Medical apparatus and method for operating medical apparatus

A medical apparatus for illuminating a subject and capturing an image of reflected light from the subject, the medical apparatus comprising:

• a light source configured to emit illumination light including a first wavelength range;
• a light receiving section having a first channel for sensing a first sensing range;
• and
• an image control processor, wherein
• the first sensing range is a wavelength range that does not overlap with the first wavelength range or overlaps with the first wavelength range up to a half wavelength,
• the image control processor is configured to acquire an examination image based on light included in the first sensing range,
• the reflected light includes the first wavelength range and a second wavelength range that is a wavelength range different from the first wavelength range,
• the light receiving section has a second channel for sensing a second sensing range that is a wavelength range different from the first sensing range,
• the second sensing range is a wavelength range that does not overlap with the second wavelength range or overlaps with the second wavelength range up to a half wavelength,
• the first wavelength range is a wavelength range necessary for excitation of a fluorescent substance and calculation of oxygen saturation based on a difference in responsiveness to the illumination light between oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin,
• light in the second wavelength range is fluorescence emitted from the fluorescent substance upon receiving light including the first wavelength range,
• the light receiving section has a first spectral element that spectrally divides the reflected light into a first spectral range and a second spectral range different from the first spectral range, a first imaging element having a first transmission range, and a second imaging element having a second transmission range different from the first transmission range,
• the first sensing range is a wavelength range of a portion where the first spectral range and the first transmission range overlap each other, and
• the second sensing range is a wavelength range of a portion where the second spectral range and the second transmission range overlap each other.

A method for operating a medical apparatus for illuminating a subject and capturing an image of reflected light from the subject, the method comprising:

• a step of emitting illumination light including a first wavelength range;
• and
• a step of acquiring an examination image based on light included in the first sensing range sensed by a first channel included in a light receiving section, wherein
• the reflected light includes the first wavelength range and a second wavelength range that is a wavelength range different from the first wavelength range,
• the light receiving section has a second channel for sensing a second sensing range that is a wavelength range different from the first sensing range, and has a first spectral element that spectrally divides the reflected light into a first spectral range and a second spectral range different from the first spectral range, a first imaging element having a first transmission range, and a second imaging element having a second transmission range different from the first transmission range,
• the first sensing range is a wavelength range that does not overlap with the first wavelength range or overlaps with the first wavelength range up to a half wavelength, and is a wavelength range of a portion where the first spectral range and the first transmission range overlap each other, and
• the second sensing range is a wavelength range that does not overlap with the second wavelength range or overlaps with the second wavelength range up to a half wavelength, and is a wavelength range of a portion where the second spectral range and the second transmission range overlap each other.

A method for operating a medical apparatus for illuminating a subject and capturing an image of reflected light from the subject, the method comprising:

• a step of emitting illumination light including a first wavelength range;
• and
• a step of acquiring an examination image based on light included in the first sensing range sensed by a first channel included in a light receiving section, wherein
• the first sensing range is a wavelength range that does not overlap with the first wavelength range or overlaps with the first wavelength range up to a half wavelength,
• the reflected light includes the first wavelength range and a second wavelength range that is a wavelength range different from the first wavelength range,
• the light receiving section has a second channel for sensing a second sensing range that is a wavelength range different from the first sensing range,
• the second sensing range is a wavelength range that does not overlap with the second wavelength range or overlaps with the second wavelength range up to a half wavelength,
• the first wavelength range is a wavelength range necessary for excitation of a fluorescent substance and calculation of oxygen saturation based on a difference in responsiveness to the illumination light between oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin,
• light in the second wavelength range is fluorescence emitted from the fluorescent substance upon receiving light including the first wavelength range,
• the light receiving section has a first spectral element that spectrally divides the reflected light into a first spectral range and a second spectral range different from the first spectral range, a first imaging element having a first transmission range, and a second imaging element having a second transmission range different from the first transmission range,
• the first sensing range is a wavelength range of a portion where the first spectral range and the first transmission range overlap each other, and
• the second sensing range is a wavelength range of a portion where the second spectral range and the second transmission range overlap each other.