Medical observation system

Abstract

A medical observation system includes a white light source that irradiates white light, an infrared light source that irradiates infrared light, a light source controller that controls to alternately repeat a first mode in which the white light source is caused to emit white light and a second mode in which the infrared light source is caused to emit infrared light and the white light source is caused to emit light having a wavelength included in a wavelength range from green to blue, in a time series, and an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject. Thus, a medical observation system that simultaneously performs ordinary observation and infrared observation without hindering the operation of an operator is provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a medical observation system. Background Technology

[0002] It is known that conventional endoscopes can switch between ordinary observation (emitting white light) and infrared observation (emitting infrared light), or can perform both simultaneously. The endoscope described in Patent Document 1 can alternately emit white light and infrared light to the object in a time sequence, performing both ordinary and infrared observation simultaneously.

[0003] Reference List

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: JP 2013-26987A Summary of the Invention

[0006] Technical issues

[0007] However, unlike endoscopes used for abdominal observation, in exoscopes or microscopes used for abdominal surgery and craniotomy, when the object is illuminated with white and infrared light that is switched and emitted alternately in a time sequence, the operator perceives the switching of light, and therefore, in some cases, may hinder the operator's operation.

[0008] This disclosure is made in view of the above circumstances, and the purpose of this disclosure is to provide a medical observation system that can perform both conventional and infrared observations simultaneously without hindering the operator's operation.

[0009] Solution to the problem

[0010] To address the aforementioned problems and achieve the objectives, a medical observation system according to one aspect of this disclosure includes: a white light source configured to emit white light; an infrared light source configured to emit infrared light; a light source controller configured to perform control to alternately repeat a first mode and a second mode in a time sequence, wherein in the first mode the white light source emits white light, and in the second mode the infrared light source emits infrared light, and the white light source emits light having a wavelength band from green to blue; and an imaging unit configured to capture an image of a target.

[0011] Additionally, one aspect of the medical observation system according to this disclosure also includes an image overlay processing unit configured to overlay an infrared image captured in a second mode onto a white light image captured in a first mode.

[0012] In addition, in a medical observation system according to one aspect of this disclosure, the light source controller is configured to increase the amount of light from the white light source in the second mode relative to the amount of white light from the white light source in the first mode.

[0013] Additionally, in one aspect of the medical observation system according to this disclosure, the imaging unit is an external mirror configured to photograph an object from outside the body.

[0014] Additionally, according to one aspect of the medical observation system of this disclosure, the imaging unit includes: a color filter comprising a filter that transmits red light, a filter that transmits green light, and a filter that transmits blue light; and a sensor configured to receive light transmitted through the color filter.

[0015] Additionally, in a medical observation system according to one aspect of this disclosure, the imaging unit includes a beam splitter and a plurality of sensors, the beam splitter being configured to reflect light from an object in different directions according to wavelength, the plurality of sensors having a sensitivity corresponding to the wavelength obtained by beam splitting through the beam splitter.

[0016] Additionally, in a medical observation system according to one aspect of this disclosure, the imaging unit includes: a beam splitting unit configured to split light from an object into multiple paths; and multiple sensors arranged on the multiple paths obtained by beam splitting through the beam splitting unit.

[0017] Additionally, in a medical observation system according to one aspect of this disclosure, the white light source includes an R light source configured to emit red light, a G light source configured to emit green light, and a B light source configured to emit blue light. The light source controller is configured to, in a first mode, cause the R light source, G light source, and B light source to emit white light obtained by combining RGB light, and in a second mode, cause the infrared light source to emit infrared light and cause the G light source to emit green light, or cause the G light source and B light source to emit green light and blue light, respectively.

[0018] Additionally, in a medical observation system according to one aspect of this disclosure, the light source controller is configured to: insert a filter configured to remove red light into the optical path of light emitted from a white light source in a second mode, and remove the filter from the optical path of light emitted from the white light source in a first mode.

