TWI851106B - Thermal imaging endoscope system, endoscope catheter, detecting method for abnormal regions, device for displaying abnormal regions, and thermal imaging processing host thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A thermal imaging endoscope system comprises a thermal imaging endoscope catheter and a control device. The thermal imaging endoscope catheter includes a tube body, a thermal imaging capturing component, an ablation component and a towing component. The thermal imaging capturing component and an end of the ablation component are located at the head of the tube body. The thermal imaging capturing component captures thermal images from an imaging region and converts the thermal images into image signals. The towing component is located within the tube body and connected to the head. The control device includes a receiving component, a driving component, an optical waveguide and a controller. The driving component connects to the towing component. The optical waveguide includes a light pipe and a gate. The controller actuates the driving component based on the ablated command received by the receiving component to drive the towing component towing the head, and to actuate the gate selectively, coupling or decoupling the light pipe to the ablation component. The controller receives and outputs image signals.

Description

Thermal imaging endoscope system, endoscope catheter, abnormal area determination method, abnormal area display device, and thermal imaging processing host

An endoscopic system, particularly one that can capture thermal images of tissue and/or selectively treat abnormal tissue.

An endoscope usually includes an endoscope catheter and a visible light source. In some surgical procedures, the endoscope will provide a visible light source to illuminate human tissues, and use a contrast agent as a foreign substance to produce tissue fluorescence differences through differences in cell metabolism to help identify abnormal tissues in the human body. With the advancement of technology, some endoscopes have begun to cooperate with tumor ablation devices, requiring users to operate and control the position of the ablation device to align the abnormal tissue for ablation.

When designing the endoscope system, the inventor wanted to avoid the use of contrast agents and thus invisibly increase the burden on human tissues, and at the same time avoid the situation where the endoscope cannot detect abnormal tissues in the visible light band due to the lack of obvious color changes in the tissues. At the same time, the inventor needs to ensure that the abnormal tissues can be accurately targeted objectively and conveniently for users to ablate the abnormal tissues.

In view of the above-mentioned needs of the inventor, the present invention provides a thermal imaging endoscope system. According to one embodiment, the thermal imaging endoscope system includes a thermal imaging endoscope conduit and a control device. The thermal imaging endoscope conduit includes a tube body, a thermal image capture component, a processing element and a linkage element. One end of the tube body has a head. The thermal image capture component is located on the head and is used to capture thermal images from the imaging area and convert them into image signals. The image signals are used to generate visual images. The visual images include multiple thermal sensing points, and the multiple thermal sensing points have an average temperature. When the difference between the temperature of each adjacent thermal sensing point and the average temperature is greater than a predetermined temperature difference, the visual image has an abnormal area, and when the size of the abnormal area is less than or equal to the upper limit size, the thermal sensing points in the abnormal area are marked as abnormal, and the upper limit size is 10 mm. The thermal image capturing component has a camera area. The treatment element is located within the body of the tube and one end of the treatment element is located at the head. The treatment element has a treatment area located within the imaging area. The linkage element is located in the body of the tube and connected to the head. The control device includes a receiving element, a driving element, a light guide assembly and a controller. The receiving element is used to receive a processing command. The driving element is connected to the linking element. The light guide assembly includes a light guide and a gate. The light guide includes an input end and an output end. The gate is actuated to selectively couple and uncouple the output end of the light guide to the processing element. The controller is used to receive and output an image signal. The controller actuates the driving element according to the processing command to cause the linking element to link the head and actuate the gate.

In some embodiments, the thermal imaging endoscope system includes a host. The host includes a display, an input element, and a processor. The input element is used to receive an input signal. The processor enables the display to display a visual image based on the image signal. The processor outputs a processing command based on the input signal.

In some embodiments, the thermal imaging endoscope system includes a laser device. The laser device includes a light emitting tube. The light emitting tube is coupled to the input end of the light guide. When the laser device is activated, laser light is emitted from the light emitting tube.

The present invention further provides a thermal imaging endoscope catheter. According to one embodiment, the thermal imaging endoscope catheter comprises a tube body, a thermal image capturing assembly, a processing element and a linkage element. One end of the tube body has a head portion, and the other end of the tube body has a connecting portion. The thermal image capture component is located on the head and is used to capture thermal images from the imaging area and convert them into image signals for output from the connection part. The image signals are used to generate visual images. The visual images include multiple thermal sensing points, and the multiple thermal sensing points have an average temperature. When the difference between the temperature of each adjacent thermal sensing point and the average temperature is greater than the predetermined temperature difference, the visual image has an abnormal area, and when the size of the abnormal area is less than or equal to the upper limit size, the thermal sensing points in the abnormal area are marked as abnormal, and the upper limit size is 10 mm. The treatment element includes a treatment head and an optical fiber. The optical fiber is located in the tube body and the treatment head is located at the head. One end of the optical fiber is located at the connection part, and the other end of the optical fiber is coupled to the treatment head. The processing element has a processing area, which is located in the photographic area. The linkage element is located in the tube body and connected to the head. When the linkage element is actuated, the head of the linkage tube body moves.

The present invention also provides a method for determining abnormal areas in thermal images. According to one embodiment, the method for determining abnormal areas in thermal images includes receiving visual images. The visual image includes multiple thermal sensing points arranged in a two-dimensional manner, and each thermal sensing point has a temperature. Get the average temperature based on the temperature. Determine whether the difference between the temperature of the adjacent thermal sensing points and the average temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature difference. If so, the adjacent thermal sensing points are regarded as abnormal areas. When the size of the abnormal area is less than or equal to the upper limit size, the abnormal area is The thermal sensing point inside is used as an abnormality mark, and the upper limit size is 10 mm.

The present invention also provides a thermal image abnormal area display device. According to some embodiments, the thermal image abnormal area display device includes a receiving module, a processing module and a display module. The receiving module is used to receive visual images. The visual images include multiple thermal sensing points arranged in a two-dimensional manner, and each thermal sensing point has a temperature. The processing module is used to obtain the average temperature based on the temperature, and determine whether the difference between the temperature of the adjacent thermal sensing points and the average temperature difference is higher than the predetermined temperature difference. If so, the adjacent thermal sensing points are regarded as abnormal areas, and the abnormal area When the size is less than or equal to the upper limit size, the thermal sensing point in the abnormal area is used as an abnormality mark, and the upper limit size is 10 mm. The display module is used to display visual images, abnormal areas and abnormal signs.

