Optical sensing module and handheld optical detection device

Abstract

The invention provides an optical sensing module and a handheld optical detection device. The optical sensing module comprises a spectroscope, a light source assembly, a first image sensor, a second image sensor, a first optical filter and a second optical filter. The spectroscope comprises a first surface and a second surface. The light source assembly faces the first surface and comprises a visible light source and a short-wave infrared light source. The first and second image sensors face the first and second surfaces, respectively. The first optical filter is located between the first surface and the first image sensor. The second optical filter is located between the second surface and the second image sensor. Light of the light source assembly is emitted to the spectroscope, and part of the light is reflected by the spectroscope to be emitted to an object. The light emitted to the object is reflected back to the spectroscope, one part of the light reflected back to the spectroscope is reflected by the spectroscope and enters the first image sensor through the first optical filter, and the other part of the reflected light penetrates through the spectroscope and enters the second image sensor through the second optical filter, so that a visible light image and a short-wave infrared image can be obtained.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sensing module and a detection device, and in particular to an optical sensing module and a handheld optical detection device. Background Art

[0002] Traditional otoscopes use optical fiber to guide light or use light bulbs to provide light. The doctor's eyes are close to the window of the otoscope to directly observe the symptoms of the ear. Since the window of the traditional otoscope is designed as a lens, it was later developed that the window can be opened to allow the camera to be placed at the original window to take pictures, record them and provide them to patients for viewing. Later, with the advancement of digital cameras and microelectronic circuits, digital otoscopes were developed, which can directly obtain digital medical images.

[0003] As mentioned above, both the light source and the image are based on the visible light range. However, many substances have special absorption characteristics in the non-visible light band, such as water has a more obvious absorption characteristic in infrared than in visible light. Therefore, the technology of short wave infrared (SWIR) has gained attention in recent years. At present, it is mainly used for agricultural detection, and its application in medicine is not yet popular.

[0004] At present, the otology examination uses an otoscope to observe the eardrum, which is mainly used to check the condition of the eardrum damage and some suppurative otitis media. Since some tissue fluid of suppurative otitis media is light yellow or dark brown, this type of otitis media can be observed through a traditional otoscope with visible light as the light source. However, there are a large number of patients with otitis media whose ear fluid is transparent, and such patients cannot be observed through a traditional otoscope. Therefore, doctors will use tympanograms (ear pressure graphs) to check hearing tests to assist in judgment, but this method often still cannot accurately judge. Doctors will perform minimally invasive surgery on the eardrum to determine whether it is really effusion otitis media. The damage to the eardrum has a direct impact on hearing. Some patients have poor self-repair ability and need eardrum repair surgery to restore hearing. If there is a technology that can accurately assist in judging the phenomenon of water accumulation in the eardrum, it will greatly reduce unnecessary subsequent medical behaviors, reduce the discomfort of patients, and improve the well-being of patients. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention is directed to an optical sensing module, which can obtain visible light images and short-wave infrared images.

[0006] The present invention is directed to a handheld optical detection device, which includes the above-mentioned optical sensing module.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an optical sensing module is suitable for sensing an object, and includes a spectroscope, a light source assembly, a first image sensor, a first filter, a second image sensor, and a second filter. The spectroscope includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other. The light source assembly faces the first surface and includes at least one visible light source and at least one short-wave infrared light source. The first image sensor faces the first surface. The first filter is located between the first surface of the spectroscope and the first image sensor. The second image sensor faces the second surface. The second filter is located between the second surface of the spectroscope and the second image sensor. The light emitted by the light source assembly is directed toward the spectroscope, and part of the light is reflected by the spectroscope and directed toward the object. The light directed toward the object is reflected back to the spectroscope by the object, and part of the light reflected back to the spectroscope is reflected by the spectroscope, passes through the first filter, and enters the first image sensor, and another part of the light reflected back to the spectroscope penetrates the spectroscope, passes through the second filter, and enters the second image sensor.

