Patents by Inventor Nobuyuki Doguchi

Nobuyuki Doguchi has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9265406
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shunji Takei, Nobuyuki Doguchi
  • Patent number: 8868160
    Abstract: A medical apparatus includes: a storing section in which information concerning a drug kinetics in a living body is stored in advance for each of plural kinds of fluorescent drugs; a processing section that acquires information concerning diagnosis start timing corresponding to a desired fluorescent drug based on information stored in the storing section, information concerning a target region to which the desired fluorescent drug is administered, information concerning a method of administering the desired fluorescent drug to the target region, and information indicating start of the administration of the desired fluorescent drug; and a light source control section that controls radiation of excitation light for exciting the desired fluorescent drug to a stop state until the diagnosis start timing is reached and controls, at and after the diagnosis start timing, the radiation of the excitation light to a state in which the excitation light can be radiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Kei Kubo, Nobuyuki Doguchi
  • Publication number: 20140267657
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventors: Shunji TAKEI, Nobuyuki DOGUCHI
  • Patent number: 8721532
    Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes: a light source portion that irradiates an excitation light and a reference light alternately; an image pickup portion that picks up images of the fluorescence from the living tissue and the reflected light; a signal processing portion that generates image signals from picked up signals; an addition processing portion that generates, from image signals of fluorescence, addition processed signals of fluorescence in which pixels are added; a light quantity control portion that controls the quantity of light so as to maintain a predetermined light quantity ratio between the quantities of the excitation light and the reference light from the addition processed signals of fluorescence and image signals of the reflected light; and a superimposition processing portion that superimposes the addition processed signals and the image signals of the reflected light, with the predetermined light quantity ratio being maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Shunji Takei, Nobuyuki Doguchi
  • Patent number: 8542272
    Abstract: An image generating apparatus according to the present invention includes: a first light source unit that emits light in a first wavelength band to a subject; a second light source unit that emits light in a second wavelength band, which is a part of the first wavelength band, to the subject; an image pickup unit that picks up an image of the subject and outputs the image as an image pickup signal; a light cut filter unit that cuts light in the second wavelength band reflected from the subject; and a complementary processing unit that applies complementary processing to a component equivalent to the second wavelength band cut by the light cut filter unit in the image of the subject picked up by the image pickup unit in a state in which the subject is illuminated by the light in the first wavelength band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Shunji Takei, Nobuyuki Doguchi, Kenji Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20120271128
    Abstract: A medical apparatus includes: a storing section in which information concerning a drug kinetics in a living body is stored in advance for each of plural kinds of fluorescent drugs; a processing section that acquires information concerning diagnosis start timing corresponding to a desired fluorescent drug based on information stored in the storing section, information concerning a target region to which the desired fluorescent drug is administered, information concerning a method of administering the desired fluorescent drug to the target region, and information indicating start of the administration of the desired fluorescent drug; and a light source control section that controls radiation of excitation light for exciting the desired fluorescent drug to a stop state until the diagnosis start timing is reached and controls, at and after the diagnosis start timing, the radiation of the excitation light to a state in which the excitation light can be radiated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventors: Kei KUBO, Nobuyuki DOGUCHI
  • Patent number: 8202214
    Abstract: There is provided an endoscope capable of observing cells at a desired position existing in the depth direction with a simple structure as compared to the conventional configuration. The endoscope includes an insert unit to be inserted into a biological body, a low-scaling observation system for observing an observation position in a biological body with a low scaling, and a high-scaling observation system for observing a target position of the aforementioned observation position as a local position with a high scaling. The high-scaling observation system includes a plurality of illumination units for applying illumination light for high-scaling observation of the target position. The illumination units are arranged at predetermined positions of the end face of the insert unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Doguchi, Hironobu Ichimura
  • Patent number: 8107158
    Abstract: A fluorescent imaging device includes an irradiation section that irradiates an object to be examined with excitation light and reference light, an image pickup section that picks up a fluorescence image based on the excitation light and a reflected light image based on the reference light, a comparison section that compares relative intensity between the fluorescent image generated from the fluorescence image and the reflected light image generated from the reflected light image, and a selection section that selectively outputs one of the reflected light image and the fluorescent image based on the comparison result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Kenji Yamazaki, Nobuyuki Doguchi, Shunji Takei, Sakae Takehana
