KR102203843B1 - Head for endoscope, medical endoscope and medical micro scope - Google Patents

Abstract

An endoscope head capable of realizing a composite image in which a bright field image and a fluorescent image are synchronized with a small number of optical components and an optical system of a small size, and a medical endoscope and a medical microscope equipped with the endoscope head are provided.
The endoscope head includes a first light source and a second light source for emitting light forward; An optical lens disposed behind the light source; A liquid crystal panel disposed behind the optical lens and including a plurality of pixels; Including an image sensor disposed at the rear of the liquid crystal panel, each of the plurality of pixels of the liquid crystal panel is divided into a first channel and a second channel, and selectively transmits light according to a wavelength band on the second channel It is characterized in that the filtering material is disposed.

Description

Endoscope head, medical endoscope and medical microscope {HEAD FOR ENDOSCOPE, MEDICAL ENDOSCOPE AND MEDICAL MICRO SCOPE}

The present invention relates to an endoscope head, a medical endoscope, and a medical microscope.

Imaging medicine is rapidly developing due to the development of medical technology and the development of various equipment for accurate disease diagnosis and convenient image acquisition. In particular, in endoscopic diagnosis for cancer diagnosis in the digestive tract, colon, and urinary tract, early cancer or precancerous lesions may have a similar color tone to the surrounding mucous membrane or may not have distinct ridges or depressions, and due to the limitation of morphological observation. Because the boundary of is not clear, it is often difficult to find and observe with only a bright field image acquired through light of a white wavelength.

Therefore, there is a demand for technology to enable well-detection of clinically meaningful lesions (Detection), to indicate characteristics and boundaries of lesions (Characterization), and to enable accurate diagnosis (Diagnosis).

With this solution, molecular imaging techniques such as narrow-band, autofluorescence, and contrast agent-based fluorescence images are combined with an endoscope to realize diagnosis and precision medicine in the field, based on optical biopsy. System development is emerging. In the case of diagnosis and surgery through fluorescence imaging, the margin can be minimized when the tumor is removed, and it is possible to precisely examine the presence of cancer cells after removal.

Furthermore, synchronizing the bright-field image and the fluorescent image will enable a composite image that has both the advantages of a good visibility zero-field image and a fluorescence image that is good for diagnosing lesions.

However, in order to synchronize the bright field image and the fluorescent image, the general endoscope has a problem of increasing product cost and increasing pain (because the size of the endoscope increases) due to the increased number of optical components and the larger optical system size. have.

Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-1323646, 2013.11.05 announcement

The problem to be solved by the present invention is an endoscope head capable of realizing a composite image in which a bright field image and a fluorescent image are synchronized with a small number of optical components and an optical system of a small size, and a medical endoscope and a medical endoscope equipped with the endoscope head. To provide a microscope.

The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems that are not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

An endoscope head according to a first embodiment of the present invention for solving the above-described problems includes: a first light source and a second light source for emitting light forward; An optical lens disposed behind the first light source and the second light source; A liquid crystal panel disposed behind the optical lens and including a plurality of pixels; Including an image sensor disposed at the rear of the liquid crystal panel, each of the plurality of pixels of the liquid crystal panel is divided into a first channel and a second channel, and selectively transmits light according to a wavelength band on the second channel It is characterized in that the filtering material is disposed.

The optical lens may include a lens holder, and a plurality of lenses fixed to the lens holder, and the plurality of lenses are lens arrays forming an optical axis.

The first light source and the second light source may emit light of different wavelength bands, and an active filter is disposed in front of the second light source.

The first light source emits light in a white wavelength band, and the second light source emits light in a blue wavelength band.

The liquid crystal may include a first polarization layer having a first polarization axis; A transparent layer disposed behind the first polarization layer; An electrode layer disposed behind the transparent layer; A liquid crystal layer disposed behind the electrode layer; A filter layer disposed behind the liquid crystal layer and on which the filtering material is disposed; And a second polarization layer disposed behind the filter layer and having a second polarization axis, wherein the electrode layer applies power to the liquid crystal layer.

The transparent layer and the filter layer are glass substrates, and the electrode layer includes a transparent electrode made of a light-transmitting material.

In at least some of the plurality of pixels of the liquid crystal panel, the first channel and the second channel are periodically alternately opened to each other.

The first channel and the second channel are alternately opened and a period in which the first channel and the second channel are opened is 15 Hz or more.

The second channel is divided into a plurality of unit channels, the filtering material is divided into a plurality of unit filtering materials having different wavelength bands of transmitted light, and each of the plurality of unit filtering materials of the filtering material does not overlap each other, It is characterized in that it is arranged in a plurality of unit channels of the second channel.

