Lymphatic system inspection device and lymphatic system inspection method

Abstract

This lymphatic system inspection device is provided with: a main body part in which the lower body of a subject is positioned in an imaging region; an illumination unit that irradiates excitation light to the lower body; an imaging unit that detects fluorescence emitted from the lower body; a display unit that displays a fluorescent image of the lower body; and a control unit that controls the illumination unit, the imaging unit, and the display unit. The control unit controls at least one of the illumination unit and the imaging unit so as to change at least one of the light emission time of the illumination unit and the exposure time of the imaging unit, thereby generating a plurality of types of fluorescent images as fluorescent images, and controlling the display unit so as to display the plurality of types of fluorescent images in parallel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a lymphatic system inspection device and a lymphatic system inspection method. Background Art

[0002] The lymphatic system is a network that functions as a circulatory system for lymphatic fluid, and is composed of lymph nodes, lymphatic vessels, etc. As a method for diagnosing diseases of the lymphatic system (such as lymphedema), there is known a method of irradiating a predetermined site of a subject injected with a fluorescent dye such as indocyanine green in the lymphatic system with excitation light, detecting fluorescence emitted from the predetermined site according to the irradiation of the excitation light, and obtaining a fluorescence image of the predetermined site (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). Prior Art Documents Patent Documents

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-118803 Summary of the Invention Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Regarding the device used for the above-described inspection, there is a problem that the irradiation range of the excitation light and the detection range of the fluorescence are limited to a narrow range, and it is difficult to efficiently perform the inspection of the lymphatic system of the lower body of the subject.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a lymphatic system inspection device and a lymphatic system inspection method suitable for inspecting the lymphatic system of the lower body of a subject. Technical Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the lymphatic system inspection device of the present disclosure is [1] "a lymphatic system inspection device, comprising: a main body portion having a placement portion on which a subject injected with a fluorescent dye in the lymphatic system stands, and an imaging region where the lower body of the subject is located on the placement portion; an illumination portion that irradiates the lower body with excitation light; an imaging portion that detects fluorescence emitted from the lower body according to the irradiation of the excitation light; a display portion that displays a fluorescence image of the lower body generated based on the fluorescence detected by the imaging portion; and a control portion that controls the illumination portion, the imaging portion, and the display portion; the control portion generates a plurality of fluorescence images as the fluorescence image by controlling at least one of the illumination portion and the imaging portion by changing at least one of the light emission time of the illumination portion and the exposure time of the imaging portion, and controls the display portion to display the plurality of fluorescence images side by side".

[0007] In the lymphatic system inspection device described in the above [1], by changing at least one of the light emission time of the illumination unit and the exposure time of the imaging unit, a plurality of fluorescence images are generated as fluorescence images of the lower body of the subject, and the plurality of fluorescence images are displayed side by side. Although the intensity of the fluorescence changes according to the state of the lymphatic system of the lower body, the state of the lymphatic system of the lower body can be appropriately grasped by the plurality of fluorescence images that can be generated and displayed as described above. Thus, according to the lymphatic system inspection device described in the above [1], the inspection of the lymphatic system of the lower body of the subject can be appropriately performed.

[0008] One aspect of the lymphatic system inspection device of the present disclosure may also be "[2] the lymphatic system inspection device described in the above [1], wherein the control unit generates each of the plurality of fluorescence images in a time of 1 second or less". According to the lymphatic system inspection device described in this [2], a plurality of fluorescence images can be obtained while suppressing the shaking of the lower body of the subject.

[0009] One aspect of the lymphatic system inspection device of the present disclosure may also be "[3] the lymphatic system inspection device described in the above [1] or [2], wherein the control unit controls the illumination unit in such a manner that the excitation light is a flash". According to the lymphatic system inspection device described in this [3], the change in the amount of excitation light irradiated to the lower body of the subject can be suppressed, and a plurality of fluorescence images can be obtained.

