Inspection device and inspection method

Abstract

Disclosed is an inspection device. The inspection device includes a platform part and a detection part, and the detection part includes an optical photographing part, a light interference detection part and a light induction part. The platform part carries an inspection object, and the detection part obtains an optical image and light interference data of the inspection object through the optical photographing part and the light interference detection part. The platform part or the detection part can be moved so that a selected area of ​​the inspection object is located within the field of view of the optical photographing part and the light interference detection part. The light induction part allows the illumination light from the optical photographing part and the measurement light from the light interference detection part to be coaxially irradiated on the inspection object. A guide light beam for displaying the area being measured can be additionally irradiated. A magnification changing part is included for adjusting the magnification of the measured image. In the magnification changing part, as the lens is changed, the position of the reference mirror included in the light interference detection part is changed together in order to correct the light path difference.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the Chinese invention patent application with the number of 201780005393.7, the invention name of which is “Biological tissue examination device and method thereof” and the application date of which is May 12, 2017. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to an inspection device, and more particularly to a biological tissue inspection device and method for inspecting biological tissue using optical technology. Background Art

[0003] In order to diagnose diseases occurring in the human body, tissue examination is used, that is, tissue is extracted from a site suspected of having a disease and examined to diagnose the disease.

[0004] For tissue examination, the method used is to remove the tissue by methods such as cell aspiration, gun biopsy, incisional biopsy, and excisional biopsy, slice the removed tissue sample, make slices, stain it, and observe it under a microscope. The process of making slices is carried out in the following way, that is, solidification by fixation, dehydration, etc., cutting it into slices, staining it, and covering it with a cover glass.

[0005] After the slices are made in this way, the doctor responsible for pathological diagnosis and judgment can observe the tissue slices through a microscope and make an accurate diagnostic decision. Summary of the invention

[0006] Technical issues solved

[0007] Modern people are suffering from various diseases, and various diseases, mainly cancer, are being treated by surgical removal of problematic organs. However, when performing a surgical operation for removal, the position and range of the part to be removed, such as the tumor tissue in the human organ or the affected part, is usually determined by the surgeon's visual observation and experience. Therefore, the range of the tumor tissue to be removed is also limited to the range that the doctor can visually observe. For areas that are so small that they cannot be visually observed, it is difficult to determine whether the corresponding tissue is a tumor. As a result, for example, when removing tumor tissue for cancer surgery, it is usually necessary to remove a wider area of ​​the tumor tissue than the visually observed area in order to prevent the tumor from remaining, which imposes an additional burden on the patient's recovery. Although a wider area than the tumor tissue is removed, there is still a problem that the tumor that is not exposed on the surface cannot be confirmed.

[0008] If a wide area is removed compared to the actual removal target, there is also a risk. For example, when performing thyroidectomy, the parathyroid gland that plays a role in calcium metabolism or hormone secretion cannot be removed functionally. However, it is not easy to clearly distinguish between ordinary thyroid tissue and parathyroid gland, lymph nodes, or fat tissue that can be removed. In this case, it is impossible to perform the surgery itself in a way that widely removes the part including the tumor like the above-mentioned cancer tissue removal method.

[0009] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, tissue examination as described above is used to understand what kind of tissue the removed tissue belongs to and what state it is in. However, in order to make slices, the tissue examination generally used often requires a process of fixing the tissue sample with a fixative, or due to a backlog of pathological examinations, it takes more than several days to grasp the results. In reality, it is difficult to use it to make judgments about tissues during surgery. In the frozen specimen examination or frozen section examination used to solve this problem, the tissue is not fixed but frozen, and the frozen tissue is sliced ​​to make slices. However, this process also takes at least 30 minutes, which is a heavy burden for the doctor or patient performing the operation.

[0010] Technical Solution

[0011] The present invention is developed to solve the above-mentioned technical problems. More specifically, its purpose is to provide a biological tissue inspection device and method, so that when an urgent tissue inspection is required during a surgical operation, the tissue of the object during the operation can be quickly observed and determined. The biological tissue inspection device of one embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that it includes: a platform portion, which carries the inspection object; a detection portion, which obtains an optical image of the inspection object and obtains optical interference data of the inspection object in a selected area in the optical image; the detection portion or the platform portion can be moved to obtain the optical interference data of the inspection object in the selected area.

[0012] A biological tissue inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the detection unit includes: an optical photographing unit, which obtains the optical image; a light interference detection unit, which obtains the light interference data; and a light induction unit; in order to obtain the optical image, the light induction unit forms a first light path for inducing illumination light emitted from an illumination light source and reflected by an inspection object to the optical photographing unit, and forms a second light path for allowing measurement light required to obtain the light interference data to be incident on the inspection object.

[0013] The biological tissue inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the illumination light source is provided in the detection section.

[0014] A biological tissue inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the illumination light source is provided outside independently of the detection unit.

[0015] A biological tissue inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the light inducing section includes a light path control element, and the first light path and the second light path are coaxial and overlap in a section between the light path control element and the inspection object.

[0016] A biological tissue inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the optical path control element is a semi-transparent mirror, which allows the illumination light to pass therethrough and then refracts the measurement light, or refracts the illumination light and then reflects the measurement light.

[0017] A biological tissue inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the light inducing section includes a magnification changing section, the magnification changing section includes a variable magnification objective lens, and the first light path and the second light path pass through the variable magnification objective lens.

[0018] A biological tissue inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the light inducing section includes a magnification changing section, the magnification changing section includes a plurality of fixed magnification objective lenses, and one of the plurality of fixed magnification objective lenses allows the first light path and the second light path to pass through.

