Medical imaging device

A medical imaging device. The medical imaging device includes a device body and an operation unit. The device body has a first mating portion on its upper surface, and the operation unit has a second mating portion configured to movably mate with the first mating portion. The operation unit is provided separately from the device body, and the operation unit is configured to operate the device.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a medical imaging device, and specifically relates to a medical imaging device having a detector detecting light from the inside of a subject body.

Medical imaging devices with a detector for detecting light from the inside of a subject body are widely known including, for example, the device described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-188559.

The medical imaging device described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-188559 irradiates a subject with infrared from an infrared source to excite fluorochrome injected into the subject body. Light (infrared beams) generated from the fluorochrome by infrared radiation is imaged by a camera, and the image taken by the camera is displayed on a display. The medical imaging device further includes an input unit (operation unit) and is operated using the input unit.

Some conventional medical imaging devices, such as the device described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-188559, have an input unit provided separately from the device body. During use of such a medical imaging device, the input unit separately provided from the device body is sometimes put on a flat upper surface of the device body. The input unit may also be put on the flat upper surface of the device body with the intention of storing the input unit or of keeping the input unit during move of the device to another room.

In such a medical imaging device as described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-188559, the flat upper surface of the device body is sometimes used as a place to deposit a monitor, documents (such as charts), and other accessories. When those things accidentally contact the input unit placed on the upper surface of the device body, the input unit may slip off the upper surface. In other words, the input unit (operation unit) is less likely to be rested in a stable condition.

SUMMARY

In view of the foregoing background, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide a medical imaging device that allows an operation unit to be rested in a stable condition.

To overcome the above problems, a medical imaging device of a first aspect of the present disclosure includes: a light source unit configured to irradiate a contrast agent inside a subject body with light, a detection unit configured to detect light generated by radiation of light from the light source unit and emitted from the inside of the subject body, a device body provided with the light source unit and the detection unit, and an operation unit configured to be movable and provided separately from the device body to operate the device. The device body has a first mating portion on its upper surface, and the operation unit has a second mating portion configured to movably mate with the first mating portion.

In the medical imaging device of the first aspect of the present disclosure, as described above, the device body has the first mating portion on its upper surface, and the operation unit has the second mating portion configured to movably mate with the first mating portion. This configuration allows the operation unit to be engaged with the upper surface of the device body, and therefore can avoid the operation unit from slipping off the upper surface when something, such as an accessory, on the upper surface of the device body accidentally contacts the operation unit. The operation unit thus can be rested on the medical imaging device in a stable condition.

In the medical imaging device of the first aspect, preferably, the device body has the first mating portion on its upper surface, and the operation unit has the second mating portion configured to movably mate with the recessed first mating portion. The first mating portion is recessed and the second mating portion protrudes. This configuration can flatten the upper surface of the device body, unlike a configuration in which the protruding first mating portion is formed on an upper surface of a device body. The flat upper surface allows things, such as accessories, other than the operation unit to be easily placed on the upper surface of the device body.

Preferably, the recessed first mating portion is slot-shaped and substantially linearly extended along a predetermined direction, and the protruding second mating portion is substantially linearly extended along the predetermined direction and is configured to be slidably movable along the slot-shaped first mating portion while mated with the slot-shaped first mating portion. This configuration can increase an empty region (region for placing accessories and others) on the upper surface of the device body by sliding the operation unit from the center portion, or nearby area, to an end portion of the upper surface of the device body. A user can move the operation unit to a location convenient for operation.

In the medical imaging device having the slot-shaped first mating portion, preferably, the device body is configured to be movable, and the slot-shaped first mating portion is substantially linearly extended along a direction perpendicular to the direction of move of the device body. The slot-shaped first mating portion can stop the operation unit from shifting (moving) in the direction of move of the device body, with move of the device body.

In the medical imaging device having the slot-shaped first mating portion, preferably, the operation unit is connected with the device body using a cable, and the slot-shaped first mating portion is substantially linearly extended along a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the operation unit is pulled by the weight of the cable. The slot-shaped first mating portion arranged as above can stop the operation unit from being pulled and moved by the weight of the cable.

In the medical imaging device having the slot-shaped first mating portion, preferably, the length of the slot-shaped first mating portion in a direction along the predetermined direction is larger than the length of the protruding second mating portion in a direction along the predetermined direction. This configuration allows the operation unit to move a comparatively large distance along the predetermined direction.

