WO2015012028A1 - Melanoma diagnosis assistance device, program, and melanoma diagnosis assistance method - Google Patents

Abstract

To improve precision in melanoma diagnosis: a second absorption spectrum relating to melanin in a measurement site is computed by the absorbance of each wavelength relating to components in blood which are unrelated to melanin being subtracted from the absorbance of each wavelength in a first absorption spectrum relating to the measurement site; and a first index is derived relating to whether a first feature value of the second absorption spectrum is closer to a third feature value relating to a fourth absorption spectrum for an anomalous site including melanoma than to a second feature value relating to a third absorption spectrum for a normal site which does not include melanoma, or whether the first feature value is closer to a fifth feature value relating to a sixth absorption spectrum for pheomelanin than to a fourth feature value relating to a fifth absorption spectrum for eumelanin.

Description

Melanoma diagnosis support apparatus, program, and melanoma diagnosis support method

The present invention relates to a melanoma diagnosis support apparatus, a program, and a melanoma diagnosis support method.

Diagnosis of melanoma (malignant melanoma) by doctors is asymmetry on the left and right, irregular border, irregularity of color, diameter of 6mm or more, and elevation, etc. It is done from the point of view. This diagnosis relies on the vision of a skilled physician. For this reason, a device for supporting diagnosis is required from the clinical field.

Therefore, a novel melanoma differentiation index derivation method that enables non-invasive and objective differentiation of melanoma using spectroscopic analysis has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1). In this method, the diffuse reflection spectrum of the object surface is measured, the diffuse reflection spectrum is regarded as a multidimensional vector, and based on the angle between the multidimensional vector and the reference vector and the position information of the object surface, An index reflecting the molecular information on the surface is required.

JP 2010-252904 A

However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, the diffuse reflection spectrum on the surface of the object includes components of reflected light generated by blood components such as hemoglobin and bilirubin that are unrelated to melanin. For this reason, the accuracy of diagnosis by melanoma discrimination is reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a melanoma diagnosis support apparatus, a program, and a melanoma diagnosis support method that can improve the diagnosis accuracy of melanoma.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the melanoma diagnosis support apparatus according to one aspect reduces the absorbance of each wavelength related to a blood component not related to melanin from the absorbance of each wavelength in the first absorption spectrum related to the measurement target. Then, the calculation unit for calculating the second absorption spectrum related to melanin of the measurement target part, and the second characteristic relating to the third absorption spectrum for the normal part where the first characteristic value of the second absorption spectrum does not include melanoma. Whether the first characteristic value is closer to the third characteristic value related to the fourth absorption spectrum for the abnormal part including melanoma or the fourth characteristic value related to the fifth absorption spectrum for eumelanin. Is also provided with an index calculation unit that obtains a first index regarding whether or not it is close to the fifth feature value related to the sixth absorption spectrum of pheomelanin.

In addition, the melanoma diagnosis support apparatus according to another aspect may reduce the absorbance at each wavelength related to a blood component not related to melanin from the absorbance at each wavelength in the first absorption spectrum related to the measurement target unit. The calculation unit that calculates the second absorption spectrum related to melanin in the measurement unit, and the first characteristic value of the second absorption spectrum is more than the second characteristic value related to the third absorption spectrum for a normal part that does not include melanoma. Whether the first characteristic value is close to the third characteristic value related to the fourth absorption spectrum for the abnormal part including melanoma or the first characteristic value is more than the fourth characteristic value related to the fifth absorption spectrum for eumelanin. And a determination unit that determines whether or not the fifth feature value is close to the sixth absorption spectrum.

In addition, the program according to one aspect functions as the melanoma diagnosis support apparatus according to the one aspect or the other aspect by being executed by a processor included in the melanoma diagnosis support apparatus. It is a program to let you.

Further, the method for supporting diagnosis of melanoma according to one aspect includes (a) reducing the absorbance of each wavelength related to a blood component not related to melanin from the absorbance of each wavelength in the first absorption spectrum related to the measured part, A calculation step for calculating a second absorption spectrum relating to melanin of the part to be measured; and (b) a second feature relating to a third absorption spectrum for a normal part in which the first feature value of the second absorption spectrum does not include melanoma. Whether the first characteristic value is closer to the third characteristic value related to the fourth absorption spectrum for the abnormal part including melanoma or the fourth characteristic value related to the fifth absorption spectrum for eumelanin. Also includes an index calculation step for obtaining a first index regarding whether or not the fifth characteristic value relating to the sixth absorption spectrum of pheomelanin is close.

In addition, the melanoma diagnosis support method according to another aspect includes (A) subtracting the absorbance at each wavelength relating to a blood component not related to melanin from the absorbance at each wavelength in the first absorption spectrum relating to the measurement target part. Calculating a second absorption spectrum related to melanin in the measurement target; and (B) a first characteristic value of the second absorption spectrum is related to a third absorption spectrum related to a normal part not including melanoma. Whether or not the second feature value is closer to the third feature value related to the fourth absorption spectrum for the abnormal part including melanoma, or the first feature value is related to the fifth absorption spectrum for eumelanin. And a determination step of determining whether the value is closer to the fifth feature value related to the sixth absorption spectrum of pheomelanin than the value.

According to the melanoma diagnosis support apparatus according to one aspect, the diagnosis accuracy of melanoma is improved by performing the diagnosis of melanoma based on the index related to melanin.

According to the melanoma diagnosis support apparatus according to another aspect, diagnosis of melanoma is performed based on the determination result, so that the diagnosis accuracy of melanoma is increased.

According to the program according to one aspect, the same effect as that of the melanoma diagnosis support apparatus according to one aspect or the other aspect can be obtained.

According to the melanoma diagnosis support method according to one aspect, the same effect as that of the melanoma diagnosis support apparatus according to one aspect can be obtained.

According to the melanoma diagnosis support method according to another aspect, an effect similar to that of the melanoma diagnosis support apparatus according to another aspect can be obtained.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a diagnosis support apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the diagnosis support apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the microcomputer unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method of calculating a melanin absorption spectrum. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between the wavelength of light and the molar extinction coefficient related to various melanins. FIG. 6 is a graph for explaining a method of analyzing an index related to absorbance. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation flow of the diagnosis support apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the microcomputer unit according to the first modification. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the diagnosis support apparatus according to the first modification. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the diagnosis support apparatus according to the second modification.

Hereinafter, an embodiment and various modifications of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, parts having the same configuration and function are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted in the following description. Note that FIG. 1 has a right-handed XYZ coordinate system in which the direction in which the connecting portion 20 extends is the ± Z direction.

