Abstract: Provided is an image processing apparatus including a processor. The processor is configured to: reconstruct, by employing a plurality of time-series images acquired by an endoscope, three-dimensional information of an imaging subject containing relative dimensions; calculate, on the basis of focus information of each of the plurality of images, scale information for converting the relative dimensions of the three-dimensional information to absolute dimensions; convert, by employing the scale information, the relative dimensions to the absolute dimensions; and output three-dimensional information containing the absolute dimensions.

Abstract: A distal end unit includes: an image pickup unit made using a wafer level optics technique; a distal end frame forming an external shape of an insertion portion, the distal end frame being constituted by a resin molded article; an image pickup unit containing room containing the image pickup unit in an interior of the distal end frame, the image pickup unit containing room including a first opening portion and a second opening portion that are continuously formed, the first opening portion being positioned on the distal end surface of the distal end frame, the second opening portion being positioned on a side surface of the distal end frame; and a filler having light blocking property, the image pickup unit containing room being filled with the filler, the filler forming the external shape of a distal end portion with the distal end frame.

Abstract: An endoscope includes: an objective optical system including a lens, allowing light from an imaging subject to be incident on a distal end surface, and focusing the light onto an image-capturing surface of an image-capturing element; an elongated light guide provided adjacent to a side of the system and guiding illumination light to be emitted from a distal end; and an optically transparent distal end cover disposed at a position where the distal end of the guide is covered, wherein the distal end surface is located farther forward than the distal end of the guide, a notched portion is provided at a distal-end outer edge of a side surface of the system, the side surface being adjacent to the guide, so that the system is narrower toward a front side from the distal end of the guide, and the cover is provided so as to bulge toward the notched portion.

Abstract: An endoscope includes: a lens barrel having an opening of a through hole on an outer surface of the lens barrel; a lens inserted into the through hole and having a distal end surface which is disposed in a protruding manner from the outer surface; a first resin disposed between a wall surface of the through hole and a side surface of the lens; and a second resin disposed on a surface of the first resin, a portion of the lens barrel around the opening and an entire circumference of an outer peripheral portion of the distal end surface of the lens, the second resin containing rubber and light blocking particles and having an elastic modulus smaller than an elastic modulus of the first resin.

Abstract: An extended reality (“XR”) inspection system for inspecting a target is provided. The XR inspection system includes an inspection system and an XR device. The inspection system includes an inspection main unit and an inspection probe. The inspection main unit collects inspection data from the inspection probe, receives commands input by an inspector using the XR device, performs functions associated with the commands, and sends display data to the XR device. The XR device provides an augmented reality display and sensors. The XR device displays display data received from the inspection main unit, receives commands via the sensors from the inspector, and sends the commands to the inspection main unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods of imaging include projecting infrared (IR) light from the endoscope toward the at least one anatomical feature (e.g., the exterior of a liver or lung), capturing the IR light, projecting optical light from the endoscope toward a similar portion of the anatomical feature, and capturing the optical light. Once the IR light and the optical light are captured, both are associated with one another to generate an intra-operative 3D image. This projection and capture of IR and optical light may occur at discrete times during the imaging process, or simultaneously.

Abstract: A method for enhanced surgical navigation, and a system performing the method and displaying graphical user interfaces associated with the method. A 3D spatial map of a surgical site is generated using a 3D endoscope including a camera source and an IR scan source. The method includes detecting a needle tip protruding from an anatomy and determining a needle protrusion distance corresponding to a distance between the needle tip and a surface of the anatomy using the 3D spatial map. A position of a surgical tool in the 3D spatial map is detected and a determination is made by the system indicative of whether the needle protrusion distance is sufficient for grasping by the surgical tool. A warning is generated when it is determined that the needle protrusion distance is not sufficient for grasping by the surgical tool.

