KR20240001353A - Multispectral fluorescence imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a multispectral fluorescence imaging device. The multispectral fluorescence imaging device of the present invention includes a light source that irradiates inspection light having a plurality of wavelength regions to an inspection object coated with a fluorescent contrast agent, and at least one optical fiber that guides the reception of fluorescent reflected light generated from the inspection object. Optical fiber bundle, an optical separator for separating the first separated reflected light corresponding to the first wavelength region and the second separated reflected light corresponding to the second wavelength region different from the first wavelength region with respect to the fluorescent reflected light incident through the optical fiber bundle, separated a focus adjustment lens that forms an image by adjusting the focal length of the first separated reflected light; and an image sensor that detects the image formed by the focusing lens.

Description

Multispectral fluorescence imaging device {MULTISPECTRAL FLUORESCENCE IMAGING APPARATUS}

The present invention relates to a multispectral fluorescence imaging device. More specifically, it relates to a multispectral fluorescence imaging device that can acquire a fluorescence image of an inspection object using a light source with a multispectrum.

Conventional fluorescence imaging devices focus excitation light with a single wavelength, pass it through an objective lens, and irradiate the excitation light to the sample, which is the observation area, to observe changes or structures in the sample according to the optical signal reflected from the sample. .

As such, since conventional fluorescence imaging devices used excitation light of a single wavelength, it was impossible to excite the emitter using various wavelengths. In addition, it was impossible to change the wavelength of the excitation light in the light source, making it impossible to observe multiple fluorescence images with multispectrum at the same time.

Meanwhile, the above-described background technology is technical information that the inventor possessed for deriving the present invention or acquired in the process of deriving the present invention, and cannot necessarily be said to be known technology disclosed to the general public before filing the application for the present invention. .

Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2019-0067337 (2019.06.17.)

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a multispectral fluorescence imaging device that can acquire fluorescence images of different wavelengths for an inspection object through a variable wavelength light source, a multi-wavelength light source, or a multi-array light source.

In addition, another problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a multispectral fluorescence imaging device that can obtain a clear fluorescence image by differentiating the paths of the inspection light emitted from the light source and the fluorescence reflection light incident on the image sensor.

In addition, another problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a multispectral fluorescence imaging device including an optical fiber bundle that guides the fluorescent light reflected from the inspection object to enter the inside of the housing.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a multispectral fluorescence imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a light source that irradiates inspection light having a plurality of wavelength ranges to an inspection object coated with a fluorescent contrast agent, and fluorescence generated from the inspection object. An optical fiber bundle including at least one optical fiber that guides the reception of reflected light, a first separated reflected light corresponding to a first wavelength region for fluorescent reflected light incident through the optical fiber bundle, and a second wavelength region different from the first wavelength region. It includes an optical separator that separates the second separated reflected light, a focusing lens that forms an image by adjusting the focal length of the separated first separated reflected light, and an image sensor that detects the image formed by the focusing lens.

Additionally, according to another feature of the present invention, the optical separator includes a dichroic mirror.

In addition, according to another feature of the present invention, the dichroic mirror is disposed at an angle such that the first separated reflected light corresponding to the first wavelength region among the fluorescent reflected lights is reflected toward the image sensor.

In addition, according to another feature of the present invention, the multispectral fluorescence imaging device further includes a parallel lens that emits inspection light as parallel inspection light.

In addition, according to another feature of the present invention, the wavelength separator divides the inspection light incident in parallel by the parallel lens into a first separated inspection light corresponding to the first wavelength region and a second wavelength region different from the first wavelength region. The corresponding second separation inspection light is separated.

In addition, according to another feature of the present invention, the light source is disposed at a position to irradiate the inspection light so that the first separated inspection light and the second separated inspection light reflected from the wavelength separator are perpendicular to each other.

Additionally, according to another feature of the present invention, the parallel lens is a collimating lens or a Fresnel lens.

In addition, according to another feature of the present invention, the multispectral fluorescence imaging device emits a fluorescence filter light in which a first separated reflected light is incident and a component corresponding to the second wavelength region is removed from the first separated reflected light to the focusing lens. Includes more filters.

Additionally, according to another feature of the present invention, an end portion of each of the at least one optical fiber includes a GRIN (Gradient Index) lens.

In addition, according to another feature of the present invention, the fluorescent contrast agent includes Indocyanine Green (ICG) fluorescent dye.

