KR101276162B1 - Capsule-Type Endoscope, Imaging Method For Capsule-Type Endoscope And Apparatus For Processing Image Transmitted From Capsule-Type Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a capsule endoscope device, a method for processing an image of a capsule endoscope device, and an apparatus for processing an image transmitted from a capsule endoscope device. A first photographing unit for photographing an image of the first photographing unit, a control unit for converting image information photographed by the first photographing unit into an electrical signal, and an electrode unit transmitting an electrical signal, wherein the first photographing unit is configured to control light for capturing image information. 1 includes a light emitting unit and a first image pickup unit that picks up image information according to light emission of the light emitting unit. At this time, the first light emitting unit is composed of a plurality of light emitting elements that emit light of different wavelengths, the plurality of light emitting elements emit light at different times, and the first imaging unit is adapted to emit light of the plurality of light emitting elements, Images are taken using light of different wavelengths.

Description

Capsule Endoscope Apparatus, Image Processing Method of Capsule Endoscopy and Image Processing Device from Capsule Endoscopy {Capsule-Type Endoscope, Imaging Method For Capsule-Type Endoscope And Apparatus For Processing Image Transmitted From Capsule-Type Endoscope}

The present invention relates to an endoscope of the human body, and more particularly, to a method and an apparatus for acquiring image information inside the human body through a capsule endoscope using a narrow band wavelength (Narrow Band), which is advantageous for the identification of a specific lesion.

In order to obtain information inside the human body, especially medical information, a method of inserting an endoscope attached to a cable through the mouth or anus of a subject is used. According to this method, since the endoscope can be directly controlled through a cable made of a lead wire or an optical fiber, it is easy to secure data inside the human body, but it causes great pain for the subject. In addition, organs such as the small intestine are not only far from the examinee's mouth or anus, but also have a problem in that the organ body diameter is small and difficult to be examined by the endoscope method described above.

In consideration of this, a capsule endoscope has been used. When the examinee swallows the capsule endoscope through the oral cavity, the capsule endoscope acquires necessary data with a camera or the like in the human body, and transmits the acquired data to an external receiving device.

As a method of transmitting the capturing information of the capsule endoscope to the external receiving device in the human body, there is a method using radio frequency (RF). In this method, information about a human body obtained through the capsule endoscope sensors, for example, imaging information, is modulated into an RF signal and transmitted.

In the case of using radio frequency, however, power is consumed because data is transmitted in an RF signal of several to several tens of MHz in order to use a frequency range that is harmless to the human body. In addition, in order to transmit data wirelessly, the capsule endoscope should be provided with an antenna, and there is a concern that the data reception rate of a device receiving data from outside is greatly influenced by the direction of the antenna.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for more accurately acquiring an image material in a human body using a capsule endoscope.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for acquiring more accurate data on a specific lesion by acquiring image data inside the human body at a specific narrowband wavelength.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for more accurately acquiring image data in a human body using a capsule endoscope using a specific narrowband wavelength.

One embodiment of the present invention is a capsule endoscope device, formed on one end of the capsule endoscope device and the first imaging unit for capturing the image of the inside of the human body and the electrode unit for transmitting the image information captured by the first imaging unit as an electrical signal The first photographing unit includes a first light emitting unit that emits light for photographing and a first imaging unit which acquires image information, converts image information into an electrical signal, and transmits the image information to the electrode unit. The unit comprises a plurality of light emitting elements that emit light of different wavelengths, the plurality of light emitting elements emit light at different times, and the first imaging unit picks up images in accordance with the light emission of the plurality of light emitting elements.

In this case, the capsule endoscope apparatus may further include a second photographing unit formed at the other end of the capsule endoscope, and the second photographing unit may include a second light emitting unit and a second light emitting unit emitting light for image information imaging. A second imaging unit may be configured to perform imaging according to negative light emission, and the second light emission unit may emit light at a wavelength different from that of the plurality of light emitting devices of the first light emission unit.

