Abstract: An image processing device includes a special light image acquisition section that acquires an image including an object image that includes information in a specific wavelength band as a special light image, an attention area detection section that detects an attention area based on a feature quantity of each pixel of the special light image, a disappearance determination section that determines whether or not the attention area has disappeared from a display target area based on a detection result for the attention area, the display target area being an area displayed on an output section, a guide information generation section that generates guide information about the attention area that has disappeared based on a determination result of the disappearance determination section, and an output control section that controls output of information including the guide information generated by the guide information generation section.

Abstract: An endoscope is provided having a video compiler and a recorder. The video compiler continuously receives image signals and creates a video file with the image signals. The recorder receives and stores the video file. The video compiler writes a flag into the video file when a first event occurs.

Abstract: An endoscope system is provided with: an endoscope apparatus capable of recording a picked-up endoscopic image; a memory card attachable to and detachable from the endoscope apparatus, the memory card transmitting the picked-up endoscopic image; and a PC or a mobile terminal having a function of communicating with the memory card and recording the endoscopic image transmitted from the memory card. The endoscope apparatus, and the PC or the mobile terminal are connected via wireless communication. When freeze processing is executed, the endoscope apparatus transmits an endoscopic image from the endoscope apparatus to the PC or the mobile terminal.

Abstract: An endoscope system includes an imaging apparatus that outputs, as image information, an electrical signal photoelectrically converted from a plurality of pixels, outside the imaging apparatus, and a processing apparatus that is connected to the imaging apparatus so as to bi-directionally communicate with the imaging apparatus. The imaging apparatus includes a first recording unit that records identification information for identifying the imaging apparatus. The processing apparatus includes a second recording unit that records correction information for correcting characteristics of the imaging apparatus in association with the identification information, and a control unit that acquires, from the second recording unit, the correction information corresponding to the identification information received from the imaging apparatus and transmits the correction information to the imaging apparatus.

Abstract: A medical information recording apparatus includes: an input portion that includes a plurality of input terminals and into which a medical image can be inputted from a plurality of image pickup apparatuses, and that detects whether the medical image is inputted through any input terminal among the plurality of input terminals and outputs a detection result; a screen synthesis portion that performs synthesis processing according to one synthesis pattern among a predefined plurality of synthesis patterns for one or more of the medical images inputted through the plurality of input terminals, determines a medical scene or changing of the medical scene based on a detection result of the input portion, switches the synthesis pattern based on a determination result, and outputs a synthesized image based on the one or more medical images that are inputted; and a recording processing portion that records the synthesized image as a single image file.

Abstract: This is an endoscope apparatus which has an endoscope which picks up an image of a sample using a solid state image pickup element and outputs an image pickup signal, and a processor which processes the above-mentioned image pickup signal, generates HDTV and SDTV serial digital video signals, switches one side of those selectively, and performs a serial output, in which the serial digital video signal switched selectively by the above-mentioned processor is output through a first connector, the above-mentioned processor is equipped with a discrimination signal generating section which is linked with selection switching of the above-mentioned HDTV or SDTV serial digital video signal to generate an HDTV/SDTV discrimination signal which can discriminate the above-mentioned HDTV or SDTV serial digital video signal, and the discrimination signal is output through a second connector different from the above-mentioned first connector.

Abstract: A medical apparatus system includes: an image generating section that generates an image in an observation field of view obtained from an observing section including an objective lens; an information collecting section that collects information of a treatment instrument; a distortion setting section that sets virtual distortion on the outside of the observation field of view from a characteristic of distortion of the objective lens; a distorted image generating section that generates a distorted image on the outside of the observation field of view with respect to the treatment instrument; and an image combining section that generates a combined image such that an image of the treatment instrument on the inside of the observation field of view and a distorted image of the treatment instrument coincide with each other in a boundary of the observation field of view.

Abstract: A wireless operating room communication system provides wireless transmission of video signals from a wireless camera or a wireless transmitter unit to a portable wireless display unit. A wireless multiple device control unit is in wireless communication with the transmitter unit, the display unit, and a plurality of surgical devices disposed within the operating room. Each of the surgical devices has a video receiver to obtain a video signal to synchronize the devices and units. The video transmitter unit has a video transmitter and the other units or devices have a non-video transmitter. The arrangement enables transmission of device control signals on the same channel as the video signal. In response to changes in bandwidth, the video transmitter unit reduces the video signal to enable transmission thereof to the video display unit, while maintaining robustness of the control signals.

