Lymphatic system inspection device

Abstract

A lymphatic system examination 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; and an imaging unit that detects fluorescence emitted from the lower body. The illumination unit and the imaging unit are disposed on one side in the first horizontal direction with respect to the imaging region. The lighting unit has a first light-emitting region and a second light-emitting region arranged in a state separated from each other in the second horizontal direction. Each of the first light-emitting region and the second light-emitting region extends in the vertical direction in a state facing the imaging region. The imaging unit faces the imaging region via a region between the first light-emitting region and the second light-emitting region.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lymphatic system inspection device. Background Art

[0002] The lymphatic system is a network that functions as a circulatory system for lymph fluid and is composed of lymph nodes, lymphatic vessels, etc. As an inspection method for diagnosing diseases of the lymphatic system (such as lymphedema), there is known a method of irradiating an excitation light to a predetermined site of a subject in whom a fluorescent dye such as indocyanine green is injected into the lymphatic system, 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).

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2019-118803 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] Regarding the device used for the above-described inspection, there are technical problems such 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.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a lymphatic system inspection device suitable for inspecting the lymphatic system of the lower body of a subject.

[0009] Technical Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] A lymphatic system inspection device according to one aspect of the present invention is as follows: [1] "A lymphatic system inspection device, comprising: a main body portion having a placement portion on which a subject in whom a fluorescent dye is injected into the lymphatic system stands, and an imaging region in which the lower body of the subject is located on the placement portion; an illumination portion that irradiates the lower body with excitation light; and an imaging portion that detects fluorescence emitted from the lower body according to the irradiation of the excitation light, wherein the illumination portion and the imaging portion are arranged on one side in a first horizontal direction with respect to the imaging region, the illumination portion has a first light emitting region and a second light emitting region arranged in a state of being separated from each other in a second horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction, and each of the first light emitting region and the second light emitting region extends in the vertical direction in a state of facing the imaging region, and the imaging portion faces the imaging region through a region between the first light emitting region and the second light emitting region."

[0011] In the lymphatic system inspection device described in the above [1], each of the first light-emitting region and the second light-emitting region of the illumination unit extends in the vertical direction in a state facing the imaging region, and the imaging unit faces the imaging region through the region between the first light-emitting region and the second light-emitting region. Thereby, the excitation light can be uniformly irradiated onto the lower body of the subject located in the imaging region, and the fluorescence emitted from the lower body according to the irradiation of the uniform excitation light can be detected. Thereby, according to the lymphatic system inspection device described in the above [1], an appropriate fluorescence image of the lower body for inspecting the lymphatic system of the lower body of the subject can be obtained.

[0012] One embodiment of the lymphatic system inspection device of the present invention may also be "[2] the lymphatic system inspection device as described in the above [1], wherein, when viewed from the above first horizontal direction, the imaging unit is located at the center of the imaging region". According to the lymphatic system inspection device described in this [2], deformation in the obtained fluorescence image can be suppressed.

[0013] One embodiment of the lymphatic system inspection device of the present invention may also be "[3] the lymphatic system inspection device as described in the above [1] or [2], wherein, in the above first horizontal direction, the illumination unit is located between the imaging region and the imaging unit". According to the lymphatic system inspection device described in this [3], the excitation light can be more uniformly irradiated onto the lower body of the subject located in the imaging region.

[0014] One embodiment of the lymphatic system inspection device of the present invention may also be "[4] the lymphatic system inspection device as described in any one of the above [1] to [3], wherein the first light-emitting region includes a plurality of first light-emitting portions, the second light-emitting region includes a plurality of second light-emitting portions, and the illumination unit has a function of adjusting the light-emitting intensity of each of the plurality of first light-emitting portions and the light-emitting intensity of each of the plurality of second light-emitting portions". According to the lymphatic system inspection device described in this [4], the excitation light can be uniformly irradiated onto the lower body according to the shape of the lower body of the subject located in the imaging region, etc.

[0015] One embodiment of the lymphatic system inspection device of the present invention may also be "[5] the lymphatic system inspection device as described in any one of the above [1] to [4], wherein the first light-emitting region and the second light-emitting region are arranged in such a manner that in the above first horizontal direction, the closer to the imaging region, the farther apart from each other in the above second horizontal direction". According to the lymphatic system inspection device described in this [5], the excitation light can be more uniformly irradiated onto the lower body of the subject located in the imaging region.

[0016] One embodiment of the lymphatic system inspection device of the present invention may also be "[6] A lymphatic system inspection device, comprising: a main body portion having a placement portion on which a subject injected with a fluorescent dye into the lymphatic system stands, and a imaging area 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 acquires an excitation light image of the lower body using the excitation light and a fluorescence image of the lower body using fluorescence emitted from the lower body according to the irradiation of the excitation light; and a control portion that generates excitation light correction data based on the excitation light image of the lower body and corrects the fluorescence image of the lower body based on the excitation light correction data".

[0017] In the lymphatic system inspection device described in the above [6], an excitation light image of the lower body and a fluorescence image of the lower body are acquired, excitation light correction data is generated based on the excitation light image of the lower body, and the fluorescence image of the lower body is corrected based on the excitation light correction data. Thereby, unevenness in the fluorescence image of the lower body due to non-uniformity in the irradiation intensity of the excitation light at the lower body can be suppressed. Thus, according to the lymphatic system inspection device described in the above [6], a fluorescence image of the lower body suitable for inspecting the lymphatic system of the lower body of the subject can be obtained.

