Lymphatic system inspection device

Abstract

A lymphatic system testing device is provided with: a main body unit having a mounting unit on which a subject stands and having an imaging region in which the lower body of the subject is positioned on the mounting unit; an illumination unit that irradiates excitation light to the lower body; and an imaging unit that detects fluorescence emitted from the lower body. The illumination unit and the imaging unit are disposed on one side in the first horizontal direction with respect to the imaging region. The main body portion further has a restricting portion. The restricting part is disposed along the upper end of the imaging region and restricts the movement of the subject to one side in the first horizontal direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lymphatic system examination device. Background Art

[0002] The lymphatic system is a network that functions as a circulatory system for lymph fluid, and is composed of lymph nodes, lymphatic vessels, etc. As a method for diagnosing diseases of the lymphatic system (such as lymphedema), there is known a method of irradiating an excitation light to a predetermined site of a subject in whom a fluorescent dye such as indocyanine green has been injected into the lymphatic system, detecting fluorescence emitted from the predetermined site according to the irradiation of the excitation light, and obtaining a fluorescence image of the predetermined site (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2019-118803 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] Regarding the device used for the above-described examination, there is a technical problem that the irradiation range of the excitation light and the detection range of the fluorescence are limited to a narrow range, and it is difficult to efficiently perform the examination of the lymphatic system in the lower body of the subject.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a lymphatic system examination device suitable for examining the lymphatic system in the lower body of a subject.

[0009] Technical Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] A lymphatic system examination device according to one aspect of the present invention is as follows: [1] "A lymphatic system examination device, comprising: a main body portion having a placement portion on which a subject in whom a fluorescent dye has been injected into the lymphatic system stands, and a imaging region in which the lower body of the subject is located on the placement portion; an illumination portion that irradiates the lower body with an excitation light; and an imaging portion that detects fluorescence emitted from the lower body according to the irradiation of the excitation light; the illumination portion and the imaging portion are arranged on one side in a first horizontal direction with respect to the imaging region, and the main body portion further has a restricting portion that is arranged along an upper end portion of the imaging region and restricts the movement of the subject toward the one side in the first horizontal direction".

[0011] In the lymphatic system inspection apparatus described in the above [1], the illumination unit and the imaging unit are arranged on one side in the first horizontal direction with respect to the imaging area where the lower body of the subject is located, and the movement of the subject to one side in the first horizontal direction is restricted by a restricting unit arranged along the upper end of the imaging area. As a result, the distances between the illumination unit and the lower body of the subject and between the imaging unit and the lower body of the subject can be maintained constant, and the shaking of the lower body of the subject can be suppressed. Thus, according to the lymphatic system inspection apparatus described in the above [1], an appropriate fluorescence image of the lower body for inspecting the lymphatic system of the lower body of the subject can be obtained.

[0012] One embodiment of the lymphatic system inspection apparatus of the present invention may also be, [2] "the lymphatic system inspection apparatus as described in the above [1], further comprising: a first plate for brightness correction, which is arranged on the surface of the restricting unit on the imaging unit side extending in a second horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction". According to the lymphatic system inspection apparatus described in this [2], the brightness of the fluorescence image can be adjusted for each obtained fluorescence image.

[0013] One embodiment of the lymphatic system inspection apparatus of the present invention may also be, [3] "the lymphatic system inspection apparatus as described in the above [1] or [2], further comprising: a scale, which is arranged on the surface of the restricting unit on the imaging unit side extending in a second horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction". According to the lymphatic system inspection apparatus described in this [3], the dimensions of each part of the lower body can be grasped from the obtained fluorescence image.

[0014] One embodiment of the lymphatic system inspection apparatus of the present invention may also be, [4] "the lymphatic system inspection apparatus as described in any one of the above [1] to [3], further comprising a second plate for brightness correction that is detachable from the main body part, and the second plate is arranged on the main body part in a state of contacting the restricting unit from the opposite side of the imaging unit and being located in the imaging area". According to the lymphatic system inspection apparatus described in this [4], the brightness of the fluorescence image can be adjusted for each lymphatic system inspection apparatus.