The capsule endoscope apparatus may further include a second photographing unit formed at the other end of the capsule endoscope apparatus, and the second photographing unit includes a second light emitting unit and a second light emitting unit for emitting light for image information imaging; The light emitting unit may include a second imaging unit configured to capture images according to light emission, and the second light emitting unit may emit light at the same wavelength as any one of the plurality of light emitting devices of the first light emitting unit.

The capsule endoscope apparatus may further include a second photographing unit formed at the other end of the capsule endoscope apparatus, and the second photographing unit includes a second light emitting unit and a second light emitting unit for emitting light for image information imaging; And a second imaging unit configured to capture an image according to light emission of the light emitting unit, and the second light emitting unit includes a plurality of light emitting elements that emit light of light having different wavelengths, and the plurality of light emitting elements of the second light emitting unit are different at different times. The light emitting device is configured to emit light by using light having a different wavelength in accordance with the light emission of the plurality of light emitting devices. At least one light emitting device of the plurality of light emitting devices of the second light emitting device may include a plurality of light emitting devices of the first light emitting device. It may emit light at the same wavelength as any one of the light emitting elements.

In the above-described cases, the light emitting device of the second light emitting part emitting light with the same wavelength as any one of the plurality of light emitting devices of the first light emitting part may emit light at the same time as the light emitting device of the first light emitting part emitting light with the same wavelength. have.

The capsule endoscope apparatus may further include a second photographing unit formed at the other end of the capsule endoscope apparatus, and the second photographing unit may include a second light emitting unit and a second light emitting unit for emitting light for image information imaging; And a second imaging unit configured to capture an image according to light emission of the light emitting unit, and the second light emitting unit includes a plurality of light emitting elements that emit light of light having different wavelengths, and the plurality of light emitting elements of the second light emitting unit are different at different times. And the second imaging unit captures an image by using light of different wavelengths in accordance with the light emission of the plurality of light emitting elements, and the plurality of light emitting elements of the second light emitting unit have different wavelengths from the plurality of light emitting elements of the first light emitting unit. It can also emit light.

In this case, the plurality of light emitting devices of the first light emitting part may include a light emitting device of white light and a light emitting device of blue light, or may include a light emitting device of white light and an infrared light emitting device. In addition, the plurality of light emitting elements of the first light emitting part may include a light emitting element of white light and a light emitting element of blue light, and the plurality of light emitting elements of the second light emitting part may include a light emitting element of white light and an infrared light emitting element.

In the above-described cases, the light emitting elements that emit light with different wavelengths may emit light at different times.

In the above cases, the plurality of light emitting elements of the first light emitting part may alternately emit light.

In the above-described cases, any one of the plurality of light emitting devices of the first light emitting unit may emit light once per unit time.

In the above-described cases, light emitting elements emitting light of different wavelengths alternately are alternately arranged in the light emitting portion comprising a plurality of light emitting elements emitting light of different wavelengths among the first light emitting part and the second light emitting part. Can be deployed.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a method for processing image information of a capsule endoscope, comprising the steps of: emitting light to capture an image of the inside of the human body; And a step of transmitting an electrical signal through the electrode, and emitting light of different wavelengths to perform the light emitting step, the imaging step, and the transmitting step for a predetermined unit time for each light of a different wavelength. Perform at least one time.

In this case, the light having different wavelengths may be at least two of white light, blue light, and infrared light.

In addition, light of different wavelengths may be alternately emitted.

Another embodiment of the present invention is an image information processing apparatus for processing image information received from the capsule endoscope, receiving unit for receiving an electrical signal transmitted from the capsule endoscope, a conversion unit for converting the electrical signal into the image information and conversion An output unit outputs one image information as an image, and the output unit outputs the image information photographed by using light having a different wavelength among the received image information together.

In this case, the output unit may also output the image information taken by using light of different wavelengths from among the images received within a predetermined time range as an image.

According to the present invention, it is possible to more accurately acquire the image data inside the human body using the capsule endoscope.

According to the present invention, by acquiring image data inside the human body at a specific narrow band wavelength, more accurate data can be obtained for a specific lesion.