[0010] One aspect of the lymphatic system inspection device of the present disclosure may also be "[4] the lymphatic system inspection device described in any one of the above [1] to [3], wherein the control unit stores the fluorescence images generated by the subject in the past, and controls the display unit so as to display the fluorescence images generated in the past and the newly generated fluorescence images side by side". According to the lymphatic system inspection device described in this [4], the temporal change in the state of the lymphatic system of the lower body of the subject can be appropriately grasped.

[0011] One aspect of the lymphatic system examination method of the present disclosure is [5] "a lymphatic system examination method implemented in a lymphatic system examination device, the lymphatic system examination device comprising: a main body having a placement part on which a subject injected with a fluorescent dye in the lymphatic system stands, and a imaging area where the lower body of the subject is located on the placement part; an illumination part that irradiates excitation light onto the lower body; an imaging part that detects fluorescence emitted from the lower body according to the irradiation of the excitation light; and a display part that displays a fluorescence image of the lower body generated based on the fluorescence detected by the imaging part; the lymphatic system examination method comprising: a step of generating a plurality of fluorescence images as the fluorescence image by controlling at least one of the illumination part and the imaging part by changing at least one of the light emission time of the illumination part and the exposure time of the imaging part; and a step of controlling the display part to display the plurality of fluorescence images side by side".

[0012] According to the lymphatic system examination method described in the above [5], by changing at least one of the light emission time of the illumination part and the exposure time of the imaging part, a plurality of fluorescence images are generated as the fluorescence image of the lower body of the subject, and the plurality of fluorescence images are displayed side by side. Although the intensity of the fluorescence changes according to the state of the lymphatic system of the lower body, the state of the lymphatic system of the lower body can be appropriately grasped by the plurality of fluorescence images that can be generated and displayed as described above. Thus, according to the lymphatic system examination method described in the above [5], the examination of the lymphatic system of the lower body of the subject can be appropriately implemented. Effects of the Invention

[0013] According to the present disclosure, a lymphatic system examination device and a lymphatic system examination method suitable for examining the lymphatic system of the lower body of a subject can be provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a lymphatic system examination device according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is Figure 1 a perspective view of the device main body shown. Figure 3 is along Figure 2 a sectional view of the device main body taken along line III-III shown. Figure 4 is along Figure 3 a sectional view of the device main body taken along line IV-IV shown. Figure 5 is along Figure 3 a sectional view of the device main body taken along line V-V shown. Figure 6 is Figure 2 a sectional view of the restricting part shown. Figure 7 It is a cross-sectional view of the device main body equipped with the second board for brightness correction. Figure 8 It is a figure showing the visible light image of the object. Figure 9 It is a figure showing about Figure 8 the display unit that displays various fluorescence images of the object shown. Figure 10 It is a top view of the device main body of the modified example. Detailed implementation mode

[0015] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, the implementation modes of the present disclosure will be described in detail. In addition, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in each figure, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0016] Figure 1 The lymphatic system inspection device 1 shown is a device for inspecting the lymphatic system of the lower body of the subject S for diagnosing diseases of the lymphatic system (such as lymphedema). More specifically, the lymphatic system inspection device 1 is a device that irradiates the lower body of the subject S injected with a fluorescent dye such as indocyanine green in the lymphatic system with excitation light, detects the fluorescence emitted from the lower body according to the irradiation of the excitation light, and obtains a fluorescence image of the lower body. Hereinafter, the vertical direction will be referred to as the Z direction, the first horizontal direction will be referred to as the X direction, and the second horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction will be referred to as the Y direction.

[0017] As Figure 1 shown, the lymphatic system inspection device 1 includes a device main body 10, a control unit 11, a display unit 12, and an input unit 13. The control unit 11 is composed of a processing unit and a storage unit. The processing unit of the control unit 11 is a computer device composed of a processor, a memory, a storage device, a communication device, etc., and processes various data by executing software (program). The storage unit of the control unit 11 is a hard disk or the like and stores various data. The display unit 12 is a display or the like and displays various data to the operator. The input unit 13 is a mouse, a keyboard, etc., and accepts the input of various data from the operator.

