KR20170062237A

KR20170062237A - Polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography imaging system

Info

Publication number: KR20170062237A
Application number: KR1020150167798A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 김기현; 윤여름; 김범주; 장원혁; 레허안
Original assignee: 포항공과대학교 산학협력단
Priority date: 2015-11-27
Filing date: 2015-11-27
Publication date: 2017-06-07
Also published as: KR101803617B1

Abstract

The present invention provides a polarization-sensitive optical coherent tomography imaging system capable of visualizing the connective tissue membrane and nerve of the prostate in real time, comprising a light source and a light splitting unit for splitting the light provided from the light source into reference light and irradiation light, A sample arm which is connected to the light dividing unit and is connected to the reference arm and the light dividing unit provided with the reference light from the light dividing unit to polarize the irradiation light provided from the light dividing unit into normal light and vertical light, A detection unit which forms an irradiation path for the light to be irradiated toward the prostate gland and an incident path for reflected light from the prostate gland, and a detector for detecting the reflected light incident on the detection unit to obtain birefringence image information of the prostate, A detector for acquiring structural image information of the prostate with an interference signal of the reflected light; It includes. Therefore, it is possible to visualize the connective tissue membrane and the nerve to provide real-time images to the operator, which can reduce nerve damage during the removal of the lesion, thereby reducing the deterioration of the organ function after surgery and increasing the success rate of surgery .

Description

[0001] POLARIZATION-SENSITIVE OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY IMAGING SYSTEM [0002]

The present invention relates to a polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography imaging system, and more particularly, to a polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography imaging system for use in peripheral neuroimaging in the removal of a prostate lesion.

In general, minimization of damage to important parts of the organ function such as nerve, blood vessel, ureter and bile duct as well as removal of lesion is required to improve the success rate of precision surgery. In particular, since nerve damage can lead to postoperative complications such as chronic pain and research paralysis, various researches and developments have been actively carried out for nerve preservation during surgery.

However, because the nerve is difficult to detect with the naked eye, electromyography is used to detect neurons, which can easily be damaged when the lesion is removed. The electromyography test is characterized in that the state of the nerve is confirmed by applying electrical stimulation to the region where the nerve is supposed to be located based on the anatomical relation.

The prior art for such EMG examination has already been disclosed in Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-0077346 (Electromyography Inspection System, October 11, 2002). The present invention is characterized by confirming the state of the nerve adjacent to the probe tip based on the probe.

However, the conventional electromyography test has a problem in that it is difficult to intuitively detect the nerve, and thus it is difficult to apply it to an operation requiring visual position detection of the nerve. In particular, prostate-related surgery, such as prostatectomy, is surrounded by multiple layers of connective tissue and multiple layers of connective tissue, so that the connective tissue membranes and nerves are visualized in real time A technology that can be used is required.

Korean Patent Publication No. 2002-0077346 (Electromyography Inspection System, October 11, 2002)

It is an object of the present invention to provide a polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography imaging system capable of visualizing in real time the connective tissue membranes and nerves of the prostate gland.

A polarization-sensitive optical coherent tomography imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes a light source and a light splitting unit that splits light provided from the light source into reference light and irradiation light, and a reference arm connected to the light splitting unit to form a path of the reference light, A sample arm including an optical member that forms a path provided to the prostate portion as a target position and that polarizes the irradiation light into a horizontal component and a vertical component, and a reference arm that passes through the reference arm, And a detector for receiving reflected light reflected from the sample arm and detecting image information of the prostate part, wherein the detector acquires structural image information of the prostate region using an interference signal between the reference light and the reflected light, Using the horizontal component reflected from the prostate part and the vertical component And acquires birefringence image information of the prostate region.

The horizontal arm and the vertical arm of the sample arm are irradiated to the prostate part with an optical path difference, and the horizontal component and the vertical component reflected from the prostate part are respectively received with an optical path difference.

The horizontal component and the vertical component irradiated from the sample arm are reflected from the prostate part and tissue characteristic information of the connective tissue membrane and the nerve of the prostate part may be detected based on the birefringence characteristic of the prostate part .

The polarized light sensitive optical coherent tomographic imaging apparatus further includes an image processing unit connected to the detection unit and displaying a birefringence image and a structural image of the nerve tissue and the nerve respectively, Can be displayed in mutually different forms in a birefringence image.

In the birefringence image, the nerve may be displayed in fibrous form on the connective tissue membrane to be distinct from the connective tissue membrane.

