Near-infrared lymph node detection system and image acquisition method

Abstract

The invention discloses a near-infrared lymph node detection system and an image acquisition method. The detection system comprises an infrared imaging system, the infrared imaging system comprises an excitation light source, a beam expanding element, a light path forwarding device, a light filtering device and a short-wave infrared sensor which are arranged along a light path, and an image processing and displaying device which is in communication connection with the short-wave infrared sensor; wherein the excitation light source is a continuous spectrum light source or a wavelength continuously adjustable light source. According to the invention, based on a near infrared spectrum imaging technology known as a biological transparent window, image processing is carried out in combination with a model algorithm, and an innovative solution is provided for lymph node detection; according to the system, the low tissue scattering characteristic of a near-infrared window and the absorption peak difference characteristic of main biological components in a near-infrared spectrum are utilized, and high-contrast imaging of lymph nodes and surrounding adipose tissues is achieved without a tracer agent. The detection system can provide real-time guidance and tracking for related operations.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a near-infrared lymph node detection system and an image acquisition method, belonging to the technical field of medical detection. Background Art

[0002] In the field of tumor treatment, especially for common malignant tumors such as breast cancer, lymph node metastasis, as the main way for tumor cells to spread, has a decisive influence on pathological staging, treatment plan selection and prognosis evaluation. The criteria for judging whether lymph nodes have metastasized usually rely on pathological examination after surgical resection, but this process faces huge challenges. The surgeon needs to quickly and accurately locate the lymph nodes in the fat tissue around the tumor and evaluate their morphology to ensure that suspicious lymph nodes can be removed as much as possible to prevent the spread of tumor cells. However, the current intraoperative detection of lymph nodes is mainly based on experience and naked eye observation. This method is time-consuming and inaccurate, so there is an urgent need for a technology that can detect lymph nodes simply, quickly and accurately.

[0003] There are some lymph node detection technologies on the market, such as radioactive tracers and ultrasound guidance, but these methods have many limitations in practical application. Radioactive tracers may lead to unnecessary radiation exposure and are costly; while ultrasound guidance technology is radiation-free, it requires high operator skills. These technologies are difficult to achieve simple, rapid, and accurate lymph node detection during surgery, resulting in low efficiency in lymph node localization and resection during surgery.

[0004] The near-infrared lymph node detection system is based on near-infrared spectral imaging technology, which is known as the "biological transparent window", combined with advanced model algorithms, to provide an innovative solution for lymph node detection. The system uses the low tissue scattering characteristics of the near-infrared window and the difference in absorption peaks of the main biological components in the near-infrared spectrum to achieve high-contrast imaging of lymph nodes and surrounding fat tissue. This unique imaging method enables rapid and accurate intraoperative positioning of lymph nodes, improving the accuracy and safety of surgery. At the same time, real-time image feedback can improve surgical efficiency and shorten surgical time. In addition, the imaging system algorithm has been optimized to make lymph node detection clearer and more sensitive. The development of this technology has effectively made up for the shortcomings of existing intraoperative lymph node detection technology, provided a safer and more effective treatment plan, and provided a new perspective for the research and treatment of lymphatic system diseases. Summary of the invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a near-infrared lymph node detection system and an image acquisition method in view of the deficiencies in the prior art.

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention provides a near-infrared lymph node detection system, including an infrared imaging system, wherein the infrared imaging system includes an excitation light source, a beam expander, an optical path forwarding device, a filter device and a short-wave infrared sensor arranged along an optical path, and an image processing and display device communicatively connected to the short-wave infrared sensor; wherein the excitation light source is a continuous spectrum light source or a continuously adjustable wavelength light source.

[0007] Preferably, the short-wave infrared sensor includes a lens and a detector, and the image processing and display device includes a signal receiving module and an image processing / display module. The signal receiving module is used to receive infrared data detected by the detector, and the infrared data is processed and displayed by the image processing / display module.

[0008] Preferably, the image processing / display module performs image processing and display based on OpenCV library and NumPy library.

[0009] Preferably, the excitation light source is an incandescent tungsten filament lamp, a continuous laser or a modulated laser.

[0010] Preferably, it also includes a lifting development platform for adjusting the height of the infrared imaging system.

[0011] The present invention also provides a method for acquiring a detection image based on the above-mentioned near-infrared lymph node detection system, comprising: adjusting the absorption wavelength to 1000-1700nm through a filtering device, using an infrared imaging system to acquire an initial image of the lymph node tissue to be detected, and performing image processing and image display on the initial image through an image processing / display module in an image processing and display device, thereby obtaining a detection image of the lymph node tissue.

[0012] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0013] The detection system provided by the present invention is based on the near-infrared spectral imaging technology known as the "biological transparent window", combined with a model algorithm for image processing, to provide an innovative solution for lymph node detection; the system utilizes the low tissue scattering characteristics of the near-infrared window and the difference in absorption peaks of the main biological components in the near-infrared spectrum (lymph nodes absorb more light in the near-infrared band than adipose tissue, so they are obviously black in near-infrared imaging), and achieves high-contrast imaging of lymph nodes and surrounding adipose tissue without the need for tracers; this unique imaging method enables rapid and accurate intraoperative positioning of lymph nodes, improving the accuracy and safety of the operation; at the same time, real-time image feedback can improve surgical efficiency and shorten surgical time; in addition, the imaging system algorithm is optimized to make lymph node detection clearer and more sensitive; therefore, the present invention effectively makes up for the shortcomings of existing intraoperative lymph node detection technology, provides a safer and more effective surgical guidance plan, and also provides a new perspective for the research and treatment of lymphatic system diseases. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of a near-infrared lymph node detection system provided in an embodiment;

[0015] Figure 2 This is an example of an image showing the real-time dynamic display of lymph nodes in adipose tissue using near-infrared imaging. The dark color in the white adipose tissue is the lymph node.

[0016] Figure numerals: 1. Excitation light source; 2. Short-wave infrared sensor; 3. Optical path forwarding device; 4. Beam expansion element; 5. Filter device; 6. Lifting development table; 7. Image processing and display device; 8. Fat tissue; 9. Lens; 10. Detector; 11. Dichroic mirror; 12. Reflector; 13. Filter wheel; 14. Filter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] In order to make the present invention more clearly understood, preferred embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] Example 1

[0019] This embodiment provides a near-infrared lymph node detection system. Figure 1 As shown, it includes an infrared imaging system, which includes an excitation light source 1, a beam expander 4, an optical path forwarding device 3, a filter 5 and a short-wave infrared sensor 2 arranged along the optical path, and an image processing and display device 7 connected to the short-wave infrared sensor 2 in communication; wherein:

[0020] The excitation light source 1 uses a light source that can emit a continuous spectrum covering the near-infrared band (1000-1700nm) or a wavelength continuously adjustable light source. The continuous spectrum light source can be an incandescent tungsten filament lamp, a continuous laser, etc.; the wavelength continuously adjustable light source can be a modulated laser.

[0021] The optical path forwarding device 3 includes a dichroic mirror 11 and a reflector 12; the dichroic mirror 11 can allow light of a specific wavelength to pass through and reflect light of other wavelengths, and the reflector 12 is used to change the propagation direction of light to ensure that the light can propagate along the expected path.

[0022] The filter device 4 includes a filter wheel 13 and a filter 14. The filter wheel is a component used to control and adjust the spectral distribution of the light source in spectral imaging. It is mainly composed of a drive motor, a bearing, a wheel, an optical filter, etc. The drive motor drives the wheel to rotate, changes the position of the filter, and selects and filters the spectrum, thereby realizing the imaging of the infrared spectrum. The filter wheel plays an important role in infrared spectral imaging. By selecting and controlling the spectral filtering, the interference between different materials can be eliminated, and the accuracy and precision of the detection results can be improved.

[0023] The short-wave infrared sensor 2 includes a lens 9 and a detector 10; the main function of the lens 9 in the short-wave infrared sensor 2 is to gather the short-wave infrared light emitted by the observed object and focus it onto the image sensor, thereby achieving high-resolution imaging.

[0024] The image processing and display device 7 includes a signal receiving module and an image processing / display module. The signal receiving module is used to receive infrared data detected by the detector 10. The infrared data is processed by the image processing module. The image processing / display module performs image processing and display based on the OpenCV library and the NumPy library.

[0025] The detection system further comprises a lifting development platform 6, which is used to adjust the height of the infrared imaging system relative to the detection part of the patient.

[0026] The working principle and process of the above lymph node detection system are as follows:

[0027] The near-infrared light or continuous light emitted by the excitation light source 1 is expanded by the expansion element 4, and then enters the dichroic mirror 11, so that the near-infrared light of a specific wavelength is irradiated on the fat tissue 8 to be tested (the fat tissue is not a component of the system). The infrared light reflected by the reflector 12 of the fat tissue to be tested is filtered by the filter device 5 to filter the visible light. After the filter 14 is adjusted to the absorption peak band (1000-1700nm) of the lymph node, the received visible light part is filtered and cut off by the filter 14, and then focused by the front-end lens 9. After focusing, it is received by the detector 10. Since the detector only receives near-infrared light of a specific band, it outputs the near-infrared light to the infrared detector 10. The detector 10 recognizes the received infrared light and generates an electrical signal. The image processing and display device 7 receives a preliminary image, and then the image processing / display module performs image processing and image display.

[0028] The specific operations of the image processing and image display are as follows:

[0029]

[0030] # Apply convolution operation

[0031] sharpened_image=cv2.filter2D(image,-1,kernel)

[0032] return sharpened_image

[0033] mi=75

[0034] #Set the value less than a to a

[0035] image_float[image_float <mi]=mi

[0036] mx=200

[0037] image_float[image_float>mx]=mx

[0038] # Calculate the minimum and maximum values

[0039] min_val = np.min(image_float)

[0040] max_val = np.max(image_float)

[0041] #Stretch the grayscale value of the image to between 0 and 255 using a linear transformation

[0042] image_float=(image_float-min_val) / (max_val-min_val)*255

[0043] sharpened_image=sharpen_image(image_float)

[0044] #Convert the floating point image back to an 8-bit unsigned integer

[0045] enhanced_image_8bit=image_float.astype(np.uint8)

[0046] # Display the processed image

[0047] cv2.imshow('Enhanced Image',enhanced_image_8bit)

[0048] cv2.waitKey(0)

[0049] cv2.destroyAllWindows()

[0050] #Save the processed image

[0051] cv2.imwrite('result_shape.tif',enhanced_image_8bit).

[0052] The exemplary detection image obtained through the above steps is as follows: Figure 2 shown.

[0053] The above-mentioned implementation cases are only preferred implementation cases of the present invention and are not any formal and substantial limitations of the present invention. It should be pointed out that ordinary technicians in this technical field can make several improvements and supplements without departing from the present invention, and these improvements and supplements should also be regarded as the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A near-infrared lymph node detection system, characterized in that: It comprises an infrared imaging system, which comprises an excitation light source, a beam expander, an optical path forwarding device, a filter device and a short-wave infrared sensor arranged along an optical path, and an image processing and display device communicatively connected to the short-wave infrared sensor; wherein the excitation light source is a continuous spectrum light source or a continuously adjustable wavelength light source.

2. The near-infrared lymph node detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The short-wave infrared sensor includes a lens and a detector, and the image processing and display device includes a signal receiving module and an image processing / display module. The signal receiving module is used to receive infrared data detected by the detector, and the infrared data is processed and displayed by the image processing / display module.

3. The near-infrared lymph node detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The image processing / display module performs image processing and display based on the OpenCV library and the NumPy library.

4. The near-infrared lymph node detection system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The excitation light source is an incandescent tungsten filament lamp, a continuous laser or a modulated laser.

5. The near-infrared lymph node detection system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: It also includes a lifting development platform for adjusting the height of the infrared imaging system.

6. A method for acquiring a detection image based on the near-infrared lymph node detection system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: include: The absorption wavelength is adjusted to 1000-1700nm through the filter device, and the initial image of the lymph node tissue to be tested is obtained by using the infrared imaging system. The initial image is processed and displayed by the image processing / display module in the image processing and display device to obtain a lymph node detection image.

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