JP2016158886A - Endoscope and endoscope system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve convenience of a user by outputting an image of a region of an affected part and the like after fog correction processing even with display delay, when fog is generated, and on the other hand, by outputting a high picture quality image of a region of an affected part and the like without fog correction processing when fog is not generated, according to an imaging condition of the affected part.SOLUTION: In an endoscope system 5, in the case where fog is not generated in an affected part, a camera control unit 15, according to a state of a head switch 19, performs normal correction processing with respect to an image imaged by an endoscope. In the case where fog is generated in the periphery of the affected part by laser ablation and the like, a user operates the head switch 19 to ON, and performs instruction with respect to the camera control unit 15 so as to switch to perform fog correction processing with respect to the image imaged by the endoscope 10. In the case where fog correction processing is performed, compared to normal correction processing, display delay of equal to or more than one frame occurs to the image of the affected part displayed on a monitor 16, however, a situation where the affected part becomes invisible due to the fog can be avoided, and the user can continue surgery without interruption.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope and an endoscope system that display captured images.

  Conventionally, when a large amount of water vapor or smoke is generated in, for example, laser ablation surgery while an endoscope is imaging an affected area in a human body, in order for a doctor to appropriately view the state of the entire affected area, The operation was interrupted, such as stopping the laser ablation process until the water vapor or smoke disappeared.

  On the other hand, a technique is known in which vibration is applied to a scope portion of an endoscope and fogging generated in a photographing window provided at the distal end is removed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In addition, an insufflation apparatus that detects smoke generated in the abdominal cavity from an in-vivo image captured by an endoscope, supplies air supply gas for inflating the abdominal cavity, and discharges smoke generated in the abdominal cavity to the outside of the body. A technique of controlling and removing smoke is also known (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  Further, a technique for performing fog correction processing as an example of image processing is already known so that fog generated around the subject is not visible on the image captured by the camera (for example, non-patent literature). 1). In this fog correction process, the brightness histogram is flattened in order to increase the contrast of the entire screen, which has been lowered due to the concentration of the brightness histogram in the intermediate gradation due to the occurrence of fog.

JP 2009-125188 A JP 11-318909 A

Tetsuo Tanaka, Satoshi Ikeda, “Development of fog correction processing for network cameras”, [online], Panasonic Technical Journal Vol.59 No.2 Nov. 2013, [Search February 22, 2015], Internet <URL: http : //panasonic.co.jp/ptj/v5902/pdf/p0111.pdf>

  However, in the case of physically removing the cloudiness generated in the subject (for example, the affected part in the body and its surroundings) of the image captured by the endoscope, the vibration generating device shown in Patent Document 1 and the air stomach described in Patent Document 2 are used. The configuration of the endoscope system becomes complicated by attaching a device or the like, and the number of parts increases.

  In general, when the fog correction processing shown in Non-Patent Document 1 is performed, a processing delay occurs due to a display load caused by image processing. Further, the image that was subjected to the fog correction process was slightly degraded in image quality as compared to the image that was not subjected to the fog correction process. For this reason, conventionally, fog correction processing has not been performed on an image captured by an endoscope.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional situation. Depending on the imaging state of the affected area, the image of the site of the affected area or the like after the fog correction process even if there is a display delay when fog is occurring On the other hand, when fog is not generated, a high-quality image of a site such as an affected part without fog correction processing is output, and an endoscope and an endoscope system that improve user convenience are provided. With the goal.

  The present invention includes a scope unit that has an imaging window at the tip and transmits an optical image incident from the imaging window, and a camera head unit that includes an imaging device that captures an optical image transmitted through the scope unit. A control device that performs fog correction processing on an image captured by the endoscope, the image sensor, a display device that displays an image output from the control device, and the control device that performs the fog correction processing. A switch for instructing whether to execute or not, and the control device executes the fog correction processing on the image when the execution of the fog correction processing is instructed in response to pressing of the switch, The endoscope system outputs the image without executing the fog correction process when an instruction is given to not execute the fog correction process.

  The present invention also includes a scope unit that has an imaging window at the tip, transmits an optical image incident from the imaging window, and a camera head unit that includes an imaging device that captures an optical image transmitted through the scope unit. An endoscope provided with a switch provided on the camera head unit and instructing whether or not to perform fog correction processing on an image captured by the imaging device.

