JP2556508B2 - Endoscope device - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus capable of obtaining an optical image and an ultrasonic image.

[Problems to be Solved by Prior Art and Invention] In recent years, various electronic endoscopes using a solid-state imaging device such as a charge-coupled device (CCD) as an imaging means have been proposed.

In addition, ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses that use ultrasound to diagnose internal tissues and organs have rapidly advanced. In recent years, an ultrasonic endoscope that allows a probe to be inserted into a body cavity and observed from within the body cavity has also been used. This ultrasonic endoscope inserts a vibrator into the body and does not have any intervening tissue such as skin or fat that attenuates ultrasonic waves, so it has good ultrasonic transparency and a clear image with good resolution. There is an advantage that it can be.

Further, for example, as shown in JP-A-58-133232, a means for obtaining an optical image such as a solid-state image sensor and a means for obtaining an ultrasonic image are provided at the tip of the insertion portion, and the optical image An ultrasonic endoscope has been proposed in which the relative positional relationship with the ultrasonic image is clarified so that the ultrasonic image can be associated with the ultrasonic image as an optical image.

By the way, as a means for obtaining an optical image, a solid-state image sensor,
In an endoscope apparatus provided with a probe as a means for obtaining an ultrasonic image, when an optical image and an ultrasonic image are to be observed at the same time, a signal for imaging the inside of a slender endoscope, A signal for obtaining a sound wave image is transmitted and received at the same time, mutual interference of signals occurs, a large amount of noise appears in the image, and the image becomes difficult to observe. In particular, the pulse value of the drive pulse of the ultrasonic transducer is extremely high, for example, 250 V, and therefore, there is a high possibility that pulse-like noise is mixed in the image pickup signal line of the solid-state image pickup device.

Therefore, conventionally, for example, when observing one image, all the drive signals for the other image are stopped to prevent noise mixing. However, in this case, the other image is not obtained at all, which hinders observation.
In particular, when observing an ultrasonic image, it is very important to confirm which part of the ultrasonic image is an optical image by a solid-state image sensor.

[Object of the Invention] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an optical image and an ultrasonic image with less noise can be obtained, and at the same time when one image is observed, the other image is observed. An object is to provide a possible endoscopic device.

[Means and Actions for Solving Problems] An endoscope apparatus according to the present invention includes a signal processing means for performing signal processing on an imaging means for obtaining an optical image and a probe for obtaining an ultrasonic image. In an endoscope apparatus including a signal processing unit that performs signal processing, an optical image storage unit that stores the optical image, an ultrasonic image storage unit that stores the ultrasonic image, the optical image storage unit, and the optical image storage unit. When writing and reading to and from the ultrasonic image storage means are controlled and an image stored in one of the optical image storage means or the ultrasonic image storage means is displayed as a moving image, the image stored in the other storage means is displayed. Storage means control means capable of displaying a still image is provided.

Embodiments Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 to 7 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope apparatus, FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing the whole endoscope apparatus, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a tip portion of a video ultrasonic scope, FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a front-end image processing circuit of a frame sequential system, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a front-end image processing circuit of a simultaneous system. , Sixth
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of a frame-sequential post-stage image processing circuit, and FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of a simultaneous system post-stage image processing circuit.

As shown in FIG. 2, the endoscope apparatus 1 is connected to the video ultrasonic scope 2, the video ultrasonic observation apparatus 3 to which the video ultrasonic scope 2 is connected, and the video ultrasonic observation apparatus 3. For example, two observation monitors 4a and 4b as display devices are provided.

The video ultrasonic scope 2 includes an elongated, for example, flexible insertion section 6, and a large-diameter operation section 7 is connected to the rear end of the insertion section 6. A flexible universal cord 8 extends laterally from the rear end of the operation unit 7, and a connector 9 is provided at the tip of the universal cord 8. The connector 9 is connected to the video ultrasonic observation device 3.
, For example, can be connected to a connector receiver 10 provided on the side.

The insertion portion 6 has a flexible portion 12 provided on the operation portion 7 side.
And a bendable bending portion that is continuously provided at the tip of the flexible portion 12.
13 and a rigid distal end 14 connected to the distal end of the curved portion 13
It consists of and. Further, the operation section 7 is provided with a bending operation knob 16, and by rotating the bending operation knob 16, the bending section 13 can be bent up / down / left / right. At the rear end of the operation unit 7, for example, a remote switch 17 for stopping the observation image or the like is provided.