[0018] As Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown, the device main body 10 includes a main body portion 2. The main body portion 2 has a mounting portion 21 and a support portion 22. In the main body portion 2, the mounting portion 21 is a portion for the subject S to stand, and the support portion 22 is a portion disposed on one side in the X direction with respect to the mounting portion 21. The main body portion 2 positions the lower body L of the subject S (that is, the portion from the lower abdomen to the toes) in the imaging region R on the mounting portion 21. A plurality of casters 23 are installed on the lower surfaces of each of the mounting portion 21 and the support portion 22. Thereby, the device main body 10 can move smoothly.

[0019] The main body 2 further includes a frame 24 and a wall 25. The frame 24 is composed of a first frame 241 and a second frame 242. The first frame 241 is mounted on the mounting portion 21, and the second frame 242 is mounted on the support portion 22. The wall 25 is composed of a first wall 251 and a second wall 252. The first wall 251 is mounted on the mounting portion 21 via the first frame 241, and the second wall 252 is mounted on the support portion 22 via the second frame 242. The unit composed of the support portion 22, the second frame 242, and the second wall 252 can be loaded and unloaded relative to the unit composed of the mounting portion 21, the first frame 241, and the first wall 251. As an example, the width of each unit in the X direction and the width of each unit in the Y direction are less than 70 cm. Thus, the portability of each unit can be improved.

[0020] The wall portion 25 forms a frame 250 on the mounting portion 21 and the support portion 22. The frame 250 divides the imaging area R on the mounting portion 21. An opening 25a is formed in the frame 250 so as to be opposite to the mounting portion 21 across the imaging area R. The waist of the subject S is located on the inner side of the opening 25a. That is, the wall portion 25 is formed with an opening 25a for arranging the subject S on the inner side. The inner surface of the frame 250 is, for example, black. In addition, in the first wall portion 251, a door is formed by a wall portion 251a on the opposite side to the second wall portion 252. Thus, the subject S can move up and down relative to the mounting portion 21.

[0021] The main body 2 further includes a limiting portion 26. The limiting portion 26 is disposed along the upper end Ra of the imaging region R. The limiting portion 26 limits the movement of the subject S to one side (the support portion 22 side) in the X direction. In the present embodiment, the limiting portion 26 extends in the Y direction along the upper end Ra of the imaging region R and is mounted on the first frame 241 in a state of crossing the opening 25a. Figure 6 As shown, the restricting portion 26 is composed of a rod 261 and a buffer material 262. The rod 261 is a core material installed on the first frame 241. The buffer material 262 is an elastic material wound around the rod 261.

[0022] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the device body 10 further includes an illumination unit 3, an imaging unit 4, and a distance sensor 5. The illumination unit 3, the imaging unit 4, and the distance sensor 5 are arranged on one side (the support unit 22 side) in the X direction relative to the imaging region R. The frame 250 accommodates the illumination unit 3, the imaging unit 4, and the distance sensor 5 on the support unit 22.

[0023] The illumination unit 3 irradiates the lower body L with excitation light. The illumination unit 3 has a first light-emitting region 31 and a second light-emitting region 32 arranged in a state of being separated from each other in the Y direction. Each of the first light-emitting region 31 and the second light-emitting region 32 extends in the Z direction in a state facing the imaging region R. The first light-emitting region 31 and the second light-emitting region 32 are arranged such that the closer they are to the imaging region R in the X direction, the farther apart they are from each other in the Y direction. The first light-emitting region 31 includes a plurality of first light-emitting portions 31a, and the second light-emitting region 32 includes a plurality of second light-emitting portions 32a. The illumination unit 3 has a function of adjusting the light-emitting intensity of each of the first light-emitting portions 31a and the light-emitting intensity of each of the second light-emitting portions 32a. Each of the first light-emitting portions 31a and the second light-emitting portions 32a is constituted by, for example, a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) that emit light having a center wavelength of 735 nm. The illumination unit 3 is mounted on the second frame 242. That is, the illumination unit 3 is supported by the support portion 22 via the second frame 242.