Additionally, according to another feature of the present invention, the light source irradiates inspection light including a near-infrared wavelength region.

According to one of the means for solving the problem of the present invention, an embodiment of the present invention can acquire fluorescence images of different wavelengths for an inspection object.

In addition, according to one of the means for solving the problem of the present invention, another embodiment of the present invention can obtain a clear fluorescence image by differentiating the paths of the inspection light emitted from the light source and the reflected fluorescence light incident on the image sensor.

Furthermore, according to one of the means for solving the problem of the present invention, another embodiment of the present invention can guide the fluorescent light reflected from the inspection object to enter the inside of the housing. Visible light signals and fluorescence signals of different wavelengths can be separated and output simultaneously.

Furthermore, according to one of the means for solving the problem of the present invention, another embodiment of the present invention can detect fluorescence signals of different wavelengths and simultaneously treat the affected area by directly irradiating a laser.

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

1 is a diagram for explaining a multispectral fluorescence imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a diagram for explaining a multispectral fluorescence imaging device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The advantages and features of the present invention and methods for achieving them will become clear by referring to the embodiments described in detail below along with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and will be implemented in various different forms. The present embodiments only serve to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and that common knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains is not limited. It is provided to fully inform those who have the scope of the invention, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims.

The shapes, sizes, proportions, angles, numbers, etc. disclosed in the drawings for explaining embodiments of the present invention are illustrative, and the present invention is not limited to the matters shown. Additionally, in describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known technologies may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted. When 'includes', 'has', 'consists of', etc. mentioned in this specification are used, other parts may be added unless 'only' is used. In cases where a component is expressed in the singular, the plural is included unless specifically stated otherwise.

When interpreting components, it is interpreted to include the margin of error even if there is no separate explicit description.

Although first, second, etc. are used to describe various elements, these elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are merely used to distinguish one component from another. Accordingly, the first component mentioned below may also be the second component within the technical spirit of the present invention.

Unless otherwise specified, like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

Each feature of the various embodiments of the present invention can be partially or fully combined or combined with each other, and as can be fully understood by those skilled in the art, various technical interconnections and operations are possible, and each embodiment may be implemented independently of each other. It may be possible to conduct them together due to a related relationship.

Meanwhile, potential effects that can be expected from technical features of the present invention that are not specifically mentioned in the specification of the present invention are treated as if described in the specification, and this embodiment is intended for those with average knowledge in the art. As provided to more completely explain the present invention, the content shown in the drawings may be exaggerated compared to the actual implementation of the invention, and a detailed description of the configuration that is judged to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention. is omitted or briefly described.

In this specification, light having a plurality of wavelengths may be light consisting of one beam having a plurality of different wavelengths at the same time, or may be light consisting of a separate beam for each wavelength and a plurality of beams for different wavelengths. It can refer to light whose wavelength changes with time (wavelength variable) in a beam. Accordingly, a light source that emits light with a plurality of wavelengths may be a multi-wavelength light source, a multi-array light source, or a variable-wavelength light source, and each of these light sources may emit light of different wavelengths simultaneously or at different times. You may.

In this specification, the control unit is a device capable of controlling the components of the multispectral fluorescence imaging device of the present invention, and is connected wired or wirelessly to enable electrical communication with the light source, filter, lens, and image sensor of the present invention. A signal that controls the device can be generated and supplied. This control unit includes a processor and memory, and may include, for example, a computer, a mobile device, or various electronic devices including an embedded program. In addition, this control unit may further include an image processing processor that receives an optical signal through an image sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention, processes and outputs an image. Furthermore, the control unit may output an image processed by the image processing processor through a connected display device. Various examples of the control unit are not limited to the above, and include all devices capable of generating and transmitting signals for controlling the multispectral fluorescence imaging device and processing data received from the fluorescence imaging device.

Hereinafter, with reference to the attached drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present invention. The present invention may be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In order to clearly explain the present invention in the drawings, parts not related to the description are omitted, and identical or similar components are given the same reference numerals throughout the specification. In addition, the size and thickness of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily shown for convenience of explanation, so the present invention is not necessarily limited to what is shown.

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

1 is a diagram for explaining a multispectral fluorescence imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the multispectral fluorescence imaging device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing 101, a light source 102, a parallel lens 103, an optical separator 104, and an optical fiber bundle 105. , it may include a filter 106, a condensing lens 107, an image sensor 108, and a control unit 109.

The housing 101 can accommodate each component of the multispectral fluorescence imaging device 100 and can form the exterior of the multispectral fluorescence imaging device 100. For example, the housing 101 may accommodate a parallel lens 103, an optical separator 104, a filter 106, a converging lens 107, an image sensor 108, and a control unit 109 therein. Meanwhile, FIG. 1 illustrates the case where the light source 102 is disposed inside the housing 101, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The light source 102 may be accommodated inside the housing 101 or may be disposed outside the housing 101. Additionally, at least a portion of the optical fiber bundle 105 may be accommodated inside the housing 101, and at least another portion of the optical fiber bundle 105 may protrude to the outside. According to various embodiments of the present invention, the optical fiber bundle 105 may be completely accommodated inside the housing 101 without protruding to the outside of the housing 101.

Meanwhile, the light source 102 may emit light having a plurality of wavelengths. Preferably, the light source 102 can emit various types of lasers. For example, the light source 102 may be an LED, LD, a laser using a semiconductor, a quantum dot laser, or a semiconductor optical amplifier light source. Meanwhile, the light source 102 may irradiate inspection light having multiple wavelengths. The light source 102 may be one of a variable wavelength light source, a multi-wavelength light source, or a multi-array light source. Additionally, the light source 102 may be configured to emit inspection light of different wavelengths depending on time. In particular, the light source 102 may irradiate inspection light including a near-infrared wavelength region. The inspection light emitted from the light source 102 may be light in the near-infrared wavelength range. For example, the inspection light emitted from the light source 102 may be light in the range of about 600 nm to 1700 nm.

Additionally, the light source 102 may be controlled by the control unit 109 to change the wavelength of the inspection light it emits. In particular, the light source 102 may emit light of different wavelengths depending on time by the control unit 109, or may emit inspection light having a plurality of wavelengths at a specific time.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 1, inspection light emitted from the light source 102 may be irradiated to the inspection object 900 coated with a fluorescent contrast agent. The fluorescent contrast agent may include various types of contrast agents, and various fluorescent contrast agents may reflect or emit fluorescence signals in response to different wavelengths. In this specification, the fluorescent signal emitted toward the fluorescent imaging device 100 by the fluorescent contrast agent may be referred to as fluorescent reflected light.

Meanwhile, a fluorescent contrast agent may be a substance that is applied to a test object and helps obtain a fluorescent image of the test object. The fluorescent contrast agent may include a material that absorbs light in a predetermined wavelength range. Accordingly, in the corresponding area where the fluorescent contrast agent is distributed in large quantities, more light in a predetermined wavelength range is absorbed than in other areas, so that a fluorescence image can be captured that contrasts with other areas where the fluorescent contrast agent is distributed less. For example, a fluorescent contrast agent may be applied more intensively to areas corresponding to microcracks in teeth than to other areas. Accordingly, more light in a predetermined wavelength range is absorbed in the area corresponding to the microcrack of the tooth than in other areas, and the fluorescence image can be imaged to be distinguished from other areas by contrast. Meanwhile, the test object 900 may be various objects such as teeth, nostrils, or throat.

Additionally, the fluorescent contrast agent may include indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescent dye. The fluorescent contrast agent is not limited to indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescent dye, and may include each of a variety of fluorescent dyes or a combination thereof.

Meanwhile, the parallel lens 103 may receive inspection light emitted from the light source 102 and emit the incident inspection light as parallel inspection light. For example, the parallel lens 103 may be a collimating lens or a Fresnel lens. Inspection light emitted from the light source 102 through the parallel lens 103 may travel in parallel toward the light separator 104.

The parallel lens 103 may collimate the inspection light incident from the light source 102 and emit it to the light separator 104. Therefore, when the optical separator 104 separates the inspection light according to the wavelength range, accuracy can be improved. For example, if the optical separator 104 is a dichroic mirror, the inspection light in the wavelength range that should be transmitted is transmitted with respect to the inspection light incident in parallel, and the inspection light in the wavelength range that is to be reflected is transmitted at an angle of incidence. Separation performance can be increased by reflecting it close to the vertical.

In addition, since the inspection light emitted in parallel by the parallel lens 103 can be directed to the optical fiber bundle 105, the amount of inspection light directed to the optical fiber bundle 105 can be increased. Furthermore, the second separated inspection light separated through the parallel lens 103 and the optical separator 104 may be incident on the optical fiber bundle 105 as parallel as possible to the direction in which the optical fiber bundle 105 is disposed. Accordingly, the loss rate of the separated inspection light transmitted through the optical fiber bundle 105 can be suppressed.