The birefringence image information includes tissue characteristic information on the nerve bundles of the forked nerve from the ganglion to the bladder, rectum, and penis, and the structure image information includes the gland structure around the prostate gland and the structure Information.

The detection unit may detect tissue characteristic information on the penile sponge nerve from the reflected light.

Meanwhile, the polarization-sensitive optical coherent tomography imaging method according to the present invention includes the steps of dividing light provided from a light source into reference light and irradiation light, polarizing the irradiation light into a horizontal component and a vertical component, And detecting the image information of the prostate part by receiving the reflected light reflected from the reference light and the prostate part and detecting the image information of the prostate part, Obtains the structural image information of the prostate region using the interference signal, and obtains the birefringence image information of the prostate region using the horizontal component and the vertical component reflected from the prostate region.

In the step of irradiating, the horizontal component and the vertical component may be irradiated to the prostatic segment, with the optical path difference, and the horizontal component and the vertical component reflected from the prostate portion may be respectively received with an optical path difference.

In the detecting step, the horizontal component and the vertical component are reflected from the prostate part, and the tissue characteristic information of the connective tissue membrane and the nerve of the prostate part may be detected based on the birefringence characteristic of the prostate part.

Wherein the polarization sensitive optical coherent tomography imaging method further comprises displaying the combined tissue membrane and the birefringent image and the structural image of the nerve after the detecting step, As shown in FIG.

The displaying may be displayed in a fibrous form on the connective tissue membrane such that the nerve is distinct from the connective tissue membrane in the birefringence image.

The detecting step may detect tissue characteristic information on the penile cavernosal nerve from the reflected light.

The polarization-sensitive optical coherent tomographic imaging system according to the present invention visualizes connective tissue membranes and nerves and provides real-time images to the practitioner. It can reduce nerve damage during lesion removal, It is possible to increase the success rate of the operation.

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

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a polarization-sensitive optical coherent tomographic imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a polarization-sensitive optical coherent tomographic imaging method according to the present embodiment,
FIG. 3 is a photograph of the prostate and surrounding tissues of an animal model using the polarization-sensitive optical coherent tomography imaging system according to the present embodiment,
FIG. 4 is a photograph of a patient's prostate and surrounding tissues using the polarization-sensitive optical coherent tomography imaging system according to the present embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but may be implemented in various forms, and the present embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. It is provided to let you know completely. The shape and the like of the elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity, and the same reference numerals denote the same elements in the drawings.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a polarization-sensitive optical coherent tomography imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the polarization-sensitive optical coherent tomographic imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment may be utilized in the removal of a prostate lesion. The prostate gland is surrounded by multiple layers of connective tissue, and neurons are present between the layers of connective tissue. Here, preservation of the nerve at the time of removal of the lesion of the prostate such as prostatectomy does not preserve the nerve, but preserves it according to the removal amount of the connective tissue membrane. Thus, the imaging device 100 can visualize the connective tissue membranes and nerves and enable the intuitive detection of the operator when the prostate lesion is removed.

The imaging apparatus 100 includes a light source 110, a light divider 120, a trigger signal generator 130, an interferometer 140, a detector 150, a signal transmitter 160, a detector 170 And an image processing unit 180.

First, the light source 110 may be provided with a wavelength tunable laser having a sufficiently long coherence length. At this time, the light emitted from the light source 110 is irradiated to the human body so as to have a harmless intensity. Here, the light emitted from the light source 110 is transmitted to the first light splitting unit 121 by an optical cable C that can be provided by an optical fiber.

The first light splitting unit 121 divides the light transmitted from the light source 110 into the trigger signal generating unit 130 and the interferometer 140. Here, the first light splitting unit 121 provides the trigger signal generator 130 with an amount of light having a light intensity of 3 to 7%, and supplies an amount of light having the light intensity of 93 to 97% to the interferometer 140 . For this purpose, the first light splitting unit 121 may be provided with a fiber coupler (Fiber Coupler), but the first light splitting unit 121 is not limited as long as it is configured to divide the light amount.

On the other hand, the light amount of 3 to 7% divided from the first light splitting unit 121 is transmitted to the trigger signal generating unit 130. The trigger signal generator 130 may be a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) 131. The optical fiber Bragg grating 131 is provided for triggering an external trigger signal for subsequent data collection. The optical fiber Bragg grating 131 is triggered for each A-Line, And may be set to about 50k to correspond to the speed.