[0024] The imaging unit 4 detects fluorescence emitted from the lower body L according to the irradiation of the excitation light. The imaging unit 4 faces the imaging region R across the region between the first light-emitting region 31 and the second light-emitting region 32. The imaging unit 4 is arranged on one side (the side opposite to the imaging region R) in the X direction with respect to the illumination unit 3. That is, the illumination unit 3 is located between the imaging region R and the imaging unit 4 in the X direction. The imaging unit 4 is located at the center of the imaging region R when viewed from the X direction. In the present embodiment, the imaging unit 4 is mounted on a rod-shaped member 242a that extends upward from the support portion 22 side in the second frame 242. That is, the imaging unit 4 is supported by the support portion 22 via the second frame 242.

[0025] As an example, the imaging unit 4 is constituted by a light detector, a filter disposed in front of the light detector, a lens disposed in front of the filter, and the like. The light detector uses an area sensor (such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor), etc.) that has sensitivity to fluorescence (for example, light in the near-infrared region). The filter uses an evaporation filter that selectively transmits fluorescence. In order to remove the influence of oblique light, the filter may also include an absorption filter. The lens uses a wide-angle lens so as to be able to photograph the entire lower body L.

[0026] The distance sensor 5 measures the distance to the lower body L located in the imaging area R. The distance sensor 5 can also be, for example, an ultrasonic distance sensor, or an optical distance sensor such as a triangulation method or a ToF (Time of Flight) method. The distance sensor 5 faces the imaging area R across the area between the first light emitting area 31 and the second light emitting area 32. The distance sensor 5 is arranged on one side in the X direction (the side opposite to the imaging area R) with respect to the lighting unit 3. When viewed from the X direction, the distance sensor 5 is located at the center of the imaging area R in the Y direction. In the present embodiment, the distance sensor 5 is mounted on a member, i.e., a bar 242b, which extends downward from the opposite side of the self-supporting portion 22 in the second frame 242. That is, the distance sensor 5 is supported by the supporting portion 22 via the second frame 242. In addition, based on the distance measured by the distance sensor 5, the light emission intensity of the lighting unit 3 can be adjusted so that the intensity of the excitation light irradiated to the lower body L is uniform. The adjustment of the light emission intensity of the lighting unit 3 can also be implemented based on the intensity of the excitation light detected by an additionally provided light detector.

[0027] As Figure 3 shown, the device main body 10 includes a camera 6. The camera 6 is mounted on the first frame 241 in a manner opposite to the placement portion 21 and not entering the field of view of the imaging portion 4. The camera 6 is accommodated in the frame body 250 on the placement portion 21. The space inside the frame body 250 becomes a darkroom by the cover 7 that covers the opening 25a in the state of being worn by the subject S. Since the camera 6 captures the feet of the subject S in the space inside the frame body 250 that becomes a darkroom, it can be composed of a lighting device and an imaging device, or can be composed of only an imaging device such as an infrared camera. The image obtained by the camera 6 is displayed to the subject S by being displayed by the display portion 12. In addition, the camera 6 can be mounted on the restricting portion 26 or on the second frame 242. When the camera 6 is composed of a lighting device and an imaging device, the lighting device can also be separated from the imaging device.

[0028] As Figure 5 shown, a positioning portion 8 indicating the standing position of the subject S is provided on the placement portion 21. In the present embodiment, the positioning portion 8 includes a foot shape 81 when the subject S faces the imaging portion 4 side, and a foot shape 82 when the subject S faces the side opposite to the imaging portion 4. Each of the foot shapes 81 and 82 is a mark formed on the placement surface 21a of the placement portion 21. The positioning portion 8 is photographed by the camera 6.

