KR20090123260A - Laparoscope and image processing system using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A laparoscope and an image processing system using the same are provided to efficiently perform a laparoscope operation by outputting an image inside an abdominal cavity into various shapes. CONSTITUTION: A laparoscope includes a wide angle lens part(111), an optical fiber(113), an inserting part(115), and an optical interface part(117). The wide angle lens part is arranged in one end of the laparoscope, and is a fisheye lens. A focal distance of the wide angle lens part is controllable. The optical fiber delivers an incident light from the wide angle lens part to a camera part(120), and is received in an inner space of the inserting part. The inserting part is inserted inside an abdominal cavity. The optical interface part delivers the light delivered from the optical fiber to the camera part. The camera part is a two dimensional camera or a three dimensional camera.

Description

Laparoscope and image processing system using the same

The present invention relates to a surgical device, and more particularly to a laparoscope and an image processing system using the same.

Medically, surgery refers to healing a disease by cutting, slitting, or manipulating skin, mucous membranes, or other tissues with a medical device. Laparoscopic surgery during this operation corresponds to surgery to split the abdominal cavity or the skin of the face (skin), and to treat, shape or remove the organs therein.

When performing such a laparotomy, a predetermined space is formed between the skin and the tissue by cutting off the skin and then performing a surgical operation through the space. Therefore, laparotomy is a problem that is slow to heal after surgery because a lot of wounds, laparoscopic surgery is currently attracting attention. In general, laparoscopic surgery is performed by making a small hole in the abdomen of the patient and observing the surgical site of the abdominal cavity through this hole. It is also widely used in obstetrics and gynecology areas. This is a device for diagnosing the internal organs of the body as a device in which a small camera is formed, and thus it is possible to observe the image information detected from the small camera by inserting the body and the internal organ through a monitor installed outside.

However, according to the prior art, there is a problem that the surgeon to operate by imaging the surgical site of the abdominal cavity within a narrow range to feel this limitation. In addition, since the photographed surgical part is not multidimensionally outputted, there is a problem that the doctor feels a limitation in making a comprehensive judgment on the surgical part.

The present invention is to provide a laparoscopic image processing system for imaging the image in the abdominal cavity in a wide range.

In addition, the present invention is to provide a laparoscopic image processing system for outputting the image in the abdominal cavity captured in various forms.

Technical problems other than the present invention will be easily understood through the following description.

According to an aspect of the present invention, in a laparoscope inserted into the abdominal cavity for imaging of the affected part, a wide-angle lens portion provided at one end of the laparoscope, an optical fiber for transmitting the light incident from the wide-angle lens portion to the camera, the optical fiber therein It is possible to provide a laparoscope that is accommodated in a space and includes an insertion portion inserted into the abdominal cavity where the affected part is located, and an optical interface portion for transmitting the light transmitted from the optical fiber to the camera.

Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, in the laparoscope inserted into the abdominal cavity for imaging of the affected part, the wide-angle lens portion provided at one end of the laparoscope, located close to the wide-angle lens portion, the light incident from the wide-angle lens portion A laparoscope may be provided including a camera unit generating image information using the image information and an image information interface unit receiving the image information generated by the camera unit and transmitting the image information to the image processing unit.

The camera unit may be a two-dimensional camera or a three-dimensional camera, the wide-angle lens unit is a fisheye lens, and the wide-angle lens unit may be adjusted in focal length.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in a laparoscope image processing system for outputting the image information of the affected part imaged using the laparoscope, the image using the light incident from the wide-angle lens portion, the wide-angle lens portion provided at one end of the laparoscope A laparoscopic image processing system comprising a camera unit for generating information, an image processor for storing received image information, dividing the received image information into predetermined regions, and generating output image data of the divided image information. Can be provided.

Here, the output unit may include a plurality of screens, and the image information received from the camera unit may be divided according to the number of the plurality of screens.

