Surgical field camera device

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a surgical field camera device that allows easy adjustment of an imaging direction and position.　[Solution] A surgical field camera 2 is attached to a support 12 via a link structure 10 that is a movable mechanism. Therefore, the imaging direction and position of the surgical field camera 2 can be adjusted by the link structure 10 having three degrees of freedom. The surgical field camera 2 is provided with a handle 8, and the imaging direction and position of the surgical field camera 2 can be adjusted by operating the handle 8. The surgical field camera 2 is provided with laser irradiators 20, 22, 24, 26, and displays markers 40, 42, 44, 46 indicating an imaging range. Therefore, the imaging range can be easily adjusted.

Description

Surgical field camera device

[0001] This invention relates to a surgical field camera, particularly to its positioning.

[0002] As shown in FIG. 11, during surgery, the surgical site 4 is imaged by a surgical field camera 2. The image of the surgical site 4 captured by the surgical field camera 2 is displayed on a display 6 so that the relevant personnel can view it. Therefore, if the surgical site 4 is imaged appropriately, the surgeon himself or the assistant can refer to the image of the surgical site 4 during the operation on the display 6 and perform appropriate activities.

[0003] In order to adjust the part to be imaged by the surgical field camera 2, the surgical field camera 2 is provided with a handle 8 (see JP-A-2017-1308291). The surgeon can operate this handle 8 to adjust the imaging direction and position of the surgical field camera 2.

[0004] As described above, in the prior art, although the imaging direction and position of the surgical field camera 2 can be adjusted, in order to obtain an appropriate captured image, the adjustment has to be performed while looking at the display 6. That is, along with the change in the position and angle by the handle 8, the adjustment has to be performed while confirming how the captured image projected on the display 6 changes, and the adjustment operation was not intuitive and was difficult.

[0005] An object of this invention is to solve the above problems and provide a surgical field camera device in which the adjustment of the imaging direction and position is easy.

[0006] Hereinafter, some independent features of this invention will be listed. Each of these features is independent and it is not essential to combine them, while on the other hand, they can be arbitrarily combined.

[0007] (1) The surgical field camera device according to this invention includes a surgical field camera, a movable mechanism capable of changing the imaging position and imaging direction of the surgical field camera, an adjustment member for adjusting the imaging position and imaging direction of the surgical field camera by the movable mechanism by an operator's operation, and an irradiation unit provided close to the surgical field camera for displaying a marker indicating the imaging range of the surgical field camera on the imaging target.

[0008] Therefore, it is easy to adjust the imaging range of the surgical field camera.

[0009] (2) The surgical field camera device according to this invention is characterized in that the irradiation unit irradiates with the same field of view as a surgical field camera.

[0010] Therefore, the imaging range of the surgical field camera can be displayed appropriately.

[0011] (3) The surgical field camera device according to this invention is characterized in that the markers indicate at least four corners of the imaging range.

[0012] Therefore, the imaging range of the surgical field camera can be displayed appropriately.

[0013] (4) The surgical field camera device according to this invention is characterized in that the irradiation unit irradiates in the direction of the outermost part of the imaging range of the surgical field camera.

[0014] Therefore, the outermost part of the imaging range of the surgical field camera can be displayed appropriately.

[0015] (5) The surgical field camera device according to this invention further includes a switch that enters a first state when an operator holds an adjustment member for adjustment, and enters a second state when the operator does not hold the adjustment member, and a control unit that controls the illumination unit to display a marker when the switch is in the first state, and to not display a marker when the switch is in the second state.

[0016] Therefore, the marker display can be activated only when adjusting the imaging range of the surgical field camera.

[0017] (6) The method for adjusting a surgical field camera according to the present invention is an adjustment method in which an operator adjusts the imaging position and imaging direction of a surgical field camera by operating it, wherein a marker indicating the imaging range of the surgical field camera is displayed on the object to be imaged, and the imaging position and imaging direction of the surgical field camera are adjusted while confirming the imaging range with the marker.

[0018] Therefore, it is easy to adjust the imaging range of the surgical field camera.

[0019] (7) The surgical field camera device according to the present invention comprises a surgical field camera, a movable mechanism capable of changing the imaging position and imaging direction of the surgical field camera, an adjustment member for adjusting the imaging position and imaging direction of the surgical field camera by the movable mechanism when operated by an operator, and an illumination unit for displaying a position marker on the wall of the operating room from the surgical field camera, characterized in that the operator aligns the position marker with a target display provided on the wall of the operating room by operating the adjustment member, and sets the surgical field camera to a desired imaging position and imaging direction.

