Fiber optic treatment tool system and fiber optic treatment tool

Abstract

A fiber optic treatment tool system according to the present invention comprises: a treatment tool that treats tissue of an observation target site; a light-emitting unit that emits light in a wavelength band that excites a fluorescent reagent contained in a drug bound to the observation target site; a light guide part that is configured using an optical fiber and that guides light between one end and the other end thereof; a light-receiving unit that detects return light from the treatment tool or the observation target site incident on the light guide part; and a control unit that controls the intensity of the light emitted by the light-emitting unit. The light guide unit has one end located at the end of the treatment tool on the observation target site side and the other end connected to the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit. The control unit reduces the light emission intensity of the light-emitting unit when the intensity value of the return light acquired from the light-receiving unit is equal to or greater than a preset threshold value.

Description

Treatment instrument system with optical fiber and treatment instrument with optical fiber

[0001] The present invention relates to a treatment instrument system with an optical fiber and a treatment instrument with an optical fiber.

[0002] In recent years, molecular imaging agents that combine an antibody that specifically binds to the surface of cancer cells and a fluorescent dye that sensitively detects it have been developed, enabling the detection of cancers that could not be detected until now. In the gastrointestinal (GI) field targeting the esophagus and stomach, drugs that bind to receptors expressed on the cell surface of the esophagus and stomach have been developed, and drugs that fluorescently detect cancer types in Barrett's esophagus in the near-infrared have been developed.

[0003] US Patent Application Publication No. 2011 / 0060188

[0004] On the other hand, in the field of GI endoscopy, screening with a system using white light (WLI) observation and image enhancement endoscopy technology centered on visible light is common. When detecting near-infrared fluorescence using a GI endoscope, an external lighting system separate from the normal endoscope lighting system is required, so it is necessary to insert a fiber probe for exciting the fluorescent agent through the forceps channel. Currently, an endoscope with one forceps channel (1T endoscope) is used for screening, and there is a problem that fluorescence observation and biopsy cannot be performed simultaneously because the fiber probe for fluorescence illumination and the biopsy forceps are used by being alternately inserted and removed. If an endoscope with two forceps channels (2T endoscope) is used, fluorescence observation and biopsy can be performed simultaneously, but since the insertion part of the 2T endoscope becomes larger, the burden on the subject increases.

[0005] At the same time, fluorescent agents are required to detect cancer from the early stage of its development. In order to detect even a small number of fluorescent agents bound to a small number of receptor molecules, illumination with a relatively strong excitation light intensity (about several hundred mW) is required. At this time, it is necessary to manage the risk of thermal injury to the tissue due to excessive energy density of the excitation light. Therefore, in addition to being able to perform fluorescence observation and biopsy simultaneously, it is necessary to satisfy both managing the risk of thermal injury by irradiating with high-intensity excitation light.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and aims to provide a treatment device system and a treatment device with an optical fiber that can perform fluorescence observation and biopsy simultaneously, and can manage the risk of burns caused by excitation light.

[0007] To solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objective, the optical fiber-equipped treatment tool system according to the present invention comprises: a treatment tool for treating tissue at a site to be observed; a light-emitting unit that emits light in a wavelength band that excites a fluorescent reagent contained in a drug bound to the site to be observed; a light-guiding unit configured using an optical fiber and guiding light between one end and the other end; a light-receiving unit that detects the reflected light from the treatment tool or the site to be observed that has entered the light-guiding unit; and a control unit that controls the intensity of the light emitted by the light-emitting unit. The light-guiding unit has one end located at the end of the treatment tool on the site to be observed, and the other end connected to the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit, respectively. The control unit reduces the light emission intensity of the light-emitting unit when the intensity value of the reflected light obtained from the light-receiving unit is greater than or equal to a preset threshold.

[0008] Furthermore, in the optical fiber-equipped treatment tool system according to the present invention, the intensity value is the light intensity of the reflected light, and the control unit reduces the light emission intensity of the light emitted by the light-emitting unit when the light intensity of the reflected light acquired from the light-receiving unit is greater than or equal to a preset first threshold and less than a second threshold greater than the first threshold, and turns off the light-emitting unit when the light intensity of the reflected light is greater than or equal to the second threshold.

[0009] Furthermore, in the optical fiber-equipped treatment tool system according to the present invention, the intensity value is the time derivative of the light intensity of the reflected light, and the control unit reduces the light emission intensity of the light emitted by the light-emitting unit when the time derivative of the reflected light obtained from the light-receiving unit is greater than or equal to a preset first threshold and less than a second threshold greater than the first threshold, and turns off the light-emitting unit when the time derivative is greater than or equal to the second threshold.

[0010] Furthermore, in the optical fiber-equipped treatment tool system according to the present invention, the light-emitting unit is a laser light source that emits light in a wavelength band that excites a fluorescent reagent, and the light-receiving unit has a polarizer that allows polarization in a direction perpendicular to the polarization direction of the light emitted by the laser light source to pass through, and a detection unit that detects the light that has passed through the polarizer.

[0011] Furthermore, in the optical fiber-equipped treatment tool system according to the present invention, the front light guide portion is inserted into the interior of the treatment tool.

[0012] Furthermore, in the optical fiber-equipped treatment tool system according to the present invention, the front light guide portion is disposed on the outer surface of the treatment tool.

[0013] Furthermore, the optical fiber-equipped treatment instrument according to the present invention comprises a treatment instrument for treating tissue at a site to be observed, and a light guide unit composed of one or more optical fibers, the one or more optical fibers being arranged along the treatment instrument, wherein the light guide unit guides light between one end and the other end, the one end of the light guide unit located at the end of the treatment instrument on the site to be observed, and the other end connected to a light-emitting unit that emits light in a wavelength band that excites a fluorescent reagent contained in a drug bound to the site to be observed, and a light-receiving unit that detects the reflected light from the treatment instrument or the site to be observed that has entered the light guide unit.

[0014] Furthermore, in the optical fiber-equipped treatment tool according to the present invention, the light guide portion is configured using a single optical fiber, and the light guide portion has a main body whose one end is located at the end of the treatment tool on the side of the area to be observed and extends along the treatment tool, and a branching portion which extends from the other end of the main body and branches the optical fiber, and the branching portion connects the optical fiber to the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion, respectively.

[0015] Furthermore, in the optical fiber-equipped treatment tool according to the present invention, the light guide portion is formed by bundling together an illumination-side fiber, the other end of which is connected to the light-emitting portion and emits light from one end, and a light-receiving-side fiber, the other end of which is connected to the light-receiving portion and receives light from one end.

