JP2011255038A - Electronic endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display the appropriate image for observation of a subject patient without need for any additional complicated work for the display when he/she is diagnosed.SOLUTION: A plurality of numerical data set for the observation image of the patient set by an operator (brightness level, red and blue color levels, enhancement, emphasis on the contrast and noise reduction) are recorded in an external memory in relation with the patient's private information. Besides, when a new diagnosis is repeated on the same patient, a list LS of a series of image related numerical data and the data-based preview images IM1 to IM3 set up and registered in the past are displayed on a monitor by search operations. After the operator selects and decides on a combination of some image related set data, then he enforces the processing and adjustment of the observation image shown on the monitor according to these image related set data.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic endoscope apparatus that captures an image of a subject such as an inner wall of an organ with a scope and displays an observation image on a monitor, and particularly relates to image processing settings for the observation image.

  The electronic endoscopic device can perform image processing such as color adjustment, brightness adjustment, and contour enhancement on the observation image obtained by the videoscope, and includes characteristics of the examination target organ (coloration), imaging characteristics of the scope, The operator appropriately sets the adjustment level according to the work situation. For example, contrast enhancement and contour enhancement can be performed on the observed image (see Patent Document 1).

  On the other hand, in the electronic endoscope apparatus, it is also possible to match the operating characteristics of the scope and the processor according to the operator's preference according to the type of the scope and the processor operating environment. For example, according to the operator's preference, the scope input operation method The processor operating characteristics are individually set and the setting information is stored. When a new endoscopy is performed, an endoscopic operation is performed based on operator setting information stored in the past (see Patent Document 2).

JP 2003-260027 A JP 2007-313132 A

  Even when observing a specific site, the image processing content such as color adjustment by the operator differs from patient to patient due to differences in blood vessel thickness and the like. Further, the adjustment contents of the operator vary depending on the progress of the disease state of the affected part. For this reason, the operator needs to set a series of set value adjustments such as color adjustment and brightness adjustment of the observation image one by one every time work is performed, which is a work burden.

  The electronic endoscope apparatus of the present invention is an electronic endoscope apparatus capable of executing image processing suitable for each patient, and is based on at least one image-related setting value set in accordance with a user input operation. Image processing means for executing image processing on

  The image-related setting value here is a setting value related to image processing (such as contour enhancement) for the observation image or brightness adjustment processing of the observation image (such as photometry), and how the affected area looks, how the disease progresses, It is a value that is set and changed based on scope characteristics, operator preference, and the like. For example, the brightness (reference) for the observed image, the color tone such as red or blue, the tone emphasis on the surface of the image, the color emphasis such as the blood vessel contour emphasis, or one of the setting values related to noise removal is combined. There are multiple settings.

  Furthermore, the electronic endoscope apparatus of the present invention includes a registration unit and a search unit. The registering means stores the set image-related setting value in the memory in association with the patient who is the subject. For example, the registration unit stores the image-related setting value in association with the patient ID information or the like according to the registration operation of the operator. When the same patient is diagnosed many times and there is a change in the setting of the image-related setting value, the registration unit may record the image-related setting value every time there is a new setting.

  On the other hand, a search means searches for the image related setting value according to the patient who becomes a test subject. When the same patient is examined again, the search means searches for a series of image-related setting values stored (registered) in the past according to the search operation of the operator. Then, the image processing means can execute image processing based on the searched image related setting value automatically or in accordance with a user input operation or the like. That is, an observation image based on the past image-related setting value can be displayed in real time without adjusting the image-related setting value.

  Based on such a configuration of registration and search processing, registration and search of image-related set values for each patient can be performed. When the same patient is examined many times for the same patient, the operator can display the observation image again based on the previously set color tone, hue, contour enhancement, etc., and diagnose with the image quality suitable for the patient. It becomes possible. When there are a plurality of registration times, a series of image related setting values can be displayed in a list, and the image related setting values can be selected and set according to the selection operation of the operator.

  It is desirable to examine in advance how the observation image is processed based on the previously stored image setting values, and to reflect the image setting values in the real-time observation image after the examination. Therefore, it is preferable to provide display means for displaying a reference image (herein referred to as a preview image) that has been subjected to image processing based on the searched image-related setting value, separately from the observation image. The user can see the preview image in advance and perform color adjustment appropriate for the actual real-time observation image.

