JP2015012984A - Blood vessel visualization device, blood vessel visualization method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a blood vessel visualization device capable of showing a more accurate blood vessel position. A blood vessel visualization device is based on a photographing unit that photographs the same subject with light in a first wavelength region and light in a second wavelength region, and a plurality of images photographed by the photographing unit. The information indicating the position of the blood vessel is output based on the depth information generation unit that generates the depth information of the blood vessel, the depth information generated by the depth information generation unit, and the image captured by the imaging unit. Output unit. The imaging unit irradiates near-infrared light belonging to the first wavelength region and irradiates near-infrared light belonging to the second wavelength region. A depth information generation unit including an image taken by the first near-infrared light photographing unit and the second near-infrared light photographing unit. Based on the difference from the image taken by the above, blood vessel depth information is generated. [Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a blood vessel visualization device, a blood vessel visualization method, and a program.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses imaging in which a tissue image and a subcutaneous blood vessel are created based on reflected infrared light by improving the visibility of the subcutaneous blood vessel by illuminating the tissue with infrared light. • The system is disclosed.
Patent Document 2 discloses a small vein image enhancer in which a small projection head is provided with means for imaging a target area and means for projecting an image onto the target area along an optical path.

Patent Document 3 discloses an illumination unit that emits near-infrared light and visible light, an imaging unit with high near-infrared spectral sensitivity, a near-infrared image captured during near-infrared light irradiation, and a visible-light irradiation. Means for detecting a blood vessel image of a living body by using the captured visible image and generating a blood vessel emphasized image, and acquiring syringe feature information obtained by extracting and characterizing the syringe image. Based on the syringe feature information, Means for predicting and calculating the tip position of the injection needle during needle puncturing, generating a mark image indicating the predicted tip position of the injection needle with respect to the blood vessel emphasized image, and display means for displaying a composite image of the blood vessel emphasized image and the mark image There is disclosed a blood vessel and injection needle position presentation device including:
Patent Document 4 discloses an irradiation unit that irradiates a vein visualization site with near-infrared rays, a filtering unit for narrowing the near-infrared rays having a wavelength of 800 to 1000 nm out of light rays that are transparently reflected from the vein visualization site, and the filtering. Visualization comprising: imaging means for imaging the vein visualization site using the near infrared ray, and image processing means for displaying data obtained by the imaging means as a fluoroscopic image on a monitor An apparatus is disclosed.

Special table 2007-524427 Special table 2009-523038 JP 2006-130201 A JP 2011-160891 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a blood vessel visualization device capable of showing a more accurate blood vessel position.

  The blood vessel visualization device according to the present invention is based on an imaging unit that images the same subject with light in the first wavelength region and light in the second wavelength region, and a plurality of images captured by the imaging unit. The position of the blood vessel is indicated based on the depth information generation unit that generates the depth information of the blood vessel, the depth information generated by the depth information generation unit, and the image captured by the imaging unit. And an output unit for outputting information.

  Preferably, the imaging unit irradiates near-infrared light belonging to the first wavelength region to shoot a subject and captures the subject, and near-infrared light belonging to the second wavelength region. And a second near-infrared light photographing unit that photographs the subject, and the depth information generating unit includes an image photographed by the first near-infrared light photographing unit, and the second near-infrared light photographing unit. Blood vessel depth information is generated based on the difference from the image captured by the near infrared light imaging unit.

  Preferably, the first wavelength region is a wavelength region shorter than the second wavelength region, and the depth information generation unit is based on an image photographed by the first near-infrared light photographing unit. Blood vessel depth information is generated using the identified blood vessel as a blood vessel at a position shallower than the blood vessel identified based on the image photographed by the second near-infrared light photographing unit.

  Preferably, gradation processing for reducing the number of gradations of the image data included in the image area with reference to the image data of the image area having a shape that is not four-fold symmetric among the images photographed by the photographing unit. And the output unit displays the image data having the number of gradations reduced by the gradation processing unit.

  Preferably, the gradation processing unit changes the shape or size of the image area in accordance with a user input.

  Preferably, the gradation processing unit changes the shape or size of the image area according to the skin surface state or age input by the user.

  Preferably, the apparatus further includes an attribute specifying unit that specifies at least one of a body fat percentage, sex, and age of the subject as an attribute of the subject, and the depth information generation unit includes the attribute specified by the attribute specifying unit. Then, based on the wavelength region used for imaging by the imaging unit, depth information is generated for the blood vessel image included in the captured image.

