Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080221447 | MEDICAL APPARATUS OBTAINING INFORMATION INDICATIVE OF INTERNAL STATE OF AN OBJECT BASED ON INTERACTION BETWEEN SOUND WAVES AND LIGHT - A medical apparatus acquires information indicating an internal state of a region being examined of an object based on a modulated component of light caused by interaction with ultrasound waves in the region. In the apparatus, light radiating component have a light radiating member radiating the light toward the region of the object, and light detecting components have a light detecting member detecting light that has been transmitted through the region of the object. The light radiating and detecting components are supported by support components to be opposed to each other with the region located between the light radiating and detecting members. An ultrasound emitting component emits the ultrasound waves toward the region from a direction different from a radiating direction of the light radiated from the light radiating member. The emitted ultrasound waves modulates the radiated light. | 09-11-2008 |
20080306338 | LIVING BODY OBSERVATION APPARATUS - A white light from a lamp passes through R, G, and B filters of a rotating filter and turns into broadband R, G, and B frame sequential illumination lights. The lights are applied to a living mucous membrane in a body cavity through an electronic endoscope, and sequential image pickup is performed by a CCD. Output signals from the CCD are sequentially switched by a selector in a filter circuit. An R signal, a G signal, and a B signal pass through the filter circuit | 12-11-2008 |
20090040298 | LIVING BODY OBSERVATION DEVICE - A light source unit, which is connected to a control unit and an endoscope, radiates a pre-determined light quantity of white light based on a signal from the control unit. The light source unit includes a lamp as a white light source, an infrared cut filter, a light quantity limiting filter, being inserted/removed on an optical path, for limiting light quantity in a pre-determined wavelength region of white light, a filter insertion/removal driving unit for inserting/removing the light quantity limiting filter on an optical path, and a condensing lens for outputting white light. For example, when a transmission rate of a blue band is 100%, the light quantity limiting filter limits transmission rates of other bands to 50%. This improves S/N in discrete spectral image generation with illumination light in a visible light region. | 02-12-2009 |
20090041319 | LIVING BODY OBSERVATION SYSTEM - A living body observation system of the present invention includes an illumination unit for sequentially emitting as an illumination light a plurality of broad band lights and at least one narrow band light to a subject in a living body to illuminate the subject; an image pickup unit for picking up each image of the subject illuminated by the illumination unit and outputting the image as an image pickup signal; a first image generation unit for, based on the image pickup signals, generating a first observation image according to the plurality of broad band lights, and generating a second observation image according to at least one broad band light of the plurality of broad band lights, and the at least one narrow band light, using predetermined signal processing; and a second image generation unit for combining the first observation image and the second observation image to generate one image. | 02-12-2009 |
20090043156 | MEDICAL APPARATUS OBTAINING INFORMATION INDICATIVE OF INTERNAL STATE OF AN OBJECT BASED ON INTERACTION BETWEEN ULTRASOUND WAVES AND LIGHT - A biological observation system is provided, which is mounted in en endoscope so as to acquire information indicating the internal state of a body tissue of an object using the interaction between ultrasound waves and light. The endoscope is equipped with an ultrasound generating member, a light transmitting/receiving member, and a moving member. The ultrasound generating member generates ultrasound waves toward a region to be examined of an object. The light transmitting/receiving member radiates light from a light source toward the region to be examined and receives light reflected by a region of the ultrasound waves within the region to be examined. The moving member spatially moves both the ultrasound generating member and the light transmitting/receiving member together as a unitary member. | 02-12-2009 |
20090048489 | MEDICAL APPARATUS OBTAINING INFORMATION INDICATIVE OF INTERNAL STATE OF AN OBJECT BASED ON INTERACTION BETWEEN ULTRASOUND WAVES AND LIGHT - In a medical apparatus, an ultrasound generator generates ultrasound waves to be radiated into the region, and an ultrasound radiating-direction changing member changes in the region a radiating direction of the ultrasound waves to be generated by the ultrasound generator. An ultrasound converging member converges in the region the ultrasound waves subjected to the change of the radiating direction. Light which is reachable to the region is emitted from a light source unit. A light transmitting/receiving member radiates light emitted from the light source unit and receives light reflected in a converged region of the ultrasound waves in the region. Based on the reflected light, information showing the internal state in a desired deeper region in the membrana mucosa of the body tissue of the object. | 02-19-2009 |
