JP4992013B2 - Switchable imaging fiber device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to switching imaging for observing an affected area at the tip of each imaging fiber by inserting an imaging fiber into each of a plurality of introduction holes provided in a living body and switching a laser beam incident on the end face of each imaging fiber. The present invention relates to a fiber device.

A system that forms an introduction hole that reaches the affected area of the living body, inserts an imaging fiber into this area, irradiates the affected area with light from the tip of the imaging fiber, receives reflected light from the affected area, and observes it with a microscope or monitor, etc. It is offered to.
In the case where there are a large number of affected areas, a device for observing by individually entering light to each of a plurality of imaging fibers is associated.
In such a case, since it is necessary to separately prepare the endoscope apparatuses constituting each imaging fiber, the scale of the apparatus becomes large and the operation becomes complicated, which is not efficient. Further, when a treatment is performed on an affected part which is an observation target at a plurality of locations and the progress or causal relationship is examined, it is inconvenient to capture the observation images obtained from the respective imaging fibers with time-series changes.

Patent Documents 1 and 2 exemplify fiber devices for observation using a large number of optical fibers.
The former relates to an intestinal endoscope, and the inner end portions of a large number of objective fiber scopes 10 are divided into two rows and arranged close to each other on a straight line, and are brought close to the inner end of the fiber scope 10 and one image transmission fiber. The tip of the cable 15 is arranged in the longitudinal direction, a prism 16 is attached to the tip, a pinion 20 driven by a micromotor 19 and a rack 18 are provided on the rear, and the tip of the cable 15 is moved back and forth in the longitudinal direction. 16, the images transmitted to the inner end of each fiberscope 10 are sequentially transferred to the image transmission fiber cable 15 and displayed on the monitor.
However, this proposal is for observing the inner wall of the intestinal tract with a large number of objective fiberscopes 10 and is not an apparatus for observing a large number of affected areas existing at different positions in the living body almost simultaneously.

In the latter, images captured by a large number of objective lenses 201 to 9 installed on the front and rear and sides of the vehicle are transmitted to the eyepieces 221 to 9 by optical fibers 211 to 9, and the images from the eyepieces 221 to 9 are reflected by a reflecting mirror. 23 is driven by a servo motor 24, optically scanned, guided to a photoelectric element 25, converted into an electrical signal, and then sent to a control / monitoring unit 26.
However, this is because a large number of fibers are arranged on the front, rear, and sides of the vehicle, and the image information captured by the objective lenses 201 to 9 is scanned in order by the reflecting mirror 23 to monitor the light incident on the plurality of image guides. It is displayed on the screen, and it does not receive the reflected light by irradiating the observation target with light from each fiber. For this reason, there is no switching mechanism for entering and exiting each fiber at the part where the light source is introduced and the part where the image guides are bundled. Moreover, it cannot be used as a fiber for observing each affected part for living bodies.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-192204 JP-A-10-260324

  The present invention mainly assumes the case where a plurality of fibers (endoscopes) are inserted into a living body, and the purpose thereof is to switch and control light incidence and light detection to the plurality of fibers with a single device. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a switching type imaging fiber device that can observe the state of each affected part in a time series with a simple switching operation without increasing the scale of the apparatus.

Claim 1 of the present invention in order to achieve the object, an imaging fiber apparatus for use in such BIOLOGICAL observations, each tip is inserted into the observation target so as to reach each observation target to be observed, and a plurality of imaging fibers for receiving the reflected light respectively illuminate each light than in each observation target tip, the other end of the plurality of imaging fibers are housed in an imaging fiber apparatus body, of said plurality of the end face of the other end of the imaging fiber is fixed at a predetermined interval, and moving means rotatable or linear movement, a light source device and, substantially the same area as one of the end faces of the plurality of imaging fibers the light from the light source device An objective lens system for condensing light so as to be an irradiation surface, and driving the moving means to move the end face of the imaging fiber. A rotating revolver configured to cause light from the light source device to be switched and incident between the end faces of the plurality of imaging fibers, and for the moving means to rotate the end faces of the plurality of imaging fibers arranged circumferentially. A plurality of imaging fiber end faces are attached to a belt in a line, a belt feed type for driving the belt, or an IF array rotation type for rotating the end faces of the plurality of imaging fibers in an array alignment , The tip of the imaging fiber can be brought close to each observation target to be observed independently, switching between the imaging fiber end faces by the moving means, and irradiating each observation target with light individually from the tip of each imaging fiber, Receives reflected light from each irradiated target Characterized in that obtaining an image of different observation target Te.
A second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect of the present invention, each of the imaging fibers is composed of thousands to tens of thousands of fiber strands.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to observe the situation of each affected part in time series by a simple switching operation without affecting the apparatus scale. The number of IFs can be unlimited, and the light to be switched can be concentrated on one IF. By using GLV, IF can be separated by color.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a switchable imaging fiber device according to the present invention, which is an example using a movable mirror (GM) in an optical switching system.
Reference numerals 1a to 1n denote imaging fibers (hereinafter referred to as "IF"), and tip portions 2a to 2n are each attached with an optical system for irradiating the observation target with light and taking the reflected light. The other ends of the IFs 1 a to 1 n are openings for capturing light, and are arranged at predetermined positions in the switching unit 4.
The IFs 1a to 1n are configured by bundling a large number of optical fiber strands, have a certain elasticity (softness), and can be bent so as not to have a predetermined curvature or less.

