JP2000271081A - Method for controlling visual field of endoscope camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for controlling the visual field of an endoscope camera by which the visual field is moved speedily, easily and surely to a desired position. SOLUTION: A telecamera 26 is mounted in a removable manner to an eyepiece part 23 of the insertion part of an endoscope 21 for observing the celom of a patient. An image signal photoelectrically converted by the CCD 25 of the telecamera 26 is generated into a standard video signal by a camera control unit (CCU 28) and displayed on a monitor screen 31a. The telecamera 26 is connected with a visual field changing unit 29 capable of changing an image pickup area or the direction of the visual field by moving at least one of an image pickup optical system 24 and the CCD 25. The unit 29 and the CCU 28 are connected to a system controller 30, which is connected with a remote controller 43 connected with a keyboard 46 to be used as a position change instructing means for inputting controlling contents through a public line 5.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope camera visual field control method capable of switching an imaging region or a visual field direction of an endoscopic image displayed on a display screen.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Endoscopes are widely used in the medical and industrial fields. Recently, an endoscope with a television camera externally mounted with a television camera equipped with imaging means at the eyepiece of an optical endoscope, or an electronic endoscope with built-in imaging means at the distal end has been used. 2. Description of the Related Art An endoscope apparatus that displays a captured endoscope image on a monitor and performs observation and treatment while viewing the image is widely used.

The endoscope apparatus includes a light source device for supplying illumination light to the endoscope, a camera control unit (also referred to as a video processor) having an image signal processing circuit for displaying an endoscope image, and an endoscope. In addition to a TV monitor for displaying a mirror image, an endoscope system capable of performing treatment or surgery under endoscopic observation has been constructed using a plurality of peripheral devices, for example, an insufflation device, a high-frequency cautery device, and the like. Has been

In this endoscope system, these plural peripheral devices are usually connected to a system controller for centralized control.

In a transendoscopic operation using the endoscope for an operation, an endoscopic image of an operation field which is captured by the endoscope and displayed on an observation screen of a monitor is important. If the endoscope image is different from the desired part, appropriate examination / treatment cannot be performed.

For this reason, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 9-14987
No. 9 discloses a magnifying optic displayed on a television monitor as an endoscope apparatus which can always display a treatment tool such as forceps and a peripheral image thereof on an observation screen and prevents the observation screen from being difficult to see. XY for setting a reference circle having a radius (r) of the center (P) of the rectangular TM area within the imaging range of the system and controlling the reference circle to be disposed in the endoscope enlarged by the enlargement optical system. Some had a stage control unit. In addition, there has been a configuration in which a field of view is moved and changed by a switch provided in an endoscope.

[0007]

However, in the endoscope apparatus and the endoscope which enables the movement of the visual field described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-149879, the moving speed when moving the visual field to a desired position is too high. Therefore, the user has to repeatedly input the operation instruction before moving the field of view to the desired position. Therefore, it takes a considerable time to move the field of view to a desired position.

On the other hand, if the visual field moving speed is reduced in order to surely move to the desired position at one time, the visual field can be moved reliably. However, in this case, the moving speed is slow, It takes a considerable amount of time to move the field of view to the desired position. Therefore, while performing the visual field moving operation, it is not possible to perform a treatment using the treatment tool or the like, which causes a delay in the operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and allows a visual field to be moved to a desired position quickly and easily.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an endoscope camera visual field control method that can be performed reliably.

[0010]

According to the present invention, there is provided an endoscope camera visual field control method, comprising: an endoscope image imaging means having an imaging optical system and an imaging element for imaging an inside of a body cavity; and an imaging method of the endoscope image imaging means. An image processing / output unit that converts an image signal photoelectrically converted by the element into a video signal, and outputs the converted video signal to a display unit; and an image processing unit that is captured by the endoscope image imaging unit displayed on the display unit. Position change instructing means for instructing to change the imaging region or the viewing direction of the endoscope image; computing means for calculating a destination selectively instructed by the position change instructing means; and A visual field control means for controlling an endoscope image imaging means, an imaging step of imaging the inside of a body cavity by the endoscope image imaging means, and an optical image taken by the endoscope image imaging means on the display means As an image An image processing / outputting step to be displayed, and an instruction step of instructing a point to be selectively changed by the position change instructing means in order to change the position of the endoscope image displayed on the display screen of the display means A calculating step of calculating a displacement amount between the point of movement and the original point instructed by the position change instructing means by the calculating means, and based on a calculation result of the calculating means, Moving the endoscope image to the position selectively instructed by the position change instructing means.