Abstract: A method for determining the relative position between a first camera and a second camera used in a medical application, wherein the first camera captures a 2D image of a phantom, the second camera emits light onto the phantom and analyzes the reflected light, thus generating a 3D point cloud representing points on the surface of the phantom, and the phantom has a planar surface forming a background on which a plurality of 2D markers are formed, wherein one of the background and the 2D markers is reflective, thus reflecting light emitted by the second camera back to the second camera, and the other one is non-reflective, thus not reflecting light emitted by the second camera back to the second camera, the method involving that a) the first camera captures a 2D image of the phantom, b) the second camera generates a 3D point cloud representing the planar surface of the phantom, c) the 2D markers are identified in the 2D image, thus obtaining 2D marker data representing the locations of the 2D markers in the 2D

Abstract: An imaging system is disclosed herein. The imaging system includes an imaging apparatus and a computing system. The imaging apparatus includes a plurality of light sources positioned at a plurality of positions and a plurality of angles relative to a stage configured to support a specimen. The imaging apparatus is configured to capture a plurality of images of a surface of the specimen. The computing system in communication with the imaging apparatus. The computing system configured to generate a 3D-reconstruction of the surface of the specimen by receiving, from the imaging apparatus, the plurality of images of the surface of the specimen, generating, by the imaging apparatus via a deep learning model, a height map of the surface of the specimen based on the plurality of images, and outputting a 3D-reconstruction of the surface of the specimen based on the height map generated by the deep learning model.

Abstract: A medical observation device according to the present invention includes: an imaging unit that capture an image of a subject at a first angle of view; and an image generating unit that generates a display image signal by cutting, at a second angle of view smaller than the first angle of view, the image captured by the imaging unit at the first angle of view, and performing image processing thereon. This medical observation device enables the hand-eye coordination and definition to be maintained even if the field of view is changed.

Abstract: Various systems are provided for an ultrasound imaging system. In one example, a method comprises learning a travel path profile and one or more pressures applied along the travel path profile in response to an external handle force and acquiring an ultrasound image along the travel path profile by applying one or more pressures against an acquisition surface of a patient via a robot without the external handle force.

Abstract: An optical system of a stereo-video endoscope with a sideways viewing direction, the optical system including: a sideways-viewing distal optical assembly; and a proximal optical assembly; wherein the distal optical assembly includes an inlet lens, a deflecting unit configured as a prism unit, and an outlet lens on a common optical axis one after the other in the direction of light incidence, the proximal optical assembly includes a left and a right lens system channel, the lens system channels being identically configured and arranged parallel to each other, each lens system channel having its own optical axis, and the outlet lens is formed with one or more of a light-impermeable coating on a light inlet side facing the deflecting unit and with a light-impermeable coating formed on a light outlet side facing away from the deflecting unit in a central region of the outlet lens.

Abstract: An optical system for a stereo video endoscope including: first and second lens system channels each having optical elements in identical configurations, the optical elements being arranged in a same position along first and second optical axes, respectively, an optical axis of first and second optical elements coincide with the first and second optical axes, respectively, first and second cross-sectional areas of the first and second optical elements are inscribed in first and second circumferential circles, respectively, centers of first and second circumferential circles each coincide with the first and second optical axes, respectively, to define a maximum radius of the first optical element and the second optical element, the first and second circumferential circles overlap one another, and circumferential shapes of the first and second optical elements deviate from the first and second circumferential circles circumscribing them such that the first and second optical elements do not contact.

Abstract: A surgical camera system, and method therefor, is provided which includes a plurality of imaging devices each having a tunable iris configured to change between at least two different sized numerical apertures.

Abstract: A method for determining the relative position between a first camera and a second camera used in a medical application, wherein the first camera captures a 2D image of a phantom, the second camera emits light onto the phantom and analyzes the reflected light, thus generating a 3D point cloud representing points on the surface of the phantom, and the phantom has a planar surface forming a background on which a plurality of 2D markers are formed, wherein one of the background and the 2D markers is reflective, thus reflecting light emitted by the second camera back to the second camera, and the other one is non-reflective, thus not reflecting light emitted by the second camera back to the second camera, the method involving that a) the first camera captures a 2D image of the phantom, b) the second camera generates a 3D point cloud representing the planar surface of the phantom, c) the 2D markers are identified in the 2D image, thus obtaining 2D marker data representing the locations of the 2D markers in the 2D

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, devices, and methods for synthesizing spatially-aware transitions between camera viewpoints. An exemplary method includes receiving images of a surgical site from a first camera, tracking a position of a robotic arm including a second camera coupled thereto, tracking the pose of the second camera, receiving images of the surgical site from the second camera that are different from the images received from the first camera as the robotic arm is moved to different positions, comparing a pose from which at least one of the images received from the second camera were captured to a pose from which at least one of the images received from the first camera were captured, generating a transition between the compared images, and displaying the transition when switching between displaying images received from the first and second cameras.

