JP2007215764A - Endoscopic color balance controller and endoscopic system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a color balance controller, which is easy-to-use and difficult to be influenced by outside light with preventing picture halation when controlling color balance and damage of a tip part of an endoscope. <P>SOLUTION: The color balance controller 31 for controlling the color balance in an endoscopic system comprises a light resistant container 32 and a control container 33, which is wrapped in a bag made of an aluminum-clad film and the control container 33 is contained therein. The control container 33 is a tubular member to which a corrugated paper material is applied, and a fluorescent screen 35 for a color balance control chart is attached at an inside bottom surface. The tip part of an insertion part of the endoscope is inserted according to a positioning index of the light resistant container 32 so as to control the color balance, which allows the endoscope to take reflection light from the fluorescent screen 35 or fluorescence by excitation light therein, and control the color balance. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope color balance adjusting tool for adjusting the color balance of an endoscope, and an endoscope system including the adjusting tool.

  In a conventional endoscope system, the endoscope apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a normal observation mode using red, green, and blue irradiation light irradiated through a rotary filter, and irradiation of green and red in a narrow band. It is an apparatus capable of observation in a fluorescence observation mode by irradiation with light and excitation light. In the endoscope, by pressing the color balance correction switch, for example, the brightness of the image with respect to the green and red irradiation light with respect to the brightness of the fluorescence image by the irradiation with the excitation light at the time of fluorescence observation. The gain level of the image sensor is set so that is constant.

  Further, the video characteristic measuring device for an electronic endoscope disclosed in Patent Document 2 relates to a measuring device for performing measurement at the time of white balance or color balance of an image in the electronic endoscope, and is for measurement. Various adjustments can be made by inserting the distal end of the insertion portion of the endoscope into a measurement container with a lid on which a chart is placed, and performing the measurement.

  In addition, in the electronic endoscope apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 3, the amplification degree automatic adjustment apparatus, when performing automatic amplification degree adjustment, sets the distal end of the endoscope to the box-shaped jig with the aperture of the light source fully opened. It is a device that is inserted into and adjusts.

Furthermore, the calibration reflector device disclosed in Patent Document 4 is a calibration of an optical measurement system provided with a probe by inserting the tip of an optical fiber sonde so as to face the reflector arranged in the casing. It is a device that performs. In addition, the said front-end | tip part positions the front-end | tip part by making the front-end | tip surface contact | abut to the glass plate of the predetermined thickness distribute | arranged to the front surface of a reflecting device in the inserted state.
JP 2005-131129 A JP-A-5-137893 JP 2003-339636 A Japanese Patent No. 3223936

  In the endoscope apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, when performing color balance adjustment, the distance between the distal end of the insertion portion of the endoscope and the subject (measurement chart) is adjusted with respect to various endoscopes. The configuration is not described. The optimum value of the separation distance differs depending on the optical system of the endoscope, and it is necessary to adjust the position when adjusting the color balance.

  In the video characteristic measuring apparatus for an electronic endoscope disclosed in Patent Document 2, the measurement container is provided with a lid, and a positioning marker is disposed in the container. When the lid is removed for position adjustment, if the measurement chart is a fluorescent plate, the fluorescent plate may be deteriorated by external light. Further, no consideration is given to light shielding during storage. The container has a box shape and has an opening / closing mechanism. If the container is used after it has been used, the cost increases.

  In the automatic amplification degree adjustment apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 3, when this is used for automatic amplification degree adjustment, the aperture of the light source is only fully opened, and halation occurs depending on the optical system of the endoscope. There is no mention of countermeasures for this.

  In the reflector device for calibration disclosed in Patent Document 4, since the tip of the optical fiber sonde is brought into contact with the glass plate, a lens arranged at the tip or a protrusion arranged at the tip. If there is a gas supply nozzle or the like, there is a possibility of damaging them and there is a problem in handling.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and prevents defects such as image halation during color balance adjustment, is not easily affected by external light, and is a distal end portion of an endoscope. In addition, it is compatible with different types of endoscopes, for example, endoscopes with different optimum values for the distance between the distal end of the insertion section and the subject (measurement chart), and is easy to use. It is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustment tool or an endoscope system to which the color balance adjustment tool is applied.

  The endoscope color balance adjusting tool according to claim 1 of the present invention can insert the distal end of the insertion portion of the endoscope, and has an opening communicating with the internal space and a fluorescence generation surface disposed inside. An adjustment container, a light shielding container formed so as to be able to shield the entry of external light into the adjustment container, and provided on the outer surface of the light shielding container, the distance between the fluorescence generation surface and the distal end portion of the endoscope Positioning means capable of being set to a predetermined position.

  The endoscope color balance adjuster according to claim 2 of the present invention is the endoscope color balance adjuster according to claim 1, wherein the light shielding container is provided so as to cover the adjust container. The positioning means has a positioning index provided on the outer surface of the light shielding container.

  The endoscope color balance adjusting tool according to claim 3 of the present invention has an opening that can be inserted into the distal end of the insertion portion of the endoscope, communicates with the internal space, and supports the endoscope. A first container and the first and second containers in a state in which the first container having the opening is supported so as to be movable along a predetermined direction and in combination with the first container; A second container having a fluorescence generation surface disposed therein, and the first container and the second container are relatively formed. Positioning means is provided that allows the distance between the distal end of the insertion portion of the endoscope and the fluorescence generation surface to be adjusted by being moved.

  The endoscope color balance adjuster according to claim 4 of the present invention is the endoscope color balance adjuster according to claim 3, wherein the relative position between the first container and the second container is set to the inner position. Positioning means that can be set at a position corresponding to the endoscope is provided.

  An endoscope color balance adjuster according to claim 5 of the present invention is the endoscope color balance adjuster according to claims 1 to 3, wherein the positioning means is in accordance with the type of endoscope to be inserted. A plurality of positioning indexes are provided for positioning.

  An endoscope system according to a sixth aspect of the present invention includes an endoscope color balance adjusting tool according to the first or second aspect, and a light source provided with a light amount diaphragm that can be displaced so as to change and adjust illumination light. An endoscope comprising: an illumination optical system that emits light transmitted from the light source by a light guide; and an imaging unit that forms an image of a subject through an objective optical system to obtain an image signal In the system, a positioning index is formed at a position determined according to the type of endoscope in the insertion portion of the endoscope.

