KR101288629B1 - Endoscope system and the operating method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides an endoscope system for examining an internal body, comprising: a cover for accommodating an endoscope, the inside having a white surface; Is provided in the endoscope, the endoscope is supplied with a light source to obtain an image and receives the obtained image is converted into an image signal, when the endoscope is connected to the central processing unit to capture the image in the cover for white balance correction Camera; A white balance correction means installed in the central processing unit and configured to receive an image of the inside of the cover from the camera to adjust white balance; And control means installed in the central processing unit, for analyzing and processing the image image signal inside the cover controlled by the white balance correction means.
In addition, the present invention provides a method for performing an endoscope system for examining the body, comprising: providing an endoscope covered with a cover composed of a white surface inside the endoscope insertion unit; Connecting the endoscope to a central processing unit; Capturing an image in the cover by a camera exposed to an upper surface of the endoscope insert to correct white balance; Adjusting white balance by receiving an image of the inside of the cover from the camera by white balance correction means installed in the central processing unit; And analyzing and processing the image image signal inside the cover controlled by the white balance correction means by a control means installed in the central processing unit.

Description

Endoscopy system and its operation {ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM AND THE OPERATING METHOD THEREOF}

The present invention relates to an endoscope system and a method of operating the same, when an endoscope is connected to a central processing unit, a white balance is provided by receiving an image inside the cover from a camera and an image capturing an image in a cover accommodating the endoscope insert for white balance correction. It provides an endoscope system and a method of operation comprising a white balance correction means for adjusting the.

White balancing is an important feature that runs on all electronic endoscope and laparoscopic cameras before video endoscopy medical treatment. Normal our eyes compensate for lighting conditions with different color temperatures. The camera needs to find a reference point that represents white. Next, calculate all other colors based on that white point.

The R, G, B system is one of the basic color models used to specify colors in computer controlled cameras and software. In camera white balancing, a sensor on or in the camera automatically adjusts the color balance inside the camera to zero out any color bias generalized by averaging the light in the scene. By finding the difference between the white that the camera sees and the internal reference white, the camera can adjust for differences for all other colors, resulting in a more accurate and closer to natural color video image. Today, in advanced medical imaging devices that require vivid and accurate video images, the white balancing process is one of the essential steps.

The ability of accurate color representation of the image is highly dependent on the accuracy of the white balance performed prior to medical treatment. This is particularly important for laparoscopic and endoscopic cameras used in critical medical practice situations. Color reproducibility of images is very important when trying to distinguish between micropigmentation changes in tissues during metastasis and inflammation during cancer resection or diagnostic procedures.

Also, doctors often do not understand the importance of white balancing and use reference materials such as surgical gauze to actually set up corrections—in fact, full of holes and not real white. In addition, white balancing is performed in an open room with other light sources illuminating the "white" gauze sponge, which is problematic because it is an environment different from the internal situation of the human body taken with the light source of the endoscope device. These two mistakes cause an incorrect white balance point.

As a result, the generated video images have a color shifted from the actual color. In photography, this is bad. Medically, this is dangerous. In addition, doctors often hold the endoscope too close to the white target to distort the camera's light, or expose the white too far to indoor fluorescent lights and spotlights.

Another problem is that at present, white balancing of medical video endoscopes during medical procedures is not straightforward. The doctor should move in harmony with the nurse at the right time to achieve white balance. Often, the doctor will be forced to press the white balance button on the camera equipment. Therefore, the physician must synchronize with the nurse to press the instrument's white balance button while holding the endoscope toward the "white" gauze. This is often complicated and time consuming because the nurse is often busy when the doctor is ready for white balance or the doctor is busy when the nurse is ready for white balance. This is a waste of time.

Therefore, the present invention is to solve the problems raised in the prior art, when the endoscope probe is connected to the endoscope system, the camera automatically captures the image in the probe cover for white balancing correction, and do not operate a separate white balancing adjustment button The purpose of the present invention is to provide an endoscope system and a method of operating the same, which facilitates the automatic white balance adjustment.