<(1) One Embodiment>
<(1-1) Configuration of Diagnosis Support Device>
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the appearance of a diagnosis support apparatus 1 according to an embodiment as an apparatus (also referred to as a melanoma diagnosis support apparatus) that supports diagnosis of melanoma. As shown in FIG. 1, the diagnosis support apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10, a connecting unit 20, and a measurement unit 30.

The control unit 10 includes a housing 10bd, a microcomputer unit (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer unit) 11, an operation unit 12, a display unit 13, and a reading unit 14 provided in the housing 10bd.

The housing 10bd has, for example, a substantially cubic configuration. In the present embodiment, the microcomputer unit 11 is provided in the housing 10bd. In addition, an operation unit 12 and a display unit 13 are provided on one main surface of the housing 10bd in the + Z direction, and a reading unit 14 is provided on a side portion in the −Y direction of the housing 10bd.

The microcomputer unit 11 controls operations of the display unit 13, the reading unit 14, the measurement unit 30, and the like according to a signal input from the operation unit 12. The microcomputer unit 11 performs various calculations using data from the measurement unit 30. The operation unit 12 accepts an operation by the user and outputs a signal corresponding to the operation to the microcomputer unit 11. The display unit 13 displays various screens under the control of the microcomputer unit 11. The reading unit 14 is, for example, a part where the storage medium Cd1 is detachable. The storage medium Cd1 may be a memory card, for example. The microcomputer unit 11 reads various information stored in the storage medium Cd1 and writes various information to the storage medium Cd1 by the reading unit 14.

The connecting unit 20 connects the control unit 10 and the measurement unit 30. For example, the connecting portion 20 has a substantially cylindrical configuration extending in the Z direction. And the connection part 20 is hold | gripped by the user of the diagnostic assistance apparatus 1, for example.

The measurement unit 30 includes a housing 30bd, and a light source unit 31 and a measurement unit 32 provided in the housing 30bd.

The housing 30bd has, for example, a substantially cubic configuration. An opening 30op is provided on one main surface in the −Z direction of the housing 30bd. For example, the opening 30op has a configuration in which a transparent plate material is fitted into an opening provided in the housing 30bd. The transparent plate material may be a glass plate, for example. In addition, when the absorption spectrum in the local skin part as the measurement part of the subject is measured by the diagnosis support apparatus 1, the housing 30bd is attached to the measurement part so that the opening 30op is closed. Abutted.

The light source unit 31 emits light of a predetermined color (also referred to as irradiation light) set in advance. Here, the irradiation light has a preset spectrum (also referred to as a first spectrum). The predetermined color may be white, for example. For example, when the light source unit 31 is configured by a xenon lamp or an LED, white light is emitted from the light source unit 31. And the light source part 31 emits irradiation light by control by the microcomputer part 11, and this irradiation light is irradiated to a to-be-measured part through the opening part 30op. The diameter of the spot of irradiation light (also referred to as irradiation spot) formed on the part to be measured may be equal to or smaller than a predetermined value set in advance. The predetermined value may be, for example, 6 mm corresponding to the diameter as one aspect relating to the diagnosis of melanoma.

The measurement unit 32 receives the reflected light emitted from the measurement target unit by irradiating the measurement target unit with the irradiation light from the light source unit 31 under the control of the microcomputer unit 11, and the spectral spectrum (second) of the reflected light. Data Sm2 related to the spectrum is also obtained.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the diagnosis support apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 12, the display unit 13, the reading unit 14, the light source unit 31, and the measurement unit 32 are connected to the microcomputer unit 11.

The measurement unit 32 includes a spectroscopic unit 321, a sensor unit 322, and an A / D conversion unit 323. The spectroscopic unit 321 splits the reflected light from the part to be measured. The spectroscopic unit 321 may be, for example, a diffraction grating. The sensor unit 322 receives the reflected light dispersed by the spectroscopic unit 321 to obtain an analog signal related to the spectral spectrum of the reflected light. For example, the sensor unit 322 may be a CCD or the like in which pixels are arranged in a line. The A / D conversion unit 323 converts the analog signal obtained by the sensor unit 322 into digital data. Data Sm2 related to the second spectral spectrum obtained by the measurement unit 32 is sent to the microcomputer unit 11.

The microcomputer unit 11 mainly includes a processor 11c, a memory 11m, and a storage unit 11s. The storage unit 11s relates to, for example, the program P1, the first spectral spectrum data Sm1, the first absorbance distribution data Da1, the second absorbance distribution data Da2, the first comparison absorption spectrum data Sc1, and the second comparison absorption spectrum data Sc2. Store the data. Various functions in the microcomputer unit 11 are executed by the processor 11c executing the program P1. That is, by executing the program P1 in the processor 11c, various functions in the diagnosis support apparatus 1 as a melanoma diagnosis support apparatus are realized.

Here, the first spectral spectrum data Sm1 is data indicating a spectral spectrum of irradiation light emitted from the light source unit 31. The spectral spectrum of the irradiation light may be obtained in advance, for example, by designing the light source unit 31 or actually measuring light emitted from the light source unit 31. The first absorbance distribution data Da1 is data indicating the relationship between the wavelength and the absorbance relating to the first substance. That is, the first absorbance distribution data Da1 indicates the absorbance at each wavelength related to the first substance. The second absorbance distribution data Da2 is data indicating the relationship between the wavelength and the absorbance relating to the second substance. That is, the second absorbance distribution data Da2 indicates the absorbance of each wavelength relating to the second substance.

As for the relationship between the wavelength and absorbance of the first substance, the concentration of the first substance in the blood of the subject measured in advance is applied to a calibration curve indicating the relation between the concentration of the first substance in the blood and the absorbance. It is obtained by doing. Further, the relationship between the wavelength and the absorbance of the second substance is the pre-measured concentration of the second substance in the blood of the subject, and a calibration curve indicating the relationship between the concentration of the second substance in the blood and the absorbance. It is obtained by applying to. In the present embodiment, the first substance is hemoglobin, and the second substance is bilirubin. Each concentration of hemoglobin and bilirubin in the blood of the subject can be measured by, for example, a biochemical test with blood collection or a measurement technique using light without blood collection. For example, the concentration of bilirubin in the blood can be measured by a measurement technique using light that does not involve blood collection, such as a jaundice meter.