According to the present invention, it is possible to more accurately acquire the image data inside the human body with a capsule endoscope using a specific narrow band wavelength.

1 is a view schematically illustrating a capsule endoscope using a human body communication.
2 is a view schematically illustrating a structure of a capsule endoscope 120 to which the present invention is applied.
Figure 3 schematically shows embodiments of the transmission power of the capsule endoscope according to the present invention.
Figure 4 schematically shows an example of the imaging unit of the capsule endoscope to which the present invention is applied.
5 schematically shows an image information processing apparatus of a system to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 6 is a view schematically showing an example of a double tip capsule endoscope having imaging units at both ends according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a photographing unit which may be configured using light emitting devices having different wavelengths in a double tip capsule endoscope to which the present invention is applied.
8 is a flowchart schematically illustrating an embodiment of acquiring information in a human body of a subject in a system to which the present invention is applied.
9 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a capsule endoscope device to which the present invention is applied.
10 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an image information processing apparatus for receiving and displaying image information from a capsule endoscope in a system to which the present invention is applied.

In order to accurately acquire the internal body information of the subject, the use of the capsule endoscope is expected to increase. In addition, the use of human body communication has been considered in order to avoid problems in the case of using the capsule endoscope using RF communication as described above, and to effectively transmit human body information.

Hereinafter, the content of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1 is a view schematically illustrating a capsule endoscope using a human body communication.

Referring to FIG. 1, as the capsule endoscope 120 passes through the digestive system 110, for example, the small intestine or the large intestine, in the examinee's human body 100, information about the digestive system is obtained. The information that the capsule endoscope 120 can acquire includes predetermined image information, acoustic information, and / or analysis information of an in-vivo medium.

The obtained information is converted into an electrical signal in the capsule endoscope 120 and is detected at the receiving electrodes 130a and 130b attached to the human subject. The receiving electrodes 130a and 130b transmit the received electrical signals to the receiving device 150 through the leads 140a and 140b.

2 is a view schematically illustrating a structure of a capsule endoscope 120 to which the present invention is applied.

Referring to FIG. 2, the capsule endoscope 120 may have a smooth cylindrical structure so that the capsule endoscope 120 can proceed without damaging the inside of the body. One end and / or the other end of the capsule endoscope 120 may be configured in a dome shape.

One end of the capsule endoscope 120 may be configured as a dome-shaped light window 230. Inside the light window 230, a light emitting device 220 capable of irradiating light into the human body through the light window 230 is provided, and the imaging unit 210 captures the inside of the human body to which the light is irradiated.

The light emitting device 220 may emit light using various devices, for example, an LED may be used as the light emitting device. In this case, the light emission period of the LED may be adjusted according to the imaging period of the imaging unit 210, or may be adjusted in consideration of the remaining battery capacity of the capsule endoscope 120.

When the photographing target is imaged by the light emitting device 220, the imager 210 may acquire the photographing target as an optical signal and convert the photographing target into an electrical signal. The imaging unit 210 includes a lens for condensing light and an imaging device for converting an image into electrical data or an electrical signal. Various image sensors, such as a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor and a charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensor, may be used as the image pickup device. The lens serves to focus the incident light on the image sensor.

On the other hand, the light emitting device 220 can determine whether the subject to be inspected is an object to be inspected, for example, to examine the cancer, what kind of cancer is to be inspected, which area to be inspected, The light emitting device having a specific wavelength may be used. Further, depending on which device is used as the imaging device, a light emitting device having a wavelength suitable for the imaging device may be used.

On the side surface of the capsule endoscope 120, transmitting electrodes 240 and 250 are provided. The transmitting electrodes 240 and 250 are formed on the surface of the capsule endoscope 120 to facilitate contact with the human body. The two transmission electrodes 240 and 250 may be spaced apart from each other with the insulating portion 260 interposed therebetween, and the portion 270 other than the transmission electrode and the transmission electrodes 240 and 250 may be insulated with an insulator. In this case, the housing of the capsule endoscope 120 may be formed of an insulator, and a transmitting electrode may be formed thereon, or an insulating portion may be formed together with the transmitting electrode.