In at least some of the plurality of pixels of the liquid crystal panel, the first channel and the second channel are periodically alternately opened, and when the second channel is opened, one of the plurality of unit channels of the second channel One channel is opened or at least two channels among a plurality of unit channels of the second channel are alternately opened.

When one of the plurality of unit channels of the second channel is opened, the first channel and the second channel are alternately opened and a period in which the first channel and the second channel are opened is 15 Hz or more, and at least one of the plurality of unit channels of the second channel When the two channels are alternately opened, at least two of the plurality of unit channels of the first channel and the second channel are alternately opened and a period in which the first channel and the second channel are opened is 15 Hz or more.

An endoscope head according to a second embodiment of the present invention for solving the above-described problems includes a light source for emitting light to the front; A liquid crystal panel disposed in front of the light source and including a plurality of pixels; An optical lens disposed behind the light source; Including an image sensor disposed behind the optical lens, each of the plurality of pixels of the liquid crystal panel is divided into a first channel and a second channel, and selectively transmits light according to a wavelength band on the second channel It is characterized in that the filtering material is disposed.

The light source emits light of a white wavelength band, and the wavelength band of the emitted light of the light source is not changed when passing through the first channel of the liquid crystal panel, but is changed when passing through the second channel of the liquid crystal panel. do.

In at least some of the plurality of pixels of the liquid crystal panel, the first channel and the second channel are periodically alternately opened and opened.

A medical endoscope according to an aspect of the present invention for solving the above-described problems includes: a main body in which a display panel is disposed and an electronic control unit is embedded; A cable extending from the main body to one side; And an endoscope head of the first embodiment of the present invention optically connected to the cable, and the electronic control unit of the main body is electrically connected to a first light source and a second light source and a liquid crystal panel through the cable, and the first Electronically controlling a light source, the second light source, and the liquid crystal panel, and being electrically connected to an image sensor through the cable to reproduce a composite image in which a bright field image and a fluorescent shape are periodically alternating on the display panel of the main body It is characterized.

A medical endoscope according to an aspect of the present invention for solving the above-described problems includes: a main body in which a display panel is disposed and an electronic control unit is embedded; A cable extending from the main body to one side; Including an endoscope head of the second embodiment of the present invention optically connected to the cable, the electronic control unit of the main body is electrically connected to a light source and a liquid crystal panel through the cable to electronically control the light source and the liquid crystal panel And reproducing a composite image in which a brightfield image and a fluorescent image are periodically alternating at least partially on a display panel of the main body by being electrically connected to the image sensor through the cable.

A medical microscope according to an aspect of the present invention for solving the above-described problems includes: a main body in which an objective lens is disposed; It characterized in that it comprises a head for the endoscope of the first embodiment of the present invention.

A medical microscope according to an aspect of the present invention for solving the above-described problems includes: a main body in which an objective lens is disposed; Medical microscope comprising the endoscope head of the second embodiment of the present invention.

In the present invention, various brightfield images and fluorescent images can be obtained with a small number of light sources by filtering and fluorescence conversion of the liquid crystal panel, so that the brightfield images and fluorescent images are synchronized with a small number of optical components and a small optical system. It provides a medical endoscope and a medical microscope equipped with an endoscope head capable of spherically forming a composite image, and the endoscope head.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

1 is a conceptual diagram showing a medical endoscope according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a perspective view showing an endoscope head according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a conceptual diagram showing a plurality of pixels, a first channel, and a second channel in the liquid crystal panel according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a brightfield image in the liquid crystal panel according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a conceptual diagram showing the implementation of a fluorescence image in the liquid crystal panel according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating that a second channel is divided into a plurality of unit channels in the liquid crystal panel according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating implementing a bright field image when a second channel is divided into a plurality of unit channels in the liquid crystal channel according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram illustrating implementing a fluorescence image when a second channel is divided into a plurality of unit channels in the liquid crystal channel according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a perspective view showing an endoscope head according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating implementing a bright field image when a second channel is divided into a plurality of unit channels in the liquid crystal panel according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram illustrating implementing a fluorescent shape when the second channel is divided into a plurality of unit channels in the liquid crystal channel according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
12(1) is a photo showing a bright-field image, FIG. 12(2) is a photo showing a fluorescence image, and FIG. 12(3) is a photo showing a composite image.

Advantages and features of the present invention, and a method of achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be implemented in a variety of different forms, only the present embodiments are intended to complete the disclosure of the present invention, It is provided to fully inform the technician of the scope of the present invention, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims.