  According to the present invention, when fog is generated, it is possible to quickly obtain an image that can visually recognize a site such as an affected part even if there is a display delay. On the other hand, when fog is not generated, a site such as an affected part can be displayed. A captured image can be obtained with an appropriate image quality. Thereby, fog correction processing can be applied to an image captured by an endoscope, which has not been performed conventionally.

The figure which shows an example of a structure of the endoscope system of this embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the appearance of a camera head The figure which shows an example of the external appearance of a camera control apparatus The figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of a camera head The figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of a camera control apparatus The figure which shows an example of the screen of the monitor where the setting change menu is displayed The figure explaining an example of the gap of the timing at the time of fog correction processing The flowchart which shows an example of the correction process procedure of a camera control apparatus Schematic diagram showing an example of an image of a subject including an affected part imaged by an endoscope displayed on a monitor

  Hereinafter, an embodiment (hereinafter referred to as this embodiment) that specifically discloses an endoscope system and an endoscope according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The endoscope system and endoscope of this embodiment are used for observing an affected part in a body such as a person's abdominal cavity during surgery.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an endoscope system 5 according to the present embodiment. An endoscope system 5 shown in FIG. 1 includes an endoscope 10, a camera control device 15, a monitor 16 as an example of a display device, and a light source 17 for illumination. The endoscope 10 is used for observing an affected part in the body, and includes a scope 11, a mount adapter 12, a relay lens 13, a camera head 14, a head switch 19, and a light source input unit 18.

  The scope 11 as an example of the scope part is a main part of a rigid endoscope inserted into the body, for example, and is an elongated light guide member capable of guiding light from the end to the tip. The scope 11 has a photographing window 11z at the tip, and a central portion where a bundle of optical fibers through which an optical image incident from the photographing window 11z is transmitted is disposed so as to surround the optical fiber bundle. It has a structure in which an optical fiber that guides the light L to the tip is integrated. An optical material such as optical glass or optical plastic is used for the photographing window 11z.

  The mount adapter 12 is a member for attaching the scope 11 to the camera head 14. Various scopes can be detachably attached to the mount adapter 12. A light source input unit 18 is attached to the mount adapter 12. The light source input unit 18 is detachably connected to a light guide cable 17z for guiding light from the light source 17 to the scope 11, and enters the light from the light source 17 and guides it to the scope 11 side.

  The light source 17 is a light source having an LED (Light Emitting Diode) with a dimming function. Instead of the LED light source, for example, a light source such as a laser or a halogen lamp and a diaphragm spring may be provided, and light emitted from the light source may be dimmed by the diaphragm spring.

  The relay lens 13 converges an optical image transmitted through the scope 11 on the imaging surface, has a plurality of lenses, and performs focus adjustment and magnification adjustment by moving these lenses.

  A camera head 14 as an example of a camera head unit includes an imaging element 50 (see FIG. 4) such as a CCD (Charged Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) that converts an optical image formed on an imaging surface into an image signal. Is incorporated, and the imaging signal (video signal) from the imaging device 50 and each information signal in the camera head 14 (for example, including the on / off signal of the head switch 19) are multiplexed. The data is sent to the camera control device 15 via the extension cable 14z. In addition, the camera head 14 demodulates the power supply, the drive signal, and the setting signal to each circuit of the multiplexed image sensor 50 input from the camera control device 15 via the head extension cable 14z.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of the camera head 14. The camera head 14 has, for example, a square block-shaped housing, and a head switch 19 is provided on one surface (for example, the upper surface in FIG. 2). The head switch 19 is waterproof and is a push button switch that turns on and off an internal electric circuit (not shown) every time it is pressed in a direction perpendicular to the surface. When the electric circuit is turned on (that is, the on signal of the head switch 19 is output), the fog correction process is executed, and the internal electric circuit is turned off (that is, the off signal of the head switch 19 is The camera control device 15 is instructed not to execute the fog correction process. As will be described later, a signal whose internal electric circuit is turned on by pressing the head switch 19 is multiplexed with a video signal from the image pickup device 50 and is transmitted to the camera control device 15 via the head extension cable 14z. Is transmitted. On the other hand, the signal in which the internal electric circuit is turned off by pressing the head switch 19 is not multiplexed with the video signal from the image sensor 50 and is transmitted as it is to the camera control device 15 via the head extension cable 14z. The

