Illumination Patents (Class 348/68)
  • Patent number: 8547424
    Abstract: An endoscope system has a light source apparatus and an endoscope including an illumination optical system and an objective optical system. At least the objective optical system of the endoscope is provided with an adjustable diaphragm, and in a light path in one of the light source apparatus, the illumination optical system, and the objective optical system, an insertable/retractable filter for observation for special light is provided. The adjustable diaphragm performs a closing operation or an opening operation only when the filter for observation for special light is inserted into the light path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignees: Olympus Medical Systems Corp., Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ishii, Seiji Iwasaki, Masahiro Kawauchi, Hideaki Ishihara, Susumu Takahashi, Shinichi Nakamura, Azusa Noguchi, Hideyasu Takato, Tsutomu Sasamoto
  • Patent number: 8547425
    Abstract: The diagnosability of diseased parts is improved by precisely correcting fluorescence images without being affected by specular reflection and without being affected by thick blood vessels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Yasushige Ishihara
  • Publication number: 20130250079
    Abstract: A fluorescence endoscope apparatus includes an illuminating portion radiating excitation light and illumination light onto an imaging subject; a fluorescence imaging portion acquiring a fluorescence image by capturing fluorescence emitted at the imaging subject due to the irradiation with the excitation light; a storage portion storing the fluorescence image; a return-light imaging portion acquiring a return-light image by capturing return light returning from the imaging subject due to the irradiation with the illumination light; an image-information extracting portion extracting, from the return-light image, image information that expresses the intensity of the illumination light; a number-of-integrated-images setting portion setting a number of integrated images so that the number is decreased with an increase in the intensity of the illumination light, based on the image information; and an average-image generating portion generating an average image by averaging the stored fluorescence images in a number
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventors: Kazunari NAKAMURA, Motohiro MITAMURA
  • Publication number: 20130242070
    Abstract: A multiple capsule camera apparatus is disclosed to enhance the rate of detection and/or extend the overall imaging period. The multiple capsule camera apparatus coordinates the operations of the camera according to a schedule so that one camera may enter an active mode when the other camera is anticipated to have a low battery level. The capsule cameras may also coordinate their operations by communication with each other through a wireless link. A base station may also be used to coordinate the capsule camera operations with a wireless link established between the base station and each capsule camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Capso Vision, Inc.
    Inventor: Kang-Huai Wang
  • Patent number: 8537210
    Abstract: A light source device for an endoscope, characterized by having a light source for supplying illuminating light to an object, endoscope connection unit optically connected to an endoscope that has discrimination information for discriminating the kind of endoscope, discrimination unit for discriminating the endoscope based on the discrimination information of the endoscope connected to the endoscope connection unit, change unit for the changing illumination condition of the illuminating light, and control unit for controlling the change unit based on the result of discrimination by the discrimination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Omori, Mutsumi Ohshima, Yasukazu Kogen, Tomoya Takahashi, Atsushi Shimada
  • Publication number: 20130235177
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takaaki SAITO
  • Patent number: 8531512
    Abstract: In an endoscope apparatus of the present invention, while observing a body cavity tissue under narrowband light via a second filter group of a rotating filter, a G2 filter section, B2 filter section, and shading filter section change illumination light to narrowband surface-sequential light of two bands of discrete spectral characteristics, and an image-capturing signal captured by a CCD via the B filter section constitutes a band image having superficial layer tissue information, and an image-capturing signal captured by a CCD via the G filter section constitutes a band image having intermediate layer tissue information. This produces tissue information of a desired depth in the vicinity of a superficial portion of a mucous membrane using an inexpensive and simple configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Gono, Mutsumi Ohshima, Shoichi Amano, Kenji Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8531510
    Abstract: An endoscope apparatus having a plurality of observation modes includes: an objective optical system including a moving lens; a CCD that picks up an image of an object via the objective optical system; a contour enhancement section that performs contour enhancement of the image outputted from the CCD and outputs contour component signals; a signal value comparison section that compares a maximum value of the contour component signals and a predetermined threshold value according to the observation mode; a focusing evaluation section that determines a focusing state by determining a signal distribution of the contour component signals; and an actuator drive section that controls movement of the moving lens based on the focusing state determined by the focusing evaluation section and a result of the comparison by the signal value comparison section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventor: Tomoki Iwasaki
  • Publication number: 20130229505