[0019] A biological tissue inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the optical interference detection unit also includes: an interference light source, which irradiates near-infrared light; a beam splitter for optical interference measurement, which separates the near-infrared light from the interference light source into the measurement light and a reference light; and a reference mirror, which is used to reflect the reference light.

[0020] The biological tissue inspection apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the reference mirror moves based on the thickness of a fixed-magnification objective lens through which the second light path passes.

[0021] A biological tissue inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the detection unit further includes a guide beam irradiation unit, which irradiates the guide beam in such a manner that an irradiation point is within the FOV (Field of view, FOV) of the optical photographing unit, and the optical photographing unit obtains the optical image in such a manner that the irradiation point of the guide beam is visually identified within the optical image, and the irradiation point of the guide beam is included in the selected area.

[0022] The biological tissue inspection apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the guide beam irradiation unit irradiates the guide beam along the second light path.

[0023] A biological tissue inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the detection unit or the platform unit can adjust the position on the z-axis corresponding to the height direction of the inspection object so that the surface of the inspection object is located within the z-axis measurement range of the optical interference detection unit.

[0024] The biological tissue inspection device of one embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the position adjustment on the z-axis is performed after the optical interference detection unit obtains the optical interference data of the inspection object in the selected area. The biological tissue inspection device of one embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the position adjustment on the z-axis is performed together with the optical interference detection unit obtaining the optical interference data of the inspection object in the selected area.

[0025] The biological tissue inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the detection part further includes a distance measuring part which measures the distance between the detection part and the surface of the inspection object, and the position adjustment on the z-axis is based on the distance measured by the distance measuring part.

[0026] A biological tissue inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the detection unit or the platform unit is capable of adjusting the position on the x-axis, the y-axis, or both the x-axis and the y-axis so that the corresponding area is included in the FOV of the optical photographing unit or the field of view of the optical interference detection unit.

[0027] The biological tissue inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that it further includes: a display unit that displays the optical image; and an input unit that receives a user's selection for selecting a partial area of ​​the optical image.

[0028] The biological tissue inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that it further includes a transmission unit that transmits the optical image, the optical interference data, or the optical image and the optical interference data to the outside so that they can be shared in real time.

[0029] A biological tissue inspection method according to an embodiment of the present invention is a biological tissue inspection method utilizing a biological tissue inspection device including a platform portion and a detection portion, and is characterized in that it includes: a step in which the biological tissue inspection device obtains an optical image of the inspection object; a step in which a portion of an area is selected in the optical image; and a step in which optical interference data of the inspection object in the selected area in the optical image is obtained, wherein the detection portion or the platform portion is movable so as to obtain optical interference data of the inspection object in the selected area.

[0030] A biological tissue inspection method according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the detection unit includes an optical photographing unit and a light interference detection unit, and further includes: a step of adjusting the z-axis position of the detection unit or the platform unit corresponding to the height direction of the inspection object, so that the surface of the inspection object is included in the z-axis direction measurement range of the light interference detection unit.

[0031] The biological tissue inspection method according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the step of adjusting the position on the z-axis is performed after the step of the optical interference detection unit obtaining the optical interference data of the inspection object in the selected area.

[0032] The biological tissue inspection method according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the step of adjusting the position on the z-axis is performed together with the step of obtaining the optical interference data of the inspection object in the selected area by the optical interference detection unit.

[0033] A biological tissue inspection method according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the detection unit includes an optical photographing unit and an optical interference detection unit, and also includes a step of adjusting the position of the detection unit or the platform unit on the x-axis, the y-axis, or the x-axis and the y-axis so that the selected area is included in the field of view of the optical photographing unit or the optical interference detection unit.

[0034] The biological tissue inspection method according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that it further includes a step in which the detection unit changes the magnification required to obtain the optical image and the optical interference data.

[0035] The biological tissue inspection method according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that it further includes: a step of correcting the color of the optical image.

[0036] Effects of the Invention

[0037] With the support provided by the inspection device and method of the present invention, the surgeon performing the surgical operation can accurately grasp the area of ​​the tissue to be removed in real time during the operation, thereby improving the speed, accuracy and stability of the operation.

[0038] According to the inspection apparatus and method of the present invention, it is possible to confirm the optical image of the inspection object and quickly select the part to be inspected.

[0039] According to the inspection apparatus and method of the present invention, tissue inspection can be performed in real time without going through conventional biopsy procedures such as slice preparation, and in the case of thyroid surgery, the parathyroid gland can be protected because a wide range of resection is not required. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing the structure of the biological tissue inspection device of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 2 The figure shows a detection section of the biological tissue inspection device of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 3 The figure shows the optical imaging section of the detection section of the biological tissue inspection device of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 4 The figure shows a light interference detection unit of the biological tissue inspection device of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 5 The figure shows a light guide section of the biological tissue inspection device of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 6 The figure shows a mode in which the light interference detection unit operates in conjunction with the operation of the magnification changing unit in the biological tissue inspection apparatus of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 7 The figure shows the structure of the light path formed in the biological tissue inspection apparatus of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 8 The diagram shows the structure and operation of the guide light beam irradiation section of the biological tissue inspection apparatus of the present invention.

[0048] Fig. 9 The figure shows the movement of the stage portion of the biological tissue inspection apparatus of the present invention in the x-axis and y-axis directions.

[0049] Fig.10 The diagram shows movement of the stage portion of the biological tissue inspection apparatus of the present invention in the z-axis direction.

[0050] Fig.11 The biological tissue examination method of the present invention is shown in the figure.

[0051] (reference numerals)

[0052] 10: Biological tissue inspection device 20: Detection unit

[0053] 30: platform unit 100: optical photography unit

[0054] 200: Light interference detection unit 300: Light induction unit

[0055] 400: Guided beam irradiation unit 500: Distance measurement unit DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] The following embodiments disclose the biological tissue inspection apparatus and method of the present invention.

