| Entries |
| Document | Title | Date |
|---|
| 20080239070 | IMAGING SYSTEM WITH A SINGLE COLOR IMAGE SENSOR FOR SIMULTANEOUS FLUORESCENCE AND COLOR VIDEO ENDOSCOPY - An endoscopic video system and method using a camera with a single color image sensor, for example a CCD color image sensor, for fluorescence and color imaging and for simultaneously displaying the images acquired in these imaging modes at video rates in real time is disclosed. The tissue under investigation is illuminated continuously with fluorescence excitation light and is further illuminated periodically using visible light outside of the fluorescence excitation wavelength range. The illumination sources may be conventional lamps using filters and shutters, or may include light-emitting diodes mounted at the distal tip of the endoscope. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20090009595 | SCATTERING MEDIUM INTERNAL OBSERVATION APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM, IMAGE PICKUP METHOD AND ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS - A scattering medium internal observation apparatus according to the present invention includes: a light source; an illuminating apparatus that guides light from the light source to an observation object that is a scattering body; and an observation optical system for observing the observation object illuminated by the illuminating apparatus, wherein the illuminating apparatus has a light-guiding member that guides light from the light source to a surface of the observation object, and a light-shielding member that covers the surface of the observation object and which shields light reflected or scattered in the vicinity of the light-guiding member of the observation object is disposed in the vicinity of an end portion of the light-guiding member on an observation object-side. | 01-08-2009 |
| 20090027492 | ELECTRONIC ENDOSCOPE DEVICE - There is provided an electronic endoscope device for use with an electronic endoscope. The electronic endoscope device is provided with a light source unit configured to supply illumination light to the electronic endoscope, and a processor unit configured to process an image signal provided by the electronic endoscope. In this configuration, only one unit of the light source unit and the processor unit is configured to be directly connectable with the electronic endoscope, and the other unit of the light source unit and the processor not directly connectable with the electronic endoscope is configured to be directly connectable with the one unit configured to be directly connectable with the electronic endoscope. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090040298 | LIVING BODY OBSERVATION DEVICE - A light source unit, which is connected to a control unit and an endoscope, radiates a pre-determined light quantity of white light based on a signal from the control unit. The light source unit includes a lamp as a white light source, an infrared cut filter, a light quantity limiting filter, being inserted/removed on an optical path, for limiting light quantity in a pre-determined wavelength region of white light, a filter insertion/removal driving unit for inserting/removing the light quantity limiting filter on an optical path, and a condensing lens for outputting white light. For example, when a transmission rate of a blue band is 100%, the light quantity limiting filter limits transmission rates of other bands to 50%. This improves S/N in discrete spectral image generation with illumination light in a visible light region. | 02-12-2009 |
| 20090051764 | ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM AND LENS UNIT - An endoscope system has a light source apparatus and an endoscope including an illumination optical system and an objective optical system. At least the objective optical system of the endoscope is provided with an adjustable diaphragm, and in a light path in one of the light source apparatus, the illumination optical system, and the objective optical system, an insertable/retractable filter for observation for special light is provided. The adjustable diaphragm performs a closing operation or an opening operation only when the filter for observation for special light is inserted into the light path. | 02-26-2009 |
| 20090058998 | IMAGE TAKING APPARATUS - The image taking apparatus includes: a CCD which takes an image of a subject to obtain a shot image; a processor-side CPU which has three or more photometric modes having different analysis schemes to measure brightness of the shot image by analyzing the shot image taken by the CCD; and an aperture for reducing light from a light source based on the brightness measured by the processor-side CPU. In the processor-side CPU, two or more of the photometric modes corresponding to a selecting operation are selected, and one of the selected photometric modes is cyclically switched between the selected photometric modes upon reception of the switching operation instructing the switching. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090073260 | IN-VIVO IMAGE ACQUIRING APPARATUS, IN-VIVO IMAGE RECEIVING APPARATUS, AND IN-VIVO IMAGE ACQUIRING SYSTEM - An in-vivo image acquiring apparatus includes an imaging unit which is introduced inside a subject and picks up image information inside the subject, an illuminating unit which illuminates an imaging portion imaged by the imaging unit, a transmission processing unit which performs a process to wirelessly transmit the image information acquired by the imaging unit to an external apparatus. A light-control unit determines light-control amount information based on brightness of the image information acquired by the imaging unit, and performs a control of light control of the illuminating unit according to the light-control amount information. Further, the transmission processing unit performs a process to wirelessly transmit the image information acquired by the imaging unit along with the light-control amount information used for the control of light-control. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090086018 | PROCESSING METHOD OF IMAGE ACQUIRING IN BODY LUMEN, CAPSULE ENDOSCOPE AND CAPSULE ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM USING IT - The present invention relates to a method for processing an image in a capsule endoscope and capsule endoscope system that processes an internal human body image acquired by a capsule type endoscope swallowable into a human body. The present invention includes a step (a) of acquiring a light emitting image consecutively in a light emitting mode, a step (b) of acquiring a no-light image in a no-light mode after elapse of a prescribed time, and a step (c) of correcting the light emitting image acquired in the step (a) using the no-light image acquired in the step (b). According to the present invention, noises attributed to dark-current and heat occurring in an image of taking an internal human body can be corrected and a quality of an internal human body image can be enhanced using an effective part of a no-light image only in removing dark-current noise and thermal noise. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090091614 | BIOLOGICAL OBSERVATION APPARATUS - A biological observation apparatus comprising: an illuminating section that irradiates light to a living body that is a subject to be examined; an image pickup section that photoelectrically converts light reflected from the living body based on the irradiating light and creates an image pickup signal; and a signal processing control section that controls operations of the illuminating section and/or the image pickup section and outputs the image pickup signal to a display device, wherein the signal processing control section includes: a spectral signal creating section that creates a spectral signal corresponding to an optical wavelength narrowband image from the image pickup signal through signal processing; and a color adjusting section that, when outputting the spectral signal to the display device, allocates a different color tone for each of a plurality of bands forming the spectral signal, further wherein the biological observation apparatus further comprises an image quality adjusting section that adjusts an image quality of a signal to be outputted to the display device, or, with the exception of at least the spectral signal creating section and the color adjusting section, the other signal processing sections are shared for respective signal processing on the image pickup signal and on the spectral signal. | 04-09-2009 |
| 20090147077 | LIGHT-SOURCE CONTROL SYSTEM, SHUTTER CONTROL SYSTEM, ENDOSCOPE PROCESSOR, AND ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM - A light-source control system including a detector and a controller is provided. The detector detects an output period. The XY-address type imaging device generates an image signal comprising a plurality of pixel signals. The pixel signals vary according to the signal charges. The pixels generate signal charges according to the amount of light received during a storing period. The storing period comprises a common-period and a variable-period. The common-period is simultaneous for all of pixel-rows. The variable-period varies according to each of the pixel-rows that are arranged in a first direction. Series of the pixel signals corresponding to the pixels that are arranged in the same pixel-row are output in order of the pixel-rows during the output period. The controller controls a light-source to suspend the emission of illumination light during the output period. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090147078 | NOISE REDUCTION SYSTEM, ENDOSCOPE PROCESSOR, AND ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM - A noise reduction system comprising a switch, a light-source controller, a memory and a noise reduction block, is provided. The switch switches an exposure method of a CMOS imaging device to global exposure. The CMOS imaging device generates an image signal on the basis of signal charges. The light-source controller orders illumination of the subject to be suspended during a receiving period in at least one field period after switching the exposure method to the global exposure. The signal charges are generated during the receiving period. The memory stores the image signal which is based on the signal charges generated during the suspension period as a black image signal. The noise reduction block removes fixed pattern noise from an optical image signal on the basis of the black image signal stored in the memory. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090147079 | LIGHT SOURCE APPARATUS AND ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS - A light source apparatus capable of controlling a quantity of light in a stable manner and an endoscope apparatus including the light source apparatus are provided. The light source apparatus includes a light source and a light quantity adjusting portion for limiting the light flux from the light source using an aperture blade. The light quantity adjusting portion includes the aperture blade which is driven to rotate in a vertical plane about a pivot and has a center of gravity which is decentered from the pivot, a position detecting portion for detecting a position of the aperture blade, a driving portion, and a light source controlling portion for controlling the driving portion. The light source controlling portion controls the driving portion based on the position of the aperture blade and a rotation direction. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090207241 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL-IMAGE FORMING DEVICE, THREE DIMENSIONAL-IMAGE FORMING METHOD AND PROGRAM - In a three-dimensional image forming device for forming a phantom three-dimensional image in accordance with an image of an inner face of a tubular structure to be observed, luminance information of pixels corresponding to a prescribed range of each frame image of the tubular structure is obtained under prescribed lighting conditions when an imaging device with an optical axis extending to an axial direction of the tubular structure moves, a relative distances in a depth direction between points and an objective lens is calculated in accordance with the luminance information, pixels corresponding to the prescribed range of each frame image in the inner face of the tubular structure is arrayed in reflection of the relative distance, and the arrayed pixels are combined for a plurality of the frame images to form a three-dimensional image of the inner face of the tubular structure. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090207242 | SIGNAL PROCESSING SYSTEM - A user system includes a log read-out section for reading out setting state log data, a log data sending section for sending the setting state log data, and a restoration operation activating section for receiving a restore command and performs a restoration operation. A remote operation system includes a log data receiving section for receiving the setting state log data, a log data analyzing section for analyzing the setting state log data, a communication requesting section for requesting sending of the setting state log data, and a restore command sending section for sending a restore command. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090322865 | IMAGE CAPTURE CONTROL FOR IN VIVO AUTONOMOUS CAMERA - Systems and methods are provided for motion detection and capture control of video data from a capsule camera system having an on-board storage. The capsule camera system moves through the GI tract under the action of peristalsis and records images of the intestinal walls. The capsule's movement is episodic and jerky. The capacity of the on-board storage is limited. In order to avoid unnecessary capture of images when the capsule camera moves very slowly or stalls, motion detection technique is utilized to help control image capture. Furthermore, an adaptive capture control is disclosed that automatically adjusts the threshold level of capture control to maintain proper image capture. The invented capture control also conserves precious battery power by eliminating capture of unnecessary images when the capsule camera moves too slowly or stalls. The present invention of image capture control and threshold update is also applicable to a capsule camera system having a wireless transmitter instead of an on-board storage. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20100020163 | FLUORESCENCE ENDOSCOPE - A fluorescence endoscope is provided that can easily judge whether body-cavity tissue is benign or malignant when fluorescence generated at the entire inner circumferential face of the body cavity serving as a subject is observed. The fluorescence endoscope includes: an insertion portion ( | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100039507 | IMAGE ACQUISITION APPARATUS AND ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM - An object is to provide an image acquisition apparatus that can acquire an image having a tint substantially equal to that of an image acquired with reference light having a flat color distribution even when the color distribution of illumination light is not uniform, and to provide an endoscope system including such an image acquisition apparatus. The image acquisition apparatus includes an LED unit that emits observation light illuminating an examination site; an image-acquisition element that acquires an image of the examination site illuminated by the observation light; a correction-coefficient recording section that stores a correction coefficient for making the color distribution of first image information acquired by the image-acquisition element with the emitted observation light approximate the color distribution of second image information acquired by the image-acquisition element with emitted reference light having a flat color distribution; a video-signal processing section that corrects the color distribution of the first image information using the correction coefficient stored in the correction-coefficient recording section; and a display monitor that displays the first image information corrected by the video-signal processing section. | 02-18-2010 |
| 20100079587 | ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM - A small diameter of an endoscope is maintained, and both normal imaging with a visible light and fluorescence imaging can be performed. An endoscope system is provided in which a plurality of imaging devices that detect a reflected light of an illumination light reflected by a somatoscopy part or an emitted light emitted by the somatoscopy part are arranged in series in a distal end portion of an endoscope, each of the plurality of imaging devices includes a light splitting device that deflects 90° a part of the reflected light or the emitted light and transmits a part of the reflected light or the emitted light and an image pickup device that detects the reflected light or the emitted light deflected 90°, a rearmost imaging device includes an optical path changing device that deflects 90° the reflected light or the emitted light and an image pickup device that detects the reflected light or the emitted light deflected 90°, and an observation optical member is provided in which the light splitting device and the optical path changing device are arranged in series. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100079588 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, METHOD, AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM - Provided is an image processing apparatus comprising a recording section that records information identifying diseases in association with polarization characteristics of disease positions having a disease; an image acquiring section that acquires a polarized image captured at an observed position by an endoscope, the polarized image being captured using light having a plurality of different polarization states; a determining section that determines the disease by comparing (i) the polarization characteristic of the observed position acquired from the polarized image to (ii) the polarization characteristics recorded in the recording section; and a notification section that notifies a user with information specifying the disease determined by the determining section. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100110168 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR LIGHT CONTROL IN AN IN-VIVO IMAGING DEVICE - A device and method for example operating an in vivo imaging device wherein the illumination is operated at a certain rate or range of rates, and images are transmitted from the device. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100123775 | ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM WITH SCANNING FUNCTION - An endoscope system has a light source system configured to emit illumination light on a target area, a scanner configured to periodically scan the illumination light over a target area at predetermined time intervals, and an imager configured to receive the illumination light reflected from the target area and to acquire in succession a sequence of image-pixel signals. Further, the endoscope system has a luminance detector that detects in succession a sequence of luminance data of the object image from the sequence of image-pixel signals; and a brightness adjuster that adjusts the brightness of an observed image on the basis of the sequence of luminance data. Then, the brightness adjuster adjusts an amount of illumination light in accordance with a scanning position of the illumination light. | 05-20-2010 |