The capsule endoscope 120 acquires various human body information in the human body. For example, the capsule endoscope 120 may obtain image information in the human body through the image pickup device and the light emitting device as described above, and may also acquire acoustic information, tissue information, PH information, temperature information, and electrical impedance information. .

As described above, the human body information is converted into an electrical signal through the imaging unit 210 inside the capsule endoscope 120. The converted electrical signal is applied to the two transmission electrodes 240 and 250, through which a potential difference is generated between the two transmission electrodes 240 and 250. The generated potential difference generates the electric field 160 as shown in FIG. 1, and when the transmitting electrodes 240 and 250 come into contact with the human body, current due to the potential difference flows.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the receiving device 150 of the capsule endoscope system senses a current through the receiving electrodes 130a and 130b attached to the human body and receives an electrical signal through the wires 140a and 140b. The received electrical signal is converted into desired data by a signal processing device (not shown) inside the receiving device 150.

The transmitting electrode of the capsule endoscope may be formed in various ways to perform human body communication.

Figure 3 schematically shows embodiments of the transmission power of the capsule endoscope according to the present invention.

The transmission electrode may be formed in a floating shape on one end side and the other end side of the capsule endoscope. By forming along the surface of the capsule endoscope, it is possible to more effectively contact the internal organs of the human body.

Figure 3 (a) schematically shows an example of the transmission electrode formed in a floating shape on one end side and the other end side of the capsule endoscope.

In addition, the transmission electrode may be formed in a shape covering both sides of the capsule endoscope. By forming the transmitting electrode on the surface of the capsule endoscope, it is possible to more effectively contact the internal organs of the human body.

Figure 3 (b) schematically illustrates an example of the transmission electrode formed in a shape covering both sides of the capsule endoscope.

On the other hand, through the endoscope it is possible to visually determine the state of the digestive organs of the human body through the image information, but there are cases where the visual judgment is difficult by the characteristics of the digestive organs or by the characteristics of the object to be examined. In this case, there is a problem that the advantage of the endoscope that can be directly visually confirmed the diagnosis of the digestive organs of the human body does not play a role. For example, lesion areas having a color unique to each digestive organ and similar color are difficult to visually discriminate. As a result, even when using the endoscope, it may occur that the lesion site can not be identified and missed.

Therefore, in consideration of the color of the digestive organs or the color of the target lesion site to be examined, it is necessary to photograph the site in a specific wavelength band. In particular, light of a specific wavelength band is advantageous for distinguishing a specific lesion site. For example, light in the wavelength band of 400 to 450 nm easily penetrates the inner wall of the organ to easily image blood vessels, and light in the wavelength band of 750 to 1000 nm (infrared rays) is easy to identify where blood is collected. In this case, the visual diagnosis may be performed more accurately by comparing the image information photographed using a specific wavelength band with the image information photographed using another wavelength band, for example, white light.

Figure 4 schematically shows an example of the imaging unit of the capsule endoscope to which the present invention is applied.

Referring to FIG. 4, the photographing unit 400 includes an imaging unit 410 and light emitting devices 420 and 430. 2, the photographing unit 400 may be located at the rear of the light window 230.

As described above, the imaging unit 410 may be formed using various image sensors such as a CMOS image sensor and a CCD image sensor. The imaging unit 410 may also be configured to include a lens. Referring to FIG. 4, a lens is positioned at the front of the imaging unit 410, and an imaging device is positioned at the rear of the lens to acquire image information through light collected by the lens and convert the image information into an electrical signal.

The light emitting elements 420 and 430 may be configured as LEDs. In FIG. 4, the photographing unit 400 is described as including six light emitting devices, but the present invention is not limited thereto and may include more light emitting devices or fewer light emitting devices.