Abstract: A stereoscopic vision optical system includes a first lens group having a negative refractive power, disposed nearest to an object, a second lens group having a positive refractive power, and a rear-side lens group having a positive refractive power. The rear-side lens group includes a first rear group and a second rear group. The optical axis of the first lens group, an optical axis of the first rear group, and an optical axis of the second rear group is positioned on the same plane. The optical axis of the first lens group is positioned between the optical axis of the first rear group and the optical axis of the second rear group, and the following conditional expression (1) is satisfied: 0.08?((?L/2)×(f1/f2))×(1/WD)?0.25??(1).

Abstract: An endoscope includes an opto-electric composite module, an optical fiber, and a plurality of electric cables each including a core wire and a shielding wire. The opto-electric composite module includes a light emitting device, a wiring board including a plurality of bonding electrodes to which the plurality of core wires are bonded, a ferrule causing the optical fiber inserted into a first through hole to be optically coupled to the light emitting device, and a cable holder having grooves to which the plurality of core wires are fixed with the plurality of core wires so disposed as to be bonded to the plurality of respective bonding electrodes. The cable holder is a holder conductor electrically connected to a ground potential electrode of the image pickup device, and the shielding wires in the electric cables are bonded to the holder conductor of the cable holder via an electrically conductive member.

Abstract: A virtual surgical robot being built from kinematic data is rendered to a display. A user input is received to effect a movement or a configuration of the virtual surgical robot. The kinematic data is modified based on evaluation of the movement or the configuration of the virtual surgical robot.

Abstract: The endoscope system includes an image acquiring unit that acquires a first image and a second image, the first image being obtained by imaging an observation target by using first illumination light, the second image being obtained by imaging the observation target by using second illumination light that is different from the first illumination light at a different timing from the first image; an alignment unit that aligns the first image and the second image; and an accuracy changing unit that changes an accuracy of the alignment in accordance with at least a structure of interest to which an attention is paid in the observation target.

Abstract: An endoscope may include a shaft having a longitudinal axis, a first image sensor facing a distal direction, and a second image sensor facing a lateral direction. The endoscope may further include a tubular member having a lumen, the lumen having a distal-end opening and defining a longitudinal axis through a center of the lumen. The tubular member may be movable between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration of the tubular member, the longitudinal axis of the lumen may be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. In the second configuration of the tubular member, the longitudinal axis of the lumen may extend through a lateral opening in a wall of the shaft.

Abstract: A system for treating a target tissue of a patient comprises a first robotic arm coupled to a treatment probe for treating the target tissue of the patient, and a second robotic arm coupled to an imaging probe for imaging the target tissue of the patient. The system further comprises one or more computing devices operably coupled with the first robotic arm and the second robotic arm, the one or more computing devices configured to execute instructions for controlling movement of one or more of the first robotic arm or the second robotic arm. The distal end of the treatment probe and/or imaging probe is constrained to be moved only within an allowable range of motion.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electronic device and method for controlling the activation of a camera module. An electronic device according to various examples comprises: a sensor module; a first camera module including a first camera and a light emitting part; a second camera module; and a processor electrically connected to the sensor module, the first camera module, and the second camera module, wherein the processor determines whether an object is positioned within a first distance through the sensor module, inactivates the light emitting part or the first camera and the light emitting part of the first camera module if the object is positioned within the first distance, determines the distance between the object and the electronic device by using the second camera module, activates the light emitting part or the first camera and the light emitting part if the determined distance is greater than or equal to a second distance, and can perform iris authentication by using the first camera module.

Abstract: An optical system for stereoscopic vision includes a first optical system and a second optical system. Each of the first optical system and the second optical system includes a stop and a plurality of lens units. The plurality of lens units includes at least one movable lens unit which moves at the time of focusing, and at least focusing to a near point and focusing to a far point is carried out by movement of the movable lens unit. At the time of focusing to a near point, both a first entrance pupil and a second entrance pupil are positioned on an image side of positions at the time of focusing to a far point. Here, the first entrance pupil is an entrance pupil of the first optical system, and the second entrance pupil is an entrance pupil of the second optical system.

Abstract: A method and system for nerve identification, monitoring, location marking, and location recognition system used during laparoscopic surgery.