[0018] One embodiment of the lymphatic system inspection device of the present invention may also be "[7] The lymphatic system inspection device as described in the above [6], wherein the imaging portion acquires an excitation light image of the plate using the excitation light and a fluorescence image of the plate using fluorescence emitted from the plate according to the irradiation of the excitation light in a state where a plate for brightness correction is located in the imaging area, the imaging portion uses a filter that selectively transmits the fluorescence when acquiring the fluorescence image of the plate, the control portion generates filter correction data based on the excitation light image of the plate and the fluorescence image of the plate, and corrects the fluorescence image of the lower body based on the excitation light correction data and the filter correction data". According to the lymphatic system inspection device described in this [7], unevenness in the fluorescence image of the lower body due to the angular dependence of the transmission wavelength in the filter can be suppressed.

[0019] One embodiment of the lymphatic system inspection device of the present invention may also be "[8] The lymphatic system inspection device as described in the above [6] or [7], wherein the control portion corrects the contour of the fluorescence image of the lower body in the fluorescence image of the lower body". According to the lymphatic system inspection device described in this [8], enhancement of the contour of the fluorescence image of the lower body due to correction based on the excitation light correction data can be suppressed.

[0020] One aspect of the lymphatic system inspection device of the present invention may also be "[9] The lymphatic system inspection device as described in any one of [6] to [8] above, further comprising: a display unit that displays the fluorescence image of the lower body corrected by the control unit; the control unit generates a plurality of images arranged in time series as the fluorescence image of the corrected lower body, and controls the display unit to continuously display the plurality of images". According to the lymphatic system inspection device described in [9], the fluorescence images of the lower body can be continuously grasped in time series.

[0021] One aspect of the lymphatic system inspection method of the present invention is "

[10] A lymphatic system inspection method, which is a lymphatic system inspection method implemented in a lymphatic system inspection device. The lymphatic system inspection device includes: a main body portion having a placement portion for a subject injected with a fluorescent dye in the lymphatic system, and an imaging area where the lower body of the subject is located on the placement portion; an illumination unit that irradiates the lower body with excitation light; and an imaging unit that acquires an excitation light image of the lower body using the excitation light and a fluorescence image of the lower body using the fluorescence emitted from the lower body according to the irradiation of the excitation light. The lymphatic system inspection method includes the following steps: a step of acquiring the excitation light image of the lower body and the fluorescence image of the lower body; and a step of generating excitation light correction data based on the excitation light image of the lower body and correcting the fluorescence image of the lower body based on the excitation light correction data".

[0022] In the lymphatic system inspection method described in

[10] above, an excitation light image of the lower body and a fluorescence image of the lower body are acquired, excitation light correction data is generated based on the excitation light image of the lower body, and the fluorescence image of the lower body is corrected based on the excitation light correction data. Thereby, unevenness in the fluorescence image of the lower body can be suppressed due to non-uniformity in the irradiation intensity of the excitation light at the lower body. Thus, according to the lymphatic system inspection method described in

[10] above, a fluorescence image of the lower body suitable for inspecting the lymphatic system of the lower body of the subject can be obtained.

[0023] Effects of the Invention

[0024] According to the present invention, a lymphatic system inspection device suitable for inspecting the lymphatic system of the lower body of a subject can be provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of a lymphatic system inspection device according to an embodiment.

[0026] Figure 2 It is Figure 1 A perspective view of the shown device main body.

[0027] Figure 3 is the cross-sectional view of the device main body along the line III-III shown in Figure 2 Figure

[0028] Figure 4 is the cross-sectional view of the device main body along the line IV-IV shown in Figure 3 Figure

[0029] Figure 5 is the cross-sectional view of the device main body along the line V-V shown in Figure 3 Figure

[0030] Figure 6 is Figure 2 the cross-sectional view of the limiting part shown in

[0031] Figure 7 the cross-sectional view of the device main body equipped with the second board for brightness correction

[0032] Figure 8 is the figure showing the visible light image of the object

[0033] Figure 9 is the figure showing the display part that displays various fluorescence images of the object shown in Figure 8 Figure

[0034] Figure 10 is the top view of the device main body of the modified example

[0035] Figure 11 is the constitution diagram of the imaging part of one embodiment

[0036] Figure 12 is the flow chart showing the generation process of the filter correction data

[0037] Figure 13 is the figure for explaining the generation process of the filter correction data

[0038] Figure 14 is the figure for explaining a specific example of the generation process of the filter correction data

[0039] Figure 15 is the flow chart showing the generation process of the fluorescence image of the subject

[0040] Figure 16 is the figure for explaining the generation process of the fluorescence image of the subject

[0041] Figure 17 is the figure for explaining a specific example of the generation process of the fluorescence image of the subject

[0042] Figure 18 is the figure showing the effect of the generation process of the fluorescence image of the subject

[0043] Figure 19 It is a configuration diagram of the imaging unit of the modified example. Detailed implementation mode

[0044] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, the implementation modes of the present invention will be described in detail. In addition, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in the respective drawings, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0045] Figure 1 The lymphatic system inspection device 1 shown is a device for inspecting the lymphatic system of the lower body of a 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 excitation light to the lower body of the subject S in which a fluorescent dye such as indocyanine green is injected into the lymphatic system, 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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 placement portion 21 and a support portion 22. In the main body portion 2, the placement portion 21 is the portion where the subject S stands, and the support portion 22 is the portion disposed on one side in the X direction with respect to the placement 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 placement portion 21. A plurality of casters 23 are installed on the lower surfaces of the placement portion 21 and the support portion 22 respectively. Thus, the device main body 10 can move smoothly.