According to this configuration, a desired position on the display screen on which the endoscope image is displayed is selectively indicated by the position change instructing means, so that the desired position is displayed at a predetermined position on the display screen. An endoscopic image of the field of view is displayed.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an endoscope camera visual field control method, FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a second controller for remote support, FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a display screen of the display device, and FIG. 4 is a diagram for clarifying a relationship between a moving speed and a position when moving an endoscope image.

In this embodiment, the operating room is connected to a remote control room via a communication line, and the operating room operator provides instructions and advice from a supporter such as a doctor in the control room. An endoscope camera view control method is used in a remote assisted surgery system that can perform surgery upon receiving. .

As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope camera visual field control method according to the present invention includes, for example, an endoscope system 2 disposed in an operating room, and control of the endoscope system 2 at a remote location, for example. The remote operation support system 1 is configured by being connected to a remote control system 4 disposed indoors by a public line 5 such as an integrated digital communication network (ISDN) as a communication line. As for the standards for transmitting images, sounds, and signals in ISDN, the H320 standard and the like have been established as a method for transmitting images, sounds, and data over a public line.

An endoscope system 2 arranged in an operating room
Has an endoscope 21 for observing the inside of a body cavity of a patient, and peripheral devices 22 such as an electric scalpel, an insufflation device, and an ultrasonic surgical instrument (not shown) for performing treatment and treatment. The peripheral device 22 is supplied with driving power via, for example, a cord or the like, and can change the setting of the output value.

The endoscope 21 is, for example, a rigid endoscope having an insertion portion 21a, and an eyepiece 23 provided on the rear end side of the insertion portion 21a is formed of a plurality of optical lenses. A television camera 26 serving as an endoscope image capturing means having a built-in image optical system 24 and a charge-coupled device (hereinafter abbreviated as a CCD) 25 as an image capturing device is detachably mounted.

A light guide cable (not shown) extends from the endoscope 21 and is connected to a light source device (not shown). Illumination light of a lamp provided inside the light source device is transmitted to the distal end side of the insertion portion 21a via a light guide cable and a light guide in the endoscope 21,
The interior of the body cavity is illuminated through an illumination window (not shown).

An objective lens (not shown) is attached to an observation window adjacent to the illumination window, and an optical image of a subject is transferred to a distal end side of an optical image transmitting means, for example, a relay lens system, which is disposed in the insertion portion 21a. The image is formed, transmitted to the rear end side, and is enlarged and observed through the eyepiece 23.

An optical image transmitted through the relay lens system is formed on a CCD 25 of a television camera 26 mounted on the eyepiece 23, and an image signal photoelectrically converted by the CCD 25 is transmitted via a signal cable 27. After being transmitted to a camera control unit (hereinafter abbreviated as CCU) 28 which is an image processing / output unit, and is generated here as a standard video signal, the video signal generated by the CCU 28 is converted into a first display unit. And the endoscope image captured by the endoscope 21 is displayed on the monitor screen 31a.

A visual field changing unit 29 is connected to the television camera 26 as visual field control means for changing an imaging area or a visual field direction by moving at least one of the imaging optical system 24 and the CCD 25. I have.

The field-of-view changing unit 29, the CCU 28 and the peripheral device 22 are connected to a system controller 30, which is a first control means for performing these controls. The system controller 30 is connected with, for example, a touch panel 33 and a magnetic card reader 34 for inputting patient data and the like as first input means for inputting an instruction for control.

By this, for example, the touch panel 33
, The color tone can be changed by the CCU 28 via the system controller 30, the imaging distance between the imaging optical system 24 and the CCD 25 can be changed, and the output of the peripheral device 22 can be controlled. It has become. Specifically, when the peripheral device 22 is, for example, an electric scalpel, setting control of an output level for performing incision, coagulation, and the like can be performed. When the peripheral device 22 is an insufflator, control for changing a set pressure can be performed.

