Non-contact type burn diagnosis device and method using imaging device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a non-contact type burn diagnosis device and method using an imaging device and, more specifically, to a non-contact type burn diagnosis device and method using an imaging device, wherein the imaging device includes a light irradiation unit, an image acquisition unit, and a diagnosis information calculation unit and can assess the extent of internal skin damage and evaluate the severity of burns by analyzing blood flow information distinguished by wavelength bands and thus enables non-invasive and non-contact diagnosis of burn-induced skin damage.

Description

Non-contact imaging diagnostic device and diagnostic method using an imaging device

[0001] The present invention relates to a non-contact image diagnosis device and a diagnostic method using an imaging device, and more specifically, to a non-contact image diagnosis device and a diagnostic method using an imaging device that can analyze the degree of damage inside the skin based on blood flow information classified according to wavelength, including a light irradiation unit, an image collection unit, and a diagnostic information calculation unit, and can non-invasively and non-contactly diagnose the degree of skin damage due to a burn.

[0002] In general, a burn refers to a type of damage to the skin and underlying tissues caused by exposure to heat, radiation, electricity, chemicals, or friction, and the symptoms of a burn can range from mild to severe and can cause a wide range of symptoms, including pain, redness, blistering, and scarring.

[0003] These burns are classified according to the extent and depth of the injury, which is usually measured as a percentage of total body surface area (TBSA) using the "rule of nines" or the "Lund-Browder chart," which takes into account the patient's age and burn location.

[0004] Burns are classified into four grades based on their depth, which is the most common classification system used to determine the severity of an injury and help guide treatment.

[0005] First-degree burns are the mildest type of burn, affecting only the top layer of skin (epidermis). Symptoms include pain, redness, and swelling, and they usually heal within a few days without scarring.

[0006] Second-degree burns affect the epidermis and the layer below it (the dermis). Symptoms include pain, redness, swelling, and blisters. They can take several weeks to heal and may leave scars.

[0007] Third-degree burns are a very severe type of burn, affecting all layers of the skin, including the underlying tissue. The affected area may appear white, brown, or black, and nerve damage may cause paralysis. Treatment may involve skin grafting and may leave scars.

[0008] Fourth-degree burns are an extremely rare type of burn, are considered life-threatening, and require immediate medical attention.

[0009] Meanwhile, unlike first-degree burns, which are mild and do not require special medical attention, or third- and fourth-degree burns, which are very severe and can be easily distinguished with the naked eye, second-degree burns are very difficult to distinguish based on their appearance. Even experienced specialists have a diagnostic accuracy rate of only 60% to 75%. Second-degree burns account for a very high percentage of all burn patients, and the severity of the burn can affect treatment and prognosis, so an accurate diagnosis is crucial.

[0010] Superficial second-degree burns, which affect only the upper layer of the dermis, typically heal within two to three weeks with minimal scarring. These burns can usually be managed with topical treatments such as antibiotic ointments, pain relievers, and dressing changes.

[0011] Deep second-degree burns, which affect the deeper layers of the dermis, can take weeks to heal and can result in scarring. These burns require more intensive treatment, including wound care, debridement, and surgical interventions such as skin grafting.

[0012] Misdiagnosis of deep and superficial second-degree burns can lead to inappropriate treatment and potentially worse outcomes for the patient.

[0013] For example, if a deep second-degree burn is not properly recognized and treated, it can lead to poor healing and the wound can deteriorate, resulting in scarring, infection, or, in severe cases, amputation. Conversely, if a superficial second-degree burn is misdiagnosed as a more severe burn, it can lead to unnecessary overtreatment or invasive procedures.

[0014] Therefore, an accurate diagnosis of the extent of the burn is essential to ensure appropriate treatment and optimal outcomes for the patient.

[0015] Current burn diagnosis relies primarily on visual assessment. For severe injuries of grade 3 or higher, equipment such as X-rays or CT scans can be used to assess the extent of the damage, but these techniques have limitations due to their low sensitivity to soft tissue damage.

[0016] Additionally, there are cost issues and the risk of radiation exposure. While blood or urine tests are sometimes performed to assess for signs of infection, dehydration, or other complications that may arise from burns, these tests are ineffective in diagnosing burns more severe than third-degree burns and are therefore ineffective for second-degree burns.

[0017] Therefore, diagnosis based on a doctor's clinical judgment is still the most reliable, and there is a problem of low accuracy as the diagnosis results may vary depending on the degree of injury, the patient's individual circumstances, and the doctor's judgment.

[0018] In addition, a method has been developed to diagnose the degree of burns (1st degree, 2nd degree, 3rd degree, etc.) by inputting a new burn image by learning artificial intelligence about burn images and burn condition diagnosis, but there is still a problem that the accuracy is not high due to the limitations of artificial intelligence.