[0016] Furthermore, the optical fiber-equipped treatment device according to the present invention further comprises, in the above invention, a laser light source that emits light in a wavelength band that excites a fluorescent reagent, and a polarizer that polarizes the light in a direction perpendicular to the polarization direction of the light emitted by the laser light source.

[0017] According to the present invention, fluorescence observation and biopsy can be performed simultaneously, and the risk of burns caused by excitation light can be managed.

[0018] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of an endoscope system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of an endoscope system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the tip configuration of an endoscope according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 4 is a diagram for explaining excitation light irradiation. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of light intensity in the light receiving unit and light emitting unit. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 7 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of an endoscope system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Figure 8 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a fluorescent illumination fiber. Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of light intensity in the light receiving unit and light emitting unit. Figure 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the processing apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Figure 11 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of an endoscope system according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. Figure 12 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of an endoscope system according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. Figure 13 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the processing apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

[0019] The following describes embodiments for carrying out the present invention. In these embodiments, as an example of a treatment instrument system with optical fibers and a system including a treatment instrument with optical fibers according to the present invention, a medical endoscope system for capturing and displaying images inside a subject such as a patient will be described. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. In addition, in the drawings, the same parts will be denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0020] (Embodiment 1) Figure 1 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of an endoscope system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of an endoscope system according to Embodiment 1. Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the tip configuration of the endoscope according to Embodiment 1.

[0021] The endoscopic system 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises an endoscope 2 that captures images of the inside of a subject by inserting its tip into the subject, a light source device 3 that generates illumination light emitted from the tip of the endoscope 2, a processing device 4 that performs predetermined signal processing on the imaging signal captured by the endoscope 2 and comprehensively controls the operation of the entire endoscopic system 1, a display device 5 that displays the internal images generated by the signal processing of the processing device 4, a treatment device 6, and a fluorescent illumination device 7.

[0022] The endoscope 2 comprises a flexible, elongated insertion section 21, an operating section 22 connected to the proximal end of the insertion section 21 for receiving various operation signals, and a universal cord 23 extending from the operating section 22 in a direction different from the direction in which the insertion section 21 extends, and containing various cables for connecting to the light source device 3 and the processing device 4. The endoscope 2 in this embodiment 1 is a gastrointestinal (GI) endoscope for the esophagus and stomach.

[0023] The insertion section 21 includes a tip section 24 containing an image sensor 244 in which pixels that generate signals by receiving light and converting it into photoelectricity are arranged in a two-dimensional manner, a bendable curved section 25 composed of a plurality of curved pieces, and a long, flexible flexible tube section 26 connected to the base end of the curved section 25. The insertion section 21 is inserted into the body cavity of a subject and uses the image sensor 244 to image subjects such as biological tissue located in a position where external light cannot reach.

[0024] The operating unit 22 includes a bending knob 221 for bending the curved section 25 in the vertical and horizontal directions, a treatment instrument insertion section 222 for inserting the treatment device 6 and fluorescent illumination device 7, as well as treatment instruments such as biopsy forceps, electrosurgical units, and examination probes into the body cavity of the subject, and a plurality of switches 223 which are an operation input section for inputting operation instruction signals for peripheral devices such as air supply means, water supply means, and screen display control, in addition to the processing device 4. Treatment instruments inserted from the treatment instrument insertion section 222 emerge from the opening via the treatment instrument channel of the tip section 24 (see Figure 3).

[0025] The universal cord 23 incorporates at least a light guide 241 and a bundled cable 245 that bundles one or more signal lines. The universal cord 23 branches at the end opposite to the side connected to the operating unit 22. At the branched end of the universal cord 23, there is a connector 231 that can be attached to the light source device 3 and a connector 232 that can be attached to the processing unit 4. The light source device 3 and the connector 231, and the processing unit 4 and the connector 232 may be integrated. A part of the light guide 241 extends from the end of the connector 231. The universal cord 23 transmits illumination light emitted from the light source device 3 to the tip 24 via the connector 231 (light guide 241), the operating unit 22, and the flexible tube section 26. The universal cord 23 also transmits image signals captured by the image sensor 244 provided at the tip 24 to the processing unit 4 via the connector 232. The bundled cable 245 includes signal lines for transmitting imaging signals, signal lines for transmitting drive signals for driving the image sensor 244, and signal lines for sending and receiving information including unique information about the endoscope 2 (image sensor 244). In this embodiment 1, it is described as transmitting electrical signals using signal lines, but optical signals may be transmitted, or signals may be transmitted between the endoscope 2 and the processing unit 4 by wireless communication.

[0026] The tip portion 24 includes a light guide 241 made of glass fiber or the like that forms a light guide path for the light emitted by the light source device 3, an illumination lens 242 provided at the tip of the light guide 241, a light-gathering optical system 243, and an image sensor 244 provided at the imaging position of the optical system 243 that receives the light gathered by the optical system 243, converts it into an electrical signal via photoelectricity, and performs predetermined signal processing.

[0027] The optical system 243 is composed of one or more lenses. The optical system 243 forms an observation image on the light-receiving surface of the image sensor 244. The optical system 243 may also have an optical zoom function to change the angle of view and a focus function to change the focal point.

[0028] The image sensor 244 generates an electrical signal (image signal) by photoelectric conversion of light from the optical system 243. The image sensor 244 consists of multiple pixels arranged in a matrix, each having a photodiode that stores charge according to the amount of light, and a capacitor that converts the charge transferred from the photodiode into a voltage level. Each pixel of the image sensor 244 generates an electrical signal by photoelectric conversion of light incident via the optical system 243, and sequentially reads out the electrical signals generated by pixels arbitrarily set as readout targets from among the multiple pixels, outputting them as an image signal. The image sensor 244 can be realized using, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor.

[0029] The endoscope 2 has a memory (not shown) that stores data including execution programs and control programs for the image sensor 244 to perform various operations, as well as identification information for the endoscope 2. The identification information includes the endoscope 2's unique information (ID), year of manufacture, specifications, and transmission method. The memory may also temporarily store image data generated by the image sensor 244.

[0030] The configuration of the light source device 3 will now be described. The light source device 3 comprises a light source unit 31, an illumination control unit 32, and a light source driver 33. Under the control of the illumination control unit 32, the light source unit 31 sequentially switches and emits illumination light of different exposure levels to the subject (test subject).

[0031] The light source unit 31 is composed of a light source and one or more lenses, and emits light (illumination light) when the light source is driven. The light generated by the light source unit 31 is emitted from the tip of the tip unit 24 toward the subject via the light guide 241. The light source unit 31 has a white light source 311.