Meanwhile, the optical separator 104 may separate the inspection light into first separated light corresponding to the first wavelength range and second separated light corresponding to the second wavelength range. For example, the light separator 104 may provide a first separated inspection light corresponding to a first wavelength region and a first wavelength region for inspection light incident from the light source 102 that emits inspection light including a plurality of wavelengths. The second separation inspection light corresponding to a different second wavelength region may be separated. Additionally, the optical separator 104 may emit the second separated inspection light corresponding to the second wavelength region toward the optical fiber bundle 105 so that it can be irradiated to the inspection object 900 . Accordingly, the optical separator 104 can direct only the light component of the inspection light emitted from the light source 102 in the wavelength range that should be irradiated to the inspection object 900 toward the optical fiber bundle 105.

For example, when the light component of the wavelength range to be irradiated to the inspection object 900 is the near-infrared wavelength range, the second wavelength range is set to the near-infrared wavelength range, and the optical separator 104 is configured to emit near-infrared rays corresponding to the second wavelength range. The second separated inspection light in the wavelength range may be emitted toward the optical fiber bundle 105 so that it can be irradiated to the inspection object 900 .

Furthermore, the wavelength range of the inspection light separated by the optical separator 104 may be adjusted by the control unit 109. For example, the optical separator 104 adjusts the wavelength range to be separated by the control unit 109, or the light source 102 adjusts the wavelength range of the inspection light emitted by the control unit 109 to provide the optical separator 104. The separated wavelength range can be adjusted.

In addition, for example, if the fluorescent contrast agent applied to the test object 900 includes indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescent dye that absorbs light in the near-infrared wavelength region and emits fluorescence, the light source 102 An inspection light containing this near-infrared wavelength region is emitted, and the optical separator 104 emits a second separated inspection light corresponding to a second wavelength region, which is the near-infrared wavelength region, in the inspection light toward the optical fiber bundle 105, and the optical fiber The second separated inspection light is irradiated to the inspection object 900 through the bundle 105 so that the fluorescent contrast agent applied to the inspection object 900 absorbs light in the near-infrared wavelength region and emits fluorescence.

Meanwhile, the optical separator 104 may include a dichroic mirror. The dichroic mirror prevents the first separated inspection light corresponding to the first wavelength region among the incident inspection lights from being reflected and heading to the optical fiber bundle 105, and prevents the second separated inspection light corresponding to the second wavelength region from being reflected to the optical fiber bundle 105. It can be arranged to be transparent towards (105). In this case, the dichroic mirror may be arranged so that the direction in which the first separated inspection light is reflected and the direction in which the second separated inspection light is transmitted are orthogonal. Additionally, the light source 102 may be disposed at a position to radiate inspection light so that the first separated inspection light and the second separated inspection light reflected by the light separator 104 are perpendicular to each other.

Meanwhile, the optical fiber bundle 105 may include at least one optical fiber 1051 that receives the second separated inspection light and guides the second separated inspection light so that it can be irradiated to the inspection object 900 .

Additionally, the distal end of each of the at least one optical fiber 1051 may include a GRIN (Gradient Index) lens. A GRIN lens is a lens with a distribution in which the refractive index is highest at the center of the lens and the refractive index decreases toward the outer edge of the lens. Therefore, when the second separated inspection light passing through at least one optical fiber 1051 is incident on the GRIN lens from the distal end, the refraction of the second separated inspection light incident near the center of the lens is less than the refraction of the second separated inspection light incident on the outside of the lens. This may occur and meet at a predetermined focus after passing through the GRIN lens. Accordingly, the second separated inspection light can be irradiated to the inspection object 900 with a predetermined focus.

The optical fiber bundle 105 may include at least one optical fiber 1051 that guides the reception of fluorescent reflected light generated from the inspection object 900. Accordingly, the optical fiber bundle 105 may emit separate inspection light to the inspection object 900 or may receive and guide fluorescent reflected light from the inspection object 900. Meanwhile, according to various embodiments of the present invention, the optical fiber bundle 105 includes an optical fiber bundle corresponding to an area that emits separated inspection light to the inspection object 900 and an optical fiber bundle corresponding to an area that guides the reception of fluorescent reflected light. It can be included. That is, the optical fiber bundle 105 may be composed of an optical fiber bundle that emits separate inspection light and an optical fiber bundle that receives and guides the fluorescent reflected light.