[0008] In an embodiment of the present invention, the optical sensing module further comprises at least one first focusing lens and at least one second focusing lens. The at least one first focusing lens is disposed between the first image sensor and the first filter. The at least one second focusing lens is disposed between the second image sensor and the second filter.

[0009] In an embodiment according to the present invention, the light source assembly is coaxial with the first image sensor, the light source assembly is located between the first image sensor and the beam splitter, and the light source assembly is arranged in a ring shape.

[0010] In an embodiment according to the present invention, the light emitting surface of the light source assembly is closer to the beam splitter than the first filter.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present invention, the optical sensing module further includes a light guide column, the light source component and the first image sensor are not coaxial, and the light guide column is disposed between the light source component and the beam splitter.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present invention, the optical sensing module further includes a lens assembly disposed beside the first surface of the beam splitter and located on the path of the light reflected by the beam splitter and emitted toward the object and the light reflected by the object back to the beam splitter.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one visible light source is a plurality of visible light sources, the at least one short-wave infrared light source is a plurality of short-wave infrared light sources, and the visible light sources and the short-wave infrared light sources are alternately arranged.

[0014] In an embodiment according to the present invention, one of the first image sensor and the second image sensor is a visible light image sensor, and the other is a short-wave infrared image sensor. The first filter or the second filter corresponding to the visible light image sensor is used to allow light between 400 nanometers and 700 nanometers to pass through, and the second filter or the first filter corresponding to the short-wave infrared is used to allow light between 700 nanometers and 2500 nanometers to pass through.

[0015] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first image sensor and the second image sensor are both image sensors for receiving visible light and short-wave infrared light, and one of the first filter and the second filter is used to allow light between 400 nanometers and 700 nanometers to pass through, and the other is used to allow light between 700 nanometers and 2500 nanometers to pass through.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a handheld optical detection device is suitable for detecting an ear canal and an eardrum, comprising a handle, a host and a lens integration. The host is arranged beside the handle. The lens integration is electrically connected to the host and comprises a funnel-shaped outer cover and an optical sensing module. The funnel-shaped outer cover comprises an opening. The optical sensing module is arranged in the funnel-shaped outer cover, and the light reflected by the beam splitter and emitted to the object and the light reflected by the object back to the beam splitter leave and enter the lens integration through the opening of the funnel-shaped outer cover.

[0017] The light source component of the optical sensing module of the handheld optical detection device of the present invention faces the first surface of the spectroscope and includes a visible light source and a short-wave infrared light source. The first image sensor faces the first surface of the spectroscope. The first filter is located between the first surface of the spectroscope and the first image sensor. The second image sensor faces the second surface. The second filter is located between the second surface of the spectroscope and the second image sensor. The light emitted by the light source component is directed toward the spectroscope, and part of the light is reflected by the spectroscope and directed toward the object. The light directed toward the object is reflected back to the spectroscope by the object, and part of the light reflected back to the spectroscope is reflected by the spectroscope, passes through the first filter, and enters the first image sensor, and another part of the light reflected back to the spectroscope penetrates the spectroscope, passes through the second filter, and enters the second image sensor. Therefore, the optical sensing module of the handheld optical detection device of the present invention can obtain visible light images and short-wave infrared images, and can detect different items. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 and Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the appearance of a handheld optical detection device at different viewing angles according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of an explosion of a handheld optical detection device;

[0020] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Enlarged schematic diagrams of different viewing angles of a local area;

[0021] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a light source assembly of a handheld optical detection device;

[0022] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the optical path of the light emitted by the light source assembly of the handheld optical detection device to illuminate the object;

[0023] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the light path of the light reflected by the object;

[0024] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a light source assembly of a handheld optical inspection device according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Fig. 9 yes Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a light path of light emitted by a light source assembly of a handheld optical detection device irradiating an object;

[0026] Fig.10 yes Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the light path of light reflected by an object.

