Medical system, medical light source device and method in a medical light source device

Abstract

The object of the present invention is to generate light with high color rendering while suppressing the occurrence of unevenness. The present invention provides a medical system (3000, 6000), comprising: a medical device (2000, 4000) provided with an imaging unit configured to image an observation object; and a light source device (1000) configured to generate light for irradiating the observation object, wherein the light source device has: a narrowband light source (100) configured to emit narrowband light with a wavelength width of a narrow band; a broadband light source (200) configured to emit broadband light with a wavelength width wider than the narrowband light; a combining unit (310) configured to combine the narrowband light and the broadband light; and an emission angle conversion unit (400) configured to convert the emission angle of the narrowband light.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a medical system, a medical light source device and a method in a medical light source device. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, the following PTL 1 describes providing at least one laser source and causing light from the laser source to enter a light guide.

[0003] [Citation List]

[0004] [Patent Document]

[0005] [PTL 1]

[0006] JP 2015-223462 A Summary of the invention

[0007] [Problems to be solved by the invention]

[0008] Medical light sources such as those described in the above patent documents mainly use lamp light sources (xenon lamps or halogen lamps) or white light emitting diodes (LEDs). However, due to the large light emission points and wide emission angles of these light sources, it is difficult to collect light on a small diameter light guide in an efficient manner.

[0009] Therefore, it is conceivable that a semiconductor laser with a small light emission point and a narrow emission angle is used to generate white light by combining red light, green light and blue light for use as a medical light source. However, due to the narrow wavelength width of the semiconductor laser, for example, the color rendering of the white light generated by combining red light, green light and blue light is reduced. When the white light generated by the semiconductor laser is combined with the white light obtained from another light source in order to increase the color rendering of the white light generated by the semiconductor laser, the problem that arises is that the difference in the emission angles of the two beams of white light causes a deviation in the hue of the white light and ultimately causes unevenness. This can be attributed to the fact that the emission angle distribution of the white light generated by the semiconductor laser has a Gaussian shape, but the emission angle distribution of the white light from other light sources (such as LEDs) has a Lambertian shape.

[0010] Specifically, when medical applications are assumed, the decrease in color rendering and the occurrence of unevenness may cause the operator (doctor) to make an erroneous diagnosis when determining a lesion, a tumor, etc. of a diseased area based on color. In addition, in the case where the color rendering and unevenness of an image are guaranteed only in the central part of the image, since an apparatus such as an endoscope or a microscope must be operated so that the affected area is moved to the center of the image so that the operator can make a correct decision, an extremely complicated operation must be performed.

[0011] In view of this, there is a need to generate light having high color rendering while suppressing the occurrence of unevenness.

[0012] [Technical solution]

[0013] The present invention provides a medical system, comprising: a medical device, provided with an imaging unit configured to image an observation object; and a light source device, configured to generate light for illuminating the observation object, wherein the light source device has: a narrowband light source, configured to emit narrowband light with a narrowband wavelength width; a broadband light source, configured to emit broadband light with a wavelength width wider than the narrowband light; a combining unit, configured to combine the narrowband light and the broadband light; and an emission angle conversion unit, configured to convert the emission angle of the narrowband light.

[0014] In addition, the present invention provides a medical light source device, comprising: a narrowband light source, configured to emit narrowband light with a narrowband wavelength width; a broadband light source, configured to emit broadband light with a wavelength width wider than the narrowband light; a combining unit, configured to combine the narrowband light and the broadband light; and an emission angle conversion unit, configured to convert the emission angle of the narrowband light.

[0015] In addition, the present invention provides a method in a medical light source device, comprising the following steps: combining narrowband light having a narrowband wavelength width and broadband light having a wavelength width wider than the narrowband light; and converting the emission angle of the narrowband light before combining the narrowband light and the broadband light.

[0016] [Technical Effect]

[0017] According to the present invention, light having high color rendering properties can be generated while suppressing the occurrence of unevenness.

[0018] It should be noted that the above-mentioned advantageous effects are not necessarily limitative, and any advantageous effects described in this specification or other advantageous effects that can be understood from this specification may be produced in addition to or instead of the above-mentioned advantageous effects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a light source device and its periphery according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 is a characteristic diagram showing the emission angle distribution of narrow-band light.

[0021] Figure 3 is a characteristic diagram showing the emission angle distribution of broadband light.

[0022] Figure 4 It shows that Figure 2 The emission angle distribution of the narrowband light and Figure 3The characteristic diagrams shown are the emission angle distribution of broadband light superimposed on each other.

