CN100569174C - Electronic endoscope - Google Patents
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- CN100569174C CN100569174CCNB2005800154009ACN200580015400ACN100569174CCN 100569174 CCN100569174 CCN 100569174CCN B2005800154009 ACNB2005800154009 ACN B2005800154009ACN 200580015400 ACN200580015400 ACN 200580015400ACN 100569174 CCN100569174 CCN 100569174C
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Abstract
Description
Translated fromChinese技术领域technical field
本发明涉及具有固体摄像元件、可与各种处理器具一起使用的电子内窥镜。The present invention relates to an electronic endoscope equipped with a solid-state imaging device and capable of being used with various treatment tools.
背景技术Background technique
众所周知，内窥镜可观察不能直接用肉眼观察的生物体内等，以医疗领域为中心，广泛应用于诊断、治疗。并且，通过CCD等固体摄像元件将被拍摄物体像转换为电信号，可在监视器上进行观察的电子内窥镜正在普及。此外，近年来，为了进行被拍摄物体的详细观察而采用变焦光学系统的电子内窥镜、使用多像素的固体摄像元件的高分辨率内窥镜也正在普及。As we all know, endoscopes can observe the living body that cannot be observed directly with the naked eye, etc., and are widely used in diagnosis and treatment mainly in the medical field. In addition, electronic endoscopes that convert the subject image into electrical signals with a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD and can observe it on a monitor are widespread. In addition, in recent years, electronic endoscopes employing a zoom optical system for detailed observation of a subject, and high-resolution endoscopes employing multi-pixel solid-state imaging elements have also become widespread.
前者采用了变焦光学系统的电子内窥镜受到不能将前端部的结构做成大型化的制约，因而不能采用复杂结构，一般采用使一个透镜组移动来改变视野角的倍率变更变焦光学系统。The former electronic endoscope using a zoom optical system is restricted by the fact that the structure of the front end cannot be enlarged, so it cannot adopt a complex structure, and generally uses a magnification changing zoom optical system that moves one lens group to change the angle of view.
此外，日本特开2000-330019号公报所示的倍率变更变焦光学系统中，如该公报的图1所示，从物体侧开始按顺序包括具有负折射率的第一透镜组10、亮度光圈S、具有正折射率的第二透镜组20、具有负折射率的第三透镜组30。并且，其特征是，在进行倍率变更时，第一透镜组10和第三透镜组30不动，第二透镜组20向不改变物像间距离的光轴上不同的2点处移动。G表示滤色器类。In addition, in the magnification changing zoom optical system disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-330019, as shown in FIG. 1 of the publication, the
因此，可得到适用于在变更倍率时物像间距离不改变的小型且高性能的两焦点类型内窥镜的物镜倍率变更光学系统，并且具有可通过变焦光学系统对被拍摄物体进行详细观察的效果。Therefore, it is possible to obtain an objective magnification changing optical system suitable for a compact and high-performance two-focus type endoscope in which the distance between objects and images does not change when the magnification is changed, and has the ability to observe the subject in detail through the zoom optical system. Effect.
后者使用多像素固体摄像元件的高分辨率内窥镜中，与以往相比，使用多像素的固体摄像元件，能够以更高分辨率来拍摄被拍摄物体，因此具有可对被拍摄物体进行详细观察的效果。In the latter high-resolution endoscope using a multi-pixel solid-state imaging device, compared with the past, the use of a multi-pixel solid-state imaging device can capture the subject at a higher resolution, so it has the ability to monitor the subject. The effect of detailed observation.
使用上述日本特开2000-330019号公报所示的倍率变更变焦光学系统的内窥镜中，在对被拍摄物体进行详细观察时移动摄像光学系统内的透镜来改变视场角，并且改变倍率，因此为提高倍率，需要使视场角变窄。In the endoscope using the magnification changing zoom optical system shown in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-330019, the lens in the imaging optical system is moved to change the angle of view and the magnification is changed when observing an object in detail. Therefore, in order to increase the magnification, it is necessary to narrow the angle of view.
另一方面，从通道前端开口突出的处理器具是否被包含固体摄像元件的摄像光学系统拍摄到取决于摄像光学系统的视场角、和相邻的摄像光学系统与处理器具之间的距离。此时，相邻的摄像光学系统与处理器具之间的距离越近，摄像光学系统的视场角越宽，在突出的情况下，处理器具越快地被摄像光学系统(以突出量少的状态)拍摄到。On the other hand, whether the treatment tool protruding from the front opening of the channel is captured by the imaging optical system including the solid-state imaging device depends on the field angle of the imaging optical system and the distance between the adjacent imaging optical system and the treatment tool. At this time, the closer the distance between the adjacent imaging optical system and the treatment tool, the wider the field angle of the imaging optical system, and in the case of protrusion, the faster the treatment tool is captured by the imaging optical system (with a small amount of protrusion). status) captured.
在为了详细观察被拍摄物体而接近并提高倍率的情况下，在现有技术的例子中，从通道前端开口突出的处理器具不能被摄像光学系统在视野范围内拍摄到，存在难以一边对被拍摄物体进行详细观察一边利用处理器具进行处理作业的问题。即，在现有技术的例子中，在为了详细观察被拍摄物体而将其设定在近点侧(近景)、放大倍率变更变焦光学系统的倍率时，出现视场角变窄，不能在视野范围内捕捉到从通道的前端开口突出的处理器具的问题。In the case of approaching and increasing the magnification in order to observe the subject in detail, in the example of the prior art, the treatment instrument protruding from the opening of the front end of the channel cannot be photographed within the field of view by the imaging optical system, and it is difficult to observe the photographed object at the same time. It is a problem of performing processing operations with processing tools while observing objects in detail. That is, in the example of the prior art, in order to observe the subject in detail and set it on the near point side (close-up view) and change the magnification of the magnification of the zoom optical system, the angle of view becomes narrow, and the field of view cannot be fully captured. Scope captures issues with procedural implements protruding from the front opening of the channel.
此外，使用单焦点光学系统的内窥镜中，在为了高精细地进行观察，而使用多像素固体摄像元件的情况下，一般像素数越多，光学系统的景深就越窄，所以存在如下问题：当为了进行被拍摄物体的详细观察而调整光学系统，以使得在最接近时得到高的分辨率时，远点的景深不足，作为内窥镜难以得到实用的景深。In addition, in an endoscope using a single-focus optical system, when a multi-pixel solid-state imaging device is used for high-definition observation, generally, the larger the number of pixels, the narrower the depth of field of the optical system, so there are the following problems: : When the optical system is adjusted for detailed observation of the object to be photographed so that high resolution is obtained at the closest point, the depth of field at the far point is insufficient, and it is difficult to obtain a practical depth of field as an endoscope.
在使用例如100万像素以上的马赛克滤色器(Mosaic Filter)方式的固体摄像元件的摄像光学系统的情况下，为了加宽景深，需要增大Fno，但Fno过大时，由于光的衍射使像的对比度降低，因此单焦点光学系统中，难以同时确保最接近时的高分辨率与实用上的景深。For example, in the case of an imaging optical system using a solid-state imaging device of a mosaic filter type with 1 million pixels or more, in order to widen the depth of field, it is necessary to increase the Fno, but if the Fno is too large, the As the contrast of the image decreases, it is difficult to simultaneously ensure high resolution and a practical depth of field at the closest point in a single-focus optical system.
发明内容Contents of the invention
本发明目的是提供一种电子内窥镜，该电子内窥镜在使用单焦点物镜光学系统的情况下，能得到实用的景深，并且可一边进行被拍摄物体的详细观察一边进行利用处理器具的处理。The object of the present invention is to provide an electronic endoscope that can obtain a practical depth of field when using a single-focus objective optical system, and can perform detailed observation of an object to be photographed while using treatment tools. deal with.
此外，本发明的目的是提供一种电子内窥镜，该电子内窥镜在使用焦点位置可变的物镜光学系统的情况下，可一边进行近点侧的被拍摄物体的详细观察，一边进行利用处理器具的处理。In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic endoscope that can perform detailed observation of an object on the near point side while using an objective optical system with a variable focus position. Treatment by means of treatment.
本发明的使用单焦点物镜光学系统的电子内窥镜的特征在于，该电子内窥镜包括：The electronic endoscope of the present invention using the single-focus objective lens optical system is characterized in that the electronic endoscope includes:
插入到被检测体内的插入部；an insertion part inserted into the body to be tested;
通道，其设置在上述插入部，处理器具插通于该通道内；a channel, which is provided at the insertion part, and the treatment instrument is inserted into the channel;
单焦点的物镜光学系统，其设置在上述插入部的前端部，成像被拍摄物体的光学像；以及A single-focus objective optical system, which is arranged at the front end of the above-mentioned insertion part, and forms an optical image of the object to be photographed; and
摄像元件，其受光面配置在上述物镜光学系统成像的位置上，并且该摄像元件对在其受光面上成像的光学像进行光电转换，An imaging element, whose light-receiving surface is arranged on the imaging position of the above-mentioned objective optical system, and the imaging element performs photoelectric conversion on the optical image formed on the light-receiving surface,
在通过上述物镜光学系统对相同宽度的黑白带的被拍摄物体拍摄、根据得到的图像信号生成亮度信号的情况下，将针对上述白带的被拍摄物体的亮度信号的最大值设为Imax、将针对上述黑带的被拍摄物体的亮度信号的最小值设为Imin、将对比度I定义为I＝(Imax-Imin)/(Imax+Imin)时，When the object to be photographed with black and white bands of the same width is photographed by the above-mentioned objective optical system, and a luminance signal is generated based on the obtained image signal, the maximum value of the luminance signal of the subject with respect to the above-mentioned leucorrhea is set to Imax, and When the minimum value of the luminance signal of the subject of the above-mentioned black band is set as Imin, and the contrast I is defined as I=(Imax-Imin)/(Imax+Imin),
在对离上述插入部的前端的距离为50mm的位置处的黑白对带子的间距为0.5mm的被拍摄物体进行拍摄时，输出按上述定义的对比度I为10％以上的图像信号，When the distance from the front end of the insertion part is 50 mm to the object to be photographed at a distance of 0.5 mm between black and white pairs of tapes, an image signal with a contrast I defined above of 10% or more is output,
当物距为对上述黑白对带子的间距为35μm的被拍摄物体拍摄时，输出按上述定义的对比度I为10％以上的图像信号的物距的情况下，从上述通道的前端开口突出的处理器具的前端附近的像成像于上述摄像元件的受光面上。Process of protruding from the front opening of the above-mentioned channel when the object distance is such that an image signal whose contrast ratio I defined above is 10% or more is output when shooting an object with a pitch of 35 μm between the above-mentioned black-and-white pair of tapes The image near the front end of the instrument is formed on the light-receiving surface of the imaging element.
本发明的使用焦点位置可变的物镜光学系统的电子内窥镜的特征在于，该电子内窥镜包括：The electronic endoscope of the present invention using the variable focus position optical system of the objective lens is characterized in that the electronic endoscope includes:
物镜光学系统，其设置在插入到被检测体内的插入部上；an objective optical system provided on an insertion part inserted into a subject;
摄像元件，其具有通过上述物镜光学系统成像上述被拍摄物体的光学像的规定像素数；An imaging element, which has a predetermined number of pixels for imaging the optical image of the above-mentioned object to be photographed through the above-mentioned objective optical system;
透镜移动部，根据基于对相同宽度的黑白带的被拍摄物体进行拍摄时得到的图像信号而生成的亮度信号，将针对上述白带的被拍摄物体的亮度信号的最大值设为Imax、将上述黑带的被拍摄物体上的亮度信号的最小值设为Imin、将对比度I定义为I＝(Imax-Imin)/(Imax+Imin)时，为了以规定值以上的对比度I在上述物镜光学系统的近点侧捕捉距离上述插入部的前端规定距离的位置处的被拍摄物体，上述透镜移动部移动构成上述物镜光学系统的至少一部分透镜，改变上述物镜光学系统的焦距，使得景深有一部分重复；以及The lens moving unit, based on the luminance signal generated based on the image signal obtained when the subject with black and white bands of the same width is captured, sets the maximum value of the luminance signal of the subject with the white band as Imax, When the minimum value of the luminance signal on the subject of the band is set as Imin, and the contrast I is defined as I=(Imax-Imin)/(Imax+Imin), in order to use the contrast I above the specified value in the above-mentioned objective optical system The near point side captures the subject at a position at a predetermined distance from the front end of the insertion part, and the lens moving part moves at least a part of lenses constituting the objective optical system to change the focal length of the objective optical system so that the depth of field is partially repeated; and
通道，处理器具能够插通于该通道，并且该通道开口，以使得突出规定距离的上述处理器具的前端配置在通过上述透镜移动部、焦距被设定成近点侧时的上述物镜光学系统的视野角内。A channel through which a treatment tool can be inserted, and the channel is opened so that the front end of the treatment tool that protrudes a predetermined distance is disposed in the objective optical system when the focal length is set to the near point side by the lens moving part within the viewing angle.
附图说明Description of drawings
图1是表示具备本发明的实施例1的内窥镜系统的概略结构的结构图。FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of an endoscope system according to
图2是实施例1的电子内窥镜的摄像单元的截面图。FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an imaging unit of the electronic endoscope according to
图3是从正面观察实施例1的插入部前端部的前端面的外观图。Fig. 3 is an external view of the front end surface of the front end portion of the insertion part according to the first embodiment seen from the front.
图4是沿着图3的A-A线的概略截面图。Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of Fig. 3 .
图5是表示图4中使插通到通道内的处理器具从前端开口突出的状态等的概略截面图。FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which the treatment tool inserted into the channel protrudes from the front end opening in FIG. 4 .
图6是实施例1的概略作用说明图。FIG. 6 is a schematic action explanatory diagram of
图7是从正面观察本发明的实施例2的插入部前端部的前端面的外观图。Fig. 7 is an external view of the front end surface of the front end portion of the insertion part according to the second embodiment of the present invention seen from the front.
图8是沿着图7的B-B线的概略截面图。Fig. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in Fig. 7 .
图9是表示实施例2的使插通到通道内的处理器具从前端部突出时的监视器显示视频的图。9 is a view showing a video displayed on a monitor when the treatment instrument inserted into the channel protrudes from the front end according to the second embodiment.
图10是表示变形例的内窥镜的显示区域的图。Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a display area of an endoscope according to a modified example.
图11是表示具备本发明的实施例3的电子内窥镜系统的概略结构的结构图。Fig. 11 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic endoscope system according to
图12是实施例3的电子内窥镜的摄像单元的截面图。12 is a cross-sectional view of an imaging unit of the electronic endoscope according to the third embodiment.
图13是从正面观察实施例3的插入部前端部的前端面的外观图。Fig. 13 is an external view of the front end surface of the front end portion of the insertion part according to the third embodiment.
图14是从正面观察实施例3的电子内窥镜的插入部前端的前端面的主视图。14 is a front view of the front end surface of the insertion portion tip of the electronic endoscope according to the third embodiment.
图15是沿着图14的C-C线的概略截面图。Fig. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line C-C in Fig. 14 .
图16是自动对焦动作的流程图。FIG. 16 is a flowchart of an autofocus operation.
图17是将处理器具插入处理器具通道、使处理器具从前端开口突出时的截面图。Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view when the treatment tool is inserted into the treatment tool channel and the treatment tool protrudes from the front opening.
图18是本实施例的近点侧处的作用的说明图。FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of the action on the near-point side of the present embodiment.
图19是表示具备本发明实施例4的电子内窥镜系统的概略结构的结构图。Fig. 19 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic endoscope system according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.
图20是从正面观察本发明实施例4的插入部前端部的前端面的外观图。Fig. 20 is an external view of the front end surface of the front end portion of the insertion part according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention viewed from the front.
图21是沿着图17的D-D线的概略截面图。Fig. 21 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line D-D in Fig. 17 .
图22是实施例4的两阶段自动对焦控制动作的流程图。FIG. 22 is a flowchart of the two-stage autofocus control operation in the fourth embodiment.
图23是表示实施例4的使插通到通道内的处理器具从前端部突出时的监视器显示视频的图。23 is a view showing a video displayed on a monitor when the treatment instrument inserted into the channel protrudes from the front end according to the fourth embodiment.
图24是表示实施例4的第一变形例的电子内窥镜系统的概略结构的结构图。24 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic endoscope system according to a first modification example of Embodiment 4. FIG.
图25是表示实施例4的第二变形例的CPU部分的结构的图。FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a configuration of a CPU portion of a second modification example of the fourth embodiment.