[0029] As Figure 6 shown, a first plate 14 and a scale 15 are mounted on the surface 26a on the imaging portion 4 side of the restricting portion 26. The first plate 14 is a plate for brightness correction. As an example, the first plate 14 is composed of a plurality of members (for example, cloth and acrylic plates) having different intensities of fluorescence emitted according to the irradiation of excitation light. The scale 15 is a member having scales indicating length. AsFigure 7 As shown, the second plate 16 can be attached to and detached from the main body portion 2. The second plate 16 is disposed in the main body portion 2 in a state of being in contact with the restricting portion 26 on the side opposite to the imaging unit 4 and located in the imaging region R. The second plate 16 is a plate for brightness correction, for example, an acrylic plate.

[0030] In the lymphatic system inspection apparatus 1 configured as described above, the control unit 11 is electrically connected to each of the illumination unit 3, the imaging unit 4, the distance sensor 5, the camera 6, the display unit 12, and the input unit 13. The control unit 11 controls the illumination unit 3 so as to emit the excitation light as a flash in accordance with the imaging timing of the imaging unit 4. Thereby, the change in the amount of excitation light irradiated to the lower body L when photographing the lower body L can be suppressed. The control unit 11 generates a fluorescence image of the lower body L based on the fluorescence detected by the imaging unit 4, and controls the display unit 12 so as to display the fluorescence image of the lower body L. The control unit 11 stores the fluorescence images of the lower body L generated by the subject S in the past, and controls the display unit 12 so as to be able to display the fluorescence images of the lower body L generated in the past and the newly generated fluorescence images of the lower body L side by side. In addition, the control unit 11 controls the display unit 12 so as to be able to display the visible light image of the lower body L and the fluorescence image of the lower body L side by side. Furthermore, the control unit 11 can control the display unit 12 so as to magnify a part of at least one image (visible light image, fluorescence image) of the lower body L based on an instruction input to the control unit 11 via the input unit 13.

[0031] In the present embodiment, the control unit 11 controls at least one of the illumination unit 3 and the imaging unit 4 by changing at least one of the light emission time of the illumination unit 3 and the exposure time of the imaging unit 4, thereby generating a plurality of fluorescence images as the fluorescence image of the lower body L, and controls the display unit 12 so as to display the plurality of fluorescence images side by side. That is, in the lymphatic system inspection apparatus 1, a lymphatic system inspection method is implemented, which includes the following steps: controlling at least one of the illumination unit 3 and the imaging unit 4 by changing at least one of the light emission time of the illumination unit 3 and the exposure time of the imaging unit 4 (that is, by changing the exposure amount of the imaging unit 4), thereby generating a plurality of fluorescence images as the fluorescence image of the lower body L; and controlling the display unit 12 so as to display the plurality of fluorescence images side by side.

[0032] In this lymphatic system inspection method, the control unit 11 generates each of the plurality of fluorescence images in a time of 1 second or less (that is, in a time of 1 second or less after an imaging instruction is input to the control unit 11 via the input unit 13). In addition, the change in the exposure amount of the imaging unit 4 can also be implemented by changing at least one of the light emission time of the illumination unit 3, the light emission intensity of the illumination unit 3, the exposure time of the imaging unit 4, the sensor gain of the imaging unit 4, and the lens aperture of the imaging unit 4.

