Abstract: An imaging apparatus for endoscopes includes an endoscope; a TV camera head incorporating, at least, a solid-state image sensor; and a TV photographic adapter incorporating at least one part of an optical system for forming an image obtained by the endoscope on the solid-state image sensor. At least one of the TV camera head and the TV photographic adapter is hermetically sealed by dampproof members so that autoclaving treatment can be received.

Abstract: A reduced area imaging device is provided for use in medical or dental instruments such as an endoscope. In one configuration of the imaging device, the image sensor is placed remote from the remaining circuitry. In another configuration, all of the circuitry to include the image sensor is placed in a stacked fashion at the same location. In a first embodiment of the invention, the entire imaging device can be placed at the distal tip of an endoscope. In a second embodiment, the image sensor is remote from the remaining circuitry according to the first configuration, and wherein a control box can be provided which communicates with the image sensor and is placed remotely from the endoscope. In yet another embodiment, the imaging device can be incorporated in the housing of a standard medical camera which is adapted for use with traditional rod lens endoscopes.

Abstract: An observation apparatus for endoscopes includes a light source for illumination and an endoscope which has an illumination optical system for irradiating an object with light from the light source and an image-forming optical system for obtaining an image of the object illuminated through the illumination optical system, to observe the image with fluorescent light emanating from the object. This apparatus is provided with an excitation filter device placed in an optical path to irradiate the object with the light from the light source and an observation filter device disposed in an optical path to obtain the image of the object. The excitation filter device includes a first filter having spectral transmittances such as to have a cutoff wavelength region on the short-wavelength side of wavelengths of the fluorescent light and to transmit light with shorter wavelengths than in the cutoff wavelength region.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for projecting an image of a surgical field along an optical path to intersect a display screen which is nonperpendicular to the optical path and adjacent the surgical field. A video projector system and accompanying optics impart at least one of a tilted focal plane or depth of focus to the projected image. The optical path of the projected image is located adjacent the surgical field. A sterilizable display screen is located in the optical path adjacent the surgical field so that a normal to the screen is noncoincident with the optical path and the projected image on the screen is of constant focus across the screen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for projecting an image of a surgical field along an optical path to intersect a display screen which is nonperpendicular to the optical path and adjacent the surgical field. A video projector system and accompanying optics impart at least one of a tilted focal plane or depth of focus to the projected image. The optical path of the projected image is located adjacent the surgical field. A sterilizable display screen is located in the optical path adjacent the surgical field so that a normal to the screen is noncoincident with the optical path and the projected image on the screen is of constant focus across the screen.

Abstract: A reduced area imaging device is provided for use in medical or dental instruments such as an endoscope. In one configuration of the imaging device, the image sensor is placed remote from the remaining circuitry. In another configuration, all of the circuitry to include the image sensor is placed in a stacked fashion at the same location. In a first embodiment of the invention, the entire imaging device can be placed at the distal tip of an endoscope. In a second embodiment, the image sensor is remote from the remaining circuitry according to the first configuration, and wherein a control box can be provided which communicates with the image sensor and is placed remotely from the endoscope. In yet another embodiment, the imaging device can be incorporated in the housing of a standard medical camera which is adapted for use with traditional rod lens endoscopes.

Abstract: An image displaying apparatus includes a memory, an image reader, an image processor, an image adder and a display. The memory stores a plurality of medical images including temporally sequential images of a common portion of a same patient taken at different points of time. The image reader reads out the plurality of medical images from the memory. The image processor processes at least two of the plurality of medical images read out from the memory according to registration information of the at least two of the plurality of medical images so as to obtain a processed image. The image adder adds one of the plurality of medical images read out from the memory to the processed image so as to obtain an addition image. And the display displays the addition image.

Abstract: The endoscope image processing apparatus comprises a processing apparatus for image-processing as predetermined at least one image signal and a discriminating apparatus for discriminating regions ineffective to image-processing by the processing apparatus or to the result of the image-processing from other effective regions. The image processing apparatus further comprises an outputting apparatus for outputting the results of processing images by the processing apparatus only on the effective regions discriminated by the discriminating apparatus and an image forming apparatus forming images based on the results of processing images by the processing apparatus only on the effective regions.