[0019] Accordingly, the present invention is intended to solve the problems of the prior art as described above, and provides a non-contact image diagnosis device and diagnosis method using an imaging device capable of analyzing the degree of damage inside the skin based on blood flow information classified by wavelength by irradiating various light sources in the visible light and near-infrared regions to a wounded area, and non-invasively and non-contactly diagnosing the degree of skin damage due to burns.

[0020] The tasks of the present invention are not limited to the tasks mentioned above, and other tasks not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0021] In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides a non-contact image diagnosis device using an imaging device, characterized by including a light irradiation unit that irradiates light to a wound area, an image collection unit that collects image information of a wound area generated in the wound area due to the light irradiated from the light irradiation unit using an imaging device, and a diagnostic information calculation unit that calculates diagnostic information of the wound area using the image information of the wound area.

[0022] In addition, the image collection unit is characterized in that it includes an image separation unit that separates the image information of the wound site into images of a first wavelength band, a second wavelength band, and a third wavelength band, and obtains the first wavelength band image, the second wavelength band image, and the third wavelength band image of the wound site.

[0023] In addition, the diagnostic information calculation unit is characterized in that it includes a PPG signal extraction unit that extracts a first wavelength PPG signal, a second wavelength PPG signal, and a third wavelength PPG signal from the first wavelength image, the second wavelength image, and the third wavelength image of the wound area, respectively.

[0024] In addition, the diagnostic information calculation unit is characterized in that it includes a signal analysis unit that calculates diagnostic information of the wound area based on the shapes of the first wavelength band PPG signal, the second wavelength band PPG signal, and the third wavelength band PPG signal.

[0025] In addition, the signal analysis unit is characterized in that it determines a first-degree burn when the third wavelength PPG signal and the second wavelength PPG signal are normal and the first wavelength PPG signal is abnormal, determines a second-degree burn when the third wavelength PPG signal is normal and the second wavelength PPG signal and the first wavelength PPG signal are abnormal, and determines a third-degree burn when the third wavelength PPG signal, the second wavelength PPG signal, and the first wavelength PPG signal are all abnormal.

[0026] In addition, the light irradiation unit is characterized in that it includes light sources of the first wavelength band, the second wavelength band, and the third wavelength band.

[0027] In addition, the first wavelength band is characterized in that it is a blue wavelength band, the second wavelength band is a green wavelength band, and the third wavelength band is a red wavelength band.

[0028] In addition, the light irradiated from the light irradiation unit is characterized in that it includes white light in the visible light range.

[0029] In addition, the light is characterized in that it includes near-infrared light having a wavelength band longer than the visible light range.

[0030] In addition, the light irradiation unit is characterized in that it can emit the light in at least one of a focusing method that focuses the light close to a focus, a diffusion method that diffuses the light, or a collimating method that collimates the light parallel to the direction of propagation.

[0031] In addition, the light irradiation unit and the image collection unit are characterized in that they are controlled by the diagnostic information calculation unit.

[0032] In addition, the image collection unit is characterized in that it further includes a bandpass filter that separates light of the first wavelength band, the second wavelength band, and the third wavelength band.

[0033] In addition, the present invention is characterized in that it further includes an output unit that outputs the diagnostic information analyzed by the diagnostic information calculation unit.

[0034] In addition, the present invention is characterized in that it includes a light source irradiation step of irradiating various light sources in the visible light and near-infrared regions to a wound area, a signal measurement step of non-contactly collecting signals from the light source irradiated in the light source irradiation step using an image device, a calculation step of analyzing blood flow and extracting a valid signal through image information collected in the signal measurement step, and an output step of outputting diagnostic information calculated by the calculation unit.

[0035] In addition, the image collection step is characterized in that it includes an image separation step of dividing the image information of the wound site into images of a first wavelength band, a second wavelength band, and a third wavelength band, and obtaining a first wavelength band image, a second wavelength band image, and a third wavelength band image of the wound site.

[0036] In addition, the diagnostic information calculation step here provides a non-contact image diagnosis method using an imaging device, characterized in that it includes a PPG signal extraction step of extracting a first wavelength PPG signal, a second wavelength PPG signal, and a third wavelength PPG signal from a first wavelength image, a second wavelength image, and a third wavelength image of the wound area, respectively, and a signal analysis step of calculating diagnostic information of the wound area based on the shapes of the first wavelength PPG signal, the second wavelength PPG signal, and the third wavelength PPG signal.

[0037] According to the non-contact image diagnosis device and diagnosis method using the imaging device according to the present invention, the following effects are achieved.

[0038] First, the non-contact image diagnostic device using an imaging device according to the present invention has the advantage of being highly usable as a medical device, as it can prevent secondary infection due to contact with the diagnostic device because it uses a non-contact method using an imaging device.