The first comparative absorption spectrum data Sc1 is data relating to an absorption spectrum (also referred to as a third absorption spectrum) for a normal skin portion (also referred to as a normal portion) that does not include melanoma. Note that the first comparative absorption spectrum data Sc1 may be data indicating a discrete or continuous relationship between the wavelength of light constituting the third absorption spectrum and the absorbance, for example. The second comparative absorption spectrum data Sc2 is data relating to an absorption spectrum (also referred to as a fourth absorption spectrum) for an abnormal skin portion (also referred to as an abnormal portion) including melanoma. The second comparative absorption spectrum data Sc2 may be data indicating a discrete or continuous relationship between the wavelength of light and the absorbance constituting the fourth absorption spectrum, for example.

Here, the third absorption spectrum is, for example, noise such as hemoglobin and bilirubin from an absorption spectrum obtained by actual measurement of the normal part of the subject himself / herself or actual measurement of the normal part of many persons. It is sufficient if the absorbance component related to the substance is reduced. The fourth absorption spectrum is, for example, a substance that becomes noise such as hemoglobin and bilirubin from an absorption spectrum obtained by actual measurement for an abnormal part of the subject himself or by actual measurement for an abnormal part of a large number of people. Any component may be used as long as the absorbance component is reduced. The method for calculating the third and fourth spectra by subtracting the absorbance component of the substance that becomes noise from the absorption spectrum obtained by actual measurement is to calculate the melanin absorption spectrum from the first absorption spectrum in the calculation unit 112 described later. As long as it is the same as the method of

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a functional configuration realized by the microcomputer unit 11 when the program P1 is executed by the processor 11c. As shown in FIG. 3, the microcomputer unit 11 includes a calculation unit 111, a calculation unit 112, a setting unit 113, an index calculation unit 114, a determination unit 115, and an output control unit 116 as functional configurations.

Based on the first spectral spectrum of the irradiation light emitted from the light source unit 31 and the second spectral spectrum of the reflected light obtained by the measurement unit 32, the calculation unit 111 calculates the absorption spectrum of the measurement target (also referred to as the first absorption spectrum). Say). Here, the first spectral spectrum is obtained from the first spectral data Sm1 stored in the storage unit 11s.

The calculating unit 112 calculates an absorption spectrum (also referred to as a melanin absorption spectrum) related to melanin of the measured part from the first absorption spectrum related to the measured part calculated by the calculating unit 111. In the calculation unit 112, for example, the absorbance of each wavelength relating to hemoglobin as the first substance and bilirubin as the second substance is subtracted from the absorbance of each wavelength in the first absorption spectrum, whereby melanin absorption as the second absorption spectrum is performed. A spectrum is calculated. The absorbance at each wavelength relating to hemoglobin as the first substance and bilirubin as the second substance is obtained from the first and second comparative absorption spectrum data Sc1 and Sc2.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method for calculating a melanin absorption spectrum in the calculation unit 112. In FIG. 4, the horizontal axis indicates the wavelength of light, and the vertical axis indicates the absorbance.

Here, the absorbance at the wavelength λn (n is a natural number) of the first absorption spectrum is Asλn, the absorbance at the wavelength λn of hemoglobin as the first substance is A1λn, and the absorbance at the wavelength λn of bilirubin as the second substance is A2λn. At this time, the absorbance Amλn of melanin at the wavelength λn is calculated by the equation (1).

Amλn = Asλn−A1λn−A2λn (1).

Therefore, for example, for a plurality of wavelengths λn in the wavelength range related to white light, the calculation according to Equation (1) is performed, whereby the absorbance Amλn of melanin at each wavelength λn is calculated. As a result, a melanin absorption spectrum as shown by a curve Cv1 drawn by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 4 is calculated. This reduces the effects of hemoglobin and bilirubin.

In addition, although the influence by hemoglobin as a 1st substance and the bilirubin as a 2nd substance was reduced here, the influence by other substances other than melanin may be reduced. In this case, if the absorbance of the other substance at the wavelength λn is Axλn, the absorbance Amλn of the melanin at the wavelength λn is calculated by the equation (2).

Amλn = Asλn−A1λn−A2λn−Axλn (2).

The setting unit 113 sets a wavelength range (also referred to as an evaluation target wavelength range) to be evaluated for the melanin absorption spectrum in response to the operation of the operation unit 12 by the user. Here, for example, the evaluation target wavelength range is determined according to an aspect in which options relating to a plurality of wavelength ranges presented on the display unit 13 are alternatively selected and an aspect in which an arbitrary wavelength range is described on the display unit 13. Is set. At this time, for example, the evaluation target wavelength range may be set in consideration of individual differences and the like related to the melanin absorption spectrum. In the present embodiment, the evaluation target wavelength range is set by the user. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the evaluation target wavelength range may be set to a default wavelength range.

The index calculation unit 114 obtains an index that contributes to a diagnosis of whether or not the measured part is an abnormal part including melanoma.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between the wavelength of light and the molar extinction coefficient related to pheomelanin and eumelanin. In FIG. 5, the horizontal axis indicates the wavelength of light, and the vertical axis indicates the molar extinction coefficient. The relationship between the light wavelength and the molar extinction coefficient related to eumelanin, which is abundant in normal skin, is shown by curve Cv2, and the relationship between the wavelength of light related to pheomelanin abundantly contained in melanoma and the molar absorption coefficient The relationship is shown by curve Cv3. As shown in FIG. 5, pheomelanin tends to have a greater degree of decrease in molar extinction coefficient with respect to wavelength increase than eumelanin. That is, the curve Cv3 has a larger slope indicating the ratio of the increase in the molar extinction coefficient to the increase in the wavelength of light than the curve Cv2. For this reason, the slope indicating the ratio of the increase in the molar extinction coefficient with respect to the increase in the wavelength of light in the melanin absorption spectrum depends on the ratio of pheomelanin and eumelanin contained in the skin as the part to be measured.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the melanin absorption spectrum related to the measurement target part is compared with the third absorption spectrum related to the normal part not including melanoma and the fourth absorption spectrum related to the abnormal part including melanoma.