  • Publication number: 20110267493
    Abstract: A fluorescence observation apparatus of the present invention includes a light source section that can emit a plurality of excitation light beams for exciting a plurality of fluorescent substances and a reference light, an image pickup section that picks up images of a plurality of fluorescent light beams emitted by emitting the plurality of excitation light beams to the plurality of fluorescent substances and reflected light of the reference light, an image generation section that generates image signals corresponding to the plurality of fluorescent light beams and the reflected light of the reference light whose images have been picked up by the image pickup section, and an image processing section that assigns a plurality of fluorescent light images related to image signals corresponding to the plurality of fluorescent light beams and a reference light image related to an image signal corresponding to the reflected light of the reference light to a plurality of color channels respectively and outputs the r
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventors: Kei KUBO, Nobuyuki DOGUCHI, Katsuichi IMAIZUMI, Shunji TAKEI
  • Publication number: 20110267458
    Abstract: A fluorescence observation apparatus according to the present invention includes a light source section that can emit a plurality of excitation light beams for exciting a plurality of fluorescent substances and a reference light, an image pickup section that picks up images of a plurality of fluorescent light beams emitted by emitting the plurality of excitation light beams to the plurality of fluorescent substances and reflected light of the reference light, an image generation section that generates an image signal corresponding to the plurality of fluorescent light beams and the reflected light of the reference light whose images are picked up by the image pickup section, a brightness detection section that detects brightness of a plurality of image signals corresponding to the plurality of fluorescent light beams and brightness of an image signal corresponding to the reflected light of the reference light, sets an upper limit value and a lower limit value of brightness using brightness of the image signal
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventors: Kei KUBO, Nobuyuki DOGUCHI, Katsuichi IMAIZUMI, Shunji TAKEI
  • Publication number: 20110157340
    Abstract: A fluorescent imaging device includes an irradiation section that irradiates an object to be examined with excitation light and reference light, an image pickup section that picks up a fluorescence image based on the excitation light and a reflected light image based on the reference light, a comparison section that compares relative intensity between the fluorescent image generated from the fluorescence image and the reflected light image generated from the reflected light image, and a selection section that selectively outputs one of the reflected light image and the fluorescent image based on the comparison result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventors: Kenji YAMAZAKI, Nobuyuki DOGUCHI, Shunji TAKEI, Sakae TAKEHANA
  • Patent number: 7889228
    Abstract: An endoscope includes a solid image-pickup device having an image area and an optical black area for performing photoelectric conversion and including a function of varying an amplification ratio, and a first signal clamp circuit clamps the analog output signal that is outputted from the solid image-pickup device to adjust into an input range of the analog signal processing circuit with an analog reference signal which is unaffected by a defective pixel in the optical black area. The clamped signal is processed to extract signal components which are photoelectrically converted by the analog signal processing circuit by the image area. The output signal from the analog signal processing circuit clamps the signal in the optical black area by using output signals of at least the number of pixels larger than the number of pixels in a horizontal direction in the optical black area by the second signal clamp circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Hideaki Ishihara, Takayuki Hanawa, Nobuyuki Doguchi, Fumiyuki Okawa
  • Publication number: 20100137682
    Abstract: There is provided an endoscope capable of observing cells at a desired position existing in the depth direction with a simple structure as compared to the conventional configuration. The endoscope includes an insert unit to be inserted into a biological body, a low-scaling observation system for observing an observation position in a biological body with a low scaling, and a high-scaling observation system for observing a target position of the aforementioned observation position as a local position with a high scaling. The high-scaling observation system includes a plurality of illumination units for applying illumination light for high-scaling observation of the target position. The illumination units are arranged at predetermined positions of the end face of the insert unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Doguchi, Hironobu Ichimura
  • Publication number: 20100073731
    Abstract: An image generating apparatus according to the present invention includes: a first light source unit that emits light in a first wavelength band to a subject; a second light source unit that emits light in a second wavelength band, which is a part of the first wavelength band, to the subject; an image pickup unit that picks up an image of the subject and outputs the image as an image pickup signal; a light cut filter unit that cuts light in the second wavelength band reflected from the subject; and a complementary processing unit that applies complementary processing to a component equivalent to the second wavelength band cut by the light cut filter unit in the image of the subject picked up by the image pickup unit in a state in which the subject is illuminated by the light in the first wavelength band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventors: Shunji TAKEI, Nobuyuki DOGUCHI, Kenji YAMAZAKI