The fluorescent contrast agent applied to the test object 900 may absorb the second separated test light and emit fluorescent reflected light. The optical fiber bundle 105 may receive the fluorescent reflected light and guide the fluorescent reflected light to enter the inside of the housing 101.

Meanwhile, the optical separator 104 separates the fluorescent reflected light incident through the optical fiber bundle 105 into a first separated reflected light corresponding to the first wavelength region and a second separated reflected light corresponding to a second wavelength region different from the first wavelength region. can be separated.

For example, with respect to the fluorescent reflected light incident through the optical fiber bundle 105, the first separated reflected light corresponding to the first wavelength region and the second separated reflected light corresponding to the second wavelength region different from the first wavelength region can be separated. there is. Additionally, the light separator 104 may emit the first separated reflected light corresponding to the first wavelength region to be irradiated in the direction of the image sensor 108 .

Accordingly, the light separator 104 can direct only the light component of the fluorescent reflected light in the wavelength range that should be irradiated to the image sensor 108 to be directed to the image sensor 108 . For example, if the light component of the wavelength range to be irradiated by the image sensor 108 is a wavelength range excluding the near-infrared wavelength range, the light separator 104 may provide a second wavelength range corresponding to the near-infrared wavelength range. The separated reflected light may pass through, and the first separated reflected light in the first wavelength region different from the second wavelength region may be emitted to be irradiated to the image sensor 108 .

In this way, one optical separator 104 separates the inspection light emitted from the light source 102 and transmits it to the optical fiber bundle 105, while also converting the fluorescence reflected light generated from the inspection object 900 into an image corresponding to the near-infrared wavelength region. It can be separated to face the sensor 108.

On the other hand, if the fluorescent contrast agent applied to the test object 900 includes indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescent dye that absorbs light in the near-infrared wavelength region and emits fluorescence, the fluorescent contrast agent applied to the test object 900 The fluorescent contrast agent may absorb light in the near-infrared wavelength range corresponding to the second wavelength range and emit fluorescent reflected light. In this case, the fluorescent reflected light may be guided through the optical fiber bundle 105 and incident on the housing 101. In addition, the light separator 104 transmits the second separated reflected light corresponding to the second wavelength region corresponding to the near-infrared wavelength region, and the first separated reflected light corresponding to the first wavelength region different from the second wavelength region is transmitted to the image sensor 108. You can go to work so that it can be investigated.

Additionally, optical separator 104 may include a dichroic mirror. The dichroic mirror reflects the first separated reflected light corresponding to the first wavelength region among the incident fluorescent reflected lights and directs the reflected light toward the image sensor 108, and the second separated reflected light corresponding to the second wavelength region. It may be arranged to be transparent so that reflected light is not directed to the image sensor 108. Additionally, the dichroic mirror may be disposed at an angle such that the first separated reflected light corresponding to the first wavelength region among the fluorescent reflected lights is reflected toward the image sensor 108. For example, a dichroic mirror may be arranged so that the direction in which the first separated reflected light is reflected and the direction in which the second separated reflected light is transmitted are perpendicular to each other.

Meanwhile, the filter 106 may emit fluorescent filter light from which the first separated reflected light is incident and the component corresponding to the second wavelength region from the first separated reflected light is removed to the focusing lens 107.

The filter 106 may be disposed at a location where the separated reflected light emitted or reflected from the light separator 104 is incident. Additionally, the filter 106 may transmit only light components corresponding to a predetermined wavelength range from the incident separated reflected light. Specifically, the filter 106 may filter the light component in the second wavelength range from the incident first separated reflected light and transmit the first separated reflected light corresponding to the remaining wavelength range. Therefore, a clearer fluorescence image can be obtained by removing the light component in the second wavelength range for inspection of the inspection object 900.

For example, when the fluorescent contrast agent applied to the test object 900 emits fluorescence with respect to the second separated test light in the near-infrared wavelength region, the filter 106 may filter the reflected light in the second wavelength region. Since the filter 106 filters the fluorescence reflected light in the wavelength region corresponding to the wavelength region of the inspection light and transmits the fluorescence reflection light corresponding to the remaining wavelength region, the multispectral fluorescence imaging device 100 is located in the region where fluorescence is expressed. It is possible to obtain a clear fluorescence image.