[0023] Figure 5 is a characteristic diagram showing the emission angle distribution of narrow-band light after being transmitted through the emission angle conversion element.

[0024] Figure 6 It is shown that through Figure 3 The characteristic diagram shown is a characteristic diagram of broadband light in which the emission angle distribution is changed by applying NA limitation to the broadband light.

[0025] Figure 7 It is shown that Figure 5 The emission angle distribution of the narrowband light after transmission by the emission angle conversion element is shown in FIG. Figure 6 The characteristic diagrams of the emission angle distribution of NA-limited broadband light are shown superimposed on each other.

[0026] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example in which a rod integrator is used as an emission angle conversion element.

[0027] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method of limiting the NA of broadband light using an aperture.

[0028] Fig.10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method of limiting the NA of broadband light using an aperture.

[0029] Fig.11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a narrow-band light source that generates narrow-band light by combining a plurality of wavelengths.

[0030] Fig.12 is a diagram showing the addition of a yellow light source, a dichroic mirror, and an aperture to the Fig.11 A schematic diagram of an example configuration of a narrow-band light source is shown.

[0031] Fig.13 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration example of an endoscopic surgery system to which the light source device according to the present invention is applicable.

[0032] Fig.14 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a microsurgery system to which the light source device according to the present invention is applicable. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and the accompanying drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0034] The description will be made in the following order.

[0035] 1. Background

[0036] 2. Configuration of light source device

[0037] 3. Conversion of emission angle by emission angle conversion element

[0038] 4. NA limitation of broadband light

[0039] 5. Example of emission angle conversion element

[0040] 6. Example of NA limitation for broadband light

[0041] 7. Configuration example of narrow-band light source

[0042] 8. Example of configuration of narrow-band light source including yellow light source

[0043] 9. Configuration example of medical system

[0044] 9.1. Configuration example of endoscopy system

[0045] 9.2. Microscope system configuration examples

[0046] 1. Background

[0047] An endoscope is a device widely used to observe the internal structure of an object. Specifically, in the medical field, with the advancement of surgical procedures and techniques, endoscopes have rapidly become popular, making them indispensable in many diagnostic fields today. In recent years, whether the endoscope device is a flexible or rigid endoscope, the endoscope device is required to be minimally invasive to the patient. Specifically, some improvements have been made to make the portion of the endoscope that is in direct contact with the patient narrower and smaller. Accordingly, for a light source device as a lighting device that illuminates the diseased area, the challenge is to effectively guide light to a narrower light guide. Although lamp light sources (xenon lamps or halogen lamps) or white light LEDs are mainly used as light sources to provide illumination in conventional endoscope devices, it is difficult to collect light on a small diameter light guide in an effective manner because the two light sources have a large light emitting point and a wide emission angle (large light collection rate).

[0048] In view of this, the present embodiment proposes a light source device using a semiconductor laser (LD) having a small light emission point and a narrow emission angle (small light collection rate). On the other hand, it is generally known that due to the narrow wavelength width of the semiconductor laser, for example, the color rendering of white light generated by combining red light, green light and blue light is low. For example, when determining a malignant tumor, etc., the deterioration of color rendering may cause the doctor to make a wrong diagnosis during endoscopic observation. In view of this, in the present embodiment, a light source with a wide wavelength width is mixed with a laser as an auxiliary light source to improve the color rendering. Specifically, since the white light generated by combining red light, green light and blue light lacks light with intermediate wavelengths of these colors, mixing white light with a light source with a wide wavelength width can optimize the hue of the white light and improve the color rendering.

[0049] Generally, a light guide (LG) is a bundle of optical fibers used to guide light from a light source, which emits illumination light that maintains the emission angle distribution of the incident light. Therefore, when light is guided from a semiconductor laser to a light guide, the generated illumination light is bright around the optical axis, but becomes dimmer at its periphery, since laser light generally has a Gaussian-shaped emission angle distribution.

[0050] On the other hand, since the broadband light (e.g., white light LED) used as an auxiliary light source generally has a Lambertian emission angle distribution, the light intensity of the generated illumination light does not decrease even at its periphery. When two types of light with different emission angle distributions are combined, since the ratio of laser and broadband light will deviate between the central part and the periphery, unevenness (specifically, color unevenness) will appear in the illumination light. For this reason, when an auxiliary light source such as a white light LED is mixed with a laser, the hue of the white light will deviate. Therefore, in order to mix an auxiliary light source such as a white light LED with a laser to obtain a light source with high color rendering, this unevenness of the illumination light must be suppressed. For example, when the unevenness of the periphery is greater than that of the center, the doctor may make a wrong diagnosis when observing the periphery. In view of this, the present embodiment proposes a light source device for suppressing uneven illumination light. Hereinafter, it will be described in detail.