  In the endoscope system according to claim 7 of the present invention, the distal end of the insertion portion of the endoscope can be inserted, and is arranged on an opening portion that communicates with and supports the internal space and a surface facing the opening portion. An endoscope color balance adjustment tool comprising: an adjustment container having a fluorescence generation surface; a light shielding container capable of accommodating the adjustment container therein and shielding external light from entering the interior; and an illumination light quantity A light source provided with a light amount diaphragm that can be displaced so as to change and adjust, and an image of a subject is formed through an illumination optical system that irradiates light transmitted from the light source with a light guide and an objective optical system. An endoscope system comprising an endoscope having an image pickup means for obtaining a signal is provided with a diaphragm position defining means for adjusting a diaphragm aperture of the light source to a specified value when performing color balance adjustment.

  An endoscope system according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the endoscope system according to the seventh aspect, in which the imaging means further has a dimming function for appropriately dimming an image exposure amount at the time of color balance adjustment. Have.

  According to the present invention, troubles such as image halation at the time of color balance adjustment are prevented, color balance adjustment that is not easily affected by external light, and is easy to use without damaging the distal end portion of the endoscope. Or an endoscope system to which the color balance adjusting tool can be applied.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
An endoscope system including an endoscope color balance adjusting tool according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of the endoscope system of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the distal end of the insertion portion of the endoscope constituting the endoscope system. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an image processing device, a light source device, and a monitor that constitute the endoscope system. FIG. 4 is a front view of a rotary filter built in the light source device.

  An endoscope system 1 according to the present embodiment includes an endoscope (video scope) 2, a light source device 5, an image processing device 6, and a monitor 7 as shown in FIG. An endoscope color balance adjustment tool (hereinafter referred to as a color balance adjustment tool) 31 is used at the time of color balance adjustment 2.

  The endoscope 2 includes an operation unit 3 held by an operator when using the endoscope 2, an insertion unit 4 having a size and a shape that can be inserted into a living body, and a universal cord 3b. . The operation unit 3 is instructed by an operator to switch between normal observation and autofluorescence observation for each part of the endoscope system 1, that is, the endoscope 2, the light source device 5, and the image processing device 6. A switch group for performing the above is provided. Further, the proximal end portion of the insertion portion 4 is connected to the operation portion 3.

  A base end portion of the universal cord 3 b is connected to the operation portion 3, and a distal end portion of the universal cord 3 b is detachably connected to the light source device 5. The image processing device 6 is connected to a detachable cable 5a branched from the universal cord 3b. Furthermore, a monitor 7 is connected via a cable 8.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an objective lens 13 that is an objective optical system as an imaging optical system and an illumination lens 12 that is an illumination optical system are arranged on the front end portion 4a of the insertion portion 4 on the front end surface of the distal end portion 4a. Further, an imaging lens 14, fluorescence observation filters 15 and 16 for cutting unnecessary light such as excitation light, and a CCD 17 that is a solid-state imaging device as an imaging unit are disposed behind the imaging lens 14. The insertion portion 4 is inserted with the cable 18 connected to the CCD 17 and the light guide 11 to which the distal end portion 11 b is connected to the illumination lens 12. Further, a plurality of insertion portion indexes 4b1, 4b2, 4b3, and 4b4 for indicating the insertion position of the distal end portion 4a in the living body are attached to the outer periphery of the insertion portion 4 at predetermined positions.

  The CCD 17 can handle both normal observation for capturing an image substantially similar to observation with the naked eye, and autofluorescence observation for capturing an image of autofluorescence emitted from a living tissue in a living body. In this visual field region, an image of a subject such as a living body is captured, and the captured image of the subject is converted into an image signal and output.

  The light guide 11 is a light guide portion made of quartz fiber or the like, and is provided inside the endoscope 2 and the universal cord 3b so as to be inserted from the distal end portion 4a to the distal end portion of the universal cord 3b.

  The light source device 5 is configured to be detachably connected to the universal cord 3 b of the endoscope 2, and supplies irradiation light necessary for imaging a subject with the CCD 17 via the light guide 11. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the light source device 5 includes a light source 19 composed of a xenon lamp or the like, a rotary filter 20 supported by a rotary shaft 21, a light source diaphragm 22 that is a displacement type light quantity diaphragm, and a light source diaphragm 22. And a condensing lens 24, which is connected to the image processing apparatus 6 via a cable 5b.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the rotary filter 20 includes an R (red) filter 20a, a G (green) filter 20b, and a B (blue) filter 20c on the outer peripheral side, and a G '(green) filter 20d on the inner peripheral side. A filter 20e and a light shielding part 20f are arranged. At the time of observation, the rotary shaft 21 is driven to rotate about the axis. In the normal observation mode, the light from the light source 19 is condensed on the end portion 11a of the light guide 11 through the light source diaphragm 22 and the condenser lens 24 through the R filter 20a, the G filter 20b, and the B filter 20c. The light is irradiated toward the subject via the illumination lens 12 of the endoscope 2. In the fluorescence observation mode, the light from the light source is sequentially transmitted to the G ′ (green) filter 20 d and the excitation light filter 20 e by moving the shift position of the rotation shaft 21, and further passes through the light guide 11 to be the illumination lens 12. Is irradiated toward the subject via the illumination lens 12. When the excitation light that has passed through the excitation light filter 20e is irradiated onto a living tissue or the like that is a subject, autofluorescence is excited.

  The image processing apparatus 6 is provided with a white balance adjustment switch 6b and a group of operation switches such as a color balance adjustment switch (CB switch) 6c and a correction value input numeric keypad 6d on the exterior surface. Further, the image processing apparatus 6 is detachably attachable to a cable 6 a that is a cable branched from the universal cord 3 b of the endoscope 2 and a cable 8 that is connected to the monitor 7 at one end.

  The white balance adjustment switch 6b is operated by an operator and outputs a white balance execution signal which is an instruction signal for performing white balance adjustment.