The magnetic card reader 34 reads the patient data recorded on the magnetic card, inputs the patient data to the system controller 30, and outputs the patient data to the CCU 28 via the system controller 30, thereby obtaining an endoscope image. It is possible to superimpose and display the patient data on the display.

The CCU 28 and the system controller 30 are connected to an operating room signal transmission device 35 as a first signal transmission means. Then, the operating room signal transmission device 35 converts the video signal of the endoscopic image generated by the CCU 28, the control signal controlled by the system controller 30 or the patient data into a signal that can be transmitted by the public line 5. Then, the signal is output to the control room via the public line 5 connected to the operating room signal transmission device 35.

The operating room signal transmission device 35 includes:
The control room signal transmission device 41 of the control room converts a signal and converts a signal input through the public line 5 into an original video signal and an instruction signal described later, and sends the instruction signal to the system controller 30. On the other hand, the video signal is output to an auxiliary monitor 32 connected to the operating room signal transmission device 35 so that image information and the like sent from the control room are displayed on a monitor screen 32a. Has become.

A keyboard (not shown) or the like is connected to the system controller 30 as input means.
A comment or the like can be transmitted from the keyboard to a support person in the control room via the system controller 30, the operating room signal transmission device 35, and the public line 5.

On the other hand, the remote control system 4 in the control room
A control signal or patient data that is connected to the public line 5 and controls a signal input through the public line 5 from the operating room signal transmission device 35 via the public line 5 and is controlled by the CCU 28 and the system controller 30. And the like, and the control room signal transmission device 41 which is connected to the control room signal transmission device 41
A second monitor 42, which is a second display means for displaying a video signal output from the control unit 1, and a control signal or a patient connected to the control room signal transmission device 41 and output from the control room signal transmission device 41. While data etc. are input,
It is connected to the remote control controller 43, which is a second control means provided with a program for calculating the visual field movement amount described later, and the control room signal transmission device 41, and captures figures and tables in the control room and facial expressions of supporters. And an indoor camera 44.

The remote operation controller 43 captures the endoscope image sent from the CCU 28 as a still image and superimposes the patient information and the like sent from the system controller 30. Display device 45 as a third display means for displaying
Is connected. The remote control controller 4
For example, a touch panel or a keyboard 46, which also serves as second input means for inputting control content and position change instructing means, is connected to 3. Further, a pointing device such as a mouse (not shown) is connected as input means as position change instruction means.

[0029] As shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 3 denotes a central processing unit (abbreviated as CPU) 51 for performing a control operation, a hard disk (abbreviated as HDD) 52 for storing an operation program of the CPU 51, images and the like,
Memory 5 used for temporary storage of images, work area, etc.
3, an input / output interface (abbreviated as I / O) 54 for performing input / output via the control room signal transmission device 41, and a video capture control unit 55 for performing a capture operation and a superimposed display operation of a video signal (video signal). And a keyboard interface (abbreviated as keyboard I / F) 56 connected to the keyboard 46, for example, and these are connected to each other via a bus.

Communication of control signals and the like with the control room signal transmission device 41 is performed via an I / O 54. The operation program of the remote operation controller 43 is stored in the HDD 5
2 is stored.

For this reason, in the operating room, when the setting for controlling the operation of the peripheral device 22 and the like from the touch panel 33 and the like is performed via the system controller 30, the control content is changed to the operating room signal transmission device 35 and the public line. 5. I / O in the remote operation controller 43 via the control room signal transmission device 41
From O54, it is stored in the memory 53 or the like.

The patient information input to the system controller 30 by the magnetic card reader 34 is similarly stored in the memory 53 from the I / O 54 in the remote controller 43.

The video capture control unit 55 is connected to the control room signal transmission device 41, and performs an A / D converter 57 for A / D converting an input video signal, and a D / A conversion for the video signal. And a D / A converter 58 for outputting.

The A / D converter 57 and the D / A converter 58 are connected to an overlay control section 59 for performing overlay control. The overlay control section 59 further controls the overlay control section 59 and transmits and receives data. The control circuit 60 is connected to the control circuit 60. The control circuit 60 is connected to the bus.

In this embodiment, the image communication by the control room signal transmission device 41 is performed by the video capture control unit 5.
5 through an A / D converter 57 and a D / A converter 58.

From this, the video signal input from the A / D converter 57 is transmitted to the control circuit 6 by the overlay control section 59.
The image is converted according to the control of 0. On the other hand, the output of the overlay control unit 59 is transmitted to the control room signal transmission device 41 via the D / A converter 58. Communication between the control room signal transmission device 41 and the remote operation controller 43 is performed by the CPU 52 according to a program stored in the HDD 52.
51 controls.

An image captured through the video capture control unit 55 can be stored in the HDD 52, and the image stored in the HDD 52 is stored in the keyboard 46.
Is received by the CPU 51, and a reduced image (thumbnail image) of the selected image is output to the video capture control unit 55 side, so that the image is transmitted via the overlay control unit 59 (from the operating room signal transmission device 35 side). (Transmitted) video signal can be superimposed.

The video signal from the D / A converter 58 is also output to the display device 45, and the display device 45
For example, the display shown in FIG. 3 can be performed.

As shown in the figure, the display area 45a of the display device 45 is divided into a screen display area 61, a thumbnail display area 62, a peripheral device status display area 63, a patient information display area 64, and a comment display area 65. Have been.

In the screen display area 61, the CCU
Endoscope image from 28 and the thumbnail display area 6
The thumbnail image selected from 2 is displayed. Also,
In the thumbnail display area 62, a reduced image of image data such as a reference image stored in the remote operation controller 43 or an image obtained by reducing a video signal corresponding to an endoscope image from the CCU 28 as a still image (thumbnail image) Are displayed. The control status of the peripheral device 22 and the CCU 28 transmitted from the system controller 30 is displayed in the peripheral device status display area 63. In the patient information display area 64, patient information from the system controller 30 is displayed. In the comment display area 65, a comment transmitted from the operating room is displayed by inputting, using a keyboard or the like, a matter noticed by the surgeon in the operating room during the operation. In short, this means that
The support person in the control room can provide the support information while viewing the endoscope image displayed on the second monitor 42 and the display device 45.

Further, the input information such as the keyboard 46 and the mouse is used to supervise, for example, instructions and cautions at the time of operation for the surgeon in the operating room in the screen display area 61 of the display area 45a. Impose (overlay)
The support information is displayed on the screen 32a of the auxiliary monitor 32 in the operating room via the signal transmission devices 41 and 35 and the public line 5. In other words, this allows the operator in the operating room to proceed with the operation by obtaining support information from the remote control room displayed on the auxiliary monitor 32.

The HDD 52 stores a program which is an operation means for calculating the visual field movement amount. For example, the position information input by using the input means such as the keyboard 46 and mouse is stored in a keyboard I / F 56 or I / F 56. It is stored in the memory 53 via / O54.

That is, the original point A is clicked with the cursor 66 displayed on the screen display area 61 shown in FIG. 3, and the mouse is moved to the destination point B in the clicked state. Then, the position information of the points A and B is stored in the memory 53 of the remote operation controller 43. Based on the position information, the program stored in the HDD 52 calculates the moving distance which is the displacement amount from the point A to the point B. Alternatively, the movement position is calculated from at least one of the movement direction as the displacement angle or the movement speed as the displacement speed, and an instruction signal to be output to the visual field changing unit 29 is generated.

The instruction signal generated from the calculation result is output to the system controller 30 via the signal transmission devices 41 and 35 and the public line 5, and the system controller 30 to which the instruction signal has been input outputs the calculation result. Optical system 2 via the visual field changing unit 29 in response to
The distance between 4 and the CCD 25 is changed. As a result, an endoscope image in a state where point A is moved to point B in screen display area 61 is displayed.

Here, the relationship between the moving speed and the position when moving the endoscope image will be described with reference to FIG. The horizontal axis shown in the figure represents the visual field moving distance, and the vertical axis represents the moving speed.

In the drawing, the first line shown by a solid line shows the relationship between the position and the speed from the point A to the designated area of interest at the point B passing through the point a. The point a is moved at a high speed at the moving speed V1, and then the point a is moved from the point a to the point B so that the moving speed decreases as the point B approaches.

That is, at a position distant from the region of interest, movement is performed with a high moving speed, and the moving speed is reduced as the position approaches the point B. This makes it possible to quickly move to the vicinity of the region of interest, while making it easier to see the endoscope image while moving to the point B from the vicinity of the region of interest.