[0032] The white light source 311 emits light (white light) having a wide visible wavelength range. The white light source 311 can be realized using an LED light source, as well as a laser light source, xenon lamp, halogen lamp, or any other light source.

[0033] The lighting control unit 32 controls the amount of power supplied to the light source unit 31 based on the control signal (dimming signal) from the processing unit 4, and also controls the light source to be emitted and the driving timing of the light source.

[0034] The light source driver 33, under the control of the lighting control unit 32, supplies current to the light source to be emitted, thereby causing the light source unit 31 to emit light.

[0035] The configuration of the processing unit 4 will now be described. The processing unit 4 comprises an image processing unit 41, a synchronization signal generation unit 42, an input unit 43, a control unit 44, and a storage unit 45.

[0036] The image processing unit 41 receives image data of each color of illumination light captured by the image sensor 244 from the endoscope 2. When the image processing unit 41 receives analog image data from the endoscope 2, it performs A / D conversion to generate a digital imaging signal. When the image processing unit 41 receives image data as an optical signal from the endoscope 2, it performs photoelectric conversion to generate digital image data.

[0037] The image processing unit 41 performs predetermined image processing on the image data received from the endoscope 2 to generate an image and output it to the display device 5, generates an image based on the image signal, or calculates the intensity of the light acquired by the fluorescence illumination device 7. The image processing unit 41 includes a white light image generation unit 411, a fluorescence image generation unit 412, and a return light intensity calculation unit 413.

[0038] The white light image generation unit 411 generates a white light image based on the image formed by white light.

[0039] The fluorescence image generation unit 412 generates a fluorescence image based on the image formed by fluorescence.

[0040] The white light image generation unit 411 and the fluorescence image generation unit 412 generate images by performing predetermined image processing. Here, the predetermined image processing includes synchronization processing, gradation correction processing, color correction processing, etc. Synchronization processing is a process of synchronizing the image data of each color component of RGB. Gradation correction processing is a process of performing gradation correction on the image data. Color correction processing is a process of performing color tone correction on the image data. Note that the white light image generation unit 411 and the fluorescence image generation unit 412 may perform gain adjustment according to the brightness of the image.

[0041] The return light intensity calculation unit 413 calculates the intensity of the light acquired by the fluorescence illumination device 7, for example, the return light intensity of the excitation light irradiated on the tumor tissue to which the drug is bound.

[0042] The image processing unit 41 is configured using a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a dedicated processor such as various arithmetic circuits that execute specific functions such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). Note that the image processing unit 41 may be configured to have a frame memory that holds R image data, G image data, and B image data.

[0043] The synchronization signal generation unit 42 generates a clock signal (synchronization signal) that serves as a reference for the operation of the processing device 4, and outputs the generated synchronization signal to the light source device 3, the image processing unit 41, the control unit 44, the endoscope 2, and the fluorescence illumination device 7. Here, the synchronization signal generated by the synchronization signal generation unit 42 includes a horizontal synchronization signal and a vertical synchronization signal. Therefore, the light source device 3, the image processing unit 41, the control unit 44, the endoscope 2, and the fluorescence illumination device 7 operate in synchronization with each other based on the generated synchronization signal.

[0044] The input unit 43 is realized using a keyboard, a mouse, a switch, or a touch panel, and receives input of various signals such as an operation instruction signal for instructing the operation of the endoscope system 1. Note that the input unit 43 may include a switch provided in the operation unit 22 or a portable terminal such as an external tablet-type computer.

[0045] The control unit 44 performs drive control and signal notification for control of each component including the imaging element 244, the light source device 3, and the fluorescence illumination device 7, and input / output control of information to / from each component. The control unit 44 refers to control information data for imaging control (for example, read timing, etc.) stored in the storage unit 45, and transmits it as a drive signal to the imaging element 244 via a predetermined signal line included in the collective cable 245. Further, the control unit 44 may switch the mode according to the observed light. The control unit 44 switches, for example, between a normal observation mode for observing an image obtained by illumination with white light and a fluorescence observation mode for observing a fluorescence image obtained by illumination with excitation light. The control unit 44 is configured using a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or a dedicated processor such as various arithmetic circuits that execute specific functions such as an ASIC.

[0046] The storage unit 45 stores data including various programs for operating the endoscope system 1 and various parameters necessary for the operation of the endoscope system 1. Further, the storage unit 45 stores identification information of the processing device 4. Here, the identification information includes unique information (ID) of the processing device 4, model year, and specification information, etc.

[0047] Furthermore, the storage unit 45 stores various programs, including an image acquisition processing program for executing the image acquisition processing method of the processing unit 4. These programs can be recorded on computer-readable recording media such as hard disks, flash memory, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, and flexible disks and widely distributed. The aforementioned programs can also be obtained by downloading them via a communication network. The communication network referred to here can be implemented by existing public telephone networks, LANs (Local Area Networks), WANs (Wide Area Networks), etc., and can be wired or wireless.

[0048] The storage unit 45 having the above configuration is implemented using a ROM (Read Only Memory) on which various programs are pre-installed, and a RAM or hard disk that stores calculation parameters and data for each process.

[0049] The display device 5 displays an image for display that corresponds to the image signal received from the processing device 4 (image processing device 41) via a video cable. The display device 5 is configured using a monitor such as a liquid crystal or organic EL (Electro Luminescence).

[0050] The treatment device 6 includes a treatment tool operating section 61 and a flexible treatment tool 62 extending from the treatment tool operating section 61. The treatment tool 62 has a gripping section 63 at the end opposite to the treatment tool operating section 61 for collecting target tissue. The gripping section 63 has an openable and closable structure and corresponds to the treatment section for treating the area to be observed.

[0051] The treatment tool operating section 61 opens and closes the gripping section 63 through user operation. For example, a portion of the treatment tool operating section 61 can move forward and backward relative to the treatment tool 62, and the gripping section 63 is opened or closed depending on the direction of movement.

[0052] The fluorescent lighting device 7 comprises a light guide unit 71, a light-emitting unit 72, a light-receiving unit 73, and a control unit 74. The light-emitting unit 72, the light-receiving unit 73, and the control unit 74 are housed, for example, within a housing 70.

[0053] The light guide section 71 is made of a flexible optical fiber that retains polarization, with one end connected to the light-emitting section 72 and the light-receiving section 73, and the other end located at the gripping section 63 of the treatment tool 62. The light guide section 71 emits light generated by the light-emitting section 72, and the reflected light is incident on it. The light guide section 71 is made using a single optical fiber, and the numerical aperture (NA) of the optical fiber is 0.3 or more, preferably 0.5 or more. Here, the reflected light includes scattered light and reflected light from the target, and reflected light from the gripping section 63.