[0048] The main body 2 also has a frame 24 and a wall portion 25. The frame 24 is composed of a first frame 241 and a second frame 242. The first frame 241 is installed on the placement portion 21, and the second frame 242 is installed on the support portion 22. The wall portion 25 is composed of a first wall portion 251 and a second wall portion 252. The first wall portion 251 is installed on the placement portion 21 via the first frame 241, and the second wall portion 252 is installed 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 portion 252 can be detached from and attached to the unit composed of the placement portion 21, the first frame 241, and the first wall portion 251. As an example, the width of each unit in the X direction and the width of each unit in the Y direction are 70 cm or less. Thereby, the portability of each unit can be improved.

[0049] The wall portion 25 forms a housing 250 on the placement portion 21 and the support portion 22. The housing 250 defines an imaging area R on the placement portion 21. An opening 25a is formed in the housing 250 so as to face the placement portion 21 through the imaging area R. The waist portion of the subject S is located inside the opening 25a. That is, an opening 25a for arranging the subject S inside is formed in the wall portion 25. The inner surface of the housing 250 is, for example, set to black. In addition, in the first wall portion 251, a door is formed by a wall portion 251a on the side opposite to the second wall portion 252. Thereby, the subject S can move up and down relative to the placement portion 21.

[0050] The main body 2 also has a restricting portion 26. The restricting portion 26 is arranged along the upper end portion Ra of the imaging area R. The restricting portion 26 restricts the movement of the subject S to one side (the support portion 22 side) in the X direction. In the present embodiment, the restricting portion 26 extends in the Y direction along the upper end portion Ra of the imaging area R and is installed on the first frame 241 in a state of crossing the opening 25a. As Figure 6 shown, the restricting portion 26 is composed of a rod 261 and a cushioning material 262. The rod 261 is a core material installed on the first frame 241. The cushioning material 262 is an elastic material wound around the rod 261.

[0051] As Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown, the device main body 10 further includes a lighting unit 3, an imaging unit 4, and a distance sensor 5. The lighting unit 3, the imaging unit 4, and the distance sensor 5 are arranged on one side (the support portion 22 side) in the X direction with respect to the imaging area R. The housing 250 houses the lighting unit 3, the imaging unit 4, and the distance sensor 5 on the support portion 22.

[0052] The illumination unit 3 irradiates excitation light onto the lower body L. 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 that emit light having a central 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.

[0053] 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 via 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.

[0054] 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, a CMOS, 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.

[0055] 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 method. The distance sensor 5 faces the imaging area R via 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., the 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 support portion 22 via the second frame 242. In addition, based on the distance measured by the distance sensor 5, the light-emitting 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. Such adjustment of the light-emitting 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.

[0056] 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 unit 4. The housing 250 houses the camera 6 on the placement portion 21. The space inside the housing 250 becomes a darkroom by the cover 7 that covers the opening 25a in the state of being mounted on the subject S. Since the camera 6 captures the feet of the subject S in the space inside the housing 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 on the display unit 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.

[0057] As Figure 5 shown, a positioning portion 8 for 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 unit 4 side and a foot shape 82 when the subject S faces the side opposite to the imaging unit 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.

[0058] As Figure 6 shown, a first plate 14 and a scale are mounted on the surface 26a on the imaging unit 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) with different intensities of fluorescence emitted according to the irradiation of the excitation light. The scale 15 is a member having scales indicating length. As Figure 7As shown, the second plate 16 can be attached to and detached from the main body 2. The second plate 16 is arranged in the main body 2 in a state of being in contact with the restricting portion 26 on the side opposite to the imaging unit 4 and within the imaging region R. The second plate 16 is a plate for brightness correction, such as an acrylic plate.

[0059] 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 excitation light in a flash-like manner 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 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 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.

[0060] 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: a step of generating a plurality of fluorescence images as the fluorescence image of the lower body L by 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); and a step of controlling the display unit 12 so as to display the plurality of fluorescence images side by side.

[0061] In this lymphatic system inspection method, the control unit 11 generates each of the plurality of fluorescence images within a time of 1 second or less (that is, within 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.

[0062] Figure 8 It is a diagram showing a visible light image of the object to be displayed. Figure 9 It is a diagram showingFigure 8 A diagram of the display unit 12 for multiple fluorescence images I of the object shown. Figure 8 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 the top. Figure 9 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 recognized. 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 recognized. 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.

[0063] 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 facing the imaging area R, and the imaging unit 4 faces the imaging area R via the area between the first light emission area 31 and the second light emission area 32. Thereby, 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. Thereby, 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.

[0064] 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. Thereby, deformation in the obtained fluorescence image can be suppressed.

[0065] 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. Thereby, the excitation light can be more uniformly irradiated to the lower body L of the subject S located in the imaging area R.