In addition, the present invention is provided with a cover for receiving the endoscope insert is inserted into the patient's body, the endoscope system to prevent the contamination before use to prevent various infections through the endoscope to allow the patient to undergo an endoscopy more safely and The purpose is to provide a method of operation.

The present invention for achieving the above object is an endoscope system for inspecting the body, containing an insertion portion of the endoscope, the inside of the cover is composed of a white surface; Is provided in the endoscope, the endoscope is supplied with a light source to obtain an image and receives the obtained image is converted into an image signal, when the endoscope is connected to the central processing unit to capture the image in the cover for white balance correction Camera; A white balance correction means installed in the central processing unit and configured to receive an image of the inside of the cover from the camera and adjust a white balance; And control means installed in the central processing unit and analyzing and processing an image video signal inside the cover controlled by the white balance correction means.

In addition, the cover may be removable when the white balance adjustment of the image inside the cover is completed through the white balance correction means.

       The control unit may include: a connection recognition unit recognizing whether the endoscope is connected; an image analyzer analyzing the image signal adjusted by the white balance correction unit when the endoscope connection is recognized from the connection recognition unit; And a determination unit determining that the white balance adjustment of the image signal analyzed by the image analyzer is completed.

In addition, the inner white surface of the cover may include a special pattern.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of performing an endoscope system for examining an internal body, the method including: an endoscope insertion unit including an endoscope covered with a white surface; Connecting the endoscope to a central processing unit; Capturing an image in the cover by a camera exposed to an upper surface of the endoscope insert to correct white balance; Adjusting white balance by receiving an image of the inside of the cover from the camera by white balance correction means installed in the central processing unit; And analyzing and processing an image image signal inside the cover controlled by the white balance correction means, by a control means installed in the central processing unit.

In addition, when the camera exposed to the upper surface of the endoscope insertion portion to capture the image in the cover for white balance correction, the endoscope insertion portion recognizes the cover containing a special pattern, and automatically displays the image of the white surface I can image.

In addition, after the control means installed in the central processing unit analyzes and processes the image video signal inside the cover controlled by the white balance correction unit, the central processing unit completes the white balance adjustment of the video signal. Determining whether or not may further include.

The method may further include removing the cover after determining that the white balance adjustment of the analyzed video signal is completed.

As described above, according to the present invention, when the endoscope insertion unit is connected to the central processing unit, the camera automatically photographs the image in the cover for white balance correction, thereby automatically adjusting the white balance without operating a separate white balancing control button. It is effective to promote convenience.

In addition, the present invention has a cover that accommodates the endoscope insertion portion inserted into the body of the patient, by preventing the contamination before use to block various infections through the endoscope has the effect that the patient can be safely endoscopy.

1 is a structural diagram of an endoscope system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a detailed block diagram of an endoscope system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of performing an endoscope system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Matters concerning the operational effects, including the technical configuration of the endoscope system and its operation method according to the present invention will be clearly understood by the following detailed description with reference to the drawings showing preferred embodiments of the present invention.

Endoscope system

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, in the endoscope system 100 for examining the body, the insertion part 111 of the endoscope is accommodated, and the inside of the cover 120 includes a white surface, and the endoscope ( It is provided in the 110, the endoscope 110 is supplied with a light source to obtain an image and receives the obtained image is converted into a video signal, when the endoscope 110 is connected to the central processing unit 130, white balancing The camera 113 for capturing an image in the cover 120 and the CPU 130 are installed in the central processing unit 130 to adjust the white balance by receiving an image inside the cover 120 from the camera 113. Control means installed in the white balance correction means 140 and the central processing unit 130 to analyze and process the image image signal inside the cover 120 controlled by the white balance correction means 140 ( 150) And it may be made. That is, the control means 150 can apply the correction value obtained by the white balance correction means 140 to the actual endoscope image.

