JP2001087221A - Endoscope apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope apparatus with a high operability allowing an operator to freely switch the ordinary observation and the infrared ray observation. SOLUTION: A TV camera 3 including a CCD 38 has a switching operation switch 28. An operator can control the rotation angle of a turret filter 21 disposed in front of illumination rays emitted from a lamp 19 of a light source device 5 by way of a CPU 58, or the like, and can selectively insert/take out and control an IR-cut filter 26 which cuts infrared rays(IR) and transmits light in the visible region only, and an IR-transmitting filter 25 which transmits light in the visible region only into/out of an optical path. After the signal processing by a CCU 6, a visible image obtained under the illumination in the visible region and an IR image obtained under the illumination in the IR region can be selectively displayed on a monitor 7.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus having a solid-state image sensor and a function of performing infrared observation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an endoscope apparatus has been widely used in which an endoscope is inserted into a body cavity to diagnose an affected part in the body cavity or to perform a medical treatment as needed. . Recently, a T-type optical endoscope equipped with a solid-state imaging device has been developed.
An endoscope apparatus of a type in which a captured image is displayed on a monitor (apparatus) by adopting an electronic endoscope (video scope) equipped with a V-camera or a solid-state imaging device at a tip of an insertion section. Is becoming mainstream.

[0003] In addition to an endoscope apparatus for observation in a normal visible range, there is an endoscope apparatus for observation in an infrared range. For example, in an infrared observation TV camera, an infrared cut filter disposed on the front of a solid-state imaging device for removing infrared light is removed and used for endoscopic inspection. When performing infrared observation, set the infrared observation SW on the front panel of the light source device to O.
N to emit infrared light.

[0004]

However, since the light source device is an unclean area and cannot be operated by an operator in a clean area where the operation is performed, it is necessary to operate the light source apparatus through a nurse or the like. Was unable to operate freely.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has as its object to provide an endoscope apparatus with good operability that allows an operator to freely switch between normal observation and infrared observation. I do. It is another object of the present invention to provide an endoscope apparatus which can provide an observation image which is easy to diagnose by adding visible image information to an infrared image when infrared observation is selected.

[0006]

In an endoscope apparatus for imaging an object by an endoscope provided with an imaging means and displaying an image of the object on a monitor, a switching operation means provided on the endoscope; By the operation of the switching operation means, only the visible light and the infrared light in which the infrared light is cut off on at least one of the emission light emitted to illuminate the subject and the incident light incident on the imaging means. By providing filter means for selectively passing only light, the surgeon operates the endoscope switching operation means near the hand to cut the infrared range when desired. A visible image using only light and an infrared image using only light in the infrared region can be selectively obtained, so that an endoscope apparatus that is easy to use or has good operability can be realized.

Further, in an endoscope apparatus for imaging an object with an endoscope provided with imaging means and displaying an image of the object on a monitor, a switching operation means provided in the endoscope; Control means for selectively displaying on a monitor a normal observation image obtained under illumination in the visible region and a composite observation image obtained under illumination in the visible region and infrared region by the operation of As a result, when infrared observation is selected, the image is displayed as a composite observation image obtained by synthesizing the visible image with the infrared image. The superimposition makes it easy to specify each part, and provides an observation image that can be easily diagnosed.

Further, in an endoscope apparatus for imaging an object by an endoscope provided with an imaging means and displaying an image of the object on a monitor, a switching operation means provided in the endoscope; Control means for selectively displaying on a monitor a normal observation image obtained under illumination in the visible region and a parent-child observation image obtained under illumination in the visible region and infrared region by the operation of As a result, when infrared observation is selected, the infrared image and the visible image are displayed as parent and child images, so that the normal image in the visible region is displayed at the same time as compared to the case where only the image in the infrared region is displayed. This makes it easy to identify each part and provides an observation image that is easy to diagnose.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 3 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 shows the entire configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to the first embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 3 shows a configuration of a turret filter provided in the apparatus, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of the present embodiment by a switch operation.

As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention comprises, for example, an external endoscope 4 having a television camera 3 mounted on an optical endoscope 2 and an optical endoscope 2. A light source device 5 for supplying illumination light to the endoscope 2, a camera control unit (abbreviated as CCU) 6 for performing signal processing on image pickup means built in the television camera 3,
A standard video signal output from the CU 6 is input, and the monitor 7 displays an endoscope image picked up by the image pickup means.

The optical endoscope 2 has a rigid insertion portion 11, a grip portion 12 provided at a rear end of the insertion portion 11, and an eyepiece portion 13 provided at a rear end of the grip portion 12.

A light guide 14 for transmitting illumination light is inserted into the insertion portion 11, and the light guide 14 is connected to a light guide base 15 provided on the grip portion 12 via a light guide cable 16. 5 is connected.

A lamp 19, which is lit by a lamp lighting power supply supplied from a lamp lighting circuit 18, is housed in the light source device 5. White light of the lamp 19 passes through a turret filter 21 and is condensed by a condenser lens 22. Incident on the incident end face of the light guide cable 16 and transmitted from the light guide base 15 to the light guide 14 in the endoscope 2;
The light is emitted from the front end surface of the light guide attached to the illumination window at the front end of the insertion section 11, and illuminates a subject such as an affected part.

As shown in FIG. 2, the turret filter 21 includes a turret frame 24 and a semi-disc-shaped infrared transmission filter (abbreviated as IR transmission filter) 25 which transmits only infrared light and an infrared light. An infrared cut filter (abbreviated as IR cut filter) 26 that cuts and transmits light in the visible region is attached, and the center thereof is connected to the rotation shaft of a motor 27.