[0054] The light guide 71 has a flexible, elongated base section 71a, one end of which is located at the tip (grip section 63) of the treatment tool 62, and a branching section 71b connected to the other end of the base section 71a, which branches the optical fiber and connects it to the light-emitting section 72 and the light-receiving section 73, respectively. The base section 71a is inserted into the treatment tool 62. The end of the base section 71a opposite to the branching section 71b (tip) is located inside the grip section 63 and in a position that does not interfere with the grip section 63. A rod lens, for example, may be provided at the tip of the base section 71a to irradiate light uniformly. The branching section 71b has a terminal section for connecting to the light-emitting section 72 and a terminal section for connecting to the light-receiving section 73 at the end opposite to the base section 71a (base end). Furthermore, the housing 70 is also provided with terminals corresponding to the light-emitting unit 72 and terminals corresponding to the light-receiving unit 73.

[0055] The light-emitting unit 72 emits light in a wavelength range that excites a fluorescent sample. The light-emitting unit 72 emits light in a wavelength range (excitation light) that excites a drug that contains a fluorescent reagent and binds to receptors expressed on the cell surface of the esophagus and stomach, thereby generating fluorescence. The light-emitting unit 72 is realized using a laser light source such as a semiconductor laser and emits polarized light. The light emitted by the light-emitting unit 72 is light in a wavelength range that excites the drug, and is outside the visible region, in the range of 700 nm to 1200 nm (near-infrared light or infrared light). The light emitted by the light-emitting unit 72 is transmitted to the main body 71a via the branching unit 71b.

[0056] The light-receiving unit 73 receives the reflected light that has been incident on the light-guiding unit 71. The light-receiving unit 73 has a polarizer 73a, a spectrometer 73b, and a detection unit 73c. ​​The polarizer 73a allows polarized light in a direction perpendicular to the light emitted by the light-emitting unit 72 to pass through. The spectrometer 73b is constructed using a spectrometer and allows light in the wavelength range of the light emitted by the light-emitting unit 72 to pass through the light that has passed through the polarizer 73a. The detection unit 73c detects the light that has passed through the spectrometer 73b. The light detected by the detection unit 73c is converted into an optical signal. Light incident on the main section 71a passes through the branching section 71b and then incident on the polarizer 73a.

[0057] The control unit 74 controls the operation of the light-emitting unit 72 based on the control signal from the processing unit 4, and outputs the detection signal generated by the light-receiving unit 73 to the control unit 44. The control unit 74 is configured using a general-purpose processor such as a CPU, a dedicated processor such as an ASIC that performs specific functions, and a memory in which programs are stored.

[0058] In this embodiment 1, an example is described in which the light-emitting unit 72 and the light-receiving unit 73 are driven under the control of the control unit 74. However, the light-emitting unit 72 or the light-receiving unit 73 may also have a control unit, and the control unit may control them, or the control unit 44 may control the driving.

[0059] Next, an example of a procedure using the endoscope 2 will be explained with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating excitation light irradiation. First, the operator inserts the insertion section 21 into the stomach. At this time, the operator irradiates the light source device 3 with white light and, while observing the white light image of the stomach displayed on the display device 5, irradiates the treatment site with excitation light using the fluorescence illumination device 7 to search for tumor tissue (treatment site). At this time, a drug that binds to receptors expressed on the surface of tumor cells is administered to the tumor tissue, which is the treatment site. The drug may be administered or sprayed using the endoscope 2, using other equipment, or directly administered or sprayed to the patient. Examples of drug administration methods include intravenous administration by drip infusion before the procedure, or spraying using a spraying device via the forceps channel of the endoscope during the procedure.

[0060] After determining the treatment site, the surgeon observes the fluorescence image and then checks the tumor tissue R at the treatment site. T The tumor tissue R is collected by the gripping part 63. T A portion of the region (excitation light irradiation region R) I Excitation light is irradiated from the light guide section 71 to the light guide section 71a, and the reflected light of the excitation light is incident on the light guide section 71a.

[0061] Here, the tip of the light guide 71 and the tumor tissue R are brought together by the operation of the treatment instrument 62. T The distance between them changes. As the tip of the light guide unit 71 approaches the treatment position, the tumor tissue R T Because the light intensity in that area becomes high and there is a risk of burns, the illumination by the fluorescent lighting device 7 is controlled.

[0062] Here, the control of light emission in the fluorescent lighting device 7 will be explained with reference to Figure 5. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of light intensity in the light receiving unit and light emitting unit. Figure 5 shows the change in light intensity over time during treatment for the light emitting unit 72 and the light receiving unit 73, respectively. Although Figure 5 shows an example when the gripping unit 63 is in an open state, that is, when scattered light from the object is received, the same applies when the gripping unit 63 is closed and the detection unit 73c receives reflected light from the gripping unit 63, and the threshold value can be changed as appropriate.

[0063] When the light-emitting unit 72 is in the ON state and excitation light is emitted, the light-receiving unit 73 determines that if the distance between the tip of the light-guiding unit 71 and the treatment position is large, the light intensity incident on the light-guiding unit 71 is smaller than the first threshold (see Figure 5(a)). Here, the first threshold is set based on the light intensity at which irradiation with excitation light is possible, but the risk of burns is expected to be relatively high.

[0064] Subsequently, as the tip of the light guide 71 approaches the treatment position, the light intensity incident on the light guide 71 increases. Then, when the light intensity reaches a first threshold at time t1, the light intensity emitted by the light-emitting unit 72 is reduced (see Figure 5(b)). The reduced light intensity is set, for example, based on the smallest light intensity among the light intensities that excite the drug and cause fluorescence.

[0065] Subsequently, as the tip of the light guide unit 71 approaches the treatment position, and the light intensity reaches a second threshold (> first threshold: second threshold) at time t2, the intensity of the light emitted by the light-emitting unit 72 is set to zero, i.e., the light output is turned off. The second threshold is set, for example, based on the light intensity at which the risk of burns increases. By turning off the light output from the light-emitting unit 72, the excitation light emitted from the light guide unit 71 is also stopped.

[0066] In this way, by controlling the light output from the light-emitting unit 72 according to the light intensity, burns in the light-irradiated area, such as burns to the target tissue, are suppressed. Furthermore, when the gripping unit 63 is closed, if illumination control is performed according to the reflected light from the gripping unit 63, burns to the tissue (tumor tissue) that is collected by the gripping unit 63 and held within the gripping unit 63 are suppressed.