  The color balance adjustment switch 6c is operated by the operator and outputs a color balance execution signal which is an instruction signal for adjusting the color balance.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the image processing device 6 includes a CPU 26 serving as a control unit that controls the image processing device 6, the endoscope 2, and the light source device, and a CCD that drives and controls the CCD 17 connected to the CPU 26. A drive circuit 27, a gain control circuit 28 for adjusting the gain of the CCD 17, an electronic shutter control circuit 29 that performs electronic shutter control of the CCD 17, and a color adjustment that performs gain adjustment on the imaging signal output from the CCD 17. The gain circuit 25 and the image processing circuit 30 that processes the imaging signal from the color adjustment gain circuit 25 and outputs the image signal of the image-processed subject (subject) to the monitor 7 are provided inside. . The switch group is connected to the CPU 26 inside the image processing apparatus 6.

  The monitor 7 is configured to be detachably connected to the cable 8, and displays an image of the subject imaged by the CCD 17 as an image that can be visually recognized by the operator based on an image signal output from the image processing device 6. .

  The operation at the time of observation in the endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described below with a focus on the operation in the fluorescence observation mode.

  Light for illuminating a subject (subject) is emitted from the light source 19 of the light source device 5. The light emitted from the light source 19 passes through the rotary filter 20 and the light source diaphragm 22 and enters the light guide 11 of the endoscope 2. The light source diaphragm 22 is controlled by the diaphragm control circuit 23 so that a video signal having a predetermined brightness is output to the monitor 7. The target brightness can be changed in several steps by the user operating a brightness setting switch (not shown).

  At the time of fluorescence observation, the light source device 5 is in a state of sequentially supplying illumination light in the fluorescence observation mode to the light guide 11, that is, the light transmitted through the G ′ (green) filter 20d and the excitation light filter 20f (FIG. 4). 6 performs image signal processing corresponding to the fluorescence observation mode.

  During normal observation, the outer R filter 20a, G filter 20b, and B filter 20c are inserted on the optical axis of the light source, and the R filter 20a, G filter 20b, and B filter 20c are sequentially inserted on the optical path, and red (R). The green (G) and blue (B) light is transmitted, and the image processing apparatus 6 enters a state of performing signal processing corresponding to the normal observation mode.

  The light that has entered the light guide 11 of the endoscope 2 is irradiated to a subject such as the digestive tract from the distal end portion 4 a of the insertion portion 4. Light scattered, reflected, and radiated from the subject is imaged on the CCD 17 at the tip 4a and imaged. In the fluorescence observation mode, the excitation light is blocked (cut) by the fluorescence observation filters 15 and 16 on the front surface of the CCD 17, and an image by fluorescence is extracted.

  The imaging signal of the subject captured by the image processing device 6 via the CCD 17 is subjected to image processing by the image processing circuit 30 and displayed on the monitor 7 as a video signal. During fluorescence observation, images of green reflected light (G ′ signal) and fluorescence (F signal) components are displayed on the RGB of the monitor 7, respectively. During normal observation, images of red reflected light, green reflected light, and blue reflected light components are displayed on the RGB of the monitor 7, respectively.

  The image processing device has a built-in photometric circuit (not shown). Based on the fluorescent component during fluorescence observation and based on the luminance signal during normal observation, the screen average value of the brightness of the video signal (photometric value). ) Is calculated. When the color balance adjustment switch 6c is pressed, the screen average value (photometric value) of the image signal for each irradiation wavelength is calculated. That is, this photometric circuit also functions as a sampling circuit for color balance adjustment.

  Here, the dimming process in the image processing apparatus 6 will be described with reference to the dimming process flowchart of FIG.

  In this dimming processing, it is determined whether the brightness of the image of the subject by the imaging signal obtained via the CCD 17 is the target level (target value) of the brightness set by the brightness setting switch (not shown). This is a process of checking the brightness and adjusting the brightness under the control of the CPU 26 so that the brightness matches the target value.

  As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, the brightness of the image captured by the CCD 17 is measured in step S1, and it is checked in step S2 whether the brightness is a target value. If it is the target value, continue to measure the brightness. If it is determined in step S3 that the brightness is brighter than the target value, the process proceeds to step S4. If it is determined that the brightness is dark, the process proceeds to step S5.

  In step S4, the gain of the CCD 17 is checked. If the gain is larger than the normal value, the gain of the CCD 17 is increased by one step in step S6, and the process returns to step S1. If the value is smaller than the normal value, the light source diaphragm 22 which is the light source diaphragm is reduced by one step in step S7, and the process returns to step S1.

  On the other hand, if the process proceeds to step S5, it is checked whether the light source aperture 22 is fully open. If it is fully open, the gain of the CCD 17 is increased by one in step S8, and the process returns to step S1. If it is not fully open, the light source aperture 22 is opened by one step in step S9, and the process returns to step S1.

  The gain adjustment of the CCD 17 is performed by the gain control circuit 28 based on an instruction from the CPU 26, and the adjustment of the light source diaphragm 22 is performed by the diaphragm control circuit 23 based on an instruction from the CPU 26.

  The light control processing of FIG. 5 is also called and executed when the gain adjustment of the CCD 17 is performed for each of reflected light and fluorescent photographing at the time of color balance adjustment in the present embodiment. In the color balance adjustment of the present embodiment, since the predetermined aperture regulation state of the light source aperture 22, which is the aperture of the light source, is performed under the fully open state, the gain of the CCD 17 is not checked in step S4, and the step is performed as it is. Control is performed to proceed to S6. Furthermore, also in the check in step S5, since the light source aperture 22 is set to the fully open state, the process proceeds to step S8 as it is.

Next, color balance adjustment in the endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a color balance adjusting tool used for color balance adjustment of the endoscope system. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the color balance adjuster as viewed from the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a state where a light shielding container of the color balance adjusting tool is cut and a distal end of an insertion portion of the endoscope is inserted. FIG. 9 is a view taken in the direction of arrow B in FIG.

  In the endoscope system 1, color balance adjustment is performed to correct color variations (brightness according to colors of captured images) due to individual differences in the imaging device, filter, and the like of the endoscope 2, the light source device 5, and the image processing device 6. When performing, the color balance adjusting tool 31 shown in FIGS. 1, 6 and 7 is used as described above. The color balance adjustment tool 31 includes a light shielding container 32 and an adjustment container 33.

  The light shielding container 32 is formed of an aluminum laminated film wrapping bag, and the adjustment container 33 is accommodated therein, and the opening 32a of the wrapping bag is sealed when not in use. Positioning indicators 32b1, 32b2, and 32b3, which are positioning means, are attached to a predetermined position in the longitudinal direction on the upper outer surface in the vicinity of the opening 32a. A correction value 32d is printed.

