JPH10328136A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain the image of temperature information on a subject in addition to the image of the shape, etc., of the subject by arranging a visible light image pickup means picking up the light image of visible light entering from the tip of a scope and an infrared image pickup means picking up the light image of infrared rays entering from the tip of the scope. SOLUTION: Many illuminating optical fibers are made a bundle and laid in the state of a tube at a peripheral part within the pipe of the scope 2 of a intraperitoneal mirror and only an optical system for guiding the light image entering from the tip of the scop 2 is arranged in a space at a center part surrounded by the illuminating optical fiber. Incident light guided by an optical system within the scope 2 switches its optical path by a movable mirror 3, a visible light CCD image pickup element 4 is arranged at the tip of one optical path and an infrared CCD image pickup element 7 is arranged at the tip of the other optical path. Then a switch circuit 6 switches a video signal from the elements 4 and 7 by synchronizing with the operation of the mirror 3 to send to a monitor 9 outside a device main body.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope for medical or industrial use in which the distal end of a scope is inserted into a place where it cannot be directly viewed and an image is taken in front of the distal end of the scope.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A medical endoscope inserts a scope through an opening or the like opened in the abdomen of a patient or a surgical operation, and images the stomach wall or the inside of the abdominal cavity in front of the distal end of the scope. is there. For example, in a laparoscope used for laparoscopic surgery, as shown in FIG. 3, a long scope 2 is protruded from an apparatus body 1, and the scope 2 is inserted into the abdomen to image the inside of the abdominal cavity from the distal end.

A conventional laparoscope will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 4, the scope 2 of the laparoscope has a number of illumination optical fibers 12 bundled and laid in a tubular shape around a periphery of a stainless steel pipe 11 having a diameter of about 1 cm. A CCD image pickup device 13 is disposed at a central portion surrounded by the illumination optical fiber 12. Each illumination optical fiber 12 illuminates a subject by propagating illumination light such as a halogen lamp (not shown) arranged in the apparatus main body 1 and irradiating the distal end of the scope 2 forward. .

The CCD image pickup device 13 is arranged in a central space surrounded by the illumination optical fiber 12 in the scope 2, and a lens 14 and a cover glass 15 are arranged in front of the CCD image pickup device 13. The cover glass 15 is for closing the opening of the distal end of the scope 2 surrounded by the illumination optical fibers 12 to seal the inside, and the lens 14 enters the scope 2 through the cover glass 15. This is an optical system for forming an image on the light receiving surface of the CCD image sensor 13 at the rear. Further, the CCD image sensor 13 is an image sensor that converts a two-dimensional image of a subject formed by the lens 14 into an electric signal and outputs the electric signal as a video signal.
Then, the video signal output from the CCD image pickup device 13 is sent to the apparatus main body 1 through the cable 16.

[0005] The video signal sent to the apparatus body 1 is
As shown in FIG. 5, after the signal processing is performed by the signal processing unit 17, the signal is sent to the monitor 9 and displayed as a color image of the subject. In the laparoscopic surgery, an intra-abdominal surgical treatment is performed while viewing the image on the monitor 9.

In the above laparoscope, the scope 2 has C
Although the case where the CD imaging device 13 is arranged has been described,
In the scope 2, there is also a configuration in which only an optical system including an optical fiber or a relay lens for guiding incident light is arranged, and a CCD imaging device 13 is arranged on the apparatus main body 1 side.

[0007]

However, in the conventional laparoscope described above, a light image of visible light incident from the distal end of the scope 2 is picked up by the CCD image pickup device 13.
Since the D image pickup device 13 also has almost only sensitivity to visible light, it is possible to observe the shape and color of the subject based on the image on the monitor 9, but it is not possible to obtain the temperature information of the subject. There was a problem. For example, in the abdominal cavity, where a tumor has formed or where bleeding has occurred,
Since the temperature is generally higher than the surrounding normal tissue to some extent, if the temperature information of the subject is obtained, it is easy to identify them, but it is not always easy to clearly identify them with a conventional laparoscope. Was not.

The above problem is not limited to the laparoscope but also applies to other medical endoscopes. In the case of an industrial endoscope, if the temperature information of the subject can be obtained, overheating may occur. There are some cases where it is convenient, for example, to easily find a part that has been lost. Further, the above problem is not limited to a rigid scope such as a laparoscope in which the scope 2 has rigidity, but is the same even when the scope 2 is a flexible flexible scope such as a gastroscope.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and obtains temperature information of a subject by not only capturing a visible light image but also an infrared light image. It is intended to provide an endoscope that can perform the operation.