The connector 9 is formed by integrating an illumination system connector 21, an air supply system connector 22, and an electric system connector 23. Further, a water supply mouthpiece 24 and a suction mouthpiece 25 are provided on the side portion of the connector 9. An air supply / water supply channel that communicates with the air supply system connector 22 and the water supply cap 24 from the connector 9 through the universal cord 8, the operation portion 7, and the operation portion 6 to the tip portion 14. A suction channel communicating with the suction cap 25 is provided. Further, the operation section 7 is provided with an air supply / water supply button 26 for supplying air / water and a suction button 27 for suctioning.

The tip portion 14 is configured as shown in FIG.

That is, the distal end portion 14 includes a substantially cylindrical distal end portion main body 31 made of a hard material such as a metal. This tip body
In the vicinity of the central axis, an observation through-hole 32 is formed near the center axis and penetrates in parallel to the axial direction of the insertion portion 6. On one side of the observation through-hole 32, an illumination through-hole 33 and a suction channel A hole 34 is formed, and on the other side of the observation through hole 32, the observation through hole 32 is formed.
An air supply / water supply channel through hole 35 is formed adjacent to 32. An ultrasonic probe 50 as a means for obtaining an ultrasonic image exposed on the side of the distal end portion 14 is provided on the outer peripheral side of the air / water supply channel through hole 35.

The observation through-hole 32 is provided with an objective lens system 38 on the distal end side, and a solid-state imaging device as an imaging unit for obtaining an optical image, such as a CCD4, at an image forming position of the objective lens system 38.
0 is set. A signal cable 41 is connected to the CCD 40, and the signal cable 41
And is inserted into the universal cord 8 and connected to the electrical connector 23 of the connector 9. Further, a light distribution lens 43 is attached to the distal end side of the illumination through hole 33,
A light guide fiber 44 is provided at the rear end of the light distribution lens 43.
Are arranged. The light guide fiber 44 is inserted into the insertion section 6 and the universal cord 8 and connected to the illumination system connector 21 of the connector 9. In addition, the suction channel through hole 34 has a suction channel.
A suction channel tube (not shown) that forms 45 is connected to the suction channel tube.
Is connected to the suction base 25 of the suction port. Further, an air / water nozzle 47 which is open to the front end side of the objective lens system 38 is mounted in the air / water channel through hole 35. An air / water channel tube (not shown) forming an air / water channel 48 is connected to the air / water nozzle 47, and the air / water channel tube is inserted into the insertion section 6 and the universal cord 8. The connector 9 is connected to an air supply / water supply base 24 of the connector 9.

The ultrasonic probe 50 includes a vibrator 52 for generating an ultrasonic pulse mounted on a flexible substrate 51, and a first matching layer 53 and a second matching layer 54 on the vibrator 52. An acoustic lens 55 is provided, and the acoustic lens 55 is exposed on the outer peripheral portion of the distal end portion 14. The acoustic lens 55 has a function of protecting the human body from insulation and protecting the vibrator 52.Moreover, by using an appropriate material and shape, it is possible to use the refraction of sound to focus ultrasonic waves. Is also possible. The first matching layer 53 and the second matching layer 54 are provided for matching so that ultrasonic waves can smoothly enter the human body. On the back side of the flexible substrate 51, a damper layer 56 is provided. The damper layer 56 has a function of quickly dissipating the vibration energy confined in the vibration element 52 and preventing the width of the ultrasonic pulse from becoming long. Further, a signal cable 58 is connected to the flexible substrate 51, and the signal cable 58 is inserted into the insertion portion 6 and the universal cord 8 and connected to the electrical system connector 23 of the connector 9.

On the other hand, the video ultrasonic observation apparatus 3 supplies signal processing means for performing signal processing on the CCD 40, signal processing means for performing signal processing on the ultrasonic probe 50, and illumination light for obtaining an optical image. Light source device and one housing
It is housed integrally in 61. Then, by connecting the connector 9 of the video ultrasonic scope 2 to the connector receiver 10 provided on, for example, a side portion of the housing 61, the CCD 40 and the ultrasonic probe 50 in the video ultrasonic scope 2 are connected. However, the light guide fiber 44 is connected to each of the signal processing means, and the light guide fiber 44 is connected to the light source device.