[0057] <Biological tissue inspection device>

[0058] Figure 1The figure shows a biological tissue inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The biological tissue inspection device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a detection unit 20 and a platform unit 30. On the platform unit 30, an inspection object 50 (for example, biological tissue) is carried, and the detection unit 20 obtains an optical image and optical interference data of the inspection object 50 through an objective lens arranged on the side of the inspection object 50. In the biological tissue inspection device 10, an area selection unit 40 may be additionally included. The area selection unit 40 may provide a selection interface to the user for the inspection object 50 so as to obtain optical interference data of a specific area desired by the user.

[0059] <Detection Department>

[0060] Figure 2 The diagram shows the structure of the detection unit 20. The detection unit 20 includes: an optical photographing unit 100 for obtaining an optical image of the inspection object 50; an optical interference detection unit 200 for obtaining optical interference data of the inspection object 50; and a light induction unit 300 for inducing illumination light and measurement light so that the optical photographing unit 100 and the optical interference detection unit 200 can obtain an optical image and optical interference data of the inspection object 50.

[0061] <Optical Photography Unit>

[0062] Figure 3 The optical photographing unit 100 shown obtains an optical image of the inspection object 50. The optical image may be a common two-dimensional image of the inspection object 50, but other images, such as a three-dimensional image, may be obtained as needed. For the convenience of description, the following describes a case where the optical photographing unit 100 obtains a common two-dimensional image.

[0063] like Figure 3 As shown, the optical photographing unit 100 includes: an illumination light source 110, which is used to irradiate illumination light 115 to the inspection object 50 to improve the quality of the image; and a light sensing unit 120, which is used to sense the light reflected from the inspection object 50 and convert it into an electrical signal. Figure 3 As shown, when the illumination light source 110 is attached to the side of the light sensing unit 120, the illumination light 115 can be transformed into the direction of the inspection object 50 by the beam splitter 130, and pass through the light induction unit 300 to irradiate the inspection object 50. The illumination light 115 reflected by the inspection object 50 passes through the light induction unit 300 again, and then can reach the light sensing unit 120.

[0064] On the other hand, the path of the illumination light 115 described above is only an example. As another example, the illumination light 115 may also be irradiated in a straight line and irradiated to the inspection object 50 through the light induction unit 300. Alternatively, as described below, Figure 7In the following description, another external illumination light source 170 is provided, and the external illumination light source 170 directly irradiates the inspection object 50 with illumination light without passing through the light guide unit 300 .

[0065] The illumination light 115 emitted by the illumination light source 110 may be a visible light. The light sensing unit 120 may be a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor capable of sensing light in the visible light region. The light sensing unit 120 may convert the sensed light into an electrical signal and transmit it to the processing unit 140. The processing unit 140 may generate an image of the inspection object 50 based on the electrical signal transmitted from the light sensing unit 120.

[0066] The optical image of the inspection object 50 obtained by the optical photographing unit 100 can be used as data required for observing the inspection object 50. In addition, the optical image can be used for moving and operating the stage unit 30 and the detection unit 20. In addition, the optical image can also be used to confirm the area to be measured by the optical interference detection unit 200.

[0067] In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, an optical image may be provided in the region selection unit 40. As will be described again below, the user may select a region to be confirmed through the region selection unit 40. The biological tissue inspection device 10 may obtain optical interference data for the region selected by the user.

[0068] The optical photographing unit 100 described above is described as an example of a configuration for obtaining a two-dimensional image of the surface of the inspection object 50 using visible light as a light source. However, as needed, a configuration for photographing the required optical image may be included so that a three-dimensional image can be generated. For example, as a method of generating a three-dimensional image based on the parallax between the two eyes, a two-dimensional image obtained by setting a difference of a predetermined angle for the inspection object 50 is synthesized, so that a three-dimensional image can be generated. In order to obtain a three-dimensional image in this way, the optical photographing unit 100 may include two cameras configured to set a difference of a predetermined angle for the inspection object 50. Alternatively, the optical photographing unit may include a camera and a transfer unit that can move the camera. In this case, the camera moves with the aid of the transfer unit, so that a two-dimensional image of the inspection object 50 can be obtained at different angles. Alternatively, a three-dimensional image of the inspection object 50 may also be generated by using pattern light. That is, the inspection device of the present invention may apply the following method, wherein the pattern light having a predetermined period is irradiated while changing the phase, and after obtaining an image of a pattern formed by the phase-shifted pattern light in the inspection object 50, the pattern image is processed to generate a three-dimensional image of the inspection object 50. In order to apply this method, the optical photographing unit 100 may additionally include: a pattern light irradiation device for irradiating pattern light; a camera for obtaining an image formed by the pattern light in the inspection object 50; and a processing unit for generating a three-dimensional image from the measured pattern image.

[0069] <Optical Interference Detection Section>

[0070] The optical interference detection unit 200 may obtain optical interference data in order to generate a three-dimensional image of the entire or a portion of the inspection object 50. In addition, the optical interference detection unit 200 may obtain optical interference data on a specific area of ​​the inspection object 50 selected by a user. Figure 4 The optical interference detection unit 200 is used as an example to illustrate the case of using a Michelson interferometer. The optical interference detection unit 200 may include: an interference light source 210 for irradiating near-infrared light; a beam splitter 220 for separating the near-infrared light from the interference light source 210 into a measuring light 215 and a reference light 225; a reference mirror 230 for reflecting the reference light 225 separated by the beam splitter 220; and an interference light sensing unit 240 for sensing interference light 235 formed by the measuring light 215 and the reference light 225 to generate optical interference data. The optical interference detection unit 200 may also include a processing unit 250 for generating a three-dimensional image from the optical interference data.

