Lymphatic system inspection device

Abstract

A lymphatic system inspection device according to the present invention comprises a body unit that positions the lower half of the body of a subject in an imaging area, a lighting unit that radiates excitation light at the lower half of the body, and an imaging unit that detects fluorescence emitted from the lower half of the body. The lighting unit and the imaging unit are arranged on one side of the imaging area in a first horizontal direction. The lighting unit has a first light emission area and a second light emission area that are aligned in a second horizontal direction so as to be separated from each other. Each of the first light emission area and the second light emission area extends in the vertical direction opposite the imaging area. The imaging unit is opposite the imaging area with the area between the first light emission area and the second light emission area therebetween.

Description

Lymphatic system testing device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a lymphatic system testing device.

[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. A known testing method for diagnosing lymphatic system diseases (e.g., lymphedema) involves irradiating a predetermined site of a subject, whose lymphatic system has been injected with a fluorescent dye such as indocyanine green, with excitation light, and detecting fluorescence emitted from the predetermined site in response to the irradiation with the excitation light, thereby obtaining a fluorescent image of the predetermined site (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-118803

[0004] The devices used in the above-described tests have a problem in that the irradiation range of excitation light and the detection range of fluorescence are limited to a narrow range, making it difficult to efficiently test the lymphatic system in the lower body of a subject.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to provide a lymphatic system examination device suitable for examining the lymphatic system in the lower body of a subject.

[0006] A lymphatic system examination device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is [1] "a lymphatic system examination device comprising: a base section on which a subject whose lymphatic system has been injected with a fluorescent dye stands, a main section for positioning the lower half of the subject in an imaging area on the base section; an illumination section for irradiating the lower half with excitation light; and an imaging section for detecting fluorescence emitted from the lower half in response to the irradiation with the excitation light, wherein the illumination section and the imaging section are disposed on one side of the imaging area in a first horizontal direction, the illumination section has a first light-emitting area and a second light-emitting area that are spaced apart 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 extending in the vertical direction facing the imaging area, and the imaging section faces the imaging area via a region between the first light-emitting area and the second light-emitting area."

[0007] In the lymphatic system examination device described in [1] above, the first and second light-emitting regions of the illumination unit each extend vertically facing the imaging region, and the imaging unit faces the imaging region via the region between the first and second light-emitting regions. This allows excitation light to be uniformly irradiated onto the lower body of a subject located in the imaging region, and fluorescence emitted from the lower body in response to the uniform irradiation of excitation light can be detected. Therefore, the lymphatic system examination device described in [1] above can obtain a fluorescent image of the lower body that is appropriate for examining the lymphatic system in the lower body of a subject.

[0008] The lymphatic system examination device according to one aspect of the present disclosure may be [2] "the lymphatic system examination device according to the above [1], in which the imaging unit is located at the center of the imaging area when viewed from the first horizontal direction." The lymphatic system examination device according to [2] can suppress distortion of the acquired fluorescent image.

[0009] The lymphatic system examination device according to one aspect of the present disclosure may be [3] "the lymphatic system examination device according to the above [1] or [2], wherein the illumination unit is located between the imaging region and the imaging unit in the first horizontal direction." According to the lymphatic system examination device according to [3], excitation light can be more uniformly irradiated onto the lower half of the subject's body located in the imaging region.

[0010] The lymphatic system examination device according to one aspect of the present disclosure may be [4] "the lymphatic system examination device according to 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 emission intensity of each of the plurality of first light-emitting portions and each of the plurality of second light-emitting portions." The lymphatic system examination device according to [4] can uniformly irradiate the lower half of a subject's body positioned in an imaging area with excitation light according to the shape of the lower half of the body, etc.

[0011] The lymphatic system examination device according to one aspect of the present disclosure may be [5] "the lymphatic system examination device according to any one of [1] to [4] above, wherein the first light-emitting region and the second light-emitting region are arranged so as to move farther away from each other in the second horizontal direction as they approach the imaging region in the first horizontal direction." The lymphatic system examination device according to [5] can more uniformly irradiate the lower half of the subject's body located in the imaging region with excitation light.

[0012] A lymphatic system examination device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is [6] "a lymphatic system examination device comprising: a base on which a subject whose lymphatic system has been injected with a fluorescent dye stands, a main body for positioning the lower body of the subject in an imaging area on the base; an illumination unit for irradiating the lower body with excitation light; an imaging unit for acquiring an excitation light image of the lower body formed by the excitation light and a fluorescence image of the lower body formed by fluorescence emitted from the lower body in response to the irradiation with the excitation light; and a control unit for 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."

[0013] In the lymphatic system examination device described in [6] 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. This makes it possible to prevent unevenness in the fluorescence image of the lower body due to non-uniformity in the irradiation intensity of the excitation light on the lower body. Therefore, the lymphatic system examination device described in [6] above can acquire a fluorescence image of the lower body that is appropriate for examining the lymphatic system in the lower body of a subject.

[0014] A lymphatic system examination device according to one aspect of the present disclosure may be the lymphatic system examination device described in [7] above [6], wherein, with a brightness calibration plate positioned in the imaging area, the imaging unit acquires an excitation light image of the plate due to the excitation light and a fluorescence image of the plate due to fluorescence emitted from the plate in response to the irradiation with the excitation light, the imaging unit uses a filter that selectively transmits the fluorescence when acquiring the fluorescence image of the plate, and the control unit 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." The lymphatic system examination device described in [7] can suppress unevenness in the fluorescence image of the lower body due to angle dependency of the transmission wavelength of a filter.