On the other hand, in the figure, a second line shown by a broken line linearly reduces the moving speed from the point A to the point B in accordance with the distance to the point B. This allows
While enabling quick movement to the vicinity of the region of interest, the endoscope image is made easier to see while moving to the point B from the vicinity of the region of interest.

In this embodiment, the movement when the image is moved to the point B after designating the point B as a predetermined position is shown. However, without specifying the predetermined position each time, for example, the center of the screen is displayed. Alternatively, an arbitrary predetermined position may be fixed and moved to that point.

That is, the supporter who is observing the endoscope image displayed on the monitor screen 42a of the second monitor 42 captures the desired imaging region and view direction of the displayed endoscope image. If not, the endoscope image displayed on the second monitor 42 is displayed in a superimposed (overlay) display on the screen display area 61 of the display device 45, and then the input means such as the keyboard 46 or a mouse is used. Then, an input instruction for performing control for changing the imaging region and the view direction by the view change unit 29 is performed.

Then, the input instruction information input via the input means is transmitted as an instruction signal from the remote controller 43 to the system controller 30 in the operating room via the signal transmission devices 41 and 35 and the public line 5. The system controller 30 outputs a control signal to the visual field changing unit 29 to change the image forming distance between the imaging optical system 24 and the CCD 25 to the visual field changing unit 29 based on the instruction signal. The field-of-view changing unit 29 receiving this control signal changes at least one of the imaging optical system 24 and the CCD 25 by moving it.

Thus, the monitor screens 31a and 42a of the first monitor 31 and the second monitor 42 and the display device 4
5, a desired endoscope image can be displayed at a predetermined position designated by an input of a supporter in the control room.

Further, when it is desired to change the color tone of the endoscope image displayed on the second monitor 42, the input device such as a keyboard 46 and a mouse is used to change the peripheral device status display area 6
By changing the control status of the CCU 28 displayed in 3, it is transmitted to the system controller 30 in the operating room via the control room signal transmission devices 41 and 35 and the public line 5, and is controlled by the system controller 30 to the CCU 21. The color tone is changed by sending a signal.

According to the present embodiment, the support surgeon at a remote location designates a desired point on the endoscopic image displayed on the display device by using a touch panel or a mouse, and the designated point is designated. A desired endoscope image can be displayed at the point.

When the endoscope image is moved, the image is moved from the original point to the area of interest at high speed, and the moving speed is reduced as the area approaches the vicinity of the destination from the area of interest.
By linearly decelerating the moving speed from the original point to the destination point according to the distance to the destination point, quick movement can be enabled, and the endoscope from the vicinity of the attention area to the destination point. The image can be easily viewed.

The configuration of the remote controller 43 may be provided to the system controller 30. Further, in the present embodiment, the communication line between the signal transmission devices 35 and 41 is the public line 5, but the communication line is not limited to the public line and may be a LAN (Local Area Network).
rk) or another communication line such as a WAN (Wide Area Network). Further, in this embodiment, the input unit for the patient information is a magnetic card reader, but the input unit for the patient information is not limited to the card reader, but may be another medium such as an IC card or an optical card. Note that the optical endoscope 21 is not limited to one that transmits an optical image by a relay lens system, and may be one that employs an image guide that transmits an optical image by a fiber bundle. Although not shown, an operator in the operating room and a supporter in the control room can also transmit and receive audio signals.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an endoscope camera visual field control method according to the second embodiment. In the first embodiment, when the supporter in the control room controls the change of the imaging region or the change of the view direction, at least one of the imaging optical system 24 or the CCD 25 of the television camera 26 is moved by the view change unit 29. However, in the present embodiment, when the imaging region and the direction of the visual field are changed as in the remote surgery support system 1A shown in the figure, the image storing means provided in the CCU 28 by the visual field changing unit 29. The reading is performed by controlling a reading area of a certain image memory 28a.

That is, the viewing direction and the like are changed by changing the read position of the image memory 28a. For this reason, the endoscope is not limited to the above-mentioned optical endoscope, but may be an electronic endoscope in which the imaging optical system and the CCD are built in the distal end portion of the insertion section. Other configurations, operations, and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[Appendix] According to the embodiment of the present invention described in detail above, the following configuration can be obtained.