A first signal transfer unit 161 is provided between the first light splitting unit 121 and the trigger signal generating unit 130. Here, the first signal transfer unit 161 allows the trigger signal from the trigger signal generation unit 130 to be provided to the image processing unit 180. The first signal transfer unit 161 includes a fiber circulator 161a provided in the optical cable C connecting the first optical splitter 121 and the trigger signal generator 130, And a photodetector (PD) provided on an optical cable (C) connecting the image processor (180). The trigger signal generated from the trigger signal generator 130 is converted into an electrical signal in the photodetector PD through the first signal transmitter 161 and provided to the image processor 180.

On the other hand, the amount of light having the intensity of 93 to 97% divided from the first light splitting unit 121 is provided to the interferometer 140. Here, the light provided to the interferometer 140 is divided into the reference arm 141 and the sample arm 143 by the second light splitting section 122. Here, the second light splitting unit 122 is provided with a light quantity having an intensity of 15 to 25% in the reference arm 141 and a light quantity having 75 to 85% intensity in the sample arm 143 . For this purpose, the second light splitting unit 122 may be provided as a fiber coupler, but the type of the second light splitting unit 122 is not limited as long as it is configured to divide the light amount.

Meanwhile, the light provided to the reference arm 141 is provided to the collimator CM through the optical cable C connected to the second light splitting unit 122, and the collimator CM irradiates the reference mirror 141a to the reference mirror 141a. So that light can be reflected. Here, the reference arm 141 is for generating a reference light for interference signal with the reflected light of the prostate gland to be detected later through the detection unit 150, and is configured to detect the reference light according to the penetration depth of the light irradiated from the detection unit 150 toward the prostate gland The distance between the collimator CM and the reference mirror 141a can be varied.

The reference light reflected through the reference mirror 141a is transmitted to the detecting unit 170 through the second signal transmitting unit 162 which can be provided as a fiber circulator between the second light splitting unit 122 and the collimator CM .

The light provided to the sample arm 143 is provided to the passive optical edge 143a through the optical cable C connected to the second optical splitter 120. [

The passive optical edge 143a separates the light from the second light splitting part 122 and separates the light into horizontal and vertical light perpendicular to each other. Here, the passive optical edge 143a may be provided to include at least one of a polarizing beam splitter and a quarter wave plate. Thus, the horizontal and vertical lights decomposed in the manual light edge portion 143a are provided to the detection unit 150 and can be irradiated with a light path difference of about 2.25 mm in the air.

Meanwhile, an optical cable (C) and a light reflecting path (143c) are sequentially disposed between the manual light edge portion (143a) and the detecting portion (150). Here, a third signal transmission unit 163, which may be a fiber circulator, is connected to the optical cable C between the manual light edge portion 143a and the optical reflection path 143c, so that the reflected light reflected from the prostate can be detected by the detection unit 170).

The horizontal and vertical lights supplied from the passive optical edge 143a to the optical cable C are irradiated through the collimator CM and reflected by the at least one mirror M1 and M2 through the at least one mirror M1 and M2. And is provided as a 2-axis scanning mirror (M3). Here, the detection unit 150 detects the irradiation path where the horizontal and vertical light provided from the scanning mirror M3 is irradiated with the prostate gland, and the reflected light reflected from the prostate gland returns through the light reflecting path 143c, To form an incident path of the reflected light to be provided to the reflecting surface 163.

The detection unit 150 may include a lens 153 and a window 155 inside the body 151 that forms the outer shape of the detection unit 150. Here, the lens 153 is provided as an optical concentrator such as an objective lens, and the window 155 may have a tilt of about 5 to 10 degrees in the horizontal direction of the lens 153 so that surface reflection is minimized. In this embodiment, the detection unit 150 is shown for capturing an extracted tissue. However, the detection unit 150 may be modified into a probe for inserting into the body cavity, Therefore, the form of the detection unit 150 is not limited.

On the other hand, the detection unit 170 receives the reference light and the reflected light from the second and third light split units 122 and 123. The detection unit 170 may be provided as a polarization diversity detector (PDD) 171 connected to the second and third light split units 122 and 123 by optical cables C, respectively. Here, the polarization diversity detector 171 generates an interference signal from the reference light and the reflected light, and outputs a structured image based on the light intensity, a polarization change of the reflected light generated by combining the normal light and the vertical light reflected from the prostate with the optical path difference So that a birefringence image based on the birefringence image can be outputted from the processing unit. A pair of photodetectors PD are provided between the detector 170 and the image processor 180 so that a signal containing information of the structure image and the birefringence image from the detector 170 is electrically converted and is transmitted to the image processor 180 ).