20090082626 | ENDOSCOPE AND ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM - An endoscope has an insertion portion, an abutment portion, an increasing device and an observation portion. The insertion portion is an insertion portion which can be inserted into a subject. The abutment portion is provided at a distal end portion of the insertion portion. The abutment portion provided at the distal end portion can contact with the subject. The increasing device increases the abutment area of the abutment portion. The observation portion performs observation of the subject on the abutment portion provided at the distal end portion and having been increased by the increasing device, or performs observation of the subject spaced by a predetermined distance by the increased abutment portion. | 03-26-2009 |
20090088601 | ENDOSCOPE AND ENDOSCOPY METHOD - An endoscope has an insertion portion, a contact portion, an observation portion and a marking portion. The insertion portion can be inserted into a body cavity. The contact portion is provided at a distal end portion of the insertion portion. The contact portion provided at the distal end portion can be in contact with a subject. The observation portion is provided at the contact portion. The marking portion is provided at the contact portion. The marking portion applies a marker to the subject with which the contact portion is in contact. | 04-02-2009 |
20090123043 | Method and System for Correlating Image and Tissue Characteristic Data - Capsule type endoscopes generate large amounts of in-vivo image data that requires review and analysis by a doctor or clinician. By not reviewing the images gathered from healthy tissue, and only focusing on images indicating potential abnormalities, the time it takes to review the data can be greatly reduced. By correlating the tissue images with a characteristic known to indicate a potential abnormality, only the suspect images need to be reviewed. | 05-14-2009 |
20090124853 | Capsule Blood Detection System and Method - A capsule for determining the blood content of living tissue in vivo in a patient to detect tumors. The capsule includes a light source and a light detector for directing light onto the tissue and for receiving interacted light therefrom. By analyzing the interacted lights a determination can be made of the blood content of that tissue. There are various ways of positioning the capsule so that it contacts the tissue in the desired orientation of the light source and light detector. There is also a system for determining the actual contact between the capsule and the tissue. A calibration system is also used that allows a self calibration that can be carried out easily and accurately just prior to the use of the capsule. | 05-14-2009 |
20090124874 | Blood Content Detecting Capsule - A capsule employing components for detecting blood content or hemoglobin concentration within tissue forming a lumen in vivo advantageously permits screening or diagnosis of certain diseases. In one embodiment, the capsule includes a light source for intermittently illuminating a region of tissue and a light detector for receiving interacted light from the tissue and hemoglobin therein. Methods of validating data of interacted light signal are also disclosed. A power conservation method of detecting the blood content values at different rates is further disclosed. | 05-14-2009 |
20090306522 | Method and Apparatus for Detecting Abnormal Living Tissue - Light scattering and absorption techniques for the detection of possible abnormal living tissue. Apparatus and methods for utilizing multiple blood content detection sensors and/or contact sensors for beneficially providing data to better guide an endoscope or colonoscope to locate abnormal tissue, tumors, or tissues that precede the development of such lesions or tumors. | 12-10-2009 |
20100004520 | Method and Apparatus for Foreign Matter Detection For Blood Content Sensors - Apparatus and methods for detecting and removing foreign matter on an in vivo blood content sensor window utilizing time and wavelength techniques to provide more beneficial information to an operator to facilitate for more accurate blood content readings. | 01-07-2010 |
20100005850 | CALIBRATION METHODS FOR BLOOD CONTENT SENSORS - Methods for calibrating blood content sensors used independently or in conjunction with medical instruments such as traditional or capsule type endoscopes. | 01-14-2010 |