Specifically, in the index calculation unit 114, the feature value (first feature value) of the melanin absorption spectrum is a feature value related to the fourth absorption spectrum rather than the feature value (second feature value) related to the third absorption spectrum. An index (first index) regarding whether or not it is close to (also referred to as a third feature value) is obtained. In the present embodiment, the first feature value is an inclination (first inclination) in the evaluation target wavelength range preset by the setting unit 113 of the melanin absorption spectrum as the second absorption spectrum. The second feature value is an inclination (second inclination) in the evaluation target wavelength range of the third absorption spectrum. The third feature value is an inclination (third inclination) in the evaluation target wavelength range of the fourth absorption spectrum. Further, the first index related to whether or not the first feature value is closer to the third feature value than the second feature value is, for example, an average value of the second feature value and the third feature value is set as a reference value, Any index that indicates whether the first feature value is closer to the third feature value than the reference value may be used. For example, a value obtained by subtracting the reference value from the first feature value is employed as the first index. In this case, if the second feature value is greater than the third feature value and the value obtained by subtracting the reference value from the first feature value is a negative value, the first feature value is greater than the second feature value. It shows that it is close to 3 feature values. The first index may not be a numerical value but may be information indicating whether the first feature value is closer to the third feature value than the second feature value, for example.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining how to obtain the first index. In FIG. 6, the horizontal axis indicates the wavelength of light, and the vertical axis indicates the absorbance. The relationship between the wavelength of light and the absorbance related to the melanin absorption spectrum is indicated by a curve Cv4 drawn with a bold line. Further, the relationship between the wavelength and the absorbance of light related to the third absorption spectrum is shown by a curve Cv5 drawn by a one-dot chain line, and the relationship between the wavelength of the light related to the fourth absorption spectrum and the absorbance is drawn by a solid line. Curve Cv6. Furthermore, an example of the evaluation target wavelength range Lg1 is shown.

In the case shown in FIG. 6, the slope indicating the ratio of the increase in the molar extinction coefficient to the increase in the wavelength of light in the curve Cv4 in the evaluation target wavelength range Lg1 is the first slope as the first characteristic value. In addition, the slope indicating the ratio of the increase in the molar extinction coefficient with respect to the increase in the wavelength of light in the curve Cv5 in the evaluation target wavelength range Lg1 is the second slope as the second feature value. In addition, the slope indicating the ratio of the increase in the molar extinction coefficient with respect to the increase in the wavelength of light in the curve Cv6 in the evaluation target wavelength range Lg1 is the third slope as the third feature value. Note that the slope in the evaluation target wavelength range Lg1 is, for example, the slope of a straight line connecting two points related to the minimum value and the maximum value of the wavelength in the evaluation target wavelength range Lg1 on each curve for each of the curves Cv4 to Cv6. good.

Here, the evaluation target wavelength range Lg1 does not have a certain wavelength range but may be one wavelength. In this case, the first characteristic value may be a tangential slope (first slope) at one wavelength of the curve Cv4 related to the melanin absorption spectrum as the second absorption spectrum. The second feature value may be a tangential slope (second slope) at one wavelength of the curve Cv5 related to the third absorption spectrum. Furthermore, the third characteristic value may be a tangential slope (third slope) at one wavelength of the curve Cv6 related to the fourth absorption spectrum.

Further, the slopes of the curves Cv4 to Cv6 in the evaluation target wavelength range Lg1 may be, for example, the average value of the slopes of the curves Cv4 to Cv6 in the evaluation target wavelength range Lg1. In this case, the first feature value is the average value (first average value) of the slope in the evaluation target wavelength range Lg1 of the melanin absorption spectrum as the second absorption spectrum. Further, the second feature value is an average value (second average value) of the inclination in the evaluation target wavelength range Lg1 of the third absorption spectrum. Furthermore, the third feature value is an average value (third average value) of the inclination in the evaluation target wavelength range Lg1 of the fourth absorption spectrum. Note that the average value of the slope in the evaluation target wavelength range Lg1 may be, for example, the average value of the slope of the tangent line at a predetermined interval wavelength in the evaluation target wavelength range Lg1 for each of the curves Cv4 to Cv6.

The determination unit 115 determines whether or not the first feature value of the melanin absorption spectrum is closer to the third feature value related to the fourth absorption spectrum than the second feature value related to the third absorption spectrum. Here, if the first index obtained by the index calculation unit 114 is a numerical value, based on the numerical value, the first feature value of the melanin absorption spectrum is fourth than the second feature value of the third absorption spectrum. It is determined whether or not it is close to the third feature value related to the absorption spectrum. For example, when the third feature value is smaller than the second feature value, if the value obtained by subtracting the reference value from the first feature value is a negative value, the first feature value is greater than the second feature value. A mode in which it is determined to be close to the three feature values is conceivable.

Note that if the first index obtained by the index calculation unit 114 is not a numerical value, for example, if it is information indicating whether the first feature value is closer to the third feature value than the second feature value, the determination unit 115. The determination process in step 2 may not be performed. Further, the first characteristic value of the melanin absorption spectrum is related to the fourth absorption spectrum rather than the second characteristic value of the third absorption spectrum in the determination part 115 without the first calculation being obtained in the index calculation unit 114. It may be determined whether or not it is close to the third feature value. In this case, for example, if the average value of the second feature value and the third feature value is set as the reference value, and the first feature value is closer to the third feature value than the reference value, the first feature value is The aspect determined to be closer to the third feature value than the second feature value is conceivable. Furthermore, the determination unit 115 not only determines whether the first feature value is closer to the third feature value than the second feature value, but also determines whether the measured portion is an abnormal portion including melanoma. May be determined. For example, if the first feature value is closer to the third feature value than the second feature value, a mode in which it is determined that the part to be measured is an abnormal part including melanoma is conceivable.

The output control unit 116 causes the display unit 13 to visually output information related to at least one of the first index obtained by the index calculation unit 114 and the determination result by the determination unit 115. Here, for example, the display unit 13 includes a numerical value as the first index, information indicating whether the first feature value is closer to the third feature value than the second feature value, and the determination result by the determination unit 115. A mode in which one or more pieces of information are displayed is conceivable. Instead of displaying the first index and the determination result on the display unit 13, for example, a mode in which various lamps corresponding to the first index and the determination result are turned on may be employed. That is, the first index and the determination result may be output visually. In the present embodiment, the first index and the determination result are visibly output. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first index and the determination result are voice, a corresponding warning sound, data, or the like. It may be output in the form.

<(1-2) Operation of Diagnosis Support Device>
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation flow in the diagnosis support apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. This operation flow is controlled by the microcomputer unit 11.

In step Sp1, the calculation unit 111 acquires the first absorption spectrum related to the part to be measured. Here, for example, under the control of the microcomputer unit 11, irradiation light is irradiated from the light source unit 31 to the measurement target, and reflected light emitted from the measurement target is received by the measurement unit 32, and the second spectrum of the reflected light is received. Data Sm2 related to the spectrum is acquired. And the calculation part 111 acquires the melanin absorption spectrum as a 2nd absorption spectrum which concerns on a to-be-measured part based on the 1st spectral spectrum and 2nd spectral spectrum of irradiation light.

