Medical control device and medical observation system

Abstract

To inhibit the occurrence of metastability with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: A second synchronization signal generation unit 95 as a constituent of a medical control device 9 individually executes: a first setting process of setting a transition time of a first synchronization signal input from a first synchronization signal generation unit 93, where at the transition time a second synchronization signal transitions to correspond to a transition of the first synchronization signal at a first transition time, which is the time of an initial transition; and a second setting process of setting a transition time at which the second synchronization signal transitions to correspond to a transition of the first synchronization signal at a second transition time, which is the time of a second or later transition of the first synchronization signal. In the first setting process, the first transition time is switched to a transition time of a second clock. In the second setting process, a transition time is set at which the second synchronization signal transitions to correspond to the transition of the first synchronization signal at the second transition time, on the basis of a position on a time axis of the second transition time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a medical control device and a medical observation system. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, in the medical field, a medical observation system for observing the inside of a subject (inside a living body) has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The medical observation system described in Patent Document 1 includes a camera head (medical observation device) that captures an image of a subject and generates a captured image, and a control device (medical control device) that controls the operation of the medical observation device.

[0003] The medical control device that generates the synchronization signal for operating the medical observation device may have the following configuration. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a medical control device 200 that generates a synchronization signal for operating a conventional medical observation device 100. In FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the medical control device 200 includes a first clock generating section 210, a first synchronization signal generating section 220, a second clock generating section 230, and a second synchronization signal generating section 240. The first clock generating section 210 generates a first clock. The first synchronization signal generating unit 220 generates a first synchronization signal, which is a master synchronization signal for operating the entire medical observation system, based on the first clock.

[0004] There are various types of medical observation devices 100 that make up the medical observation system 300. Therefore, to accommodate these various types, it is necessary to generate, from the first synchronization signal, a second synchronization signal that corresponds to the medical observation device 100 connected to the medical control device as a synchronization signal for operating the medical observation device 100. Therefore, a second clock generating unit 230 and a second synchronization signal generating unit 240 are provided. The second clock generating section 230 generates a second clock. The second synchronization signal generating section 240 generates a second synchronization signal based on the first synchronization signal and the second clock, and outputs the second synchronization signal to the medical observation device 100.

[0005] Here, the first and second clocks have different phases, so if the second synchronization signal is generated by simply switching the first synchronization signal with the second clock, metastability may occur. Conventionally, in order to suppress the occurrence of metastability, a configuration has been proposed in which phase guarantee is performed for clocks having different phases (see, for example, Patent Document 2). The technology described in Patent Document 2 is configured to ensure the phase of a clock on the data transmission side that transmits data and a clock on the data reception side that receives the data. Specifically, the technology described in Patent Document 2 provides a control circuit on the data receiving side that requests the data transmitting unit to transmit specific data (initial clock data), and a PLL (Phase Locked Loop) circuit that locks the phase using the initial clock data, thereby ensuring the phase of clocks that are different from each other. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-134039 [Patent Document 2] JP 2014-110843 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, when the technology described in Patent Document 2 is applied to the conventional configuration shown in FIG. 8, it is necessary to provide the control circuit and PLL circuit described in Patent Document 2 on the second synchronization signal generating unit 240 side, which results in a problem of complicated structure. Therefore, there is a demand for a technique that can suppress the occurrence of metastable states with a simple configuration.

[0008] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above, and aims to provide a medical control device and a medical observation system that can suppress the occurrence of metastable states with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, a medical control device according to the present disclosure includes a first clock generating unit that generates a first clock, a first synchronization signal generating unit that generates a first synchronization signal based on the first clock, a second clock generating unit that generates a second clock, and a second synchronization signal generating unit that generates a second synchronization signal for operating a medical observation device based on the first synchronization signal and the second clock, wherein the second synchronization signal generating unit performs a first setting process that sets a transition timing for transitioning the second synchronization signal in correspondence with a transition of the first synchronization signal at an initial first transition timing of the input first synchronization signal; and a second setting process for setting a transition timing for transitioning the second synchronization signal in correspondence with the transition of the first synchronization signal at a second transition timing or later of the synchronization signal of the first clock, wherein the first setting process sets the transition timing for transitioning the second synchronization signal in correspondence with the transition of the first synchronization signal at the first transition timing by switching the first transition timing to the transition timing of the second clock, and the second setting process sets the transition timing for transitioning the second synchronization signal in correspondence with the transition of the first synchronization signal at the second transition timing based on the position of the second transition timing on the time axis.