  Preferably, the imaging unit includes an illumination device that irradiates near-infrared light belonging to the first wavelength region and near-infrared light belonging to the second wavelength region, and near-infrared light emitted by the irradiation device. The illumination device diffuses near-infrared light and irradiates it in the vicinity of the puncture site of the subject.

  Preferably, the imaging unit includes an illumination device that irradiates near-infrared light belonging to the first wavelength region and near-infrared light belonging to the second wavelength region, and near-infrared light emitted by the irradiation device. And a camera that generates image data by receiving the reflected light, and the illumination device includes a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged at different positions and directions.

  The blood vessel visualization device according to the present invention includes an imaging unit that captures the same subject in each of a plurality of wavelength regions, and an image element included in each of the plurality of images captured by the imaging unit. And an output unit that displays each region with a different display mode, and synthesizes and displays image elements of a plurality of images expressed in different display modes.

  The blood vessel visualization device according to the present invention includes an imaging unit that images a subject with light in a predetermined wavelength region, and image data of an image region that has a shape that is not four-fold symmetric among images captured by the imaging unit. The gradation processing unit for reducing the number of gradations of the image data included in the image region, and information indicating the position of the blood vessel based on the image having the number of gradations decreased by the gradation processing unit. And an output unit for outputting.

  The blood vessel visualization method according to the present invention is based on a step of photographing a subject with light in a first wavelength region, a step of photographing the subject with light in a second wavelength region, and a plurality of images taken. A step of generating blood vessel depth information, and a step of outputting information indicating the position of the blood vessel based on the generated depth information and the captured image.

  Further, the program according to the present invention is based on the image of the subject imaged with the light in the first wavelength region and the image of the object imaged with the light in the second wavelength region. And a step of outputting information indicating the position of the blood vessel based on the generated depth information and the captured image.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the blood vessel visualization apparatus which can show a more exact blood vessel position can be provided.

It is a figure which illustrates the hardware constitutions of the vein visualization apparatus. It is a figure explaining the camera 12 and the illuminating device 14 of the imaging device 10 in detail. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image output apparatus 20. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a visualization program 50 installed in the image output apparatus 20. FIG. It is a figure which illustrates the image area | region 902 which the gradation process part 520 refers by a binarization process. It is a figure which illustrates an age table and a skin condition table. It is a flowchart explaining a vein visualization process (S10). It is a figure explaining the effect of a binarization process, (A) is the image (grayscale) before binarization image | photographed with the imaging device 10, (B) shows the image of (A) locally. 2C is a binary image that is simply binarized without performing a typical process, and (C) is a binary image that is locally binarized using a square image region. It is a figure explaining the effect by the shape of the image area | region used for a binarization process, (A) is an image binarized locally by the image area of 150 pixels x 150 pixels, (B) crosses a vein. The image is a local binarized image in an image region having a direction of 150 pixels and a direction orthogonal to this is 75 pixels, and (C) shows that the direction across the vein is 75 pixels and the direction orthogonal to this is This is an image binarized locally in an image region of 150 pixels. It is a figure explaining the effect by the size of the image area used for binarization processing, (A) is an image binarized locally in an image area of 50 pixels × 100 pixels, and (B) is 75 pixels. This is an image binarized locally in an image area of × 150 pixels. It is a figure which illustrates the function structure of the visualization program 52 in the modification 1. FIG.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the vein visualization apparatus 1.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the vein visualization device 1 according to the present embodiment includes an imaging device 10 and an image output device 20.
A camera 12, a lighting device 14, and operation buttons 16 are provided on the housing of the photographing apparatus 10.
The image output device 20 is a computer terminal, and is connected to the imaging device 10 via a connection cable. The image output apparatus 20 of this example acquires a plurality of images captured by the imaging apparatus 10 via a USB cable, and visualizes the veins of the subject based on the acquired images.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the camera 12 and the illumination device 14 of the photographing apparatus 10 in more detail.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, a substrate 144 is provided inside the photographing apparatus 10, and a diffusion plate 140 is overlaid on the substrate 144.
The diffusion plate 140 diffuses near-infrared light and makes the near-infrared light irradiated from the substrate 144 uniform. This prevents halation near the puncture position. An opening is provided in the center of the diffusion plate 140 (that is, a place corresponding to the position where the camera 12 is disposed on the substrate 144).
A plurality of LED lights 142 are arranged on the substrate 144, and the camera 12 is arranged in the center of these LED lights 142.
The camera 12 is equipped with an optical filter that blocks visible light (wavelength 700 nm or less). This eliminates the influence of visible light and enables more efficient near-infrared reflected light imaging. The camera 12 of this example will be described as a specific example of shooting with 1000 pixels × 760 pixels.
The LED light 142 includes a group of LEDs that emit near infrared light in a plurality of wavelength regions. More specifically, the LED group that irradiates near infrared light of 750 to 770 nm (an example of the first wavelength region) and the near infrared light of 840 to 860 nm (an example of the second wavelength region) are irradiated. The LED group is distributed. This makes it possible to uniformly irradiate near-infrared light from the vertical direction and a plurality of obliquely rearward directions with respect to the puncture position of the subject. This can be expected to reduce noise.
In the following embodiment, a mode in which imaging is performed in the first wavelength region and the second wavelength region will be described as a specific example. However, it is not intended to exclude imaging in other wavelength regions. You may add imaging | photography in a wavelength range (for example, around 720 nm).
In addition, in this example, a mode of switching the wavelength of the near infrared light to be irradiated by switching the LED to be lit will be described as a specific example, but a light source that irradiates light including these wavelengths is prepared, The wavelength of near infrared light may be switched by a filter.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image output apparatus 20.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the image output device 20 includes a CPU 200, a memory 202, an HDD 204, a network interface 206 (network IF 206), a display device 208, and an input device 210, which are configured via a bus 212. Connected to each other.
The CPU 200 is, for example, a central processing unit.
The memory 202 is, for example, a volatile memory and functions as a main storage device.
The HDD 204 is, for example, a hard disk drive device, and stores a computer program and other data files as a nonvolatile recording device.
A network IF 206 is an interface for performing wired or wireless communication, and realizes communication with the imaging apparatus 10 via the network.
The display device 208 is a liquid crystal display, for example.
The input device 210 is, for example, a keyboard and a mouse.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the visualization program 50 installed in the image output apparatus 20.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the visualization program 50 includes an imaging control unit 500, an input reception unit 510, a gradation processing unit 520, a depth information generation unit 530, and an output unit 540.
Part or all of the visualization program 50 may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC.