The terms used in the present specification are for describing exemplary embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. In this specification, the singular form also includes the plural form unless specifically stated in the phrase. As used in the specification, “comprises” and/or “comprising” do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other elements other than the mentioned elements. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements, and “and/or” includes each and all combinations of one or more of the mentioned elements. Although "first", "second", and the like are used to describe various elements, it goes without saying that these elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another component. Therefore, it goes without saying that the first component mentioned below may be the second component within the technical idea of the present invention.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the present specification may be used as meanings that can be commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. In addition, terms defined in a commonly used dictionary are not interpreted ideally or excessively unless explicitly defined specifically.

Spatially relative terms "below", "beneath", "lower", "above", "upper", etc., as shown in the figure It can be used to easily describe the correlation between a component and other components. Spatially relative terms should be understood as terms including different directions of components during use or operation in addition to the directions shown in the drawings. For example, if a component shown in a drawing is turned over, a component described as "below" or "beneath" of another component will be placed "above" the other component. I can. Accordingly, the exemplary term “below” may include both directions below and above. Components may be oriented in other directions, and thus spatially relative terms may be interpreted according to orientation.

[First embodiment]

Hereinafter, a medical endoscope 1000 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Referring to FIG. 1, a medical endoscope 1000 according to a first embodiment of the present invention may include a cable 10, an operation unit 20, a body 30, and an endoscope head 100.

Referring to FIG. 1, the cable 10 may extend from the main body 30 to one side. An endoscope head 100 may be mounted at the end of the cable 10. In this case, the endoscope head 100 may be detachably mounted to the cable 10. That is, the endoscope head 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may be replaced and may be mounted on an existing medical endoscope.

The cable 10 may perform the same function as a conductive line electrically connecting the electronic control module (not shown) of the main body 30 and the endoscope head 100. In addition, the cable 10 may be inserted into the body of the subject. In this case, the insertion length and direction of the cable 10 may be manipulated by the operation unit 20.

A display panel may be disposed in the main body 30 and an electronic control unit may be incorporated. The electronic control unit is electrically connected to the first light source 120, the second light source 130, and the liquid crystal panel 150 of the endoscope head 100 through a cable 10 to electronically control them. In addition, the electronic control unit is electrically connected to the image sensor 160 through the cable 10 to display a bright field image (see (1) in FIG. 12) and a fluorescent image (see (1) in FIG. 12) on the display panel of the main body 30. 2) It is possible to reproduce a composite image (refer to (3) of FIG. 12) that is periodically alternating with each other (real-time synchronization of a bright field image and a fluorescent image).

Referring to FIG. 2, the endoscope head 100 may be disposed at the end of the cable 10. In addition, the endoscope head 100 includes a case 110, a first light source 120, a second light source 130, an optical lens 140, a liquid crystal panel 150, an image sensor 160, and a first substrate ( 170) and a second substrate 180 may be included.

The case 110 may be an exterior member having a space therein. In the space inside the case 110, the first light source 120, the second light source 130, the optical lens 140, the liquid crystal panel 150, the image sensor 160, the first substrate 170 and the second The substrate 180 may be disposed. Meanwhile, at least a part of the front portion of the case 110 may be formed of a light diffusion material. As a result, the light emitted from the first light source 120 and the second light source 130 can be diffused and proceed in various directions.

All types of light sources emitting light may be used for the first light source 120 and the second light source 130. For example, the first light source 120 and the second light source 130 may be a light diode (LD) or a light emitting diode (LED). On the other hand, an excitation filter is disposed in front of the second light source 130, so that a biological tissue coated with a fluorescent material can absorb light of a specific wavelength band (for example, light of a blue wavelength band), and Light in the wavelength band (for example, light in the green wavelength band) may be emitted. The first light source 120 and the second light source 130 may be mounted on the first substrate 170. The first light source 120 and the second light source 130 may emit light forward. The light emitted from the first light source 120 and the second light source 130 is reflected from the biological tissue and then sequentially passes through the optical lens 140 and the liquid crystal panel 150 to be irradiated to the image sensor 160. have.

The first light source 120 and the second light source 130 may emit light having different wavelength bands. For example, the first light source 120 may emit light in a white wavelength band suitable for realizing a bright-field image, and the second light source 130 emits light in a blue wavelength band suitable for realizing a fluorescent image. can do. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and as an example, the second light source 130 may include a confocal fluorescence imaging system, a multi-square fluorescence system, a Raman imaging system, a super resolution imaging system, a photoacoustic system, an OCT system, a hyperspectral imaging system, etc. Light of various wavelength bands for implementation can be emitted.

