JP5675496B2 - Medical device and medical processor - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a medical device and a medical processor, and more particularly to a medical device and a medical processor capable of acquiring a still image.

  Conventionally, medical devices capable of displaying medical images have been widely used. For example, an endoscope apparatus monitors an image of a living tissue obtained by inserting an elongated flexible insertion portion into a body cavity of a subject and imaging with an imaging element provided at the distal end of the insertion portion. It is a medical device that can be displayed above. By looking at the medical image, the operator can perform diagnosis, treatment, etc. on the observation site.

  Some medical devices can display two images on one monitor when displaying medical images on the monitor. For example, as disclosed in JP-A-2006-314680 and JP-A-2007-20727, as an endoscope system, a normal light observation image and a special light observation image are simultaneously acquired for the same test site. There is something that can be done. Therefore, the surgeon can compare the normal light observation image and the special light observation image acquired in this manner on the monitor and display them simultaneously.

JP 2006-314680 A JP 2007-20727 A

However, in the endoscope system according to the above proposal, the acquisition timing of the still image of the normal light observation image and the still image of the fluorescence observation image is not considered.
When two still images are compared, each must be an image with less blurring, so it is conceivable to provide a circuit for performing a color misregistration process for each acquired image. However, when a color misregistration prevention circuit is provided, there is a problem that the acquisition timing of two still images may be different. Not only is there little blurring between the two acquired still images, but if the acquisition timings of the two still images do not match, a user such as an operator cannot accurately compare the two images.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and provides a medical device and a medical processor that can obtain a still image of two observation images obtained at the same time with less blur and at the same acquisition timing. The purpose is to do.

The medical device of one embodiment of the present invention includes a lighting unit that can irradiate a living tissue with light for normal light observation and light for special light observation, and a return of the light irradiated on the living tissue by the lighting unit. An imaging unit that receives light and generates an imaging signal, and a normal light observation image corresponding to normal light observation light and a special light observation light based on the imaging signal generated by the imaging unit detecting a corresponding special light observation image, and an image processing means for sequentially generating, are sequentially generated by the image processing unit, and a motion amount of the amount of movement between said special light observation image between the normal light observation image A motion amount addition unit that calculates a motion amount addition value by adding a motion amount between the normal light observation images and a motion amount between the special light observation images detected by the motion amount detection unit. And the motion amount adding means. The normal light for displaying on the display unit that displays information on the living tissue from the normal light observation image and the special light observation image sequentially generated by the image processing unit based on the motion amount addition value. Image selection means for selecting an observation image and the special light observation image.

The medical processor of one embodiment of the present invention receives return light of the light irradiated on the living tissue by an illumination unit that can irradiate the living tissue with light for normal light observation and light for special light observation. A medical processor for processing an imaging signal generated by the imaging unit, based on the imaging signal generated by the imaging unit, a normal light observation image corresponding to light for normal light observation, and a special light observation and special light observation image corresponding to the light of use, image processing means for sequentially generating the image processing are sequentially generated by the means, the movement amount of the amount of movement between said special light observation image between the normal light observation image A motion amount detection means for detecting the motion amount, and a motion amount addition value is calculated by adding the motion amount between the normal light observation images and the motion amount between the special light observation images detected by the motion amount detection means. Movement amount adding means for A display unit for displaying information on the living tissue from the normal light observation image and the special light observation image sequentially generated by the image processing unit based on the motion amount addition value calculated by the movement amount addition unit. Image selection means for selecting the normal light observation image and the special light observation image to be displayed on the screen.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a medical device and a medical processor that can obtain still images of two observation images obtained at the same time with less blur and at the same acquisition timing.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of two images displayed when the display mode of the two-image simultaneous display of a normal light observation image and a special light observation image is instruct | indicated concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a partial front view for demonstrating the example of the front panel 44 concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the display state of the screen of the monitor 5 at the time of image quality operation and observation mode operation concerning embodiment of this invention. 3 is a circuit diagram of a freeze control circuit 31 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a timing chart for demonstrating the update state of a freeze memory concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a typical block diagram which shows the structure of the endoscope apparatus concerning the modification of embodiment of this invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(Constitution)
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment. An endoscope apparatus 1 that is a medical device includes an endoscope 2, a processor 3, and a light source device 4, and a monitor 5 that is a display device and an image recording device 6 are connected to the processor 3 that is a medical processor. ing. The endoscope 2 is connected to the processor 3 by a universal cable 7. Furthermore, the light source device 4 is connected to the endoscope 2 so as to supply illumination light, and is also connected to the processor 3 so as to receive a control signal for illumination control. The endoscope 2 is detachably connected to the processor 3 by a connector (not shown) of a universal cable 7.

  The endoscope 2 includes an elongated insertion portion 11 and an operation portion 12. At the distal end portion of the insertion portion 11, an illumination lens 13 and a lens 14 as an objective optical system are provided. A light guide 15 is inserted through the insertion portion 11, and an end face on the distal end side of the light guide 15 is disposed behind the illumination lens 13. The proximal end side of the light guide 15 is connected to the light source device 4 so that the light guide 15 transmits illumination light from the light source device 4. A connector (not shown) is provided at the base end portion of the light guide 15, and the light guide 15 of the endoscope 2 is detachably connected to the light source device 4.

  A CCD 17 serving as an image sensor is disposed at the focal position on the back surface of the lens 14 serving as an objective optical system. An excitation light cut filter 18 is disposed between the lens 14 and the CCD 17. The return light from the biological tissue T of the subject that has passed through the lens 14 is received by the CCD 17 via the excitation light cut filter 18.

  The light received by the CCD 17 is return light from the living tissue T, and the return light is reflected light of white light for normal light observation and fluorescence emitted by a substance excited by excitation light for fluorescence observation. . That is, the CCD 17 constitutes an imaging unit, that is, an imaging device that images the return light of the light irradiated on the living tissue T by the illumination light from the light source device 4.

The operation unit 12 is provided with various switches operated by the surgeon. In FIG. 1, a freeze button 23 and a release button 24 are shown. The freeze button 23 is a button for obtaining a still image. That is, the freeze button 23 constitutes a still image acquisition instruction unit or a still image acquisition instruction unit that instructs acquisition of a still image with respect to return light. The release button 24 is a button for storing a still image obtained by freezing in a storage device (not shown). That is, the release button 24 constitutes a still image recording instruction unit or a still image recording instruction unit that instructs to record a still image with respect to the return light.
The processor 3 includes a freeze control circuit 31, a timing control circuit (TG) 32, a demultiplexer (DMUX) 33 as a switch, delay memories 34 and 35, motion amount calculation circuits (MOC) 36 and 37, and an adder (ADD). 38, freeze memories 39 and 40, image enhancement circuits 41 and 42, and a synthesis circuit 43. Further, a front panel (FP) 44 as an operation unit having various switches and various displays is provided on the surface of the processor 3, and various settings can be performed by the user.

  The processor 3 has a control unit 45 including a central processing unit (not shown; hereinafter referred to as CPU). The control unit 45 is connected to each circuit in the processor 3, and the front panel 44 is also connected to the control unit 45. The control unit 45 performs overall control of the processor 3 so as to execute various processes based on operation inputs to a keyboard (not shown) or the front panel 44. Further, the control unit 45 also receives various signals from the endoscope 2. Therefore, the control unit 45 executes various processes designated by the user by executing predetermined software programs stored in a ROM (not shown) in accordance with various commands input to the keyboard or the like. .

  Accordingly, FIG. 1 shows only the circuits related to the simultaneous acquisition and display of two still images, and circuits for other functions, for example, a drive circuit for driving the CCD 17 supplied from the processor 3 and The signal line for the drive signal is omitted.

  Further, the freeze control circuit 31 inputs the freeze instruction signal FZ from the freeze button 23 of the endoscope 2 and the addition value signal SS from the adder 38 and supplies the control signal FS to the freeze memories 39 and 40. When the freeze control circuit 31 receives the freeze instruction signal FZ by pressing the freeze button 23, the freeze control circuit 31 outputs a control signal FS that is an image acquisition instruction signal to the freeze memories 39 and 40 based on the addition value signal SS from the adder 38. .

  The timing control circuit 32 supplies timing signals corresponding to various modes and types of the endoscope 2 to various circuits. In FIG. 1, the timing control circuit 32 also supplies a timing signal to the light source device 4.

  That is, the timing control circuit 32 supplies a predetermined timing signal to each circuit so that each circuit is operated at a predetermined timing. For example, the light source device 4 is supplied with a timing signal for outputting the light for normal light observation and the light for fluorescence observation at a predetermined timing. At the same time, as will be described later, the demultiplexer 33 supplies one of the two video signals as input signals to the corresponding delay memories 34 and 35 in synchronization with the timing signal supplied to the light source device 4. In addition, a timing signal for output switching is supplied.

  The demultiplexer 33 can receive the image signal W for normal light observation and the image signal F for fluorescence observation. Based on the timing signal from the timing control circuit 32, one of the two image signals W and F can be input. Is a circuit for selecting and outputting. That is, the demultiplexer 33 selects the two image signals W and F at a predetermined timing.

  The delay memory 34 is a circuit that temporarily stores the image signal W for normal light observation and outputs the image signal W after being delayed by a predetermined time. The delay memory 35 temporarily stores the image signal F for fluorescence observation. The circuit outputs the signal with a predetermined delay. Here, the predetermined time is 1/30 second, and the delay memories 34 and 35 respectively output the normal light observation image and the fluorescence observation image with a delay of 1/30 second.

  The motion amount calculation circuit 36 is a circuit that calculates the motion amount of the normal light observation image from the difference between the image signal W input to the delay memory 34 and the image signal W output from the delay memory 34. The circuit 37 is a circuit that calculates the amount of movement of the fluorescence observation image from the difference between the image signal F input to the delay memory 35 and the image signal F output from the delay memory 35. Here, the motion amount calculation circuits 36 and 37 calculate, for each pixel, the absolute value of the difference in pixel value between the input image and the image 1/30 second before, respectively, during the image input period. By calculating the sum of pixels, motion amounts AM1 and AM2 are estimated and output. Note that the motion amount calculation circuits 36 and 37 may calculate the sum of absolute values of differences for some of the pixels instead of all the pixels of the image frame.

Each of the motion amount calculation circuits 36 and 37 calculates a difference between pixel values of corresponding pixels in the frame, and calculates a sum of differences between all pixels (or a plurality of pixels) of the two frames. , Output as motion amount AM1, AM2. When the output of the motion amount calculation circuit is large, the subject moves within the frame and the amount of blur is large. When the output of the motion amount calculation circuit is small, the subject moves within the frame and the amount of blur is low. It means less.
The adder 38 is a circuit that calculates and outputs an addition value signal SS that is the sum of the motion amounts AM1 and AM2 of the two motion amount calculation circuits 36 and 37.

The freeze memory 39 is a still image memory for storing the normal light observation image signal W output from the delay memory 34 based on the control signal FS from the freeze control circuit 31. The freeze memory 40 is also a freeze memory. This is a still image memory that stores the fluorescence observation image signal F output from the delay memory 34 based on a control signal from the control circuit 31. Accordingly, when the freeze memories 39 and 40 receive the control signal FS from the freeze control circuit 31, the freeze memories 39 and 40 update the image.
The normal light observation image obtained by imaging the return light in synchronization with the irradiation of the normal light observation light and the special observation light by the timing control circuit 32, the demultiplexer 33, and the freeze memories 39 and 40; An image processing means for generating two images of the special light observation image is configured. Then, as will be described later, when the timing control circuit 32 is instructed to acquire a still image by the freeze button 23, an image that detects the movement of the two images and determines the acquisition timing of the still images of the two images. The processing means is configured.

  The image enhancement circuit 41 is a circuit that performs predetermined image processing on the still image of the normal light output from the freeze memory 39 and outputs the image. The image enhancement circuit 42 is the fluorescence output from the freeze memory 40. This is a circuit that performs predetermined image processing on the still image and outputs it. Here, the predetermined image processing includes structure enhancement processing, color enhancement processing, and electronic image enlargement processing.

  When a release instruction is received by pressing the release button 24 under the control of the control unit 45, the output signals of the image enhancement circuits 41 and 42 are stored in the image recording device 6. Here, when the user presses the release button 24, both the still image for normal light observation and the still image for fluorescence observation are recorded in the image recording device 6. For example, when the user operates the release button 24 to instruct recording of one of the operation normal light observation image still image and the fluorescence observation still image, the other still image is also displayed together with the image recording apparatus. 6 is recorded. That is, when one of the two still images acquired at the still image acquisition timing is recorded as an image, the image recording device 6 constitutes an image recording unit or an image recording unit that also records the other still image.

  The synthesizing circuit 43 is a circuit for synthesizing and outputting the two images output from the image enhancement circuits 41 and 42 to the monitor 5 so that they are displayed side by side on the screen of the monitor 5 at the same time. Therefore, two images of the normal light observation image and the special light observation image are displayed side by side on the screen of the monitor 5 that receives the video signal from the synthesis circuit 43. When the user inputs a command for instructing simultaneous display of two images using an input device such as a keyboard, a control signal for simultaneously displaying the two images is supplied from the control unit 45 to the synthesis circuit 43.

The synthesis circuit 43 has a function of displaying two images of the normal light observation image and the fluorescence observation image side by side on one screen, and also displaying character information and the like.
Therefore, the synthesis circuit 43 constitutes a display unit or a display unit that displays two images generated by the image processing unit on one screen of the display device.

  When the user does not input a command for instructing simultaneous display of two images to an input device such as a keyboard, a control signal for displaying one of the two images is sent from the control unit 45 to the combining circuit 43. As a result, only one image is displayed on the screen of the monitor 5.

The light source device 4 includes a light source control circuit 51, two LEDs 52 and 53 that are light emitting elements, a half mirror 54, and a condenser lens 55.
The light source control circuit 51 generates and outputs drive signals to the LEDs 52 and 53 based on the timing signal from the timing control circuit 32.
The LED 52 is a light emitting element that emits white light for normal light observation, and the LED 53 is a light emitting element that emits excitation light in a predetermined wavelength band for fluorescence observation. When the endoscope apparatus 1 is in an operation mode in which both the normal light observation image and the fluorescence observation image are output, the light source control circuit 51 alternately supplies a predetermined drive signal to the LEDs 52 and 53, thereby 53 are driven alternately and exclusively. Therefore, the light source device 4 constitutes an illuminating means or an illuminating device capable of irradiating the living tissue T with light for normal light observation and light for special light observation. Here, white light for normal light observation is emitted from the LED 52 and excitation light for fluorescence observation is alternately emitted from the LED 53 every 1/60 seconds.

The illumination light from the LEDs 52 and 53 is directed to the condenser lens 55 through the half mirror 54, and the condenser lens 55 transmits the illumination light to the end face on the proximal end side of the light guide 15 connected to the light source device 4. Condensate. Therefore, the illumination light is emitted from the end surface on the tip side of the light guide 15 through the light guide 15. The illumination light emitted from the end face on the distal end side of the light guide 15 is emitted from the distal end portion of the insertion portion 11 via the illumination lens 13 and illuminates the living tissue T at the observation site.
Here, both the normal light observation image and the fluorescence observation image are acquired using one CCD 17, but the normal light observation image and the fluorescence observation image are separately acquired using two CCDs. You may make it do.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a display example of two images displayed when the display mode of the two-image simultaneous display of the normal light observation image and the special light observation image is instructed. FIG. 2 shows two still images displayed side by side on the screen 5a of the monitor 5, that is, a normal light observation image NL and a fluorescence observation image FL which is one of the special light observation images.
For example, when the user inputs a predetermined command for simultaneous display of two images on the keyboard or the like and presses the freeze button 23, the freeze control circuit 31 sends the control signal FS that is an image acquisition instruction signal to the freeze memories 39 and 40. Then, two still images as shown in FIG. 2 are simultaneously displayed on the screen 5a of the monitor 5.

Since the two still images are viewed by an operator or the like for diagnosis or the like, the two still images must be images with no blur or little blur, and the timing for acquiring the two still images is Must be the same.
(front panel)
FIG. 3 is a partial front view for explaining an example of the front panel 44. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display state of the screen of the monitor 5 at the time of image quality operation and observation mode operation.
The front panel 44 is an operation unit that is provided on the surface of the housing of the processor 3 and configured to be operable by the user. FIG. 3 shows a part of the front panel 44. FIG. 3 is a diagram particularly showing portions relating to image quality adjustment, image display switching, and observation mode switching of still images displayed on the monitor 5. When the user performs a predetermined operation on the front panel 44, it is possible to adjust the image quality of the display screen of the monitor 5 and to operate the observation mode. In the case of two-image display, an image as shown in FIG. Is displayed.

  The front panel 44 includes an image quality operation unit 61 for performing image quality adjustment operations such as structure enhancement, an image display switching unit 62 for switching between one-image display and two-image display, and an observation mode. An observation mode selection unit 63 is included.

  The image quality operation unit 61 is an operation unit for selecting the level of the structure enhancement process, the color enhancement process, and the enlargement process for the acquired image. Therefore, the image quality operation unit 61 includes four operation buttons, a structure enhancement button 61a, a color enhancement button 61b, an enlargement button 61c, and a left / right selection button 61d, and a selection state that displays a setting state or a selection state corresponding to each operation button. Display units 61a1, 61b1, 61c1, and 61d1 are included.

  The selection state display unit 61d1 includes three LED lamps. One of the LED lamps (L) is an indicator to show that the left image is selected, and the other one of the LED lamps (C) indicates that the left and right images are selected. One of the LED lamps (R) is a display for indicating that the right image is selected.

  When the user presses the left / right selection button 61d, the LED lamps that have been turned on until then are turned off, and the other LED lamps are turned on in a selected state. Further, when the user presses the left / right selection button 61d, the LED lamps that have been turned on until then are turned off, and the other LED lamps are turned on in a selected state. Here, when the user presses the left / right selection button 61d a plurality of times, the display of the LED lamp is switched in the order of L → C → R → L → C →.

  When the LED lamp (L) is lit, it means that the left image is selected from the two images displayed on the monitor 5 and indicates that the image quality described below can be set. . Also on the screen 5a of the monitor 5, as shown in FIG. 4, a circle (solid line) is displayed below the left image on the selection display unit 71 to indicate which image is selected. Can be seen on the screen. In FIG. 4, the dotted dotted circle on the right side indicates that it is not displayed.

  Similarly, when the LED lamp (R) is lit, the right image of the two images displayed on the monitor 5 is selected, indicating that the image quality described below can be set. Means.

  When the LED lamp (C) is lit, both of the two images displayed on the monitor 5 are selected, and the image quality described below can be set for the two images. Means that When two images are selected, a circle appears on the selection display unit 71 below the left and right images. Therefore, the composition circuit 43 as a display means displays the selected image so as to be identifiable.

The structure enhancement button 61a is a button for setting a level at which structure enhancement processing is performed on the selected one or two images. The selection state display unit 61a1 has a plurality of LED lamps for displaying the setting level of the structure enhancement processing of the two left and right images, here, three on each of the left and right, and a total of six LED lamps.
In FIG. 3, the currently set level is indicated by a black circle.

  The color enhancement button 61b is a button for setting a level for performing color enhancement processing on the selected one or two images. The selection state display unit 61b1 has a plurality of LED lamps for displaying the setting levels of the color enhancement processing of the two left and right images, here, three on each of the left and right, and a total of six LED lamps.

  The enlargement button 61c is a button for setting a level for performing enlargement processing on the selected one or two images. The selection state display unit 61c1 has a plurality of LED lamps for displaying the setting levels of the enlargement processing of the two left and right images, here, three on each of the left and right, and a total of six LED lamps.

  When the user operates the left / right selection button 61d to select the left image, the L LED lamp in the selection state display portion 61d1 is lit (indicated by a black circle in FIG. 3). In this state, when the user presses the structure enhancement button 61a, the level of the structure enhancement process for the left image is changed by one level. Further, when the user presses the structure enhancement button 61a, the level of the structure enhancement process for the left image is changed by one level. When the user presses the structure emphasis button 61a a plurality of times, the L LED lamps in the selection state display portion 61d1 are switched in the order of 1 → 2 → 3 → 1 → 2 →. The emphasis level can be adjusted in three steps.

  When the user operates the left / right selection button 61d to turn on one of the LED lamps (R) to select the right image, the user performs the same operation as the operation on the left image described above. The user can set the level of the structure enhancement process for the right image.

  In addition, when the user operates the left / right selection button 61d to turn on one of the LED lamps (C) to select two images, the user performs the same operation as the operation on the left image described above. The user can set the structure enhancement processing at the same level for the two images. In this case, when the user presses the structure emphasis button 61a a plurality of times, the two LED lamps L and R in the selection state display section 61d1 are displayed as 1 → 2 → 3 → 1 → 2 →. At the same time, the user can adjust the structure enhancement level in three stages.

  Note that the level signal of the structure enhancement process set on the front panel 44 is supplied to the image enhancement circuits 41 and 42, and the image enhancement circuits 41 and 42 perform the image enhancement process at the respective set levels.

The setting operation for the color enhancement process and the enlargement process is the same as the setting operation for the structure enhancement process described above. Level signals for color enhancement processing and enlargement processing set on the front panel 44 are also supplied to the image enhancement circuits 41 and 42 to perform color enhancement and magnification.
Therefore, the image quality operation unit 61 and the image enhancement circuits 41 and 42 of the front panel 44 selectively perform individual image quality adjustment and overall image quality adjustment for two images within one screen displayed on the monitor 5. The selection adjustment means or selection adjustment unit to be performed is configured.
As described above, the user can adjust the image quality of the two images displayed on the monitor 5.

  The image display switching unit 62 includes a switching button 62a for switching between one image display for displaying one image within one screen and two image display for displaying two images within one screen. When the user presses the switching button 62a, the screen of the monitor 5 is switched from the display state of one image display or the two image display to the other display state. When the user presses the switch button 62a a plurality of times, the display state of the monitor 5 is switched as follows: one image display → two image display → one image display → two image display → one image display →. Therefore, the user can switch between one-image display and two-image display by operating the switching button 62a.

  This setting operation is supplied to the control unit 45, and the control unit 45 controls the synthesis circuit 43 so as to display one or two images in the display form designated by the image display switching unit 62.

The observation mode selection unit 63 is an operation unit for setting whether to display the normal light observation image or the fluorescence observation image for each of the left and right images when displaying two images. Therefore, the observation mode selection unit 63 includes a selection button 63a for selecting the normal light observation mode, three operation buttons of a selection button 63b and a left / right selection button 63c for selecting the fluorescence observation mode, and a left / right selection button 63c. And a selection state display part 63c1 for displaying the selection state.
When the user presses the left / right selection button 63c, one of the two LED lamps of the selection state display section 63c1, which has been lit up to that time, for example, the LED lamp (L), is turned off, and the other LED lamps, For example, the LED lamp (R) is lit in a selected state. Further, when the user presses the left / right selection button 61d, the LED lamp that has been lit up until now, for example, the LED lamp (R), is turned off, and the other LED lamp, for example, the LED lamp (L) is selected. Lights up. Therefore, when the user presses the left / right selection button 63c a plurality of times, the LED lamps are alternately displayed in the order of L → R → L → R →.
The setting operation in the observation mode selection unit 63 is supplied to the control unit 45, and the control unit 45 controls the synthesis circuit 43 so as to display two images according to the set observation mode.

  Also on the screen 5a of the monitor 5, as shown in FIG. 4, a circle (solid line) is displayed below the left image on the selection display unit 72, and it is determined which image is selected by the user. Can be seen on the screen. In FIG. 4, the dotted dotted circle on the right side indicates that it is not displayed.

Similarly, when the LED lamp (R) is lit, the right image of the two images displayed on the monitor 5 is selected, indicating that the above-described observation mode can be set. means.
(Freeze control circuit)
Next, the configuration of the freeze control circuit will be described. FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of the freeze control circuit 31. The freeze control circuit 31 includes a minimum motion amount holding circuit 81, a comparator 82, a memory control circuit 83, and a predetermined time holding circuit 84.

  The added value signal SS is input to the minimum motion holding circuit 81 and the comparator 82. The freeze instruction signal FZ is input to the minimum motion holding circuit 81 and the predetermined period holding circuit 84. The comparator 82 compares the output of the minimum motion amount holding circuit 81 with the addition value signal SS. When the addition value signal SS is smaller than the output of the motion amount holding circuit 81, the comparator 82 outputs the HIGH signal. When the addition value signal SS is equal to or higher than the output of the motion amount holding circuit 81, the LOW signal is output to the minimum motion holding circuit 81 and the memory control circuit 83.

Therefore, the minimum motion amount holding circuit 81 receives and receives the HIGH signal from the comparator 82 when the input addition value signal SS is smaller than the motion amount held in the minimum motion holding circuit 81. The added value signal SS is stored. The minimum motion amount holding circuit 81 maintains the held motion amount when the input addition value signal SS is not smaller than the motion amount held in the minimum motion holding circuit 81.
Note that the minimum motion holding circuit 81 is initialized to a sufficiently large value when the freeze instruction signal FZ is input.

  The predetermined period holding circuit 84 is a circuit that outputs a signal TS for searching for an image with the smallest amount of motion for a predetermined period T1 in response to the input of the freeze instruction signal FZ. When the freeze instruction signal FZ is input, the predetermined period holding circuit 84 outputs a signal TS to the memory control circuit 83 so that an image with little motion is searched only during the predetermined period T1. The predetermined period T1 is, for example, 0.5 seconds.

The memory control circuit 83 outputs a control signal FS for updating the images held in the freeze memories 39 and 40 according to the comparison result of the comparator 82 during the predetermined period T1. Specifically, when it is determined that the amount of motion of the current image is the minimum, the memory control circuit 83 outputs a control signal FS that is an image acquisition instruction signal for updating the images in the freeze memories 39 and 40. To do. When it is determined that the amount of motion of the current image is not the minimum, the memory control circuit 83 does not output the control signal FS so as not to update the images in the freeze memories 39 and 40.
(Function)
FIG. 6 is a timing chart for explaining the update state of the freeze memory. As shown in FIG. 6, the normal light observation image W and the fluorescence observation image F are alternately output from the CCD 17 every 1/60 seconds. The delay memories 34 and 35 hold the normal light observation image W and the fluorescence observation image, respectively, for a predetermined time (in this case, 1/30 second) and then output them.

  The motion amount calculation circuits 36 and 37 respectively detect the motion amount AM1 (= W (i) −W (i + 1)) of the normal light observation image W and the motion of the fluorescence observation image F from two consecutive image frames. The quantity AM2 (= (F (i) −F (i + 1)) is output, where i is an integer indicating the number of the image frame.

The adder 38 adds the motion amount AM1 of the normal light observation image W and the motion amount AM2 of the fluorescence observation image F, and outputs an addition value signal SS.
When the freeze instruction signal FZ is input, the predetermined period holding circuit 84 of the freeze control circuit 31 outputs the signal TS for searching for an image with the smallest amount of motion only during the predetermined period T1, so that the predetermined period T1 During this time, when the output of the comparator 82 becomes HIGH, the motion amount of the minimum motion amount holding circuit 81 is updated and the control signal FS is output to the freeze memories 39 and 40.

  In FIG. 6, since the addition value signal SS gradually decreases from the input of the freeze instruction signal FZ at time t0 to time t1, the freeze memories 39 and 40 are updated. However, from time t1 to time t2, the added value signal SS is larger than the minimum added value signal SS so far, so the contents of the freeze memories 39 and 40 are not updated and the previous contents are retained.

  From time t2 to time t3, since the added value signal SS gradually decreases, the freeze memories 39 and 40 are updated. Thereafter, from time t3 to time t4, the added value signal SS is larger than the minimum added value signal SS so far, so the contents of the freeze memories 39 and 40 are not updated and the previous contents are retained.

From time t4 to time t5, since the added value signal SS is smaller than the previous value, the freeze memories 39 and 40 are updated, but thereafter, the added value signal SS is updated from time t5 to time t6. Therefore, the contents of the freeze memories 39 and 40 are not updated and the previous contents are retained. Time t6 is when a predetermined period T1 has elapsed from time t0.
In the case of FIG. 6, as a result, for the normal light observation image and the fluorescence observation image, the seventh images W7 and F7 are held in the freeze memories 39 and 40 as still images, respectively.

Therefore, when the freeze button 23 is pressed, the freeze memories 39 and 40 hold the images with the smallest amount of motion, so that the still image of the normal light observation image and the still image of the fluorescence observation image obtained at the same time are obtained. Both are obtained with the least blur and at the same time of acquisition.
(Modification)
Next, a modified example will be described. FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to a modification of the above-described embodiment. In FIG. 7, the same components as those in FIG.

  The endoscope apparatus 1A shown in FIG. 7 has only one output of the motion amount calculation circuits 36 and 37, in this case, only the output of the motion amount calculation circuit 36 for the delay memory 34 for the normal light observation image. 1 is different from the endoscope apparatus 1 of FIG. 1 in that it is input to the freeze control circuit 31. In the freeze control circuit 31, the motion amount AM 1 of the normal light observation image W that is the output of the motion amount calculation circuit 36 is input to the minimum motion amount holding circuit 81.

  That is, in the endoscope apparatus 1 of FIG. 1, the image with the least blur is stored in the freeze memories 39 and 40 using the sum of the motion amount AM1 of the normal light observation image NL and the motion amount AM2 of the fluorescence observation image FL. In contrast, while the two still images are generated, the endoscope apparatus 1A in FIG. 7 generates an image with the least blur based on only the amount of movement of one of the two images. Two still images are generated by storing them in the freeze memories 39 and 40.

This is because if the amount of motion in one image is small, it can be estimated that the amount of motion in the other image is small.
In FIG. 7, the output AM1 of the motion amount calculation circuit 36 for the normal light observation image delay memory 34 is input to the freeze control circuit 31, but the motion amount for the fluorescence observation image delay memory 35. The output AM2 of the calculation circuit 37 may be input to the freeze control circuit 31.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a medical device and a medical processor that can obtain still images of two observation images obtained at the same time with less blur and at the same acquisition timing. it can. In particular, the freeze control circuit 31 constituting the image processing means detects the movement of at least one of the two images when the freeze button 23 is instructed to acquire a still image, and freezes the two images. Determine the image acquisition timing. Therefore, since the still images of the two observation images obtained at the same time are obtained with little blur and at the same acquisition timing, a user such as an operator can accurately compare the two images. .

In the above-described example, an image with less blur between a plurality of images output from the CCD 17 after the freeze button 23 is pressed is detected. However, a memory for storing a plurality of image frames is provided, and the freeze button 23 is provided. After the button is pressed, an image with less blur may be detected from a plurality of image frames stored in the memory before the button is pressed.
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, 1A endoscope device, 2 endoscope, 3 processor, 4 light source device, 5 monitor, 6 image recording device, 7 universal cable, 11 insertion portion, 12 operation portion, 13, 14 lens, 15 light guide, 54 Half mirror, 17 CCD, 18 Excitation light cut filter, 23 Freeze button, 24 Release button, 31 Freeze control circuit, 32 Timing control circuit, 33 Demultiplexer, 34, 35 Delay memory, 36, 37 Motion amount calculation circuit, 39, 40 freeze memory, 41, 42 image enhancement circuit, 43 synthesis circuit, 44 front panel, 45 control unit, 51 light source control circuit, 52, 53 LED, 55 condenser lens

Claims (8)

Illumination means capable of irradiating the living tissue with light for normal light observation and light for special light observation,
Imaging means for receiving return light of the light irradiated to the living tissue by the illumination means and generating an imaging signal ;
Image processing for sequentially generating a normal light observation image corresponding to the light for normal light observation and a special light observation image corresponding to the light for special light observation based on the imaging signal generated by the imaging means Means,
A motion amount detection means for detecting a motion amount between the normal light observation images and a motion amount between the special light observation images , which are sequentially generated by the image processing means ;
A motion amount addition means for calculating a motion amount addition value by adding the motion amount between the normal light observation images and the motion amount between the special light observation images detected by the motion amount detection means;
A display unit that displays information on the living tissue from the normal light observation image and the special light observation image sequentially generated by the image processing unit based on the motion amount addition value calculated by the movement amount addition unit. Image selection means for selecting the normal light observation image and the special light observation image for display on the display;
Medical devices comprising the. Storing the normal light observation image and the special light observation image selected by the image selection means, and further comprising an image storage means capable of outputting to the display unit;
The image selection means selects the normal light observation image and the special light observation image corresponding to the motion amount addition value that minimizes the motion amount addition value calculated by the motion amount addition means,
The image storage means stores the normal light observation image and the special light observation image corresponding to the minimum motion amount addition value selected by the image selection means.
The medical device according to claim 1 . The image selection means includes
Addition value storage means for storing the movement amount addition value calculated by the movement amount addition means as a first movement amount addition value;
The first motion amount addition value stored in the addition value storage means and the second motion amount addition value calculated at a timing different from the first motion amount addition value by the motion amount addition means. Addition value comparison means for comparing;
If the second motion amount addition value is smaller than the first motion amount addition value as a result of the comparison by the addition value comparison means, the first motion amount addition value stored in the addition value storage means is Addition value control means for rewriting and updating the second movement amount addition value;
Further comprising
The image storage means includes the normal light observation image corresponding to the second motion amount addition value when the second motion amount addition value is stored in the addition value storage means by the addition value control means. Storing the special light observation image
The medical device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The illumination means can alternately irradiate the light for normal light observation and the light for special light observation,
The image processing means includes a first normal light observation image, a first special light observation image, a first special light observation image, a first special light observation image, and a first special light observation image based on the imaging signal corresponding to the return light of the light alternately irradiated onto the living tissue by the illumination means. Sequentially generate two normal light observation images and a second special light observation image;
The movement amount detection means detects a movement amount between the normal light observation images based on the first normal light observation image and the second normal light observation image, and the first special light observation image A motion amount between the normal light observation images is detected based on the second special light observation image.
The medical device according to any one of claims 1-3 . Image selection instruction means for instructing the image selection means to select the normal light observation image and the special light observation image;
The medical device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising:   Selective adjustment means for selectively performing individual image quality adjustment and overall image quality adjustment on the normal light observation image and the special light observation image in one screen displayed on the display unit,
  The medical device according to claim 1, further comprising:   The medical device according to claim 6, wherein the display unit displays the image selected by the selection adjustment unit so as to be identifiable.   The imaging signal generated by the imaging means for receiving the return light of the light irradiated to the living tissue is processed by the illuminating means capable of irradiating the light for normal light observation and the light for special light observation to the living tissue. A medical processor,
  Image processing for sequentially generating a normal light observation image corresponding to the light for normal light observation and a special light observation image corresponding to the light for special light observation based on the imaging signal generated by the imaging means Means,
  A motion amount detection means for detecting a motion amount between the normal light observation images and a motion amount between the special light observation images, which are sequentially generated by the image processing means;
  A motion amount addition means for calculating a motion amount addition value by adding the motion amount between the normal light observation images and the motion amount between the special light observation images detected by the motion amount detection means;
  A display unit that displays information on the living tissue from the normal light observation image and the special light observation image sequentially generated by the image processing unit based on the motion amount addition value calculated by the movement amount addition unit. Image selection means for selecting the normal light observation image and the special light observation image for display on the display;
  A medical processor characterized by comprising:

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