    Abstract: There is provided an endoscope apparatus capable of stably and precisely measuring a distance to an object by suppressing variations in measured values of the distance to the object depending on the presence or absence of pigment dispersion or the like and capable of enabling observations based on clear and high quality images. The endoscope apparatus includes an optical system that condenses light from an object and simultaneously forms two optical images having the same characteristics with difference only in focal point; an imaging element that captures the two optical images formed by the optical system and acquires two images; and a calculation unit that obtains distance information corresponding to a distance to the object based on a contrast ratio of the two images in a range in which the two images acquired by the imaging element have a common contrast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Inventor: Mitsujiro Konno
  • Patent number: 8526076
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus includes a light source that generates light used for reading an image and a light guide body which extends in a predetermined direction and onto which the light from the light source is incident. The light guide body includes a pair of first faces that reflect the light so as to cause the light to direct to an image reading region from directions different from one another, a second face which emits the light directing from the first faces toward the image reading region and onto which the light reflected from the image reading region is incident, and a third face which emits the light that is incident from the second face and passes between the pair of first faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Sasuke Endoh
  • Patent number: 8487987
    Abstract: A camera adaptor (19) is provided for connecting a camera (21) to an interface (13) of a medical-optical observation instrument (1) with a parallel beam path. The interface (13) is situated in the parallel beam path (9a, 9b) of the medical-optical observation instrument (1). The camera adaptor (19) has an instrument connector part (41) for connection to the interface (13) of the medical-optical observation instrument (1) and a camera connector part (43, 143) for connection to a camera (21). The beam path (43) runs through the camera adaptor (19) along a linear optical axis. The camera adaptor (19) has an objective-lenses combination (47) with a total focal length between 40 mm and 120 mm. A lens with a positive partial focal length leading on the instrument side in the objective-lenses combination (47) and is followed, on the side toward the camera, by a lens with a negative partial focal length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Stefan Schute, Artur Hoegele
  • Patent number: 8480563
    Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes: an endoscope that generates an image of an object; a display portion that displays the image and a cursor that designates a position on an image based on the image; a characteristic quantity calculating portion that calculates, based on the image, a characteristic quantity of the image on the basis of the position designated by the cursor; and a control portion that controls movement of the cursor in accordance with the characteristic quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Sumito Nakano
  • Publication number: 20130169775
    Abstract: An endoscope system according to the present invention includes: a CMOS imaging element; a timing generator and an AFE unit that are provided on a board connected to a light receiving unit and reads pixel information by causing the pixel information to be output from a pixel designated as a target to be read in the CMOS imaging element; a control circuit that is provided on the board and controls a pixel information output process by a light receiving unit and a pixel information reading process by the timing generator and the AFE unit; and an abnormality determining unit that determines whether there is an abnormality in the pixel information read by the timing generator and the AFE unit and outputs, to the control circuit, a notification signal for causing the control circuit to execute control on an occurrence of the abnormality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventor: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
  • Publication number: 20130169776
    Abstract: In a control circuit apparatus and an endoscope apparatus circuit disposition in which the outer edge of the first overheating region and the outer edge of the second overheating region approach the outer edge of the first overheating region and the outer edge of the second overheating region to an extreme in a state in which the outer edge of the first overheating region and the outer edge of the second overheating region do not overlap the outer edge of the first overheating region and the outer edge of the second overheating region serves as circuit disposition having a minimum mounting area on a substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Olympus Corporation
  • Publication number: 20130172675
    Abstract: A processor includes: first to third matrix circuits that generate an image signal of normal light and an image signal of special light based on an output of a CCD that picks up an image of returning light of light that is irradiated onto living tissue; a color discrimination circuit that discriminates a color tone for respective pixels in accordance with a luminance level of an image signal of the special light; and a color correction circuit that, in an observation mode that uses special light, if an observation object other than living tissue is discriminated as being a red color tone based on the color discrimination circuit, performs color correction to a yellow color tone that is similar to a color tone that the observation object other than living tissue is discriminated as being in an observation mode that uses normal light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventor: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
  • Patent number: 8477183