Abstract: In a transmission device used in a wireless video transmission system in which a medical image is transmitted and received by radio communication, a transmission unit is capable of performing radio communication with a plurality of receiving devices connected to a plurality of display apparatuses. A control unit acquires an identifier for identifying a receiving device connected to a selected single display apparatus when an instruction is received to select one display apparatus on which the medical image is to be displayed from among the display apparatuses, and controls the transmission unit such that the identifier will be used when the medical image is transmitted.

Abstract: In an image managing apparatus connected to: an image processing apparatus receiving an image signal from an imaging apparatus capturing a medical examination image; and an image recording apparatus recording a captured image, an apparatus information storage stores an image processing apparatus type. An apparatus ID acquiring unit acquires an image processing apparatus identifier from the connected image processing apparatus. An apparatus type acquiring unit reads out the type of the connected image processing apparatus based on the image processing apparatus identifier acquired by the apparatus ID acquiring unit. If the image processing apparatus type read by the apparatus type acquiring unit indicates that the apparatus can transmit an image file directly to the image recording apparatus, a file acquiring unit reads out from the image recording apparatus an image file that the image processing apparatus stores directly in the image recording apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating a shape of an insertion portion includes an insertion portion, an acceleration calculation unit calculating acceleration at measurement points, and a determination unit which determines whether the measurement points move. The apparatus further includes an attitude information calculation unit calculating attitude information of the measurement points in a resting state, an attitude estimation unit estimating a movement period attitude, a movement vector calculation unit calculating a movement vector of the measurement points, and a position calculation unit calculating a position of the measurement points. The apparatus further includes an image generation unit generating a display image expressing the position and the movement vector.

Abstract: A medical information recording apparatus includes: a control section that controls moving image recording of a medical image from a medical apparatus; a first recording processing section that records the medical image in a first recording region over an entire first period under the control of the control section; and a second recording processing section that, when a signal based on an operation by a user is provided in the first period, records a copy of the medical image in a second recording region in a predetermined second period according to a timing of the operation by the user and merges with each other a plurality of copies of the medical image generated as a result of the operation being performed by the user a plurality of times, under the control of the control section.

Abstract: An endoscopic image processing apparatus includes an endoscope information reading section that reads endoscope information that is information relating to an endoscope from the endoscope, a synchronizing signal detecting section that is given an image pickup signal that includes a synchronizing signal outputted by an image pickup device provided in the endoscope from the endoscope, performs detection processing of the synchronizing signal, outputs the detected synchronizing signal when the synchronizing signal can be detected, and generates and outputs a synchronizing signal based on the endoscope information read by the endoscope information reading section when the synchronizing signal cannot be detected, and an image signal generating section that generates an image signal based on the synchronizing signal outputted from the synchronizing signal detecting section and the image pickup signal outputted from the image pickup device of the endoscope.

Abstract: An intestinal peristalsis detecting device comprises a radio frequency (RF) signal generator, an antenna, and a mixer. After the RF signal generator sends a pulse signal, the antenna receives the pulse signal and emits a pulse electromagnetic wave to an organism. Thereafter, the antenna receives a response pulse electromagnetic wave reflected from the organism to generate a response pulse signal. The mixer couples with the RF signal generator and the antenna to mix the pulse signal and the response pulse signal.

Abstract: In an image managing apparatus connected to: an image processing apparatus receiving an image signal from an imaging apparatus capturing a medical examination image; and an image recording apparatus recording a captured image, an apparatus information storage stores an image processing apparatus type. An apparatus ID acquiring unit acquires an image processing apparatus identifier from the connected image processing apparatus. An apparatus type acquiring unit reads out the type of the connected image processing apparatus based on the image processing apparatus identifier acquired by the apparatus ID acquiring unit. If the image processing apparatus type read by the apparatus type acquiring unit indicates that the apparatus can transmit an image file directly to the image recording apparatus, a file acquiring unit reads out from the image recording apparatus an image file that the image processing apparatus stores directly in the image recording apparatus.

Abstract: The invention is a medical platform system that overcomes many of the shortcomings of current systems. The novel platform provides simultaneous image display and capture, network based wireless control, preferably by way of a web browser, and the capacity to acquire surgeon specific setting by way of removable storage devices.

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.