[0010]

The endoscope according to the first aspect of the present invention includes not only a visible light imaging means for capturing an optical image of visible light incident from the distal end of the scope, but also only an infrared light incident from the distal end of the scope. By providing the infrared imaging means for imaging the light image, an image of the temperature information of the subject by the infrared imaging means can be obtained in addition to the image of the shape of the subject by the visible light imaging means.

Note that the visible light imaging means may be any as long as it captures an optical image containing at least visible light in order to obtain information such as the shape of the subject.
(a wavelength range from m to about 700 nm) may be simultaneously captured. In order to obtain a color image, it is preferable to capture an optical image of the entire visible light region as much as possible. However, when a monochrome image is sufficient for industrial use or the like, a partial optical image of the visible light region is required. It may be one that obtains only. On the other hand, the infrared imaging unit captures a light image of only infrared light to obtain temperature information of the subject. However, since it is sufficient to image the radiated infrared radiation emitted by the object within the required temperature range, usually only a part of the light image in the infrared region (wavelength range of less than 1 μm to less than 1 mm) is captured.

The visible light imaging means and the infrared imaging means may divide the light incident from the tip of the scope and take images simultaneously, or may switch the incident light to divide the light temporally and alternately. An image may be taken. In addition, if the incident light can be efficiently separated into visible light and infrared light, it is possible to simultaneously image the incident light without waste. Therefore, the visible light imaging unit and the infrared imaging unit referred to here include a visible light imaging element that captures a light image including visible light and an infrared imaging element that captures a light image of only infrared light. An optical system that performs division, switching, separation, and the like is included.

The images obtained by the visible light imaging means and the infrared imaging means may be displayed on separate monitors, or may be switched to the same monitor for display, or may be displayed by overlapping the images as necessary. May be. Also, instead of displaying them on the monitor immediately, they can be temporarily stored in a recording / storage device,
Printout may be performed instead of display.

In the endoscope according to the present invention, not only a visible light image pickup device for picking up a light image containing visible light but also an infrared image pickup device for picking up a light image containing only infrared light is provided. In addition to the image indicating the shape of the subject by the element, an image of the temperature information of the subject by the infrared imaging element can be obtained. In addition, by providing an optical path switching device for switching the light image incident from the end of the scope to the visible light image pickup device and the infrared image pickup device, light incident from the end of the scope can be leaked to any one of the image pickup devices. It can be guided, and the sensitivity is not reduced by dividing the incident light.

These visible light imaging element and infrared imaging element cannot simultaneously capture the light image incident from the tip of the scope, but take the image in time division.
The images obtained thereby may be displayed on different monitors, or may be switched to the same monitor for display. Also, once the images are stored or delayed, both images can be overlaid and displayed on the same monitor.
Furthermore, since the optical path switching device repeats switching at high speed, it is possible to obtain substantially the same image as that taken at the same time, so that these time-division images can be displayed simultaneously on different monitors or superimposed on the same monitor. Can also be displayed. In place of the display, these images may be stored or printed out as in the case of the first aspect.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention and is a block diagram showing a configuration of a laparoscope. In addition,
Components having the same functions as those of the conventional example shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

This embodiment also describes the laparoscope shown in FIG. 3 as an example of an endoscope. As shown in FIG. 4, this laparoscope also has a large number of illumination optical fibers 12 bundled and laid in a tubular shape around the inside of the pipe 11 of the scope 2. However, only an optical system for guiding an optical image incident from the distal end of the scope 2 to the apparatus main body 1 is disposed in a central space surrounded by the illumination optical fibers 12. As this optical system, a large number of optical fibers that propagate an optical image formed by a lens, a relay lens that converts incident light into parallel light and guides the light along the scope 2 are used. Since this optical system must transmit not only visible light but also infrared light, it is necessary to use an optical material suitable for this. However, the infrared rays need only be able to pass through the band corresponding to the heat radiation of the object in the predetermined temperature range, and therefore need not be transmitted through the entire band.

As shown in FIG. 1, the incident light guided by the optical system in the scope 2 is switched in the apparatus main body 1 by the movable mirror 3 (optical path switching device). Has become. The movable mirror 3 rotates the mirror by 90 ° to reduce the reflection angle of the incident light by 18 degrees.
This switching is performed by an operation of an operator and / or automatically. The mirror is not limited to such a mirror as long as the optical path can be switched, and another optical system may be used. Also, the switching of the optical path is not limited to a mechanical one,
Switching may be performed statically.