In the medical imaging device having the slot-shaped first mating portion, preferably, the device body includes side surfaces perpendicular to the upper surface, and the slot-shaped first mating portion has wall portions at an end and the other end in a direction along the predetermined direction, for avoiding the respective ends of the slot-shaped first mating portion from reaching the side surfaces. This configuration can stop the operation unit from sliding and slipping off the device body, unlike a configuration in which the slot-shaped first mating portion is continuous with the side surface.

In the medical imaging device having the slot-shaped first mating portion, preferably, the slot-shaped first mating portion has corners formed near an opening end surface of the first mating portion and aligned in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction. The corner is chamfered to be round. The chamfered rounded corners formed as above allow the protruding second mating portion to easily mate with the slot-shaped first mating portion by guiding the protruding second mating portion in the process of mating with the slot-shaped first mating portion.

In the medical imaging device of the first aspect, preferably, the device body has the first mating portion including a plurality of first mating portions on its upper surface. This configuration allows the operation unit to be rested in a stable condition at a plurality of locations on the upper surface of the device body.

In the medical imaging device of the first aspect, preferably, a contrast agent inside a subject body contains a fluorescent agent, and a light source unit is configured to irradiate the fluorescent agent inside the subject body with near-infrared excitation light, and a detection unit is configured to detect near-infrared fluorescence generated by radiation of the near-infrared excitation light from the light source unit and emitted from the inside of the subject body. For a medical imaging device detecting near-infrared fluorescence from the inside of a subject body, the above configuration allows the operation unit to be rested in a stable condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment

A near-infrared fluorescent imaging device100of an embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described with reference toFIG. 1toFIG. 6. The near-infrared fluorescent imaging device100is used in, for example, angiography for surgery. The near-infrared fluorescent imaging device100is an example of a “medical imaging device” in the appended claims.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the near-infrared fluorescent imaging device100includes a light source1. The light source1includes a first light source1airradiating a subject (not illustrated) with white light and a second light source1birradiating a fluorescent agent inside the subject body with near-infrared excitation light. The fluorescent agent is indocyanine green (ICG) as a fluorescent dye. The near-infrared excitation light is near-infrared having a wavelength of about 810 nm. With indocyanine green irradiated with the near-infrared having a wavelength of about 810 nm, near-infrared fluorescence having a wavelength of about 845 nm is generated from the indocyanine green. The white light emitted from the first light source1ais reflected on the subject as reflection light. The fluorescent agent is an example of a “contrast agent” in the appended claims. The second light source1bis an example of a “light source unit” in the appended claims.

The near-infrared fluorescent imaging device100includes an irradiation control unit2. The irradiation control unit2controls, for example, emission and stop of emission of light (white light and near-infrared excitation light) from the light source1.

A zoom lens3is provided near the light source1. The zoom lens3receives reflection light (visible light) from the subject and near-infrared fluorescence generated from indocyanine green inside the subject body.

A prism4is provided near the zoom lens3. The prism4receives light (white light and near-infrared excitation light) from the zoom lens3. The prism4has a function of separating the light from the zoom lens3between the reflection light (visible light) from the subject and near-infrared fluorescence generated from indocyanine green in the subject body.

The near-infrared fluorescent imaging device100includes a visible light sensor5detecting visible light separated by the prism4. The near-infrared fluorescent imaging device100further includes a near-infrared fluorescent sensor6detecting near-infrared fluorescence, generated by radiation of the near-infrared excitation light from the second light source1band emitted from the inside of a subject body. The near-infrared fluorescent sensor6is an example of a “detection unit” in the appended claims.

The near-infrared fluorescent imaging device100includes an image forming unit7. The image forming unit7receives inputs of visible light detected by the visible light sensor5and near-infrared fluorescence detected by the near-infrared fluorescent sensor6. The image forming unit7forms an image of 24 bits (=3×8) composed of three colors of RGB (red, green, blue), based on the visible light detected by the visible light sensor5. The image forming unit7forms an image of eight bits based on the near-infrared fluorescence detected by the near-infrared fluorescent sensor6.