[0015] The lymphatic system examination device according to one aspect of the present disclosure may be [8] "the lymphatic system examination device according to the above [6] or [7], wherein the control unit corrects the contour of the fluorescent image of the lower body in the fluorescent image of the lower body." The lymphatic system examination device according to [8] can prevent the contour of the fluorescent image of the lower body from being emphasized by correction based on excitation light correction data.

[0016] The lymphatic system examination device according to one aspect of the present disclosure may be [9] "the lymphatic system examination device according to any one of the above [6] to [8], further including a display unit that displays the fluorescence image of the lower body corrected by the control unit, wherein the control unit generates a plurality of images arranged in time series as the corrected fluorescence image of the lower body and controls the display unit to display the plurality of images consecutively." The lymphatic system examination device according to [9] allows for continuous chronological acquisition of fluorescence images of the lower body.

[0017] A lymphatic system examination method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is

[10] "a lymphatic system examination method carried out in a lymphatic system examination device, the lymphatic system examination device having a mounting unit on which a subject whose lymphatic system has been injected with a fluorescent dye stands, and including: a main body unit for positioning the lower body of the subject in an imaging area on the mounting unit; an illumination unit for irradiating the lower body with excitation light; and an imaging unit for acquiring an excitation light image of the lower body formed by the excitation light and a fluorescence image of the lower body formed by fluorescence emitted from the lower body in response to the irradiation with the excitation light; the lymphatic system examination method including the steps of acquiring the excitation light image of the lower body and the fluorescence image of the lower body; 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."

[0018] In the lymphatic system examination 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. This makes it possible to prevent unevenness in the fluorescence image of the lower body due to non-uniformity in the irradiation intensity of the excitation light in the lower body. Therefore, the lymphatic system examination method described in

[10] above makes it possible to acquire a fluorescence image of the lower body that is appropriate for examining the lymphatic system in the lower body of a subject.

[0019] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a lymphatic system examination device suitable for examining the lymphatic system in the lower body of a subject.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lymphatic system examination device according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device main body shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the device main body taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the device main body taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the device main body taken along line V-V in FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the restriction unit shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the device main body in which a second plate for brightness calibration is disposed. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a visible light image of an object. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display unit on which multiple types of fluorescent images of the object shown in FIG. 8 are displayed. FIG. 10 is a plan view of a modified device main body. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of an imaging unit according to one embodiment. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a process for generating filter correction data. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the process for generating filter correction data. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of the process for generating filter correction data. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a process for generating a fluorescent image of a subject. FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the process for generating a fluorescent image of a subject. Fig. 17 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of processing for generating a fluorescent image of a subject. Fig. 18 is a diagram showing the effect of processing for generating a fluorescent image of a subject. Fig. 19 is a diagram showing the configuration of an imaging section according to a modified example.

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0022] 1 is an apparatus that performs an examination of the lymphatic system of the lower body of a subject S in order to diagnose a lymphatic system disease (e.g., lymphedema). More specifically, the lymphatic system examination apparatus 1 is an apparatus that irradiates excitation light onto the lower body of a subject S, whose lymphatic system has been injected with a fluorescent dye such as indocyanine green, and detects fluorescence emitted from the lower body in response to the irradiation with the excitation light, thereby obtaining a fluorescent 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.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1 , the lymphatic system testing 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, memory, storage, communication devices, etc., and processes various data by executing software (programs). 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, keyboard, etc., and accepts input of various data from the operator.

[0024] As shown in Figures 2, 3, 4, and 5, the device main body 10 includes a main body section 2. The main body section 2 has a mounting section 21 and a support section 22. In the main body section 2, the mounting section 21 is the section on which the subject S stands, and the support section 22 is the section located on one side of the mounting section 21 in the X direction. The main body section 2 positions the lower body L of the subject S (i.e., the section from the lower abdomen to the toes) in the imaging region R on the mounting section 21. A plurality of casters 23 are attached to the underside of each of the mounting section 21 and the support section 22. This allows the device main body 10 to move smoothly.

[0025] 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 attached to the mounting portion 21, and the second frame 242 is attached to the support portion 22. The wall 25 is composed of a first wall 251 and a second wall 252. The first wall 251 is attached to the mounting portion 21 via the first frame 241, and the second wall 252 is attached to 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 is detachable from 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 70 cm or less. This improves the portability of each unit.

[0026] The wall 25 forms a housing 250 on the mounting section 21 and the support section 22. The housing 250 defines an imaging region R on the mounting section 21. An opening 25a is formed in the housing 250 so as to face the mounting section 21 across the imaging region R. The waist of the subject S is located inside the opening 25a. In other words, the wall 25 forms the opening 25a inside which the subject S is placed. The inner surface of the housing 250 is, for example, black. Note that the first wall 251 has a wall portion 251a opposite to the second wall 252 that forms a door. This allows the subject S to get on and off the mounting section 21.

[0027] The main body 2 further includes a restricting portion 26. The restricting portion 26 is disposed along the upper end portion Ra of the imaging region R. The restricting portion 26 restricts 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 region R and is hung across the first frame 241 across the opening 25a. As shown in FIG. 6 , the restricting portion 26 is composed of a bar material 261 and a cushion material 262. The bar material 261 is a core material hung across the first frame 241. The cushion material 262 is an elastic material wrapped around the bar material 261.

[0028] 2, 3, 4, and 5, the device main 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 in the X direction (the support unit 22 side) of the imaging region R. The housing 250 accommodates the illumination unit 3, the imaging unit 4, and the distance sensor 5 on the support unit 22.