The image processing unit 180 may be a display device such as a computer. Here, the image processing unit 180 may calculate and display a structural image and a birefringence image of the prostate gland, respectively, on the basis of an electrical signal of a signal containing information of a structural image and a birefringence image provided from the detector 170. At this time, the structural image and the birefringence image of the prostate displayed in the image processing unit 180 enable the intuitive detection of the operator when the prostate lesion is removed.

Here, the structural image can provide the gland structure and the fat information around the prostate, and the birefringence image can start from the ganglion and provide information on all the nerve bundles that are directed to the bladder, rectum, penis, . In particular, in the case of birefringence images, it is possible to display the nerve image of the cavernous surface of the penis in relation to the foot function toward the penis, which is advantageous in preserving the prostate nerve when the prostate lesion is removed. In addition, the image processor 180 has an advantage that data can be collected based on an external trigger signal provided from the trigger signal generator 130.

Meanwhile, the present embodiment describes an embodiment in which the imaging apparatus 100 includes the probe-type detection unit 150 so that the detection unit 150 acquires an image of the prostate in the body cavity. However, this is an embodiment for explaining this embodiment, and the imaging apparatus 100 can be mounted on a conventional endoscope based on white light, and can also be provided in a microscopic form.

In contrast, in the conventional optical coherent tomographic imaging system and the imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the conventional optical coherent tomographic imaging system can measure the intensity of the scattered light generated at the interface of the medium having a different refractive index, Only the phase change of the light generated in the medium is not considered. That is, in general, when the prostate is irradiated with light not separated into a horizontal component and a vertical component, a phase delay occurs due to birefringence, but it is difficult to analyze the degree of phase delay.

However, the imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment takes the flexibility for clinical application into consideration, and it is difficult to infer the state of polarization of light due to the variability of polarization, so that the light is divided into a vertical component and a horizontal component. Thus, since the polarization has the property that the vertical component and the horizontal component are always maintained, the imaging apparatus has an advantage that the prostate can be easily observed by distinguishing the difference between the light irradiated by the prostate and the reflected light.

Hereinafter, a tomographic imaging method using the polarization-sensitive optical coherent tomographic imaging system according to the present embodiment will be described in detail. However, the detailed description of the above-described components is omitted, and the same reference numerals are given thereto.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a polarization-sensitive optical coherent tomography imaging method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the polarization-sensitive optical coherent tomography (hereinafter, referred to as imaging method) according to the present embodiment can display a structural image and a birefringence image of the prostate in real time when the prostate lesion is removed.

Prostate lesion removal may be a prostatectomy that surgically removes the entire prostate gland. In recent years, as the number of younger patients increases, the quality of life, sexual function, have. Neurogenic preserved prostatectomy for neurological preservation has been performed, and neuro - conservative prostatectomy has the advantage of minimizing side effects such as urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction.

Laparoscopic and robotic surgeries are the most common types of prostatectomy, and the advantages of minimally invasive surgery are increasing in laparoscopic and robotic surgery. However, the nerve is basically difficult to distinguish from the surrounding tissue, and in the case of minimally invasive surgery based on laparoscopy, there is a problem that it is difficult to detect the nerve because of the limitation of the viewing angle and the endoscope.

Particularly, in the case of the conventional optical coherent tomographic imaging system, the contrast of the image according to the degree of intensity of the scatter signal generated at the interface of the medium having a different refractive index is observed. Basically, the nerve with a tubular morphology, The blood vessels were observed similarly and confusion could occur. In addition, the nerves have a structure in which a large number of nerve fibers are dense and have similar problems as observed in the adipocyte structure of adipose tissue.

However, in the case of the imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, a birefringence pattern due to a phase retardation phenomenon is observed in both the connective tissue membrane and the nerve, and there is an advantage in that observation is facilitated in a mutually different form.

Meanwhile, in the imaging method according to the present embodiment, a neuroimaging method of the prostate using the imaging device is provided.

First, the light emitted from the light source 110 is divided into a trigger signal generator 130 and an interferometer 140 by a first light splitting unit 121 (S100). Here, the light provided to the trigger signal generator 130 is for generating an external trigger signal for data acquisition and is provided to the image processor 180 by the first signal transmitter 160.