[0067] Next, the processing in the processing device 4 will be described with reference to Figure 6. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of the processing device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 6 shows the processing flow of the processing device 4 when, in a tissue collection procedure, the inside of the stomach is observed by irradiating it with white light, and the treatment area (in this case, the area containing tumor cells to which the drug has been bound) is searched from the fluorescence image obtained by irradiation with excitation light. Note that the observation mode of the processing device 4 may be changed depending on the light being observed.

[0068] First, the operator turns on the illumination of the excitation light from the light-emitting unit 72 under the control of the control unit 74 (step S101). Then, the processing unit 4 acquires the detection result of the light incident from the light-receiving unit 73 to the light-guiding unit 71 (step S102). The control unit 74 sets the observation mode to fluorescence observation mode upon irradiation with excitation light, and the fluorescence image generated by the fluorescence image generation unit 412 is displayed on the display device 5. At this time, a white light image may be displayed in the display area, or a superimposed image in which the fluorescence area is superimposed on the white light image may be displayed.

[0069] After acquiring the detection result, the control unit 74 determines whether the light intensity calculated by the return light intensity calculation unit 413 based on the detection result is equal to or greater than the first threshold (step S103). If the control unit 74 determines that the light intensity is less than the first threshold (step S103: No), it maintains the current light intensity and proceeds to step S107. If the control unit 74 determines that the light intensity is equal to or greater than the first threshold (step S103: Yes), it proceeds to step S104.

[0070] Furthermore, in step S104, the control unit 74 determines whether the light intensity used in step S103 is equal to or greater than the second threshold. If the control unit 74 determines that the light intensity is equal to or greater than the second threshold (step S104: Yes), it proceeds to step S106. If the control unit 74 determines that the light intensity is less than the second threshold (step S104: No), it proceeds to step S105.

[0071] In step S105, the control unit 74 dims the illumination from the light-emitting unit 72. For example, as shown in Figure 5, the control unit 74 reduces the intensity of the light emitted by the light-emitting unit 72 to the lowest light intensity among the light intensities that excite the drug and cause fluorescence.

[0072] In step S106, the control unit 74 turns off the illumination by the light-emitting unit 72. The control unit 74 sets the intensity of the light emitted by the light-emitting unit 72 to zero, for example, as shown in Figure 5.

[0073] In step S107, the control unit 74 determines whether or not to continue the illumination by the light-emitting unit 72. At this time, the control unit 74 executes processing based on the instruction input received by the input unit 43. For example, if the control unit 74 determines that there is an instruction input to maintain the illumination by the light-emitting unit 72 (step S107: Yes), it adjusts the output based on the instruction input and proceeds to step S102. On the other hand, if the control unit 74 determines that there is an instruction input not to maintain the illumination by the light-emitting unit 72 (step S107: No), it terminates the process.

[0074] In the embodiment 1 described above, the light guide unit 71 is introduced into the treatment tool channel together with the treatment tool 62, the target is illuminated with excitation light by the light guide unit 71, the reflected light of the excitation light from the target is detected, and illumination control is performed according to the distance between the light guide unit 71 and the target based on the light intensity of the reflected light. As a result, fluorescence observation and biopsy can be performed simultaneously, and the risk of burns due to excitation light can be managed.

[0075] Furthermore, according to this embodiment 1, the light receiving unit 73 is provided with a polarizer 73a that allows light to pass through in a direction perpendicular to the polarization direction of the light emitted by the light emitting unit 72. As a result, of the light incident on the light guide unit 71, only scattered light, excluding the specular reflection component of the light emitted by the light emitting unit 72, is incident on the detection unit 73c. ​​This allows only scattered light whose intensity changes depending on the distance to be detected, and by controlling the illumination of the excitation light based on this scattered light, illumination control according to the distance between the light guide unit 71 and the object can be performed with high precision.

[0076] In the first embodiment, a near-infrared filter that cuts out the excitation light may be provided on the light-receiving surface of the image sensor 244.

[0077] (Embodiment 2) Next, Embodiment 2 will be described. Figure 7 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the endoscope system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The endoscope system 1A according to Embodiment 2 is equipped with a fluorescent illumination device 7A in place of the fluorescent illumination device 7 of the endoscope system 1 according to Embodiment 1. The configuration other than the fluorescent illumination device 7A is the same as that of the endoscope system 1, so its description will be omitted.

[0078] The configuration of the fluorescent lighting device 7A will now be described. The fluorescent lighting device 7A comprises a light guide unit 71A, a light-emitting unit 72, a light-receiving unit 73A, and a control unit 74. The light-emitting unit 72, the light-receiving unit 73A, and the control unit 74 are housed, for example, in a housing 70A.

[0079] The light guide section 71A is made of a flexible optical fiber, with one end connected to the light-emitting section 72 and the light-receiving section 73A, and the other end located at the tip of the gripping section 63 of the treatment tool 62. The light guide section 71A emits light generated by the light-emitting section 72 to an object, and the reflected light from the object is incident on the light guide section 71A. The optical fiber of the light guide section 71A has an numerical aperture (NA) of 0.3 or more, preferably 0.5 or more.

[0080] The light guide section 71A has a flexible, elongated base section 71c and a branch section 71d connected to one end of the base section 71c and connected to the light-emitting section 72 and the light-receiving section 73A. At the end of the base section 71c opposite to the branch section 71d (the tip), an optical system such as a rod lens may be provided to irradiate light at a wide angle and uniformly. In this embodiment 2, the base section 71c is provided along the outer surface of the treatment tool 62 and is exposed to the outside.

[0081] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a fluorescent lighting fiber. The light guide section 71A consists of a bundled optical fiber made up of multiple optical fibers. Specifically, it is made up of a bundle of a first optical fiber 711, one end of which is connected to the light-emitting section 72, and a second optical fiber 712, one end of which is connected to the light-receiving section 73A. One or more first optical fibers 711 and second optical fibers 712 are provided. Here, in the main section 71c, multiple optical fibers are bundled together, and in the branching section 73d, the optical fibers are branched by separating the first optical fiber 711 and the second optical fiber 712. The first optical fiber 711 branched by the branching section 73d is connected to the light-emitting section 72, and the second optical fiber 712 is connected to the light-receiving section 73. The light emitted from the light-emitting section 72 is transmitted to the main section 71c via the branching section 71d.

[0082] The light-receiving unit 73A receives the reflected light that has been incident on the light-guiding unit 71A. The light-receiving unit 73 has a spectral section 73b and a detection unit 73c. ​​In this second embodiment, the light-receiving unit 73 does not have a polarizer 73a compared to the light-receiving unit 73 in the first embodiment, but the configuration of the spectral section 73b and the detection unit 73c is the same. Light incident on the main section 71c is incident on the spectral section 73b via the branching section 71d.