Additionally, the filter 106 may be a wavelength tunable filter. A wavelength tunable filter is a filter that can variably or selectively filter different wavelengths.

If the filter 106 is a wavelength tunable filter, the controller 109 may control the filter 106 to filter the light component in the wavelength region corresponding to the second wavelength region of the inspection light emitted from the light source 102.

For example, the control unit 106 may acquire inspection light wavelength range information (λ1) for the wavelength region of the inspection light emitted from the light source 102 and inspection light emission time information (t1) for the time at which the inspection light is emitted. You can. The control unit 109 may control the filter 106 so that the filter 106 filters a wavelength region corresponding to the inspection light wavelength region at the inspection light emission time. Accordingly, the control unit 109 can control the light source 102 and the filter 106 by synchronizing them.

Meanwhile, the focus adjustment lens 107 may form an image by adjusting the focal length of the first separated reflected light separated from the light separator 104 or the first separated reflected light passing through the filter 106.

The focus control lens 107 may include a liquid lens whose curvature changes according to a predetermined electrical signal. A liquid lens may refer to a liquid lens whose shape or curvature can be changed and the focal length can be adjusted according to electrical signals of current or voltage. The control unit 109 may input an electrical signal of current or voltage to the focusing lens 107 and change the curvature of the focusing lens 107 to adjust the focal length of the fluorescent filter light.

The image sensor 108 can detect an image formed by a focusing lens. Specifically, the image sensor 108 can detect near-infrared rays, mid-infrared rays, or distinguish between infrared rays and visible rays. Accordingly, even if the image sensor 108 receives light of various wavelengths, it may distinguish each wavelength and image various types of light at once and output them.

Meanwhile, the control unit 109 may distinguish various optical signals detected by the image sensor 108 and process the image. The control unit 109 may generate a fluorescence image of the inspection object based on the image detected by the image sensor 108. In this way, the image sensor 108 can distinguish and detect optical signals of various wavelengths by distinguishing the wavelength at a predetermined time by the control unit 109.

Meanwhile, the control unit 109 may synchronize information about light emitted and transmitted between the light source 102 and the image sensor 108. Additionally, the control unit 109 may synchronize information about light emitted and transmitted between the light source 102 and the filter 106. Additionally, the control unit 109 may synchronize information about light emitted and transmitted between the filter 106 and the image sensor 109.

This synchronization process is specifically, the control unit 109 synchronizes the time between the light source 102 and the image sensor 108 and the wavelength of light corresponding to the time, and the time between the light source 102 and the filter 106 and The wavelength of light corresponding to time can be synchronized, and the time between the filter 106 and the image sensor 108 and the wavelength of light corresponding to time can be synchronized. More specifically, the control unit 109 may receive or store information about the wavelength of light emitted from the light source 102 and the time at which the light of the corresponding wavelength was emitted, and the wavelength of the light emitted in this way and the time at which the light was emitted. Information may be transmitted to the image sensor 108 and the filter 106. Accordingly, the image sensor 108 and the filter 106 can receive information about when light of a specific wavelength is emitted from the light source. Furthermore, the filter 106 and the image sensor 108 detect light of a specific wavelength from the reflected light reflected from the inspection object 900 and synchronize the time when the light of the specific wavelength is emitted to more accurately detect the light of the specific wavelength. and can be separated from light of other wavelengths.

Figure 2 is a diagram for explaining a multispectral fluorescence imaging device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the light source 102 may be disposed externally to the housing 101. Specifically, the light source 102 may be exposed directly from the outside of the housing 101 or may be guided through an optical fiber. In this case, the optical fiber can be a single mode optical fiber (SMF) or a multimode optical fiber (MMF). The light source 102 may radiate inspection light having a plurality of wavelength ranges to the inspection object 900 coated with a fluorescent contrast agent. In this case, the light source 102 can suppress the loss of inspection light by irradiating inspection light directly toward the inspection object 900. Furthermore, by adjusting the arrangement of the light source 102 to protrude to the outside of the housing 102, the internal configuration of the housing 101 in the fluorescence imaging device 100 can be further simplified, and through this, the fluorescence imaging device 100 can be made more compact.

Additionally, the optical fiber bundle 105 may include at least one optical fiber 1051 that guides the reception of fluorescent reflected light generated from the inspection object 900. The optical fiber bundle 105 may guide fluorescent reflected light to enter the interior of the housing 101. Each end portion of at least one optical fiber 1051 may include a GRIN (Gradient Index) lens.