Abstract: A capsule endoscope is swallowed by a patient, to capture images from inner wall surfaces of patient's digestive tract, while detecting imaging positions of the capsule endoscope. A doctor observes the images captured by the capsule endoscope, to select an aimed point image that contains a portion suspected of a lesion, and some images that represent pass points on an insertion route of a balloon endoscope. While a probing tip of the balloon endoscope is being inserted into the patient for the sake of thorough examination of the suspected portion, a degree of similarity between an image captured by the balloon endoscope and an image of a destination point, which is one of the pass points and the aimed point, is detected to judge by the similarity whether the probing tip has reached the destination point or not. So the doctor can get the probing tip to the aimed point easily.

Abstract: A medical apparatus includes: a first image pickup section that is fixed to a body wall and picks up an image of an inside of a body cavity; a recording section that records in advance, in preparation for a case in which a predetermined image change occurs in a first image picked up by the first image pickup section, a predetermined image area in the first image or a coordinate for specifying the predetermined image area; and a display section that displays, when the predetermined image change occurs in the first image, the image area or the coordinate recorded in the recording section to be superimposed on the first image picked up by the first image pickup section.

Abstract: Systems and methods for combining tomographic images with human vision. The systems preferably include a first assembly located proximal to an object to be imaged and a second assembly remote from the target. The first assembly is preferably able to collect a tomographic image from a target object and superimpose that tomographic image onto a direct view of the target object. The first assembly also includes components that allow the transmission of the tomographic image to the remote assembly. At the remote location, a highly trained expert may interact with the captured image by placing electronic markers on the image via an electronic interface. The captured image plus electronic marker are then preferably transmitted back to the local site via a second transmitter-receiver. The local user may use the electronic marker to guide his actions during the appropriate task.

Abstract: An endoscope signal processor to which an endoscope having an image pickup device is detachably connected has a phase-locked loop circuit in which a phase comparator compares a phase of a variable clock with that of a reference clock output from the image pickup device to generate a variable clock phase-synchronized with the reference clock. The processor includes a gate section opened or closed to input of the reference clock to the phase comparator, an operation control signal generation section which generates an operation control signal for setting the phase-locked loop circuit in a closed loop operable state during intermittent periods, and a sync timing setting section which synchronizes a timing of starting the generation of the operation control signal with a timing of input of the variable clock to the phase comparator at least within a predetermined time period shorter than the cycle of the variable clock.

Abstract: A capsule medical device guidance system including a magnetic field generator that generates either a trapping magnetic field that attracts a magnetic field response unit at any position on a horizontal plane and traps a capsule medical device or a gradient magnetic field that has a substantially uniform magnetic field gradient and forces the magnetic field response unit. When the control unit switches the magnetic field from the trapping magnetic field to the gradient magnetic field, a control unit causes a storage unit to store a generation position on the horizontal plane, and when the control unit switches a magnetic field from the gradient magnetic field to the trapping magnetic field, the control unit causes the magnetic field generator to generate the trapping magnetic field at the position stored in the storage unit.

Abstract: An SSG circuit section is composed of: a memory storing correction information for correcting a transmission characteristic of an image pickup signal in a transmission path; a readout circuit for reading out the correction information stored in the memory; and an SSG for generating a drive signal to be outputted from a driving circuit and a sampling pulse to be used in a CDS circuit, and for specifying an amplification factor of an amplifier circuit.

Abstract: An image transmitting device includes: a transmitting unit that transmits image data by wireless communication; a measuring unit that measures information relating to a busy state of a communication channel used in the wireless communication for a time period per 1 field of the image data; and a judging unit that judges a state of the communication channel based on a measurement result by the measuring unit.

Abstract: An endoscope measures the topography of a surface. The endoscope contains a projection unit and an imaging unit. The endoscope is characterized in that an objective unit is provided as a component both of the projection unit and the imaging unit. By the integration of the projection unit and the imaging unit, which both use a common objective unit, the structural volume required by both units is reduced resulting in a smaller endoscope.

Abstract: A system for delivering to a wireless subscriber terminal multimedia content related to a spectator event comprises an event application server, a wireless network coupled to the event application server and a wireless subscriber terminal that interacts with the network. The event application server acquires, converts, and manages content related to a spectator event. The event application server (or its adjunct) also manages preferences and priorities established by subscribers for event-related content. When such content is available, the event application server reconciles available content with subscriber preferences and priorities to determine an optimal set of content to be delivered to the subscriber terminal, and requests that the wireless network establish a connection to the subscriber terminal for such content. Multiple streams of content, of various types of media, may be delivered simultaneously to the subscriber terminal.