Abstract: The present invention intends to provide a small video camera apparatus capable of imaging an object from various angles, and effectively monitoring an object or obtaining three-dimensional image information. A light beam supplied from an optical image passing through a lens is picked up by a right image sensing surface of a charge-coupled device, and a light beam supplied from an optical image passing through a lens and a prism is picked up by a left image sensing surface of the charge-coupled device. The image signals obtained by the right and left image sensing surfaces are divided in a color separating and signal processing circuit.

Abstract: A reduced area imaging device is provided for use in medical or dental instruments such as an endoscope. In one configuration of the imaging device, the image sensor is placed remote from the remaining circuitry. In another configuration, all of the circuitry to include the image sensor is placed in a stacked fashion at the same location. In a first embodiment of the invention, the entire imaging device can be placed at the distal tip of an endoscope. In a second embodiment, the image sensor is remote from the remaining circuitry according to the first configuration, and wherein a control box can be provided which communicates with the image sensor and is placed remotely from the endoscope. In yet another embodiment, the imaging device can be incorporated in the housing of a standard medical camera which is adapted for use with traditional rod lens endoscopes.

Abstract: A signal processor circuit which stabilizes a clamp processing of black levels even in an endoscope system of an all-pixels readout type and prevents image qualities from being degraded at a stage to shift from a still image to a moving image in particular. In this signal processor circuit, video signals of all picture elements obtained with a single exposure are read out of a CCD, odd line data is stored into a first memory, even line data is stored into a second memory, and mixed picture element signals are generated by a mixer circuit, whereafter a predetermined image processing is performed by a first DVP. A clamp circuit and an A/D converter are disposed at stages preceding the first and second memories, a through video signal output from the A/D converter is input into the first DVP by way of a selector circuit on the basis of an optical black pulse and a black level clamp signal generated on the basis of the through video signal is fed back to the clamp circuit.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope in which images of an object to be viewed are picked-up in a field-sequential system by a solid-state image pickup device. The electronic endoscope includes a primary converter for converting different color image signals picked-up by the solid-state image pickup device and successively output therefrom, into digital image signals. A single memory temporarily stores the digital image signals in a point-sequential system. A secondary converter converts the digital image signals successively read from the single memory, into analog image signals. A delay delays a part or all of the analog image signals by different delay times to synchronize the color image signals.

Abstract: In order to protect body members adjacent an invasive procedure on a body, the member to be protected is illuminated preferably with infrared light energy and the entire site of the invasive procedure is viewed through an optical system that conducts both infrared and visible light energy to one or more video cameras. Various structures may be employed to separate the visible and infrared light energies so that the signals representing such light energies may be processed separately and differently if desired and then recombined for display or separately displayed on a video color monitor.

Abstract: An anti-fogging lens device, having a plural number of optical glass lens elements mounted within a lens barrel, including a first lens element located in a foremost position on the side of a subject and a second lens element located behind and at a space from the first lens element. A spacer ring is fitted in the lens barrel to set apart the first and second lens elements by a gap space of a predetermined width. The spacer ring is formed of a material having higher thermal conductivity than the lens elements and, on the inner peripheral side thereof, provided with a moisture depositing surface which is formed in a non-flat shape to increase its surface area. The lens barrel is fitted in a cylindrical member, and a seal pocket, to be packed with a seal material, is formed between the lens barrel and the cylindrical member to stop clearances between these two members with a secure hermetical seal.

Abstract: An endoscope system comprises a plurality of endoscope components including at least one endoscope light source apparatus for supplying illumination light to an endoscope and at least one video signal processing unit for processing video signals provided by the endoscope, a main control unit for controlling the plurality of endoscope system components, and a main operational instruction unit connected to the main control unit and used to operate the plurality of endoscope system components. The main operational instruction unit includes a display capable of selectively displaying operational instruction input screens associated with functions possessed by the plurality of endoscope system components.