[0010] A medical observation system according to the present disclosure comprises a medical observation device that captures an image of a subject and generates a captured image, and a medical control device that controls the operation of the medical observation device, wherein the medical control device comprises a first clock generating unit that generates a first clock, a first synchronization signal generating unit that generates a first synchronization signal based on the first clock, a second clock generating unit that generates a second clock different from the first clock, and a second synchronization signal generating unit that generates a second synchronization signal for operating the medical observation device based on the first synchronization signal and the second clock, and the second synchronization signal generating unit generates the second synchronization signal in response to a transition of the first synchronization signal at an initial first transition timing of the input first synchronization signal. and a second setting process for setting a transition timing for transitioning the second synchronization signal in correspondence with the transition of the first synchronization signal at a second transition timing of the first synchronization signal from the second onward, in which the first setting process sets the transition timing for transitioning the second synchronization signal in correspondence with the transition of the first synchronization signal at the first transition timing by switching the first transition timing to the transition timing of the second clock, and the second setting process sets the transition timing for transitioning the second synchronization signal in correspondence with the transition of the first synchronization signal at the second transition timing based on the position of the second transition timing on the time axis. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the medical control device and medical observation system according to the present disclosure, the occurrence of metastable states can be suppressed with a simple configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a medical observation system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the first setting process. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a specific example (part 1) of the second setting process. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a specific example (part 2) of the second setting process. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a specific example (part 3) of the second setting process. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a specific example (part 4) of the second setting process. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a medical control device that generates a synchronization signal for operating a conventional medical observation device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present disclosure (hereinafter, referred to as embodiments) will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described below. Furthermore, in the drawings, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0014] [General configuration of medical observation system] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a medical observation system 1 according to an embodiment. The medical observation system 1 is used in the medical field to observe the inside of a subject (inside a living organism). As shown in Fig. 1, the medical observation system 1 includes an insertion section 2, a light source device 3, a light guide 4, a camera head 5, a first transmission cable 6, a display device 7, a second transmission cable 8, a control device 9, and a third transmission cable 10.

[0015] In this embodiment, the insertion section 2 is configured as a rigid endoscope. That is, the insertion section 2 has an elongated shape that is entirely rigid or has some flexible and other rigid parts, and is inserted into a living body. The insertion section 2 includes an optical system (not shown) that is configured using one or more lenses and focuses an image of a subject.

[0016] The light source device 3 is connected to one end of a light guide 4, and under the control of a control device 9, supplies illumination light of an amount specified by the control device 9 to the one end of the light guide 4. Note that in this embodiment, the light source device 3 is configured as a separate entity from the control device 9, but this is not limiting, and the light source device 3 may be configured to be provided within the control device 9. One end of the light guide 4 is detachably connected to the light source device 3, and the other end is detachably connected to the insertion portion 2. The light guide 4 transmits light supplied from the light source device 3 from one end to the other end and supplies it to the insertion portion 2. The light supplied to the insertion portion 2 is emitted from the tip of the insertion portion 2 and irradiated into the living body. The light irradiated into the living body and reflected within the living body (subject image) is collected by an optical system within the insertion portion 2.

[0017] The camera head 5 corresponds to the medical observation device according to the present disclosure. The camera head 5 is detachably connected to the eyepiece 21 of the insertion section 2. The camera head 5 includes an imaging section 51 (see FIG. 2 ) that, under the control of the control device 9, captures an image of a subject focused by the insertion section 2 and generates an image signal (hereinafter referred to as a captured image). The imaging unit 51 includes an imaging element (not shown) such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) that receives the image of the subject focused by the insertion unit 2 and converts it into an electrical signal (analog signal), and a signal processing unit (not shown) that performs signal processing on the analog signal image generated by the imaging element and outputs a digital signal image.

[0018] One end of the first transmission cable 6 is detachably connected to the control device 9 via a connector CN1 (FIG. 1), and the other end is detachably connected to the camera head 5 via a connector CN2 (FIG. 1). The first transmission cable 6 transmits captured images and the like output from the camera head 5 to the control device 9, and also transmits control signals, synchronization signals, clocks, power, and the like output from the control device 9 to the camera head 5. The captured images and the like may be transmitted as optical signals or electrical signals from the camera head 5 to the control device 9 via the first transmission cable 6. The same applies to the transmission of control signals, synchronization signals, and clocks from the control device 9 to the camera head 5 via the first transmission cable 6.

[0019] The display device 7 is configured with a display using liquid crystal or organic EL (Electro Luminescence) or the like, and displays an image based on a video signal from the control device 9 under the control of the control device 9. One end of the second transmission cable 8 is detachably connected to the display device 7, and the other end is detachably connected to the control device 9. The second transmission cable 8 transmits the video signal processed by the control device 9 to the display device 7.

[0020] The control device 9 corresponds to the medical control device according to the present disclosure. The control device 9 is configured with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), etc., and controls the overall operations of the light source device 3, the camera head 5, and the display device 7. The detailed configuration of the control device 9 will be explained later in the section "Configuration of the Control Device." One end of the third transmission cable 10 is detachably connected to the light source device 3, and the other end is detachably connected to the control device 9. The third transmission cable 10 transmits a control signal from the control device 9 to the light source device 3.

[0021] [Configuration of the control device] Next, the configuration of the control device 9 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control device 9. As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 9 includes an image processing unit 91, a first clock generating unit 92, a first synchronization signal generating unit 93, a second clock generating unit 94, a second synchronization signal generating unit 95, a control unit 96, an input unit 97, an output unit 98, and a memory unit 99.

[0022] Under the control of the control unit 96, the image processing unit 91 performs image processing on the captured image (digital signal) output from the camera head 5, and generates a display video signal for displaying the captured image. Then, the image processing unit 91 outputs the video signal to the display device 7. As a result, the captured image is displayed on the display device 7. Specifically, examples of the image processing include optical black subtraction processing, demosaic processing, white balance adjustment processing, noise reduction processing, color correction processing, color enhancement processing, and edge enhancement processing.

[0023] The first clock generating section 92 is a so-called clock generator, and generates a first clock. Under the control of the control unit 96, the first synchronization signal generation unit 93 generates a first synchronization signal used for the operation of the entire control device 9 based on the first clock.

[0024] The second clock generating section 94 is a so-called clock generator, and generates a second clock that has a different phase and frequency from the first clock. The second synchronization signal generating unit 95, under the control of the control unit 96, generates a second synchronization signal for operating the camera head 5 (imaging unit 51, etc.) based on the first synchronization signal and the second clock. Here, the second synchronization signal generating unit 95 executes a first setting process and a second setting process. The first setting process will be described in detail later in the section "First Setting Process." The second setting process will be described in detail later in the section "Second Setting Process."

[0025] The control unit 96 is realized by a controller such as a CPU or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) executing various programs stored in the storage unit 99, and controls the operations of the light source device 3, the camera head 5, and the display device 7, as well as the operation of the entire control device 9. The control unit 96 is not limited to a CPU or an MPU, and may be configured using an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA. The control unit 96 has the functions of the motion detection unit and the time width change unit according to the present disclosure. These functions will be described in the "Second Setting Process" section below.

[0026] The input unit 97 is configured using operation devices such as a mouse, a keyboard, and a touch panel, and receives user operations by a user such as a doctor. The input unit 97 then outputs an operation signal to the control unit 96 in response to the user operation. The output unit 98 is configured using a speaker, a printer, etc., and outputs various information. The storage unit 99 stores programs executed by the control unit 96, information necessary for the processing of the control unit 96, and the like.

[0027] [First setting process] Next, the first setting process executed by the second synchronization signal generating unit 95 will be described. 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating a specific example of the first setting process. Here, (a) of FIG. 3 shows the first synchronization signal. (b) of FIG. 3 shows the first clock. (c) of FIG. 3 shows the second synchronization signal. (d) of FIG. 3 shows the second clock. The second synchronization signal generation unit 95 executes a first setting process to set a transition timing for transitioning the second synchronization signal (similar to the transition of the first synchronization signal) in correspondence with the transition of the first synchronization signal at the initial first transition timing of the input first synchronization signal. The transition timing means the rising timing at which a signal (including the first and second synchronization signals and the first and second clocks) transitions from a low level to a high level, or the falling timing at which a signal transitions from a high level to a low level.

[0028] As described above, the first and second clocks have different phases and frequencies, and therefore the second synchronization signal generation unit 95 cannot set the transition timing of the second synchronization signal, which corresponds to the transition of the first synchronization signal at the initial first transition timing t11 (FIG. 3), to the same timing as the first transition timing t11. 3, the second synchronization signal generation unit 95 sets the transition timing at which the second synchronization signal transitions (falls) in correspondence with the transition (fall) of the first synchronization signal at the first transition timing t11 by switching the first transition timing t11 to the transition timing t21 of the second clock. That is, the rising timing t21 immediately after the first transition timing t11 in the second clock is set as the transition timing at which the second synchronization signal transitions in correspondence with the transition of the first synchronization signal at the first transition timing t11.

[0029] [Second setting process] Next, the second setting process executed by the second synchronization signal generating unit 95 will be described. The second synchronization signal generation unit 95 executes a second setting process to set a transition timing for transitioning the second synchronization signal (similar to the transition of the first synchronization signal) in correspondence with the transition of the first synchronization signal at the second transition timing or later of the input first synchronization signal. Specifically, in the second setting process, the second synchronization signal generation unit 95 sets, based on the position of the second transition timing on the time axis, the transition timing at which the second synchronization signal transitions, corresponding to the transition of the first synchronization signal at the second transition timing. More specifically, in the second setting process, the second synchronization signal generation unit 95 determines whether the position of the second transition timing on the time axis is located within a specific time width W (see FIGS. 4 to 7) centered on a reference timing t0 (t01, t02, ... (see FIGS. 4 to 7)) corresponding to the period of the first synchronization signal, and sets, based on the determination result, the transition timing at which the second synchronization signal transitions, corresponding to the transition of the first synchronization signal at the second transition timing.

[0030] The storage unit 99 stores in advance the time (hereinafter referred to as the reference time) between transition timings (between rising and falling timings) in the first synchronization signal, and a specific time width W. The second synchronization signal generation unit 95 sets each timing after the reference time stored in the storage unit 99 has elapsed from the first transition timing t11 as the reference timing t0 (t01, t02, ...) corresponding to the period of the first synchronization signal.

[0031] 3, the specific time width W can be exemplified by one cycle of the second clock. The specific time width W is configured to be changeable by the control unit 96 in response to a user operation on the input unit 97. The control unit 96 changes the time width W used in the second setting process to a larger value only in the following cases:

[0032] Specifically, the control unit 96 (motion detection unit) detects the motion of an energy treatment tool such as an electric scalpel or an ultrasonic treatment tool. For example, the control unit 96 determines whether or not an energy treatment tool is included in the captured image by image recognition using AI (Artificial Intelligence). If the control unit 96 determines that an energy treatment tool is included in the captured image, it detects the operation of the energy treatment tool. Furthermore, for example, the control device 9 is electrically connected to the energy treatment device. The control device 9 is also capable of detecting a signal corresponding to an operation of starting application of treatment energy (high-frequency energy, ultrasonic energy, etc.) to living tissue in the energy treatment device. When the control unit 96 detects a signal corresponding to the operation, it detects the operation of the energy treatment device. Then, when the control unit 96 (time width changing unit) detects the operation of the energy treatment tool, it changes the specific time width W stored in the storage unit 99 to a larger value.

[0033] As described above, the second synchronization signal generation unit 95 executes different second setting processes based on the determination result of whether the position on the time axis of the second transition timing is located within a specific time width W centered around the reference timing t0 (t01, t02, . . .). Below, the second setting processes will be specifically described based on the determination result.

[0034] [Example of the second setting process (part 1)] 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating a specific example (part 1) of the second setting process. Here, (a) of FIG. 4 shows the first synchronization signal. (b) of FIG. 4 shows the second synchronization signal. Note that FIG. 4 illustrates a case where the position on the time axis of the second transition timing t12 (t121, t122) is located within a specific time width W centered around the reference timing t0 (t01, t02). First, a case will be described where the position on the time axis of the second transition timing t12 (FIG. 4) is located within a specific time width W centered around the reference timing t0. In this case, in the second setting process, the second synchronization signal generating unit 95 sets a transition timing t22 at which the second synchronization signal transitions in correspondence with the transition of the first synchronization signal at the second transition timing t12, based on the count value of the second clock counted from the transition timing immediately before the second synchronization signal.

[0035] 4, the position on the time axis of the second transition timing t121 is located within a specific time width W centered around the reference timing t01. Therefore, the second synchronization signal generating unit 95 sets timing t221, at which the count value of the second clock counted from the transition timing t21 of the second synchronization signal reaches a specific count value, as the transition timing for making the second synchronization signal transition (rising) in correspondence with the transition (rising) of the first synchronization signal at the second transition timing t121.

[0036] 4, the position on the time axis of the second transition timing t122 ​​that follows the second transition timing t121 is located within a specific time width W centered around the reference timing t02. Therefore, the second synchronization signal generation unit 95 sets timing t222, at which the count value of the second clock counted from the transition timing t221 of the second synchronization signal reaches a specific count value, as the transition timing for making the second synchronization signal transition (fall) in correspondence with the transition (fall) of the first synchronization signal at the second transition timing t122.

[0037] [Example of the second setting process (part 2)] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a specific example (part 2) of the second setting process. Here, (a) of FIG. 5 shows the first synchronization signal. (b) of FIG. 5 shows the second synchronization signal. Note that FIG. 5 illustrates a case where the position of second transition timing t121 on the time axis is not located within a specific time width W centered on reference timing t01, but is located after the specific time width W. Also, FIG. 5 illustrates a case where the position of second transition timing t122, which is the next of second transition timing t121, on the time axis is located within a specific time width W centered on reference timing t02.

[0038] Next, a case where the position on the time axis of the second transition timing t12 is not located within a specific time width W centered on the reference timing t0, but is located after the specific time width W will be described. In this case, in the second setting process, the second synchronization signal generating unit 95 sets the transition timing t22 at which the second synchronization signal transitions to correspond to the transition of the first synchronization signal at the second transition timing t12 by switching the second transition timing t12 to the transition timing of the second clock, as in the first setting process described above.

[0039] 5, the position on the time axis of the second transition timing t121 is not located within a specific time span W centered around the reference timing t01, but is located after the time span W. Therefore, similar to the first setting process described above, the second synchronization signal generation unit 95 sets transition timing t221 at which the second synchronization signal transitions (rises) in correspondence with the transition (rising) of the first synchronization signal at the second transition timing t121 by switching the second transition timing t121 to the transition timing of the second clock.

[0040] 5, the position on the time axis of the second transition timing t122 ​​that follows the second transition timing t121 is located within a specific time width W centered around the reference timing t02. Therefore, similar to the example of FIG. 4 described above, the second synchronization signal generation unit 95 sets timing t222, at which the count value of the second clock counted from the transition timing t221 of the second synchronization signal reaches a specific count value, as the transition timing for making the second synchronization signal transition (fall) in correspondence with the transition (fall) of the first synchronization signal at the second transition timing t122.

[0041] [Example of the second setting process (part 3)] 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating a specific example (part 3) of the second setting process. Here, (a) of FIG. 6 shows the first synchronization signal. (b) of FIG. 6 shows the second synchronization signal. Note that FIG. 6 illustrates a case where the position on the time axis of the second transition timing t121 is not located within a specific time span W centered on the reference timing t01, but is located before the specific time span W.

[0042] Next, a case where the position on the time axis of the second transition timing t12 is not located within a specific time width W centered on the reference timing t0, but is located before the specific time width W will be described. In this case, the second synchronization signal generating unit 95 does not transition the second synchronization signal in response to the transition of the first synchronization signal at the second transition timing t12 in the second setting process.

[0043] Specifically, in the example of FIG. 6 , the position of the second transition timing t121 on the time axis is not located within a specific time span W centered on the reference timing t01, but is located before the time span W. Therefore, the second synchronization signal generation unit 95 does not transition the second synchronization signal in correspondence with the transition (rising edge) of the first synchronization signal at the second transition timing t121. Then, similar to the first setting process described above, the second synchronization signal generation unit 95 sets transition timing t222 at which the second synchronization signal transitions (falls) in correspondence with the transition (falling edge) of the first synchronization signal at the second transition timing t122 ​​by switching the second transition timing t122, which is the next transition timing after the second transition timing t121, to the transition timing of the second clock. Note that in FIG. 6 , the second synchronization signal that would normally transition (rise) in correspondence with the transition (rising edge) of the first synchronization signal at the second transition timing t121 is represented by a dashed dotted line.

[0044] [Example of the second setting process (part 4)] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a specific example (part 4) of the second setting process. Here, (a) of FIG. 7 shows a first synchronization signal. (b) of FIG. 7 shows a second synchronization signal. Note that FIG. 7 illustrates a case where there are multiple second transition timings t12 (t121, t123), and the position of some of the multiple second transition timings t121, t123 on the time axis is not located within a specific time span W centered on the reference timing t01 but is located before the specific time span W, and the position of other second transition timings t121 on the time axis is located within the specific time span W. Also, FIG. 7 and FIG. 5 illustrate a case where the position of the second transition timing t122 ​​next to the second transition timing t121 on the time axis is located within the specific time span W centered on the reference timing t02.

[0045] Next, we will explain the case where there are multiple second transition timings t12, and the positions on the time axis of some of the multiple second transition timings t12 are not located within a specific time width W centered on the reference timing t0, but are located before the specific time width W, and the positions on the time axis of the other second transition timings are located within the specific time width W. In this case, in the second setting process, the second synchronization signal generating unit 95 sets transition timing t22 at which the second synchronization signal transitions in correspondence with the transition of the first synchronization signal at the second transition timing t12, based on the count value of the second clock counted from the transition timing immediately before the second synchronization signal.

[0046] 7, there are two second transition timings t12, namely, second transition timings t121 and t123. The position of one of the second transition timings t123 on the time axis is not located within a specific time width W centered around the reference timing t01, but is located before the specific time width W. On the other hand, the position of the other second transition timing t121 on the time axis is located within a specific time width W centered around the reference timing t01. Therefore, similar to the example of FIG. 4 described above, the second synchronization signal generation unit 95 sets timing t221, at which the count value of the second clock counted from transition timing t21 of the second synchronization signal reaches a specific count value, as the transition timing at which the second synchronization signal transitions (rises) in correspondence with the transition (rising) of the first synchronization signal at second transition timing t121.

[0047] 7, the second transition timing t122 ​​following the second transition timing t121 is located within a specific time width W centered around the reference timing t02. Therefore, similar to the example of FIG. 4 described above, the second synchronization signal generation unit 95 sets timing t222, at which the count value of the second clock counted from the transition timing t221 of the second synchronization signal reaches a specific count value, as the transition timing for making the second synchronization signal transition (fall) in correspondence with the transition (fall) of the first synchronization signal at the second transition timing t122.

[0048] According to the present embodiment described above, the following effects are achieved. In the control device 9 according to this embodiment, the second synchronization signal generation unit 95 executes first and second setting processes. The first setting process is a process for setting a transition timing for the second synchronization signal to correspond to a transition of the input first synchronization signal at the first transition timing of the input first synchronization signal. The second setting process is a process for setting a transition timing for the second synchronization signal to correspond to a transition of the input first synchronization signal at the second or subsequent second transition timing of the input first synchronization signal. Specifically, the second setting process is a process for determining whether the position of the second transition timing on the time axis is within a specific time width W centered on a reference timing t0 (t01, t02, . . . ) corresponding to the period of the first synchronization signal, and setting a transition timing for the second synchronization signal to correspond to the transition of the first synchronization signal at the second transition timing based on the determination result. Therefore, according to the control device 9 of this embodiment, even when the first and second clocks that are not phase-guaranteed with respect to each other are used, there is no need to provide the control circuit or PLL circuit described in Patent Document 2 on the second synchronization signal generation unit 95 side. In other words, according to the control device 9, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of metastable states with a simple configuration.

[0049] In particular, if the position on the time axis of the second transition timing t12 is not located within a specific time span W centered on the reference timing t0, but is located after the specific time span W, there is a possibility that a new first synchronization signal will be generated by restarting, etc. In the present embodiment, the second synchronization signal generation unit 95 executes the process described in the specific example (part 2) of the second setting process in the above-mentioned case. Therefore, it is possible to generate an appropriate second synchronization signal, taking into consideration that a new first synchronization signal will be generated upon restart or the like.

[0050] Furthermore, if the position on the time axis of the second transition timing t12 is not located within a specific time width W centered on the reference timing t0, but is located before the specific time width W, and the transition timing of the second synchronization signal is set according to the second transition timing t12, the display of one frame of the captured image will be cut off midway. In the present embodiment, the second synchronization signal generating unit 95 executes the process described in the specific example (part 3) of the second setting process in the above-mentioned case. As a result, the display of one frame of captured image is not cut off midway, and a captured image suitable for observation can be displayed.

[0051] Furthermore, if there are multiple second transition timings t12, and the position on the time axis of some of the multiple second transition timings t12, t123, is not located within a specific time width W centered on the reference timing t01, but is located before the specific time width W, and the position on the time axis of other second transition timings t121 is located within the specific time width W, then it can be assumed that the second transition timing t123 has occurred due to the first synchronization signal being disturbed by noise. In the present embodiment, the second synchronization signal generation unit 95 executes the process described in the specific example (part 4) of the second setting process in the above-mentioned case. Therefore, even if the first synchronization signal is affected by noise, an appropriate second synchronization signal can be generated.

[0052] However, when the energy treatment tool is operated, noise is likely to affect the first synchronization signal. In this embodiment, when the control unit 96 detects the operation of an energy treatment tool, it changes the specific time width W to a larger width. Therefore, it is possible to generate an appropriate second synchronization signal in consideration of the influence of noise on the first synchronization signal due to the operation of the energy treatment tool.

[0053] (Other embodiments) Although the embodiments for carrying out the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure should not be limited to only the above-described embodiments.

[0054] In the above-described embodiment, the medical control device according to the present disclosure is mounted on a medical observation system 1 in which the insertion section 2 is configured as a rigid endoscope, but this is not limiting. For example, the medical control device according to the present disclosure may be mounted on a medical observation system in which the insertion section 2 is configured as a flexible endoscope. Furthermore, the medical image processing device according to the present disclosure may be mounted on a medical observation system such as a surgical microscope (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-42981) that magnifies and observes a predetermined field of view inside or on the surface of a living body.

[0055] The following configurations also fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure. (1) A medical observation device includes a first clock generating unit that generates a first clock, a first synchronization signal generating unit that generates a first synchronization signal based on the first clock, a second clock generating unit that generates a second clock, and a second synchronization signal generating unit that generates a second synchronization signal for operating a medical observation device based on the first synchronization signal and the second clock, wherein the second synchronization signal generating unit performs a first setting process to set a transition timing for transitioning the second synchronization signal in correspondence with a transition of the first synchronization signal at a first first transition timing of the input first synchronization signal, and a second setting process to set a transition timing for transitioning the second synchronization signal at a second or subsequent second transition timing of the first synchronization signal. and a second setting process for setting a transition timing for transitioning the second synchronization signal in correspondence with a transition of the first synchronization signal in a clock, wherein the first setting process sets the transition timing for transitioning the second synchronization signal in correspondence with a transition of the first synchronization signal at the first transition timing by switching the first transition timing to a transition timing of the second clock, and the second setting process sets the transition timing for transitioning the second synchronization signal in correspondence with the transition of the first synchronization signal at the second transition timing based on the position of the second transition timing on a time axis. (2) In the second setting process, the second synchronization signal generating unit determines whether the position on the time axis of the second transition timing is located within a specific time width centered on a reference timing corresponding to the period of the first synchronization signal, and based on the determination result, sets the transition timing at which the second synchronization signal transitions in correspondence with the transition of the first synchronization signal at the second transition timing, as described in (1). (3) In the medical control device described in (2), when the second synchronization signal generating unit determines in the second setting process that the position on the time axis of the second transition timing is located within the specific time width, the second synchronization signal generating unit sets the transition timing of the second synchronization signal to correspond to the transition of the first synchronization signal at the second transition timing based on the count value of the second clock counted from the transition timing immediately before the second synchronization signal. (4) In the medical control device described in (2) or (3), when the second synchronization signal generating unit determines in the second setting process that the position on the time axis of the second transition timing is not located within the specific time width but is located after the specific time width, the second synchronization signal generating unit sets the transition timing at which the second synchronization signal transitions to correspond to the transition of the first synchronization signal at the second transition timing by switching the second transition timing to the transition timing of the second clock. (5) A medical control device described in any one of (2) to (4), in which the second synchronization signal generating unit determines in the second setting process that the position on the time axis of the second transition timing is not located within the specific time width but is located before the specific time width, and does not transition the second synchronization signal in response to the transition of the first synchronization signal at the second transition timing. (6) The medical control device described in any one of (2) to (5), wherein, when the second synchronization signal generating unit determines in the second setting process that there are multiple second transition timings, and that the positions on the time axis of some of the multiple second transition timings are not located within the specific time width but are located before the specific time width, and the positions on the time axis of other second transition timings are located within the specific time width, the second synchronization signal generating unit sets a transition timing at which the second synchronization signal transitions in correspondence with the transition of the first synchronization signal at the second transition timing located within the specific time width, based on the count value of the second clock counted from the transition timing immediately before the second synchronization signal. (7) The medical control device according to any one of (2) to (6), further comprising an input unit that accepts user operations, wherein the specific time width is changeable in response to user operations on the input unit. (8) The medical control device according to any one of (2) to (7), further comprising: a motion detection unit that detects the motion of an energy treatment tool; and a time width change unit that changes the specific time width to a larger value when the motion detection unit detects the motion of the energy treatment tool. (9) A medical observation device that captures an image of a subject and generates a captured image, and a medical control device that controls the operation of the medical observation device, wherein the medical control device comprises a first clock generating unit that generates a first clock, a first synchronization signal generating unit that generates a first synchronization signal based on the first clock, a second clock generating unit that generates a second clock different from the first clock, and a second synchronization signal generating unit that generates a second synchronization signal for operating the medical observation device based on the first synchronization signal and the second clock, and the second synchronization signal generating unit generates a transition timing of the second synchronization signal in correspondence with the transition of the first synchronization signal at the first transition timing of the input first synchronization signal. and a second setting process for setting transition timings for the second synchronization signal to correspond to the transition of the first synchronization signal at second transition timings of the first synchronization signal from the second onward, wherein the first setting process sets the transition timings for the second synchronization signal to correspond to the transition of the first synchronization signal at the first transition timings by switching the first transition timings to transition timings of the second clock, and the second setting process sets the transition timings for the second synchronization signal to correspond to the transition of the first synchronization signal at the second transition timings based on the position of the second transition timings on a time axis. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1 Medical observation system 2 Insertion section 3 Light source device 4 Light Guide 5 Camera Head 6. First Transmission Cable 7 Display device 8 Second Transmission Cable 9 Control Device 10 Third Transmission Cable 21 Eyepiece 51 Imaging unit 91 Image processing section 92 First clock generation unit 93 First synchronization signal generation unit 94 Second clock generator 95 Second synchronization signal generator 96 Control Unit 97 Input section 98 Output section 99 Memory section 100 Medical observation equipment 200 Medical Control Device 210 First clock generation unit 220 First synchronization signal generation unit 230 Second clock generation unit 240 Second synchronization signal generation unit 300 Medical Observation System CN1, CN2 connectors t0, t01, t02 reference timing t11 First transition timing t12, t121~t123 Second transition timing t21, t22, t221, t222 transition timing W a specific time span

Claims

1. a first clock generating unit that generates a first clock; a first synchronization signal generating unit that generates a first synchronization signal based on the first clock; a second clock generating unit that generates a second clock; a second synchronization signal generating unit that generates a second synchronization signal for operating a medical observation device based on the first synchronization signal and the second clock, The second synchronization signal generation unit executes a first setting process for setting a transition timing for the second synchronization signal to transition in correspondence with a transition of the first synchronization signal at an initial first transition timing of the input first synchronization signal, and a second setting process for setting a transition timing for the second synchronization signal to transition in correspondence with a transition of the first synchronization signal at a second or subsequent second transition timing of the first synchronization signal; In the first setting process, setting a transition timing of the second synchronization signal to correspond to the transition of the first synchronization signal at the first transition timing by switching the first transition timing to a transition timing of the second clock; In the second setting process, A medical control device that sets a transition timing for transitioning the second synchronization signal in correspondence with the transition of the first synchronization signal at the second transition timing based on the position of the second transition timing on a time axis.

2. The second synchronization signal generation unit 2. The medical control device of claim 1, wherein in the second setting process, a determination is made as to whether the position on the time axis of the second transition timing is located within a specific time width centered on a reference timing corresponding to the period of the first synchronization signal, and based on the determination result, a transition timing for transitioning the second synchronization signal is set in correspondence with the transition of the first synchronization signal at the second transition timing.

3. The second synchronization signal generation unit 3. The medical control device of claim 2, wherein, when it is determined in the second setting process that the position on the time axis of the second transition timing is located within the specific time width, a transition timing for transitioning the second synchronization signal is set to correspond to the transition of the first synchronization signal at the second transition timing based on the count value of the second clock counted from the transition timing immediately before the second synchronization signal.

4. The second synchronization signal generation unit A medical control device as described in claim 2, wherein if it is determined in the second setting process that the position on the time axis of the second transition timing is not located within the specific time width but is located after the specific time width, the medical control device sets a transition timing for transitioning the second synchronization signal to correspond to the transition of the first synchronization signal at the second transition timing by switching the second transition timing to the transition timing of the second clock.

5. The second synchronization signal generation unit A medical control device as described in claim 2, wherein if, in the second setting process, it is determined that the position on the time axis of the second transition timing is not located within the specific time width but is located before the specific time width, the second synchronization signal is not transitioned in response to the transition of the first synchronization signal at the second transition timing.

6. The second synchronization signal generation unit 3. The medical control device according to claim 2, wherein, in the second setting process, if it is determined that there are multiple second transition timings, and that the positions on the time axis of some of the multiple second transition timings are not located within the specific time width but are located before the specific time width, and the positions on the time axis of other second transition timings are located within the specific time width, the medical control device sets a transition timing for transitioning the second synchronization signal in correspondence with the transition of the first synchronization signal at the second transition timing located within the specific time width, based on the count value of the second clock counted from the transition timing immediately before the second synchronization signal.

7. further comprising an input unit that accepts user operations; The specific time span is The medical control device according to claim 2 , wherein the input unit can be changed in response to a user operation.

8. an operation detection unit that detects an operation of the energy treatment tool; The medical control device according to claim 2 , further comprising a time width changing unit that changes the specific time width to a larger value when the operation of the energy treatment tool is detected by the operation detection unit.

9. a medical observation device that captures an image of a subject and generates a captured image; a medical control device that controls the operation of the medical observation device, The medical control device includes: a first clock generating unit that generates a first clock; a first synchronization signal generating unit that generates a first synchronization signal based on the first clock; a second clock generating unit that generates a second clock different from the first clock; a second synchronization signal generating unit that generates a second synchronization signal for operating the medical observation device based on the first synchronization signal and the second clock, The second synchronization signal generation unit executes a first setting process for setting a transition timing for the second synchronization signal to transition in correspondence with a transition of the first synchronization signal at an initial first transition timing of the input first synchronization signal, and a second setting process for setting a transition timing for the second synchronization signal to transition in correspondence with a transition of the first synchronization signal at a second or subsequent second transition timing of the first synchronization signal; In the first setting process, setting a transition timing of the second synchronization signal to correspond to the transition of the first synchronization signal at the first transition timing by switching the first transition timing to a transition timing of the second clock; In the second setting process, a medical observation system that sets a transition timing for transitioning the second synchronization signal in correspondence with the transition of the first synchronization signal at the second transition timing, based on the position of the second transition timing on a time axis.

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