[0015] One embodiment of the lymphatic system inspection apparatus of the present invention may also be, [5] "the lymphatic system inspection apparatus as described in any one of the above [1] to [4], further comprising: a distance sensor, which is arranged on the above-mentioned one side in the first horizontal direction with respect to the imaging area and measures the distance to the lower body located in the imaging area". According to the lymphatic system inspection apparatus described in this [5], the position of the lower body of the subject in the first horizontal direction can be correctly grasped.

[0016] Effects of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, a lymphatic system examination device suitable for examining the lymphatic system of the lower body of a subject can be provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a lymphatic system examination device according to an embodiment.

[0019] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a perspective view of the device main body shown.

[0020] Figure 3 is along Figure 2 a cross-sectional view of the device main body taken along line III-III shown.

[0021] Figure 4 is along Figure 3 a cross-sectional view of the device main body taken along line IV-IV shown.

[0022] Figure 5 is along Figure 3 a cross-sectional view of the device main body taken along line V-V shown.

[0023] Figure 6 is Figure 2 a cross-sectional view of the restricting portion shown.

[0024] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the device main body provided with a second plate for brightness correction.

[0025] Figure 8 is a view showing a visible light image of an object.

[0026] Figure 9 is a view showing Figure 8 a display unit showing a plurality of fluorescence images of the object shown.

[0027] Figure 10 is a top view of the device main body according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in the respective drawings, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0029] Figure 1The lymphatic system inspection device 1 shown is a device for inspecting the lymphatic system of the lower body of a subject S for diagnosing diseases of the lymphatic system (such as lymphedema). More specifically, the lymphatic system inspection device 1 is a device that irradiates the lower body of a subject S in which a fluorescent dye such as indocyanine green is injected into the lymphatic system with excitation light, detects the fluorescence emitted from the lower body according to the irradiation of the excitation light, and obtains a fluorescence image of the lower body. Hereinafter, the vertical direction is referred to as the Z direction, the first horizontal direction is referred to as the X direction, and the second horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction is referred to as the Y direction.

[0030] As Figure 1 shown, the lymphatic system inspection device 1 includes a device main body 10, a control unit 11, a display unit 12, and an input unit 13. The control unit 11 is composed of a processing unit and a storage unit. The processing unit of the control unit 11 is a computer device composed of a processor, a memory, a storage device, a communication device, etc., and processes various data by executing software (program). The storage unit of the control unit 11 is a hard disk or the like and stores various data. The display unit 12 is a display or the like and displays various data to an operator. The input unit 13 is a mouse, a keyboard, etc., and accepts the input of various data from the operator.

[0031] As Figure 2 、 Figure 3 、 Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown, the device main body 10 includes a main body portion 2. The main body portion 2 has a placement portion 21 and a support portion 22. In the main body portion 2, the placement portion 21 is the part where the subject S stands, and the support portion 22 is the part disposed on one side in the X direction with respect to the placement portion 21. The main body portion 2 positions the lower body L of the subject S (that is, the part from the lower abdomen to the toes) in the imaging area R on the placement portion 21. A plurality of casters 23 are installed on the lower surfaces of the placement portion 21 and the support portion 22 respectively. Thus, the device main body 10 can move smoothly.

[0032] The main body portion 2 further has a frame 24 and a wall portion 25. The frame 24 is composed of a first frame 241 and a second frame 242. The first frame 241 is installed on the placement portion 21, and the second frame 242 is installed on the support portion 22. The wall portion 25 is composed of a first wall portion 251 and a second wall portion 252. The first wall portion 251 is installed on the placement portion 21 via the first frame 241, and the second wall portion 252 is installed on the support portion 22 via the second frame 242. The unit composed of the support portion 22, the second frame 242, and the second wall portion 252 can be detached from and attached to the unit composed of the placement portion 21, the first frame 241, and the first wall portion 251. As an example, the width of each unit in the X direction and the width of each unit in the Y direction are 70 cm or less. Thus, the portability of each unit can be improved.

[0033] The wall portion 25 is on the placement portion 21 and the support portion 22, forming the housing 250. The housing 250 delimits the imaging area R on the placement portion 21. An opening 25a is formed in the housing 250 so as to face the placement portion 21 via the imaging area R. The waist portion of the subject S is located inside the opening 25a. That is, an opening 25a for arranging the subject S inside is formed in the wall portion 25. The inner surface of the housing 250 is, for example, black. In addition, in the first wall portion 251, a door is formed by the wall portion 251a on the side opposite to the second wall portion 252. Thus, the subject S can move up and down relative to the placement portion 21.