(1) Endoscope image pickup means having an imaging optical system and an image pickup device for picking up an image of a body cavity, and an image signal photoelectrically converted by the image pickup element of the endoscope image pickup means is converted into a video signal. An image processing / output unit that outputs the converted video signal to a display unit, and issues an instruction to change an imaging region or a viewing direction of an endoscope image captured by the endoscope image imaging unit displayed on the display unit. Position change instruction means,
Computing means for calculating a destination selectively instructed by the position change instructing means, and visual field controlling means for controlling the endoscopic image capturing means based on the result of the computing means,
An imaging step of imaging the inside of a body cavity by the endoscope image imaging means; an image processing / outputting step of displaying an optical image captured by the endoscope image imaging means on the display means as an endoscope image; and the display means An instruction step of instructing a point to be selectively changed by the position change instructing means in order to change the position of the endoscope image displayed on the display screen of A calculating step of calculating a displacement amount between the designated destination point and the original point; and selectively instructed by the position change instructing means using the view control means based on a calculation result of the computing means. Moving the endoscope image to the closed position.

(2) The method for controlling the visual field of an endoscope camera according to appendix 1, wherein the calculating means calculates displacement amounts of two points indicated by the position change instructing means on the display means.

(3) The endoscope camera visual field control method according to Appendix 1, wherein the calculating means calculates displacement angles at two points indicated by the position change instructing means on the display means.

(4) An endoscope camera visual field control method according to claim 1, wherein said calculating means calculates based on a displacement speed between two points designated by said position change instructing means on said display means.

(5) The endoscope according to Appendix 1, wherein the visual field control means changes the relative position between the imaging optical system of the endoscope imaging means and the solid-state image sensor to change the imaging area and the visual field direction. Mirror camera view control method.

(6) The endoscope camera field-of-view control method according to Appendix 1, wherein the field-of-view control means controls a read area of an image storage means included in the endoscope image-taking means to change an image-capturing area or an image-capturing location.

[0067]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an endoscope camera view control method capable of quickly, easily, and surely moving the view to a desired position.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIGS. 1 to 4 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of an endoscope camera view control method;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a second controller that remotely supports the system.

FIG. 3 illustrates a display screen of a display device.

FIG. 4 illustrates a relationship between a moving speed and a position when moving an endoscope image.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining an endoscope camera view control method according to a second embodiment;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Remote operation support system Endoscope camera visual field control method 2 ... Endoscope system 4 ... Remote control system 5 ... Public line 24 ... Imaging optical system 25 ... CCD (charge-coupled device) 26 ... Television camera 28 ... CCU ( Camera control unit) 29 View changing unit 30 System controller 31 First monitor 33 Touch panel 35 Operating room signal transmission device 41 Control room signal transmission device 42 Second monitor 43 Remote control controller 45 Display Device 46: Keyboard (position change instruction means)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2H040 BA04 DA02 GA00 GA01 GA05 GA11 4C061 AA24 AA29 BB02 CC07 DD01 FF02 JJ19 LL03 NN01 NN03 NN05 PP12 RR06 RR17 RR24 RR30 SS21 UU08 WW06 WW20 XX02 5C054 CG07 CF07

Claims (1)

[Claims] An endoscope image pickup means having an image forming optical system and an image pickup device for picking up an image of a body cavity, and an image signal photoelectrically converted by an image pickup device of the endoscope image pickup means is converted into a video signal. Image processing / output means for outputting the obtained video signal to a display means, and a position for giving an instruction to change an imaging region or a view direction of an endoscope image captured by the endoscope image imaging means displayed on the display means A change instructing means, a calculating means for calculating a destination selectively instructed by the position changing instructing means, and a visual field controlling means for controlling an endoscope image capturing means based on a result of the calculating means, An imaging step of imaging the inside of a body cavity by an endoscope image imaging means; an image processing / outputting step of displaying an optical image captured by the endoscope image imaging means on the display means as an endoscope image; and the display means An instruction step of instructing a point to be selectively changed by the position change instructing means in order to change a position of the endoscope image displayed on the display screen; and an instruction by the position change instructing means by the arithmetic means. Calculating a displacement amount between the moved destination point and the original point, based on a calculation result of the calculating means, to a position selectively instructed by the position change instructing means by the visual field control means. An image moving step of moving an endoscope image, comprising: an endoscope camera visual field control method.