[0051] 2. Configuration of light source device

[0052] First, refer to Figure 1 , a schematic configuration of a light source device 1000 and its periphery according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 1As shown, the light source device 1000 according to the present embodiment is composed of the narrowband light source 100, the broadband light source 200, the lens 300, the lens 305, the dichroic mirror (combining unit) 310, the lens 320, the lens 330, and the emission angle conversion element (emission angle conversion unit) 400. The light emitted from the light source device 1000 passes through the light guide 500 and is guided to the observation optical system 600.

[0053] The narrowband light source 100 is composed of a semiconductor laser and emits narrowband light. The broadband light source 200 is composed of a white light LED and emits broadband light. Although the broadband light source 200 is exemplified as a white light LED, the broadband light source 200 may be a light source such as a xenon lamp or a halogen lamp. Alternatively, the broadband light source 200 may be a phosphor that emits fluorescent light.

[0054] The narrowband light is collimated by lens 300 and enters emission angle conversion element 400. For example, it is assumed that emission angle conversion element 400 is a diffusion plate and has the function of imparting a desired light distribution angle to incident collimated (parallel) light and converting the emission angle distribution. The light emitted from emission angle conversion element 400 is collimated by lens 305, passes through combined dichroic mirror 310, and is collected on light guide 500 by lens 320.

[0055] On the other hand, the broadband light is collimated by the lens 330 , reflected by the dichroic mirror 310 and combined with the narrowband light, and then collected on the light guide 500 by the lens 320 .

[0056] The dichroic mirror 310 has a characteristic of transmitting wavelength components of narrowband light and reflecting other wavelength bands. The narrowband light and the broadband light can be combined by the dichroic mirror 310. As a combining method, methods such as wavelength combination, polarization combination, and space combination can be used.

[0057] As the light guide 500, a multimode optical fiber bundle of several tens of microns frequently used in medical equipment can be used. The collected illumination light is guided to the observation optical system 600 through the light guide 500. The observation optical system 600 corresponds to an endoscope optical system in the case of endoscope application and a microscope optical system in the case of microscope application, and the light emitted from the light source device 1000 as illumination light passes through these optical systems to illuminate the actual observation object.

[0058] 3. Conversion of emission angle by emission angle conversion element

[0059] Figure 2 is a characteristic diagram showing the emission angle distribution of narrowband light. Figure 2 In the figure, the horizontal axis represents the emission angle, and the vertical axis represents the light intensity. Narrowband light has high light intensity near the emission angle of 0 degrees, and the distribution of intensity relative to the emission angle is Gaussian distribution.

[0060] Figure 3is a characteristic diagram showing the emission angle distribution of broadband light. Figure 3 In the figure, the horizontal axis represents the emission angle and the vertical axis represents the light intensity. Compared with narrowband light, broadband light has a smaller light intensity variation near the emission angle of 0 degrees, and the distribution of light intensity relative to the emission angle is Lambertian distribution.

[0061] Figure 4 It is shown Figure 2 The emission angle distribution of the narrowband light and Figure 3 The emission angle distribution of broadband light shown in the figure is superimposed on each other, and it shows the state that narrowband light and broadband light have been combined as they are. Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , although the intensities of the broadband light source and the narrowband light source are approximately the same near the center (0 degree emission angle), the intensity of the narrowband light source decreases more as it approaches the periphery. This indicates that the intensity ratio between the narrowband light source and the broadband light source is different between the center and the periphery, and the unevenness described above occurs.

[0062] Therefore, in the present embodiment, the emission angle distribution of the narrow-band light is controlled by causing the emission angle conversion element 400 to transmit the narrow-band light, so that the emission angle distribution of the narrow-band light is made close to the emission angle distribution of the broadband light. Figure 5 4 is a characteristic diagram showing the emission angle distribution of the narrow-band light after being transmitted through the emission angle conversion element 400. Figure 5 As shown, the emission angle distribution of the narrowband light becomes wider by passing through the emission angle conversion element 400, and the emission angle distribution of the narrowband light obtains characteristics similar to the emission angle distribution of the broadband light. Specifically, by allowing the light collimated by the lens 300 to enter the emission angle conversion element 400, the emission angle distribution can be converted into a desired state, and the effect of changing the emission angle distribution can be enhanced.