Then, by operating a changeover switch 28 provided on the television camera 3 to be described later, the motor 27 is rotated so that a desired one of the two IR transmission filters 25 and the infrared cut filter 26 is placed in the illumination optical path. So that it can be placed in

In this case, in order to detect whether the filter set in the optical path is the IR transmission filter 25 or the infrared cut filter 26, or whether the filter is set to a desired rotation position, the position of the turret filter 21 at the periphery is determined. One hole 29a and two holes 29b and 29c are provided at positions rotated by approximately 180 degrees, and these are
1, and sends the detection signal to the CPU 32.

The CPU 32 determines whether one of the holes 29a is detected by the detection signal of the sensor 31 or the position of the two holes 29b.
The rotation angle of the motor 27 is controlled so that the position of the motor 29c is one of the detected positions.

At the tip of the insertion portion 11, an objective lens 33 attached to an observation window adjacent to the illumination window is provided. The light is transmitted to the end face side, and can be enlarged and observed by the eyepiece 35 provided in the eyepiece 13.

A television camera head 36 of the television camera 3 is detachably mounted on the eyepiece 13. The camera head 36 faces the eyepiece 35 and the imaging lens 3.
7 is arranged at the image forming position, for example, a CCD 38 is arranged as an image sensor.

The image pickup surface of the CCD 37 has R,
A color separation filter 38 such as a G or B mosaic filter is arranged, and an image color-separated by the color separation filter 38 is formed by a CCD.
An image is formed on an imaging surface 37.

The camera head 36 is provided with a changeover switch 28 for switching the observation image. By operating the changeover switch 28, a desired image of a visible image and an infrared image can be observed. Like that. In addition,
In the present embodiment, the changeover switch 28 is a tact switch that is turned on when, for example, a pressing operation is performed and two contacts come into contact with each other, and when the pressing operation is stopped, the two contacts are returned to OFF by a spring (not shown).

A camera cable 41 extends from the camera head 36, and a connector 42 at its end is detachably connected to the CCU 6. By connecting the connector 42 to the CCU 6, the CCD 38 is connected to the CCU 6 via a signal line.
The CCD drive signal is applied from the CCD driver 44, the photoelectrically converted signal is amplified by the buffer amplifier 45 provided in the camera head 36 from the CCD 38, and then the CCU is passed through the signal line.
The signal is input to an amplifier 51 constituting the signal processing circuit 46 in the amplifier 6 and amplified so as to compensate for a loss in signal line transmission in the camera cable, and then a signal component is extracted by the CDS circuit 52.

Then, after being converted from an analog signal to a digital signal by the A / D converter 53, the color separation circuit 5
4 and separated into R, G, B color signals,
It is temporarily stored in the memories 55a, 55b, and 55c for R, G, and B. The writing and reading of the memories 55a, 55b and 55c are controlled by a memory control circuit 56.

The signals read from the memories 55a, 55b and 55c are respectively applied to D / A converters 57a, 57b and 5c.
After being converted into an analog signal by 7c, it is output to the monitor 7 together with a synchronization signal (not shown), and an endoscope image is displayed on the display surface of the monitor 7.

A CPU 58 is provided in the CCU 6, and an operation signal when the changeover operation switch 28 provided on the camera head 36 is operated is transmitted to the CCU 6 via a signal line.
It is input to PU58. The CPU 58 sends a control signal to the memory control circuit 56 in response to the operation signal, and controls the operation.

The CPU 58 controls the C
An operation signal is sent to the PU 32 via the signal line 59, and the CPU
Reference numeral 32 controls the filter state of the turret filter 21 via the motor 27 in accordance with the operation signal.

FIG. 3 shows this embodiment constructed as described above.
This will be described below with reference to FIG. When the power source such as the light source device 5 and the CCU 6 is turned on after connecting as shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 8 performs a control operation for setting an initial state by a program (not shown). In this state, the changeover operation switch 28 is OFF as shown in FIG. 3, and in this initial state, for example, the CPU 58 performs normal observation, that is, a color observation image (visible) under illumination in a visible region so that a visible image is obtained. Image).

The CPU 58 sends an initial state signal to the CPU 32 of the light source device 5 via a signal line 59, and the CPU 32 receives the signal and controls the rotation of the motor 27, and determines the rotational position of the turret filter 21 by the sensor 31. The detection signal is set to a rotational position at which the sensor 31 detects one hole 29a, that is, a state where the IR cut filter 26 is inserted in the optical path as shown in FIG. In FIG.
Shown in cut.

In this state, the lamp 19 transmits the IR cut filter 26, and the white light from which only the infrared wavelength component is cut is supplied to the entrance end face of the light guide cable 16 through the condenser lens 22. . The affected part is illuminated with the white light, and the objective lens 3 of the optical endoscope 2 is illuminated.
3. The subject image is color-separated by the color separation filter 39 and formed on the CCD 38 via the relay lens system 34 and the like.

The output signal of the CCD 38 is supplied to a signal processing circuit 46.
After being separated into R, G, and B signals by the color separation circuit 54, they are stored in the memories 55a, 55b, and 55c in units of one field or one frame, and are written one field or one frame before. Are read out at the same time and converted into three primary color signals of R, G and B by the monitor 7.
The endoscope image in the visible range is displayed in color on the display surface of the monitor 7.