Abstract: A structure for eliminating the noise in a light source device for an electronic endoscope safely eliminates the high-frequency noise produced from the lighting circuit, the xenon lamp and the like in the light source device. A capacitor for eliminating noise having a predetermined withstand voltage is connected between the support of the lighting circuit and the box body of the light source device so as to introduce the noise current produced by the switching operation of the lighting circuit to the ground. EMI springs are disposed between the outer peripheral surface of the conductive case of the lighting circuit and the xenon lamp and the inter peripheral surface of the box body of the light source device. A ferrite core for eliminating noise is provided on a conductive wire connecting the lighting circuit and the xenon lamp, thereby safely eliminating noise.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a digitized image obtained by a multicore fiber or a multifiber, including calculating for each core of the multicore fiber or the multifiber, a transmitted intensity equal to a sum of intensities of pixels of the digitized image located within a predefined zone around each core; calculating a standardized intensity for each core, by dividing the transmitted intensity by an intensity transmitted by a corresponding core in a reference image; and calculating an interpolated value of an intensity of each pixel of the digitized image, as a function of standardized intensities of three cores of a predetermined triangular matrix and a relative position of each pixel with respect to the three cores. A computer program product is provided, including a computer storage medium and a computer program code mechanism embedded in the computer storage medium for causing a computer to process a digitized image obtained by a multicore fiber or a multifiber.

Abstract: A sterile enclosure is provided having a body portion for encapsulating one or more monitor modules used for viewing one or more surgical areas in a sterile operating field. The video monitor can be very thin and lightweight monitor modules. The sterile enclosure may be flexible or rigid and have one or more cable drapes extending from the body to cover one or more cables associated with the video monitor. In some embodiments, the body is flexible. In another embodiment, the body is rigid. The body is transparent in at least an area for viewing the screen of the video monitor and is substantially impervious to liquid and gas. A vacuum line may be connected to the body portion to evacuate air therefrom. The video monitor may be controlled by controls located on the monitor, or may be controlled by voice activation or by a remote video control system. During use, the monitor module may be placed on or adjacent to the patient.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for correcting the tone of color pictures recorded by a video camera, in particular an endoscope camera. A control device works in combination with a preferably triangular keyboard so that a free tone correction of the three ground colors of the video picture may be effected independently of the color temperature of the recorded object, i.e. in particular, independently of the light source employed. The switching surface is in the form of a surface PAD keyboard which allows the evaluation of the location of a finger tip or likewise at any position on the triangle, and thus represents a very effective input medium for the tone correction according to the invention. A similarly provided automatic white balancing function permits the white point of the camera color space to lie in the surface center of the surface PAD keyboard.

Abstract: A video endoscope system including a light guide for transmitting light emitted from a light source to illuminate an observation field of an endoscope, and a device for controlling the luminous flux of light supplied to the light guide from the light source. A solid-state imaging device forms an image of the observation field, and a processor processes an image signal output from the solid-state imaging device. In addition, a color tone correcting device divides the image to be processed by the processor into a plurality of regions and makes color tone correction with respect to each of the regions according to the control condition of the luminous flux control device.

Abstract: A system for transmitting an image through the fiber bundle of an optical fiber endoscope is provided, characterized by an electronic filter for substantial removal of distortion such as that introduced by passage of the image through the bundle. The filter is configured with a variable characteristic such as cutoff frequency which can be matched to a predetermined parameter of the bundle such as the density of individual fibers. Thus, the filter can be easily modified to provide optimal performance if the fiber bundle is replaced or modified.

Abstract: For tracking a mono- or stereo-laparoscope in connection with minimally invasive surgery, where the laparoscope is moved by a robot in respect to surgical instruments located in the operation area, surgical instruments are color-coded and are identified in images provided by the camera of the laparoscope. Signals for controlling the robot are derived from the position of the color-coded surgical instruments in images generated by both cameras. The robot automatically brings the laparoscope into such a position that the color-coded surgical instruments are continuously shown in the center area of the monitor device and hold the laparoscope distance to the surgical instrument in the case of stereo. To prevent interfering movements of an image when working with the surgical instruments, the laparoscope continuously tracks the color-coded surgical instruments in such a way that the tracking of the image is controlled relatively lightly in the central area of the monitor, but strongly in its edge area.