Laser light transmitted from the laser light source 10 diverges by the concave lens 9 and enters the collimator lens 8. In the collimator lens 8, the divergent light becomes parallel light and is switched by the movable mirror GM 7, passes through the dichroic mirror 6, is converged by the fθ-type objective lens 3, and switched IFs 1 a to 1 n (any one). Is incident on the opening.
The light incident on the opening reaches the optical system at the tip via a large number of optical fiber strands. Light (for example, fluorescence) emitted when light emitted from the optical system hits the observation target returns to the original opening via the optical system.

The light emitted from the opening becomes parallel light by the fθ objective lens 3, is reflected by the dichroic mirror 6, and enters the image sensor (CCD) 12 via the imaging lens 11. Then, the image signal is converted into an electric signal by the image sensor 12, and the converted electric signal is guided to the image sensor control unit.
By switching and controlling the GM 7 so that light is incident on any one of the plurality of IFs, observation can be performed while concentrating the light only on the arbitrary IF.
In addition to the above method, a water lens or the like can be used for the movable mirror that performs the angle of view control of this embodiment. Further, it is possible to switch in the same manner using a polygon mirror and GLV (grading, light, valve).

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing another embodiment of the switching type imaging fiber device according to the present invention, which is an example in which a switching disk is used in a mechanical switching system.
The configuration of the imaging fibers 1a to 1n and the configuration and arrangement of the collimator lens 8, the dichroic mirror 6, the fθ objective lens 3, the imaging lens 11, and the imaging element 12 are the same as those in FIG. Omitted. Openings for capturing light at the other ends of the IFs 1a to 1n are supported by the switching disk 14, respectively.

Laser light output from the laser light source 10 diverges by the concave lens 9 and enters the collimator lens 8. In the collimator lens 8, the divergent light becomes parallel light, passes through the dichroic mirror 6, is converged by the fθ-type objective lens 3, and enters one arbitrary opening of the IF.
By performing switching control so that light is incident on any one of the plurality of IFs by the switching disk 14, it is possible to perform observation while concentrating the light only on the arbitrary IF.
In the mechanical switching system, a belt feeding system and an IF array rotating system can be used in addition to the switching disk.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing details of the GM (galvanometer) apparatus, and shows an observation optical system including a dichroic mirror omitted.
The GM 32 is rotationally controlled by the GM control circuit 33 to an angle corresponding to the opening positions of the IFs 1a to 1n. The light from the light source is converged to parallel light by the collimator lens 8, reflected by the GM 32, converged by the fθ objective lens 3, and enters the opening of the IF.
This example shows a state where the light is incident on IF1c. For example, in order to switch to IF1d, light can be incident on IF1d by rotating by θ degrees under the control of GM control circuit 33. Further, in order to switch to another IF, the angle can be controlled in order or at random by controlling the angle of the GM 32 so that the angle corresponds to each IF.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing details of the rotary revolver system.
The other end openings 2a to 2n of the IFs 1a to 1n are fixed at equiangular intervals along the circumference of the switching disk 14 so that concentrated light can enter the respective openings.
A rotating shaft 15 is fixed at the center of the switching disk 14, and a pulley 20a is attached to the tip thereof. A pulley 20b is also fixed to the output shaft of the motor 18, a belt 19 is stretched between the pulley 20b and the pulley 20a, and the switching disk 14 is driven by the rotation of the motor. The diameter of the pulley 20a is made larger than the diameter of the pulley 20b, and the rotation of the motor is decelerated and transmitted to the switching disk 14.