The near-infrared fluorescent imaging device100includes an image composing unit8. The image composing unit8creates a composite image203by composing an image (visible image)201(seeFIG. 2) based on visible light and an image (near-infrared fluorescence image)202based on near-infrared fluorescence, which are formed by the image forming unit7.

The near-infrared fluorescent imaging device100includes a display9. As illustrated inFIG. 2, the display9displays the image201based on visible light and the image202based on near-infrared fluorescence, which are formed by the image forming unit7, and the composite image203.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the near-infrared fluorescent imaging device100includes a storage unit10. The storage unit10stores visible light (signal) detected by the visible light sensor5and near-infrared fluorescence (signal) detected by the near-infrared fluorescent sensor6.

The near-infrared fluorescent imaging device100has a recording unit11. The recording unit11records images displayed on the display9.

The near-infrared fluorescent imaging device100includes an operation unit20. The operation unit20is used for operation of the near-infrared fluorescent imaging device100. The operation unit20is used for operation of, for example, emission and stop of emission of light from the light source1, control of brightness and sensitivity, and adjustment of a display format of an image displayed on the display9.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, the near-infrared fluorescent imaging device100includes a device body30having the first light source1a, the second light source1b, the visible light sensor5, the near-infrared fluorescent sensor6, and others. More specifically, the first light source1a, the second light source1b, the visible light sensor5, the near-infrared fluorescent sensor6, and other units are disposed in an lighting and imaging unit31. The device body30further has an arm unit32. The lighting and imaging unit31is vertically movably attached to the arm unit32.

The operation unit20is movable and provided separately from the device body30. The operation unit20is connected with the device body30through a cable21. The operation unit20has a substantially flat upper surface (a surface in the Z1direction), and operation buttons (not illustrated) are formed on the substantially flat upper surface of the operation unit20.

In this embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 3toFIG. 6, the device body30has a recess33on an upper surface30athereof. The operation unit20has a protrusion22configured to movably mate with the recess33. More specifically, the upper surface30aof the device body30is flat, and the recess33is formed on the flat upper surface30a. The protrusion22is formed on a lower surface20aof the operation unit20. The recess33is an example of a “first mating portion” in the appended claims. The protrusion22is an example of a “second mating portion” in the appended claims.

In this embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 5, the recess33is slot-shaped and is substantially linearly extended along a predetermined direction (the X direction). The protrusion22is substantially linearly extended along the predetermined direction (the X direction) and is slidably movable along the recess33while mated with the slot-shaped recess33. More specifically, the protrusion22has a width W1in the X direction that is substantially equal to a width W2of the recess33in the X direction or is slightly smaller than the same, which allows the protrusion22to fit in the recess33. The protrusion22has a height h of protrusion in the Z direction that is substantially equal to a depth d of the recess33in the Z direction or is slightly smaller than the same. With this configuration, as illustrated inFIG. 6, the lower surface20aof the operation unit20contacts the flat upper surface30awith the protrusion22mating with the recess33.

In this embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 5, the recess33has a length L1along the predetermined direction (the X direction) that is larger than a length L2of the protrusion22in the predetermined direction (the X direction). The operation unit20is substantially rectangular, and the protrusion22is arranged along a short side20bof the substantially rectangular operation unit20. The protrusion22is arranged from an end to the other end of the operation unit20in the X direction. The length L2of the protrusion22along the predetermined direction is substantially equal to the length of the short side20bof the operation unit20. The length L1of the recess33in the predetermined direction is, for example, at least twice as large as the length L2of the protrusion22along the predetermined direction. This configuration allows the operation unit20to slide a distance larger than the length of the short side20bof the operation unit20, along the recess33. In the case with a plurality of operation units20, one recess33can receive two operation units20.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, the device body30is movable. More specifically, the device body30is provided with casters34on its lower surface. The device body30further has a handle35on the surface in the Y2direction. A user holds the handle35and pushes the device body30to move the device body30in the Y1direction. In this embodiment, the slot-shaped recess33is substantially linearly extended along a direction perpendicular to a direction (Y1direction) of move of the device body30. In other words, the slot-shaped recess33is extended along the X direction perpendicular to the direction (the Y1direction) of move of the device body30.