  The adjustment container 33 is a cylindrical member having an opening on one side to which a corrugated cardboard material is applied. A fluorescent plate 35 serving as a color balance adjustment chart is attached to the inner bottom portion in the longitudinal direction. A front end support member 34 made of polystyrene foam having a front end insertion hole 34a along the direction is fixed. The bottom of the adjustment container 33 is stuck and fixed at the bottom 32c of the light shielding container 32. The inner surface 33a of the adjustment container 33 is black-printed.

  The surface on the opening side of the fluorescent plate 35 affixed in the adjustment container 33 is a fluorescence generation surface 35a that emits fluorescence. The fluorescent characteristic of the fluorescent plate 35 generally varies widely, and as described above, the variation amount of the fluorescent characteristic is printed on the surface of the light shielding container as the correction amount 32d.

  At the time of color balance adjustment, the value of the correction value 32d written in the light shielding container 32 is input with the numeric keypad 6d. Furthermore, according to the type of the endoscope 2 to be applied, one of the positioning indexes 32b1, 32b2, and 32b3 on the opening 32a side of the light shielding container 32 is selected, and the cut line 32c1 along the selected positioning index is selected. , 32c2 and 32c3 are cut. As a result of this cutting, the opening 32 a is opened, so that the distal end portion 4 a of the insertion portion 4 of the endoscope 2 is inserted from the opening, and is further inserted through the insertion hole 34 a of the adjustment container 33.

  And as shown in FIG. 8, the insertion position of the insertion part 4 is fixed in the position which made predetermined insertion part parameter | index 4b1 of the insertion part 4 correspond to a cutoff line, for example, 32b3. Since a double-sided adhesive tape is affixed to the inner surface of the opening 32a, the double-sided adhesive tape is adhered in the fixed state to prevent external light from entering the light shielding container 32. The tip portion 4 a is supported without being inclined with respect to the adjustment container 33. The separation distance L0 between the distal end portion 4a and the fluorescence generation surface 35a of the fluorescent plate in this fixed state is a position where the amount of light incident on the CCD 17 of the endoscope 2 used at the time of color balance adjustment is an appropriate value without being excessive or insufficient. That is, as a result of the dimming process of FIG. 5, the light source aperture is fully opened and the dimming is performed with the gain of the CCD.

  Therefore, when the surgeon presses the color balance adjustment switch 6c of the image processing apparatus 6, color balance acquisition processing for color balance adjustment in the fluorescence observation mode is automatically started under the control of the CPU.

  The G ′ (green) light and the excitation light of the light source 19 that has passed through the rotating filter 20 and the fully opened light source diaphragm 22 are emitted from the illumination lens 12 and irradiate the fluorescence generation surface 35a. Reflected light of G ′ light generated on the fluorescence generation surface 35 a and fluorescence due to excitation light are sequentially incident on the CCD 17 through the objective lens 13.

  The CPU 26 detects the brightness of the image captured by the CCD 17 due to the fluorescence by the excitation light, and simultaneously detects the brightness of the image captured by the CCD 17 due to the reflected light of the G ′ light.

  The color adjustment gain value of the color adjustment gain circuit 25 is determined so that the ratio between the brightness of the detected fluorescent image multiplied by the input correction value and the brightness ratio of the detected G ′ reflected light is constant. .

  After the adjustment, the distal end portion 4 a of the insertion portion 4 of the endoscope 2 is extracted from the adjustment container 33 and the light shielding container 32. The used color balance adjusting tool 31 is discarded.

  After the color balance adjustment, when observing in the fluorescence observation mode, the fluorescence by the excitation light or the image data by the reflected light is taken in, and the color adjustment gain circuit 25 uses the color adjustment gain value set by the color balance adjustment. The brightness is adjusted for each color. The adjusted image signal is displayed on the monitor 7 via the image processing circuit 30 and the video cable 8.

  According to the endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to set the separation distance between the insertion tip portion 4a and the fluorescent plate 35 to an appropriate distance when performing color balance adjustment. For this reason, the color balance can be adjusted without the light source aperture 22 being fully open and without causing a shortage of light or halation. In most cases, the light source aperture 22 is fully opened during living body observation, so that it can be used with substantially the same color balance during color balance adjustment and during living body observation.

  Further, at the time of color balance adjustment, the endoscope 2 can be set in the same direction as when observing the subject (living body) by using the color balance adjusting tool 31, and an adjustment error hardly occurs.

  Moreover, since the color balance adjustment can be performed in a short time by using the color balance adjusting tool 31, the fluorescent plate 35 is not exposed to light for a long time, and the fluorescent plate 35 is not deteriorated. Adjustments can be made.

  In addition, the fluorescent plate 35 is hardly exposed to external light regardless of whether the color balance adjusting tool 31 is in the housed state or in the adjusted state, so that the deterioration of the fluorescent plate 35 is suppressed and accurate adjustment is possible.

  Further, since the distal end portion 4a of the insertion portion 4 does not touch the fluorescent plate 35 while being inserted into the adjustment container 33, even if a lens or a nozzle protrudes from the distal end portion 4a, remove them. It can be used safely without being damaged.

  Furthermore, since inexpensive materials are used for the constituent members, the cost does not increase even if the used color balance adjustment tool 31 is discarded.

Next, a modified example of the control operation by the CPU 26 in the color balance adjustment of the endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the color balance acquisition process flowchart of FIG.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart of color balance acquisition processing for executing color balance adjustment in the present modification.

  In this modification, when the color balance adjustment switch (CB switch) 6c is turned on and the color balance acquisition process is called, it is checked in step S11 whether the set gain of the CCD 17 is within a predetermined range. If it is out of the range, the CCD gain is adjusted in step S13, and the process returns to step S11. If it is within the range, the process proceeds to step S12, and it is confirmed whether the adjustment chart (fluorescent screen 35) is reflected in a certain area in the screen. If it is not in a normal state, “Chart is not sufficiently reflected” is displayed on the monitor 7 in step S15, and the process returns to step S11. The surgeon who sees the above monitor display adjusts the position of the distal end portion 4a. If normal, the process proceeds to step S14.

  In step S14, it is checked whether or not the light source aperture 22 which is the aperture of the light source is a predetermined aperture, that is, in the present embodiment, the aperture is fully opened. If not fully open, the light source aperture 22 is adjusted in step S17, and the process returns to step S11. If so, the process proceeds to step S16.

