KR102311982B1 - Endoscope apparatus with reciprocating filter unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The endoscope apparatus includes a filter unit including a light source for irradiating visible light or near-infrared excitation light to an imaging object, an image sensor for imaging visible light and fluorescence of the imaging object, and at least one first filter, wherein the at least one first and a filter module for reciprocating the filter unit at the front end of the image sensor so that the filter is selectively disposed in the optical path of the front end of the image sensor.

Description

Endoscopy device with reciprocating filter {ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS WITH RECIPROCATING FILTER UNIT}

The following description relates to an endoscopic device having a reciprocating filter.

An endoscope generally refers to a medical instrument for examining the inside of a body for medical purposes. Endoscopy is called "bronchoscope", "gastric endoscopy", "laparoscopy", "colonoscope", etc. depending on the site to be examined. Unlike most other medical imaging devices, the endoscope is directly inserted into an organ to observe the inside of the human body and check whether there is any abnormality.

Recently, a technique of injecting a fluorescent material into a human body and acquiring a near-infrared fluorescence image therefrom for accurate observation of a lesion site or a surgical site has been proposed. This fluorescence acquisition technology marks the lesion site, the surgical site, or the blood vessel with a fluorescent material, and the fluorescence is imaged with an endoscope to distinguish the lesion site, the surgical site, or the blood vessel.

Here, the fluorescent material basically absorbs excitation light and then emits emission light through energy conversion. Therefore, when the endoscope captures only fluorescence, it is difficult to distinguish the positions of the body parts except for the fluorescently marked area. Two image sensors were used.

In addition, the image sensor module may significantly increase the cost and volume required for constructing an image detection system in order to convert a sensor that detects a visible light image or a fluorescent image with a physical means such as a lens or a filter. In particular, since it is separately located at the proximal end of the endoscope device, there is a need for a technology capable of reducing the number and size of parts in order to reduce the burden on the patient.

An object of the embodiment is to provide an endoscopic apparatus that includes a reciprocating filter at the front end of an imaging module so that both visible light and near infrared light can be visualized with one image sensor, and the light detection system of the distal end can be miniaturized.

Disclosed is an endoscope device according to an embodiment.

The endoscope apparatus includes a filter unit including a light source for irradiating visible light or near-infrared excitation light to an imaging object, an image sensor for imaging visible light and fluorescence of the imaging object, and at least one first filter, wherein the at least one first It may include a filter module for reciprocating the filter unit at the front end of the image sensor so that the filter is selectively disposed in the optical path of the front end of the image sensor.

According to one side, the filter module has one end connected to the filter unit and the other end connected to the main tube of the endoscope device, the filter unit forming a reciprocating pivot shaft, and connecting unit and the filter module around the pivot shaft It may further include a driving unit for reciprocally driving the.

According to one side, the light source may include a visible light source for irradiating visible light to the object and an excitation light source for irradiating near-infrared excitation light.

According to one side, the light source may irradiate light of multiple wavelengths to the object to be imaged.

According to one side, the filter unit may further include at least one second filter that is selectively disposed at the front end of the light source and transmits only the excitation light.

According to one side, in the filter unit, the first filter and the second filter are coupled to each other on the same plane to form a flat plate shape of a predetermined shape.

According to one side, the filter unit may have a flat plate shape of at least any one of "a", "b", "凹", "凸", and "ㅁ".

According to one side, each filter of the filter unit may be detachably coupled to each other.

According to one side, the filter unit may further include a third filter that transmits only a wavelength band of visible light and attenuates the intensity of visible light.

The endoscope device according to the embodiment can visualize both visible light and near-infrared light with one image sensor through a reciprocating filter, and it is possible to miniaturize the photodetection system at the distal end, so that a chip-on-tip is installed at the end of the endoscope. can be implemented in this way.

Effects of the endoscopic device having a reciprocating filter according to an embodiment are not limited to those mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

1 is a block diagram of an endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment.
2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an imaging module and an object according to an exemplary embodiment.
3 is a perspective view showing an imaging module of the front end of the endoscope according to an embodiment.
4 is a side view of the front end of the endoscope according to an embodiment.
5 is a front view showing a state of a filter unit according to another embodiment.
6 is a front view showing a state of a filter unit according to another embodiment.
The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and serve to further understand the technical spirit of the present invention together with the detailed description of the present invention, so the present invention is limited to the matters described in those drawings It should not be construed as being limited.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to exemplary drawings. In adding reference numerals to the components of each drawing, it should be noted that the same components are given the same reference numerals as much as possible even though they are indicated on different drawings. In addition, in the description of the embodiment, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function interferes with the understanding of the embodiment, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In addition, in describing the components of the embodiment, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used. These terms are only for distinguishing the components from other components, and the essence, order, or order of the components are not limited by the terms. When it is described that a component is “connected”, “coupled” or “connected” to another component, the component may be directly connected or connected to the other component, but another component is between each component. It will be understood that may also be "connected", "coupled" or "connected".