[0066] 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. Thereby, 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.

[0067] In the lymphatic system inspection apparatus 1, the first light-emitting region 31 and the second light-emitting region 32 are arranged such that in the X direction, the closer they are to the imaging region R, the farther apart they are from each other in the Y direction. Thereby, the excitation light can be irradiated more uniformly to the lower body L of the subject S located in the imaging region R.

[0068] In addition, in the lymphatic system inspection apparatus 1, with respect to 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 restricting unit 26 arranged along the upper end portion Ra of the imaging region R restricts the movement of the subject S to one side in the X direction. 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 shaking of the lower body L of the subject S can be suppressed. Thereby, 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.

[0069] In the lymphatic system inspection apparatus 1, the restricting unit 26 extends in the Y direction, and the first plate 14 for brightness correction is arranged 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 according to each obtained fluorescence image.

[0070] In the lymphatic system inspection apparatus 1, the restricting unit 26 extends in the Y direction, and the scale 15 is arranged 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.

[0071] In the lymphatic system inspection apparatus 1, the second plate 16 for brightness correction is arranged on the main body unit 2 in a state of being in contact with the restricting unit 26 from the opposite side of the imaging unit 4 and being located in the imaging region R. Thereby, the brightness of the fluorescence image can be adjusted according to each lymphatic system inspection apparatus 1.

[0072] In the lymphatic system inspection apparatus 1, a distance sensor 5 is arranged on one side in the X direction with respect to the imaging region R. Thereby, the position of the lower body L of the subject S in the X direction can be accurately grasped.

[0073] In addition, in the lymphatic system inspection apparatus 1 (and the above-mentioned lymphatic system inspection method), by changing at least one of the light-emitting 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. Thereby, according to the lymphatic system inspection apparatus 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 carried out.

[0074] In the lymphatic system inspection device 1, the control unit 11 generates each of a plurality of fluorescence images within a time of 1 second or less. Thereby, shaking of the lower body L of the subject S can be suppressed and a plurality of fluorescence images can be obtained.

[0075] In the lymphatic system inspection device 1, the control unit 11 controls the illumination unit 3 so as to emit excitation light in a flash-like manner. Thereby, 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.

[0076] In the lymphatic system inspection device 1, the control unit 11 stores fluorescence images of the lower body L of the subject S generated in the past, and controls the display unit 12 so as to display side by side the fluorescence images of the lower body L generated in the past and the newly generated fluorescence images of the lower body L. Thereby, the temporal change in the state of the lymphatic system of the lower body L of the subject S can be appropriately grasped.

[0077] In addition, in the lymphatic system inspection device 1, a positioning unit 8 for displaying 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. Thereby, 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.

[0078] In the lymphatic system inspection device 1, the positioning unit 8 includes a foot shape 81 when the subject S is facing the imaging unit 4 side and a foot shape 82 when the subject S is facing the side opposite to the imaging unit 4. Thereby, in each of the state where the subject S is facing the imaging unit 4 side and the state where the subject S is facing 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.

[0079] In the lymphatic system inspection device 1, a wall portion 25 forms a housing 250 that defines an imaging region R and houses the illumination unit 3 and the imaging unit 4, and an opening 25a for disposing the subject S inside is formed in the wall portion 25. Thereby, the influence of stray light can be suppressed and a fluorescence image of the lower body L of the subject S can be obtained.

[0080] In the lymphatic system inspection device 1, a cover 7 attached to the subject S covers the opening 25a. Thereby, the influence of stray light can be more reliably suppressed and a fluorescence image of the lower body L of the subject S can be obtained.

[0081] In the lymphatic system inspection device 1, the support portion 22 and the second wall portion 252 are detachable from the placement portion 21 and the first wall portion 251. Thereby, the portability of the lymphatic system inspection device 1 can be improved.

[0082] In the lymphatic system inspection device 1, the positioning portion 8 is photographed by the camera 6. Thus, even when the subject S has difficulty visually recognizing the positioning portion 8 directly, the subject S can visually recognize the image obtained by the camera 6 and make the standing position coincide with the positioning portion 8.

[0083] Here, a correction process (a lymphatic system inspection method implemented in the lymphatic system inspection device 1) for a fluorescence image (hereinafter simply referred to as "fluorescence image of the lower body L of the subject S") of the lower body L of the subject S based on an excitation light image (hereinafter simply referred to as "excitation light image of the subject S") of the lower body L of the subject S will be described.

[0084] The imaging unit 4 used for this correction process is as Figure 11 shown, and includes a camera 41, a light transmissive member 42, a filter 43, and a holding member 44. The camera 41 is sensitive to excitation light (hereinafter simply referred to as "excitation light") emitted from the illumination unit 3 and fluorescence (hereinafter simply referred to as "fluorescence") emitted from the lower body L. The camera 41 uses, for example, an area sensor such as a CCD or a CMOS. The light transmissive member 42 allows the excitation light and the fluorescence to pass through. The light transmissive member 42 is, for example, a glass plate. The filter 43 blocks the excitation light and selectively allows the fluorescence to pass through. The filter 43 is, for example, a long-pass filter or a band-pass filter.

