Abstract: An image processing circuit inputs pixels arranged in RGB Bayer pattern. A chroma value calculation circuit calculates a chroma coefficient for evaluating chroma of a peripheral region of a target pixel. A correlation value calculation circuit calculates a correlation value for gray image and a correlation value for color image. When the chroma coefficient is higher than a first threshold value, a correlation judging method for color image and a pixel interpolation method for color image are selected. When the chroma coefficient is not higher than the first threshold value and higher than a second threshold value, a correlation judging method for gray image and the pixel interpolation method for color image are selected. When the chroma coefficient is not higher than the second threshold value, the correlation judging method for gray image and a pixel interpolation method for gray image are selected. Interpolation is executed in a pixel interpolation circuit.

Abstract: A system for endoscopic suturing is provided having an endoscope, such as a gastroscope, with a distal end locatable in the body of a patient and a flexible shaft extending to the distal end, a flexible accessory tube coupled to the endoscope to be movable relative to the endoscope's shaft, and a tip coupled to the shaft of the endoscope having an opening through which one end of the accessory tube is received. The system further includes a tissue suturing instrument and a suture securing instrument. Each of these instruments has a distal end coupled to a partially flexible shaft locatable through the accessory tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for sewing tissue especially useful for tissue ligation, is provided having a housing and a hollow shaft which extends from the housing. At the distal end of the shaft along its interior is a movable driver member disposed opposite a fixed member. A needle is pivotably mounted at one end to the driver member to extend, when the driver member is moved forward, through a slot in the fixed member and an opening in the shaft, and to retract back into the shaft when the driver member is moved backward. At the distal end of needle is a slotted hook for capturing a loop of suture. The free ends of the loop of suture extend through a hole of the fixed member. A lever pivotably mounted in the housing is coupled to the driver member to translate linear motion forwards or backwards to the driver member. In a method for sewing tissue, the needle is driven forward to extend from the apparatus and then through tissue adjacent tissue to be sewn.

Abstract: An instrument and method for suturing wound closures is provided having a handle, shaft and suture engagement mechanism. The instrument provides for multiple placements or “bites” of suture in tissues to enable a wide variety of suturing techniques, including the ability to “run” a suture. The instrument further facilitates suture knot tying. The method of this instrument provides for rapid and effective remote suture placement and knot tying.

Abstract: An instrument and method for suturing wound closures is provided having a handle, shaft and suture engagement mechanism. The instrument provides for multiple placements or “bites” of suture in tissues to enable a wide variety of suturing techniques, including the ability to “run” a suture. The instrument further facilitates suture knot tying. The method of this instrument provides for rapid and effective remote suture placement and knot tying.

Abstract: A DWT unit applies wavelet transform to an input signal to output transform coefficients, and a quantization unit quantizes those transform coefficients with a quantization step size determined according to target image quality. Then, a rate control unit controls the rate of coded data according to information on the quantization step size. Also, an image-quality control unit controls the rate of only part of coded data which is determined from a priority table. This achieves a compression encoder which operates at high speed with minimal operations.

Abstract: A sensor such as a CCD image pickup device is equipped with a color filter of RGB Bayer array. An image is read from such a sensor (S1) and inputted to a color interpolation device as raw data (S2). The color interpolation device calculates additional values DH and DV of differential absolute values of pixel values in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction by using pixels of all colors in a peripheral area of a specified pixel (S3 and S4). The additional values DH and DV are compared with each other (S5) and when it is judged that there is a tendency of pixel drift in the horizontal direction or the vertical direction, S6 is executed. In S6, when a correlation in the vertical direction is strong, an interpolation using vertical adjacent pixels is performed and when a correlation in the horizontal direction is strong, an interpolation using horizontal adjacent pixels is performed. By this method, it is possible to improve the accuracy of color interpolation.

Abstract: RGB image data outputted from an ADC (3) is processed in an SPU (42) and an RPU (43) and then buffered into a memory (48) as YUV image data. The YUV image data is outputted from a YUV output unit (45), encoded by an image compression and expansion chip (5A) and transmitted to a main chip (4) by a DMAC (52). On the other hand, compressed moving image data stored in the memory (48) is transmitted to the image compression and expansion chip (5A) through the control by a DMAC (44), decoded therein, then converted into RGB image data in an RGB sampling unit (54) and inputted to the main chip (4) by the SPU (42) through a data line (14). With such a construction, it is possible to provide a circuit for compression and expansion, which allows connection with a main processing chip having no YUV input circuit without increasing circuit scale, maintaining general versatility of those circuits.

Abstract: A camera control circuit stores an image picked up by a CCD into an internal memory. A CPU of a main processor circuit gives an instruction of reading out image data stored in the internal memory of the camera control circuit through buses and a slave access controller. The main processor circuit displays the image data which is read out on an LCD and performs other processings. With the above construction, in the electronic equipment having an image pickup function of a camera, it is possible to reduce time for image transfer from the camera control circuit to the main processor circuit.

Abstract: A system is provided for closure of a wound in a patient, such as a puncture hole in a blood vessel, with a suture having a first apparatus for applying a suture capable of closing the wound and a second apparatus for securing a sleeve member over the suture to secure the wound closed. The first apparatus includes a housing, a shaft having first and second ends in which the first end is coupled to the housing, a tissue engaging section coupled to the second end of the shaft, and first and second needles which extend from the housing through the shaft into the tissue engaging section. The tissue engaging section is directed through the wound, and has first and second gaps in which each gap has opposing surfaces into which different sides of the wound can be received. The first needle is extendable into a holder through the first gap to capture one of the two ends of a suture material or thread, and is retractable with the captured suture.

Abstract: A surgical crimping instrument for crimping a sleeve including an anvil and a hammer moveable relative to each other to crimp the sleeve, a pusher movable longitudinally and engaging the hammer and/or anvil for urging the hammer and the anvil together as the pusher moves longitudinally from a first position to a second position, and cooperative stops adjacent to the hammer and the anvil for limiting the relative movement of the hammer towards the anvil.

Abstract: A quick loader and associated method for a surgical suturing instrument of the type having at least one ferrule receiving chamber and a suture receiving passage, includes a loader body having a recess formed therein for receiving an end of a surgical suturing instrument, a seat adjacent the recess for releasably holding at least one ferrule-tipped end of a suture in the seat, the seat being aligned and adjacent to a ferrule receiving chamber in the suturing instrument when the instrument is positioned in the recess, for permitting the transfer of the ferrules from the seat on the loader into the ferrule receiving chamber.