[0019] In addition, according to one aspect of the medical observation system of this disclosure, the filter is plate-shaped, and the light source controller is configured to insert and remove the filter in the optical path of the light emitted by the white light source by translating the filter.

[0020] In addition, according to one aspect of the medical observation system of this disclosure, the filter is a disc-shaped filter in which filter portions and gap portions are arranged alternately in a circumferential direction, and the light source controller is configured to insert and remove the filter in the optical path of the light emitted by the white light source by rotating the filter.

[0021] Additionally, one aspect of the medical observation system according to this disclosure also includes a control unit configured to control the shutter speed of the imaging unit.

[0022] Advantages of the present invention

[0023] According to this disclosure, a medical observation system is available that can perform both routine and infrared observations simultaneously without interfering with the operator's work. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of an external viewing system according to an embodiment.

[0025] Figure 2 It shows through Figure 1 The diagram shows the time variation of light emitted by the external viewing system towards the object.

[0026] Figure 3 It is a graph showing the time variation of the amount of G light or the amount of G light and B light.

[0027] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the external viewing system according to a modified example.

[0028] Figure 5 It shows through Figure 4 The diagram shows the time variation of light emitted by the external viewing system towards the object.

[0029] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating an exemplary wavelength band that will be removed by the filter. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Hereinafter, embodiments for implementing the present disclosure (hereinafter referred to as "implementations") will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described below. Furthermore, in the description of the drawings, the same parts are indicated by the same reference numerals.

[0031] (Implementation Method)

[0032] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of an exoscopic observation system according to an embodiment. The exoscopic observation system 1 is a medical observation system used during open surgery (such as laparotomy, thoracotomy, cranioplasty, etc.) to assist the operator in observing the subject H (during surgery on the subject H), and is configured to simultaneously perform conventional observation and infrared observation. Note that the medical observation system may be, for example, an exoscopic observation system including an exoscope, or it may be an observation system including a surgical microscope, an optical microscope, or other microscopes (surgical microscope system). The exoscopic observation system 1 includes a processor 10, an exoscopic camera 20, a light source device 30, and a display unit 40.

[0033] The processor 10 includes a clock generation unit 11, a synchronization signal generation unit 12, a light source controller 13, an image overlay processing unit 14, a control unit 15, and a storage unit 16.

[0034] The clock generation unit 11 generates a clock signal, which is a driving timing signal used to drive the external viewing mirror observation system 1, and outputs the clock signal to the imaging unit 22.

[0035] The synchronization signal generation unit 12 generates a synchronization signal, which is a timing signal for driving the external viewing mirror observation system 1, and outputs the synchronization signal to the imaging unit 22 and the light source controller 13. The synchronization signal is a timing signal that controls the switching between a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the white light source emits white light, and in the second mode, the infrared light source emits infrared light, and the white light source emits light with wavelengths ranging from the green wavelength band to the blue wavelength band.

[0036] Under the control of the control unit 15, the light source controller 13 controls the light source device 30 according to the timing of the synchronization signal. The light source controller 13 controls the alternating repetition of the first mode and the second mode in a time sequence. In the first mode, the white light source emits white light, and in the second mode, the infrared light source emits infrared light and the white light source emits light with a wavelength range from green to blue.

[0037] Figure 2 It shows through Figure 1 The diagram shows the time-varying light emitted by the external viewing system towards the object. (See figure.) Figure 2As shown, for example, the light source controller 13 controls the alternating emission of white light, a combination of RGB light, infrared light, and G light or G light and B light to the surgical area at a period of 1 / 120th of a second. In other words, in a first mode, the light source controller 13 causes the R, G, and B light sources of the white light source to emit white light obtained by combining RGB light; in a second mode, it causes the infrared light source to emit infrared light, and causes the G light source to emit G light, or causes the G and B light sources to emit G light and B light respectively. At this time, the white light source alternately switches the wavelength bands of the light to be emitted in the first and second modes, but emits light continuously. Note that the emission period is not limited to 1 / 120th of a second, and the period is preferably any period, as long as the white light, infrared light, and G light or G light and B light can be emitted alternately in time sequence.