    Abstract: Under usual conditions, a first computation unit computes/outputs a first light adjustment signal in accordance with a photometric signal, and a second computation unit performs control of at least part of the endoscope system. The second computation unit computes/outputs the second light adjustment signal in accordance with the photometric signal together with the at least partial control while suppressing an increase in a processing load when an abnormality has occurred in the first computation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Yugo Koizumi, Susumu Kawata, Takahiro Tanabe, Toru Shinoda, Akira Sambongi
  • Patent number: 8477235
    Abstract: An image processing device for detecting a skin region representing a skin of a subject from a pickup image obtained by imaging said subject, the image processing device includes: a first irradiating section; a second irradiating section; an image pickup section; an adjusting section; and a skin detecting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Mitani, Nobuhiro Saijo
  • Publication number: 20130162789
    Abstract: An endoscope including a tube, a wafer-level imaging module, a holder and a light source is provided. The wafer-level imaging module is coupled to a distal end of the tube. The holder is disposed to house the wafer-level imaging module. The light source is bonded on the surface of the holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: HIMAX IMAGING LIMITED
    Inventors: Yi-Chen Chou, Yung-Che Chung
  • Publication number: 20130155215
    Abstract: Scanning endoscope device including a light source unit that repeatedly emits a plurality of illumination beams in different wavelength bands in a certain order with a predetermined repetition period; a light guiding section that has an emission surface; a driving section that oscillates the emission surface in two axial directions in a reciprocating manner to two-dimensionally scan the illumination beams; a controller that controls the source unit and/or the driving section so that an oscillation period and a oscillation amplitude of the emission surface are proportional to the period of the illumination beams, and that controls the driving section so that the oscillation period periodically and gradually changes and the oscillation period is proportional to the oscillation amplitude; a light detecting section that detects return beams; and an image generating section that generates images of the return beams in synchronization with the predetermined period of the source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventor: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
  • Publication number: 20130113906
    Abstract: In a special mode, an internal body portion is imaged under a first white light beam to obtain a first frame composed of blue, green, and red signals. Sequentially, the body portion is imaged under a second white light beam to obtain a second frame composed of blue, green, and red signals. An oxygen saturation level is calculated from the signals. A special image is produced based on the oxygen saturation level. A displacement between the first and second frames is calculated from the signals. If the displacement is a first allowable value or more and less than a second allowable value, the special image is displayed with a lower chroma on a monitor, as compared with a case where the displacement is less than the first allowable value. If the displacement is the second allowable value or more, the special image is converted into a gray scale image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: FUJIFILM Corporation
  • Publication number: 20130113907
    Abstract: Provided is a fluorescence observation apparatus including an illumination unit that irradiates an object with illumination light and excitation light; a fluorescence-image acquisition unit that captures an image of the fluorescence generated by the object, thereby acquiring a fluorescence image; a return-light-image acquisition unit that captures an image of the return light returning from the object, thereby acquiring a return-light image; a light-distribution-characteristics-information storage unit that stores information with regard to the light distribution characteristics of optical systems; an image correcting unit that corrects at least one of the fluorescence image and the return-light image using the information so that the light distribution characteristics contained in the fluorescence image and the return-light image are made equal to each other; and an image normalizing unit that normalizes the fluorescence image on the basis of the return-light image, using the corrected fluorescence image and
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Olympus Corporation
  • Publication number: 20130100264
    Abstract: An endoscopic imaging system includes an endoscope, a light source assembly coupled to the endoscope that transmits light to the endoscope for illuminating a region of interest, an imaging unit coupled to the light source assembly that receives light through the endoscope reflected from the region of interest, a first power module coupled to the light source assembly that provides electrical power to the light source assembly, and a second and different power module coupled to the imaging unit that provides electrical power to the imaging unit. Other imaging systems and a method are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventors: Yuri Kazakevich, Tung Van Le
  • Patent number: 8427533
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus of the present invention varies optical properties by moving a part of lenses of an objective lens, and includes a solid-state image pickup device unit that is disposed at a rear-end section and that subjects a subject image to photoelectric conversion, a fixed lens frame that retains the objective lens that is disposed in front of the solid-state image pickup device unit, a movable lens frame that retains the part of lenses that moves along a photographing optical axis O inside the lens frame, and an actuator having one end connected to the movable lens frame and that moves the movable lens frame forward and backward. The actuator includes a rigid member provided so as to extend to the vicinity of the rear end at which the solid-state image pickup device unit is disposed and a shape memory alloy that is coupled to the rigid member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Seiji Sakai, Tomoaki Yamashita, Masahiro Kawauchi, Takahiko Mitani, Yuuya Ishida, Seiji Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 8427534