  The camera control device 15 multiplexes the power supply of the image sensor 50, the drive signal, and the setting signal to each circuit, and sends the multiplexed signal to the camera head 14 via the head extension cable 14z, and the camera head via the head extension cable 14z. 14, the multiplexed video signal and each information signal (including the on / off signal of the head switch 19) in the camera head 14 are demodulated. The camera control device 15 extracts the on / off signal of the head switch 19 and performs a correction process to be described later on the video signal in accordance with the on / off signal, and the corrected video signal is suitable for the display format of the monitor 16 Convert to video signal. The camera control device 15 sends this video signal to the monitor 16 via the signal cable 15z.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of the camera control device 15. A camera setting change button 40 is provided on the front surface of the housing of the camera control device 15. The camera setting change button 40 includes a left / right up / down button 41 and a confirm button 42 respectively represented by arrows.

  For example, a gain setting value is determined in a setting adjustment menu (see FIG. 6), which will be described later, according to the operation amount of the camera setting change button 40. For example, among the left / right up / down buttons 41 of the camera setting change button 40, the gain setting value is updated by pressing the right button, and the gain setting values are decreased by pressing the left button. Updated to Further, the position of the correction detection area frame 20 is determined in the menu for moving the correction detection area frame 20 (see FIG. 9) according to the operation amount of the camera setting change button 40. For example, the correction detection area frame 20 moves to the right by pressing the right button of the left and right upper and lower buttons 41 of the camera setting change button 40, and moves to the left by pressing the left button. The correction detection area frame 20 moves upward when the upper button is pressed, and moves downward when the lower button is pressed.

  The confirm button 42 is used when confirming a parameter input in the setting change menu. For example, in the setting change menu displayed on the monitor 16 (see FIG. 6), when the operation of the confirmation button 42 is accepted for an item to which a star mark has been added, the screen of the monitor 16 transitions to a lower hierarchy. When the operation of the confirm button 42 is accepted in the item “END” shown in FIG. 6, the setting change menu screen is hidden from the monitor 16, and the original screen is displayed. The confirmation button 42 is also used when changing various settings.

  The monitor 16 inputs the video signal imaged by the endoscope 10 and output from the camera control device 15 via the signal cable 15z, and displays an image based on the video signal on the display panel.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the camera head 14. The camera head 14 illustrated in FIG. 4 includes an image sensor 50, various image sensor drive signal generation circuits 51, a signal multiplex transmission circuit 53, and a multiplex signal demodulation circuit 52. The signal multiplex transmission circuit 53 multiplexes the video signal from the image sensor 50 and each information signal (including the on / off signal of the head switch 19) in the camera head 14, and the multiplexed signal is transmitted to the head extension cable 14z. Is sent to the camera control device 15. The multiplexed signal demodulating circuit 52 demodulates the power supply, the drive signal, and the setting signal to each circuit input from the camera control device 15 via the head extension cable 14z, and various kinds of imaging elements. Output to the drive signal generation circuit 51.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the camera control device 15. The camera control device 15 shown in FIG. 5 includes a multiplex signal demodulation circuit 60, a signal multiplex transmission circuit 61, a camera synchronization signal generation circuit 81, a pre-processing unit 71, a signal amplification processing unit 65, a YC separation processing / RGB conversion unit 72, A correction processing unit 73, gain level adjustment units 69 and 74, an area detection processing unit 77, an area generation unit 75, and a fog detection data addition / average / storage unit 78 are provided. 6 includes an encoder processing unit 80, an area display signal replacement mixing / selection unit 76, a menu character generation unit 79, a control unit 83, a data storage unit 84, an external switch 88, and an external communication. Part 82 is provided. The external switch 88 includes a camera setting change button 40 (see FIG. 3).

  The pre-processing unit 71 performs noise removal, color separation processing using a pixel filter array, and the like on the video signal (that is, the image sensor signal) input from the camera head 14.

  The signal amplification processing unit 65 performs signal processing such as amplification on the image sensor signal performed by the preprocessing unit 71.

  The gain level adjustment unit 69 adjusts the amplification factor (that is, gain) of the image sensor signal in accordance with the set value from the control unit 83.

  The YC separation processing / RGB conversion unit 72 separates the luminance signal (Y signal) and the color signal (C signal) from the video signal from the signal amplification processing unit 65 and converts the color signal into an RGB signal. Further, the YC separation processing / RGB conversion unit 72 outputs the separated Y signal to the area display signal replacement mixing / selection unit 76 via the correction processing unit 73.