The optical lens 140 may be disposed behind the first light source 120 and the second light source 130. Furthermore, the optical lens 140 may be disposed behind the first substrate 170. Also, the optical lens 140 may be disposed in front of the liquid crystal panel 150. That is, the optical lens 140 may be disposed between the first and second light sources 120 and 130 and the liquid crystal panel 150.

Light emitted from the first light source 120 and the second light source 130 and reflected from the biological tissue may be transmitted to the optical lens 140. Light reflected from the biological tissue may be focused by the optical lens 140 and irradiated to the image sensor 160. Meanwhile, since the liquid crystal panel 150 is disposed between the optical lens 140 and the image sensor 160, the light transmitted through the optical lens 140 is filtered by the liquid crystal panel 150 and irradiated with the image sensor 160. Can be.

The optical lens 140 may include a lens holder and a plurality of lenses fixed to the lens holder. In this case, the plurality of lenses may be a "lens array" forming an optical axis.

The liquid crystal panel 150 may be disposed behind the optical lens 140. Also, the liquid crystal panel 150 may be disposed in front of the image sensor 160. Furthermore, the liquid crystal panel 150 may be disposed in front of the second substrate 160. That is, the liquid crystal panel 150 may be disposed between the optical lens 140 and the image sensor 160.

The liquid crystal panel 150 may perform a function of filtering light transmitted through the optical lens 140. That is, the liquid crystal panel 150 selectively transmits light emitted from the first light source 120 and the second light source 130, so that the medical endoscope 1000 according to the first embodiment of the present invention provides a bright field image and a fluorescent image. To be able to implement all of them.

As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of pixels may be formed in the liquid crystal panel 150. Each of the plurality of pixels may be a unit dye constituting a bright field image and a fluorescent image. Furthermore, each of the plurality of pixels may be divided into a first channel and a second channel. In this case, the first channel is a part through which light (emitted light from the first light source) passes through the bright-field image, and the second channel is light (a second light source) that implements a fluorescence image. It may be a part through which the exit light of) passes.

4 and 5, the liquid crystal panel 150 includes a first polarization layer 151, a transparent layer 152, an electrode layer 153, a liquid crystal layer 154, a filter layer 155, and a second polarization layer ( 157) may be included. Light irradiated to the liquid crystal panel 150 sequentially passes through the first polarization layer 151, the transparent layer 152, the electrode layer 153, the liquid crystal layer 154, the filter layer 155, and the second polarization layer 157 can do. In this case, light irradiated to the liquid crystal panel 150 may be "filtered" by the liquid crystal layer 154 and the filter layer 155. Here, "filtering" may be a concept including at least one of blocking light of a specific wavelength band (liquid crystal layer) or converting light of a specific wavelength band into light of another wavelength band (filter layer).

The first polarization layer 151 may have a first polarization axis 151-1 arranged in a specific direction. Accordingly, the light transmitted through the first polarization layer 151 may be light polarized toward the first polarization axis 151-1.

The transparent layer 152 may be a “glass substrate”. The electrode layer 153 may be coated on the transparent layer 152.

The electrode layer 153 may apply power to the liquid crystal layer 154. The electrode layer 153 may be formed of a transparent electrode formed of a light-transmitting material.

The liquid crystal layer 154 may be arranged such that the first channel and the second channel are opened and closed according to the strength of power applied from the electrode layer 153.

As an example, when a voltage of 1v is applied to the liquid crystal layer 154 on the first channel, the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer 154 on the first channel may transmit light polarized to the first polarization axis 151-1 as it is. . Therefore, the light polarized to the first polarization axis 151-1 does not pass through the second polarization layer 157 (the first channel is closed). When a voltage of 5v is applied to the liquid crystal layer 154 on the first channel, the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer 154 on the first channel transmits light polarized to the first polarization axis 151-1 to the second polarization axis 157-1. Can be polarized. Therefore, the light polarized to the second polarization axis 157-1 passes through the second polarization layer 157 (the first channel is opened). As a result, the light emitted from the first light source 120 for implementing the bright field image may be irradiated to the image sensor 160 through the first channel (see FIG. 4 ).

In addition, when a voltage of 1v is applied to the liquid crystal layer 154 on the second channel, the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer 154 on the second channel may transmit light polarized to the first polarization axis 151-1 as it is. Therefore, light polarized to the first polarization axis 151-1 cannot pass through the second polarization layer 157 (the second channel is closed). When a voltage of 5v is applied to the liquid crystal layer 154 on the second channel, the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer 154 on the second channel transfers the light polarized to the first polarization axis 151-1 to the second polarization axis 157-1. Can be polarized. Therefore, the light polarized to the second polarization axis 157-1 passes through the second polarization layer 157 (the second channel is opened). As a result, the light emitted from the second light source 130 for implementing the fluorescent image may be irradiated to the image sensor 160 through the second channel.