In the visualization program 50, the imaging control unit 500 controls the camera 12 and the illuminating device 14 of the imaging device 10, and near infrared light belonging to the first wavelength region and near infrared light belonging to the second wavelength region. Realize shooting of subjects with light.
The imaging control unit 500 of this example causes the imaging device 10 to perform imaging using near-infrared light of 760 nm and imaging using near-infrared light of 850 nm.

The input receiving unit 510 controls the input device 210 to receive input from the user.
The input receiving unit 510 of this example receives input of the subject's age and skin condition.

The gradation processing unit 520 refers to the image data of an image region having a shape that is not four-fold symmetric with respect to the image captured by the image capturing device 10, and reduces the number of gradations of the image data included in the image region. Gradation processing is performed. The shape that is not four-fold symmetric includes not only “a shape that is two-fold symmetric and not four-fold symmetric” such as a rectangle or a rhombus, but also shapes other than a square and a perfect circle. The gradation processing unit 520 of this example determines a reference value used for binarization based on the image data included in the rectangular image region, and the image data included in the image region, the determined reference value, and And binarize the image data.
The binarization process of this example will be described later with reference to FIG.

The depth information generation unit 530 generates vein depth information based on a plurality of images captured by the imaging device 10. Here, the depth information is information indicating the depth, for example, information indicating whether the depth is deeper or shallower than the reference depth (3 mm).
The depth information generation unit 530 of this example captures an image photographed using near-infrared light of 760 nm (binarized by the gradation processing unit 520) and near-infrared light of 850 nm. The veins that can be found in the image photographed at 850 nm and cannot be found in the image photographed at 760 nm are compared with the obtained images (binarized by the gradation processing unit 520). It is determined that the vein is 0 mm or more, and other discovered veins are determined to be veins having a depth of less than 3.0 mm.

The output unit 540 causes the display device 208 to display information indicating the position of the vein based on the depth information generated by the depth information generation unit 530 and the image captured by the imaging device 10.
The output unit 540 of this example determines that the depth information generation unit 530 determines that the depth is 3.0 mm or more and the depth is less than 3.0 mm among the images captured at 850 nm. The displayed veins are displayed in different display modes. More specifically, the output unit 540 outputs a vein that is determined to have a depth of 3.0 mm or more or a vein that is determined to have a depth of less than 3.0 mm among images captured at 850 nm. , Display with color.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an image region 902 that the gradation processing unit 520 refers to in the binarization process.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, the gradation processing unit 520 sets a rectangular (50 pixels × 100 pixels) image area for the captured image 900 captured by the imaging apparatus 10, and images within the set image area. From the data, a threshold T (i, j) for binarizing the center pixel of this image area is calculated by the following calculation formula.
T (i, j) = m (i, j) + k * s (i, j)
m (i, j): average pixel value of the image area including the center pixel (i, j) s (i, j): standard deviation of the image area including the center pixel (i, j) k: coefficient The tone processing unit 520 compares the pixel value of the center pixel (i, j) with the threshold value T (i, j), and the pixel value of the center pixel (i, j) exceeds the threshold value T (i, j). In this case, the center pixel is white, and in other cases, the center pixel is black.
Further, the direction in which the photographing apparatus 10 is held over the subject is set so that the long side of the rectangular image region 902 crosses the vein, as illustrated in FIG. For example, when photographing an arm, the direction across the arm is the direction across the vein.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an age table and a skin condition table.
The shape and size of the image region 902 illustrated in FIG. 5 are determined with reference to the age table and the skin condition table illustrated in FIG.
The gradation processing unit 520 reads an area shape corresponding to the received age from the age table based on the age and skin state received by the input receiving unit 510, and receives the received skin shape for the read area shape. A shape deformation corresponding to the state is applied to determine the shape and size of the image region. Since the reflection of near-infrared light changes depending on the skin condition (wrinkles and texture), by changing the shape and size of the image area used for local binarization processing according to age and skin condition, A clear vein image is obtained.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the vein visualization process (S10).
As illustrated in FIG. 7, in step 100 (S <b> 100), the input receiving unit 500 of the visualization device 1 detects a user operation via the input device 210 and receives input of the age and skin condition of the subject. Based on the age and skin state received by the input receiving unit 500, the gradation processing unit 520 determines the region shape and shape deformation corresponding to the age and skin state from the age table (FIG. 6) and the skin state table (FIG. 6). And the shape and size of the image area used for the local binarization processing are determined.

  In step 105 (S105), the imaging control unit 500 instructs the imaging device 10 to perform imaging at 850 nm in response to a user's imaging start instruction. The photographing apparatus 10 turns on the LED light 142 of 850 nm, photographs the reflected light of near infrared light (850 nm) by the camera 12, and transfers the photographed image data to the image output apparatus 20.

  In step 110 (S110), the imaging control unit 500 instructs the imaging apparatus 10 to perform imaging at 760 nm when imaging at 850 nm is completed. The photographing apparatus 10 turns on the LED light 142 of 760 nm, photographs the reflected light of near infrared light (760 nm) by the camera 12, and transfers the photographed image data to the image output apparatus 20.

In step 115 (S115), the gradation processing unit 520 uses the determined image area to perform two operations on two captured images (an image captured at 850 nm and an image captured at 760 nm). Apply value processing.
In step 120 (S120), the output unit 540 displays an image binarized by the gradation processing unit 520 (an image captured at 850 nm) on the display device 208, and whether or not the displayed image is acceptable. Encourage judgment.

  In step 125 (S125), the visualization program 50 determines that the displayed image is acceptable, and when the user inputs that fact, the process proceeds to S135, and the displayed image is insufficient for the user. If it is determined that the information is input, the process proceeds to S130.

  In step 130 (S130), the gradation processing unit 520 changes the shape or size of the image area used for the binarization process according to the operation on the operation button 16, and returns to the process of S115. That is, the visualization program 50 changes the shape or size of the image area used for the binarization process and performs the binarization process again.

  In step 135 (S135), the depth information generation unit 530 compares the two images binarized by the gradation processing unit 520 (an image captured at 850 nm and an image captured at 760 nm). Identify veins with a depth of 3.0 mm or more and veins with a depth of less than 3.0 mm.