  It is desirable to display a series of image-related setting values and a corresponding series of preview images at the same time, and considering that it is possible to execute selection and determination of image-related setting values together. It is preferable to provide a touch panel that can display images and buttons on the screen.

  When there are a plurality of registered (recorded) image-related setting values, the image processing means selects an image-related setting value from a plurality of searched image-related setting values and then performs real-time observation on the observed image. It is desirable to perform image processing. It is possible to select an image-related setting value while comparing shades and the like in a series of preview images.

  In consideration of changes in the shape and color tone of the observation target part depending on the progress of the lesion, it is desirable that the registration unit displays a preview image based on the observation image at the time of diagnosis. Therefore, it is preferable that the registration unit stores the observation image reflecting the stored image-related setting value, and the display unit displays the stored observation image as a preview image.

  When the number of registrations of the image-related set value increases, the use priority order of the image-related set value used in the past observation image decreases due to a change in the state of the affected part. Therefore, when the number of registrations of the image-related setting value has reached a predetermined upper limit, the registration means deletes the oldest stored image-related setting value and sequentially updates the stored image-related setting value. desirable.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to display an appropriate observation image on a patient who is a subject without performing complicated work during diagnosis.

It is a block diagram of the electronic endoscope apparatus which is this embodiment. It is a figure showing registration of an image related set value displayed on a touch panel screen, search, and a setting display. It is the flowchart which showed the registration process performed in a display control circuit. It is the flowchart which showed the search process performed in a display control circuit. It is a flowchart of a set value selection / execution process executed in the display control circuit.

  Hereinafter, the electronic endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic endoscope apparatus according to this embodiment.

  The electronic endoscope apparatus includes a video scope 10 whose insertion portion is inserted into the body, and a processor 30, and the video scope 10 is detachably connected to the processor 30. Illumination light emitted from the lamp 32 is irradiated from the distal end portion 10T of the scope through a light guide provided in the video scope 10.

  The illumination light reflected by the subject (observation target) passes through an objective lens (not shown) provided at the scope distal end 10, and a subject image is formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD 14. In the CCD 14, an image signal for one frame / field is read from the CCD 14 at a predetermined time interval (for example, 1/30, 1/60 second interval) and sent to the preceding signal processing circuit 12.

  The CCD 14 is provided with a complementary color filter in which color elements composed of Cy, Ye, G, and Mg are arranged in a mosaic pattern, and image signals for one frame / field are sequentially read according to a pixel mixture reading method. The pre-stage signal processing circuit 12 performs signal processing such as white balance processing and gamma correction processing on the image signal. As a result, R, G, and B image signals are sent to the video signal processing circuit 36 of the processor 30.

  In the video signal processing circuit 36, when image processing settings such as color adjustment of the observed image and edge enhancement are performed by the user, image processing corresponding to the setting contents is performed on the image signal. The front panel 46 includes a brightness button 46A for adjusting the brightness level, a color button 46B for adjusting the color of blue (R) and red (B), an enhancement button 46C for enhancing the tone of the affected area, and a blood vessel contour portion. A contrast button 46D for enhancing contrast by emphasis and the like, and a noise removal button 46E for adjusting the noise removal level are provided, and each image is adapted to the operator's preference based on patient characteristics, lesion state, scope characteristics, and the like. The related setting value is adjusted.

  The video signal obtained by the image processing is output to the monitor 20. Thereby, the observation image is displayed on the monitor 20 as a real-time moving image. The light amount adjustment mechanism 34 having a diaphragm adjusts the light amount of illumination light incident on the light guide, and the opening / closing control of the diaphragm is performed at predetermined time intervals so that the brightness of the subject image is constant. The front panel 46 is provided with a button 46E for selecting a photometry method such as average photometry or peak photometry.

  A system control circuit 40 including a CPU, a ROM and the like controls the operation of the processor 30 and outputs a control signal to the lamp 32, the video signal processing circuit 36 and the like. A patient list, observation image data, and the like are temporarily stored in the auxiliary storage device 42 and stored as patient information in an external storage device 50 such as a USB.