[0071] The interference light source 210 can irradiate light while making the wavelength tunable so that human tissue can be photographed in sections according to depth. As the light used for photographing the object in the optical interferometry, a laser with a wavelength in the range of 750 to 1300 nm in the infrared region can be used. In particular, the longer the wavelength, the deeper the depth that can penetrate into human tissue. Therefore, the interference light source does not irradiate only a single wavelength of laser, but irradiates the laser while converting the wavelength from a short wavelength to a long wavelength, so that a three-dimensional interference signal from the surface of the inspection object 50 to a predetermined depth can be obtained.

[0072] The measurement light 215 separated by the beam splitter 220 has its path changed by the light induction unit 300 described later, and can be irradiated to the inspection object 50 carried by the platform unit 30. The measurement light 215 irradiated to the inspection object 50 is reflected on the surface of the inspection object 50, or is scattered backward after penetrating a predetermined depth according to the wavelength. Then, the reflected measurement light or the backscattered measurement light returns to the optical interference detection unit 200 through the opposite path. The measurement light 215 and the reference light 225 interfere in the beam splitter 220 to form interference light 235, and the formed interference light 235 is sensed by the interference light sensing unit 240. The interference light sensing unit 240 generates optical interference data from the interference light 235 and transmits it to the processing unit 250. The processing unit 250 generates a tomographic image of the inspection object 50 from the optical interference data, thereby generating a three-dimensional image of the inspection object 50. For illustration purposes, an exemplary diagram shows a situation in which the interference light sensing unit 240 and the processing unit 250 are both included in the optical interference detection unit 200. However, as needed, the interference light sensing unit 240 and the processing unit 250 can be independently separated from the optical interference detection unit 200, and can be connected to the optical interference detection unit 200 through communication means such as optical cables.

[0073] The beam splitter 220 separates the light from the interference light source 210 into the measurement light 215 and the reference light 225. As described above, the measurement light 215 is irradiated to the inspection object 50 through the light induction unit 300, and is reflected from the surface of the inspection object 50, or after passing through a predetermined depth, is backscattered and returns to the light interference detection unit 200. The reference light 225 is reflected by the reference mirror 230, returns to the beam splitter 220, and interferes with the measurement light 215 returning to the light interference detection unit 200 to form the interference light 235, and the interference light 235 formed is sensed by the light interference sensing unit 240.

[0074] The reference mirror 230 reflects the reference light 225 separated by the beam splitter 220, and forms interference light 235 together with the measurement light 215 reflected or backscattered from the inspection object 50. At this time, when the path difference between the measurement light 215 and the reference light 225 is within the coherence length of the light irradiated by the interference light source 210, it can be sensed by the interference light sensing unit 240, so in order to appropriately adjust it, the position of the reference mirror 230 can be moved. Detailed description of this will be described later.

[0075] <Light-induced section>

[0076] Figure 5 The light induction unit 300 shown may function to guide the illumination light 115 from the optical photographing unit 100, the measurement light 215 from the optical interference detection unit 200, or both the illumination light 115 and the measurement light 215 to the inspection object 50 on the platform unit 30. The light induction unit 300 may include a light path control element 310 and a magnification change unit 320.

[0077] The light path control element 310 can control the path of the illumination light 115, the measurement light 215, or both the illumination light 115 and the measurement light 215. As described above, the illumination light 115 and the measurement light 215 are incident on the light guide unit 300 and reach the light path control element 310. Figure 5 As shown, the optical path control element 310 can allow the illumination light 115 to directly pass through and irradiate the inspection object 50. In addition, the optical path control element can adjust the path of the measurement light so that the measurement light 215 is coaxial with the illumination light 115 and irradiates the inspection object 50. In addition, the illumination light 115' and the measurement light 215' reflected or backscattered from the inspection object 50 are returned to the optical imaging unit 100 and the optical interference detection unit 200, respectively, so that an optical image and optical interference data can be obtained.

[0078] As the optical path control element 310, a semi-transparent mirror such as a dichroic filter can be used. As described above, the optical photographing unit 100 obtains a two-dimensional image of the inspection object 50 using visible light illumination light, and when the optical interference detection unit 200 uses the measurement light as near-infrared light to obtain the optical interference data required for obtaining a three-dimensional image of the inspection object 50, if a dichroic filter is used, the optical paths of the two beams of light with different wavelengths can be controlled individually. Therefore, in the area where the property of the illumination light 115 used by the optical photographing unit 100 is a non-visible light, or when the optical image to be obtained by the optical photographing unit 100 changes, or when the property of the measurement light 215 used by the optical interference detection unit 200 to obtain the optical interference data changes, an optical component adapted to this can be used instead.

[0079] The light induction unit 300 may include a magnification changing unit 320. The magnification changing unit 320 is a component for changing the magnification of the captured image. As the magnification changing unit 320, a plurality of fixed magnification objective lenses that can be changed between each other are configured, and by changing the lenses, an enlarged image of the inspection object 50 can be obtained. Alternatively, as the magnification changing unit 320, a single variable magnification objective lens with a variable magnification can be used. Figure 5 In the figure, for example, the form in which each objective lens is arranged on the rotating plate is illustrated, but in addition, other equivalent structures in which multiple lenses are arranged and can be changed mutually can also be used. Alternatively, a single variable magnification objective lens can be arranged at the lower end of the light path control element 310. In addition, as described above, when the illumination light 115 and the measurement light 215 need to have different optical axes for irradiation, the lenses of the magnification change unit 320 can also be arranged in multiple sets accordingly.