  In step S16, “OK” is displayed on the monitor 7. In step S17, the color balance adjustment switch (CB switch) 6c is waited for the second on operation. After the on operation, the process proceeds to step S19. Adjustment using the color balance adjusting tool 31 described in the embodiment is performed.

  According to the color balance adjustment of this modified example, the color balance adjustment is due to the fact that the CCD gain is not an appropriate value, the position of the chart is misaligned, and the light source aperture is not fully open. It is possible to prevent mistakes.

Next, a modified example of the color balance adjusting tool 31 applied to the first embodiment and the color balance acquisition process will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 11 is a system configuration diagram at the time of color balance adjustment when the color balance adjustment tool of the present modification is applied, and FIG. 12 is a diagram of color balance acquisition processing when the color balance adjustment tool of the present modification is used. It is a flowchart.

  In the color balance adjusting tool 31A of this modification, a plurality of photoreflector type photosensors 36a and 36b are arranged in an adjustment container 33A as shown in FIG. The photosensors 36a and 36b are sensors that detect the position of the distal end surface 4aa of the distal end portion 4a of the insertion portion 4 of the endoscope 2A inserted into the color balance adjusting tool 31A. A positioning index is not required at the opening of the light shielding container 32A. Other configurations are the same as those of the color balance adjusting tool 31.

  The endoscope 2A and the image processing device 6A are connected by a cable 5bA, and the type of endoscope (light quantity difference of illumination light) connected by the endoscope type detection unit 37 built in the image processing device 6A is determined. Detect. The insertion position of the distal end 4a detected by one of the photosensors 36a and 36b corresponding to the type of endoscope is an appropriate position for color balance adjustment of the corresponding endoscope.

  The color balance acquisition processing operation when the color balance adjusting tool 31A of this modification is used will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 12. The endoscope 2A connected to the image processing apparatus 6A in step S21 is a bright type. It is checked by the endoscope type detection unit 37 whether it is a thing.

  If the connected endoscope 2A is a bright type, the distal end portion 4a is inserted into the color balance adjustment tool 31A, and when the first photosensor 36a is detected to be turned on in step S22, the process proceeds to step S24. The color balance adjustment is executed. When the endoscope 2A is not a bright type, the process proceeds to step S23, and when the second photo sensor 36b is detected to be on, the process proceeds to step S25, and color balance adjustment is executed.

  In the endoscope system to which this modification is applied, the insertion position of the distal end portion 4a of the insertion portion 4 is automatically detected corresponding to the type of endoscope at the time of color balance adjustment. Done.

Next, another modified example of the color balance adjusting tool 31 applied to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the color balance adjuster of this modification. FIG. 14 is a view taken in the direction of arrow E in FIG. 13 and shows a fluorescent screen to which a photosensitive seal is attached.

  In the color balance adjusting tool 31B of this modification, a photosensitive seal 38 made of a photosensitive material is affixed to the fluorescent plate 35A accommodated in the adjustment container 33.

  After the light shielding container 32 is opened, when the external light or illumination light hits the fluorescent plate 35A by a predetermined amount or more and deteriorates, the photosensitive seal 38 is also exposed to a color change. By observing the discolored state, it can be identified that the color balance adjusting tool 31B cannot be used. The photosensitive state of the photosensitive seal 38 can be determined by observing the fluorescent plate 35A with the monitor 7 with the distal end portion 4a of the insertion portion of the endoscope 2 inserted.

  According to the color balance adjusting tool of the present modification, it is possible to reliably identify whether or not the fluorescent plate 35A housed therein is deteriorated, and to prevent adjustment in a fluorescent plate deterioration state.

Next, a further modification of the color balance adjusting tool 31 applied to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the color balance adjuster of this modification in use.

  The color balance adjusting tool 31C of this modification is made of an elastomer resin bag member (rubber balloon-shaped) 32C made of an extensible fluorescent material instead of the light shielding container 32 and the adjusting container 33, and has a rubber insertion opening 34C. is doing. The opening of the rubber insertion opening 34C is closed in a normal state.

  In use, the distal end portion 4a of the insertion portion 4 is inserted while widening the opening portion of the rubber insertion port portion 34C, and the insertion portion index 4b1 is positioned at the opening portion of the rubber insertion port portion 34C. In the inserted state, air is supplied from the endoscope side to the distal end portion 4a to inflate the bag member 32C. Judging from the swollen length of the bag member 32C, the color balance can be adjusted by stopping the supply of air when the distance between the inner surface of the bottom portion and the distal end portion 4a is the distance L1 suitable for the brightness of the endoscope 2. It becomes a state. The inner surface of the bag member 32C serves as a fluorescence generation surface 32Ca.

  According to the color balance adjusting tool 31C of the present modification, the cost can be further reduced by using an elastomer resin bag member that doubles as a light shielding container and an adjusting container, and the color balance adjusting tool 31C in an unused state can be used. Easy to store.

Next, the color balance adjusting tool of 2nd embodiment of this invention is demonstrated using FIG.
FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the color balance adjuster according to this embodiment with the distal end portion of the insertion portion inserted.

  The color balance adjustment tool 41 of the present embodiment is two cylindrical members made of corrugated cardboard material, and includes an outer adjustment container 42 that is a first container and an inner adjustment container 43 that is a second container. .

  An insertion support portion 44 having a distal end insertion hole 44a is fixed to one side of the outer adjustment container 42, and the other is opened. In the unused state, the distal end insertion hole 44 a is sealed with a seal 45.

  One of the inner adjustment containers 43 is opened, a fluorescent screen 35 is attached to the other bottom inner surface portion, and length setting indicators 43b1 and 43b2 which are positioning means are attached to the outside. The inner side adjustment container 43 is fitted inside the outer side adjustment container 42 so as to be slidable in a state of shielding external light. By the slide movement, the distance between the fluorescent plate 35 and the distal end portion 4a of the insertion portion can be adjusted (position adjusting means).

  The endoscope system that performs color balance adjustment by applying the color balance adjustment tool 41 of the present embodiment has the same configuration as the endoscope system 1 in the first embodiment.