For example, on the front surface of the housing 61, a video controller 62 for performing an operation on an optical image by the CCD 40,
An ultrasonic controller 63 that performs an operation on an ultrasonic image by the ultrasonic probe 50 is provided on the left and right sides, and below these, a common operation that can perform an operation on an optical image and an operation on an ultrasonic image can be performed. A keyboard 64 is provided. An external storage device 65 such as a video tape recorder can be stored under the keyboard 64.
An external recording device 66 such as a polaroid camera (trade name) or a printer can be attached to the side of the housing 61. The case 61 is provided with casters 68 so that it can move.

The internal structure of the video ultrasonic observation apparatus 3 is as shown in FIG.

In the present embodiment, an example in which sector electronic scanning is used as the scanning method is shown as signal processing means for obtaining an ultrasonic image.

In the case of the sector electronic scanning, the transducer of the ultrasonic probe 50
52, a large number of, for example, N vibrating element groups are provided, and the video ultrasonic scope 2 and the video ultrasonic observation device 3
When and are connected, each vibrating element of the vibrating element group,
A transmission drive circuit 71 for exciting the vibrating element is connected to each of them. This transmission drive circuit 71
For example, N pieces are provided corresponding to the number of the vibrating elements. Each transmission drive circuit 71 is operated by a transmission delay control circuit 72 controlled by an ultrasonic wave control circuit 73 with a time difference of a predetermined interval. Then, the ultrasonic beam generated from the ultrasonic probe 50 is scanned in a fan shape by sequentially changing the time difference. Note that the ultrasonic control circuit 73 can be operated by an ultrasonic controller 63 provided on the front surface of the housing 61.

The ultrasonic beam generated from the ultrasonic probe 50,
The light is transmitted to the inside of the living body, is reflected at the boundary of the body tissue, returns to the ultrasonic probe 50 as an echo again, and is converted into an electric signal by the vibrator 52. The electric signal from each vibrating element of the vibrator 52 is amplified by the preamplifier 75 and then input to the reception delay circuit 76. The number of the preamplifiers 75 is N, for example, corresponding to the number of the vibrating elements. Ultrasonic echoes from the same site in the body reach the respective vibrating elements at different times. The reception delay circuit 76 has a delay amount controlled by a reception delay control circuit 77 controlled by the ultrasonic control circuit 73, and delays ultrasonic echo signals from the respective vibrating elements with different delay amounts, respectively, and is the same. The phase of the ultrasonic echo signal corresponding to the site is adjusted. The ultrasonic echo signal from the reception delay circuit 76 is input to the logarithmic amplifier 78. This logarithmic amplifier 78
Is capable of logarithmically compressing the dynamic range of an ultrasonic echo signal so that the image width of a wide range of ultrasonic echo signals can be obtained without distortion. Further, the ultrasonic echo signal is logarithmically compressed by the logarithmic amplifier 78 and the STC (sensing).
The sensitivity is corrected by a sitivity time control circuit 79. That is, since the ultrasonic wave is attenuated when propagating in the living body, the STC circuit 79 eliminates the difference in the size of the echo due to this attenuation and is displayed as an image of constant brightness. The sensitivity is corrected with respect to the propagation distance. The ultrasonic echo signal logarithmically compressed by the logarithmic amplifier 78 is input to a detection circuit 80 and detected by the detection circuit 80 to become an envelope signal (also referred to as an A-mode signal). This A-mode signal is supplied to the A / D converter 81
The digital scan converter (hereinafter referred to as DSC) 83 converts the digital signal into a digital signal. The DSC 83 stores the A-mode signal as a digital quantity, and is read out, for example, as a television video signal for displaying in the B-mode. The digital video signal read from the DSC circuit 83 is input to the freeze memory 85. Then, by prohibiting the writing to the freeze memory 85, the ultrasonic image can be stopped. The output signal of the freeze memory 85 is converted into an analog video signal by the D / A converter 86, for example, after passing through a low-pass filter 88 for eliminating signal discontinuity that occurs during D / A conversion,
Input to the mixing circuit 87 and the 2-contact changeover switch 89
It is adapted to be input to one of the switching contacts 89a.
The video signal output from the mixing circuit 87 is output as one output A from the output end 91. This output A is input to one observation monitor 4a. The video signal output from the fixed contact of the changeover switch 89 is output as the other output B from the output end 92. This output B is the other observation monitor
It is designed to be input to 4B.