[0038] Figure 3 It is a graph showing the time-varying amount of G-ray or the amounts of G-ray and B-ray. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the light source controller 13 can increase the amount of white light emitted by the white light source in the second mode compared to the amount of light emitted by the white light source in the first mode. In the second mode, the absence of R light emission from the white light source reduces the total amount of light compared to the first mode. Therefore, in the second mode, the amount of B light, or the combined amount of B and G light, can be increased relative to the first mode to reduce the difference in total light amount between the first and second modes, making the light switching difficult for the operator to perceive.

[0039] The image overlay processing unit 14 overlays the infrared image captured in the second mode onto the white light image captured in the first mode. The infrared image, for example, is a monochrome image colored green. For instance, when observing indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence using the external viewing system 1, an image of the fluorescence emitted by infrared light excitation is captured and overlaid onto the white light image. This configuration facilitates visual identification of blood vessels and the like by the operator.

[0040] The control unit 15 controls the overall operation of the external viewing system 1. In addition, the control unit 15 controls the shutter speed of the imaging unit 22.

[0041] The clock generation unit 11, synchronization signal generation unit 12, light source controller 13, image overlay processing unit 14, and control unit 15 are implemented using a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor. A general-purpose processor is such as a central processing unit (CPU) with internal memory storing programs, while a dedicated processor is such as various arithmetic circuits (e.g., application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs)) that perform specific functions. Alternatively, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) of a programmable integrated circuit can be used. Note that when using an FPGA, memory can be provided for storing configuration data, allowing the FPGA to be configured as a programmable integrated circuit using configuration data read from the memory.

[0042] The storage unit 16 includes semiconductor memory such as flash memory and dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and temporarily stores various programs and processing data executed by the external viewing system 1.

[0043] The external viewing camera 20 has a lens 21 and an imaging unit 22.

[0044] Lens 21 collects light from object H. For example, in open surgery (such as abdominal surgery, thoracotomy, or cranioplasty), object H is the surgical area.

[0045] Imaging unit 22 images the object H from outside the body to generate an image. Imaging unit 22 includes a color filter and a sensor. The color filter has a filter that transmits red light, a filter that transmits green light, and a filter that transmits blue light. The sensor receives the light transmitted through the color filter. The color filter can be a color filter in which the filters corresponding to each color are arranged in a predetermined pattern in a two-dimensional matrix. For example, the predetermined pattern can be, but is not limited to, a Bayer array. The sensor (imaging element) includes a charge-coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS). Moreover, preferably, the sensor is an imaging element having a number of pixels corresponding to, for example, 4K resolution (3840 horizontal pixels × 2160 vertical pixels), 8K resolution (7680 horizontal pixels × 4320 vertical pixels), or square 4K resolution (3840 or more horizontal pixels × 3840 or more vertical pixels). In addition, imaging unit 22 may be provided with an excitation light cutoff filter located between the lens of the sensor and the color filter. For example, a filter is placed upstream of a sensor that receives red light. This filter blocks infrared light, which serves as excitation light, and transmits infrared light with a wavelength different from the excitation light, which acts as fluorescence. The sensor can be a single sensor chip or multiple sensor chips. For example, a prism can be used to split the incident light into predetermined wavelength bands, allowing different light-receiving elements to capture the corresponding wavelength bands. For instance, in a dual-board configuration with two sensor chips, one can be used to receive RGB light (visible light), and the other can be used to receive infrared light. Furthermore, in a triple-board configuration with three sensor chips, one can be used to receive R light, another can be used to receive G and B light, and the third can be used to receive infrared light. Note that when using multiple sensor chips, short-pass filters, long-pass filters, or band-pass filters corresponding to the wavelength of light received by each sensor can be used to allow the sensor to receive light in the desired wavelength band. Additionally, multiple light-receiving elements can be provided for stereo vision.