[0039] Second, it has the advantage of enabling simple and quick diagnosis using a non-invasive method that focuses on the depth of the burn.

[0040] Third, because it is possible to quantitatively diagnose the degree of burns by analyzing PPG signals by wavelength, it has the advantage of being able to diagnose second-degree burns that are difficult to accurately distinguish through clinical judgment.

[0041] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

[0042] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating a process of obtaining image information by a non-contact image diagnosis device using an image device according to the present invention.

[0043] Figure 2 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a non-contact image diagnosis device using an imaging device according to the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating an example of a case where a light irradiation unit of a non-contact image diagnosis device using an imaging device according to the present invention uses multiple light sources having different wavelengths.

[0045] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing an example of an image collection unit of a non-contact image diagnosis device using an image device according to the present invention when the light irradiation unit uses white light.

[0046] FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating an example in which an image collection unit of a non-contact image diagnosis device using an image device according to the present invention uses filters of multiple wavelengths.

[0047] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment in which the image separation unit of a non-contact image diagnosis device using an image device according to the present invention separates image information of a wound area acquired by wavelength and transmits the separated information to a diagnosis information calculation unit.

[0048] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a non-contact image diagnosis device using an image device according to the present invention, in which a signal analysis unit utilizes image information of a wound area to diagnose the degree of a burn according to the first wavelength band, the second wavelength band, and the third wavelength band.

[0049] FIG. 7 (a) is a diagram illustrating a graph in which a PPG signal of a non-contact image diagnosis device using an imaging device according to one embodiment of the present invention is decomposed into a first wavelength band PPG signal, a second wavelength band PPG signal, and a third wavelength band PPG signal.

[0050] FIG. 7 (b) is a table showing the first wavelength PPG signal, the second wavelength PPG signal, and the third wavelength PPG signal of a non-contact image diagnosis device using an image device according to one embodiment of the present invention according to the degree of image.

[0051] FIG. 7 (c) is a diagram showing the separated first wavelength PPG signal, second wavelength PPG signal, and third wavelength PPG signal of a non-contact image diagnosis device using an imaging device according to one embodiment of the present invention as a single PPG signal graph.

[0052] Figure 8 is a flowchart of a non-contact image diagnosis method using an imaging device according to the present invention.

[0053] The advantages and features of the present invention, and the methods for achieving them, will become clearer with reference to the embodiments described in detail below together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and may be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided only to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals designate like elements throughout the specification.

[0054] The sizes and shapes of components depicted in the drawings attached to this specification may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience of explanation. It should be noted that identical components are sometimes depicted with the same reference numerals in each drawing. Furthermore, detailed descriptions of functions and structures of known technologies that may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention may be omitted.

[0055] The terminology used herein is used to describe specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. As used herein, the singular form may include the plural form unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Furthermore, whenever a part of this specification is referred to as "comprising" a component, this means that it may also include other components, unless otherwise specifically stated.

[0056] When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but that there may be other components in between. Conversely, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between. Other expressions used to describe relationships between components should be interpreted similarly.

[0057] The terms "top," "bottom," "upper surface," "lower surface," or "upper" and "lower surface" as used herein are used to distinguish the relative positions of components. For example, for convenience, the upper surface in a drawing may be referred to as "upper surface" and the lower surface in the drawing as "lower surface." In practice, the upper surface may be referred to as "lower surface" and the lower surface as "upper surface" without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0058] Terms containing ordinal numbers, such as "first," "second," etc., described herein may be used to describe various components; however, these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are merely used to distinguish each component from another, and are not limited by the manufacturing order. Furthermore, the names may not be consistent between the detailed description of the invention and the claims.

[0059] All terms, including technical or scientific terms, used herein, unless otherwise defined, have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and shall not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined herein.

[0060] Hereinafter, in order to explain a non-contact image diagnosis device and a diagnosis method using an image device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the present invention will be described with reference to drawings.

[0061] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a process of obtaining image information by a non-contact image diagnosis device using an image device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a non-contact image diagnosis device using an image device according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is a drawing showing an embodiment of a case where a light irradiation unit of a non-contact image diagnosis device using an image device according to the present invention uses multiple light sources having different wavelengths, and FIG. 4 is a drawing showing an embodiment of an image collection unit of a non-contact image diagnosis device using an image device according to the present invention when a light irradiation unit uses white light. In addition, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an embodiment in which an image collection unit of a non-contact image diagnosis device using an image device according to the present invention uses filters of various wavelengths, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an embodiment in which an image separation unit of a non-contact image diagnosis device using an image device according to the present invention separates image information of a wound area acquired by the image separation unit by wavelength and transmits the separated information to a diagnosis information calculation unit, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an embodiment in which a signal analysis unit of a non-contact image diagnosis device using an image device according to the present invention utilizes image information of a wound area to diagnose the degree of a burn by first wavelength band, second wavelength band, and third wavelength band, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a non-contact image diagnosis method using an image device according to the present invention.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 1, a non-contact image diagnosis device using an imaging device according to the present invention may include a light irradiation unit (100) that irradiates light to a wound area, an image collection unit (200) that collects image information of a wound area generated at the wound area due to light irradiated from the light irradiation unit (100) using the imaging device, and a diagnostic information calculation unit (300) that calculates diagnostic information of the wound area using the image information of the wound area.