[0027] Description of Reference Numerals

[0028] 5: Object;

[0029] 10: Handheld optical detection device;

[0030] 20: handle;

[0031] 22: First button;

[0032] 24: Second button;

[0033] 30: host;

[0034] 32: Display module;

[0035] 40: Lens integration;

[0036] 50: Funnel-shaped cover;

[0037] 52: Open mouth;

[0038] 100: optical sensing module;

[0039] 110: beam splitter;

[0040] 112: first side;

[0041] 114: Side 2;

[0042] 120, 120a: light source assembly;

[0043] 122: Visible light source;

[0044] 124: short-wave infrared light source;

[0045] 126: substrate;

[0046] 130: a first image sensor;

[0047] 132: first filter;

[0048] 134: a first focusing lens;

[0049] 140: a second image sensor;

[0050] 142: second filter;

[0051] 144: a second focusing lens;

[0052] 150: light guide column;

[0053] 160: Lens assembly;

[0054] 170: first support member;

[0055] 172: second supporting member;

[0056] 174: The third support member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

[0058] Figure 1 and Figure 2 1 is a schematic diagram of the appearance of a handheld optical detection device at different viewing angles according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of an exploded view of a handheld optical inspection device.

[0059] See also Figures 1 to 3 The handheld optical detection device 10 of this embodiment is suitable for detecting the ear canal and the eardrum. The handheld optical detection device 10 includes a handle 20, a host 30 and a lens assembly 40 ( Figure 3). The host 30 is arranged beside the handle 20. A power module (not shown) may be arranged in the handle 20, and a first button 22 and a second button 24 may be arranged on the handle 20. The first button 22 may control the switch of the power module, and the second button 24 is used to determine image acquisition. The host 30 may be provided with a processing unit (not shown), a display module 32 (which may include a touch module), a storage unit (not shown) and a communication module (not shown).

[0060] The lens assembly 40 is electrically connected to the host 30 and includes a funnel-shaped outer cover 50 and an optical sensing module 100. The funnel-shaped outer cover 50 includes an opening 52. The optical sensing module 100 is disposed in the funnel-shaped outer cover 50. Since the length of the human external auditory canal is about 25 mm and the inner diameter is 4 to 8 mm, the front end diameter of the funnel-shaped outer cover 50 can be more than 3 mm, so that the otoscope can be placed in the external auditory canal for a certain distance, which can avoid the interference of external light and can more clearly observe the shape of the tissue around the eardrum. Of course, the detection part of the handheld optical detection device 10 is not limited to this.

[0061] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the enlarged view of a local area from different perspectives. Figure 5 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the light source assembly of the handheld optical inspection device. Figures 4 to 5 The optical sensing module 100 of the present embodiment includes a beam splitter 110 , a light source assembly 120 , a first image sensor 130 , a first filter 132 , a second image sensor 140 and a second filter 142 .

[0062] The spectroscope 110 includes a first surface 112 and a second surface 114 opposite to each other. The spectroscope 110 is supported by a first support member 170. The light source assembly 120 faces the first surface 112 and includes a substrate 126, at least one visible light source 122 and at least one short-wave infrared light source 124 disposed on the substrate 126. The first image sensor 130 faces the first surface 112.

[0063] The first filter 132 is located between the first surface 112 of the spectroscope 110 and the first image sensor 130. In this embodiment, the light source assembly 120 is coaxial with the first image sensor 130, and the light source assembly 120 is located between the first image sensor 130 and the spectroscope 110. The first image sensor 130 is supported by the second support member 172.

[0064] like Figure 4As shown, the at least one visible light source 122 of the light source assembly 120 is a plurality of visible light sources 122, and the at least one short-wave infrared light source 124 is a plurality of short-wave infrared light sources 124, and the visible light sources 122 and the short-wave infrared light sources 124 are arranged alternately. The substrate 126 is annular, and the visible light sources 122 and the short-wave infrared light sources 124 are arranged in annular shape.