[0020] Therefore, the imaging position and direction of the surgical field camera can be easily adjusted.

[0021] (8) The surgical field camera device according to this invention further includes a switch that enters a first state when an operator holds an adjustment member for adjustment, and enters a second state when the operator does not hold the adjustment member, and a control unit that controls the illumination unit to display a position marker when the switch is in the first state, and to not display a position marker when the switch is in the second state.

[0022] Therefore, markers can be displayed only when adjusting the imaging position and direction of the surgical field camera.

[0023] (9) The surgical field camera device according to this invention is characterized in that the position marker displays position markers on at least two fixed surfaces.

[0024] Therefore, the imaging position and direction of the surgical field camera can be appropriately adjusted.

[0025] (10) The method for adjusting a surgical field camera according to the present invention is an adjustment method for adjusting the imaging position and imaging direction of a surgical field camera by an operator, characterized in that the position marker display is projected from the surgical field camera toward the wall of the operating room, and the imaging position and imaging direction of the surgical field camera are adjusted so that the position marker display matches a target display provided on the wall of the operating room.

[0026] Therefore, the imaging position and direction of the surgical field camera can be easily adjusted.

[0027] (11) The operating room according to the present invention is an operating room for installing a surgical field camera device, and is equipped with a target display on at least one wall, wherein the target display is used to adjust the imaging position and imaging direction of the surgical field camera so that a position marker projected from the surgical field camera toward the wall of the operating room matches the target display.

[0028] Therefore, it is possible to provide an operating room where the imaging position and direction of the surgical field camera can be easily adjusted.

[0029] The term "device" is a concept that includes not only devices composed of a single computer, but also devices composed of multiple computers connected via a network or the like. Therefore, if some or all of the means of the present invention are distributed across multiple computers (for example, distributed across a server device and terminal devices), these multiple computers constitute the device.

[0030] The term "program" is a concept that includes not only programs that can be directly executed by the CPU, but also source code programs, compressed programs, encrypted programs, and programs that work in conjunction with the operating system to perform their functions.

[0031] This figure shows the configuration of a surgical field camera device according to one embodiment of the present invention. This figure shows the irradiation control of the laser irradiator 20 by a touch switch 34. This figure shows electrodes 9 and 11 provided on the handle 8. This figure shows the relationship between the imaging range of the surgical field camera 2 and the irradiation positions of the laser irradiators 20 and 24. This figure shows laser irradiators 20, 22, 24 and 26 according to other examples. This figure shows laser irradiator 21 according to other examples. This figure shows the process of correcting the misalignment of the optical axes of the surgical field camera 2 and the laser irradiator 21. This figure shows the configuration of a surgical field camera device according to a second embodiment. This figure shows target indicators 90 and 92 provided on the wall and the displayed position markers 80 and 82. This figure shows the circuit for controlling the illumination of the laser irradiators 60 and 62. This figure shows a conventional surgical field camera device.

[0032] 1. First Embodiment Figure 1.1 shows the configuration of a surgical field camera device according to one embodiment of the present invention. The surgical field camera 2 is attached to the support column 12 via a link structure 10, which is a movable mechanism. Therefore, the imaging direction and position of the surgical field camera 2 can be adjusted by the 3-degree-of-freedom link structure 10. The surgical field camera 2 is provided with a handle 8, and by operating this, the imaging direction and position of the surgical field camera 2 can be adjusted.

[0033] The surgical field camera 2 is surrounded by linear laser beam irradiators 20, 22, 24, and 26, which serve as irradiation units. Inside the housing of the surgical field camera 2, there is a lighting control circuit for controlling the irradiation of the laser beam irradiator 20.

[0034] Figure 2 shows the laser beam irradiator 20, the lighting control circuit 32, etc. A power source 36, such as a dry cell battery (commercial power supply may also be used), is connected to the laser beam irradiator 20 via the control circuit 32 and the touch switch 34. The lighting control circuit 32 is a circuit for stably irradiating with laser light from the laser beam irradiator 20. The touch switch 34 is a switch configured to turn on when the operator grips the handle 8.

[0035] Figure 3 shows the electrodes 9 and 11 of the touch switch 34. The electrodes 9 and 11 are arranged to surround the outer circumference of the handle 8 in Figure 1. The capacitance detection circuit 31 of the touch switch 34 (see Figure 2) detects the capacitance between electrodes 9 and 11. When the operator grips the handle 8, the capacitance between electrodes 9 and 11 changes, and this change is detected to turn on the switch 33. Therefore, when the operator grips the handle 8 to adjust the imaging direction and position of the surgical field camera 2, the switch 33 turns on and the laser light irradiators 20, 22, 24, and 26 light up.

[0036] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the surgical field camera 2 and the laser light irradiator 20. The surgical field camera 2 performs imaging with a field of view 3, so the imaging range changes depending on the distance to the surgical area 4 which is the target of imaging. In Figure 3, the field of view 3 is indicated by ends 3a and 3b, and the imaging range is indicated by ends 3x and 3z.

[0037] In this embodiment, laser beam irradiators 20, 22, 24, and 26, which are installed on the outside of the surgical field camera 2, are used to irradiate laser light along the edges 3a and 3b of the field of view 3. Therefore, in the surgical area 4 visible through the hole in the covering cloth, laser markers 40 and 44 are displayed near the edges 3x and 3z of the imaging range of the surgical field camera 2. Similarly, markers 42 and 46 are displayed in a cross section perpendicular to the cross section in Figure 4, so as shown in Figure 1, markers 40, 42, 44, and 46 indicating the edges of the imaging range are displayed in the surgical area 4.

[0038] The operator adjusts the imaging direction and position of the surgical field camera 2 by operating the handle 8. Accordingly, the markers 40, 42, 44, and 46, which indicate the edges of the imaging range, also move and change. Therefore, the operator can directly visually confirm the imaging range of the surgical field camera 2 using the markers 40, 42, 44, and 46, and adjust the imaging direction and position of the surgical field camera 2.

[0039] The images captured by the surgical field camera 2 are provided to the display 6 by a control circuit (not shown) and displayed. Therefore, the images of the imaging range confirmed by the markers 40, 42, 44, and 46 are displayed on the display 6. This allows for the appropriate display of images of the surgical site 4 during surgery on the display 6.

[0040] Furthermore, when the operator releases their hand from the handle, the touch switch 34 turns off, stopping the laser beam irradiation, and the markers 40, 42, 44, and 46 disappear. Therefore, the markers 40, 42, 44, and 46 are displayed only when the operator wants to adjust the imaging direction and position of the surgical field camera 2, and are not displayed at all other times, thus avoiding bothersome displays.

[0041] In the prior art, an image captured by the surgical field camera 2 is displayed on the display 6 so that the imaging direction and position of the surgical field camera 2 can be adjusted. However, in order to display the captured image of the surgical field camera 2 on the display 6, it was necessary to turn on the power of related devices including the surgical field camera 2 and the display 6. For this reason, there was a problem that the surgical field camera 2 could not be adjusted at the preparation stage when the power of the devices in the operating room was not turned on, such as before surgery.

[0042] However, according to the above embodiment, since the power supply 36 for driving the laser light irradiators 20, 22, 24, 26 is provided separately from the power supplies of the surgical field camera 2, the display 6, the system, etc., the surgical field camera 2 can be adjusted even at the preparation stage when the power of the devices in the operating room is not turned on.

[0043] 1.2 Variations and Others (1) In the above embodiment, a capacitive touch switch is used as the touch switch 34. However, other touch switches such as resistive and inductive types may be used. Also, instead of a non-contact type, a switch that directly detects the grasping of the handle 8, such as a micro switch, may be used.

[0044] (2) In the above embodiment, a laser light source is used as the light source. However, a light source with collimation provided using a collimator lens or the like, a fiber light source, etc. may be used.

[0045] (3) In the above embodiment, linear markers 40, 42, 44, 46 are irradiated. However, a plurality of point-irradiating laser light sources may be arranged so that the markers are irradiated linearly. Also, as shown in FIG. 5, laser light sources 20, 22, 24, 26 for performing point irradiation may be provided to display markers 40, 42, 44, 46 indicating the four corners of the imaging range.

[0046] (4) In the above embodiment, laser light sources 20, 22, 24, 26 for line irradiation are used. However, as shown in FIG. 6, a laser light source 21 for surface irradiation may be used to display a marker 41 over the entire imaging range.

[0047] In this case, it is impossible to completely align the optical axis of the surgical field camera 2 with the optical axis of the laser light source 21. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7A, the imaging range 39 and the marker 41 will be displaced.

[0048] Therefore, this problem can be solved by using a laser light source 21 that can control the presence or absence of laser light irradiation for each pixel like a projector. As shown in FIG. 7B, the laser irradiation range 43 by the laser light source 21 is widened to include the imaging range 39. Then, a control circuit (not shown) irradiates the laser only on the imaging range 39 (does not irradiate the laser on parts other than the imaging range 39). By doing so, the marker 41 can be aligned with the imaging range 39.

[0049] Note that the control circuit (not shown) can calculate the coordinates of the imaging range 39 based on the distance from the surgical field camera 2 to the surgical site 4 (measurable by a distance sensor) and the posture / angle of the surgical field camera 2 (measurable by a sensor provided in the link structure 10), and control to irradiate laser light only in this range. In this case, a CPU may be used as the control circuit, and the above processing may be performed by a program.

[0050] (i) In the above embodiment, the touch switch 34 is provided so that the marker is displayed only when the operator holds the handle 8. However, it may be controlled to be turned on and off by a manual switch without providing the touch switch 34.

[0051] (ii) In the above embodiment, the operator operates the handle 8 (adjustment member) for adjustment. However, as long as the position and direction of the surgical field camera 2 can be adjusted by driving the link structure 10, a member other than the handle 8 may be used as the adjustment member. For example, the operator may hold and adjust a part of the link structure 10. In this case, the part of the link structure 10 becomes the adjustment member. Also, the housing of the surgical field camera 2 itself may be operated for adjustment. In this case, the housing of the surgical field camera 2 itself becomes the adjustment member.

[0052] (7) In the above embodiment, a link mechanism 10 with three degrees of freedom is used. However, a link mechanism with one degree of freedom or two degrees of freedom may also be used.

[0053] (8) The above embodiments and their modifications can be implemented in combination with each other. They can also be implemented in combination with other embodiments and their modifications.

[0054] 2. Second Embodiment 2.1 Configuration and Operation In the first embodiment, a marker indicating the imaging range of the surgical field camera 2 is displayed using a laser light source. In contrast, in the second embodiment, a position marker indicating the orientation and position of the surgical field camera 2 is displayed using a laser light source.

[0055] Figure 8 shows the configuration of a surgical field camera device according to one embodiment of the present invention. The surgical field camera 2 is attached to the support column 12 via a link structure 10. Therefore, the imaging direction and position of the surgical field camera 2 can be adjusted by the three-degree-of-freedom link structure 10. The surgical field camera 2 is provided with a handle 8, and by operating this, the imaging direction and position of the surgical field camera 2 can be adjusted.

[0056] Laser light irradiators 60 and 62 are provided on the sides of the surgical field camera 2 as irradiation units. A laser light irradiator 64 is also provided on the top. The irradiation directions of these laser irradiators 60, 62, and 64 are set to be perpendicular to each other. A lighting control circuit for controlling the irradiation of these laser light irradiators 60, 62, and 64 is provided inside the housing of the surgical field camera 2.

[0057] Figure 10 shows the configuration of the lighting control circuit. A power source 36, such as a dry cell battery, is connected to the laser beam irradiators 60, 62, and 64 via the control circuit 32 and switch 70. The lighting control circuit 32 is a circuit for stably irradiating the laser beam irradiators 60, 62, and 64. Switch 70 is a switch that can be manually turned on and off by the operator. When switch 70 is turned on, irradiation is performed by the laser beam irradiators 60, 62, and 64, and when it is turned off, irradiation stops.

[0058] When the operator turns on switch 70, the laser light irradiators 60, 62, and 64, located on the side of the surgical field camera 2, begin irradiating. This causes position markers to appear on the two walls and the ceiling of the operating room. Figure 9 shows the position markers 80 and 82 displayed on the two walls of the operating room. A position marker will also appear on the ceiling, but this is omitted in Figure 9.

[0059] Target markers 90 and 92 are pre-installed on the walls by methods such as printing or pasting. Similarly, target markers are also pre-installed on the ceiling.

[0060] The operator moves the direction and position of the surgical field camera 2 using the handle 8, adjusting it so that the position markers 80 and 82 displayed on the wall and the position markers displayed on the ceiling align with the target markings 90 and 92 on the wall and the target markings on the ceiling, respectively. The target markings 90 and 92 on the wall and the target markings on the ceiling are set up so that the surgical field camera 2 will be in a predetermined desired direction and position when the direction and position of the surgical field camera 2 are adjusted to align with the position markers 80 and 82 on the wall and the position markers on the ceiling. Therefore, if the position of the bed is fixed, the imaging range of the surgical field camera 2 can be set to the desired position.

[0061] In conventional technology, the surgical field camera 2 was adjusted while checking the captured image displayed on the display 6. Therefore, special medical knowledge and skills were required to determine whether the adjustment was appropriate. However, with this embodiment, it is only necessary to align the position marker with the target display, so the surgical field camera 2 can be properly adjusted without requiring special skills or knowledge.

[0062] 2.2 Modifications and Others (1) The above embodiment is applied when setting the imaging range. However, it can also be applied when only setting the imaging direction and position of the surgical field camera 2.

[0063] (2) In the above embodiment, target indicators are provided on two walls and the ceiling, and the position markers are projected onto them. That is, the walls and ceiling are used as fixed surfaces. However, the surface that is fixed when the surgical field camera 2 is being adjusted (such as the surface of the rack) may be used as the fixed surface, and the position markers may be displayed on it.

[0064] (3) In the above embodiment, a three-degree-of-freedom link mechanism 10 is used. However, a one-degree-of-freedom or two-degree-of-freedom link mechanism may also be used. When using a two-degree-of-freedom (one-degree-of-freedom) link mechanism, target indicators can be provided on two (one) fixed surfaces such as walls, floors, or ceilings.

[0065] (4) In the above embodiment, the target is indicated by printing or a sticker. However, the target may also be indicated by laser irradiation from a laser irradiator installed on a fixed and immovable part (for example, the fixed support column 12 in Figure 8).

[0066] Furthermore, if the surgical field camera needs to be readjusted during surgery, a laser light irradiator can be used to display position markers, and the target markers can be reattached to those positions. This allows for proper adjustment of the surgical field camera during subsequent surgeries.

[0067] (5) In the above embodiment, a target display is provided on the wall and the position marker is projected onto it. Therefore, if the position of the bed is not fixed, the imaging range of the surgical field camera 2 cannot be set. However, if the target display is provided on the bed itself and the position marker is projected onto the bed, the imaging range can be set appropriately even when the bed is moving.

[0068] (6) In the above embodiment, the laser irradiators 60 and 62 are switched on and off by a manual switch 70. However, as in the first embodiment, they may be turned on and irradiated when the operator grips the handle 8.

[0069] (7) The above embodiments and their modifications can be implemented in combination with each other. They can also be implemented in combination with other embodiments and their modifications.

Claims

1. A surgical field camera device comprising: a surgical field camera; a movable mechanism capable of changing the imaging position and imaging direction of the surgical field camera; an adjustment member for adjusting the imaging position and imaging direction of the surgical field camera by the movable mechanism when operated by an operator; and an illumination unit provided in close proximity to the surgical field camera for displaying a marker indicating the imaging range of the surgical field camera on the object to be imaged.

2. The surgical field camera device according to claim 1, characterized in that the irradiation unit irradiates with the same field of view as the surgical field camera.

3. A surgical field camera device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the markers indicate at least four corners of the imaging range.

4. The surgical field camera device according to claim 3, characterized in that the irradiation unit irradiates in the direction of the outermost part of the imaging range of the surgical field camera.

5. A surgical field camera device according to claim 1, further comprising: a switch that enters a first state when the operator holds the adjustment member for adjustment, and enters a second state when the operator does not hold the adjustment member; and a control unit that controls the illumination unit to display a marker when the switch is in the first state, and to not display a marker when the switch is in the second state.

6. An adjustment method for adjusting the imaging position and imaging direction of a surgical field camera by an operator, wherein a marker indicating the imaging range of the surgical field camera is displayed on the object to be imaged, and the imaging position and imaging direction of the surgical field camera are adjusted while confirming the imaging range using the marker.

7. A surgical field camera device comprising: a surgical field camera; a movable mechanism capable of changing the imaging position and imaging direction of the surgical field camera; an adjustment member for adjusting the imaging position and imaging direction of the surgical field camera by the movable mechanism when operated by an operator; and an illumination unit for displaying a position marker on the wall of the operating room from the surgical field camera, wherein the operator operates the adjustment member to align the position marker with a target display provided on the wall of the operating room and set the surgical field camera to a desired imaging position and imaging direction.

8. A surgical field camera device according to claim 7, further comprising: a switch that enters a first state when the operator holds the adjustment member for adjustment, and enters a second state when the operator does not hold the adjustment member; and a control unit that controls the illumination unit to display a position marker when the switch is in the first state, and to not display a position marker when the switch is in the second state.

9. The surgical field camera device according to claim 7, characterized in that the position marker displays position markers on at least two fixed surfaces.

10. An adjustment method for adjusting the imaging position and imaging direction of a surgical field camera by an operator, wherein the surgical field camera projects a position marker display toward the wall of the operating room, and the imaging position and imaging direction of the surgical field camera are adjusted so that the position marker display aligns with a target display provided on the wall of the operating room.

11. An operating room for installing a surgical field camera device, wherein at least one wall is equipped with a target display, the target display is used to adjust the imaging position and imaging direction of the surgical field camera so that a position marker projected from the surgical field camera toward the wall of the operating room aligns with the target display.

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