For example, the second light source 130 or the second light source 130 and the emission light (blue wavelength band light, excitation light) emitted through the active filter is irradiated to the biological tissue and then applied to the biological tissue during the recursion process. The fluorescent material (photosensitive material) is converted into light (emitted light) in a green wavelength band, thereby implementing a fluorescent image. In this case, in addition to light in the green wavelength band, light in other wavelength bands in addition to the light in the green wavelength band is mixed with the light emitted by the fluorescent material applied to the living tissue (for example, excitation light not converted to fluorescence by a photosensitive material is synthesized). It may cause noise in the image. In the present invention, in order to implement a clear fluorescence image, light in a noise wavelength band is filtered by the filter layer 155 of the liquid crystal panel 150 to selectively receive light.

That is, the filter layer 155 selectively transmits light in the green wavelength band, thereby implementing a fluorescent image in the green wavelength band without noise (see FIG. 5 ).

The filter layer 155 may be a “glass substrate”. A filtering material 155-1 may be coated (arranged) on the filter layer 152. The filtering material 155-1 may perform a function of selectively transmitting only light of a specific wavelength band among the emitted light of the second light source 130 for implementing a fluorescent image. Accordingly, the filtering material 155-1 may be disposed only on the filter layer 155 on the second channel, and may not be disposed on the filter layer 155 on the first channel.

The second polarization layer 157 may have a second polarization axis 157-1 arranged in a specific direction. Accordingly, the light transmitted through the second polarization layer 157 may be light polarized toward the second polarization axis 157-1.

As shown in FIG. 6, the second channel may be divided into a plurality of unit channels. In this case, the plurality of unit channels of the second channel may be channels for implementing fluorescence images of different wavelength bands. In this case, the filtering material 155-1 may be divided into a plurality of unit filtering materials having different wavelength bands of transmitted light so as to correspond one-to-one to the plurality of unit channels of the second channel. That is, each of the plurality of unit filtering materials of the filtering material 155-1 may be disposed in a plurality of unit channels of the second channel so that they do not overlap each other.

As a result, the medical endoscope 1000 according to the first embodiment of the present invention can implement a bright field image from the light emitted from the first light source 120 (for example, light in a white wavelength band), and at the same time, the second light source 130 Fluorescent images of various wavelength bands may be implemented from the output light (for example, light of a blue wavelength band) of ).

In this case, the wavelength band of the second light source 130 may be changed to implement a fluorescent image of various wavelength bands, or may be maintained in a predetermined wavelength band. In this case, even if light of a certain wavelength band is emitted from the second light source 130, emission light of various wavelength bands may be generated according to the type of fluorescent material (photosensitive material) applied to the living tissue. The emitted light of the band is filtered by a plurality of unit filtering materials in the second channel and then received, thereby implementing a clear fluorescence image.

As an example, when a voltage of 1v is applied to the liquid crystal layer 154 on the first channel, the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer 154 on the first channel may transmit light polarized to the first polarization axis 151-1 as it is. . Therefore, the light polarized to the first polarization axis 151-1 does not pass through the second polarization layer 157 (the first channel is closed). When a voltage of 5v is applied to the liquid crystal layer 154 on the first channel, the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer 154 on the first channel transmits light polarized to the first polarization axis 151-1 to the second polarization axis 157-1. Can be polarized. Therefore, the light polarized to the second polarization axis 157-1 passes through the second polarization layer 157 (the first channel is opened). As a result, the light emitted from the first light source 120 for implementing the bright field image may be irradiated to the image sensor 160 through the first channel (see FIG. 7 ).

In addition, the second channel may be divided into three unit channels. In this case, one of the three unit channels of the second channel may be a channel for implementing a fluorescent image in a red wavelength band, and a unit filtering material for selectively transmitting light in a red wavelength band may be disposed. In addition, one of the three unit channels of the second channel may be a channel for implementing a fluorescent image in a green wavelength band, and a unit filtering material for selectively transmitting light in a green wavelength band may be disposed. In addition, one of the three unit channels of the second channel may be a channel for implementing a fluorescent image in a blue wavelength band, and a unit filtering material for selectively transmitting light in a blue wavelength band may be disposed.