[0063] The above light irradiation unit (100) can irradiate light including visible light and / or near-infrared light to obtain signals from deep areas of the skin to the wound area.

[0064] The above image collection unit (200) can collect the light irradiated to the wound area by the light irradiation unit (100) to obtain image information of the wound area and transmit it to the diagnostic information calculation unit (300).

[0065] Here, the image information of the wound area varies depending on the degree of the burn, because the degree of skin damage is determined by the degree of burn, and the flow of blood changes depending on the degree of skin damage, so the degree of burn can be distinguished by detecting this through the image.

[0066] To explain specifically, blood flow can be confirmed with photoplethysmography (PPG signal). In the case of normal skin tissue, the PPG signal is not damaged and is acquired normally. However, in the case of burned skin tissue, the blood flow is not smooth, so the PPG signal does not come out normally.

[0067] Therefore, by checking the status of the PPG signal, it is possible to check the presence or absence of an image, and since the PPG signal can be extracted from an image, the degree of the image can be confirmed through the image obtained.

[0068] The above diagnostic information calculation unit (300) can extract a PPG signal based on the image information acquired through the image collection unit (200) and then analyze and diagnose by comparing it with a reference value (value for normal skin).

[0069] In other words, a PPG signal can be extracted from the acquired image, and since the depth at which the light can penetrate the skin varies depending on the wavelength of the light being investigated, and the type of image acquired varies depending on the depth, it is possible to acquire a PPG signal according to the skin depth.

[0070] By acquiring PPG signals by wavelength, that is, by depth, it is possible to check whether blood flow is normal at each depth of the skin, and to determine whether a burn has occurred at a depth where blood flow is abnormal.

[0071] For example, in the case of a first-degree burn, only the first wavelength PPG signal (311) having a wavelength band with a shallow skin penetration depth is confirmed as abnormal, in the case of a second-degree burn, up to the second wavelength PPG signal (312) having a wavelength band with a shallow skin penetration depth is confirmed as abnormal, and in the case of a third-degree burn, up to the third wavelength PPG signal (313) having the next wavelength band is confirmed as abnormal, so that the degree of the burn can be diagnosed.

[0072] At this time, the light irradiation unit (100) and the image collection unit (200) can irradiate and measure the skin of the same area, and can prevent secondary infection of the lesion through a hygienic method that does not require contact with or invasion of the wound area, and can be expected to have wide usability as a medical device, and the diagnostic information calculation unit (300) can simply quantify the degree of the burn, enabling accurate and rapid diagnosis compared to clinical diagnosis.

[0073] The above image collection unit (200) may include an image separation unit (210) that separates the image information of the wound area into images of a first wavelength band, a second wavelength band, and a third wavelength band, and obtains a first wavelength band image (214), a second wavelength band image (215), and a third wavelength band image (216) of the wound area.

[0074] At this time, the first wavelength band, the second wavelength band, and the third wavelength band are wavelength bands of different bands, the second wavelength band may be a wavelength band having a longer length than the first wavelength band, and the third wavelength band may be a wavelength band having a longer length than the second wavelength band, so that the skin penetration depths of each are different.

[0075] In one embodiment, the first wavelength band, the second wavelength band, and the third wavelength band may be wavelength bands of blue, green, and red, respectively, or may be wavelengths having wavelength bands corresponding to different colors.

[0076] Referring to FIG. 6, the image separation unit (210) can separate the acquired wound area image information into images of the first wavelength band, the second wavelength band, and the third wavelength band so that the signal analysis unit (320) can analyze the PPG signal generated from the wound area image information by wavelength band.

[0077] The above PPG signal is a pulse signal that can estimate the state of heart activity by measuring the amount of blood flowing in blood vessels using the optical properties of biological tissue as described above. It can be measured only in blood and can be used to distinguish between lesion areas and normal areas of the skin.

[0078] Accordingly, by obtaining a first wavelength image (214) that can penetrate the shallowest depth of the skin as described above, a second wavelength image (215) that can penetrate to the next depth, and a third wavelength image (216) that can penetrate to the next depth, and extracting each PPG signal, it becomes possible to distinguish between normal skin and skin with a lesion by depth, thereby confirming the degree of burns.