[0034] The main body portion 2 further has a restricting portion 26. The restricting portion 26 is arranged along the upper end portion Ra of the imaging area R. The restricting portion 26 restricts the movement of the subject S to one side (the support portion 22 side) in the X direction. In the present embodiment, the restricting portion 26 extends in the Y direction along the upper end portion Ra of the imaging area R and is installed on the first frame 241 in a state of crossing the opening 25a. As Figure 6 shown, the restricting portion 26 is composed of a rod 261 and a buffer 262. The rod 261 is a core material installed on the first frame 241. The buffer 262 is an elastic material wound around the rod 261.

[0035] As Figure 2 、 Figure 3 、 Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown, the device main body 10 further includes a lighting portion 3, an imaging portion 4, and a distance sensor 5. The lighting portion 3, the imaging portion 4, and the distance sensor 5 are arranged on one side (the support portion 22 side) in the X direction with respect to the imaging area R. The housing 250 houses the lighting portion 3, the imaging portion 4, and the distance sensor 5 on the support portion 22.

[0036] The lighting portion 3 irradiates the lower body L with excitation light. The lighting portion 3 has a first light emitting area 31 and a second light emitting area 32 arranged in a state of being separated from each other in the Y direction. The first light emitting area 31 and the second light emitting area 32 respectively extend in the Z direction in a state of facing the imaging area R. The first light emitting area 31 and the second light emitting area 32 are arranged such that the closer they are to the imaging area R in the X direction, the farther they are from each other in the Y direction. The first light emitting area 31 includes a plurality of first light emitting portions 31a, and the second light emitting area 32 includes a plurality of second light emitting portions 32a. The lighting portion 3 has a function of adjusting the light emission intensity of each first light emitting portion 31a and the light emission intensity of each second light emitting portion 32a. Each of the first light emitting portions 31a and the second light emitting portions 32a is, for example, composed of a plurality of LEDs that emit light having a central wavelength of 735 nm. The lighting portion 3 is installed on the second frame 242. That is, the lighting portion 3 is supported by the support portion 22 via the second frame 242.

[0037] The imaging unit 4 detects fluorescence emitted from the lower body L according to the irradiation of the excitation light. The imaging unit 4 faces the imaging region R via the region between the first light-emitting region 31 and the second light-emitting region 32. The imaging unit 4 is disposed on one side in the X direction (the side opposite to the imaging region R) with respect to the illumination unit 3. That is, the illumination unit 3 is located between the imaging region R and the imaging unit 4 in the X direction. When viewed from the X direction, the imaging unit 4 is located at the center of the imaging region R. In the present embodiment, the imaging unit 4 is mounted on a member, i.e., a bar 242a, that extends upward from the support portion 22 side in the second frame 242. That is, the imaging unit 4 is supported by the support portion 22 via the second frame 242.

[0038] As an example, the imaging unit 4 includes a light detector, a filter disposed in front of the light detector, a lens disposed in front of the filter, and the like. The light detector uses an area sensor (such as a CCD, CMOS, etc.) that is sensitive to fluorescence (for example, light in the near-infrared region). The filter uses an evaporation filter that selectively transmits fluorescence. In order to remove the influence of oblique light, the filter may also include an absorption filter. The lens uses a wide-angle lens to be able to photograph the entire lower body L.

[0039] The distance sensor 5 measures the distance to the lower body L located in the imaging region R. The distance sensor 5 may also be, for example, an ultrasonic distance sensor, or an optical distance sensor such as a triangulation method or a ToF method. The distance sensor 5 faces the imaging region R via the region between the first light-emitting region 31 and the second light-emitting region 32. The distance sensor 5 is disposed on one side in the X direction (the side opposite to the imaging region R) with respect to the illumination unit 3. When viewed from the X direction, the distance sensor 5 is located at the center of the imaging region R in the Y direction. In the present embodiment, the distance sensor 5 is mounted on a member, i.e., a bar 242b, that extends downward from the opposite side of the support portion 22 in the second frame 242. That is, the distance sensor 5 is supported by the support portion 22 via the second frame 242. In addition, based on the distance measured by the distance sensor 5, the light emission intensity of the illumination unit 3 may be adjusted so that the intensity of the excitation light irradiated to the lower body L becomes uniform. Such adjustment of the light emission intensity of the illumination unit 3 may also be implemented based on the intensity of the excitation light detected by an additionally provided light detector.