The output unit may output a window corresponding to the number of divided image information received from the camera unit on one screen, and each window may output respective divided image information.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in a laparoscope image processing system for outputting the image information of the affected part imaged using the laparoscope, the image using the light incident from the wide-angle lens portion, the wide-angle lens portion provided at one end of the laparoscope It provides a laparoscopic image processing system comprising a camera unit for generating information, a projector for projecting images using the image information received from the camera unit, and an internal dome surface for reflecting the image projected from the projector, and a dome screen having an open front surface. can do.

Here, the lens of the projector is a fisheye lens, the projector can project a spherical image.

In addition, the laparoscopic image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a focal length controller for adjusting the focal length of the wide-angle lens unit.

Other aspects, features, and advantages other than those described above will become apparent from the following drawings, claims, and detailed description of the invention.

Laparoscopic image processing system according to the present invention can capture the image in the abdominal cavity in a wide range, and can output the image in the intraperitoneal images in various forms, there is an effect that can be effective for laparoscopic surgery.

As the invention allows for various changes and numerous embodiments, particular embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the written description. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, it should be understood to include all changes, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the terms "comprise" or "have" are intended to indicate that there is a feature, number, step, action, component, part, or combination thereof described on the specification, and one or more other features. It is to be understood that the present invention does not exclude the possibility of the presence or the addition of numbers, steps, operations, components, components, or a combination thereof.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Terms such as those defined in the commonly used dictionaries should be construed as having meanings consistent with the meanings in the context of the related art, and are not construed in ideal or excessively formal meanings unless expressly defined in this application. Do not.

In addition, in the description with reference to the accompanying drawings, the same components regardless of reference numerals will be given the same reference numerals and duplicate description thereof will be omitted. In the following description of the present invention, if it is determined that the detailed description of the related known technology may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

1 is a block diagram of a laparoscopic image processing system using a wide-angle lens according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a laparoscope image processing system includes a laparoscope 110 including a wide angle lens unit 111, an optical fiber 113, an insertion unit 115, and an interface unit 117, a camera unit 120, and an image processing unit. 130, the output unit 140 may be included.

The wide-angle lens unit 111 is composed of a lens that can image by refracting an image from a wider range than a general standard lens. That is, the wide-angle lens unit 111 has a shorter focal length than the standard lens. The wide-angle lens unit 111 may be applied to the present invention as long as the wide-angle lens unit 111 is capable of capturing all the screens in front of the laparoscope.

The optical fiber 113 serves to transfer the light incident from the wide angle lens unit to the camera unit 120 via the interface unit 117.

The insertion unit 115 has a structure in which the wide-angle lens unit 111 is inserted into the abdominal cavity to approach the affected part of the patient. The wide-angle lens unit 111 is provided at one end of the insertion unit 115 inserted into the abdominal cavity. When the laparoscope is present as a separate physical object from the image processor 130, an interface unit 117 connected to the camera unit 120 is provided at a portion of the insertion unit 115 protruding from the outside when the laparoscope is inserted.

The interface unit 117 transmits the light for the image transmitted along the optical fiber 113 to the camera unit 120 when the camera unit 120 is not included in the laparoscope. In addition, when the camera unit 120 is included in the laparoscope according to another exemplary embodiment, the interface unit 117 transfers the image information transmitted from the camera unit 120 to the image processing unit 130.

The camera unit 120 generates the image refracted by the wide-angle lens unit 111 as image information. The image information may be digital information. In this case, the camera unit 120 may be implemented by a CCD or CMOS method. The camera unit 120 may generate image information as two-dimensional information or three-dimensional information.

The image processor 130 stores image information generated by the camera unit 120, processes it, and outputs the image information to the output unit 140 according to a predetermined format. Since the image information generated through the wide-angle lens unit 111 may have information about the entire screen in front of the laparoscope, the image processor 130 may divide the image information and output the divided information to the output unit 140 for each part.