Abstract: To provide an endoscopic device in which an endoscope includes a correction unit for an image using a correction parameter such as sensitivity unevenness correction or defective pixel correction, the endoscopic device being capable of storing the correction parameter using an existing I/F without further providing a new device or a signal line. The above-described problem is solved by adopting a configuration in which an endoscopic device includes an endoscope that includes a correction unit correcting an image and a storage unit storing a correction parameter, a control device, and a generating unit generating a correction parameter, wherein the correction parameter generated by the generating unit in accordance with the command of the control device is written in the storage unit by the correction unit.

Abstract: A medical apparatus includes: a first image pickup section that is fixed to a body wall and picks up an image of an inside of a body cavity; a recording section that records in advance, in preparation for a case in which a predetermined image change occurs in a first image picked up by the first image pickup section, a predetermined image area in the first image or a coordinate for specifying the predetermined image area; and a display section that displays, when the predetermined image change occurs in the first image, the image area or the coordinate recorded in the recording section to be superimposed on the first image picked up by the first image pickup section.

Abstract: A method for examining an interior surface of a cavity includes the steps of capturing partial images of an interior surface of a cavity; joining the captured partial images to form a complete image of said interior surface of the cavity; and providing an warning if the joined partial images does not form a complete image of said interior surface of the cavity.

Abstract: A capsule medical device guidance system including a magnetic field generator that generates either a trapping magnetic field that attracts a magnetic field response unit at any position on a horizontal plane and traps a capsule medical device or a gradient magnetic field that has a substantially uniform magnetic field gradient and forces the magnetic field response unit. When the control unit switches the magnetic field from the trapping magnetic field to the gradient magnetic field, a control unit causes a storage unit to store a generation position on the horizontal plane, and when the control unit switches a magnetic field from the gradient magnetic field to the trapping magnetic field, the control unit causes the magnetic field generator to generate the trapping magnetic field at the position stored in the storage unit.

Abstract: The medical, particularly dental imaging camera including an elongated housing (2) that can be held by a single hand of a user and provided, at its front end, with an imaging element, this housing (2) including a sensitive control element capable of freezing, on a display (5), an image selected by the user, this control element having a detection area (9) situated on the housing (2) that is delimited by a surface discontinuity such as a recess or a relief (11). The housing (2) encloses a sensor element associated with an electronic driving circuit and an electrostatic foam element whose one end is applied against the sensor element and whose opposite end is applied against an area of the inner face of the housing (2) located to the right of the detection area (9).

Abstract: An image-signal generating apparatus comprises a solid-state image pickup device-equivalent load circuit unit including a load approximately equivalent to a solid-state image pickup device such as a charge coupled device, etc. The image-signal generating apparatus further comprises an image-signal generating circuit for generating an image signal corresponding to an output signal output from the solid-state image pickup device through the solid-state image pickup device-equivalent load circuit unit, which is a load to which a driving signal for driving the solid-state image pickup device is applied.

Abstract: A system for communicating video data is described. The system includes a mobile imaging system, at least one monitor fixed to a room in a medical facility, and a video transmitter assembly coupled to the mobile imaging system to transmit a video signal. The system for communicating video data also includes a video receiver assembly coupled to the at least one monitor to receive the video signal and display the video signal on the at least one monitor.

Abstract: In an electronic endoscope system, an RF signal is produced through quadrature modulation of a picture signal that is representative of an image taken through an electronic endoscope. When control signals are entered by an operator through a control section of the electronic endoscope, a data superimposing section superimposes the entered control signals on the RF signal in horizontal scanning intervals within a vertical blanking interval. The RF signal having the control signals superimposed thereon is sent as an electric wave of a single frequency band to a processor. In the processor, a data analyzer carries out sampling to extract the entered control signals if they are superimposed on the picture signal, and analyzes the contents of the entered control signals. Based on the results of analysis, a CPU controls respective components of the signal processor.

Abstract: A wireless operating room communication system provides wireless transmission of video signals from a wireless camera or a wireless transmitter unit to a portable wireless display unit. A wireless multiple device control unit is in wireless communication with the transmitter unit, the display unit, and a plurality of surgical devices disposed within the operating room. Each of the surgical devices has a video receiver to obtain a video signal to synchronize the devices and units. The video transmitter unit has a video transmitter and the other units or devices have a non-video transmitter. The arrangement enables transmission of device control signals on the same channel as the video signal. In response to changes in bandwidth, the video transmitter unit reduces the video signal to enable transmission thereof to the video display unit, while maintaining robustness of the control signals.

