JPH10262924A - Electronic endoscope equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To output an endoscope image suitable for connected peripheral equipment. SOLUTION: At an analog after-processing part 25, a video signal inputted from a D/A converter to the rear-stage analog processing part 25 is divided for every output of respective external devices and respectively inputted to superimposers 28a and 28b in the analog after-processing part 25. A character signal generated by a display controller 26 is inputted to the respective superimposers 28a and 28b as well. A CPU 27 respectively independently controls the respective superimposers 28a and 28b and superimposes the character signal for every external device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic endoscope apparatus, and more particularly, to an electronic endoscope apparatus having a characteristic output portion of an endoscope image signal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, by inserting an elongated insertion portion into a body cavity, it is possible to observe an affected part or the like in the body cavity using an observation means provided in the insertion portion without requiring an incision.
Endoscopes capable of performing a treatment by inserting a treatment tool into a forceps channel as necessary have been widely used.

In the endoscope, an image guide fiber is used for image transmission.
2. Description of the Related Art An electronic endoscope in which a solid-state imaging device such as a CD is housed to form an imaging unit, a signal photoelectrically converted by the solid-state imaging device is transmitted by a cable, and a color image can be displayed on a monitor device is widely used. It has become.

In an electronic endoscope apparatus having such an electronic endoscope, various images can be recorded in an image recording apparatus by various image processing in an image processing apparatus, but there are many types of images. Therefore, in order to facilitate identification of an image, for example, there is a type in which character data such as patient data, observation date and time, observation site, and type of image processing is superimposed on an image.

[0005]

However, the conventional electronic endoscope apparatus does not depend on the connected peripheral device.
Since the endoscope image that is always output is the same (for example, whether or not a color tone or a character signal is displayed), there is a problem that display or recording that is appropriate for a peripheral device cannot be performed. In addition, although the contents of the character signal are mainly patient data, if it is always displayed, it will be displayed on the monitor during observation, and it will be displayed to humans other than the operator who operates the endoscope. However, there is also a problem that the patient's data can be seen and the privacy of the patient cannot be protected.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an electronic endoscope apparatus capable of outputting an endoscope image suitable for connected peripheral devices. .

[0007]

An electronic endoscope apparatus according to the present invention comprises: an electronic endoscope having an image pickup means; a video processor for performing signal processing on an endoscope image signal obtained by the image pickup means. In the electronic endoscope apparatus provided, the video processor outputs a display control unit that generates a signal to be superimposed on the endoscope image signal, and outputs an endoscope image signal processed by the signal processing unit. A plurality of output means, a signal processing means for performing signal processing for each output of the plurality of output means, and a control means for controlling the display control means and the signal processing means.

In the electronic endoscope apparatus according to the present invention, the control means controls the display control means and the signal processing means to output an endoscope image suitable for the connected peripheral device. Make it possible.

[0009]

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

FIGS. 1 and 2 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an electronic endoscope apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of the analog post-processing unit of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, an electronic endoscope apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a solid-state image pickup device, for example, a CCD 3 as an image pickup means at a distal end of an elongated insertion section 2 inserted into a body cavity. An electronic endoscope 4 that captures an image of an observation region, a light source device 5 that supplies illumination light to the electronic endoscope 4, and an image that performs signal processing on a video signal of the observation region obtained by the electronic endoscope 4 A video processor 6 is provided as processing means.

The electronic endoscope 4 is connected to connectors 7 and 8
The light source device 5 and the video processor 6 are connected. The light source device 5 includes a lamp 9 that emits white light.
And a rotary filter 10 for converting the white light into red, blue, and green plane-sequential illumination light, and dimming the plane-sequential illumination light via the rotary filter 10 to pass through the electronic endoscope 4. A light control unit 12 that emits light to an incident end face provided on the connector 7 of the light guide 11 and a stop driving circuit 13 that controls light control of the light control unit 12 by driving a stop in the light control unit 12. Become. The field-sequential illumination light from the rotary filter 10 is transmitted through the light guide 11 inserted through the insertion section 2 of the electronic endoscope 4.
The light guide 11 is transmitted from the incident end face of the
The illumination optical system 14 provided at the distal end of the light source irradiates the light to the observation site.

On the other hand, the image of the observation site irradiated with the field-sequential illumination light is reflected by an objective lens system
By 5, an image is formed on the image forming surface of the CCD 3, the optical image is photoelectrically converted by the CCD 3, and is output as a CCD image pickup signal. Here, although not shown, the CCD 3 is provided with an input terminal for inputting a CCD drive signal and an output terminal for outputting a CCD image pickup signal.

The CCD 3 receives a signal from the video processor 6
D3 is driven by inputting a CCD drive signal for driving D3 to an input terminal via a connector 8. The output terminal of CCD3 is CCD3.
Is connected to the amplifier 16 provided at the subsequent stage,
The amplifier 16 amplifies the CCD image signal obtained by the CCD 3 and outputs the amplified signal to the video processor 6 via the connector 8.