In this case, when a voltage of 1v is applied to the liquid crystal layer 154 on the channel for realizing a fluorescent image of the green wavelength band among the three unit channels of the second channel, the green wavelength band of the three unit channels of the second channel The liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer 154 on the channel for implementing the fluorescent image may transmit light polarized to the first polarization axis 151-1 as it is. Accordingly, light polarized to the first polarization axis 151-1 cannot pass through the second polarization layer 157 (a channel is closed for realizing a fluorescent image in a green wavelength band among the three unit channels of the second channel). When a voltage of 5v is applied to the liquid crystal layer 154 on the channel for realizing a fluorescent image of the green wavelength band among the three unit channels of the second channel, a fluorescent image of the green wavelength band among the three unit channels of the second channel is displayed. The liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer 154 on the channel to be implemented may polarize light polarized to the first polarization axis 151-1 to the second polarization axis 157-1. Therefore, the light polarized to the second polarization axis 157-1 is filtered by a unit filtering material that transmits light in the green wavelength band, and then passes through the second polarization layer 157 (three units of the second channel). Channel opening to realize a fluorescent image of the green wavelength band among the channels). As a result, the output light of the second light source 130 for realizing a fluorescent image in the green wavelength band is through a channel for realizing a fluorescent image in the green wavelength band among the three unit channels of the second channel. Can be investigated (see Fig. 8). Using the same principle as described above, a fluorescent image in a red wavelength band and a fluorescent image in a blue wavelength band may be implemented.

The image sensor 160 may be disposed behind the liquid crystal panel 150. The image sensor 160 may be mounted on the second substrate 180. Light transmitted through the liquid crystal panel 150 may be irradiated to the image sensor 160.

When explaining the operation of the medical endoscope according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in at least some of the plurality of pixels of the liquid crystal panel 150 by the electronic control unit of the main body 30, the first channel and the second channel are It can be opened periodically, alternating with each other. In addition, as the first channel and the second channel are periodically alternated and opened (synchronization), the first light source 120 and the second light source 130 may periodically alternate with each other to emit light. That is, when the first channel is opened, the first light source 120 may emit light (On) and the second light source 130 may not emit light (Off). In addition, when the second channel is opened, the first light source 120 may not emit light (Off) and the second light source 130 may emit light (On).

Since the first channel and the second channel are periodically alternately open to each other, a bright field image (Fig. 12 (1)) and a fluorescence image (Fig. 12 (2)) synchronized in real time can be obtained, and the main body 30 ), the electronic control unit synthesizes alternating brightfield images at a speed that cannot be recognized by humans to generate a composite image ((3) in FIG. 12), and such a composite image can be played on the display panel of the main body 30. have.

Also, in only some of the plurality of pixels, the first channel and the second channel may be periodically alternately opened and opened. That is, the entire living body tissue is reproduced as a bright field image with good visibility (only the first channel is opened), and the lesion site (target point, target portion, see (3) of Fig. 12) is a fluorescence image capable of performing precise diagnosis. (The first channel and the second channel are periodically alternating and open).

Furthermore, the second channel may be divided into a plurality of unit channels, and when the second channel is opened, one channel of the plurality of unit channels of the second channel is opened or at least two of the plurality of unit channels of the second channel are opened. The channels alternate with each other and can be opened.

As a result, the user can select the wavelength band of the fluorescent image from the composite image, and further, view the composite image in which the brightfield image and the fluorescent image having a plurality of wavelength bands are synchronized in real time.

In this case, the cycle in which various channels are alternately opened may be 15 Hz or more, alternating at a rate that cannot be recognized by humans.

On the other hand, rapidly alternating images is to create a composite image (simultaneous detection), and in some cases, it is effective to reproduce (alternately detect) images of various wavelength bands instead of the composite image so that they alternate in a slow cycle. In this case, a period in which various channels are alternately opened may be less than 15 Hz.

Meanwhile, the user may select a mode and observe an image reproduced by simultaneous detection in the first mode, and observe an image reproduced by alternate detection in the second mode.

Meanwhile, the medical endoscope 1000 of the present invention may be implemented in the form of a microscope (not shown). In this case, the medical endoscope of the present invention may be referred to as “medical microscope”. In addition, the main body may further include an “objective lens” in addition to the display panel and the electronic control unit. In addition, an optical fiber is embedded in the cable, thereby forming an optical system, and performing the same function as an optical line. That is, the cable may be used as an optical path that guides the light emitted from the light source to the living tissue and guides the light reflected from the living tissue to the image sensor. In addition, the cable, the objective lens, and the endoscope head may be optically connected. In this case, the endoscope head 100 may be referred to as a "microscope head".