When the surgeon wants to observe an infrared image, he or she performs an operation of pressing the switch 28 of the camera head 36 near the hand. When an operation of pressing the changeover operation switch 28 is performed, a pulse-like operation signal is output, and the CPU
Numeral 58 determines a switching instruction operation signal and performs a control operation of switching illumination and signal processing from a normal observation state to an infrared observation state.

The CPU 58 sends an operation signal for switching to the CPU 32 of the light source device 5, and the CPU 32 controls the turret filter 21 via the motor 27 to detect the two holes 2.
Rotate to the position where 9b and 29c are detected. That is, the turret filter 21 is set in a state where the IR transmission filter 25 is inserted in the illumination light path, and the illumination light supplied to the light guide 14 is infrared-range illumination light. Further, the CPU 58 controls the operation of the memory control circuit 56 in the memory 5.
A control signal is sent to write and read only to 5a.

In the case of a subject illuminated under illumination light in the infrared region, an optical image is formed on the CCD 38,
Light is received only by the pixel portion of the R filter by the color separation filter 39 on the front surface of the CD 38.

The output signal of the CCD 38 is input to the signal processing circuit 46, and the color separation circuit 54 outputs an IR signal from an R signal output terminal (separates and outputs an R signal in the case of illumination light in the visible region). The IR signal is output and stored in the memory 55c in units of one field or one frame. At this time, the IR signal written one field or one frame before is read out and output to the monitor 7 as an R signal of three primary color signals. Is displayed on the display surface as an R signal (red display color).

When the surgeon wants to observe a normal visible image, the operator operates the changeover switch 2 near the hand.
If the operation of pressing 8 is performed, the IR cut filter 26 is set to be inserted in the illumination light path, and a visible image is displayed on the display surface of the monitor 7.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the surgeon can operate the changeover switch 28 near the operator's hand to make it possible to observe the IR image from the visible image or to change the visible image from the IR image. Can be observed easily and freely without requiring any operation by an assistant such as a nurse.
Therefore, a desired image can be freely obtained when desired, so that operability is improved and diagnosis can be performed smoothly and in a short time.

In the above description, the signal processing (memory control processing) is changed between the normal observation for obtaining a visible image and the case of obtaining an IR image, but the memory control need not be changed. In the mode for obtaining an IR image in this case, the memory 55
Writing and reading of 0 signal components are performed on b and 55c.

In the mode for obtaining an IR image, an IR image is displayed with a red color component. However, if it is desired to display a black and white image, the memory 55b and the D / A converter 57b are connected to each other. And a switch for switching between the memory 55c and the D / A converter 57c, respectively. In a mode for obtaining an IR image, the switch is switched to the memory 55c.
What is necessary is just to make it the output signal of a input also to D / A converter 57b and 57c.

FIG. 4 shows an endoscope apparatus 1B according to a modification. In the first embodiment, the color separation filter 3 is provided on the front surface of the CCD 38 so that a color visible image can be obtained in the normal observation mode.
9, the CCU 6 performs signal processing to obtain color video signals by color separation. In this modification, a monochrome image is obtained not only in the infrared observation mode but also in the normal observation mode. Things.

For this reason, the endoscope apparatus 1B shown in FIG. 4 employs a CCD 38 having no color separation filter 39 in the camera head 36 in the endoscope apparatus 1A shown in FIG. 1, and an A / D converter in the CCU 6. The output signal of the device 53 is temporarily written in one memory 55 under the control of a memory control circuit 56, and the signal read from this memory 55 is converted into an analog video signal by a D / A converter 57, and the monochrome display is performed. Is output to the monitor 7 '. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

The operation of this modified example is as follows. In the normal observation mode, a monochrome visible image is displayed on the monitor 7 ', and the monitor 7' is similarly operated even when the switching operation switch 28 is operated to switch to the infrared observation mode. Will display an IR image in monochrome. In this case, monochrome display of a visible image and an IR image can be performed by a completely common signal processing system. Further, similarly to the first embodiment, the operator can freely obtain a desired one of the visible image and the IR image by performing an operation near the user's hand, thereby improving operability. .

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 shows an overall configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 shows a configuration of a main part of an imaging system.

In the first embodiment, an IR transmission filter and an IR cut filter are provided only on the light source device 5 side, and an IR transmission illumination state and an IR cut (visible) illumination state are operated by operating a changeover switch near the hand. And a signal processing state in which an IR image can be obtained under IR illumination in conjunction with each illumination state.
Although the signal processing state can be set so that a visible image can be obtained under visible illumination by IR cut, in the present embodiment, an IR transmission filter and an IR cut filter are provided on the light source device side and the imaging device side. And an IR image and a visible image can be obtained by operating a changeover switch near the hand.

An endoscope apparatus 1C shown in FIG. 5 is different from the endoscope apparatus 1A shown in FIG. 1 in that a turret filter 61 is provided in the image pickup optical path between the imaging lens 37 and the color separation filter 39 in the camera head 36, for example. The turret filter 61 is arranged so that a gear portion provided on the outer peripheral surface of the turret filter 61 meshes with a gear attached to a rotation shaft of the small motor 62.

The small motor 62 is connected to the CPU 58 via a signal line, and by operating the changeover switch 28, the rotation position of the turret filter 61 can be set to two positions rotated by approximately 180 degrees under the control of the CPU 58. Like that.

That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the turret filter 61 also has a substantially semi-disk-shaped IR transmission filter 65.
And an IR cut filter 66. In the normal observation mode, the IR cut filter 66 is arranged in the imaging optical path, and in the IR observation mode, the IR transmission filter 65 is arranged in the imaging optical path.