[0080] When the magnification changing unit 320 changes the magnification, the position of the reference mirror 230 of the optical interference detection unit 200 may need to be changed according to the characteristics of the lens, for example, according to the thickness and focal length of the lens. Figure 6The diagram shows the principle that the reference mirror 230 needs to be moved when using multiple fixed magnification objective lenses 322, 324, and 326. The optical interference data obtained by the optical interference detection unit 200 can be obtained from the interference caused by the difference in the optical path between the measurement light 215 and the reference light 225. At this time, according to the thickness of the lens used by the magnification change unit 320, an additional path difference of the optical path will be generated. That is, if the thickness L1, L2, and L3 of the lens are different, the distance of the free space passed by the measurement light 215 and the focal length of the lens are changed together by WD1, WD2, and WD3, thereby additionally generating the path difference experienced by the measurement light 215. Therefore, in order to reflect the changed path difference and sense the interference between the measurement light 215 and the reference light 225, since the optical path experienced by the reference light 225 is changed, it is necessary to coordinate the change of the optical path experienced by the measurement light 215 according to the change of the lens. For this reason, the position P1, P2, and P3 of the reference mirror 230 can be changed.

[0081] Next, the first optical path formed by the light guide unit 300 to guide the illumination light 115 from the optical imaging unit 100 and the measurement light 215 from the optical interference detection unit 200 to the inspection object 50 will be described. Figure 7 , the figure shows the state in which the illumination light 115 from the optical photographing unit 100 is irradiated to the inspection object 50 through the first light path 1115 by means of the light guiding unit 300. The illumination light 115 required for obtaining the optical image travels along the first light path 1115. That is, the illumination light 115 is initially emitted from the illumination light source 110, and is incident on the light guiding unit 300 through the beam splitter 130. The illumination light 115 incident on the light guiding unit 300 passes through the light path control element 310 of the light guiding unit 300, and then is irradiated to the inspection object 50 through the magnification changing unit 320. The illumination light 115 irradiated to the inspection object 50 is reflected from the inspection object 50 and moves toward the optical photographing unit 100, forming the first light path 1115.

[0082] On the other hand, the first light path 1115 of the illumination light 115 described above is only an example, and a person skilled in the art may adopt other schemes for irradiating the illumination light 115. For example, the illumination light irradiated to the inspection object 50 from the illumination 170 at a different position may be irradiated through the different light paths 1715. At this time, the illumination light traveling along the different light paths 1715 may be directly irradiated to the inspection object 50 without passing through the light induction unit 300. Even in this case, the illumination light irradiated to the inspection object 50 through the different light paths 1715 is reflected from the inspection object 50 and passes through the light induction unit 300 along the same path as the first light path 1115 toward the optical photographing unit 100.

[0083] The measuring light 215 from the optical interference detection unit 200 can be guided to the inspection object 50 by the light guiding unit 300 along the second optical path 1215. As described above, the light emitted from the interference light source 210 is separated in the beam splitter 220, and the measuring light 215 passing through the beam splitter 220 is incident on the optical path control element 310 of the light guiding unit 300. The optical path control element 310 changes the path of the measuring light 215 so that the measuring light 215 is directed toward the inspection object 50.

[0084] The first optical path 1115 for obtaining an optical image and the second optical path 1215 for obtaining optical interference data share a portion 1315 by means of the optical path control element 310 of the optical induction unit 300. Figure 7 As shown, the optical path between the optical path control element 310 in the first optical path 1115 required for obtaining the optical image and the inspection object 50 overlaps with the optical path between the optical path control element 310 in the second optical path 1215 required for obtaining the optical interference data and the inspection object 50. Alternatively, instead of overlapping the optical paths and irradiating them coaxially, the light induction unit 300 may be induced so that the illumination light 115 and the measurement light 215 have different optical axes and irradiate the inspection object 50. The optical photographing unit 100 has a wide field of view (FOV), while the optical interference detection unit 200 has a narrower field of view than the optical photographing unit 100. Therefore, when the optical interference detection unit 200 is used to measure various parts of the optical image obtained by the optical photographing unit 100 for the inspection object 50, it is necessary to irradiate with different optical axes as described above. In particular, the light induction unit 300 may induce the measurement light 215 so that the optical interference data is obtained for the area selected by the user with the aid of the area selection unit 40.

[0085] <Guide beam irradiation section>

[0086] like Figure 8 As shown, in the biological tissue inspection device 10, a guide beam irradiation unit 400 may be additionally configured. The guide beam irradiation unit 400 may be configured together with the optical imaging unit 100 or the optical interference detection unit 200, or may be configured at another position of the detection unit 20. For the convenience of description, the following description is based on the case where the guide beam irradiation unit 400 is configured together with the optical interference detection unit 200.

[0087] The guide beam irradiation unit 400 may include a guide beam light source 410 and a beam splitter 420, and irradiates the guide beam 415 coaxially with the measurement light 215 of the optical interference detection unit 200. The guide beam irradiation unit 400 irradiates the guide beam 415, so as to assist the user in understanding which region the optical interference data is obtained. That is, the measurement light 215 used to obtain the optical interference data is a laser in the infrared or near-infrared region, so it is impossible to visually understand which part of the inspection object 50 the optical interference data is obtained. Therefore, the guide beam 415 corresponding to the visible light region is irradiated to the inspection object 50 in a coaxial manner with the measurement light, so that the user can understand which region the optical interference data is currently obtained for the inspection object 50. A configuration such as a beam splitter 420 may be added to the inspection device in order to irradiate the guide beam 415 coaxially with the measurement light 215. For example, it may be shown that the guide beam 415 is irradiated to a specific region of the inspection object 50 selected by the user through the region selection unit 40, so as to obtain the optical interference data of the user-selected region. As required, the guide light beam 415 may not be irradiated coaxially with the measuring light 215 .