The video processor 6 comprises a CCD drive circuit 17 for driving the CCD 3 and a CC amplified by an amplifier 16.
D: an imaging signal processing circuit 18 that inputs an imaging signal and performs signal processing such as waveform shaping; and a light source device that generates a dimming signal that adjusts the amount of plane-sequential illumination light to an observation site based on an output signal of the imaging signal processing circuit 18 5 is provided with a dimming control circuit 19 for controlling the aperture driving circuit 13 in the dimming signal 5 with a dimming signal.

In the light source device 5, the dimming control circuit 19
The dimming is performed by driving the diaphragm in the dimming unit 12 by the diaphragm driving circuit 13 controlled based on the dimming circuit from the camera.

The CCD image signal input to the video processor 6 via the connector 8 is subjected to processing such as waveform shaping by the image signal processing circuit 18, and is input to the analog pre-processing unit 21 via the isolation unit 20. Is done.

The analog pre-processing unit 21 performs analog signal processing such as CDS processing for extracting only a video signal from a CCD image pickup signal, AGC processing for adjusting a video on a monitor to a constant brightness, and white balance processing for performing color balance correction. After the processing is performed, it is input to the A / D converter 22 and converted into a digital signal.

The video signal converted into the digital signal is subjected to enlargement processing and synchronization processing for converting the RGB time-series video signal into an RGB simultaneous signal in the digital processing unit 23, and the D / A converter 24. Is converted again into an analog video signal.

The display controller 26 is controlled by the CPU 27 and generates a character signal such as patient data. D
In the video signal converted to an analog signal by the / A converter 24, the character signal output from the display controller 26 is superimposed by the analog post-processing unit 25, and thereafter, the video signal is passed through a video amplifier to an observation monitor or a photographing device. ,
It is output to an external device via a connector (not shown) such as a printer.

The timing of the superimposition is controlled by the CPU 27. Further, the CPU 27
Generates a control signal for the analog pre-processing unit 21 and the digital processing unit 23, and also controls the analog pre-processing unit 21 and the digital processing unit 23.

In the analog post-processing unit 25, as shown in FIG.
Are divided for each output of each external device, and are respectively input to the super-imposers 28a and 28b in the analog post-processing unit 25. The character signals generated by the display controller 26 are also input to each of the superimposers 28a and 28b.

The CPU 27 controls each super imposer 28
a and 28b are independently controlled, and a character signal is superimposed on each external device. The video signal with the text signal superimposed is
Each is output to an external device via the video amplifiers 29a and 29b.

Here, the super imposers 28a, 28
Since b is controlled independently, it is possible to select whether or not to superimpose a character signal for each output. Therefore, it is possible to set so that a character signal such as patient data does not need to be displayed on an endoscope image at the time of observation or recording, or a character signal is not displayed on an external device that does not want to display the signal.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the presence or absence of the display of characters can be controlled for each output of the connected external device, and therefore, when observing an endoscope image on a monitor, a technique for operating the endoscope is used. Since it is possible to prevent the patient's data from being shown to a person other than the patient, the privacy of the patient can be protected, and the patient data can be recorded when an endoscopic image is recorded. Further, since information other than the endoscope image is not displayed on the monitor, the operator can concentrate on observing the endoscope image.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an analog post-processing unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

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

In the analog post-processing unit 41 of this embodiment, a video signal is input from the D / A converter 24 as shown in FIG. Display controller 2 in Poser 42
6 together with the character signal output from
The character signal is superimposed by the control of (7).

Thereafter, the video signal divided for each external device is output to the external device via the video amplifiers 43a and 43b.

Here, a case where the data is output to a printer and a photographing device as external equipment will be described. In the electronic endoscope device 1, when both the printer and the photographing device are connected to the video processor 6 for recording, the output of the video signal of the video processor 6 is often shared,
In that case, each device is connected in series and recording is performed. Although not shown, each device is controlled by the CPU 27.

When the CPU 27 instructs the printer to record, the output of the superimposer 42 is selected. In the printer, recording is performed on paper, and at that time, recording is performed in substantially the same color tone as on the monitor.

In a photographing apparatus, recording is performed on a film. However, the sensitivity of the color of the film is different from that of a monitor or paper, and when recording is performed with the same output signal, the image at the time of observation or another recording medium is recorded. Since the image is recorded in a color tone different from that of the reproduced image, it is necessary to correct the color tone before recording. Therefore, when the photographing apparatus is instructed to perform recording, the output of the superimposer 42 is selected from the signals whose levels have been adjusted by the color tone adjustment amplifier 44. Thereafter, a video signal is output to the printer and the photographing device via the video amplifier 43b.

Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

As described above, in the present embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, conventionally, recording is performed at the same level both when recording on film and when recording on paper. It is possible to record in a color tone that matches the characteristics of the film.

[Appendix] (Appendix 1) An electronic endoscope comprising an electronic endoscope provided with an image pickup means and a video processor for performing signal processing on an endoscope image signal obtained by the image pickup means. In the mirror device, the video processor includes a display control unit configured to generate a signal to be superimposed on the endoscope image signal; a plurality of output units configured to output an endoscope image signal processed by the signal processing unit; An electronic endoscope apparatus comprising: signal processing means for performing signal processing for each output of a plurality of output means; and control means for controlling the display control means and the signal processing means.