Abstract: A control system is provided for an endoscope of the type having an objective lens, a movable zoom lens, a movable solid state imaging device for picking up the image formed by said objective lens and transferred by said zoom lens, means for generating a visual display of the image seen by the objective lens, and control means for moving the zoom lens and the imaging device so as to assure that for each position occupied by the zoom lens the imaging device is positioned so that the its image-receiving surface is in the focal plane of the zoom lens. The system allows independent manual control of the zoom lens and imaging device by manually actuatable switches.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope apparatus is of a field-sequential imaging type, comprising an illuminating unit for illuminating an object by sequentially emitting color illumination rays with a plurality of different wavelengths and an imaging device for photoelectrically transforming the object image formed with the color illumination rays emanating from the illuminating unit. The electronic endoscope includes a drive circuit for driving the imaging device so as to read the locations in the imaging device associated with only one of two fields, image memories for storing video signals representing the object image formed with the color illumination rays and having been read from the imaging device, and memory control units for reading color video signals from the image memories in synchronization with a vertical-synchronizing signal.

Abstract: A teleoperator system with telepresence is shown which includes right and left hand controllers (72R and 72L) for control of right and left manipulators (24R and 24L) through use of a servomechanism that includes computer (42). The teleoperator system comprises a endoscope surgical instrument suited for endoscopic surgery. The surgical instrument comprises a control servomechanism which operates an insertion section. The insertion section comprises a forearm, a wrist and an end effector. The end effector is a modified surgical instrument such as retractors, electrosurgical cutters, electrosurgical coagulators, forceps, needle holders, scissors, blades and irrigators. The control section contains motors and linkages which operate the insertion section with five or more degrees of freedom. The control section inserts, retracts, pivots and rotates the forearm with four degrees of freedom about axes that all intersect adjacent a small incision through which the insertion section is introduced to the patient.

Abstract: A variable-focus variable-magnification optical coupler is provided, for coupling an endoscope to a variety of different cameras having image planes at different positions while maintaining "true-zoom" functioning of the optical coupler. By "true-zoom", it is meant that the focal length of the optical coupler's lens system can be varied without having the image out of focus. That is, once an image is focussed with the optical coupler, the image remains in focus even when the size of the image is changed by a zoom lens of the coupler. In one embodiment, the optical coupler includes an adjustment mechanism which is actuated to move a focus lens and a zoom lens assembly together along the length of the coupler relative to a camera mount. In another embodiment, an adjustment mechanism moves a back focal lens is moved relative to the camera mount to account for the different image plane of the camera.

Abstract: A multiple view endoscope provides "on command" images of a plurality of different fields of view surrounding the distal end of the endoscope without having to move the endoscope from an initially established position in order to access the different fields of view. In one embodiment, a CCD element comprising a plurality of CCD cells forms a circumferential band about the distal portion of the endoscope. In another embodiment, the plurality of CCD cells covers substantially all of the outer side wall of the shaft adjacent to the distal end. In both embodiments, a processing device functions to either use the outputs from all the CCD cells to generate a display image or use the outputs from only selected ones of the CCD cells to generate a display image of a selected portion of the entire image captured by the CCD element.

Abstract: A system for determining a dimension of a detail including an optical scope for producing an image of the detail, an image scaling device for providing a scaled image size, and a processor. The system also includes a video camera which is either within the optical scope or external to the optical scope. The optical scope includes a focusing device for adjusting a focal position of the image of the detail and a device for providing a focus position signal based a position of the focusing device. If the system includes an external video camera, the optical scope also includes a viewer for passing the image of the detail to a plane outside of the optical scope. The video camera optically is coupled with the viewer of the optical scope or with the image of the detail and produces a video signal of the detail from the image of the detail.