The ultrasonic control circuit 73 applies clock pulses to the A / D converter 81 and D / A converter 86, and applies address, write, and read signals to the DSC 83 and freeze memory 85. Are in control.

On the other hand, in order to obtain an optical image, a light source device 95 is provided in the video ultrasonic observation device 3. This light source device 95 is, for example, a light source lamp and is disposed on the entire surface side of this light source lamp if a frame sequential method is used as a color image pickup method, and red (R), green (G), blue ( B) and the like, and a rotary color filter having a color transmission filter of each color and rotated by a motor. Then, the illumination light emitted from the light source lamp passes through the rotary color filter and is sequentially converted into light of each wavelength of R, G, and B, and is condensed by a condenser lens, and then is collected by the video ultrasonic observation apparatus 3. It is adapted to be incident on the incident end of the light guide fiber 44 of the connected video ultrasonic scope 2. On the other hand, when the simultaneous method is used as the color imaging method, the white light emitted from the white light source is made incident on the incident end of the light guide fiber 4. This illumination light is guided to the tip portion 14 by the light guide fiber 44,
The light is emitted from the emission end, passes through the light distribution lens 43, and is irradiated onto the subject.

The object image formed by the illumination light is formed on the CCD 40 by the objective lens system 38. The CCD 40 is driven by a CCD drive circuit 97 provided inside the video ultrasonic observation apparatus 3. The CCD drive circuit 97 is
The timing of various pulse signals is controlled by the drive signal from the video control circuit 100. The CC
The signal read from D40 is input to the preceding video processing circuit 101.

In the case of the frame sequential method, the pre-stage image processing circuit 101 is configured, for example, as shown in FIG. That is,
The signal read from the CCD 40 is amplified by the preamplifier 102, a video signal is extracted by the sample hold circuit 103, and is gamma corrected by a gamma correction circuit 104. Then, it is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 105, and the multiplexer 106
The frame memories 107R, 107G, 107 corresponding to the respective colors of R, G, B are switched sequentially in synchronization with the color plane sequential illumination.
Remembered in B. This frame memory 107R, 107G, 107B
Are simultaneously read and converted into analog color signals by the D / A converter 108.

Further, in the case of the simultaneous system, the preceding stage image processing circuit 101
Is configured, for example, as shown in FIG. That is, on the front surface of the CCD 40, there is provided a color filter array 121 in which color filters that respectively transmit R, G, and B color lights are arranged in a mosaic pattern or the like. The signal read from the CCD 40 is amplified by the preamplifier 122 and input to the luminance signal processing circuit 123 and the color signal reproducing circuit 124. Then, the luminance signal processing circuit 123 generates a luminance signal Y. In addition, in the color signal reproducing circuit 124, the color difference signals RY and BY are 1
Each horizontal line is generated in time series, white balance is compensated by the white balance circuit 125, one is directly input to the analog switch 126, the other is delayed by one horizontal line by the 1H delay line 127 and input to the analog switch 128. From the analog switches 126 and 128, color difference signals RY,
BY is obtained.

The video signal output from the preceding video processing circuit 101 is A / D
It is adapted to be converted into a digital signal by the converter 131 and input to the freeze memory 132. Then, by prohibiting the writing to the freeze memory 132, the optical image can be stopped. The output signal of the freeze memory 132 is converted into an analog video signal by the D / A converter 133, and passes through a low-pass filter 134 for eliminating the discontinuity of the signal generated at the time of D / A conversion, for example, and then the post video It is adapted to be input to the processing circuit 135.

The video control circuit 100 applies a clock pulse to the A / D converter 131 and the D / A converter 133, and an address, write,
Read signals are applied to control these.

In the case of the frame sequential method, the latter-stage image processing circuit 135 is configured as shown in FIG. 6, for example. That is,
The color signals R, G, B are output as three primary color signals via the driver 136, respectively. Further, the color signals R, G, B pass through a matrix circuit 137, and a luminance signal Y and color difference signals RY, B-
Y and Y are generated, and then input to the NTSC encoder 138 to be converted into an NTSC composite video signal and output.