[0063] Therefore, since the reduction amounts of the intensity of the narrow-band light and the broadband light are matched with each other from the central portion toward the periphery in combination with the narrow-band light and the broadband light that have passed through the emission angle conversion element 400, the intensity ratios between the narrow-band light source and the broadband light source between the central portion and the periphery are matched with each other. Accordingly, the occurrence of unevenness can be reliably suppressed.

[0064] 4. NA limitation of broadband light

[0065] In this embodiment, NA (numerical aperture) limitation is performed on broadband light. Figure 1 The NA of the lens 330 shown in FIG. 3 is smaller than the emission angle of the broadband light source to limit the NA. NA is the value of the sine expression of the maximum light receiving angle (numerical aperture) size. Figure 6 It is shown that through Figure 3 The characteristic diagram shown is a characteristic diagram of broadband light in which the emission angle distribution is changed by applying NA limitation to the broadband light.

[0066] Figure 7 It shows that you have passed through Figure 5 The emission angle distribution of the narrowband light of the emission angle conversion element 400 shown in FIG. Figure 6 The characteristic diagram shown is a graph in which emission angle distributions of NA-limited broadband light are superimposed on each other, and represents a state in which narrowband light having passed through the emission angle conversion element 400 and broadband light having been NA-limited are combined.

[0067] In this way, by intentionally lowering the NA of the lens 330, the component with a wide emission angle of broadband light can be removed, and the emission angle distribution of narrowband light and the emission angle distribution of broadband light can be made to have characteristics closer to each other. Accordingly, the occurrence of unevenness can be more reliably suppressed.

[0068] 5. Example of emission angle conversion element

[0069] As described above, the emission angle conversion element 400 has the function of converting the emission angle distribution of narrow-band light and widening the emission angle of narrow-band light. A diffusion plate can be used as the emission angle conversion element 400. Using a diffusion plate has advantages such as being able to construct an optical system in a small size and being able to reduce manufacturing costs.

[0070] As the diffuser, a top hat diffuser is particularly preferably used. Using a top hat diffuser can obtain Figure 5 The regions A1 and A2 shown form a hat-shaped characteristic of the periphery. Accordingly, the decrease in the peripheral light intensity of the narrow-band light can be suppressed, and the emission angle distributions of the narrow-band light and the broadband light can be made close to each other.

[0071] Alternatively, a fly-eye lens may also be used as the emission angle conversion element 400. The fly-eye lens has redundancy and a large margin in terms of the angle of incident light, and even when the collimation of the narrow-band light passing through the lens 300 is reduced, the influence on the characteristics after the emission angle conversion is small. In addition, when the fly-eye lens is used, Figure 5 The peripheries of the illustrated areas A1 and A2 may become sharper. Therefore, when it is desired to ensure a wider image area, such as when the edges of the areas A1 and A2 are regarded as the boundaries of the image area, it is preferable to use a fly-eye lens.

[0072] On the other hand, since two fly-eye lenses are usually used in pairs, the top-hat diffuser has a higher light transmittance. Therefore, when it is desired to ensure a higher light intensity, etc., it is preferred to use the top-hat diffuser. In addition, the use of the top-hat diffuser is also advantageous in terms of reducing costs and saving space.

[0073] Alternatively, a rod integrator may also be used as the emission angle conversion element 400 . Figure 8 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example in which a rod integrator 400a is used as the emission angle conversion element 400. Figure 1A lens 300 for collimating narrow-band light is provided, but in Figure 8 A lens 302 for collecting narrow-band light on a rod integrator 400a is provided in FIG. Using the rod integrator 400a as the emission angle conversion element 400 can improve the transmission efficiency of light.

[0074] For example, the rod integrator 400a is made of a transparent glass material and has a prismatic shape rather than a cylindrical shape. The narrow-band light incident on the rod integrator 400a is repeatedly totally reflected inside the rod integrator 400a and emitted from the end face on the side opposite to the incident side end face. Therefore, a uniform NFP (near field pattern) is generated on the entire end face from which the narrow-band light is emitted, and when changed to an FFP (far field pattern), the emission angle distribution of the narrow-band light is converted, and the emission angle of the narrow-band light can be widened, such as Figure 5 The light emitted from the rod integrator 400 a is collimated by the lens 304 , passes through the combined dichroic mirror 310 , and is collected on the light guide 500 by the lens 320 .