20100022858 | SUBJECT OBSERVATION APPARATUS AND SUBJECT OBSERVATION METHOD - A subject observation apparatus of the invention includes: a light-emitting section for emitting a light to a subject; an optical modulation section for detecting a scattering angle of a return light from the subject and performing optical modulation on the return light in accordance with the scattering angle; and a signal output section for generating a signal to show a state of light scattering in the subject based on the light subjected to the optical modulation by the optical modulation section, and outputting the generated signal. | 01-28-2010 |
20100051789 | IMAGING SYSTEM - An imaging system according to the present invention includes: a light source unit which emits illuminating light to illuminate an object; an illuminating-light transmitting unit which transmits the illuminating light; a timing adjustment unit which, being placed between the illuminating-light transmitting unit and the object, varies timing with which rays contained in the illuminating light which has passed through the illuminating-light transmitting unit reach a surface of the object; a reflected-light incidence unit upon which reflected light coming from the surface of the object is incident; a light detection unit which temporally breaks down the reflected light incident upon the reflected-light incidence unit, converts the reflected light into an electrical signal, and outputs the electrical signal in sequence; and a signal processing unit which converts the electrical signal outputted in sequence by the light detection unit into pixel information about an optical image on the surface of the object. | 03-04-2010 |
20110270035 | ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS - An endoscope apparatus of the invention includes: an endoscope including an objective optical system capable of changing an observation magnification; a light source device capable of selectively emitting broadband light including a visible light region and narrow-band lights of a plurality of wavelength bands obtained by discretizing light in the visible light region; an observation magnification changing instruction section for issuing a magnification changing instruction for gradually increasing or decreasing the observation magnification of the objective optical system; and a mode switching section for switching the light emitted from the light source device from the broadband light to the narrow-band lights of the plurality of wavelength bands when detecting that the observation magnification gradually increases to reach a predetermined observation magnification based on the magnification changing instruction. | 11-03-2011 |
20110275898 | Biological measurement apparatus, biological observation apparatus and operation method for biological measurement apparatus - A biological measurement apparatus includes: an endoscope including a treatment instrument insertion channel provided inside an insertion portion; a pump that delivers water into the treatment instrument insertion channel; an optical system, etc., that guide light from a light source that emits light in a predetermined wavelength band into the water delivered into the treatment instrument insertion channel; and a spectroscope that detects return light resulting from the light passing through the water, falling on and being reflected by an object and returning while passing through the water when the water is delivered from the pump. | 11-10-2011 |
20120120487 | ENDOSCOPE AND ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS - An endoscope includes: a first illumination optical system which emits illuminating light in a first linear polarization direction to an object from a distal end face of an insertion portion; and a first objective optical system which allows return light from the object to enter through an objective window provided in the distal end face; wherein the first illumination optical system and the first objective optical system are placed in a positional relationship such that on the distal end face, a line segment connecting an optical axis of the first illumination optical system and an optical axis of the first objective optical system is parallel or perpendicular to a polarization direction which results when the illuminating light emitted from the first illumination optical system is projected to the distal end face, and no polarizing element is provided between the object and the objective window. | 05-17-2012 |
20130016347 | PROBE AND OPTICAL MEASUREMENT APPARATUS - A probe detachably connected to an optical measurement apparatus includes: a fiber that emits light by the optical measurement apparatus, and outputs reflected light and/or scattered light from an object to be measured; a covering member that covers a side face of the fiber; a cap that covers a distal end of the probe; a standard object that is provided on a surface of the cap facing the distal end of the fiber and that is used in calibration measurement by light emitted from the distal end of the fiber; an adhesive member that adheres the cap to the distal end of the probe and is made of an adhesive material; a heat-generating portion that generates heat to be applied to the adhesive member; and a thermal conduction portion that conducts heat that decreases the adhesive strength of the adhesive material with respect to the covering member. | 01-17-2013 |
