JPH0723265A - Image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To observe an excellent picture even during the processing using a high frequency current and a laser beam or the like by emitting a high frequency current or a laser beam or the like being a noise signal only for a storage period of an undesired charge stored in a solid-state image pickup element at the time of electronic shutter operation. CONSTITUTION:The storage period of undesired charge stored in a CCD 14 is utilized for electronic shutter operation and a high frequency welding power supply device 24 supplies a high frequency current to a processing jig 22 only for a storage period of an undesired charge. That is, the high frequency current is a noise signal to the CCD 14 and the noise signal is stored as an undesired charge by the CCD 14 and swept out together with the undesired charge, then the undesired charge is not included in the signal charge outputted from the CCD 14. Thus, even during processing by using the high frequency current, the picture quality is not deteriorated.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup device, and more particularly to a solid-state image pickup device capable of operating an electronic shutter and outputting a treatment signal such as a high-frequency current or a laser beam which is a noise signal of the solid-state image pickup device. The present invention relates to an imaging device used together with a treatment device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an image pickup apparatus of this type, there is an electronic endoscope apparatus used together with a high frequency ablation power supply apparatus, a YAG laser apparatus and the like. Generally, an imaging lens, a solid-state imaging device (CCD), and the like are provided at the tip of the insertion portion of the electronic endoscope, and an observation image is formed on the CCD through the imaging lens and photoelectrically converted there. The electric signal showing the observed image that has been photoelectrically converted is subjected to appropriate signal processing by the processor, and then the monitor T
Output to V. Thereby, the observation image can be displayed on the monitor TV.

On the other hand, while observing the image displayed on the monitor TV, a high-frequency treatment tool such as a high-frequency hemostat, a high-frequency snare, a high-frequency knife or the like is inserted into the treatment instrument insertion channel of the electronic endoscope, and a high-frequency cautery power supply is used. Treatment such as hemostasis / cutting of an affected area is performed by applying a high-frequency current from the device to a high-frequency treatment tool. For example, when hemostasis treatment is performed, a high-frequency hemostatic device is connected to a high-frequency hemostatic device at 300 times.
A high-frequency current in the range of KHz to 5 MHz is made to flow intermittently (see FIG. 4).

[0004]

However, during the hemostatic treatment, the energy of the electromagnetic waves due to the high-frequency current flowing through the conducting wire at the tip of the high-frequency hemostatic device and the affected area is added to the CCD, and C
Since it is superimposed on the CD output signal as a noise signal, there is a problem that the image on the monitor TV is significantly deteriorated.

Conventionally, in order to prevent this, the tip of the insertion portion or C
Although the electromagnetic shield of the CD and its peripheral circuits has been strengthened and noise countermeasure coils have been added, such countermeasures increase the thickness of the tip of the insertion portion and cause patient distress. It goes against the tendency of the tip diameter of the scope to be reduced in order to reduce the number. On the other hand, a device has been proposed in which a high frequency current is passed in synchronization with a vertical synchronizing signal of a video signal so that the image quality is not affected even when noise due to the high frequency current is superimposed on the video signal (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-59-59). 69069
Issue).

However, in this case, since the period of the vertical synchronizing signal is short, there is a problem that effective treatment cannot be performed only with the high frequency current output during this period. Also,
There is also a problem that noise superimposed on a video signal adversely affects signal processing in the subsequent stage. The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and even if a high-frequency current or a laser beam that becomes a noise signal is emitted to the solid-state image sensor, the noise signal is not superimposed on the output signal of the solid-state image sensor. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image pickup apparatus capable of viewing a good image even during treatment using high-frequency current, laser light, or the like.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a treatment device having a solid-state image pickup device capable of operating an electronic shutter, and outputting a treatment signal which is a noise signal of the solid-state image pickup device. In an image pickup device used together, means for outputting a signal indicating a storage period of unnecessary charges accumulated in the solid-state image sensor during electronic shutter operation, and accumulation of the unnecessary charges based on the signal indicating the accumulation period of the unnecessary charges It is characterized in that it is provided with means for outputting a treatment signal from the treatment device only during the period.