  The correction processing unit 73 generates color difference signals (R−Y), (G−Y), and (B−Y) using the RGB signals input from the YC separation processing / RGB conversion unit 72, and sends them to the encoder processing unit 80. Output.

  The gain level adjustment unit 74 adjusts the gain of a circuit that can divide and set the input level for each region in accordance with the set value from the control unit 83 with respect to the correction processing unit 73. Further, the gain level adjustment unit 74 adjusts to different gains in a normal correction process and a fog correction process described later. The setting value from the control unit 83 that is the gain adjustment source is determined by the operation amount of the camera setting change button 40 in the setting change menu shown in FIG. For example, of the left and right up / down buttons 41 of the camera setting change button 40, the setting value of each gain is updated by pressing the right button, and the setting value of each gain is decreased by pressing the left button. As updated. The setting value set by the camera setting change button 40 or the setting value read by the control unit 83 is stored in the data storage unit 84.

  The data storage unit 84 has a correction value storage area 84z. In the correction value storage area 84z, both the gain setting value in the normal correction process and the gain setting value in the fog correction process are stored.

  The area generation unit 75 generates a display area frame signal based on the area designation coordinates input from the control unit 83, and converts the display area frame signal into an area display signal replacement mixing / selection unit 76 and fog detection data addition / average / The data is output to the storage unit 78. The display area frame signal is a signal for displaying the correction detection area frame 20 (see FIG. 9) on the display panel of the monitor 16. The size of the correction detection area frame 20 can be arbitrarily set as will be described later. For example, when the diameter of the scope 11 is small and the photographing range is narrow, the range for performing the fog correction process is also narrowed, so the size of the correction detection area frame 20 is set to a small (proper) value. Further, the correction detection area frame 20 may be arbitrarily set by the user's designation, or may be set by automatic detection of the scope diameter, and further, the correction detection area frame 20 of the scope 11 among a plurality of patterns registered in advance. It may be set to correspond to the diameter.

  When the display area frame signal is input from the area generation unit 75, the area display signal replacement mixing / selection unit 76 mixes the display area frame signal with the Y signal from the YC separation processing / RGB conversion unit 72 and performs encoder processing. To the unit 80. Further, when the area display signal replacement mixing / selecting unit 76 inputs the area display switching designation coordinates from the control unit 83, the area display signal replacement mixing / selecting unit 76 determines the position of the correction detection area frame 20 according to the coordinate information.

  The area display switching designated coordinates are determined by the operation amount of the camera setting change button 40 in the menu for moving the correction detection area frame 20. For example, the correction detection area frame 20 moves to the right by pressing the right button of the left and right upper and lower buttons 41 of the camera setting change button 40, and moves to the left by pressing the left button. The correction detection area frame 20 moves upward by pressing the upper button, and moves downward by pressing the lower button.

  The area detection processing unit 77 detects an area where fog is generated from the color signal from the YC separation processing / RGB conversion unit 72 (that is, the display area of the correction detection area frame 20), and the result is obtained. Output to the fog detection data addition / average / storage unit 78.

  The fog detection data addition / average / storage unit 78 detects the fog for the display area of the portion where fog is detected, which is detected by the area detection processing unit 77 based on the display area frame signal input from the area generation unit 75. Add the data, calculate the average and statistical frequency (statistical data), and save the results.

  The menu character generator 79 generates character data for menu display in accordance with the character display designation input from the controller 83.

  The camera synchronization signal generation circuit 81 generates an image sensor drive signal for driving the image sensor 50 in the camera head 14, a signal processing synchronization signal and a vertical synchronization signal used in the operation of each unit.

  The external communication unit 82 communicates with an external device (for example, a computer), and enables selection of a display area by the external device and capture of pixel information or color space information of the selected display area by the external device. Here, the display area selected by the external device is not limited to one, and a plurality of display areas may be simultaneously provided. Since the camera control device 15 includes the external communication unit 82, it is possible to perform key operations on the external device side in addition to key operations performed alone, and the degree of freedom of operation is improved. For example, it is possible to interactively select a display area by using a mouse pointer or GUI, perform color correction, and change and save the settings of the camera control device 15.