[0040] As Figure 3As shown, the apparatus main body 10 includes a camera 6. The camera 6 is mounted on the first frame 241 in a manner opposite to the placement portion 21 and not entering the field of view of the imaging unit 4. The housing 250 houses the camera 6 on the placement portion 21. The space inside the housing 250 becomes a darkroom by means of a cover 7 that covers the opening 25a in the state of being mounted on the subject S. Since the camera 6 captures the feet of the subject S in the space inside the housing 250 that becomes a darkroom, it can be composed of an illumination device and an imaging device, or can be composed only of an imaging device such as an infrared camera. The image obtained by the camera 6 is displayed to the subject S by being displayed on the display unit 12. In addition, the camera 6 can be mounted on the restricting portion 26 or on the second frame 242. When the camera 6 is composed of an illumination device and an imaging device, the illumination device can also be separated from the imaging device.

[0041] As Figure 5 shown, a positioning portion 8 for indicating the standing position of the subject S is provided on the placement portion 21. In the present embodiment, the positioning portion 8 includes a foot shape 81 when the subject S is facing the imaging unit 4 side and a foot shape 82 when the subject S is facing the side opposite to the imaging unit 4. Each of the foot shapes 81 and 82 is a mark formed on the placement surface 21a of the placement portion 21. The positioning portion 8 is captured by the camera 6.

[0042] As Figure 6 shown, a first plate 14 and a scale 15 are mounted on the surface 26a on the imaging unit 4 side of the restricting portion 26. The first plate 14 is a plate for brightness correction. As an example, the first plate 14 is composed of a plurality of members (for example, cloth and acrylic plates) having different intensities of fluorescence emitted according to the irradiation of excitation light. The scale 15 is a member having a scale indicating length. As Figure 7 shown, the second plate 16 is detachable from the main body portion 2. The second plate 16 is disposed on the main body portion 2 in a state of being in contact with the restricting portion 26 from the side opposite to the imaging unit 4 and being located in the imaging region R. The second plate 16 is a plate for brightness correction, and is, for example, an acrylic plate.

[0043] In the lymphatic system inspection device 1 configured as described above, the control unit 11 is electrically connected to each of the illumination unit 3, the imaging unit 4, the distance sensor 5, the camera 6, the display unit 12, and the input unit 13. The control unit 11 controls the illumination unit 3 so as to emit excitation light in a flash in accordance with the imaging timing of the imaging unit 4. Thereby, the change in the amount of excitation light irradiated to the lower body L can be suppressed when photographing the lower body L. The control unit 11 generates a fluorescence image of the lower body L based on the fluorescence detected by the imaging unit 4, and controls the display unit 12 so as to display the fluorescence image of the lower body L. The control unit 11 stores the fluorescence image of the lower body L generated by the subject S in the past, and controls the display unit 12 so as to display the fluorescence image of the lower body L generated in the past and the newly generated fluorescence image of the lower body L side by side. In addition, the control unit 11 controls the display unit 12 so as to display the visible light image of the lower body L and the fluorescence image of the lower body L side by side. Furthermore, the control unit 11 can control the display unit 12 so as to magnify a part of at least one image (visible light image, fluorescence image) of the lower body L based on an instruction input to the control unit 11 via the input unit 13.

[0044] In the present embodiment, the control unit 11 controls at least one of the illumination unit 3 and the imaging unit 4 by changing at least one of the light emission time of the illumination unit 3 and the exposure time of the imaging unit 4, thereby generating a plurality of fluorescence images as the fluorescence image of the lower body L, and controls the display unit 12 so as to display the plurality of fluorescence images side by side. That is, in the lymphatic system inspection device 1, a lymphatic system inspection method is implemented, which includes the following steps: a step of generating a plurality of fluorescence images as the fluorescence image of the lower body L by controlling at least one of the illumination unit 3 and the imaging unit 4 by changing at least one of the light emission time of the illumination unit 3 and the exposure time of the imaging unit 4 (that is, by changing the exposure amount in the imaging unit 4); and a step of controlling the display unit 12 so as to display the plurality of fluorescence images side by side.