    Abstract: A processor for an electronic endoscope, which is configured to be connected with a videoscope adapted to generate a picture signal for an image of an observed object through color adjustment using color adjustment data and to transmit the generated picture signal to the processor, the processor includes a light source configured to emit light for illuminating the observed object, a determining unit configured to determine whether the color adjustment data used by the videoscope is adapted to the light source, a color conversion data acquiring unit configured to acquire color conversion data adapted to the color adjustment data when the determining unit determines that the color adjustment data is not adapted to the light source, and a color converter configured to perform color conversion for the picture signal transmitted by the videoscope using the color conversion data acquired by the color conversion data acquiring unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventor: Yosuke Tashiro
  • Patent number: 8411131
    Abstract: The present invention is a portable camera and lighting unit for standalone use in videography to create a high-resolution well-illuminated video feed from a vast array of camera angles and positions, the illumination source always inherently tracking with the camera. The unit may also be used as a satellite in combination with a primary video conferencing and production station (VVPR) for multi-camera production and teleconferencing capabilities. The portable camera and lighting unit includes a portable base, a mast extending upward from the base, and an articulating boom that is fully-pivotable and extendable. A remote control Pan-Tilt-Zoom camera is mounted at the end of the boom for overhead images of healthcare procedures, and an adjustable beam light source is mounted directly on the camera for lighting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Inventor: Simon P. King
  • Publication number: 20130070071
    Abstract: In the field of videoendoscopes for medical or industrial use, a videoendoscope has a bispectral optical head comprising a microcamera, white light lighting means and fluorescence light lighting means. The optical head is linked by appropriate electrical and optical connectors to the other elements of the videoendoscope. Preferably, it comprises inexpensive standard elements and is packaged in a single-use sterile packaging. There are different possible embodiments depending on whether the optical head comprises a single sensor or two sensors, depending on whether the device operates in continuous mode or in sequential mode and, finally, depending on whether the light sources are incorporated in the optical head or external thereto, the light being then routed by means of optical fibres.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: Commissariat a I'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Philippe PELTIE, Jérôme BOUTET, Philippe RIZO
  • Patent number: 8400500
    Abstract: An endoscope that has an insertion portion that is inserted into an interior of an object and an image pickup device that is provided in the insertion portion, and that observes the interior of the object via the image pickup device, includes: a first LED unit that is provided in the insertion portion and has an LED chip that is used to irradiate light into the interior of the object; a second LED unit that is provided in the insertion portion and has an LED chip that is used to irradiate light into the interior of the object; and an alternating conduction control unit that conducts power alternatingly to the first LED unit and the second LED unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuo Hirata
  • Patent number: 8390679
    Abstract: A capsule endoscope device includes an illumination unit that illuminates a living tissue using at least one of a white light illumination unit and a special light illumination unit; an imaging unit that captures an image of the tissue; a transmission unit that transmits imaging information containing the image; a storage unit that stores a threshold with respect to information on a distance between the endoscope and the tissue; a detection unit that detects the information; and an output unit that compares the information with the threshold, selects an image capturing condition of a special light observation mode if the distance is not larger than the threshold, selects an image capturing condition of a normal light observation mode if the distance is larger than the threshold, and outputs the selected image capturing condition to an operation unit related to image capturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignees: Olympus Medical Systems Corp., Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Akio Uchiyama, Tetsuo Minai, Shinsuke Tanaka, Takeshi Suga, Tatsuya Orihara, Kazuaki Tamura
  • Publication number: 20130050456
    Abstract: An imaging device includes: an imaging module configured to have a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements corresponding to a frame composed of a plurality of lines, with start of an accumulation period of electric charge by the plural photoelectric conversion elements being different depending on each of the lines, and reading the accumulated electric charge to repeatedly output the read electric charge as an image signal; a light source configured to irradiate an imaging range of the imaging module; and a controller configured to control an irradiation time of the light source according to a motion of an image captured by the imaging module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Tetsuo Sakurai, Bin Qi
  • Publication number: 20130038711
