Abstract: A color image sensor captures a reflected image of narrowband light having a wavelength range in which an extinction coefficient varies with a change in an oxygen saturation level of hemoglobin in blood. Thereby a first blue signal, a first green signal, and a first red signal are obtained. The color image sensor captures a reflected image of white light. Thereby a second blue signal, a second green signal, and a second red signal are obtained. Only an oxygen saturation level, out of two or more types of biological functional information including a blood volume and the oxygen saturation level, is obtained based on the first blue signal, the second green signal, and the second red signal. The oxygen saturation level is visualized to produce an oxygen saturation image.

Abstract: First illumination light of a first wavelength range, in which light absorption coefficient of blood hemoglobin varies with oxygen saturation thereof, is projected into a test subject body, to capture a first image signal from the first illumination light as reflected from inside the test subject body. Then second illumination light of a second wavelength range different from the first wavelength range is projected into a test subject body, to capture a second image signal from the second illumination light as reflected from inside the test subject body. A subject image of the test subject is produced from the second image signal. Oxygen saturation levels of the test subject are calculated using the first and second image signals. According to the calculated oxygen saturation levels, color properties of the subject image are changed to produce an oxygen saturation image.

Abstract: The endoscope system includes: an image signal acquisition unit acquiring first image signal in first wavelength range where the amount of light absorption changes according to the concentration of yellow dye, second image signal in second wavelength range where the amount of light absorption changes according to the blood volume of an observation target, and third image signal in third wavelength range where a change in the amount of light absorption according to the concentration of the yellow dye is smaller than the first wavelength range and a change in the amount of light absorption according to the blood volume is smaller than the second wavelength range; a signal ratio calculation unit calculating first signal ratio based on the first and second image signals and calculating second signal ratio based on the second and third image signals; and a warning notification unit calculating a threshold value and generates warning signal.

Abstract: The endoscope system includes: an image signal acquisition unit acquiring B1 image signal corresponding to blue narrow band where the amount of light absorption changes according to the oxygen saturation of blood hemoglobin, G2 image signal corresponding to green wavelength band where the amount of light absorption changes according to a blood volume of an observation target, R2 image signal corresponding to red wavelength band where a change in the amount of light absorption with respect to the oxygen saturation or the blood volume is small compared with the B1 and G2 image signal, and B2 image signal corresponding to a wavelength band, a difference between a center wavelength of the wavelength band and a center wavelength of the blue narrow band being 20 to 100 nm; and an oxygen saturation calculation unit calculating the oxygen saturation based on the B1, G2, R3, and B2 image signal.

Abstract: An endoscopic device that irradiates a plurality of illuminating lights having different spectrums from each other onto a subject at a front edge of an endoscope inserting module and captures the subject to obtain an observation image, includes an illuminating module that generates the plurality of illuminating lights, an imaging module that captures the subject and outputs an image signal of the observation image, a light intensity ratio control module that controls the illuminating module to irradiate the plurality of illuminating lights onto the subject with a set light intensity ratio by setting the light intensity ratio of the plurality of illuminating lights for every observation image, and a color tone correcting module that corrects the color tone of the image signal so as to obtain the observation image with substantially a same color tone even though the light intensity ratio is changed.

Abstract: An exposure amount designation value calculation unit calculates an exposure amount designation value for designating the amount of exposure, which is required to image an observation target, based on an image signal. A threshold value calculation unit calculates a threshold value for comparison with the pixel value of the image signal according to the exposure amount designation value. A region detection unit detects a first region, in which the pixel value falls within a range set by the threshold value, and a second region, in which the pixel value is out of the range. An image generation unit generates an oxygen saturation image, in which the oxygen saturation is displayed differently in the first and second regions, using the image signal, the oxygen saturation, and information of the first and second regions.

Abstract: An oxygen saturation level of hemoglobin in blood is correctly acquired without lowering a frame rate. A subject body illuminated with white light W is imaged by a color CCD to obtain signals Bs1, Gs1 and Rs1. The subject body is illuminated with blue narrow band light BN of which absorption coefficient is changed by a change in the oxygen saturation level of the hemoglobin in blood, and imaged by the color CCD to obtain signals Bs2, Gs2 and Rs2. The signal Bs2 is divided by the signal Gs1 to determine a normalized signal Bs2/Gs1. The oxygen saturation level of blood vessels of the surface of body tissue is obtained according to the normalized signal Bs2/Gs1. The oxygen saturation level is visualized in a pseudo color, to form an oxygen saturation level image.