  The control unit 83 controls the operation of each unit of the camera control device 15, and is used in the operation of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a program memory in which a control program for operating the CPU is stored, and the CPU. It has RAM (Random Access Memory) and peripheral I / O (Input / Output) for connecting with peripheral devices. Further, an external switch 88 including a camera setting change button 40 is connected to the control unit 83. The controller 83 gives a character display designation to the menu character generator 79. In addition, the control unit 83 communicates with a computer that is an external device via the external communication unit 82 so that the camera control device 15 can be controlled on the computer side.

  Further, the control unit 83 reads the statistical data and the luminance level stored in the fog detection data addition / average / storage unit 78, calculates a gain setting value used in the fog correction process, and sets the gain. The value is set in the gain level adjustment unit 74. Note that the fog correction process is a known technique as shown in Non-Patent Document 1, for example, and includes various processes. For example, in the fog correction process, in order to increase the contrast of the entire screen, which is reduced by the concentration of the brightness histogram due to the occurrence of fog in the middle gradation, the correction process setting value (here, (Gain setting value) is changed. Further, in the correction value storage area 84z of the data storage unit 84, the set values of the gains in the normal correction process and the fog correction process calculated by the control unit 83 are stored.

  Thus, the control unit 83 reads the gain setting value during the normal correction process from the correction value storage area 84z when the off signal of the head switch 19 is output, and on the other hand when the on signal of the head switch 19 is output. The gain setting value at the time of fog correction processing can be read from the correction value storage area 84z and set in the gain level adjustment unit 74 instantaneously. Note that the gain change performed at the time of switching between the normal correction process and the fog correction process may also be performed by the gain level adjustment unit 69.

  An imaging operation using the endoscope 10 in the endoscope system 5 having the above configuration will be described.

  First, a user (for example, a doctor who performs an operation or a collaborator thereof) detects an area 30 (see FIG. 5) detected in the correction detection area frame 20 from the image of the subject including the affected part TG displayed on the screen of the monitor 16. 9), an operation for changing the set values of the respective units of the camera control device 15 is performed. In accordance with a predetermined operation by the user, the control unit 83 designates character display on the menu character generation unit 79 and causes the monitor 16 to display a setting change menu.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the screen of the monitor 16 on which the setting change menu is displayed. For example, the setting change menu displayed on the screen of the monitor 16 at the time of setup includes menu items such as “CAMERA ID”, “ELC”, “SHUTTER”, “GAIN”, “NKEE”, “END”, and the like. . For example, an item to which a star mark is added indicates that there is a lower hierarchy. When the confirmation button 42 is pressed for an item to which a star mark has been added by a user operation, the screen of the monitor 16 transitions to a lower hierarchy.

  The user checks the setting change menu displayed on the screen of the monitor 16 and makes various settings / changes to the camera control device 15. For example, when performing color correction, when the user selects “NKEE” from the setting change menu, the control unit 83 displays an NKEE screen (not shown) on the monitor 16. The NKEE screen is a screen on the first layer of the setting change menu, and includes items NKEE POINT and NKEE LEVEL. On the NKEE screen, the camera control device 15 displays the parameters of NKEE to be adjusted.

  Further, when the confirmation button 42 is pressed in each of the items “CAMERA ID”, “ELC”, “SHUTTER”, “GAIN”, and “SHUTTER” by the user's operation, the camera ID and the illumination are displayed on the screen of the monitor 16. The shutter and gain setting values can be adjusted or changed. When the operation of the confirmation button 42 is accepted in the item “END”, the screen of the monitor 16 deletes the setting change menu and transitions to the original screen.

  In the present embodiment, the camera control device 15 sets the correction detection area frame 20 including the region 30 where the fog correction process is performed on the image of the subject including the affected part TG displayed on the screen of the monitor 16. When the camera control device 15 changes the setting value (here, the gain setting value) of fog correction processing performed on the region 30 detected in the correction detection area frame 20, the luminance of the region 30 is It is determined which area of the knee area is included, the gain is adjusted for each corresponding area, and the signal of each area is synthesized after this adjustment.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of a timing shift during fog correction processing. In the figure, for example, squares indicate frames, and black squares indicate frames for the same captured image. When normal correction processing or fog correction processing is performed on the input video image and the image is output as output video, the fog correction processing is performed on the previous frame image, that is, fog detection data addition is performed. Since the calculation is performed based on the statistical data obtained by the averaging / storing unit 78, the image after the fog correction process is output as an output video with a delay of at least one frame compared to the normal correction process.