Here, the present invention is an invention for the endoscope 110 configured in the endoscope system 100, the general endoscope 110 includes an endoscope insertion unit 111, a central processing unit, a cable, a monitor 160, a connector, and the like. It can be done by. And endoscope 110 of the present invention may be related to the replaceable disposable endoscope 110.

The endoscope body, that is, the central processing unit 130 is connected to one side of the endoscope insertion portion 111, it is made to control the endoscope insertion portion 111 is inserted into the body.

The cable is connected to one side of the central processing unit 130 to supply a light source to the light source device provided in the endoscope insertion unit 111 and the data according to the image taken through the camera 113, or the central processing Control of the device 130 and transmits a variety of data, and is made to receive power, the monitor 160 is configured to display a variety of data received through the cable, the end of the device is provided separately from the outside and A connector is provided that connects to system 100.

The cover 120 accommodates the insertion portion 111 of the endoscope. In addition, the inside of the cover 120 may be composed of a white surface including a repetitive pattern of an artificial image (hereinafter, referred to as a 'special pattern') that cannot occur in a natural image for white balance correction. It may be made of an opaque synthetic resin that is not permeable. Meanwhile, the cover 120 is removed when the white balance adjustment of the image inside the cover 120 is completed through the white balance correction unit 140.

The camera 113 is inserted into or exposed in the endoscope insertion unit 111, and is provided at one end of the endoscope 110 that is inserted into the body of the patient, thereby irradiating light to the affected part of the patient. It is made to shoot an image.

Endoscope system 100 having the configuration as described above is due to the light source supplied through the cable inserted into the inside of the endoscope 110 after the endoscope 110 is inserted into the patient's body at the time of medical examination As the light from the endoscope 110 outputs the light source device to the affected part, the affected part becomes brighter. Thus, the image of the affected part is taken by the camera 113 provided with the endoscope 110 but having a series of lens groups. That is, the camera 113 supplies a light source to the endoscope 110 to acquire an image, receives the acquired image, converts the image signal into an image signal, and provides the image signal to the central processing unit 130. Meanwhile, the image of the affected part photographed by the camera 113 is converted into an electrical image signal through the central processing unit 130 and output to the monitor 160. Will be identified.

In addition, when the endoscope 110 is connected to the central processing unit 130, the camera 113 automatically photographs an image in the cover 120 for white balance correction. In this case, the camera 113 recognizes a special pattern in the cover 120 and irradiates focus uniformity with a special pattern to capture an image.

The white balance correction means 140 is installed in the central processing unit 130 and is an adjusting means that receives an image of the inside of the cover 120 from the camera 113 and adjusts the white balance to obtain an accurate color. In this case, the white balance refers to the overall correction of the intensity of the color (the main three primary colors of red, green, and blue) in the field of photography and image processing. The main purpose of this modification is to accurately represent certain colors, in particular neutral colors.

The control means 150 is installed in the central processing unit 130 to analyze and process the image image signal inside the cover 120 adjusted by the white balance correction means 140. The control means 150 is a connection recognition unit for recognizing whether the endoscope 110 is connected, when the connection of the endoscope 110 is recognized from the connection recognition unit, the image adjusted by the white balance correction means 140 And an image analyzing unit analyzing the signal and a determining unit determining that the white balance adjustment of the image signal analyzed by the image analyzing unit is completed.

Endoscopic System Operation Method

Referring to Figure 3, the method for operating the endoscope system 100 using the endoscope system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention as a method of performing the endoscope system 100 made of a configuration according to the embodiment described above Duplicate explanations are omitted.

First, the endoscope insertion unit 111 includes an endoscope 110 having a cover 120 formed of a white surface inside. (S100) The cover 120 accommodates the insertion unit 111 of the endoscope. And the inside of the cover 120 may be composed of a white surface including a special pattern, the material may be made of opaque synthetic resin that does not transmit light.

Next, the endoscope 110 is connected to the central processing unit 130. (S110) At this time, the control means 150 of the central processing unit 130 automatically recognizes the connection of the endoscope 110. .