[0083] The processing apparatus 4 according to Embodiment 2 performs processing in accordance with Figure 6. In this case, in step S102, the light (return light) incident on the second optical fiber 712 is detected by the detection unit 73c.

[0084] In the second embodiment described above, similar to the first embodiment, the light guide unit 71A, which is arranged on the outer circumference of the treatment instrument 62, is introduced into the treatment instrument channel together with the treatment instrument 62. The light guide unit 71A illuminates the target with excitation light, the reflected light from the target is detected, and illumination control is performed according to the distance between the light guide unit 71A and the target based on the light intensity of the reflected light. This allows fluorescence observation and biopsy to be performed simultaneously, and the risk of burns due to excitation light can be managed.

[0085] Furthermore, in this second embodiment, the light guide section 71A is composed of multiple optical fibers, each fiber having a designated role of either irradiating or receiving light, and light incident on a fiber other than the one that emitted light is detected. As a result, the specular reflection component of the light emitted from the irradiating fiber does not enter the receiving fiber, and the receiving fiber can receive a large amount of scattered light, making it possible to perform illumination control with high precision according to the distance between the light guide section 71A and the object.

[0086] In this embodiment 2, an example was described in which the light-receiving unit 73A does not have a polarizer, but it may also be configured to have a polarizer.

[0087] (Embodiment 3) Next, Embodiment 3 will be described. The endoscopic system according to Embodiment 3 has the same configuration as the endoscopic system 1 according to Embodiment 1, so the description will be omitted. In Embodiment 3, the processing content of the reflected light intensity calculation unit 413 differs from that of Embodiment 1. The differences from Embodiment 1 will be described below.

[0088] In this third embodiment, the reflected light intensity calculation unit 413 calculates the time derivative of the reflected light intensity. The reflected light intensity calculation unit 413 calculates the time derivative by taking the time derivative of the signal intensity.

[0089] Next, the light emission control in the fluorescent lighting device 7 will be explained with reference to Figure 9. Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of light intensity in the light receiving unit and light emitting unit. Figure 9 shows the change in light intensity over time during treatment for the light emitting unit 72 and the light receiving unit 73, respectively. The gripping unit 63 is in an open state.

[0090] When the light-emitting unit 72 is in the ON state and excitation light is emitted, the light-receiving unit 73 determines that if the distance between the tip of the light-guiding unit 71 and the treatment position is large, the time derivative of the light intensity incident on the light-guiding unit 71 is smaller than the third threshold (first threshold) (see Figure 9(a)). Here, the third threshold is set based on the time derivative value at which irradiation with excitation light is possible, but the risk of burns is expected to be relatively high.

[0091] Subsequently, as the tip of the light guide 71 approaches the treatment position, the light intensity incident on the light guide 71 increases, and the time derivative also increases. When the time derivative reaches a third threshold at time t3, the light intensity emitted by the light-emitting unit 72 is reduced (see Figure 9(b)). The reduced light intensity is set, for example, based on the smallest light intensity among those that excite the drug and cause fluorescence.

[0092] Subsequently, as the tip of the light guide 71 and the treatment position move closer together, the time derivative value reaches the fourth threshold (> third threshold: second threshold) at time t4, and the gripping portion 63 is closed, causing the time derivative value to increase significantly. At this point, when the time derivative value exceeds the fourth threshold, the control unit 74 turns off the intensity of the light emitted by the light emitter 72, i.e., the light output. The fourth threshold is set, for example, based on the time derivative value at which the risk of burns is expected to increase. By turning off the light output from the light emitter 72, the excitation light emitted from the light guide 71 is also stopped.

[0093] In the example shown in Figure 9, the period (i) in which the time derivative value exceeds the third threshold but is less than the fourth threshold shows the change in the time derivative value due to the distance between the tip of the light guide 71 and the treatment position. Furthermore, the period (ii) in which the time derivative value is greater than or equal to the fourth threshold shows the change in the time derivative value due to the reflection of excitation light within the gripping part 63 when the gripping part 63 is closed.

[0094] Next, the processing in the processing device 4 will be described with reference to Figure 10. Figure 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of the processing device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Similar to Figure 6, Figure 10 shows the processing flow of the processing device 4 when, in a tissue collection procedure, the inside of the stomach is observed by irradiating it with white light, the treatment area is searched from the fluorescence image obtained by irradiation with excitation light, and tissue is collected from the treatment area. Note that the observation mode of the processing device 4 may be changed depending on the light being observed.

[0095] First, similar to steps S101 and S102, the operator turns on the illumination of the excitation light from the light-emitting unit 72 under the control of the control unit 74, and the detection result of the light incident from the light-receiving unit 73 to the light-guiding unit 71 is obtained (steps S201, S202).

[0096] After acquiring the detection result, the control unit 74 determines whether the time derivative value calculated by the reflected light intensity calculation unit 413 based on the detection result is greater than or equal to the third threshold (step S203). If the control unit 74 determines that the time derivative value is less than the third threshold (step S203: No), it maintains the current light intensity and proceeds to step S207. If the control unit 74 determines that the time derivative value is greater than or equal to the third threshold (step S203: Yes), it proceeds to step S204.

[0097] Furthermore, in step S204, the control unit 74 determines whether the time derivative value used in step S203 is greater than or equal to the fourth threshold. If the control unit 74 determines that the time derivative value is greater than or equal to the fourth threshold (step S204: Yes), it proceeds to step S206. If the control unit 74 determines that the time derivative value is less than the fourth threshold (step S204: No), it proceeds to step S205.

[0098] In step S205, the control unit 74 dims the illumination from the light-emitting unit 72. For example, as shown in Figure 9, the control unit 74 reduces the intensity of the light emitted by the light-emitting unit 72 to the lowest light intensity among the light intensities that excite the drug and cause fluorescence.

[0099] In step S206, the control unit 74 turns off the illumination by the light-emitting unit 72. The control unit 74 sets the intensity of the light emitted by the light-emitting unit 72 to zero, for example, as shown in Figure 9.

[0100] In step S207, the control unit 74 determines whether or not to continue the illumination by the light-emitting unit 72. At this time, the control unit 74 executes processing based on the instruction input received by the input unit 43. For example, if the control unit 74 determines that there is an instruction input to maintain the illumination by the light-emitting unit 72 (step S207: Yes), it adjusts the output based on the instruction input and proceeds to step S202. On the other hand, if the control unit 74 determines that there is an instruction input not to maintain the illumination by the light-emitting unit 72 (step S207: No), it terminates the process.