Components included in one embodiment and components having a common function will be described using the same names in other embodiments. Unless otherwise stated, a description described in one embodiment may be applied to another embodiment, and a detailed description in the overlapping range will be omitted.

The endoscope device 10 used herein is not limited to a device inserted into a human body to illuminate an imaging target and perform imaging. The endoscope device 10 may perform various operations such as incision, cutting, penetration, suturing, bonding (welding), or medicating or administering a work object around the insertion position according to the end effector located at the distal end. .

1 is a block diagram of an endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the endoscope apparatus 10 includes a main tube 100 , an imaging module 200 disposed at the distal end of the main tube 100 to acquire an image of an object, and a controller for controlling the imaging module 200 . 300 and a display module 400 for displaying the image acquired by the imaging module 200 .

The main tube 100 is a tube body to be inserted into the human body, and may have a hollow with a fine thickness. The main tube 100 has a shape that is elongated by a predetermined length or more in one direction. The main tube 100 may be formed of a material having flexibility. In addition, using a material whose flexibility is deformed according to temperature inside the main tube 100 may be formed and bent according to the user's needs. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the main tube 100 may be formed of a metal such as stainless steel.

In the main tube 100 , a wiring necessary for the operation of the imaging module 200 and a wiring for transmitting an electrical signal generated by the imaging module 200 to the control unit may be located therein. In addition, the length of the main tube 100 may be adjusted manually before the procedure, but may be automatically adjusted according to the user's request during the procedure.

The imaging module 200 may be of a chip-on-tip type attached to the end of the endoscope apparatus 10 . The imaging module 200 generates an image signal by irradiating visible light and excitation light to the object T through a light source and obtaining emission light emitted from the object T. Here, the image signal may be a value obtained by converting electric charges accumulated in the photodiode into voltage according to the obtained light. Here, the object is an internal tissue of the body into which the main tube 100 is inserted, and may be a lesion site or a surgical site.

The control unit 300 controls the imaging module 200 . In other words, the controller 300 may control detailed configurations for generating a video image and processing the video image in the imaging module 200 . For example, the controller 300 may control the wavelength of light emitted from the light source 210 to be converted into a wavelength band of a visible light or near-infrared excitation light region. Here, the controller 300 may generate a visible light image image or a fluorescent image. Also, the controller 300 may control the display module 400 to display the generated visible light image image and the fluorescent image. The control unit 300 may be located at the proximal end of the main tube 100 , but is not limited thereto, and the control unit 300 may be provided at any position capable of controlling the imaging module 200 .

The display module 400 may display both a visible light image image and a fluorescent image. Here, the display module 400 receives the electric signal transmitted through the image sensor 230 to continuously display the image image.

The endoscope apparatus 10 of an embodiment sequentially acquires a visible light image image and a fluorescence image from the imaging module 200, and only controls the imaging module 200 from the controller 300 without image processing. It may be possible to continuously display images.

Hereinafter, an imaging module according to an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4 .

2 is a schematic view showing an imaging module and an object according to an embodiment, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an imaging module of the front end of the endoscope according to an embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a side view of the front end of the endoscope according to an embodiment .

2 to 4 , the imaging module 200 includes a light source 210 , a lens unit 220 , an image sensor 230 , and a filter module 240 .

The light source 210 irradiates light to the object T. The light source 210 may include an excitation light source 211 for irradiating excitation light and a visible light source 212 for irradiating visible light, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 4 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a multi-wavelength light source irradiating both wavelengths of excitation light and visible light may be configured as one.

Here, the object T includes a first tissue T1 capable of acquiring a visible light image image by reflecting visible light when visible light is illuminated by the light source 210 and a biomarker such as a fluorescent material for accurate observation. It may include two tissues (T2). Illustratively, the first tissue T1 may be a normal cell tissue that can be distinguished with the naked eye, and the second tissue T2 may be a lesion site that is difficult to distinguish with the naked eye or a site removed by surgery. Here, the fluorescent material may be a material expressing fluorescence such as indocyanine green (ICG), GE3082, green fluorescent protein (GFP), autofluorescence, and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC).