As described in the first embodiment, such a filter position is detected by, for example, one hole 67a and two holes 67b, 67 on the periphery of the turret filter 61 as shown in FIG. It is provided at a position rotated by 180 degrees so that the sensor 68 can detect it. The output signal of the sensor 68 is sent to the CPU 58.

The other structure is the same as that of the first embodiment.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described below. When the power of the light source device 5 and the CCU 6 is turned on in the state set as shown in FIG. 5, the CPU 58 performs a control operation of setting the initial state by a program (not shown). In this state, the changeover switch 28 is OFF as described with reference to FIG. 3, and in this initial state, for example, the CPU 58 performs normal observation, that is, color observation under illumination in the visible range so that a visible image can be obtained. Set to obtain an image (visible image).

The CPU 58 sends a signal in an initial state to the CPU 32 of the light source device 5 via a signal line 59, and the CPU 32 receives the signal and controls the rotation of the motor 27, and determines the rotation position of the turret filter 21 by the sensor 31. The detection signal is set to a rotational position at which the sensor 31 detects one hole 29a, that is, a state where the IR cut filter 26 is inserted in the optical path as shown in FIG.

The CPU 58 controls the rotation of the motor 62, and the rotational position of the turret filter 61 is also detected by the sensor 68.
Sets a position where one hole 68a is detected.

In this state, the lamp 19 passes through the IR cut filter 26, and white light from which only the infrared wavelength component has been cut is supplied to the incident end face of the light guide cable 16 through the condenser lens 22. The affected part is illuminated with this white light, and the objective lens 33 of the optical endoscope 2
The subject image is color-separated by a color separation filter 39 and formed on a CCD 38 via a relay lens system 34 and the like.

The output signal of the CCD 38 is supplied to a signal processing circuit 46.
After being separated into R, G, and B signals by the color separation circuit 54, they are stored in the memories 55a, 55b, and 55c in units of one field or one frame, and are written one field or one frame before. Are read out at the same time and converted into three primary color signals of R, G and B by the monitor 7.
The endoscope image in the visible range is displayed in color on the display surface of the monitor 7.

When the surgeon wants to observe an infrared image, he or she performs an operation of pressing the switch 28 of the camera head 36 near the hand. When an operation of pressing the changeover operation switch 28 is performed, a pulse-like operation signal is output, and the CPU
Numeral 58 determines a switching instruction operation signal and performs a control operation of switching illumination and signal processing from a normal observation state to an infrared observation state.

The CPU 58 sends a switching operation signal to the CPU 32 of the light source device 5, and the CPU 32 controls the turret filter 21 via the motor 27 to detect the two holes 2 by the sensor 31.
Rotate to the position where 9b and 29c are detected. That is, the turret filter 21 is set in a state where the IR transmission filter 25 is inserted in the illumination light path, and the illumination light supplied to the light guide 14 is infrared-range illumination light. Further, the CPU 58 controls the rotation of the motor 62, and controls the turret filter 61 by the sensor 69 so that the two holes 67 b and 6
Rotate to the position where 7c is detected. That is, the turret filter 61 is set in a state where the IR transmission filter 65 is inserted in the imaging optical path, and the CCD 38 is in a state where imaging light only in the infrared region enters.

The CPU 58 sends a control signal so that the operation of the memory control circuit 56 is written and read only from the memory 55a.

In the case of a subject illuminated under illumination light in the infrared region, the optical image is formed on the CCD 38,
Since the IR transmission filter 65 is disposed in front of the color separation filter 39 on the front surface of the CD 38, only light in the infrared region is transmitted, and this light is received only by the pixel portion of the R filter.

The output signal of the CCD 38 is input to the signal processing circuit 46, and the color separation circuit 54 outputs an IR signal from an R signal output terminal (separates and outputs an R signal in the case of visible light). The IR signal is output and stored in the memory 55c in units of one field or one frame. At this time, the IR signal written one field or one frame before is read out and output to the monitor 7 as an R signal of three primary color signals. Is displayed on the display surface as an R signal (red display color).

When the operator wishes to observe a normal visible image, the operator operates the changeover switch 2 near the hand.
When the operation of pressing 8 is performed, the IR cut filters 26 and 66 are set to be inserted in the illumination optical path and the imaging optical path, respectively, and a visible image is displayed on the display surface of the monitor 7. .

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and in addition to the control of the emitted light on the light source side (illumination light emission side), the present embodiment can be applied to the imaging optical path side. Since the control of incident light is also performed, an observation image which is not affected by other modes in each mode can be obtained.

That is, the IR cut filter 66 is arranged in the illumination optical path so that only the light source device 5 emits, for example, visible light and cuts off infrared light, or only the infrared light is emitted. Even if the IR transmission filter 65 is disposed in the illumination light path, the filters 66 and 65 do not completely satisfy such characteristics, and leak light is generated.

For this reason, for example, even if the IR transmission filter 65 is arranged in the illumination light path, the light component in the visible region is mixed, although it is relatively small. For this reason, when an image is captured on the imaging side,
For example, the color separation filter 39 captures an image of even the R light component, for example.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the same filter characteristics are set for the incident light on the imaging side as on the emission side. The characteristics can be further reduced, and I
An R image can be obtained.

In this embodiment, the CCD of the television camera 3
38 has been described as having a color separation filter 39,
When an image is captured by the CCD 38 having no color separation filter 39, an endoscope apparatus 1D of a modified example shown in FIG. 7 can be adopted.