Abstract: A LCD unit (116) has a first and a second LCD panels (261, 262) which are stacked one on another. The first LCD panel (261) includes a color filter layer (251), and is configured as a color LCD panel for performing a color display. The second LCD panel (262) is configured as a monochrome LCD panel for performing a monochrome display based on an image source. The first LCD panel (261) displays an image, which is obtained by averaging the image data of the image source by using an arithmetic unit, which averages the image data pixels disposed within a range specific distance apart from a central pixel.

Abstract: An apparatus and technique for compensating the display of an image obtained from a video camera system associated with an endoscope as it is moved through various orientations are described. The received optical image is converted to an electrical signal with an image sensor that can be a CCD or a CMOS detector. The endoscope video camera system has an inertial sensor to sense rotations of the received image about the optical axis of the endoscope and the sensor's output signals are used to rotate either the image or the image sensor. In case of rotation of the image sensor the rotation sensor can be a gyroscope or a pair of accelerometers. In case of a rotation of the image obtained with the image sensor the inertial sensor, which can be an accelerometer or a gyroscope, the image is rotated within a microprocessor for subsequent viewing on a video display.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for capture control of video data from a capsule camera system having an on-board storage or wireless transmission. The capsule camera system moves through the GI tract under the action of peristalsis and records images of the intestinal walls. For some periods of time, the capsule camera system may move very slowly and there are little differences in the image data between different frames. These frames can be designated for discard to conserve storage space or conserve power. A capsule control processing unit is incorporated to evaluate motion metric based on image data associated with a current frame and a previous frame. A decision is made based on a profile of the motion metric to select an operation mode from a group comprising Capture Mode and Conservation Mode. The capsule camera system is then operated according to the selected operation mode.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope apparatus, comprising a media drive unit for recording image data, which is given digital processing, in a recording medium, judges a recordable amount of images by the detection of a free space of the above-mentioned recording medium, and displays a message, prompting the replacement of the recording medium in a monitor when this recordable amount becomes zero. Then, when the recording medium is replaced during the examination of the same patient, the electronic endoscope apparatus automatically creates a folder for a patient in this recording medium, and records remaining image data in this folder for a patient. In addition, also when the recordable amount becomes zero after the examination end switch was pushed, the electronic endoscope apparatus automatically creates a folder for the patient in a replaced recording medium, and records remaining image data in this folder.

Abstract: An image processor for processing endoscopic images is provided with a first masking processor for masking a useless marginal area of each frame of the endoscopic image that is output from an endoscope, a PIP processor for resolution conversion and PIP processing of the endoscopic image frames after the masking, and a second masking processor for masking a composite image output from the PIP processor. The PIP processor may be configured using a commercially available general-purpose IC for video output. Although a border between an image display area and a masked area of the endoscopic image gets rough as a result of the resolution conversion to increase the resolution of the image, the second masking processor masks the rough-edged border so as to sharpen the border, so the rim around the image display area is sharp and clear as the endoscopic image is displayed on the screen.

Abstract: A remote inspection device is provided for inspecting visually obscured locations. The device is generally comprised of a imager housing and a display housing disposed on opposite ends of a modular, flexible cable. An imaging device is embedded in the end of the cylindrical imager housing, such that the imaging device is able to capture an image of a viewing area proximate to the distal end of the flexible cable. One or more light sources also protrude from the outwardly facing end of the cylindrical imager housing along a perimeter of the imaging device such that the imaging device is recessed between the light sources. A display housing is coupled to the other end of the flexible cable and configured to be grasped by a user of the device. A display device supported by the display housing receives a video signal from the imaging device and converts the video signal to a video image.

Abstract: A medical device, comprising: a plurality of video interface cards are used for the medical support control system for converting, when a video signal is input from an external environment, a video signal input from the external environment into a common signal and vice versa, said common signal being different from any video signals input into and output from the video interface cards and said common signal being used commonly in the medical support control system; a switching control card for selecting, from among the video interface cards, a video interface card as an output destination in accordance with an instruction given from an external environment; and a plurality of video processing cards are used for the medical support control system for processing the common signal into a video signal appropriate to the selected video interface card on the basis of a video signal expressed by the common signal.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes: a first video signal generating portion that generates a first video signal displayed on a display device as an endoscope image from an image pickup signal picked up by an image pickup device; and a second video signal generating portion that performs an image processing of the first video signal in accordance with application software that runs on an operating system and generates a second video signal. The endoscope apparatus includes: a video signal selecting portion that selects the first video signal or the second video signal and outputs the signal; and a control portion that determines or estimates whether the second signal generating portion can output the second video signal, and applies a control signal so that the video signal selecting portion outputs the first video signal when determining or estimating that the second signal generating portion cannot output the second video signal.

