JP2007244464A - Processor for electronic endoscope and electronic endoscope system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inexpensive processor for electronic endoscopes, which is capable of outputting an image captured by each electronic endoscope in the subordinate-superior relationship as a digital signal to the outside while preventing the apparatus from being enlarged. <P>SOLUTION: The processor for electronic endoscopes has an image processing means for generating a first digital signal by processing the image signal transmitted from the electronic endoscope electrically and optically connected to the processor, a signal converting means for converting the analogue signal output from at least one outside device to a second digital signal, and a digital signal output means for outputting at least one of the first and second digital signals to the outside. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a processor capable of outputting an image captured by an electronic endoscope as a digital signal, and an electronic endoscope system including the processor as a component.

  Conventionally, the image is taken with an electronic endoscope so that the image quality of the taken image is prevented from being deteriorated and a high-quality captured image can be observed even at a place away from the place where the electronic endoscope (electronic scope) is actually used. 2. Description of the Related Art An electronic endoscope system that outputs a captured image as a digital signal is known. Such an electronic endoscope system is disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1 below.

JP-A-8-214290

  Also, in recent years, it has a main electronic endoscope and processor pair and one or more sub electronic endoscope and processor pairs. A so-called parent-child endoscope system that realizes mirror observation has been put into practical use. Specifically, the parent-child endoscope system is used in a state where a thin insertion portion of an electronic endoscope according to a forceps channel or the like of the main electronic endoscope is inserted. Then, the operator performs imaging and observation using a main electronic endoscope having a high operation performance and a high-performance configuration in a relatively wide lumen in the body cavity. An image captured by the main electronic endoscope is subjected to image processing by a corresponding main processor and output to the outside. Further, in the narrow lumen, the operator projects the leading end of the insertion portion of the secondary electronic endoscope from the forceps channel of the main electronic endoscope and enters the narrow lumen, and the main This makes it possible to observe parts that were difficult to image with an electronic endoscope. The image captured by the secondary electronic endoscope is subjected to image processing by the corresponding secondary processor and output to the outside.

  Even in the parent-child endoscope system as described above, there is a demand for digital output of captured images in order to avoid deterioration in image quality. However, if the electronic endoscope system disclosed in Patent Document 1 is applied to a parent-child endoscope system as it is, the main and slave processors must be configured to output digital signals. Therefore, problems such as an increase in size and cost of each processor constituting the parent-child endoscope system are caused. This defect may cause a problem of an arrangement space in an examination room for performing endoscopic observation, a new equipment investment is required, or an existing equipment cannot be used.

  Therefore, in view of the above circumstances, the present invention is an electronic device that can output an image captured by each electronic endoscope having a master-slave relationship as a digital signal while being inexpensive and avoiding an increase in size. An object is to provide a processor for an endoscope and an electronic endoscope system.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an electronic endoscope processor according to claim 1 of the present invention performs image processing on an image signal transmitted from an electronic endoscope electrically and optically connected. Image processing means for generating a first digital signal; signal converting means for converting an analog video signal output from at least one external device into a second digital signal; at least one of the first digital signal and the second digital signal; And a digital signal output means for outputting one to the outside.

  According to the electronic endoscope processor according to claim 1, not only an image captured by the connected electronic endoscope but also an externally generated analog video signal can be converted into a digital signal. . Therefore, by using the electronic endoscope processor according to claim 1 as a main processor in a parent-child endoscope system, an image captured by a subordinate electronic endoscope and output via the subordinate processor It becomes possible to digitally convert the image signal. In other words, a conventional electronic endoscope or processor can be used.

  According to the electronic endoscope processor of the second aspect of the present invention, at least the first digital signal can be converted into an analog signal and output outside. Thereby, a conventional monitor or the like that displays an image based on an analog video signal can be used.

  According to the processor for electronic endoscope according to claim 3, the analog signal output means is disposed at a position where the digital video signal output from the digital signal output means is input, and is output to the outside. It can be arranged and configured to output an analog signal having the same data as the signal.

  According to the processor for electronic endoscope according to claim 4, the digital signal is either the first digital signal or the second digital signal in the digital video signal output to the outside from the digital signal output means. It is desirable to further have a signal superimposing means for superimposing a character signal representing the above. Accordingly, the surgeon can easily determine which digital endoscope output from the processor corresponds to an image captured by any electronic endoscope.

  According to the electronic endoscope processor of the fifth aspect, the digital signal output means can alternatively output the first digital signal and the second digital signal to the outside.

