JPS6199484A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate adjusting the white balance by providing a light guide which guides an illuminating light, a photodetector which receives the illuminating light passing this light guide, and a signal transmission member to which the output of the photodetector is led in an endoscope which converts an optical image to an electric signal to obtain a color picture signal. CONSTITUTION:Three primary colors from light sources are made incident on a light guide 2 successively at prescribed timings to irradiate an object. The reflected light from the object is made incident on a solid-state image pickup element 24 through an observation window 16, and the picture signal of each of three primary colors is amplified by a preamplifier 41 and is subjected to a prescribed signal processing by a preprocess circuit 42 and is stored in a frame memory 44. Picture data outputted from the frame memory 44 is subjected to D/A conversion and is subjected to a prescribed signal processing by a main process circuit 46 and is converted to a television signal and is outputted to a monitor. In the main process circuit 46, the strength of the picture signal of each of three primary colors is adjusted to attain the white balance.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] Does this invention apply to optical images? For electrical signals! The present invention relates to an endoscope that obtains color image signals by converting the color image signals.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, when obtaining a color image signal with an endoscope equipped with a solid-state imaging device at the tip of the endoscope insertion section, as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 53-90685, it has been necessary to miniaturize the device. In order to improve the resolution, a so-called color-sequential color imaging method is used. In the case of such a color imaging method, illumination light of two colors is guided to the distal end of the endoscope through a light guide to illuminate the subject.

- In color imaging, white balance adjustment is performed to correct differences in the vector distribution of illumination light due to differences in imaging conditions and to obtain an appropriate color image 12.

Again, light guide? Among endoscopes for illumination, there are known endoscopes in which the original intensity of the light source is monitored by a light receiving element provided in the light source.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

In the case of the above-mentioned conventional technology, if the spectral distribution of the illumination light changes due to aging of the light source or yellowing of the light guide, the color balance of the color image will be disrupted and accurate color reproduction will no longer be possible. There is a drawback.

The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and provide an endoscope capable of color imaging with good color reproducibility.

[Means for solving problems]

This endoscope is used to photoelectrically convert an optical image, create a television signal, and monitor it as a color image.It receives the illumination light coming out of the light guide and outputs the received light. This is an endoscope that guides the patient to the outside using a signal transmission member.

[Effect]

In this internal detection, a light-receiving element detects the illumination source canopy where the light has passed, and the data is output to a white balance adjustment circuit using a signal transmission member.

[Actual example] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

A first embodiment of this invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 3.

The tip 7 of the inner coal 9.1 is a movable cylinder that forms a 5-point curve as shown in Fig. 2! %I9 is rotatably connected, withered introverted fixed node ring 10'rl] Akebono ℃.

A main body 11 is fitted into the tip of the fixed joint 10 and fixed with a screw 12.

A cylindrical body 13 made of an electrically insulating material such as synthetic resin or comb is fitted into the inner periphery and fixed with screws 14 . The main body 11 has an illumination window 15 and an observation window 181.
6 is formed.

In addition, the main body 11. c is a mounting hole 17 and a second mounting hole 18 with one end facing each other in the interval 815 and y 816.
and are drilled in the axial direction. A holder 19 is fitted into the first attachment hole 17, and the tip portion of a light guide (LG) 2 made of an optical 2-red bundle is held in this F+ storage tube 19. A light receiving element 3 is provided close to the output end of the light kite 2. In addition, the second mounting hole 18
An objective lens system 22 held in a first holder 21 is disposed inside this, and an electronic component held in a second holder 23 facing this XR object/lens system 22 is provided. A solid-state image sensor 24 is provided protruding from the rear end surface of the main body 11. This solid-state imaging pushbutton 24 includes a paracane 25 and a half 41 provided on this pack 225.
4. The chip 26 is made of a transparent glass filter 27 that covers the chip 26.

The second holder 23 is fixed to the main body 11 with screws 28.

One end portion of a seven-dimensional printed circuit board 29, which is an electronic component, is electrically connected to and distributed over the paracane 25 of the solid-state image sensor 24.

This printed circuit board 29 is curved and other i:h
The cylindrical body 13vCFA is fixed by a screw 31vC via a fixing nut 30-7 provided at i'A.

1r), the purinoro 29 is housed in the cylindrical body 13. Furthermore, the printed circuit board 29 is equipped with a plurality of electronic components (2 is taken) forming, for example, a blind circuit, and the output from the light receiving element 3 is connected to 4 (a lead wire t71 which is a signal transmission member). In addition, the fixed end side fi'(VC) is connected to the lead wire 33 and is protected by the electrically insulating t! 1. The output of the element 24 and the output of the fluorescent lamp 3) After various processes are performed on the electronic components 32 provided on the printed circuit board 29, the output is sent to the reader device 33 within ℃ temperature range. The light guide 2 is attached to the printed circuit board 29.
A through hole 35 is formed through which it is inserted.

Further, at the rear end portion of the fixed node ring 10, a pair of mounting portions 36 having a part of the peripheral wall protruding inward in the opposite direction are provided at one point in the circumferential direction.
These mounting portions 36, which are formed 80 degrees apart, have operating wires 3 that are pushed and pulled by the overlapping angle knobs.
The tip of 7 is solidified and is colored in ℃. Therefore, the operating wire 3
By pushing and pulling 7, the curved portion 6 is bent and the direction of the tip 7 is changed. It can be changed.