Abstract: N lines of line-shaped light are projected onto the object by means of a measuring light projecting lens. The light carrying the image of the object is passed through the eyepiece lens 17 in an endoscope 6 and the auxiliary lens 30 in a measuring head 11 and split into two beamlets by a beam splitter 31, with one beamlet being focused at a position coinciding with the entrance end faces of measuring light's position detecting fibers 33(l) to 33(m). The line-shaped light images of the object thus formed in positions coinciding with the entrance end faces of measuring light's position detecting fibers 33(l) to 33(m) are scanned linearly by those linearly aligned fibers as they are oscillated and driven by a fiber scanner 36. The scanned line-shaped light images are then subjected to the necessary signal processing in a signal processor circuit 35 such as to measure the three-dimensional configuration of the object.

Abstract: A solid state imager assembly for use in an insertion tube of a video endoscope that includes a TAB imager package having fine pitch leads extending outwardly to either side of the imager. A transparent window covers the imager. A first hybrid board is attached to one set of leads and a second hybrid circuit board is attached to the second set of leads. The boards are turned downwardly to either side of the imager and placed in opposed parallel alignment beneath the imager. Circuitry is mounted on the opposed inside surfaces of the boards. A block of encapsulating material is placed between the boards to encapsulate the circuitry therein and provide structural support to the package.

Abstract: An assembled body of an electronic endoscope which is capable of reducing the diameter of the endoscope and simplifying the structure thereof. The assembled body comprises an imaging device with a color filter and a microlens provided on the imaging plane, and an objective optical member for catching an object of inspection. An opening is formed in a cover glass as the objective optical member, and the cover glass is directly adhered to the imaging plane of the imaging device. An air gap is set by the opening of the cover glass. The cover glass and the imaging device are adhered to each other with an adhesive so as to keep the air gap in an airtight state. It is thus possible to directly combine the imaging device with the optical member without using a package. A groove may be formed as the air gap in a prism as a part of the objective optical member.

Abstract: A medical video endoscope system for allowing high-resolution three-dimensional images to be viewed has a stereoscopic endoscope for converting optical images of an object to left and right video image signals. An electronic processor module controls the stereoscopic endoscope and processes the left and right video image signals into time-multiplexed signals representative of high-resolution three-dimensional images having stereoscopic depth. The time-multiplexed signals are provided to a monitor which displays high-resolution video images based on the signals. A viewing device is provided which allows a viewer to see high-resolution three-dimensional video images having stereoscopic depth on the monitor. A rigid sheath assembly with an angled distal tip can be placed over a barrel of the endoscope and rotated with respect thereto in order to change the viewing direction of the stereoscopic endoscope.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving an image received from a endoscope having a flexible fiber optic bundle that produces an interstitial grid overlay due to the dead space between each fiber pixel. The interstitial grid pattern in the image, is substantially eliminated by processing the image through a linear digital filter to attenuate the first-order spatial frequency components that contribute most to the interstitial pattern. The filter employs relatively small convolution kernels that are optimized for specific fiber spacing. The image is then processed through the linear digital filter by convolving the respective pixels in the image by the derived coefficients. The image is improved and the grid pattern may also be reduced by a dilation process which involves processing the image through a dilation algorithm to "grow" the bright center of each fiber pixel in the image so that the effect of the grid pattern is reduced.

Abstract: A compact and light-weight video scope camera offering easy magnification changing operations. A hollow insert portion continuous to a grip to be held by an operator is provided with an imaging system at the leading end. Operating an operation switch on the grip allows operational movement of a selection mechanism in the insert portion to cyclically or selectively select, from plural preset distance values, a distance between a lens and an image pickup device in the imaging system, corresponding to which distance, the lens or the image pickup device is moved relative to each other by an imaging system component of mechanism to set any one of predetermined magnification modes. This results a compact, light-weight video scope camera offering easy magnification changing operations. The invention is applicable to various video scope cameras for diagnosis and/or treatment in dentistry and orthopedics and also for industrial or educational use.