  The electronic endoscope processor according to claim 6 further includes operation means for instructing output of one of the first digital signal and the second digital signal. A digital signal corresponding to the instruction of the means can be output to the outside. Thereby, the image signal corresponding to the operator's needs can be digitally output.

  The electronic endoscope system according to claim 7 is an electronic endoscope, an endoscope, and an auxiliary processor that performs image processing on an image signal transmitted from the endoscope and outputs the processed image signal to the outside as an analog video signal. And an electronic endoscope processor according to any one of claims 1 to 6, to which an electronic endoscope and an auxiliary processor are connected.

  From another point of view, the electronic endoscope system according to claim 8 is a first digital signal obtained by performing image processing on the electronic endoscope and the first image signal transmitted from the electronic endoscope. A first processor that generates an endoscope, and a second processor that performs image processing on the second image signal transmitted from the endoscope and outputs the processed image as an analog video signal to the outside. The processor converts the analog video signal output from the second processor into a second digital signal, and alternatively outputs the first digital signal and the second digital signal to the outside.

  According to the electronic endoscope system according to claim 9, the insertion tube flexible tube of the endoscope connected to the second processor is in the insertion tube flexible tube of the electronic endoscope connected to the first processor. It is configured to enter the body cavity via the.

  The electronic endoscope processor according to the present invention converts not only an image signal transmitted from an electronic endoscope directly connected to the processor but also an analog signal output from an external device into a digital signal. It is possible to output to the outside. As a result, a parent-child electronic endoscope system that can output an image captured by each electronic endoscope as a digital signal while suppressing an increase in cost and effectively avoiding an increase in the size of the system is provided. Provided.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic endoscope system 100 according to the present invention. The electronic endoscope system 100 includes a first processor 100A, a first electronic endoscope 100B, a second processor 100C, a second electronic endoscope 100D, a first monitor 100E, and a second monitor 100F.

  The first processor 100A includes a system controller 1, a light source unit 2, an image processing unit 3, an external signal conversion unit 4, and an output signal switching unit 5. During endoscopic observation, the first electronic endoscope 100B is electrically and optically connected to the first processor 100A. Further, the first monitor 100E and the second processor 100C are connected to the first processor 100A. The first electronic endoscope 100B includes an imaging unit 7, an endoscope side image processing unit 8, an EEPROM 9, a forceps channel 10, and a light guide 11. The first processor 100A is configured to output an analog video signal to the first monitor 100E and to output a digital video signal to the outside. This point will be described later.

  Although not shown, the second processor 100C has substantially the same configuration as the first processor 100A described above. However, in order to avoid an increase in cost, the second processor 100C has a cheaper and simpler configuration than the first processor 100A. For example, all video signals output from the second processor 100C to the outside (here, the first processor 100A and the second monitor 100F) are analog signals.

  The second electronic endoscope 100D is configured substantially the same as the first electronic endoscope 100B. Here, the second electronic endoscope 100D is an endoscope that is used while being inserted through the forceps channel 10 of the first electronic endoscope 100B and protruding from the forceps port 10a. That is, the second electronic endoscope 100D corresponds to a secondary endoscope when the first electronic endoscope 100B is regarded as a main endoscope. The second processor 100C corresponds to an auxiliary processor. That is, the electronic endoscope system 100 is a parent-child endoscope system in which the first electronic endoscope 100B is positioned as a master unit and the second electronic endoscope 100D is positioned as a slave unit. The body cavity insertion portion, that is, the insertion portion flexible tube in the second electronic endoscope 100D has a shape that can be inserted into the forceps channel 10 of the first electronic endoscope 100B.

  Endoscopic observation and endoscopic treatment for a subject using the electronic endoscope system 100 configured as described above will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram related to image processing mainly performed by the first processor 100A.

  When capturing and observing an image in the body cavity using the first electronic endoscope 100B, the system controller 1 controls the light source unit 2 to emit light. The system controller 1 not only controls each part of the first processor 100A, but also drives and controls the first electronic endoscope 100B (for example, the imaging unit 7). More specifically, when the first electronic endoscope 100B is connected to the first processor 100A, the system controller 1 reads information unique to the first electronic endoscope 100B stored in the EEPROM 9. The first electronic endoscope 100B is driven and controlled with reference to the unique information. The unique information stored in the EEPROM 9 is exemplified by identification information such as a lot number.