In this embodiment, the slot-shaped recess33is substantially linearly extended along a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the operation unit20is pulled by the weight of the cable21connecting between the operation unit20and the device body30. Specifically, the cable21connects an end of the operation unit20in the Y2direction and a side surface30bof the device body30in the Y2direction. The cable21hangs from the upper surface30aof the device body30with the protrusion22of the operation unit20mating with the recess33of the device body30. The operation unit20is therefore pulled in the Y2direction by the weight of the cable21. The slot-shaped recess33is substantially linearly extended along the X direction perpendicular to the Y2direction in which the operation unit20is pulled.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, in plan view, the slot-shaped recess33is formed remote (or nearby a center C1), toward the Y1direction, from the center C1of the upper surface30aof the device body30in the Y direction. In plan view, the protrusion22of the operation unit20is formed closer to an end (in the Y1direction) opposite to the other end (in the Y2direction), having the cable21connected, of the operation unit20with respect to a center C2of the operation unit20in the Y direction.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, the device body30includes side surfaces30cand30deach arranged perpendicular to the upper surface30a. The side surfaces30cand30dare surfaces in the X1direction and in the X2direction of the device body30, respectively. In this embodiment, the slot-shaped recess33has wall portions36at an end and the other end along the predetermined direction (the X direction) of the recess33, for avoiding the respective ends of the recess33from reaching the side surfaces30cand30d. The wall portion36is a flat surface along the Y-Z plane. Similarly, the protrusion22of the operation unit20has flat end surfaces22ain the Y1direction and in the Y2direction along the Y-Z plane. The end surface22aof the protrusion22and the wall portion36of the recess33are configured to contact each other surface-to-surface.

In this embodiment, the slot-shaped recess33have chamfered rounded corners33a, which are formed near the opening end surface (the Z1direction) and aligned in a direction (the Y direction) perpendicular to the predetermined direction. More specifically, the slot-shaped recess33includes a bottom33band inner side surfaces33ccontinuously extended from respective ends of the bottom33bin the Y1direction and the Y2direction, toward the Z1direction. The inner side surface33cof the recess33and the upper surface30aof the device body30are connected with each other with a round (radius) edge formed therebetween. Likewise, the bottom33band the inner side surface33care connected with each other with a round (radius) edge formed therebetween.

The protrusion22is shaped to substantially conform (correspond) to the shapes of the bottom33band the inner side surfaces33cof the recess33. The protrusion22has front end22band outer side surfaces22cconnected with each other through round (radius) edges formed therebetween. In other words, the protrusion22is chamfered to correspond to the shape of the recess33. This configuration allows the protrusion22to mate with the recess33with a minimum gap therebetween.

Effects of this Embodiment

This embodiment can exert the following advantageous effects.

In this embodiment, as described above, the device body30has the recess33on the upper surface30a, and the operation unit20has the protrusion22configured to movably mate with the recess33. This configuration allows the operation unit20to be engaged with the upper surface30aof the device body30and keeps the operation unit20from slipping off the upper surface30awhen things such as accessories placed on the upper surface30aof the device body30accidentally contact the operation unit20. The operation unit20therefore can be rested in a stable condition on the near-infrared fluorescent imaging device100.

This configuration allows the upper surface30aof the device body30to be flattened, unlike a configuration in which a protruding engagement unit is formed on the upper surface30aof the device body30. This configuration therefore allows things, such as accessories, other than the operation unit20to be easily placed on the upper surface30aof the device body30.

In this embodiment, as described above, the recess33is slot-shaped and is substantially linearly extended along the predetermined direction. The protrusion22is substantially linearly extended along the predetermined direction and is slidably movable along the slot-shaped recess33while mated with the slot-shaped recess33. Sliding the operation unit20from the center portion, or nearby area, to an end portion of the upper surface30aof the device body30can increase an empty region (region for placing accessories and others) on the upper surface30aof the device body30. Furthermore, a user can move the operation unit20to a position convenient for operation.

In this embodiment, as described above, the slot-shaped recess33is substantially linearly extended along a direction perpendicular to the direction of move of the device body30. The slot-shaped recess33therefore can stop the operation unit20from shifting (moving) in the direction of move of the device body30, with move of the device body30.

In this embodiment, as described above, the slot-shaped recess33is substantially linearly extended along a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the operation unit20is pulled by the weight of the cable21. The slot-shaped recess33therefore can stop the operation unit20from being pulled and moved by the weight of the cable21.