[0033] Figure 8 It is a diagram showing a visible light image of an object. Figure 9is a diagram showing a display unit 12 that displays multiple fluorescence images I of the object shown in Figure 8 the figure. The object shown is an object in which white paper is wound around an arm model with a phosphor extending in the vertical direction. The white paper covers the phosphor in a state of one layer, two layers, and three layers in sequence from top to bottom. Figure 8 The multiple fluorescence images I shown are images generated when the light emission time of the illumination unit 3 and the exposure time of the imaging unit 4 are set to 1000 ms, 500 ms, 250 ms, 125 ms, and 62.5 ms. In the one-layer part of the white paper, when the light emission time of the illumination unit 3 and the exposure time of the imaging unit 4 are 500 ms or more, a phosphor much coarser than the actual one is observed due to fluorescence scattering. In the two-layer part of the white paper, when the light emission time of the illumination unit 3 and the exposure time of the imaging unit 4 are 125 ms or more, the phosphor can be visually observed. In the three-layer part of the white paper, when the light emission time of the illumination unit 3 and the exposure time of the imaging unit 4 are 500 ms or more, the phosphor can be visually observed. As described above, by adjusting at least one of the light emission time of the illumination unit 3 and the exposure time of the imaging unit 4, the state of the lymphatic system of the lower body L can be appropriately grasped. Figure 9 As described above, in the lymphatic system inspection device 1, each of the first light emission area 31 and the second light emission area 32 of the illumination unit 3 extends in the Z direction in a state opposite to the imaging area R, and the imaging unit 4 faces the imaging area R across the area between the first light emission area 31 and the second light emission area 32. Thus, the excitation light can be uniformly irradiated to the lower body L of the subject S located in the imaging area R, and the fluorescence emitted from the lower body L according to the irradiation of the uniform excitation light can be detected. Thus, according to the lymphatic system inspection device 1, an appropriate fluorescence image of the lower body L for inspecting the lymphatic system of the lower body L of the subject S can be obtained.

[0034] In the lymphatic system inspection device 1, when viewed from the X direction, the imaging unit 4 is located at the center of the imaging area R. Thus, deformation in the obtained fluorescence image can be suppressed.

[0035] In the lymphatic system inspection device 1, in the X direction, the illumination unit 3 is located between the imaging area R and the imaging unit 4. Thus, the excitation light can be more uniformly irradiated to the lower body L of the subject S located in the imaging area R.

[0036] In the lymphatic system inspection device 1, the illumination unit 3 has a function of adjusting the light emission intensity of each first light emission part 31a and the light emission intensity of each second light emission part 32a. Thus, according to the shape of the lower body L of the subject S located in the imaging area R, etc., the excitation light can be uniformly irradiated to the lower body L.

[0037] In the lymphatic system inspection device 1, the illumination unit 3 has a function of adjusting the light emission intensity of each first light emission part 31a and the light emission intensity of each second light emission part 32a. Thus, according to the shape of the lower body L of the subject S located in the imaging area R, etc., the excitation light can be uniformly irradiated to the lower body L.

[0038] In the lymphatic system inspection device 1, the first light-emitting region 31 and the second light-emitting region 32 are arranged such that the closer they are to the imaging region R in the X direction, the farther apart they are from each other in the Y direction. Thereby, the excitation light can be more uniformly irradiated onto the lower body L of the subject S located in the imaging region R.

[0039] In addition, in the lymphatic system inspection device 1, for the imaging region R where the lower body L of the subject S is located, the illumination unit 3 and the imaging unit 4 are arranged on one side in the X direction, and the movement of the subject S in the X direction is restricted by the restricting unit 26 disposed along the upper end portion Ra of the imaging region R. Thereby, the distances between the illumination unit 3 and the lower body L of the subject S and between the imaging unit 4 and the lower body L of the subject S can be maintained constant, and the shaking of the lower body L of the subject S can be suppressed. Thus, according to the lymphatic system inspection device 1, an appropriate fluorescence image of the lower body L for inspecting the lymphatic system of the lower body L of the subject S can be obtained.

[0040] In the lymphatic system inspection device 1, the restricting unit 26 extends in the Y direction, and the first plate 14 for brightness correction is disposed on the surface 26a on the side of the imaging unit 4 of the restricting unit 26. Thereby, the brightness of the fluorescence image can be adjusted for each obtained fluorescence image.

[0041] In the lymphatic system inspection device 1, the restricting unit 26 extends in the Y direction, and the scale 15 is disposed on the surface 26a on the side of the imaging unit 4 of the restricting unit 26. Thereby, the dimensions of each part of the lower body L can be grasped from the obtained fluorescence image.

