Endoscope system, dedicated device, and common device

Abstract

To enable common use of at least a portion of a device that connects an endoscope, regardless of differences in endoscope type.SOLUTION: An endoscope system comprises an endoscope equipped with an imaging element, a dedicated device coupled to the endoscope, and a common device coupled to the dedicated device. The dedicated device is provided with a light source that produces illumination light for the endoscope, and an image control section that controls the imaging element, receives an imaging signal from the imaging element, and delivers either the imaging signal or a second imaging signal obtained by processing the imaging signal to the common device. The common device is provided with a video processing section that creates an imaging video from the imaging signal or the second imaging signal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to endoscopy systems, dedicated devices and common devices. This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 553,856, filed February 15, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, an endoscope system includes an endoscope, a light source device including a light source, and an image processing device that performs image processing (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The endoscope is used while connected to the light source device and the image processing device. The light source device has a light source and provides illumination light to the endoscope via a light guide. The image processing device controls the image sensor included in the endoscope and processes the image signal from the image sensor to generate an image to be provided to the surgeon. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-043835 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in conventional endoscope systems such as those disclosed in Patent Document 1, the light source and imaging element used differ depending on the type of endoscope, and it was necessary to use a light source device and image processing device that corresponded to each type of endoscope.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope system, a dedicated device, and a common device that allow at least part of the devices to which endoscopes are connected to be standardized even if the types of endoscopes are different. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention proposes the following means. An endoscopic system according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises an endoscope having an imaging element, a dedicated device connected to the endoscope, and a common device connected to the dedicated device, wherein the dedicated device has a light source that generates illumination light to be provided to the endoscope, and an imaging control unit that controls the imaging element, receives an imaging signal from the imaging element, and outputs the imaging signal or a second imaging signal obtained by processing the imaging signal to the common device, and the common device has an image processing unit that generates an image from the imaging signal or the second imaging signal.

[0007] A dedicated device according to a second aspect of the present invention is a device connected to an endoscope and a common device, and includes a light source that generates illumination light to be provided to the endoscope, and an imaging control unit that controls an imaging element of the endoscope, receives an imaging signal from the imaging element, and outputs the imaging signal or a second imaging signal obtained by processing the imaging signal to the common device.

[0008] A common device according to a third aspect of the present invention is a device connected to a dedicated device that controls an imaging element of an endoscope and receives an imaging signal from the imaging element, and includes an image processing unit that receives the imaging signal or a second imaging signal that is a processed version of the imaging signal from the dedicated device and generates an image. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the endoscope system, dedicated device, and common device of the present invention, even if the types of endoscopes are different, at least a part of the devices to which the endoscopes are connected can be made common. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of an endoscope system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an endoscope system according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] (First embodiment) An endoscope system 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an endoscope system 100. The endoscope system 100 is a medical system for observing and treating the inside of a patient's body. The endoscope system 100 includes an endoscope 1, a dedicated device 2, a common device 3, an output device 4, and a display device 5.

[0013] The endoscope 1 may be an upper gastrointestinal endoscope, a lower gastrointestinal endoscope, a bronchoscope, a surgical endoscope, a cystoscope, or the like. The endoscope 1 has an illumination unit 11 and an imaging unit 12 at its tip. The illumination unit 11 is connected to a light guide that guides illumination light, and emits illumination light that illuminates an imaging target. The imaging unit 12 has an imaging element such as a CMOS, and captures an image of the imaging target. An imaging signal is sent to the dedicated device 2 via an imaging cable.

[0014] The dedicated device 2 is a device to which the endoscope 1 is connected. The dedicated device 2 is a device configured for each type of endoscope 1. For example, if the endoscope 1 is an upper gastrointestinal endoscope, the dedicated device 2 is a device configured to allow an upper gastrointestinal endoscope to be connected. For example, if the endoscope 1 is a surgical endoscope, the dedicated device 2 is a device configured to allow a surgical endoscope to be connected. The dedicated device 2 includes a light source 21, an imaging control unit 22, and a connection unit 23.

[0015] The light source 21 includes, for example, a white light source, a narrowband light source, and an excitation light source. The light source 21 is equipped with a light source of a type required for each type of endoscope 1 connected to the dedicated device 2.

[0016] A white light source emits light (white light) having a wavelength band in the visible light range, and is realized using any light source such as an LED light source, a laser light source, a xenon lamp, or a halogen lamp.

[0017] A narrowband light source emits light (narrowband light) that has a wavelength or wavelength band that is a part of the wavelength band of the visible light range. Narrowband light is light used, for example, in Narrow Band Imaging (NBI) observation.

[0018] The excitation light source emits excitation light for exciting an excitation target (for example, an antibody drug in the case of PIT), and is realized using a light source such as an LED light source or a laser light source.

[0019] The imaging control unit 22 controls the imaging element of the imaging unit 12 and receives an imaging signal from the imaging element. The imaging control unit 22 may generate a second imaging signal by performing preprocessing such as noise removal on the imaging signal. The imaging control unit 22 outputs the imaging signal or the second imaging signal to the common device 3. The imaging control unit 22 is, for example, an electronic circuit formed on a board. The electronic circuit has a primary board and a secondary board. The primary board is communicatively connected to the endoscope 1 via the connection unit 23. The secondary board is communicatively connected to the primary board but is insulated from it. The secondary board is communicatively connected to the common device 3.

[0020] The connection unit 23 includes a connector to be connected to the endoscope 1. The connection unit 23 includes a mechanical structure, an electric circuit, and the like required for each type of endoscope 1 to be connected to the dedicated device 2.

[0021] The common device 3 is a device that generates an image from the imaging signal or the second imaging signal acquired from the dedicated device 2. The common device 3 is a device that is standardized regardless of the type of endoscope 1 connected to the dedicated device 2. For example, the common device 3 can be used in common even if the endoscope 1 connected to the dedicated device 2 is an upper gastrointestinal endoscope, a lower gastrointestinal endoscope, a bronchoscope, a surgical endoscope, a cystoscope, or the like. The common device 3 includes an image processing unit 31, an image generation circuit 32, and a selector 33.

[0022] The image processing unit 31 generates an imaged image from the image signal or the second image signal. It is a computer capable of executing programs and includes a processor 311, a memory 312, a recording unit 313, etc. The functions of the image processing unit 31 are realized by the processor 311 executing the programs. At least some of the functions of the image processing unit 31 may be realized by a dedicated logic circuit.

[0023] The image processing unit 31 controls the light source 21 and the imaging control unit 22 of the dedicated device 2. For example, when the light source 21 has multiple light sources, the image processing unit 31 selects a light source to be enabled. For example, the image processing unit 31 controls the operating parameters of the imaging control unit 22.

[0024] Video processing unit 31 may further include an image calculation unit 314 (e.g., a GPU) that performs part or all of the image processing and image recognition processing that were previously performed by processor 311. By including image calculation unit 314, video processing unit 31 can execute specific image processing and image recognition processing at high speed. Image calculation unit 314 may be mounted on a separate hardware device connected via a communication line.

[0025] The video processing unit 31 may further include an AI accelerator 315 that speeds up AI calculation processing. By including the AI ​​accelerator 315, the video processing unit 31 can execute specific AI calculation processing at high speed. The AI ​​accelerator 315 may be mounted on a separate hardware device connected via a communication line.

[0026] The video processing unit 31 is not limited to an integrated hardware device. For example, the video processing unit 31 may be a cloud system in which some parts are separated as separate hardware devices and the separated hardware devices are connected via a communication line.

[0027] The video generation circuit 32 generates an auxiliary captured video from the imaging signal or the second imaging signal. The auxiliary captured video is generated by a hardwired logic circuit. Therefore, compared to the captured video generated by the video processing unit 31 through software processing, the auxiliary captured video is a simpler video that requires less video processing, but is reliably generated at a stable frame rate.

[0028] The selector (video output unit) 33 selects and outputs either the captured video generated by the video processing unit 31 or the auxiliary captured video generated by the video generation circuit 32. For example, if the video processing unit 31 is unable to generate the captured video due to some kind of trouble or if the generation of the captured video is delayed, the selector selects and outputs the auxiliary captured video. This makes it possible to avoid a situation where the captured video is not displayed on the display device 5.

[0029] The video generation circuit 32 and the selector 33 may be implemented by a logic circuit configured in an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0030] The output device 4 transfers the captured video output by the common device 3 in accordance with the specifications of the display devices 5. For example, the output device 4 divides the captured video according to the number of display devices 5 and transfers it to the display devices 5. For example, the output device 4 converts the captured video to match the display resolution of the display devices 5 and transfers it to the display devices 5. The common device 3 does not need to change the captured video it outputs in accordance with the specifications of the display devices 5. Therefore, the common device 3 does not need to be equipped with a dedicated circuit that matches the type of display device 5 to be connected, thereby increasing versatility.

[0031] The display device 5 is a device capable of displaying images, such as an LCD. The display device 5 is connected to the output device 4. The display device 5 may also be connected directly to the common device 3 without going through the output device 4.

[0032] According to the endoscopic system 100 of this embodiment, the common device 3 can be standardized even if different types of endoscopes 1 are used. The common device 3 does not need to be equipped with an imaging control unit 22 and a connection unit 23 that are compatible with the type of endoscope 1 connected to the dedicated device 2, thereby increasing versatility.

[0033] Although the first embodiment of the present invention has been described above in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment and includes design modifications within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the components shown in the above embodiment and modifications can be configured by appropriately combining them.

[0034] Second Embodiment An endoscope system 100B according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 2. In the following description, components common to those already described will be assigned the same reference numerals, and duplicated description will be omitted.

[0035] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an endoscope system 100B according to this embodiment. The endoscope system 100B is a medical system for observing and treating the inside of a patient's body. The endoscope system 100B includes an endoscope 1, a dedicated device 2B, a common device 3B, an output device 4, and a display device 5.

[0036] The dedicated device 2B is a device to which the endoscope 1 is connected. The dedicated device 2B is a device configured for each type of endoscope 1. For example, if the endoscope 1 is an upper gastrointestinal endoscope, the dedicated device 2B is a device configured to allow an upper gastrointestinal endoscope to be connected. For example, if the endoscope 1 is a surgical endoscope, the dedicated device 2B is a device configured to allow a surgical endoscope to be connected. The dedicated device 2B includes a light source 21, an imaging control unit 22, a connection unit 23, an image generation circuit 32, and a selector 33.

[0037] The common device 3B is a device that generates captured images from the imaging signal or the second imaging signal acquired from the dedicated device 2B. The common device 3B is a device that is standardized regardless of the type of endoscope 1 connected to the dedicated device 2B. For example, the common device 3B can be commonly used even if the endoscope 1 connected to the dedicated device 2B is an upper gastrointestinal endoscope, a lower gastrointestinal endoscope, a bronchoscope, a surgical endoscope, a cystoscope, or the like. The common device 3B includes an image processing unit 31. The image processing unit 31 outputs the generated captured images to the dedicated device 2B.

[0038] The common device 3B may be a server connected to the dedicated device 2B via the Internet. The server may be an on-site server, a cloud server that provides infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), software as a service (SaaS), or the like, or a server that combines these.

[0039] In the dedicated device 2B, the selector 33 selects and outputs either the captured image generated by the image processing unit 31 or the auxiliary captured image generated by the image generating circuit 32.

[0040] The output device 4 transfers the captured video output by the dedicated device 2B to the display device 5 in accordance with its specifications.

[0041] According to the endoscope system 100B of this embodiment, the common device 3B can be standardized even if different types of endoscopes 1 are used. The common device 3 does not need to be equipped with an imaging control unit 22 and a connection unit 23 that are compatible with the type of endoscope 1 connected to the dedicated device 2, and a selector (video output unit) 33 that is compatible with the output device 4 and display device 5, thereby increasing versatility.

[0042] Although the second embodiment of the present invention has been described above in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment and includes design modifications within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the components shown in the above embodiment and modified examples can be configured by appropriately combining them.

[0043] The programs in each embodiment may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and then loaded and executed by a computer system. The term "computer system" includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. The term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, as well as storage devices such as hard disks built into a computer system. The term "computer-readable recording medium" may also include devices that dynamically store programs for a short period of time, such as communication lines used when transmitting programs via networks such as the Internet or telephone lines, or devices that store programs for a fixed period of time, such as volatile memory within a computer system serving as a server or client. The program may also be designed to implement some of the functions described above, or may be capable of implementing the functions described above in combination with a program already stored in the computer system. [Industrial Applicability]

[0044] The present invention can be applied to an endoscope system that uses an endoscope. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 100,100B Endoscope System 1. Endoscope 11 Lighting Department 12 Imaging unit 2,2B dedicated device 21 Light source 22 Imaging control unit 23 Connection 3,3B Common equipment 31 Video Processing Unit 32 Image generation circuit 33 Selector 311 processor 312 memory 313 Recording Department 314 Image Calculation Unit 315 AI Accelerator 4 Output Devices 5 Display device

Claims

1. an endoscope having an imaging element; a dedicated device connected to the endoscope; a common device connected to the dedicated device; Equipped with The dedicated device is a light source that generates illumination light to be provided to the endoscope; an imaging control unit that controls the imaging element, receives an imaging signal from the imaging element, and outputs the imaging signal or a second imaging signal obtained by processing the imaging signal to the common device; and the common device has an image processing unit that generates an imaged image from the imaging signal or the second imaging signal. Endoscopy system.

2. the video processing unit of the common device has a processor that generates the captured video; The endoscope system according to claim 1 .

3. the video processing unit of the common device further includes an image processing processor; The endoscope system according to claim 2 .

4. the common device is a cloud server connected to the dedicated device via the Internet; The endoscope system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. the common device includes an image generation circuit that generates an auxiliary image from the imaging signal or the second imaging signal, the common device has a selector that selects and outputs one of the captured image and the auxiliary captured image. The endoscope system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. the video processing unit of the common device outputs the generated captured video to the dedicated device; the dedicated device has an image generation circuit that generates an auxiliary image from the imaging signal or the second imaging signal, the dedicated device has a selector that selects and outputs one of the captured image and the auxiliary captured image. The endoscope system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. an output device connected to the common device; a display device connected to the output device; Furthermore, the output device transfers the captured video output by the common device in accordance with the specifications of the display device. The endoscope system according to claim 5 .

8. an output device connected to the dedicated device; a display device connected to the output device; Furthermore, the output device transfers the captured video output by the common device in accordance with the specifications of the display device. The endoscope system according to claim 6 .

9. A device connected to an endoscope and a common device, a light source that generates illumination light to be provided to the endoscope; an imaging control unit that controls an imaging element of the endoscope, receives an imaging signal from the imaging element, and outputs the imaging signal or a second imaging signal obtained by processing the imaging signal to the common device; Equipped with Dedicated device.

10. A device connected to a dedicated device that controls an imaging element of an endoscope and receives an imaging signal from the imaging element, a video processing unit that receives the imaging signal or a second imaging signal obtained by processing the imaging signal from the dedicated device and generates an image; Common equipment.

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