[0085] The holding member 44 holds the light transmissive member 42 and the filter 43. The holding member 44 disposes the light transmissive member 42 or the filter 43 in front of the camera 41 (on the side of the imaging region R). The holding member 44 is, for example, a wheel that rotates about an axis parallel to the X direction, or a slider that reciprocates in a predetermined direction perpendicular to the X direction. In the present embodiment, the holding member 44 is controlled by the control unit 11 in such a way that the light transmissive member 42 or the filter 43 is disposed in front of the camera 41.

[0086] In addition, the light transmissive member 42 has a thickness such that the optical path length of the excitation light incident on the camera 41 through the light transmissive member 42 is close to the optical path length of the fluorescence incident on the camera 41 through the filter 43 (ideally, the difference between these optical path lengths is 0). However, the imaging unit 4 may not include the light transmissive member 42. Although not shown, a wide-angle lens is disposed in front of the light transmissive member 42 or the filter 43 disposed in front of the camera 41 so as to be able to photograph the entire lower body L. This wide-angle lens may also be disposed between the light transmissive member 42 or the filter 43 disposed in front of the camera 41 and the area sensor of the camera 41 by being provided in the camera 41.

[0087] In a state where the imaging unit 4 configured as described above is provided in the apparatus main body 10, the control unit 11 performs "generation process of filter correction data" and "generation process of fluorescence image of the subject S" as correction processes of the fluorescence image of the subject S based on the excitation light image of the subject S. The "generation process of filter correction data" is performed at the calibration timing of the lymphatic system inspection apparatus 1. The "generation process of fluorescence image of the subject S" is performed at the acquisition timing of the fluorescence image of the subject S.

[0088] First, refer to Figure 12 and Figure 13 , and the "generation process of filter correction data" will be described. First, the second plate (plate for brightness correction) 16 is disposed in the main body portion 2 in such a manner that it is in contact with the restricting portion 26 on the side opposite to the imaging unit 4 and is located in the imaging region R (refer to Figure 7 ). In a state where the second plate is located in the imaging region R, the light transmission member 42 is disposed in front of the camera 41 in the imaging unit 4 (refer to Figure 11 ). Then, the illumination unit 3 irradiates the second plate 16 with excitation light, and the imaging unit 4 acquires the excitation light image 101 (S01) of the second plate 16. The excitation light image 101 is an image of the second plate 16 using the excitation light (the excitation light reflected by the second plate 16, that is, the excitation light incident on the camera 41 through the light transmission member 42). In addition, the fluorescence emitted from the second plate 16 due to the irradiation of the excitation light also enters the camera 41 through the light transmission member 42 together with the excitation light. However, since the intensity of the fluorescence is extremely low compared to the intensity of the excitation light, the influence of the fluorescence can be substantially ignored in the excitation light image 101. Next, the control unit 11 generates excitation light correction data 102 (S02) based on the excitation light image 101 of the second plate 16. The excitation light correction data 102 is data for correcting (equalizing) the "non-uniformity of the excitation light image of the second plate 16" caused by the "non-uniformity of the irradiation intensity of the excitation light at the second plate 16" in the excitation light image 101, and is data for equalizing the brightness values of the respective pixels constituting the excitation light image of the second plate 16.

[0089] Next, in a state where the second plate is located in the imaging region R (refer to Figure 7 ), the filter 43 is disposed in front of the camera 41 in the imaging unit 4 (refer to Figure 11)。Then, the illumination unit 3 irradiates the second plate 16 with excitation light, and the imaging unit 4 acquires the fluorescence image 103 of the second plate 16 (S03). The fluorescence image 103 is an image of the second plate 16 using fluorescence (the fluorescence emitted from the second plate 16 according to the irradiation of the excitation light, that is, the fluorescence incident on the camera 41 through the filter 43). Next, the control unit 11 corrects the fluorescence image 103 of the second plate 16 based on the excitation light correction data 102 to generate the corrected fluorescence image 104 of the second plate 16 (S04). Next, the control unit 11 generates the filter correction data 105 based on the corrected fluorescence image 104 of the second plate 16 (S05). The filter correction data 105 is data for correcting (equalizing) the unevenness of the fluorescence image of the second plate 16 caused by the "angular dependence of the transmission wavelength in the filter 43" in the fluorescence image 104, and is data for equalizing the luminance values of the respective pixels constituting the fluorescence image of the second plate 16. The control unit 11 stores the generated filter correction data 105.

[0090] Refer to Figure 14 , a specific example of the above "generation process of filter correction data" will be described. As Figure 14 shown, in this specific example, the excitation light image 101V is acquired as the excitation light image 101 of the second plate 16, and the fluorescence image 103V is acquired as the fluorescence image 103 of the second plate 16. Each of the excitation light image 101V and the fluorescence image 103V is composed of a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix. In each of the excitation light image 101V and the fluorescence image 103V, the value recorded in each pixel represents the luminance value.

[0091] In this specific example, the excitation light correction data 102D is generated based on the excitation light image 101V as the excitation light correction data 102. The excitation light correction data 102D is composed of a plurality of coefficients. Each coefficient of the excitation light correction data 102D corresponds to each pixel of the excitation light image 101V. The coefficient corresponding to a certain pixel is the value obtained by dividing the maximum value of the luminance values of all pixels (in this specific example, "200") by the luminance value of this pixel. Here, for pixels having a luminance value less than a specified threshold (in this specific example, "30"), they are regarded as pixels constituting the background of the second plate 16, and the coefficient corresponding to this pixel is set to "1".