[0088] <Distance Measurement Section>

[0089] The distance measuring unit 500 may be disposed at one end of the detection unit 20, specifically, at the end of the light induction unit 300, and more specifically, together with the magnification changing unit 320. The distance measuring unit 500 may measure the distance between the surfaces of the inspection object 50 from the magnification changing unit 320. In order to measure the distance, the distance measuring unit 500 may use infrared rays, ultrasonic waves, lasers, etc. The distance measured by the distance measuring unit 500 may be used to solve the problem that the z-axis direction cannot be accurately measured when the optical interference detection unit 200 obtains the optical interference data of the inspection object 50. The details will be described later.

[0090] <Area Selection and Transmission>

[0091] As described above, the biological tissue inspection device of the present invention can obtain optical interference data of a region desired by the user for the optical image of the inspection object 50 obtained by the optical photographing unit 100. To this end, the biological tissue inspection device of the present invention can additionally include a region selection unit 40. The region selection unit 40 can include: a display unit 42, which is used to display the optical image obtained by the optical photographing unit 100; and an input unit 44, which is used to receive user input to select a specific region in the optical image displayed on the display unit 42. The specific configuration of the display unit 42 and the input unit 44 can utilize conventional technology.

[0092] The biological tissue inspection device 10 of the present invention may further include a transmission unit 70. The present invention is developed to rapidly perform biological tissue inspection during surgery, but depending on the situation, in order to improve the accuracy of the inspection, the pathology department of the hospital may also need to inspect the same tissue in real time. In order to perform such inspection, the biological tissue inspection device 10 may send and receive optical images and optical interference data obtained by the transmission unit 70 or three-dimensional image data generated therefrom, as well as patient-related data in real time during surgery.

[0093] <Organization inspection method>

[0094] Reference Fig. 9 , describing the tissue inspection method of the present invention.

[0095] The inspection object 50, which is a sample collected from human tissue, can be located in the platform part 30. The optical photographing part 100 can obtain an optical image about the inspection object 50. The optical interference detection part 200 can obtain optical interference data for the inspection object 50 area corresponding to all or part of the optical image. The field of view of the optical photographing part 100 and the optical interference detection part 200 is limited. In addition, due to the misalignment on the surface of the inspection object 50, the problem of not being able to obtain accurate optical interference data also occurs. In order to solve this problem, the platform part 30 can be moved along the x-axis, y-axis and z-axis directions. Among them, the z-axis represents the axis corresponding to the height direction of the inspection object 50.

[0096] For example, Fig. 9 As shown, the inspection object 50 is located on the platform part 30. In order to move the area 54 where the three-dimensional image of the inspection object 50 is to be obtained into the field of view 52 of the optical interference detection unit 200, the platform part 30 can be moved along the x-axis and y-axis directions by dx and dy. The movement in the x-axis and y-axis directions as described above can be realized based on the optical image obtained by the optical photographing unit 100 or the interference signal obtained by the optical interference detection unit 200. For example, when it is necessary to perform inspection through the three-dimensional image for a specific area selected by the user in the optical image, the platform part 30 can be moved along the x-axis and y-axis directions so that the area corresponding to the selected area in the inspection object 50 is included in the field of view 52 of the optical interference detection unit 200. On the other hand, the platform part 30 does not move, but the detection unit 20 moves instead, so that the area of ​​the inspection object 50 included in the field of view 52 can be changed in the same manner.

[0097] On the other hand, when there is a large misalignment on the surface of the inspection object 50, the optical interference data obtained to generate a three-dimensional image of the inspection object 50 will be distorted. Due to the characteristics of the measurement light 215, such as the frequency, or the characteristics of the lens of the optical system, the depth to which the measurement light 215 can penetrate from the surface of the inspection object 50 is several mm from the surface. If this interval of several mm is defined as the "z-axis measurement range" of the optical interference detection unit 200, then the misalignment on the surface of the inspection object 50 will exceed the z-axis measurement range of the optical interference detection unit 200. In other words, the inspection object 50 has misalignment on the surface, and the misalignment on the surface of the higher height area and the lower height area is larger than the z-axis measurement range. At this time, when compared with the reflected light of the measuring light 215 reflected from the higher area on the surface of the inspection object 50 or the backscattered light of the measuring light 215 that is backscattered from the deeper area below the surface of the higher area, the optical interference data obtained by the reflected light of the measuring light 215 reflected from the lower area and the backscattered light of the measuring light 215 that is backscattered from the deeper area below the surface of the lower area will appear in a distorted form. Therefore, in order to prevent the occurrence of such distorted data or to remove the distorted data and obtain accurate data, it is necessary to move the position of the inspection object 50 in the z-axis direction.

[0098] In this regard, if we refer to Fig.10 , when the inspection object 50 to be measured has a layer mismatch on the surface, and when the surface of the area 55 to be measured exceeds the measurement range 53 in the z-axis direction, the platform unit 30 or the detection unit 20 can be moved along the z-axis direction for the measurement of the corresponding area. As one method, after all the optical interference data are obtained for the inspection object 50, the optical interference data is obtained again for the area where it is judged that the optical interference data is distorted due to the layer mismatch on the surface. That is, there is a method in which the platform unit 30 or the detection unit 20 is moved along the z-axis direction so that the surface of the area where the optical interference data is judged to be distorted is included in the measurement range 53 in the z-axis direction, and then the optical interference data is obtained again. As another method, when obtaining the optical interference data for the inspection object 50, the height on the surface of the inspection object 50 is measured, and the platform unit 30 or the detection unit 20 is moved in real time along the z-axis direction so that the surface of the inspection object 50 is always included in the measurement range 53 in the z-axis direction.