Meanwhile, the light provided to the interferometer 140 is divided into the reference arm 141 and the sample arm 143 by the second light splitting unit 122 (S200). The light provided to the reference arm 141 is converted into reference light and provided to the detection unit 170. The light provided to the sample arm 143 is decomposed into horizontal and vertical light through the manual light edge 143a, (143c) and the detection unit (150). At this time, phase delay due to birefringence is observed in both the connective tissue membrane and the nerve. Here, the horizontal and vertical light reflected from the prostate gland have an optical path difference and are converted into reflected light and provided to the detection unit 170 (S300).

On the other hand, the detection unit 170 detects a structural image signal of the prostate based on the reference light and the reflected light provided from the reference arm 141 and the sample arm 143, respectively, and based on the polarization change of the reflected light according to the horizontal and vertical light And detects the birefringence video signal of the prostate. At this time, the detected structure image signal and the birefringence image signal are provided to the image processing unit 180 through the photodetector PD, respectively.

At this time, the image processing unit 180 may display a structural image of the prostate gland and a birefringence image so that not only the configuration information of the prostate gland but also the tissue characteristic information may be recognized by the operator (S400). In addition, the image processor 180 may be capable of collecting data based on a trigger signal provided from the trigger signal generator 130.

When these imaging devices and imaging methods are used, the connective tissue membranes and nerves of the prostate gland are displayed differently. That is, in the case of the connective tissue membrane, it is displayed in a wide membrane form, and in the case of the nerve, it is displayed in the fibrous form. Thus, the practitioner can intuitively recognize the connective tissue membrane and the nerve according to the displayed information, thereby improving the success rate of prostate lesion removal and preserving the nerve.

Hereinafter, an experimental example using the polarization-sensitive optical coherent tomographic imaging system according to the present embodiment will be described.

FIG. 3 is a photograph of the prostate and surrounding tissues of an animal model using the polarization-sensitive optical coherent tomography imaging system according to the present embodiment. And FIG. 4 is a photograph of a patient's prostate and surrounding tissues using the polarization-sensitive optical coherent tomography imaging system according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the polarized-sensitive optical coherent tomographic imaging system (hereinafter, referred to as an imaging system) according to the present embodiment is used to detect an animal model, for example, a prostate and surrounding tissue of a rat, The human prostate and surrounding tissues were observed from patients at the time of surgery.

As shown in FIG. 3, the structure and birefringence images of the animal model can be obtained by utilizing the imaging system according to the present embodiment. At this time, it was confirmed that the structure and the birefringence images can acquire the real time information of the corpus cavernosum, the grand structure and the fat around the nerve.

More specifically, referring to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 is a 1-mm-scale rat prostate gland biopsy image. Where a and b are frontal polarization sensitive optical interference tomographic images in the X-Y plane, c to f are cross-sectional polarization sensitive optical coherent tomographic images in the x-z plane, and g is an immunofluorescence stained image. In this case, D1 and D2 in FIG. 3 mark the positions of the cross sections of c, d, e, and f, respectively, and A1 labels the birefringent fiber. In FIG. 3, C1 denotes the local birefringence region, and A2 denotes the prostate region. Here, the nuclei were colored (blue) by DAPI and the nerves were colored (green) by neuron-specific β-Ⅲ Tublin antibodies.

Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the prostate-structure image and the birefringence image of the human model can be obtained by utilizing the imaging system according to the present embodiment. At this time, a neurovascular bundle region including the penile corpus cavernosum that affects the foot function was obtained.

More specifically, referring to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 is an image of a 1 mm scale human prostate specimen. Where a and b are frontal polarization sensitive optical interference tomographic images in the X-Y plane, c to f are cross-sectional polarization sensitive optical interference tomographic images in the X-Y plane, and g is an immunofluorescent stained image. At this time, D3 and D4 in FIG. 4 mark the positions of the cross sections of c, d, e, and f, A3 denotes birefringent fiber, and A4 denotes birefringent sheet structure. C2 marks the local birefringence area, and A5 marks the fat surrounding the prostate. Here, nuclei were colored (blue) by DAPI and nerves were colored (green) by neuron-specific antibodies.

As a result, a neurovascular bundle and its surrounding fat were observed. When using the imaging system according to the present embodiment, real-time imaging of the connective tissue membrane and nerve of the prostate can be performed, There is an advantage that the operator can be more precisely aware of the position of the patient.