| 20100134607 | ENDOSCOPIC OBSERVATION APPARATUS AND ENDOSCOPIC OBSERVATION METHOD - A quantitative image of a subject is obtained without being influenced by the distance from the subject by accurately measuring the absolute distance between the subject and the tip of a phototransmitter that radiates light onto the subject. There is provided an endoscopic observation apparatus ( | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100134608 | ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM WITH SCANNING FUNCTION - An endoscope system is equipped with a light source system configured to emit illumination light, a scanner configured to periodically scan the illumination light over a target area at predetermined time intervals by vibrating the tip portion of a scanning fiber, and an imager configured to receive the illumination light reflected from the target and to acquire image data corresponding to an observation image. The endoscope system further has an illumination controller that controls the light source system to emit first illumination light having a first spectrum characteristic during a scan interval, and to emit a second illumination light having a second spectrum characteristic during a return interval. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100141744 | Wireless Camera Coupling - A system for wirelessly powering various devices positioned on an endoscope, including, for example, a light source, various electronics including an imager and/or a memory device. The system is further provided such that video signal processing parameters are automatically set for an endoscopic video camera system based upon characteristics of an attached endoscope, with reduced EMI and improved inventory tracking, maintenance and quality assurance, and reducing the necessity for adjustment and alignment of the endoscope and camera to achieve the data transfer. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100141745 | Miniature photographic apparatus - The present invention discloses a miniature photographic apparatus applicable to an endoscopic device, and including a casing, at least one light source device and at least one viewing lens device. The casing is disposed at a front end of the endoscopic device. The casing includes an accommodating space. The light source device is disposed in the accommodating space, and emits at least one light and includes a first protecting layer at a front end of the light source device. The viewing lens device is disposed in the accommodating space and includes a second protecting layer at a front end of the viewing lens device. The second protecting layer is separated from the first protecting layer to prevent lights reflected by the second protecting layer from entering into the viewing lens device. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100141746 | SCANNING ENDOSCOPE PROCESSOR, IMAGE PROCESSOR, AND SCANNING ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM - A scanning endoscope processor, comprising a signal generator, an extractor, a first memory, a second memory, a first connector, and a second connector, is provided. The signal generator generates a pixel signal at a constant cycle according to an amount of reflected light or fluorescence. The extractor extracts extracted pixel signals from the pixel signals that are generated by the signal generator. The first memory stores a first image signal. The second memory stores a second image signal. The first connector can be connected to a first apparatus. The first apparatus is able to receive the first image signal. The second connector can be connected to the monitor. The second image signal stored in the second memory is transmitted to the monitor via the second connector. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100141747 | ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A narrow-band observation image and a spectral estimation image are automatically switched based on the type of a subject. In an endoscopic image obtained by a scope, judgment is made as to whether the endoscopic image was obtained by close-up imaging or by distant-view imaging. When it is judged that the endoscopic image was obtained by distant-view imaging, white light is output from a light source unit and a spectral estimation image is output. When it is judged that the endoscopic image was obtained by close-up imaging, narrow-band light is output from the light source unit and a narrow-band observation image that has been obtained when the narrow-band light was output is output. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100141748 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS - Provided is an image capturing apparatus for capturing a fluorescent light image from a subject irradiated with first excitation light or second excitation light, including: a first filter that transmits remaining light of a first wavelength band after filtering out, from the light of the first wavelength band, a wavelength band of the first excitation light; a first light receiving element that receives the light transmitted through the first filter; a second filter that transmits remaining light of a second wavelength band after filtering out, from the light of the second wavelength band, a wavelength band of the second excitation light; and a second light receiving element that receives the light transmitted through the second filter. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100157037 | ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM WITH SCANNING FUNCTION - An endoscope system has an optical fiber configured to transmit illumination light emitted from a light source to the tip portion of a scope; a scanner configured to spirally scan a target area with the illumination light by vibrating the tip portion of the optical fiber; and an image generator configured to generate an observation image from image-pixel signals that are obtained from light reflected off of the target area. The endoscope system further has a resolution adjuster that adjusts a resolution of the observation image in accordance to a photographic state by controlling at least one of either a movement (drive) of the fiber tip portion or a sampling of the image-pixel signals. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100157038 | ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM WITH SCANNING FUNCTION - An endoscope system has an optical fiber that is configured to transmit illumination light emitted from a light source to the tip portion of a scope; a scanner that is configured to spirally scan a target area with the illumination light by vibrating the tip portion of said optical fiber; and a pixel signal detector that is configured to detect pixel signals on the basis of light reflected from the target area at a given sampling rate. The endoscope system further has an image-pixel generator that generates image pixels of an observation image on the basis of the pixel signals sampled or detected in accordance to the sampling rate. The image-pixel generator generates each image pixel from a “proximity pixel group”. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100157039 | ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM WITH SCANNING FUNCTION - An endoscope system has a light source configured to emit first illumination light and second illumination light; an optical fiber configured to transmit the first and second illumination light to the tip portion of a scope; and scanner configured to spirally scan a target area with the illumination light by vibrating the tip portion of said optical fiber. The endoscope system further has an illumination controller that switches between the first illumination light and the second illumination light in accordance to a scanning position so as to mix areas illuminated by first illumination light with areas illuminated by second illumination light; and an image generator configured to detect pixel signals on the basis of light reflected from the target area at a given sampling rate and to form an observation image from the detected pixel signals. Then, the image generator generates a first observation image from pixel signals created from the first illumination light and generating a second observation image from pixel signals created from the second illumination light. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100171821 | Method And Device For Wavelength Shifted Imaging - A micro-camera catheter device is disclosed comprising at least one light source disposed on a distal end of a catheter. The light source is capable of propagating a predetermined wavelength of light with a wavelength between approximately 1000 nanometers and approximately 2000 nanometers onto a target. The device further comprises a lens system disposed on the distal end of the catheter, said lens system configured to receive light reflected from the target. The device further comprises a non-linear optical media disposed behind the lens system configured to modify the light reflected from the target. The device also comprises a silicon-based solid state imaging device disposed behind the non-linear optical media configured to receive light from the non-linear optical media. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100188492 | Method And Device For Incremental Wavelength Variation To Analyze Tissue - A method of imaging a target using a miniaturized imaging device is disclosed comprising providing a miniaturized imaging device having a stationary lens system and an imaging array, wherein the distance from a distal end of the stationary lens system to the imaging array is fixed. The miniaturized imaging device is advanced near the desired target and a distance from a distal end of the stationary lens system to the desired target is determined. A desired wavelength of light is calculated based on the determined distance from the distal end of the stationary lens system to the desired target and the desired wavelength of light is propagated onto the target. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100194871 | FLUORESCENCE ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM AND FLUORESCENCE IMAGING METHOD - Before a fluorescent labeling agent is administered on an observation area, the observation area is irradiated with an excitation light for fluorescence quenching. An image taking unit captures two fluorescence images at a predetermined time interval during the irradiation with the excitation light. The first fluorescence image is written to a first frame memory, and a second fluorescence image is written to a second frame memory. An image processing circuit reads out the two fluorescence images, and calculates a difference in light intensity between the two fluorescence images. A judgment circuit judges whether or not fluorescence from a fluorescent dye that has already existed in the observation area is quenched based on the difference in light intensity. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100201796 | Contact measuring endoscope apparatus - A contact measuring endoscope apparatus includes a case located at a front end of the apparatus to define a accommodating space; a contact probe connected to and projected from an end of the case by a fixed distance; a light emitting element for emitting light; an image pickup lens arranged in the accommodating space for gathering light reflected from an external object to be measured, so as to form an optical image; a light sensor arranged in the accommodating space to locate adjacent to one side of the image pickup lens for converting the optical image into a digital image; and a measuring module. When the contact probe is caused to contact the object to be measured, a fixed distance between the image pickup lens and the object can be maintained and therefore the digital image can be in the fixed scale. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100201797 | ENDOSCOPE DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DRIVING ENDOSCOPE DEVICE - An endoscope device includes: a light source including an LED for emitting an R light, an LED for emitting a G light and an LED for emitting a B light, and a solid-state image pick-up element having a plurality of pixel parts including a photoelectric conversion part that may receive the R light, the G light and the B light to generate electric charges corresponding to the received lights and floating gates that may selectively store the electric charges generated in the photoelectric conversion part and a reading circuit that independently reads signals corresponding to the electric charges respectively stored in the floating gates. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100214399 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS - There is provided an image capturing apparatus including a light splitting section that splits light from an object into first light and second light in such a manner that (i) a split ratio of light in a specified wavelength range is different from a split ratio of light in a non-specified wavelength range and (ii) the second light has a smaller amount of light than the first light in the specified wavelength range, a high-sensitivity imaging element that receives the first light, and a low-sensitivity imaging element that receives the second light, where the low-sensitivity imaging element has a lower sensitivity than the high-sensitivity imaging element. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100220179 | Systems and Methods for Capsule Camera Control - Systems and methods are provided for environment change sensing corresponding to the capsule camera entering the colon from the small intestine. In the environment change sensing mode, the capsule camera is operated in a very low power mode by configuring the image sensor to use a small region of interest or a high sub-sampling ratio. Image data is processed to estimate the light level. The variation of light level is used to detect environment change corresponding to entering the colon from the small intestine. Alternatively, the motion metric for a current frame and a reference frame is evaluated. The characteristic of the motion metric is extracted and used to detect environment change. In another configuration, the system determines environment change based on a combination of the variation of light intensity and the characteristic of the motion metric. Upon the detection of capsule camera entrance into the colon from the small intestine, control signals are provided to the image sensor and the light source. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100225754 | MEDICAL INSTRUMENT - A medical instrument according to the present invention is a medical instrument used by being introduced into the body and fixed therein, which includes a fixing section fixed to a body wall in the body, an image pickup section that picks up an image of an object to be examined in the body, an illumination section that illuminates the object to be examined in the body and a sheet body in which the illumination section is disposed and which is made unfoldable so as to spread with respect to the image pickup section so that an illumination region of illumination light is expanded in an image pickup region of the image pickup section and a wide range is irradiated with the illumination light, and can thereby irradiate the object to be examined whose images are taken with illumination light of sufficient brightness and luminous intensity distribution. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100245550 | FLUOROSCOPY APPARATUS AND FLUOROSCOPY METHOD - Unwanted information contained in a reference image is reduced, thus acquiring a fluorescence image having quantitative intensity information, regardless of the angle and distance of excitation light. The invention provides a fluoroscopy apparatus including an illumination portion that irradiates an observation target with illumination light containing excitation light; a first image-acquisition section that acquires a fluorescence image in a prescribed observation region of the observation target; a second image-acquisition section that acquires an out-of-focus reference image of the observation target in the observation region; and an image correction section that corrects the fluorescence image acquired by the first image-acquisition section using the reference image acquired by the second image-acquisition section. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100245551 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - A reflected light image of an observed region and a fluorescent light image of the observed region based on fluorescent light that is generated from the observed region are acquired. The variation component of the acquired latest reflected light image is detected on the basis of the latest reflected light image and an old reflected light image. A correction process is performed on the luminance value of the latest reflected light image taking the variation component into account. A normalization process is performed on the luminance value of the fluorescent light image using the luminance value of the reflected light image after the correction process, which sharpens the image of the region in the observed region from which the fluorescent light is generated. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100245552 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGING DEVICE, COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - A reflected light image and a fluorescent light image of an observed region are acquired with an imaging system. A gradation level of the reflected light image is set on the basis of a feature value of the acquired reflected light image. The focus of the imaging system is controlled in accordance with the set gradation level. The fluorescent light image is corrected using a focus-controlled reflected light image of the observed region. Accordingly, the image of an object in the observed region from which the fluorescent light is generated is sharpened. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100265321 | IMAGING DEVICE - An imaging device includes first light sources that have first frequency characteristics; second light sources that have second frequency characteristics different from the first frequency characteristics and that are arranged in positions different from those of the first light sources; an imaging unit that generates an image of a subject by receiving light that is emitted from the first light sources and the second light sources and then reflected from an object; and an image corrector that performs color unevenness correction on the image, which is captured by the imaging unit, using correction data with which a ratio of luminance of a first image, which is captured by the imaging unit using the first light sources, with respect to luminance of a second image, which is captured by the imaging unit using the second light sources, in each area is uniform based on the first image and the second image. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100283842 | IMAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USE IN MONITORING A FIELD OF REGARD - A method and system are presented for monitoring a field of regard. At least a part of a field of regard is imaged by concurrently collecting a plurality of light components propagating from a plurality of zones, respectively, located within the field of regard, a combined collected light beam is produced, and corresponding data is generated being indicative of a combined image of the at least part of the field of regard formed by the collected light components. This image data indicative of the combined image data is processed and analyzed, and if existence of a certain condition or event is identified in the image data, a corresponding control signal is generated. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100309299 | IMAGE OBTAINMENT METHOD AND ENDOSCOPIC APPARATUS - An input of one of a plurality of combinations of wavelength components that have been set in advance is received. Further, a spectral estimation image signal obtainment mode and a narrow-band image signal obtainment mode are switched therebetween based on the combination of wavelength components that has been received to obtain a spectral estimation image signal or a narrow-band image signal. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20110001811 | ILLUMINATION DEVICE AND ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM - An illumination device with small light intensity loss, prevents deterioration of directivity, includes a white light source; a first light guiding unit disposed on the white light source optical axis, guiding white light from its source in a radially outward direction perpendicular to the optical axis; a second light guiding unit guiding light going in the radially inward direction to the optical axis; a unit rotating the first and second light guiding units about the optical axis; semiconductor light sources circumferentially disposed radially outward of the second light guiding unit, emitting light in the inward radial direction; and wavelength-range selecting units disposed outward of the first and second light guiding units on opposite sides in the radial direction at circumferential positions different from the semiconductor light sources, select light components in predetermined wavelength ranges of white light from the first light guiding unit and return the light components to the second light guiding unit. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20110018988 | Endoscopic Imaging System - An endoscopic imaging system includes an endoscope, a light source assembly coupled to the endoscope that transmits light to the endoscope for illuminating a region of interest, an imaging unit coupled to the light source assembly that receives light through the endoscope reflected from the region of interest, a first power module coupled to the light source assembly that provides electrical power to the light source assembly, and a second and different power module coupled to the imaging unit that provides electrical power to the imaging unit. Other imaging systems and a method are also disclosed. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110032347 | ENDOSCOPY SYSTEM WITH MOTION SENSORS - An endoscopy system ( | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110037841 | OPTICAL OBSERVATION SYSTEM - An optical observation system is provided that includes a vibrator vibrating an emission end of an optical fiber such that light emitted from the emission end is scanned to depict a scanning trajectory having a distribution, within a predetermined scanning range on a subject, which distribution varies in response to a predetermined operation of an operation unit, a reflected light detector detecting reflected light from the subject scanned with the light emitted from the emission end, an image signal detector detecting image signals generated based on the reflected light at respective detection moments, a pixel allocation unit allocating pieces of image data created from the detected image signals into pixel addresses based on the detection moments, respectively, and an image generator generating the image of the subject with the pieces of image data allocated into the respective pixel addresses. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20110069161 | ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM - Provided is an endoscope system including an endoscope which includes an illumination optical system having a fluorescent substance and an imaging optical system having an imaging element; and a control device which is connected to the endoscope. The control device includes a light source unit having a semiconductor light emitting element generating excitation light used to excite the fluorescent substance, a storage section storing predetermined color correction information, and an image processing section creating captured image data by performing a calculation process on an image signal output from the imaging element on the basis of the color correction information. At least one of optical characteristics of the fluorescent substance and the semiconductor light emitting element is detected, and the color correction information stored in the storage section is corrected on the basis of the detected optical characteristic. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110069162 | ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS - An endoscope apparatus includes: an endoscope which includes an imaging optical system and an illumination optical system; and a control unit which includes light source units and connected to the endoscope and supplying at least excitation light to the illumination optical system, and an image processing section correcting an image signal output from the imaging element on the basis of a predetermined color correction table. The control unit performs a calibration process in such a manner that an image of a color chart having a plurality of color patches with known chromaticity values is captured by an imaging element, chromaticity for each of the plurality of color patches is obtained from an imaging signal of the color chart, and the contents of the color correction table are changed. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110069163 | ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS AND ILLUMINATION CONTROL METHOD OF ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS - Provided are a plurality of semiconductor light emitting elements having different central light emission wavelengths, a multiplexer means for multiplexing lights, and a central wavelength converting means for controlling a light emission amount ratio of the plurality of semiconductor light emitting elements by the use of a wavelength conversion table in which a central wavelength of multiplexed laser light is obtained on the basis of information of a light emission amount and the central light emission wavelengths. Accordingly, the central wavelength of the multiplexed light is controlled to be a predetermined wavelength. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110069164 | ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM - An endoscope system includes an endoscope and a control device. The endoscope includes an illumination optical system with a fluorescent body formed in an optical path and an imaging optical system with an imaging element outputting an imaging signal of an optical image. The control device includes a light source unit which supplies an excitation light to the illumination optical system so as to emit light from the fluorescent body and an image processing section which corrects the imaging signal output from the imaging element. The image processing section includes: an illumination light spectrum calculating unit, a chromaticity correction table creating unit and an image correcting unit. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110074941 | IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE AND ENDOSCOPE - An image pickup device includes: an image pickup element; a spacer surrounding a light receiving surface of the image pickup element; a cover glass attached to the spacer, the cover glass being disposed opposing to the light receiving surface; and an insulative resin configured to thermally couple the image pickup element with the cover glass, and to have a thermal conductivity of not less than 8 W/mK. An endoscope includes: the image pickup device; an image pickup optical system; a drive circuit; a light guide configured to radiate light from a illumination light source; a tubular body configured to accommodate the image pickup device, the image pickup optical system, the drive circuit, the light guide, and a forceps opening; and a first insulative resin having a thermal conductivity of not less than 8 W/mK, and adapted to thermally couple the image pickup device with the drive circuit. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110074942 | ELECTRONIC ENDOSCOPE - An electronic endoscope includes an illumination unit, an imaging unit and an image generating unit. The illumination unit switches among plural light beams having different spectra so as to illuminate a subject. The light beams include white light and excitation light for exciting the subject to produce fluorescence. The imaging unit includes a solid-state imaging device, and an objective optical system. The objective optical system guides, to the solid-state imaging device, light returning from the subject which the illumination unit illuminates. The image generating unit generates image data based on image signals output from the imaging unit. The solid-state imaging device further includes a sensitivity adjusting unit that only lowers sensitivity, to the excitation light, of pixels which are sensitive to the fluorescence among a plurality of pixels of the solid-state imaging device. The light guided by the objective optical system is incident directly onto the solid-state imaging device. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110109734 | ELECTRONIC ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM, PROCESSING APPARATUS FOR ELECTRONIC ENDOSCOPE, AND SIGNAL SEPARATION METHOD - Image capture is performed while broadband and narrow band light are simultaneously emitted to tissue site. B pixel sensing the narrow band light outputs a summed image signal having a brightness value of a B component of the broadband light and a brightness value of the narrow band light. G and R pixels, not sensing the narrow band light, output broadband image signals having brightness values of G and R components of the broadband light, respectively. Based on correlation information and the G component of the broadband light, the brightness value of the B component of the broadband light is obtained. The obtained brightness value is subtracted from the summed image signal to separate the brightness value of the narrow band light therefrom. A broadband image and a narrow band image are generated from the broadband image signals and the narrow band image signal, respectively. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110169931 | IN-VIVO IMAGING DEVICE WITH DOUBLE FIELD OF VIEW AND METHOD FOR USE - An in-vivo imaging device incorporating a double field of view imaging system, having a wide field of view with moderate magnification, and a narrow field of view with substantially higher magnification, axially superimposed thereon. A single imaging array is used for both fields of view. At least some of the optical elements are shared between both of the two different field of view imaging systems. The imaging elements for the high magnification system, being of substantially smaller diameters than those of the low magnification system, are disposed coaxially with the imaging elements of the low magnification system, and can thus use the same imaging array without the need for deflection mirrors, beam combiners or motion systems. Their location on the axis of the low magnification system means that a small part of the imaging plane, around its central axis, is blocked out by the high magnification components. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110187842 | ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS - An endoscope apparatus of the present invention includes a light quantity adjusting section that adjusts outgoing light quantity from a light source section that generates light irradiating a subject, a current control section that controls a current to be applied to the light source section, an image pickup section provided with an image pickup device that picks up an image of the subject, an identification section that identifies whether or not the image pickup device is provided with a shutter function, a brightness detection section that detects brightness based on an image pickup signal from the image pickup section, a white balance acquiring section for acquiring information on white balance adjustment processing, an amount of adjustment control section that controls an amount of adjustment of the light quantity adjusting section to a predetermined amount according to a white balance information acquiring operation in the white balance acquiring section, and a control section that controls the current control section or the shutter function of the image pickup device based on the output result from the brightness detection section and the output result from the identification section. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110193948 | Wireless Camera Coupling With Rotatable Coupling - A system for wirelessly powering various devices positioned on an endoscope, including, for example, a light source, various electronics including an imager and/or a memory device. The endoscope is coupled to a camera where the endoscope may be rotated relative to the camera when coupled thereto. The system is further provided such that video signal processing parameters are automatically set for an endoscopic video camera system based upon characteristics of an attached endoscope, with reduced EMI and improved inventory tracking, maintenance and quality assurance, and reducing the necessity for adjustment and alignment of the endoscope and camera to achieve the data transfer. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110234782 | APPARATUS TO PROVIDE WHITE ILLUMINATING LIGHT - An apparatus to provide white illuminating light for medical or boroscopic applications includes a first light source with a light-emitting diode to emit light with a broad spectrum, a second light source to emit monochromatic light, and a coupling device to couple light of the first light source and light of the second light source into a common beam path in order to generate illuminating light with improved color rendering. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110242302 | Light Diffusion Apparatus - A light diffusing composition that optimizes image clarity from a SSID comprising a translucent matrix further comprising a plurality of hollow micro-particles. The plurality of hollow micro-particles are dispersed throughout the translucent matrix and a fluid is disposed within the hollow micro-particle. A refractive index of the fluid within the hollow micro-particle is different than a refractive index of the translucent matrix. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110249105 | In Vivo Autonomous Camera with On-Board Data Storage or Digital Wireless Transmission in Regulatory Approved Band - A capsule camera apparatus includes a swallowable housing, a light source within the housing, a camera within the housing for capturing a first digital image and a second digital image of a view of the camera illuminated by the light source, a motion detector that detects a motion of the housing the first digital image and the second digital image, and a motion evaluator that selects a disposition of the second digital image, based on a metric on the motion. The disposition may include writing the second image into an archival storage or providing the second digital image to the outside by a wireless communication link. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20110261178 | CAMERA SYSTEM WITH AUTONOMOUS MINIATURE CAMERA AND LIGHT SOURCE ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR IMAGE ENHANCEMENT - The present Invention relates to a camera system suitable for use in minimally invasive surgery (MIS), among other applications. In at least one embodiment, the camera system includes an autonomous miniature camera, a light source assembly providing features such as steerable illumination and a variable radiation angle, and a control and processing unit for processing images acquired by the camera Io generate improved images having reduced blurring using a deblurring algorithm. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110273548 | CAPSULE ENDOSCOPE DEVICE - A capsule endoscope device includes an illumination unit that illuminates a living tissue using at least one of a white light illumination unit and a special light illumination unit; an imaging unit that captures an image of the tissue; a transmission unit that transmits imaging information containing the image; a storage unit that stores a threshold with respect to information on a distance between the endoscope and the tissue; a detection unit that detects the information; and an output unit that compares the information with the threshold, selects an image capturing condition of a special light observation mode if the distance is not larger than the threshold, selects an image capturing condition of a normal light observation mode if the distance is larger than the threshold, and outputs the selected image capturing condition to an operation unit related to image capturing. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110273549 | ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM - An endoscope system of the present invention has an endoscope which acquires a direct-view field of view image and a side-view field of view image of an object to be observed, a light source apparatus which supplies an illuminating light for illuminating the object to be observed, a detection section which detects a change of a physical quantity with respect to movement of an insertion section provided at the endoscope, which occurs due to an operation of the endoscope, an image processing unit which generates and outputs a video signal including the direct-view field of view image and the side-view field of view image in a same screen, and a light adjustment area selection section which detects a brightness of the direct-view field of view image and a brightness of the side-view field of view image individually, selects a field of view image corresponding to a moving direction in which the change of the physical quantity increases out of the direct-view field of view image and the side-view field of view image as a light adjustment target based on a detection result of the detection section, and performs control so as to make a luminance of the field of view image selected as the light adjustment target relatively higher than a luminance of the other field of view image. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110292195 | Visual field apparatus for an endoscope - A visual field apparatus for an image transmission apparatus includes a channel that connects the proximal end and the distal end of the visual field apparatus for inputting the image transmission apparatus and an optical device on the distal end of the channel that is configured to influence the visual field of the image transmission apparatus. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20120007974 | IMAGE APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - An imaging apparatus generates a cross-sectional image in the longitudinal direction inside a body cavity (e.g., blood vessel) by using an interference signal. The apparatus includes an obtaining unit for obtaining line data, and a judgment unit for judging whether or not the optical probe unit operates in a normal state based on existence or non-existence of intensity change in at least a portion of signals within the obtained line date, based on existence or non-existence of change of position in the depth direction in which the portion of signals appear, or based on change quantity per unit time with respect to the position in the depth direction in which the portion in the depth direction of signals appear. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120075448 | Stereoscopic image-capturing objective optical system and endoscope - A system includes a first prism pair that converts beams emitted from a subject and having two substantially parallel optical axes arranged side-by-side in one direction into beams arranged side-by-side in a direction intersecting the aforementioned side-by-side direction; and a second prism pair that performs conversion to reduce the distance between the optical axes of the two beams converted by the first prism pair and that has exit surfaces arranged side-by-side in a direction perpendicular to the side-by-side arrangement direction before entering the first prism pair. The first prism pair includes a first parallelogram prism that reflects, twice, the beam containing one of the two optical axes in a first plane containing one of the optical axes, and a second parallelogram prism that reflects, twice, the beam containing the other of the two optical axes in a second plane containing the other optical axis and parallel to the first plane. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120075449 | ENDOSCOPE DEVICE - The endoscope device includes a light source control section that controls emission of a narrow band light from a first light source section and a wide band light from a second light source section and light emission amounts of the narrow and wide band light, an imaging section that captures an image of a subject using returned light from the subject, a light amount calculating section that calculates a capturing light amount, a light amount ratio calculating section that calculates a ratio between light emission amounts of the narrow and wide band light, and an image processing section that performs a predetermined image processing. The light source control section controls the light emission amounts in accordance with the capturing light amount and the image processing section changes an image processing condition for adjusting a color tint in accordance with the ratio. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120086790 | ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS - An endoscope apparatus according to the subject matter includes: an illumination device configured to emit light to an object; an imaging device configured to generate a color imaging signal; a normal image generation device configured to generate a normal image from the color imaging signal; a spectral image generation device configured to generate a spectral image corresponding to a preset optical narrow band from the imaging signal; a display device configured to display a main screen region and a sub-screen region having a size less than a size of the main screen region; a switching signal generation device configured to generate a switching signal; and a display control device configured to control the display device so as to selectively switch between a region for displaying the normal image and a region for displaying the spectral image based on the switching signal. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120127292 | ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS - An endoscope apparatus includes an image pickup section equipped with a color separation section that picks up an image of returning light from a subject illuminated by an illumination section, an emphasis processing section that performs emphasis processing on sharpness of an image signal generated from the output signal of the image pickup section and a storage section that stores information for modifying processing contents of the emphasis processing, wherein the storage section stores information for setting image signals to be subjected to emphasis processing in first and second observation modes in which images are picked up under illumination of white light and narrow band light respectively to a luminance signal and a color difference signal, and the emphasis processing section performs emphasis processing on the luminance signal with a greater emphasis characteristic than the color difference signal over an entire frequency domain. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120147166 | ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS - An endoscope apparatus is provided for which a user does not need to adjust irradiation light quantity intentionally while confirming a captured image. A captured image which is bright and has stable tint can be obtained without being limited by an imaging distance with respect to the observation of the structure or components of living bodies. The endoscope apparatus includes a first light source section, a second light source section, a light source control unit which controls the irradiation and irradiation light quantity, an imaging unit which obtains a captured image, luminance value calculating unit which calculates the luminance value, a light source light quantity changing unit which changes the irradiation light quantity according to the luminance value, a white balance adjustment value calculating unit which calculates a white balance adjustment value, and a gain adjusting unit which adjusts the gain of the imaging unit. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20120154565 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE - An image processing device includes an image acquisition unit for acquiring a normal light observation image captured with white light and a special light observation image captured simultaneously with the normal light observation image using predetermined narrowband light, and an image processing unit for subjecting the normal light observation image acquired by the image acquisition unit to predetermined processing to generate a processed normal light observation image and providing information of the processed normal light observation image to the special light observation image. | 06-21-2012 |
| 20120154566 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE - The image processing device includes an image acquisition unit for acquiring a normal light observation image captured with white light and an original special light observation image captured simultaneously with the normal light observation image using predetermined narrowband light, and an image processing unit for subjecting the original special light observation image acquired by the image acquisition unit to predetermined processing to generate a special light observation image and providing information of the special light observation image to the normal light observation image. | 06-21-2012 |
| 20120154567 | ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS - The endoscope apparatus includes an illumination unit for irradiating at least three kinds of illumination light having different wavelengths including standard light, first and second reference light onto a biological object, a switching unit for periodically switching the illumination light, an imaging unit for capturing image data by the illumination light in each imaging frame, and an acquisition unit for acquiring biological function information from the captured image data. The irradiation order of illumination light is switched at least in order of the first reference light, the standard light and the second reference light, a standard image by the standard light and reference images by the reference light are acquired, and the biological function information is calculated based on the standard image and the reference images. | 06-21-2012 |
| 20120169859 | DETECTION OF WHEN A CAPSULE CAMERA ENTERS INTO OR GOES OUT OF A HUMAN BODY AND ASSOCIATED OPERATIONS - A method for detecting a capsule camera entering into or exiting the GI tract, includes (a) taking a first test image under the condition that an illumination system of the capsule camera is disabled; (b) taking a second test image under the same condition as the first test image; (c) comparing selected corresponding pixel values of the first test image and the second test image to determine if a significant change in pixel values has occurred; and (d) upon detecting the significant change in pixel values, determining if the capsule camera has entered or exited the GI tract, and performing operations appropriate to follow such determination. | 07-05-2012 |
| 20120176486 | ELECTRONIC ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM - In an endoscope system, rays of different wavelength bands are sequentially projected toward a target site of a test subject, to obtain image signals from the reflected rays. Reflection spectra are calculated from the image signals and subjected to a multi-regression analysis in combination with absorption spectra of those objects which are relevant to the inspection, such as blood or hemoglobin in the target site, and absorption spectra of irrelevant objects other than the relevant objects, such as bile or staining materials. Spectral components of the irrelevant objects in the reflection spectra are determined through the multi-regression analysis, and are eliminated from the reflection spectra, providing second reflection spectra. A couple of images are produced and displayed on the basis of the first reflection spectra from which the spectral components of the irrelevant objects are not eliminated and the second reflection spectra. | 07-12-2012 |
| 20120194661 | ENDSCOPIC SPECTRAL DOMAIN OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY SYSTEM BASED ON OPTICAL COHERENT FIBER BUNDLE - The present invention relates to a spectral domain optical coherence tomography apparatus having an endoscopic small-sized probe, and more particularly, to a technology imaging an external shape or an internal structure of a sample by a non-contact and non-invasive method by applying an optical coherent fiber bundle probe attached with a lens to Michelson interferometer or a Fizeau interferometer. | 08-02-2012 |
| 20120200687 | LIGHT SOURCE APPARATUS, ELECTRONIC IMAGE ACQUIRING APPARATUS, ELECTRONIC IMAGE OBSERVATION APPARATUS, ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS, CAPSULE ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS - A light source apparatus is designed in accordance with an object, and following elements and phosphors are disposed in a casing, a first light emitting element that emits a light in a first irradiation mode, which is selected so that a light emission band has a portion that overlaps a first-specific-band, a first phosphor selected so as to include the first-specific-band in an excitation band and include a second-specific-band in a fluorescence-emission-band, a second phosphor selected so that an excitation intensity compared with the first phosphor is low in the first-specific-band, and high in a second-fluorescence-excitation-band at a short wavelength side in a second-irradiation-band and a fluorescence-emission-band includes the second-irradiation-band other than the second-fluorescence-excitation-band, and a second light emitting element that emits a light in a second irradiation mode, which is selected so that a light emission band is included in the second-fluorescence-excitation-band. | 08-09-2012 |
| 20120206581 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - In one embodiment, an element | 08-16-2012 |
| 20120212595 | Optical Endoluminal Far-Field Microscopic Imaging Catheter - An optical endoluminal far-field microscopic imaging catheter comprises a light generating system, a first light delivery conduit for propagating light generated by the light generating system and a light distributor configured to redirect light propagated by the delivery conduit into a direction of an object to be imaged. A discriminator is configured for capturing light reflected from the object incident on a window of the discriminator from a particular direction and transmitting only the light captured from the particular direction to a second light delivery conduit. A drive mechanism is configured to sweep the window through a plurality of directions in a predictable pattern for matching each light capture event in the window with a direction of the window during the event. An analyzer matches the direction of the window with an associated light capture event and generate a visible image based on a mosaic of the captured light. | 08-23-2012 |
| 20120229615 | ENDOSCOPE CIRCUIT BOARD ASSEMBLY - There is provided herein a circuit board assembly for a tip section of a multi-camera endoscope comprising a camera circuit board configured to carry at least one front-pointing camera and at least one side-pointing camera, a flexible illuminator circuit board comprising at least one foldable panel and configured to carry at least one front illuminator for essentially illuminating the field of view (FOV) of the front-pointing camera and at least one side illuminator for essentially illuminating the FOV of the side-pointing camera. | 09-13-2012 |
| 20120257029 | ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS AND METHOD OF DISPLAYING OBJECT IMAGE USING ENDOSCOPE - An endoscope apparatus includes a CCD that picks up an image of an object to be examined, an image processing section that generates, based on an image pickup signal obtained by the CCD, an average image signal, which is an average value of weighted pixel values, from image pickup signals of at least two or more narrow band wavelengths, generates a first image signal with a high-frequency component suppressed with respect to the average image signal, generates a difference image signal, which is a difference value of the weighted pixel values, from image pickup signals of predetermined two narrow band wavelengths, and generates a second image signal with a high-frequency component suppressed with respect to the difference image signal, and an observation monitor that allocates the first image signal and the second image signal to one or more predetermined color channels and performs display. | 10-11-2012 |
| 20120262560 | DEVICE, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ACTIVATION, CALIBRATION AND TESTING OF AN IN-VIVO IMAGING DEVICE - A device, system, and method for activating and initializing an in vivo imaging device with an RF radiation signal. Functionality of the in vivo imaging device is tested and results may be reported to a user. The in vivo imaging device may include an RF switch to facilitate powering or deactivation of one or more electrical components of the device. The initialization system may include an optical artifact testing unit, a field of illumination testing unit, and a transmission/reception testing unit. The activation system may comprise an in vivo device association unit which may relate a designated device to a single data recorder or to a single controller. | 10-18-2012 |
| 20120307029 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WIRELESSLY SYNCHRONIZING IMAGE SHUTTER OF IMAGE SENSOR AND LIGHT SOURCE - A method and apparatus for wirelessly synchronizing operation of an image sensor of an endoscopic video camera unit having a wireless transmitter with operation of a portable endoscopic light source unit includes transmitting a message packet with a target camera shutter period, light source target phase/trigger time/OFF time and light source target ON time to the light source unit. The light source unit controls the start time and the ON time for light output by a light source. The video camera unit includes a light detector for detecting the actual light source start time and duration of light output to provide closed-loop feedback. A camera controller ensures synchronization between the shutter period of the image sensor and actual operation of the light source based on the actual phase and actual ON time sensed by the light detector and the previously communicated target phase/trigger time/OFF time and target ON time. | 12-06-2012 |
| 20130016200 | Method and Apparatus for Protection from High Intensity LightAANM Ovod; Vladimir I.AACI GoletaAAST CAAACO USAAGP Ovod; Vladimir I. Goleta CA US - A method and apparatus where the output from a high intensity light source is controlled to produce well-exposed images/videos and to reduce automatically the intensity when an unsafe issue is detected in medical devices such as endoscopes and the like. The method and apparatus overcome problems to control light sources that have high-frequency noise, slow-response time, nonlinearity, and non-monotonic response time and to protect the patients' tissues from possible overheating/burning and the eyes of personnel and patients from possible direct exposure to high intensity light used in medical devices such as endoscopes and the like. | 01-17-2013 |
| 20130038711 | CAPSULE ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM - A capsule endoscope system includes a capsule endoscope which attaches irradiation time of illuminating light required to pick up an image of an object to an item of image data, a magnetic field generating apparatus which generates a guidance magnetic field, an operation section which allows at least one of position and orientation of the capsule endoscope to be changed by manipulating the guidance magnetic field, a control section which attaches posture of a subject, an operating history of the operation section, and an output history of the guidance magnetic field to the item of the image data, a storage unit which stores the item of the image data, and an image play control section which determines, based on at least one piece of the information attached to each item of the image data, whether or not it is necessary to play and display the item of the image data. | 02-14-2013 |
| 20130070071 | Single-Use Bispectral Optical Head for Videoendoscope and Associated Videoendoscope - In the field of videoendoscopes for medical or industrial use, a videoendoscope has a bispectral optical head comprising a microcamera, white light lighting means and fluorescence light lighting means. The optical head is linked by appropriate electrical and optical connectors to the other elements of the videoendoscope. Preferably, it comprises inexpensive standard elements and is packaged in a single-use sterile packaging. There are different possible embodiments depending on whether the optical head comprises a single sensor or two sensors, depending on whether the device operates in continuous mode or in sequential mode and, finally, depending on whether the light sources are incorporated in the optical head or external thereto, the light being then routed by means of optical fibres. | 03-21-2013 |
| 20130100264 | ENDOSCOPIC IMAGING SYSTEM - An endoscopic imaging system includes an endoscope, a light source assembly coupled to the endoscope that transmits light to the endoscope for illuminating a region of interest, an imaging unit coupled to the light source assembly that receives light through the endoscope reflected from the region of interest, a first power module coupled to the light source assembly that provides electrical power to the light source assembly, and a second and different power module coupled to the imaging unit that provides electrical power to the imaging unit. Other imaging systems and a method are also disclosed. | 04-25-2013 |
| 20130113906 | ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM, PROCESSOR DEVICE THEREOF, AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING OXYGEN SATURATION LEVEL - In a special mode, an internal body portion is imaged under a first white light beam to obtain a first frame composed of blue, green, and red signals. Sequentially, the body portion is imaged under a second white light beam to obtain a second frame composed of blue, green, and red signals. An oxygen saturation level is calculated from the signals. A special image is produced based on the oxygen saturation level. A displacement between the first and second frames is calculated from the signals. If the displacement is a first allowable value or more and less than a second allowable value, the special image is displayed with a lower chroma on a monitor, as compared with a case where the displacement is less than the first allowable value. If the displacement is the second allowable value or more, the special image is converted into a gray scale image. | 05-09-2013 |
| 20130113907 | FLUORESCENCE OBSERVATION APPARATUS - Provided is a fluorescence observation apparatus including an illumination unit that irradiates an object with illumination light and excitation light; a fluorescence-image acquisition unit that captures an image of the fluorescence generated by the object, thereby acquiring a fluorescence image; a return-light-image acquisition unit that captures an image of the return light returning from the object, thereby acquiring a return-light image; a light-distribution-characteristics-information storage unit that stores information with regard to the light distribution characteristics of optical systems; an image correcting unit that corrects at least one of the fluorescence image and the return-light image using the information so that the light distribution characteristics contained in the fluorescence image and the return-light image are made equal to each other; and an image normalizing unit that normalizes the fluorescence image on the basis of the return-light image, using the corrected fluorescence image and return-light image. | 05-09-2013 |
| 20130155215 | Scanning Endoscope Device - Scanning endoscope device including a light source unit that repeatedly emits a plurality of illumination beams in different wavelength bands in a certain order with a predetermined repetition period; a light guiding section that has an emission surface; a driving section that oscillates the emission surface in two axial directions in a reciprocating manner to two-dimensionally scan the illumination beams; a controller that controls the source unit and/or the driving section so that an oscillation period and a oscillation amplitude of the emission surface are proportional to the period of the illumination beams, and that controls the driving section so that the oscillation period periodically and gradually changes and the oscillation period is proportional to the oscillation amplitude; a light detecting section that detects return beams; and an image generating section that generates images of the return beams in synchronization with the predetermined period of the source. | 06-20-2013 |
| 20130162789 | ENDOSCOPE WITH A LIGHT SOURCE - An endoscope including a tube, a wafer-level imaging module, a holder and a light source is provided. The wafer-level imaging module is coupled to a distal end of the tube. The holder is disposed to house the wafer-level imaging module. The light source is bonded on the surface of the holder. | 06-27-2013 |
| 20130169775 | Imaging apparatus - An endoscope system according to the present invention includes: a CMOS imaging element; a timing generator and an AFE unit that are provided on a board connected to a light receiving unit and reads pixel information by causing the pixel information to be output from a pixel designated as a target to be read in the CMOS imaging element; a control circuit that is provided on the board and controls a pixel information output process by a light receiving unit and a pixel information reading process by the timing generator and the AFE unit; and an abnormality determining unit that determines whether there is an abnormality in the pixel information read by the timing generator and the AFE unit and outputs, to the control circuit, a notification signal for causing the control circuit to execute control on an occurrence of the abnormality. | 07-04-2013 |
| 20130169776 | CONTROL CIRCUIT APPARATUS AND ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS - In a control circuit apparatus and an endoscope apparatus circuit disposition in which the outer edge of the first overheating region and the outer edge of the second overheating region approach the outer edge of the first overheating region and the outer edge of the second overheating region to an extreme in a state in which the outer edge of the first overheating region and the outer edge of the second overheating region do not overlap the outer edge of the first overheating region and the outer edge of the second overheating region serves as circuit disposition having a minimum mounting area on a substrate. | 07-04-2013 |
| 20130229505 | Endoscope - There is provided an endoscope apparatus capable of stably and precisely measuring a distance to an object by suppressing variations in measured values of the distance to the object depending on the presence or absence of pigment dispersion or the like and capable of enabling observations based on clear and high quality images. The endoscope apparatus includes an optical system that condenses light from an object and simultaneously forms two optical images having the same characteristics with difference only in focal point; an imaging element that captures the two optical images formed by the optical system and acquires two images; and a calculation unit that obtains distance information corresponding to a distance to the object based on a contrast ratio of the two images in a range in which the two images acquired by the imaging element have a common contrast. | 09-05-2013 |
| 20130235177 | ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM, PROCESSOR DEVICE THEREOF, AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING ENDOSCOPIC VIDEO IMAGE - In a special mode, a first frame image including a blue signal B | 09-12-2013 |
| 20130242070 | MULTIPLE CAPSULE CAMERA APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR USING THE SAME - A multiple capsule camera apparatus is disclosed to enhance the rate of detection and/or extend the overall imaging period. The multiple capsule camera apparatus coordinates the operations of the camera according to a schedule so that one camera may enter an active mode when the other camera is anticipated to have a low battery level. The capsule cameras may also coordinate their operations by communication with each other through a wireless link. A base station may also be used to coordinate the capsule camera operations with a wireless link established between the base station and each capsule camera. | 09-19-2013 |
| 20130250079 | FLUORESCENCE ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS - A fluorescence endoscope apparatus includes an illuminating portion radiating excitation light and illumination light onto an imaging subject; a fluorescence imaging portion acquiring a fluorescence image by capturing fluorescence emitted at the imaging subject due to the irradiation with the excitation light; a storage portion storing the fluorescence image; a return-light imaging portion acquiring a return-light image by capturing return light returning from the imaging subject due to the irradiation with the illumination light; an image-information extracting portion extracting, from the return-light image, image information that expresses the intensity of the illumination light; a number-of-integrated-images setting portion setting a number of integrated images so that the number is decreased with an increase in the intensity of the illumination light, based on the image information; and an average-image generating portion generating an average image by averaging the stored fluorescence images in a number corresponding to the set number of integrated images. | 09-26-2013 |
| 20130258081 | MEDICAL DEVICE WHICH ACQUIRES THE PICTURE FOR OBSERVATION - In a medical device, a field-of-view switching mechanism which moves a field of view imaged by an observation section, and an illumination-light switching mechanism including an illumination section having an illumination range of illumination light whose entire field of view is covered by movement, are configured integrally with each other. The illumination light is illuminated to the current field of view by moving the illumination range of the illumination light, in synchronism with pivoting of an observation and in compliance with the field of view. | 10-03-2013 |
| 20130258082 | STRIPE NOISE CORRECTION METHOD OF CAPTURED IMAGE, PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS AND ELECTRONIC ENDOSCOPIC APPARATUS - A stripe noise correction method of a captured image includes: storing a value calculated by rounding off a portion below the decimal point of a stripe noise value into a memory as correction data of an integer part that corrects a stripe noise for each color; and storing the magnitude of a quantization error calculated by rounding off for each color and for each pixel column or each pixel row into the memory as correction data of a fractional part; and correcting captured image signals of the image captured by a image sensor with the correction data of the integer part and the fractional part read from the memory. | 10-03-2013 |
| 20130258083 | DEVICE AND SYSTEM FOR IN-VIVO IMAGING - The present invention provides a system and method for obtaining in vivo images. The system contains an imaging system and a transmitter for transmitting signals from a camera to a receiving system located outside a patient. | 10-03-2013 |
| 20130265401 | ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS - An endoscope apparatus includes a light source apparatus, and a light-adjusting circuit. The light-adjusting circuit, based on a first image signal with a first wavelength band having a peak wavelength of a spectral characteristic and a second image signal with a second wavelength band having a peak wavelength of a spectral characteristic providing a value lower than that of the first image signal in the absorption characteristic and providing a suppressed scattering characteristic of the body tissue between a wavelength band providing a maximal value and a wavelength band for a minimal value in an absorption characteristic of a body tissue of a subject, provides a weight larger than that of the second image signal to the first image signal to calculate a light adjustment signal for adjusting a light amount in a light source apparatus and outputs the light adjustment signal. | 10-10-2013 |
| 20130278738 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image processing apparatus includes an image separation unit, a correction illumination calculation unit, and an output controller. The image separation unit is configured to separate, from a captured image, an image captured in illumination of a measurement light mode in which an illumination intensity distribution is set to a predetermined spatial distribution. The correction illumination calculation unit is configured to calculate an illumination intensity distribution in a correction light mode in which illumination corresponding to an object is provided, based on the image separated in the image separation unit. The output controller is configured to perform output control of illumination light based on the illumination intensity distribution calculated in the correction illumination calculation unit. | 10-24-2013 |
| 20130286175 | ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS - An endoscope apparatus includes image pickup section that outputs a first picked-up image based on illuminating light of a first band, and a second picked-up image based on the illuminating light of a second band within a predetermined time period, brightness calculating section that calculates a first brightness by color conversion matrix processing using a first image pickup signal and a second image pickup signal based on illumination of the second band by first predetermined times, and calculates a second brightness by color conversion matrix processing using the first image pickup signal and a second image pickup signal based on illumination of the second band by times other than the first predetermined times, and synthesizing section that synthesizes the first and the second image pickup signals based on a ratio of a difference value of the first brightness and a target brightness, and the second brightness. | 10-31-2013 |
| 20130300848 | SPECTRAL IMAGING - Apparatus and methods are provided for the imaging of structures in deep tissue within biological specimens, using spectral imaging to provide highly sensitive detection. By acquiring data that provides a plurality of images of the sample with different spectral weightings, and subsequent spectral analysis, light emission from a target compound is separated from autofluorescence in the sample. With the autofluorescence reduced or eliminated, an improved measurement of the target compound is obtained. | 11-14-2013 |
| 20130300849 | IMAGING APPARATUS - Imaging apparatus performs controlling to read pixel information from pixels belonging to target area by each frame. One frame period is period from when an exposure period for exposing pixels on a horizontal line that is to be read first from among horizontal lines belonging to the target area of a sensor is started and until when reading of the pixel information generated by each of the pixels on the horizontal line is completed. The imaging apparatus sequentially emits, by each illumination period of a length corresponding to at least two frame periods, illumination lights in synchronization with start of the exposure period. The imaging apparatus performs a predetermined controlling by performing controlling to exclude, from predetermined processing target, image data corresponding to the pixel information read during first frame period of the illumination period, while by acquiring image data corresponding to the pixel information read during other frame period. | 11-14-2013 |
| 20130307951 | IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus has: a light source emitting first and second lights having different intensities as light illuminating a subject; a sensor in which pixels each generating an electric signal by receiving light and performing photoelectric conversion are arranged two-dimensionally, the sensor reading, as pixel information, the signals generated by target pixels of the pixels; an imaging controller that causes the sensor to: subject parallel lines each configured of the target pixels, to light exposure per line; and sequentially perform reading of the pixel information in the line for which the light exposure has been completed; and a light source controller that performs control to cause the light source to emit any one of the first and second lights per one-frame period being a time period necessary from reading of a first line to reading of a last line when the sensor reads the signals from the target pixels. | 11-21-2013 |
| 20130307952 | FLUORESCENCE OBSERVATION APPARATUS - Observation is performed at a more appropriate sensitivity without causing deterioration of the image quality. Provided is a fluorescence observation apparatus including an excitation light source that emits excitation light to be radiated onto an imaging subject; a fluorescence-image acquisition portion that is provided with an imaging device that acquires fluorescence images by capturing fluorescence generated at the imaging subject due to the irradiation with the excitation light emitted from the excitation light source; and a sensitivity adjusting portion that adjusts an number of pixels for binning summing and/or an exposure time for the imaging device on the basis of luminance information of the fluorescence image acquired by the imaging device of the fluorescence-image acquisition portion so that an SN ratio of the fluorescence image becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold. | 11-21-2013 |
| 20130314518 | CAPSULE ENDOSCOPE - A capsule endoscope includes: a light emitting unit; an imaging unit; an image signal processing unit; and a setting unit that controls the light emitting unit and the imaging unit to perform pre-exposure, measures at least one of a light emission time and a light emission intensity, sets the measured time or intensity for a main exposure process when the measured time or intensity is within a predetermined acceptable range, and sets at least one of the preset light emission time and light emission intensity for the main exposure process when the measured time or intensity is out of the acceptable range, wherein an acquisition process of an image is performed in accordance with the set light emission time or the set light emission intensity. | 11-28-2013 |
| 20130314519 | POLARIZATION OBSERVATION DEVICE - The invention includes: a light source section generating illumination lights in plural different wavelength bands; a first polarization element polarizing, in a first direction, a light in a first wavelength band among the illumination lights or returned lights from a subject; a second polarization element polarizing, in a second direction, a light in a second wavelength band among the illumination lights or returned lights; an image pickup device generating a first image pickup signal based on polarized light from the first polarization element and a second image pickup signal based on polarized light from the second polarization element; and an image processing section that compares intensities of the first and second image pickup signals, calculates the first or second direction corresponding to the image pickup signal having a higher intensity, as a polarization direction of the subject, and outputs a signal for displaying information on the polarization direction. | 11-28-2013 |
| 20130314520 | FLUORESCENCE OBSERVATION DEVICE - Observation is performed at a more appropriate sensitivity without reducing an image quality. Provided is a fluorescence observation device ( | 11-28-2013 |
| 20130321602 | ENDOSCOPE AND ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM - An endoscope has an illuminating-light exit portion that allows illuminating light for illuminating an object to exit, and an observing portion that captures an image of the object. The endoscope includes a changing unit configured to change a light quantity distribution of the illuminating light. The changing unit changes the light quantity distribution of the illuminating light based on information of the image captured by the observing portion. | 12-05-2013 |
| 20130321603 | ENCAPSULATED IMAGE ACQUISITION DEVICES HAVING ON-BOARD DATA STORAGE, AND SYSTEMS, KITS, AND METHODS THEREFOR - A method of one aspect may include receiving an encapsulated image acquisition device having an internal memory. The internal memory may store images acquired by the encapsulated image acquisition device. The images may be transferred from the internal memory to an external memory that is external to the encapsulated image acquisition device. An image analysis station may be selected from among a plurality of image analysis stations to analyze the images. The images may be analyzed with the selected image analysis station. Other methods, systems, and kits are also disclosed. | 12-05-2013 |
| 20130321604 | ENCAPSULATED IMAGE ACQUISITION DEVICES HAVING ON-BOARD DATA STORAGE, AND SYSTEMS, KITS, AND METHODS THEREFOR - A method of one aspect may include receiving an encapsulated image acquisition device having an internal memory. The internal memory may store images acquired by the encapsulated image acquisition device. The images may be transferred from the internal memory to an external memory that is external to the encapsulated image acquisition device. An image analysis station may be selected from among a plurality of image analysis stations to analyze the images. The images may be analyzed with the selected image analysis station. Other methods, systems, and kits are also disclosed. | 12-05-2013 |
| 20130329027 | ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS - An endoscope apparatus includes: a light source device radiating at least one or more illumination lights having a predetermined wavelength band to a subject, and an image pickup device picking up an image of a return light from the subject. A band decomposition processing section of a video processor performs processing for decomposition into multiple spatial frequency bands, for a first image signal having a peak wavelength of spectral characteristic, between a wavelength band including a maximum value and a wavelength band at a minimum value with regard to an absorption characteristic of living tissue after image pickup by the image pickup device. An emphasis processing section of the video processor performs emphasis processing on the basis of a band image signal with a lowest spatial frequency among multiple band image signals obtained by the decomposition processing to generate an emphasis-corrected image signal. | 12-12-2013 |
| 20130329028 | IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM - An image pickup system is an image pickup system in which an image pickup device arranged at a distal end of an insertion section of an endoscope and a processor can communicate with each other. A group of multiple control parameters to be collectively transmitted and checksum codes related to the parameters are transmitted from the processor to the image pickup device, and the image pickup device reflects the control parameters on a register only when all the received multiple control parameters are normal, on the basis of the checksums. | 12-12-2013 |
| 20130335544 | ENDOSCOPIC SYSTEM - An endoscopic system includes an endoscope including: a light source of illumination light that illuminates inside of a test subject; an illumination light exit, from which the illumination light is emitted; and an objective optical system configured to form an image of the inside of the test body illuminated by the illumination light. The endoscopic system further includes: regular reflection light detection means configured to detect blown-off highlights in an image formed by the objective optical system; and illuminance distribution changing means configured to change illuminance distribution of the illumination light when blown-off highlights are detected. The endoscopic system can reduce interference by blown-off highlights due to regular reflection during observation with the endoscope. | 12-19-2013 |
| 20140022366 | Method and Device for Incremental Wavelength Variation to Analyze Tissue - A method of imaging a target using a miniaturized imaging device is disclosed comprising providing a miniaturized imaging device having a stationary lens system and an imaging array, wherein the distance from a distal end of the stationary lens system to the imaging array is fixed. The miniaturized imaging device is advanced near the desired target and a distance from a distal end of the stationary lens system to the desired target is determined. A desired wavelength of light is calculated based on the determined distance from the distal end of the stationary lens system to the desired target and the desired wavelength of light is propagated onto the target. | 01-23-2014 |
| 20140022367 | DEVICE, SYSTEM AND METHOD OF DISPLAYING IN-VIVO IMAGES AT VARIABLE RATE - Devices, systems and methods for displaying in-vivo images at variable rate. For example, a system includes a processor to gradually increase a frame display rate of an in-vivo image stream based on a similarity among two or more in-vivo frames of the in-vivo image stream. | 01-23-2014 |
| 20140036051 | MEDICINE SYSTEM - A medical system includes an image pickup device configured to output, as image information, an electric signal after photoelectric conversion from a plurality of pixels, and a processing device that is connected to the image pickup device to allow bi-directional communication. The image pickup device includes a signal processing unit configured to perform a process of converting the electric signal into the image information, and to generate heat accompanying the process, a temperature detector that is provided in vicinity to the signal processing unit, and is configured to detect temperature of the signal processing unit, and an output unit configured to output temperature information on the temperature detected by the temperature detector, together with the image information. The processing device includes a controller configured to control the image pickup device based on the temperature information input from the output unit. | 02-06-2014 |
| 20140043454 | ENDOSCOPE - An endoscope includes: an objective optical section including a first barrel; an image pickup optical section including a solid image pickup device, an optical member forming an optical image through the objective optical section on an image pickup surface of the solid image pickup device, and a second barrel housing the optical member and the solid image pickup device, the second barrel fixed to the first barrel after positional adjustment in an axial direction relative to the first barrel; a holding member formed of material having a linear expansion coefficient lower than linear expansion coefficients of the first and second barrels, and fixed to outer surfaces of the first and second barrels; a first adhesive that bonds the first barrel and the second barrel; and a second adhesive having a bonding strength higher than that of the first adhesive, which bonds the holding member to the first and second barrels. | 02-13-2014 |
| 20140049624 | ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM - Provided is an endoscope system including: a light source apparatus detecting which color LED fails by a color sensor; a scope that irradiates a subject with illuminating light and takes in an optical image of the subject; a CCD that picks up an image of the optical image of the subject; a video processor that processes the picked up image; and a monitor that displays a processed image, wherein if a failure of any of the LEDs is detected by the color sensor, the light source apparatus generates illuminating light using LEDs of colors other than a color of the light-emitting device for which the failure is detected, and wherein the video processor switches image processing to image processing according to a color of the LED for which the failure is detected. | 02-20-2014 |
| 20140049625 | ELECTRONIC ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM AND LIGHT SOURCE FOR ENDOSCOPE - An electronic endoscope system, including: a light source that emits light having a visible light wavelength region; an optical filter that has transmission peaks at least at two particular wavelengths in a continuous wavelength region including the visible light wavelength region and has a transmissivity higher than zero and lower than a half of each transmission peak between the transmission peaks of the at least two particular wavelengths, the optical filter having a transmissivity of zero at a wavelength region other than an interval between the transmission peaks of the at least two particular wavelengths; a solid-state image pick-up device that receives reflected light from an object which is irradiated with illumination light via the optical filter; and an image generation unit configured to generate a color image to be displayed on a monitor by processing an image signal outputted by the solid-state image pick-up device. | 02-20-2014 |
| 20140049626 | FLUOROSCOPY APPARATUS AND IMAGE DISPLAY METHOD THEREFOR - Provided is a fluoroscopy apparatus including illuminating portions that radiate excitation light and illumination light onto an imaging subject; a fluorescence imaging portion that acquires a fluorescence image from fluorescence emitted at the imaging subject due to the irradiation with the excitation light; a return-light imaging portion that acquires a return-light image from return light returning from the imaging subject due to the irradiation with the illumination light; a display portion that displays the acquired fluorescence image and/or the return-light image; an identifying portion that identifies a region-of-interest in the fluorescence image; an image switching portion that switches the display on the display portion so that only the return-light image is displayed thereon when the region-of-interest R is not identified, and so that the return-light image and the fluorescence image are juxtaposed and displayed on the display portion when the region-of-interest has been identified. | 02-20-2014 |
| 20140055585 | ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS - Provided is an endoscope apparatus including a light-guiding part that guides illumination light emitted from a light source to the distal end of an inserted portion; a scanning part that makes the light-guiding part vibrate with a predetermined period, thus two-dimensionally scanning the illumination light emitted from the inserted portion on an observation subject; an image-acquisition part that receives return light of the illumination light coming from the observation subject and that generates an image signal based on a position scanned by the scanning part and an intensity of the return light; and a light-source control part that controls the light source so as to change the intensity of the illumination light emitted from the inserted portion in accordance with an angle formed between the longitudinal direction of the inserted portion and a direction in which the illumination light is emitted toward the observation subject. | 02-27-2014 |
| 20140055586 | Medical camera with selection of different working modes - A camera hand-piece for medical use includes a lighting system, an optical window, a fixed part in turn having an optical system for acquiring images through an optical window, an image sensor, electronic circuits for image processing, and optionally a prism. The hand-piece has an external part, which is mobile with respect to the internal fixed part, and rotatably commutable between at least two different working positions having different optical or lighting features, which are freely selectable by an operator. In one embodiment, the lighting system for lighting the framed field is positioned in the internal fixed part of the camera hand-piece, and the mobile distal part, non comprising electronic parts, can be sterilized in an autoclave. | 02-27-2014 |
| 20140071257 | ENDOSCOPE - An endoscope includes an insertion portion having an elongated shape, an imaging unit provided at a distal portion of the insertion portion and configured to acquire an image of a specimen, a lighting unit configured to illuminate an observation field of view of the imaging unit, and a pattern projector having a light source configured to emit projection light to project a light and dark pattern on the specimen. The pattern projector generates a region, in which the light and dark pattern is not projected, in at least one end of a direction in which stripes of the light and dark pattern are arranged in an imaging field of view of the imaging unit, in a state in which the light and dark pattern is projected on the specimen. | 03-13-2014 |
| 20140078277 | ACQUIRING GLOBAL SHUTTER-TYPE VIDEO IMAGES WITH CMOS PIXEL ARRAY BY STROBING LIGHT DURING VERTICAL BLANKING PERIOD IN OTHERWISE DARK ENVIRONMENT - Introduce CMOS pixel array into dark environment and acquiring video image frames. During a first frame, reset each row of pixels sequentially, and one row at a time, and then read each row of pixels sequentially, and one row at a time. During a second frame, reset each row of pixels sequentially, and one row at a time, and then read each row of pixels sequentially, and one row at a time. Control a light source to illuminate the dark environment during at least a portion of a vertical blanking period between the reading of the last row during the first frame and the reading of the first row during the second frame. Control the light source to not illuminate the dark environment: (a) between the reading the first and last rows during the first frame; and (b) between the reading the first and last rows during the second frame. | 03-20-2014 |
| 20140078278 | Systems and Methods for Controlling Lighting Strength of a Camera System by Time-Matched Intermittent Illumination - A camera system with lighting strength control includes: an image sensor for capturing images of a scene; a light source for illumination of the scene; and a signal generator, in communication with the image sensor and the light source, for generation of (a) a first signal for controlling image capture by the image sensor and (b) a second signal for controlling a duty cycle of the light source. A method for controlling the lighting strength of a camera system, which includes an image sensor, an associated light source, and an associated signal generator, includes: (a) generating, using the signal generator, a first signal that controls image capture by the image sensor, and (b) generating, using the signal generator, a second signal that controls a duty cycle of the light source. | 03-20-2014 |
| 20140078279 | FLUORESCENCE OBSERVATION APPARATUS AND FLUORESCENCE OBSERVATION METHOD - Provided is a fluorescence observation apparatus including a fluorescence-image generating portion that generates a plurality of fluorescence images by capturing fluorescence from an observation subject at a time interval; a position identifying portion that, in the individual fluorescence images generated by the fluorescence-image generating portion, identifies high-luminance positions having gradation values equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold; a storage portion that stores the high-luminance positions identified by the position identifying portion; a track-image generating portion that generates a track image that has gradation values at the plurality of high-luminance positions stored in the storage portion; and a display portion that displays the track image generated by the track-image generating portion. | 03-20-2014 |
| 20140085448 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS - The invention provides an image processing apparatus including a storage unit that stores a three-dimensional image of an observation target in a subject; a projected-image generating unit that receives an image-acquisition position and an image-acquisition direction of an acquired two-dimensional superficial image of the observation target in a surface layer of the subject and that generates a two-dimensional projected image by projecting a position corresponding to the image-acquisition position of the three-dimensional image stored in the storage unit in the image-acquisition direction; and a multiplication processing unit that receives the superficial image and the projected image and generates a multiplied image by multiplying brightness values of corresponding pixels in the superficial image and the projected image. | 03-27-2014 |
| 20140092226 | AUTOMATIC EXPOSURE CONTROL DEVICE, CONTROL DEVICE, ENDOSCOPE DEVICE AND AUTOMATIC EXPOSURE CONTROL METHOD - An automatic exposure control device includes an image acquisition section that acquires an image that has been captured by an imaging optical system that receives reflected light, and includes an image of an object, the reflected light being light that has been applied to the object, and reflected by the object, an angle-of-view information acquisition section that acquires angle-of-view information that indicates an angle of view of the imaging optical system when the image has been captured, and an automatic exposure control section that performs an automatic exposure control process based on the acquired angle-of-view information. | 04-03-2014 |
| 20140092227 | IMAGE CAPTURING PROCESSOR AND ENDOSCOPE - In image capturing processor in one embodiment comprises: an image capturing section including an image sensor that captures a polarization image of an object being illuminated with an illuminating light beam; and an image processing section. The image processing section has: a light intensity image generator which generates a light intensity image based on the output of the image sensor; a polarization degree image generator which generates a polarization degree image by calculating the degree of polarization on a pixel-by-pixel basis; a retouching section which generates a retouched polarization image by enhancing the degree of polarization of the polarization degree image at depressions on a micro-geometric surface of the object and by correcting at least one of its hue, saturation and value; and an image synthesizing section which synthesizes the retouched polarization image and the light intensity image together. | 04-03-2014 |
| 20140098207 | FLUORESCENCE OBSERVATION APPARATUS, FLUORESCENCE OBSERVATION SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR FLUORESCENCE IMAGE PROCESSING - There is provided a fluorescence observation apparatus, including: a lighting section including a light source emitting illumination light and excitation light; a fluorescence imaging section picking up fluorescence generated on a subject and acquiring a fluorescence image; a returned light imaging section picking up returned light returned from the subject and acquiring a returned light image; a preprocessing section multiplying at least either the fluorescence image or the returned light image by a coefficient in which a distance property of fluorescence intensity and a distance property of returned light intensity, which are acquired in advance with respect to a standard sample, come to be in a relation directly proportional to each other and generating a fluorescence image for correction and a returned light image for correction; and a fluorescence image correction section dividing the fluorescence image for correction by the returned light image for correction. | 04-10-2014 |
| 20140104403 | IMAGING SYSTEM - An imaging system includes: an illumination unit that emits illumination light to illuminate a subject; a light receiving unit in which pixels that receive light and photoelectrically convert the received light to generate an electric signal are two-dimensionally arranged; a read unit that sequentially reads the electric signal from the pixels for each horizontal line; and an illumination controller that controls the illumination unit to emit a pulse of the illumination light during a period straddling a read period of the read unit for a first horizontal line and a read period for a second horizontal line which is adjacent to the first horizontal line and which is read immediately after the first horizontal line. | 04-17-2014 |
| 20140152790 | ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM AND OPERATING METHOD THEREOF - An observation object is imaged under irradiation with oxygen saturation level measurement light to obtain a first image signal, and the observation object is imaged under irradiation with white light to obtain a second image signal. A normal light image is produced from the second image signal. An oxygen saturation level is calculated from the first and second image signals. The calculated oxygen saturation level is imaged in an oxygen saturation image. By superimposing the normal light image on the oxygen saturation image, an emphasized oxygen saturation image is produced. In the emphasized oxygen saturation image, an abnormal area in which a calculation result of the oxygen saturation level is likely to be abnormal is emphasized by its brightness. The produced emphasized oxygen saturation image is displayed on a display device. | 06-05-2014 |
| 20140160260 | WIDE DYNAMIC RANGE USING MONOCHROMATIC SENSOR - The disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for widening dynamic range within an image in a light deficient environment. | 06-12-2014 |
| 20140176692 | Endoscope System - An image with an expanded depth of field is more effectively acquired while reducing the manufacturing cost, without enlarging the apparatus. | 06-26-2014 |
| 20140184767 | Single Power Switch For Modular Medical Imaging System - A modular video imaging system, and more particularly, a modular video imaging system having a control module connectable to multiple input modules. The control module and each input module having its own power supply and the input modules each capable of receiving differing types of image data from different types of cameras and processing the image data into a format recognizable by the control module. The control module controlling the ON/OFF condition of the input modules, such that each input module can be connected and disconnected during use. | 07-03-2014 |
| 20140184768 | SCANNING ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM - A scanning endoscope system has a light guide portion that guides an illuminating light, a drive portion capable of causing the light guide portion to swing so that an irradiation position of the illuminating light draws a locus corresponding to a predetermined scanning pattern, a light detecting portion that receives a return light of the illuminating light and outputs a signal, a control portion that drives the drive portion to perform scan so that the irradiation position of the illuminating light becomes a locus in a spiral shape, and an image generating portion that generates an image of an object based on a signal outputted from the light detecting portion in a predetermined timing, wherein the control portion further performs control for driving the drive portion so that the irradiation position of the illuminating light circles on a same circumference in the predetermined timing. | 07-03-2014 |
| 20140184769 | FLUORESCENCE OBSERVATION APPARATUS - Provided is a fluorescence observation apparatus including: a fluorescence image acquisition section and a reference image acquisition section that acquire a fluorescence image and a reference image of a subject, respectively; a division image generation section that generates a division image by dividing an image based on the fluorescence image by an image based on the reference image; a display section that displays a corrected fluorescence image based on the division image; a correction processing section that applies correction processing to at least one of the reference image and the fluorescence image and/or to the division image prior to the generation of the division image or prior to the display of the corrected fluorescence image; an observation condition determination section that determines observation conditions of the subject; and a correction condition setting section that sets parameters regarding the correction processing according to the observation conditions. | 07-03-2014 |
| 20140204188 | ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS AND DETERIORATION DETECTION METHOD OF POLARIZATION ELEMENT OF ENDOSCOPE - An endoscope apparatus includes a flash memory that stores a reference value of a color balance adjustment value of an endoscopic image of an endoscope that picks up an object through a polarizer. The endoscope calculates, from the reference value and the color balance adjustment value of the endoscope after elapse of a predetermined time period, an amount of change in the color balance adjustment value; judges whether or not the calculated amount of change is equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold; and, when the amount of change is equal to or larger than the predetermined threshold, outputs a predetermined output. | 07-24-2014 |
| 20140210975 | SCANNING ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM - A scanning endoscope system includes: a scanning endoscope including a light-guiding section that guides illumination light, a driving section that causes the light-guiding section to swing such that an irradiation position of the illumination light draws a trajectory corresponding to a predetermined scanning pattern; and a light-receiving section that receives return light of the illumination light; a test chart device including a plane portion having first and second regions; a light detection section that outputs a signal corresponding to an intensity of the return light; a pixel generation section that generates pixels on the predetermined scanning pattern; a first correction value calculation section that calculates a correction value based on a pixel value of each of the pixels in the first region; and a second correction value calculation section that calculates a correction based on a pixel position of each of the pixels in the second region. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140210976 | ENDOSCOPE WITH A T-SHAPED FLEXIBLE CIRCUIT BOARD - An endoscope with a T-shaped flexible circuit board includes: a base mounting frame, a flexible circuit, a photosensitive element, two light emitting elements and a camera. The photosensitive element, the two light emitting elements and the camera are mounted onto the T-shaped flexible circuit board, then the flexible circuit board deforms to fit in the base mounting frame. During assembly, the photosensitive element, the two light emitting elements and the camera are maintained in the same orientation, and the T-shaped flexible circuit can be pushed into the base mounting frame simply by applying a force in a single direction parallel to the orientation direction of the photosensitive element, the two light emitting elements and the camera. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140253705 | ADAPTIVE SPECTRAL-COMPOSITION CONTROL - A method for adjusting color channel signals based on spectral variations in the signal associated with a known source. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method may include receiving a first signal having an intensity value from an electromagnetic radiation source. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method may also include producing one or more second signals such that a response-ratio value calculated based on the one or more second signals satisfies a response-ratio condition associated with a spectral region of the first signal. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140267655 | SUPER RESOLUTION AND COLOR MOTION ARTIFACT CORRECTION IN A PULSED COLOR IMAGING SYSTEM - The disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for producing an image in light deficient environments and associated structures, methods and features. The features of the systems and methods described herein may include providing improved resolution and color reproduction. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140267656 | WHITE BALANCE AND FIXED PATTERN NOISE FRAME CALIBRATION USING DISTAL CAP - The disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for producing an image in light deficient environments and correction of white balance and/or fixed pattern noise at startup or at any other time during a procedure. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140267657 | ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS - An endoscope apparatus includes: an image pickup portion that, with respect to return light including a plurality of wavelength band components that is generated accompanying irradiation of illuminating light onto an object, receives the return light with a plurality of different spectral sensitivities and generates an image pickup signal for each of the spectral sensitivities; a correction portion that, based on a spectral distribution of the return light and spectral sensitivity characteristics of the image pickup portion, sets a correction coefficient so that spectral distributions for each of the plurality of wavelength band components included in the image pickup signals become a similar shape to each other; and a calculation portion that, based on the correction coefficient, performs a calculation that separates image pickup signals into each wavelength band component among the plurality of wavelength band components included in the return light. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140285644 | IMAGE ROTATION USING SOFTWARE FOR ENDOSCOPIC APPLICATIONS - The disclosure extends to endoscopic devices and systems for image correction of a rotating sensor. The disclosure allows for the distal image sensor to rotate as the user rotates the lumen with respect to a fixed handpiece. The system includes an angle sensor located at the junction of the rotating lumen and the fixed handpiece. Periodic measurements of angle are used in the system's image processing chain in order to effect suitable software image rotations, thereby providing a final displayed image or video stream with the desired orientation. | 09-25-2014 |
| 20140285645 | IMAGE SENSOR SYNCHRONIZATION WITHOUT INPUT CLOCK AND DATA TRANSMISSION CLOCK - The disclosure extends to systems and methods for reducing the area of an image sensor by reducing the imaging sensor pad count used for data transmission and clock generation. | 09-25-2014 |
| 20140300717 | ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS - An endoscope apparatus has an insertion portion having an image pickup device in a distal end portion, and a main body portion. The endoscope apparatus has a waveform shaping circuit that is provided in the distal end portion of the insertion portion, a stabilizing circuit that stabilizes a power supply voltage to the waveform shaping circuit, a load circuit that is connected to a power supply line that supplies the power supply voltage of the waveform shaping circuit, and a current drawing circuit that draws a predetermined current to the load circuit from the power supply line in response to an operation state of the waveform shaping circuit so that a potential difference between a power supply voltage of the waveform shaping circuit in a non-operation time period of the waveform shaping circuit and a power supply voltage in an operation time period of the waveform shaping circuit becomes small. | 10-09-2014 |
| 20140300718 | Camera for acquiring optical properties and spatial structure properties - A camera device for acquiring optical properties in a plurality of different wavelength ranges and spatial structure properties of an object includes a beam splitter for splitting light coming from an object into the plurality of different wavelength ranges; a first image sensor for generating a first sensor signal related to a first predetermined wavelength range; a first signal processing device for generating a first intensity image signal and a distance image signal using information about the temporal modulation of illumination light (M) and the first sensor signal; at least one second image sensor for generating a second intensity image signal for a second predetermined wavelength range; and a second signal processing device for generating a color image signal from the first intensity image signal and the second intensity image signal. | 10-09-2014 |
| 20140340497 | PROCESSOR DEVICE, ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM, AND OPERATION METHOD OF ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM - To display a brownish area distinguishably from residuum, a B image signal having a blue narrow-band signal corresponding to blue narrow-band light and a G image signal, out of a color image signal obtained by an endoscope, are inputted to a processor device. The B image signal is assigned as a B display image signal. The B display image signal and the G image signal are weighted independently, and the sum of the weighted B display image signal and the weighted G image signal is assigned as a G display image signal. The G image signal is assigned as an R display image signal. Based on the RGB display image signals, a special light image is displayed on a monitor. In the special light image, the residuum or residual fluid is displayed in a yellowish color, and structure including blood vessels and a lesion is visible translucently under the residuum. | 11-20-2014 |
| 20140354788 | ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM - An endoscope unit includes a sequence pattern setting section in which a combination of sequence pattern which includes a plurality of parameters, each corresponding to imaging conditions of the image sensor on a frame-by-frame basis according to the type of the light source and control signal is set, an imaging condition setting section in which imaging conditions corresponding to each parameter are set, and an imaging control section that obtains the sequence pattern based on a control signal outputted from a control section of a processor unit, reads out the imaging conditions corresponding to each parameter included in the sequence pattern from the imaging condition setting section, and controls the imaging operation of the image sensor on a frame-by-frame basis based on the imaging conditions. | 12-04-2014 |
| 20140354789 | VESSEL IMAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and a method for acquiring an image of a particle flowing in a vessel, the system comprising a light source for generating an illuminating light, an imaging probe for laterally statically illuminating at least a portion of said vessel with the illuminating light, a detection unit for detecting emitted light from an illuminated portion of said particle, and a processor unit for reproducing an image of the illuminated portion of said particle from the emitted light. | 12-04-2014 |
| 20140354790 | SCANNING ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM - A scanning endoscope system includes a fiber, a first actuator that is provided laterally of the fiber to swing the fiber, a second actuator that is arranged at a position opposite to the first actuator with the fiber intervened in between to swing the fiber, and a driver unit that outputs, to the first actuator, a first drive signal having either a first waveform such that a minimum value of a voltage value, which varies periodically with a positive voltage value as a center, is not less than zero, or a second waveform such that a maximum value of a voltage value, which varies periodically with a negative voltage value as a center, is not more than zero, and configured to output, to the second actuator, a second drive signal having the same waveform as the first drive signal and different phase from the first drive signal. | 12-04-2014 |
| 20150009310 | ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING THE SAME - A V-LED emits violet narrowband light. A G-LED emits green light. A filter limits wavelengths of the green light to pass green narrowband light. The V-LED and the G-LED are turned on alternately to apply the violet narrowband light and the green narrowband light alternately to an object. A complementary color image sensor has a Cy pixel and an Mg pixel, which are sensitive to both the violet narrowband light and the green narrowband light. The complementary color image sensor images the object under illumination of the violet narrowband light to output a first image signal and images the object under illumination of the green narrowband light to output a second image signal. Based on the first and second image signals, a special image, in which surface structure (surface blood vessels) and subsurface structure (subsurface blood vessels) are isolated from each other, is produced and displayed on a monitor. | 01-08-2015 |
| 20150042774 | Image Pickup Device and Image Pickup Method - Provided is an image pickup device capable of facilitating distinction between a normal area and a specific area for a camera for medical or industrial use. The image pickup device for picking up images in a plurality of wavelength bands includes a first image pickup part for picking up an optical image in a near-infrared band, a second image pickup part for picking up an optical image in a visible-light band, an image processing part for performing processing for extracting necessary information from a near-infrared image acquired by the first image pickup part, and a synthesized-image generating part for adding a visible image acquired by the second image pickup part and an image obtained by the image processing part at a predetermined ratio to generate a synthetized image. | 02-12-2015 |
| 20150062317 | Video System For Viewing An Object On A Body - The present invention relates to a video system for viewing an object on a body, including an endoscopic lens for capturing an image, an endoscopic camera head attached to the endoscopic lens for transmitting the image, and a camera control unit attached to the endoscopic camera head for receiving the transmitted image. The endoscopic lens has a field of view, where the object is within the field of view. The endoscopic camera lens has a depth of field between approximately 10 mm and approximately 15 mm. The system also has an arm attached to the endoscopic lens for holding the endoscopic lens between approximately 180 mm and approximately 220 mm away from the surgical field. The magnified image is conveniently seen on large high definition screen. | 03-05-2015 |
| 20150092032 | ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM AND LIGHT SOURCE DEVICE - Violet narrowband light Vn and green narrowband light Gn produced by a light source device are supplied to a complementary color type endoscope, and simultaneously applied to an observation object. In a complementary color type imaging device, first mixed pixels and second mixed pixels, which sense both of the violet narrowband light Vn and the green narrowband light Gn, are read out. The light amount ratio Z of the violet narrowband light Vn to the green narrowband light Gn is set in such a range as to make the light amount of the violet narrowband light Vn larger than the light amount of the green narrowband light Gn, and make a signal value of the second mixed pixel higher than a signal value of the first mixed pixel. | 04-02-2015 |
| 20150092033 | ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM AND LIGHT SOURCE DEVICE - Violet narrowband light Vn and green narrowband light Gn produced by a light source device are supplied to a complementary color type endoscope, and simultaneously applied to an observation object. From a complementary color type imaging device, first mixed pixels and second mixed pixels, which sense both of the violet narrowband light Vn and the green narrowband light Gn, are read out. The light amount ratio Z of the violet narrowband light Vn to the green narrowband light Gn is set within a predetermined range based on an optimal light amount ratio Z | 04-02-2015 |
| 20150092034 | ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM AND ENDOSCOPE OPERATING METHOD - An endoscope system includes a light source apparatus for emitting narrow band light of green and violet in field sequential lighting, for endoscopic imaging. An image sensor has plural pixels arranged on an imaging surface, for imaging an object in a body cavity illuminated with the narrow band light, to output a pixel signal. The plural pixels include first and second pixels. The first pixel has a lower spectral sensitivity than the second pixel. A gain corrector is supplied with the pixel signal by the image sensor, for performing gain correction of multiplying the pixel signal of the first pixel by a gain value, so as to compensate for a difference in the spectral sensitivity of the first pixel from the second pixel. Also, a noise reduction device performs noise reduction of the pixel signal after the gain correction according to the gain value. | 04-02-2015 |
| 20150092035 | IMAGING APPARATUS, MICROSCOPE APPARATUS AND ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit, an illuminating unit, and an image-characteristic setting unit. The imaging unit images an object to acquire an image of the object. The illuminating unit includes a light source configured to apply illumination light beams different in optical characteristics to the object. The image-characteristic setting unit sets the image characteristics of the image data, then refers to light source characteristic information, and sets to the illuminating unit, the intensity, distribution pattern, spectrum distribution or polarization characteristic of at least one illumination light beam. The imaging unit acquires effectively image data having the image characteristics set. | 04-02-2015 |
| 20150109427 | SURGICAL IMAGING SYSTEMS - Systems, methods and devices are provided for illuminating tissue with monochromatic or broadband light and imaging light that has been reflected back from the tissue. Imaging may be white-light imaging or hyperspectral imaging. The system can be a stand-alone hyperspectral imaging system, integrated as part of an external video scope, or as an auxiliary imaging module on an external videoscope. Various elements of a video scope that is particularly suited for minimally invasive surgery is first presented and then its configurations suitable for hyperspectral imaging are explained. | 04-23-2015 |
| 20150116470 | Method and Apparatus for Controlling Light Output Intensity and Protection from High Intensity Light - A method and apparatus where the output from a high intensity light source is controlled to produce well-exposed images/videos and to reduce automatically the intensity when an unsafe issue is detected in medical devices such as endoscopes and the like. The method and apparatus overcome problems to control light sources that have high-frequency noise, slow-response time, nonlinearity, and non-monotonic response time and to protect the patients' tissues from possible overheating/burning and the eyes of personnel and patients from possible direct exposure to high intensity light used in medical devices such as endoscopes and the like. | 04-30-2015 |
| 20150296111 | FINGER COT CAMERA SYSTEM - This document provides methods and devices for medical diagnostic procedures using a camera system. For example, devices having a camera coupled to a finger cot for use during digital exams of body cavities such as the rectum are provided. | 10-15-2015 |
| 20150297062 | INTEGRATED ENDOSCOPE - An endoscope that integrates the functions of an optical tower into a portable device, while eliminating the use of cords or cables that carry light, video signals or images, and power to the endoscope that may interfere with the movement of a surgeon and the members of the surgical team, or other operators in non-medical related applications is provided. The endoscope incorporates a camera, an image processor, a light source, a transmitter, a communication interface, a control interface, and one or more of a power source in a single portable unit or enclosure. The camera is in electrical communication with the image processor and supplies images and video to the image processor obtained via an elongated endoscope tube. The light source illuminates a viewing field of the endoscope via the elongated tube. | 10-22-2015 |
| 20150297068 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGING DEVICE, COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - A reflected light image and a fluorescent light image of an observed region are acquired with an imaging system. A gradation level of the reflected light image is set on the basis of a feature value of the acquired reflected light image. The focus of the imaging system is controlled in accordance with the set gradation level. The fluorescent light image is corrected using a focus-controlled reflected light image of the observed region. Accordingly, the image of an object in the observed region from which the fluorescent light is generated is sharpened. | 10-22-2015 |
| 20150316245 | COOLING OF INTEGRATED LED LIGHTS AND MICRO CAMERA FOR MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERIES - A liquid cooling method for cooling LED lights used for minimally invasive surgeries is provided. The LED lights are integrated with the micro camera so that only one pipeline is needed to accommodate the electrical wires and cooling liquid conduits. The electrical wires disposed in the electrical wire conduit provide the path for electrical power required by the micro camera and the LED lights as well as the electronic signals from the micro camera. The liquid conduits guide the circulating cooling liquid to pass by the bottom surface of the LED substrate and carry the generated heat off the human body. | 11-05-2015 |
| 20150346586 | LIGHT EMITTING DIODE PACKAGING STRUCTURE AND CAMERA MODULE USING THE SAME - The present disclosure illustrates a light emitting diode packaging structure and a camera module having the same. The light emitting diode packaging structure comprises a transparent package member, a plurality of light emitting diodes, and a plurality of conductive wires. The transparent package member has a geometrical shape with an opening located at the center thereof. The opening tightly fits with lens module. The plurality of light emitting diodes are located in the transparent package member. The plurality of light emitting diodes are electrically connected with the plurality of conductive wires, and parts of the plurality of conducting wires are exposed to outside of the transparent package for receiving electric power to provide driving power to the plurality of light emitting diodes. The camera module comprises an image sensor, a lens module, and the light emitting diode packaging structure. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150358519 | CAMERA HEAD, CONNECTING METHOD OF CAMERA HEAD AND ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS - A camera head of an embodiment includes: a lens unit; a prism having an inclined surface which changes a traveling direction of light which passed the lens unit and an emission surface from which the light changed in traveling direction is emitted; an imaging element which outputs an electrical signal; a signal cable; a support member having a first surface having an inclination corresponding to the inclined surface and attached to a rear-side surface of the inclined surface, an insertion hole in which the signal cable is inserted, and a second surface having a connecting part electrically connected to the signal cable inserted in the insertion hole; and a wiring substrate having a first area where the imaging element is mounted and a second area electrically connected to the connecting part. | 12-10-2015 |
| 20150373244 | VIDEO SIGNAL GENERATING APPARATUS, VIDEO SIGNAL RECEIVING APPARATUS, AND VIDEO SIGNAL GENERATING AND RECEIVING SYSTEM - A video signal generating apparatus is disclosed which includes: a camera configured to generate a video signal; an operating device configured to operate at least either the camera or an apparatus configured to receive the video signal; a text data generating device configured to generate text data including a meaningful term in response to the operation performed on the operating device; and a text data inserting device configured to insert the text data generated by the text data generating device into the video signal in a corresponding manner. | 12-24-2015 |
| 20150381866 | IMAGING ELEMENT, IMAGING DEVICE AND ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM - An imaging element includes: a plurality of pixels configured to receive light from outside and generate and output an imaging signal depending on an amount of the light received; a first transfer line connected to the pixel; a second transfer line; a column selection switch configured to select one pixel column and output the imaging signal to the second transfer line; a column source follower including a gate to which the imaging signal transferred by the first transfer line is input, a drain end being connected to a power supply voltage, and a source end being connected to the column selection switch; a constant current source configured to drive the column source follower and read out the imaging signal to the second transfer line; and a current generating unit configured to flow a predetermined current to the source end side of the column source follower. | 12-31-2015 |
| 20150381909 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RECORDING SIMULTANEOUSLY VISIBLE LIGHT IMAGE AND INFRARED LIGHT IMAGE FROM FLUOROPHORES - The invention provides systems and methods for imaging a sample. In various embodiments, the invention provides a system comprising an image sensor, a laser for emitting excitation light for an infrared or near-infrared fluorophore, a visible light source, a notch beam splitter, a notch filter, a synchronization module, an image processing unit, an image displaying unit, and light-conducting channels. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a system comprising an image sensor, a laser for emitting excitation light for an infrared or near-infrared fluorophore, a laser clean-up filter, a notch filter, a white light source, an image processing unit, an image displaying unit, and light-conducting channels. In accordance with the present invention, the image sensor can detect both visible light and infrared light. | 12-31-2015 |
| 20160006915 | IMAGING UNIT - An imaging unit provided at a tip portion of an endoscope includes: an imaging element configured to receive light and perform photoelectric conversion on the light to generate an electrical signal; an oscillator configured to generate a clock signal for driving the imaging element; a photoelectric element configured to convert the electrical signal generated by the imaging element into an optical signal and to output the optical signal to outside; a regulator configured to convert electric power input from the outside into electric power depending on each of the imaging element, the oscillator, and the photoelectric element, and to supply the converted electric power thereto. The imaging element is spaced farther than the oscillator and the photoelectric element from the regulator. | 01-07-2016 |
| 20160028926 | ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS - An endoscope apparatus includes: a solid-state imaging element including a light receiving surface on a front face thereof; a circuit board arranged on a rear face side of the solid-state imaging element, the circuit board including a wiring pattern a part of which is exposed on a distal end side of the circuit board, the distal end side facing the solid-state imaging element; a first heat dissipation member arranged between the solid-state imaging element and the exposed part of the wiring pattern, the first heat dissipation member being in contact with the rear face of the solid-state imaging element and the exposed part of the wiring pattern; and a cable electrically connected to the wiring pattern. A width of the exposed part of the wiring pattern in contact with the first heat dissipation member is wider than that of the wiring pattern at a central part of the circuit board. | 01-28-2016 |
| 20160054559 | IMAGING UNIT AND ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS - An imaging unit includes: a solid state image sensor configured to receive light and perform photoelectric conversion on the light to generate an electric signal; a substrate extending from the solid state image sensor in an optical axis direction of the solid state image sensor; and a multi-layer substrate formed on a surface of the substrate, the multi-layer substrate having a plurality of electronic components mounted thereon and having a plurality of conductor layers and a plurality of via holes formed therein. At least one of the plurality of electronic components is embedded inside the multi-layer substrate. The plurality of via holes is formed on an outer side of the at least one of the plurality of electronic components embedded inside the multi-layer substrate along an optical axis direction of the multi-layer substrate. | 02-25-2016 |
| 20160073853 | IMAGING A PATIENT'S INTERIOR | 03-17-2016 |
| 20160088204 | Dual-View Probe for Illumination and Imaging, and Use Thereof - One embodiment of the invention is directed to an imaging probe which comprises a first element supplying electromagnetic radiation in a forward path for illuminating a forward field of view of space in front of the probe, a second element supplying electromagnetic radiation in a sideways and/or rearward path for illuminating a sideways and/or back field of view of space alongside the probe and an image sensor. The probe further includes an imaging device in imaging paths imaging the forward and sideways and/or back fields of view onto the image sensor. Preferably the forward path, the sideways and/or rearward path and the imaging paths are unobstructed by any component of the probe. Preferably the forward and sideways and/or back fields of view are registered in a fixed spatial relationship relative to one another on the image sensor. This probe can also be used with existing endoscopes or laparoscopes so that it will be easily merged into current instruments of different manufacturers, making it easier and cheaper to use this product without the expense of a totally new endoscopy or laparoscope platform. This probe can also be used to image objects in inanimate environments as well, such as in containers, buildings, rooms, engines and pipes. | 03-24-2016 |
| 20160088999 | MEDICAL BORESCOPES AND RELATED METHODS AND SYSTEMS - Borescopes and related methods. In some embodiments, a medical borescope system may comprise a medical borescope comprising a tube comprising a first tube end and a second tube end opposite from the first tube end; a light source positioned adjacent to the first tube end and configured to generate light at the first tube end; an image sensor positioned adjacent to the first tube end. The system may further comprise a data communication link coupled with the image sensor and a dongle comprising an image processor configured to receive image data from the image sensor that is removably coupleable with the medical borescope such that the dongle can be coupled with a plurality of distinct medical borescopes. The dongle may be configured to at least one of receive and detect borescope-specific parameter data from the medical borescope, wherein the borescope-specific parameter data comprises data unique to the medical borescope. | 03-31-2016 |
| 20160119528 | IMAGING DEVICE, ENDOSCOPE, ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR DRIVING IMAGING DEVICE - An imaging device includes: an image sensor including pixels and configured to receive light from outside, and generate and output an imaging signal according to an amount of the received light; a transmission cable connected to the image sensor and configured to propagate the imaging signal; a terminating resistor provided at a terminal of the transmission cable, the terminal resistor including an alternating current terminating resistor with variable resistance and a direct current terminating resistor with variable resistance, and having a constant combined resistance of the direct current terminating resistor and the alternating current terminating resistor; and a control unit configured to perform control to make a resistance of the direct current terminating resistor during a blanking period in which the image sensor does not output the imaging signal higher than that during a normal operation period in which the image sensor outputs the imaging signal. | 04-28-2016 |
| 20160120397 | ENDOSCOPE IMAGE-ACQUISITION DEVICE - The present invention achieves a reduction in the size of a device by acquiring a plurality of images in different position without shifting microlenses (MLs) of an one imaging element while suppressing shading and crosstalk. Provided is an endoscope image-acquisition device including: an objective optical system that forms two subject images in parallel; and an imaging element that has a plurality of MLs arrayed at an entrance side from the objective optical system and in which pixels are allocated to the respective MLs, wherein the centers of light-sensitive portions at the pixels are displaced with respect to the optical axes of the MLs such that displacements therebetween are gradually increased from the center portion of the imaging element toward peripheral portions thereof; the position of an exit pupil of the objective optical system is closer to an object than an imaging position of the objective optical system is; and conditional expression (1) is satisfied. | 05-05-2016 |
| 20160120398 | ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING THE SAME - A light source unit is provided with a first light source, a second light source, and a third light source that emit red light, green light, and blue light, respectively, as illumination light. A light source controller controls emission intensity and emission timing of the illumination light to make an emission period of the red light longer than an emission period of each of the green light and the blue light. An image sensor is capable of separately receiving the light of each color reflected from an object of interest irradiated with the illumination light and capable of separately changing a light-receiving period of the light of each color. An imaging controller makes the light-receiving period of at least the red light coincide with the emission period of the red light. | 05-05-2016 |
| 20160131892 | LIGHT SOURCE APPARATUS - A light source apparatus includes a main unit, light source modules attachable to and detachable from the main unit, and storage mediums storing characteristic information of the light source modules. Each light source module includes at least one light source and a light connection part to be optically connected to the main unit. The main unit includes entrance parts to be optically connected to the light connection parts of the connected light source modules, a light combining unit to combine light entering the entrance parts, at least one exit part to cause light combined by the light combining unit to exit, and an exit light characteristic deriving unit to derive characteristic information of achievable exit light based on characteristic information of the light source modules stored in the storage mediums. | 05-12-2016 |
| 20160134792 | LIGHT SOURCE DEVICE FOR ENDOSCOPE, ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR OPERATING ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM - A light source unit is provided with a first light source, a second light source, and a third light source that emit red light, green light, and blue light, respectively, as illumination light. A light source controller controls emission timing of the illumination light to make emission start timing or emission end timing of the first, second, and third light the same and makes an emission period of the red light longer than an emission period of each of the green light and the blue light. An image sensor is capable of separately receiving light of each color reflected from an object of interest irradiated with the illumination light and capable of separately changing a light-receiving period of the light of each color. An imaging controller makes the light-receiving period of at least the red light coincide with the emission period of the red light. | 05-12-2016 |
| 20160156822 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, AND OPERATION METHOD OF IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS | 06-02-2016 |
| 20160198076 | IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM FOR ENDOSCOPE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM FOR ENDOSCOPE | 07-07-2016 |
| 20160381263 | ENDOSCOPY SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING IMAGE OF THE SAME - Provided is an endoscopy system including: an image signal generating unit which is connected to one side of a cable, and which includes a signal transmission unit configured to convert an image signal of inner body according to a protocol for long distance transmission and transmit a converted image signal so as to achieve transmission of the image signal through the cable; a signal processing unit connected to the other side of the cable, and receiving the converted image signal transmitted through the cable and converting the converted image signal into the image signal; a CPU configured to output a user interface for the image signal and an operation control signal according to a handling of the user interface of user; an image processing unit configured to overlap the user interface on the image signal output from the signal processing unit and process the image signal according to the operation control signal. | 12-29-2016 |
| 20160381278 | ENDOSCOPY SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING IMAGE OF THE SAME - Provided is an endoscopy system including: an image signal generator connected to one side of a cable, including a signal transmitter for amplifying and transmitting an image signal so as to transmit the image signal of inner body through the cable; a signal processor connected the other side of the cable, for damping and receiving the image signal which is transmitted through the cable; a central processing unit for outputting an operation control signal to perform an user interface for the image signal; and an image processing unit for overlapping the user interface into the image signal outputted from the signal processor and for processing the image signal in accordance with the operation control signal. | 12-29-2016 |
| 20170231472 | OBSERVATION APPARATUS AND ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM | 08-17-2017 |
| 20170231479 | ENDOSCOPE AND ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM INCLUDING ENDOSCOPE | 08-17-2017 |
| 20170231712 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ILLUMINATING AND IMAGING | 08-17-2017 |
| 20170236317 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD | 08-17-2017 |
| 20180024349 | INSPECTION DEVICE FOR IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS | 01-25-2018 |
| 20180027165 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, PROGRAM AND IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM | 01-25-2018 |