The divided area may be determined according to the structure of the output unit 140. For example, if the output unit 140 has a plurality of screens, the image processor 130 may divide the image information to correspond to the number of screens and output the divided image information to each screen.

In the above description, a block diagram showing a laparoscopic image processing system in general has been described. Hereinafter, the laparoscopic image processing system according to the present invention will be described with reference to specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is obvious that the present invention is not limited to these examples.

2 is an implementation diagram of a laparoscopic image processing system using a wide-angle lens according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2, the wide-angle lens unit 210, the inserting unit 220, the interface unit 230, the camera unit 240, the image processing unit 250, and the output unit 260 are illustrated.

The wide-angle lens unit 210 is provided at one end of the insertion unit 220, and refracts the image of the affected part and transmits the image to the camera unit 240. A separate light irradiator (not shown) may be provided on the side of the wide lens unit 210 to irradiate light onto an image of the affected part. The light irradiated to the affected part is reflected and incident on the wide angle lens part 210.

A case where the wide-angle lens unit 210 is formed of a fisheye lens will be described below. A fisheye lens is a wide-angle lens with a square of more than 180 degrees. The fisheye lens forms an image for the imaging target with brightness equal to the entire screen. Looking at the structure, the fisheye lens deflects all the front images, that is, the light beam of 180 degrees, into a conical shape of 90 degrees by the concave lens, and makes it focus by the imaging lens.

In addition, the wide-angle lens unit 210 may be configured as a lens whose focal length is adjusted. When the user wants to enlarge a specific part of the affected part or observe the surrounding part, the user may obtain corresponding information by adjusting the focus of the wide-angle lens part 210. To this end, the lens of the wide-angle lens unit 210 may control the overall focal length by changing the curvature of the lens itself or the distance between the lenses included in the lens. In the former case, the lens is formed of a polymer and includes two electrodes spaced at both ends. When voltage is applied between the electrodes, the polymer is deformed to be attracted to one electrode, thereby changing the curvature of the entire lens. The material forming the lens is not particularly limited as long as it is a deformable polymer, and may be formed of, for example, polyvinyl chloride in which a plasticizer is incorporated.

The present invention may further include a focal length controller (not shown) for adjusting the focal length of the wide-angle lens unit 210. The focal length controller may be included in the image processor 250 or implemented as a separate device. The focal length controller may adjust the focal length of the wide-angle lens unit 210 by changing a curvature of the lens by applying a predetermined voltage to the electrode.

The interface unit 230 may include a washing liquid inlet, a light source inlet, a camera fastening unit, and an image processing connection unit. The cleaning liquid inlet is a connection pipe into which the cleaning liquid for cleaning the frost or steam frost on the lens of the wide-angle lens unit 210 is input. In addition, the light source opening may be connected to a light source for illuminating the affected part. The camera fastening part and the image processing connection part are respectively connected to the camera part 240 and the image processing part 250.

The camera unit 240 may be provided to be spaced apart from the wide-angle lens unit 210 by a predetermined distance. In this case, the light incident on the wide angle lens unit 210 may be transmitted to the camera unit 240 via an optical fiber positioned through the internal space of the insertion unit 220. That is, in such an embodiment, the laparoscope does not include the camera unit 240 directly, and an optical interface unit for coupling the laparoscope and the camera unit 240 may be provided. The optical interface unit is included in the interface unit 230 to allow the light received from the optical fiber to enter the camera unit 240. According to this embodiment, the relatively large volume of the camera unit 240 can also be applied to the present invention, there is an advantage of high device compatibility.

Further, according to another embodiment, when the camera unit 240 is included in the laparoscope, the interface unit 230 may include an image information interface unit for transmitting the image information generated by the camera unit 240 to the image processor 250. Can be. For example, the camera unit 240 may be provided at one end of the laparoscope in proximity to the wide angle lens unit 210.