[0092] In this specific example, the fluorescence image 104V is generated by correcting the fluorescence image 103V based on the excitation light correction data 102D as the fluorescence image 104 of the second plate 16. The fluorescence image 104V is generated by multiplying each pixel of the fluorescence image 103V by each coefficient of the excitation light correction data 102D.

[0093] In this specific example, filter correction data 105D is generated based on the fluorescence image 104V as the filter correction data 105. The filter correction data 105D is composed of multiple coefficients. Each coefficient of the filter correction data 105 corresponds to each pixel of the fluorescence image 104V. The coefficient corresponding to a certain pixel is the value obtained by dividing the maximum value of the luminance values of all pixels (which is "188" in this specific example) by the luminance value of this pixel. Here, for pixels having a luminance value less than a specified threshold (which is "30" in this specific example), they are also regarded as pixels constituting the background of the second plate 16, and the coefficient corresponding to this pixel is set to "1".

[0094] In addition, the luminance value used as a reference when generating each of the excitation light correction data 102D and the filter correction data 105D is not limited to the maximum value of the luminance values of all pixels. In order to exclude spike noise, it can also be the value of the upper n% of the luminance value distribution, the average luminance value, etc. In addition, in order to remove local coefficient variations in each of the excitation light correction data 102D and the filter correction data 105D, when calculating each of the excitation light correction data 102D and the filter correction data 105D, a two-dimensional filter such as a smoothing filter or a Gaussian filter can also be applied.

[0095] Next, with reference to Figure 15 and Figure 16 , the "generation process of the fluorescence image of the subject S" will be described. First, the subject S stands on the placement unit 21 in such a way that the lower body L is located in the imaging area R (refer to Figure 3 ). In a state where the lower body L is located in the imaging area R, the light transmission member 42 is arranged in front of the camera 41 in the imaging unit 4 (refer to Figure 11 ). Then, the illumination unit 3 irradiates the lower body L of the subject S with excitation light, and the imaging unit 4 acquires the excitation light image 201 of the subject S (the step of acquiring the excitation light image of the lower body, S11). The excitation light image 201 is an image of the lower body L using the excitation light (the excitation light reflected by the lower body L of the subject S, that is, the excitation light incident on the camera 41 through the light transmission member 42). In addition, the fluorescence emitted from the lower body L of the subject S according to the irradiation of the excitation light also enters the camera 41 through the light transmission member 42 together with the excitation light. However, since the intensity of the fluorescence is extremely low compared to the intensity of the excitation light, the influence of the fluorescence can be substantially ignored in the excitation light image 201. Next, the control unit 11 generates the excitation light correction data 202 based on the excitation light image 201 of the subject S (S12). The excitation light correction data 202 is data for correcting (equalizing) the "non-uniformity of the excitation light image of the lower body L" caused by the "non-uniformity of the irradiation intensity of the excitation light at the lower body L" in the excitation light image 201, and is data for equalizing the luminance values of the pixels constituting the excitation light image of the lower body L.

[0096] Next, with the lower body L being in the imaging region R (refer to Figure 3 ), in the imaging unit 4, the filter 43 is arranged in front of the camera 41 (refer to Figure 11 ). Then, the illumination unit 3 irradiates the lower body L of the subject S with excitation light, and the imaging unit 4 acquires a fluorescence image 203 of the subject S (step S13 of acquiring a fluorescence image of the lower body). The fluorescence image 203 is an image of the lower body L using fluorescence (fluorescence emitted from the lower body L of the subject S according to the irradiation of the excitation light, that is, fluorescence incident on the camera 41 through the filter 43). Next, the control unit 11 corrects the fluorescence image 203 of the subject S based on the excitation light correction data 202, and generates a corrected fluorescence image 204 of the subject S (step S14 of correcting the fluorescence image of the lower body). Next, the control unit 11 corrects the fluorescence image 204 of the subject S based on the filter correction data 105 stored in advance, and generates a further corrected fluorescence image 205 of the subject S (S15). In addition, with respect to the fluorescence image 203 of the subject S, correction based on either the excitation light correction data 202 or the filter correction data 105 can be performed first, or correction based on both of these data can be performed simultaneously.

[0097] Next, the control unit 11 corrects the contour of the fluorescence image of the lower body L in the fluorescence image 205 of the subject S (S16), and generates a fluorescence image of the subject S (S17). The control unit 11 displays the generated fluorescence image of the subject S on the display unit 12. Depending on the situation, the control unit 11 generates a plurality of images arranged in time series as the fluorescence image of the subject S, and controls the display unit 12 to continuously display the plurality of images. In addition, the reason for correcting the contour of the fluorescence image of the lower body L in the fluorescence image 205 of the subject S is that there is a case where the contour of the fluorescence image of the lower body L is enhanced due to the correction based on the excitation light correction data 202. For example, a diffusion filter is used in this contour correction.

[0098] Refer to Figure 17 , and a specific example of the above "generation process of the fluorescence image of the subject S" will be described. As Figure 17 shows, in this specific example, an excitation light image 201V is acquired as the excitation light image 201 of the subject S, and a fluorescence image 203V is acquired as the fluorescence image 203 of the subject S. Each of the excitation light image 201V and the fluorescence image 203V is composed of a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix. In each of the excitation light image 201V and the fluorescence image 203V, the value recorded in each pixel represents a luminance value.