[0029] 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 side by side and spaced apart in the Y direction. The first light-emitting region 31 and the second light-emitting region 32 each extend in the Z direction 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 they are from each other in the Y direction. The first light-emitting region 31 includes multiple first light-emitting portions 31a, and the second light-emitting region 32 includes multiple second light-emitting portions 32a. The illumination unit 3 has a function of adjusting the light emission intensity of each first light-emitting portion 31a and each second light-emitting portion 32a. Each of the first light-emitting portion 31a and the second light-emitting portion 32a is composed of multiple LEDs that emit light having a center wavelength of, for example, 735 nm. The illumination unit 3 is attached to the second frame 242. In other words, the illumination unit 3 is supported by the support unit 22 via the second frame 242 .

[0030] The imaging unit 4 detects fluorescence emitted from the lower body L in response to irradiation with 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 disposed on one side of the illumination unit 3 in the X direction (the side opposite the imaging region R). In other words, 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 this embodiment, the imaging unit 4 is attached to a bar member 242a, which is a member of the second frame 242 extending upward from the support unit 22 side. In other words, the imaging unit 4 is supported by the support unit 22 via the second frame 242.

[0031] As an example, the imaging unit 4 is composed of a photodetector, a filter arranged in front of the photodetector, and a lens arranged in front of the filter. The photodetector uses an area sensor (e.g., CCD, CMOS, etc.) that is sensitive to fluorescence (e.g., light in the near-infrared region). The filter uses a vapor deposition filter that selectively transmits fluorescence. The filter may include an absorption filter to remove the effects of oblique light. The lens uses a wide-angle lens so that the entire lower body L can be imaged.

[0032] The distance sensor 5 measures the distance to the lower body L located in the imaging region R. The distance sensor 5 may be, for example, an ultrasonic distance sensor or an optical distance sensor using a triangulation method or a Time of Flight method. The distance sensor 5 faces the imaging region R across the region between the first light-emitting region 31 and the second light-emitting region 32. The distance sensor 5 is disposed on one side of the illumination unit 3 in the X direction (the opposite side from the imaging region R). When viewed from the X direction, the distance sensor 5 is located at the center of the imaging region R in the Y direction. In this embodiment, the distance sensor 5 is attached to a bar member 242b, which is a member of the second frame 242 extending downward from the opposite side to the support unit 22. In other words, the distance sensor 5 is supported by the support unit 22 via the second frame 242. Based on the distance measured by the distance sensor 5, the light emission intensity of the illumination unit 3 may be adjusted so that the intensity of the excitation light irradiated on the lower body L is uniform. Such adjustment of the light emission intensity of the illumination unit 3 may be performed based on the intensity of the excitation light detected by a separately provided photodetector.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3 , the device main body 10 includes a camera 6. The camera 6 is attached to the first frame 241 so as to face the mounting portion 21 and not be within the field of view of the imaging unit 4. The housing 250 accommodates the camera 6 on the mounting portion 21. The space within the housing 250 is made into a darkroom by a cover 7 that covers the opening 25a when the camera 6 is worn by the subject S. Since the camera 6 captures images of the subject S's feet in the darkroom space within the housing 250, it may be composed of an illumination device and an imaging device, or may be composed only of an imaging device such as an infrared camera. The image captured by the camera 6 is displayed on the display unit 12 and shown to the subject S. The camera 6 may be attached to the restriction unit 26 or the second frame 242. When the camera 6 is composed of an illumination device and an imaging device, the illumination device may be separated from the imaging device.

[0034] 5, the mounting unit 21 is provided with a positioning unit 8 that indicates the standing position of the subject S. In this embodiment, the positioning unit 8 includes a footprint 81 when the subject S faces the imaging unit 4, and a footprint 82 when the subject S faces away from the imaging unit 4. Each of the footprints 81, 82 is a mark formed on the mounting surface 21a of the mounting unit 21. The positioning unit 8 is imaged by the camera 6.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 6 , a first plate 14 and a scale 15 are attached to a surface 26a of the restriction portion 26 facing the imaging unit 4. The first plate 14 is a plate for brightness calibration. As an example, the first plate 14 is made of multiple types of materials (e.g., cloth and acrylic plate) that emit fluorescent light with different intensities in response to irradiation with excitation light. The scale 15 is a member having graduations indicating length. As shown in FIG. 7 , a second plate 16 is detachably attached to the main body 2. The second plate 16 is disposed on the main body 2 so as to be positioned in the imaging region R while contacting the restriction portion 26 from the side opposite the imaging unit 4. The second plate 16 is a plate for brightness calibration, and is, for example, an acrylic plate.

[0036] In the lymphatic system examination device 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 to emit excitation light as a flash in synchronization with the imaging timing of the imaging unit 4. This makes it possible to suppress changes in the amount of excitation light irradiated on the lower body L when the lower body L is imaged. The control unit 11 generates a fluorescent image of the lower body L based on the fluorescence detected by the imaging unit 4 and controls the display unit 12 to display the fluorescent image of the lower body L. The control unit 11 stores fluorescent images of the lower body L previously generated for the subject S and can control the display unit 12 to display the previously generated fluorescent image of the lower body L and the newly generated fluorescent image of the lower body L side by side. The control unit 11 can also control the display unit 12 to display the visible light image of the lower body L and the fluorescent image of the lower body L side by side. Furthermore, the control unit 11 can control the display unit 12 so that a portion of at least one image (visible light image, fluorescent image) of the lower body L is enlarged based on instructions input to the control unit 11 via the input unit 13.