This endoscope apparatus 1D is a CCU 6 as shown in FIG.
In this embodiment, a video signal is output to a monochrome monitor 7 '. However, in FIG. 7, a portion for controlling the turret filter 61 via the motor 62 is added to the CPU 58.

The operation of this modification is different from that of the second embodiment in that a monochrome image is obtained as a visible image. Also, IR
The image is, of course, monochrome. As an effect of the modified example, the signal processing system can be commonly used, and the operation of the signal processing system does not need to be changed between the visible image and the IR image at all. Others are second
There is almost the same effect as in the embodiment.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 shows an overall configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 shows an operation explanatory view. In the first and second embodiments, the visible image (visible information) is not obtained in the infrared observation mode. However, in the present embodiment, the visible image information is obtained even in the infrared observation mode. Thus, a composite image of an infrared image and a visible image is generated to provide an image which is easy to be diagnosed (predicted). Therefore, the function of the normal observation mode is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the function of the infrared observation mode is partially different from that of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 8, an endoscope apparatus 1E according to the present embodiment is partially different from the endoscope apparatus 1A in FIG. 1 in the configuration of the light source device 5 and the CCU 6.

In the light source device 5 of this embodiment, the function of performing normal observation is the same as that of the first embodiment. In the normal observation mode or in the initial setting state, the rotation position of the turret filter 21 is set to one hole 29a. The position is set to the position detected by the sensor 31.

On the other hand, in the infrared observation mode, the turret filter 21 is rotationally driven by the motor 27 so as to make one rotation at, for example, 30 Hz. At this time, the positions of the two holes 29 b and 29 c are detected by the sensor 31, and The switching positions of the two filters 25 and 26 in the optical path are detected. For this reason, the two holes 29b and 29c are provided at positions different from the positions shown in FIG.

Specifically, when the turret filter 21 is rotated counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 8, for example, the filter inserted in the illumination light path is switched from the IR transmission filter 26 to the IR cut filter 25. At the same timing, the two holes 29b and 29c are
It is provided at a position to be detected by.

The detection signal at that timing detected by the sensor 31 is sent to the CPU 32,
2 sends a timing detection signal to the timing control circuit 71 on the CCU 6 side.

The timing control circuit 71 sends a control signal to the CCD driver 44 and the memory control circuit 56 in synchronization with the detection signal.

In the CCU 6 of this embodiment, the output signals of the memories 55a to 55c are
Are multiplied by α in the fourth memory 5 in the adder 73.
After the output signal of 5d is added to the signal multiplied by β by the coefficient unit 72 ', the D / A converter 5
7a to 57c.

The switching circuit 74 is controlled by the CPU 58. That is, when the normal observation is selected, the contact b
N, and when the infrared observation is selected, the contact a is switched on. Others are the same as in the first embodiment.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. When the power is turned on or when the changeover switch 28 is not operated, the apparatus operates in the normal observation mode in the same manner as described in the first embodiment. In the configuration of FIG.
Numeral 58 sets the switching circuit 74 to a state where the contact b is turned on, and a visible image is displayed on the monitor 7.

When an IR image is desired, the changeover operation switch 2
Operate 8. Then, the CPU 58 receives the operation signal and sends a signal for switching to the infrared observation mode to the CPU 32 of the light source device 5, and the CPU 32 rotates the motor 27,
As shown in FIG. 9, the turret filter 21 is in a rotating state. In the rotating state, the state of the filter inserted in the optical path is detected by the sensor 31, and the CPU 32
6 is sent to the timing control circuit 71.

The timing control circuit 71 receives the output signal of the sensor 31 and synchronizes the timing of the CCD drive signal output from the CCD driver 44 and the memory 55a by the memory control circuit 56 in synchronization with the filter state inserted in the optical path. 55c and 55d are controlled.

The CPU 58 sets the switching circuit 74 to the contact a
Is switched on. In the infrared observation mode, the signal charges accumulated in the light receiving section (imaging section) of the CCD 38 with the IR cut filter 26 interposed in the illumination optical path are transferred to the vertical transfer section at the timing of switching to the IR transmission filter 25. After being transferred, the light receiving section accumulates signal charges under infrared illumination.

The signal transferred to the vertical transfer unit and captured under visible illumination passes through a color separation circuit 54 to a memory 55.
R, G, and B signals are written to a to 55c. The writing process is completed before the turret filter 21 is rotated half a turn, and a signal captured under IR illumination is written into the memory 55d within the time of the next half rotation.

In this way, at the time when the turret filter 21 makes one rotation, visible signals are stored in the memories 55a to 55c, and signals are stored in the IR in the memory 55d.

The visible signals of the memories 55a to 55c and the IR signal of the memory 55d are read simultaneously, multiplied by α and β, respectively, added by an adder 73, and then D / A converted. The signals are converted into analog signals by the devices 57a to 57c, output to the monitor 7, and a composite image is displayed.

When a visible image is desired to be displayed in the display state of the composite image, the changeover operation switch 28 is operated.
The turret filter 21 is set at a position where the IR cut filter 26 is inserted in the illumination light path, and a visible image is displayed.

According to the present embodiment, a desired image of the visible image and the combined image of the visible and IR can be obtained by operating the changeover switch 28 near the hand.

In the present embodiment, in the infrared observation mode, not only an IR image but also a composite image obtained by superimposing visible image information is displayed. Since the outline or the like is displayed, the operator can easily grasp the position of the affected part or the like.

FIG. 10 shows an endoscope apparatus 1F according to a modification.
This endoscope apparatus 1F shows a configuration in which the imaging means of the television camera 3 employs a CCD 38 having no color separation filter. In this case, the CCU 6 in FIG. 8 is partially modified.