Abstract: An endoscope including an insertion tube containing a TAB imager package in the distal end thereof. The imager is mounted in a complementary opening formed in a circuit board and the board is aligned along the central axis of the insertion tube. Fine pitch leads extend from between the imager and a transparent window covering the imager to both sides of the imager. The leads are bonded to traces on the board which connect the leads to circuitry mounted on the board. A reflecting surface optically couples the imager to a forward viewing lens system.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device has a photosensitive chip and an array of microlenses arranged on the incident side of the photosensitive chip. A correction lens is arranged on the incident side of the microlens array to reduce incident angles of light entering the microlenses. The solid-state image pickup device may be incorporated in a head of an endoscope of an endoscopic apparatus to receive light from an optical system arranged in the head. The head includes a unit for changing paths of light to the microlenses to reduce incident angles of the light entering the microlenses.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus which includes a time-serial image recording arrangement for recording time-serial images of an object, and still image filling arrangements for recoding a still image. The apparatus also includes an outputting arrangement capable of outputting an image information data of at least a part of the time-serial images to be recorded or having been recorded by the time-serial image recording arrangement, which is used as a standard for observing variations in the time-serial images of the object which occur with lapse of time. The outputting arrangement includes an extracting arrangement for extracting a selected feature of at least one image among the time-serial images as the image information to be a standard of the position and a composing arrangement for composing and outputting image information of the selected feature extracted by the extracting arrangement and for composing and outputting the time-serial images.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope apparatus has an illumination unit for irradiating light of red, light of green and light of blue on an object for photographing in predetermined order at a predetermined period; an image signal generation unit for receiving reflection light from the object, generating a field sequential image signal on the basis of the received reflection light and delivering the field sequential digital image signal; a first memory unit for forming a predetermined look up table; a red data memory unit for storing data of a red image signal by one field; a green data memory unit for storing data of a green image signal by one field; a blue data memory unit for storing data of a blue image signal by one field, one field from the first memory unit being stored in one of the data memory unit for red, green and blue in synchronism with the order and the predetermined period of color illumination by the illumination unit; a switching unit for reading data from one of said data memory unit in synchronism wi

Abstract: A video endoscopes with interchangeable endoscope heads which enables the operative hook up or connection of any of a variety of interchangeable endoscope heads including optical or objective elements for receiving and transmitting images of an object or target to be examined with both a video camera head and a light source in a single, quick and easy step. When operatively connected, the present video endoscope allows the optional simple and easy rotation of the endoscope head and light source relative to the video camera head to achieve a desired endoscope head orientation, and rotation of just the video camera head alone to adjust the orientation of the image viewed through the device on a video monitor or other medium.

Abstract: In an endoscope apparatus, an image processing unit for an endoscope, and a method of emphasizing an endoscope image, conversion processing is performed in which an amount of pigment, such as a hemoglobin pigment, is calculated from the endoscope image which is detected by the use of the endoscope, by a pigment calculating circuit. The amount of pigment is substituted for an amount of pigment in which an amount of shift from a value such as average of the amount of pigment is enlarged, and the amount of pigment is returned to the endoscope image having an amount of pigment in which the amount of shift from an average is enlarged, whereby tone of most parts having the amount of pigment of the average is not changed to an original endoscope image, but the endoscope image in which tone of a portion having the amount of pigment which is shifted from the average is emphasized is generated.

Abstract: A position-indicating video display system is provided for an endoscope of the type having an objective lens, a movable zoom lens, a movable solid state imaging device for picking up the image formed by said objective lens and transferred by said zoom lens, means for generating a visual display of the image seen by the objective lens, and control means for moving the zoom lens and the imaging device so as to assure that for each position occupied by the zoom lens the imaging device is positioned so that the its image-receiving surface is in the focal plane of the zoom lens. The position-indicating video display system comprises means for generating first and second movable markers indicative of the instantaneous positions of the zoom lens and the solid state imaging device along the optical axis, and additional limit markers indicative of the maximum and minimum limits of the travel paths of the zoom lens and the solid state imaging device.