  In switching from the normal correction process to the fog correction process, when the user turns on the head switch 19 (for example, when the head switch 19 is pressed an odd number of times), the camera control device 15 follows a predetermined algorithm. Thus, the gain setting value is instantaneously switched to the correction processing setting value so as to obtain an optimum combination for the fog correction processing. Accordingly, the user can intuitively adjust the setting value (in this case, the gain setting value) of the fog correction process without having specialized knowledge.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the correction processing procedure of the camera control device 15. The control unit 83 in the camera control device 15 takes in the state of the head switch 19 (in other words, whether the electric circuit in the head switch 19 is on or off) (S1). Thereby, the control unit 83 detects whether or not the head switch 19 is pressed by a user operation (S2). When the head switch 19 is not depressed (S2, NO), the control unit 83 proceeds to the process of step S4 as it is. On the other hand, when the head switch 19 is pressed (S2, YES), the control unit 83 changes the presence / absence of fog correction processing (S3).

  The controller 83 determines whether or not to perform fog correction processing (S4). When the head switch 19 is OFF, that is, when fog correction processing is not performed (S4, NO), the control unit 83 performs normal correction processing (fog correction) stored in the correction value storage area 84z of the data storage unit 84. Various setting values of “no processing” are read (S5).

  On the other hand, when the head switch 19 is on (S4, YES), that is, when performing fog correction processing, the control unit 83 performs various types of fog correction processing stored in the correction value storage area 84z of the data storage unit 84. A set value is read (S6). Here, a case where the set values of various correction processes are set values of gains (gains) is shown as an example. In the normal correction process and the fog correction process, in addition to changing the gain setting value for the gain level adjustment unit 74, the gain setting value for the gain level adjustment unit 69 may be changed.

  The control unit 83 sets the gain setting values read in steps S5 and S6 in the gain level adjustment units 69 and 74 (S7). When the gain setting value is set in the gain level adjustment unit 69, the signal amplification processing unit 65 adjusts the gain of the video signal output from the preprocessing unit 71, and the gain level adjustment unit 74 sets the gain value. When the set value is set, the correction processing unit 73 adjusts the gain of the color difference signal.

  The encoder processing unit 80 mixes the color difference signal corrected by the correction processing unit 73, the display area frame signal from the area display signal replacement mixing / selection unit 76, and the Y signal from the YC separation processing / RGB conversion unit 72. The received signals are input, these signals are changed to video signals suitable for the display format of the monitor 16, and output to the monitor 16. The monitor 16 displays an image based on this video signal.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image of a subject including the affected part TG captured by the endoscope 10 displayed on the monitor 16. The correction detection area frame 20 is set by the user so as to include the affected part TG with respect to the image displayed on the monitor 16. When fog (water vapor or smoke) is generated in the correction detection area frame 20, the affected part TG is difficult for the user to see (monitor image on the left side in the figure). At this time, when the user operates the head switch 19 to turn on, fog correction processing is performed on the region 30 where the generation of fog has been detected. As a result, even if fog is generated, the affected area TG can be visually recognized (the monitor image on the right side in the figure).

  As described above, in the endoscope system 5 of the present embodiment, when the fog is not generated in the affected part TG, the camera control device 15 performs the normal correction process on the image captured by the endoscope 10, An image of the affected part TG imaged by the endoscope 10 is displayed with optimum characteristics (luminance characteristics, color characteristics). On the other hand, when fog is generated around the affected area TG due to laser ablation or the like, the user operates the head switch 19 to turn on the camera and instructs the camera to switch to perform fog correction processing on the image captured by the endoscope 10. This is performed on the control device 15. When the fog correction process is performed, a situation in which the image of the affected area displayed on the monitor 16 has a display delay of one frame or more compared to the normal correction process, but the situation where the affected area TG cannot be seen due to the fog is avoided. The user can continue without interrupting the operation.

  As described above, in the endoscope system 5 of the present embodiment, the camera head 14 is provided with the head switch 19 that can instantaneously switch between the fog correction process and the normal process performed on the video from the endoscope 10. Therefore, when fog is generated, it is possible to quickly obtain an image in which a site such as an affected part can be visually recognized even if there is a display delay. For example, when the affected area is excised, the image can be confirmed without affecting the excised area without stopping the operation. On the other hand, when fog is not generated, an image obtained by imaging a site such as an affected part can be obtained with appropriate image quality.