[0065] The second image sensor 140 faces the second surface 114. The second filter 142 is located between the second surface 114 of the beam splitter 110 and the second image sensor 140. The second image sensor 140 is supported by the third support member 174.

[0066] In this embodiment, one of the first image sensor 130 and the second image sensor 140 is a visible light image sensor, and the other is a short-wave infrared image sensor. The first filter 132 or the second filter 142 corresponding to the visible light image sensor is used to allow light between 400 nanometers and 700 nanometers to pass through, and the second filter 142 or the first filter 132 corresponding to the short-wave infrared is used to allow light between 700 nanometers and 2500 nanometers to pass through.

[0067] Therefore, the first image sensor 130 can obtain a visible light image, and the second image sensor 140 can obtain a short-wave infrared image. Since water molecules have a peak at 1460 nanometers in the short-wave infrared range, the short-wave infrared image can be used to detect water molecules. In one embodiment, since lipids have a peak at 1200 nanometers in the short-wave infrared range, the short-wave infrared image can also be used to detect lipids.

[0068] Of course, in other embodiments, the first image sensor 130 and the second image sensor 140 may also be image sensors for receiving visible light and short-wave infrared light, and one of the first filter 132 and the second filter 142 is used to allow light between 400 nanometers and 700 nanometers to pass through, and the other is used to allow light between 700 nanometers and 2500 nanometers to pass through. In this way, the first image sensor 130 can still obtain a visible light image, and the second image sensor 140 can still obtain a short-wave infrared image. Of course, in other embodiments, the first image sensor 130 can also obtain a short-wave infrared image, and the second image sensor 140 can obtain a visible light image, which is not limited to this.

[0069] The optical sensing module 100 may further optionally include at least one first focusing lens 134 and at least one second focusing lens 144. The at least one first focusing lens 134 is disposed between the first image sensor 130 and the first filter 132. The at least one second focusing lens 144 is disposed between the second image sensor 140 and the second filter 142. In the present embodiment, the number of the first focusing lens 134 is, for example, one, and the number of the second focusing lens 144 is, for example, one. However, in other embodiments, the number of the first focusing lens 134 may also be multiple, and these first focusing lenses 134 may collectively enable light to be focused on the first image sensor 130. Similarly, the number of the second focusing lens 144 may also be multiple, and these second focusing lenses 144 may collectively enable light to be focused on the second image sensor 140.

[0070] The optical sensing module 100 further includes a lens assembly 160, which is disposed beside the first surface 112 of the beam splitter 110 and is located on the path of the light reflected by the beam splitter 110 and emitted toward the object 5 and the light reflected by the object 5 back to the beam splitter 110. In the present embodiment, the lens assembly 160 includes, for example, two lenses with convex surfaces facing each other, but the number and type of lenses are not limited thereto.

[0071] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the optical path of the light emitted by the light source assembly of the handheld optical detection device to the object 5. Figure 6 In this embodiment, the light source assembly 120 can be raised by padding, etc., so that the light emitting surface of the light source assembly 120 is closer to the beam splitter 110 than the first filter 132. Such a design can prevent the light emitted by the light source assembly 120 from directly irradiating the first filter 132. The light source assembly 120 can be raised by studs, or by packaging materials or injection molding parts, but it is not limited to this. Figure 6 As shown, the light emitted by the light source assembly 120 is directed toward the beam splitter 110 , and part of the light is reflected by the beam splitter 110 and directed toward the object 5 .

[0072] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the light path of a ray of light being reflected by an object. Figure 7 The light directed toward the object 5 is reflected by the object 5 back to the beam splitter 110. A portion of the light reflected back to the beam splitter 110 is reflected by the beam splitter 110, passes through the first filter 132 and the second focusing lens 144, and enters the first image sensor 130. Another portion of the light reflected back to the beam splitter 110 penetrates the beam splitter 110, passes through the second filter 142 and the second focusing lens 144, and enters the second image sensor 140.