In this case, the light emitting device 420 and the light emitting device 430 may be composed of LEDs having different wavelengths. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the light emitting device of the photographing unit 400 may be configured of LEDs having different wavelengths, for example, blue light LEDs and white light LEDs, and the blue light LEDs and the white light LEDs may be alternately disposed. .

LEDs having different wavelengths, for example, the blue light LED 420 and the white light LED 430 may alternately emit light at predetermined intervals. The imaging device 410 may acquire an image regarding the state of the human organ in accordance with the blue light LED 420 and the white light LED 430 alternately emitting light.

For example, when photographing at 2 frames per second (2f / s) using the blue light LED 420 and the white light LED 430, the '. White light, blue light, white light, blue light,... Order of 'or'… , White light, white light, blue light, blue light, white light, white light,... It is possible to perform light emission and photographing in various alternating orders such as'.

In addition, even when shooting at 3 frames per second (3f / s) can be taken in a variety of alternating order. For example, '…' White light, blue light, white light, blue light,... You can also shoot in the order of ','…. , White light, white light, blue light, white light, white light, blue light,... You can also shoot in the order of '.

5 schematically shows an image information processing apparatus of a system to which the present invention is applied.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image information processing apparatus 500 may receive an electrical signal from the electrodes 130a and 130b and display the image, or receive and display image data from the receiving apparatus 150. You may.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the image information processing apparatus 500 outputs images captured at different wavelengths together. For example, the image information processing apparatus 500 outputs an image 510 photographed according to the emission of the white light LED and an image 520 photographed according to the emission of the blue light LED. By comparing the image 520 photographed according to the blue light LED and the image 520 photographed according to the white light LED, the image 520 photographed according to the emission of the blue light LED is included in the image 510 photographed according to the emission of the white light LED. It is possible to find a lesion part that is difficult to find, and in the image 510 photographed according to the emission of the white light LED, the lesion part that is difficult to find may be found in the image 520 photographed according to the emission of the blue light LED.

Herein, the present invention has been described for simultaneously outputting and displaying images photographed at two different wavelengths. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and all images may be displayed and displayed together for images photographed at two or more different wavelengths. Only images necessary for contrast can be displayed and displayed together.

On the other hand, instead of configuring the imaging unit only at one end of the capsule endoscope, the imaging unit may be configured at both ends of the capsule endoscope to enhance the effect of the examination.

FIG. 6 is a view schematically showing an example of a double tip capsule endoscope in which photographing portions are formed at both ends according to the present invention.

The capsule endoscope 600 of FIG. 6, like the capsule endoscope 120 of FIG. 2, includes an insulation unit 630, 650, 670 that separates and insulates the transmission electrode 640 and 660 from the transmission electrode.

In addition, unlike the capsule endoscope 120 of FIG. 6, the capsule endoscope 600 of FIG. 6 includes photographing units 620 and 680 at both ends, and light windows 610 and 690 are formed at both ends. have. Accordingly, the double tip capsule endoscope 600 may acquire image information in the forward and reverse directions while traveling along the inside of the organ.

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a photographing unit which may be configured using light emitting devices having different wavelengths in a double tip capsule endoscope to which the present invention is applied.

Referring to FIG. 7A, the front photographing unit 620a and the rear photographing unit 680a include imaging units 700a and 730a, respectively. Light emitting devices 710a and 720a having different wavelengths are alternately disposed in the imaging unit 620a, and light emitting devices 740a and 750a having different wavelengths are alternately arranged in the imaging unit 680a.

In this case, two light emitting elements having different wavelengths may be disposed {(f ₁ , f ₂ ), (f ₁ , f ₂ )} in the front-side imaging unit 620a and the rear-side imaging unit 680a. The light emitting elements {(f ₁ , f ₂ ), (f ₁ , f ₃ )} may be arranged, and the four different light emitting elements {(f ₁ , f ₂ ), (f ₃ , f ₄ )} may be disposed. It may be.