In this embodiment, as described above, the length L1of the recess33along the predetermined direction is larger than the length L2of the protrusion22along the predetermined direction. This configuration allows the operation unit20to move a comparatively large distance along the predetermined direction.

In this embodiment, as described above, the slot-shaped recess33has wall portions36at an end and the other end along the predetermined direction of the recess33, for avoiding the respective ends of the recess33from reaching the side surfaces30cand30d. This configuration can avoid the operation unit20from sliding and slipping off the device body30, unlike a configuration in which the slot-shaped recess33is continuous with the side surfaces30cand30d.

In this embodiment, as described above, the slot-shaped recess33has corners33a, formed near the opening end surface of the recess33and aligned in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction, chamfered to be round. The chamfered rounded corners33aallow the protrusion22to easily mate with the slot-shaped recess33by guiding the protrusion22in the process of mating with the recess33.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the second light source1birradiates a fluorescent agent inside a subject body with near-infrared excitation light, and the near-infrared fluorescent sensor6detects near-infrared fluorescence, generated by radiation of the near-infrared excitation light from the second light source1band emitted from the inside of the subject body. With the above configuration, the near-infrared fluorescent imaging device100detecting near-infrared fluorescence emitted from the inside of a subject body is capable of having the operation unit20rested in a stable condition.

Modification

The described embodiment is an example only in every aspect and is not intended to be limiting. The scope of the present disclosure is presented not in the above embodiment but in the appended claims, and includes all changes (modifications) within the range of the appended claims and the equivalents.

More specifically, the above embodiment describes an example in which a protrusion of an operation unit and a recess on an upper surface of a device body are mated with each other; however, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. In another configuration, the operation unit and the upper surface of the device body may be mated with each other using shapes (configurations) other than a protrusion and a recess.

In the above embodiment, the operation unit has a protrusion, whereas the device body has a recess on its upper surface. The present disclosure is not limited to this exemplary configuration. For example, the operation unit may have a recess, whereas the device body may have a protrusion on its upper surface.

In the above embodiment, the protrusion of the operation unit and the recess on the upper surface of the device body are substantially linearly extended; however, the present disclosure is not limited to this exemplary configuration. For example, the protrusion of the operation unit and the recess on the upper surface of the device body may have shapes (such as an arc) other than a substantially straight line.

In the above embodiment, the protrusion is formed from an end to the other end in a direction along the short side of the substantially rectangular operation unit; however, the present disclosure is not limited to this exemplary configuration. The protrusion may be partially formed between the ends in a direction along the short side of the substantially rectangular operation unit.

In the above embodiment, the recess and the protrusion are both chamfered; however, the present disclosure is not limited to this exemplary configuration. Only the recess may be chamfered.

In the above embodiment, the device body has one recess on its upper surface; however, the present disclosure is not limited to this exemplary configuration. As a near-infrared fluorescent imaging device110of a first modification illustrated inFIG. 7, a device body130may have a plurality of recesses131(two recesses in the first modification) on an upper surface130aof the device body130. This configuration allows the operation unit20to be rested in a stable condition at a plurality of locations on the upper surface130aof the device body130. The recess131is an example of the “first mating portion” in the appended claims. The near-infrared fluorescent imaging device110is an example of the “medical imaging device” in the appended claims.

In the above embodiment, the operation unit has one protrusion; however, the present disclosure is not limited to this exemplary configuration. For example, as a near-infrared fluorescent imaging device120of a second modification illustrated inFIG. 8, a device body140may have a plurality (for example, two recesses) of recesses141on an upper surface140aof the device body140, and an operation unit150may have a plurality (for example, two protrusions) of protrusions151mating with the respective recesses141. The recess141is an example of the “first mating portion” in the appended claims. The protrusion151is an example of the “second mating portion” in the appended claims. The near-infrared fluorescent imaging device120is an example of the “medical imaging device” in the appended claims.

In the above embodiments, the near-infrared fluorescent imaging device includes one operation unit; however, the present disclosure is not limited to this exemplary configuration. For example, the near-infrared fluorescent imaging device may include a plurality of operation units.

In the above embodiments, the present disclosure is applied to a near-infrared fluorescent imaging device; however, without being limited to this application, the present disclosure may be applied to any medical imaging device other than a near-infrared fluorescent imaging device.