[0099] On the other hand, when the platform part 30 or the detection part 20 moves in the z-axis direction, the movement amplitude can be automatically realized based on the distance between the lens of the magnification change part 320 and the inspection object 50 measured by the distance measuring part 500. Alternatively, the platform part 30 or the detection part 20 may include an operation part that can be operated by the user, and the platform part 30 or the detection part 20 can move in the z-axis direction as the user operates the operation part. This configuration is not intended to include the surface of the inspection object 50 in the z-axis measurement range described above, but can also be used for other purposes. For example, in the case where the optical photographing part 100 is configured to obtain a two-dimensional image of the inspection object 50, the user observes the two-dimensional image, and in order to align the image focus, the platform part 30 or the detection part 20 can also be moved by operating the operation part.

[0100] For the biological tissue inspection device of the present invention, in the above embodiments, Figure 1 As shown, the optical photographing unit 100 is located at the upper end of the platform unit 30 in the vertical direction, and the light interference detection unit 200 is arranged on the side of the light inducing unit 300. In this configuration, the path of the measuring light 215 from the light interference detection unit 200 is changed by means of the light path control element 310 of the light inducing unit 300. However, this configuration is only an example, and a person skilled in the art can construct the present invention so that even if the configurations of the optical photographing unit 100, the light interference detection unit 200 and the light inducing unit 300 are different from those in the embodiment, the same function as an inspection device is performed. For example, the light interference detection unit 200 can be arranged vertically above the light inducing unit 300, and the optical photographing unit 100 can be arranged on the side. Alternatively, the optical photographing unit 100 and the light interference detection unit 200 can all be located at the upper end of the light inducing unit 300. At this time, the optical path control element 310 can be configured with a single beam splitter or color filter, multiple beam splitters or multiple color filters or a combination thereof, etc., to guide the illumination light and the measurement light in the direction of the inspection object 50, thereby performing the same function as an inspection device as the previous embodiment.

[0101] The optical image and the three-dimensional image generated by processing the light interference data can be displayed on the display unit 60. The user can check and determine what kind of tissue the target area corresponds to and what state it is in from the image displayed on the display unit, and plan or perform the next surgical procedure.

[0102] Fig.11The sequence of the inspection method using the biological tissue inspection device of the present invention is shown in the figure. The biological tissue inspection method of the present invention includes a step of obtaining an optical image by means of the optical photographing unit 100 (S100) and a step of obtaining optical interference data by means of the optical interference detection unit 200 (S200). In addition, after obtaining the optical image, before obtaining the optical interference data, a step of selecting an area for which the optical interference data is to be obtained by the user (S150) can be performed. As described above with respect to the biological tissue inspection device 10, before the step of obtaining the optical image and the optical interference signal, the step of changing the position of the detection unit 20 or the platform unit 30 on the x-axis, y-axis and z-axis (S220, S240) can be included so that the area to be measured of the inspection object 50 is included in the field of view of the optical photographing unit 100 and the optical interference detection unit 200. In particular, the step of changing the position on the z-axis can be performed using the distance information between the detection unit 20 and the inspection object 50 independently measured by the distance measurement unit 500 (S242), as described above.

[0103] On the other hand, before obtaining the optical image, a step (S120) including changing the magnification for obtaining the image may be added. Alternatively, although not shown in the figure, in order to make the magnification when obtaining the optical image different from the magnification when generating the optical interference data, the magnification may be changed after obtaining the optical image and before obtaining the optical interference data. At this time, as described above, when the obtained and measured images are displayed on the display unit 42, a mark representing the magnification difference is performed, or images with different magnifications are processed to display images with the same magnification. The light path control element 310 of the light guide unit 300 can separate the illumination light 115 reflected from the inspection object 50 and the measurement light 215 and the guide light beam 415. In the process of separating the guide light beam 415 belonging to the visible light region, a portion of the wavelength of the measurement light 215 including the visible light region is also removed. Therefore, in the step of measuring the two-dimensional image, in order to restore the removed portion of the wavelength, color correction (S140) can be additionally performed on the optical image.

[0104] The biological tissue inspection method of the present invention can be stored in a machine or computer readable storage medium and executed as a program command. The program command may include a program command that concretizes the operation of the optical photographing unit, the light interference detection unit, the detection unit and the platform unit. The program can be executed with the aid of a computer or a processing device included in the biological tissue inspection device of the present invention. On the other hand, it can be executed by a remote server or computer that can connect and communicate with the biological tissue inspection device of the present invention. The execution of the biological tissue inspection method of the present invention by a remote server or computer can be constructed as follows: the remote server or computer transmits a corresponding command to the biological tissue inspection device, and the biological tissue inspection device transmits the result of executing the method according to the command to the remote server or computer, and the remote server or computer parses it again and transmits an additional command.

[0105] The present invention has been described and exemplified by preferred embodiments, but it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An inspection device, in, include: The platform part is used to carry the inspection object, and a detection unit, used to obtain an optical image of the inspection object and to obtain optical interference data of the inspection object in a region selected in the optical image; The detection part or the platform part is movable so as to obtain the optical interference data of the inspection object in the selected area; The detection unit comprises: An optical photographing unit, used to obtain the optical image, A light interference detection unit, used to obtain the light interference data, The light induction part includes a magnification changing part, and a guide beam irradiation unit for irradiating the guide beam so that an irradiation point is located within the field of view of the optical imaging unit, In order to obtain the optical image, the light induction unit forms a first light path for inducing the illumination light emitted from the illumination light source and reflected from the inspection object to the optical photographing unit, and forms a second light path for causing the measurement light required for obtaining the optical interference data to be incident on the inspection object. the guide light beam irradiation section irradiates the guide light beam along the second light path, The detection unit or the platform unit adjusts the position on the z-axis in response to the surface of the area to be measured in the inspection object being determined to be beyond the measurement range of the optical interference detection unit in the z-axis direction, so that the surface of the area to be measured in the inspection object is located within the measurement range of the optical interference detection unit in the z-axis direction.