    Abstract: A capsule endoscope system includes a capsule endoscope which attaches irradiation time of illuminating light required to pick up an image of an object to an item of image data, a magnetic field generating apparatus which generates a guidance magnetic field, an operation section which allows at least one of position and orientation of the capsule endoscope to be changed by manipulating the guidance magnetic field, a control section which attaches posture of a subject, an operating history of the operation section, and an output history of the guidance magnetic field to the item of the image data, a storage unit which stores the item of the image data, and an image play control section which determines, based on at least one piece of the information attached to each item of the image data, whether or not it is necessary to play and display the item of the image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventors: Ryoji SATO, Atsushi CHIBA
  • Patent number: 8368747
    Abstract: A device for optical characterization of a sample is provided, the sample being accommodated in a receptacle container transparent to light. The device includes a camera, using which the sample may be detected, and a first light source is situated in such a way that the sample is transilluminated opposite to the viewing direction of the camera, a second light source is situated on the same side as the camera, and a laser source is situated transversely to the viewing direction of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Brinz, Thomas Seiffert
  • Patent number: 8363097
    Abstract: An endoscopic imaging system includes an endoscope, a light source assembly coupled to the endoscope that transmits light to the endoscope for illuminating a region of interest, an imaging unit coupled to the light source assembly that receives light through the endoscope reflected from the region of interest, a first power module coupled to the light source assembly that provides electrical power to the light source assembly, and a second and different power module coupled to the imaging unit that provides electrical power to the imaging unit. Other imaging systems and a method are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuri Kazakevich, Tung Van Le
  • Publication number: 20130016200
    Abstract: A method and apparatus where the output from a high intensity light source is controlled to produce well-exposed images/videos and to reduce automatically the intensity when an unsafe issue is detected in medical devices such as endoscopes and the like. The method and apparatus overcome problems to control light sources that have high-frequency noise, slow-response time, nonlinearity, and non-monotonic response time and to protect the patients' tissues from possible overheating/burning and the eyes of personnel and patients from possible direct exposure to high intensity light used in medical devices such as endoscopes and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventor: Vladimir I. Ovod
  • Patent number: 8345084
    Abstract: A system includes a first prism pair that converts beams emitted from a subject and having two substantially parallel optical axes arranged side-by-side in one direction into beams arranged side-by-side in a direction intersecting the aforementioned side-by-side direction; and a second prism pair that performs conversion to reduce the distance between the optical axes of the two beams converted by the first prism pair and that has exit surfaces arranged side-by-side in a direction perpendicular to the side-by-side arrangement direction before entering the first prism pair. The first prism pair includes a first parallelogram prism that reflects, twice, the beam containing one of the two optical axes in a first plane containing one of the optical axes, and a second parallelogram prism that reflects, twice, the beam containing the other of the two optical axes in a second plane containing the other optical axis and parallel to the first plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Yasushi Namii, Hideyasu Takato
  • Patent number: 8345090
    Abstract: A fluoroscopy apparatus includes an illumination portion irradiating an observation target with illumination light; a fluorescence image acquisition device acquires fluorescence emitted from an observation target to acquire a fluorescence image; a fluorescence image-acquisition optical system forms an image of the observation target using the fluorescence; a reference-light image acquisition device acquires returning light from the observation region to acquire a reference image; a reference-light image-acquisition optical system forms an image using the returning light; and an image correction section corrects the fluorescence image by the reference image, wherein the product of an pixel density of the reference-light image acquisition device and the image-forming magnification of the reference-light image-acquisition optical system is less than the product of the pixel density of the fluorescence image acquisition device and the image-forming magnification of the fluorescence image-acquisition optical syste
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Watanabe, Yasushige Ishihara
  • Patent number: 8334900
    Abstract: Described herein is a novel 3-D optical imaging system based on active stereo vision and motion tracking for to tracking the motion of patient and for registering the time-sequenced images of suspicious lesions recorded during endoscopic or colposcopic examinations. The system quantifies the acetic acid induced optical signals associated with early cancer development. The system includes at least one illuminating light source for generating light illuminating a portion of an object, at least one structured light source for projecting a structured light pattern on the portion of the object, at least one camera for imaging the portion of the object and the structured light pattern, and means for generating a quantitative measurement of an acetic acid-induced change of the portion of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Jianan Qu, Tao Wu
  • Publication number: 20120307029