  That is, when fog is not generated, there is no display delay due to image processing as in the conventional case, and an image having characteristics such as luminance correction and color correction that are optimal for photographing the affected area can be obtained. Therefore, when the affected area is laser-removed during surgery, for example, when mist such as vapor or smoke is generated, the mist will not appear in the image without stopping and waiting until the fog clears. can do. Thus, the fog correction process can be applied to an image captured by an endoscope, which has not been performed conventionally. In other words, the endoscope system 5 can output an image of a site such as an affected part after fog correction processing even if there is a display delay when fog is generated, for example, depending on the imaging situation of the affected part in the human body, On the other hand, when no fog is generated, a high-quality image of a site such as an affected part without fog correction processing can be output, so that in any case, user convenience can be improved.

  In addition, since the endoscope system 5 of the present embodiment performs fog correction processing on only a part of the image including the affected part, it is possible to reduce the area where the image quality is slightly lowered as compared with the case where it is performed on the entire image. it can.

  Moreover, the endoscope system 5 of the present embodiment can shorten the time required for the fog correction process, and can suppress display delay when fog occurs. Furthermore, it is possible to view an image of a part of the affected area where fog has occurred while comparing the image with other images where fog is not generated.

  Further, in the endoscope system 5 of the present embodiment, the head switch 19 is provided on the camera head 14 with a built-in image sensor, so that it is easy for a person who operates the endoscope to operate.

  While various embodiments have been described above with reference to the drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such examples. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. Understood.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the gain is changed during the fog correction process as the setting value of the correction process has been described, but other parameters may be changed.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the fog correction process is performed on the region set in the correction detection area frame 20, but the fog correction process may be performed on the entire correction detection area frame 20. Good.

  Further, the head switch 19 may not be a push button switch that switches between on and off each time it is pressed, and may be a push button switch that is turned on only when pressed. Alternatively, fog correction processing may be performed when the push button switch is off, and normal correction processing may be performed when the push button switch is on.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is useful as an endoscope system and endoscope that can perform fog correction processing on an image captured by an endoscope.

5 Endoscope System 10 Endoscope 11 Scope 11z Imaging Window 12 Mount Adapter 13 Relay Lens 14 Camera Head 14z Head Extension Cable 15 Camera Control Device 15z Signal Cable 16 Monitor 17 Light Source 17z Light Guide Cable 18 Light Source Input Unit 19 Head Switch 20 Correction Detection area frame 30 area 40 camera setting change button 41 left / right up / down button 42 confirm button 50 image pickup device 51 image pickup device various drive signal generation circuits 52, 60 multiplex signal demodulation circuit 53, 61 signal multiplex transmission circuit 65 signal amplification processing unit 69, 74 Gain level adjustment unit 71 Pre-processing unit 72 YC separation processing / RGB conversion unit 73 Correction processing unit 75 Area generation unit 76 Signal display mixing / selection unit for area display 77 Area detection processing unit 78 Fog detection data addition / average / preservation Part 79 Menu character generator 80 encoder processor 81 camera synchronizing signal generating circuit 82 external communication unit 83 control unit 84 data storage unit 84z correction value storage area 88 external switch L light TG affected area

Claims (4)

An endoscope including an imaging window at the tip and transmitting an optical image incident from the imaging window; and a camera head unit including an imaging element that captures an optical image transmitted through the scope;
A control device that performs fog correction processing on an image captured by the image sensor;
A display device for displaying an image output from the control device;
A switch that instructs the control device whether or not to perform the fog correction process,
When the execution of the fog correction process is instructed in response to pressing of the switch, the control device executes the fog correction process on the image, and when the execution of the fog correction process is instructed. To output the image without executing the fog correction process,
Endoscope system. The endoscope system according to claim 1,
The control device performs the fog correction process on a part of the image captured by the image sensor.
Endoscope system. The endoscope system according to claim 1 or 2,
The switch is provided in the camera head portion of the endoscope.
Endoscope system. A scope unit that has an imaging window at the tip and transmits an optical image incident from the imaging window;
A camera head unit containing an image sensor that captures an optical image transmitted through the scope unit;
A switch that is provided in the camera head unit and instructs the presence or absence of execution of fog correction processing on an image captured by the image sensor.
Endoscope.

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