Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US5255087?ie=ISO-8859-1&dq=5,581,513
Timestamp: 2014-09-20 09:20:54
Document Index: 623120698

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 25', 'art 25', 'art 41', 'arts 51', 'arts 56', 'art 22', 'art 85', 'art 85', 'art 85', 'art 85', 'art 9', 'art 2', 'art 9', 'art 9', 'art 2', 'art 122', 'art 151', 'art 151', 'art 41', 'art 41', 'art 41', 'art 338', 'art 338', 'art 338', 'art 9', 'art 9']

Patent US5255087 - Imaging apparatus and endoscope apparatus using the same - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign in<nobr>Advanced Patent Search</nobr>PatentsThe imaging apparatus and endoscope apparatus comprise an image forming optical system forming the image of an object to be imaged. An imaging device has a sensitivity to a wavelength range ranging from a visible range to a range other than the visible range and converts the image formed by the image...http://www.google.com/patents/US5255087?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US5255087 - Imaging apparatus and endoscope apparatus using the sameAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS5255087 APublication typeGrantApplication numberUS 07/814,742Publication dateOct 19, 1993Filing dateDec 27, 1991Priority dateNov 29, 1986Fee statusPaidPublication number07814742, 814742, US 5255087 A, US 5255087A, US-A-5255087, US5255087 A, US5255087AInventorsKazunari Nakamura, Akira TakanoOriginal AssigneeOlympus Optical Co., Ltd.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (3), Referenced by (55), Classifications (25), Legal Events (3) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetImaging apparatus and endoscope apparatus using the sameUS 5255087 AAbstract The imaging apparatus and endoscope apparatus comprise an image forming optical system forming the image of an object to be imaged. An imaging device has a sensitivity to a wavelength range ranging from a visible range to a range other than the visible range and converts the image formed by the image forming optical system to an electric signal. A wavelength range divides device dividing the wavelength range ranging from the visible range to the range other than the visible range into a plurality of wavelength ranges. A selects device selecting at least one wavelength range from among the wavelength ranges divided by the wavelength range dividing device. A signal processing device processes the output signals of the imaging device in response to the selected wavelength ranges so as to be video signals.
What is claimed is: 1. An imaging apparatus comprising:an image forming optical system for forming an object image; an imaging means having a sensitivity to a wavelength range ranging from a visible range to a range other than the visible range and using a solid state imaging device converting an image formed by said image forming optical system into an electric signal; a wavelength range dividing means for dividing an illuminating light into a plurality of wavelength ranges within a range in which said imaging means has a sensitivity and one of the wavelength ranges having a sensitivity to a wavelength range of high absorbance of pigment injected into a living body; a selecting means for selecting one or more wavelength range divided by said wavelength range dividing means; and a signal processing means for processing output signals of said imaging means corresponding to an illuminating light of each wavelength range selected by said selecting means by allotting said output signals to respective different color signals so as to process video signals. 2. An imaging apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the pigment injected into a living body is infrared absorption pigment.
3. An imaging apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said infrared absorption pigment is ICG.
4. An imaging apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said wavelength range dividing means has a narrow range filter having 805 nm. in a center.
5. An imaging method comprising the steps of:injecting infrared absorption pigment into a living body; inserting an endoscope into the living body and making an endoscope face toward an affected part; dividing a wavelength range of high absorbance of the infrared absorption pigment between an illuminating means and an imaging means so as to enter the imaging means; and converting an output signal of the imaging means into a video signal and displaying the video signal. 6. An imaging method according to claim 5, wherein the imaging means senses light in a range extending from a visible range to a range other than the visible range.
7. An imaging method according to claim 5, wherein said infrared absorption pigment is ICG pigment.
This application is a division of Ser. No. 583,277 filed Sep. 7, 1990, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,105,269, which is a division of Ser. No. 449,436 filed Dec. 11, 1989, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,076, which in turn is a division of Ser. No. 128,118 filed Nov. 30, 1987, abandoned.
The electronic endoscope has advantages because the resolution is higher than in a fiberscope, it is easy to record and reproduce picture images and such treatment of picture images such as enlargement and the comparison of two picture images are easy.
When observing an object by using imaging device as of the above mentioned electronic endoscope and particularly when distinguishing an affected part and normal part from each other within a living body, it is necessary to sense (recognize) a delicate color tone difference. However, in case the difference of the color tone in the observed position is delicate, a high-degree of knowledge and experience will be required to sense this delicate difference, a long time will be required until it is detected and it has been difficult to always properly judge the difference even if cautious forces are concentrated while sensing.
