Abstract: At step S1, a red image is acquired from among red, green, and blue images constituting a received endoscopic image. At step S2, M sampling-pixels (where M denotes an integer equal to or larger than 1) are selected from the data of the red image. At step S3, a gradient vector is calculated in order to determine the direction of a gradient in brightness represented by each sampling-pixel. At step S4, the direction of a lumen is detected. At step S5, the detected direction of a lumen is adopted as an inserting direction and arrow information is superposed on an image. The resultant image is displayed on a display device. Control is then returned to step S1, and the same steps are repeated relative to data of the next frame. Consequently, even if the lumen disappears from a field of view for imaging, the inserting direction can be detected.

Abstract: A diagnostic support apparatus includes a diagnostic support content storage section which stores a plurality of diagnostic support contents for providing diagnostic support, a selecting section which selects desired diagnostic support content from the plurality of diagnostic support contents stored in the diagnostic support content storage section, an information acquiring section which acquires diagnostic information concerning at least one of a patient, an examination, and an image from a medical system, a diagnostic support information creating section which creates diagnostic support information on the basis of the diagnostic support content selected by the selecting section and the diagnostic information acquired from the medical system, and a diagnostic support information display section which displays the created diagnostic support information.

Abstract: A laser transmitter device includes a laser light source, first and second optical elements, and first and second detection elements. The first optical element has a first optical characteristic with wavelength dependency, whose light transmissivity or reflectivity shows a monotone increase or decrease within a wavelength range over channels. The second optical element has a second optical characteristic with wavelength dependency, whose transmissivity or reflectivity changes in a cycle corresponding to intervals of the channels or two times the intervals. The first detection element detects an intensity of light emitted from the laser light source and coming via the first optical element, and generates a first electric signal reflecting the first optical characteristic. The second detection element detects an intensity of light emitted from the laser light source and coming via the second optical element, and generates a second electric signal reflecting the second optical characteristic.

Abstract: A cable (and heat sink) for radiating heat includes a heat conducting and radiating member for conducting heat in a longitudinal direction of the cable and radiating the conducted heat. The heat sink includes the cable for radiating heat, and a heat connecting member for thermally connecting a heat generator to the cable.

Abstract: A cable (and heat sink) for radiating heat includes a heat conducting and radiating member for conducting heat in a longitudinal direction of the cable and radiating the conducted heat. The heat sink includes the cable for radiating heat, and a heat connecting member for thermally connecting a heat generator to the cable.

Abstract: Insertion of a probe comprising an array of 16 source coils through a forceps channel of an electronic endoscope prepares the source coils in the insert of electronic endoscope for use in monitoring work objects. To a bed where a patient lies, are mounted two sets of sensor coils crossing at a right angle to each other, each of which comprises at least four single core coils with a common central axis placed on the same line in the same direction. A control section of the system gives signals with radiofrequencies (driving signals) through source cables to the source coils, to excite the source coils to generate magnetic fields around them.

Abstract: A synchronous signal separation circuit is disclosed which separates and fetches a synchronous signal from a video signal to which the synchronous signal has been added. The synchronous signal separation circuit includes an amplifier for amplifying a voltage of the video signal to output an amplified signal having an amplified voltage which is within a predetermined dynamic range. A voltage generator outputs a variable offset voltage to the amplifier for shifting a reference level of the amplified voltage to a predetermined level. A synchronous signal fetch means which, by comparing the amplified video signal with a threshold voltage in which the variable offset voltage has been adjusted based on the degree of amplification of the amplifier, fetches only the synchronous signal from the video signal.

Abstract: An arrangement for stabilizing a horizontal synchronization signal, serving as an input signal for a phase-locked loop (PLL) for generating a clock signal, by separating the horizontal synchronization signal from a composite synchronization signal including both horizontal and vertical synchronization signals. A horizontal synchronization gate signal is generated for outputting a pulse signal approximately in phase with the horizontal synchronization signal and having at least the pulse width of the horizontal synchronization signal in accordance with the composite synchronization signal and a clock pulse signal having a predetermined frequency. The horizontal synchronization signal is retrieved from the composite synchronization signal in accordance with a logical product when matching the polarity of the horizontal synchronization gate signal with the polarity of the composite synchronization signal.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprises a CPU, an information input unit, a main storage made up of a RAM, an image input interface, a display interface, and a ROM. These components are mutually connected on a bus. The CPU includes an image processor which operates according to programs stored in the ROM. The image processor comprises a corresponding point detector for detecting corresponding points in multiple images, an image matching unit for matching at least two images according to the output result of the corresponding point detector, and an image synthesizer for synthesizing at least part of at least one image portion matched by said image matching unit with at least part of image information of other images to form a single image. The information input unit is a keyboard for entering the type of an electronic endoscope and other data. The image input interface is connected to image memories and receives image data from the memories.

Abstract: A group of vectors are set to transform each signal of an endoscopic image resolved into a plurality of color signals into a plurality of new color signals based on statistical characteristics of the image. Also, the color signals of the endoscopic image are transformed into new color signals by a matrix operation using the group of vectors for the new color signals. After filtering is applied to the plurality of new color signals, the plurality of new color signals are transformed into a plurality of original color signals by a matrix operation using an inverse matrix of the matrix used in the matrix operation.

Abstract: A digital-to-analog converter includes a ladder type resistor network having stages equal in number to bits of a digital input signal, each of the stages including a first resistor and a second resistor mutually connected in series via a node. A first switch, which is provided for each of the stages, selectively supplies either an upper limit voltage or a lower limit voltage to a corresponding one of the stages in accordance with a logical value of a corresponding one of the bits of the digital input signal. An analog signal output terminal is coupled to the node of one of the stages which corresponds to a most significant bit of the digital input signal. An analog output signal is output via the analog signal output terminal. An offset level control resistor has a first end connected to the node of one of the stages which corresponds to a least significant bit of the digital input signal and a second end.