The image sensor 230 obtains fluorescence and visible light reflected from the object by irradiation of the excitation light and visible light of the light source 210 and continuously generates an image signal therefor. In this case, the lens unit 220 may be provided at the front end of the image sensor to collect the fluorescence and visible light reflected from the object T.

The filter module 240 reciprocates the filter unit 241 from the front end of the image sensor 230 so that the first filter is selectively disposed at the front end of the image sensor 230 . The filter module 240 includes a filter unit 241 , a connection unit 242 , and a driving unit 243 .

The filter unit 241 includes at least one filter 241 . For example, as shown in FIG. 3 , the filter unit 241 may include one filter 241 . Here, the filter 241 may be configured as a first filter 241 that transmits only the wavelength of the fluorescence band. At this time, when the filter 241 is disposed in the optical path of the previous stage to the image sensor 230 , the image sensor 230 generates an electrical signal of the fluorescent image. Also, on the contrary, when the filter is deviating from the optical path of the front end of the image sensor 230 , the image sensor 230 generates an electrical signal of a visible light image.

In this case, the control unit 300 may emit a wavelength irradiated from the light source 210 as a wavelength of the near-infrared excitation light when the filter unit 241 is disposed in the optical path, and when the filter unit 241 deviates from the optical path, the light source The wavelength irradiated by 210 may emit light as a wavelength of visible light.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3 , the filter unit 241 is illustrated as being composed of a single filter, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and a plurality of filters may be coupled to each other on the same plane to form a flat plate shape of a predetermined shape. Here, each filter may be configured in a polygonal shape. In addition, when the filter unit 241 composed of a plurality of filters reciprocates, the plurality of filters 5411 , 5412 , and 5413 may be selectively disposed in front of the image sensor 230 and the light source 210 .

5 is a front view showing a state of a filter unit according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5 , in the filter unit 241 , a plurality of filters 5411 , 5412 , and 5413 may be coupled to each other on the same plane to form a flat plate shape having a “凸” shape. Here, the filter unit 541 may be configured by combining a first filter 5411 , a second filter 5412 and a pair of third filters 5413 . Here, the first filter 5411, the pair of second filters 5412, and the third filter 5413 are each configured in a rectangular flat plate shape and are detachably coupled to each other to allow shape deformation. Here, each filter 5411, 5412, 5413 is configured in the form of a rail to be detachable, or a bracket (not shown) connecting each connection part of the filter 5411, 5412, 5413 is provided so that the user can easily deform it. It may be possible.

The first filter 5411 is a filter that passes only a wavelength band of fluorescence and may be disposed in front of the image sensor 230 . The second filter 5412 is an excitation light filter that transmits only near-infrared excitation light, and is disposed on both sides in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the filter unit 241 of the first filter 5411 reciprocates and is disposed at the front end of the multi-wavelength light source. can The third filter 5413 is disposed in a direction in which the filter unit 241 of the first filter 5411 reciprocates, passes only a band per wave of visible light, and may be a filter that reduces the intensity of transmitted light.

When the first filter 5411 is disposed at the front end of the image sensor 230, the second filter 5412 transmits the excitation light from the front end of the light source 210 so that the image sensor 230 can obtain a fluorescence image. , when the third filter 5413 is disposed at the front end of the image sensor 230 , it may be possible to obtain an image in which the intensity of visible light is partially attenuated to obtain a visible light image having similar contrast to the fluorescence image.

6 is a front view showing a state of a filter unit according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6 , in the filter unit 641 , a plurality of filters 5411 , 5412 , and 5413 may be coupled to each other on the same plane to form a flat plate shape of a “ㅁ” shape. Here, the filter unit 241 may be configured by combining a first filter 5411 , a pair of second filters 5412 , and three third filters 5413 . A second filter 5412 is coupled to both sides of the first filter, respectively, and three third filters 5413 are coupled to the reciprocating side of the first filter 5411 and the filter unit 241 of the second filter 5412. It is also possible to be

In this case, when the first filter 5411 is disposed at the front end of the image sensor 230, the second filter 5412 transmits the excitation light from the front end of the light source so that the image sensor 230 can obtain a fluorescence image. , when the third filter 5413 is disposed at the front end of the image sensor 230, not only the visible light obtained from the image sensor 230 but also the visible light of the light source is partially attenuated to obtain an image in which the intensity of the visible light is partially attenuated, and the fluorescence image and the It may also be possible to obtain visible light images with similar contrast.

