JPS5969726A - Endoscope device incorporating solid image pickup element - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a distinct picture even in case when a defect exists in a CCD picture element by forming plural images by a single object at different positions of a photodetecting part of a camera means, and obtaining a single image by synthesizing electrically signals corresponding to said images. CONSTITUTION:Light which is reflected by an object 18 to be inspected and passes through an objective lens 8 and an optical fiber cable 10 forms an image on a photodetecting part 20 of a TV camera fitted to an endoscope. The photodetecting part 20 consists of, for instance, a CCD picture element 22 placed like a matrix, and optical information photodetected in this part is transferred to a camera control unit 26. In this case, two images 32, 34 of the object 18 to be inspected are formed at different positions of the photodetecting part 20 by controlling a vibrator 16 through a synchronizing circuit 30 by a CCU 26 and giving vibration to the objective lens 8, these two images are synthesized electrically, and a composite signal is converted to a television signal and is displayed as a composite picture on a display device 28.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] The present invention relates to an endoscope device.

2. Description of the Related Art In order to diagnose the inside of a human body, a mirror is known which is inserted into a body cavity and visually inspects its condition. This endoscope uses an optical fiber cable for transmitting optical information about the subject. This optical fiber cable is formed by bundling a plurality of optical fibers, and the optical core consists of a core for transmitting optical information and a cladding. In an optical fiber with such a structure, optical information is transmitted only through the core portion, so P4. When viewed in terms of tN, information about the subject is transmitted in a mosaic pattern, and the subject is imaged by superimposing the mosaic information. Therefore, there is an inconvenience that part of the information about the subject is deleted.

There is a dynamic scanning method as a means to solve such inconveniences. For example, there is a dynamic scanning method published by Academic Press.
) 6 Fiber Obstetrics Its Principles and Applications”
(Fiber 0ptlcs Pr1nciples
and Applications) PP, 88-.

By the way, when information on a subject is transferred to a camera using a solid-state image sensor, the pixels of a solid-state image sensor, such as a charge transfer device (CCD), are arranged in a matrix on the light-receiving surface. It is possible that there may be information that is not received properly. Furthermore, if there is a defect in a part of the CC0 pixel, there is also the inconvenience that information corresponding to that pixel cannot be obtained.

An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope device that takes into account the above-mentioned points, has a built-in solid-state image sensor that has excellent resolution, and is not affected by defects in the solid-state image sensor.

In order to achieve the above object, an endoscope device according to the present invention includes an endoscope means, a camera means having a built-in solid-state image sensor,
an imaging means for focusing a plurality of images of a single object on different positions of a light receiving section of the camera means; a control means for driving the camera means, receiving an output signal, converting it into a television signal and outputting the same; a display unit for monitoring a television signal; and an adjustment unit for controlling the control unit to electrically synthesize signals corresponding to a plurality of images and forming a single image on the gray unit. configured.

With the above configuration, a plurality of images of an object are detected by different CCD pixels, and by electrically aligning the images, the images can be complemented and a clear image can be obtained. That is, missing information can be compensated for by superimposing information that is not detected by the CCD pixels in a specific part with information obtained by the CCD pixels in other parts. Even if a certain CCD pixel has a defect, it is possible to obtain a clear image according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Is Figure 1 related to the present invention? li! A stone TV camera 4 is attached to the eyepiece of the endoscope 2 of the endoscope 2 shift that constitutes the mirror device.
and a light source section 6 that sends light to the endoscope. The endoscope 2 includes an objective lens 8 provided in the fluorescence section, an optical fiber cable (image guide) 10 that transmits the image formed by the objective lens, an eyepiece 12, and a light source section 6 that transmits the light. It consists of a fiber cable (light guide) 14 and a vibrator 16 that vibrates the objective lens 8 at a constant cycle.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the entire endoscope apparatus d of the present invention, in which light transmitted from the light source section 6 via the optical fiber cable 14 is reflected by the subject 18, and the light is reflected by the object 18. lens 8
The image is then formed on the light receiving section 20 of a TV camera attached to the endoscope via the optical fiber cable 10. The light receiving section 20 is a solid-state image sensor, for example, a charge transfer device (COD).
), and the CCD consists of C(J) pixels 22 arranged in a matrix. Optical information received by the COD pixel 22 is transferred to a camera control unit (CCU) 26 in response to a drive signal generated by a drive circuit 24. The camera control unit 26 converts the optical information into a television signal and sends it to a display device 28 to display the subject 18.

By the way, the objective lens 8 provided in front of the optical fiber cable 1o is vibrated by a vibrator 16. The period of this oscillation is controlled by a synchronization circuit 30 based on a signal from the CCU 26.

For example, if the image capturing is performed at twice the frame period of the display device 28, two images of the subject 18 will be formed at different positions on the light receiving section 2o.

The tenth image 32 is formed earlier than the second image 34 by a frame period, but the signal of the first image 32 is delayed by the sum of frame periods by a delay circuit, and is combined with the signal of the second image 34. Converts the composite signal into a television signal and sends it to the digital camera 28
If you show the rock, a composite image of the subject 18 will be obtained.

The amount of delay υ of the first image 32 signal and the second expansion signal 94 is controlled by the adjustment circuit 36. For example, the adjustment may be performed manually for each measurement, or the adjustment may be performed automatically by giving four turns of detonation.

If configured like this, it is possible to eliminate the mesh created by the cladding of the fiber optic cable 10, and also to
I) Lack of image due to non-detection area formed between pixels 22;
Alternatively, it becomes possible to compensate for the lack of an image due to a defect in the CCD pixel itself, and a clear image can be obtained.

The invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, the vibration period of the objective lens 8 may be an integral multiple of the frame period, a plurality of images may be formed on the light receiving section 22, and a single image may be obtained by the adjustment circuit 36.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an endoscope device incorporating a solid-state image sensor that has excellent resolution and is not affected by defects in the solid-state image sensor.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 shows an endoscope constituting an endoscope device according to the present invention,
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a TV camera and a light source section. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an internal mirror device incorporating a solid-state image sensor according to the present invention. 2... Endoscope, 4... TV camera, 6... Light source section, 8... Objective lens, 10... Optical fiber cable, 12... Eyepiece, 14... Optical fiber cable, 16... Vibrator, 18... Subject, 20...
・Light receiving part, 22... CCD 1ifii element, 24...
・Drive circuit, 26... camera control unit,
28... Display device, 30... Synchronous circuit, 3
2...First image, 34...Second image, 36...Adjustment circuit. Applicant's representative Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue Continued from page 1 0 Inventor Shinbetsu Hattori 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Lymphus Optical Industry Co., Ltd.

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) An endoscope means, a camera means having a built-in solid-state imaging device, an imaging means for focusing a plurality of images of a single object on different positions of a light receiving section of the camera means, and driving the camera means. a control means for receiving the output signal, converting it into a television signal and outputting it; a display gray means for monitoring the television signal; and a control means for adjusting the control means to electrically synthesize signals corresponding to a plurality of images. 1. An endoscope device incorporating a solid-state image pickup device, characterized in that the endoscope device comprises: 1ii4 adjustment means for forming one image on the display means. (2) The imaging means is a vibration means that vibrates an objective lens provided in the endoscope means in synchronization with an integral multiple of the frame period.
The endoscope device described in section 1). (3) The endoscope apparatus according to claim (1) or (2), wherein the solid-state image sensor is a CCD pixel.