[0099] In this specific example, excitation light correction data 202D is generated based on the excitation light image 201V and used as the excitation light correction data 202. The excitation light correction data 202D consists of multiple coefficients. Each coefficient of the excitation light correction data 202D corresponds to each pixel of the excitation light image 201V. The coefficient corresponding to a certain pixel is the value obtained by dividing the maximum value of the brightness values of all pixels (which is "215" in this specific example) by the brightness value of this pixel. Here, for pixels with a brightness value less than a specified threshold (which is "30" in this specific example), they are regarded as pixels constituting the background of the lower body L, and the coefficient corresponding to this pixel is set to "1".

[0100] In this specific example, the fluorescence image 204V is generated by correcting the fluorescence image 203V based on the excitation light correction data 202D and used as the fluorescence image 204 of the subject S. The fluorescence image 204V is generated by multiplying each pixel of the fluorescence image 203V by each coefficient of the excitation light correction data 202D. Furthermore, in this specific example, the fluorescence image 205V is generated by correcting the fluorescence image 204V based on the filter correction data 105D shown in Figure 14 and used as the fluorescence image 205 of the subject S. The fluorescence image 205V is generated by multiplying each pixel of the fluorescence image 204V by each coefficient of the filter correction data 105D.

[0101] In addition, the brightness value used as a reference when generating the excitation light correction data 202D is not limited to the maximum value of the brightness values of all pixels. In order to exclude spike noise, it can also be the value of the upper n% of the brightness value distribution, the average brightness value, etc. In addition, in order to remove local coefficient variations in the excitation light correction data 202D, a two-dimensional filter such as a smoothing filter or a Gaussian filter can also be applied when calculating the excitation light correction data 202D.

[0102] As described above, in the lymphatic system inspection device 1 (the lymphatic system inspection method implemented in the lymphatic system inspection device 1), the excitation light image 201 of the subject S and the fluorescence image 203 of the subject S are obtained. The excitation light correction data 202 is generated based on the excitation light image 201 of the subject S, and the fluorescence image 203 of the subject S is corrected based on the excitation light correction data 202. Thereby, unevenness in the fluorescence image of the lower body L due to the non-uniformity of the irradiation intensity of the excitation light at the lower body L can be suppressed. Thus, according to the lymphatic system inspection device 1 (the lymphatic system inspection method implemented in 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.

[0103] In the lymphatic system inspection apparatus 1, an excitation light image 101 of the second plate 16 and a fluorescence image 103 of the second plate 16 are obtained, filter correction data 105 is generated based on the excitation light image 101 of the second plate 16 and the fluorescence image 103 of the second plate 16, and the fluorescence image 203 of the subject S is corrected based on the excitation light correction data 202 and the filter correction data 105. Thereby, unevenness in the fluorescence image of the lower body L due to the angular dependence of the transmission wavelength in the filter 43 can be suppressed.

[0104] In the lymphatic system inspection apparatus 1, in the fluorescence image 205 of the subject S, the contour of the fluorescence image of the lower body L is corrected. Thereby, enhancement of the contour of the fluorescence image of the lower body L due to the correction based on the excitation light correction data 202 can be suppressed.

[0105] In the lymphatic system inspection apparatus 1, a plurality of images arranged in time series are generated as the corrected fluorescence image of the subject S, and the plurality of images are continuously displayed by the display unit 12. Thereby, the fluorescence image of the lower body L can be continuously grasped in time series.

[0106] Figure 18 It is a diagram showing the effect of the generation process of the fluorescence image of the subject. In the verification of obtaining Figure 18 the results shown, as an imaging object, a capillary tube with an inner diameter of 0.4 mm filled with indocyanine green (hereinafter simply referred to as "capillary tube") was prepared. Then, in the above-mentioned lymphatic system inspection apparatus 1, the capillary tube was arranged in a manner extending in the Z direction at each angular position on a cylindrical surface having a "center line passing through the center of the imaging region R and extending in the Z direction", and the excitation light image of the capillary tube and the fluorescence image of the capillary tube were obtained. In addition, 0° is the position in front of the imaging unit 4, the positive angle is the position on the right side when viewed from the imaging unit 4 side, and the negative angle is the position on the left side when viewed from the imaging unit 4 side.

[0107] Figure 18 In, the result of "before correction" is the relative intensity of the luminance value of the fluorescence image of the capillary tube when the fluorescence image of the capillary tube is not corrected. The result of "after correction" is the relative intensity of the luminance value of the fluorescence image of the capillary tube when excitation light correction data is generated based on the excitation light image of the capillary tube and the fluorescence image of the capillary tube is corrected based on the excitation light correction data. The result of "uniform illumination" is the result obtained under the condition that only the illumination unit 3 is not used in the above-mentioned lymphatic system inspection apparatus 1 and the excitation light panel is arranged at the front position with respect to each angular position, that is, the relative intensity of the luminance value of the fluorescence image of the capillary tube when the fluorescence image of the capillary tube obtained under this condition is not corrected. As Figure 18 shown, the result of "after correction" is closer to the result of "uniform illumination" compared with the result of "before correction".