Referring to FIG. 7B, the front image capturing unit 620b and the rear image capturing unit 680b include a light emitting device having one wavelength, and the light emitting element disposed at the front image capturing unit 620b and the rear stage. The wavelengths of light emitted from the light emitting elements arranged in the photographing unit 680b are different from each other. For example, the light emitting device 710b having the first wavelength is disposed in the front photographing unit 620b, and the light emitting device 740b having the second wavelength different from the first wavelength is disposed in the rear photographing unit 680b. do.

Referring to FIG. 7C, different light emitting devices 710c and 720c are alternately disposed in the photographing unit 620c of the front end, and different light emitting devices emit light at different wavelengths. In addition, one light emitting element 740c is disposed in the photographing unit 680c at the rear end, and the light emitting element emits light with a single wavelength. In this case, the wavelength of the light emitting element 740c of the rear end photographing unit 680c may be the same as the wavelength of any one of the light emitting elements 710c and 720c of the front end photographing unit 620c. In addition, the wavelength of the light emitting element 740c of the rear end photographing unit 680c may be a wavelength different from the wavelength of the light emitting elements 710c and 720c of the front end photographing unit 620c.

Herein, the front end and the rear end of the capsule endoscope have been distinguished and described. However, this is for convenience of description. The above description of the front end of the capsule endoscope may be equally applicable to the rear end of the capsule endoscope. The content of the rear end of the type endoscope can be equally applied to the front end of the capsule endoscope.

8 is a flowchart schematically illustrating an embodiment of acquiring information in a human body of a subject in a system to which the present invention is applied.

The capsule endoscope reaching the internal organs of the human body in which the information is to be acquired is contrasted with the internal organs through the first light emitting device emitting light at the first wavelength (S810).

According to light emission of the first light emitting device, an image of the inside of the organ in which the first imaging unit is illuminated at the first wavelength is captured (S820).

In the case of the single tip capsule endoscope in which the image capturing unit is formed only at one end of the capsule endoscope, the image capturing unit acquires image information according to the light emission of the first light emitting element of the capturing unit and converts the image information into an electrical signal.

In a double tip capsule endoscope in which both imaging portions are respectively formed at both ends of the capsule endoscope, when there is a light emitting element emitting light at the first wavelength in each of the imaging portions, emission and imaging may be simultaneously performed at both ends of the capsule endoscope. , Light emission and imaging may be sequentially performed at both ends.

The image information converted into an electrical signal is transmitted to the receiving apparatus as described above (S830).

The receiving device receives an electrical signal transmitted from the capsule endoscope (S840). The received electrical signal is converted into image information at the receiving device.

The receiving device outputs and displays the image information photographed at the first wavelength (S850).

While the image is output from the receiving device, the capsule endoscope images the internal organs through the second light emitting device emitting light at the second wavelength (S860). The second wavelength is a wavelength different from the first wavelength, and is a wavelength of light from which image information contrasted with the first wavelength can be obtained in consideration of the color of the organ to be photographed and the color of the lesion site to be discriminated.

In operation S870, the second imaging unit captures an image of the inside of the organ imaged to the second wavelength in accordance with the emission of the second light emitting device.

In the case of the single tip capsule endoscope in which the imaging unit is formed only at one end of the capsule endoscope, the above-described second imaging unit may be the same imaging unit as the first imaging unit.

In the double tip capsule endoscope in which the imaging portions are respectively formed at both ends of the capsule endoscope, when there is a light emitting element emitting light at the second wavelength in each of the imaging portions, light emission and imaging may be simultaneously performed at both ends of the capsule endoscope. , Light emission and imaging may be sequentially performed at both ends.

In the same manner as the image information photographed at the first wavelength, the image information photographed at the second wavelength is converted into an electrical signal and transmitted to the receiving apparatus (S880).

The receiving device receives an electrical signal transmitted from the capsule endoscope (S890). The received electrical signal is converted into image information at the receiving device.

The receiving device outputs and displays the image information photographed at the second wavelength (S900).