  A touch panel 44 is provided on the side surface of the processor 30, and the display control circuit 38 controls the screen display of the touch panel 44. As will be described later, processing such as registration, search, and selection of setting values related to images is performed through touch panel operations.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing registration, search, and setting display of image-related setting values displayed on the touch panel screen. Registration, search, and the like of image-related setting values will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the present embodiment, a setting menu for registering, searching, selecting and determining setting values related to the observation image can be displayed on the touch panel screen 44S. In the initial menu (not shown), the operator inputs the patient ID and the like with the keyboard 12 and displays the setting menu. Then, a set value is registered, searched, selected, and the like by pressing a displayed icon that plays a role corresponding to a switch button.

  Image-related setting values include brightness level (Bright.), Red (R), blue (B) tone level (Blue, Red), tone enhancement level (Enh.), And contrast such as vessel contour enhancement. An enhancement level (Contrast Enh.) And a noise reduction level (Noise Reduction) are provided. The brightness level is represented by five levels (1 to 5) of the luminance level of the observation image. Red and blue enhancement levels are expressed in 11 levels from -5 to +5, and enhancement is expressed in 3 levels from 1 to 3. Contrast enhancement and noise reduction levels are expressed in four stages: Off, Low, Medium, and High.

  As described above, when the operator operates the buttons 46A to 46E provided on the front panel 46, the setting values are changed and the color tone, brightness, and the like of the observation image are adjusted. The operator confirms each set value by the list LI of the current set value group displayed on the screen 44S. When the operator presses the registration button 45B, a plurality of setting values are registered in a batch while corresponding to the patient ID. By registering each time an examination or treatment is performed, a series of image-related setting values are accumulated in the order of registration.

  On the other hand, when making a diagnosis using an endoscopic device, a patient ID to be examined now or after is entered on the initial menu screen, and then a search button 45A is pressed on the setting menu, so that a series of previously registered A set value list LS is displayed. Here, a series of setting values for the past three times registered with the same patient are displayed in the order of registration.

  Further, when the search button 45A is pressed, the observation images IM1, IM2, and IM3 reflecting the setting value groups registered three times in the past are displayed as thumbnails as still images (hereinafter referred to as preview images). These images are images recorded when the image-related setting values are registered collectively.

  The operator selects one of the setting value groups by selectively pressing the radio button 45D arranged near the series of setting value lists LS registered in the past. When the operator depresses the reflection button 45C, an observation image subjected to image processing based on the selected set value group is displayed on the monitor 20. As a result, the observation image that has been processed based on the image-related setting value that has been adjusted by the button on the front panel 46 is switched to an observation image that is processed according to a combination of image-related setting values registered in the past.

  When the same part of a specific organ (such as the stomach) is to be observed for multiple patients, the color, contrast, etc. of the observed images do not match depending on the patient due to differences in blood vessel thickness, etc. Is also adjusted for each patient accordingly. In addition, there are patients who need to perform color adjustment again depending on the degree of progression of the lesion, and patients who do not need color adjustment because there is no disease progression.

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of setting values related to an image are registered collectively for each patient. When the same part is examined again with the same patient, a list of setting values registered in the past by the operator is displayed, and past observation images based on the setting values are simultaneously displayed as preview images.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a registration process executed in the display control circuit. When the registration button is pressed, the process is started.

  When the same patient ID does not exist, that is, when an image-related set value is registered for the patient for the first time, the set value data is recorded in a new address area of the external storage device 50 in correspondence with the patient ID information (S101, S102). On the other hand, if there is a patient ID, it is determined whether a set value group having the same content exists (S103).

  If there is a group in which all the setting values are the same among a series of registered image related setting values in the past, an error message indicating that the same processing content already exists is displayed and a buzzer is sounded (S104). On the other hand, if it is determined that the combination of setting values has never existed, it is determined whether the upper limit (three times here) of the number of registrations has been reached (S105).

  When the upper limit is reached, the data of the setting value group with the oldest registration date is deleted, and the data of the new setting value group is overwritten in the address area (S106). On the other hand, if the upper limit has not been reached, the set value group data is stored in a predetermined storage area (S107).

  When the image-related setting value is stored, an observation image that has been image-processed based on the setting value is recorded in the external storage device 50 as still image data (S108). At this time, image data is recorded while being associated with the patient ID.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing search processing executed in the display control circuit. When the search button is pressed, the process is started.

  In accordance with the patient ID input by the operator, the setting value group registered in the past of the patient is searched in the external storage device 50 (S201). If the registration data does not exist, an error message indicating that the registration data does not exist is displayed (S202, S203).