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for wirelessly synchronizing operation of an image sensor of an endoscopic video camera unit having a wireless transmitter with operation of a portable endoscopic light source unit includes transmitting a message packet with a target camera shutter period, light source target phase/trigger time/OFF time and light source target ON time to the light source unit. The light source unit controls the start time and the ON time for light output by a light source. The video camera unit includes a light detector for detecting the actual light source start time and duration of light output to provide closed-loop feedback. A camera controller ensures synchronization between the shutter period of the image sensor and actual operation of the light source based on the actual phase and actual ON time sensed by the light detector and the previously communicated target phase/trigger time/OFF time and target ON time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventor: Vasudev Nambakam
  • Patent number: 8314834
    Abstract: An endoscope device including an insertion part including an observation optical system and a measuring optical system, wherein the endoscope device is provided with a characteristic value comparing circuit which compares previous characteristic values and current characteristic values to identify previous characteristic values corresponding to the current characteristic values, and when storing the current characteristic values, current characteristic values corresponding to the previous characteristic values, identified by the characteristic value comparing circuit, are stored in a storage circuit together with various information. According to the invention, for inspecting turbine blades of jet engines, automation (labor-saving) of the inspection process by reducing the number of the inspection steps is realized and the difficulty in the inspection of analysis areas is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Yutaka Konomura
  • Patent number: 8310604
    Abstract: A visual inspection apparatus can include a handset, elongated inspection tube extending from the handset and a light source bank disposed within a hand held housing of the handset. For reduction of heat energy radiating from the light source bank, the apparatus can include one or more of a thermal control system and a particularly designed heat sink assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies, LP
    Inventors: James J. Delmonico, Marjorie L. Buerkle, Thomas W. Karpen, Joseph V. Lopez, Joshua Lynn Scott, Dennis W. McEnery
  • Patent number: 8305432
    Abstract: Scanning beam device calibration using a calibration pattern is disclosed. In one aspect, a method may include acquiring an image of a calibration pattern using a scanning beam device. The acquired image may be compared with a representation of the calibration pattern. The scanning beam device may be calibrated based on the comparison. Software and apparatus to perform these and other calibration methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: University of Washington
    Inventor: Richard S. Johnston
  • Patent number: 8300092
    Abstract: An in-vivo image acquiring apparatus includes an operation control unit which controls a black image acquiring operation, in which the operation control unit controls an imaging unit and an illuminating unit in such a manner the imaging unit conducts an image acquiring operation in a state the illuminating unit does not conduct an illuminating operation. The in-vivo image acquiring apparatus also includes an average calculating unit which calculates the average value of pixel value in a predetermined determining area, and a black image determining unit, which determines whether the image information acquired by the image acquiring operation is the black image by comparing the average value with a predetermined threshold value. The image information determined as the black image by the black image determining unit is transmitted, as the black image information, to an external apparatus by radio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventor: Seiichiro Kimoto
  • Patent number: 8294755
    Abstract: A light source apparatus capable of controlling a quantity of light in a stable manner and an endoscope apparatus including the light source apparatus are provided. The light source apparatus includes a light source and a light quantity adjusting portion for limiting the light flux from the light source using an aperture blade. The light quantity adjusting portion includes the aperture blade which is driven to rotate in a vertical plane about a pivot and has a center of gravity which is decentered from the pivot, a position detecting portion for detecting a position of the aperture blade, a driving portion, and a light source controlling portion for controlling the driving portion. The light source controlling portion controls the driving portion based on the position of the aperture blade and a rotation direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventor: Kyosuke Mizuno
  • Patent number: 8294761
    Abstract: An apparatus for the inspection a vehicle component to detect the presence of a part defect and a method for performing the inspection. According to one embodiment, the apparatus for inspecting the vehicle component comprises: a camera having a lens; a borescope having a first end and a second end, the first end operatively disposed adjacent the camera and the second end having a mirror disposed therein; and a light source for supplying light to the borescope whereby the mirror is operative to reflect an image of an area of the vehicle component to be inspected to the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes Company
    Inventors: Jody A. McKinley, Robert Zepfel
  • Publication number: 20120262560