In addition, 38 in A is the outer skin of the insertion part of the endoscope 1;
91″T grade, 40 is a tip part 70 body made of a temporary elastic material.

This will be explained using the 4A case of the 2gl embodiment in FIG. Solid-state photography 1! Element 24(') output is Bria/P41Y
! The signal is input to the −r°C transition circuit 42, converted into a digital signal by the A/D conversion circuit 43, and stored. 7 frames + 7944 yen
The ITJ Ken data is converted into analog No. 13 lK by D/A resolution (D/A) 645, and outputted to the monitor through 46 May/Busses circuits.Illumination is from a light source (not shown) with the three primary colors of Oki Ryokuken. ), (I) The object is illuminated through the light guide 2.

The three primary color sources from a light source (not shown) are +14 at a predetermined timing.
Next, light enters the id 2 and illuminates the subject. The reflected light from the subject is reflected from the inspection window 16vh''C solid-state imaging element 2.
ii! of each of the three primary colors mentioned above. ii. The source signal is multiplied and processed by the preprocessor 7/p41, and subjected to predetermined signal processing by the preprocessor 1gl path 42.
3. 1 each is stored in 5- This frame mech 44 has '6:N%k for each primary color, and when the image data of the 3 primary colors is complete, it is outputted at 4 o'clock IC. , this picture I
The image data is converted into a D/A converter and sent to the main process circuit 46.
1g processing is performed according to the Fli standard, and the signal is output on a TV 13 projection monitor.

In addition, signals corresponding to 51 of the three primary color elements incident on the nine optical elements 3 are sequentially inputted to the ME/B and JS circuits 46 for each primary color. From the 1st VC of these three light receiving elements,
In the main process circuit 46, white balance is achieved by adjusting the I'Ii of the 1jii image signals of each of the three primary colors.

With the endoscope shown in this embodiment, the intensity of the illumination light is constantly monitored at the output end of the light guide, and the white balance is maintained, so the color temperature of the illumination light is monitored due to changes over time and yellowing of the light guide. Even if the reproduction image changes, the reproduced image will always have good color reproducibility and image judgment based on one color will be accurate.

In short, the second actual sleeve example of this invention, No. 4I;! This will be explained based on J. Here, the same members as in the first example are attached with the same bow holder, and repeated explanation will be omitted.

Part of the illumination light from Flea Elite Guide 2 in this example of a sieve?
Optical fiber 50? The light is input to the light receiving element 3 via the light receiving element 3.

As a result, the position of the light-receiving element 3 is not limited by the output iK of the light guide 2, and the dead space at the inner solder tip can be effectively used to arrange the receiver f and the element 3, making it possible to reduce the diameter of the tip. .

Furthermore, a third embodiment of the present invention will be explained based on FIG.
"f"ru. Also here, explanations of parts similar to those in the above-described embodiment will be omitted.

In this British artillery array, a part of the illumination light from the light guide 2 is inputted to a part of the light receiving part of the solid image Katsuko 24 via the onotic fiber 50.

Solid IR <i')! The output of the A element 24 is converted into an image signal and an illumination light monitor signal by the main process circuit 46, and the white balance of the image signal is determined by the illumination light monitor signal.

In this 'A Fa 911 endoscope, the light receiving element is also used as a solid-state image sensor, and it also monitors the illumination light (the transmission t-b material of No. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the diameter of the endoscope insertion section.

Furthermore, °a fourth example of this invention? The explanation will be based on FIG. Here too, the part similar to the above-mentioned Mei Harashiri and the Giant 1)
The explanation will be omitted.

In this embodiment, the optical beam from the object (1 is the observation window 16
Image guide 51 through 8'? The light then enters the solid-state image sensor 24 through the laser beam 52.

Furthermore, the illumination light is transmitted from the light guide 2 to the optical power 7.
Illumination light from the image guide 51 is guided to the image guide 51 via the eyeglass 50 (or optical fiber 53?). The light is incident on the light receiving element 3 via the light receiving element 3.

The endoscope shown in this embodiment uses an image guide 51tj, and in this case, yellowing of the image guide 51 is also removed, so accurate white balance adjustment is possible.

Note that the endoscope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments (the position of the light receiving element may be changed as appropriate). It's not something that can be used for long periods of time, but something that can be used for medical purposes, engineering, etc.

Furthermore, the method of colorization is not limited to the color sequential method, but also the method using a color filter in front of the solid-state camera element.
Also, an imaging tube may be used as the imaging means.

[Effect of the invention J] According to this invention, changes in the color tA degree of illumination light due to yellowing of the light guide, etc. can be monitored, and easily 11 wide variations /
Endoscopic images with good color reproducibility and high resolution? Get it, be able to do it.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

@Figure 1 is this invention? The explanatory diagrams, Figure @2, are cross-sectional views showing the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the main part showing the second embodiment of this invention, FIG. FIG. 1...inside [i, 2-light guide, 3...light receiving element, 4
・Signal transmission member

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] An endoscope that converts an optical image into an electrical signal to create a color image signal and monitors the same, includes a light guide that guides illumination light, and a light receiver that receives the illumination light that has passed through the light guide. What is claimed is: 1. An endoscope comprising: a light-receiving element; and a signal transmission member that guides the output of the light-receiving element.