[0101] In the embodiment 3 described above, the light guide unit 71 is introduced into the treatment tool channel together with the treatment tool 62, the target is illuminated with excitation light by the light guide unit 71, the reflected light of the excitation light from the target is detected, and illumination control is performed according to the distance between the light guide unit 71 and the target based on the time derivative of the reflected light. As a result, fluorescence observation and biopsy can be performed simultaneously, and the risk of burns due to excitation light can be managed.

[0102] Furthermore, according to this third embodiment, since the lighting control of the fluorescent lighting device 7 uses a time derivative value that does not depend on the surface shape of the object, lighting control according to the distance between the light guide unit 71 and the object can be performed with high precision.

[0103] In this third embodiment, the configuration of the fluorescent lighting device 7A according to the second embodiment can be adopted.

[0104] (Embodiment 4) Next, Embodiment 4 will be described. Figure 11 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of an endoscope system according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. The endoscope system 1B according to Embodiment 4 is equipped with a fluorescent illumination device 7B in place of the fluorescent illumination device 7 of the endoscope system 1 according to Embodiment 1. The configuration other than the fluorescent illumination device 7B is the same as that of the endoscope system 1, so its description will be omitted.

[0105] The configuration of the fluorescent lighting device 7B will now be described. The fluorescent lighting device 7B comprises a light guide unit 71B, a light-emitting unit 72, a light-receiving unit 73A, a control unit 74, a dichroic mirror 75, and a reflective mirror 76. The light-emitting unit 72, the light-receiving unit 73A, the control unit 74, the dichroic mirror 75, and the reflective mirror 76 are housed, for example, in a housing 70B.

[0106] The light guide section 71B is made of a flexible optical fiber, with one end connected to the housing 70B and the other end located at the tip of the treatment tool 62 on the gripping portion 63 side. The light guide section 71B is inserted into the treatment tool 62. The light guide section 71B emits light generated by the light-emitting section 72 to an object, and the reflected light from the object is incident on the light guide section 71B. The optical fiber of the light guide section 71B has an numerical aperture (NA) of 0.3 or more, preferably 0.5 or more. At the tip of the light guide section 71B, an optical system such as a rod lens may be arranged to irradiate light at a wide angle and uniformly.

[0107] The dichroic mirror 75 allows the excitation light to pass through and reflects light with a wavelength greater than the excitation light, such as the reflected light from the excitation light. For example, if the light-emitting unit 72 emits 780 nm light as excitation light, a dichroic mirror 75 that reflects light in the wavelength range of 805 nm or greater is used. The reflective mirror 76 receives the light reflected by the dichroic mirror 75 (in this case, the reflected light from the excitation light) and reflects that light toward the spectroscopic unit 73b. The reflective mirror 76 may be a mirror with the same function as the dichroic mirror 75.

[0108] In the fluorescent lighting device 7B, light emitted from the light-emitting unit 72 passes through the dichroic mirror 75 and enters the light guide unit 71B, illuminating the target. The light that enters the light guide unit 71B is reflected by the dichroic mirror 75 and the reflective mirror 76 and enters the spectral unit 73b. In this way, in the fluorescent lighting device 7B, the light is split by the dichroic mirror 75.

[0109] The processing apparatus 4 according to Embodiment 4 performs processing in accordance with Figure 6. In this case, in step S102, the light that has been incident via the reflective mirror 76 (returned light) is detected by the detection unit 73c.

[0110] In Embodiment 4 described above, similar to Embodiment 1, the light guide unit 71B, which is disposed on the treatment instrument 62, is introduced into the treatment instrument channel together with the treatment instrument 62, the target is illuminated with excitation light by the light guide unit 71B, the reflected light of the excitation light from the target is detected, and illumination control is performed according to the distance between the light guide unit 71B and the target based on the light intensity of the reflected light. As a result, fluorescence observation and biopsy can be performed simultaneously, and the risk of burns due to excitation light can be managed.

[0111] Furthermore, in this fourth embodiment, the excitation light and the return light are split by the dichroic mirror 75, which simplifies the configuration related to light splitting.

[0112] (Embodiment 5) Next, Embodiment 5 will be described. Figure 12 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of an endoscope system according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. The endoscope system 1C according to Embodiment 5 is equipped with a fluorescent illumination device 7C in place of the fluorescent illumination device 7 of the endoscope system 1 according to Embodiment 1. The configuration other than the fluorescent illumination device 7C is the same as that of the endoscope system 1, so its description will be omitted.

[0113] The configuration of the fluorescent lighting device 7C will now be described. The fluorescent lighting device 7C comprises a light guide unit 71, a light-emitting unit 72A, a light-receiving unit 73A, and a control unit 74. The light-emitting unit 72A, the light-receiving unit 73, and the control unit 74 are housed, for example, in a housing 70B.

[0114] The light-emitting unit 72A includes an excitation light-emitting unit 721 that emits light in a wavelength range that excites a fluorescent sample, and a guide light-emitting unit 722 that emits guide light. The guide light-emitting unit 722 emits light in the visible wavelength range (for example, green light (520-540 nm)) as guide light. This guide light can be used to irradiate an irradiation range equivalent to that of the excitation light. The excitation light-emitting unit 721 and the guide light-emitting unit 722 are realized using a laser light source such as a semiconductor laser. The light emitted by the light-emitting unit 72A is transmitted to the main body 71a via the branching unit 71b.

[0115] Next, the processing in the processing apparatus 4 according to this fifth embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 13. Figure 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing in the processing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Similar to Figure 6, Figure 13 shows the processing flow of the processing apparatus 4 when, in a tissue collection procedure, the inside of the stomach is observed by irradiating it with white light, the treatment area is searched from the fluorescence image obtained by irradiation with excitation light, and tissue is collected from the treatment area. Note that the observation mode in the processing apparatus 4 may be changed depending on the light being observed.

[0116] First, the control unit 74 determines whether the field of view of the endoscope (endoscope field of view) is smaller than the excitation light irradiation angle (excitation light irradiation angle) (step S301). If the control unit 74 determines that the endoscope field of view is greater than or equal to the excitation light irradiation angle (step S301: No), it proceeds to step S303. Conversely, if the control unit 74 determines that the endoscope field of view is smaller than the excitation light irradiation angle (step S301: Yes), it proceeds to step S302.

[0117] In step S302, the fluorescent lighting device 7C turns on the illumination of excitation light from the excitation light emission unit 721 under the control of the control unit 74.

[0118] Furthermore, in step S303, the fluorescent illumination device 7C, under the control of the control unit 74, turns on the illumination of guide light from the excitation light emission unit 721 and the guide light emission unit 722. If it is known in advance that the excitation light irradiation angle is greater than the endoscope field of view angle, step S101 is omitted and the process proceeds to step S303 to irradiate with guide light.