Abstract: A light source device of an electronic endoscope system has first and second semiconductor lasers. In a vascular observation mode, one of the semiconductor lasers is used in a full light state (100% rated output) while the other is used in a reduced light state (for example, 10% rated output). First and second images of an internal body portion are captured with a color imaging device under illumination of two patterns, respectively. Correlation operation of pixel values of three colors is performed between the two images. Noise components, caused by the first or second semiconductor lasers in the light reduced state, are removed from the first and second images. An oxygen saturation level of blood in a blood vessel is calculated using the first and second images with the noise components removed.

Abstract: The invention provides a three-dimensional surveying instrument, which comprises a light emitter for emitting a distance measuring light, a light projecting optical unit for irradiating a distance measuring light from the light emitter along a distance measuring optical axis, a light receiving optical unit for receiving a reflection light from an object to be measured, a photodetection element for converting the reflection light as focused at the light receiving optical unit to an electric signal, a scanning unit for scanning a distance measuring light with respect to the object to be measured provided on a frame unit, angle detecting units for detecting an irradiating direction of the distance measuring light as scanned by the scanning unit, a vibration detecting unit for detecting vibration amount of the frame unit, and a control arithmetic unit having a storage unit where a threshold value is stored, wherein the control arithmetic unit controls so that the number of rotations of the scanning unit is gradua

Abstract: In imaging an oxygen saturation level of blood, measurement light having a wavelength of 450 to 500 nm, B light, G light, and an R light are sequentially taken out of broad band light BB emitted from a xenon lamp. An internal body portion is imaged under irradiation with the measurement, B, G, and R light to obtain image data B1, B2, G2, and R2, respectively. A correlation memory stores first and second correlations, each being a correlation among the oxygen saturation level and intensity ratios between the image data B1 and G2 and between the image data R2 and G2. When a cumulative lighting time of the xenon lamp is less than a certain value, the oxygen saturation level is calculated using the first correlation. When the cumulative lighting time equals or exceeds the certain value, the oxygen saturation level is calculated using the second correlation.

Abstract: In a special observation mode, an oxygen saturation frame period, a normal frame period, and a vessel pattern frame period are repeatedly performed. A brightness detector detects the brightness of a latest frame image of an oxygen saturation video image, being a key video image. The intensity of light to be applied in the next oxygen saturation frame period is determined from the detected brightness. From the determined light intensity and a light intensity ratio among frames, the intensity of light to be applied in the next normal frame period and the next vessel pattern frame period is calculated. The exposure time of the next oxygen saturation frame period is determined from the detected brightness. From the determined exposure time and an exposure time ratio among frames, the exposure time of the next normal frame period and the next vessel pattern frame period is determined.

Abstract: First and second white light is generated by excitations of phosphors with first and second laser beams having center wavelengths of 473 nm and 445 nm, respectively. The first and second white light is applied, in respective frames, sequentially to a region of interest in a subject. A color image sensor images the region of interest in the each frame. Based on a shift amount, calculated from green signals of first and second frames, between images, an image of a blue signal of the first frame is moved to be aligned with an image of a green signal and an image of a red signal of the second frame. After the alignment, an oxygen saturation image representing an oxygen saturation level of hemoglobin in blood is produced from the blue signal of the first frame and green and red signals of the second frame.

Abstract: The endoscope system includes: an image signal acquisition unit acquiring first image signal in first wavelength range where the amount of light absorption changes according to the concentration of yellow dye, second image signal in second wavelength range where the amount of light absorption changes according to the blood volume of an observation target, and third image signal in third wavelength range where a change in the amount of light absorption according to the concentration of the yellow dye is smaller than the first wavelength range and a change in the amount of light absorption according to the blood volume is smaller than the second wavelength range; a signal ratio calculation unit calculating first signal ratio based on the first and second image signals and calculating second signal ratio based on the second and third image signals; and a warning notification unit calculating a threshold value and generates warning signal.