[0008]

According to the present invention, the solid-state image pickup device capable of operating the electronic shutter is used, and the treatment signal is applied by utilizing the accumulation period of the unnecessary charges accumulated in the solid-state image pickup device during the operation of the electronic shutter. That is, a treatment signal such as a high-frequency current or laser light becomes a noise signal for the solid-state image sensor, but these noise signals are accumulated as unnecessary charges in the solid-state image sensor and are swept out together with the unnecessary charges.
It is not included in the signal charge output from the solid-state image sensor. As a result, the image quality does not deteriorate even during the treatment using the high-frequency current or the laser light.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of an image pickup apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an electronic endoscope apparatus to which the image pickup apparatus according to the present invention is applied, and shows a case where hemostasis treatment is performed by using a high frequency ablation power supply apparatus.

At the tip 10 of the insertion portion of this electronic endoscope apparatus, an image pickup lens 12 and a CCD capable of operating an electronic shutter are provided.
14 are provided. The imaging lens 12 images the affected area 16 illuminated via a light guide (not shown), forms an image on the light receiving portion of the CCD 14, and the CCD 14 photoelectrically converts the incident light and outputs a CCD output to the processor 18.

The processor 18 outputs a signal for driving and controlling the CCD 14 to the CCD 14, inputs the CCD output signal output from the CCD 14, processes the signal to generate a video signal, and the video signal is monitored by the monitor TV 20.
Output to. As a result, the image of the affected area 16 is displayed on the monitor TV. On the other hand, the high-frequency hemostat 22 is inserted into a treatment instrument insertion channel (not shown) of the endoscope, and the tip of the high-frequency hemostat 22 is seen from the tip 10 of the insertion portion while watching the image displayed on the monitor TV 20. It is extended toward the affected part 16. Further, the high-frequency hemostatic device 22 is electrically connected to the high-frequency cautery power supply device 24.

The induction cautery power supply 24 is provided with a signal for permitting hemostasis / cutting from the processor 18, and a treatment command pulse is appropriately applied from the foot switch 26. A high frequency hemostatic / cut operation signal corresponding to the content of the hemostasis or cut treatment is output to the high frequency treatment instrument based on the input signal of. The details of the hemostasis / cut operation signal output from the high frequency ablation power supply device 24 will be described later. 28 is an electrode plate.

Next, the operation of the electronic endoscope apparatus having the above configuration will be described with reference to the timing chart shown in FIG. The processor 18 uses the vertical synchronization signal VD (see FIG.
(A)) is used to perform required signal processing by synchronizing each circuit including the CCD 14 based on a synchronizing signal including CC.
Various drive pulses including transfer gate pulses P _{1 and} P ₂ (FIGS. 2B and 2C) are output to D14. Figure 2
(B) is a timing chart when the electronic shutter is not used, and the signal charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element of the CCD 14 is V- by the transfer gate pulse P ₁ every 1/60 seconds synchronized with the vertical synchronization signal VD. Transferred to CCD.
The photoelectric conversion element is reset by this transfer.
The signal charges transferred to the V-CCD are transferred line by line to the H-CCD and taken out as a CCD output signal.

On the other hand, FIG. 2C is a timing chart at the time of the electronic shutter operation. The signal charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element of the CCD 14 is V- by the transfer gate pulses P _{1 and} P ₂ as in the above. The signal charges (unnecessary charges), which are transferred to the CCD but transferred to the V-CCD by the transfer gate pulse P ₂ , are transferred at a high speed in a direction opposite to that of the H-CCD, and are all discharged from the sweep drain.

Therefore, the period from the transfer gate pulse P ₂ to P ₁ becomes the charge accumulation time of the signal charge which becomes the CCD output signal, and the substantial exposure time is controlled by adjusting this time. Now, the processor 18 outputs a pulse d to the high frequency ablation power supply device 24, which is turned on only during the period when the unnecessary charges are accumulated (FIG. 2D). The processor 18 has a setting circuit for forcibly setting the accumulation time of unnecessary charges to a predetermined time based on a switch input (not shown) indicating a treatment period or a signal from the high frequency ablation power supply 24. .