In the case of the simultaneous system, the latter-stage video processing circuit 135
Is configured, for example, as shown in FIG. That is, the luminance signal Y and the color difference signals RY and BY are input to the NTSC encoder 138, converted into an NTSC composite video signal, and output. In addition, the luminance signal Y and the color difference signal R
-Y, BY are input to the inverse matrix circuit 139, and color signals
Converted to R, G, B, and passed through the driver 136, the three primary color signals R, G,
Output as B.

The video signal from the post-stage video processing circuit 135 is input to the mixing circuit 87 and also to the other switching contact 89b of the two-contact switching switch 89. Then, the ultrasonic image and the optical image are combined by the mixing circuit 87, and the ultrasonic image is input to the observation monitor 4a to which the output A from the mixing circuit 87 is input, as shown in FIG. 2 (a). 11
1 and the optical image 112 are displayed side by side, for example. In addition, the observation monitor 4b to which the output B from the changeover switch 89 is input, responds to the changeover of the changeover switch 89, as shown in FIG.
Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2B, the optical image 112 is switched and displayed.

Further, the common keyboard 64 can input patient data and the like to the superimposing circuit 114 provided in the video ultrasonic observation apparatus 3. Further, between the mixing circuit 87 and the output end 91 and between the changeover switch 89 and the output end 92, there are mixers 115a and 115b for mixing the output of the superimpose circuit 114 and the video signal, respectively. The patient data and the like that are inserted and input through the keyboard 64 are stored in the superimposing circuit 114 and the mixers 115a and 115b.
Is displayed by superimposing in the images on the observation monitors 4a and 4b. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 116 indicates patient data and the like displayed on the observation monitors 4a and 4b.

By the way, in the present embodiment, the observation image switching means 141 for selecting an image to be observed as a moving image between the ultrasonic image and the optical image.
Is provided. This observation image switching means freezes the freeze image for freezing the ultrasonic image via the inverter 142 and directly to the freeze memory 132 for freezing the optical image to freeze the image by freezing the image. It is designed to apply a signal. The freeze signal that has passed through the inverter 142 is a switching signal that controls switching of the changeover switch 89. For example, the freeze memories 85 and 132 are frozen when the freeze signal is at the H level,
89 is a switching terminal on the optical image side when the switching signal is at H level
When 89b is in the connected state and the switching signal is at the L level, the switching terminal 89a on the ultrasonic image side is in the connected state.

When observing an ultrasonic image, the observation image switching means 14
An H level signal is output from 1, the freeze memory 85 on the ultrasonic image side does not perform the freeze operation, and the freeze memory 132 on the optical image side does the freeze operation. In addition, changeover switch 89
Switches the switching terminal 89a on the ultrasonic image side into the connected state. In this case, the ultrasonic image 111 of the moving image and the optical image 112 of the still image are displayed on one observation monitor 4a, and the ultrasonic image of the moving image is displayed on the other observation monitor 4b as shown in FIG. 2 (a). The image 111 is displayed.

On the other hand, when observing an optical image, an L level signal is output from the observation image switching means 141, the freeze memory 85 on the ultrasonic image side freezes, and the freeze memory 132 on the optical image side does not freeze. In addition, changeover switch 8
9, the switching terminal 89b on the optical image side is in the connected state. In this case, one observation monitor 4a displays the ultrasonic image 111 of the still image and the optical image 112 of the moving image, and the other observation monitor 4b displays the optical image of the moving image as shown in FIG. 2 (b). 112 is displayed.

Thus, in the present embodiment, the freeze memory 85 for freezing the ultrasonic image and the freeze memory 132 for freezing the optical image are provided, and by switching the observation image by the observation image switching means 141, both freeze memories 85, 132 One side freezes.

Therefore, when observing the ultrasonic image, the optical image is frozen, and conversely, when the optical image is observed, the ultrasonic image is frozen.

In this way, even when observing one of the ultrasonic image and the optical image as a moving image, the other image can be observed as a still image, so that the ultrasonic image and the optical image can be associated with each other. In addition, it becomes possible to confirm the observation site even when observing the ultrasonic image.

When observing one of the ultrasonic image and the optical image as a moving image, the other image is not the image obtained by driving the CCD 40 or the ultrasonic probe 50, but the freeze memory 85 or 132. The stored image is displayed. Therefore, the signal for obtaining the image under observation is less likely to be mixed in the other image, and the other image can be observed as an image with less noise.