  When color balance adjustment is performed using the color balance adjustment tool 41, first, a length setting index corresponding to the type of the corresponding endoscope 2 (type depending on the brightness of the illumination light), for example, 43b2 is used as the outer adjustment container 42. The length of the color balance adjusting tool 41 is fixed to a length corresponding to the endoscope 2 in accordance with the end of the color. Therefore, the seal 45 is peeled off and the distal end portion 4a of the insertion portion 4 is inserted from the distal end portion insertion hole 44a of the outer adjustment container 42, and the predetermined index 4b1 is positioned in accordance with the end portion of the distal end portion insertion hole 44a.

  Since the tip 4a is held at an appropriate distance L2 with respect to the fluorescent screen 35 in the set state described above, color balance adjustment can be performed thereafter as in the case of the first embodiment.

  The color balance adjustment tool 41 of the present embodiment has no shading container 32 and is easy to handle. By adjusting the length setting index of the color balance adjustment tool 41, the length of the adjustment tool corresponding to the endoscope 2 is set. Therefore, the color balance can be adjusted more easily by inserting the insertion portion 4 with a predetermined index. Moreover, since the light shielding container 32 is not necessary as compared with the case of the first embodiment, it can be manufactured at low cost. In addition, the same effects as those of the first embodiment are obtained.

Next, the color balance adjusting tool of 3rd embodiment of this invention is demonstrated using FIGS.
FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the color balance adjusting tool of the present embodiment. 18A and 18B are side views of insertion portions of two types of endoscopes to which the color balance adjusting tool is applied. FIGS. 19A and 19B are cross-sectional views showing a state in which the insertion portions of the two types of endoscopes are inserted into the color balance adjusting tool of the present embodiment.

  There are a plurality of types of endoscopes that can use the color balance adjusting tool of the present embodiment, for example, those with different illumination light amounts, and the insertion portions 4A and 4B of the respective endoscopes are at predetermined positions on the distal end side. Positioning indexes 4c1 and 4c2 which are positioning means corresponding to the illumination light quantity are attached (FIGS. 18A and 18B). The indices 4c1 and 4c2 are indices different from the insertion part indices 4b1 and 4b2 that serve as indices of the distal end portion insertion position during living body observation.

  The color balance adjusting tool 51 does not have a light shielding container, and is composed only of a corrugated cardboard material adjusting container 52 having an opening. A fluorescent plate 35 serving as a color balance adjustment chart is affixed to the inner side of the adjustment container 52, and a styrene foam tip support member 53 having a tip insertion hole 53a along the longitudinal direction is fixed to the opening side. ing. In the unused state, a seal 54 is affixed and sealed in the distal end insertion hole 53a.

  The configuration of the other endoscope system to which the color balance adjusting tool 51 is applied is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment.

  When color balance adjustment is performed by the color balance adjustment tool 51, the seal 54 of the adjustment container 52 is peeled off, and the endoscope insertion portion 4A or 4B distal end portion 4a is inserted from the distal end portion insertion hole 53a. The positioning indexes 4c1 and 4c2 are aligned with the end portion of the distal end portion insertion hole 53a. In this insertion state, the distal end portions 4a of the insertion portions 4A or 4B of the respective endoscopes are located at an appropriate separation distance L3 or L4 corresponding to the brightness of the illumination light with respect to the fluorescent plate 35 ( FIG. 19 (A), (B)). Accordingly, it is possible to perform appropriate color balance adjustment for each endoscope under the insertion state.

  According to the endoscope system to which the color balance adjusting tool of the present embodiment is applied, the insertion positioning of the insertion portion to the color balance adjusting tool 51 is matched with the index attached according to the type of the endoscope. Since it can be performed reliably, it is possible to prevent a positioning error of the insertion portion. In addition, the same effects as those of the first embodiment are obtained.

Next, a color balance adjuster according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the color balance adjusting tool of the present embodiment with the distal end portion of the insertion portion of the endoscope inserted. FIG. 21 is a flowchart of the color balance acquisition process when the color balance adjustment tool is used.

  As in the case of the first embodiment, insertion portion indexes 4b1 and 4b2 are attached to the insertion portion 4 of the endoscope to which the color balance adjusting tool of the present embodiment is applied. The insertion portion indexes 4b1 and 4b2 are not different depending on the type of the brightness of the endoscope, and are assumed to be attached at the same position.

  The color balance adjusting tool 61 has the same configuration as the color balance adjusting tool 51 in the third embodiment, and does not include a light shielding container, but includes only a cardboard material adjusting container 62 having an opening. A fluorescent plate 35 serving as a color balance adjustment chart is affixed to the inner bottom of the adjustment container 62, and a styrene foam tip support member 63 having a tip insertion hole 63a along the longitudinal direction is fixed to the opening side. ing. In the unused state, a seal 64 is affixed and sealed in the distal end insertion hole 63a.

  The configuration of the other endoscope system of the color balance adjustment tool 61 is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the control operation of the color balance acquisition process of the CPU 26 of the image processing device 6 is as described later. Different.

  When color balance adjustment is performed using this color balance adjustment tool, the seal 64 of the color balance adjustment tool 61 is peeled off, and the distal end portion 4a of the insertion portion 4 of the endoscope is inserted into the distal end portion insertion hole 63a. The index 4b1 is aligned with the end of the tip insertion hole 63a. In this insertion state, the distal end portion 4a of the insertion portion 4 of each endoscope is located at a predetermined separation distance L5 with respect to the fluorescent plate 35 (FIG. 20). As described above, the position of the insertion portion index 4b1 does not change depending on the type of endoscope, and the separation distance L5 is constant.

  When performing color balance adjustment, when the operator turns on the color balance adjustment switch (CB switch) 6c with the insertion portion 4 inserted into the color balance adjustment tool 61, the color balance shown in FIG. The acquisition process is called and executed.

  In step S31, the light source aperture 22 is set to a fully open state. In step S32, the brightness is measured with respect to either the fluorescence reflected light or the fluorescence of excitation light. In step S33, it is checked whether the brightness is within a predetermined target value range. If it is within the range of the target value, the process proceeds to step S34, but if it is outside the range of the target value, the process proceeds to step S35, and it is further checked in step S35 whether the brightness is not more than the predetermined target value range. If it is less than the target value range, the process proceeds to step S37, and if it is greater than the target value range, the process proceeds to step S38.