In step Sp2 (also referred to as calculation step), the calculation unit 112 calculates a melanin absorption spectrum as a second absorption spectrum related to melanin in the measurement target part from the first absorption spectrum acquired in step Sp1. At this time, a melanin absorption spectrum in which the influence of the absorption spectrum in a substance other than melanin is reduced is obtained.

In step Sp3 (also referred to as an index calculation step), the index calculation unit 114 obtains a first index for diagnosis based on the melanin absorption spectrum calculated in step Sp2.

In Step Sp4 (also referred to as a determination step), the first feature value of the melanin absorption spectrum is determined by the determination unit 115 based on the first index obtained in Step Sp3, than the second feature value related to the third absorption spectrum. It is determined whether or not the third feature value related to the fourth absorption spectrum is close.

In step Sp5, the output control unit 116 outputs at least one of the first index obtained in step Sp3 and the determination result in step Sp4. The information output form at this time may be, for example, a visual output on the display unit 13.

<(1-3) Summary of One Embodiment>
As described above, in the diagnosis support apparatus 1 according to the embodiment, the melanin absorption spectrum as the second absorption spectrum related to the melanin of the measurement target unit is calculated from the first absorption spectrum related to the measurement target unit. The first feature value of the melanin absorption spectrum is closer to the third feature value related to the fourth absorption spectrum of the abnormal part than the second feature value of the third absorption spectrum about the normal part. One index is required. Thereby, diagnosis of melanoma is performed based on the 1st parameter | index which concerns on the melanin of a to-be-measured part, and the diagnostic accuracy of melanoma is raised.

Here, if the absorbance of each wavelength related to hemoglobin and bilirubin is subtracted from the absorbance of each wavelength of the first absorption spectrum related to the measured part, and the melanin absorption spectrum is calculated, the influence of hemoglobin and bilirubin is reduced. . For this reason, the diagnostic accuracy of melanoma is improved. Further, if the characteristic value related to each absorption spectrum is an inclination in a preset wavelength range, a first index for supporting diagnosis of melanoma can be easily obtained. Here, if the wavelength range is set in advance by the user, for example, a wavelength range having a relatively large characteristic value between the third and fourth absorption spectra can be set. The accuracy of diagnosis is improved.

In addition, a second spectral spectrum of reflected light emitted from the part to be measured is acquired in response to irradiation of irradiation light having the first spectral spectrum, and the first absorption spectrum is obtained based on the first spectral spectrum and the second spectral spectrum. If calculated, the measurement is consistently performed from the acquisition of the first index. As a result, since the 1st parameter | index used for the diagnosis of melanoma is obtained easily, the diagnosis of melanoma becomes easy.

Further, it is determined whether or not the first feature value of the melanin absorption spectrum is closer to the third feature value related to the fourth absorption spectrum of the abnormal portion than the second feature value related to the third absorption spectrum of the normal portion. For example, the diagnostic accuracy in melanoma diagnosis based on the determination result is improved.

<(2) Modification>
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

<(2-1) First Modification>
In the one embodiment, at least one of the first index and the determination result is obtained from the measurement result related to one measurement target part, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, at least one of the first index and the determination result may be obtained for a plurality of measurement parts included in the local skin portion of the subject. Further, in this case, a value indicating the degree of variation of the melanin absorption spectrum as the second absorption spectrum relating to each of the plurality of measured parts and a second index indicating the degree of variation may be obtained. Thereby, a highly accurate diagnosis based on the second index indicating color non-uniformity, which is one of the features of melanoma, can be performed.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration realized by the microcomputer unit 11 by executing the program P1A instead of the program P1 according to the embodiment in the processor 11c according to the first modification. As shown in FIG. 8, the microcomputer unit 11 includes an index calculation unit 114A, a determination unit 115A, and an output control unit 116A instead of the index calculation unit 114, the determination unit 115, and the output control unit 116 of the above embodiment. Further, a variation calculation unit 117A is further provided.

In the present embodiment, the measurement unit 32 receives the reflected light emitted from the measurement target unit by irradiating the measurement target unit with the irradiation light from the light source unit 31 for a plurality of measurement target units. Data Sm2 related to the second spectral spectrum is acquired. In addition, in this modification, the diameter of the irradiation spot of irradiation light should just be below the predetermined value smaller than 6 mm corresponding to the diameter as one viewpoint which concerns on the diagnosis of melanoma, for example. This predetermined value may be about 1 mm, for example. In addition, the calculation unit 111 calculates the first absorption spectrum of each measured part in the plurality of measured parts based on the first spectral spectrum of the irradiation light and the second spectral spectrum of the reflected light. Further, the calculation unit 112 calculates a melanin absorption spectrum as a second absorption spectrum from the first absorption spectrum related to each measured part. That is, a plurality of melanin absorption spectra are calculated from a plurality of first absorption spectra related to a plurality of measured parts.

The variation calculation unit 117A calculates a value indicating the degree of variation of the melanin absorption spectrum as the plurality of second absorption spectra calculated by the calculation unit 112. Here, the value indicating the degree of variation of the plurality of second absorption spectra may be a value indicating the degree of variation of the first feature value related to the melanin absorption spectrum as the plurality of second absorption spectra, for example. The value indicating the degree of variation of the first feature value may be various values indicating the degree of variation of the value such as the standard deviation and variance of the first feature value.

The index calculation unit 114A performs the same calculation as the index calculation unit 114 according to the above-described embodiment, so that the first feature value related to each melanin absorption spectrum is higher than the second feature value related to the third absorption spectrum. A first index relating to whether or not the third feature value relating to the spectrum is close is obtained. Furthermore, the index calculation unit 114A obtains an index (also referred to as a second index) regarding whether or not the value indicating the degree of variation calculated by the variation calculation unit 117A exceeds a preset threshold value.

Here, the threshold value may be a statistical numerical value indicating a degree of variation of a large number of melanin absorption spectra for an abnormal part including melanoma and a normal part not including melanoma. Specifically, the threshold value indicates a value indicating the degree of variation of a large number of melanin absorption spectra corresponding to an abnormal part including melanoma and a degree of variation of a number of melanin absorption spectra corresponding to a normal part not including melanoma. Any statistical numerical value indicating a boundary with the indicated value may be used.

For example, a value obtained by subtracting a threshold from a value indicating variation is employed as the second index. In this case, if the value obtained by subtracting the threshold from the value indicating variation is, for example, a positive value, it indicates that the degree of variation of the plurality of melanin absorption spectra is large. Note that the second index is not a numerical value but may be information indicating that the degree of variation of a plurality of melanin absorption spectra is large, for example. Here, when the degree of variation of the plurality of melanin absorption spectra exceeds the threshold value, there is a high possibility that a local skin portion including a plurality of measured portions is a melanoma.