[0042] In the lymphatic system inspection device 1, the second plate 16 for brightness correction is disposed on the main body portion 2 in a state of being in contact with the restricting unit 26 from the side opposite to the imaging unit 4 and being located in the imaging region R. Thereby, the brightness of the fluorescence image can be adjusted for each lymphatic system inspection device 1.

[0043] In the lymphatic system inspection device 1, a distance sensor 5 is arranged on one side in the X direction for the imaging region R. Thereby, the position of the lower body L of the subject S in the X direction can be accurately grasped.

[0044] In addition, in the lymphatic system inspection device 1 (and the above-mentioned lymphatic system inspection method), by changing at least one of the light emission time of the illumination unit 3 and the exposure time of the imaging unit 4, a plurality of fluorescence images are generated as the fluorescence images of the lower body L of the subject S, and the plurality of fluorescence images are displayed side by side. Although the intensity of the fluorescence changes according to the state of the lymphatic system of the lower body L, the state of the lymphatic system of the lower body L can be appropriately grasped from the plurality of fluorescence images that can be generated and displayed as described above. Thus, according to the lymphatic system inspection device 1 (and the above-mentioned lymphatic system inspection method), the inspection of the lymphatic system of the lower body L of the subject S can be appropriately performed.

[0045] In the lymphatic system inspection apparatus 1, the control unit 11 generates each of a plurality of fluorescence images within a time of 1 second or less. Thereby, while suppressing the shaking of the lower body L of the subject S, a plurality of fluorescence images can be obtained.

[0046] In the lymphatic system inspection apparatus 1, the control unit 11 controls the illumination unit 3 in such a manner that the excitation light is emitted as a flash. Thereby, the change in the amount of excitation light irradiated to the lower body L of the subject S can be suppressed, and a plurality of fluorescence images can be obtained.

[0047] In the lymphatic system inspection apparatus 1, the control unit 11 stores the fluorescence images of the lower body L generated by the subject S in the past, and controls the display unit 12 so as to display the fluorescence images of the lower body L generated in the past and the fluorescence images of the newly generated lower body L side by side. Thereby, the temporal change in the state of the lymphatic system of the lower body L of the subject S can be appropriately grasped.

[0048] In addition, in the lymphatic system inspection apparatus 1, a positioning unit 8 indicating the standing position of the subject S is provided on the placement unit 21 on which the subject S stands. Thereby, the distance between the illumination unit 3 and the lower body L of the subject S and the distance between the imaging unit 4 and the lower body L of the subject S can be maintained constant, and the orientation of the feet of the subject S with respect to the illumination unit 3 and the imaging unit 4 can be made to coincide with a specified orientation. Thus, according to the lymphatic system inspection apparatus 1, an appropriate fluorescence image of the lower body L for inspecting the lymphatic system of the lower body L of the subject S can be obtained.

[0049] In the lymphatic system inspection apparatus 1, the positioning unit 8 includes a foot shape 81 in a state where the subject S faces the imaging unit 4 side and a foot shape 82 in a state where the subject S faces the side opposite to the imaging unit 4. Thereby, in each of the state where the subject S faces the imaging unit 4 side and the state where the subject S faces the side opposite to the imaging unit 4, the orientation of the feet of the subject S with respect to the illumination unit 3 and the imaging unit 4 can be made to coincide with a specified orientation.

[0050] In the lymphatic system inspection apparatus 1, a wall portion 25 forms a frame body 250 that divides the imaging region R and houses the illumination unit 3 and the imaging unit 4, and an opening 25a for disposing the subject S on the inside is formed in the wall portion 25. Thereby, the influence of interfering light can be suppressed, and a fluorescence image of the lower body L of the subject S can be obtained.

[0051] In the lymphatic system inspection apparatus 1, a cover 7 worn by the subject S covers the opening 25a. Thereby, the influence of interfering light can be more reliably suppressed, and a fluorescence image of the lower body L of the subject S can be obtained.

[0052] In the lymphatic system inspection apparatus 1, the support portion 22 and the second wall portion 252 can be detached from and attached to the placement unit 21 and the first wall portion 251. Thereby, the portability of the lymphatic system inspection apparatus 1 can be improved.

[0053] In the lymphatic system examination device 1, the positioning part 8 is photographed by the camera 6. Thus, even when the subject S cannot directly visually observe the positioning part 8, the subject S can also visually observe the image obtained by the camera 6 and align the standing position with the positioning part 8.

[0054] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, as Figure 10 shown, the surface 26b of the restricting part 26 on the side opposite to the imaging part 4 (refer to Figure 3 ) can also be a curved surface that is curved along the lower abdomen of the subject S (that is, recessed toward the imaging part 4 side). In addition, the positioning part 8 can be provided in the concave part or convex part of the mounting surface 21a in place of or together with the foot shapes 81 and 82 in a manner that matches the foot shape of the subject S. Further, at least one of the lighting part 3, the imaging part 4, the distance sensor 5, the camera 6, and the restricting part 26 can be mounted on the frame 24 in a manner that enables at least one of position adjustment and angle adjustment. Reference Signs

[0055] 1... Lymphatic system examination device, 2... Main body part, 3... Lighting part, 4... Imaging part, 5... Distance sensor, 6... Camera, 7... Cover, 8... Positioning part, 11... Control part, 12... Display part, 14... First plate, 15... Measuring scale, 16... Second plate, 21... Mounting part, 22... Support part, 25... Wall part, 25a... Opening, 26... Restricting part, 26a... Surface, 31... First light-emitting area, 31a... First light-emitting part, 32... Second light-emitting area, 32a... Second light-emitting part, 81, 82... Foot shapes, 250... Frame body, 251... First wall part, 252... Second wall part, L... Lower body, R... Imaging area, Ra... Upper end part, S... Subject.

Claims

1. A lymphatic system inspection device, wherein, it includes: A main body part having a placement part on which a subject injected with a fluorescent dye in the lymphatic system stands, and an imaging area where the lower body of the subject is located on the placement part; An illumination part that irradiates excitation light to the lower body; An imaging part that detects fluorescence emitted from the lower body according to the irradiation of the excitation light; A display part that displays a fluorescence image of the lower body generated based on the fluorescence detected by the imaging part; and A control part that controls the illumination part, the imaging part, and the display part; The control part controls at least one of the illumination part and the imaging part by changing at least one of the light emission time of the illumination part and the exposure time of the imaging part, thereby generating a plurality of fluorescence images as the fluorescence image, and controls the display part to display the plurality of fluorescence images side by side.

2. The lymphatic system inspection device according to claim 1, wherein, The control part generates each of the plurality of fluorescence images in a time of 1 second or less.

3. The lymphatic system inspection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The control part controls the illumination part to emit the excitation light as a flash.

4. The lymphatic system inspection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The control part stores the fluorescence images generated by the subject in the past, and controls the display part to display the fluorescence images generated in the past and the newly generated fluorescence images side by side.

5. A lymphatic system inspection method, wherein, It is a lymphatic system inspection method implemented in a lymphatic system inspection device, The lymphatic system inspection device includes: A main body part having a placement part on which a subject injected with a fluorescent dye in the lymphatic system stands, and an imaging area where the lower body of the subject is located on the placement part; An illumination part that irradiates excitation light to the lower body; An imaging part that detects fluorescence emitted from the lower body according to the irradiation of the excitation light; and A display part that displays a fluorescence image of the lower body generated based on the fluorescence detected by the imaging part, The lymphatic system inspection method includes: A step of generating a plurality of fluorescence images as the fluorescence image by controlling at least one of the illumination part and the imaging part by changing at least one of the light emission time of the illumination part and the exposure time of the imaging part; and A step of controlling the display part to display the plurality of fluorescence images side by side.

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