2. The inspection device according to claim 1, wherein: The illumination light source is disposed in the detection unit.

3. The inspection device according to claim 1, wherein: The illumination light source is provided outside independently of the detection unit.

4. The inspection device according to claim 1, wherein: The light induction unit includes a light path control element, The first light path and the second light path are coaxial and overlap in a section between the light path control element and the inspection object.

5. The inspection device according to claim 4, wherein: The light path control element is a semi-transparent mirror, The semi-transparent mirror allows the illumination light to pass therethrough and then refracts the measurement light, or allows the illumination light to be refracted and then reflects the measurement light.

6. The inspection device according to claim 1, wherein: The magnification changing unit includes a variable magnification objective lens, The first light path and the second light path pass through the variable magnification objective lens.

7. The inspection device according to claim 1, wherein: The magnification changing unit includes a plurality of fixed magnification objective lenses. One of the plurality of fixed-magnification objective lenses allows the first light path and the second light path to pass through.

8. The inspection device according to claim 7, wherein: The optical interference detection unit comprises: Interference light source, used to irradiate near-infrared light, a beam splitter for optical interference measurement, for separating the near-infrared light from the interference light source into the measurement light and the reference light, and A reference mirror is used to reflect the reference light.

9. The inspection device according to claim 8, wherein: The reference mirror moves based on the thickness of a fixed-magnification objective lens through which the second light path passes.

10. The inspection device according to claim 1, wherein: The optical imaging unit obtains the optical image in such a manner that the irradiation point of the guide light beam can be visually recognized within the optical image, The irradiation location of the guided light beam is included in the selected area.

11. The inspection device according to claim 1, wherein: The position adjustment on the z-axis is performed after the optical interference detection unit obtains the optical interference data of the inspection object in the selected region.

12. The inspection device according to claim 1, wherein: The position adjustment on the z-axis is performed simultaneously when the optical interference detection unit obtains the optical interference data of the inspection object in the selected region.

13. The inspection device according to claim 1, wherein: The detection unit further includes a distance measuring unit, which measures the distance between the detection unit and the surface of the inspection object; The position adjustment on the z-axis is based on the distance measured by the distance measuring unit.

14. The inspection device according to claim 1, wherein: The detection unit or the platform unit can adjust the position on the x-axis or the y-axis or the positions on the x-axis and the y-axis so that the area selected from the optical image is included in the field of view of the optical photography unit or the field of view of the optical interference detection unit.

15. The inspection device according to claim 1, wherein: The inspection device also includes: a display unit, used for displaying the optical image, and The input unit is used to receive a user's selection for selecting a portion of the optical image.

16. The inspection device according to claim 1, wherein: The invention also includes a transmission unit, which transmits the optical image, the optical interference data, or the optical image and the optical interference data to the outside so as to enable real-time sharing.

17. An inspection method is performed using an inspection device, the inspection device comprising a platform portion and a detection portion, wherein: The inspection method comprises: The inspection device obtains an optical image of the inspection object, The inspection device selects a portion of the area in the optical image, and The inspection device obtains optical interference data of the inspection object in the area selected in the optical image; The detection part or the platform part is movable so as to obtain the optical interference data of the inspection object in the selected area; The detection unit comprises: An optical photographing unit, used to obtain the optical image, A light interference detection unit, used to obtain the light interference data, The light induction part includes a magnification changing part, and a guide beam irradiation unit for irradiating the guide beam so that an irradiation point is located within the field of view of the optical imaging unit, In order to obtain the optical image, the light induction unit forms a first light path for inducing the illumination light emitted from the illumination light source and reflected from the inspection object to the optical photographing unit, and forms a second light path for causing the measurement light required for obtaining the optical interference data to be incident on the inspection object. the guide light beam irradiation section irradiates the guide light beam along the second light path, The detection unit or the platform unit adjusts the position on the z-axis in response to the surface of the area to be measured in the inspection object being determined to be beyond the measurement range of the optical interference detection unit in the z-axis direction, so that the surface of the area to be measured in the inspection object is located within the measurement range of the optical interference detection unit in the z-axis direction.

18. The inspection method according to claim 17, wherein: The method also includes the step of adjusting the position of the detection part or the platform part on the z-axis so that the surface of the inspection object is located within the measurement range of the optical interference detection part in the z-axis direction.

19. The inspection method according to claim 18, wherein: The step of adjusting the position on the z-axis is performed after the step of obtaining the optical interference data of the inspection object of the selected region.

20. The inspection method according to claim 18, wherein: The step of adjusting the position on the z-axis is performed together with the step of obtaining the optical interference data of the inspection object in the selected region.

21. The inspection method according to claim 17, wherein: The method also includes adjusting the position of the detection unit or the platform unit on the x-axis or the y-axis or both the x-axis and the y-axis so that the selected area is included in the field of view of the optical photography unit or the light interference detection unit.

22. The inspection method according to claim 17, wherein: The step also includes the step of changing the magnification of the detection unit to obtain the optical image or the light interference data.

23. The inspection method according to claim 17, wherein: The method also includes a step of correcting the color of the optical image.

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