Abstract: A number of solutions are presented for an image rectification, i.e. a realistic alignment of the image given employment of an intraoral camera. To this end, arrangement is present that reproduce the image on a monitor erect and non-reversed regardless of the sightline of the camera.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling an instrument is provided. The device may be a cutting tool for use in surgery, or other type of device applied to transform a specific object located in a defined area. The apparatus comprises a marker having a predetermined color. The marker is applied to the specific device or tool to form a marked device. An imager generates video signals representing a color image of the defined area. A color detector processes the imager signals to detect a range of colors in the image represented by the imager signals. The range of colors includes the predetermined color. The color detector provides an output signal representing instances of signals in the detected color range. A detection mechanism processes the output signal of the color detector to provide an indication of whether the detected instances represented by the output signal conform to the marked device.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope apparatus which is used in combination with another medical diagnosis apparatus for medical diagnosis, includes a monitor for displaying the image based on a video signal from the endoscope or displaying both of the image based on a video signal from the endoscope and the image based on a video signal from the other medical diagnosis apparatus on the same screen, and a display switching controller for receiving the video signal from the other medical diagnosis apparatus and selectively switching the video signal to be displayed on the screen between the video signal from the endoscope and both of the video signals from the endoscope and the other medical diagnosis apparatus to display the image based on the selected video signal.

Abstract: A device for measuring the size of targets viewed with a borescope having a housing with a longitudinal axis and a distal viewing end with an optically transparent window set therein, a source of target illumination which projects a cone of illumination so that the axis of the cone of illumination is at an angle of less than 90.degree. with the housing axis, a contrasting shadow generated in association with the illumination source so as to project the contrasting shadow on the target, an image detector disposed adjacent to the source of illumination, directed so as to detect the image of the target and the contrasting shadow, a display for viewing the target and shadow as detected by the image detector, and a measuring device for measuring the parameters of the contrasting images on the display so that the actual size of the target can be determined.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for an endoscope including a smearing component extraction device for extracting a smearing component caused by a high luminance light beam from an original image composed of an image signal of a subject to be imaged. The image processing apparatus also includes a device for correcting the original image composed of the image signal by use of the signal of the smearing component extracted by the smearing component extraction device and reduces or eliminates smearing when a laser treatment is carried out to thereby improve the quality of an image to be observed.

Abstract: An electroendoscope apparatus which uses a plurality of types of electroendoscopes having solid-state imaging devices of different specifications and which performs signal processing on the basis of a plurality of signal processing systems, which includes: a video memory device used commonly among the plurality of signal processing systems; a circuit data recording device for recording circuit data corresponding to each of the plurality of signal processing systems; and a signal processing device, composed of programmable logic elements, which forms a dedicated processing circuit corresponding to each of the plurality of signal processing systems on the basis of the circuit data recorded by the circuit data recording device.

Abstract: An endoscope system has an endoscope equipped with an imaging unit, and a plurality of peripheral equipment used in conjunction with the endoscope; such as, a light source for supplying illumination light to the endoscope and a video signal processor for processing a video signal originating from the endoscope, comprising a centralized operation unit for operating at least the light source and video signal processor and a centralized control for centralizing control of the light source and video signal processor based on a command sent from the centralized operation unit.

Abstract: A freezing unit of the present invention includes a color discrepant magnitude detection unit for accumulating the color corrected magnitude for each pixel output from a color discrepancy correction circuit, and detecting it as the color discrepant magnitude for one field. The freezing unit also includes a comparator circuit including a memory for storing the color discrepant magnitudes for sixteen fields, and a comparator for comparing the color discrepant magnitudes for sixteen fields to search a field with the least color discrepant magnitude, and a memory for storing sixteen field images. The freezing unit further includes a reference position selection circuit for selecting the reference position of the image by the freezing signal, and an image selection circuit for selecting the address of an image of a field with the least color discrepant magnitude.

Abstract: There is provided an electronic shutter control device for an electronic endoscope which can control exposure with high precision even if the intensity of incident light is high in a close-up and the like. The control device has a mask circuit for forming masks having a predetermined width in upper and lower portions of a monitor screen in a vertical scanning direction, and a detection circuit for verifying whether or not the intensity of incident light is higher than a predetermined value.