In this case, the image information generated by the camera unit 240 may be transmitted to the image information interface unit via a signal line (not shown) inside the insertion unit 220 inserted into the abdominal cavity. In this case, the image information interface unit may include a socket having a signal line for coupling with the image processor 250.

According to another embodiment, when the image information generated by the camera unit 240 is directly transmitted to the image processing unit 250 along the signal line, the interface unit 230 connects the laparoscope and the image processing unit 250. It may include a signal line.

The camera unit 240 may implement image information on the affected part as a 2D or 3D image. In the former case, the camera unit 240 may implement a two-dimensional image using light incident on the wide-angle lens unit 210 as two-dimensional information. In the latter case, a three-dimensional image may be implemented using the binocular principle. For example, the camera unit 240 may implement a 3D image by using light incident from different viewpoints or may branch the light incident from one viewpoint to implement a 3D image.

The image processor 250 may be a server-shaped computer device. The image information of the affected part transmitted to the image processor 250 may be divided according to a predetermined area and then output to the output unit 260 as divided image information.

The output unit 260 may include a plurality of screens. In this case, each split image information may be output to each screen. In addition, according to another embodiment, the output unit 260 may include a plurality of screens (or windows) implemented in software on one screen. In this case, the screen on each software may output the respective divided image information.

3 is a diagram illustrating split image information according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, divided image information 310 to 360 is illustrated.

The divided image information 310 to 360 is generated by dividing the image information of the affected part incident on the wide-angle lens unit 111. The divided area may be determined according to the number of screens constituting the output unit 260. Therefore, although the case where there are six divided image information 310 to 360 is illustrated, the number of divided regions is not limited thereto.

In addition, referring to FIG. 3, the divided areas may be set to six areas around the center point of the circular full screen. However, the divided image of the present invention is not limited to this shape and may be set to various shapes such as polygons, circles, and ellipses.

4 is an implementation diagram of a laparoscopic image processing system that outputs divided image information according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, an image processor 405, a plurality of screens 410 to 460, and an operation unit 470 are illustrated.

The plurality of screens 410 to 460 output image information of the affected part generated by the camera unit 120. Each screen 410 to 460 may output the above-mentioned respective divided image information. The user may manipulate the manipulation unit 470 to adjust the size or position of the image of the affected part output on each of the screens 410 to 460.

To this end, the operation unit 470 may be provided with a zoom in or zoom out function button of an image, and the image of the affected part may be enlarged or reduced in correspondence with the function button and output to the screens 410 to 460. In addition, the operation unit 470 may control the focal length control unit to adjust the curvature of the wide-angle lens unit. Therefore, when a user wants an enlarged image of a specific affected area by using the manipulation unit 470, the user may obtain a corresponding enlarged image by adjusting a focal length of the wide angle lens unit.

5 is an implementation diagram of a laparoscopic image processing system according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, a dome screen 510, a projector 520, and a work bench 530 are shown.

The projector 520 projects a spherical image onto the dome screen 510 using the image information received from the camera unit described above. The spherical image is a case where the shape of the front end portion of the projected image is spherical. The projector 520 may receive image information from the image processor and project the image information.

The dome screen 510 has an open front end and a hemispherical inner dome surface that reflects the image projected from the projector 520. The size of the dome screen 510 may be a size that is easy for a user to see, for example, about 1m to about 2m in diameter. The inner dome surface of the dome screen 510 may be face-to-block or hemispherical in shape. In addition, the dome screen 510 may be axially symmetric about its central axis, and the user's line of sight may be located at the central axis of the dome screen 510.

The projector 520 may be located between the user performing the surgery and the dome screen 510 so that the image projected by the user may not be blocked. In addition, the projector 520 may be attached to the bottom surface of the work bench 530 in order to secure a space of the work table without covering the projected image during the user's work. The inner dome surface may be formed of or coated with a material with high reflectivity.

