JP5336693B2 - Endoscope device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus that observes an observation target with a plurality of types of observation images.

  In recent years, autofluorescence from a living body using an endoscope or the like, a drug is injected into a living body, fluorescence of the drug is detected as a two-dimensional image, and a disease state such as degeneration of a living tissue or cancer (for example, There are techniques for diagnosing disease types and infiltration ranges.

  When light is irradiated onto a living tissue, fluorescence having a wavelength longer than that of the excitation light is generated. Examples of fluorescent substances in the living body include NADH (nicotinamide adenine nucleotide), FMN (flavin mononucleotide), pyridine nucleotide and the like. Recently, the interrelationship between such endogenous substances and diseases has become clear. In addition, HpD (hematoporphyrin), photofrin, and ALA (δ-amino levulinic acid) have the ability to accumulate in cancer, and can be diagnosed by injecting this into a living body and observing the fluorescence of the substance. .

For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-345739, in a fluorescence endoscope apparatus, a normal light observation image and a fluorescence observation image are assigned to a main window and a sub window, respectively, displayed on a monitor, and a main operation is performed by button operation. There has been proposed an image display device characterized by switching means for switching assignment between windows and sub-windows.
JP 2002-345739

  However, in an endoscope that can capture two types of observation images such as a normal light observation image and a fluorescence observation image in the same frame, when both observation images are displayed simultaneously on one monitor, one of the observation images is displayed. As compared with the case, there arises a problem that the visibility is lowered because the image size is reduced.

  In order to solve this problem, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-345739, one of the two observation images is displayed in the main window, the other is displayed in the sub window, and the images of the main window and the sub window are displayed by the switch operation. A configuration that can be interchanged is disclosed, but in this case, there is a problem that it is difficult to compare both images because the observation image displayed in the sub-window has poor visibility.

  Further, when the observation image and the character information are displayed on the monitor at the same time, it is necessary to secure a space for displaying the character information, and there is a problem that the display size of the observation image is limited.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described points, and provides an endoscope apparatus capable of observing an observation object with a plurality of types of observation images in a display format capable of ensuring visibility. The purpose is that.

An endoscope apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes an illumination unit that irradiates normal observation light including a visible light region and excitation light for fluorescence observation as illumination light, and an observation target that is irradiated with the illumination light by the illumination unit Receiving at least one imaging means for receiving the normal light observation image by the normal observation light and the fluorescence observation image by the excitation light, and the normal light observation image and the fluorescence observation image. When displaying one of the observation images and the plurality of character string information related to the endoscopy on the display screen of the display means, the one observation image and the plurality of character string information are mutually displayed on the display screen. An image configuration control unit that sets an image configuration so as not to overlap, and a composite image of the observation image and the character string information is generated based on the image configuration set by the image configuration control unit Comprising an image processing unit, and for both of the normal light observation image and the fluorescence observation image, when displaying on the display screen on the display unit together with the character string information, the image configuration control means, before Symbol When displaying one observation image, the predetermined character string information is selected from the plurality of character string information displayed on the display screen, and the selected character string information, the normal light observation image, and the fluorescence observation are selected. An image configuration is set so that the image does not overlap with each other on the display screen, and the image processing unit is configured to perform the normal light observation image and the fluorescence observation image based on the image configuration set by the image configuration control unit. And the character string information are generated.

  According to the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to observe an observation target with a plurality of types of observation images in a display format that can ensure visibility.

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

  1 to 20 relate to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the endoscope apparatus, FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the rotary filter of FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image calculation unit of FIG. 1, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a first display format of a composite image generated by the image processing circuit of FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a second display format of the composite image generated by the image processing circuit of FIG. 4, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a third display format of the composite image generated by the image processing circuit of FIG. 4, and FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the irradiation timing of illumination light by the rotary filter of FIG. 1, FIG. 9 is a first diagram illustrating a first modification of the display format of a composite image generated by the image processing circuit of FIG. 4, and FIG. FIG. 11 is a second diagram illustrating a first modification of the display format of the composite image generated by the image processing circuit 4; FIG. 12 is a first diagram illustrating a second modification of the display format of the composite image generated by the image processing circuit, and FIG. 12 is a second modification of the display format of the composite image generated by the image processing circuit of FIG. FIG. 13 is a first diagram for explaining a third modification of the display format of the composite image generated by the image processing circuit of FIG. 4, and FIG. 14 is generated by the image processing circuit of FIG. FIG. 15 is a second diagram illustrating a third modification of the composite image display format, and FIG. 15 is a first diagram illustrating a fourth modification of the composite image display format generated by the image processing circuit of FIG. 16 is a second diagram for explaining a fourth modification of the display format of the composite image generated by the image processing circuit of FIG. 4, and FIG. 17 is a diagram of the display format of the composite image generated by the image processing circuit of FIG. FIG. 18 is a third diagram for explaining the fourth modification, and FIG. 18 is a table for irradiating illumination light according to the first modification of the rotary filter of FIG. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating irradiation timing of illumination light according to the second modification of the rotary filter of FIG. 1, and FIG. 20 is a timing of irradiation of illumination light according to the third modification of the rotation filter of FIG. FIG.

(Constitution)
As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes an electronic endoscope 3 that images an observation object 2, and a light source apparatus 4 as an illuminating unit that supplies illumination light to the electronic endoscope 3. An image data processing device 5 that performs signal processing on an image signal picked up by the electronic endoscope 3 and displays an endoscopic image on the monitor 6 is provided.

  In the light source device 4, the illumination light emitted from the illumination light source 7 is passed through the rotary filter 8, so that the surface sequential light composed of the RGB light and the excitation light that excites the fluorescence in the tissue in the observation object 2 is converted into an electronic endoscope. 2 is applied to the incident surface of the light guide 9 as an illumination transmission means for interpolating 2. The rotary filter 8 is arranged on the optical path of the illumination light source 7 and is driven to rotate by a rotary motor 10.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the rotary filter 8 is a group of filters in which a plurality of bandpass filters having different transmission characteristics are arranged concentrically. Specifically, for example, three types of visible filters each having different wavelength bands are used. The filter units 8r, 8g, and 8b that transmit the light R, G, and B and the filter unit 8ex that transmits the excitation light Ex for exciting the fluorescence are configured.

  Returning to FIG. 1, in the electronic endoscope 3, the light guide 9 is disposed inside the insertion portion 11 inserted into the body cavity, and the surface sequential light irradiated on the incident surface of the light guide 9 is inserted into the insertion portion 11. The observation object 2 is irradiated with the surface sequential light as illumination light 13 through the illumination optical system 12. The return light 14 from the observation object 2 is photoelectrically converted and imaged by an imaging unit 15 as an imaging means provided inside the distal end of the insertion portion 11 and output to the image data processing device 5 as an imaging signal.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the imaging unit 15 includes an imaging element 15 a for obtaining a normal light observation image by illumination of visible light R, G, and B in frame sequential order, and fluorescence due to fluorescence excited by plane sequential excitation light. An excitation light cut filter 15c for cutting excitation light is disposed on the front surface of the imaging surface of the high sensitivity image sensor 15b.

  Referring back to FIG. 1, the image data processing device 5 is provided with an image calculation unit 16 that performs signal processing on the imaging signal from the imaging unit 15 to generate a normal light observation image and a fluorescence observation image and display them on the monitor 6. ing. The detailed configuration of the image calculation unit 16 will be described later.

  The proximal end portion of the insertion portion 11 of the electronic endoscope 3 and the image data processing device 5 are respectively provided with changeover switches 17 and 18 for switching the display format on the monitor 6.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the image arithmetic unit 16 includes an image sensor driver 51 that drives the image sensor 15a, an image sensor driver 52 that drives the high-sensitivity image sensor 15b, and noise removal of the image signal from the image sensor 15a. A preprocess circuit 53 that performs the above processing, a preprocess circuit 54 that performs processing such as noise removal of the image pickup signal from the high-sensitivity image pickup device 15b, and an A / D that converts the signal via the preprocess circuit 53 into a digital signal. A converter 55, an A / D converter 56 that converts a signal via the preprocess circuit 54 into a digital signal, a color balance correction circuit 57 that performs color balance correction on the digital signal from the A / D converter 55, A color balance correction circuit 58 that performs color balance correction on the digital signal from the A / D converter 56; And a selector 59 for selectively outputting the input from the color balance correction circuit 57 and the color balance correction circuit 58. The operations of these circuit units 51 to 59 are synchronized by a timing signal from the timing generator 68.

  The image calculation unit 16 includes an R memory 60, a G memory 61, a B memory 62, an S memory 63, an image processing circuit 64 as an image configuration control means, a D / A, in addition to the circuit units 51 to 59 and the timing generator 68. It has converters 65-67, a dimming circuit 69, and a switch detection circuit 70 as a switching instruction means.

  The R memory 60 stores the digital signal based on the R light via the selector 59, the G memory 61 stores the digital signal based on the G light via the selector 59, and the B memory 62 stores the digital signal based on the B light via the selector 59. Further, the S memory 62 stores a digital signal based on fluorescence through the selector 59, and executes a digital signal synchronization process for each image.

  The image processing circuit 64 performs a predetermined calculation on the digital signals synchronized in the four memories 60 to 63, generates two types of observation images of normal light observation image and fluorescence observation image, and character information, A composite image having a display format to be described later is generated. Further, the D / A converters 65 to 67 perform arithmetic processing in the image processing circuit 64, convert the generated digital signal of the synthesized image into an analog signal, and output the analog signal to the monitor 10.

  The dimming circuit 69 generates a dimming signal based on the digital signals from the A / D converters 55 and 56 and outputs the dimming signal to the illumination light source 7 of the light source device 4. The switch detection circuit 70 detects the operation of the changeover switches 17 and 18 for switching the display format on the monitor 6 provided in the proximal end portion of the insertion portion 11 of the electronic endoscope 3 and the image data processing device 5. The detection information is output to the image processing circuit 64. Then, the image processing circuit 64 switches the configuration of the composite image to be generated based on this detection information, and generates the composite image.

  Here, regarding the display of the observation image and the character information on the monitor 10, the composite image of three display formats that can be switched will be described. The display format on the monitor 10 refers to the size and arrangement of the observation image displayed on the monitor 10 and the arrangement and number of characters of character information.

  5 to 7 are schematic diagrams showing the display format of a composite image composed of an observation image and character information on the monitor 10. The observation image is composed of two different observation images, a normal light observation image 110 and a fluorescence observation image 111. The character information includes patient ID information 101, patient name information 102, gender information 103, age information 104, date of birth information 105, examination date information 106, recording device information 107, image quality information 108, and user comment information 109. Become. Here, the recording device information 107 is information regarding a recording device that can be used in combination with the endoscope apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, and the image quality information 108 is information regarding setting of an image processing method in the image data processing device 5. .

  In the composite image 100a of the first display format displayed on the monitor 6, as shown in FIG. 5, a normal light observation image 110 is configured as an observation image, and character information includes patient ID information 101, patient name information 102, It consists of gender information 103, age information 104, date of birth information 105, examination date information 106, recording device information 107, image quality information 108, and user comment information 109. Note that the observation image and the character information are arranged at positions that do not overlap each other.

  In the composite image 100b of the second display format displayed on the monitor 6, as shown in FIG. 6, a fluorescence observation image 111 is formed as an observation image, and character information includes patient ID information 101, patient name information 102, gender. It consists of information 103, age information 104, date of birth information 105, examination date information 106, recording device information 107, image quality information 108, and user comment information 109. Like the first display format, the observation image and text information are Arranged so as not to overlap each other.

  In the composite image 100c of the third display format displayed on the monitor 6, as shown in FIG. 7, two different observation images, a normal light observation image 110 and a fluorescence observation image 111, are formed as the observation image. The two observation images 110 and 111 have the same size. The character information is arranged above the two observation images 110 and 111, and includes patient ID information 101, patient name information 102, gender information 103, age information 104, date of birth information 105, and examination date information 106. Thus, similarly to the first and second display formats, the two observation images and the character information are arranged at positions that do not overlap each other.

(Function)
The operation of the endoscope apparatus 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.

  The light emitted from the illumination light source 7 of the light source device 4 passes through the filter portions 8r, 8g, 8b, 8ex (see FIG. 2) of the rotary filter 8 provided on the optical path, and the filter portions 8r, 8g, 8b. , The light in the wavelength band corresponding to the filter characteristic of 8ex is irradiated through the light guide 9 to the observation object 2.

  The rotary filter 8 is rotationally driven by the rotary motor 10 and sequentially replaces the filter units 8r, 8g, 8b, and 8ex located on the optical path of the illumination light, whereby the RGB light and the excitation light Ex are transferred to the observation object 2 as shown in FIG. Irradiation is performed sequentially at the irradiation timing as shown in FIG.

  At this time, the timing generator 68 provided in the image arithmetic unit 16 receives the synchronization signal from the rotary motor 10 and drives the image sensor drivers 51 and 52 for driving the image sensor 15a and the high sensitivity image sensor 15b. To control.

  The image pickup device drivers 51 and 52 drive the image pickup device 15a and the high-sensitivity image pickup device 15b in synchronization with the irradiation timing shown in FIG. The image sensor 15a captures an observation image using RGB light, and the high-sensitivity image sensor 15b captures a fluorescence image excited by the excitation light Ex.

  The image arithmetic unit 16 converts the image data from the image sensor 15a and the high-sensitivity image sensor 15b into digital signals using the A / D converters 55 and 56, adjusts the gain by the color balance correction circuits 57 and 58, and then selects the selector. 59, the image data based on R light is stored in the R memory 60, the image data based on G light is stored in the G memory 61, the image data based on B light is stored in the B memory 62, and the image data based on fluorescence is stored in the S memory 63.

  Thereafter, the image processing circuit 64 generates two observation images, a normal light observation image and a fluorescence observation image, based on the image data read from the R memory 60, the G memory 61, the B memory 62, and the S memory 63.

  Further, the image processing circuit 64 generates character information and outputs it to the D / A converters 65 to 67 as image data of a final composite image after adding the character information to the observation image. The D / A converters 65 to 67 convert the image data of the composite image of the digital signal into an analog signal and output it to the monitor 6, thereby displaying the composite image made up of the observation image and the character information on the monitor 6.

  The switch detection circuit 70 detects switch operations of the changeover switches 17 and 18 and transmits a detection signal to the image processing circuit 64. Based on this detection signal, the image processing circuit 64 executes a process of switching the display format of the composite image composed of the observation image and the character information on the monitor 6.

  At this time, the display format of the synthesized image composed of the observation image and the character information on the monitor 6 is changed between the display formats of the configuration shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 by operating the changeover switches 17 and 18 (for example, 5 → FIG. 6 → FIG. 7 → FIG. 5 →...

(effect)
As described above, in this embodiment, the operator of the endoscope apparatus 1 operates the changeover switches 17 and 18 so that two types of observation images and character information can be displayed on the monitor 6 in a desired display format. .

  Further, compared to the case where one type of observation image is displayed as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, there is a possibility that the display size per observation image may be reduced in the format in which two observation images are displayed simultaneously. However, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the normal light observation image 110 and the fluorescence observation image 111 are omitted by omitting the display of the recording device information 107, the image quality information 108, and the user comment information 109 in the character information. Therefore, it is easy to compare two observation images. At this time, since the two observation images are displayed in the same size, the operator can observe the two types of observation images displayed on the monitor 6 with the same visibility.

(Modification)
The display format of the composite image generated by the image processing circuit 64 is not limited to the display format shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 and may be the following display format.

Display format modification 1:
Modification 1 of the display format of the composite image generated by the image processing circuit 64 is shown in FIGS.

  The display format shown in FIG. 9 is a modification of the first display format shown in FIG. 5. In this composite image 100d, the main image composed of the normal light observation image 110 is the same as the normal light observation image 110 in FIG. The area for displaying the sub image composed of the fluorescence observation image 111 is secured by omitting the display of the recording device information 107, the image quality information 108, and the user comment information 109.

  Further, the display format shown in FIG. 10 is the same, which is a modification of the second display format shown in FIG. 6. In this synthesized image 100e, the main image composed of the fluorescence observation image 111 is the fluorescence observation image 111 in FIG. The display area for displaying the sub-image consisting of the normal light observation image 110 is secured by omitting the display of the recording device information 107, the image quality information 108, and the user comment information 109 in the character information. doing.

  The main image indicates a large size observation image in each figure, and the sub image indicates a small size observation image.

Display format modification 2:
Modified example 2 of the display format of the composite image generated by the image processing circuit 64 is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 (composite images 100f and 100g).

  The modification 2 of the display format is almost the same as the display format of the modification 1, but the main image is configured in a smaller size as compared with FIGS. 9 and 10 which are the display formats of the modification 1. The image is composed of a larger size. Further, a part of the character information is arranged in a display area on the upper part of the monitor 6 which is formed by changing the size of the main image and the sub image.

  In the display format of the second modification, the visibility of an observation image displayed in a small size can be improved. Compared to the display format of the first modification shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, two observation images are compared. There is an effect that it is easy.

Display format modification 3:
Modification 3 of the display format of the composite image generated by the image processing circuit 64 is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 (composite images 100h and 100i).

  The third modification of the display format is a configuration in which two types of observation images are arranged in the diagonal direction of the monitor 6 and have the same size. The character information includes patient ID information 101, patient name information 102, gender information 103, age information 104, date of birth information 105, and examination date information 106, and is arranged in the left and right regions of the two observation images.

Display format modification 4:
Variation 4 of the display format of the composite image generated by the image processing circuit 64 is shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 (composite images 100j and 100k).

  The fourth modification of the display format has a configuration in which a part of two types of observation images are displayed in an overlapping manner, and the center of each observation image is arranged on the diagonal line of the monitor 6. In addition, this display format is characterized in that the image that is mainly observed by the operator of the endoscope apparatus 1 in the present embodiment is overlaid so that the image to be observed is overlaid, and the observation image that is overlaid by the diagonal arrangement Of these, only the peripheral portion of the image having low importance as observation information is overlaid, so that the loss of necessary observation information can be suppressed to a low level. Here, the arrangement in the diagonal direction means that, as shown in FIG. 17, in a region where the monitor 6 is divided into four equal parts vertically and horizontally, a region having a large area overlapping the two observation images is located in the diagonal direction. Shows the arrangement.

  Note that the configuration of the rotary filter 8 is not limited to FIG.

Variation 1 of the rotating filter 1:
In the first modification of the rotary filter, the excitation light in this embodiment is ultraviolet light, and the excitation light filter provided in the rotary filter 8 has an optical characteristic that transmits light in the ultraviolet region. At this time, the imaging unit 15 includes only the high-sensitivity imaging element 15b, and an excitation light cut filter 15c for cutting excitation light in the ultraviolet region is disposed in front of the imaging surface of the high-sensitivity imaging element 15b. . An observation image by RGB light and fluorescence obtained from the observation object 2 is picked up by the high-sensitivity image pickup device 15b. FIG. 18 shows the irradiation timing of illumination light in this modified example, and UV indicates ultraviolet light.

Variation 2 of the rotary filter:
The second modification of the rotary filter has a configuration including a filter that transmits infrared light instead of the excitation light filter among the bandpass filters of the rotary filter 8 in this embodiment. The observation object 2 is irradiated with illumination light at a timing as shown in FIG. 19, and an observation image obtained by irradiation with RGB light and infrared light is picked up by the image sensor 15a. Note that IR in FIG. 19 indicates infrared light.

Variation 3 of the rotary filter:
The second modification of the rotary filter is configured to include RGB light and a filter that transmits visible light in which RGB light is narrowed. At this time, the observation object 2 is irradiated with illumination light at a timing as shown in FIG. 20, and an observation image obtained by the normal band RGB light and an observation image obtained by the narrow band RGB light are captured by the image sensor 15a. The Note that NR, NG. Each NB represents light obtained by narrowing the band of RGB light.

  FIGS. 21 to 23 relate to the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 21 is a diagram showing the configuration of the imaging unit, FIG. 22 is a diagram showing the configuration of the mosaic filter of FIG. 21, and FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the image calculating unit which processes an imaging signal.

  Since the second embodiment is almost the same as the first embodiment, only different points will be described, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

(Constitution)
As shown in FIG. 21, the image pickup unit 15 provided in the distal end of the insertion portion 11 of the electronic endoscope 3 includes one image pickup device 15d, and the front surface of the image pickup device 15d is shown in FIG. Such a mosaic filter 15e and an excitation light cut filter 15c for cutting the excitation light are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the mosaic filter 15e is composed of four types of micro filters 21 to 24 on the mosaic, and the micro filters 21 to 24 are each composed of four types of band pass filters having different wavelength transmission characteristics, It is comprised by the wavelength transmission characteristic of the filter which permeate | transmits R, G, B light and fluorescence in Example 1. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 23, the image calculation unit 16a in the present embodiment has a configuration that is very similar to the configuration of the image calculation unit 16 in the first embodiment. However, unlike the first embodiment, the digital signal is transmitted from the mosaic filter 15e. A separation circuit 80 for separating the observation images corresponding to the wavelengths of the micro filters 21 to 24 is provided, and the separated digital signal is sent to the R memory 60, the G memory 61, the B memory 62, and the S memory 63 by the selector 59. It is to be stored. Note that the timing generator 68 in the first embodiment is not provided.

  Although not shown, in this embodiment, a band pass filter that transmits the wavelength bands of visible light and excitation light is provided on the front surface of the illumination light source 7 instead of the rotary filter 8 and the rotary motor 10 in the first embodiment. Is provided.

  The display format of the composite image on the monitor 6 is the same as that of the first embodiment including the modification.

(Function)
In the second embodiment, the light emitted from the illumination light source 7 passes through a bandpass filter (not shown) provided in front of the illumination light source 7 so that white visible light and excitation light pass through the light guide 9 and the observation object 2. Is irradiated. The light obtained from the observation object 2 has its excitation light wavelength band cut by the excitation light cut filter 15c provided also on the front surface of the image sensor 15d, and each pixel of the image sensor 15d corresponds to the transmission characteristics of the mosaic filter 15e. Wavelength light is received.

  The image signal picked up by the image pickup device 15 d is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 55 of the image calculation unit 16, and then separated into image data corresponding to each wavelength by the color separation circuit 80. Further, the separated image data are synchronized by the four memories, the R memory 60, the G memory 61, the B memory 62, and the S memory 63 via the selector 59 and transmitted to the image processing circuit 64.

(effect)
Also in this embodiment, the same effect as that of Embodiment 1 can be obtained.

(Modification)
In addition, the mosaic filter in Example 2 can also be comprised as follows.

Mosaic filter modification example 1:
You may comprise a mosaic filter by four types of micro filters which permeate | transmit R light, G light, B light, and infrared light. At this time, a filter that transmits white visible light and infrared light is provided in front of the illumination light source 7.

Variation 2 of the mosaic filter:
You may comprise a mosaic filter by 8 types of micro filters which permeate | transmit R light, G light, B light, NR light, NG light, and NB light. At this time, a filter that transmits white visible light is provided in front of the illumination light source 7.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the rotation filter of FIG. The block diagram which shows the structure of the imaging unit of FIG. The block diagram which shows the structure of the image calculation unit of FIG. The figure which shows the 1st display format of the synthesized image which the image processing circuit of FIG. 4 produces | generates The figure which shows the 2nd display format of the synthesized image which the image processing circuit of FIG. 4 produces | generates. The figure which shows the 3rd display format of the synthesized image which the image processing circuit of FIG. 4 produces | generates. The figure which shows the irradiation timing of the illumination light by the rotation filter of FIG. FIG. 4 is a first diagram illustrating a first modification of a display format of a composite image generated by the image processing circuit of FIG. FIG. 4 is a second diagram illustrating a first modification of the display format of the composite image generated by the image processing circuit of FIG. FIG. 4 is a first diagram illustrating a second modification of the display format of the composite image generated by the image processing circuit of FIG. FIG. 4 is a second diagram illustrating a second modification of the display format of the composite image generated by the image processing circuit of FIG. FIG. 4 is a first diagram illustrating a third modification of the display format of the composite image generated by the image processing circuit of FIG. FIG. 4 is a second diagram illustrating a third modification of the display format of the composite image generated by the image processing circuit of FIG. FIG. 4 is a first diagram illustrating a fourth modification of the display format of the composite image generated by the image processing circuit of FIG. FIG. 4 is a second diagram for explaining a fourth modification of the display format of the composite image generated by the image processing circuit of FIG. FIG. 4 is a third diagram for explaining a fourth modification of the display format of the composite image generated by the image processing circuit of FIG. The figure which shows the irradiation timing of the illumination light by the 1st modification of the rotary filter of FIG. The figure which shows the irradiation timing of the illumination light by the 2nd modification of the rotary filter of FIG. The figure which shows the irradiation timing of the illumination light by the 3rd modification of the rotation filter of FIG. The figure which shows the structure of the imaging unit which concerns on Example 2 of invention. The figure which shows the structure of the mosaic filter of FIG. The figure which shows the structure of the image calculating unit which processes the image pick-up signal from the image pick-up unit of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope apparatus 3 ... Electronic endoscope 4 ... Light source apparatus 5 ... Image data processing apparatus 6 ... Monitor 7 ... Illumination light source 8 ... Rotation filter 15 ... Imaging unit 16 ... Image operation units 17, 18 ... Changeover switch

Claims (2)

Illumination means for irradiating normal observation light including a visible light region and excitation light for fluorescence observation as illumination light,
At least one imaging means for receiving return light from the observation object irradiated with the illumination light by the illumination means, and obtaining a normal light observation image by the normal observation light and a fluorescence observation image by the excitation light ;
When displaying the observation image of any one of the normal light observation image and the fluorescence observation image and a plurality of character string information related to endoscopy on the display screen in the display means, the one observation image and the An image configuration control means for setting an image configuration so as not to overlap a plurality of character string information on the display screen;
Image processing means for generating a composite image of the observation image and the character string information based on the image configuration set in the image configuration control means;
Comprising
When displaying the normal light observation image and the fluorescence observation image on the display screen in the display unit together with the character string information,
The image configuration control unit is configured to select the plurality of the character string information predetermined character string information displayed on the display screen when displaying the previous SL one of the observation image, and the character string information corresponding selected Set the image configuration so that the normal light observation image and the fluorescence observation image do not overlap each other on the display screen,
The image processing means generates a composite image of the normal light observation image and the fluorescence observation image and the character string information based on the image configuration set by the image configuration control means. Mirror device. Switching instruction means for instructing switching of the image configuration of the composite image;
The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image configuration of the composite image is switched and displayed on the display unit based on a switching instruction from the switching instruction unit.

Images