[0037] In the present embodiment, the control unit 11 controls at least one of the illumination unit 3 and the image capture unit 4 so as to change at least one of the light emission time of the illumination unit 3 and the exposure time of the image capture unit 4, thereby generating multiple types of fluorescent images as fluorescent images of the lower body L, and controls the display unit 12 so that the multiple types of fluorescent images are displayed side by side. In other words, the lymphatic system examination device 1 implements a lymphatic system examination method that includes the steps of: generating multiple types of fluorescent images as fluorescent images of the lower body L by controlling at least one of the illumination unit 3 and the image capture unit 4 so as to change at least one of the light emission time of the illumination unit 3 and the exposure time of the image capture unit 4 (i.e., so as to change the exposure amount in the image capture unit 4); and controlling the display unit 12 so that the multiple types of fluorescent images are displayed side by side.

[0038] In this lymphatic system examination method, the control unit 11 generates each of the multiple types of fluorescent images in a time of 1 second or less (i.e., 1 second or less after an image capture instruction is input to the control unit 11 via the input unit 13). Note that the exposure amount in the image capture unit 4 may be changed 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 image capture unit 4, the sensor gain of the image capture unit 4, and the lens aperture of the image capture unit 4.

[0039] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a visible light image of an object, and FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display unit 12 displaying multiple fluorescent images I of the object shown in FIG. 8 . The object shown in FIG. 8 is an arm model with a fluorescent substance attached extending in the vertical direction, wrapped in white paper. The white paper covers the fluorescent substance in single, double, and triple layers, from top to bottom. The multiple fluorescent images I shown in FIG. 9 are images generated by setting the light-emitting time of the illumination unit 3 and the exposure time of the image capture unit 4 to 1000 ms, 500 ms, 250 ms, 125 ms, and 62.5 ms. In the single-layer white paper area, if the light-emitting time of the illumination unit 3 and the exposure time of the image capture unit 4 are 500 ms or longer, the fluorescent substance appears much thicker than the actual fluorescent substance due to scattering of the fluorescent light. In the double-layer white paper area, the fluorescent substance is visible if the light-emitting time of the illumination unit 3 and the exposure time of the image capture unit 4 are 125 ms or longer. In the triple white paper portion, the fluorescent material is visible when the light emission time of the illumination unit 3 and the exposure time of the image capture unit 4 are 500 ms or longer. From the above, it can be seen that by adjusting at least one of the light emission time of the illumination unit 3 and the exposure time of the image capture unit 4, the state of the lymphatic system in the lower body L can be appropriately grasped.

[0040] As described above, in the lymphatic system examination device 1, the first light-emitting region 31 and the second light-emitting region 32 of the illumination unit 3 each extend in the Z direction while facing the imaging region R, and 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. This allows excitation light to be uniformly irradiated onto the lower body L of the subject S located in the imaging region R, and fluorescence emitted from the lower body L in response to the uniform irradiation of excitation light can be detected. Therefore, the lymphatic system examination device 1 can acquire a fluorescent image of the lower body L of the subject S that is appropriate for examining the lymphatic system in the lower body L.

[0041] In the lymphatic system examination device 1, when viewed from the X direction, the imaging unit 4 is located at the center of the imaging region R. This makes it possible to prevent distortion from occurring in the acquired fluorescent image.

[0042] In the lymphatic system examination device 1, the illumination unit 3 is located between the imaging region R and the imaging unit 4 in the X direction. This allows the excitation light to be more uniformly irradiated onto the lower body L of the subject S located in the imaging region R.

[0043] In the lymphatic system examination device 1, the illumination unit 3 has a function of adjusting the light emission intensity of each of the first light-emitting portions 31 a and each of the second light-emitting portions 32 a, so that the excitation light can be uniformly irradiated onto the lower body L of the subject S located in the imaging region R according to the shape of the lower body L, etc.

[0044] In the lymphatic system examination device 1, the first light-emitting region 31 and the second light-emitting region 32 are arranged so that the closer they are to the imaging region R in the X direction, the farther they are from each other in the Y direction. This allows the excitation light to be more uniformly irradiated onto the lower body L of the subject S located in the imaging region R.

[0045] Furthermore, in the lymphatic system examination device 1, the illumination unit 3 and the imaging unit 4 are disposed on one side in the X direction of the imaging region R in which the lower body L of the subject S is located, and a restricting unit 26 disposed along the upper end Ra of the imaging region R restricts movement of the subject S to one side in the X direction. This makes it possible to maintain constant 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, and to prevent shaking of the lower body L of the subject S. Therefore, the lymphatic system examination device 1 can acquire a fluorescent image of the lower body L of the subject S that is appropriate for examining the lymphatic system in the lower body L.

[0046] In the lymphatic system examination device 1, the restriction unit 26 extends in the Y direction, and the first plate 14 for brightness calibration is disposed on the surface 26a of the restriction unit 26 on the imaging unit 4 side. This allows the brightness of each acquired fluorescent image to be adjusted.

[0047] In the lymphatic system examination device 1, the restriction portion 26 extends in the Y direction, and the scale 15 is disposed on the surface 26a of the restriction portion 26 on the side of the imaging portion 4. This makes it possible to grasp the size of each part of the lower body L from the acquired fluorescent image.

[0048] In the lymphatic system examination device 1, the second plate 16 for brightness calibration is disposed on the main body 2 so as to be positioned in the imaging region R while contacting the restricting portion 26 from the side opposite the imaging unit 4. This allows the brightness of the fluorescent image to be adjusted for each lymphatic system examination device 1.