[0119] Then, the processing device 4 acquires the detection result of the light incident from the light receiving unit 73 to the light guiding unit 71 in step S302 or step S303 (step S304).

[0120] After acquiring the detection result, the control unit 74 performs illumination control by comparing the light intensity calculated by the return light intensity calculation unit 413 based on the detection result with the first threshold and the second threshold, in the same manner as in steps S103 to S107 of Figure 6 (steps S305 to S309).

[0121] In Embodiment 5 described above, similar to Embodiment 1, the light guide unit 71, which is arranged on the treatment instrument 62, is introduced into the treatment instrument channel together with the treatment instrument 62, the target is illuminated with excitation light by the light guide unit 71, the reflected light of the excitation light from the target is detected, and illumination control is performed according to the distance between the light guide unit 71 and the target based on the light intensity of the reflected light. As a result, fluorescence observation and biopsy can be performed simultaneously, and the risk of burns due to excitation light can be managed.

[0122] Furthermore, in this embodiment 5, when the endoscope field of view is greater than or equal to the excitation light irradiation angle, guide light is irradiated along with the excitation light. This allows the user to understand the irradiation position of the excitation light, which is irradiated in a part of the endoscope field of view and is not visible, by using the guide light.

[0123] In these embodiments 4 and 5, the configuration of the fluorescent lighting device 7A according to embodiment 2 can be adopted, or the parameters according to embodiment 3 can be adopted.

[0124] In the above-described embodiment, an example was explained in which the light source device 3 is separate from the processing device 4, but the light source device 3 and the processing device 4 may be integrated into a single unit. Also, in the embodiment, an example was described in which therapeutic light is irradiated by a treatment instrument, but the light source device 3 may be configured to emit therapeutic light.

[0125] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment explained that the endoscopic system according to the present invention is an endoscopic system 1 using a flexible endoscope 2 in which the object of observation is biological tissue within a subject, it can also be applied to endoscopic systems using a rigid endoscope, an industrial endoscope for observing material properties, a fiberscope, or an optical endoscope such as an optical viewing tube with a camera head attached to the eyepiece.

[0126] As described above, the image processing apparatus, photoimmunotherapy system, image processing method, and image processing program according to the present invention are useful for accurately understanding changes in fluorescence intensity.

[0127] 1, 1A Endoscope system 2 Endoscope 3 Light source device 4 Processing device 5 Display device 6 Treatment device 7, 7A Fluorescent illumination device 21 Insertion section 22 Operation section 23 Universal cord 24 Tip section 25 Curved section 26 Flexible tube section 31 Light source section 32 Illumination control section 33 Light source driver 41 Image processing section 42 Synchronization signal generation section 43 Input section 44 Control section 45 Memory section 61 Treatment instrument operation section 62 Treatment instrument 71, 71A Light guide section 71a, 71c Core section 71b, 71d Branch section 72 Light emission section 73, 73A Light receiving section 73a Polarizer 73b Spectroscopy section 73c Detection section 311 White light source 411 White light image generation section 412 Fluorescent image generation section 413 Reflected light intensity calculation section

Claims

1. A treatment tool system with an optical fiber, comprising: a treatment tool for treating tissue at a site to be observed; a light-emitting unit that emits light in a wavelength range that excites a fluorescent reagent contained in a drug bound to the site to be observed; a light-guiding unit configured using an optical fiber and guiding light between one end and the other end; a light-receiving unit that detects the reflected light from the treatment tool or the site to be observed that has entered the light-guiding unit; and a control unit that controls the intensity of the light emitted by the light-emitting unit, wherein one end of the light-guiding unit is located at the end of the treatment tool on the site to be observed, and the other end is connected to the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit, respectively; and the control unit reduces the light emission intensity of the light-emitting unit when the intensity value of the reflected light obtained from the light-receiving unit is greater than or equal to a preset threshold.

2. The intensity value is the light intensity of the reflected light, and the control unit reduces the light emission intensity of the light emitted by the light-emitting unit when the light intensity of the reflected light acquired from the light-receiving unit is greater than or equal to a preset first threshold and less than a second threshold greater than the first threshold, and turns off the light-emitting unit when the light intensity of the reflected light is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the optical fiber-equipped treatment device system according to claim 1.

3. The optical fiber treatment device system according to claim 1, wherein the intensity value is the time derivative of the light intensity of the reflected light, and the control unit reduces the light emission intensity of the light emitted by the light-emitting unit when the time derivative of the reflected light obtained from the light-receiving unit is greater than or equal to a preset first threshold and less than a second threshold greater than the first threshold, and turns off the light-emitting unit when the time derivative is greater than or equal to the second threshold.

4. The optical fiber-equipped treatment device system according to claim 2, wherein the light-emitting unit is a laser light source that emits light in a wavelength band that excites a fluorescent reagent, and the light-receiving unit is a polarizer that allows polarization in a direction perpendicular to the polarization direction of the light emitted by the laser light source to pass through, and a detection unit that detects the light that has passed through the polarizer.

5. The optical fiber-equipped treatment device system according to claim 1, wherein the front light guide is inserted into the inside of the treatment device.

6. The optical fiber-equipped treatment device system according to claim 1, wherein the front light guide is disposed on the outer surface of the treatment device.

7. A treatment device with optical fibers, comprising: a treatment device for treating tissue of a site to be observed; and a light guide unit composed of one or more optical fibers, the one or more optical fibers being arranged along the treatment device, wherein the light guide unit guides light between one end and the other end, the one end of the light guide unit located at the end of the treatment device on the site to be observed, and the other end connected to a light-emitting unit that emits light in a wavelength range that excites a fluorescent reagent contained in a drug bound to the site to be observed, and a light-receiving unit that detects the light reflected from the treatment device or the site to be observed that has entered the light guide unit.

8. The optical fiber treatment device according to claim 7, wherein the light guide is constructed using a single optical fiber, and the light guide has a main body whose one end is located at the end of the treatment device on the side of the part to be observed and extends along the treatment device, and a branching part extending from the other end of the main body and branching the optical fiber, the branching part connects the optical fiber to the light-emitting part and the light-receiving part, respectively.

9. The optical fiber treatment device according to claim 7, wherein the light guide portion is formed by bundling together an illumination-side fiber whose other end is connected to the light-emitting portion and emits light from one end, and a light-receiving-side fiber whose other end is connected to the light-receiving portion and receives light from one end.

10. The optical fiber treatment device according to claim 7, further comprising: a laser light source that emits light in a wavelength range that excites a fluorescent reagent, and a polarizer that polarizes the light in a direction perpendicular to the polarization direction of the light emitted by the laser light source.

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