  The light source unit 2 emits light in response to a control signal from the system controller 1. The irradiated light is emitted from the distal end of the first electronic endoscope 100B (more specifically, the distal end of the flexible tube of the first electronic endoscope 100B) via the light guide 11, and illuminates the inside of the body cavity. .

  The reflected light from the illuminated body cavity is received by the imaging element 71 in the imaging unit 7. The image sensor 71 performs photoelectric conversion and outputs a voltage signal (hereinafter referred to as an image signal) corresponding to the amount of received light. The output image signal is amplified to a predetermined level by the amplifier 72 and then input to the endoscope-side image processing unit 8.

  The endoscope side image processing unit 8 performs processing such as gamma correction and gain adjustment on the input image signal. The endoscope side image processing unit 8 has a signal generation IC circuit inside. The circuit generates a luminance signal Y and color difference signals Cb and Cr based on the image signal. Each signal generated here is assumed to be a 10-bit parallel signal. The luminance signal and the color difference signal are output from the endoscope side image processing unit 8 and input to the first digital decoder 31 of the image processing unit 3.

  The first digital decoder 31 converts the input luminance signal and color difference signal into digital signals. The first digital decoder 31 of the present embodiment samples each signal in accordance with the D-1 standard, and digitizes it. That is, the first digital decoder 31 performs sampling so that the ratio of the sampling frequency of the luminance signal and each color difference signal is 4: 2: 2. Specifically, the first digital decoder 31 performs sampling at a sampling frequency of 13.5 MHz for the luminance signal and 6.75 MHz for each color difference signal. As a result, the effective video period corresponding to one line of each signal, that is, the number of samples in the period from the previous synchronization signal to the current synchronization signal is 720 for the luminance signal and 360 for each color difference signal.

  The luminance signal and each color difference signal that have undergone the digital signal processing are temporarily recorded as data in the memory 32. Then, the signals are read all at once according to a timing signal periodically transmitted from the system controller 1 and input to the first multiplexer 33. Here, when displaying a still image, the update of the data recorded in the memory 32 may be stopped.

  The image processing unit 3 has a first character processing circuit 34. The first character processing circuit 34 generates a character signal relating to information that visually represents that the image displayed via the image processing circuit 3 is an image captured by the first electronic endoscope 100B. Then, the character signal is superimposed on each signal read from the memory 32 and input to the first multiplexer 33. As information corresponding to the character signal generated by the first character processing circuit 34, character information such as “MAIN” is exemplified. In addition, the first character processing circuit 34 can generate and superimpose character signals related to various information such as a patient name, a patient ID, and the current date and time.

  The first multiplexer 33 performs a multiplexing process by sequentially sampling each input signal at a predetermined sampling frequency. In the present embodiment, the predetermined sampling frequency is set to twice the sampling frequency for the luminance signal in the first digital decoder 31, that is, 27 MHz. Sampling is performed in the order of the color difference signal Cb, the luminance signal Y, and the color difference signal Cr. Through the multiplexing process, a single digital signal is generated. Hereinafter, the digital image signal generated here is referred to as a first digital signal for convenience of explanation. The first digital signal immediately after being generated by the first multiplexer 33 is a 10-bit parallel signal. This multiplexing processing can reduce the burden in subsequent circuits and the like as compared with processing for three types of 10-bit signals.

  The first multiplexer 33 adds a synchronization word corresponding to the synchronization pulse existing in each analog signal before the first digital decoder 31 input to the first digital signal.

  The first digital signal output from the first multiplexer 33 is input to the digital encoder 35 and the output signal switching unit 5. The digital encoder 35 converts the input first digital signal into an R video signal, a composite video signal, or the like in accordance with R, G, B analog signals, or the specifications of the first monitor 100E. The first monitor 100E displays an image based on the analog signal converted and output by the digital encoder 35.

  The output signal switching unit 5 includes a switch unit 51 and a parallel / serial converter 52. When capturing and observing an image in a body cavity using the first electronic endoscope 100B, the system controller 1 controls the switch unit 51 so that the image processing unit 3 side is turned on. The switching control of the switch unit 51 performed by the system controller 1 is performed based on a signal transmitted from the operation unit 6 disposed on the front panel corresponding to the operation of the operator.

  When the switch unit 51 is ON to the image processing unit 3 side, the first digital signal is input to the parallel / serial converter 52 via the switch unit 51. The parallel / serial converter 52 converts the input first digital signal into a serial signal and outputs it to the outside. At the time of external output, the parallel / serial converter 52 sets the transmission rate to 10 times the sampling frequency at the time of multiplexing of the first multiplexer 33, that is, 270 MHz, in order to prevent signal transmission delay due to serial conversion. Is done.