[0079] The above diagnostic information calculation unit (300) may include a PPG signal extraction unit (310) that extracts a first wavelength PPG signal (311), a second wavelength PPG signal (312), and a third wavelength PPG signal (313) from a first wavelength image (214), a second wavelength image (215), and a third wavelength image (216) of the wound area, respectively.

[0080] That is, as described above, the PPG signal extraction unit (310) can extract each PPG signal from the images of the first wavelength band, the second wavelength band, and the third wavelength band separated by the image separation unit (210), and when micro blood vessels inside the skin are damaged due to a burn or the like, a damaged PPG signal rather than a normal PPG signal can be detected.

[0081] At this time, the PPG signal extraction unit (310) may use a low-pass filter to remove unnecessary noise from the extracted PPG signal.

[0082] The above diagnostic information calculation unit (300) may include a signal analysis unit (320) that calculates diagnostic information of the wound area based on the shapes of the first wavelength PPG signal (311), the second wavelength PPG signal (312), and the third wavelength PPG signal (313), and the signal analysis unit (320) determines that the burn is a first-degree burn when the second wavelength PPG signal (312) and the third wavelength PPG signal (313) are normal and the first wavelength PPG signal (311) is abnormal, determines that the burn is a second-degree burn when the third wavelength PPG signal (313) is normal and the second wavelength PPG signal (312) and the first wavelength PPG signal (311) are abnormal, and determines that the burn is a third-degree burn when the third wavelength PPG signal (313), the second wavelength PPG signal (312), and the first wavelength PPG signal (311) are all abnormal. You can judge.

[0083] The signal analysis unit (320) can determine whether the PPG signal is damaged according to the depth of damage inside the skin by utilizing the fact that the longer the wavelength of light irradiated to the wound area, the deeper the penetration depth into the skin, and can diagnose the condition of the wound area by analyzing the damaged PPG signal.

[0084] The signal analysis unit (320) can compare the PPG signal filtered by passing through the low-pass filter for each wavelength and image with a reference value to determine the degree of damage to blood vessels inside the skin according to depth.

[0085] The above reference value is a PPG signal value for each wavelength band in which the image collection unit (200) measures the penetration depth information of light in a normal skin area, and the signal analysis unit (320) that uses this to diagnose an image will be described below with reference to FIG. 7.

[0086] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a non-contact image diagnosis device using an image device according to the present invention, in which a signal analysis unit (320) utilizes image information of a wound area to diagnose the degree of a burn using PPG signals for each of the first wavelength band, the second wavelength band, and the third wavelength band.

[0087] FIG. 7 (a) is a diagram showing a graph in which a PPG signal of a non-contact image diagnosis device using an imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention is decomposed into a first wavelength band PPG signal (311), a second wavelength band PPG signal (312), and a third wavelength band PPG signal (313). Referring to FIG. 7 (a), the PPG signal can be classified into the first wavelength band, the second wavelength band, and the third wavelength band and extracted into the first wavelength band PPG signal (311), the second wavelength band PPG signal (312), and the third wavelength band PPG signal (313).

[0088] The signal analysis unit (320) can analyze the first wavelength PPG signal (311), the second wavelength PPG signal (312), and the third wavelength PPG signal (313), and the graph on the right side of Fig. 7 (a) is the result measured on undamaged normal skin.

[0089] FIG. 7 (b) is a table showing the first wavelength band PPG signal (311), the second wavelength band PPG signal (312), and the third wavelength band PPG signal (313) of a non-contact image diagnosis device using an image device according to an embodiment of the present invention according to the degree of imaging. Referring to FIG. 7 (b), it can be seen that the PPG signals classified into the first wavelength band, the second wavelength band, and the third wavelength band have different graph patterns according to the degree of imaging.

[0090] In the first-degree burn, the second wavelength PPG signal (312) and the third wavelength PPG signal (313) were normal, and only the first wavelength PPG signal (311) was damaged, and in the third-degree burn, the first wavelength PPG signal (311), the second wavelength PPG signal (312), and the third wavelength PPG signal (313) were all damaged.

[0091] Meanwhile, in second-degree burns, the first wavelength PPG signal (311) and the second wavelength PPG signal (312) are damaged, but the third wavelength PPG signal (313) is normal. Accordingly, by analyzing the third wavelength PPG signal (313), which has a relatively longer wavelength than the first wavelength PPG signal (311) and the second wavelength PPG signal (312), it is possible to accurately measure second-degree burns, which were difficult to diagnose.