(Additional Item 2) The electronic endoscope apparatus according to additional item 1, wherein the signal processing means controls superposition of a signal from the display control means.

(Appendix 3) The electronic endoscope apparatus according to appendix 2, wherein the signal of the display control means is a character signal.

(Additional Item 4) The electronic endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 1, wherein the signal processing means performs color tone change control.

(Additional Item 5) An additional item 4 characterized in that the signal subjected to the signal processing and the unprocessed signal can be selected and output according to an instruction from the control means.
An electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 1.

[0040]

As described above, according to the electronic endoscope apparatus of the present invention, since the control means controls the display control means and the signal processing means, the endoscope image suitable for the connected peripheral device is provided. Is output.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an electronic endoscope apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an analog post-processing unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an analog post-processing unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electronic endoscope apparatus 2 ... Insertion part 3 ... CCD 4 ... Electronic endoscope 5 ... Light source device 6 ... Video processor 7,8 ... Connector 9 ... Lamp 10 ... Rotating filter 11 ... Light guide 12 ... Dimming part 13 ... Aperture drive circuit 14 ... Illumination optical system 15 ... Objective lens system 16 ... Amplifier 17 ... CCD drive circuit 18 ... Imaging signal processing circuit 19 ... Dimming control circuit 20 ... Isolation unit 21 ... Analog pre-stage processing unit 22 ... A / D Converter 23 ... Digital processing unit 24 ... D / A converter 25 ... Analog post-processing unit 26 ... Display controller 27 ... CPU 28a, 28b ... Super imposers 29a, 29b ... Video amplifier

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] June 27, 1997

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0007

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0007]

An electronic endoscope apparatus according to the present invention comprises: an electronic endoscope having an image pickup means; a video processor for performing signal processing on an endoscope image signal obtained by the image pickup means. An electronic endoscope apparatus configured to include:
The video processor includes a display control unit configured to generate a signal to be superimposed on the endoscope image signal, a plurality of output units configured to output an endoscope image signal processed by the signal processing unit, and the plurality of output units. configured to include a signal processing means for performing signal processing for each output, and control means for controlling said signal processing means and said display control means.

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0012

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

The electronic endoscope 4 is connected to connectors 7 and 8
The light source device 5 and the video processor 6 are connected. The light source device 5 includes a lamp 9 that emits white light.
And a rotary filter 10 for converting the white light into red, blue, and green plane-sequential illumination light, and dimming the plane-sequential illumination light via the rotary filter 10 to pass through the electronic endoscope 4. A light control unit 12 that emits light to an incident end face provided on the connector 7 of the light guide 11 and a stop driving circuit 13 that controls light control of the light control unit 12 by driving a stop in the light control unit 12. Become. Frame sequential illumination light that by the rotary filter 10, a light guide 11 which extends through the inside of the insertion portion 2 of the electronic endoscope 4
The light guide 11 is transmitted from the incident end face of the
The illumination optical system 14 provided at the distal end of the light source irradiates the light to the observation site.

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0035

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Appendix] (Appendix 1) An electronic endoscope comprising an electronic endoscope provided with an imaging means and a video processor for performing signal processing on an endoscope image signal obtained by the imaging means. In the endoscope apparatus, the video processor is a display control unit that generates a signal to be superimposed on the endoscope image signal,
A plurality of output means for outputting an endoscope image signal processed by the signal processing means, a signal processing means for performing signal processing for each output of the plurality of output means, the display control means and the signal processing means An electronic endoscope apparatus comprising: a control unit for controlling.

[Procedure amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Explanation of sign

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Explanation of Signs] 1 ... Electronic endoscope device 2 ... Insertion part 3 ... CCD 4 ... Electronic endoscope 5 ... Light source device 6 ... Video processor 7,8 ... Connector 9 ... Lamp 10 ... Rotating filter 11 ... Light guide 12 ... Dimming unit 13 ... Aperture drive circuit 14 ... Illumination optical system 15 ... Objective lens system 16 ... Amplifier 17 ... CCD drive circuit 18 ... Imaging signal processing circuit 19 ... Dimming control circuit 20 ... Isolation unit 21 ... Analog pre-processing unit Reference Signs List 22 A / D converter 23 Digital processing unit 24 D / A converter 25 Analog post-processing unit 26 Display controller 27 CPU 28a, 28b Superimposer 29a, 29b Video amplifier 41 Analog post-processing Section 42: Super-imposers 43a, 43b: Video amplifier 44: Color tone adjustment amplifier

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An electronic endoscope apparatus comprising: an electronic endoscope having an imaging unit; and a video processor for performing signal processing on an endoscope image signal obtained by the imaging unit. A processor configured to generate a signal to be superimposed on the endoscope image signal; a plurality of output units outputting an endoscope image signal processed by the signal processing unit; and an output of the plurality of output units. An electronic endoscope apparatus comprising: a signal processing unit that performs signal processing for each of the display units; and a control unit that controls the display control unit and the signal processing unit.