[0075] 6. Example of NA limitation for broadband light

[0076] As described above, the NA limitation of the broadband light may be performed via the lens 330. On the other hand, the NA limitation of the broadband light may also be performed by providing apertures before and after the lens 330. Fig. 9 and Fig.10 is a schematic diagram showing a method of limiting the NA of broadband light using an aperture. Fig. 9 In the example shown, the aperture 340 is disposed on the front side of the lens 330 (the side of the broadband light source 200). Fig.10 In the example shown, the aperture 340 is provided on the rear side of the lens 330 (on the side of the dichroic mirror 310). In this way, NA limitation of broadband light can also be performed by providing an aperture. Accordingly, Figure 6 The characteristics of broadband light shown can be obtained in a manner similar to the case where NA limitation is applied using lens 330.

[0077] 7. Configuration example of narrow-band light source

[0078] The narrow-band light is not limited to light having a single wavelength, and may be light combining a plurality of wavelengths. Fig.11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a narrow-band light source 100 that generates narrow-band light by combining a plurality of wavelengths. Fig.11 As shown, the narrow-band light source 100 is composed of a red light source 110 , a green light source 120 , a blue light source 130 , a reflector 140 , a dichroic mirror ( DM1 ) 142 , a dichroic mirror ( DM2 ) 144 , and a condenser lens 146 .

[0079] Each of the red light source 110, the green light source 120, and the blue light source 130 is composed of a semiconductor laser and is independently driven. For example, a gallium indium phosphide (GaInP) quantum well structure laser diode (RLD) is used as the red light source 110, a gallium indium nitride (GaInN) quantum well structure laser diode (GLD) is used as the green light source 120, and a GaInN quantum well structure laser diode (BLD) is used as the blue light source 130.

[0080] The red light emitted from the red light source 110 is reflected by the reflector 140 at an angle of 45 degrees, passes through the dichroic mirror 142 and the dichroic mirror 144, and is collected by the condenser lens 146. The green light emitted from the green light source 120 is emitted toward the dichroic mirror 142, and the blue light emitted from the blue light source 130 is emitted toward the dichroic mirror 144.

[0081] The dichroic mirror 142 has an optical characteristic of transmitting a red wavelength and reflecting a green wavelength. The dichroic mirror 144 has an optical characteristic of transmitting a red wavelength and a green wavelength and reflecting a blue wavelength. The red wavelength from the red light source 110 is combined with the green wavelength from the green light source 120 via the dichroic mirror 142, and then combined with the blue wavelength from the blue light source 130 via the dichroic mirror 144. The condenser lens 146 collects the combined light. As described above, by combining the red wavelength, the green wavelength, and the blue wavelength, white light laser light can be emitted from the narrow-band light source 100.

[0082] 8. Example of configuration of narrow-band light source including yellow light source

[0083] Fig.12 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the addition of a yellow light source 135, a dichroic mirror 145, and an aperture 430 to the Fig.11 Schematic diagram of a configuration example of the narrowband light source 100 shown in FIG. The yellow light source 135 is composed of a semiconductor laser. The red wavelength from the red light source 110 is combined with the green wavelength from the green light source 120 via the dichroic mirror 142, then combined with the blue wavelength from the blue light source 130 via the dichroic mirror 144, and then combined with the yellow wavelength from the yellow light source 135 via the dichroic mirror 145. Therefore, according to Fig.12 The configuration example shown in the figure can obtain a ratio of 1:1 by combining red wavelength, green wavelength, blue wavelength and yellow wavelength. Fig.11 The narrow-band light source 100 shown has white light with a more optimally adjusted color tone. As a result, the light source device 1000 can be composed of only the narrow-band light source 100 without particularly providing a plurality of components such as Figure 1 A broadband light source 200 is shown.

[0084] In addition, according to Fig.12In the configuration example shown, the emission angles of the red laser, green laser, blue laser, and yellow laser emitted from the red light source 110, the green light source 120, the blue light source 130, and the yellow light source 135, respectively, all have Gaussian distribution. Fig.12 In the configuration example shown, unlike when combining narrowband light and broadband light, since the distribution of the emission angles of each color is the same, there is no unevenness in the combined white light.

[0085] On the other hand, according to Fig.12 In the configuration example shown, since the emission angles of the red laser, green laser, blue laser, and yellow laser all have Gaussian distribution, the light intensity decreases in the periphery compared to the center. Taking this into account, by providing Fig.12 The aperture 430 shown in the figure and the removal of peripheral light can produce white light with more uniform intensity within the illumination area. Fig.12 The configuration shown can emit white light with suppressed non-uniformity and uniform intensity.

[0086] In addition, Fig.12 In the illustrated configuration example, by subjecting the aperture 430 to NA restriction, heat can be generated at the aperture 430. Accordingly, heat generated by the light guide 500 and the like outside the light source device 1000 can be suppressed.