The foot switch 26 is operated by a foot, and is pressed when a high frequency treatment device outputs a hemostatic / cutting operation signal to the high frequency treatment instrument. It is output (FIG. 2 (E)). The high frequency ablation power supply device 24 generates an output control pulse f by taking an AND condition between the pulse d indicating the unnecessary charge accumulation period added from the processor 18 and the treatment command pulse e. Then, the intermittent high-frequency current output during the conventional hemostatic operation shown in FIG. 4 is gate-controlled by the output control pulse f, so that FIG.
The hemostatic operation signal shown in is output to the high frequency hemostatic device 22.

The high-frequency hemostatic device 22 to which the hemostatic operation signal is added in this way generates a noise signal from the conductor portion at the tip thereof, and this noise signal is accumulated in the CCD 14, but this noise signal is unnecessary. It is not included in the signal output from the CCD 14 to the processor 18 because it is swept out together with the charges. As a result, the image quality does not deteriorate even during the treatment using the high frequency current.

FIG. 3 shows a case where the polyp 17 is cut by the high frequency snare 29. Note that only the high-frequency treatment tool is different from that at the time of hemostasis shown in FIG.
When the polyp 17 is cut by the high frequency snare 29, the output of the high frequency ablation power supply device 24 is switched for cutting. In addition, during the cutting operation, a high-frequency current that is continuous and larger than that during hemostasis is generated.

The high-frequency current generated during the cutting operation is gate-controlled by the output control pulse f as in the hemostasis operation, so that the cutting operation signal shown in FIG. 2 (H) is output to the high-frequency snare 29. It In the above embodiment, the high frequency cautery power supply device 24 and the high frequency hemostatic device 2 are used.
2. The case of using a high-frequency treatment tool such as the high-frequency snare 29 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this and the present invention can be applied to the case of using a laser treatment apparatus.

That is, when the YAG laser light is applied to the affected area from the distal end of the insertion portion of the endoscope through the light guide inserted through the treatment instrument insertion channel, the reflected light of the laser light is passed through the imaging lens 12. Directly into the CCD 14,
This becomes noise. Therefore, when using such a laser treatment apparatus, it is possible to control the laser light to enter the light guide inserted through the treatment instrument insertion channel only during the ON period of the output control pulse f as in the above. Good.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the electronic endoscope apparatus,
For example, it can be applied to equipment for welding work, and in short, it can be applied to any object as long as the subject is displayed on the monitor TV based on the signal from the solid-state image sensor and the work is performed while watching the image. it can.

[0022]

As described above, according to the image pickup apparatus of the present invention, the accumulation period of the unnecessary charges accumulated in the solid-state image pickup device during the operation of the electronic shutter is utilized, and the high frequency current is generated only during the accumulation period of the unnecessary charges. Alternatively, since the laser light or the like is emitted, it is possible to prevent noise signals associated with these high-frequency current or laser light from being superimposed on the output signal of the solid-state imaging device, and thus high-frequency current or laser light is used. Good images can be seen during the procedure.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an electronic endoscope apparatus to which an image pickup apparatus according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a timing chart used for explaining the operation of the electronic endoscope apparatus of FIG.

3 is a configuration diagram of main parts when a high-frequency snare is used as a treatment tool in the electronic endoscope apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a waveform diagram showing an example of a high-frequency current used in a conventional hemostasis operation.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 ... Tip of insertion part 12 ... Imaging lens 14 ... CCD 16, 17 ... Affected part 18 ... Processor 20 ... Monitor TV 22 ... High frequency hemostatic device 24 ... Induction cauterization power supply device 26 ... Foot switch 28 ... Electrode plate 29 ... High frequency snare

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An imaging device having a solid-state image sensor capable of operating an electronic shutter, which is used together with a treatment device for outputting a treatment signal which is a noise signal of the solid-state image sensor, wherein the solid-state image sensor is operated during the operation of the electronic shutter. Means for outputting a signal indicating the accumulation period of the unnecessary charges accumulated in, and means for outputting a treatment signal from the treatment device only during the accumulation period of the unnecessary charges based on the signal indicating the accumulation period of the unnecessary charges An image pickup device comprising: 2. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising setting means for forcibly setting an accumulation time of unnecessary charges in the solid-state image pickup device to a predetermined time during a treatment period by the treatment device.