[0073] That is, in this embodiment, the visible light sources 122 and the short-wave infrared light sources 124 are arranged crosswise in a ring and mounted on a substrate 126. The visible light sources 122 and the short-wave infrared light sources 124 can emit light simultaneously, and the light is reflected to the opening 52 of the funnel-shaped outer cover 50 by the beam splitter 110, and irradiates the eardrum and the surrounding tissues through the opening 52. After the light irradiates the eardrum, the light reflected by the tissue and the water in the ear returns to the funnel-shaped outer cover 50, and the light beam is focused by the lens assembly 160 to prevent the light from escaping. The light is divided into two beams (one beam is transmitted and the other beam is reflected) by the beam splitter 110, and the energy of the two beams is about 1:1. The light is filtered through the first filter 132 and the second filter 142 to the first image sensor 130 and the second image sensor 140 respectively, so as to obtain a visible light image and a short-wave infrared image. The acquired image may be transmitted to a processing unit (not shown) via a transmission interface (not shown), and then transmitted to the display module 32 via the processing unit (not shown) to display the image.

[0074] It should be noted that, because half of the light emitted by the light source assembly 120 will pass through the beam splitter 110 and illuminate the funnel-shaped outer cover 50 when it is directed toward the beam splitter 110, the inner surface of the funnel-shaped outer cover 50 may be paved with a light-absorbing material (not shown) or coated with black paint (not shown) to prevent the light from being reflected by the inner surface of the funnel-shaped outer cover 50 and affecting the light collection effect of the first image sensor 130 and the second image sensor 140.

[0075] In addition, the relative positions of the light source assembly 120, the first image sensor 130, the first filter 132, the first focusing lens 134, the second image sensor 140, the second filter 142, and the second focusing lens 144 are not limited to the drawings. In other embodiments, the positions of the first image sensor 130, the first filter 132, and the first focusing lens 134 may also be swapped with the positions of the second image sensor 140, the second filter 142, and the second focusing lens 144.

[0076] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a light source assembly of a handheld optical inspection device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 , in this embodiment, Figure 8 The light source assembly 120a and Figure 5 The main difference between the light source assembly 120 and the light source assembly 120a is that, in this embodiment, the shape of the substrate 126 of the light source assembly 120a is, for example, a disk without a central hole, but the shape of the substrate 126 is not limited thereto. In addition, in this embodiment, the visible light sources 122 and the short-wave infrared light sources 124 are arranged in an alternating manner to provide uniform and sufficient brightness for observation.

[0077] Fig. 9 yes Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the light path of the light emitted by the light source component of the handheld optical detection device to the object. Fig.10 yes Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the light path of a ray of light being reflected by an object. Fig. 9 and Fig.10 In this embodiment, the light source assembly 120a and the first image sensor 130 are not coaxial, and the optical sensing module 100 further includes a light guide rod 150, which is disposed between the light source assembly 120a and the beam splitter 110. The light guide rod 150 is, for example, a rod-shaped lens, but the type of the light guide rod 150 is not limited thereto. The light guide rod 150 is used to allow more light to be directed to the beam splitter 110 to reduce light loss.

[0078] Likewise, if Fig. 9 As shown, the light emitted by the light source assembly 120 a is directed toward the beam splitter 110 , and part of the light is reflected by the beam splitter 110 and directed toward the object 5 .

[0079] like Fig.10 As shown, the light directed toward the object 5 is reflected by the object 5 back to the beam splitter 110, a portion of the light reflected back to the beam splitter 110 is reflected by the beam splitter 110, passes through the first filter 132, and enters the first image sensor 130, and another portion of the light reflected back to the beam splitter 110 penetrates the beam splitter 110, passes through the second filter 142, and enters the second image sensor 140.