具体实施方式Detailed ways
下面参考附图说明本发明各实施例。Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(实施例1)(Example 1)
参考图1到图6说明本发明实施例1。
如图1所示，电子内窥镜系统1包括：实施例1的电子内窥镜2；作为供给该电子内窥镜2的照明光的光源的光源装置3；对内置在电子内窥镜2中的摄像单元进行信号处理的图像处理装置(信号处理装置)4；被输入从图像处理装置4输出的标准视频信号，从而显示内窥镜图像的对应于高清晰TV(简记为HDTV)方式的监视器5。As shown in FIG. 1 , an
本实施例的电子内窥镜2具有插入被检测体的插入部7、设置在该插入部7的后端由手术人员等操作者抓持进行操作的操作部8、以及从该操作部8延伸出来的电缆部9。The electronic endoscope 2 of this embodiment has an
插入部7在其前端设置有硬质的前端部11，在该前端部11上设置有后述的摄像单元等。The
插入部7内插通有传送照明光用的光导14，该光导14的后端侧通过电缆部9到达设置于光导14端部上的光导连接器15。通过将该光导连接器15连接于光源装置3，从光源装置3向光导14的后端面提供照明光。A
从光源装置3供给的照明光由光导14传送，从固定于前端部11的前端面，经过与该前端面对置地安装在照明窗上的照明透镜16a、16b(参考图3)向前方射出，照明体腔内的患部等被拍摄物体。The illumination light supplied from the
前端部11上与照明窗相邻设置有观察窗(或摄像窗)，在该摄像窗上配置有摄像单元19，该摄像单元19包括：对被照明的被拍摄物体形成光学像的物镜系统(或物镜光学系统)17；和受光面(或光电转换面)配置在该物镜系统17的成像位置上的作为摄像元件的例如电荷耦合元件(简记作CCD)18。An observation window (or imaging window) is arranged adjacent to the illumination window on the
摄像单元19上连接着信号电缆21的一端，插通于插入部7内的信号电缆21还插通于电缆部9内，且其另一端与其后端的信号连接器22连接。One end of a
通过将该信号连接器22连接于图像处理装置4上，利用来自图像处理装置4的CCD驱动部23的CCD驱动信号来驱动CCD 18，CCD 18输出经过了光电转换的图像信号(摄像信号)。By connecting the
该摄像信号在图像处理装置4内被进行信号处理，在监视器5上显示内窥镜图像。The imaging signal is subjected to signal processing in the image processing device 4 , and an endoscopic image is displayed on the
此外，插入部7内设置有各种处理器具可插通于其中的通道25。该通道25包括在前端部11开口的通道前端开口(也称作前端开口或钳子口)26、操作部8的前端附近的处理器具插入口27、连接前端开口26和处理器具插入口27的通道管25a。In addition, the
并且，通过从该处理器具插入口27插入处理器具28，使该处理器具28的前端侧从前端开口26突出，在处理器具28的前端侧可进行采集、切除患部组织等处理。Furthermore, by inserting the
此外，本实施例中，从前端开口26突出的处理器具28的前端侧以较少的突出量的状态，与患部组织等作为检查对象或处理对象的被拍摄物体一起，进入到摄像单元19的视野内。这样，该突出的处理器具28的前端侧可显示在监视器5的显示面上，手术人员可顺利地进行处理等。In addition, in the present embodiment, the front end side of the
本实施例中，CCD 18是具有补色系列的马赛克滤色器的马赛克滤色器方式的CCD，采用像素间距是2.5μm，对监视器显示有效的像素数是81万像素，CCD受光面上的最大像高为1.3mm的CCD。In the present embodiment, CCD 18 is the CCD of the mosaic color filter mode that has the mosaic color filter of complementary color series, and adopting pixel pitch is 2.5 μ m, is 810,000 pixels to the effective number of pixels shown on monitor, and the number of pixels on the CCD light-receiving surface CCD with a maximum image height of 1.3mm.
上述摄像单元19中使用最大视场角为138°的单焦点物镜系统17，物镜系统17被设定成Fno(F号码)为10.0，以便不超出光的衍射界限。调整焦点，使得物距为4.2mm时得到最高分辨率。The single-focus
本实施例中使用的物镜系统17的透镜数据如下所示。这里，F1是物镜系统17的焦距、Ra是透镜的曲率半径、Da是面间隔、Ne是对水银e线(波长546.07nm)的折射率，Vd是阿贝(アツベ)数。The lens data of the
F1＝1.33785mmF1＝1.33785mm
面No. Ra Da Ne VdNoodle No. Ra Da Ne Ne Vd
1 ∞ 0.40 1.77067 71.71 ∞ 0.40 1.77067 71.7
2 0.977 0.572 0.977 0.57
3 ∞ 0.40 1.52498 59.93 ∞ 0.40 1.52498 59.9
4 ∞ 0.844 ∞ 0.84
5 ∞(光圈) 0.035 ∞(aperture) 0.03
6 ∞ 1.90 1.81078 40.96 ∞ 1.90 1.81078 40.9
7 -2.192 0.107 -2.192 0.10
8 3.168 1.68 1.51825 64.18 3.168 1.68 1.51825 64.1
9 -1.676 0.39 1.93429 18.99 -1.676 0.39 1.93429 18.9
10 -5.048 0.1010 -5.048 0.10
11 ∞ 0.60 1.51965 75.011 ∞ 0.60 1.51965 75.0
12 ∞ 1.1612 ∞ 1.16
13 ∞ 1.00 1.51825 64.113 ∞ 1.00 1.51825 64.1
14 ∞ 0.03 1.5119 64.114 ∞ 0.03 1.5119 64.1
15 ∞ 1.00 1.61379 50.215 ∞ 1.00 1.61379 50.2
16 ∞ 0.0016 ∞ 0.00
接着使用图2说明摄像单元19的结构。Next, the configuration of the
使用透镜框31和隔离件32a、32b来保持固定构成物镜系统17的多个透镜，以使得面间隔适当并且各透镜对中。CCD 18由CCD芯片18a、CCD基板18b、CCD驱动用部件18c和密封玻璃18d构成。A
CCD基板18b通过引线接合等与CCD芯片18a电连接，通过粘接剂等被机械固定。CCD基板18b上焊接着耦合电容器、电流放大用晶体管等CCD驱动用部件18c。CCD芯片18a的受光面上利用光学粘接剂等粘接固定有用于保护受光面的密封玻璃18d。The CCD substrate 18b is electrically connected to the CCD chip 18a by wire bonding or the like, and is mechanically fixed by an adhesive or the like. CCD driving components 18c such as coupling capacitors and current amplification transistors are soldered to the CCD substrate 18b. On the light receiving surface of the CCD chip 18a, a sealing glass 18d for protecting the light receiving surface is bonded and fixed with an optical adhesive or the like.
透镜框31与CCD框33嵌合，使得透镜框31可沿物镜系统17的光轴方向平行移动，CCD 18粘接固定在CCD框33上，使得上述物镜系统17的光轴与上述CCD 18的受光面垂直。
CCD基板18b上设置有用于焊接信号电缆21的信号线的焊盘(未示出)，信号电缆21的信号线被焊接。配置CCD保护框34，使其从CCD框33经过CCD 18，到达信号电缆21的与CCD基板18b的连接部，以进行机械保护。Pads (not shown) for soldering the signal lines of the
该CCD保护框34中，在CCD芯片18a的背面部附近设置有切口部，以从该切口部插入的凡是配置有由导热性好的例如铝合金、铜合金等形成的散热部件35。该散热部件35上通过焊接、粘接剂等机械连接着以导热性好的金属为导体的散热用电缆36。In this CCD protection frame 34, a notch is provided near the back side of the CCD chip 18a, and a heat dissipation member 35 formed of aluminum alloy, copper alloy, etc. having good thermal conductivity is disposed through the notch. A heat dissipation cable 36 having a metal having good thermal conductivity as a conductor is mechanically connected to the heat dissipation member 35 by welding, adhesive, or the like.
CCD保护框34内部填充密封树脂，用具有热收缩性的管37密封CCD18周边。散热用电缆36焊接在热容量大的部件，如插入部7的前端部11上。信号电缆21是按如下形成的，将多个同轴线和多个单线合在一起，然后卷绕氟树脂制的带子，在其上缠绕铜线作为统一屏蔽，再在其上卷绕氟树脂制的带子，再在其上用特氟纶(テフロン)(注册商标)类护套覆盖。The inside of the CCD protection frame 34 is filled with sealing resin, and the periphery of the CCD 18 is sealed with a heat-shrinkable tube 37 . The heat dissipation cable 36 is welded to a component with a large heat capacity, such as the
如图3所示，插入部7的前端部11配置了：包含前端透镜的外径为φ2.8mm的物镜系统17的摄像单元19、通道前端开口26、去除在物镜系统17的外表面上因送水送气而造成的附着污物的送气送水喷嘴39、利用通过与光源装置3连接的光导14传送(导光)的光来照明被拍摄物体的照明透镜16a、16b。As shown in Figure 3, the
摄像单元19安装在前端部11上，被安装成当对被拍摄物体进行拍摄，在监视器5上显示时的监视器5上的上下方向与图3所示的插入部7的前端部11的上下方向一致。本实施例的通道管25a使用例如特氟纶(注册商标)制的内径2.8mm的管。The
如图4所示，物镜系统17的光轴O与(连接通道管25a的前端的)前端开口26平行配置，本实施例中，物镜系统17的中心(光轴O)与前端开口26的中心轴的距离D设定为6mm。该前端开口26的半径R的2倍与通道管25a的内径相同，是2.8mm。As shown in Figure 4, the optical axis O of the
如图1所示，光源装置3有灯40，利用由光圈驱动部41驱动的光圈42的开口调整了该灯40的照明光的透过光量后，该灯40的照明光通过会聚透镜43入射到光导连接器15上的光导14的入射端面上。并且，如上所述，从光导14的前端，再通过照明透镜16a、16b向被拍摄物体侧射出照明光。As shown in FIG. 1 , the
光导14在插入部7内分支为两条，如图3所示，从在前端部11配置在2个部位上的照明透镜16a、16b分别射出照明光。The
如图1所示，图像处理装置4中具有被输入来自CCD 18的图像信号的CDS电路44，由该CDS电路44提取出信号成分后，由A/D转换器45转换为数字信号。As shown in FIG. 1 , the image processing device 4 has a
由该A/D转换器45转换的数字图像信号输入生成由亮度信号和颜色信号构成的视频信号的信号转换部46。通过该信号转换部46生成的视频信号输入进行γ校正等各种图像处理的图像处理部47。该图像处理部47的输出信号输入D/A转换器48，转换为模拟的与HDTV方式对应的视频信号后，输出到监视器5。The digital image signal converted by the A/
来自信号转换部46的亮度信号输入到生成调光信号的自动调光部49，通过该自动调光部49生成自动调光信号。该自动调光信号输入到光源装置3的光圈驱动部41，自动调整光圈42的开口量。The luminance signal from the
该自动调光部49内置有处理器具检测部49a，该处理器具检测部49a通过例如处理器具的反射光量和颜色，检测出处理器具进入到摄像单元19的视野内(换言之，在CCD 18的受光面上形成处理器具的图像)的情况。The automatic dimming unit 49 has a built-in treatment instrument detection unit 49a, and the treatment instrument detection unit 49a detects that the treatment instrument enters the field of view of the
该自动调光部49具有：从该处理器具检测部49a的输出信号检测出用于进行调光的亮度的亮度检测部49b；和根据来自该亮度检测部49b的输出信号生成自动调光信号的调光信号生成部49c。The automatic dimming unit 49 has: a brightness detection unit 49b that detects the brightness for dimming from the output signal of the treatment tool detection unit 49a; and a unit that generates an automatic dimming signal based on the output signal from the brightness detection unit 49b. The dimming signal generating unit 49c.
上述亮度检测部49b在处理器具检测部49a检测到处理器具的情况下，检测处理器具的像所成像的区域附近的峰值亮度(光量)和该区域附近的平均亮度(光量)。The luminance detection unit 49b detects the peak luminance (light intensity) near the area where the image of the treatment tool is formed and the average luminance (light intensity) around the area when the treatment tool detection unit 49a detects the treatment tool.
该亮度检测部49b在处理器具检测部49a未检测到处理器具的情况下，检测画面整体的峰值亮度和平均亮度。The luminance detection unit 49b detects the peak luminance and the average luminance of the entire screen when the treatment tool detection unit 49a has not detected the treatment tool.
调光信号生成部49c为了通过来自亮度检测部49b的峰值亮度和平均亮度的信号而得到适当亮度的信号，生成用于调整光源装置3的照明光量的自动调光信号，输出到光源装置3的光圈驱动部41。The dimming signal generation unit 49c generates an automatic dimming signal for adjusting the amount of illumination light of the
本实施例的电子内窥镜2通过由上述透镜数据中所示的单焦点物镜系统17和CCD 18构成的摄像单元19，确保了(满足了条件)可识别间距为35μm的黑白色的分辨率，比现有技术的例子中的可识别50μm左右间距的黑白色的分辨率更高，同时确保了与现有技术的例子同样的观察远景侧所必需的分辨率。The electronic endoscope 2 of the present embodiment ensures (conditions are satisfied) that a black-and-white resolution with a pitch of 35 μm can be recognized by the
并且，摄像单元19的CCD 18输出对应于这种分辨率的图像信号，因此在对该图像信号进行生成标准视频信号的信号处理，显示在监视器5的显示面上的情况下，通过该显示图像，可识别35μm间距的黑白色。In addition, the CCD 18 of the
观察远景侧必需的分辨率是在离开摄像单元19例如50mm左右的位置处可识别0.5mm间距的黑白色的分辨率，将该分辨率也叫作远景用分辨率。此外，可识别上述35μm间距的黑白色的分辨率也叫做接近侧精细分辨率。The resolution necessary for observing the distant view side is a resolution capable of recognizing black and white at a pitch of 0.5 mm at a position, for example, about 50 mm away from the
本实施例中，在插通到通道25内的处理器具28的前端侧从前端开口26突出的情况下，在物距为可得到能识别上述35μm间距的黑白色的分辨率的距离时，处理器具28的前端侧进入到摄像单元19的视野内。In this embodiment, when the front end side of the
并且，当在CCD 18的受光面上成像较小突出量的状态的处理器具28的前端侧的像，可详细观察处理器具28的前端附近的状态下，容易进行利用处理器具28的详细处理。In addition, when an image of the front end side of the
下面说明基于这种结构的本实施例的作用。The action of this embodiment based on this structure will be described below.
如图1所示，电子内窥镜2的光导连接器15连接于光源装置3上，信号连接器22连接于图像处理装置4上。该图像处理装置4的视频输出端上连接监视器5的电缆，设为可进行内窥镜检查的状态。As shown in FIG. 1 , the
并且，将未示出的电源开关接通，来自光源装置3的照明光提供给光导14，通过光导14将照明光从照明透镜16a、16b射出，设为可照明由摄像单元19拍摄的被拍摄物体的状态。通过摄像单元19的CCD 18拍摄的图像成为通过图像处理装置4显示在监视器5上的状态。In addition, the power switch not shown is turned on, the illumination light from the
接着将电子内窥镜2的插入部7插入患者体腔内，将插入部7的前端部11设成可观察体腔内的患部等作为要进行内窥镜检查的部位的被拍摄物体的状态。Next, the
此时，前端部11上设置的摄像单元19的物镜系统17在CCD 18的受光面上成像被拍摄物体的光学像。在CCD 18的受光面上成像的像被光电转换，转换为图像信号。该图像信号通过信号电缆21、信号连接器22输入图像处理装置4的CDS电路44。该图像信号的波形包含信号成分以外的复位噪声等，通过CDS电路44提取出信号成分，生成基带信号。At this time, the
该CDS电路44的输出信号输入A/D转换器45，A/D转换器45将作为模拟信号的图像信号转换为数字信号。转换为数字信号的图像信号由信号转换部46转换为视频信号。The output signal of this
此时，由于本实施例中采用补色系的马赛克滤色器作为CCD 18，因此该信号转换部46转换为从例如相邻的4种滤色器的像素信号输出取平均而得到的亮度信号、由各色的像素信号输出的差分得到的色差信号这样的视频信号。At this time, since the mosaic color filter of the complementary color system is adopted as the CCD 18 in the present embodiment, the
该视频信号被图像处理部47进行适合于监视器显示的对比度调整、颜色调整和显示尺寸调整等。This video signal is subjected to contrast adjustment, color adjustment, display size adjustment, and the like suitable for monitor display by the
之后，由D/A转换器48转换为监视器5可显示的模拟的对应于HDTV方式的视频信号。监视器5在监视器画面5a上显示与输入的HDTV方式的视频信号对应的(由CCD 18拍摄的)被拍摄物体图像。Thereafter, it is converted by the D/
接着参考图6说明通过摄像单元19对黑白对带子间距为35μm的被拍摄物体等拍摄时的作用。Next, the operation of the
图6表示将本实施例的电子内窥镜2的插入部7插入体腔内，由设置于前端部11上的摄像单元19对体腔内的处理对象部位侧进行拍摄，同时使处理器具28从前端开口26突出进行处理的情况下的概略图。6 shows that the
此时，作为容易进行处理的条件，希望对即使远景部分也能够以合适的分辨率进行拍摄(观察)，并且对于作为处理对象的患部等可详细地观察，同时希望也能够详细观察从前端开口26突出的处理器具28的前端侧。At this time, as conditions for easy processing, it is desirable to be able to photograph (observe) with an appropriate resolution even for distant parts, and to be able to observe in detail the affected part as the processing target, and to be able to observe in detail from the front opening. 26 protrudes from the front end side of the
本实施例中，按如下所述来满足上述条件。首先为使说明更明确，按如下所述来定义亮度对比度G。In this embodiment, the above conditions are satisfied as follows. First, to clarify the description, the luminance contrast G is defined as follows.