Meanwhile, the endoscope head 100 of the present invention may be implemented in a capsule form (not shown). In this case, the endoscope head 100 of the present invention may be referred to as a "capsule endoscope". Furthermore, the main body and cables of the medical endoscope may be omitted. The user can electronically control the "capsule endoscope" using a wireless terminal.

[Second Example]

Hereinafter, a medical endoscope (not shown) according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The medical endoscope 1000 of the first embodiment of the present invention may be inferred and applied to the medical endoscope of the second embodiment of the present invention. However, the endoscope head 200 of the second embodiment of the present invention has different technical characteristics from the medical endoscope head 100 of the first embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, an endoscope head 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Referring to FIG. 9, the endoscope head 200 includes a case, an optical lens, an image sensor, a first substrate, and a second substrate according to the present invention, except that the liquid crystal panel 220 is stacked on the light source 210. It has substantially the same characteristics as the case 110, the optical lens 140, the image sensor 160, the first substrate 170, and the second substrate 180 of the endoscope head 100 according to the first embodiment.

Any type of light source that emits light may be used for the light source 210. For example, the light source 210 may be a light diode (LD) or a light emitting diode (LED). On the other hand, an excitation filter is disposed in front of the light source 210 so that the biological tissue coated with the fluorescent material can absorb light in a specific wavelength band (for example, light in a blue wavelength band), and Light (for example, light in the green wavelength band) may be emitted. In this case, the active filter may be disposed between the light source 210 and the liquid crystal panel 220.

There may be a plurality of light sources 210. The light source 210 may be mounted on the first substrate. The light source can emit light forward. The light emitted from the light source may be reflected from a living tissue and then transmitted through an optical lens to be irradiated with an image sensor. The light source 210 may emit light in a white wavelength band. A liquid crystal panel 220 may be disposed in front of the light source 210. As a result, the light emitted from the light source 210 may be a bright field image by emitting light in a white wavelength band as it is, or filtered with light in a blue wavelength band to implement various fluorescent images. That is, in the second embodiment, unlike in the first embodiment, the second light source for implementing a fluorescent image is omitted, and a liquid crystal panel is disposed in front of the light source, so that the wavelength band of the emitted light can be controlled.

The liquid crystal panel 220 may be disposed in front of the light source 210. A plurality of liquid crystal panels 220 may exist to correspond to the number of light sources 210 on a one-to-one basis. The liquid crystal panel 150 of the first embodiment may be applied mutatis mutandis to the liquid crystal panel 220 of the second embodiment.

That is, in the liquid crystal panel 220 of the second embodiment, like the liquid crystal panel 150 of the first embodiment, a plurality of pixels may be formed, and each of the plurality of pixels may be divided into a first channel and a second channel. have. In addition, in at least some of the plurality of pixels, the first channel and the second channel may be periodically alternately opened and opened. In addition, the second channel may be divided into a plurality of unit channels, and the filtering material may be divided into a plurality of unit filtering materials, and each of the plurality of unit filtering materials may be divided into a plurality of unit channels of the second channel so as not to overlap each other. Can be placed. In addition, when the second channel is opened, one of the plurality of unit channels of the second channel may be opened, or at least two of the plurality of unit channels of the second channel may be opened alternately.

Further, referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the liquid crystal panel 220 of the second embodiment, like the liquid crystal panel 150 of the first embodiment, has a white wavelength band for realizing a bright field image when the first channel is opened. Light may be generated (see FIG. 10), and when the second channel is opened, light in a red wavelength band, light in a green wavelength band, or light in a blue wavelength band for implementing a fluorescent image may be emitted.

In summary, the endoscope head 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention performs a backlight function in which the light source 210 emits light in a white wavelength band, and the liquid crystal panel 220 is located in front of the light source 210. ) Is disposed, it is possible to implement light of various wavelength bands in addition to light of the white wavelength band. As a result, it may have substantially the same effect as the endoscope head 100 of the first embodiment.

In the above, embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, but those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can be implemented in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features. You can understand. Therefore, the embodiments described above are illustrative in all respects, and should be understood as non-limiting.

