Abstract: An endoscope 2 has a CCD 9 incorporated in the distal part of an insertion unit 6 thereof. The sensitivity of the CCD 9 can be varied by applying a plurality of pulsating driving signals so as to change an electron multiplication rate. The endoscope 2 is connected to a processor 3 so that it can be disconnected freely. Information representing a type of endoscope stored in advance in a ROM 48 is transmitted to a controller 21 incorporated in the processor 3. The control means 21 uses a CCD sensitivity control means 12 to control the sensitivity of the CCD 9 according to the type of connected endoscope 2. Consequently, a view image of proper brightness can be produced irrespective of the type of endoscope 2.

Abstract: In a light source unit, a switchable filter section in which an RGB filter and a fluorescence observation filter can be shifted into the light path is disposed in front of a lamp. When fluorescence image mode is selected, excitation light in a part of the wavelength band of the blue wavelength band is supplied to an electronic endoscope, and the excitation light which is reflected by the subject is shielded by an excitation light shielding filter situated in front of a CCD, whereby a fluorescence image can be obtained. On the other hand, if normal-light image mode is selected, then R, G, B light is supplied sequentially, and even under illumination of B light, the color component image in the wavelength bands which are not shielded by the excitation light shielding filter are captured, thereby yielding a normal-light image also, and hence making it possible to capture both a fluorescence image and a normal-light image by means of a single image pickup element.

Abstract: This invention is an endoscope device which irradiates light of a plurality of specific wavelength regions, successively, onto a subject, by means of a light source device, and a solid-state image pickup element capable of changing the charge multiplication rate receives and multiplies an optical signal on the basis of the light irradiated onto the subject, signal processing means processes the output signal from the solid-state image pickup element, and charge multiplication rate setting means sets the ratio of charge multiplication rates between said light of a plurality of specific wavelength regions received by the solid-state image pickup element.

Abstract: In a light source unit, a switchable filter section in which an RGB filter and a fluorescence observation filter can be shifted into the light path is disposed in front of a lamp. When fluorescence image mode is selected, excitation light in a part of the wavelength band of the blue wavelength band is supplied to an electronic endoscope, and the excitation light which is reflected by the subject is shielded by an excitation light shielding filter situated in front of a CCD, whereby a fluorescence image can be obtained. On the other hand, if normal-light image mode is selected, then R, G, B light is supplied sequentially, and even under illumination of B light, the color component image in the wavelength bands which are not shielded by the excitation light shielding filter are captured, thereby yielding a normal-light image also, and hence making it possible to capture both a fluorescence image and a normal-light image by means of a single image pickup element.

Abstract: In the light source unit 3A, a switching filter section 14, which can switch the RGB filter for normal-light observation and a filter for fluorescent observation on the optical path, is installed in front of the lamp 12, where if the fluorescent image mode is selected, the excitation light in a part of the blue wavelength band is supplied to the electronic endoscope 2A, and the excitation light reflected by the subject side is shielded by the excitation light cut filter 27 in front of the CCD 28 so as to obtain the fluorescent image, and also the signal of the fluorescent image and the signals of the two reflected light images which are set in a predetermined wavelength band are passed through the image processing circuit 38, where a matrix circuit for appropriately allocating the color signals of the R, G and B channels is installed, and as a result, the images can be displayed on the monitor 5 in pseudo-colors in hues which allow easy identification of a normal tissue and a pathologically affected tissue.

Abstract: A fluorescent imaging device to prevent the breakdown of a fluorescent image high-sensitivity imaging apparatus has a light source for endoscope use which selectively switches between an excitation light and a white light. This introduces a light into a light guide of an endoscope and such light is emitted onto an object. A fluorescent image high-sensitivity imaging device images the fluorescences obtained by excitation with the excitation light which is emitted onto the object. A white light imaging device images a white light image obtained from the white light which is emitted onto the object. A switch inputs a power source onto the fluorescent image high-sensitivity imaging apparatus and there is a mechanism to prevent overprint on an image plane of the fluorescent image high-sensitivity imaging apparatus which is in the imaging condition with the power source inputted.

Abstract: An imaging system for use with an endoscope, including a light source which emits white light and excitation light which will produce a fluorescence response by an object under inspection, an imaging camera including separate paths for processing images produced by white light and excitation light, a selection device that causes the imaging device to operate in a white light mode or an excitation light mode, and a protective device that prevents damage to high-sensitivity imaging components from exposure to excessive light input. Fluorescent image data are separated into at least red and green color bands which are separately processed to produced a video display in which normal tissue is displayed in predetermined specific color, and abnormal tissue in one or more distinctly different colors. In one embodiment, an image color interpretation guide is provided in the form of multiple color bars which are superimposed on a single video display device with the image display. of different kinds.

Abstract: At the tip of an insertion part of an endoscope, an object window for regular observation use is positioned at almost the center, directly connected to which, said object window for fluorescent observation use is provided, and at the both sides of the object window for regular observation use and the object window for fluorescent observation use, two illumination windows are provided. A forceps hole which is an opening part at the tip side of a forceps channel which is inserted into the insertion part is provided at the lower right of the object window for regular observation use, and a treatment tool which is inserted through a forceps insertion channel is to be extruded from this forceps hole. By this way, on monitor images at both of white light observation and fluorescent observation, the treatment tool such as a forceps or the like is designated at almost the same position to improve the manipulation capability.