Since the camera unit captures a wide range using the wide angle lens unit, the projector 520 may also use a wide angle lens to project a wide range of projection. Here, the wide angle lens may be a fisheye lens. For example, when the fisheye lens array of the projector 520 is in the reverse order of the fisheye lens array of the wide-angle lens unit based on the order in which light passes, the projector 520 may project a spherical image.

In addition, a common platform technology, communication protocol, I / O interface, interface standardization technology, actuator, battery, etc., for a laparoscopy image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention Detailed description of the parts standardization technology, etc. will be omitted.

In the above, the laparoscopic image processing system of the present invention described the configuration of the wide-angle lens and the output unit according to an embodiment, but is not necessarily limited thereto, even if the configuration of the wide-angle lens or the number of the output unit is different. Such other configurations may be included in the scope of the present invention if there is no difference in overall operation and effect. In addition, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be variously modified and changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below.

1 is a block diagram of a laparoscopic image processing system using a wide-angle lens according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is an implementation diagram of a laparoscopic image processing system using a wide-angle lens according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a diagram illustrating divided image information according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is an implementation diagram of a laparoscopic image processing system for outputting divided image information according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is an implementation diagram of a laparoscopic image processing system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

110: laparoscope 111: wide-angle lens unit

113: optical fiber 115: insertion portion

117: interface unit 120: camera unit

130: image processing unit 140: output unit

310 to 360: Split image information 410 to 460: Screen

470: control panel

Claims (12)

In a laparoscope inserted into the abdominal cavity for imaging of the affected part, A wide-angle lens unit provided at one end of the laparoscope; An optical fiber for transmitting light incident from the wide-angle lens unit to the camera unit; An insertion part configured to receive the optical fiber in an inner space and be inserted into the abdominal cavity where the affected part is located; And Laparoscope comprising an optical interface for transmitting the light transmitted from the optical fiber to the camera. In a laparoscope inserted into the abdominal cavity for imaging of the affected part, A wide-angle lens unit provided at one end of the laparoscope; A camera unit positioned near the wide lens unit and generating image information by using light incident from the wide lens unit; And Laparoscope comprising an image information interface unit for receiving the image information generated by the camera unit, and transmits the image information to the image processing unit for processing. The method according to claim 1 or 2, Laparoscope, characterized in that the camera unit is a two-dimensional camera or a three-dimensional camera. The method according to claim 1 or 2, Laparoscope, characterized in that the wide-angle lens portion is a fisheye lens. The method according to claim 1 or 2, Laparoscope, characterized in that the focal length is adjusted to the wide-angle lens unit. A laparoscopic image processing system for outputting image information of an affected area photographed using a laparoscope, A wide-angle lens unit provided at one end of the laparoscope; A camera unit generating image information by using light incident from the wide-angle lens unit; An image processor which stores the received image information and divides the image information into predetermined regions to generate divided image information; And Laparoscopic image processing system including an output unit for outputting the respective divided image information generated by the image processing unit. The method of claim 6, Laparoscopic image processing system, characterized in that the output unit comprises a plurality of screens. The method of claim 7, wherein Laparoscopic image processing system, characterized in that the image information received from the camera unit is divided in accordance with the number of the plurality of screens. The method of claim 6, The output unit outputs a window corresponding to the number of divided image information received from the camera unit on one screen, Each window outputs the respective divided image information. A laparoscopic image processing system for outputting image information of an affected area photographed using a laparoscope, A wide-angle lens unit provided at one end of the laparoscope; A camera unit generating image information by using light incident from the wide-angle lens unit; A projector for projecting an image using the image information received from the camera unit; And A laparoscopic image processing system comprising a dome screen having an internal dome surface that reflects the image projected by the projector and an open front surface. The method of claim 10, The lens of the projector is a fisheye lens, the projector is laparoscopic image processing system, characterized in that for projecting a spherical image. The method of claim 6 or 10, Laparoscopic image processing system further comprising a focal length control unit for adjusting the focal length of the wide-angle lens unit.

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