[0080] The light source component of the optical sensing module of the handheld optical detection device of the present invention faces the first surface of the spectroscope and includes a visible light source and a short-wave infrared light source. The first image sensor faces the first surface of the spectroscope. The first filter is located between the first surface of the spectroscope and the first image sensor. The second image sensor faces the second surface. The second filter is located between the second surface of the spectroscope and the second image sensor. The light emitted by the light source component is directed toward the spectroscope, and part of the light is reflected by the spectroscope and directed toward the object. The light directed toward the object is reflected back to the spectroscope by the object, and part of the light reflected back to the spectroscope is reflected by the spectroscope, passes through the first filter, and enters the first image sensor, and another part of the light reflected back to the spectroscope penetrates the spectroscope, passes through the second filter, and enters the second image sensor. Therefore, the optical sensing module of the handheld optical detection device of the present invention can obtain visible light images and short-wave infrared images, and can detect different items.

[0081] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or replace some or all of the technical features therein with equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. An optical sensing module, suitable for sensing an object, characterized in that: include: A beam splitter including a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other; a light source assembly, facing the first surface, and comprising at least one visible light source and at least one short-wave infrared light source; a first image sensor, facing the first surface; A first filter, located between the first surface of the beam splitter and the first image sensor; a second image sensor facing the second surface; as well as A second filter is located between the second surface of the beam splitter and the second image sensor, wherein The light emitted by the light source assembly is directed toward the beam splitter, and part of the light is reflected by the beam splitter and directed toward the object. The light emitted toward the object is reflected by the object back to the beam splitter, a portion of the light reflected back to the beam splitter is reflected by the beam splitter, passes through the first filter, and enters the first image sensor, and another portion of the light reflected back to the beam splitter penetrates the beam splitter, passes through the second filter, and enters the second image sensor.

2. The optical sensing module according to claim 1, wherein: Also includes: at least one first focusing lens, disposed between the first image sensor and the first filter; as well as At least one second focusing lens is disposed between the second image sensor and the second filter.

3. The optical sensing module according to claim 1, wherein: The light source assembly is coaxial with the first image sensor, the light source assembly is located between the first image sensor and the beam splitter, and the light source assembly is arranged in a ring shape.

4. The optical sensing module according to claim 3, characterized in that: The light emitting surface of the light source assembly is closer to the beam splitter than the first filter.

5. The optical sensing module according to claim 1, wherein: Also includes: A light guide column, wherein the light source component and the first image sensor are not coaxial, and the light guide column is arranged between the light source component and the beam splitter.

6. The optical sensing module according to claim 1, wherein: Also includes: The lens assembly is disposed beside the first surface of the beam splitter and is located on the path of the light reflected by the beam splitter and emitted toward the object and the light reflected by the object back to the beam splitter.

7. The optical sensing module according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one visible light source is a plurality of visible light sources, the at least one short-wave infrared light source is a plurality of short-wave infrared light sources, and the plurality of visible light sources and the plurality of short-wave infrared light sources are alternately arranged.

8. The optical sensing module according to claim 1, wherein: One of the first image sensor and the second image sensor is a visible light image sensor, and the other is a short-wave infrared image sensor. The first filter or the second filter corresponding to the visible light image sensor is used to allow light between 400 nanometers and 700 nanometers to pass through, and the second filter or the first filter corresponding to the short-wave infrared is used to allow light between 700 nanometers and 2500 nanometers to pass through.

9. The optical sensing module according to claim 1, wherein: The first image sensor and the second image sensor are both image sensors for receiving visible light and short-wave infrared light. One of the first filter and the second filter is used to allow light between 400 nanometers and 700 nanometers to pass through, and the other is used to allow light between 700 nanometers and 2500 nanometers to pass through.

10. A handheld optical detection device suitable for detecting the ear canal, characterized in that: include: Handlebars; A host, arranged beside the handle; as well as The lens assembly is electrically connected to the host and includes: a funnel-shaped housing including an opening; The optical sensing module according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is disposed in the funnel-shaped outer cover, and the light reflected by the beam splitter and emitted toward the object and the light reflected by the object back to the beam splitter leave and enter the lens integration through the opening of the funnel-shaped outer cover.

Images