  Next, a case where an image in the body cavity is captured and observed using the second electronic endoscope 100D will be described. When the second electronic endoscope 100D is used, the second processor 100C performs the same process as the first processor 100A described above. However, the second processor 100 </ b> C has an inexpensive configuration that does not have a function of performing digital conversion processing as performed by the image processing unit 3. Therefore, the video signal output from the second processor 100C to the second monitor 100F and the first processor 100A is an analog signal.

  The analog video signal output from the second processor 100C is input to the external signal converter 4 of the first processor 100A. The external signal conversion unit 4 includes a determination circuit 41, a second digital decoder 42, a second multiplexer 43, and a second character processing circuit 44.

  Here, the external signal conversion unit 4 of the first processor 100A is configured to be able to convert it into a digital signal regardless of the standard of the input analog video signal. Specifically, the second digital decoder 42 has a function that can convert the input analog signal into a predetermined digital signal regardless of the standard. Also, the external signal conversion unit 4 is provided in the number corresponding to the standard of the analog video signal that can be input to the port P for cable connection. Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience, it is assumed that a luminance signal and a color difference signal are input.

  When the second processor 100C to be connected is determined in advance and the analog video signal output from the second processor 100C is always a single standard, one connection port is sufficient. Further, only a single port P conforming to a predetermined standard is disposed in the external signal conversion unit 4, and an analog video signal of the predetermined standard is obtained by a known conversion process as a cable for connecting the processors 100A and 100C. It is also possible to use a cable having a conversion function for converting into a cable.

  The analog video signal input via the port P is input to the second digital decoder 42 via the determination circuit 41. The discrimination circuit 41 is a circuit that discriminates whether or not an external signal is input. When there is no signal input from the outside, the system controller 1 puts the entire external signal conversion unit 4 into a dormant state based on a signal transmitted from the determination circuit 41 to save power. In the present embodiment, as described above, the system controller 1 performs switching control of the switch unit 51 when the operator operates the operation unit 6. Here, the system controller 1 may automatically switch the switch unit 51 of the output signal switching unit 5 described above in accordance with a signal transmitted from the determination circuit 41.

  The second digital decoder 42 performs the same processing as the first digital decoder 31 to digitally convert the luminance signal Y and the color difference signals Cb and Cr, and outputs them to the second multiplexer 43 disposed in the subsequent stage. Each digitally converted signal is a 10-bit parallel signal similar to the signal digitized by the image processing unit 3.

  In the present embodiment, it is not necessary to display a still image based on a signal input to the external signal conversion unit 4. Therefore, a recording unit corresponding to the memory 32 in the image processing unit 3 is not provided.

  The second character processing circuit 44 performs the same processing as the first character processing circuit 34 included in the image processing unit 3. Specifically, the second character processing circuit 44 is a character relating to information that visually represents that the image displayed via the external signal conversion unit 4 is an image captured by the second electronic endoscope 100D. A character signal related to information, for example, character information such as “SUB” is generated. The character signal is superimposed on each signal output from the second digital decoder 42 and input to the second multiplexer 43. As with the first character processing circuit 34, the second character processing circuit 44 can also generate and superimpose other character signals related to the patient name and the like.

  The second multiplexer 43 applies the same multiplexing process as that of the first multiplexer 33 to each input signal. Through the multiplexing process, a single digital signal is generated. Hereinafter, the digital image signal generated here is referred to as a second digital signal for convenience of explanation. The second digital signal is input to the output signal switching unit 5.

  Here, the system controller 1 switches and controls the switch unit 51 so that the external signal conversion unit 4 side is turned on in response to an operation related to the operation unit 6 by the surgeon. Accordingly, the second digital signal is input to the parallel / serial converter 52 via the switch unit 51. Since the processing in the parallel / serial converter 52 is as described above, description thereof is omitted here.

  The electronic endoscope system 100 is configured as described above. Thus, according to the electronic endoscope system 100 of the present embodiment, even when there are a plurality of sets of electronic endoscopes and processors, if any one processor is the first processor 100A, the other processor Even when only analog video signals can be output, the image signals generated by each electronic endoscope are effectively digitized and output to the outside. That is, existing equipment can be used except for the processor (here, the first processor 100A) to which the main electronic endoscope (here, the first electronic endoscope 100B) is connected.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another embodiment. The other embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 2 except that the digital encoder 35 is disposed at the subsequent stage of the switch unit 51. As a result, the analog video signal and the digital video signal output from the first processor 100A become the same. Accordingly, an image captured by the second electronic endoscope 100D can also be displayed on the first monitor 100E. Therefore, the second monitor 100F conventionally connected to the second processor 100C is not necessary, and the configuration can be further simplified. In addition, according to this other embodiment, an image observed by the surgeon via the first monitor 100E and an image observed by the observer at a location away from the room where the endoscopic examination is performed are provided. Always match. Therefore, there is an advantage that the operator and the observer can easily communicate with each other.