Meanwhile, the optical separator 104 separates the first separated reflected light corresponding to the first wavelength region and the second separated reflected light corresponding to the second wavelength region different from the first wavelength region with respect to the fluorescent reflected light incident through the optical fiber bundle. You can.

In this case, the optical separator 104 may include a dichroic mirror.

The dichroic mirror may be disposed at an angle such that the first separated reflected light corresponding to the first wavelength region among the fluorescent reflected lights is reflected toward the image sensor 108.

Meanwhile, the filter 106 may emit fluorescent filter light from which the first separated reflected light is incident and the component corresponding to the second wavelength region from the first separated reflected light is removed to the focusing lens 107.

The focus adjustment lens 107 may form an image by adjusting the focal length of the first separated reflected light separated from the light separator 104 or the first separated reflected light passing through the filter 106.

The image sensor 108 can detect an image formed by a focusing lens. Specifically, the image sensor 108 can detect near-infrared rays, mid-infrared rays, or distinguish between infrared rays and visible rays.

In this specification, each block may represent a module, segment, or portion of code that includes one or more executable instructions for executing specified logical function(s). Additionally, it should be noted that in some alternative embodiments it is possible for the functions mentioned in the blocks to occur out of order. For example, it is possible for two blocks shown in succession to be performed substantially simultaneously, or the blocks or steps may sometimes be performed in reverse order depending on the corresponding function.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not necessarily limited to these embodiments, and various modifications may be made without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. . Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not intended to limit the technical idea of the present invention, but are for illustrative purposes, and the scope of the technical idea of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted in accordance with the claims below, and all technical ideas within the equivalent scope should be construed as being included in the scope of rights of the present invention.

100: Multispectral fluorescence imaging device
101: housing
102: light source
103: Parallel lens
104: optical separator
105: Fiber optic bundle
106: filter
107: Focusing lens
108: Image sensor
109: Control unit
900: Test object

Claims (10)

A light source that radiates inspection light having a plurality of wavelength ranges to an inspection object coated with a fluorescent contrast agent;
an optical fiber bundle including at least one optical fiber that guides the reception of fluorescent reflected light generated from the inspection object;
an optical separator that separates first separated reflected light corresponding to a first wavelength region and second separated reflected light corresponding to a second wavelength region different from the first wavelength region with respect to the fluorescent reflected light incident through the optical fiber bundle;
a focus adjustment lens that forms an image by adjusting the focal length of the separated first separated reflected light; and
Comprising an image sensor that detects an image formed by the focusing lens,
Multispectral fluorescence imaging device. According to paragraph 1,
The optical separator is,
Containing a dichroic mirror,
Multispectral fluorescence imaging device. According to paragraph 2,
The dichroic mirror is,
disposed at an angle such that the first separated reflected light corresponding to the first wavelength region among the fluorescent reflected lights is reflected toward the image sensor,
Multispectral fluorescence imaging device. According to paragraph 1,
Further comprising a parallel lens that emits the inspection light as parallel inspection light,
The optical separator is,
With respect to the inspection light incident in parallel by the parallel lens, the first separated inspection light corresponding to the first wavelength region and the second separated inspection light corresponding to the second wavelength region different from the first wavelength region are used. separating,
Multispectral fluorescence imaging device. According to paragraph 4,
The light source is,
disposed at a position to irradiate the inspection light so that the first separated inspection light reflected from the optical separator and the second separated inspection light are perpendicular to each other,
Multispectral fluorescence imaging device. According to paragraph 4,
The parallel lens is,
A collimating lens or a Fresnel lens,
Multispectral fluorescence imaging device. According to paragraph 4,
Further comprising a filter for emitting a fluorescent filter light from which the first separated reflected light is incident and a component corresponding to the second wavelength region from the first separated reflected light is removed to the focusing lens,
Multispectral fluorescence imaging device. According to paragraph 1,
An end portion of each of the at least one optical fiber includes a GRIN (Gradient Index) lens,
Multispectral fluorescence imaging device. According to paragraph 1,
The fluorescent contrast agent,
Indocyanine Green (ICG, containing a fluorescent dye,
Multispectral fluorescence imaging device. According to clause 9,
The second wavelength region is a near-infrared wavelength region,
The light source is,
Irradiating inspection light containing the near-infrared wavelength region,
Multispectral fluorescence imaging device.

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