The determination unit 115A determines whether or not the local skin portion of the subject is an abnormal part including melanoma based on the first index and the second index related to the melanin absorption spectrum for a plurality of measured parts. judge.

For example, the ratio of the first index corresponding to melanoma among the plurality of first indices is equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio, and the second index indicates that the value indicating the degree of variation exceeds the threshold value. Then, it is determined that the local skin portion of the subject is an abnormal portion including melanoma. The predetermined ratio may be a ratio set in advance, for example, a statistical numerical value related to a large number of melanin absorption spectra.

Specifically, the statistical value is a boundary between a value related to a large number of melanin absorption spectra corresponding to an abnormal part including melanoma and a value related to a large number of melanin absorption spectra corresponding to a normal part not including melanoma. Any statistical value is acceptable. Further, here, in the determination in the determination unit 115A, the local skin of the subject is determined based on a comprehensive index obtained by multiplying the weighting coefficient according to the importance of the first index and the second index. It may be determined whether or not the portion is an abnormal portion including melanoma. Specifically, for example, when the first index and the second index are numerical values, a value obtained by multiplying the sum of a plurality of first indices by the first weighting coefficient, and the second index are multiplied by the second weighting coefficient. A mode in which the sum of the value multiplied by is used as a comprehensive index is conceivable.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation flow of the diagnosis support apparatus 1 according to the first modification. This operation flow is controlled by the microcomputer unit 11.

In steps Ss1 to Ss3, processing similar to that in steps Sp1 to Sp3 according to the above embodiment is performed.

In step Ss4, the first feature value and the first index related to the melanin absorption spectrum calculated in step Ss3 are stored in at least one of the memory 11m and the storage unit 11s.

In step Ss5, the microcomputer unit 11 determines whether or not there is a next part to be measured. Here, if there is a next part to be measured, the process returns to step Ss1, and if there is no next part to be measured, the process proceeds to step Ss6. Here, for example, in response to the operation of the operation unit 12 by the user, it may be determined whether or not there is a next measured unit. When there is a next measured part, for example, the diagnostic support apparatus 1 is slightly shifted by the user, so that the measured part is changed in the local skin portion. In response to the set operation, it is determined that there is a next part to be measured. If there is no next measured part, for example, it is determined that there is no next measured part in response to a preset operation of the operation part 12 by the user. In this case, the processes of steps Ss1 to Ss3 are repeated an appropriate number of times, whereby the first feature value and the first index relating to the melanin absorption spectrum for a plurality of locations to be measured are obtained.

In step Ss6, the variation calculator 117A calculates a value indicating the degree of variation of the melanin absorption spectrum as the plurality of second absorption spectra.

In step Ss7, the index calculation unit 114A obtains a second index regarding whether or not the value indicating the degree of variation calculated in step Ss6 exceeds a preset threshold value.

In step Ss8 (also referred to as a determination step), the determination unit 115A determines the local area of the subject based on the first index and the second index related to the melanin absorption spectrum for the plurality of measured parts stored in step Ss4. It is determined whether or not the skin part is an abnormal part including melanoma.

In step Ss9, the output control unit 116 outputs at least one information of the first and second indexes obtained in step Ss3 and step Ss7 and the determination result in step Ss8. The information output form at this time may be, for example, a visual output on the display unit 13.

As described above, according to the diagnosis support apparatus 1 according to the first modified example, diagnosis of melanoma is performed in consideration of an index indicating a variation in a plurality of melanin absorption spectra related to a plurality of measured parts. Thereby, the diagnostic accuracy of melanoma is further improved.

<(2-2) Second Modification>
In the first modification, the measurement target device is changed in the local skin portion by the user slightly shifting the diagnosis support apparatus 1, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the measurement unit 32 or the like may be changed to the measurement unit 32B that acquires the data Sm2 related to the second spectral spectrum of the reflected light from the plurality of units to be measured in the same period.

In this modification, for example, the measurement unit 32B is based on the measurement unit 32 according to the above-described embodiment, and the spectroscopic unit 321 and the sensor unit 322 are changed to the spectroscopic unit 321B and the sensor unit 322B. Embodiments are possible. With this change, the measurement unit 30 and the diagnosis support apparatus 1 according to the above-described embodiment are changed to the measurement unit 30B and the diagnosis support apparatus 1B. Further, the program P1A executed by the processor 11c is changed to the program P1B.

Here, the spectroscopic unit 321B splits two or more light fluxes of the reflected light. The sensor unit 322B receives the reflected light of two or more light beams dispersed by the spectroscopic unit 321B, thereby obtaining analog signals related to the spectral spectrum of the reflected light of the two or more light beams. In the sensor unit 322B, for example, a plurality of pixel rows in which a plurality of pixels are linearly arranged in the first direction may be arranged in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. Specifically, the sensor unit 322B may be a CCD or the like in which a plurality of pixels are two-dimensionally arranged. Examples of the mode in which the plurality of pixels are two-dimensionally arranged include a mode in which the plurality of pixels are arranged in a matrix. In addition, the plurality may be M (M is an integer of 2 or more).

Note that the functional configuration realized by the microcomputer unit 11 according to the present modification may be the same as the functional configuration realized by the microcomputer unit 11 according to the first modification.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation flow of the diagnosis support apparatus 1B according to the second modification. This operation flow is controlled by the microcomputer unit 11.

In step St1, processing similar to that in step Ss1 according to the first modification is performed.

In step St2, the microcomputer unit 11 sets a numerical value N indicating the order of the parts to be measured to 1.

In steps St3 to St5, processing similar to that in steps Sp2 to Sp4 according to the above-described modification is performed.

In step St6, the microcomputer unit 11 determines whether or not the numerical value N indicating the order of the parts to be measured is M. If N = M, the process proceeds to step St7, and if N = M, the process proceeds to step St8.

In Step St7, the microcomputer unit 11 adds 1 to the numerical value N indicating the order of the parts to be measured, and proceeds to Step St3.

In steps St8 to St11, processing similar to that in steps Ss6 to Ss9 according to the first modification is performed.

As described above, according to the diagnosis support apparatus 1B according to the second modification, the diagnosis of melanoma is performed in consideration of the index indicating the variation of the melanin absorption spectrum. Thereby, the diagnostic accuracy of melanoma is further improved.