[0049] In the lymphatic system examination device 1, the distance sensor 5 is disposed on one side in the X direction with respect to the imaging region R. This makes it possible to accurately grasp the position of the lower body L of the subject S in the X direction.

[0050] Furthermore, in the lymphatic system examination device 1 (and the lymphatic system examination method described above), at least one of the light emission time of the illumination unit 3 and the exposure time of the image capture unit 4 is changed, thereby generating multiple types of fluorescent images as fluorescent images of the lower body L of the subject S, and the multiple types of fluorescent images are displayed side by side. Although the intensity of the fluorescent light changes depending on the state of the lymphatic system in the lower body L, the state of the lymphatic system in the lower body L can be appropriately grasped from the multiple types of fluorescent images generated and displayed as described above. Therefore, the lymphatic system examination device 1 (and the lymphatic system examination method described above) makes it possible to appropriately perform an examination of the lymphatic system in the lower body L of the subject S.

[0051] In the lymphatic system examination device 1, the control unit 11 generates each of the multiple types of fluorescent images in a time of 1 second or less, thereby making it possible to acquire the multiple types of fluorescent images while suppressing blurring of the lower body L of the subject S.

[0052] In the lymphatic system examination device 1, the control unit 11 controls the illumination unit 3 to emit the excitation light as a flash, thereby making it possible to acquire multiple types of fluorescent images while suppressing changes in the amount of excitation light irradiated onto the lower body L of the subject S.

[0053] In the lymphatic system examination device 1, the control unit 11 stores previously generated fluorescent images of the lower body L of the subject S, and controls the display unit 12 to display the previously generated fluorescent images of the lower body L and the newly generated fluorescent images of the lower body L side by side. This makes it possible to appropriately grasp changes over time in the state of the lymphatic system in the lower body L of the subject S.

[0054] Furthermore, in the lymphatic system examination device 1, the placement unit 21 on which the subject S stands is provided with a positioning unit 8 that indicates the standing position of the subject S. This makes it possible to maintain a constant distance between the illumination unit 3 and the lower body L of the subject S and a constant distance between the image capture unit 4 and the lower body L of the subject S, and also to align the orientation of both feet of the subject S with respect to the illumination unit 3 and the image capture unit 4 in a predetermined direction. Therefore, the lymphatic system examination device 1 makes it possible to acquire a fluorescent image of the lower body L of the subject S that is appropriate for examining the lymphatic system in the lower body L.

[0055] In the lymphatic system examination device 1, the positioning unit 8 includes a foot impression 81 when the subject S faces the imaging unit 4, and a foot impression 82 when the subject S faces the opposite side of the imaging unit 4. This makes it possible to align the orientation of both feet of the subject S with respect to the illumination unit 3 and the imaging unit 4 in a predetermined direction when the subject S faces the imaging unit 4 and when the subject S faces the opposite side of the imaging unit 4.

[0056] In the lymphatic system examination device 1, a wall 25 constitutes a housing 250 that defines an imaging region R and houses the illumination unit 3 and the imaging unit 4, and an opening 25a, inside which the subject S is placed, is formed in the wall 25. This makes it possible to acquire a fluorescent image of the lower body L of the subject S while suppressing the effects of ambient light.

[0057] In the lymphatic system examination device 1, the cover 7 worn by the subject S covers the opening 25a. This makes it possible to acquire a fluorescent image of the lower body L of the subject S while more reliably suppressing the influence of ambient light.

[0058] In the lymphatic system inspection device 1, the support part 22 and the second wall part 252 are detachable from the mounting part 21 and the first wall part 251. This allows the portability of the lymphatic system inspection device 1 to be improved.

[0059] In the lymphatic system examination device 1, the camera 6 captures an image of the positioning unit 8. This allows the subject S to align his / her standing position with the positioning unit 8 while viewing the image captured by the camera 6, even when it is difficult for the subject S to directly view the positioning unit 8.

[0060] Here, we will explain the correction process (lymphatic system examination method performed in lymphatic system examination device 1) of a fluorescent image of the lower body L of subject S (hereinafter simply referred to as the "fluorescent image of subject S") based on an excitation light image of the lower body L of subject S (hereinafter simply referred to as the "excitation light image of subject S").

[0061] As shown in FIG. 11 , the imaging unit 4 used in the correction process includes a camera 41, a light-transmitting member 42, a filter 43, and a holding member 44. The camera 41 is sensitive to the excitation light emitted from the illumination unit 3 (hereinafter simply referred to as "excitation light") and the fluorescence emitted from the lower body L (hereinafter simply referred to as "fluorescence"). The camera 41 uses an area sensor such as a CCD or CMOS. The light-transmitting member 42 transmits the excitation light and the fluorescence. The light-transmitting member 42 is, for example, a glass plate. The filter 43 blocks the excitation light and selectively transmits the fluorescence. The filter 43 is, for example, a long-pass filter or a band-pass filter.

[0062] The holding member 44 holds the light transmitting member 42 and the filter 43. The holding member 44 positions the light transmitting 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 as its center line, or a slider that reciprocates along a predetermined direction perpendicular to the X direction. In this embodiment, the control unit 11 controls the holding member 44 so that the light transmitting member 42 or the filter 43 is positioned in front of the camera 41.