在通过物镜系统17在CCD 18受光面上成像相同宽度的黑白带(条纹)的被拍摄物体时，将针对上述白色被拍摄物体的亮度的最大值设为Gmax、将上述黑色被拍摄物体的亮度的最小值设为Gmin、将亮度对比度G定义为G＝(Gmax-Gmin)/(Gmax+Gmin)。When the subject of the black and white band (stripe) of the same width is imaged on the CCD 18 light-receiving surface by the
这样定义亮度对比度G的情况下，当利用如上所述构成的摄像单元19得到最高分辨率的物距为4.2mm时，对黑白对带子的间距为35μm的被拍摄物体进行拍摄时，在CCD受光面上成像的白带和黑带的亮度对比度G为14.5％。When the brightness contrast G is defined in this way, when the object distance of the highest resolution is 4.2 mm obtained by using the
通过上述物镜系统17在CCD 18的受光面上成像的间距为35μm的黑白对带子的被拍摄物体像中，从白带所成像的像素输出的图像信号与从黑带所成像的像素输出的图像信号之差为大致14.5％。In the object image of the black and white pairs of belts with a pitch of 35 μm formed on the light-receiving surface of the CCD 18 by the above-mentioned
上述图像信号通过CDS电路44、A/D转换器45、信号转换部46输入图像处理部47，被实施例如适合于监视器5显示的γ处理和去除噪声的低通滤波处理等。The above-mentioned image signal is input to the
并且，在将通过上述白色被拍摄物体得到的亮度信号的最大值设为Imax、通过上述黑色被拍摄物体得到的亮度信号的最小值设为Imin、对比度I定义为I＝(Imax-Imin)/(Imax+Imin)的情况下，(对上述黑白对带子的间距为35μm的被拍摄物体进行拍摄时)以对比度I为10％以上的方式输出图像信号。由此，摄像单元19拍摄的35μm间距的黑白对带子在监视器5上可被识别为黑白对带子。And, when the maximum value of the luminance signal obtained by the above-mentioned white subject is set as Imax, the minimum value of the luminance signal obtained by the above-mentioned black subject is set as Imin, and the contrast I is defined as I=(Imax-Imin)/ In the case of (Imax+Imin), an image signal is output such that the contrast I is 10% or more (when the subject is photographed with a pitch of 35 μm between black and white pairs of tapes). As a result, the 35-μm-pitch black-and-white pair tape captured by the
图6中，将得到最高分辨率的物距4.2mm设为d1、在该位置处配置了35μm间距的黑白对带子(条纹)Sa的情况下，由CCD 18进行光电转换，形成从例如信号转换部46输出的视频信号的亮度信号中的对比度I如上所述为10％以上，从而可在监视器5上识别35μm间距的黑白对带子。In Fig. 6, when the object distance 4.2mm for obtaining the highest resolution is set as d1, and a pair of black and white strips (stripes) Sa with a pitch of 35 μm are arranged at this position, photoelectric conversion is performed by the CCD 18 to form, for example, a signal conversion The contrast I in the luminance signal of the video signal output from the
在可在监视器5上识别上述35μm间距的黑白对带子的状态下，当在物距为50mm的位置处放置黑白对带子间距为0.5mm的被拍摄物体Sb，利用该摄像单元19进行拍摄时，CCD受光面上成像的白带和黑带的亮度对比度G为25％。When the above-mentioned pair of black and white tapes with a pitch of 35 μm can be recognized on the
同样在CCD 18的受光面上成像的间距为0.5mm的黑白对带子的被拍摄物体像被进行光电转换，从白带所成像的像素输出的图像信号与从黑带所成像的像素输出的图像信号之差为大致25％，通过图像处理装置4使白带和黑带的对比度I为10％以上，向监视器5输出。由此，由摄像单元19拍摄的配置在距离为50mm处的0.5mm间距的黑白对带子可在监视器5上被识别为黑白对带子。Also on the light-receiving surface of the CCD 18, the image of the black and white pair of tapes with a pitch of 0.5 mm is photoelectrically converted, and the image signal output from the pixel imaged by the white tape is output from the image signal output by the pixel imaged by the black tape. The difference is about 25%, and the contrast I of the white band and the black band is made to be 10% or more by the image processing device 4, and output to the
图6中，表示在物距d2为50mm的位置上配置了间距为0.5mm的黑白对带子(条纹)Sb的情况，此时，信号转换部46的亮度信号中白与黑的对比度I为10％以上，在监视器5上可识别黑白对带子。In FIG. 6 , the situation where the black-and-white pair of strips (stripes) Sb with a pitch of 0.5 mm are arranged at a position where the object distance d2 is 50 mm is shown. % or more, the black and white pairs of tapes can be recognized on the
接着说明将处理器具插入通道25中进行处理的情况。操作者将使用的处理器具插入设置于操作部8附近的处理器具插入口27中。从处理器具插入口27插入的处理器具通过插入部7内的通道管25a的通道25内，被引导至插入部7的前端部11。当操作者将该处理器具28进一步插入深处侧时，处理器具28的前端从前端部11的通道前端开口26突出。要使突出的处理器具28被摄像单元19拍摄到所必需的条件为：如图5所示，由于在处理器具28移动到最靠近摄像单元19侧时，摄像单元19的前端透镜面处的光线高Lh＝1.2mm、前端开口26的半径R＝1.4mm、摄像单元19的视场角θ＝138°、摄像单元19的光轴O与前端开口26的中心的距离D＝6mm，因此按下式1所示导出处理器具28从插入部7的前端部11的前端面突出的最小突出量Hmin。Next, a case where a treatment instrument is inserted into the
Hmin＝(D-Lh-R)×tan(90°-θ/2)＝1.38mm(式1)Hmin=(D-Lh-R)×tan(90°-θ/2)=1.38mm (Formula 1)
另一方面，在处理器具28位于离摄像单元19最远的方向上的情况下，处理器具28突出，要使处理器具28的前端整体被摄像单元19拍摄到所必需的条件为，作为处理器具28从插入部7的前端部11的前端面突出的突出量Hall，可按下式2导出。On the other hand, when the
Hall＝(D-Lh+R)×tan(90°-θ/2)＝2.45mm(式2)Hall＝(D-Lh+R)×tan(90°-θ/2)＝2.45mm (Formula 2)
如式1、式2所示，处理器具28在从前端部11的前端面突出的突出量达到1.38mm以上时开始进入摄像单元19的视野内，突出2.45mm时处理器具28前端的几乎整体都进入视野内。As shown in
通过以上所述，在为得到本实施例的摄像单元19的最高分辨率的物距4.2mm时，处理器具28的前端侧确实地进入摄像单元19的视野内，可在监视器4上进行识别。Through the above, when the object distance of 4.2 mm is the highest resolution for obtaining the
图6中，表示出处理器具28从通道的前端开口26突出的状态，处理器具28的前端进入摄像单元19的视野内后，通过再向前方突出，处理器具28的前端成为最大分辨率的物距状态。In FIG. 6 , the state in which the
因此，可更详细观察由处理器具28进行处理的患部等被拍摄物体，同时也可非常细致地观察其附近突出的处理器具28的前端的状态，容易进行处理。该状态下，可对远景侧确保远景用分辨率，因此可把握要进行处理的部位周围的宽范围的状态，可更顺利地进行处理。Therefore, it is possible to observe in more detail an object such as an affected part treated by the
接着说明本实施例的自动调光功能。Next, the automatic dimming function of this embodiment will be described.
自动调光部49在处理器具28未进入摄像单元19的视野内的情况下，由亮度检测部49b检测出画面整体的亮度(具体说是峰值亮度或平均亮度)，输出给调光信号产生部49c。该调光信号产生部49c在画面暗时向光源装置3输出控制信号，具体说是自动调光信号，以增大发光。在画面过于明亮的情况下，输出作为控制光源装置3以减小发光的控制信号的自动调光信号。When the
通过该自动调光信号，光源装置3内的光圈驱动部41驱动光圈42，调整从灯40通过光圈42入射到光导14的入射端的照明光量。接着说明为了通过利用摄像单元19的内窥镜观察，对患部等被拍摄物体进行治疗用的组织采集和病变部切除，而使用处理器具28的情况下的自动调光的作用。The
通过将处理器具28插入通道25，使处理器具28经过插入部7的前端部11的前端开口26，从其前端面突出，从而使处理器具进入摄像单元19的视野内。By inserting the
此时，例如根据处理器具28的颜色、处理器具28的反射光等，处理器具检测部49a检测出处理器具28进入了视野内，检测出基于以上述处理器具28为中心的一定区域的峰值亮度和平均亮度的亮度。调光信号产生部49c输出作为控制信号的自动调光信号，以便当上述处理器具28附近的亮度过亮时使光源装置3减小发光，过暗时使光源装置3增大发光。At this time, for example, based on the color of the
并且，通过自动调光信号，光源装置3内的光圈驱动部41驱动光圈42，调整从灯40通过光圈42入射到光导14的后端的照明光量。通过该自动调光信号，可进行自动调光，使得处理器具28进入摄像单元19的视野内的区域附近的亮度为适合于观察的亮度。Then, the
作为照明光量的调整方法，除了光圈驱动部42的光圈控制外，还可设置控制提供给光源的功率(电流值、电压值等)的控制部，通过调整该功率进行照明光量的调整。此外，也可以在插入部7的前端设置作为光源的发光二极管(LED)，根据亮度检测部49b的检测结果调整对发光二极管的供给电流，而进行发光亮(照明光量)的调整。As a method of adjusting the amount of illumination light, in addition to the aperture control of the
接着说明摄像单元19中配置的散热部件35、以及散热用电缆36的作用。Next, the functions of the heat dissipation member 35 and the heat dissipation cable 36 arranged in the
当驱动CCD 18时，CCD芯片18a、电流放大器等CCD驱动用部件18c发热。一般地，像素数越多，驱动频率越高，消耗功率也增大，CCD芯片18a发热。散热部件35与CCD芯片18a和CCD基板18b相邻配置，因此CCD 18的热传导到散热部件35，之后传导到散热用电缆36。此外，向连接散热用电缆36的插入部7的前端部件传递热，CCD 18产生的热被散发，可防止CCD芯片18a的高度发热。When the CCD 18 is driven, the CCD driving components 18c such as the CCD chip 18a and the current amplifier generate heat. Generally, as the number of pixels increases, the drive frequency increases, power consumption increases, and the CCD chip 18a generates heat. The heat dissipation member 35 is disposed adjacent to the CCD chip 18a and the CCD substrate 18b, so the heat of the CCD 18 is conducted to the heat dissipation member 35, and then to the heat dissipation cable 36. In addition, the heat is transferred to the front end part of the
由于信号电缆21在统一屏蔽与护套之间卷绕有带子，所以例如在向信号电缆21施加了扭转的机械应力时，由于护套的扭转与统一屏蔽的扭转不同造成的统一屏蔽与护套之间的摩擦、护套对统一屏蔽施加的牵引力被统一屏蔽与护套之间的带子缓解，因此具有耐扭转性增加的效果。Since the
本实施例具有如下效果。This embodiment has the following effects.
本实施例中，构成摄像单元19的物镜光学系统采用单焦点光学系统，因此与倍率变更光学系统和可变焦光学系统相比结构简单。In this embodiment, the objective optical system constituting the
以往的电子内窥镜使用的采用了单焦点光学系统的摄像单元的分辨率为可识别50μm左右的黑白对带子的被拍摄物体的水平，与此相比，如上所述，根据本实施例的摄像单元19，可识别更高分辨率的35μm的黑白对带子的被拍摄物体。Compared with the resolution of the imaging unit using the single-focus optical system used in conventional electronic endoscopes, which is at the level of recognizing a black-and-white paired object of about 50 μm, as described above, according to the present embodiment The
当为上述摄像单元19可得到上述最高分辨率的距离时，由于从通道25的前端开口26突出的处理器具28的前端侧可在监视器5上被识别，能够一边进行用以往的使用变焦光学系统的内窥镜很难进行的详细观察，一边进行处理作业。例如，可得到如下效果：一边进行大肠的凹坑图案这样的被拍摄物体的详细观察，一边利用处理器具28进行处理。When the distance at which the above-mentioned highest resolution can be obtained by the above-mentioned
由于得到最高分辨率的距离为4.2mm左右，所以本实施例中当为与该距离相比为跟前侧的物距时，处理器具28的前端侧能够进入视野内，可通过进一步向前方侧突出而变成得到最高分辨率的距离的状态。因此，本实施例中，在为得到最高分辨率的距离时，处理器具28的前端侧可充分进入视野内，达到处理器具28的操作比较容易的效果。Since the distance at which the highest resolution is obtained is about 4.2mm, in this embodiment, when the object distance is on the front side compared with this distance, the front end side of the
此外，在物距为50mm时，由于可在监视器5上识别与以往的内窥镜同样的黑白对带子为0.5mm的被拍摄物体，因此不需要繁杂的操作就可进行从远景到近景的观察。In addition, when the object distance is 50 mm, since the same black-and-white object with a tape length of 0.5 mm as conventional endoscopes can be recognized on the
此外，当插入处理器具28，变成将其前端显示在监视器5上的状态时，由于控制光源装置3的照明光量使得处理器具28附近的亮度为最佳，因此容易进行处理。In addition, when the
这里，本实施例中，设CCD 18的像素间距为2.5μm、有效像素数为81万像素、摄像单元19的最大视场角为138°、得到最高分辨率的距离为4.2mm、摄像单元19的光轴O与前端开口26中心的距离为6mm，但不限定于此。Here, in the present embodiment, suppose that the pixel pitch of CCD 18 is 2.5 μ m, the number of effective pixels is 810,000 pixels, the maximum field of view of
例如，对黑白对带子的间距为35μm的被拍摄物体进行拍摄时，变更像素间距、有效像素数、最大视场角等，使得从拍摄上述白色被拍摄物体获得的像素得到的输出信号与从拍摄上述黑色被拍摄物体获得的像素得到的输出信号之差为10％以上，并且在拍摄上述35μm的被拍摄物体时输出信号之差为10％以上的物距时，即使变更最大视场角、及摄像单元19的光轴O与前端开口26中心的距离，使得能够观察处理器具，也可得到大致相同的效果。For example, when photographing a subject with a pitch of 35 μm between black-and-white pairs of bands, change the pixel pitch, effective number of pixels, maximum field of view, etc., so that the output signal obtained from the pixels obtained from photographing the above-mentioned white subject is the same as that obtained from the photographing When the difference between the output signals obtained by the pixels obtained by the above-mentioned black subject is 10% or more, and when the above-mentioned 35 μm subject is photographed, the difference between the output signals is 10% or more at the object distance, even if the maximum viewing angle is changed, and The distance between the optical axis O of the
上述说明中，CCD 18的有效像素数为81万像素，但在马赛克滤色器方式的情况下，即便是85万像素左右也可实现同样的效果，此时，具有可进一步增大获得最高分辨率的距离的效果。In the above description, the effective number of pixels of CCD 18 is 810,000 pixels, but in the case of the mosaic color filter method, the same effect can be achieved even with about 850,000 pixels. The effect of the distance of the rate.
另一方面，在比85万像素更大的像素的情况下，不能得到实用的景深，若要得到最高分辨率则远点的深度变得不足，若确保远点的深度，则最高分辨率变为黑白对带子的间距为40μm以上。On the other hand, in the case of pixels larger than 850,000 pixels, a practical depth of field cannot be obtained, and the depth of the far point becomes insufficient to obtain the highest resolution. If the depth of the far point is ensured, the highest resolution becomes The pitch between black and white pairs of tapes is 40 μm or more.
本实施例中，使用补色系的马赛克滤色器方式的彩色CCD进行了说明，但不限定于此，电子内窥镜中，有时还使用如下方式：使用切换式等的三原色光作为照明光，与按顺序照射的三原色光同步，由单色(黑白)CCD取入被拍摄物体像，在图像处理装置中进行彩色化，即使是这种方式，通过满足上述条件也可得到同样效果。In this embodiment, a color CCD of the mosaic color filter method of the complementary color system is used for explanation, but it is not limited to this. In electronic endoscopes, a system may be used in which three primary color lights such as a switching type are used as illumination light, Even in this way, the same effect can be obtained by satisfying the above conditions even if the subject image is captured by a monochrome (black and white) CCD in synchronization with the three primary colors of light irradiated sequentially, and is colored by an image processing device.
该方式的情况下，能够得到R信号、G信号、B信号，作为有效像素数为35万像素左右的CCD输出信号，不生成亮度信号也可向监视器5输出，该情况下只要将亮度最高的G信号作为亮度信号即可。In the case of this method, R signal, G signal, and B signal can be obtained as CCD output signals with an effective pixel number of about 350,000 pixels, and can be output to the
视场角优选是考虑了周围的观察性的一般的内窥镜中使用的是100°以上的视场角，视场角更宽的话，则具有处理器具检测距离变短的效果。The angle of view is preferably 100° or more, which is used in general endoscopes in consideration of the observation of the surroundings. If the angle of view is wider, the detection distance of the treatment tool will be shortened.
本实施例的图像处理装置4和监视器5利用对应于HDTV方式的视频信号来进行说明，但不限定于此，例如也可使用对应于SVGA、XGA这样的高分辨率监视器的显示方式。The image processing device 4 and monitor 5 of the present embodiment are described using video signals corresponding to the HDTV system, but are not limited thereto. For example, a display system corresponding to a high-resolution monitor such as SVGA or XGA may be used.
此外，本实施例的摄像单元19中，作为释放CCD 18的热的部件，公开了通过散热部件35和散热用电缆36向插入部7的前端部件散热，但也可以是如下结构：不在散热部件35上设置散热用电缆36，使插入部7的前端部件的导热性好的部分接近与散热部件对置的部分，通过导电性好的密封树脂等散热。In addition, in the
作为散热用电缆36，也可使用信号电缆21的一部分。例如信号电缆21内也可设置不用于驱动的虚设电缆(dummy cable)，还可使用以信号电缆21的电磁屏蔽为目的的外部屏蔽。并且，不设置散热部件35，在CCD芯片18a附近用导热性好的密封树脂来固定散热用电缆36的导体部分，也可得到同样的散热效果。A part of the
在CCD基板18b上配置CCD芯片18a内部的输出级作为外部放大器，将CCD芯片18a的消耗功率分配给外部基板上的部件，由此来抑制CCD芯片18a的发热也是有效的。It is also effective to dispose the output stage inside the CCD chip 18a as an external amplifier on the CCD substrate 18b and distribute the power consumption of the CCD chip 18a to components on the external substrate, thereby suppressing heat generation of the CCD chip 18a.
(实施例2)(Example 2)
接着参考图7到图10说明本发明实施例2。本实施例基本结构与实施例1相同，而CCD的有效像素数和物镜系统、摄像单元和处理器具通道的位置关系不同。下面以不同之处为重点来说明。Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 7 to FIG. 10 . The basic structure of this embodiment is the same as that of
本实施例的结构如下。The structure of this embodiment is as follows.
本实施例的电子内窥镜的前端部11中采用了图7或图8所示的具有物镜系统72和CCD 73的摄像单元19B。The imaging unit 19B having the
该CCD 73采用像素间距为3.3μm、对于监视器显示有效的像素数是40万像素、CCD受光面上的最大像高为约1.29mm的CCD。The CCD 73 employs a CCD with a pixel pitch of 3.3 μm, an effective pixel count of 400,000 pixels for monitor display, and a maximum image height of about 1.29 mm on the CCD light-receiving surface.
摄像单元19B被设定成，最大视场角为160°的单焦点物镜系统72的最前面配置形成为凹凸形状的透镜，Fno为9.18，以便不超过光的衍射界限。调整焦点以使得在物距为2.95mm时得到最高分辨率。The imaging unit 19B is set so that the front of the single-focus
本实施例中使用的物镜系统72的透镜数据如下所示。The lens data of the
F1＝1.13723mmF1＝1.13723mm
面No. Ra Da Ne VdNoodle No. Ra Da Ne Ne Vd
1 8.200 0.35 1.88815 40.81 8.200 0.35 1.88815 40.8
2 0.910 0.662 0.910 0.66
3 ∞ 0.40 1.52498 59.93 ∞ 0.40 1.52498 59.9
4 ∞ 0.284 ∞ 0.28
5 6.994 1.91 1.77621 49.65 6.994 1.91 1.77621 49.6
6 -2.210 0.036 -2.210 0.03
7 ∞(光圈) 0.037 ∞(aperture) 0.03
8 ∞ 0.60 1.51965 75.08 ∞ 0.60 1.51965 75.0
9 ∞ 1.019 ∞ 1.01
10 3.288 1.35 1.73234 54.710 3.288 1.35 1.73234 54.7
11 -1.630 0.35 1.93429 18.911 -1.630 0.35 1.93429 18.9
12 -5.110 0.5312 -5.110 0.53
13 ∞ 0.0313 ∞ 0.03
14 ∞ 1.00 1.51825 64.114 ∞ 1.00 1.51825 64.1
15 ∞ 0.01 1.51193 63.015 ∞ 0.01 1.51193 63.0
16 ∞ 1.00 1.61379 50.216 ∞ 1.00 1.61379 50.2
17 ∞ 0.0017 ∞ 0.00
如图7所示，插入部的前端部11配置有：包含前端透镜的外径为φ2.8mm、形状为凹凸形状的物镜系统72的摄像单元19B；通道前端开口26B；去除在物镜系统72的前端表面上因送气送水而造成的附着污物的送气送水喷嘴39；利用通过与光源装置4连接的未图示的光导的光来照明被拍摄物体的照明透镜16a、16b。As shown in Figure 7, the
摄像单元19B在插入部前端上被安装成使得在对被拍摄物体进行拍摄并显示在监视器5上时的监视器5上的上下方向与图7所示的插入部前端的上下方向一致。The imaging unit 19B is attached to the front end of the insertion part such that the vertical direction on the
内径为φ2.8mm的处理器具通道25被配置在相对于摄像单元19B稍稍偏离水平方向的左斜下方的方向上，如图7所示，设前端部11的上下方向为Y轴、左右方向为X轴时，连接处理器具通道25的中心轴与摄像单元19B的光轴O的直线相对于上述X轴成α的角度。The
如图8所示，物镜系统72的光轴O与前端开口26B平行配置，本实施例中，物镜系统72的中心(光轴O)与前端开口26B的中心轴的距离D设定为6mm。As shown in FIG. 8 , the optical axis O of the
下面说明本实施例的作用。The action of this embodiment will be described below.
首先，说明由摄像单元19B拍摄黑白对带子间距为35μm的被拍摄物体时的作用。First, the operation when the imaging unit 19B captures a subject with a black-and-white pair-strip pitch of 35 μm will be described.
如上所述构成的摄像单元19B中，在物距为得到最高分辨率的物距2.95mm时，对黑白对带子间距为35μm的被拍摄物体进行拍摄时，CCD受光面上成像的白带和黑带的对比度G为11.5％。In the imaging unit 19B constituted as above, when the object distance is 2.95 mm, which is the object distance for obtaining the highest resolution, and the object to be photographed is photographed with a black-and-white pair of tape spacing of 35 μm, the white and black bands imaged on the CCD light-receiving surface The contrast ratio G is 11.5%.
通过上述物镜系统72在CCD 73的受光面上成像的间距为35μm的黑白对带子的被拍摄物体像被光电转换。并且，从白带所成像的像素输出的图像信号与从黑带所成像的像素输出的图像信号之差为大致11.5％。The black-and-white pairs of strips with a pitch of 35 μm formed on the light-receiving surface of the CCD 73 by the above-mentioned
该图像信号通过CDS电路44、A/D转换器45、信号转换部46输入图像处理部47，例如被实施适合于监视器的γ(ガンマ)处理和电掩码(mask)处理等，使白带与黑带的对比度I达到10％以上，输出到监视器5。The image signal is input to the
由此，由摄像单元19B拍摄的35μm间距的黑白对带子在监视器上可被识别为黑白对带子。Thereby, the black-and-white pair tape with a pitch of 35 μm captured by the imaging unit 19B can be recognized as a black-and-white pair tape on the monitor.
当在物距为50mm的位置处放置黑白对带子间距为0.5mm的被拍摄物体，由本实施例的摄像单元19B进行拍摄的情况下，在CCD 73受光面上成像的白带和黑带的对比度G为19.3％。When the object distance is placed at the position of 50mm, the object to be photographed is 0.5mm in black and white pair of strips, and the camera unit 19B of the present embodiment is used for shooting, the contrast G of the white band and the black band on the CCD 73 light-receiving surface. was 19.3%.
同样在CCD 73的受光面上成像的间距为0.5mm的黑白对带子的被拍摄物体被光电转换，从白带所成像的像素输出的图像信号与从黑带所成像的像素输出的图像信号之差为大致19.3％，通过图像处理装置4使白带和黑带的对比度I达到10％以上，输出给监视器5。Also on the light-receiving surface of the CCD 73, the black-and-white pair of strips with a pitch of 0.5 mm is photoelectrically converted, and the difference between the image signal output from the pixel imaged by the white strip and the image signal output by the pixel imaged by the black strip is It is approximately 19.3%, and the contrast I of the white band and the black band is made to be 10% or more by the image processing device 4 and output to the
由此，由摄像单元19B拍摄的配置在距离为50mm处的0.5mm间距的黑白对带子可在监视器5上被识别为黑白带。Thereby, the pair of black and white tapes arranged at a distance of 50 mm at a pitch of 0.5 mm captured by the imaging unit 19B can be recognized as black and white tapes on the
上述电掩码处理是如图9所示，在监视器5的显示画面内作成高宽比为1∶1.2的八角形的显示区域5b，在该八角形的显示区域5b中显示摄像单元19B拍摄的被拍摄物体。Above-mentioned electrical masking process is as shown in Figure 9, makes the
在通过上述电掩码处理得到的显示区域5b上的视场角如是图9所示的横向方向长的显示区域的情况下，对角方向的P点为最大的视场角(θmax)。实施掩码处理使得物镜系统72的视场角160°与上述最大视场角θmax一致。另一方面，通过掩码处理，使得监视器画面上视场角最窄的是上下方向，其次窄的是左右方向的视场角。When the viewing angle on the
作为上述最大对角的P点被设定成使连接P点和画面中心的直线与监视器画面上的水平方向所成角度为α，此外，摄像单元19B如图7所示，被配置成使插入部的前端部11的X轴方向与监视器水平方向一致，因此从配置在相对于X轴成α角度的位置处的处理器具通道25的前端开口26B突出的处理器具28如图9所示，从监视器5上的大概而言为水平方向，更严格地说是比水平方向稍稍下侧的左下方的P点附近开始，显示在显示区域5b内。The P point as the above-mentioned maximum diagonal is set so that the angle formed by the straight line connecting the P point and the center of the screen and the horizontal direction on the monitor screen is α. In addition, the imaging unit 19B is arranged such that, as shown in FIG. The X-axis direction of the
要使本实施例中的从插入部的前端部11的前端开口26B突出的处理器具28被摄像单元19B拍摄到的必要条件为：当处理器具28移动到最靠摄像单元19B侧时，由于摄像单元19B的前端透镜面处的光线高为Lh＝1.31mm、前端开口26B的半径R＝2.8mm、摄像单元19B的视场角θ＝160°、摄像单元19B的光轴O与通道25的距离D＝6mm，因此作为处理器具28从前端部11的前端面突出的最小突出量为Hmin，可按式3导出。The necessary condition for making the
Hmin＝(D-Lh-R)×tan(90°-θ/2)＝0.58mm(式3)Hmin=(D-Lh-R)×tan(90°-θ/2)=0.58mm (Formula 3)
另一方面，在处理器具28位于离开摄像单元19B最远的方向上的情况下，处理器具28突出，要使处理器具28的前端整体被摄像单元19B拍摄到的必要条件为：作为处理器具28从前端部11的前端面突出的突出量Hall，按下式4所示导出。On the other hand, when the
Hall＝(D-Lh+R)×tan(90°-θ/2)＝1.07mm(式4)Hall＝(D-Lh+R)×tan(90°-θ/2)＝1.07mm (Formula 4)
如式3、式4所示，当处理器具28从前端部11的前端面突出的突出量达到0.58mm以上时开始进入摄像单元19B的视野内，突出量大于1.07mm时处理器具28的前端的大致整体都进入视野内。As shown in
由此，在距离为可获得本实施例的摄像单元19B的最高分辨率的2.95mm时，处理器具28的前端侧进入摄像单元19B的视野内，可在监视器5上被识别。As a result, at a distance of 2.95 mm at which the highest resolution of the imaging unit 19B of this embodiment can be obtained, the distal end side of the
本实施例具有如下效果。This embodiment has the following effects.
本实施例中，构成摄像单元19B的物镜光学系统采用单焦点光学系统，因此与倍率变更光学系统和可变焦点光学系统相比结构简单。In this embodiment, the objective optical system constituting the imaging unit 19B is a single-focus optical system, and thus has a simpler structure than a magnification changing optical system and a variable-focus optical system.
本实施例中可获得最高分辨率的距离近达2.95mm，因此监视器上的显示倍率增大，容易观察被拍摄物体。In this embodiment, the distance at which the highest resolution can be obtained is as short as 2.95mm, so the display magnification on the monitor is increased, and it is easy to observe the object to be photographed.
这里，本实施例中，设CCD 73的像素间距为3.3μm、有效像素数为40万像素、摄像单元19B的最大视场角为160°、可得到最高分辨率的距离为2.95mm、摄像单元19B的光轴O与前端开口26中心的距离为6mm，但不限定于此。Here, in the present embodiment, assume that the pixel pitch of CCD 73 is 3.3 μ m, the number of effective pixels is 400,000 pixels, the maximum field of view angle of camera unit 19B is 160 °, and the distance that can obtain the highest resolution is 2.95 mm, the camera unit The distance between the optical axis O of 19B and the center of the
例如，在对黑白对带子的间距为35μm的被拍摄物体进行拍摄时，变更像素间距、有效像素数、最大视场角等，使得从拍摄上述白色被拍摄物体而获得的像素得到的输出信号与从拍摄上述黑色被拍摄物体而获得的像素得到的输出信号之差达到10％以上，并且当物距为使拍摄上述35μm的被拍摄物体时输出信号之差为10％以上的物距时，即使变更最大视场角、及摄像单元19的光轴O与前端开口26的中心的距离，以便能够观察处理器具，也可获得同样的效果。For example, when photographing a subject with a pitch of 35 μm between black-and-white pairs of bands, the pixel pitch, the number of effective pixels, the maximum angle of view, etc. are changed so that the output signal obtained from the pixels obtained by photographing the above-mentioned white subject is the same as When the difference in output signals obtained from pixels obtained by photographing the above-mentioned black subject is 10% or more, and the object distance is such that the difference in output signals when photographing the above-mentioned 35 μm subject is 10% or more, even The same effect can be obtained by changing the maximum viewing angle and the distance between the optical axis O of the
本实施例中，有效像素数为40万像素，但在马赛克滤色器方式的情况下，即便25万像素左右也可实现同样的效果，此时，具有能够进一步增大可获得最高分辨率的距离、增大监视器5上的显示倍率的效果。另一方面，在小于25万像素的像素数的情况下，可获得最高分辨率的距离为2mm左右，处理性能有可能会降低。In this embodiment, the number of effective pixels is 400,000 pixels, but in the case of the mosaic color filter method, the same effect can be achieved even with about 250,000 pixels. In this case, the maximum resolution can be further increased. The distance and the effect of increasing the display magnification on the
本实施例中，可采用如下方式：使用切换式等的三原色光作为照明光，与按顺序照射的三原色光同步，利用单色(黑白)CCD取入被拍摄物体，利用图像处理装置进行彩色化，此时，在使用有效像素数为10万像素左右的CCD的情况下，得到与马赛克滤色器方式的25万像素同样的效果。In this embodiment, the following method can be adopted: use the three primary color lights of switching type as the illumination light, synchronize with the three primary color lights irradiated in sequence, use the monochrome (black and white) CCD to capture the object to be photographed, and use the image processing device to perform colorization , At this time, in the case of using a CCD with an effective pixel number of about 100,000 pixels, the same effect as that of the 250,000 pixels of the mosaic color filter method is obtained.
本实施例中，如图9所示，监视器画面5a的显示区域5b为水平方向的显示尺寸比垂直方向(纵向)长的横长型八角形，但对于像图10所示的变形例的显示区域5b那样，通过水平方向以圆形方式进行掩码处理而变宽，而在纵向上不进行掩码处理的情况，也可以适用。即这种情况下，也可以使从显示区域尺寸(显示区域)宽的大致水平方向突出的处理器具的前端出现在显示区域5b内。In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the
更一般地，也可以通过把前端开口配置成使其对应于显示区域中的显示区域宽(或大)的方向，使从该前端开口突出的处理器具28显示在显示区域宽的方向上。More generally, the
所谓显示区域宽的方向，是指对观察图像的视野方向产生限制的情况下的限制小(视野宽)的方向，例如在对应于监视器上的大致垂直方向对观察图像的视野产生限制的情况下，只要把通道的前端开口配置成使得其对应于接近大致水平方向的方向即可。The direction in which the display area is wide refers to a direction in which the field of view of the observed image is limited (wider field of view), for example, when the field of view of the observed image is restricted in a direction corresponding to a substantially vertical direction on the monitor. Next, it is only necessary to arrange the front opening of the channel so that it corresponds to a direction close to the substantially horizontal direction.
本实施例的图像处理装置4和监视器5以对应于HDTV方式的视频信号的图像处理装置和监视器来进行了说明，但不限定于此，也可以是对应于例如NTSC方式、PAL方式这样的视频信号的图像处理装置和监视器。或者，还可以使用VGA方式、SVGA方式的图像处理装置和监视器。The image processing device 4 and the
以上的各实施例中，说明了使用单焦点物镜光学系统的情况，接着说明使用焦点位置可变的物镜光学系统的情况下的电子内窥镜等。In each of the above embodiments, the case of using the single-focus objective optical system has been described, and next, an electronic endoscope and the like in the case of using the variable-focus objective optical system will be described.
(实施例3)(Example 3)
参考图11到图18说明本发明实施例3。
如图11所示，电子内窥镜系统1C包括：实施例3的电子内窥镜2C；供给该电子内窥镜2C照明光的光源装置3；对内置在电子内窥镜2C中的摄像单元进行信号处理的图像处理装置(信号处理装置)4C；被输入从图像处理装置4C输出的标准视频信号，从而显示内窥镜图像的对应于高清晰TV(简记为HDTV)方式的监视器5。As shown in FIG. 11 , an
本实施例的电子内窥镜2C具有：插入被检测体的细长的插入部7；设置在该插入部7的后端，由手术人员等操作者抓持进行操作的操作部8；以及从该操作部8延伸出来的电缆部9。The electronic endoscope 2C of this embodiment has: an
插入部7的前端设置有硬质的前端部11，在该前端部11上设置有后述的摄像单元119等。A rigid
插入部7内插通有传送照明光的光导14，该光导14的后端侧通过电缆部9到达设置于该光导14的端部上的光导连接器15。操作者通过将该光导连接器15连接到光源装置3，从而从光源装置3向光导14的后端面提供照明光。A
从光源装置3供给的照明光由光导14传送，从固定于前端部11上的前端面进一步经过与该前端面对置地安装在照明窗上的照明透镜16a、16b(参考图14)向前方射出，照明体腔内的患部等被拍摄物体。前端部11上与照明窗相邻设置有观察窗(或摄像窗)，在该摄像窗上配置有摄像单元119，该摄像单元119包括对被照明的被拍摄物体成光学像的物镜系统(或物镜光学系统)117；和受光面(或光电转换面)配置在该物镜系统117的成像位置上的作为摄像元件的例如电荷耦合元件(简记作CCD)118。The illumination light supplied from the
摄像单元119上连接着信号电缆21的一端，插通到插入部7内的信号电缆21还插通到电缆部9内，该信号电缆21的另一端连接在其后端的信号连接器22上。One end of a
通过将该信号连接器22连接于图像处理装置4C上，通过来自图像处理装置4C的CCD驱动部23的CCD驱动信号来驱动CCD 118，CCD 118输出进行了光电转换的图像信号(摄像信号)。By connecting the
该摄像信号在图像处理装置4C内被进行信号处理，生成视频信号，在监视器5上显示内窥镜图像。The imaging signal is subjected to signal processing in the image processing device 4C to generate a video signal, and an endoscopic image is displayed on the
此外，在插入部7内设置有各种处理器具可插通于其中的通道25。该通道25包括在前端部11开口的通道前端开口(也称作前端开口或钳子口)26、操作部8的前端附近的处理器具插入口27、连接前端开口26和处理器具插入口27的通道管25a。In addition, a
并且，通过从该处理器具插入口27插入处理器具28，使该处理器具28的前端侧从前端开口26突出，可以在处理器具28的前端侧进行采集、切除患部组织等的处理。Furthermore, by inserting the
此外，本实施例中，从前端开口26突出的处理器具28的前端侧与患部组织等作为检查对象或处理对象的被拍摄物体一起，进入到摄像单元119的视野内，该突出的处理器具28显示在监视器5的显示面上，可顺利地进行处理等。In addition, in this embodiment, the front end side of the
本实施例中，CCD 118是具有补色系的马赛克滤色器的马赛克滤色方式的CCD，采用像素间距是2.5μm、对监视器显示有效的像素数是130万像素的CCD。In the present embodiment,
上述摄像单元119使用由最大视场角为例如120°～140°左右的、在改变焦点位置的情况下视场角几乎不变的由可变焦点光学系统构成的物镜系统117，如使用图12说明的那样，通过致动器129在物镜系统117的光轴O上前后移动接合透镜117d，如图13所示，从近景(近点侧)到远景(远点侧)都能够以高分辨率在CCD 118上成像。The above-mentioned
该物镜系统117设定成Fno(F号码)为例如小于等于10.0左右，以便不超出光的衍射界限。并设定成当为近景时的物距时可得到最高分辨率。The
使用图12说明本实施例的摄像单元119的结构。The structure of the
构成物镜系统117的前级的多个透镜(含光学元件)117a、117b、117c被固定于透镜框31上，以使得面间隔适当并且各透镜对中。A plurality of lenses (including optical elements) 117a, 117b, and 117c constituting the front stage of the
图12的情况下，通过隔离件32来设定透镜117b和117c之间的面间隔。构成物镜系统117、从前端侧开始按顺序配置的第一、第二、第三透镜117a、117b、117c分别是平凹透镜、双凸透镜、红外截止滤色器。In the case of FIG. 12 , the
在嵌合于该框31中的CCD框133内，沿物镜系统117的光轴O方向可自由滑动地设置有保持接合透镜117d的透镜保持框部134a。In the
该CCD框133内，在透镜保持框部134a的后方侧位置上固定着平行平板透镜117e和CCD芯片118b。In the
CCD 118由密封玻璃118a、由该密封玻璃118a保护受光面(摄像面)的CCD芯片118b、与CCD芯片118b连接的CCD基板118c、安装在该CCD基板118c上的CCD驱动用部件118d构成。The
CCD基板118c通过凸块连接等与CCD芯片118b电连接。CCD基板118c上焊接有耦合电容器、电流放大用晶体管等CCD驱动用部件118d。CCD芯片118b的受光面上通过光学粘接剂等粘接固定着用于保护该受光面的密封玻璃118a。The
透镜框31与CCD框133嵌合，使得透镜框31可与物镜系统117的光轴方向平行地移动，把CCD芯片118b粘接固定在CCD框133上，以使得上述物镜系统117的光轴与上述CCD芯片118b的受光面垂直。
本实施例中，配置在CCD框133内的例如具有正的放大率(折射力)的接合透镜117d被与CCD框133的内周面嵌合可自由移动的透镜保持框部134a保持，该透镜保持框部134a经过贯通于设置在CCD框133上的长槽133a内的臂部134b，与CCD框133外部的致动器连接部134c连接。In this embodiment, the cemented
由上述透镜保持框部134a、臂部134b和致动器连接部134c形成用于移动接合透镜117d的移动透镜框134。A
通过致动器连接部134c与移动透镜框134一起来移动接合透镜117d的致动器129由与致动器连接部134c连接的致动器移动部129a、将该致动器移动部129a沿与物镜系统117的光轴O平行的方向移动的致动器主体129b构成。该致动器主体129b固定在CCD框133的外周侧。The
该致动器主体129b经过信号线135与设置在图像处理装置4C内的致动器驱动部136(参考图11)连接，通过来自该致动器驱动部136的致动器驱动信号，致动器主体129b动作。The actuator
致动器主体129b可以对应于该致动器驱动信号而使致动器移动部129a向成为致动器主体129b侧的后方侧移动，或使其向离开致动器主体129b的前方侧移动。该致动器驱动部136产生(输出)与来自构成设置在图像处理装置4C内的自动对焦部(本实施例的对焦控制部)137的CPU137c的控制信号对应的致动器驱动信号。The actuator
图12所示状态下，接合透镜117d为设定在可动范围(移动范围)的大致中央附近的状态，在通过致动器驱动信号而向最前方侧移动了的近景时的设定状态时，接合透镜117d设定在图13的双点划线所示位置处，该状态下，变成对焦于近点侧的近景以景深为5.2mm～10mm的范围以高分辨率成像在CCD芯片118b上的状态。In the state shown in FIG. 12 , the cemented
在通过致动器驱动信号而向最后方侧移动的情况下，接合透镜117d被设定在图13的实线所示的最后方侧的位置处，该状态是成为远点侧的远景时的设定状态。该远景时的设定状态下，变成对焦于远景，且远景以规定分辨率并以景深为10mm～100mm的大状态成像在CCD芯片118b上的状态。When moving toward the rearmost side by the actuator drive signal, the cemented
这样，接合透镜117d将近景位置到远景位置作为可动范围，可移动设定在该可动范围内的任意位置处。图13是动作说明图，仅对部分构成要素标注标号来进行表示。In this way, the cemented
如图12所示，CCD基板118c上设置有用于焊接信号电缆21的信号线的焊盘(未示出)，信号电缆21的信号线被焊接。从CCD框133经过CCD芯片118b，到信号电缆21的与CCD基板118c的连接部，配置有进行机械保护的CCD保护框138。As shown in FIG. 12 , pads (not shown) for welding the signal lines of the
在该CCD保护框138上，在成为CCD芯片118b的背面部附近的位置处设置有切口部，以从该切口部插入的方式配置有由导热性好的例如铝合金、铜合金等形成的散热部件139。该散热部件139上通过焊接、粘接剂等机械连接着以导热性好的金属为导体的散热用电缆140。On this
CCD保护框138内部填充有密封树脂141，用具有热收缩性的管142密封CCD芯片118b周边。散热用电缆140焊接在热容量大的部件，如插入部7的前端部11上。The inside of the
信号电缆21是按如下形成的，将多个同轴线和多个单线合在一起，然后卷绕氟树脂制的带子，在其上缠绕铜线作为统一屏蔽，再在其上卷绕氟树脂制的带子，再在其上用特氟纶(テフロン)(注册商标)类护套覆盖。The
如图14所示，插入部7的前端部11配置有：包含前端第一透镜117a的外径为例如φ2.8mm的物镜系统117的摄像单元119；通道前端开口26；去除在物镜系统117的外表面上因送气送水而造成的附着污物的送气送水喷嘴143；利用通过与光源装置3连接的光导14传送(导光)的光来照明被拍摄物体的照明透镜16a、16b。As shown in Figure 14, the
摄像单元119在前端部11上被安装成使得当拍摄对被拍摄物体、显示在监视器5上时的监视器5上的上下方向与图14所示的插入部7的前端部11的上下方向一致。本实施例的通道管25a使用例如特氟纶(注册商标)制的内径2.8mm的管。The
如图15所示，物镜系统117的光轴O与(通道管25a的前端所连接的)前端开口26平行地配置，本实施例中，物镜系统117的中心(光轴O)与前端开口26的中心轴的距离D被设定为例如6mm。该前端开口26的半径R的2倍与通道管25a的内径相同，是2.8mm。As shown in Figure 15, the optical axis O of the
如图11所示，光源装置3有灯40，利用由光圈驱动部41驱动的光圈42的开口调整了该灯40的照明光的透过光量后，该灯40的照明光经过会聚透镜43入射到光导连接器15上的光导14的入射端面上。并且，如上所述，从光导14的前端，再经过照明透镜16a、16b向被拍摄物体侧射出照明光。As shown in Figure 11, the
光导14在插入部7内分支为两条，如图14所示，从在前端部11配置在2个部位上的照明透镜16a、16b分别射出照明光。The
如图11所示，图像处理装置4C中具有被输入来自CCD 118的图像信号的CDS电路44，由该CDS电路44提取出信号成分后，由A/D转换器45转换为数字信号。As shown in FIG. 11 , the image processing device 4C has a
由该A/D转换器45转换的数字图像信号输入生成由亮度信号和颜色信号构成的视频信号的信号转换部46。通过该信号转换部46生成的视频信号输入进行γ校正等各种图像处理的图像处理部47。该图像处理部47的输出信号输入D/A转换器48，转换为模拟的与HDTV方式对应的视频信号后，输出到监视器5。The digital image signal converted by the A/
来自信号转换部46的亮度信号被输入生成自动调光信号的自动调光部54，通过该自动调光部54生成自动调光信号。该自动调光部54包括：检测处理器具的处理器具检测部54a；检测从该处理器具检测部54a输入的亮度信号的平均水平的亮度检测部54b；将检测出的亮度信号的平均水平与成为基准的基准值进行比较，并将与基准值的差信号作为自动调光信号输出的调光信号生成部54c。The luminance signal from the
处理器具检测部54a通过例如处理器具的反射光量和颜色，来检测出处理器具进入摄像单元119的视野内(换言之，处理器具的图像成像在CCD118的受光面上)的情况。The treatment instrument detection unit 54 a detects that the treatment instrument enters the field of view of the imaging unit 119 (in other words, the image of the treatment instrument is imaged on the light receiving surface of the CCD 118 ) based on, for example, the amount and color of reflected light of the treatment instrument.
亮度检测部54b在处理器具检测部54a检测到处理器具的情况下，检测出处理器具的像所成像的区域附近的峰值亮度(光量)和该区域附近的平均亮度(光量)。When the treatment tool detection unit 54a detects a treatment tool, the
该亮度检测部54b在处理器具检测部54a未检测到处理器具的情况下，检测画面整体的峰值亮度和平均亮度。The
调光信号生成部54c为了通过来自亮度检测部54b的峰值亮度和平均亮度信号而得到适当亮度的信号，生成用于调整光源装置3的照明光量的自动调光信号，输出到光源装置3的光圈驱动部41。The
自动调光部54的自动调光信号输入到光源装置3的光圈驱动部41，对应于自动调光信号，光圈驱动部41自动调整光圈42的开口量，进行控制以得到相当于调光信号生成部54c的基准值的适合于观察的亮度的图像。The automatic dimming signal of the
信号检测部46的亮度信号被输入构成自动对焦部137的亮度检测部137a，由亮度检测部137a检测出图像的亮度。The luminance signal of the
图像处理部47的输出信号被输入构成自动对焦部137的对比度检测部137b，由对比度检测部137b检测输出信号的对比度。The output signal of the
由亮度检测部137a检测出的亮度信息和由对比度检测部137b检测出的对比度信息被输入CPU 137c，该CPU 137c通过亮度信息和对比度信息进行例如登山方式的自动对焦控制(在后面利用图16进行说明)。The brightness information detected by the brightness detection unit 137a and the contrast information detected by the
本实施例的电子内窥镜2C采用可变焦点光学系统(即焦点位置可变的光学系统)，所述可变焦点光学系统将物镜系统117中的一部分的接合透镜117d配置成可沿光轴O的方向自由移动，可在近景时的位置到远景时的位置的范围内连续移动，对应于该移动，视场角几乎不变化，而焦距改变。The electronic endoscope 2C of this embodiment employs a variable focus optical system (that is, an optical system in which the focus position is variable) that arranges a part of the cemented
并且，由自动对焦部137控制该接合透镜117d，能够始终在从近景到远景的范围内设定成对焦状态、以保持高分辨率和规定景深的状态进行拍摄。In addition, the cemented
本实施例中，如以下说明的那样，构成为即使设定成近景的情况下，也能确保宽的视野角(视场角)，即使使用处理器具时，从通道25的前端开口26突出的处理器具的前端侧也进入视野内，容易进行详细的处理。In this embodiment, as will be described below, it is configured to ensure a wide viewing angle (viewing angle) even when it is set to a close-up view, and even when a treatment instrument is used, the front end opening 26 of the
具体说，本实施例中，在插通于通道25内的处理器具28的前端侧从前端开口26突出的情况下，在物距为可获得能识别例如35μm间距的黑白色的高分辨率的近景侧的物距(被拍摄物体物距)时，处理器具28的前端侧进入摄像单元119的视野内，换言之，在CCD 118的受光面上成像处理器具28的前端侧的像。Specifically, in this embodiment, when the front end side of the
下面说明这种结构的本实施例的作用。The action of this embodiment of such a structure will be described below.
如图11所示，将电子内窥镜2C的光导连接器15连接到光源装置3，将信号连接器22连接到图像处理装置4C。该图像处理装置4C的视频输出端上连接监视器5的电缆，设成可进行内窥镜检查的状态。As shown in FIG. 11 , the
并且，将未示出的电源开关接通，来自光源装置3的照明光提供给光导14，通过光导14将照明光从照明透镜16a、16b射出，设为可照明由摄像单元119拍摄的被拍摄物体的状态。通过摄像单元119的CCD 118拍摄的图像成为通过图像处理装置4C显示在监视器5上的状态。And, the power switch not shown is turned on, and the illumination light from the
接着将电子内窥镜2C的插入部7插入患者体腔内，将插入部7的前端部11设成可观察体腔内的患部等作为要进行内窥镜检查的部位的被拍摄物体的状态。此时，设置于前端部11上的摄像单元119的物镜系统117将被拍摄物体的光学像成像在CCD 118的受光面上。在CCD 118的受光面上成像的像被光电转换，转换为图像信号。Next, the
该图像信号经过信号电缆21、信号连接器22输入图像处理装置4C的CDS电路44。该图像信号的波形包含信号成分以外的复位噪声等，通过CDS电路44生成信号成分被提取的基带信号。The image signal is input to the
该CDS电路44的输出信号输入A/D转换器45，A/D转换器45将作为模拟信号的图像信号转换为数字信号。转换为数字信号的图像信号由信号转换部46转换为视频信号。The output signal of this
此时，由于本实施例中采用补色系的马赛克滤色器作为CCD 118，因此该信号转换部46转换为从例如相邻的4种滤色器的像素信号输出取平均而得到的亮度信号、由各色的像素信号输出的差分得到的色差信号这样的视频信号。At this time, since the mosaic color filter of the complementary color system is adopted as the
该视频信号被图像处理部47进行适合于监视器显示的对比度调整、颜色调整和显示尺寸调整等。This video signal is subjected to contrast adjustment, color adjustment, display size adjustment, and the like suitable for monitor display by the
之后，由D/A转换器48转换为监视器5可显示的模拟的对应于HDTV方式的视频信号。监视器5在监视器画面5a上显示与输入的HDTV方式的视频信号对应的(由CCD 118拍摄的)被拍摄物体图像。Thereafter, it is converted by the D/
首先说明自动调光功能。First, the automatic dimming function will be described.
自动调光部54在处理器具28未进入摄像单元119的视野内的情况下，由亮度检测部54b检测出画面整体的亮度(具体说是峰值亮度或平均亮度)，输出给调光信号生成部54c。该调光信号生成部54c在画面暗时向光源装置3输出控制信号，具体说是自动调光信号，以增大发光。在画面过于明亮的情况下，输出作为控制光源装置3以减小发光的控制信号的自动调光信号。When the
通过该自动调光信号，光源装置3内的光圈驱动部41驱动光圈42，调整从灯40经过光圈42入射到光导14的后端的照明光量，以成为合适的光量。The
接着说明为了通过利用摄像单元119的内窥镜观察，对患部等被拍摄物体进行治疗用的组织采集和病变部切除，而使用处理器具28的情况下的自动调光的作用。Next, the function of the automatic light adjustment in the case of using the
通过将处理器具28插入通道25，使处理器具28经过插入部7的前端部11的前端开口26，从其前端面突出，从而使处理器具进入摄像单元119的视野内。By inserting the
此时，例如根据处理器具28的颜色、处理器具28的反射光等，处理器具检测部54a检测出处理器具28进入了视野内，检测出基于以上述处理器具28为中心的一定区域的峰值亮度和平均亮度的亮度。调光信号生成部54c输出作为控制信号的自动调光信号，以便当上述处理器具28附近的亮度过亮时使光源装置3减小发光，过暗时使光源装置3增大发光。At this time, for example, based on the color of the
并且，通过自动调光信号，光源装置3内的光圈驱动部41驱动光圈42，调整从灯40通过光圈42入射到光导14的入射端的照明光量。通过该自动调光信号，可进行自动调光，使得处理器具28进入摄像单元119的视野内的区域附近的亮度为适合于观察的亮度。In addition, the
本实施例中，通过自动对焦部137进行控制，使构成物镜系统117的接合透镜117d始终在对焦状态下在CCD 118的受光面上成像拍摄物体像。In this embodiment, the
此时，自动对焦部137的亮度检测部137a从来自信号转换部46的亮度信号中检测出各帧的平均亮度，输出到CPU 137c。对比度检测部137b从图像处理部47的输出信号中的高频域侧的亮度信号中检测出各帧的对比度，输出到CPU 137c。At this time, the brightness detection unit 137a of the
CPU 137c判断由亮度检测部137a检测出的亮度是否在规定值以上，在超过规定值的情况下，通过基于由对比度检测部137b检测出的高频域侧的亮度信号的对比度信息，按登山方式检测出对焦状态，将接合透镜117d设置于对焦状态的位置上。The CPU 137c judges whether the luminance detected by the luminance detection unit 137a is above a predetermined value, and if the luminance exceeds the predetermined value, the CPU 137c performs a mountain climbing method based on the contrast information based on the luminance signal on the high-frequency side detected by the
图16表示登山方式的自动对焦(图16中简记作AF)的处理内容。FIG. 16 shows the processing contents of the autofocus (abbreviated as AF in FIG. 16 ) in the mountain climbing mode.
首先，最初的步骤S1中，CPU 137c进行透镜移动方向的判断。如图12和图13所示，判断在进行该登山方式的自动对焦时的开始的透镜位置处，哪个方向为登山方向(对比度增大的方向)。First, in the first step S1, the CPU 137c judges the moving direction of the lens. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 , it is determined which direction is the climbing direction (the direction in which the contrast increases) at the initial lens position when autofocusing in the climbing method is performed.
具体说，CPU 137c控制致动器驱动部136，通过致动器129向一个方向移动接合透镜117d，此时判断移动前后从对比度检测部137b输出的对比度信息是否增大。并且，CPU 137c将对比度增大的方向判断为透镜移动方向，使接合透镜117d向该方向移动。Specifically, the CPU 137c controls the
并且接着的步骤S2中，CPU 137c检测出接合透镜117d向对比度增大的方向移动了时的对比度的峰值。当向对比度增大的登山方向移动、超过对焦位置时，此时的对比度值比峰值小。And in the next step S2, the CPU 137c detects the peak value of the contrast when the cemented
因此，通过移动接合透镜117d直到稍稍超出峰值的位置，由此可检测出峰值。Therefore, the peak can be detected by moving the cemented
接着的步骤S3中，CPU 137c控制致动器驱动部136，使得接合透镜117d返回直到对应于峰值的位置处。这样可将接合透镜117d设定在对焦位置上。In the next step S3, the CPU 137c controls the
然后，回到步骤S1，反复进行步骤S1～S3的处理。这样，可始终保持对焦状态，即使到被拍摄物体的距离改变的情况下，也可保持规定的景深以高的分辨率在CCD 118上成像该被拍摄物体。并且，监视器5上显示在该CCD 118上成像的状态下的被拍摄物体图像，即保持规定的景深的状态下的高分辨率的图像。如实施例4中说明的那样，在使用检测出的对比度进行对焦控制的情况下，在亮度信号的亮度水平小的情况下(暗的图像的情况下)，也可以优先于基于对比度进行的对焦控制，进行设定到远景位置上的控制。Then, it returns to step S1, and the processing of steps S1 to S3 is repeated. In this way, the focus state can be kept all the time, even if the distance to the subject changes, the subject can be imaged on the
接着说明将处理器具插入通道25进行处理的情况。操作者将使用的处理器具插入设置于操作部8附近的处理器具插入口27中。从处理器具插入口27插入的处理器具通过插入部7内的通道管25a的通道25内，被引导到插入部7的前端部11侧。当操作者将该处理器具28进一步插入深处侧时，处理器具28的前端从前端部11的通道前端开口26突出。Next, a case where a treatment instrument is inserted into the
要使突出的处理器具28被摄像单元119拍摄到的必要条件为：如图17所示，在处理器具28移动到最靠摄像单元119侧的情况下，由于摄像单元119的前端透镜面处的光线高Lh＝1.2mm、前端开口26的半径R＝1.4mm、摄像单元119的视场角θ为例如θ＝138°、摄像单元119的光轴O与前端开口26的中心的距离D＝6mm，因此作为处理器具28从插入部7的前端部11的前端面突出的最小突出量Hmin，可按下式5导出。The necessary condition for the protruding
Hmin＝(D-Lh-R)×tan(90°-θ/2)＝1.38mm(式5)Hmin=(D-Lh-R)×tan(90°-θ/2)=1.38mm (Formula 5)
另一方面，在处理器具28位于离摄像单元119最远的方向上的情况下，处理器具28突出，要使处理器具28的前端整体被摄像单元119拍摄到的必要条件为：作为处理器具28从插入部7的前端部11的前端面突出的突出量Hall，按下式6导出。On the other hand, when the
Hall＝(D-Lh+R)×tan(90°-θ/2)＝2.45mm(式6)Hall＝(D-Lh+R)×tan(90°-θ/2)＝2.45mm (Formula 6)
如式5、式6所示，当处理器具28从前端部11的前端面突出的突出量达到1.38mm以上时开始进入摄像单元119的视野内，突出量为2.45mm时处理器具28的前端的大致整体都进入视野内。As shown in
由此，在本实施例中的设定于摄像单元119的近点侧的状态下，景深为5.2mm～10mm，处理器具28的前端侧确实地进入摄像单元119的视野内，可在监视器5上进行识别。Therefore, in the state set on the near point side of the
接着参考图18说明通过摄像单元119，在设定于近点侧的状态下拍摄黑白对带子间距为35μm的被拍摄物体等时的作用。Next, the operation when the
图18表示将本实施例的电子内窥镜2C的插入部7插入体腔内，利用设置于前端部11上的摄像单元119，对体腔内的处理对象部位侧进行拍摄的同时，使处理器具28从前端开口26突出进行处理的情况的概略图。18 shows that the
此时，作为容易进行处理的条件，希望能够对作为处理对象的患部等进行详细观察，同时希望也能够详细地观察从前端开口26突出的处理器具28的前端侧。At this time, as conditions for easy treatment, it is desirable to be able to observe in detail the affected part to be treated, and also to be able to observe in detail the distal end side of the
本实施例中，按如下所示来满足这些条件。首先为使说明更明确，如下所示定义亮度对比度G(MTF)。In this embodiment, these conditions are satisfied as follows. First, to clarify the description, the luminance contrast G(MTF) is defined as follows.
在通过物镜系统117在CCD 118受光面上成像相同宽度的黑白带(条纹)的被拍摄物体时，将针对上述白色被拍摄物体的亮度的最大值设为Gmax、将针对上述黑色被拍摄物体的亮度的最小值设为Gmin、将亮度对比度G定义为G＝(Gmax-Gmin)/(Gmax+Gmin)。When an object with black and white bands (stripes) of the same width is imaged on the
在这样定义亮度对比度G的情况下，按如上所述构成的摄像单元119中，设定在近点的状态下，当物距为5.2mm到6.8mm时，在对黑白对带子60的间距为35μm的被拍摄物体进行拍摄时，在CCD受光面上成像的白带和黑带的亮度对比度G为10％以上。In the case of defining the brightness contrast G in this way, in the
通过上述物镜系统117在CCD 118的受光面上成像的间距为35μm的黑白对带子的被拍摄物体的像中，从白带所成像的像素输出的图像信号与从黑带所成像的像素输出的图像信号之差为大致10％。In the image of the object being photographed of the black-and-white pair of bands with a pitch of 35 μm on the light-receiving surface of the
上述图像信号通过CDS电路44、A/D转换器45、信号转换部46输入图像处理部47，被实施例如适合于监视器5显示的γ处理和去除噪声的低通滤波处理等。The above-mentioned image signal is input to the
并且，在将通过上述白色被拍摄物体得到的亮度信号的最大值设为Imax、通过上述黑色被拍摄物体得到的亮度信号的最小值设为Imin、对比度I定义为I＝(Imax-Imin)/(Imax+Imin)的情况下，(对上述黑白对带子的间距为35μm的被拍摄物体进行拍摄时)以对比度I为10％以上的方式输出图像信号。由此，摄像单元119拍摄的间距为35μm的黑白对带子在监视器5上可被识别为黑白对带子。这样，当对比度I达到10％以上时，可在容易识别的状态下进行观察。And, when the maximum value of the luminance signal obtained by the above-mentioned white subject is set as Imax, the minimum value of the luminance signal obtained by the above-mentioned black subject is set as Imin, and the contrast I is defined as I=(Imax-Imin)/ In the case of (Imax+Imin), an image signal is output such that the contrast I is 10% or more (when the subject is photographed with a pitch of 35 μm between black and white pairs of tapes). Thus, the black-and-white pair of tapes with a pitch of 35 μm photographed by the
图18中，将设定在近点侧的状态下的物距6.8mm设为d、在该位置处配置了间距设为35μm的黑白对带子(条纹)60的情况下，由CCD 18进行光电转换，形成从例如信号转换部46输出的视频信号的亮度信号中的对比度I如上所述为10％以上，从而可在监视器5上识别间距为35μm的黑白对带子60。In FIG. 18, when d is the object distance 6.8mm set on the near point side, and black and white paired strips (stripes) 60 with a pitch of 35 μm are arranged at this position, photoelectricity is performed by the CCD 18. Conversion, the contrast I in the luminance signal of the video signal output from the
图18中，表示出处理器具28从通道的前端开口26突出的状态，在处理器具28的前端进入摄像单元119的视野内之后，进一步向前方突出，从而处理器具28的前端成为可识别35μm间距的黑白对带子60的物距d的状态。该状态下，物距d比式6的Hall大，从式6变为满足如下条件的状态：In FIG. 18 , the state in which the
d≥(D-Lh+R)×tan(90°-θ/2)(式7)d≥(D-Lh+R)×tan(90°-θ/2) (Formula 7)
若将式7改写，则得到：If
D≤d/tan(90°-θ/2)+Lh-RD≤d/tan(90°-θ/2)+Lh-R
因此，根据本实施例，在使用焦距可变的光学系统的情况下，可非常详细地观察要通过处理器具28进行处理的患部等被拍摄物体，同时也可非常详细地观察在该患部附近突出的处理器具28的前端的状态，处理变得容易。Therefore, according to the present embodiment, in the case of using the variable focal length optical system, it is possible to observe in great detail an object to be photographed such as an affected part to be treated by the
由于使用焦距可变的光学系统，因此通过将物镜光学系统的焦距切换为远景侧，可把握宽范围下的状态，可顺利地进行处理。Since a variable focal length optical system is used, by switching the focal length of the objective optical system to the distant view side, the state in a wide range can be grasped and processing can be performed smoothly.
本实施例具有如下效果。This embodiment has the following effects.
本实施例中，构成摄像单元119的物镜系统117采用改变焦点位置时视场角几乎不变的可变焦点光学系统，因此与单焦点光学系统相比，从近景侧到远景侧都可得到高分辨率的内窥镜图像。In this embodiment, the
当为可在监视器5上识别上述摄像单元119拍摄的35μm间距的黑白对带子的距离时，由于可在监视器5上识别从通道25的前端开口26突出的处理器具28的前端侧，因而可改善使用以往的变焦光学系统的内窥镜来进行扩大观察时视场角变窄的操作性能。例如根据本实施例，可得到如下效果：能够容易地一边进行大肠的凹坑图案这样的被拍摄物体的详细观察，一边利用处理器具28进行处理。When the distance between the black-and-white pairs of tapes with a pitch of 35 μm captured by the above-mentioned
在设定在近点侧的状态下，可在监视器上识别35μm的间距的黑白对带子的距离为5.2mm到6.8mm，因此本实施例中，当为比该距离更靠跟前侧的物距时，处理器具28的前端侧可进入视野内，通过再向前方侧突出，可成为达到获得最高分辨率的距离的状态。In the state set to the near point side, the distance between black and white pairs of tapes with a pitch of 35 μm can be recognized on the monitor is 5.2 mm to 6.8 mm. When the distance is high, the front end side of the
因此，本实施例中，当为设定在近点侧的状态下的景深内的距离时，处理器具28的前端侧可充分进入视野内，具有能够比较容易地进行处理器具28的操作的效果。Therefore, in this embodiment, when the distance within the depth of field is set on the near point side, the front end side of the
此外，即使在设定在远景侧的情况下，也能够保持规定的分辨率，以景深比近景时大的状态得到被拍摄物体像。In addition, even when it is set to the far view side, a predetermined resolution can be maintained, and a subject image can be obtained with a greater depth of field than in the close view.
由于进行自动对焦控制以使得构成物镜系统117的可变焦点光学系统成为对焦状态，因此操作者不需要繁杂的操作，就可从远景到近景进行高分辨率的内窥镜图像的观察。Since the autofocus control is performed so that the variable focus optical system constituting the
此外，当插入处理器具28，成为将其前端显示在监视器5上的状态时，控制光源装置3的照明光量以使得处理器具28附近的亮度为最佳，因此容易进行处理。In addition, when the
本实施例中，CCD 118的像素间距为2.5μm、有效像素数为130万像素、摄像单元119的最大视场角为138°、近点侧的景深为5.2mm到10mm、摄像单元119的光轴O与前端开口26中心的距离为6mm，但不限定于此。In this embodiment, the pixel pitch of the
例如，对黑白对带子60的间距为35μm的被拍摄物体进行拍摄时，变更像素间距、有效像素数、最大视场角、近点侧的景深等，以使得从拍摄上述白色被拍摄物体而获得的像素得到的输出信号与从拍摄上述黑色被拍摄物体而获得的像素得到的输出信号之差为10％以上，并且在对上述35μm的被拍摄物体进行拍摄时当为使输出信号之差为10％以上的物距时，即使为了能够观察处理器具而变更最大视场角、及摄像单元119的光轴O与前端开口26中心的距离，也可得到大致同样的效果。For example, when photographing a subject with a pitch of 35 μm between the black and white pair of
上述说明中，CCD 118的有效像素数为130万像素，但在马赛克滤色器方式的情况下，即便是150万像素左右也可实现同样的效果，此时，具有可进一步增大获得最高分辨率的距离的效果。本实施例中，使用补色系的马赛克滤色器方式的彩色CCD来进行了说明，但不限定于此，电子内窥镜中，有时还采用如下方式：使用切换式等的三原色光作为照明光，与按顺序照射的三原色光同步，利用单色(黑白)CCD取入被拍摄物体像，在图像处理装置中进行彩色化，在这种方式下通过满足上述条件，也可得到同样的效果。In the above description, the effective number of pixels of
该方式的情况下，可得到R信号、G信号、B信号作为有效像素数为65万像素左右的CCD输出信号，虽然也可以不生成亮度信号而向监视器5输出，但该情况下，只要将亮度最高的G信号视为亮度信号即可。In the case of this method, the R signal, the G signal, and the B signal can be obtained as CCD output signals with an effective pixel number of about 650,000 pixels. Although it is also possible to output to the
本实施例中，使用致动器作为移动接合透镜117d、改变焦点位置的装置，进行基于自动对焦的焦点位置控制，实现近景侧的非常精细的观察，但不限定于此，例如作为移动接合透镜117d的装置，采用如下手段可得到同样效果：在透镜移动框134上安装线，并将该线安装在设置于操作部8上的操作杆上，通过操作该操作杆可将焦点位置在近景远景之间切换。In this embodiment, the actuator is used as a device for moving the cemented
视场角优选是在考虑了周围的观察性的一般的内窥镜中使用的100°以上的视场角，视场角宽的话，则具有处理器具检测距离变短的效果。The angle of view is preferably 100° or more, which is used in general endoscopes in consideration of peripheral visibility, and a wider angle of view has the effect of shortening the detection distance of the treatment instrument.
本实施例的图像处理装置4C和监视器5利用对应于HDTV方式的视频信号来进行了说明，但不限定于此，例如也可使用对应于SVGA、XGA这样的高分辨率监视器的显示方式。The image processing device 4C and monitor 5 of this embodiment have been described using video signals corresponding to the HDTV system, but are not limited to this, and for example, a display system corresponding to a high-resolution monitor such as SVGA or XGA may be used. .
此外，本实施例的摄像单元119中，作为释放CCD 118的热的装置，公开了通过散热部件139和散热用电缆140向插入部7的前端部件散热，但也可以是如下结构：不在散热部件139上设置散热用电缆140，使插入部7的前端部件的导热性好的部分接近与散热部件对置的部分，通过导热性好的密封树脂等散热。In addition, in the
作为散热用电缆140，也可使用信号电缆21的一部分。例如信号电缆21内也可设置不用于驱动的虚设电缆(dummy cable)，还可使用以信号电缆21的电磁屏蔽为目的的外部屏蔽。并且，不设置散热部件135，在CCD芯片118b附近用导电性好的密封树脂来固定散热用电缆140的导体部分，也可得到同样的散热效果。A part of the
在CCD基板118c上配置CCD芯片118b内部的输出级作为外部放大器，将CCD芯片118b的消耗功率分配给外部基板上的部件，由此来抑制CCD芯片118b的发热也是有效的。It is also effective to dispose the output stage inside the
(实施例4)(Example 4)
接着参考图19到图23说明本发明实施例4。图19表示具有实施例4的电子内窥镜系统1D的整体结构。该电子内窥镜系统1D具有：与图11的电子内窥镜2C的一部分不同的电子内窥镜2D；和具有CPU 71的视频处理器4D，该CPU 71具有两阶段(自动)对焦控制功能71a，来取代实施例3的视频处理器4C的自动对焦部137。光源部3和监视器5与实施例3结构相同。Next, Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 19 to FIG. 23 . FIG. 19 shows the overall configuration of an electronic endoscope system 1D having a fourth embodiment. This electronic endoscope system 1D has: an
本实施例的电子内窥镜2D基本结构与实施例3相同，CCD的有效像素数和物镜系统的一部分结构不同，同时摄像单元和处理器具通道的位置关系不同。下面以不同之处为重点来说明。The basic structure of the
图20是表示从正面观察本实施例的电子内窥镜2D的插入部7的前端部11的前端面的主视图，图21是沿着图20的D-D线的截面图，图23是处理器具28从前端部11突出时的监视器显示视频。FIG. 20 is a front view showing the front end surface of the
本实施例的电子内窥镜2D的前端部11中采用图20或图21所示的包括物镜系统172和CCD 173的摄像单元119B。The imaging unit 119B including the objective lens system 172 and the
该CCD 173采用像素间距为2.8μm、对监视器显示有效的像素数是80万像素的CCD。This
摄像单元119B具有在例如设定在近点侧(近景)的状态下最大视场角为160°的可变焦点物镜系统172，该物镜系统172的最前端的第一透镜172a采用凹凸形状的透镜。The imaging unit 119B has, for example, a variable focus objective lens system 172 with a maximum field angle of 160° when it is set on the near point side (close view), and the frontmost
如图20所示，插入部7的前端部11配置有：包括第一透镜172a的外径为φ2.8mm、形状为凹凸形状的物镜系统172的摄像单元119B；通道前端开口26B；去除在物镜系统172的前端表面上因送气送水而造成的附着污物的送气送水喷嘴143；将由光源装置3从传送照明光的光导的前端面射出的光照射向被拍摄物体侧来进行照明的照明透镜16a、16b。As shown in Figure 20, the
摄像单元119B在插入部前端上安装成使得在对被拍摄物体进行拍摄、显示在监视器5上时的监视器5上的上下方向与图20所示的插入部前端的上下方向一致。The imaging unit 119B is attached to the front end of the insertion part such that the vertical direction on the
内径为φ2.8mm的处理器具通道25配置在相对于摄像单元119B从水平方向稍稍偏离的左斜下方的方向上，如图20所示，若设前端部11的上下方向为Y轴、左右方向为X轴，连接处理器具通道25的中心轴与摄像单元119B的光轴O的直线相对于上述X轴成α的角度。The
如图21所示，物镜系统172的光轴O与前端开口26B平行地配置，本实施例中，物镜系统172的中心(光轴O)与前端开口26B的中心轴的距离D为6mm。As shown in FIG. 21 , the optical axis O of the objective lens system 172 is arranged parallel to the front opening 26B. In this embodiment, the distance D between the center (optical axis O) of the objective lens system 172 and the central axis of the front opening 26B is 6 mm.
本实施例中，图21所示的第一透镜172a、第二透镜172b和第三透镜172c安装在第一透镜框31上，与该第一透镜框31嵌合的CCD框133内与实施例3同样地通过透镜保持框134可自由移动地配置接合透镜117d，接合透镜117d通过致动器129沿光轴O的方向移动。In this embodiment, the
设置在视频处理器4D上的CPU 71不采用实施例3中的基本上连续地进行自动对焦控制的方式，而是进行对焦控制，使接合透镜117d移动，以使得物镜系统172的焦点位置在远景位置和近景位置这2个位置之间成为更接近对焦的状态。即，进行两阶段(通过自动切换的近似)对焦控制。The
此时CPU 71从内窥镜ID存储器74读入与视频处理器4D连接的电子内窥镜2D的ID信息，向RAM71c中存储该电子内窥镜2D的摄像单元119B的光学特性信息。该光学特性信息是将接合透镜117d设定在近景时的位置处的情况下、和设定在远景时的位置处的情况下物距改变时的代表性的对比度变化特性或与分辨率有关的信息。At this time, the
并且，CPU 71在进行两阶段的对焦控制时，调查在接合透镜117d被设定在实际所设定的一方位置上的状态下对比度信息的时间性的变化等，通过参照存储在RAM 71c中的光学特性信息，判断该变化是否表示切换到另一方位置能获得更大的对比度值，即，判断是否更接近对焦状态。In addition, when the
并且，在CPU 71判断为切换到另一方位置能获得更大的对比度值的情况下，控制致动器驱动部136，将接合透镜117d设定到另一方位置处。And, when the
CPU 71在将接合透镜117d设定到另一方位置处的情况下，也随着时间监视该状态下的对比度信息，通过进行同样的动作，控制成位于2个透镜位置中更接近对焦状态的透镜位置。When the
此时，CPU 71从来自信号转换部46的亮度信号中检测出亮度信息，再由图像处理部47检测出对比度信息，在规定亮度以上的状态下，如上所述，监视对比度信息的时间性变化，通过参照光学特性信息判断是否应该切换，对应于该判断结果在2个位置上控制接合透镜117d。在得不到规定亮度的情况下和初始状态下，CPU 71进行设定到远景位置的控制。At this time, the
本实施例中，在切换设定到近景时和远景时的2个位置上的情况下，两者的状态下的物镜系统172分别表示出不同的光学特性。例如近景时具有最高分辨率，相反远景时分辨率比近景时稍低，但具有比近景时大的景深。具体说，调整Fno使得接合透镜117d设定在近景侧的状态的情况下，景深为4.4mm到12mm，设定在远景侧的状态的情况下景深为9mm到100mm。In the present embodiment, when the switch is set to the two positions of the close-up view and the distant view view, the objective lens system 172 in both states shows different optical characteristics. For example, the close view has the highest resolution, on the contrary, the distant view has a slightly lower resolution than the close view, but has a larger depth of field than the close view. Specifically, Fno is adjusted so that the depth of field is 4.4 mm to 12 mm when the cemented
并且，两者的特性中的分辨率在近景与远景的中间距离处在表示出大致相反的倾向的状态下有交叉(重叠)部分，因此能够判断该交叉部分中，在从交叉的位置有一定程度的偏移的状态下，将接合透镜117d设定在哪个位置上更接近对焦状态。CPU 71进行该判断，并且根据该判断结果控制接合透镜117d的位置切换。In addition, the resolutions in the characteristics of the two have an intersection (overlap) part in a state showing approximately opposite tendencies at the intermediate distance between the near view and the distant view, so it can be judged that there is a certain difference in the intersection part from the position of the intersection. In the state of shifting to a certain degree, at which position is the cemented
本实施例中，设定成使得设定在远景和近景的状态下的物镜系统172的景深在规定值以上的部分中连续(重叠)，并且设定成使在达到规定值的空间频率的范围内对比度I也在具有规定值(例如10％)以上的对比度的部分中重叠。In the present embodiment, it is set so that the depth of field of the objective lens system 172 set under the state of the distant view and the close view is continuous (overlapped) in the part above the predetermined value, and is set so that in the range of the spatial frequency reaching the predetermined value The internal contrast I also overlaps in a portion having a contrast of a predetermined value (for example, 10%) or higher.
接着说明本实施例的近景时的作用。Next, the action in the close-up view of this embodiment will be described.
首先，说明通过摄像单元119B在近景时对黑白对带子间距为35μm的被拍摄物体进行拍摄时的作用。First, the operation when the imaging unit 119B captures a subject with a black-and-white pair of tape pitches of 35 μm in a close-up view will be described.
本摄像单元119B中，在设定在近点的状态下，当在物距为4.4mm到5.8mm时对黑白对带子间距为35μm的被拍摄物体进行拍摄时，在CCD受光面上成像的白带和黑带的对比度G为10％以上。In the camera unit 119B, when the object distance is 4.4mm to 5.8mm and the object distance is 4.4mm to 5.8mm, when the object to be photographed is 35μm, the leucorrhea imaged on the light receiving surface of the CCD The contrast G with the black band is 10% or more.
通过上述物镜系统172在CCD 173的受光面上成像的间距为35μm的黑白对带子的被拍摄物体像被光电转换。并且，从白带所成像的像素输出的图像信号与从黑带所成像的像素输出的图像信号之差为10％以上。The black-and-white pairs of strips with a pitch of 35 μm formed on the light-receiving surface of the
该图像信号经过CDS电路44、A/D转换器45、信号转换部46输入图像处理部47，被实施例如适合于监视器的γ处理和电掩码处理等，白带与黑带的对比度I为10％以上，输出到监视器5。对上述被拍摄物体的情况，通过使对比度I为10％以上，可以从显示的图像中识别白带和黑带，可在足够的分辨率下进行观察。这样，根据本实施例，由摄像单元119B拍摄的间距为35μm的黑白对带子在监视器上可被识别为黑白对带子。The image signal is input to the
当从近景时开始增大物距时，由于对比度值减小，CPU 71在判断为若进行切换能得到更大的对比度值的情况下，进行将接合透镜117d切换到远景时的位置的控制。When the object distance is increased from the close view, the contrast value decreases, and the
通过这样进行切换控制，在从近景向远景改变观察状态的情况下，能够在2个位置中更接近对焦状态的透镜位置的状态下得到内窥镜图像。By performing switching control in this way, when changing the observation state from the close-up to the distant view, an endoscopic image can be obtained at the lens position closer to the in-focus state among the two positions.
图22表示本实施例的两阶段自动对焦控制(更正确的是两阶段大致自动对焦控制)的动作。下面将对焦略记为AF。FIG. 22 shows the operation of the two-stage autofocus control (more precisely, the two-stage approximate autofocus control) of the present embodiment. Focus will be abbreviated as AF below.
该动作开始时，CPU 71在最初的步骤S11中，从内窥镜ID存储器74读入光学特性信息作为初始设定，存储到RAM 71c中。如步骤S12所示，CPU 71根据光学特性信息，将远景位置与近景位置之间的接近AF的状态下的典型的对比度信息、景深信息和分辨率的特性信息设定为AF切换的判断基准。本实施例的物镜系统117设定成在将接合透镜117d设定在远景位置和近景位置上的情况下，各位置上的对焦状态下的景深部分重复。When this operation starts, the
并且，接着的步骤S13中CPU 71进行控制处理，以将接合透镜117d设定在远景位置。Then, in the next step S13, the
然后在接着的步骤S14中，CPU 71判断当前的亮度信号的亮度水平是否在预先设定的用于判断暗的图像状态的阈值Vth以上。并且判断为上述亮度水平在该阈值Vth以下时返回步骤S13，仍保持在远景位置，反复进行这些处理。即，在即使进行了自动调光的状态下还是不能确保适当的亮度的情况下，保持远景位置的状态。Then in the next step S14, the
当亮度信号的亮度水平在阈值Vth以下时，将接合透镜117d设定在远景位置的理由如下。将电子内窥镜2D的插入部7插入体腔内，从设置在前端部11的前端面上的照明透镜16a、16b射出照明光，对患部等被拍摄物体照明，因此在到被拍摄物体的距离小的情况下，几乎不会发生照明光量不足的情况。因此，当亮度信号的亮度水平在阈值Vth以下时，认为被拍摄物体处于远方。当亮度信号的亮度水平在阈值Vth以下时，由于S/N降低，难以进行精度高的对焦控制。由于这种理由，当亮度信号的亮度水平在阈值Vth以下时，将接合透镜117d设定在远景位置。When the luminance level of the luminance signal is equal to or lower than the threshold value Vth, the reason why the cemented
另一方面，当判断为亮度信号的亮度水平在阈值Vth以上时，步骤S15中，CPU 71使用判断基准判断当前检测出的对比度值等是否(比近景侧的情况)更接近远景侧的情况。On the other hand, when it is determined that the luminance level of the luminance signal is equal to or greater than the threshold value Vth, in step S15, the
然后，在满足该条件的情况下，返回步骤S14，反复进行这些处理。不满足步骤S15的条件时，如步骤S16所示，CPU 71进行控制处理，以将接合透镜117d设定在近景位置。And when this condition is satisfied, it returns to step S14, and these processes are repeated. If the condition of step S15 is not satisfied, as shown in step S16, the
并且如步骤S17所示，CPU 71判断当前检测出的对比度值是否(比远景侧的情况)更接近近景侧的情况。并且在不满足该条件的情况下，返回步骤S13，进行将接合透镜117d设定在远景位置的处理。And as shown in step S17, the
另一方面，在满足该条件的情况下，如步骤S18所示，CPU 71判断当前的亮度信号的亮度水平是否在预先设定的用于判断暗的图像状态的阈值Vth以上。并且在判断为亮度信号的亮度水平在该阈值Vth以下时返回步骤S13。相反判断为在该阈值Vth以上时返回步骤S17。On the other hand, when this condition is satisfied, as shown in step S18, the
这样通过进行两阶段的AF控制，在从近景到远景改变观察状态的情况下，能够在2个位置中更接近对焦状态的透镜位置的状态下得到内窥镜图像。By performing the two-stage AF control in this way, when changing the observation state from a close-up to a distant view, an endoscopic image can be obtained at the lens position closer to the in-focus state among the two positions.
电掩码处理如图23所示，在监视器5的显示画面内作成高宽比为1∶1.2的八角形的显示区域5b，在该八角形的显示区域5b中显示摄像单元19B拍摄的被拍摄物体。As shown in FIG. 23, the electrical masking process creates an
通过上述电掩码处理得到的显示区域5b上的视场角在如图23所示的横长的显示区域的情况下，对角方向的P点成为最大的视场角(θmax)。实施掩码处理以使得物镜系统172的视场角160°与上述最大视场角θmax一致。另一方面，通过掩码处理，监视器画面上视场角最窄的是上下方向，其次窄的是左右方向的视场角。The angle of view on the
为上述最大对角的P点被设定成使连接P点和画面中心的直线与监视器画面上的水平方向所成角度为α，此外，摄像单元119B如图20所示，配置成插入部的前端部11的X轴方向与监视器水平方向一致，因此从配置在相对于X轴成α角度的位置处的处理器具通道25的前端开口26B突出的处理器具28如图23所示，从监视器5上的大致而言水平方向，更严格地说是比水平方向稍稍下侧的左下方的P点附近开始，显示在显示区域5b内。Point P, which is the above-mentioned largest diagonal angle, is set so that the angle formed by the straight line connecting point P and the center of the screen and the horizontal direction on the monitor screen is α. In addition, the imaging unit 119B is arranged as an insertion part as shown in FIG. 20 The X-axis direction of the
本实施例中要使从插入部的前端部11的前端开口26B突出的处理器具28被摄像单元119B拍摄到的必要条件为：在处理器具28移动到最靠摄像单元19B侧的情况下，由于摄像单元119B的前端透镜面处的光线高Lh＝1.31mm、前端开口26B的半径R＝2.8mm、摄像单元119B的视场角θ＝160°、摄像单元119B的光轴O与通道25的距离D＝6mm，所以作为处理器具28从前端部11的前端面突出的最小突出量Hmin，可按下式8导出。In this embodiment, the necessary condition for making the
Hmin＝(D-Lh-R)×tan(90°-θ/2)＝0.58mm(式8)Hmin=(D-Lh-R)×tan(90°-θ/2)=0.58mm (Formula 8)
另一方面，在处理器具28位于离开摄像单元119B最远的方向上的情况下，处理器具28突出，要使处理器具28的前端整体被摄像单元119B拍摄到的必要条件为：作为处理器具28从前端部11的前端面突出的突出量Hall，可按下式9导出。On the other hand, when the
Hall＝(D-Lh+R)×tan(90°-θ/2)＝1.07mm(式9)Hall＝(D-Lh+R)×tan(90°-θ/2)＝1.07mm (Formula 9)
如式8、式9所示，当处理器具28从前端部11的前端面突出的突出量为0.58mm以上时处理器具28开始进入摄像单元119B的视野内，当突出量超过1.07mm时处理器具28的前端的大致整体都进入视野内。As shown in
由此，当距离为可在监视器上识别设定在本实施例中的摄像单元119B的近点侧的状态下的35μm间距的黑白对带子的距离4.4mm到5.8mm时，处理器具28的前端侧进入摄像单元119B的视野内，可在监视器5上进行识别。Thus, when the distance is 4.4 mm to 5.8 mm, the distance between the black and white pairs of tapes at a pitch of 35 μm in the state set on the near point side of the imaging unit 119B in this embodiment can be recognized on the monitor, the
本实施例具有如下效果。This embodiment has the following effects.
本实施例中，构成摄像单元119B的物镜光学系统采用改变焦距的可变焦点光学系统，因此与单焦点光学系统的情况相比，从近景侧到远景侧都可得到分辨率高的图像。In this embodiment, the objective optical system constituting the imaging unit 119B adopts a variable focus optical system that changes the focal length, so that images with higher resolution can be obtained from the near-view side to the distant-view side compared with the case of a single-focus optical system.
这里，本实施例中，CCD 173的像素间距为2.8μm、有效像素数为80万像素、摄像单元119B的最大视场角为160°、设定在近点侧的状态下的景深为4.4mm到12mm、摄像单元119B的光轴O与前端开口26中心的距离为6mm，但不限定于此。Here, in this embodiment, the pixel pitch of the
例如，当对黑白对带子的间距为35μm的被拍摄物体拍摄时，变更像素间距、有效像素数、最大视场角、近点侧的景深等，以使得从拍摄上述白色被拍摄物体而获得的像素得到的输出信号与从拍摄上述黑色被拍摄物体而获得的像素得到的输出信号之差为10％以上，并且当在物距为对上述35μm的被拍摄物体拍摄时输出信号之差为10％以上的物距时，为了能够观察处理器具而变更最大视场角、及摄像单元19的光轴O与前端开口26中心的距离，也可得到大致同样的效果。For example, when photographing a subject with a black-and-white pair of tapes at a distance of 35 μm, change the pixel pitch, effective number of pixels, maximum angle of view, depth of field on the near point side, etc. so that the image obtained from photographing the above-mentioned white subject The difference between the output signal obtained by the pixel and the output signal obtained by the pixel obtained by photographing the above-mentioned black subject is 10% or more, and the difference of the output signal is 10% when the object distance is 35 μm when photographing the above-mentioned subject At the above object distance, substantially the same effect can be obtained by changing the maximum viewing angle and the distance between the optical axis O of the
本实施例中，有效像素数为80万像素，但在马赛克滤色器方式的情况下，即便60万像素左右也可实现同样的效果，此时，近点侧的景深进一步增大，与远点侧的景深之间的深度交叉区域变宽，因此具有能更顺利地进行焦点切换的效果。In this embodiment, the number of effective pixels is 800,000 pixels, but in the case of the mosaic color filter method, the same effect can be achieved even with about 600,000 pixels. The depth crossing area between the depths of field on the point side becomes wider, which has the effect of enabling smoother focus switching.
本实施例中，可采用如下方式：使用切换式等的三原色光作为照明光，与按顺序照射的三原色光同步，利用单色(黑白)CCD取入被拍摄物体，利用图像处理装置进行彩色化，此时，在使用有效像素数为25万像素左右的CCD的情况下，得到与马赛克滤色器方式的60万像素同样的效果。In this embodiment, the following method can be adopted: use the three primary color lights of switching type as the illumination light, synchronize with the three primary color lights irradiated in sequence, use the monochrome (black and white) CCD to capture the object to be photographed, and use the image processing device to perform colorization , At this time, in the case of using a CCD with an effective pixel number of about 250,000 pixels, the same effect as that of the 600,000 pixels of the mosaic color filter method is obtained.
本实施例中，如图23所示，监视器画面5a的显示区域5b为水平方向的显示尺寸比垂直方向(纵向)长的横长型八角形，但不限定于该情况。In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 23 , the
更一般地，也可以通过把前端开口配置成使其对应于显示区域中的显示区域宽(或大)的方向，使从该前端开口突出的处理器具28显示在显示区域宽的方向上。这里，所谓“显示区域宽的方向”，是指通过电掩码处理等，在画面上显示的观察图像的显示区域的限制比其他方向小的(或没有限制)的方向。More generally, the
作为本实施例的第一变形例，如图24所示，也可以采用能够由CPU 71通过模式切换开关SW1来选择两阶段自动对焦控制功能71a和三阶段自动对焦控制功能71b的方式。As a first modified example of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 24 , a mode in which the two-stage
图24所示的电子内窥镜系统1E例如在图19的电子内窥镜系统1D中，CPU 71除了两阶段自动对焦控制功能71a之外，还具有三阶段自动对焦控制功能71b。In the
并且，该CPU 71对应于通过设置在例如电子内窥镜2D的操作部8上的模式切换开关SW1选择的选择信号，按两阶段自动对焦模式或三阶段自动对焦模式进行对焦控制。In addition, the
本变形例的情况下，内窥镜ID存储器(存储器)74中存储有该电子内窥镜2D固有的光学特性信息。此时，还存储将接合透镜117d设定在除了近点、远点之外设定在近点与远点之间的中间点处的情况下的对比度值等相关的光学特性信息。还存储将接合透镜117d驱动(移动)到中间点的位置的信息。In the case of this modification, the endoscope ID memory (memory) 74 stores optical characteristic information unique to the
并且，视频处理器4D的CPU 71读出该光学特性信息，例如存储在RAM 71c中，进行实施例4的两阶段对焦控制或三阶段对焦控制。And, the
作为进行三阶段对焦控制的优点，由于在近点和远点的两阶段的对焦控制中，在两者的中间位置附近成为两者光学特性的山谷，很难改善例如景深和分辨率以具有更好的特性。As an advantage of performing three-stage focus control, since in the two-stage focus control of the near point and the far point, there is a valley in the optical characteristics of both near the middle position of the two, it is difficult to improve such as depth of field and resolution to have more nice feature.
例如，在近景和远景时，相对于景深在规定值以上连续、并且对比度I在10％以上的情况，在切换到两者的中间点的位置的情况下，能够以比这些条件更大的景深值和对比度I值连续，可实现进一步改善的光学特性。For example, in the case of a close-up view and a distant view, with respect to the case where the depth of field is continuously greater than a predetermined value and the contrast I is greater than or equal to 10%, when switching to a position in the middle of the two, it is possible to obtain a greater depth of field than these conditions. Values and contrast I values are continuous, enabling further improved optical properties.
这样，通过采用将接合透镜117d设定在近点与远点之间的中间点位置处的结构，可进一步增大景深和分辨率，从而简单地实现更好的光学特性。In this way, by adopting a structure in which the cemented
进行三阶段对焦控制的控制方法类似于两阶段的对焦控制方法。例如，在设定在近点的状态下，CPU 71监视该状态下的对比度信息的时间性变化，判断在该情况下是否要进行近点状态与中间点的切换。A control method for performing three-stage focus control is similar to a two-stage focus control method. For example, in the state set to the near point, the
在设定在中间点的状态下，也监视对比度信息的时间性变化，根据是向近点侧变化还是向远点侧变化，判断是否要切换到近点侧或远点侧。因此，能够通过与实施例4的情况类似的控制，进行三阶段对焦控制。In the state set to the middle point, the temporal change of the contrast information is also monitored, and it is judged whether to switch to the near point side or the far point side according to whether it changes to the near point side or the far point side. Therefore, it is possible to perform three-stage focus control by control similar to the case of Embodiment 4.
图25是表示第二变形例的CPU 71部分。如图25所示，例如CPU 71也可以对应于模式切换开关SW1的模式切换指示信号，进行两阶段自动对焦控制功能71a和两阶段手动控制功能71d。Fig. 25 shows the
两阶段自动对焦控制功能71a与实施例4中说明的相同。在通过模式切换开关SW1设定成两阶段手动控制模式的情况下，CPU 71在操作了手动操作开关SW2的近点指示开关的情况下，使接合透镜17d移动到近点侧。The two-stage
另一方面，在操作了手动操作开关SW2的远点指示开关的情况下，CPU 71进行控制动作，以将接合透镜117d移动到远点侧。On the other hand, when the far point indicating switch of the manual operation switch SW2 is operated, the
这样通过设置模式选择单元，操作者使用电子内窥镜2D进行诊断等的情况下的观察(拍摄)的选择项变多，更容易使用。By providing the mode selection means in this way, the operator can use the
图25中，说明了两阶段自动对焦控制功能71a和两阶段手动控制功能71d，但除此之外还可进行三阶段自动对焦控制功能71b和三阶段手动控制功能。也可以使用CPU等进行多阶段的自动对焦控制功能和多阶段的手动控制功能。In FIG. 25, the two-step
也可使用CPU等，对应于模式切换指示操作，进行连续的自动对焦控制、多阶段的对焦控制和连续或多段的手动控制。It is also possible to use a CPU or the like to perform continuous auto-focus control, multi-stage focus control, and continuous or multi-stage manual control in response to the mode switching instruction operation.
本实施例的图像处理装置4D和监视器5以对应于HDTV方式的视频信号的图像处理装置和监视器进行了说明，但不限定于此，例如也可以是对应于NTSC方式、PAL方式这样的视频信号的图像处理装置和监视器。或者，还可使用VGA方式、SVGA方式的图像处理装置和监视器。The
另外由上述实施例等部分变形、组合等而构成的实施例等也属于本发明。In addition, the embodiment etc. which consist of partial deformation|transformation, combination, etc. of the above-mentioned embodiment etc. also belong to this invention.
可将插入部插入体腔内、对患部等被拍摄物体在近景侧能进行高精细观察的状态下进行拍摄，同时对远景侧也可确保必要的分辨率，即使插入通道内的处理器具的前端侧从通道的前端开口突出的突出量小的状态下也能进入观察视野内，从而可进行详细观察。The insertion part can be inserted into the body cavity, and the object to be photographed, such as the affected part, can be photographed in a state where high-definition observation can be performed on the close-range side, and at the same time, the necessary resolution can be ensured on the distant view side, even if the front end side of the treatment instrument inserted into the channel Even in a state where the amount of protrusion from the front end opening of the channel is small, it can enter the observation field of view, enabling detailed observation.
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| JP2008029597A (en)* | 2006-07-28 | 2008-02-14 | Olympus Corp | Endoscope apparatus |
| US8641606B2 (en) | 2008-02-05 | 2014-02-04 | Masaki ICHIHASHI | Endoscope apparatus |
| JP5388765B2 (en)* | 2009-09-01 | 2014-01-15 | キヤノン株式会社 | Fundus camera |
| JP5346856B2 (en)* | 2010-03-18 | 2013-11-20 | オリンパス株式会社 | ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM, ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM OPERATING METHOD, AND IMAGING DEVICE |
| JP5698476B2 (en)* | 2010-08-06 | 2015-04-08 | オリンパス株式会社 | ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM, ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM OPERATING METHOD, AND IMAGING DEVICE |
| CN102411201A (en)* | 2010-09-25 | 2012-04-11 | 医电鼎众股份有限公司 | Endoscope device |
| JP5250653B2 (en)* | 2011-03-30 | 2013-07-31 | 富士フイルム株式会社 | Endoscopic imaging apparatus and endoscope |
| JP5988590B2 (en)* | 2012-01-17 | 2016-09-07 | オリンパス株式会社 | Endoscope device |
| JP5927077B2 (en)* | 2012-08-07 | 2016-05-25 | オリンパス株式会社 | Endoscope system |
| JP2014068675A (en)* | 2012-09-27 | 2014-04-21 | Olympus Medical Systems Corp | Imaging device and endoscope using imaging device |
| WO2014189091A1 (en)* | 2013-05-22 | 2014-11-27 | オリンパスメディカルシステムズ株式会社 | Endoscope |
| WO2014199980A1 (en)* | 2013-06-12 | 2014-12-18 | オリンパスメディカルシステムズ株式会社 | Endoscope system |
| EP3085295A4 (en)* | 2013-12-16 | 2017-10-04 | Olympus Corporation | Endoscope device |
| CN104236515B (en)* | 2014-09-11 | 2017-01-18 | 山东省计量科学研究院 | Field angle automatic measuring device for medical electronic endoscope |
| US20170296037A1 (en)* | 2016-04-14 | 2017-10-19 | Olympus Corporation | Endoscope apparatus |
| TWI597042B (en)* | 2016-06-29 | 2017-09-01 | Endoscopic with distance measuring function and distance measuring method | |
| CN106308729B (en)* | 2016-10-13 | 2017-11-24 | 成都英赛景泰光电技术有限公司 | Imaging method, device and capsule medical apparatus for endoscope |
| US11712149B2 (en)* | 2018-02-14 | 2023-08-01 | Suzhou Acuvu Medical Technology Co, Ltd. | Endoscopy devices and methods of use |
| WO2020188688A1 (en)* | 2019-03-18 | 2020-09-24 | オリンパス株式会社 | Tip end unit of endoscope |
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