<(2-3) Other modifications>
For example, in the above-described embodiment and various modifications, the first index is obtained based on the third absorption spectrum for the normal part not including melanoma and the fourth absorption spectrum for the abnormal part including melanoma. It is not limited to this. For example, instead of the third absorption spectrum related to the normal part and the fourth absorption spectrum related to the abnormal part, the absorption spectrum related to eumelanin (also referred to as the fifth absorption spectrum) and the absorption spectrum related to pheomelanin (also referred to as the sixth absorption spectrum) Say) may be used.

In this case, the first feature value of the melanin absorption spectrum is closer to the feature value (also referred to as the fifth feature value) related to the sixth absorption spectrum than the feature value (fourth feature value) related to the fifth absorption spectrum. What is necessary is just to obtain | require the 1st parameter | index regarding whether or not. Further, the fourth feature value may be an inclination (fourth inclination) in the evaluation target wavelength range preset by the setting unit 113 of the melanin absorption spectrum as the fifth absorption spectrum. The fifth characteristic value may be an inclination (fifth inclination) in the evaluation target wavelength range of the sixth absorption spectrum. In addition, the first index regarding whether or not the first feature value is closer to the fifth feature value than the fourth feature value is, for example, an average value of the fourth feature value and the fifth feature value as a reference value, Any index that indicates whether or not the first feature value is closer to the fifth feature value than the reference value may be used. For example, a value obtained by subtracting the reference value from the first feature value is employed as the first index. In this case, for example, if the fifth feature value is smaller than the fourth feature value and the value obtained by subtracting the reference value from the first feature value is a negative value, the first feature value is greater than the fourth feature value. Is also close to the fifth feature value. The first index may not be a numerical value but may be information indicating whether the first feature value is closer to the fifth feature value than the fourth feature value, for example. Furthermore, the determination unit 115 determines whether or not the first feature value of the melanin absorption spectrum is closer to the fifth feature value related to the sixth absorption spectrum than the fourth feature value related to the fifth absorption spectrum.

Here, as in the above-described embodiment and various modifications, if the wavelength range to be evaluated is set in advance by the user, for example, the feature value is relatively large between the fifth and sixth absorption spectra. Different evaluation target wavelength ranges are set, and the diagnostic accuracy of melanoma is increased.

In the above-described embodiment and various modifications, the first to fifth feature values are the first to fifth slopes, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first to fifth characteristic values may be replaced with other values indicating the characteristics of each absorption spectrum, such as the first to fifth absorbances.

Specifically, for example, the first characteristic value may be absorbance (first absorbance) in a preset evaluation target wavelength range of the second absorption spectrum. Further, for example, the second feature value may be an absorbance (second absorbance) in a preset evaluation target wavelength range of the third absorption spectrum. The third characteristic value may be an absorbance (third absorbance) in a preset evaluation target wavelength range of the fourth absorption spectrum. The fourth feature value may be an absorbance (fourth absorbance) in a preset evaluation target wavelength range of the fifth absorption spectrum. The fifth characteristic value may be an absorbance (fifth absorbance) in a preset evaluation target wavelength range of the sixth absorption spectrum. The first to fifth absorbances may be, for example, the total absorbance and the average value of the absorbance in the evaluation target wavelength range.

Further, specifically, for example, the first characteristic value may be absorbance (first absorbance) at a predetermined specific wavelength of the second absorption spectrum. Further, for example, the second feature value may be the absorbance (second absorbance) at a predetermined specific wavelength of the third absorption spectrum. The third characteristic value may be the absorbance (third absorbance) at a predetermined specific wavelength of the fourth absorption spectrum. The fourth characteristic value may be the absorbance (fourth absorbance) at a predetermined specific wavelength of the fifth absorption spectrum. The fifth characteristic value may be the absorbance (fifth absorbance) at a predetermined specific wavelength of the sixth absorption spectrum.

In this case, for example, the first index relating to whether or not the first feature value is closer to the fifth feature value than the fourth feature value is, for example, that the average value of the fourth feature value and the fifth feature value is the reference value. Thus, the first feature value may be an index indicating whether the first feature value is closer to the fifth feature value than the reference value. For example, a value obtained by subtracting the reference value from the first feature value is employed as the first index. In this case, if the fifth feature value is smaller than the fourth feature value and the value obtained by subtracting the reference value from the first feature value is a negative value, the first feature value is greater than the fourth feature value. Is also close to the fifth feature value. The first index may not be a numerical value but may be information indicating whether the first feature value is closer to the fifth feature value than the fourth feature value, for example. The setting unit 113 sets a specific wavelength (also referred to as an evaluation target wavelength) that is an object of evaluation of the melanin absorption spectrum in response to an operation of the operation unit 12 by the user. At this time, for example, the evaluation target wavelength may be set in consideration of individual differences related to the melanin absorption spectrum.

Note that the first to fifth characteristic values related to the evaluation target wavelength may be obtained from the absorbance in a certain wavelength range including the evaluation target wavelength, instead of the absorbance at one wavelength as the evaluation target wavelength. For example, there may be a mode in which the average value of absorbance in a wavelength range including one wavelength as the evaluation target wavelength as a representative value is the first to fifth characteristic values related to the evaluation target wavelength. In addition, as a representative value, a median value, a lower limit value, an upper limit value, etc. are mentioned, for example.

In the above-described embodiment and various modifications, the diagnosis support apparatuses 1 and 1B include the microcomputer unit 11 that performs various calculations and the measurement units 32 and 32B that measure the second spectral spectrum related to the reflected light from the measurement target unit. It was provided, but it is not limited to this. For example, the measurement units 32 and 32B are deleted from the diagnosis support apparatuses 1 and 1B, and the microcomputer unit 11 includes at least one of the second spectral spectrum related to the reflected light from the measured unit and the first absorption spectrum related to the measured unit. You may acquire the data which concern on one side, and may perform various calculations.

In the above-described embodiment and various modifications, the determination by the determination units 115 and 115A is performed, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, at least one of the first index and the second index may be output by the output control units 116 and 116A without the determination by the determination units 115 and 115A.

In the above-described embodiment and various modifications, the first and second absorbance distribution data Da1, Da2 are stored in the storage unit 11s in advance, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the diagnosis support devices 1 and 1B may be provided with a device that measures the distribution of light absorption with respect to wavelengths for hemoglobin and bilirubin.

In the above-described embodiment and various modifications, a signal is input in response to a user operation on the operation unit 12, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the display unit 13 is a touch panel type display unit, a configuration in which a signal is output to the microcomputer unit 11 in response to a user operation on the display unit may be employed. For example, a configuration in which a signal is output to the microcomputer unit 11 in response to various operations such as a user's voice may be employed. As such a configuration, for example, a configuration that performs speech recognition and outputs a signal is conceivable.