A visible light CCD image pickup device 4 is arranged at the end of one of the optical paths switched by the movable mirror 3 (upper part in FIG. 1). The visible light CCD imaging device 4
CCD image pickup device 13 used in the conventional laparoscope shown in FIG.
This is an imaging device that converts a light image of visible light into an electric signal and outputs it as a color video signal. Note that a normal visible light CCD image pickup device 4 using silicon is used.
Is generally sensitive to near infrared rays. Therefore, an infrared cut filter may be provided immediately before the visible light CCD image pickup device 4 in order to block the unnecessary near infrared rays. The video signal output from the visible light CCD image pickup device 4 is sent to the switching circuit 6 via the visible light signal processing unit 5.

An infrared CCD image pickup device 7 is arranged at the end of the other optical path switched by the movable mirror 3 (below in FIG. 1). The infrared CCD image sensor 7
It is an image sensor that converts an infrared light image into an electric signal and outputs the signal as a video signal. However, infrared C used for laparoscope
The CD image sensor 7 only needs to be able to image the radiated infrared rays emitted by the object at a temperature near the body temperature. In order to make a CCD image pickup device using silicon have infrared sensitivity, doping with an appropriate impurity or using a Schottky junction may be used. Further, a photosensitive material other than silicon can be used. If the infrared CCD image pickup device 7 has sensitivity in a band other than the required band of infrared rays, an appropriate filter is arranged to block light in unnecessary bands. Since the laparoscope only needs to be able to display, as the temperature information, a portion whose temperature is particularly higher than that of the surrounding tissue, the infrared CCD image pickup device 7 can emit only infrared light in a wavelength region corresponding to heat radiation of an object having a predetermined temperature or higher. It is possible to display only such a part by providing sensitivity. Also, each part of the subject can be displayed in different colors depending on the temperature. For example, a portion indicating a normal tissue temperature may be displayed in a bluish or greenish color, and a portion having an abnormally high temperature may be displayed in a reddish color. The video signal output from the infrared CCD image pickup device 7 is sent to the switching circuit 6 via the infrared signal processing unit 8.

The switching circuit 6 is a circuit for switching video signals from the visible light CCD image pickup device 4 and the infrared CCD image pickup device 7 and sending them to the monitor 9 outside the apparatus main body 1, and is synchronized with the operation of the movable mirror 3. Then, this switching is performed. The monitor 9 is a color display such as a CRT (cathode ray tube) or a liquid crystal for displaying a video signal transmitted from the switching circuit 6 on a screen. The visible light signal processing unit 5 and the infrared signal processing unit 8 can add a synchronization signal or the like to the video signal output from the visible light CCD imaging device 4 or the infrared CCD imaging device 7 and display the video signal on the monitor 9. This is a circuit for converting the video signal into a signal. If necessary, the video signal can be subjected to appropriate image processing.

When the scope 2 of the laparoscope having the above configuration is inserted into the abdomen of the patient, when the movable mirror 3 is switched to the visible light CCD image pickup device 4 side, a normal image of the inside of the abdominal cavity is taken as in the conventional case. The image is displayed on the monitor 9. When the movable mirror 3 is switched to the infrared CCD image pickup device 7, an image of the temperature information in the abdominal cavity can be displayed on the monitor 9. That is, when the infrared CCD image sensor 7 has sensitivity only to heat radiation of a predetermined temperature or higher, these parts are displayed only when there are parts whose temperature is higher than the surrounding normal tissue. Since it is possible to identify a tumor, a bleeding part and the like can be easily identified. When the infrared CCD image pickup device 7 displays a subject in color according to the temperature, normal surrounding tissues and particularly high temperature parts are displayed in different colors to identify tumors, bleeding parts and the like. Can be easily performed. In addition, when the infrared CCD imaging device 7 performs imaging, illumination in the abdominal cavity is unnecessary, and thus the illumination by the illumination optical fiber 12 may be interrupted.

The laparoscope uses two monitors 9 and
The video signals of the visible light CCD image sensor 4 and the infrared CCD image sensor 7 may be displayed separately. At this time, the movable mirror 3 is switched to the infrared CCD image sensor 7 for a short period of time at a fixed time interval, and one monitor 9 sequentially holds the display of the video signal from the infrared CCD image sensor 7 until the next switching. By doing so, it is possible to monitor abnormalities such as tumors and bleeding with this one monitor 9 while constantly observing normal images on the other monitor 9. If the switching of the movable mirror 3 is repeated at a high speed, it is possible to display both images substantially simultaneously on the two monitors 9.

Further, even when only one monitor 9 is used, the video signals of the visible light CCD image pickup device 4 and the infrared CCD image pickup device 7 are simultaneously superimposed by switching the movable mirror 3 as described above. It can also be displayed. In particular, when the infrared CCD image sensor 7 is sensitive only to heat radiation of a predetermined temperature or higher, the display of temperature information appears only when an abnormality such as a tumor or bleeding appears. There is no possibility that the observation of the image is hindered.