In this example, the concentrated light is set to irradiate the right outer peripheral portion of the switching disk 14, and the opening 2 b of the IF 1 b is positioned at the irradiation position by the rotation of the motor 18, and the laser light 17 enters the IF 1 b. The switching disk 14 is controlled to rotate 180 degrees clockwise and 180 degrees counterclockwise, and enables switching to all IFs.
When the switching disk 14 is rotated 180 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise, it is twisted by that amount. However, since the materials of IF1a to 1n are flexible and flexible, mechanical troubles are caused within this angular range. It does not occur.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the optical system at the distal end of the imaging fiber.
The IF 24 in which the strands are bundled is accommodated in the cover 22, and a lens 25 is disposed at the tip thereof. The cover 22 is sealed with a transparent portion 21 attached to the tip thereof. Light emitted from the tip of the IF 24 is converged by the lens 25, passes through the transparent portion 21, and is irradiated on the observation target 26. A liquid agent that emits fluorescence is injected into the living body, and fluorescence is emitted when light of a predetermined wavelength hits the observation target 26. The fluorescence is converged by the lens 25, enters the IF 24, and returns to the observation optical system.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a use state of the switchable imaging fiber device according to the present invention.
The switchable multi-imaging fiber device 30 accommodates the other end opening of each IF, and includes an fθ objective lens 3, a dichroic mirror 6, a collimator lens 8, a concave lens 9, an imaging lens 11, an image sensor (CCD) 12, and the like. Built in. The output of the image sensor 12 is connected to an image sensor controller in the control circuit 30a. Further, the laser light source 10 is connected with an optical waveguide so that the laser light is guided to the concave lens 9. Furthermore, it is connected to the monitor 29.
The operation unit 25 includes a button switch, a slide switch, and the like, and an operation signal from the operation unit 25 is sent to the control circuit 30a. The control circuit 30a is a circuit for controlling the entire switching type multi-imaging fiber device 30. If the movable mirror is GM, the control circuit 30a includes a GM control circuit 33. The control circuit 30a controls the monitor 29 and the laser light source 10 on and off based on operation signals. Or the image display range of the monitor 29 is controlled. Further, based on the designation signal of the IF to which light is to be supplied, the rotation of the GM 32 is controlled so as to switch to the designated IF opening.

The monitor 29 can display a part of the screen corresponding to the designated IF or a full screen, and can display the image similarly by switching to another IF. Therefore, multipoint measurement can be performed with one switching-type multi-imaging fiber device 30.
This example shows a state in which holes are inserted in a plurality of locations (six locations) of the living body 28, and IF is inserted. The first to nth observation targets 27a to 27n are irradiated with light, and the light from each observation target is irradiated. The image is received by the image sensor and processed, and the image of the IF observation target is switched and observed on a part of the screen of the monitor 29 or on the full screen.

Although the embodiment of FIG. 6 shows an example of observing a plurality of locations of a living body with one apparatus, it is also possible to observe from a different angle with respect to one observation target.
In this switching method, the number of IFs can be made unlimited, and light can be concentrated on each IF, and each observation target can be measured by switching in order or randomly.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which GM is used as an optical switching method has been described. However, angle switching can also be performed using an AOM (Acoustic Optical Sodulator) or DMD. Further, a polygon mirror or a GLV (grading light valve) can be used. When GLV is used, it is also possible to use IF separated by color. Furthermore, although the example of the rotation revolver type is shown as the machine switching method, a belt feed type or IF array rotation type may be used.

  This is a switching type imaging fiber device in which each imaging fiber is inserted into an introduction hole of a living body, light is incident on the affected area, and the reflected light is received so that a single fiber device can observe many affected areas.

It is the schematic which shows embodiment of the switching type imaging fiber apparatus by this invention, and is the example using a movable mirror. It is the schematic which shows other embodiment of the switching type imaging fiber apparatus by this invention, and is the example using a switching disk. It is a figure which shows the detail of GM apparatus. It is a figure which shows the detail of a rotary revolver system. It is a figure which shows the example of the optical system of the front-end | tip of each imaging fiber. It is a figure for demonstrating the form of use of the switching type imaging fiber apparatus by this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1a to 1n Imaging fiber (IF)
2a ~ 2h Imaging fiber tip
3 fθ objective lens 4 Switching section
6 Dichroic mirror 7 Movable mirror (GM)
8 Collimator lens 9 Concave lens 10 Laser light source 11 Convex lens (imaging lens)
12 Image sensor (CCD)
14 switching disk

Claims (2)

A imaging fiber apparatus used for such observation raw body,
Each tip is inserted into the observation target so as to reach each observation target of the observation target, a plurality of imaging fibers that illuminate each observation target from each tip and receive the reflected light, and
The other end of each of the imaging fiber is housed in an imaging fiber apparatus body, the end face of the other end of the plurality of imaging fibers are fixed at predetermined intervals, and moving means rotatable or linear movement,
A light source device;
An objective lens system for condensing light from the light source device so as to be an irradiation surface having substantially the same area as one end face of the plurality of imaging fibers,
By driving the moving means and moving the end face of the imaging fiber, the light from the light source device is configured to be switched and incident between the end faces of the plurality of imaging fibers,
The moving means is a rotating revolver type in which the end faces of the plurality of imaging fibers are arranged circumferentially and rotated, a belt feed type in which the end faces of the plurality of imaging fibers are attached in a line to a belt, and the belt is driven. It consists of an IF array rotating type that rotates the arrayed fiber array end faces ,
The tip of each imaging fiber can be brought close to each observation target to be observed independently, and the moving means switches between the imaging fiber end faces, and each observation fiber is irradiated with light individually from the tip of each imaging fiber. Then, a switched imaging fiber device characterized in that the reflected light of each irradiated observation target is received and images of different observation targets are obtained .   2. The switchable imaging fiber device according to claim 1, wherein each of the imaging fibers is composed of thousands to tens of thousands of fiber strands.

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