[0092] FIG. 7 (c) is a diagram showing the separated first wavelength PPG signal (311), second wavelength PPG signal (312), and third wavelength PPG signal (313) of a non-contact image diagnosis device using an imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention as a single PPG signal graph. Referring to FIG. 7 (c), the first wavelength PPG signal (311), second wavelength PPG signal (312), and third wavelength PPG signal (313) are signals derived from different depths of the same skin area, but when combined, they appear as a single PPG signal graph.

[0093] For example, the PPG signal graph of (c) of the above-described FIG. 7 may be a graph in which a damaged first wavelength PPG signal (311) generated in a skin area with a first-degree burn and a normal second wavelength PPG signal (312) and a third wavelength PPG signal (313) that have passed through (deeper than) the skin area with a first-degree burn are combined, or the PPG signal graph may be a graph in the same shape when a damaged first wavelength PPG signal (311) and a second wavelength PPG signal (312) generated in a skin area with a second-degree burn and a normal third wavelength PPG signal (313) that have passed through (deeper than) the skin area with a second-degree burn are combined.

[0094] Therefore, if the PPG signal is extracted without separating the image, all PPG signals are displayed in the same graph regardless of the degree of the burn, making it impossible to accurately distinguish the degree of the burn. Therefore, the diagnostic information calculation unit (300) can derive PPG signals separated into the first wavelength band, the second wavelength band, and the third wavelength band from the collected image, and can accurately distinguish and diagnose the degree of the burn using this.

[0095] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing an example of a case where a light irradiation unit (100) of a non-contact image diagnosis device using an imaging device according to the present invention uses multiple light sources having different wavelengths. Referring to FIG. 3, the light irradiation unit (100) may include light sources of a first wavelength band, a second wavelength band, and a third wavelength band, and the first wavelength band may be a blue wavelength band, the second wavelength band may be a green wavelength band, and the third wavelength band may be a red wavelength band.

[0096] That is, the light irradiation unit (100) can use multiple light sources of a single wavelength band, and accordingly, the light irradiation unit (100) can recognize in advance the wavelength band information of each light source.

[0097] The above image collection unit (200) can obtain image information of red, green, and blue wavelengths according to the light of each wavelength irradiated by the above light irradiation unit (100), and can transmit it to the above diagnostic information calculation unit (300) without any special filtering.

[0098] Additionally, the light irradiated from the light irradiation unit (100) may include white light in the visible light range.

[0099] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing an example of an image collection unit (200) in a case where the light irradiation unit (100) of a non-contact image diagnosis device using an image device according to the present invention uses white light. Referring to FIG. 4, the light irradiation unit (100) can irradiate white light in the visible light range.

[0100] When white light in the visible light range is irradiated from the light irradiation unit (100), the image collection unit (200) can obtain color image information of the skin area irradiated with the white light, and the color image information can be separated into images of the first wavelength band, the second wavelength band, and the third wavelength band through the image separation unit (210) to extract image information for each wavelength band.

[0101] The light irradiation unit (100) and the image collection unit (200) may have different configurations depending on the light. In one embodiment, when the light irradiation unit (100) irradiates white light, the image collection unit (200) collects color image information. As described above, in order to check the degree of the image, the image must be separated into the first wavelength band, the second wavelength band, and the third wavelength band. Therefore, a color type image sensor (211) capable of separating the color image information into the first wavelength band, the second wavelength band, and the third wavelength band is required.

[0102] Meanwhile, when the light irradiation unit (100) irradiates multiple lights having different wavelengths, the image collection unit (200) can obtain image information for each required wavelength, so a separate color type image sensor (211) is not required.

[0103] Additionally, the light may include near-infrared light having a wavelength band longer than the visible light range. The near-infrared light can measure deep into the skin where white light cannot penetrate.

[0104] That is, the light irradiation unit (100) can use light of the first wavelength band, the second wavelength band, and the third wavelength band, which are visible light ranges, or white light mixed with light of the single wavelength band, and can also use near-infrared light with a wavelength longer than the white light.

[0105] Using near-infrared wavelengths allows for deeper penetration into the skin, allowing for the measurement of PPG signals from deeper areas. Therefore, it can be used for accurate measurement of burns in areas with thick skin tissue.

[0106] The light irradiation unit (100) can emit the light in at least one of a focusing method that focuses the light close to a focus, a diffusion method that diffuses the light, or a collimation method that collimates the light parallel to the direction of travel, and the light irradiation unit (100) and the image collection unit (200) can be controlled by the diagnostic information calculation unit (300).

[0107] The above light irradiation unit (100) can adjust the irradiation method or amount of light emitted to the affected area according to the patient's condition and surrounding environment by control of the above diagnostic information calculation unit (300).

[0108] The method of emitting light by the above light irradiation unit (100) is to set the area of ​​the skin where an image collection is desired. The closer the light is focused to the focal point, the more a relatively narrow area can be set, and the more the light is diffused, the more a relatively wide area can be set.

[0109] The above image collection unit (200) can obtain an image of the skin area to which the light irradiation unit (100) has irradiated light under the control of the above diagnostic information calculation unit (300), and transmit the image to the above diagnostic information calculation unit (300).

[0110] In addition, the diagnostic information calculation unit (300) can remove noise by increasing the intensity of the PPG signal compared to noise generated by ambient light when the image collection unit (200) acquires an image, thereby enabling the image collection unit (200) to collect an accurate image.

[0111] The above diagnostic information calculation unit (300) may undergo a separate signal processing process to control the light irradiation unit (100) and the image collection unit (200).

[0112] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing an example in which an image collection unit (200) of a non-contact image diagnosis device using an image device according to the present invention uses filters of various wavelengths. Referring to FIG. 5, the image collection unit (200) may further include a bandpass filter (213) that separates light of the first wavelength band, the second wavelength band, and the third wavelength band.

[0113] The above image collection unit (200) may use an image device that acquires an image of a burn area by irradiating light onto the burn area, and may include at least one of an image sensor, a light receiving sensor, or a camera that can acquire an image by receiving the light irradiated by the light irradiation unit (100).

[0114] The above image collection unit (200) can use a color type image sensor (211) that can collect light of the first wavelength band, the second wavelength band, and the third wavelength band by dividing them into limited light-receiving areas, and can also replace the color type image sensor (211) by using a mono type image sensor (212) having a wide light-receiving area and a band-pass filter (213) together.

[0115] In one embodiment, the image collection unit (200) may be equipped with the bandpass filter (213) on the front, and the image signal is separated and collected according to the wavelength according to the bandpass filter (213).

[0116] This bandpass filter (213) can be used in various ways. For example, the bandpass filter (213) can be used by directly replacing the filters having the first wavelength band, the second wavelength band, and the third wavelength band for separating images by wavelength band using a filter mount, or by rotating the filters by wavelength band using a rotating filter mount.

[0117] In addition, the image collection unit (200) may or may not use a bandpass filter (213) depending on the type of light irradiated by the light irradiation unit (100) or the sensor that collects the light included in the image collection unit (200).

[0118] For example, in the case where the image collection unit (200) collects white light mixed with light of various wavelengths using a color type image sensor (211), images of each wavelength are collected separately, so the bandpass filter (213) is not used. In the case where the image collection unit (200) collects using a mono type image sensor (212), a color bandpass filter (213) that can separate and collect images of the first wavelength band, the second wavelength band, and the third wavelength band can be used.

[0119] At this time, the image collection unit (200) may further include a low-pass filter for noise removal and a lens that allows the image sensor or light receiving sensor to receive light more efficiently. In one embodiment, the lens may be mounted on the front of the image collection unit (200), and the image sensor may be attached to the front or back of the lens.

[0120] Accordingly, the configuration of the image collection unit (200) may vary depending on the type of light irradiated by the light irradiation unit (100) and the calculation method of the diagnostic information calculation unit (300).

[0121] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a non-contact image diagnosis device using an image device according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2, the non-contact image diagnosis device using an image device according to the present invention may further include an output unit (400) that outputs the diagnostic information analyzed by the diagnostic information calculation unit (300).

[0122] The above output unit (400) can output or display the diagnostic information analyzed by the diagnostic information calculation unit (300) to check the burn lesion image of the image collection unit (200) and the burn degree by location of the affected area calculated by the diagnostic information calculation unit (300).

[0123] Referring to FIG. 8, a non-contact image diagnosis method using an imaging device according to the present invention may include a light irradiation step (S100) of irradiating light to a wound area, an image collection step (S200) of collecting image information of a wound area generated from the wound area due to the light irradiated in the light irradiation step (S100) using an imaging device, a diagnostic information calculation step (S300) of calculating diagnostic information of the wound area using the image information of the wound area, and an output step (S400) of outputting diagnostic information analyzed in the diagnostic information calculation step (S300).

[0124] In addition, the image collection step (S200) may include an image separation step (S210) of dividing the image information of the wound site into images of a first wavelength band, a second wavelength band, and a third wavelength band to obtain a first wavelength band image (214), a second wavelength band image (215), and a third wavelength band image (216) of the wound site, and the diagnostic information calculation step (S300) may include a PPG signal extraction step (S310) of extracting a first wavelength band PPG signal (311), a second wavelength band PPG signal (312), and a third wavelength band PPG signal (313) from the first wavelength band image (214), the second wavelength band image (215), and the third wavelength band image (216) of the wound site, respectively, and calculating diagnostic information of the wound site based on the shapes of the first wavelength band PPG signal (311), the second wavelength band PPG signal (312), and the third wavelength band PPG signal (313). It may include a signal analysis step (S320).