[0108] In addition, the imaging unit 4 used in the above correction process may also be configured as shown in Figure 19 (a) and (b) thereof.

[0109] Figure 19 The imaging unit 4 shown in (a) of Figure 19 includes a first camera 41A, a second camera 41B, a filter 43, and a dichroic mirror 45. The first camera 41A is sensitive to excitation light. The second camera 41B is sensitive to fluorescence. The dichroic mirror 45 guides the excitation light to the first camera 41A and the fluorescence to the second camera 41B. The filter 43 selectively transmits the fluorescence between the dichroic mirror 45 and the second camera 41B. In addition, as each of the first camera 41A and the second camera 41B, the same camera that is sensitive to both excitation light and fluorescence may also be used. In addition, other optical elements (such as a prism, a semi-transmissive semi-reflective lens, etc.) that guide the excitation light to the first camera 41A and the fluorescence to the second camera 41B may be used instead of the dichroic mirror 45. In addition, a light transmission member 42 that transmits the excitation light may be disposed between the dichroic mirror 45 and the first camera 41A.

[0110] Figure 19 The imaging unit 4 shown in (b) of Figure 19 includes a first camera 41A, a second camera 41B, and a filter 43. The first camera 41A is sensitive to excitation light. The second camera 41B is sensitive to fluorescence. The first camera 41A and the second camera 41B are arranged in a state facing the imaging region R side. The filter 43 selectively transmits the fluorescence in front of the second camera 41B. In addition, as each of the first camera 41A and the second camera 41B, the same camera that is sensitive to both excitation light and fluorescence may also be used. In addition, a light transmission member 42 that transmits the excitation light may be disposed in front of the first camera 41A.

[0111] According to Figure 19 the imaging unit 4 shown in (a) and (b) thereof, the excitation light image 201 of the subject S and the fluorescence image 203 of the subject S can be obtained simultaneously. Therefore, the excitation light correction data 202 can be generated based on the excitation light image 201 and the fluorescence image 203 can be corrected based on the excitation light correction data 202. This is particularly effective in the case of generating a plurality of images arranged in time series as the corrected fluorescence image of the subject S and continuously displaying the plurality of images on the display unit 12.

[0112] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, as shown in Figure 10 , the restriction unit 26 and the imaging unit 4 (refer to Figure 3)The surface 26b on the opposite side may also be a curved surface that is bent in such a way as to follow the lower abdomen of the subject S (i.e., in a way that is recessed toward the imaging unit 4 side). In addition, the positioning unit 8 may be provided in the concave or convex portion of the placement surface 21a in place of or together with the foot shapes 81, 82 so as to conform to the foot shape of the subject S. Further, at least one of the illumination unit 3, the imaging unit 4, the distance sensor 5, the camera 6, and the restricting unit 26 may be mounted on the frame 24 in such a way that at least one of position adjustment and angle adjustment can be performed.

[0113] Explanation of symbols

[0114] 1... Lymphatic system inspection device, 2... Main body unit, 3... Illumination unit, 4... Imaging unit, 5... Distance sensor, 6... Camera, 7... Cover, 8... Positioning unit, 11... Control unit, 12... Display unit, 14... First plate, 15... Measuring scale, 16... Second plate, 21... Placement unit, 22... Support unit, 25... Wall unit, 25a... Opening, 26... Restricting unit, 26a... Surface, 31... First light-emitting area, 31a... First light-emitting portion, 32... Second light-emitting area, 32a... Second light-emitting portion, 81, 82... Foot shapes, 250... Housing, 251... First wall unit, 252... Second wall unit, L... Lower body, R... Imaging area, Ra... Upper end portion, S... Subject.

Claims

1. A lymphatic system inspection device, wherein, it includes: a main body portion having a placement portion on which a subject injected with a fluorescent dye into the lymphatic system stands, and an imaging area in which the lower body of the subject is located on the placement portion; an illumination portion that irradiates excitation light onto the lower body; and an imaging portion that detects fluorescence emitted from the lower body according to the irradiation of the excitation light, the illumination portion and the imaging portion are arranged on one side in a first horizontal direction with respect to the imaging area, the illumination portion has a first light-emitting area and a second light-emitting area arranged in a state of being separated from each other in a second horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction, each of the first light-emitting area and the second light-emitting area extends in the vertical direction in a state of facing the imaging area, the imaging portion faces the imaging area through an area between the first light-emitting area and the second light-emitting area.

2. The lymphatic system inspection device according to claim 1, wherein, the imaging portion is located at the center of the imaging area when viewed from the first horizontal direction.

3. The lymphatic system inspection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, the illumination portion is located between the imaging area and the imaging portion in the first horizontal direction.

4. The lymphatic system inspection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, the first light-emitting area includes a plurality of first light-emitting portions, the second light-emitting area includes a plurality of second light-emitting portions, the illumination portion has a function of adjusting the light-emitting intensity of each of the plurality of first light-emitting portions and the light-emitting intensity of each of the plurality of second light-emitting portions.

5. The lymphatic system inspection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, the first light-emitting area and the second light-emitting area are arranged in such a manner that in the first horizontal direction, the closer they are to the imaging area, the farther apart they are from each other in the second horizontal direction.

Images