[0045] In this lymphatic system inspection method, the control unit 11 generates each of the plurality of fluorescence images in a time of 1 second or less (that is, in a time of 1 second or less after an imaging instruction is input to the control unit 11 via the input unit 13). In addition, the change in the exposure amount in the imaging unit 4 can also be implemented by changing at least one of the light emission time of the illumination unit 3, the light emission intensity of the illumination unit 3, the exposure time of the imaging unit 4, the sensor gain of the imaging unit 4, and the lens aperture of the imaging unit 4.

[0046] Figure 8 It is a diagram showing a visible light image of an object to be displayed. Figure 9 It is a diagram showing the display unit 12 that displays a plurality of fluorescence images I of the object shown in Figure 8 It is a diagram showing the display unit 12 that displays a plurality of fluorescence images I of the object shown in Figure 8 The object shown in is an object in which white paper is wound around an arm model with a phosphor extending in the vertical direction. The white paper covers the phosphor in a state of one layer, two layers, and three layers in order from the top.Figure 9 The multiple fluorescence images I shown are images generated with the light emission time of the illumination unit 3 and the exposure time of the imaging unit 4 set to 1000 ms, 500 ms, 250 ms, 125 ms, and 62.5 ms. In the single-layer part of the white paper, when the light emission time of the illumination unit 3 and the exposure time of the imaging unit 4 are 500 ms or more, phosphor far coarser than the actual one is observed due to the scattering of fluorescence. In the double-layer part of the white paper, when the light emission time of the illumination unit 3 and the exposure time of the imaging unit 4 are 125 ms or more, the phosphor can be visually recognized. In the triple-layer part of the white paper, when the light emission time of the illumination unit 3 and the exposure time of the imaging unit 4 are 500 ms or more, the phosphor can be visually recognized. As described above, by adjusting at least one of the light emission time of the illumination unit 3 and the exposure time of the imaging unit 4, the state of the lymphatic system in the lower body L can be appropriately grasped.

[0047] As described above, in the lymphatic system inspection apparatus 1, each of the first light emission region 31 and the second light emission region 32 of the illumination unit 3 extends in the Z direction in a state opposite to the imaging region R, and the imaging unit 4 faces the imaging region R via the region between the first light emission region 31 and the second light emission region 32. Thereby, the excitation light can be uniformly irradiated to the lower body L of the subject S located in the imaging region R, and the fluorescence emitted from the lower body L according to the irradiation of the uniform excitation light can be detected. Thereby, according to the lymphatic system inspection apparatus 1, an appropriate fluorescence image of the lower body L for inspecting the lymphatic system in the lower body L of the subject S can be obtained.

[0048] In the lymphatic system inspection apparatus 1, when observed from the X direction, the imaging unit 4 is located at the center of the imaging region R. Thereby, deformation in the obtained fluorescence image can be suppressed.

[0049] In the lymphatic system inspection apparatus 1, in the X direction, the illumination unit 3 is located between the imaging region R and the imaging unit 4. Thereby, the excitation light can be more uniformly irradiated to the lower body L of the subject S located in the imaging region R.

[0050] In the lymphatic system inspection apparatus 1, the illumination unit 3 has a function of adjusting the light emission intensity of each first light emission part 31a and the light emission intensity of each second light emission part 32a. Thereby, according to the shape of the lower body L of the subject S located in the imaging region R, etc., the excitation light can be uniformly irradiated to the lower body L.

[0051] In the lymphatic system inspection apparatus 1, the first light emission region 31 and the second light emission region 32 are arranged such that they are further apart from each other in the Y direction as they are closer to the imaging region R in the X direction. Thereby, the excitation light can be more uniformly irradiated to the lower body L of the subject S located in the imaging region R.

[0052] In addition, in the lymphatic system inspection device 1, with respect to the imaging area R where the lower body L of the subject S is located, the illumination unit 3 and the imaging unit 4 are arranged on one side in the X direction, and the movement of the subject S to one side in the X direction is restricted by the restricting unit 26 arranged along the upper end portion Ra of the imaging area R. Thereby, the distance between the illumination unit 3 and the lower body L of the subject S and the distance between the imaging unit 4 and the lower body L of the subject S can be maintained constant, and the shaking of the lower body L of the subject S can be suppressed. Thereby, according to the lymphatic system inspection device 1, an appropriate fluorescence image of the lower body L for inspecting the lymphatic system in the lower body L of the subject S can be obtained.

[0053] In the lymphatic system inspection device 1, the restricting unit 26 extends in the Y direction, and the first plate 14 for brightness correction is arranged on the surface 26a on the imaging unit 4 side in the restricting unit 26. Thereby, the brightness of the fluorescence image can be adjusted according to each obtained fluorescence image.

[0054] In the lymphatic system inspection device 1, the restricting unit 26 extends in the Y direction, and the scale 15 is arranged on the surface 26a on the imaging unit 4 side in the restricting unit 26. Thereby, the dimensions of each part of the lower body L can be grasped from the obtained fluorescence image.

[0055] In the lymphatic system inspection device 1, the second plate 16 for brightness correction is arranged on the main body unit 2 in a state of contacting the restricting unit 26 from the opposite side of the imaging unit 4 and being located in the imaging area R. Thereby, the brightness of the fluorescence image can be adjusted according to each lymphatic system inspection device 1.

[0056] In the lymphatic system inspection device 1, a distance sensor 5 is arranged on one side in the X direction with respect to the imaging area R. Thereby, the position of the lower body L of the subject S in the X direction can be accurately grasped.

[0057] In addition, in the lymphatic system inspection device 1 (and the above-mentioned lymphatic system inspection method), by changing at least one of the light emission time of the illumination unit 3 and the exposure time of the imaging unit 4, a plurality of fluorescence images are generated as the fluorescence images of the lower body L of the subject S, and the plurality of fluorescence images are displayed side by side. Although the intensity of the fluorescence changes according to the state of the lymphatic system in the lower body L, the state of the lymphatic system in the lower body L can be appropriately grasped from the plurality of fluorescence images that can be generated and displayed as described above. Thereby, according to the lymphatic system inspection device 1 (and the above-mentioned lymphatic system inspection method), the inspection of the lymphatic system of the lower body L of the subject S can be appropriately performed.

[0058] In the lymphatic system inspection device 1, the control unit 11 generates each of the plurality of fluorescence images in a time of 1 second or less. Thereby, the shaking of the lower body L of the subject S can be suppressed and a plurality of fluorescence images can be obtained.

[0059] In the lymphatic system inspection apparatus 1, the control unit 11 controls the illumination unit 3 so as to emit excitation light in a flashing manner. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the change in the amount of excitation light irradiated to the lower body L of the subject S and obtain a plurality of fluorescence images.

[0060] In the lymphatic system inspection apparatus 1, the control unit 11 stores the fluorescence images of the lower body L of the subject S generated in the past, and controls the display unit 12 so as to display side by side the fluorescence images of the lower body L generated in the past and the newly generated fluorescence images of the lower body L. Thereby, it is possible to appropriately grasp the temporal change in the state of the lymphatic system in the lower body L of the subject S.

[0061] In addition, in the lymphatic system inspection apparatus 1, a positioning unit 8 for displaying the standing position of the subject S is provided on the placement unit 21 on which the subject S stands. Thereby, it is possible to maintain the distance between the illumination unit 3 and the lower body L of the subject S and the distance between the imaging unit 4 and the lower body L of the subject S to be constant, and to make the orientation of the feet of the subject S with respect to the illumination unit 3 and the imaging unit 4 coincide with a specified orientation. Thereby, according to the lymphatic system inspection apparatus 1, it is possible to obtain an appropriate fluorescence image of the lower body L for inspecting the lymphatic system in the lower body L of the subject S.

[0062] In the lymphatic system inspection apparatus 1, the positioning unit 8 includes a foot shape 81 when the subject S faces the imaging unit 4 side and a foot shape 82 when the subject S faces the side opposite to the imaging unit 4. Thereby, in each of the state where the subject S faces the imaging unit 4 side and the state where the subject S faces the side opposite to the imaging unit 4, it is possible to make the orientation of the feet of the subject S with respect to the illumination unit 3 and the imaging unit 4 coincide with a specified orientation.

[0063] In the lymphatic system inspection apparatus 1, a wall portion 25 forms a housing 250 that defines an imaging region R and houses the illumination unit 3 and the imaging unit 4, and an opening 25a for disposing the subject S inside is formed in the wall portion 25. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the influence of interfering light and obtain a fluorescence image of the lower body L of the subject S.

[0064] In the lymphatic system inspection apparatus 1, a cover 7 attached to the subject S covers the opening 25a. Thereby, it is possible to more reliably suppress the influence of interfering light and obtain a fluorescence image of the lower body L of the subject S.

[0065] In the lymphatic system inspection apparatus 1, the support portion 22 and the second wall portion 252 are detachable from the placement portion 21 and the first wall portion 251. Thereby, it is possible to improve the portability of the lymphatic system inspection apparatus 1.

[0066] In the lymphatic system inspection apparatus 1, the positioning unit 8 is photographed by the camera 6. Thereby, even when the subject S has difficulty directly visually recognizing the positioning unit 8, the subject S can visually recognize the image obtained by the camera 6 and make the standing position coincide with the positioning unit 8.

[0067] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, as Figure 10 shown, the surface 26b on the side opposite to the imaging unit 4 (refer to Figure 3 ) of the restricting unit 26 may also be a curved surface that is curved so as to follow the lower abdomen of the subject S (that is, so as to be recessed toward the imaging unit 4 side). In addition, the positioning unit 8 may be provided in the concave or convex portion of the placement surface 21a so as to conform to the foot shape of the subject S, instead of or together with the foot shapes 81 and 82. Further, at least one of the illumination unit 3, the imaging unit 4, the distance sensor 5, the camera 6, and the restricting unit 26 may be mounted on the frame 24 in such a manner that at least one of position adjustment and angle adjustment can be performed.

[0068] Description of reference symbols

[0069] 1... Lymphatic system inspection device, 2... Main body unit, 3... Illumination unit, 4... Imaging unit, 5... Distance sensor, 6... Camera, 7... Cover, 8... Positioning unit, 11... Control unit, 12... Display unit, 14... First plate, 15... Measuring scale, 16... Second plate, 21... Placement unit, 22... Support unit, 25... Wall portion, 25a... Opening, 26... Restricting unit, 26a... Surface, 31... First light-emitting area, 31a... First light-emitting portion, 32... Second light-emitting area, 32a... Second light-emitting portion, 81, 82... Foot shapes, 250... Housing, 251... First wall portion, 252... Second wall portion, L... Lower body, R... Imaging area, Ra... Upper end portion, S... Subject.

Claims

1. A lymphatic system examination device, wherein, Comprising: A main body portion having a placement portion for a subject injected with a fluorescent dye in the lymphatic system to stand, and a imaging area on the placement portion where the lower body of the subject is located; An illumination portion that irradiates excitation light onto the lower body; And An imaging portion that detects fluorescence emitted from the lower body according to the irradiation of the excitation light, The illumination portion and the imaging portion are arranged on one side in the first horizontal direction with respect to the imaging area, The main body portion further has a restricting portion, The restricting portion is arranged along the upper end portion of the imaging area to restrict the movement of the subject to the side in the first horizontal direction.

2. The lymphatic system examination device according to claim 1, wherein, Further comprising: a first plate for brightness correction, which is arranged on the surface of the restricting portion on the imaging portion side extending in a second horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction.

3. The lymphatic system examination device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, Further comprising: a scale, which is arranged on the surface of the restricting portion on the imaging portion side extending in a second horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction.

4. The lymphatic system examination device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, Further comprising a second plate for brightness correction that can be attached to and detached from the main body portion, The second plate is arranged on the main body portion in a state of contacting the restricting portion on the opposite side of the imaging portion and being located in the imaging area.

5. The lymphatic system examination device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, Further comprising: a distance sensor, which is arranged on the side in the first horizontal direction with respect to the imaging area to measure the distance to the lower body located in the imaging area.

Images