[0046] The light source device 30 includes a power supply unit 31, a white light source 32, an infrared light source 33, a switching unit 34, a combiner 35, and a light source aperture 36.

[0047] The power supply unit 31 provides power to the white light source 32 and the infrared light source 33 under the control of the light source controller 13.

[0048] White light source 32 emits white light toward an object. White light source 32 includes an R light source 32a that emits red light, a G light source 32b that emits green light, and a B light source 32c that emits blue light. Each of the R light source 32a, G light source 32b, and B light source 32c includes a solid-state light-emitting device such as a light-emitting diode (LED) or a laser diode (LD), or a light-emitting component such as a laser R light source.

[0049] Infrared light source 33 emits infrared light toward the object. Infrared light source 33 includes solid-state light-emitting devices such as LEDs or LDs, light-emitting components such as laser light sources, etc.

[0050] The switching unit 34 includes switches 34a to 34d that are respectively connected to the R light source 32a, the G light source 32b, the B light source 32c and the infrared light source 33, and the switching unit 34 switches whether to supply power to the R light source 32a, the G light source 32b, the B light source 32c and the infrared light source 33 under the control of the light source controller 13.

[0051] The combiner 35 combines the light emitted by the R light source 32a, the G light source 32b, the B light source 32c and the infrared light source 33.

[0052] The light source aperture 36 is adjusted to control the amount of light output to the outward-facing camera 20.

[0053] Display unit 40 displays images captured by external viewing camera 20, etc. Display unit 40 includes a cathode ray tube (CRT) display or a liquid crystal or organic electroluminescent (EL) display panel. Note that in addition to display unit 40, output devices for outputting information, such as speakers or printers, may also be provided.

[0054] According to the embodiments described above, when performing infrared observation (second mode) using the light source device 30, B light or both B and G light are also emitted, thereby reducing the color variation of the light emitted towards the object H during normal observation (first mode) and infrared observation (second mode). Therefore, normal observation and infrared observation can be performed simultaneously without hindering the operator's operation. In particular, in this embodiment, as described with reference to... Figure 2 As explained, during both normal observation (first mode) and infrared observation (second mode), the white light source continues to emit light towards the object H, and the color change of the light is reduced. Therefore, normal observation and infrared observation can be performed simultaneously without interfering with the operator's work.

[0055] Furthermore, during infrared observation, the amount of B light, or the combined amount of B and G light, is increased compared to normal observation to reduce the overall difference in light quantity between normal observation (first mode) and infrared observation (second mode), making the light switching difficult for the operator to perceive. When this light modulation causes overexposure, the control unit 15 can control the shutter speed of the imaging unit 22 to adjust the exposure.

[0056] Furthermore, in medical observation systems that incorporate optical microscopes as alternatives to external viewing mirrors, an imaging unit is positioned within the eyepiece unit, and the image captured by the imaging unit is displayed in the display unit, allowing medical experts such as doctors to observe the image. In this configuration, the color variation of light emitted towards the object H is reduced between ordinary observation (first mode) and infrared observation (second mode) in the image captured by the imaging unit. Therefore, both ordinary and infrared observation can be performed simultaneously without interfering with the operator's work.

[0057] (Modified Example)

[0058] Next, the external viewing system 1A according to the modified example will be described. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of an external sight mirror observation system according to a modified example. In the external sight mirror observation system 1A, the processor 10A includes a light source filter controller 13A, and the light source device 30A includes a white light source 32A, a switching unit 34A, and a filter 37A. Other configurations may be the same as those in the embodiment and are indicated by the same reference numerals as those in the embodiment, and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0059] Under the control of the control unit 15, the light source filter controller 13A controls the light source device 30A according to the timing of the synchronization signal. The light source filter controller 13A controls the alternating repetition of the first and second modes in a time sequence. In the first mode, the white light source emits white light, and in the second mode, the infrared light source emits infrared light, and the white light source emits light with wavelengths ranging from the green to the blue wavelength band. Additionally, the light source filter controller 13A controls the filter 37A. In infrared observation (second mode), the light source filter control unit 13A inserts the filter 37A into the optical path of the light emitted from the white light source 32A, and in normal observation (first mode), it removes the filter 37A from the optical path of the light emitted from the white light source 32A.

[0060] Figure 5 It shows through Figure 4 The diagram shows the time-varying light emitted by the external viewing system towards the object. (See figure.) Figure 5 As shown, for example, the light source filter controller 13A alternately emits white light obtained by overlapping RGB light and light obtained by overlapping infrared light and light of green to blue wavelengths passing through the filter at a period of 1 / 120 second. At this time, the white light source alternately switches the wavelength bands of the light to be emitted in the first and second modes, but emits light continuously. In other words, the light of green to blue wavelengths passing through the filter is light generated through the path of white light passing through the filter.

[0061] White light source 32A emits white light toward an object. For white light source 32A, a white light source with a continuous spectrum in the wavelength band of visible light, such as a halogen lamp, can be used.

[0062] The switching unit 34A includes switches 34Aa and 34d, which are respectively connected to the white light source 32A and the infrared light source 33. Under the control of the light source filter controller 13A, the switching unit 34A switches whether to supply power to the white light source 32A and the infrared light source 33.

[0063] The filter 37A is inserted and removed from the optical path of the light emitted from the white light source 32A, and a portion of the light emitted from the white light source 32A is removed in infrared observation (second mode). Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating an exemplary wavelength band that will be removed by the filter. Figure 6 Line L1 represents white light emitted from white light source 32A, and line L2 represents infrared light emitted from infrared light source 33. Filter 37A removes the infrared component (e.g., wavelength 600 nm to 700 nm) of the white light. Note that filter 37A can be positioned anywhere upstream of imaging unit 22, as long as it is located in the optical path of the white light emitted from white light source 32A.

[0064] Note that when the filter 37A is plate-shaped, the light source filter control unit 13A can insert or remove the filter 37A in the optical path of the light emitted by the white light source 32A by translating the filter 37A. Furthermore, when the filter 37A is a disk-shaped filter, wherein the filter portion and the gap portion are arranged alternately along the circumferential direction, the light source filter control unit 13A can insert or remove the filter 37A in the optical path of the light emitted by the white light source 32A by rotating the filter 37A.

[0065] According to the modified example described above, when using the infrared observation (second mode) of the light source device 30A, light with B and G light components is also emitted, thereby reducing the color change of the light emitted to the object H during normal observation (first mode) and infrared observation (second mode). Therefore, normal observation and infrared observation can be performed simultaneously without interfering with the operator's operation.

[0066] In addition, with Figure 3Similarly, the light source filter controller 13A can increase the amount of light emitted by the white light source during infrared observation compared to the amount of light emitted by the white light source during normal observation. In infrared observation, a portion of the white light source is removed by filter 37A, and the overall amount of light is smaller compared to normal observation. Therefore, in infrared observation, the amount of light with B and G components can be increased compared to normal observation, thereby reducing the difference in the overall amount of light between normal observation (first mode) and infrared observation (second mode), making the light switching difficult for the operator to perceive.

[0067] Note that the imaging unit 22 may be configured to include a beam splitter and multiple sensors. The beam splitter divides light from the object H into multiple paths, and the multiple sensors are arranged on the multiple paths obtained by the beam splitter. Specifically, the imaging unit 22 may be configured to include a beam splitter and multiple sensors. The beam splitter reflects light from the object H in different directions according to wavelength, and the multiple sensors have sensitivities corresponding to the wavelengths obtained by the beam splitter. Furthermore, a color filter may be arranged between the beam splitter and the sensors.

[0068] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present disclosure is not limited to the examples described above. Those skilled in the art will find various changes and modifications within the scope of the appended claims, and it should be understood that such changes and modifications will naturally fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0069] For example, the processor 10 described herein can be configured as a system by implementing some or all of its components as separate devices. For example, the processor 10 may include a light source, and the control unit may be a system implemented by an external device.

[0070] The series of processes performed by each device described in this specification can be implemented by software, hardware, or a combination thereof. The program constituting such software can be stored in advance on a storage medium (non-transitory medium) located, for example, internal or external to each device. As an example, during execution by a computer, such a program is written into RAM and executed by a processor such as a CPU.

[0071] Furthermore, the effects described in this specification are merely illustrative or exemplary, and not restrictive. That is, other effects that are clear to those skilled in the art can be achieved by utilizing or replacing the effects described above, based on the description of this specification.

[0072] In addition, this disclosure can also be configured as follows. (1)

[0074] A medical observation system, comprising:

[0075] The white light source is configured to emit white light;

[0076] An infrared light source is configured to emit infrared light;

[0077] A light source controller is configured to execute control to alternately repeat a first mode and a second mode in a time sequence, wherein in the first mode, a white light source emits white light; and in the second mode, an infrared light source emits infrared light, and the white light source emits light having a wavelength band from green to blue; and

[0078] The imaging unit is configured to capture the image. (2)

[0080] The medical observation system according to (1) further includes: an image overlay processing unit configured to overlay an infrared image captured in the second mode onto a white light image captured in the first mode. (3)

[0082] According to the medical observation system described in (1) or (2), the light source controller is configured to increase the amount of light emitted by the white light source in the second mode relative to the amount of white light emitted by the white light source in the first mode. (4)

[0084] The medical observation system according to any one of (1) to (3) wherein the imaging unit is an external mirror configured to photograph an object from outside the body. (5)

[0086] The medical observation system according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the imaging unit comprises:

[0087] Color filters, including filters that transmit red light, filters that transmit green light, and filters that transmit blue light; and

[0088] The sensor is configured to receive light that has passed through a color filter. (6)

[0090] According to the medical observation system described in (5), the imaging unit includes a beam splitter and multiple sensors, the beam splitter being configured to reflect light from an object in different directions according to wavelength, and the multiple sensors having sensitivities corresponding to wavelengths obtained by beam splitting through the beam splitter. (7)

[0092] The medical observation system according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the imaging unit comprises:

[0093] A beam splitting unit is configured to split light from an object into multiple paths; and

[0094] Multiple sensors are arranged on multiple paths obtained by beam splitting through a beam splitting unit. (8)

[0096] According to any one of (1) to (7) of the medical observation system, wherein,

[0097] White light sources include an R source configured to emit red light, a G source configured to emit green light, and a B source configured to emit blue light.

[0098] The light source controller is configured as follows:

[0099] In the first mode, the R, G, and B light sources emit white light obtained by combining RGB light, and

[0100] In the second mode, the infrared light source emits infrared light, and the G light source emits green light, or the G light source and the B light source emit green light and blue light, respectively. (9)

[0102] According to any one of (1) to (8) of the medical observation system, wherein the light source controller is configured as follows:

[0103] In the second mode, a filter configured to remove red light is inserted into the optical path of the light emitted from the white light source, and

[0104] In the first mode, the filter is removed from the optical path of the light emitted from the white light source. (10)

[0106] According to the medical observation system described in (9), wherein,

[0107] The filter is plate-shaped, and

[0108] The light source controller is configured to insert and remove filters in the optical path of the light emitted by the white light source by translating the filters. (11)

[0110] According to the medical observation system described in (9) or (10), wherein,

[0111] The filter is a disc-shaped filter, in which the filter portion and the gap portion are arranged alternately along the circumference, and

[0112] The light source controller is configured to insert and remove filters in the optical path of the light emitted by the white light source by rotating the filters. (12)

[0114] The medical observation system according to any one of (1) to (11) further includes a control unit configured to control the shutter speed of the imaging unit.