  The above is the embodiment of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the configuration described above, and modifications such as those described below are possible.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the second electronic endoscope 100D is used as a subordinate endoscope. However, the electronic endoscope system according to the present invention can use an ultrasonic endoscope or an X-ray observation endoscope as a subordinate endoscope.

  In the above embodiment, the endoscope side image processing unit 8 is incorporated in the first electronic endoscope 100A. However, the processing unit 8 is disposed in the image processing unit 3 and positioned as a pre-stage processing unit. Is also possible.

  In the above embodiment, the switch unit 51 is provided to clarify which electronic endoscope the digital image signal output to the outside from the first processor 100A is generated by. Yes. However, the electronic endoscope system according to the present invention can be configured such that the switch unit 51 is omitted and a plurality of digital signals are simultaneously output to the outside. In this case, the system controller 1 can appropriately change the display mode of the plurality of images displayed by the plurality of digital image signals automatically or according to the operation of the operator.

  In the above-described embodiment, D-1 is used as a digital signal standard. However, this is merely an example, and conversion according to another standard is also possible. For example, the parallel / serial converter 52 can perform conversion into an IEEE 1394 format suitable for a consumer device.

It is a figure showing a schematic structure of an electronic endoscope system of an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram about image processing of the electronic endoscope system of an embodiment. It is a block diagram about image processing of the electronic endoscope system of an embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 System controller 3 Image processing part 4 External signal conversion part 5 Output signal switching part 7 Imaging part 10 Forceps channel 100 Electronic endoscope system 100A 1st processor 100B 1st electronic endoscope 100C 2nd processor 100D 2nd electronic endoscope mirror

Claims (10)

Image processing means for generating a first digital signal by performing image processing on an image signal transmitted from an electronic endoscope electrically and optically connected;
Signal converting means for converting an analog video signal output from at least one external device into a second digital signal;
An electronic endoscope processor comprising: digital signal output means for outputting at least one of the first digital signal and the second digital signal to the outside. The processor for an electronic endoscope according to claim 1,
An electronic endoscope processor comprising analog signal output means for converting at least the first digital signal into an analog signal and outputting the analog signal to the outside. The processor for an electronic endoscope according to claim 2,
The analog signal output means is disposed at a position where the digital signal output from the digital signal output means is input, and outputs an analog signal having the same data as the digital video signal output to the outside. Processor for electronic endoscope. The processor for an electronic endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Signal superimposing means for superimposing a character signal indicating whether the digital signal is the first digital signal or the second digital signal on a digital video signal output to the outside from the digital signal output means; A processor for an electronic endoscope, comprising: A processor for an electronic endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The processor for electronic endoscope, wherein the digital signal output means alternatively outputs the first digital signal and the second digital signal to the outside. The electronic endoscope processor according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
An operation means for instructing the output of either the first digital signal or the second digital signal;
The electronic endoscope processor, wherein the digital signal output means outputs a digital signal corresponding to an instruction from the operation means to the outside. An electronic endoscope,
An endoscope,
An auxiliary processor that performs image processing on an image signal transmitted from the endoscope and outputs the processed image signal as an analog video signal;
An electronic endoscope system comprising: the electronic endoscope processor according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the electronic endoscope and the auxiliary processor are connected to each other. An electronic endoscope,
A first processor that generates a first digital signal by performing image processing on the first image signal transmitted from the electronic endoscope;
An endoscope,
A second processor that performs image processing on the second image signal transmitted from the endoscope and outputs it as an analog video signal;
The first processor converts the analog video signal output from the second processor into a second digital signal, and alternatively outputs the first digital signal and the second digital signal to the outside. Electronic endoscope system. The electronic endoscope system according to claim 7 or 8,
The electronic endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein the insertion tube flexible tube of the endoscope enters the body cavity through the insertion tube flexible tube of the electronic endoscope. The electronic endoscope system according to any one of claims 7 to 9,
The electronic endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein the endoscope is an electronic endoscope.

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