The present invention also provides a thermal image processing host. According to some embodiments, the thermal image processing host includes a display and a processor. The processor is used to receive an image signal, which corresponds to a visual image. The visual image includes a plurality of thermal sensing points arranged in a two-dimensional manner, and each thermal sensing point has a temperature. Get the average temperature based on the temperature. Determine whether the difference between the temperature of the adjacent thermal sensing points and the average temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature difference. If so, the adjacent thermal sensing points are regarded as abnormal areas. When the size of the abnormal area is less than or equal to the upper limit size, the abnormal area is The thermal sensing point inside is used as an abnormality mark, and the upper limit size is 10 mm. The control display displays thermal vision images, abnormal areas and abnormal signs.

The detailed features and advantages of the present invention are described in detail in the following implementation method. The content is sufficient for anyone familiar with the relevant technology to understand the technical content of the present invention and implement it accordingly. According to the content disclosed in this specification, the scope of the patent application and the drawings, anyone familiar with the relevant technology can easily understand the relevant purposes and advantages of the present invention.

10: Thermal imaging endoscope catheter

12: Tube body

120: Head

122: Connection part

13:Metal ferrule

14: Thermal image acquisition component

16: Processing element

160: Disposal Head

162: Optical fiber

18: Linking components

20: Control device

22: Receiving element

24: Driving components

26: Light guide assembly

260: Light guide

262: Input port

264: Output port

266: Gate

27: Remote control

28: Controller

30: Host

32: Display

34: Input components

36: Processor

40: Laser device

400: light pipe

50: Thermal imaging abnormal area display device

500: receiving module

520: Processing module

540: Display module

60: Thermal image processing host

600: Display

620: Processor

A, A ₃₄ , A ₄₃ , A ₄₄ , A ₄₅ , A ₅₄ : Heat sensing point

D1: Predetermined distance

R1: Photography area

R2: Disposal area

R3, R4: Abnormal area

P1: Central location

P2: Disposal position

P3: Abnormal area

S10~S14,S140~S144,S20~S24,S80~S82: Steps

FIG1 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a thermal imaging endoscope system according to some embodiments.

FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the control device structure of a thermal imaging endoscope system according to some embodiments.

FIG3 is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of a thermal imaging endoscope catheter according to some embodiments.

FIG4 is a schematic diagram of the end face of the head of a thermal imaging endoscope catheter according to some embodiments.

FIG5 is a schematic diagram of the head, the imaging area, and the processing area according to some embodiments.

FIG6 is a schematic diagram of visual images according to some embodiments.

FIG. 7A is a flow chart of an abnormality marking process for visual images according to some embodiments.

FIG. 7B is a visual image schematic diagram (I) showing the abnormality marking process according to some embodiments.

FIG. 7C is a schematic diagram of a visual image according to some embodiments (II), showing the abnormality marking process.

FIG. 7D is a schematic diagram of a visual image according to some embodiments (III), showing the abnormality marking process.

FIG8 is a flow chart of a method for determining abnormal areas of thermal images according to some embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of a thermal image abnormal area display device according to some embodiments.

FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of a thermal image processing host according to some embodiments.

FIG. 11 shows the abnormal area determination steps of the processor of the thermal image processing host according to some embodiments.

Please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3. FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a thermal imaging endoscope system according to some embodiments, and FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of a thermal imaging endoscope catheter according to some embodiments. The thermal imaging endoscope system includes a thermal imaging endoscope catheter 10 and a control device 20. When the user uses it, one end of the thermal imaging endoscope catheter 10 can be inserted into the human body, and the position of the imaging area of the thermal imaging capture component 14 of the thermal imaging endoscope catheter 10 in the human body can be controlled by the control of the control device 20. In some embodiments, the thermal imaging endoscope system further includes a host 30, and the host 30 includes a display 32. The display 32 displays the image signal captured by the thermal imaging capture component 14 from the imaging area as a visual image for the user to view. In some embodiments, the thermal imaging endoscope system further includes a laser device 40. The laser device 40 is used to emit laser light when activated. When the user observes abnormal tissue in the visual image, the laser device 40 can be driven to emit laser light, which passes through the treatment element 16 of the thermal imaging endoscope catheter 10 to ablate the abnormal tissue.

Please refer to Figures 1 to 5. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the control device structure of the thermal imaging endoscope system according to some embodiments, Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the head end face of the thermal imaging endoscope tube according to some embodiments, and Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the head and the imaging area and the processing area according to some embodiments. The thermal imaging endoscope system includes a thermal imaging endoscope tube 10 and a control device 20. The thermal imaging endoscope tube 10 includes a tube body 12, a thermal image capture component 14, a processing element 16 and a linkage element 18. One end of the tube body 12 has a head 120 (see Figure 1). The thermal image capture component 14 is located at the head 120 of the tube body 12. When the head 120 enters the human body to take thermal images, the thermal image capture component 14 captures thermal images from an imaging area R1 (see FIG. 5 ) and converts them into image signals. The processing element 16 is located in the tube 12, and one end of the processing element 16 (see FIG. 3 ) is located at the head 120. The processing element 16 has a processing area R2 (see FIG. 5 ), and the processing area R2 is located in the imaging area R1, as shown in FIG. 5 . The linkage element 18 is located in the tube 12 and connected to the head 120, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 . The control device 20 includes a receiving element 22, a driving element 24, a light guide component 26 and a controller 28. The receiving element 22 is used to receive a processing command from the host 30 (described in detail later). The driving element 24 is connected to the linking element 18. The light guide assembly 26 includes a light guide 260 and a gate 266. The light guide 260 includes an input end 262 and an output end 264. The input end 262 can receive a light source from the laser device 40, and the output end 264 is connected to the processing element 16. The gate 266 is actuated to selectively couple or uncouple the output end 264 of the light guide 260 to the processing element 16. For example, when the gate 266 is in an open state, the laser light source can be coupled to the processing element 16 from the light guide 260 through the output end 264. When the gate 266 is in a closed state, the light source is blocked by the gate 266 at the light guide 260 and does not reach the processing element 16. An optical connector can be added to the gate 266 to achieve the effect of optical coupling. The controller 28 actuates the driving element 24 according to the processing command to make the linkage element 18 and the head 120 move, and actuate the gate 266.

Therefore, when the user inserts the head 120 of the thermal imaging endoscope catheter 10 into the human body, the angle of the head 120 can be adjusted by controlling the control device 20 and linking the linking element 18 via the driving element 24, thereby adjusting the position of the imaging area R1 of the thermal imaging capture component 14 (to be explained later).

In some embodiments, the tube 12 has a head 120 at one end and a connecting portion 122 at the other end. The connecting portion 122 is connected to the control device 20. When the connecting portion 122 is connected to the control device 20, it is used to electrically connect the thermal image capture component 14 to the control device, connect the connecting element 18 to the driving element 24, and connect the processing element 16 to the light guide 260. The connecting portion 122 can be a common connector or a specially made connector.

Referring to FIG. 3 , in some embodiments, the thermal imaging endoscope catheter 10 includes a metal collar 13. The metal collar 13 is located at the head 120 of the tube body 12 and is used to fix the thermal imaging capture assembly 14 and one end of the treatment element 16, so that the thermal imaging capture assembly 14 and the treatment element 16 maintain a fixed relative position at the head 120 of the tube body 12. Since thermal imaging capture assemblies 14 of different models, focal lengths, and viewing angles can be used, and treatment elements 16 of different sizes and treatment depths can be used, the relative position of the thermal imaging capture assembly 14 and the treatment element 16 is not limited to a certain distance, but is determined by the lens diameter of the thermal imaging capture assembly 14, the size of one end of the treatment element 16, and the diameter (thickness) of the tube body 12. For example, if the lens diameter of the thermal image capture component 14 is 5 mm, the diameter of the treatment element 16 at one end of the head 120 is 1.8 mm, and the diameter of the cross section of the tube 12 is 10 mm, then the relative position of the thermal image capture component 14 and the treatment element 16 (i.e., the distance between the center position of the lens of the thermal image capture component 14 and the center position of the treatment element 16) can be 3.6 mm. The thermal image capture component 14 and the treatment element 16 maintain a fixed relative position to facilitate the calculation of the rotation angle of the driving element 24.

Please continue to refer to Figure 5. The imaging area R1 of the thermal image capturing component 14 is the focal area of the thermal image capturing component 14, which means that the thermal image captured in the focal area is clearer. Similarly, the processing area R2 of the processing element 16 refers to the focal area of the processing element 16 when processing the tissue (for example, the focal area of the laser light used to process the tissue). There is a predetermined distance D1 between the imaging area R1 and the processing area R2. This predetermined distance D1 can be but is not limited to the distance from the center point of the imaging area R1 to the center point of the processing area R2. The purpose of the predetermined distance D1 will be explained later.

Please refer to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 again. In some embodiments, the thermal imaging endoscope catheter 10 includes a plurality of linkage elements 18, such as but not limited to the four linkage elements 18 in the embodiment of FIG. 2. The linkage element 18 may be a lead wire, and its material may be a memory metal material. One end of the linkage element 18 is connected to the driving element 24, and the other end is connected to the head 120 of the tube body 12 of the thermal imaging endoscope catheter 10. As can be seen from FIG. 4, the four linkage elements 18 are connected at the positions of the four points of the head 120 (i.e., each is about 90 degrees apart). In the embodiments of FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the driving element 24 is exemplified by a double-axis motor, and the linkage element 18 is exemplified by four lead wires. The double-axis motor may include an X-axis and a Y-axis. One end of two linkage elements 18 is connected to the X axis of the double-axis motor, and the other end is connected to the 90 degree and 270 degree positions of the head 120 in FIG. 4. One end of the other two linkage elements 18 is connected to the Y axis of the double-axis motor, and the other end is connected to the 0 degree and 180 degree positions of the head 120 in FIG. 4. The double-axis motor controls the rotation speed and/or rotation angle of the X axis and/or Y axis respectively. Therefore, when the X axis of the driving element 24 is driven to pull the two linking elements 18 at 90 degrees and 270 degrees in FIG. 4, the head 120 will swing toward the +X or -X direction of FIG. 4; similarly, when the driving element 24 is driven to pull the two linking elements 18 at 0 degrees and 180 degrees in FIG. 4, the head 120 will swing toward the +Y or -Y direction of FIG. 4. Therefore, the controller 28 can rotate the head 120 toward the +X, -X, +Y, and/or -Y direction according to the processing command. In some embodiments, the driving element 24 is but not limited to a dual-axis motor, a servo motor, or a stepper motor.

Please refer to FIG. 1 . In some embodiments, the control device 20 includes a remote control 27 . The remote control 27 can be controlled by a user to control the rotation angle of the head 120 of the thermal imaging endoscope catheter 10 . The remote control 27 can be a remote control that provides two-dimensional input. The remote control 27 is coupled to the controller 28 . After the user inputs a direction command through the remote control 27 , the remote control 27 transmits a corresponding signal to the controller 28 . The controller 28 controls the driving element 24 accordingly so that the linkage element 18 links the head 120 .

In the above embodiment, the thermal image acquisition component 14 can be used to detect human thermal radiation, such as an infrared imaging element. The infrared imaging element can detect a wavelength of 7.5 to 14 micrometers (μm), while the infrared radiation emitted by the human body is between 8 and 12 micrometers. There are differences in metabolism and behavioral characteristics between abnormal tissues and normal tissues in the human body, resulting in regional temperature differences in abnormal tissues. Therefore, the temperature of human tissues can be obtained through the thermal image acquisition component 14 to determine whether abnormal tissues exist. In addition to infrared imaging elements, other thermal imaging elements with receiving bands that can cover the range of heat radiation from heat bodies can achieve this effect. Since the thermal radiation of the human body is used as the detection object of the thermal imaging acquisition component 14, there is no need to use any developer to increase the burden on the body. The selection of thermal imaging acquisition components 14 is mainly based on the smaller volume but the larger field of view. In addition, thermal imaging acquisition components 14 that can output images with different spatial resolutions can be equipped according to the needs of users. Spatial resolution affects the clarity of abnormal tissue images. When detecting abnormal tissues in the human body, a larger spatial resolution allows the thermal imaging endoscope system to identify smaller abnormal tissues and obtain the size of the abnormal tissue more accurately. For example, when using a thermal image acquisition component 14 with a spatial resolution of 10 to 20 microns, the size of cancer cells can be observed accurately, thereby achieving the effect of detecting abnormal tissues such as cancer cells. The thermal imaging endoscope system can be applied to the human abdominal cavity and upper and lower digestive tract inspections. It can be directly introduced into the abdominal cavity for imaging assistance during abdominal surgery, and can also be used for upper and lower digestive tract inspections, as well as postoperative inspections.