In this case, as described above, each time the receiving apparatus receives the electrical signal related to the image information, the receiving apparatus may convert the image information into image information and sequentially output the image information, and the image information photographed at two contrasts, for example, the first wavelength. And may receive both image information photographed at the second wavelength and simultaneously output both image information. Even when the receiving device sequentially outputs the image information, the two contrasted image information are output together on the screen of the receiving device, so that accurate diagnosis can be made by the contrast of the image information.

 Herein, the light emitting unit using two different wavelengths of the first wavelength and the second wavelength has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the light emission may be performed by adjusting the number of light emitting elements so that light of more wavelengths may be illuminated. You can also configure wealth. For example, the light emitting unit may be configured to dispose three different light emitting elements so that light of three different wavelengths may be arranged. Alternatively, the light emitting unit may be configured to dispose four different light emitting elements to emit light of four different wavelengths. At this time, the capsule endoscope may be configured in a single tip form, as described above, may be configured in a double tip form.

When the light emitting unit illuminates the inside of an examinee's organs with three or more different lights, that is, three or more different wavelengths, imaging, imaging, data transmission, Data reception and image display steps are performed. In this case, all images taken with different wavelengths may be displayed together on the screen, or only images necessary for contrast may be displayed on the screen.

 9 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a capsule endoscope device to which the present invention is applied.

The capsule endoscope device 900 includes a photographing unit 910, a controller 940, and an electrode unit 950.

The imaging unit 910 may be formed at one end of the capsule endoscope device 900, or may be formed at both ends.

The photographing unit 910 includes a light emitting unit 920 that emits light for photographing. When the image capturing unit 910 is formed only at one end of the capsule endoscope device 900, the light emitting unit 920 of the image capturing unit 910 includes a first light emitting unit and a second light emitting unit that emit light at different wavelengths. .

In the case where a plurality of image capturing units are formed at both ends of the capsule endoscope device 900, at least one of the plurality of image capturing units includes a plurality of light emitting units emitting light at different wavelengths.

When the photographing portion formed at one end includes a plurality of light emitting portions, and the photographing portion formed at the other end includes one light emitting portion, the wavelength of the light emitting portion at the other end may coincide with any one of the wavelengths of the light emitting portion at the other end. The wavelength of the light emitting portion may be a wavelength different from the wavelengths of the light emitting portion of the group.

In the case where all of the imaging units formed at both ends include a plurality of light emitting units, as described above, the light emitting units of the same imaging unit emit light at different wavelengths, but the light emitting units of the different imaging units may emit the same wavelength. For example, the first light emitting part of one end of the photographing part and the first light emitting part of the other part of the photographing part may emit light with the same wavelength. Further, all of the light emitting portions of the imaging portions formed at both ends may emit light at different wavelengths.

The image capturing unit 910 includes an image capturing unit 930 which captures image information according to light emitted from the light emitting unit 920. As described above, the imaging unit 930 includes an imaging device and a lens for condensing light on the imaging device.

When the photographing unit 910 is formed at both ends of the capsule endoscope device 900, each photographing unit may include an imaging unit.

The controller 940 may be connected to the photographing unit 910 and the electrode unit 950 to control the photographing unit 910 and the electrode unit 950. For example, the controller 940 is connected to the photographing unit 910 so that the light emission time (light emission period, light emission time, light emission duration, etc.) of the light emission unit 920 and the imaging time (imaging cycle, image pickup) of the imaging unit 930 are provided. Time, shooting duration, etc.). On the other hand, the light emission time (light emission period, light emission time, light emission duration, etc.) of the light emission unit 920 and the imaging time (image pickup cycle, imaging time, imaging duration, etc.) of the imaging unit 930 may be predetermined. In addition, the light emitter 920 and the image capturer 930 may perform light emission and imaging according to a predetermined light emission time and an imaging time.

The controller 940 may transmit the image information converted by the imaging unit 930 into an electrical signal to the receiving device through the electrode unit 950. In order to facilitate transmission, the electrode unit 950 may be formed on the surface of the capsule endoscope device 900.

10 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an image information processing apparatus for receiving and displaying image information from a capsule endoscope in a system to which the present invention is applied.