That is, the output of the A / D converter 53 is connected to the memory 55 for the visible image and the memory 55 ′ for the IR image so as to be inputtable, and the output of the memory 55 is output to the contact b of the switching circuit 74. At the same time, the output of the memory 55 'is multiplied by .alpha.
The result of the multiplication is added to the output and output to the contact b of the switching circuit 74.

When the visible image is selected, the image data of the visible image written in the memory 55 is output from the contact b of the switching circuit 74 to the D / A converter 57,
A monochrome monitor image is displayed on the monochrome monitor 7 '.

When the IR image is selected, the turret filter 21 is rotated as described above, and the image data of the visible image captured under the visible illumination light is written into the memory 55, and the IR illumination is performed. The image data of the IR image captured under the light is written to the memory 55 ', read out at the same time, multiplied by α times and β times, respectively, added by the adder 73, and passed through the contact point a of the switching circuit 74. The image is output to the D / A converter 57, and a monochrome composite image is displayed on the monitor 7 '. The effect of this modification is almost the same as that of the third embodiment.

(Fourth Embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 shows an overall configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
In the third embodiment, in the infrared observation mode, visible image information is obtained and a combined image of the infrared image and the visible image is generated. In the present embodiment, the infrared image and the visible image are combined. Are displayed as parent-child images.

The endoscope apparatus 1 of the present embodiment shown in FIG.
G differs from the endoscope apparatus 1E in FIG. 8 in the configuration of the CCU 6 in part.

That is, in the infrared observation mode or the parent-child observation mode, the signals read out from the memories 55a to 55c pass through the contact b of the switching circuit 74 and are then supplied to the D / A converters 57a to 57c.
c, and the signal read from the memory 55d passes through the contact a of the switching circuit 74, and then is supplied to the D / A converter 57a.
To 57c.

The switching circuit 74 includes a timing control circuit 7
Switching is controlled by 1 and displayed as a parent-child image by this switching.

In the normal observation mode, the switching circuit 74 is set by the timing control circuit 71 (via the CPU 58) so that the contact b is turned on, and the memories 55a-55
The signal read from c is output to the D / A converters 57a to 57c via the contact b of the switching circuit 74, and a visible image is displayed on the monitor 7.

In the present embodiment, the memory 55d has a storage capacity for displaying, for example, a small screen, and a signal captured under IR illumination is stored in, for example, one of the main screens.
The reduced image data reduced and thinned by / 4 is written,
At the time of reading, the reduced image data is read as it is. Other configurations are the same as those of the third embodiment.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. When the power is turned on or when the changeover switch 28 is not operated, a visible image is displayed on the monitor 7 as in the third embodiment.

When the changeover switch 28 is operated in this state, the turret filter 21 of the light source device 5 is rotated as in the third embodiment. The visible image data captured under visible light illumination is stored in the memories 55a to 55c, and the IR image data captured under infrared light illumination is reduced and stored in the memory 55d. .

In the period during which a visible image is displayed in the parent display area 7a on the display surface of the monitor 7 in FIG.
The visible image data of 5a to 55c is read, and the contact b of the switching circuit 74 is also turned on by the timing control circuit 7.
During the period in which the IR image is displayed in the child display area 7b, the IR image data in the memory 55d is read, and the switching circuit 74 is switched by the timing control circuit 7 so that the contact point a is turned on.

Then, the visible image is displayed on the parent display area 7a and the IR image is displayed on the child display area 7b at the same time.

In the present embodiment, in the infrared observation mode, not only the IR image but also the visible image is displayed at the same time, so that it is easy to determine which part of the IR image is obtained by the visible image. Can be grasped and compared to the case where only the IR image is displayed.
Diagnosis may be facilitated quickly.

In the above description, the description has been given of the case of the television camera-mounted endoscope 4 in which the optical endoscope 2 is equipped with the television camera 3 having a solid-state image pickup device. The present invention can be similarly applied to a case where an electronic endoscope having an image sensor is employed.

FIG. 12 shows an endoscope apparatus 1H of a first modification in which an electronic endoscope 81 is used instead of the endoscope 4 equipped with a television camera in FIG. The endoscope apparatus 1H includes an electronic endoscope 80 having built-in imaging means, and an electronic endoscope 8
The light source device 5 supplies illumination light to the CCU 0, a CCU 6 that performs signal processing to generate a video signal, and a monitor 7 that displays a video signal output from the CCU 6. The electronic endoscope 80 includes an insertion portion 81 to be inserted into a body cavity, an operation portion 82 provided with a portion for grasping a surgeon having a scope, and a universal cable 83 having a proximal end extending from the operation portion 82.
And a connector 84 provided at the end of the universal cable 83. A light guide base projecting from the front end of the connector 84 is detachably connected to the light source device 5. One end of a connection cable 86 is connected to the connector portion 84, and a connector 87 at the other end of the connection cable 86 is detachably connected to the CCU 6.

A light guide fiber 91 for transmitting illumination light is inserted into the insertion portion 81 and the like. Illumination light is supplied from the light source device 5 by connecting the light guide base at the rear end to the light source device 5. The transmitted illumination light is transmitted to the light guide fiber 9 at the distal end 92 of the insertion section 81.
The light is further emitted from the distal end surface of the lens 1 to the subject side such as an affected part through an illumination lens to illuminate the subject side.