[0063] The light-transmitting member 42 has a thickness such that the optical path length of the excitation light passing through the light-transmitting member 42 and entering the camera 41 approaches the optical path length of the fluorescence passing through the filter 43 and entering the camera 41 (ideally, such that the difference between these optical path lengths is zero). However, the imaging unit 4 does not need to include the light-transmitting member 42. Although not shown, a wide-angle lens is arranged in front of the light-transmitting member 42 or filter 43 arranged in front of the camera 41 so as to enable imaging of the entire lower body L. The wide-angle lens may be provided in the camera 41 and disposed between the light-transmitting member 42 or filter 43 arranged in front of the camera 41 and the area sensor of the camera 41.

[0064] With the imaging unit 4 configured as described above provided in the device main body 10, the control unit 11 performs a "process for generating filter correction data" and a "process for generating a fluorescence image of the subject S" as a process for correcting the fluorescence image of the subject S based on the excitation light image of the subject S. The "process for generating filter correction data" is performed at the timing of calibration of the lymphatic system examination device 1. The "process for generating a fluorescence image of the subject S" is performed at the timing of acquiring the fluorescence image of the subject S.

[0065] First, the "filter correction data generation process" will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13 . First, the second plate (a plate for brightness calibration) 16 is placed in the main body 2 so as to be positioned in the imaging region R while contacting the restriction portion 26 from the side opposite the imaging unit 4 (see FIG. 7 ). With the second plate positioned in the imaging region R, the light-transmitting member 42 is placed in front of the camera 41 in the imaging unit 4 (see FIG. 11 ). Then, the illumination unit 3 irradiates the second plate 16 with excitation light, and the imaging unit 4 acquires an excitation light image 101 of the second plate 16 (S01). The excitation light image 101 is an image of the second plate 16 captured using excitation light (excitation light reflected by the second plate 16, transmitted through the light-transmitting member 42, and incident on the camera 41). Note that fluorescence emitted from the second plate 16 in response to the irradiation of the excitation light also passes through the light-transmitting member 42 and enters the camera 41 together with the excitation light. However, because the intensity of the fluorescence is much lower than 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 based on the excitation light image 101 of the second plate 16 (S02). The excitation light correction data 102 is data for correcting (uniformizing) in the excitation light image 101 "unevenness in the excitation light image of the second plate 16" caused by "non-uniformity in the irradiation intensity of the excitation light on the second plate 16," and is data for uniformizing the brightness values ​​of each pixel constituting the excitation light image of the second plate 16.

[0066] Next, with the second plate positioned in the imaging region R (see FIG. 7 ), the filter 43 is placed in front of the camera 41 in the imaging unit 4 (see FIG. 11 ). The illumination unit 3 then irradiates the second plate 16 with excitation light, and the imaging unit 4 acquires a fluorescence image 103 of the second plate 16 (S03). The fluorescence image 103 is an image of the second plate 16 captured using fluorescence (fluorescence emitted from the second plate 16 in response to the irradiation with the excitation light, which has passed through the filter 43 and entered the camera 41). The control unit 11 then corrects the fluorescence image 103 of the second plate 16 based on the excitation light correction data 102, thereby generating a corrected fluorescence image 104 of the second plate 16 (S04). The control unit 11 then generates 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 (uniformizing) in the fluorescence image 104 "unevenness in the fluorescence image of the second plate 16" resulting from "angle dependency of the transmission wavelength at the filter 43," and is data for uniforming the luminance values ​​of each pixel constituting the fluorescence image of the second plate 16. The control unit 11 stores the generated filter correction data 105.

[0067] A specific example of the above-mentioned "filter correction data generation process" will be described with reference to Fig. 14 . As shown in Fig. 14 , in this specific example, an excitation light image 101V is acquired as the excitation light image 101 of the second plate 16, and a 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 numerical value written for each pixel indicates a brightness value.

[0068] In this specific example, excitation light correction data 102D is generated as the excitation light correction data 102 based on the excitation light image 101V. The excitation light correction data 102D is composed of a plurality of coefficients. Each coefficient of the excitation light correction data 102D corresponds to a pixel of the excitation light image 101V. The coefficient corresponding to a certain pixel is the maximum value of the luminance values ​​of all pixels ("200" in this specific example) divided by the luminance value of that pixel. Here, a pixel having a luminance value less than a predetermined threshold ("30" in this specific example) is considered to be a pixel that constitutes the background of the second plate 16, and the coefficient corresponding to that pixel is set to "1."

[0069] In this specific example, a fluorescence image 103V is corrected based on the excitation light correction data 102D to generate a fluorescence image 104V 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.

[0070] In this specific example, filter correction data 105D is generated as the filter correction data 105 based on the fluorescence image 104V. The filter correction data 105D is composed of a plurality of coefficients. Each coefficient of the filter correction data 105 corresponds to a pixel of the fluorescence image 104V. The coefficient corresponding to a certain pixel is the maximum value of the luminance values ​​of all pixels ("188" in this specific example) divided by the luminance value of that pixel. Again, a pixel having a luminance value less than a predetermined threshold ("30" in this specific example) is considered to be a pixel that constitutes the background of the second plate 16, and the coefficient corresponding to that pixel is set to "1."

[0071] The reference luminance value used when generating each of the excitation light correction data 102D and the filter correction data 105D is not limited to the maximum luminance value of all pixels, but may be the top n% of the luminance value distribution, the average luminance value, etc., in order to eliminate spike noise. Furthermore, in order to remove local coefficient fluctuations in 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 may be applied when calculating each of the excitation light correction data 102D and the filter correction data 105D.

[0072] Next, the "processing for generating a fluorescence image of the subject S" will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16 . First, the subject S stands on the mounting unit 21 so that the lower body L is positioned in the imaging region R (see FIG. 3 ). With the lower body L positioned in the imaging region R, the light-transmitting member 42 is positioned in front of the camera 41 in the imaging unit 4 (see FIG. 11 ). Then, the illumination unit 3 irradiates the lower body L of the subject S with excitation light, and the imaging unit 4 acquires an excitation light image 201 of the subject S (step S11 for acquiring an excitation light image of the lower body). The excitation light image 201 is an image of the lower body L captured by excitation light (excitation light reflected by the lower body L of the subject S, transmitted through the light-transmitting member 42, and incident on the camera 41). Note that fluorescence emitted from the lower body L of the subject S in response to the irradiation of the excitation light also passes through the light-transmitting member 42 and enters the camera 41 together with the excitation light. However, because the intensity of the fluorescence is much lower than that 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 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 (uniformizing) in the excitation light image 201 "unevenness in the excitation light image of the lower body L" caused by "non-uniformity in the irradiation intensity of the excitation light on the lower body L," and is data for uniformizing the brightness values ​​of each pixel constituting the excitation light image of the lower body L.

[0073] Next, with the lower body L positioned in the imaging region R (see FIG. 3 ), the filter 43 is placed in front of the camera 41 in the imaging unit 4 (see FIG. 11 ). The illumination unit 3 then 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 of acquiring a fluorescence image of the lower body, S13). The fluorescence image 203 is an image of the lower body L captured by fluorescence (fluorescence emitted from the lower body L of the subject S in response to the irradiation with the excitation light, which has passed through the filter 43 and entered the camera 41). Next, the control unit 11 corrects the fluorescence image 203 of the subject S based on the excitation light correction data 202 to generate a corrected fluorescence image 204 of the subject S (step of correcting the fluorescence image of the lower body, S14). Next, the control unit 11 corrects the fluorescence image 204 of the subject S based on the pre-stored filter correction data 105 to generate a further corrected fluorescence image 205 of the subject S (step of correcting the fluorescence image of the lower body, S15). For the fluorescence image 203 of subject S, correction based on either the excitation light correction data 202 or the filter correction data 105 may be performed first, or correction based on both of these data may be performed simultaneously.

[0074] 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 causes the display unit 12 to display the generated fluorescence image of the subject S. In some cases, the control unit 11 generates multiple images arranged in chronological order as the fluorescence image of the subject S, and controls the display unit 12 to display the multiple images consecutively. Note that the contour of the fluorescence image of the lower body L in the fluorescence image 205 of the subject S is corrected because the contour of the fluorescence image of the lower body L may be emphasized by correction based on the excitation light correction data 202. For example, a blur filter is used to correct the contour.

[0075] A specific example of the above-mentioned "processing for generating a fluorescence image of subject S" will be described with reference to Fig. 17. As shown in Fig. 17, in this specific example, an excitation light image 201V is acquired as the excitation light image 201 of subject S, and a fluorescence image 203V is acquired as the fluorescence image 203 of 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 numerical value written for each pixel indicates a brightness value.

[0076] In this specific example, excitation light correction data 202D is generated as the excitation light correction data 202 based on the excitation light image 201V. The excitation light correction data 202D is composed of a plurality of coefficients. Each coefficient of the excitation light correction data 202D corresponds to a pixel of the excitation light image 201V. The coefficient corresponding to a certain pixel is the maximum value of the luminance values ​​of all pixels ("215" in this specific example) divided by the luminance value of that pixel. Here, a pixel having a luminance value less than a predetermined threshold ("30" in this specific example) is considered to be a pixel that constitutes the background of the lower body L, and the coefficient corresponding to that pixel is set to "1."

[0077] In this specific example, fluorescence image 204V is generated as fluorescence image 204 of subject S by correcting fluorescence image 203V based on excitation light correction data 202D. Fluorescence image 204V is generated by multiplying each pixel of fluorescence image 203V by each coefficient of excitation light correction data 202D. Furthermore, in this specific example, fluorescence image 205V is generated as fluorescence image 205 of subject S by correcting fluorescence image 204V based on filter correction data 105D shown in Fig. 14. Fluorescence image 205V is generated by multiplying each pixel of fluorescence image 204V by each coefficient of filter correction data 105D.

[0078] The luminance value used as a reference when generating the excitation light correction data 202D is not limited to the maximum luminance value of all pixels, but may be the top n% of the luminance value distribution, the average luminance value, etc., in order to eliminate spike noise. Furthermore, in order to remove local coefficient fluctuations in the excitation light correction data 202D, a two-dimensional filter such as a smoothing filter or a Gaussian filter may be applied when calculating the excitation light correction data 202D.

[0079] As described above, in the lymphatic system examination device 1 (the lymphatic system examination method performed in the lymphatic system examination device 1), an excitation light image 201 and a fluorescence image 203 of the subject S are acquired, 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. This makes it possible to prevent unevenness in the fluorescence image of the lower body L due to non-uniformity in the irradiation intensity of the excitation light on the lower body L. Therefore, the lymphatic system examination device 1 (the lymphatic system examination method performed in the lymphatic system examination device 1) makes it possible to acquire a fluorescence image of the lower body L of the subject S that is appropriate for examining the lymphatic system in the lower body L.

[0080] In the lymphatic system examination device 1, an excitation light image 101 of the second plate 16 and a fluorescence image 103 of the second plate 16 are acquired, 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. This makes it possible to prevent unevenness from occurring in the fluorescence image of the lower body L due to the angle dependency of the transmission wavelength of the filter 43.

[0081] In the lymphatic system examination device 1, the contour of the fluorescent image of the lower body L is corrected in the fluorescent image 205 of the subject S. This makes it possible to prevent the contour of the fluorescent image of the lower body L from being emphasized by the correction based on the excitation light correction data 202.

[0082] In the lymphatic system examination device 1, multiple images arranged in chronological order are generated as corrected fluorescence images of the subject S, and the multiple images are displayed consecutively on the display unit 12. This allows the fluorescence images of the lower body L to be grasped consecutively in chronological order.

[0083] Figure 18 shows the effect of the process for generating a fluorescence image of a subject. In the test that yielded the results shown in Figure 18, a capillary tube with an inner diameter of 0.4 mm and filled with indocyanine green (hereinafter simply referred to as a "capillary tube") was prepared as the imaging target. In the lymphatic system examination device 1 described above, the capillary tube was positioned so as to extend in the Z direction at various angles on a cylindrical surface having a "centerline passing through the center of the imaging region R and extending in the Z direction." An excitation light image and a fluorescence image of the capillary tube were then acquired. Note that 0° represents the position directly in front of the imaging unit 4, a positive angle represents a position on the right side as viewed from the imaging unit 4, and a negative angle represents a position on the left side as viewed from the imaging unit 4.

[0084] In Figure 18, the "before correction" result is the relative intensity of the brightness value of the fluorescent image of the capillary tube when the fluorescent image of the capillary tube is not corrected. The "after correction" result is the relative intensity of the brightness value of the fluorescent image of the capillary tube when excitation light correction data is generated based on the excitation light image of the capillary tube and the fluorescent image of the capillary tube is corrected based on the excitation light correction data. The "uniform illumination" result is the result obtained under conditions in which the excitation light panel is positioned directly in front of each angle position in the lymphatic system examination device 1 described above, without using only the illumination unit 3, and is the relative intensity of the brightness value of the fluorescent image of the capillary tube when the fluorescent image of the capillary tube obtained under these conditions is not corrected. As shown in Figure 18, the "after correction" result is closer to the "uniform illumination" result than the "before correction" result.

[0085] The imaging unit 4 used in the above-described correction process may be configured as shown in FIGS. 19(a) and 19(b).

[0086] The imaging unit 4 shown in (a) of FIG. 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. Note that the same camera sensitive to both the excitation light and the fluorescence may be used as each of the first camera 41A and the second camera 41B. Alternatively, instead of the dichroic mirror 45, another optical element (e.g., a prism, a half mirror, etc.) may be used to guide the excitation light to the first camera 41A and the fluorescence to the second camera 41B. Furthermore, a light transmitting member 42 that transmits the excitation light may be disposed between the dichroic mirror 45 and the first camera 41A.

[0087] The imaging unit 4 shown in (b) of FIG. 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 side by side facing the imaging region R. The filter 43 selectively transmits fluorescence in front of the second camera 41B. Note that the same camera sensitive to both excitation light and fluorescence may be used as each of the first camera 41A and the second camera 41B. Furthermore, a light-transmitting member 42 that transmits excitation light may be disposed in front of the first camera 41A.

[0088] 19(a) and 19(b) makes it possible to simultaneously acquire an excitation light image 201 of the subject S and a fluorescence image 203 of the subject S. Therefore, it is possible to generate excitation light correction data 202 based on the excitation light image 201, and correct the fluorescence image 203 based on the excitation light correction data 202. This is particularly effective in cases where multiple images arranged in chronological order are generated as corrected fluorescence images of the subject S, and the multiple images are displayed consecutively on the display unit 12.

[0089] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, as shown in Fig. 10, the surface 26b of the restricting unit 26 opposite the imaging unit 4 (see Fig. 3) may be a curved surface that curves to fit the lower abdomen of the subject S (i.e., concave toward the imaging unit 4). Furthermore, instead of or together with the foot impressions 81, 82, the positioning unit 8 may be a recessed or protruding portion provided on the placing surface 21a to fit the foot impression of the subject S. Furthermore, 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 attached to the frame 24 so as to enable at least one of position adjustment and angle adjustment.

[0090] 1...lymphatic system testing device, 2...main body, 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...scale, 16...second plate, 21...placing unit, 22...support unit, 25...wall unit, 25a...opening, 26...regulating 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...footprint, 250...housing, 251...first wall unit, 252...second wall unit, L...lower body, R...imaging area, Ra...upper end, S...subject.

Claims

1. A main body having a placement part on which a subject with a fluorescent dye injected into the lymphatic system stands, and positioning the lower body of the subject in an imaging area on the placement part; An illumination unit that irradiates the lower body with excitation light; An imaging unit that detects fluorescence emitted from the lower body in response to the irradiation of the excitation light, and the lymphatic system inspection device is provided with: The illumination unit and the imaging unit are arranged on one side in a first horizontal direction with respect to the imaging area; The illumination unit has a first light emitting area and a second light emitting area arranged side by side at a distance 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 a vertical direction in a state facing the imaging area; The imaging unit 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 unit 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, wherein the illumination unit is located between the imaging area and the imaging unit in the first horizontal direction.

4. The first light emitting area includes a plurality of first light emitting parts; The second light emitting area includes a plurality of second light emitting parts; The lymphatic system inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the illumination unit has a function of adjusting the emission intensity of each of the plurality of first light emitting parts and the emission intensity of each of the plurality of second light emitting parts.

5. The lymphatic system inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the first light emitting area and the second light emitting area are arranged so as to move away from each other in the second horizontal direction as they approach the imaging area in the first horizontal direction.