Abstract: A drive signal from an SSG drives a CCD through a delay circuit and the like. An imaging signal from the CCD is converted to a video signal in a CDS circuit, which is driven by a sample hold signal given through the delay circuit, and is converted to a video signal that can be displayed on a monitor through an A/D converter circuit, a video signal processing circuit and a digital encoder to be output. Here, by correcting phases of the imaging signal and the sample hold signal, length of a signal line is corrected. Also, since the delay circuit is constructed by being incorporated in a DSP for video signal processing, which includes a video signal processing circuit and the like, the construction is simplified. Thus, the number of parts is reduced, and it can be constructed inexpensively.

Abstract: In an image display apparatus (4) that sequentially displays a plurality of images stored in a storage unit (40) in an imaging order thereof, image instruction information instructing either one of a plurality of stored images or an extracted image preliminarily extracted from the plurality of stored images under a predetermined extraction condition is inputted as an image to be displayed from an input unit (20), a display controller 52 switches an image to be displayed in a predetermined area of a display unit (30) to an image instructed by the image instruction information to display the switched image in a predetermined display area, so that rapid image confirmation by a user is made possible.

Abstract: Rotate instructing switches 26, 27, and 28 of an operating remote controller 5 are pressed and then a CPU 12 controls image processing of an image pickup processing portion 8, a direction calculation processing portion 10, and a rotating-image processing portion 9 in accordance with an operating signal to rotate and display a screen 21 displayed on a screen of an LCD 4A. Touch-panel type direction instructing portions arranged on the LCD 4A are operated, thereby supplying operating signals to the CPU 12 via a touch panel controller 4a. The CPU 12 determines, by using a determining area table arranged in a ROM 13 based on the operating signal, which direction instructing portion is pressed. Simultaneously, the CPU 12 calculates the moving direction and the amount of movement of an image by a direction processing portion 11 and the direction calculation processing portion 10, and controls the driving of a driving unit 7 based on a calculated result.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a video system for viewing an object on a body, including an endoscopic lens for capturing an image, an endoscopic camera head attached to the endoscopic lens for transmitting the image, and a camera control unit attached to the endoscopic camera head for receiving the transmitted image. The endoscopic lens has a field of view, where the object is within the field of view. The endoscopic camera lens has a depth of field between approximately 10 mm and approximately 15 mm. The system also has an arm attached to the endoscopic lens for holding the endoscopic lens between approximately 180 mm and approximately 220 mm away from the surgical field. The magnified image is conveniently seen on large high definition screen.

Abstract: An endoscopic image processing system processes an image signal produced by picking up the image of an intracavitary region of an object to be examined using an electronic endoscope. The endoscopic image processing system includes a detection unit that detects at least one of the type of electronic endoscope connected to the endoscopic image processing system, based on information inherent to the electronic endoscope, and the type of image pickup device incorporated in the connected electronic endoscope, and an image processing unit processes the image signal produced by the electronic endoscope according to the signal level of the image signal. A domain designation unit designates a first domain to be processed by the image processing unit within the image data according to the detected type of electronic endoscope.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope including a CCD is detachably connected to a video processor. In the video processor, an output signal from the CCD is A/D converted, white balance is adjusted, an NTSC video signal from a post-process circuit is subjected to processing for generating a basic video signal to be outputted to a monitor, and an option substrate having a connector detachable to a connector for outputting a signal after AGC processing is attached thereto. Thus, user's desired function such as output to the monitor by emphasis processing can easily be realized by attaching the option substrate or the like.

Abstract: A still-picture acquisition section in a computer selects a brightness-periodically-varying portion of image data of a living cell like a cardiac cell, as a sample, which makes a self-ordered periodic motion, monitors a change in brightness, generates a trigger signal at the timing at which the value of the brightness exceeds a specific threshold value, causes a camera body to repeatedly pick up the image of the living cell after a predetermined delay time, and then averages the picked-up images. This makes it possible to acquire as high-quality still pictures the instantaneous status of a living cell which varies with time in accordance with the application of external stimulation or the in-vivo order.