[0115] List of reference numerals

[0116] 1.1A External Observation System

[0117] 10, 10A processor

[0118] 11 Clock Generation Unit

[0119] 12 Synchronization Signal Generation Unit

[0120] 13 Light Source Controller

[0121] 13A Light Source Filter Controller

[0122] 14 Image overlay processing unit

[0123] 15 Control Unit

[0124] 16 storage units

[0125] 20 External View Camera

[0126] 21 Lenses

[0127] 22 imaging units

[0128] 30, 30A light source device

[0129] 31 power supply units

[0130] 32, 32A white light source

[0131] 32a R light source

[0132] 32b G light source

[0133] 32c B light source

[0134] 33 Infrared light source

[0135] 34, 34A Switching Unit

[0136] 34a to 34d, 34Aa switch

[0137] 35-band combiner

[0138] 36. Light source aperture

[0139] 37A filter

[0140] H object

[0141] 40 display units.

Claims

1. A medical observation system, comprising: The white light source is configured to emit white light; An infrared light source is configured to emit infrared light; A light source controller is configured to perform control to alternately repeat a first mode and a second mode in a time sequence, wherein in the first mode, the white light source emits white light, and in the second mode, the infrared light source emits infrared light, and the white light source emits light having a wavelength band from green to blue. as well as The imaging unit is configured as the subject of the image. The light source controller is configured to increase the amount of light emitted by the white light source in the second mode relative to the amount of white light emitted by the white light source in the first mode.

2. The medical observation system according to claim 1 further includes: An image overlay processing unit is configured to overlay an infrared image captured in the second mode onto a white light image captured in the first mode.

3. The medical observation system according to claim 1, wherein, The imaging unit is an external mirror configured to photograph the object from outside the body.

4. The medical observation system according to claim 1, wherein, The imaging unit includes: Color filters, including filters that transmit red light, filters that transmit green light, and filters that transmit blue light; and The sensor is configured to receive light transmitted through the color filter.

5. The medical observation system according to claim 4, wherein, The imaging unit includes a beam splitter and multiple sensors. The beam splitter is configured to reflect light from an object in different directions according to wavelength, and the multiple sensors have sensitivities corresponding to wavelengths obtained by beam splitting through the beam splitter.

6. The medical observation system according to claim 1, wherein, The imaging unit includes: A beam splitting unit is configured to split light from the object into multiple paths; and Multiple sensors are arranged on the multiple paths obtained by the beam splitting unit.

7. The medical observation system according to claim 1, wherein, The white light source includes an R light source configured to emit red light, a G light source configured to emit green light, and a B light source configured to emit blue light. The light source controller is configured as follows: In the first mode, the R light source, the G light source, and the B light source emit white light obtained by combining RGB light, and In the second mode, the infrared light source emits infrared light, and the G light source emits green light, or the G light source and the B light source emit green light and blue light, respectively.

8. The medical observation system according to claim 1, wherein, The light source controller is configured as follows: In the second mode, a filter configured to remove red light is inserted into the optical path of the light emitted from the white light source, and In the first mode, the filter is removed from the optical path of the light emitted from the white light source.

9. The medical observation system according to claim 8, wherein, The filter is plate-shaped, and The light source controller is configured to insert and remove the filter in the optical path of the light emitted by the white light source by translating the filter.

10. The medical observation system according to claim 8, wherein, The filter is a disc-shaped filter, in which the filter portion and the gap portion are arranged alternately along the circumferential direction, and The light source controller is configured to insert and remove the filter in the optical path of the light emitted by the white light source by rotating the filter.

11. The medical observation system according to claim 1, wherein, It also includes a control unit configured to control the shutter speed of the imaging unit.

Images