[0125] The specific description of each step is the same as the description of the above device, so we will refer to the above description here.

[0126] The distinction between the first wavelength band, the second wavelength band, and the third wavelength band according to the above-described embodiment is an example, and image degree diagnosis can be performed by subdividing other wavelength bands as needed.

[0127] For example, the first wavelength band, second wavelength band, and third wavelength band can use yellow, orange, indigo, purple, etc. or wavelengths in between in addition to blue, green, and red, and can be used for image diagnosis by using wavelengths that can penetrate to different depths in the same manner as described above. Since the depth at which light of the same wavelength can penetrate differs depending on the person or the burned area, it is possible to distinguish first-degree, second-degree, and third-degree burns for a specific person or specific area using wavelengths such as yellow, indigo, and purple that are different from the blue, green, and red.

[0128] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described with reference to the drawings as described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and various modifications may be made by a person skilled in the art to which the invention pertains without departing from the gist of the present invention as claimed in the claims. Furthermore, such modifications should not be understood individually from the technical idea or prospect of the present invention.

[0129] The present invention relates to a non-contact image diagnosis device and a diagnosis method using an imaging device, and can be used in industries such as the healthcare industry.

Claims

1. A light irradiation unit that irradiates light to the wound area; An image collection unit that collects image information of a wound area generated at the wound area due to light irradiated from the above light irradiation unit using an image device; and A non-contact image diagnosis device using an imaging device, characterized in that it includes a diagnostic information calculation unit that calculates diagnostic information of the wound area using the image information of the wound area.

2. In paragraph 1, The above image collection unit, A non-contact image diagnosis device using an imaging device, characterized in that it includes an image separation unit that separates the image information of the above wound area into images of a first wavelength band, a second wavelength band, and a third wavelength band and obtains images of the first wavelength band, the second wavelength band, and the third wavelength band of the above wound area.

3. In paragraph 2, The above diagnostic information calculation unit, A non-contact image diagnosis device using an imaging device, characterized in that it includes a PPG signal extraction unit that extracts a first wavelength PPG signal, a second wavelength PPG signal, and a third wavelength PPG signal from the first wavelength image, the second wavelength image, and the third wavelength image of the wound area obtained from the image separation unit.

4. In paragraph 1, A non-contact image diagnosis device using an imaging device, characterized in that the light irradiation unit includes light sources of the first wavelength band, the second wavelength band, and the third wavelength band.

5. In paragraph 4, A non-contact image diagnostic device using an imaging device, characterized in that the first wavelength band is a blue wavelength band, the second wavelength band is a green wavelength band, and the third wavelength band is a red wavelength band.

6. In paragraph 1, A non-contact image diagnosis device using an imaging device, characterized in that the light irradiated from the above light irradiation unit includes white light in the visible light range.

7. In paragraph 1, A non-contact imaging diagnostic device using an imaging device, characterized in that the light includes near-infrared rays having a wavelength band longer than the visible light range.

8. In any one of paragraphs 4, 6 or 7, The above light irradiation unit, A non-contact imaging diagnostic device using an imaging device characterized in that the light can be emitted by at least one of a focusing method that focuses the light close to a focus, a diffusion method that diffuses the light, or a collimation method that collimates the light parallel to the direction of propagation.

9. In paragraph 1, A non-contact image diagnosis device using an imaging device, characterized in that the light irradiation unit and the image collection unit are controlled by the diagnostic information calculation unit.

10. In paragraph 1, The above image collection unit, A non-contact image diagnosis device using an imaging device, characterized in that it further includes a bandpass filter that separates light of the first wavelength band, the second wavelength band, and the third wavelength band.

11. In paragraph 1, A non-contact image diagnosis device using an imaging device, characterized in that it further includes an output unit that outputs the diagnostic information analyzed by the above diagnostic information calculation unit.

12. In a non-contact image diagnosis method using an imaging device, Light irradiation step of irradiating light to the wound area; An image collection step for collecting image information of a wound area generated at the wound area due to light irradiated in the above light irradiation step using an image device; A diagnostic information calculation step for calculating diagnostic information of the wound area using the image information of the wound area; and A non-contact image diagnosis method using an imaging device, characterized by including an output step for outputting the diagnostic information analyzed in the above diagnostic information calculation step.

13. In paragraph 12, The above image collection step is, A non-contact image diagnosis method using an imaging device, characterized in that it includes an image separation step of dividing the image information of the above wound area into images of a first wavelength band, a second wavelength band, and a third wavelength band, and obtaining a first wavelength band image, a second wavelength band image, and a third wavelength band image of the above wound area.

Images