Referring to FIG. 10, the image information processing apparatus 1000 includes a receiver 1010, a converter 1020, and an output unit 1030.

The receiver 1010 receives an electrical signal transmitted from an electrode of the capsule endoscope device. The receiver 1010 may be configured in the form of an electrode or a pad attached to the body of the endoscope examinee.

The converter 1020 converts the electrical signal received by the receiver 1010 into image information that can be output as an image.

The output unit 1030 outputs the image information received from the converter 1020 as an image. As described above, the electrical signal received by the receiver 1010 may be converted from the image information photographed by the capsule endoscope device using light of different wavelengths. Therefore, the image output to the output unit 1030 may be image information photographed by contrast light of different wavelengths.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the output unit 1030 may output an image of a similar human body part photographed using light of different wavelengths together to enable accurate diagnosis through visual contrast. As described above, portions of the human body, specific tissues, and specific lesions may be more sensitive to light of a particular wavelength or may be more clearly distinguished from light of a particular wavelength.

In order to compare images of similar human parts with images captured using light having different wavelengths, the image processing apparatus 1000 may output the images received within the corresponding time intervals at predetermined time intervals.

In FIG. 5, two images using light having different wavelengths are output. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and more images may be simultaneously output to increase the accuracy of diagnosis.

In the above-described exemplary system, the methods are described on the basis of a flowchart as a series of steps or blocks, but the present invention is not limited to the order of the steps, and some steps may occur in different orders or simultaneously . It will also be understood by those skilled in the art that the steps shown in the flowchart are not exclusive and that other steps may be included or that one or more steps in the flowchart may be deleted without affecting the scope of the invention.

The above-described embodiments include examples of various aspects. While it is not possible to describe every possible combination for expressing various aspects, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other combinations are possible. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention include all alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (20)

A capsule endoscope device for obtaining information inside the human body,
A first photographing unit formed at one end of the capsule endoscope device to capture an image of the inside of the human body;
A second imaging unit formed at the other end of the capsule endoscope device; And
An electrode unit for transmitting the image information taken by the first photographing unit as an electrical signal,
Wherein the first photographing unit comprises:
A first light emitting unit emitting light for photographing; And
Acquiring image information, converting the image information into an electrical signal, and transmitting the image information to the electrode unit;
The second photographing unit,
A second light emitting unit which emits light for image information imaging; And
A second imaging unit for imaging in accordance with the light emission of the second light emitting unit,
The first light emitting unit is composed of a plurality of light emitting devices that emit light of different wavelengths, the plurality of light emitting devices emit light at different times,
The first imaging unit captures images in accordance with the light emission of the plurality of light emitting elements,
The second light emitting portion is composed of a plurality of light emitting elements that emit light of different wavelengths, the plurality of light emitting elements of the second light emitting portion emits light at different times,
The second imaging unit captures images using light of different wavelengths in accordance with the light emission of the plurality of light emitting devices,
At least one light emitting element of the plurality of light emitting elements of the second light emitting unit emits light with the same wavelength as any one of the light emitting elements of the first light emitting unit,
The plurality of light emitting devices of the first light emitting part and the plurality of light emitting devices of the second light emitting part may include a light emitting device of white light and a light emitting device of blue light.
A capsule endoscope device, characterized in that the light emitting device of white light is emitted twice, and then cross-emitting light in the order of the light emitting device emitting blue light once. delete delete delete The light emitting device of claim 1, wherein the light emitting device of the second light emitting part that emits light having the same wavelength as any one of the plurality of light emitting devices of the first light emitting part is the same time as the light emitting device of the first light emitting part that emits the same wavelength. A capsule endoscope device, characterized in that to emit light. delete delete delete delete delete delete The light emitting device of claim 1, wherein the light emitting device configured to emit light having different wavelengths alternately alternately emits light among the first light emitting part and the second light emitting part. Capsule type endoscope device characterized in that it is disposed. delete delete delete delete delete delete delete The capsule endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first light emitting unit and the second light emitting unit emit light three times per second.

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