[0087] 9. Configuration example of medical system

[0088] 9.1. Configuration example of endoscopy system

[0089] Fig.13 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration example of an endoscopic surgery system 3000 to which the light source device 1000 according to the present invention can be applied. The endoscopic surgery system 3000 is composed of an endoscope 2000, a support arm device 2100 for supporting the endoscope 2000, and the light source device 1000.

[0090] The support arm device 2100 includes an arm portion 2020 extending from a base portion 2110. In the illustrated example, the arm portion 2020 is composed of a plurality of joint portions and a plurality of connecting rods, and is driven under the control of an arm control device. The arm portion 2020 supports the endoscope 2000 and controls its position and posture. Accordingly, a stable fixation of the position of the endoscope 2000 can be achieved.

[0091] The endoscope 2000 is composed of a lens tube 2010, a region of which a predetermined length from the tip is to be inserted into a body cavity of a patient, and a camera 2020 connected to a base end of the lens tube 2010. The endoscope 2000 may be configured as a so-called rigid scope having a rigid lens tube 2010, or may be configured as a so-called flexible scope having a flexible lens tube 2010.

[0092] An opening in which an objective lens (observation optical system 600) is mounted is provided at the tip of the lens tube 2010. The light source device 1000 is connected to the endoscope 2000, and light generated by the light source device 1000 is guided to the tip of the lens tube 2010 via the light guide 500, which is provided to extend inside the lens tube 2010, and irradiates toward an observation target inside the patient's body cavity via the objective lens.

[0093] The optical system and the imaging element are arranged inside the camera head 2020, and the reflected light (observation light) from the observation target is collected on the imaging element by the optical system. The observation light is photoelectrically converted by the imaging element, and an electrical signal corresponding to the observation light is generated, or in other words, an image signal corresponding to the observation image is generated. The image signal is sent to the CCU (camera control unit) as raw data. The camera head 2020 is equipped with a function to adjust the magnification and focal length by appropriately driving its optical system.

[0094] For example, the camera 2020 may be provided with a plurality of imaging elements in order to accommodate stereoscopic viewing (3D display), etc. In this case, a plurality of relay optical systems are provided inside the lens tube 2010 in order to guide observation light to each of the plurality of imaging elements.

[0095] 9.2. Microscope system configuration examples

[0096] Fig.14 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a microsurgery system 6000 to which the light source device 1000 according to the present invention can be applied. Fig.14 The microsurgery system 6000 is composed of a microscope device 4000 and a light source device 1000 .

[0097] The microscope device 4000 has a microscope portion 4010 for magnifying and observing an observation object (a surgical site of a patient), an arm portion 4020 supporting the microscope portion 4010 at its tip, and a base portion 4030 supporting a base end of the arm portion 4020 .

[0098] Microscope section 4010 is an electronic imaging type microscope section (so-called video type microscope section) that uses an imaging unit to electronically create a captured image. Light from an observation object (hereinafter, also referred to as observation light) enters the imaging unit inside microscope section 4010.

[0099] The imaging unit is composed of an optical system that collects observation light and an imaging element that receives the observation light collected by the optical system. The optical system is constructed by combining a plurality of lenses including a zoom lens and a focusing lens, and its optical characteristics are adjusted so that the observation light is focused on the light receiving surface of the imaging element. The imaging element receives and photoelectrically converts the observation light to generate a signal corresponding to the observation light, or in other words, an image signal corresponding to the observed image. As the imaging element, for example, an imaging element having a Bayer array and capable of color photography is used. The imaging element may be various known imaging elements, such as a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor.

[0100] The arm portion 4020 is configured by connecting a plurality of links (first link 4022a to sixth link 4022f) by a plurality of joint portions (first joint portion 4024a to sixth joint portion 4024f) so as to be mutually rotatable. Each joint portion is configured to be rotatable around a rotation axis indicated by a dot-dash line.

[0101] The number and shape (length) of the connecting rods constituting the arm portion 4020 shown, the number of joints, the arrangement position, and the direction of the rotation axis, etc. can be appropriately designed to obtain the desired degree of freedom. In addition, the first joint portion 4024a to the sixth joint portion 4024f can be provided with a driving mechanism, such as a motor and an actuator equipped with an encoder, etc., for detecting the rotation angle at each joint portion. In addition, by appropriately controlling the drive of each actuator provided at the first joint portion 4024a to the sixth joint portion 4024f, the posture of the arm portion 4020, or in other words, the position and posture of the microscope portion 4000, can be controlled.

[0102] For example, the light source device 1000 is built in the base portion 4030. The light guide 500 connected to the light source device 1000 passes through the inside or outside of the first to sixth links 4022a to 4022f, and is guided to the microscope portion 4010. By irradiating the observation object with light from the tip of the light guide 500 that has been guided to the microscope portion 4010, when the imaging unit inside the microscope portion 4010 images the observation object (diseased area) of the patient, the brightness of the observation object can be increased, and the observation object can be clearly imaged.

[0103] As described above, according to the present embodiment, by allowing narrowband light to enter the emission angle conversion element 400, the emission angle distributions of the narrowband light and the broadband light can be close to each other, and the unevenness of the irradiated light can be reduced. In addition, combining broadband light with narrowband light improves color rendering. Accordingly, when narrowband light is generated with a semiconductor laser, illumination light with high color rendering and suppressed unevenness can be collected on a small diameter light guide in an effective manner. In addition, converting the emission angle of the narrowband light so as to match the emission angle distribution of the broadband light can suppress the decrease in peripheral light intensity.

[0104] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the technical ideas set forth in the appended claims, and it is understood that these modifications and changes will naturally be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0105] For example, although an example of a light source device for medical use has been described in the above embodiment, the present technology is not limited to this example. The present embodiment can be widely applied to general light source devices, including industrial light source devices.

[0106] In addition, the advantageous effects described in this specification are merely descriptive or exemplary, and not restrictive. In other words, in addition to or in place of the above-mentioned advantageous effects, according to the description of this specification, the technology according to the present invention may produce other advantageous effects that are obvious to those skilled in the art.

[0107] The following configurations are also encompassed within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0108] (1) A medical system comprising:

[0109] A medical device provided with an imaging unit configured to image an observation object; and

[0110] A light source device is configured to generate light for illuminating the observation object, wherein:

[0111] The light source device has:

[0112] A narrowband light source configured to emit narrowband light having a wavelength width of a narrowband;

[0113] a broadband light source configured to emit broadband light having a wavelength width wider than that of the narrowband light;

[0114] a combining unit configured to combine the narrowband light and the broadband light; and

[0115] The emission angle conversion unit is configured to convert the emission angle of the narrow-band light.

[0116] (2) A medical light source device, comprising:

[0117] A narrowband light source configured to emit narrowband light having a wavelength width of a narrowband;

[0118] a broadband light source configured to emit broadband light having a wavelength width wider than that of the narrowband light;

[0119] a combining unit configured to combine the narrowband light and the broadband light; and

[0120] The emission angle conversion unit is configured to convert the emission angle of the narrow-band light.

[0121] (3) The medical light source device according to item (2), wherein the emission angle conversion unit is configured to broaden the emission angle distribution of the narrow-band light.

[0122] (4) The medical light source device according to item (3), wherein the emission angle conversion unit is configured to broaden the emission angle distribution of the narrowband light and make the emission angle distribution of the narrowband light closer to the emission angle distribution of the broadband light.

[0123] (5) The medical light source device according to any one of items (2) to (4), comprising a lens configured to collimate the narrow-band light incident on the emission angle conversion unit.

[0124] (6) The medical light source device according to any one of items (2) to (5), wherein the emission angle conversion unit is composed of a diffusion plate configured to diffuse the narrow-band light.

[0125] (7) The medical light source device according to any one of items (2) to (5), wherein the emission angle conversion unit is composed of a fly-eye lens.

[0126] (8) The medical light source device according to any one of items (2) to (5), wherein the emission angle conversion unit is composed of a rod integrator.

[0127] (9) The medical light source device according to any one of items (2) to (8), further comprising an emission angle limiting unit configured to limit the emission angle of the broadband light.

[0128] (10) The medical light source device according to item (9), wherein the emission angle limiting unit is composed of a lens configured to transmit broadband light.

[0129] (11) The medical light source device according to item (9), wherein the emission angle limiting unit is composed of an aperture configured to transmit broadband light.

[0130] (12) The medical light source device according to any one of items (2) to (11), wherein the narrow-band light source is composed of a laser source.

[0131] (13) The medical light source device according to item (12), wherein:

[0132] A narrowband light source consists of:

[0133] A red laser source, configured to generate red light,

[0134] a green laser source configured to generate green light, and

[0135] a blue laser source configured to generate blue light, and

[0136] The narrow-band light source is configured to emit white light by combining the red light, the green light, and the blue light.

[0137] (14) The medical light source device according to any one of items (2) to (13), comprising a light guide configured to be illuminated by the narrowband light and the broadband light combined by the combining unit.

[0138] (15) The medical light source device according to any one of items (2) to (14), wherein an observation object of the patient is to be illuminated by the narrowband light and the broadband light combined by the combining unit.