Abstract: A three-dimensional endoscope comprises a video signal input portion to which a first video signal is obtained by a first imaging system and a second video signal is obtained by a second imaging system are inputted. A video signal identification portion that identifies a two-dimensional video signal and a three-dimensional video signal are obtained from the video signal input portion. An image condition detection portion that when the video signal identification portion has detected the two-dimensional video signal, analyzes a display area of a two-dimensional image to detect a foggy region. An image combining portion that, when the image condition detection portion has detected a foggy region in a video of at least one of the first imaging system and the second imaging system, combines both of the first video signal and the second video signal to generate a composite image in which fogginess of the foggy region being eliminated.

Abstract: A method for three-dimensional reconstruction of a surface of interest using a plenoptic camera includes: determining the three-dimensional coordinates of a series of sampling points of the object field of the camera; determining calibration data, associating at least two pixels of the optical sensor matrix with each sampling point; defining a reconstruction grid having each point associated with at least one sampling point; acquiring an image of the surface of interest using the camera; from the calibration data and the image, calculating, for each point of the reconstruction grid, the dissimilarity index value as a function of one or more dispersions, each representing a distancing between the intensity values taken, on the image, by the pixels associated with one of the corresponding sampling points; determining a three-dimensional distribution of the points of the reconstruction grid, each assigned with its dissimilarity index value; and three-dimensional reconstruction of the surface of interest.

Abstract: A stereoscopic endoscope system includes: a first objective optical system, a second objective optical system, an image sensor which has a first image pickup range corresponding to a range of a field of view of the first objective optical system and a second image pickup range corresponding to a range of a field of view of the second objective optical system; and a monitor, wherein the stereoscopic endoscope system satisfies the condition (1) and condition (2).

Abstract: A system comprises a teleoperational assembly including an operator control system and a first teleoperational manipulator configured for operation by an operator control device of the operator control system. The first teleoperational manipulator is configured to control the operation of a first medical instrument in a surgical environment. The system also comprises a processing unit including one or more processors. The processing unit is configured to display an image of a field of view of the surgical environment and display a menu proximate to an image of the first medical instrument in the image of the field of view. The menu includes at least one icon representing a function for the first medical instrument.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to computer-implemented systems and methods for training and using generative adversarial networks. In one implementation, a system for training a generative adversarial network may include at least one processor that may provide a first plurality of images including representations of a feature-of-interest and indicators of locations of the feature-of-interest and use the first plurality and indicators to train an object detection network. Further, the processor(s) may provide a second plurality of images including representations of the feature-of-interest, and apply the trained object detection network to the second plurality to produce a plurality of detections of the feature-of-interest.

Abstract: A stereoscopic endoscope apparatus includes: an insertion portion; a variable focus objective optical system; a fixed focus objective optical system; an image pickup section; an image signal generation output section that outputs an image signal for two-dimensional display when a focal length of the variable focus objective optical system and a focal length of the fixed focus objective optical system are different from each other, and outputs an image signal for stereoscopic observation when the focal length of the variable focus objective optical system and the focal length of the fixed focus objective optical system are coincident with each other in the near point observation state.

Abstract: A system for tracking a device image includes an intraoperative imaging system (110) having a probe (146) configured to generate an image for a region. A shape sensing enabled instrument (102) is configured to have a portion of the shape sensing enabled instrument positionable relative to the region. The shape sensing enabled instrument has a coordinate system registered with a coordinate system of the intraoperative imaging system. A robot is configured to coordinate movement between the probe and the shape sensing enabled instrument such that movement of the shape sensing enabled instrument relative to the region causes the probe to be moved to maintain the shape sensing enabled instrument within the image.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide various examples of automatically processing surgical videos to detect surgical tools and tool-related events, and extract surgical-tool usage information. In one aspect, a process for automatically detecting a new surgical tool engagement during a recorded surgical procedure is disclosed. This process can begin by receiving a surgical procedure video and then segmenting the surgical video into sequences of video frames. Next, for each sequence of video frames, the video frames are processed to detect one or more surgical tools and one or more surgical tool engagements associated with the detected surgical tools. If a surgical tool engagement is detected in the sequence of video frames, the process then determines if a detected surgical tool associated with the detected surgical tool engagement is associated with a previously identified surgical tool engagement. If not, the process identifies the detected surgical tool engagement as a new surgical tool engagement.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a robotic surgical system are provided. The system includes a surgical tool, a manipulator comprising a base supporting links for controlling the tool, a navigation system comprising a tracker coupled to the tool and a localizer to monitor a state of the tracker. A controller acquires raw kinematic measurement data about a state of the tool relative to the base from the manipulator, known relationship data about the state of the tracker relative to the tool, and raw navigation data about the state of the tracker relative to the localizer from the navigation system. The controller combines this data to determine a raw relationship between the base and the localizer. The raw relationship is filtered for controlling the manipulator. The raw relationship or a less filtered version of the raw relationship is utilized to determine whether an error has occurred in the system.