An objective lens 93 is attached to the tip 92, and a CCD 94 is arranged at an image forming position. A color separation filter 95 such as a mosaic filter is provided on the imaging surface of the CCD 94, and performs optical color separation. A buffer amplifier 96 is provided at a signal output terminal of the CCD 94.

The CCD 94 (and the buffer amplifier 96) is connected to the CCU via the signal line in the insertion section 91, the operation section 92, the universal cable 93 and the signal line in the connection cable 86.
6 is connected. In the endoscope apparatus 1E, for example, the operation unit 82 is provided with the switching operation switch 28.

By operating the changeover switch 28, a visible image is displayed on the display surface of the monitor 7 in the normal observation mode, and when the mode is switched to the infrared observation mode, as shown in FIG. The visible image is displayed on the parent display area 7a and the IR image is displayed on the child display area 7b at the same time. The operation and effect of the first modification are the same as those of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 13 shows an endoscope apparatus 1I according to a second modification. The endoscope device 1I is a CCD 38 of the television camera 3.
Is a case where a filter having no color separation filter 39 is adopted, and the configuration of the CCU 6 is partially different from that of FIG.

That is, the output of the color separation circuit 53 can be input to the visible image memory 55 and the IR image (small screen) memory 55 'through the switching circuit 74'.
The output of 5 'is output to the D / A converter 57 through the switching circuit 74, so that the monochrome monitor 7' can selectively display a visible image and a parent-child image. Switching circuit 7
Switching of 4 ′ and 74 is controlled by the timing controller 71.

In this modification, when the observation of the visible image is selected, the two switching circuits 74 'and 74 are set so that the contact b is turned on, and the image data captured under the visible illumination light is turned on. Is written into the memory 55, and the image data is read out, and a visible image is displayed in monochrome on the monitor 7 '.

When the observation of the IR image (observation of the parent-child image) is selected, the turret filter 21 is rotated, imaged by the CCD 38 under visible illumination light, and A / D-converted image data is input. Switching circuit 74 '
Is switched so that the contact b is turned on and written into the memory 55. On the other hand, at the timing when the image data captured by the CCD 38 under the IR illumination light and A / D converted is input, the switching circuit 74 ' Switching is performed so that the contact a is turned ON, and the data is reduced and written into the memory 55 '.

The image data read from the memories 55 and 55 'is switched so that the contact b of the switching circuit 74 is turned on at the timing when the visible image is displayed in the parent display area 7a, and the IR is displayed in the child display area 7b. At the timing of displaying an image, switching is performed so that the contact a of the switching circuit 74 is turned on.

Then, the visible image and the IR image are displayed as parent and child images on the monochrome monitor 7 '. The effect of this modification is almost the same as that of the fourth embodiment.

In the above-described embodiments and the like, for example, in the first embodiment, an emission-side filter means for selectively emitting visible-range illumination light and infrared-range illumination light is provided on the light source device 5 side. In the second embodiment, the light source device 5 is provided with emission-side filter means for selectively emitting visible-range illumination light and infrared-range illumination light. In conjunction with the emission side filter means,
Although the case where the incident side filter means for selectively entering the incident light in the visible range and the incident light in the infrared range is provided is shown, for example, instead of the exit side filter means in the first embodiment, an incident side filter is provided. What provided the means may be used.

In each of the above-described embodiments and the like, the switching operation switch 28 for performing the switching operation is provided on the television camera 3 or the like so that it can be operated near the surgeon. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a foot switch connected to the CCU 6 by a cable and arranged near the operator may be used.

That is, a remote switch arranged near the operator controls the filter means so that a normal observation image and an IR observation image or a composite observation image (parent / child observation image) are displayed on the monitor. But it is good.

Further, embodiments and the like constituted by partially combining the above-described embodiments and the like also belong to the present invention.

[Supplementary Notes] In an endoscope apparatus that captures an image of a subject with an endoscope provided with an imaging unit and displays an image of the subject on a monitor, a switching operation unit provided in the endoscope and an operation of the switching operation unit are performed by the switching operation unit. A filter for selectively passing only visible light and only infrared light with an infrared cut to at least one of an outgoing light side emitted to illuminate the specimen and an incident light side incident on the imaging means. And an endoscope. 2. In an endoscope apparatus that captures an image of a subject with an endoscope provided with an imaging unit and displays an image of the subject on a monitor, the switching operation unit provided in the endoscope and the operation of the switching operation unit allow a user to view the image. Normal observation image obtained under the illumination of the area,
Control means for selectively displaying, on a monitor, a combined observation image obtained under illumination in the visible range and the infrared range on an monitor.

3. In an endoscope apparatus that captures an image of a subject with an endoscope provided with an imaging unit and displays an image of the subject on a monitor, the switching operation unit provided in the endoscope and the operation of the switching operation unit allow a user to view the image. Control means for selectively displaying, on a monitor, a normal observation image obtained under illumination of the region and a parent-child observation image obtained under illumination of the visible region and the infrared region,
An endoscope apparatus comprising: 4. In Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, the endoscope is a television camera-mounted endoscope in which a television camera having a built-in imaging unit is mounted on an optical endoscope. 5. In Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, the endoscope is an electronic endoscope in which an imaging element is arranged at an image forming position of an objective optical system provided at a distal end of an insertion section.

6. In Supplementary Note 2, when the control means selects the synthesized observation image by operating the switching operation means, the control unit controls the emission light from the light source to include only an infrared cut filter that transmits a visible region in which the infrared region is cut and an infrared cut filter. Is controlled to rotate a rotary filter provided with an infrared transmission filter that transmits light. 7. In Supplementary Note 3, when the control means selects the parent-child observation image by operating the switching operation means, only the infrared cut filter that transmits the light emitted from the light source and transmits the visible light in which the infrared light is cut is provided. Is controlled to rotate a rotary filter provided with an infrared transmission filter that transmits light.