Next, the camera 113 exposed on the upper surface of the endoscope insertion unit 111 captures an image in the cover 120 for white balance correction (S120). At this time, the camera 113 covers the cover. Recognizing the special pattern in the 120, and after the focus uniformity is examined with the special pattern to capture the image.

Next, the white balance correction means 140 installed in the central processing unit 130 receives the image inside the cover 120 from the camera 113 to adjust the white balance (S130).

Next, the control means 150 installed in the central processing unit 130 analyzes and processes the image video signal inside the cover 120 adjusted by the white balance correction means 140 (S140). The control unit outputs the corrected image as a result of the adjustment by the white balance correction unit 140.

Next, when it is determined from the central processing that the white balance adjustment of the analyzed video signal is completed, the cover 120 is removed.

As such, when the endoscope 110 is connected to the central processing unit 130, the camera 113 automatically photographs an image in the cover 120 for white balance correction, thereby providing a separate white balancing control button. For convenience, it automatically adjusts white balance without any operation. In addition, the present invention is provided with a cover 120 for receiving the endoscope insertion portion 111 is inserted into the patient's body, to prevent contamination before use to block various infections through the endoscope 110 more safely The patient may be examined for the endoscope 110.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention described above have been described in detail, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible therefrom.

Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the disclosed embodiments but should be regarded as belonging to various modifications and improvements of those skilled in the art using the basic concept of the present invention as defined in the following claims, or the scope of the present invention. .

100: endoscope system 110: endoscope
111: endoscope insertion 113: camera
120: cover 130: central processing unit
140: white balancing correction means 150: control means

Claims (8)

In the endoscope system for examining the body,
A cover for receiving the insertion portion of the endoscope, the inside of which is composed of a white surface;
Is provided in the endoscope, the endoscope is supplied with a light source to obtain an image and receives the obtained image is converted into an image signal, when the endoscope is connected to the central processing unit to capture the image in the cover for white balance correction Camera;
A white balance correction means installed in the central processing unit and configured to receive an image of the inside of the cover from the camera and adjust a white balance; And
Is installed in the central processing unit, including a control means for analyzing and processing the image video signal inside the cover adjusted by the white balance correction means,
The inner white surface of the cover includes a repeating pattern of an artificial image for white balancing correction,
And the camera recognizes the image pattern inside the cover and examines the focus uniformity with the recognized pattern, and then captures the image. The method of claim 1,
And the cover is removable when the white balance adjustment of the image inside the cover is completed through the white balance correction means. The method of claim 1,
Wherein,
A connection recognition unit recognizing whether the endoscope is connected;
An image analyzer analyzing the image signal adjusted by the white balance correction means when the endoscope connection is recognized from the connection recognition unit; And
A determination unit which determines that white balance adjustment of the image signal analyzed by the image analyzer is completed;
Endoscope system comprising a. delete In the method of performing the endoscope system for examining the body,
Providing an endoscope with a cover configured with a white surface inside the endoscope insertion unit;
Connecting the endoscope to a central processing unit;
Recognizing an image pattern in the cover including a repetitive pattern of an artificial image for white balancing correction by a camera exposed to the upper surface of the endoscope insertion unit and irradiating focus uniformity with the recognized pattern;
Photographing, by the camera, an image pattern in the cover;
Adjusting white balance by receiving an image of the inside of the cover from the camera by white balance correction means installed in the central processing unit; And
And controlling, by the control means, installed in the central processing unit, to analyze and process the image video signal inside the cover controlled by the white balance correction means. delete 6. The method of claim 5,
After the control means installed in the central processing unit analyzes and processes the image video signal inside the cover controlled by the white balance correction means,
The central processing apparatus further comprises the step of determining that the white balance adjustment of the video signal is completed. 6. The method of claim 5,
After determining that the white balance adjustment of the analyzed video signal is completed,
And removing the cover.

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