  On the other hand, when registered data exists, a series of image related setting values registered in the past as shown in FIG. 2 are displayed in a list (S202, S204). Simultaneously with the list, a preview image is displayed as a thumbnail (S205).

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of set value selection / execution processing executed in the display control circuit. When the reflection button is pressed, the process is started.

  If the number of registrations is one as a result of the search, image processing is executed based on the searched set value group (S301, S304). On the other hand, when two or more items are searched, it is determined whether one set value group is selected by the radio button 45D. If selected, image processing based on the set value group is displayed on the monitor 20. The process is executed on the image (S302, S304). On the other hand, if the set value group has not been selected, an error message notifying that selection is necessary is displayed (S305).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, a plurality of setting values (brightness level, red, blue level, enhancement, contrast enhancement, noise reduction) related to the observation image set by the operator's operation are displayed for the patient. The information is collectively stored in the external storage device 50 in association with the information. On the other hand, when a new diagnosis is performed on the same patient, a past set value list and a preview image based on the set value are displayed on the screen by a search operation.

  Then, when the operator selects a specific image-related setting value group in a series (three) of image-related setting value groups, the observation image displayed on the monitor 20 by the combination of the selected image-related setting values is an image. It is processed.

  Thus, it is possible to immediately select and determine a combination of image-related setting values that are effective (preferred by the operator) for a specific patient, so that appropriate colors and brightness can be obtained without performing setting operations for each diagnosis. An observation image with can be displayed. Since image-related setting values are registered and searched by operating a touch panel provided in the processor, a series of operations can be performed without obstructing the observation image display.

  In addition, since the preview image is displayed simultaneously with the image-related set value list, it is possible for the operator to confirm the past observation image that has actually undergone image processing, and to select the most preferable set value group from the plurality of preview images. . Since the preview image is an observation image recorded at the time of past registration, it is possible to confirm the image processing content based on the state of the affected part.

  Furthermore, by performing image processing on the real-time observation image after selection, an observation image based on the image-related setting value currently set by the user is displayed in real time. As a result, the operator can compare the past observation image with the observation image currently being adjusted.

  Further, the image related setting value list is displayed only for the past three registrations, and the oldest image related setting value group at the time of registration is sequentially deleted. As a result, it is possible to select an image-related set value that is as suitable as possible for the state of the latest affected area.

  In the present embodiment, image-related setting values are adjusted using the front panel buttons. However, it may be configured to operate on a touch panel screen, or may be operated using another input device such as a keyboard. Good.

  When there are a plurality of observation target organs (for example, stomach, large intestine, etc.) for the same patient, a registration list of image-related setting values may be created for each observation target. Alternatively, a registration list of image-related setting values may be created according to the type of video scope (for upper digestive tract, lower digestive tract, etc.).

  Parameters other than the above-described set values can be included as image-related set values, and types such as photometric methods (peak photometry, average photometry) can be incorporated as set values.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Videoscope 30 Processor 38 Display control circuit 40 System control circuit 44 Touch panel 50 External storage device

Claims (7)

Image processing means for performing image processing on an observation image based on at least one image-related setting value set in accordance with a user input operation;
A registration means for storing the set image-related setting value in a memory in association with a patient who is a subject;
Search means for searching for image-related setting values according to the patient who is the subject,
An endoscope apparatus, wherein the image processing means is capable of executing image processing based on a searched image related setting value.   The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying a preview image subjected to image processing based on the searched image-related setting value separately from the observation image. The registration unit stores an observation image in which an image-related setting value to be stored is reflected,
The endoscope apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the display unit displays the stored observation image as a preview image. The display means simultaneously displays a series of searched image-related setting values and a series of preview images corresponding thereto,
The image processing means executes image processing on a displayed observation image after a predetermined image related setting value is selected by a user from the series of image related setting values. The endoscope apparatus according to any one of Items 2 to 3.   The registration means deletes the oldest stored image-related setting value and sequentially updates the stored image-related setting value when the registration count of the image-related setting value has reached a predetermined upper limit. The endoscope apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4.   The endoscope apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the display unit includes a touch panel.   7. The image-related setting value is at least one of setting values related to brightness, hue, contrast enhancement, tone enhancement, and noise removal for an observation image. Endoscopic device.

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