Abstract: A stereo image pickup unit includes: first and second image pickup apparatuses including first and second image pickup devices and first and second mount boards, the image pickup apparatuses being formed in a same shape each other; and a holding frame for holding the first and second image pickup devices, the first and second mount boards including non-mounting surfaces perpendicular to rear surfaces of the first and second image pickup devices and projecting toward an outer side of projection surfaces of the first and second image pickup devices, the holding frame holding the first and second image pickup apparatuses such that the non-mounting surfaces are opposed to each other on a parallax direction inner side.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a processing system comprising at least one processor. The processor generates a plan to monitor the asset. The plan comprises one or more tasks to be performed by the at least one robot. The processor receives sensor data from at least one sensor indicating one or more characteristics of the asset. The processor adjusts the plan to monitor the asset by adjusting or adding one or more tasks to the plan based on one or both of the quality of the acquired data or a potential defect of the asset. The adjusted plan causes the at least one robot to acquire additional data related to the asset when executed.

Abstract: A tattoo machine camera assembly comprises a camera assembly coupled to a tattoo machine. The tattoo machine camera assembly further comprises a camera mount for coupling the camera assembly to the tattoo machine. The camera mount may be formed separately from the tattoo machine or formed integrally with the tattoo machine. The tattoo machine camera assembly may be formed so that the camera is resistant to vibration created by the operation of the tattoo machine. A method of video recording the tattooing process may also be implemented.

Abstract: An image pickup system includes: an image pickup section including a first image pickup device outputting a first image pickup signal, and a second image pickup device outputting a second image pickup signal; a processor that performs signal processing on image pickup signals; and a memory section holding a difference correction parameter, the difference correction parameter indicating difference of image characteristics derived from sensitivity of each image pickup device, in image pickup signals outputted from the first image pickup device and the second image pickup device; and a correction processing section performing correction processing on at least one of the first image pickup signal and the second image pickup signal, based on the difference correction parameter.

Abstract: An imaging system includes an imaging scope, a controller, a camera, and a processor. The imaging scope is selectively rotatable about a longitudinal axis relative to a horizon plane. The imaging scope has at least three optical channels, each including a respective objective that captures light. The objectives are positioned such that respective viewing direction axes of the optical channels extend at least substantially parallel to one another. The controller activates a pair of optical channels that is at least as parallel relative to the horizon plane as any other pair of optical channels. The camera generates a first image representative of light captured by a first optical channel of the activated pair of optical channels, and a second image representative of light captured by a second optical channel of the activated pair of optical channels. The processor generates a 3D image using the first and second images.

Abstract: An image pickup system includes a stereoscopic endoscope including image pickup optical systems having a parallax therebetween and a first image pickup device and a second image pickup device, and a processor including a first photometric measurement section configured to photometrically measure a luminance value of a first image pickup signal related to the first image pickup device, a second photometric measurement section configured to measure a luminance value of a second image pickup signal related to the second image pickup device, and a control section including a threshold value comparison section configured to compare the luminance value with a threshold value. When the luminance value of either one of the first image pickup signal and the second image pickup signal exceeds the threshold value, the image pickup system performs light adjustment control of a light source based on a photometric value of the other image pickup signal.

Abstract: A stereoscopic endoscope that includes at least one image sensor, one or more processing devices, and a display device. The image sensors sense a pair of stereo images, based on capturing light passing through apertures electronically defined at a first aperture location and a second aperture location, respectively, on a liquid crystal layer within the endoscope. The one or more processing devices determine an orientation of a line connecting the first and second aperture locations relative to a reference orientation, and adjust at least one of the first and second aperture locations, while maintaining a spacing between them, in response to movement of the stereoscopic endoscope. The image data captured through the apertures is used to generate control signals representing one or more views of a surgical scene. The views are then presented on a display device.

Abstract: A camera device includes a camera head that captures an observation image of a target site which is obtained by a surgical microscope, and a camera control unit that processes a signal of the observation video captured by the camera head. The camera head captures right and left observation images having a parallax from the surgical microscope to obtain a high-resolution observation video including right and left parallax videos for one screen, and the camera control unit cuts out the right parallax video and the left parallax video from the observation video including the right and left parallax videos to generate a high-resolution 3D video which is displayed on a monitor in 3D and with which stereoscopic observation can be performed.