Claims (18)

A first light source and a second light source for emitting light forward;
An optical lens disposed behind the first light source and the second light source;
A liquid crystal panel disposed behind the optical lens and including a plurality of pixels; And
Including an image sensor disposed behind the liquid crystal panel,
Each of the plurality of pixels of the liquid crystal panel is divided into a first channel and a second channel, and a filtering material that selectively transmits light according to a wavelength band is disposed on the second channel,
In at least some of the plurality of pixels of the liquid crystal panel, the first channel and the second channel are alternately opened at an alternating speed,
The image sensor alternately acquires a bright field image and one or more fluorescent images according to the alternating speed,
The bright field image and the fluorescent image are combined and used to generate a composite image provided to a user,
The alternating speed is an endoscope head, characterized in that the speed is shorter than the image frame recognition speed of the user.
The method of claim 1,
The optical lens includes a lens holder, and a plurality of lenses fixed to the lens holder, wherein the plurality of lenses are lens arrays forming an optical axis.
The method of claim 1,
The first light source and the second light source emits light of different wavelength bands, and an active filter is disposed in front of the second light source.
The method of claim 1,
The first light source emits light in a white wavelength band, and the second light source emits light in a blue wavelength band.
The method of claim 1,
The liquid crystal,
A first polarization layer having a first polarization axis;
A transparent layer disposed behind the first polarization layer;
An electrode layer disposed behind the transparent layer;
A liquid crystal layer disposed behind the electrode layer;
A filter layer disposed behind the liquid crystal layer and on which the filtering material is disposed; And
And a second polarization layer disposed behind the filter layer and having a second polarization axis, wherein the electrode layer applies power to the liquid crystal layer.
The method of claim 5,
The transparent layer and the filter layer are glass substrates, and the electrode layer includes a transparent electrode made of a light-transmitting material.
delete The method of claim 1,
The endoscope head, characterized in that the first channel and the second channel are alternately opened and the cycle is 15 Hz or more.
The method of claim 1,
The second channel is divided into a plurality of unit channels, the filtering material is divided into a plurality of unit filtering materials having different wavelength bands of transmitted light,
Each of the plurality of unit filtering materials of the filtering material is disposed in a plurality of unit channels of the second channel so that each of the plurality of unit filtering materials does not overlap each other.
The method of claim 9,
When the second channel is opened, one of the plurality of unit channels of the second channel is opened or at least two channels of the plurality of unit channels of the second channel are alternately opened to each other. Dragon head.
The method of claim 10,
When one of the plurality of unit channels of the second channel is opened, the first channel and the second channel are alternately opened and a period in which the first channel and the second channel are opened is 15 Hz or more,
When at least two channels of the plurality of unit channels of the second channel are alternately opened with each other, at least two channels of the plurality of unit channels of the first channel and the second channel alternate with each other, and the open period is 15 Hz Endoscope head, characterized in that the above.
A light source that emits light forward;
A liquid crystal panel disposed in front of the light source and including a plurality of pixels;
An optical lens disposed behind the light source; And
Including an image sensor disposed behind the optical lens,
Each of the plurality of pixels of the liquid crystal panel is divided into a first channel and a second channel, and a filtering material that selectively transmits light according to a wavelength band is disposed on the second channel,
In at least some of the plurality of pixels of the liquid crystal panel, the first channel and the second channel are alternately opened at an alternating speed,
The image sensor alternately acquires a bright field image and one or more fluorescent images according to the alternating speed,
The bright field image and the fluorescent image are combined and used to generate a composite image provided to a user,
The alternating speed is an endoscope head, characterized in that the speed is shorter than the image frame recognition speed of the user.
The method of claim 12,
The light source emits light of a white wavelength band, and the wavelength band of the emitted light of the light source is not changed when passing through the first channel of the liquid crystal panel, but is changed when passing through the second channel of the liquid crystal panel. Endoscope head.
delete A main body on which a display panel is disposed and an electronic control unit is incorporated;
A cable extending from the main body to one side; And
Including the endoscope head of any one of claims 1 to 6 and 8 to 11 optically connected to the cable,
The electronic control unit of the main body is electrically connected to a first light source, a second light source, and a liquid crystal panel through the cable to electronically control the first light source, the second light source, and the liquid crystal panel, and an image sensor through the cable. And a composite image in which a brightfield image and a fluorescent shape are periodically alternately reproduced on a display panel of the main body.
A main body on which a display panel is disposed and an electronic control unit is incorporated;
A cable extending from the main body to one side; And
Including the endoscope head of any one of claims 12 to 13 optically connected to the cable,
The electronic control unit of the main body is electrically connected to a light source and a liquid crystal panel through the cable to electronically control the light source and the liquid crystal panel, and is electrically connected to an image sensor through the cable to at least partly be connected to the display panel of the main body. A medical endoscope, characterized in that the bright field image and the fluorescent image are periodically alternating with each other to reproduce a composite image.
A body on which an objective lens is disposed; And
A medical microscope comprising the head for an endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and 8 to 11.
A body on which an objective lens is disposed; And
A medical microscope comprising the head for an endoscope according to any one of claims 12 to 13.

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