As described above, the polarization-sensitive optical coherent tomographic imaging system according to the present embodiment visualizes the connective tissue membrane and the nerve to provide real-time images to the operator, which can reduce nerve damage during the removal of the lesion, And to increase the success rate of the operation.

One embodiment of the invention described above and shown in the drawings should not be construed as limiting the technical idea of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is limited only by the matters described in the claims, and those skilled in the art will be able to modify the technical idea of the present invention in various forms. Accordingly, such improvements and modifications will fall within the scope of the present invention as long as they are obvious to those skilled in the art.

110: Light source
120:
130: Trigger signal generator
140: Interferometer
150:
160:
170:
180:

Claims

Light source;
A light splitting unit splitting the light provided from the light source into reference light and irradiation light;
A reference arm connected to the light splitting unit to form a path of the reference light;
A sample arm including an optical member forming a path provided to the portion of the prostate that is a target position and provided by the light dividing unit and polarizing the irradiation light to a horizontal component and a vertical component; And
And a detector for receiving the reference light having passed through the reference arm and the reflected light reflected from the sample arm to detect image information of the prostate part,
The detection unit
Acquiring image information of the prostate region using the interference signal of the reference light and the reflected light and acquiring birefringence image information of the prostate region using the horizontal component and the vertical component reflected from the prostate portion, Optical coherence tomography.

The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the sample arm has the horizontal component and the vertical component having an optical path difference to be irradiated to the prostate part,
Wherein the horizontal component and the vertical component reflected from the prostate part are received with an optical path difference, respectively.

The method according to claim 1,
The horizontal component and the vertical component irradiated from the sample arm are reflected from the prostate part and the tissue characteristic information of the connective tissue membrane and the nerve of the prostate part is detected based on the birefringence characteristic of the prostate part Polarized light interference interference tomographic imaging device.

The method of claim 3,
Further comprising an image processor coupled to the detector for displaying a birefringent image and a structural image of the nerve tissue and the nerve, respectively,
Wherein the combined tissue membrane and the nerve are displayed in a mutually different form in the birefringence image.

5. The method of claim 4,
Wherein the nerve in the birefringence image is displayed in a fibrous form on the connective tissue membrane to be distinct from the connective tissue membrane.

The method according to claim 1,
The birefringence image information includes tissue characteristic information on the nerve bundles of the fork from the ganglion to the bladder, rectum, and penis,
Wherein the structure image information includes a gland structure around the prostate gland and structural information about fat.

The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the detection unit detects tissue characteristic information on the penile ganglion nerve from the reflected light.

Dividing the light provided from the light source into a reference light and an irradiation light;
Polarizing the irradiation light to a horizontal component and a vertical component;
Irradiating the horizontal component and the vertical component to a portion of the prostate that is a target position; And
Receiving the reference light and the reflected light reflected from the prostate part and detecting image information of the prostate part,
The detecting step
Acquiring image information of the prostate region using the interference signal of the reference light and the reflected light and acquiring birefringence image information of the prostate region using the horizontal component and the vertical component reflected from the prostate portion, Optical coherence tomography.

9. The method of claim 8,
The step of examining
Wherein the horizontal component and the vertical component have an optical path difference and are irradiated to the prostatic group,
Wherein the horizontal component and the vertical component reflected from the prostate part are received with an optical path difference, respectively.

9. The method of claim 8,
The detecting step
Wherein the horizontal component and the vertical component are reflected from the portion of the prostate and tissue characteristic information of the connective tissue membrane and the nerve of the prostate portion is detected based on the birefringence characteristic of the prostate portion. Tomographic imaging method.

11. The method of claim 10,
After the detecting step,
Further comprising the step of displaying a birefringent image and a structural image of said connective tissue film and said nerve, respectively,
Wherein the combined tissue membrane and the nerve are displayed in different forms in the birefringence image.

11. The method of claim 10,
The step of displaying
Wherein the birefringence image is displayed in fibrous form on the connective tissue membrane such that the nerve is distinct from the connective tissue membrane.

9. The method of claim 8,
The birefringence image information includes tissue characteristic information on the nerve bundles of the fork from the ganglion to the bladder, rectum, and penis,
Wherein the structure image information includes a gland structure around the prostate gland and structural information about fat.

9. The method of claim 8,
The detecting step
And tissue characteristic information on the corpus cavernosal nerve is detected from the reflected light.