In the above embodiment, the optical path is switched by using the movable mirror 3. However, instead of the movable mirror 3, a half mirror or the like that divides incident light at a fixed rate can be used. In this case, the visible light CCD imaging device 4
And the infrared CCD image sensor 7 simultaneously capture images, so that these video signals can be simultaneously displayed on two monitors 9, or can be displayed on one monitor 9 by overlapping or switching. However, when the incident light is divided by using a half mirror or the like in this way, the light incident on the scope 2 is not effectively used, and waste occurs. However, if a prism or the like capable of efficiently separating visible light and infrared light can be used instead of the half mirror or the like, it is possible to eliminate such waste of incident light.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, and is a longitudinal sectional view of a laparoscope. Components having the same functions as those of the first embodiment and the conventional example shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 to 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

This embodiment also describes the laparoscope shown in FIG. 3 as an example of an endoscope. As shown in FIG. 2, the scope 2 of the laparoscope includes a visible light CCD image pickup device 4 and an infrared CCD image pickup device in a central space surrounded by an illumination optical fiber 12 laid on a peripheral portion of a pipe 11. Element 7
Are arranged side by side. In addition, these imaging devices 4
In front of the lens 7, lenses 14 are separately arranged, and the front is sealed with a cover glass 15.
Therefore, these imaging devices 4 and 7 can simultaneously capture a normal image and an image of temperature information by the incident light from the tip of the scope 2. However, also in this case, since the incident light of the scope 2 is divided, the incident light cannot be effectively used, and waste occurs.

The apparatus body 1 of the laparoscope includes a visible light signal processing unit 5 for processing video signals sent from the visible light CCD image pickup device 4 and the infrared CCD image pickup device 7 via the cable 16 respectively. An infrared signal processing unit 8 is provided. The video signals output through the signal processing units 5 and 8 may be switched by the switching circuit 6 and displayed on one monitor 9 as in the case of the first embodiment. Both video signals can be superimposed on the monitor 9 and displayed on the two monitors 9 simultaneously. The illustration of the signal processing units 5 and 8, the switching circuit 6, and the monitor 9 is omitted.

As a result, also in the case of the laparoscope of the present embodiment, since an image of temperature information can be obtained in addition to a normal image of the abdominal cavity, it is possible to easily identify a tumor or a bleeding part. Will be able to

In the first and second embodiments, the CCD image pickup devices 4 and 7 are used as the image pickup device. However, both or one of them may be replaced with another solid-state image pickup device or an image pickup tube. An imaging device other than a simple solid-state imaging device can also be used.

In the first and second embodiments, the scope 2 in which the illumination optical fiber 12 is laid on the periphery of the stainless steel pipe 11 has been described, but the configuration of the scope 2 is arbitrary. . Furthermore, this scope 2
Various remote control devices and the like may be attached to the tip of the device.

Further, in the first and second embodiments,
Although the laparoscope has been described as an example of the endoscope, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the present invention can be similarly applied to other endoscopes.
The endoscope is not limited to a medical endoscope, but may be an industrial endoscope.

[0034]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the endoscope of the present invention, not only a visible light image incident from the distal end of the scope but also an infrared light image can be taken. In addition to the image indicating the shape or the like, an image of the temperature information of the subject can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a laparoscope according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2, showing a second embodiment of the present invention, is a longitudinal sectional view of a scope of a laparoscope.

FIG. 3 is an overall perspective view of a laparoscope.

FIG. 4 shows a conventional example, and is a longitudinal sectional view of a scope of a laparoscope.

FIG. 5 shows a conventional example and is a block diagram showing a configuration of a laparoscope.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 scope 3 movable mirror 4 visible light CCD image sensor 7 infrared CCD image sensor 9 monitor

Claims (2)

[Claims] An endoscope for obtaining an image of a subject in front of a scope tip by capturing a light image incident from the scope tip, wherein an optical image including visible light incident from the scope tip is captured. An endoscope comprising: a visible light imaging unit for imaging; and an infrared imaging unit for imaging a light image of only infrared light incident from a tip of a scope. 2. An endoscope that obtains an image of a subject in front of the end of a scope by imaging an optical image incident from the end of a scope, wherein the endoscope obtains an optical image including visible light. And an infrared imaging device that captures an optical image of only infrared light, and an optical path switching device that guides the light image incident from the end of the scope by switching between the visible light imaging device and the infrared imaging device is provided. Endoscope.