In some embodiments, the thermal imaging endoscope system may include a host 30. The host 30 includes a display 32, an input element 34, and a processor 36. The input element 34 is used to receive an input signal. The processor 36 causes the display 32 to display a visual image according to the image signal. The processor 36 outputs the processing command according to the input signal. In some embodiments, the host 30 is coupled to the receiving element 22, and the host 30 is coupled to the receiving element 22 through a USB connection cable, for example but not limited to. The thermal image capture component 14 captures the thermal image from the imaging area R1 and converts it into an image signal, which is transmitted to the processor 36 via the control device 20. The control device 20 can transmit the image signal to the host 30 by wire or wirelessly.

The processor 36 causes the display 32 to display a visual image according to the image signal. The visual image is, for example, but not limited to, the visual image shown in FIG6 . This visual image is used to allow the user to intuitively identify whether there is an abnormal tissue. In some embodiments, the visual image displays different temperatures in different colors; the abnormal tissue can also be presented in a striking manner to achieve the effect of providing the user with an intuitive identification of the abnormal area. Taking the embodiment of FIG6 as an example, FIG6 presents the tissue with a normal temperature in a lighter gray, and the tissue with an abnormal temperature in a darker gray. The visual image includes a plurality of thermal sensing points A arranged in two dimensions, each thermal sensing point A having a temperature, and the temperature corresponds to the temperature of the regional tissue. The visual image corresponds to the imaging area R1 of the thermal image acquisition component 14. Therefore, each thermal sensing point A of the visual image corresponds to each tissue point of the imaging area R1, and the temperature of each thermal sensing point A is the temperature of the corresponding tissue point. The processor 36 can also obtain the size of the abnormal area according to the number of thermal sensing points A and the area of the corresponding tissue points, and mark the size of the abnormal area in the visual image, such as the darker gray area marked in Figure 6 is 10 mm.

Please refer to Figure 6 again. In some embodiments, the processor 36 performs an abnormal marking process on the image signal so that the display 32 can selectively display the abnormal mark on the visual image. The selectivity means that when the processor 36 determines that there is an abnormal area in the local tissue of the human body captured by the thermal image capture component 14, the display 32 displays the area in an abnormal marking manner; if the processor 36 does not detect the abnormal area, no abnormal mark will be marked in the visual image. The abnormal mark in the visual image is not limited to one, and multiple abnormal marks can be displayed at the same time.

Regarding the aforementioned abnormality marking process, please refer to FIG. 7A to FIG. 7D. FIG. 7A is a flowchart of the abnormality marking process of visual images according to some embodiments. FIG. 7B to FIG. 7D are respectively schematic diagrams (1), (2), and (3) of visual images according to some embodiments, showing the abnormality marking process. The abnormal marking program is executed by the controller 28, and the abnormal marking program includes: step S80: judging whether there is an abnormal area, the abnormal area includes the adjacent thermal sensing points A and the difference between the temperatures of the adjacent thermal sensing points A and an average temperature is greater than a predetermined temperature difference; and step S82: responding to the abnormal area, judging whether the abnormal area is less than or equal to an upper limit size, if so, the abnormal area is used as the abnormal mark. That is, when the abnormal area exists and a size of the abnormal area is less than or equal to the upper limit size, the thermal sensing points A in the abnormal area are used as the abnormal mark, and the processor 36 controls the display 32 to display the abnormal mark on the visual image.

In some embodiments, the abnormal area includes two or more adjacent thermal sensing points A, and the difference between the temperature of these thermal sensing points A and the temperature of other surrounding thermal sensing points A is greater than the predetermined temperature difference. For example, in FIG. 7B, the temperature of thermal sensing point A ₄₄ and thermal sensing point A ₄₅ has a temperature difference with the temperature of other surrounding thermal sensing points A, and this temperature difference is greater than the predetermined temperature difference. The two thermal sensing points A ₄₄ and A ₄₅ are adjacent to each other, so when the processor 36 executes step S80 of the abnormal marking procedure, it is determined that the thermal sensing point A ₄₄ and the thermal sensing point A ₄₅ are abnormal areas. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 7C , the temperatures of thermal sensing points A ₃₄ , A ₄₃ , A ₄₄ , A ₄₅ and A ₅₄ have a temperature difference with the temperatures of other surrounding thermal sensing points A, and this temperature difference is greater than the predetermined temperature difference. These thermal sensing points A ₃₄ , A ₄₃ , A ₄₄ , A ₄₅ , A ₅₄ are adjacent to each other, so when the processor 36 executes step S80 of the abnormal marking procedure, the thermal sensing points A ₃₄ , A ₄₃ , A ₄₄ , A ₄₅ , A ₅₄ are determined as abnormal areas. Please refer to FIG. 7D . Although the temperature of the heat sensing point A ₄₄ has a temperature difference with other surrounding heat sensing points A, and this difference is greater than the predetermined temperature difference, there are no other heat sensing points A with a temperature difference greater than the predetermined temperature difference around the heat sensing point A ₄₄ , which does not meet the condition of "two or more adjacent". Therefore, when the processor 36 executes step S80 of the abnormal marking procedure, the heat sensing point A ₄₄ will not be judged as an abnormal area. The aforementioned predetermined temperature difference can be, but is not limited to, 3°C. Generally speaking, if the temperature difference between the temperature of the adjacent heat sensing point A and the average temperature of the heat sensing points A in other areas is higher than 3°C, the adjacent heat sensing point A can be judged as an abnormal tissue. This abnormal tissue may be an early stage tumor or a small isolated tumor (temperature is 3°C higher than the average temperature), or it may be a foreign body such as fish bone (temperature is 3°C lower than the average temperature).

In some embodiments, the visual image displays different temperatures in different colors. The thermal sensing points A ₄₄ and A ₄₅ in FIG. 7B are displayed in gray, while the remaining thermal sensing points A are displayed in white. In this way, the user can visually determine which points have abnormal temperatures. The same is true for FIG. 7C and FIG. 7D, which will not be described in detail. In some embodiments, when the processor 36 executes the judgment of step S80 and obtains an abnormal area, the abnormal area is not marked. The abnormality is marked only after executing step S82.

In some embodiments, the upper limit size of step S82 may be a size suitable for the abnormal tissue treated by the treatment element 16, and the upper limit size is but is not limited to 10 mm. When the abnormal area exists and the size of the abnormal area is less than or equal to the upper limit size, the processor 36 uses the thermal sensing points A in the abnormal area as abnormal markers, and the processor 36 controls the display 32 to display the abnormality on the visual image. Abnormality marks (the dotted boxes in Figure 7B and Figure 7C are abnormal areas R3 and R4). In some embodiments, the processor 36 displays each thermal sensing point A of the visual image according to its temperature, which means that the user can judge the thermal sensing point A with abnormal temperature from the color of each thermal sensing point A, as shown in FIG. 7B, As shown in FIG. 7C and FIG. 7D. The processor 36 also marks the abnormality with a dotted frame, as shown in FIG. 7B and FIG. 7C; and the thermal sensing point A ₄₄ in FIG. 7D is only the thermal sensing point A with abnormal temperature, and No abnormality was noted.

The size of the abnormal tissue suitable for treatment by the treatment element 16 is related to the treatment element 16 and the treatment temperature. For example, when a pulsed laser with a wavelength of 1,064 nanometers (nm) is selected as the laser light source connected to the treatment element 16 and the treatment temperature is about 50°C, when the tissue size is greater than 10 mm, the treatment time will be too long and the temperature of the treated tissue will be too high. Therefore, 10 mm is the upper limit size.

The input element 34 can be used to receive input signals from the user. For example, when the user knows from the visual image that there is an abnormal mark and wants to treat the abnormal tissue corresponding to the abnormal mark, the user can issue an instruction (input signal) to treat the abnormal tissue through the input element 34. The aforementioned input element 34 is, for example but not limited to, a keyboard. The processor 36 outputs the treatment command according to the input signal. The controller 28 receives the treatment command through the receiving element 22 and moves the head 120 and opens the gate 266 according to the treatment command. The treatment command may include a movement command, a gate opening or closing command, and/or an irradiation time length command.

Regarding the disposal command, please refer to FIG. 5 and FIG. 7B. In some embodiments, the visual image of FIG. 7B corresponds to the imaging area R1 of FIG. 5, wherein the visual image may correspond to a portion of the imaging area R1, such as but not limited to the largest rectangular area in the imaging area R1. The center point of the imaging area R1 corresponds to the central position P1 of the visual image, and the disposal area R2 corresponds to the disposal position P2 of the visual image. The predetermined distance D1 between the imaging area R1 and the disposal area R2 corresponds to the distance between the central position P1 and the disposal position P2. When the abnormal area R3 exists and the input signal is an automatic disposal instruction, the processor 36 will generate a disposal command according to the central position P1, the disposal position P2 and the abnormal indication. The treatment command includes a movement parameter and a time parameter. The movement parameter may be the swing angle of the head 120. The controller 28 actuates the driving element 24 according to the movement parameter, so that the linkage element 18 connected to the driving element 24 guides the head 120 to adjust a certain angle (i.e., the head 120 rotates along the +X, -X, +Y, and/or -Y directions as shown in FIG. 4), and the treatment position P2 is aligned with a point of the abnormal area R3 (for example, but not limited to the upper left corner P3 of the abnormal area R3), and starts to move and scan along the X or Y direction from there until the treatment position P2 passes through the entire abnormal area R3. Since the predetermined distance D1 between the imaging area R1 and the treatment area R2 corresponds to the distance between the central position P1 and the treatment position P2, the processor 36 can calculate how much distance and angle the treatment element 16 needs to move so that the treatment area R2 can be aligned with the abnormal area R3. The time parameter is the time required for the abnormal tissue to be ablated obtained by the processor 36 after calculation. The calculation of the time parameter needs to refer to the size of the abnormal area and the power parameter of the laser. In some embodiments, the user can input the power of the laser used in the input element 34, and the host 30 calculates the corresponding time parameter. The controller 28 first activates the driving element 24 to move the head 120 according to the movement parameter. After the treatment area R2 is aligned with the abnormal area R3, the gate 266 is activated to optically couple the output end 264 of the light guide 260 with the treatment element 16. At this time, the laser light output by the treatment element 16 can ablate the abnormal tissue in the abnormal area R3. After the time parameter ends, the controller 28 activates the gate 266 to close to stop the ablation action on the abnormal tissue in the abnormal area R3. In this embodiment, the laser device 40 is manually activated, that is, when the user inputs the automatic treatment command, he manually turns on the laser device 40 to emit laser light.

In some embodiments, after the treatment element 16 stops ablating the abnormal area, the controller 28 will actuate the driving element 24 according to the movement parameter to adjust the linkage element 18 to guide the head 120 to a certain angle. The adjustment angle and displacement value remain unchanged, but the adjustment direction is opposite to the original direction, so that the thermal image acquisition component 14 can re-capture the thermal image of the abnormal area after treatment to determine whether the abnormal area still exists.

In some embodiments, the thermal imaging endoscope system includes a laser device 40, such as a 532 nm band Nd:YAG laser, a 532 nm band KTP laser, a 2,940 nm band Er:YAG laser, or a 800-980 nm diode laser. The laser device 40 includes a light output tube 400. The light output tube 400 is coupled to the input end 262 of the light guide 260. When the laser device 40 is activated, the laser light source is emitted from the light output tube 400 to the input end 262. The laser device 40 can be manually turned on by the user, or it can be activated by the controller 28 according to the treatment command.

In some embodiments, when the input signal is an automatic processing instruction, the processor 36 will generate a processing command. According to the processing command, the controller 28 first activates the laser device 40 before actuating the gate 266 to couple the output end 264 of the light guide 260 to the processing element 16. In this way, when the controller 28 controls the gate 266 to open, the laser light source can be irradiated to the processing area R2 through the light output tube 400, the light guide 260, and the processing element 16.

In some embodiments, when an abnormal area exists and the input signal received by the input element 34 is an automatic movement command, the processor 36 will generate a movement parameter according to the central position P1, the treatment position P2 and the abnormal indication. The movement parameter is the swing angle of the head 120. The controller 28 actuates the drive element 24 to swing according to the movement parameter, so that the linkage element 18 connected to the drive element 24 guides the head 120 to adjust a certain angle, and the treatment area R2 is aligned with the abnormal area.

Please refer to FIG. 1 again. The thermal imaging endoscope system may include a laser device 40, and the laser device 40 includes a light output tube 400. The light output tube 400 is coupled to the input end 262 of the light guide 260. When the laser device 40 is activated, the laser light source is emitted from the light output tube 400 to the input end 262.

In some embodiments, the user has aligned the treatment area R2 with the treatment position P2 by the remote control 27 of the controller 28, so the user can perform the treatment action only by using the input element 34. When the input signal received by the input element 34 is a manual treatment instruction, the controller 28 actuates the gate 266 according to the manual treatment instruction to optically couple the output end 264 of the light guide 260 with the treatment element 16. When the laser device 40 is turned on, the laser light source can irradiate the abnormal area through the light output tube 400, the light guide 260, and the treatment element 16.

In some embodiments, when the input signal is a manual stop command, the controller 28 actuates the gate 266 according to the manual treatment command to stop the optical coupling between the output end 264 of the light guide 260 and the treatment element 16. Even if the laser device 40 is turned on, the laser light source cannot irradiate the abnormal area and stop ablation of the abnormal tissue.

In some embodiments, the laser device 40 can also be activated by the controller 28. When the controller 28 has aligned the treatment area R2 with the abnormal area according to the movement parameters and the input signal is a manual treatment command, the controller 28 activates the laser device 40; when the input signal is a manual stop command, the controller 28 does not activate the laser device 40. Therefore, the laser device 40 can be turned on or off according to the manual treatment command and the manual stop command. If the selected laser device 40 is a laser device 40 with an unfixed light source wavelength, when the controller 28 activates the laser device 40, the light source power of the laser light emitted by the laser device 40 can also be adjusted according to the power parameter, and the laser can be set and activated at a predetermined power to meet the needs of the user and achieve the effect of ablation of abnormal tissue.

In some embodiments, the controller 28 first activates the driving element 24 to move the head 120 according to the movement parameter, and then activates the gate 266 to optically couple the output end 264 of the light guide 260 with the treatment element 16. At this time, the laser light output by the treatment element 16 can ablate the abnormal tissue in the abnormal area. After the time parameter ends, the controller 28 activates the gate 266 to close to stop the ablation action on the abnormal tissue in the abnormal area.

In some embodiments, if an abnormal area exists and its size is larger than the upper limit size, the processor 36 uses the thermal sensing points A in the abnormal area as another abnormal mark. The other abnormal mark is different from the abnormal mark when the size is smaller than the upper limit size described above, for example, it can be a solid line frame, so that the user can intuitively identify whether the abnormal area is larger than the upper limit size. The processor 36 also controls the display 32 to display the other abnormal mark on the visual image, and records the location and size of the abnormal area, so that the user can process the abnormal tissue in other ways. In some embodiments, the upper limit size of the abnormal area can be 10 mm.

Please refer to FIG. 3 again, which is a cross-sectional view of a thermal imaging endoscope catheter according to some embodiments. The thermal imaging endoscope catheter 10 includes a tube body 12, a thermal image capturing component 14, a processing element 16, and a linkage element 18. The tube body 12 has a head 120 at one end, and a connecting portion 122 at the other end. The thermal image capturing component 14 is located at the head 120. When the head 120 enters the human body to take thermal images, the thermal image capturing component 14 captures a thermal image from a photographing area R1 and converts it into an image signal and outputs it from the connecting portion 122. The processing element 16 includes a processing head 160 and an optical fiber 162. The treatment head 160 is located in the head 120, the optical fiber 162 is located in the tube 12, one end of the optical fiber 162 is located in the connecting portion 122, and the other end is coupled to the treatment head 160. The treatment element 16 has a treatment area R2, and the treatment area R2 is located in the imaging area R1. The linkage element 18 is located in the tube 12 and connected to the head 120. When the linkage element 18 is activated, the head 120 of the tube 12 is linked to actuate.

In some embodiments, the thermal imaging endoscope catheter 10 can be used as a disposable catheter for an endoscope system. The user can manually push the end of the tube 12 having the head 120 into the area of the human body where thermal imaging detection is required. In some embodiments, the user can use the controller 28 to actuate the drive element 24 to make a fine adjustment to the head 120. The controller 28 can also be connected to the host 30, and the user can input a movement command on the host 30 to enable the controller 28 to actuate the drive element 24.

Please refer to FIG8, which is a flow chart of a thermal image abnormal area determination method according to some embodiments. Unless otherwise stated, the description order of steps S10 to S14 in the flow chart does not limit the execution order of each step of the thermal image abnormal area determination method of the present invention. First, a processor 36 receives a visual image, which includes a plurality of thermal sensing points A arranged in two dimensions, each thermal sensing point A having a temperature (step S10). Based on the temperatures of these thermal sensing points A, the average temperature of the visual image is obtained (step S12). Then determine whether the temperature of each thermal sensing point A is higher than the average temperature by a predetermined temperature difference, and whether these thermal sensing points A have two or more adjacent relationships. If so, these adjacent thermal sensing points A are regarded as an abnormal area (step S14).

In some embodiments, the two-dimensional arrangement includes a first axis and a second axis, for example, a plurality of thermal sensing points A are divided into a horizontal X axis and a vertical Y axis. The method for determining an abnormal region further includes: along the first axis, determining whether the difference between the temperature of each thermal sensing point A and the average temperature is greater than a predetermined temperature difference. Please refer to FIG. 7C again, for example, it is determined that the temperature of thermal sensing points A ₄₃ , A ₄₄ , and A ₄₅ is higher than the average temperature, and the temperature difference is greater than the predetermined temperature difference. The thermal sensing points A ₄₃ , A ₄₄ , and A ₄₅ are adjacent to each other, and the adjacent thermal sensing points A ₄₃ , A ₄₄ , and A ₄₅ are used as the first sub-region (step S140). Along the second axis, it is determined whether the difference between the temperature of each heat sensing point A and the average temperature is greater than a predetermined temperature difference. For example, it is determined that the temperature of the heat sensing points A ₃₄ , A ₄₄ , and A ₅₄ is higher than the average temperature, and the temperature difference is greater than the predetermined temperature difference. The heat sensing points A ₃₄ , A ₄₄ , and A ₅₄ are adjacent to each other, and the adjacent heat sensing points A ₃₄ , A ₄₄ , and A ₅₄ are used as the second sub-area (step S142). The first sub-area and the second sub-area are used as abnormal areas (step S144).

Please refer to FIG. 9, which is a functional block diagram of a thermal imaging abnormal area display device according to some embodiments. The thermal imaging abnormal area display device 50 includes a receiving module 500, a processing module 520, and a display module 540. The receiving module 500 is used to receive a visual image, which includes a plurality of thermal sensing points A arranged in two dimensions, each thermal sensing point A having a temperature. The receiving module 500 can be connected to a thermal imaging endoscope catheter 10, etc., to receive a captured visual image. The size of the field of view represented by each thermal sensing point A of the visual image is not limited, and only needs to reach an individual unit that can accurately represent the detected object (such as human tissue). The processing module 520 is used to: obtain an average temperature based on the temperatures of the heat sensing points A; and determine whether the difference between the temperature of each adjacent heat sensing point A and the average temperature is greater than a predetermined temperature difference. If so, the processing module 520 regards these adjacent heat sensing points A as abnormal areas. The processing module 520 transmits the visual image and the identified abnormal area to the display module 540, and the display module 540 displays the visual image and the abnormal area. The non-abnormal area and the abnormal area in the visual image can be displayed in different colors or marked so that the user can intuitively obtain information about the abnormal area.

Please refer to FIG. 10 , which is a functional block diagram of a thermal image processing host according to some embodiments. The thermal image processing host 60 includes a display 600 and a processor 620. The display 600 is connected to the processor 620. The processor 620 is used to: receive an image signal, the image signal corresponds to a visual image, the visual image includes a plurality of thermal sensing points A arranged in two dimensions, each thermal sensing point A has a temperature; obtain an average temperature based on these temperatures; determine whether the difference between the temperature of each thermal sensing point A having a neighboring relationship and the average temperature is greater than a predetermined temperature difference, and if so, treat these neighboring thermal sensing points A as an abnormal area; and control the display 600 to display the visual image and the abnormal area. There may be one or more abnormal areas, and the display 600 may be marked with colors or other markings to allow the user to visually distinguish between abnormal areas and non-abnormal areas.

Please refer to FIG. 11, which shows the abnormal area determination step of the processor 620 of the thermal image processing host 60 according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the two-dimensional arrangement includes a first axis and a second axis. The steps for the processor 620 to determine the abnormal area are: along the first axis, determine whether the difference between the temperatures of the adjacent thermal sensing points A and the average temperature is greater than a predetermined temperature difference. If so, then use the adjacent thermal sensing points A as the first sub-region (step S20); along the second axis, determine whether the difference between the temperatures of the adjacent thermal sensing points A and the average temperature is greater than the predetermined temperature difference. If so, then use the adjacent thermal sensing points as the second sub-region (step S22); and visual After each thermal sensing point A in the image is judged, the first sub-region and the second sub-region are regarded as abnormal regions (step S24).

In some embodiments, a further determination may be made on the abnormal region. The processor 620 determines whether the size of the abnormal region is less than or equal to the upper limit size. If so, the processor 620 controls the display 600 to display the visual image and the abnormal region in a first manner. The processor 620 also determines whether the size of the abnormal region is greater than the upper limit size. If so, the processor 620 controls the display 600 to display the visual image and the abnormal region in a second manner. The upper limit size range can refer to the ablation range or treatment area of the selected laser. For example, when using a pulsed laser of Nd:YAG 1,064 nanometer wavelength, its laser light source can cause cell death within a 10 mm range of the tissue, that is, 10 mm can be used as the upper limit size range. If the size of the abnormal area is less than or equal to 10 mm, the processor 620 can control the display 600 to display in the first way. If the size of the abnormal area is greater than 10 mm, the processor 620 controls the display 600 to display in the second way.

In summary, in some embodiments, the thermal imaging endoscope system can achieve the effect of detecting abnormal tissues in the human body and treating them by using the thermal imaging endoscope catheter 10 and the control device 20. The thermal imaging abnormal area judgment method can judge the abnormal area through the heat sensing point A of the visual image. The thermal imaging abnormal area display device 50 and the thermal imaging processing host 60 can judge the abnormal area by the processing module 520 or the processor 620 and display the visual image and the abnormal area by the display module 540 or the display 600.

10: Thermal imaging endoscope catheter

12: Tube body

120: Head

122: Connection part

20: Control device

27: Remote control

30: Host

32: Display

34: Input components

36: Processor

40: Laser device

400: light pipe

Claims (20)

A thermal image endoscope system, including: a thermal image endoscope catheter, including: a tube body with a head at one end; a thermal image capture component located at the head and used to capture images from an imaging area Capture a thermal image and convert it into an image signal. The image signal is used to generate a visual image. The visual image includes multiple thermal sensing points, and the thermal sensing points have an average temperature. Each adjacent thermal image has an average temperature. When the difference between a temperature of the thermal sensing point and the average temperature is greater than a predetermined temperature difference, the visual image has an abnormal area, and when a size of the abnormal area is less than or equal to an upper limit size, the thermal sensors in the abnormal area are The point is used as an abnormality mark, and the upper limit size is 10 mm; a processing element, located in the tube body and one end of which is located at the head, the processing element having a processing area, the processing area being located in the imaging area; and a linkage element, located in the tube body and connected to the head and a control device, comprising: a receiving element for receiving a processing command; a driving element connected to the linkage element; a light guide assembly, comprising a light guide and a gate, the light guide comprising an input terminal and an output terminal, the gate being actuated to selectively couple and uncouple the output terminal of the light guide to the treatment element; and a controller actuating the driving element according to the treatment command so that the The linkage element links the movement of the head and actuates the gate. The thermal imaging endoscope system as described in claim 1 comprises: a host computer comprising: a display; an input element for receiving an input signal; and a processor for causing the display to display the visual image according to the image signal; the processor outputs the processing command according to the input signal. A thermal imaging endoscope system as described in claim 2, wherein the processor performs an abnormality marking process on the image signal so that the display selectively displays the abnormality mark on the visual image. The thermal image endoscope system as described in claim 3, wherein the visual image includes a plurality of thermal sensing points arranged in a two-dimensional manner, each of the thermal sensing points has a temperature, and the processor executes the abnormality flagging program. : Determine whether the abnormal area exists, the abnormal area includes the adjacent thermal sensing points, and whether the difference between the temperatures of the adjacent thermal sensing points and the average temperature is greater than the predetermined temperature difference; and when the abnormal area exists And when a size of the abnormal area is less than or equal to an upper limit size, the thermal sensing points in the abnormal area are used as the abnormal mark, and the processor controls the display to display the abnormal mark on the visual image. The thermal imaging endoscope system as described in claim 4, wherein the visual image has a central position and a disposal position, the central position corresponds to the imaging area, the disposal position corresponds to the disposal area, when the abnormal area exists and the input signal is an automatic disposal instruction, the processor outputs the disposal command according to the central position, the disposal position and the abnormal indication, the disposal command includes a movement parameter and a time parameter, the time parameter is calculated with reference to the size of the abnormal area, the controller actuates the driving element according to the movement parameter so that the linkage element links the head to move, and actuates the gate so that the output end of the light guide is coupled to the disposal element until the time parameter ends. The thermal imaging endoscope system as described in claim 5 includes a laser device, which includes a light emitting tube; the light emitting tube is coupled to the input end of the light guide; when the laser device is activated, a laser light is emitted from the light emitting tube. A thermal imaging endoscope system as described in claim 6, wherein the controller activates the laser device before activating the gate to couple the output end of the light guide to the treatment element step. The thermal imaging endoscope system as described in claim 4, wherein the visual image has a central position and a disposal position, the central position corresponds to the photographing area, and the disposal position corresponds to the disposal area. When the abnormal area exists and the input signal is an automatic movement command, the processor outputs the disposal command including a movement parameter according to the central position, the disposal position and the abnormal indication, and the controller activates the driving element according to the movement parameter so that the linkage element links the head to move. The thermal imaging endoscope system as described in claim 4 or 8 comprises a laser device, the laser device comprises a light emitting tube; the light emitting tube is coupled to the input end of the light guide; when the laser device is activated, a laser light is emitted from the light emitting tube. A thermal imaging endoscope system as described in claim 9, wherein when the input signal is a manual processing instruction, the controller actuates the gate to couple the output end of the light guide to the processing element. A thermal imaging endoscope system as described in claim 10, wherein when the input signal is a stop processing instruction, the controller actuates the gate so that the output end of the light guide is not coupled to the processing element. The thermal imaging endoscope system as described in claim 11, wherein when the input signal is the manual processing instruction, the controller activates the laser device; when the input signal is the stop processing instruction, the controller does not activate the laser device. The thermal image endoscope system as described in claim 4, wherein when the abnormal area exists and is larger than the upper limit size, the thermal sensing points in the abnormal area are used as another abnormality mark, and the processor controls The display displays the other abnormality mark on the visual image. A thermal imaging endoscope catheter comprises: a tube body, one end of which has a head, and the other end of which has a connection portion; a thermal image acquisition component, located at the head and used to capture a thermal image from a photographing area and convert it into an image signal and output it from the connection portion, the image signal is used to generate a visual image, the visual image includes a plurality of thermal sensing points and the thermal sensing points have an average temperature, the visual image has an abnormal area when the difference between a temperature of each adjacent thermal sensing point and the average temperature is greater than a predetermined temperature difference, and a temperature of the abnormal area is When the size is less than or equal to an upper limit size, the thermal sensing points in the abnormal area are used as an abnormality mark, and the upper limit size is 10 mm; a treatment element, including a treatment head and an optical fiber, the optical fiber is located in the tube body and the treatment head is located in the head, one end of the optical fiber is located in the connection part, the other end of the optical fiber is coupled to the treatment head, the treatment element has a treatment area, the treatment area is located in the imaging area; and a linkage element is located in the tube body and connected to the head, wherein the linkage element is When moving, the head of the pipe body is linked to move. A method for judging abnormal areas in thermal images, including: receiving a visual image, the visual image including a plurality of two-dimensionally arranged thermal sensing points, each of the thermal sensing points having a temperature; obtaining an average temperature based on these temperatures; judging Whether the difference between the temperatures of the adjacent thermal sensing points and the average temperature is greater than a predetermined temperature difference, if so, then the adjacent thermal sensing points are regarded as an abnormal area; and a size of the abnormal area is less than Or when it is equal to an upper limit size, the thermal sensing points in the abnormal area are used as an abnormality mark. The upper limit size is 10 mm. The thermal image abnormal area determination method as described in claim 15, wherein the two dimensions include a first axis and a second axis, and the determination step includes: determining the adjacent thermal sensing points along the first axis. Whether the difference between the temperatures and the average temperature is greater than the predetermined temperature difference, if so, the adjacent thermal sensing points are regarded as a first sub-region; along the second axis, determine the adjacent thermal sensing points Whether the difference between the temperatures of the points and the average temperature is greater than the predetermined temperature difference, if so, then use the adjacent thermal sensing points as a second sub-area; and use the first sub-area and the second sub-area as the abnormal area. A thermal image abnormal area display device, including: a receiving module for receiving a visual image, the visual image includes a plurality of two-dimensionally arranged thermal sensing points, each of the thermal sensing points has a temperature; a processing module , used to: obtain an average temperature based on the temperatures; and determine whether the difference between the temperatures of the adjacent thermal sensing points and the average temperature is greater than a predetermined temperature difference. If so, then convert the adjacent thermal sensing points into The sensing point is used as an abnormal area; when a size of the abnormal area is less than or equal to an upper limit size, the thermal sensing points in the abnormal area are used as an abnormal mark, the upper limit size is 10 mm; and a display module A group is used to display the visual image, the abnormal area and the abnormal mark. A thermal image processing host includes: a display; and a processor, used to: receive an image signal, the image signal corresponds to a visual image, the visual image includes a plurality of thermal sensing points arranged in two dimensions, each of the thermal The sensing point has a temperature; based on the temperatures, an average temperature is obtained; it is judged whether the difference between the temperatures of the adjacent thermal sensing points and the average temperature is greater than a predetermined temperature difference, and if so, the adjacent thermal sensing points are Thermal sensing points are used as an abnormal area; when a size of the abnormal area is less than or equal to an upper limit size, the thermal sensing points in the abnormal area are used as an abnormal mark, the upper limit size is 10 mm; and control the The display displays the visual image, the abnormal area and the abnormal mark. The thermal image processing host as described in claim 18, wherein the two dimensions include a first axis and a second axis, and the determination step of the processor is performed by the processor: determine the phase along the first axis. Whether the difference between the temperatures of the adjacent thermal sensing points and the average temperature is greater than the predetermined temperature difference, if so, then the adjacent thermal sensing points are regarded as a first sub-region; along the second axis, determine Whether the difference between the temperatures of the adjacent thermal sensing points and the average temperature is greater than the predetermined temperature difference, if so, then use the adjacent thermal sensing points as a second sub-region; and convert the first sub-region The area and the second sub-area are regarded as the abnormal area. The thermal image processing host as described in claim 19, wherein the processor executes: when it is determined that a size of the abnormal area is less than or equal to an upper limit size, the display is controlled to display the visual image and the abnormal area in a first manner; and when it is determined that the size of the abnormal area is greater than the upper limit size, the display is controlled to display the visual image and the abnormal area in a second manner.