When the ultrasonic image is observed, the freeze memory 132 is frozen and the driving of the CCD 40 is stopped, and when the optical image is observed, the freeze memory 85 is frozen and the ultrasonic probe 50 is stopped. You can

Further, the observation image switching means 141 is not provided on the video ultrasonic observation device 2 side, for example, on the video ultrasonic scope 2.
It may be provided in the operation unit 7.

The switching of the changeover switch 89 may be reversed to display a still image on the observation monitor 4b.

Alternatively, the observation monitor 4b may not be provided, and only the observation monitor 4a on which the ultrasonic image and the optical image are displayed may be observed.

8 and 9 relate to a second embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing the entire endoscope apparatus, and FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an output section of the video ultrasonic observation apparatus.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the video signal passes through the low-pass filter 88 on the ultrasonic image side and is output from the output end 151 as the output C, while the post-stage video processing circuit 135 on the optical image side. The video signal from is output as the output D from the output end 152. The output C is the eighth
Input to one of the observation monitors 4c shown in the figure, and the output D
Are input to the other observation monitor 4d. Mixers 153a and 153b for mixing the output of the superimpose circuit 114 and the video signal are provided between the low-pass filter 88 and the output end 151, and between the post-stage video processing circuit 135 and the output end 152, respectively. Patient data and the like, which are interposed and input by the keyboard 64, are stored in the superimposing circuit 114.
And the mixers 153a and 153b are displayed by superimposing in the images of the observation monitors 4c and 4d.

 Other configurations are similar to those of the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, an ultrasonic image 111 is displayed on the observation monitor 4c, and an optical image 112 is displayed on the observation monitor 4d.
Then, as in the first embodiment, the observation image switching means 141 freezes the optical image 112 when observing the ultrasonic image 111, and conversely, freezes the ultrasonic image 111 when observing the optical image 112. .

 Other functions and effects are similar to those of the first embodiment.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and for example,
The scanning method of the ultrasonic probe 50 is not limited to the sector electronic scanning, but may be linear electronic scanning, convex sector electronic scanning,
It may be linear mechanical scanning, arc mechanical scanning, sector mechanical scanning, radial mechanical scanning, or the like.

The imaging means may be a television camera attached to an eyepiece of a scope such as a fiber scope capable of observing the naked eye.

As described above, according to the present invention, when an ultrasonic image is observed, the optical image is frozen and a still image of the optical image can be observed. On the other hand, when the optical image is observed, the ultrasonic image is not observed. Is frozen and the still image of the ultrasonic image can be observed, so that it is possible to observe the other image while observing one image and obtain an optical image and an ultrasonic image with less noise. effective.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 to 7 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of an endoscope apparatus, FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing the entire endoscope apparatus, FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the tip of a video ultrasonic scope, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a pre-stage video processing circuit of the system, FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a simultaneous system pre-stage video processing circuit, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a frame sequential post-stage video processing circuit. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of a post-stage image processing circuit of the simultaneous system, FIGS. 8 and 9 relate to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the whole endoscope apparatus. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an output section of the video ultrasonic observation apparatus. 1 …… Endoscope device 2 …… Video ultrasonic scope 3 …… Video ultrasonic observation device 4a, 4b …… Observation monitor 40 …… CCD, 50 …… Ultrasonic probe 85,132 …… Freeze memory 141 …… Observation image switching means

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Takeshi Yokoi 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kazuhiko Ozeki 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takeaki Nakamura 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yuwa Tojo 2-43 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo No. 2 Olympus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shinichi Nishigaki 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Hiromasa Suzuki 2-43 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo No. 2 within Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (56) Reference JP-A-62-139635 (JP, A) JP-A-63-264049 (JP, A) JP 63-264046 (JP, A) JP 58-133232 (JP, A) Actually opened 63-151108 (JP, U) Actually opened 59-150406 (JP, U)

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. An endoscope apparatus comprising signal processing means for performing signal processing on an image pickup means for obtaining an optical image, and signal processing means for performing signal processing on a probe for obtaining an ultrasonic image. An optical image storage unit that stores the optical image; an ultrasonic image storage unit that stores the ultrasonic image; a writing and reading control of the optical image storage unit and the ultrasonic image storage unit; Storage means control means for displaying an image stored in one of the image storage means and the ultrasonic image storage means as a moving image when the image stored in the other storage means is displayed as a still image. An endoscopic device characterized by: