The stage operation unit 115 has the same shape as the stage 105 of the remote control microscope 102, for example.
The adjustment knob has the same shape. The stage and the operation knob are connected to, for example, an encoder (not shown), and generate a preset number of pulse signals in accordance with the operation of the operation knob, and the pulse signal is input to a controller (not shown). . The controller outputs the above-described pulse signal as a stage movement signal to the line connection device 111 on the observation side.

The focus handle operation section 116 is an operation section for instructing the focus adjustment of the remote control microscope 102. The focus handle operation section 116 is, for example, a focus handle 106 of the remote control microscope 102.
It has the same shape as. The focus handle operation unit 1
The 16 focus handles are connected to an encoder (not shown), and generate a preset number of pulse signals as the handle is operated, and the pulse signals are input to a controller (not shown). The controller outputs the above-described pulse signal as a focus handle operation signal to the line connection device 111 on the observation side.

The line connection device 111 on the observation side converts the pulse signal input from the controller (not shown) into the signal format of the communication network 109 and outputs the image of the camera 103 transmitted from the requesting side to the monitor 112.

As described above, the remote control microscope operating device 113 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is provided with an adjustment knob or the like having the same shape as the remote control microscope 102 installed on the requesting side at the same position. ing.

Next, the operation of the remote control microscope system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

First, a requesting worker places (sets) a pathological specimen on the remote control microscope 102 of the requesting apparatus 101.
I do. Next, an operator (observer) on the observation side, for example, a pathological cytology expert or the like gives an instruction to start imaging.
However, as the set value of the photographing condition at this time, for example, a preset setting is used.

Based on the instruction to start the imaging, the requesting side inputs the video signal of the pathological specimen photographed by the camera 103 to the line connection device 108 of the requesting side, and then, via the communication network 109, the observation side. Is transmitted to the line connection device 111. The video signal is sent to the line connection device 11 on the observation side.
1 is output to the monitor 112 and displayed on the monitor 112. Here, the observer makes a diagnosis based on the image of the pathological specimen displayed on the monitor 112, but if the image displayed on the monitor 112 is not the image of the target place of the observer, , It is necessary to change the shooting position. In this case, in the embodiment of the present invention, the observer operates the operation knob (not shown) of the stage operation unit 115 of the remote microscope operation device 113 while observing the image on the monitor 112. A pulse signal generated by operating the operation knob is transmitted to the control computer 107 via a controller (not shown), the line connection device 111 on the observation side, the communication network 109, and the line connection device 108 on the requesting side. The control computer 107 controls a stage motorized unit (not shown) based on the received pulse number to move the stage 105 of the remote control microscope 102.

When it is necessary to change the magnification of the pathological specimen, the observer operates the objective lens operation unit 114 while observing the image on the monitor 112. The objective lens operation unit 114 generates a pulse signal generated by the operation of the observer. This pulse signal is sent to a controller (not shown), the line connection device 111 on the observation side,
The communication network 109 and the line connection device 1 on the requesting side
08 and transmitted to the control computer 107. The control computer 107 controls a motorized unit for an objective lens (not shown) based on the number of pulses of the received pulse signal to change the magnification of the objective lens 104 of the remote control microscope 102.

Further, when it is necessary to change the focus of the image displayed on the monitor 112, the observer operates the focus handle 116 while observing the image on the monitor 112. This focus handle 11
6 are generated by operating a controller (not shown), the line connection device 111 on the observation side, the communication network 109, and the line connection device 10 on the request side.
8 to the control computer 107. The control computer 107 controls a focus motorized unit (not shown) based on the number of received pulses to adjust the focus of the remote control microscope 102.

As described above, in the remote control microscope system of the present embodiment, the remote microscope operating device 113, which is a remote control device for remotely controlling the remote control microscope 102 installed on the client side, is added to the remote control microscope device 113. Remote control microscope 1
By providing an operation knob or an operation switch having the same shape as that of the remote control microscope 102 and using the same mounting position and operation method of the operation knob and the operation switch as those of the remote control microscope 102, the observer can always use the control knob or the operation switch. Since the remote-controlled microscope 102 can be operated in the same manner as the conventional microscope, even if a different remote-controlled microscope system is used, it is not necessary to learn a new operation method. Further, it is possible to prevent the user from forgetting the operation method.

Therefore, there is an effect that the observation efficiency of the observer can be improved.

Further, the observer always keeps the monitor 112
It is possible to perform a desired operation while observing, so that it is possible to prevent an extra effort from being given to the observer.

Therefore, the observation efficiency of the observer can be further improved.

In the remote operation microscope system according to the present embodiment, the case where only the objective lens 104, the stage 105, and the focus handle 106 are adjusted by remote control has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Even if other adjustment items such as a light source can be controlled by an electric unit (electronic unit), the remote microscope operating device 113 on the observation side operates the operation unit serving as an operation unit for operating the electric unit. It goes without saying that the remote control can be easily performed by providing the switch.

In the remote operation microscope system according to the present embodiment, the case where the communication network 109 is a LAN using a dedicated line has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the Internet, MAN (M
etropolitan Area Network:
Urban Area Network) and WAN (Wide Area Net)
Needless to say, a work (wide area network) or the like may be used.

In the above description, the instruction from the observation side is given by the number of pulse signals from the encoder provided on each operation knob, and the requesting side receives the instruction of each electric unit based on the number of pulse signals described above. By driving the stepping motor, an instruction from the observer is given to the microscope at a remote place.However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the rotation angle of the operation knob or the rotation angle of the operation knob may be applied to each operation knob on the observation side. Provide a potentiometer or the like for detecting the position, based on the output value of the potentiometer, the controller detects the current rotation angle and the like of each operation knob and the like, transmits the rotation angle to the requesting side, on the requesting side, By controlling each adjustment knob so that each adjustment unit of the microscope on the request side is at the same position as this angle, a configuration to transmit instructions from the observer side and And it may be it is needless to say.

As described above, the invention made by the present inventor
Although specifically described based on the embodiments of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments of the present invention, and it is needless to say that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. .

[0053]

The effects obtained by typical ones of the inventions disclosed in the present application will be briefly described as follows.

(1) Since the observer can operate with almost the same operation method as a microscope used daily, the operation method can be easily learned.

(2) Since the observer can operate with almost the same operation method as the microscope used everyday, the work efficiency of the observer can be improved.

(3) Since the observer can operate with almost the same operation method as the microscope used everyday, the observer can perform remote control while observing the microscope image.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a remote operation microscope system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional remote operation microscope system.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional remote operation microscope system using an operation computer.

[Explanation of symbols]

101, 201: requesting device, 102, 202: remote control microscope, 103, 203: camera, 104: objective lens, 105: stage, 106: focus handle,
107, 204, 304 ... control computer, 10
8, 205... Requesting line connection device, 109, 206.
Communication network, 110, 207, 307: Observation side device, 111, 208, 308: Observation side line connection device,
112, 209, 310 monitor, 113 remote microscope operating device, 114 objective lens operating unit, 115 stage operating unit, 116 focus handle operating unit, 210
... Control box, 211 ... Hand switch, 309 ... Operation computer, 311 ... Keyboard, 312 ... Mouse.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A remote control microscope system for operating a remote control microscope on which a pathological specimen to be observed is placed by a remote control device connected via a communication network, wherein the remote control device is a remote control microscope. A remote control microscope system comprising an operation switch for controlling a photographing operation of the remote control microscope and a transmission operation of the photographed image at a position near the remote control microscope.