Needless to say, all or a part of each of the above-described embodiment and various modifications can be appropriately combined within a consistent range.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,1B Diagnosis support apparatus 10 Control unit 11 Microcomputer part 12 Operation part 13 Display part 30, 30B Measurement unit 31 Light source part 32, 32B Measurement part 111 Calculation part 112 Calculation part 113 Setting part 114, 114A Index calculation part 115, 115A Determination Unit 116, 116A output control unit 117A variation calculation unit 11c processor 11m memory 11s storage unit 321, 321B spectroscopic unit 322, 322B sensor unit Da1 first absorbance distribution data Da2 second absorbance distribution data Lg1 wavelength range P1, P1A, P1B Program Sc1 First comparison absorption spectrum data Sc2 Second comparison absorption spectrum data

Claims (13)

1. Calculation for calculating the second absorption spectrum related to melanin in the measured part by subtracting the absorbance of each wavelength related to blood components not related to melanin from the absorbance of each wavelength in the first absorption spectrum related to the measured part And
   The first characteristic value of the second absorption spectrum is a third characteristic value related to the fourth absorption spectrum of the abnormal part including the melanoma, rather than the second characteristic value related to the third absorption spectrum of the normal part not including the melanoma. Or whether the first feature value is closer to the fifth feature value related to the sixth absorption spectrum for pheomelanin than the fourth feature value related to the fifth absorption spectrum for eumelanin. An index calculation unit for obtaining a first index related to,
   A melanoma diagnosis support apparatus.
2. The melanoma diagnosis support apparatus according to claim 1,
   The blood component is
   A melanoma diagnosis support device including hemoglobin and bilirubin.
3. The melanoma diagnosis support apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
   The first characteristic value is
   Including a first slope in a preset wavelength range of the second absorption spectrum;
   The second feature value is
   Including a second slope in the wavelength range of the third absorption spectrum;
   The third characteristic value is
   Including a third slope in the wavelength range of the fourth absorption spectrum;
   The fourth feature value is
   Including a fourth slope in the wavelength range of the fifth absorption spectrum;
   The fifth characteristic value is
   The melanoma diagnosis assistance apparatus containing the 5th inclination in the said wavelength range of the said 6th absorption spectrum.
4. The melanoma diagnosis support device according to claim 3,
   A setting unit for setting the wavelength range in response to a user operation;
   A melanoma diagnosis support apparatus.
5. The melanoma diagnosis support apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
   The first characteristic value is
   Including a first absorbance according to a predetermined specific wavelength of the second absorption spectrum,
   The second feature value is
   Including a second absorbance associated with the specific wavelength of the third absorption spectrum;
   The third characteristic value is
   Including a third absorbance related to the specific wavelength of the fourth absorption spectrum;
   The fourth feature value is
   Including a fourth absorbance according to the specific wavelength of the fifth absorption spectrum,
   The fifth characteristic value is
   The melanoma diagnosis assistance apparatus containing the 5th light absorbency which concerns on the said specific wavelength of the said 6th absorption spectrum.
6. The melanoma diagnosis support apparatus according to claim 5,
   A setting unit configured to set the specific wavelength in response to a user operation;
   A melanoma diagnosis support apparatus.
7. The melanoma diagnosis support apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising:
   The calculation unit
   Calculating the second absorption spectrum from the first absorption spectrum of the plurality of measured parts,
   A variation calculating unit that calculates a value indicating the degree of variation of the plurality of second absorption spectra calculated by the calculating unit;
   A melanoma diagnosis support apparatus.
8. The melanoma diagnosis support device according to claim 7,
   The computing unit is
   A melanoma diagnosis support apparatus for obtaining a second index relating to whether or not a value indicating the degree of variation exceeds a preset threshold value.
9. The melanoma diagnosis support apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
   A light source unit that emits irradiation light having a preset first spectral spectrum; and a second spectral spectrum of the reflected light is acquired by receiving reflected light emitted from the measurement target unit in response to irradiation of the irradiation light A measuring section;
   A calculation unit for calculating the first absorption spectrum based on the first spectral spectrum and the second spectral spectrum;
   A melanoma diagnosis support apparatus.
10. Calculation for calculating the second absorption spectrum related to melanin in the measured part by subtracting the absorbance of each wavelength related to blood components not related to melanin from the absorbance of each wavelength in the first absorption spectrum related to the measured part And
    The first characteristic value of the second absorption spectrum is a third characteristic value related to the fourth absorption spectrum of the abnormal part including the melanoma, rather than the second characteristic value related to the third absorption spectrum of the normal part not including the melanoma. Or whether the first feature value is closer to the fifth feature value related to the sixth absorption spectrum for pheomelanin than the fourth feature value related to the fifth absorption spectrum for eumelanin. A determination unit for determining
    A melanoma diagnosis support apparatus.
11. A program for causing the melanoma diagnosis support apparatus to function as the melanoma diagnosis support apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10 by being executed in a processor included in the melanoma diagnosis support apparatus.
12. (a) By subtracting the absorbance of each wavelength related to blood components not related to melanin from the absorbance of each wavelength in the first absorption spectrum related to the measured part, the second absorption spectrum related to melanin of the measured part is obtained. A calculating step for calculating;
    (b) The first characteristic value of the second absorption spectrum is related to the fourth absorption spectrum relating to the fourth absorption spectrum relating to the abnormal part including melanoma, rather than the second characteristic value relating to the third absorption spectrum relating to the normal part not including melanoma. It is closer to the third feature value, or the first feature value is closer to the fifth feature value related to the sixth absorption spectrum for pheomelanin than the fourth feature value related to the fifth absorption spectrum for eumelanin An index calculation step for obtaining a first index regarding whether or not,
    A diagnostic support method for melanoma.
13. (A) By subtracting the absorbance of each wavelength related to blood components not related to melanin from the absorbance of each wavelength in the first absorption spectrum related to the measured part, the second absorption spectrum related to melanin of the measured part is obtained. A calculating step for calculating;
    (B) The first characteristic value of the second absorption spectrum is related to the fourth absorption spectrum relating to the fourth absorption spectrum relating to the abnormal part including melanoma, rather than the second characteristic value relating to the third absorption spectrum relating to the normal part not including melanoma. It is closer to the third feature value, or the first feature value is closer to the fifth feature value related to the sixth absorption spectrum for pheomelanin than the fourth feature value related to the fifth absorption spectrum for eumelanin A determination step for determining whether or not,
    A diagnostic support method for melanoma.

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