Abstract: An exposure amount designation value calculation unit calculates an exposure amount designation value for designating the amount of exposure, which is required to image an observation target, based on an image signal. A threshold value calculation unit calculates a threshold value for comparison with the pixel value of the image signal according to the exposure amount designation value. A region detection unit detects a first region, in which the pixel value falls within a range set by the threshold value, and a second region, in which the pixel value is out of the range. An image generation unit generates an oxygen saturation image, in which the oxygen saturation is displayed differently in the first and second regions, using the image signal, the oxygen saturation, and information of the first and second regions.

Abstract: The endoscope system includes: an image signal acquisition unit acquiring B1 image signal corresponding to blue narrow band where the amount of light absorption changes according to the oxygen saturation of blood hemoglobin, G2 image signal corresponding to green wavelength band where the amount of light absorption changes according to a blood volume of an observation target, R2 image signal corresponding to red wavelength band where a change in the amount of light absorption with respect to the oxygen saturation or the blood volume is small compared with the B1 and G2 image signal, and B2 image signal corresponding to a wavelength band, a difference between a center wavelength of the wavelength band and a center wavelength of the blue narrow band being 20 to 100 nm; and an oxygen saturation calculation unit calculating the oxygen saturation based on the B1, G2, R3, and B2 image signal.

Abstract: An endoscopic device that irradiates a plurality of illuminating lights having different spectrums from each other onto a subject at a front edge of an endoscope inserting module and captures the subject to obtain an observation image, includes an illuminating module that generates the plurality of illuminating lights, an imaging module that captures the subject and outputs an image signal of the observation image, a light intensity ratio control module that controls the illuminating module to irradiate the plurality of illuminating lights onto the subject with a set light intensity ratio by setting the light intensity ratio of the plurality of illuminating lights for every observation image, and a color tone correcting module that corrects the color tone of the image signal so as to obtain the observation image with substantially a same color tone even though the light intensity ratio is changed.

Abstract: In a special mode, a first frame image including a blue signal B1, a green signal G1, and a red signal R1 is captured in a first frame period. In a second frame period, a second frame image including a blue signal B2, a green signal G2, and a red signal R2 is captured. An oxygen saturation level calculator calculates an oxygen saturation level of each pixel based on signal ratios B1/G2 and R2/G2, and sequentially outputs obtained special images on a monitor. Whenever the special image is produced, a signal ratio R2/R1 is calculated. When the signal ratio R2/R1 exceeds a threshold value, a warning sign “!!” is displayed. When the signal ratio R2/R1 is larger than a predetermined range S, a warning sign “HIGH StO2” is displayed. When the signal ratio R2/R1 is smaller than the range S, a warning sign “LOW StO2” is displayed.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: In a special mode, a superficial wavelength set having plural types of narrow band light in a blue wavelength band of 400 to 500 nm is chosen. The plural types of narrow band light are successively applied to an internal body portion. A CCD captures images of the internal body portion under the narrow band light. A blood information calculation section calculates an oxygen saturation level of hemoglobin in a blood vessel based on an image signal. A comparison section compares the calculated oxygen saturation level with a predetermined threshold value. When the oxygen saturation level is less than the threshold value, a hypoxic region detection signal is outputted to a wavelength set switching section. The wavelength set switching section switches from the superficial wavelength set to a middle wavelength set and to a deep wavelength set, so the oxygen saturation levels at middle and deep depths are measured.

Abstract: In a special mode, a superficial layer wavelength set, a middle layer wavelength set, and a deep layer wavelength set are selected successively. Each wavelength set is composed of 3 different types of narrowband light applied successively to an internal body portion. A wavelength set table specifies the number of repetitions of each wavelength set. A controller controls a wavelength band switching element to apply every type of the narrowband light of each wavelength set, and to apply each wavelength set for the number of repetitions specified by the wavelength set table. A CCD captures images of the internal body portion under illumination of the narrowband light of the respective wavelength sets. A blood information calculation section calculates oxygen saturation levels of hemoglobin in blood vessels in the superficial, middle, and deep layers based on image signals, respectively. This provides information on cancer progression.