  When the process proceeds to step S37, the electronic shutter speed as the light control function of the CCD 17 is lowered by one step, and the process returns to step S32. When the process proceeds to step S38, the electronic shutter speed of the CCD is increased by one step and the process returns to step S32.

  In step S34, the process waits for the color balance adjustment switch (CB switch) 6c to be turned on, and then proceeds to step S36. In step S36, the same adjustment as the lance adjustment described in the first embodiment is executed.

  When the color balance adjusting tool 61 of this embodiment is used, it is not necessary to adjust the distal end portion insertion position of the insertion portion 4 between various endoscopes. When the brightness of the endoscope is different, the brightness of a predetermined range can be obtained by adjusting the electronic shutter speed of the CCD according to the brightness of the image at the time of adjustment, and color balance adjustment is performed in that state Can do. Therefore, it is easy to set the distal end portion 4a of the insertion portion 4 to the color balance adjusting tool 61, and it is easy to perform color balance adjustment. Further, since the dimension L5 shown in FIG. 20 can be shortened, the color balance adjusting tool can be miniaturized.

  In this embodiment, the electronic shutter speed is adjusted as a CCD light control function. However, as another light control method, an ND filter is inserted in the light source or a mechanical shutter is inserted in the front part of the CCD. Thus, it is possible to employ a method of dimming.

Next, an endoscope system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 22 is a block configuration diagram of main parts of the image processing device, the light source device, and the endoscope in the endoscope system of the present embodiment. FIG. 23 is a flowchart of a color balance acquisition process in the endoscope system.

  The color balance adjustment in the endoscope system according to the present embodiment is performed by using the color balance adjustment tool as described above, without adjusting the light collection position / light guide stored in the memory of the light source device and the endoscope. Adjustment is performed by using position information, light source spectral characteristics / CCD imaging spectral sensitivity characteristics, and target color data.

  The light source device 5A of the present endoscope system further includes first and second memories 71 and 72 with respect to the light source device 5 applied to the first embodiment. The first memory 71 stores spectral characteristic information of light emitted from the light source 19, and the second memory 72 stores light collection position information of light emitted from the light source. In addition, since the spectral characteristics of the emitted light from the light source change due to the deviation between the light collection position and the light guide optical axis position, the position information is necessary for adjustment.

  Further, the endoscope 2A of the present endoscope system further includes third, fourth, and fifth memories 73, 74, and 75 with respect to the endoscope 2 applied to the first embodiment. The third memory 73 stores optical axis position information of the light guide 11. The fourth memory 74 stores imaging spectral sensitivity characteristic information of the CCD 17. The fifth memory 75 stores color information intended when the standard subject is viewed.

  The image processing apparatus 6A of this endoscope system has a CPU 26A that controls the entire system and further controls color balance adjustment. Other configurations of the endoscope system are the same as those of the endoscope system 1 of the first embodiment.

  When performing color balance adjustment in this endoscope system, the color balance acquisition process shown in FIG. 23 is called and executed under the control of the CPU 26A.

  In step S 41, the spectral characteristic information of the light source is read from the first memory 71. In step S 42, the light collection position information of the light emitted from the light source 19 is read from the second memory 72, and the light is written from the third memory 73. The optical axis position information of the guide 11 is read out.

  In step S43, the spectral characteristics of the emitted light from the endoscope are calculated based on the read information described above. Furthermore, the imaging spectral sensitivity characteristic information of the CCD 17 is read from the fourth memory 74 in step S44.

  In step S45, the spectral characteristic to be corrected is calculated by multiplying the spectral characteristic of the emitted light calculated in step S43 by the imaging spectral sensitivity characteristic read in step S44.

  In step S46, the target color information when the standard subject is viewed is read from the fifth memory 75, and the target color information is obtained based on the spectral characteristic to be corrected calculated in step S45. The control parameters of the image processing circuit 30 are set, and this process is terminated.

  According to the endoscope system of the present embodiment, color balance adjustment can be performed without using a color balance adjustment tool.

Next, an endoscope system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 24 is a front view of a rotary filter applied to the light source device of the endoscope system of the present embodiment.

  A rotary filter 20A shown in FIG. 24 is incorporated in the light source device of the endoscope system of the present embodiment. The rotary filter 20A has the same filter R (red) filter 20a, G (green) filter 20b, and B (blue) filter 20c on the outer peripheral side with respect to the filter 20 of the light source device applied in the first embodiment. However, the G ′ (green) filter 20d and the excitation light filter 20e are used for fluorescence observation or color balance adjustment, and the self-transmitting light having the same wavelength as the self-fluorescence of the living body. A fluorescent filter 20g is arranged.

  In addition, the color balance adjusting tool used when adjusting the color balance in the endoscope system is white instead of the fluorescent plate 35 built in the adjusting container 33 of the color balance adjusting tool 31 applied in the first embodiment. Use a reflector (same as the white balance adjustment chart). Insertion positioning and the like of the distal end portion 4a of the insertion portion 4 are performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  In the present endoscope system, photographing is performed at the rotation timing of the G ′ filter 20d and the excitation light filter 20e during fluorescence observation as in the case of the first embodiment, but at the time of color balance adjustment, the rotation timing of the G ′ filter 20d. Then, imaging with reflected light is executed, and imaging with reflected light is performed by reflecting the light transmitted through the filter at the rotation timing of the self-fluorescent filter 20g with the white reflector. Then, the gain value of the color adjustment gain gain circuit 25 is adjusted so that the brightness ratio between the two images is constant.

  According to the endoscope system of the present embodiment, since the fluorescent reflector of the color balance adjuster is not used for color balance adjustment, adjustment can be performed without being affected by the deterioration of the fluorescent reflector. In addition, the color balance adjuster can be reused.

Next, a color balance adjuster according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the color balance adjusting tool of the present embodiment.

  In the color balance adjusting tool 81 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 25, a light emitting source in which a light emitting diode is arranged in place of the fluorescent plate 35 incorporated in the color balance adjusting tool 31 applied in the first embodiment. use. The light emitting diode has the same spectral characteristics as the autofluorescence of a living body.

  When the color balance adjusting tool 81 is used, light from the light emitting diode is captured by an endoscope, and color balance adjustment is performed.

  According to the color balance adjusting tool of this embodiment, since the fluorescent plate is not used, the adjustment can be performed without being affected by the deterioration of the fluorescent reflecting plate. In addition, the color balance adjuster can be reused.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention at the stage of implementation. Further, each of the embodiments includes inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements.

  The color balance adjusting tool or endoscope system of the present invention prevents image halation during color balance adjustment, is less susceptible to external light, and may damage the endoscope tip. It can be used as an easy-to-use color balance adjustment tool or an endoscope system that can use the color balance adjustment tool.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an endoscope system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the front-end | tip of the insertion part of the endoscope which comprises the endoscope system of FIG. It is a block block diagram of the image processing apparatus, light source device, and monitor which comprise the endoscope system of FIG. It is a front view of the rotation filter built in the light source device of FIG. It is a flowchart of the light control process in the endoscope system of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the color balance adjustment tool used at the time of color balance adjustment of the endoscope system of FIG. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the color balance adjuster as viewed from the direction of arrow A in FIG. 6. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a state in which the distal end of the insertion portion of the endoscope is inserted into the color balance adjusting tool of FIG. 6. It is a B arrow view of FIG. 7 is a flowchart of color balance acquisition processing showing a modification of the control operation for color balance adjustment of the endoscope system of FIG. 1. It is a system block diagram to which the modification of the color balance adjustment tool of FIG. 6 is applied. It is a flowchart of a color balance acquisition process when the color balance adjustment tool of FIG. 11 is used. It is sectional drawing of the color balance adjustment tool which is another modification of the color balance adjustment tool of FIG. FIG. 14 is a view as seen from the direction of arrow E in FIG. It is sectional drawing in the use condition of the color balance adjusting tool of another modification with respect to the color balance adjusting tool of FIG. It is sectional drawing in the state which inserted the front-end | tip part of the insertion part in the color balance adjustment tool of 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the color balance adjustment tool of 3rd embodiment of this invention. 18A and 18B are side views of an insertion portion of an endoscope to which the color balance adjusting tool of FIG. 17 is applied, and FIGS. 18A and 18B show different types of insertion portions of the endoscope. FIGS. 19A and 19B are cross-sectional views of a state in which an insertion portion of an endoscope is inserted into the color balance adjustment tool in the color balance adjustment tool of FIG. 17, and FIGS. The state which inserted the front-end | tip part of is shown. It is sectional drawing in the state which inserted the front-end | tip part of the insertion part of the endoscope in the color balance adjustment tool of 4th embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of a color balance acquisition process when the color balance adjustment tool of FIG. 20 is used. It is a block block diagram of the principal part of the image processing apparatus, light source device, and endoscope in the endoscope system of 5th embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the color balance acquisition process in the endoscope system of FIG. It is a front view of the rotation filter applied to the light source device of the endoscope system of the sixth embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the color balance adjustment tool of 7th embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

2 ... Endoscope 4a ... Tip part (tip of insertion part)
4c1, 4c2
... Indicators (positioning means, positioning indicators)
11 ... Light guide 12 ... Illumination lens (illumination optical system)
13 ... Objective lens (objective optical system)
17 ... CCD (imaging means)
19 ... Light source 22 ... Light source aperture (light aperture)
23. Diaphragm control circuit (diaphragm position defining means)
31, 31A, 31B, 31C, 41, 51, 61, 81
... Color balance adjuster (Endoscope color balance adjuster)
32 ... light shielding container 32b1, 32b2, 32b3, 43b1, 43b2
... Indicators (positioning means, positioning indicators)
33, 41, 52, 62
... Adjustment containers 34a, 44a, 53a
... Tip insertion hole (opening)
35a, 32Ca
... Fluorescence generation surface 42 ... Outside adjustment container (first container)
43 ... inner adjustment container (second container, position adjustment means)

Claims (8)

An adjustment container that can be inserted at the distal end of the insertion portion of the endoscope and has an opening that communicates with the internal space and a fluorescence generation surface disposed inside the endoscope.
A light shielding container formed so as to be able to shield external light from entering the adjustment container;
Positioning means provided on the outer surface of the light shielding container and enabling the distance between the fluorescence generation surface and the distal end portion of the endoscope to be set at a predetermined position;
An endoscope color balance adjusting tool comprising: The light shielding container is provided so as to cover the adjustment container,
The endoscope color balance adjusting tool according to claim 1, wherein the positioning means includes a positioning index provided on an outer surface of the light shielding container. A first container capable of inserting the distal end of the insertion portion of the endoscope and communicating with the internal space, and having an opening for supporting the endoscope;
External light from between the first and second containers in a state where the first container having the opening is supported so as to be movable along a predetermined direction and combined with the first container. A second container having a fluorescence generation surface disposed therein,
Positioning means for adjusting the distance between the distal end of the insertion portion of the endoscope and the fluorescence generation surface by relatively moving the first container and the second container;
An endoscope color balance adjusting tool comprising:   The endoscope color balance according to claim 3, further comprising positioning means for enabling a relative position between the first container and the second container to be set to a position corresponding to the endoscope. Adjustment tool.   The color balance for an endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the positioning means is provided with a plurality of positioning indexes for positioning according to the type of endoscope to be inserted. Adjustment tool. The endoscope color balance adjusting tool according to claim 1 or 2,
A light source provided with a light amount diaphragm that can be displaced to change and adjust the illumination light;
An endoscope having an illumination optical system that emits light transmitted from a light source by a light guide and an imaging unit that forms an image of a subject through an objective optical system to obtain an image signal;
In an endoscope system consisting of
The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein a positioning index is formed at a position determined according to a type of the endoscope in the insertion portion of the endoscope. An adjustment container having an opening through which an end of an insertion portion of an endoscope can be inserted and supported in communication with an internal space; and a fluorescence generation surface disposed on a surface facing the opening; and the adjustment container An endoscope color balance adjustment tool comprising a light-shielding container that can be stored inside and shields the intrusion of external light into the inside;
A light source provided with a light amount diaphragm that can be displaced so as to change and adjust the illumination light amount;
An endoscope having an illumination optical system that emits light transmitted from a light source by a light guide and an imaging unit that forms an image of a subject through an objective optical system to obtain an image signal;
In an endoscope system consisting of
An endoscope system comprising a diaphragm position defining means for adjusting a diaphragm aperture of the light source to a defined value when performing color balance adjustment.   The endoscope system according to claim 7, wherein the imaging unit has a dimming function for appropriately dimming an image exposure amount at the time of color balance adjustment.

Images