  • Patent number: 7670286
    Abstract: The electronic endoscope device in accordance with the present invention comprises an image pick-up unit capable of acquiring an object image with respect to illumination light employed for illuminating the object for each prescribed wavelength band, an exposure period setting circuit for setting the exposure period of the image pick-up unit corresponding to the each wavelength band, an amplification circuit for amplifying picked-up image signals of the object image obtained with the image pick-up unit corresponding to the each wavelength band, and a control circuit for controlling the amplification circuit such that the picked-up image signals corresponded to the each wavelength band of the object image that are acquired with the image pick-up unit at the exposure period set corresponding to the each wavelength band set by the exposure period setting circuit are amplified at amplification factors computed corresponding to the exposure period that is set corresponding to the each wavelength band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuichi Imaizumi, Isami Hirao, Yoshinori Takahashi, Takeshi Ozawa, Nobuyuki Doguchi, Sakae Takehana
  • Patent number: 7658710
    Abstract: An endoscope system includes a light source for supplying three narrow wavelength bands including one wavelength band for exciting fluorescence, an excitation light cut filter for transmitting light having a wavelength greater than either 470 nm or 490 nm, and an image capturing unit for capturing the light transmitted by the excitation light cut filter and outputting three wavelength band signals corresponding to the three narrow wavelength bands of the light source. Also included are first, second and third frame memories for inputting and storing the three wavelength band signals, respectively, and first, second and third output ends for outputting first, second and third color signals, respectively, to a monitor for displaying an image. An image processor receives signals from the first, second and third frame memories respectively and selects among the first output end, the second output end and third output end for outputting the received signals to the monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Ueno, Takeshi Ozawa, Kazunari Nakamura, Isami Hirao, Hiroshi Ibe, Koichi Yoshimitsu, Yuichi Morizane, Mamoru Kaneko, Shunya Akimoto, Masaki Terakubo, Katsuichi Imaizumi, Nobuyuki Doguchi, Sakae Takehana, Kazuhiro Gono
  • Patent number: 7573499
    Abstract: A CCD driver circuit adjusts and supplies pulse-type signals to a CCD in order to adjust the sensitivity of the CCD. A metering circuit meters a signal output from the CCD. A sensitivity control circuit controls the sensitivity of the CCD by controlling the sensitivity multiplication factor of the CCD based on a metering result by the metering circuit. A metering correcting circuit corrects a metering result from the metering circuit based on a charge multiplication factor from the sensitivity control circuit. An aperture control circuit controls an aperture based on a metering signal corrected by the metering correcting circuit. Thus, an image of an object of which strength of light largely varies can be obtained as an image under a proper dimming state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Doguchi, Yoshinori Takahashi, Fumiyuki Okawa, Katsuichi Imaizumi, Takeshi Ozawa, Isami Hirao, Sakae Takehana
  • Publication number: 20090088601
    Abstract: An endoscope has an insertion portion, a contact portion, an observation portion and a marking portion. The insertion portion can be inserted into a body cavity. The contact portion is provided at a distal end portion of the insertion portion. The contact portion provided at the distal end portion can be in contact with a subject. The observation portion is provided at the contact portion. The marking portion is provided at the contact portion. The marking portion applies a marker to the subject with which the contact portion is in contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Doguchi, Hironobu Ichimura, Hideyasu Takato, Azusa Noguchi, Kazuhiro Gono, Kiyoshi Miyake
  • Publication number: 20090082626
    Abstract: An endoscope has an insertion portion, an abutment portion, an increasing device and an observation portion. The insertion portion is an insertion portion which can be inserted into a subject. The abutment portion is provided at a distal end portion of the insertion portion. The abutment portion provided at the distal end portion can contact with the subject. The increasing device increases the abutment area of the abutment portion. The observation portion performs observation of the subject on the abutment portion provided at the distal end portion and having been increased by the increasing device, or performs observation of the subject spaced by a predetermined distance by the increased abutment portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Hironobu Ichimura, Hideyasu Takato, Azusa Noguchi, Kiyoshi Miyake, Nobuyuki Doguchi, Kazuhiro Gono
  • Patent number: 7479990
    Abstract: Illumination light supplied from an illumination light supplying unit that can selectively supply a plurality kinds of illumination lights whose wavelengths fall in different regions is supplied to an object. A signal picking up an image of the object is received by a programmable circuit unit that is programmably constructed based on circuit data, and then subjected to signal processing. A circuit data holding unit holds a plurality kinds of circuit data to be used for the programmable circuit unit. A control unit selects circuit data, which is used for the programmable circuit unit, from among all the circuit data items held in the circuit data holding unit corresponding to illumination light supplied from the illumination light supplying unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuichi Imaizumi, Yoshinori Takahashi, Nobuyuki Doguchi, Takeshi Ozawa, Sakae Takehana, Isami Hirao