In step 140 (S140), the output unit 540 uses the depth information generation unit 530 to set the depth of 3.0 mm or more among the binarized captured images (images captured at 850 nm) by the gradation processing unit 520. Different colors are applied to veins determined to be present and veins determined to be less than 3.0 mm in depth, and are displayed on the display device 208.
The user can determine the puncture position and angle based on the vein and depth information displayed on the display device 208.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the effect of the binarization process. FIG. 8A is an image (grayscale) before binarization photographed by the photographing apparatus 10, and FIG. 8A is a binary image obtained by simple binarization without performing local processing, and FIG. 8C is a binary image obtained by local binarization using a square image region. It is.
As shown in FIG. 8 (A), it is difficult to specify the vein in the photographed image (binary scale) before binarization because the difference in brightness is small. Further, as shown in FIG. 8B, if the binarization is simple, the center of the image only becomes white due to uneven illumination, and it is difficult to specify the vein.
On the other hand, when binarization is performed in an image region of 150 pixels × 150 pixels, a vein can be specified as illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the effect of the shape of the image area used for the binarization processing, and FIG. 9A is an image binarized locally in an image area of 150 pixels × 150 pixels. FIG. 9B is an image that is locally binarized in an image region in which the direction crossing the vein is 150 pixels and the direction orthogonal to this is 75 pixels. FIG. This is an image that is binarized locally in an image area that has 150 pixels in the direction orthogonal to the pixels.
As can be seen by comparing FIG. 9 (A) and FIG. 9 (B), the use of a rectangular image region (the long side crossing the vein) is clearer than the case of using a square image region. The veins can be confirmed. In particular, the improvement is noticeable near the center of the image.
Further, as can be seen by comparing FIG. 9B and FIG. 9C, when the short side of the image region is set in a direction crossing the vein, only the noise increases and the vein is not clear. .
As described above, the visibility of the vein is further improved by setting the rectangular image area whose long side is set in the direction crossing the vein.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the effect of the size of the image area used for the binarization processing. FIG. 10A is an image that is locally binarized in an image area of 50 pixels × 100 pixels. 10 (B) is an image binarized locally in an image area of 75 pixels × 150 pixels.
As can be seen by comparing FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B, when the size of the image region is reduced, veins are emphasized, and more veins can be specified. On the other hand, granular noise may increase and visibility may deteriorate.
Therefore, the visualization device 1 of the present example previews the binarized image as described above, and allows the user to change the size of the image area so that the vein is most easily seen for each subject (subject). Adjustable.

As described above, according to the vein visualization apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, veins can be visualized in consideration of vein depth information. Thereby, for example, not only the puncture position but also the angle can be determined appropriately.
Further, according to the vein visualization apparatus 1 of this example, the binarization is performed with reference to the rectangular image region, so that the vein can be visualized more clearly.

[Modification 1]
Hereinafter, modifications of the above embodiment will be described.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the visualization program 52 in the first modification. Of the components shown in the figure, those substantially the same as those shown in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
As illustrated in FIG. 11, the visualization program 52 of Modification 1 has a configuration in which an attribute specifying unit 550 is added to the visualization program 50 of FIG. 4.
The attribute specifying unit 550 specifies the attributes (body fat percentage, sex, age, etc.) of the subject. For example, the attribute specifying unit 550 may specify the body fat percentage, gender, and age of the subject based on the input information received by the input receiving unit 510, or from other equipment (such as a body fat scale). You may receive fat percentage etc.
In the present modification, the depth information generation unit 530 is based on a plurality of images captured by the imaging device 10, the wavelength region of light used for imaging, and the attributes of the subject specified by the attribute specifying unit 550. To generate depth information. Since the depth of the vein can be specified in consideration of the attribute of the subject, the depth information can be expected to be more accurate.

[Modification 2]
In the above-described embodiment, the depth information generation unit 530 generates two pieces of depth information by comparing two images, but each image captured with light in different wavelength regions is represented by a different color from each other. The captured images of different colors may be simply overlapped.
As described above, the vein visualization apparatus 1 may visualize the depth of the vein by switching the display mode according to the wavelength region at the time of imaging.

[Modification 3]
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the relationship between the orientation of the imaging device 10 and the orientation of the image area referred to in the gradation processing is fixed has been described as a specific example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The rough direction of the vein may be estimated based on the image captured by the apparatus 10, and the direction of the image region to be referred to in the gradation processing may be determined based on the estimated vein direction.
For example, when the arm is photographed, the contour of the vein is detected from the captured image, and the detected direction of the contour of the arm is estimated as the direction of the vein.

[Other variations]
In the above embodiment, the form in which the imaging device 10 and the image output device 20 are connected by the USB cable has been described. However, the imaging device 10 and the image output device 20 are integrated, and the vein visualization device 1 is formed in one housing. May be configured.
The gradation processing unit 520 of the above embodiment performs local binarization with reference to a rectangular image region, but performs local binarization with reference to an image region of another shape such as a rhombus or an ellipse. Also good.
Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the illuminating device 14 irradiates the light of a mutually different wavelength region, and image | photographs the reflected light from which a wavelength region differs, the filter of the camera 14 is switched and reflection of a mutually different wavelength region is carried out. You may shoot light.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vein visualization apparatus 10 ... Imaging | photography apparatus 20 ... Image output apparatus 50 ... Visualization program

Claims (13)

An imaging unit for imaging the same subject with light in the first wavelength region and light in the second wavelength region;
A depth information generator for generating blood vessel depth information based on a plurality of images captured by the imaging unit;
A blood vessel visualization apparatus comprising: an output unit that outputs information indicating a blood vessel position based on depth information generated by the depth information generation unit and an image captured by the imaging unit. The imaging unit irradiates near-infrared light belonging to a first wavelength region, irradiates near-infrared light belonging to a first wavelength region, and irradiates near-infrared light belonging to a second wavelength region. A second near-infrared light photographing unit for photographing a subject,
The depth information generation unit is configured to determine a depth of a blood vessel based on a difference between an image photographed by the first near-infrared light photographing unit and an image photographed by the second near-infrared light photographing unit. The blood vessel visualization device according to claim 1, which generates depth information. The first wavelength region is a wavelength region shorter than the second wavelength region,
The depth information generation unit is configured to identify a blood vessel identified based on an image photographed by the first near infrared light photographing unit based on an image photographed by the second near infrared light photographing unit. The blood vessel visualization device according to claim 2, wherein blood vessel depth information is generated as a blood vessel at a position shallower than the identified blood vessel. The image processing apparatus further includes a gradation processing unit that refers to image data of an image region having a shape that is not four-fold symmetric among images captured by the photographing unit and reduces the number of gradations of the image data included in the image region. And
The blood vessel visualization device according to claim 1, wherein the output unit displays image data in which the number of gradations is reduced by the gradation processing unit. The blood vessel visualization device according to claim 4, wherein the gradation processing unit changes the shape or size of the image region in accordance with a user input. The blood vessel visualization device according to claim 5, wherein the gradation processing unit changes the shape or size of the image region according to a skin surface state or age input by a user. An attribute specifying unit for specifying at least one of the body fat percentage, sex, and age of the subject as a subject attribute;
The depth information generation unit obtains depth information about the blood vessel image included in the imaged image based on the attribute specified by the attribute specifying unit and the wavelength region used for imaging by the imaging unit. The blood vessel visualization device according to claim 1 to generate. The photographing unit irradiates near-infrared light belonging to the first wavelength region and near-infrared light belonging to the second wavelength region, and reflected light of the near-infrared light irradiated by the irradiation device. A camera that receives light and generates image data,
The blood vessel visualization device according to claim 2, wherein the illumination device diffuses near-infrared light and irradiates the vicinity of a puncture site of a subject. The photographing unit irradiates near-infrared light belonging to the first wavelength region and near-infrared light belonging to the second wavelength region, and reflected light of the near-infrared light irradiated by the irradiation device. A camera that receives light and generates image data,
The blood vessel visualization device according to claim 2, wherein the illumination device includes a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged at different positions and directions. An imaging unit for imaging the same subject in each of a plurality of wavelength regions;
The image elements included in each of the plurality of images captured by the imaging unit are expressed in different display modes for each wavelength region at the time of shooting, and the image elements of the plurality of images expressed in different display modes are combined A blood vessel visualization device comprising: an output unit for displaying. An imaging unit that captures a subject with light in a predetermined wavelength range;
A gradation processing unit that reduces the number of gradations of image data included in the image region with reference to image data of an image region having a shape that is not four-fold symmetric among images captured by the photographing unit;
A blood vessel visualization device comprising: an output unit that outputs information indicating a blood vessel position based on an image in which the number of gradations is reduced by the gradation processing unit. Photographing a subject with light in a first wavelength region;
Photographing the subject with light in a second wavelength region;
Generating blood vessel depth information based on a plurality of captured images;
A blood vessel visualization method comprising: outputting information indicating a position of the blood vessel based on the generated depth information and the captured image. Generating blood vessel depth information based on an image of a subject imaged with light in a first wavelength region and an image of the subject imaged with light in a second wavelength region;
A program for causing a computer to execute the step of outputting information indicating the position of a blood vessel based on the generated depth information and a captured image.

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