However, the shapes of the filter units 241 , 541 , 641 are not limited to those shown in the drawings, but at least one of a “a” character, a “b” character, a “凹” character, a “凸” character, or a “ㅁ” character. It can be deformed into the above flat plate shape.

Referring back to FIGS. 2 to 4 , the filter unit 241 may reciprocate 1 to 72 times per second. The number of reciprocations of the filter unit 241 is related to the scan rate of the display module 400 . For example, when the display module 400 has a scan rate of 60 Hz, the control unit 300 drives the filter unit 241 to reciprocate to sequentially generate a fluorescent image 30 times and a visible light image 30 times per second. The unit 243 can be controlled.

As the filter unit 241 reciprocates, image image conversion of a predetermined frequency occurs in the display module 400 according to the image acquisition rate per second of the image sensor. Since the image is received in the form of overlapping visible light, it is possible to obtain an image in which both fluorescence and visible light are displayed without a separate image overlapping process.

The connection unit 242 has one end connected to the filter unit 241 and the other end connected to the main tube 100 of the endoscope apparatus. At this time, the connection unit 242 forms a pivot shaft on which the filter unit 241 can reciprocate at the other end, and is hinged so that the filter unit 241 is rotatably connected to the other end of the connection unit 242 as a pivot shaft.

The driving unit 243 reciprocates the connecting unit 242 at a predetermined angle about the pivot axis. For example, the driving unit 243 is composed of a crank and a motor to change the rotational motion of the motor into a linear motion through the crank to reciprocate the connecting unit 242 at a predetermined angle. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and any method capable of reciprocating the connection unit 242 at a predetermined angle may be possible.

The imaging module 200 minimizes image image processing by sequentially acquiring fluorescent and visible light images through the reciprocating filter module 240 , and can acquire both visible light and fluorescent images with one image sensor 230 . In addition, since the filter unit 241 reciprocating at the front end of the imaging module 200 is configured, the imaging module 200 can be miniaturized and applied to a chip-on-tip method.

As described above, although the embodiments have been described with reference to the limited drawings, various modifications and variations are possible from the above description by those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the described techniques are performed in an order different from the described method, and/or the described components of structures, devices, etc. are combined or combined in a different form than the described method, or other components or equivalents are used. Appropriate results can be achieved even if substituted or substituted by

10: endoscope device 100: main tube
200: imaging module 210: light source
211: excitation light source 212: visible light source
220: lens unit 230: image sensor
240: filter module 241, 541, 641: filter unit
242: connection unit 243: drive unit
300: control unit 400: display module
5411,5412,5413: filter T: object
T1: 1st organization T2: 2nd organization

Claims (9)

a light source for irradiating visible light or near-infrared excitation light to an object to be imaged;
an image sensor for capturing visible light and fluorescence reflected from the object; and
A filter unit including at least one or more first filters, and a driving unit for reciprocating the filter unit at the front end of the image sensor so that the at least one first filter is selectively disposed in the optical path of the front end of the image sensor. a filter module comprising;
including,
The driving unit is an endoscope device for reciprocating the filter unit at a number of times per second equal to or greater than a scan rate of a display module displaying an image image received from the image sensor.
According to claim 1,
The filter module is
a connection unit having one end connected to the filter unit and the other end connected to the main tube of the endoscope apparatus, the filter unit forming a reciprocating pivot shaft;
further comprising,
The driving unit is an endoscope device for reciprocally driving the filter module around the pivot axis.
According to claim 1,
The light source is
a visible light source irradiating visible light to the object; and
an excitation light source irradiating near-infrared excitation light;
An endoscopic device comprising a.
According to claim 1,
The light source is
An endoscope apparatus for irradiating multi-wavelength light to the imaging object.
5. The method of claim 4,
The filter unit is
The endoscope apparatus further comprising at least one second filter selectively disposed at the front end of the light source and transmitting only the excitation light.
6. The method of claim 5,
The filter unit is
The first filter and the second filter are coupled to each other on the same plane to form a flat plate shape of a predetermined shape.
7. The method of claim 6,
The filter unit is
An endoscope device having a flat plate shape of at least one of "a", "b", "凹", "凸", and "ㅁ".
7. The method of claim 6,
Each filter of the filter unit is an endoscope device that is detachably coupled to each other.
6. The method of claim 5,
The filter unit is
The endoscope apparatus further comprising a third filter that transmits only the wavelength band of visible light and attenuates the intensity of visible light.

Images