Abstract: An operation support device includes a manipulation input unit and an operating section to which a surgical instrument is attached and which operates the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument includes a treatment section, a flexible insertion section, and a manipulation section which is fixed to the flexible insertion section. The manipulation input unit further includes a detection body which is attached to the manipulation section, and a detecting device which detects the detection body. The detecting device calculates information which is capable of specifying a position and/or an orientation of the detection body. On the basis of the information which is calculated by the detecting device, a control device controls an operation of the surgical instrument by outputting to the operating section an order of moving the surgical instrument as a manipulation order.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for capturing an image sequence using a capsule camera are disclosed. According to the present invention, a first energy-based frame time for the special images is determined based on first light energy perceived by the image sensor and a second energy-based frame time for the regular images is determined based on second light energy perceived by the image sensor. The capsule camera captures the image sequence comprising one or more sets of mixed-type images by configuring the capsule camera to cause a mixed-frame distance between the first energy-based frame time for one special image in a target set of mixed-type images and the second energy-based frame time for one regular image in the target set of mixed-type images smaller than an average frame period.

Abstract: A calibration system able to calibrate mechanical parameters of a wrist part by a simpler manner is provided. The calibration system utilizes a target fastened at a predetermined position with respect to the joint closest to a hand of a robot and an imaging device set around the robot so as to calibrate the parameters of a mechanical model representing the wrist part of the robot. The posture of the target is changed from a predetermined initial position to generate a plurality of preliminary positions. Using these preliminary positions as starting points, the end point position of the robot whereby the target becomes a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the imaging device on the image obtained by capturing an image of the target is calculated. The calibration system uses the calculated end point position as the basis to calibrate the mechanical parameters of the wrist part.

Abstract: A rear-viewing endoscope includes a rigid section having first and second ends, and a cavity situated between the first and second ends. The rigid section has a longitudinal length and defining a longitudinal axis (LAR). The endoscope further includes a flexible section having proximal and distal ends, where the proximal end is coupled to the second end of the rigid section; and an imaging unit having first and second ends and a cavity situated between the first and second ends, the second end of the imaging unit coupled to the distal end of the flexible section. An objective lens assembly of the endoscope includes a complementary multiband bandpass filter (CMBF) pair situated within the cavity of the imaging unit. The CMBF filter collimated image rays passing therethrough so as to output filtered image rays. A camera or detector receives the filtered image rays and forms corresponding video information for stereoscopic imaging.

Abstract: Provided are modular volume holographic imaging system (VHIS) endoscopic systems, comprising: an endoscope attachment module having a microscope objective lens, a single or cascaded compensated relay system configured to preserve an optical wavefront for use with a single or multiplexed volume hologram to select wavefronts originating from different object depths, and a system aperture; and a handle module configured to be reversibly attachable for operative communication with the endoscope attachment module, and having a beam splitter; a relay having adjustable spacing for object space focus compensation, and a single or multiplexed volume hologram suitable in operation to select wavefronts originating from different object depths, and wherein the handle module is further configured for operative communication with an illumination source and imaging optics. Preferably, an illumination module and an imaging module are configured to be in operative, reversibly attachable communication with the handle module.

Abstract: A guiding method includes obtaining data of a first image, detecting with a computer reference image data corresponding to a reference object in the data of the first image, calculating with the computer a first condition based on an appearance of the reference object in the first image, the first condition indicating an operational condition of an imaging apparatus when first image was captured, and for a second image to be captured, outputting guide information that indicates how to adjust the first condition to match a reference condition, the reference condition corresponds to an appearance of the reference object in a reference image captured under the reference condition.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method of performing a medical procedure in a patient. The method includes creating an incision in an abdominal wall of the patient, inserting a flexible guide tube into the incision, and advancing a flexible instrument through the guide tube. The method also includes positioning a distal tip of the guide tube adjacent to a gastroesophageal junction and passing the instrument through an esophageal hiatus.

Abstract: An image processing device comprising: an image acquisition device; a parallax acquisition device; a first data transform device; an operation processing device; and a second data transform device transforming third frequency component data and fourth frequency component data respectively corresponding to the third image and the fourth image calculated by the operation processing device into data on a real space and for respectively selecting pixels at positions corresponding to the target pixels as one pixel of the third image and one pixel of the fourth image.