[0139] (16) A method in a medical light source device, the method comprising the following steps:

[0140] combining narrowband light having a wavelength width of a narrowband and broadband light having a wavelength width wider than the narrowband light; and

[0141] The emission angle of the narrowband light is converted before combining the narrowband light and the broadband light.

[0142] [reference numerals list]

[0143] 100 Narrowband Light Source

[0144] 110 Red light source

[0145] 120 Green light source

[0146] 130 Blue light source

[0147] 200 Broadband Light Source

[0148] 310 dichroic mirror

[0149] 330 Lens

[0150] 340, 350 aperture

[0151] 400 Emission angle conversion element

[0152] 1000 Light source device

[0153] 2000 Endoscope

[0154] 3000 Endoscopic Surgery System

[0155] 4000 Microscope Device

[0156] 6000 Microsurgery System

Claims

1. A medical system comprising: A medical device provided with an imaging unit configured to image an observation object; as well as A light source device is configured to generate light for illuminating the observation object, wherein: The light source device comprises: A narrowband light source configured to emit narrowband light having a wavelength width of a narrowband; A broadband light source configured to emit broadband light having a wavelength width wider than the narrowband light; a combining unit configured to combine the narrowband light and the broadband light; an emission angle conversion unit configured to convert an emission angle of the narrow-band light; and An emission angle limiting unit has a numerical aperture smaller than the emission angle of the broadband light source, so that the emission angle limiting unit performs numerical aperture limitation on the broadband light, wherein the emission angle limiting unit removes a component with a wide emission angle of the broadband light.

2. A medical light source device, comprising: A narrowband light source configured to emit narrowband light having a wavelength width of a narrowband; A broadband light source configured to emit broadband light having a wavelength width wider than the narrowband light; a combining unit configured to combine the narrowband light and the broadband light; an emission angle conversion unit, configured to convert the emission angle of the narrow-band light; as well as An emission angle limiting unit, wherein the numerical aperture of the emission angle limiting unit is smaller than the emission angle of the broadband light source, so that the emission angle limiting unit performs numerical aperture limitation on the broadband light to limit the emission angle of the broadband light, wherein the emission angle limiting unit removes a component having a wide emission angle of the broadband light.

3. The medical light source device according to claim 2, wherein: The emission angle conversion unit is configured to broaden an emission angle distribution of the narrow-band light.

4. The medical light source device according to claim 3, wherein: The emission angle conversion unit is configured to broaden the emission angle distribution of the narrowband light and make the emission angle distribution of the narrowband light close to the emission angle distribution of the broadband light. 5 . The medical light source device according to claim 2 , comprising a lens configured to collimate the narrow-band light incident to the emission angle conversion unit.

6. The medical light source device according to claim 2, wherein: The emission angle conversion unit is composed of a diffusion plate configured to diffuse the narrow-band light.

7. The medical light source device according to claim 2, wherein: The emission angle conversion unit is composed of a fly-eye lens.

8. The medical light source device according to claim 2, wherein: The emission angle conversion unit is composed of a rod integrator.

9. The medical light source device according to claim 2, wherein: The emission angle limiting unit is composed of a lens configured to transmit the broadband light.

10. The medical light source device according to claim 2, wherein: The emission angle limiting unit is composed of an aperture configured to transmit the broadband light.

11. The medical light source device according to claim 2, wherein: The narrow-band light source is composed of a laser source.

12. The medical light source device according to claim 11, wherein: The narrow-band light source is composed of: A red laser source, configured to generate red light, a green laser source configured to generate green light, and a blue laser source configured to generate blue light, and The narrow-band light source is configured to emit white light by combining the red light, the green light, and the blue light.

13. The medical light source device according to claim 2, comprising a light guide configured to be illuminated by the narrowband light and the broadband light that have been combined by the combining unit.

14. The medical light source device according to claim 2, wherein: The observation object of the patient will be illuminated by the narrowband light and the broadband light that have been combined by the combining unit.

15. A method in a medical light source device, the method comprising the following steps: combining narrowband light having a wavelength width of a narrow band and broadband light having a wavelength width wider than the narrowband light; as well as converting an emission angle of the narrowband light before combining the narrowband light and the broadband light; Before combining the narrowband light and the broadband light, the broadband light is numerically limited by an emission angle limiting unit to limit the emission angle of the broadband light, wherein the numerical aperture of the emission angle limiting unit is smaller than the emission angle of the broadband light, and wherein the emission angle limiting unit removes a component having a wide emission angle of the broadband light.

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