    Abstract: A device, system, and method for activating and initializing an in vivo imaging device with an RF radiation signal. Functionality of the in vivo imaging device is tested and results may be reported to a user. The in vivo imaging device may include an RF switch to facilitate powering or deactivation of one or more electrical components of the device. The initialization system may include an optical artifact testing unit, a field of illumination testing unit, and a transmission/reception testing unit. The activation system may comprise an in vivo device association unit which may relate a designated device to a single data recorder or to a single controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventors: Micha Nisani, Ido Bettesh, Boaz Aizenshtark, Eli Horn
  • Publication number: 20120257029
    Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes a CCD that picks up an image of an object to be examined, an image processing section that generates, based on an image pickup signal obtained by the CCD, an average image signal, which is an average value of weighted pixel values, from image pickup signals of at least two or more narrow band wavelengths, generates a first image signal with a high-frequency component suppressed with respect to the average image signal, generates a difference image signal, which is a difference value of the weighted pixel values, from image pickup signals of predetermined two narrow band wavelengths, and generates a second image signal with a high-frequency component suppressed with respect to the difference image signal, and an observation monitor that allocates the first image signal and the second image signal to one or more predetermined color channels and performs display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventors: Makoto IGARASHI, Kenji YAMAZAKI
  • Patent number: 8284244
    Abstract: A user system includes a log read-out section for reading out setting state log data, a log data sending section for sending the setting state log data, and a restoration operation activating section for receiving a restore command and performs a restoration operation. A remote operation system includes a log data receiving section for receiving the setting state log data, a log data analyzing section for analyzing the setting state log data, a communication requesting section for requesting sending of the setting state log data, and a restore command sending section for sending a restore command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Tomoki Iwasaki, Susumu Kawata
  • Patent number: 8269824
    Abstract: An illuminator of an electronic endoscope system is provided with a light emission mechanism that consists of a light source emitting white light as general illumination light and an optical chopper that turns a disc at a revolution speed in front of the light source. The disc consists of transparent glass sectors and filter sectors. Each time the general illumination light passes through the filter sectors, the illuminator emits specific illumination light having different spectral characteristics from those of the general illumination light, so a CCD outputs two kinds of image signals under the general illumination light and the specific illumination light. A spectral image producer produces a spectral image of arbitrary wavelength bands from the two kinds of image signals, whereas a general image producer produces a general image from those image signals captured under the general illumination light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhide Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20120229615
    Abstract: There is provided herein a circuit board assembly for a tip section of a multi-camera endoscope comprising a camera circuit board configured to carry at least one front-pointing camera and at least one side-pointing camera, a flexible illuminator circuit board comprising at least one foldable panel and configured to carry at least one front illuminator for essentially illuminating the field of view (FOV) of the front-pointing camera and at least one side illuminator for essentially illuminating the FOV of the side-pointing camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: PEER MEDICAL LTD.
    Inventors: Yaniv KIRMA, Moshe LEVI, Leonid KRIVOPISK, Avi LEVY
  • Patent number: 8259167
    Abstract: A scattering medium internal observation apparatus according to the present invention includes: a light source; an illuminating apparatus that guides light from the light source to an observation object that is a scattering body; and an observation optical system for observing the observation object illuminated by the illuminating apparatus, wherein the illuminating apparatus has a light-guiding member that guides light from the light source to a surface of the observation object, and a light-shielding member that covers the surface of the observation object and which shields light reflected or scattered in the vicinity of the light-guiding member of the observation object is disposed in the vicinity of an end portion of the light-guiding member on an observation object-side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignees: Olympus Medical Systems Corp., Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ishiwata, Hiroyuki Nishida, Keiji Handa, Kenji Harano, Daisuke Asada
  • Publication number: 20120212595
    Abstract: An optical endoluminal far-field microscopic imaging catheter comprises a light generating system, a first light delivery conduit for propagating light generated by the light generating system and a light distributor configured to redirect light propagated by the delivery conduit into a direction of an object to be imaged. A discriminator is configured for capturing light reflected from the object incident on a window of the discriminator from a particular direction and transmitting only the light captured from the particular direction to a second light delivery conduit. A drive mechanism is configured to sweep the window through a plurality of directions in a predictable pattern for matching each light capture event in the window with a direction of the window during the event. An analyzer matches the direction of the window with an associated light capture event and generate a visible image based on a mosaic of the captured light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventors: Jaywant Philip Parmar, Richard W. Mead, Matthew David Fate