8. In Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, when a normal observation image is selected by operating the switching operation unit, the monitor displays a color normal observation image. 9. In Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, when the normal observation image is selected by operating the switching operation means, the monitor displays a monochrome normal observation image.

10. In an endoscope apparatus that captures an image of a subject with an endoscope provided with an imaging unit and displays an image of the subject on a monitor, a switching operation unit that is disposed near an operator who operates the endoscope; By operating the switching operation means, only visible light and infrared light obtained by cutting the infrared region on at least one of the emission light side emitted to illuminate the subject and the incident light side incident on the imaging means. And a filter means for selectively passing only the endoscope device. 11. In Supplementary Note 10, the switching operation means is a switching operation switch provided on the endoscope or a foot switch arranged near the operator.

[0122]

As described above, according to the present invention, in an endoscope apparatus for imaging an object by an endoscope provided with imaging means and displaying an image of the object on a monitor, A switching operation unit provided, and a visible region in which an infrared region is cut into at least one of an emission light side emitted to illuminate the subject and an incident light side incident on the imaging unit by operation of the switching operation unit. The filter means for selectively passing only the light of the infrared region and the light of the infrared region is provided, so that the surgeon can operate the endoscope switching operation means near the user's hand to obtain a red light when desired. It is possible to selectively obtain a visible image formed only by light in the visible region with the outer region cut off and an infrared image formed only by light in the infrared region, thereby realizing an endoscope apparatus that is easy to use or has good operability.

Further, in an endoscope apparatus for imaging an object by an endoscope provided with an imaging means and displaying an image of the object on a monitor, a switching operation means provided in the endoscope; Control means for selectively displaying on a monitor a normal observation image obtained under illumination in the visible region and a composite observation image obtained under illumination in the visible region and infrared region by the operation of Therefore, when infrared observation is selected, the image is displayed as a composite observation image obtained by synthesizing the visible image with the infrared image. The superimposition makes it easy to specify each part, and provides an observation image that can be easily diagnosed.

Further, in an endoscope apparatus for capturing an image of an object by an endoscope provided with an image pickup means and displaying an image of the object on a monitor, a switching operation means provided in the endoscope; Control means for selectively displaying on a monitor a normal observation image obtained under illumination in the visible region and a parent-child observation image obtained under illumination in the visible region and infrared region by the operation of Therefore, when infrared observation is selected, the infrared image and the visible image are displayed as parent-child images, so that the normal image in the visible region is also displayed simultaneously than when only the infrared image is displayed. This makes it easy to specify each part and provides an observation image that can be easily diagnosed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a configuration of a turret filter provided in the light source device.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an endoscope device according to a modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a main part of the imaging apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to a modification of the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an operation.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to a modification of the third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to a first modification of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to a second modification of the fourth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope apparatus 2 ... Optical endoscope 3 ... TV camera 4 ... TV camera external endoscope 5 ... Light source device 6 ... CCU 7 ... Monitor 11 ... Insertion part 14 ... Light guide 19 ... Lamp 21 ... Turret Filter 22 ... Condensing lens 25 ... IR transmission filter 26 ... IR cut filter 27 ... Motor 28 ... Changeover switch 31 ... Sensor 32 ... CPU 33 ... Objective lens 36 ... Camera head 37 ... Imaging lens 38 ... CCD 39 ... Color separation Filter 42 Camera cable 43 Connector 46 Signal processing circuit 51 Amplifier 53 A / D converter 54 Color separation circuit 55 a to 55 c Memory 56 Memory control circuit 58 CPU

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Kotaro Ogasawara 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Makoto Tsunakawa 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Hideki Tashiro, Inventor 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Noboru Kusamura 2-43-2, Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Industrial Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 2H040 BA09 CA02 CA09 CA11 CA12 CA22 CA28 CA30 DA02 DA21 GA01 GA03 GA05 GA10 GA11 4C061 AA00 BB02 BB05 BB08 CC07 DD00 FF02 FF12 LL03 NN01 NN05 PP12 QQ03 QQ09 RR04 RR14 RR04 RR04 RR04 RR04 RR04 RR04 RR04 RR04 RR04

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An endoscope apparatus for imaging an object with an endoscope provided with an imaging means and displaying an image of the object on a monitor, comprising: a switching operation means provided in the endoscope; and the switching operation means By the operation, at least one of the outgoing light side emitted to illuminate the subject and the incident light side incident on the imaging means is cut off only the visible light and the infrared light only when the infrared light is cut off. An endoscope apparatus comprising: a filter means for selectively passing; 2. An endoscope apparatus for imaging an object by an endoscope provided with an imaging means and displaying an image of the object on a monitor, comprising: a switching operation means provided in the endoscope; Control means for selectively displaying, on the monitor, a normal observation image obtained under illumination in the visible region and a composite observation image obtained under illumination in the visible region and the infrared region by the operation of An endoscope apparatus characterized in that: 3. An endoscope apparatus for imaging a subject with an endoscope provided with an imaging means and displaying an image of the subject on a monitor, comprising: a switching operation means provided in the endoscope; Control means for selectively displaying, on the monitor, a normal observation image obtained under illumination in the visible region and a parent-child observation image obtained under illumination in the visible region and infrared region by the operation of An endoscope apparatus characterized in that: