JP4981401B2 - Electronic endoscope processor and electronic endoscope system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic endoscope, and more particularly to a processor to which a medical electronic endoscope is connected and an electronic endoscope system including the processor.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, electronic endoscope systems are widely known and put into practical use for observing and treating a site in a body cavity of a subject. Such an electronic endoscope system includes, for example, an electronic endoscope for imaging the inside of a body cavity, a processor that performs image processing on an imaging signal acquired by the electronic endoscope, and a video signal that is processed and generated by the processor It is comprised from several apparatuses, such as a monitor which displays. Such an electronic endoscope system is generally used or transported in a state where each device is arranged in one cart. An electronic endoscope system in which each device is arranged in a cart is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-266738

  Such an electronic endoscope system has a considerably large total weight. For this reason, even if all the devices are arranged in the cart and are configured to be transportable, it requires considerable labor to actually move the cart by pushing or pulling. In particular, the space and weight occupied by the monitor are large among the devices.

  In the conventional electronic endoscope system, the color reproducibility of the image provided to the operator depends on the lowest performance among a plurality of devices constituting the system. That is, even if a processor capable of outputting a signal having a color gamut desired by the operator is used, if the monitor receiving the signal does not have color reproduction performance corresponding to the color gamut, the operator desires An image having color reproducibility cannot be provided. In other words, in the past, in order to provide images with color reproducibility corresponding to user needs, the multiple devices that make up the electronic endoscope system are always configured in a unified manner that conforms to the standards corresponding to user needs. And is not efficient from a cost standpoint.

  In addition, it is pointed out that it is difficult for a plurality of people to simultaneously observe images displayed on the monitor due to specifications such as a screen size and a viewing angle. Conventionally, when a plurality of people observe an image, the monitor or the entire cart must be moved or rotated at any time. Therefore, reduction of the labor required when moving the system as described above is an important issue.

  Accordingly, in view of the above circumstances, the present invention allows a plurality of persons to simultaneously observe captured images having color reproducibility that can be moved with little effort while being placed in a cart. It is an object of the present invention to provide a processor for an electronic endoscope that can be provided in a state where it can be performed, and an electronic endoscope system including the processor.

In order to solve the above problems, an electronic endoscope processor according to claim 1 is an electronic endoscope processor to which the electronic endoscope is electrically and optically connected, and has a light source, A light supply means for supplying a part of the light emitted from the light source to the electronic endoscope as light for illuminating the subject; and the electronic endoscope uses the light from the light supply means to capture an image. Image processing means for performing predetermined image processing on the generated image signal, and a part of the light emitted from the light source is incident, and an image corresponding to the image signal subjected to image processing by the image processing means is enlarged to the outside Image projection means for projecting, each means is housed in a single housing, and the light supply means adjusts the light quantity of light supplied to the electronic endoscope. Adjusting the amount of light supplied to the adjusting means and the image projecting means A second light quantity adjusting means, and the first light amount adjusting means and the second light quantity adjusting means, and performs the light quantity adjustment independently of each other.

  According to the electronic endoscope processor of the first aspect, it becomes possible to project and display an image to the outside by the processor alone. Accordingly, the number of devices constituting the system is reduced and the total weight is reduced as much as the monitoring is unnecessary. As a result, the movement of the electronic endoscope system via the cart can be performed easily and with little effort.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the endoscopic image is enlarged and projected using the image projecting means mounted inside the projector as an alternative to the monitor. Therefore, an image as designed by the processor is provided to the operator or the like. Moreover, a plurality of people can observe the image at the same time.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, light can be supplied to both the electronic endoscope and the image projection means by a single light supply means. The space for arranging the members can be reduced.

According to the processor for electronic endoscope according to claim 2 , the light supply unit includes a light branching unit that divides the light emitted from the light source at a predetermined ratio and guides the light to the electronic endoscope and the image projection unit. It is desirable to have

According to the electronic endoscope processor of the third aspect , the image processing means converts the image signal into R, G, and B system signals and outputs them to the image projection means.

According to the electronic endoscope processor of the fourth aspect , the image projecting means is based on the R signal and the color separating means for separating the light of each color of R, G, B from the light from the light supply means. R display element that modulates R light, G display element that modulates G light based on the G signal, B display element that modulates B light based on the B signal, and light emitted from each display element It is possible to have a synthesizing element for synthesizing and an enlarging optical system for enlarging and projecting light emitted from the synthesizing element toward the outside.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic endoscope system comprising: an electronic endoscope processor having the above characteristics; and an electronic endoscope electrically and optically connected to the processor. Features.

  The electronic endoscope processor according to the present invention has a function of enlarging and projecting a captured image. Therefore, in the conventional electronic endoscope system, a monitor that is indispensable as a device independent of the processor becomes unnecessary. As a result, the number of devices constituting the system is reduced, and the total weight is also reduced. Therefore, by using the electronic endoscope processor according to the present invention, there is provided an electronic endoscope system that is further reduced in size and weight, and that can easily move the cart with less labor. The

  Moreover, according to the processor for electronic endoscopes according to the present invention, a captured image is projected using an integrally formed image projecting unit without using a monitor provided separately and independently. That is, according to the present invention, the performance of the processor is directly reflected in the color reproducibility of the display image. Therefore, the user can always observe the captured image having the color reproducibility required by the user by using the processor according to the present invention having the performance required by the user. For example, when a surgeon or the like desires higher color reproducibility, if the processor according to the present invention designed and manufactured according to a standard corresponding to the color reproducibility is employed, the influence of the performance of other peripheral devices It is possible to always display (project) an image having high color reproducibility without receiving the image.

  Further, according to the processor for electronic endoscope according to the present invention, the above-described user needs can be satisfied as compared with the conventional configuration in which the monitor arranged separately from the projector is used as the display means. It becomes possible for a plurality of people to simultaneously and easily observe a captured image having color reproducibility.

  Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the electronic endoscope of the present embodiment and the electronic endoscope system including the electronic endoscope will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an electronic endoscope system 100 according to the present embodiment. The electronic endoscope system 100 includes a processor 10 and an electronic endoscope 50. The electronic endoscope 50 includes a connector unit 50a, a flexible tube 50b having an imaging system at the tip, and an operation unit (gripping unit) (not shown). The electronic endoscope 50 is optically and electrically connected to the processor 10 via the connector unit 50a.

  The processor 10 includes a system controller 1, a light source unit 2, an image projection unit 3, an image sensor driving unit 4, a timing controller 5, an image processing unit 6, and a front panel 7. The system controller 1, the light source unit 2, the image projection unit 3, the image sensor driving unit 4, the timing controller 5, and the image processing unit 6 are disposed inside the housing H, and the front panel 7 is disposed on the surface of the housing H. Has been.

  Basic imaging processing using the electronic endoscope system 100 is performed as follows. First, an operator arranges the tip of the electronic endoscope 50 in advance, more specifically, the tip of the flexible tube 50b in the vicinity of the observation target. For example, when the observation target is a living tissue in a body cavity, the distal end of the flexible tube 50b is inserted to a position where the living tissue in the body cavity of the subject exists.

  When the operator operates an operation unit (not shown) of the electronic endoscope 50 in a state where the distal end of the flexible tube 50b is positioned in the vicinity of the observation target, the processor 10 starts predetermined control processes.

  In detail, the system controller 1 that controls the imaging operation in the processor 10 controls the processes executed in each part of the electronic endoscope system 100 as well as the processor 10 in detail. When the electronic endoscope 50 is connected, the system controller 1 of the present embodiment, from the ROM 55 built in the connector unit 50a, the identification information (for example, model name and model number) of the electronic endoscope 50, and specifications (for example, Endoscope identification data such as the imaging device method, the number of pixels, and the γ characteristic are read out. Then, control corresponding to the endoscope identification data is performed in a timely manner. In other words, not only the electronic endoscope 50 but also other types of electronic endoscopes can be connected to the processor 10 of the present embodiment.

  For example, when receiving a signal related to the start of imaging processing from the front panel 7, the system controller 1 controls the light source unit 2 to emit light. The light source unit 2 includes a light emitting unit 21, a first diaphragm 22, a first diaphragm driving mechanism 23, a condenser lens 24, a beam splitter 25, a second diaphragm 26, a second diaphragm driving mechanism 27, and a light tunnel (registered trademark) 28. Have. When receiving the control signal from the system controller 1, the light emitting unit 21 emits light. A known white light source such as a metal halide lamp, a xenon lamp, a halogen lamp, or the like is used for the light emitting unit 21 of the present embodiment. A collimating lens is disposed in the light emitting unit 21, and the light beam emitted from the light emitting unit 21 is parallel light.

  The light emitted from the light emitting unit 21 enters the beam splitter 25. The beam splitter 25 branches the optical path of the incident light to the electronic endoscope 50 side and the image projection unit 3 side. In the present embodiment, the beam splitter 25 having a reflectance (transmittance) such that the transmission component guided to the electronic endoscope 50 and the reflection component guided to the image projection unit 3 are approximately the same amount is used. However, the reflectance (transmittance) of the beam splitter 25 can be set to an arbitrary value according to the amount of light required by the electronic endoscope 50 and the image projection unit 3.

  The light reflected by the beam splitter 25 enters the light tunnel 28 through the second diaphragm 26. The second diaphragm 26 is driven by a second diaphragm drive mechanism 27 so that an appropriate amount of light enters the light tunnel 28. The light tunnel 28 guides incident light to the image projection unit 3 while making the intensity distribution uniform. The image projection unit 3 will be described later.

  The light transmitted through the beam splitter 25 enters the condenser lens 24 through the first diaphragm 22. The first diaphragm 22 is driven by a first diaphragm driving mechanism 23 so that an appropriate amount of light enters the light guide. The amount of light adjusted by the first diaphragm 22 and converted into convergent light by the condenser lens 24 enters the light guide 51 of the electronic endoscope 50, more specifically, the incident end 51 a of the light guide 51. The light guide 51 is an optical fiber bundle. Accordingly, the incident light is transmitted through the light guide 51 and is emitted from the emission end 51b. The emitted light is irradiated from the tip of the flexible tube 50b through the light distribution lens 52, and illuminates the observation target.

  Note that, as described above, the amount of light of each light divided by the beam splitter 25 is adjusted by an independent diaphragm. That is, in this embodiment, by sharing the light source for electronic endoscope (for imaging) and the light source for image projection unit, the internal configuration is simplified, contributing to downsizing of the entire processor 10 and an independent light quantity. By making the adjustment possible, it is effectively avoided that the light quantity for imaging and the light quantity for projection are affected by each other and become unstable.

  The reflected light from the illuminated observation object forms an optical image on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 54 via the objective lens 53. The image sensor 54 of the present embodiment is a color CCD that is driven and controlled by the image sensor drive unit 4 of the processor 10. The image sensor drive unit 4 transmits a drive signal to the image sensor 54 at a predetermined timing defined by the timing controller 5 under the control of the system controller 1. The image sensor 54 generates R (red), G (green), and B (blue) color signals based on the optical image in synchronization with the drive signal transmitted from the image sensor driving unit 4. It is periodically transmitted to the image processing unit 6.

  The image processing unit 6 includes a front-stage image signal processing unit 61, an image memory 62, and a rear-stage image signal processing unit 63 in the order in which each color signal is input. The pre-stage image signal processing unit 61 performs predetermined processing such as signal amplification processing and A / D conversion processing on each color signal. Each color signal output from the pre-stage image signal processing unit 61 is stored in the corresponding memory 62R, 62G, 62B as data (color data) relating to each color. Each color data stored in each memory is simultaneously output to the subsequent image signal processing unit 63 in synchronization with the timing signal transmitted from the timing controller 5. The transmission timing of the timing signal is determined so as to correspond to the frame rate of the image enlarged and projected by the image projection unit 3, for example.

  The post-stage image signal processing unit 63 performs known image processing on each color data read from the image memory 62. Examples of the image processing include gain adjustment and resolution adjustment for each color, white balance and black balance adjustment, gamma correction, enhancement processing, and the like.

  Each color data subjected to predetermined image processing by the subsequent image signal processing unit 63 is converted into an analog video signal of each color by a D / A conversion circuit included in the subsequent image processing signal processing unit 63 and transmitted to the image projecting unit 3. Is done.

  The image projection unit 3 includes a relay lens group 31, a first dichroic mirror 32, a first mirror 33, a second dichroic mirror 34, a second mirror 35, a third mirror 36, an R liquid crystal element 37R, a G liquid crystal element 37G, It has a B liquid crystal element 37B, a combining prism 38, and a projection lens group 39. The image projection unit 3 is designed in accordance with the same standard as the signal standard that the image processing unit 6 complies with so that the optimum processing corresponding to the video signal output from the image processing unit 6 can be executed.

  The light emitted from the light tunnel 28 of the light source unit 2 enters the relay lens group 31. The relay lens group 31 guides incident light that tends to diverge after exiting the light tunnel 28 to the first dichroic mirror 32 while converting the incident light again into a parallel light flux. The first dichroic mirror 32 allows only the R component of the incident light to pass through without being deflected, and deflects the other color components (G, B) almost at right angles.

  The R component transmitted through the first dichroic mirror 32 is deflected substantially at a right angle by the first mirror 33 and enters the R liquid crystal element 37R at a substantially right angle.

  The G component and B component reflected by the first dichroic mirror 32 then enter the second dichroic mirror 34. The second dichroic mirror 34 transmits the B component of the two types of incident color components without any deflection, and deflects the G component almost at right angles.

  The G component reflected by the second dichroic mirror 34 enters the G liquid crystal element 37G at a substantially right angle. Further, the B component transmitted through the second dichroic mirror 34 is sequentially reflected by the second and third mirrors 35 and 36 at a substantially right angle, and enters the B liquid crystal element 37B at a substantially right angle.

  Each of the liquid crystal elements 37R, 37G, and 37B is a transmissive type. The R liquid crystal element 37 </ b> R modulates an incident R component based on the R signal output from the image processing unit 6. Each of the other liquid crystal elements 37G and 37B also modulates incident color components based on the corresponding color signals (G signal and B signal).

  Each color component transmitted through each liquid crystal element then enters the combining prism 38. The synthetic prism 38 has a cubic shape, and specifically is formed by joining four right-angle prisms having the same shape. An optical film having a characteristic of reflecting only a predetermined wavelength component is provided on the bonding surface (38a, 38b) of each rectangular prism. Specifically, the first reflecting surface 38a reflects only the R component, and the second reflecting surface 38b reflects only the B component.

  Therefore, the R component and the B component incident on the combining prism 38 are reflected at substantially right angles by the first reflecting surface 38a and the second reflecting surface 38b, and go straight in the direction away from the G liquid crystal element 37G, that is, in the direction in which the projection lens group 39 is present. To do. Further, the G component incident on the combining prism 38 is transmitted through any of the reflecting surfaces 38a and 38b. Here, the optical path lengths between the liquid crystal elements 37R, 38G, and 37B and the combining prism 38 (more precisely, the surface from which light is emitted from the combining prism 38) are designed to be equal. Therefore, there is no possibility that color shift or the like occurs in the observed image.

  In this way, each color component emitted from the combining prism 38 enters the projection lens group 39. The projection lens group 39 enlarges and projects an image formed by each color component toward the outside of the processor 10. As a result, a color image captured by the electronic endoscope 50 is displayed on the screen S. The screen S is not necessarily provided, and may be a wall surface in the examination room, for example.

  In addition, by operating the front panel 7 disposed in the processor 10, the operator can perform not only operations related to the electronic endoscope 50 such as water supply and operations related to image processing such as color adjustment, as in the case of existing processors. Operations relating to the image projection unit 3, for example, focus position adjustment, enlargement magnification, and the like can be performed.

  The above is the embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the electronic endoscope and the electronic endoscope system according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be configured to perform the following modifications, for example.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the electronic endoscope system has been described as imaging the body cavity using white light. Here, depending on the type of the electronic endoscope system, there may be a configuration in which the inside of the body cavity is imaged using light of a specific wavelength (for example, ultraviolet light), as exemplified by the fluorescence observation system. In this case, the light for electronic endoscope (for imaging) may be supplied from a separately provided light source device, and the light source unit 2 in the processor may supply light only to the image projection unit 3. Alternatively, a configuration may be employed in which the imaging light supply unit and the image projection light supply unit (light source unit) are separately provided in the processor.

  In the above embodiment, a transmissive liquid crystal element is used as the display element. However, other light spatial modulation elements such as a reflective liquid crystal element or DMD (registered trademark) may be used.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, it has been described that an analog video signal is output from the image processing unit 6 to the image projection unit 3, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is possible to design so as to comply with the digital high-definition standard that has been put into practical use in recent years, and to configure the image processing unit 6 to output a digital video signal. In this case, an image having higher color reproducibility is projected.

It is the figure which showed schematically the structure of the electronic endoscope system of embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 System controller 2 Light source part 3 Image projection part 6 Image processing part 10 Processor 50 Electronic endoscope 54 Image pick-up element 100 Electronic endoscope system

Claims (5)

A processor for an electronic endoscope to which the electronic endoscope is electrically and optically connected,
A light supply unit having a light source and supplying a part of the light emitted from the light source to the electronic endoscope as light for illuminating the subject;
Image processing means for performing predetermined image processing on an image signal generated by the electronic endoscope imaging using light from the light supply means;
Image projection means for enlarging and projecting an image corresponding to the image signal to which a part of the light emitted from the light source is incident and subjected to image processing by the image processing means;
Each means is housed in a single housing ;
The light supply means includes
First light amount adjusting means for adjusting the amount of light supplied to the electronic endoscope;
Second light amount adjusting means for adjusting the amount of light supplied to the image projecting means;
Have
The electronic endoscope processor, wherein the first light amount adjusting unit and the second light amount adjusting unit perform light amount adjustment independently of each other . The processor for an electronic endoscope according to claim 1 ,
The processor for electronic endoscope, characterized in that the light supply means includes light branching means for guiding the light emitted from the light source to the electronic endoscope and the image projection means at a predetermined ratio. In the processor for electronic endoscopes according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The processor for an electronic endoscope, wherein the image processing means converts the image signal into R, G, and B system signals and outputs the signals to the image projection means. The processor for an electronic endoscope according to claim 3 ,
The image projecting means includes
Color separation means for separating light of each color of R, G, and B from light from the light supply means;
R display element that modulates R light based on the R signal, a G display element that modulates G light based on the G signal, a B display element that modulates B light based on the B signal, and each display An electronic endoscope processor, comprising: a combining element that combines light emitted from the element; and an enlarging optical system that enlarges and projects the light emitted from the combining element toward the outside. A processor for an electronic endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
And an electronic endoscope electrically and optically connected to the processor for electronic endoscope.

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