20130016351 | OPTICAL MEASUREMENT APPARATUS AND OPTICAL MEASUREMENT SYSTEM - An optical measurement apparatus, to which a base end portion of a measurement probe introduced into a subject is connected so that scattering light from the subject through the measurement probe can be measured, includes: a calibration member serving as an irradiation target of illumination light; an insertion portion where a leading end of the measurement probe can be inserted; a housing portion that communicates with the insertion portion and accommodates the calibration member; a detection unit that detects insertion of the measurement probe when the calibration member reaches a predetermined position in the housing portion; and a control unit that performs control for initiating the calibration process when the detection unit detects the insertion of the measurement probe. | 01-17-2013 |
20130123644 | OPTICAL MEASUREMENT APPARATUS, ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM, AND COMPUTER READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM - An optical measurement apparatus of the present invention includes a light source unit; an operation unit that performs an operation process on the basis of a result of the measurement performed by a measurement unit to obtain a characteristic value of a living tissue; a validity evaluator that evaluates, on the basis of an operation result of the operation process performed by the operation unit, whether the result of the measurement is valid; an output unit that outputs a result of the evaluation performed by the validity evaluator; an input unit that inputs an instruction to adopt the result of the measurement performed by the measurement unit; and a determination unit that determines, on the basis of the result of the evaluation performed by the validity evaluator and the instruction information from the input unit, whether to adopt the result of the measurement performed by the measurement unit. | 05-16-2013 |
20130271768 | OPTICAL MEASUREMENT APPARATUS AND OPTICAL MEASUREMENT SYSTEM - An optical measurement apparatus includes a connector where a base end portion of a measurement probe introduced into a subject is connected, a light source unit that emits illumination light irradiated from a leading end of the measurement probe, an optical measurement unit that measures reflection light and/or scattering light of the illumination light incident through the measurement probe, a first optical path that transmits the illumination light emitted by the light source unit to the optical measurement unit, a second optical path that transmits, to the measurement probe, the illumination light emitted by the light source unit and transmits, to the optical measurement unit, reflection light and/or scattering light of the illumination light incident through the measurement probe, and an optical path switching unit that switches an optical path for transmitting the illumination light into the first optical path or the second optical path. | 10-17-2013 |
20140018623 | CONTROL APPARATUS, BIO-OPTICAL MEASUREMENT APPARATUS AND ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM - A control apparatus controls a bio-optical measurement apparatus which is configured to be inserted into a subject through an endoscopic device and is configured to perform an optical measurement of a biological tissue in the subject. The endoscopic device is configured to capture, by inserting a distal end part of the endoscopic device into the subject, in-vivo images of the subject by an imaging unit provided at the distal end part. The control apparatus includes a position determining unit configured to determine a position of the distal end part in the subject, and a permission signal outputting unit configured to output a permission signal for permitting the bio-optical measurement apparatus to perform the optical measurement based on a determination result by the position determining unit. | 01-16-2014 |
20140046135 | MEASUREMENT PROBE - A measurement probe is detachably connected to a living body optical measurement apparatus which optically measures a body tissue. The measurement probe includes an illumination fiber which radiates illumination light on the body tissue, a light reception fiber which receives return light of the illumination light reflected and/or scattered by the body tissue, an optical element which abuts on the illumination fiber and the light reception fiber, and fixes a distance between the illumination fiber and the light reception fiber, and the body tissue, an optical member which is provided at a tip of the measurement probe, and which includes a hollow portion which forms a hollow space, and a transmittance change unit which is provided in the hollow portion, and which changes a transmittance of light incident on an interior of the measurement probe in response to a load from an outside. | 02-13-2014 |
20140081149 | OPTICAL MEASUREMENT APPARATUS - An optical measurement apparatus according to the present invention includes a probe having an irradiation fiber that propagates light supplied from a base end and irradiates the light from a leading end and a plurality of light receiving fibers that propagate light incident from leading ends and output the light from base ends; a light source unit that generates white light to be irradiated onto the body tissue and supplies the white light to the irradiation fiber; a measurement unit that performs spectrometry for returned light from the body tissue output from each of the light receiving fibers at a predetermined measurement timing; and a determination unit that determines whether or not a measurement value measured by the measurement unit is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold value, and causes the light source unit to perform a light emission process for obtaining a characteristic value of the body tissue for a predetermined time and causes the measurement unit to perform a spectrometry process for obtaining a characteristic value of the body tissue for the predetermined time if it is determined that the measurement value measured by the measurement unit is equal to or smaller than the predetermined threshold value. | 03-20-2014 |
20140114196 | MEASUREMENT PROBE, BIO-OPTICAL MEASUREMENT APPARATUS AND BIO-OPTICAL MEASUREMENT SYSTEM - A measurement probe has a fiber bundle formed by irregularly bundling a plurality of optical fibers, is detachably connected to a bio-optical measurement apparatus performing optical measurement to a biological tissue that is an object to be measured, and includes a recording unit | 04-24-2014 |
20140146320 | OPTICAL MEASUREMENT APPARATUS AND OPTICAL MEASUREMENT SYSTEM - An optical measurement apparatus is configured to detachably connect to a measurement probe for performing optical measurement by receiving and outputting light from a tip of the measurement probe. The optical measurement apparatus includes a computation unit configured to compute intensity of the light inputted to the measurement probe, and output the intensity as measurement data, a recording unit configured to record the measurement data of at least one subject, a reset controller configured to perform control of deleting the measurement data recorded in the recording unit and resetting the recording unit, and a detector which is provided at a connection part between the optical measurement apparatus and the measurement probe, and which is configured to detect that the measurement probe is attached to the optical measurement apparatus and cause the reset controller to be in an on state according to the detection. | 05-29-2014 |
20140204188 | ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS AND DETERIORATION DETECTION METHOD OF POLARIZATION ELEMENT OF ENDOSCOPE - An endoscope apparatus includes a flash memory that stores a reference value of a color balance adjustment value of an endoscopic image of an endoscope that picks up an object through a polarizer. The endoscope calculates, from the reference value and the color balance adjustment value of the endoscope after elapse of a predetermined time period, an amount of change in the color balance adjustment value; judges whether or not the calculated amount of change is equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold; and, when the amount of change is equal to or larger than the predetermined threshold, outputs a predetermined output. | 07-24-2014 |
20140206934 | BIOLOGICAL OPTICAL MEASUREMENT APPARATUS, MEASUREMENT PROBE, AND BIOLOGICAL OPTICAL MEASUREMENT SYSTEM - A biological optical measurement apparatus includes a connector unit to which a measurement probe is detachably connected, a supply unit configured to supply air to the connector unit, a pipe that connects the connector unit and the supply unit, a pressure detection unit configured to detect a pressure value in the pipe, and an abrasion determination unit configured to determine abrasion of the connector unit based on the pressure value detected by the pressure detection unit under conditions that the measurement probe is connected to the connector unit. | 07-24-2014 |
20140371602 | OPTICAL MEASURING DEVICE AND FIBER BUNDLE ASSOCIATION METHOD - An optical measuring device includes: a light source unit; a measurement probe including a fiber bundle, an illumination fiber that illuminates a living tissue with a illumination light, and a plurality of light-receiving fibers that receives return light of the illumination light reflected and/or scattered at the living tissue; a detection unit that receives the return light of the illumination light detected by the plurality of respective light-receiving fibers, and performs photoelectric conversion to detect respective signal intensities; and an association unit that associates the respective signal intensities detected by the detection unit with distances from the illumination fiber to the respective light-receiving fibers on an end face of a distal end portion of the measurement probe, when light having an intensity gradient around the illumination fiber is projected to the end face of the distal end portion of the measurement probe. | 12-18-2014 |