However, in the above mentioned related art example, since the observing wavelength range is fixed, for example, there are disadvantages that, when infrared light is utilized, no picture image of a general visible range will be obtained, it will be difficult to compare both picture images and there will be no effect on an observed object characteristic in another wavelength range.
Also, for example, in the gazette of Japanese Patent Laid Open No. 139237/1984, there is disclosed a technique that a plurality of picture images are taken by passing a fluorescence generated from a living body in response to an excited light radiation through a plurality of types of band pass filters and respectively different color tones are allotted to the density grade differences of the respective picture images to form respective quasi color picture images.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus and endoscope apparatus whereby visible information can be obtained by selecting a suitable wavelength range in response to an object to be observed.
Each of the imaging apparatus and endoscope apparatus of the present invention comprises an image forming optical system forming an image of an object to be imaged, an imaging device having a sensitivity in a wavelength range ranging from a visible range to a range other than the visible range and converting the image formed by the above mentioned image forming optical system to an electric signal, a wavelength range dividing device dividing the wavelength range ranging from the visible range to the range other than the visible range into a plurality of wavelength ranges, a selecting device selecting at least one wavelength range from among the wavelength ranges divided by the above mentioned wavelength range dividing device and a signal processing device processing the output signal of the above mentioned imaging device to be a video signal in response to the above mentioned selected wavelength range.
FIG. 52 is an explanatory diagram showing the transmitting characteristics of the respective filter of the rotary filter in the fourteenth embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The first embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 to 6.
In this embodiment, the combination of the wavelength ranges of the light emitted from the above mentioned rotary filter 31 is switched by the band selected by the above mentioned band switching filter 27. That is to say, in case the infrared band is selected by the above mentioned band switching filter 27, the first to third infrared light IR1, IR2 and IR3 will be emitted in time series. In case the visible band is selected, the respective color light of red(R), green (G) and blue(B) will be emitted in time series. In case the ultraviolet band is selected, the first to third ultraviolet light UV1, UV2 and UV3 will be emitted in time series.
The image of the observed object formed by the above mentioned solid state imaging device 36 is photoelectrically converted and the signals corresponding to the respective picture elements of this solid state imaging device 36 are read out in time series as synchronized with the switching of the illuminating light by a driver 37 controlled by the control part 25. The output signal of this solid state imaging device 36 is input into a video signal processing part consisting of a process circuit 38, matrix circuit 39 and encoder 40 respectively controlled by the control part 25. The output signals of the above mentioned solid state imaging device 36 are first input into the process circuit 38 wherein the output signals corresponding to the illuminating lights in the respective wavelength ranges are allotted to the respective colors of red(R), green(G) and blue(B) to produce R, G and B color signals.
The R, G and B color signals from the above mentioned process circuit 38 are input into the matrix circuit 39 wherein, for example, an NTSC system luminance signal Y and color difference signals R-31 Y and B-Y are produced by the above mentioned R, G and B signals. Further, the output of this matrix circuit 39 is input into the encoder 40 by which an NTSC system video signal is produced. This video signal is input into the above mentioned color CRT monitor and the observed object is color-displayed.
The output signals corresponding to the respective illuminating light of the above mentioned solid state imaging device 36 are allotted to any of the respective colors of red(R), green(G) and blue(B) and are processed to be video signals in the video signal processing part 41.
The observed object is color-displayed by the respective allotted colors. That is to say, in case the ultraviolet band or infrared band is selected by the band switching filter 27, the observed object will be displayed in quasi colors.
Thus, according to this embodiment, the observed object can be color-displayed by selecting any of the ultraviolet, visible and infrared bands and allotting them to any colors. Therefore, the color tone differences in the respective positions of the observed object difficult to discriminate in a picture image in a general visible range can be easily detected.
The band switching filter 27 is not limited to be divided into the ultraviolet range, visible range and infrared range but, for example, a filter in which the long wavelength side of the visible range and a part of the short wavelength side of the infrared range are made transmitting bands may be provided so that the light having passed through this filter may be transmitted through the rotary filter 31, the respective color light of green(G) and red(R) and the first infrared light (IR1) may be radiated in time series onto the observed object and the respective colors of blue(B), green(G) and red(R) may be allotted to the above mentioned respective color light of green(G) and red(R) and the first infrared light(IR1) so as to be color-displayed. These color picture image may be compared with a color picture image in a general visible range. Thus, various color picture images can be obtained by the combination of the band switching filters 27 and rotary filter 31.
A strobo lamp which can be switched on and off at a high speed may be used instead of using wavelength band limiting filter as the band switching filter 27 so that light may be emitted when the filters of the wavelength bands UV1 to UV3, B, G and R and IR1 to IR3 which are required among the respective filters 31 are in the light path and the other filter parts may be used for the read out periods.
In this embodiment, a color filter 50 as is shown in FIG. 10 is arranged in front of the light source 24. This color filter 50 is divided into nine parts in the peripheral direction the same as in the rotary filter 31 in the first embodiment. Filters 50a to 50i transmitting a red light(R), first ultraviolet light(UV1), first infrared light(IR1), green light(G), second ultraviolet light(UV2), second infrared light(IR2), blue light(B), third ultraviolet light(UV3) and third infrared light(IR3) respectively having transmitting characteristics as are shown in FIG. 6 are arranged in this order in the divided respective parts. Light intercepting parts 51 are provided respectively between the above mentioned filters 50a to 50i.
In this embodiment, the observing wavelength band can be switched by using a strobo lamp 24S for the light source 24 instead of the band switching filter 27, motor 28 and motor driver 29 in the first embodiment. Also, in this embodiment, a rotary filter 55 different in the arrangement from the rotary filter 31 in the first embodiment is provided instead of the rotary filter 31 and is divided into nine parts in the peripheral direction as shown in FIG. 13. Filters 55a to 55i transmitting respectively R, G, B, IR1, IR2, IR3, UV1, UV2 and UV3 are arranged in this order in the divided respective parts. Light intercepting parts 56 are provided respectively between the filters 55a to 55i.
In this embodiment, as shown, for example, in FIG. 14(B), the strobo lamp 24S will emit the light when the filters 55a, 55b and 55c corresponding respectively to the wavelength ranges of R, G and B come into the light path. A color picture image in the ordinary visible range will be obtained when the respective colors of R, G and B are allotted to the above mentioned wavelength ranges of R, G and B.
Also, as shown in FIG. 14(F), when the filter corresponding to the specific single wavelength range comes into the filter light path, the strobo lamp 24S will emit a light and the object image in this wavelength range may be monocolor-displayed. In FIG. 14(F), only the picture image by B is obtained. However, the absorption in the short wavelength of B of the short wavelength is higher than the absorption characteristic of hemoglobin by R, IR1, IR2 and IR3 on the long wavelength side and therefore the distribution of the hemoglobin on the surface of the mucous membrane can be definitely observed. Also, by using another single wavelength range, a disease or the like can be diagnosed from the difference in picturing between the wavelength ranges.
Also, as shown in FIG. 18(C), when the filters 58d, 58e and 58f corresponding respectively to the wavelength length ranges of IR1, IR2 and IR3 come into the light path, the strobo lamp 24S will emit a light and the object image in the infrared range will be displayed in quasi colors. In the same manner, as shown in FIG. 18(D), when the filters 58g, 58h and 58j corresponding respectively to the wavelength ranges of UV1, UV2 and UV3 come into the light path, the strobo lamp 24S will emit a light and the object image will be displayed in quasi colors.
As shown in FIG. 19, a band switching apparatus 80 is provided within the light source part 22. As shown in FIG. 20, this band switching apparatus 80 is provided with a band switching mirror 81 having three mirrors 81a, 81b and 81c arranged in a row and respectively different in reflective characteristic. This band switching mirror 81 is arranged as to reflect at a predetermined angle the emitted light from the above mentioned light source 24 and is movable in the arranging direction (the directions indicated by the arrows in the drawing) of the mirrors 81a, 81b and 81c along a rail (not illustrated) so that the light emitted from the above mentioned light source 24 may be reflected selectively by any of the mirrors 81a, 81b and 81c.
Also, as shown in FIG. 20, a rack 82 is provided in the moving direction on a frame 81d of the above mentioned band switching mirror 81. A pinion gear 84 rotated by a motor 83 is meshed with this rack 82. The above mentioned motor 83 is rotated by a motor driver 86 controlled by a band switching controlling part 85. The above mentioned band switching mirror 81 is moved by rotating the above mentioned pinion gear 84. Three kinds of aperture windows 87a, 87b and 87c of apertures of respectively different areas are provided at intervals equal to those of the above mentioned mirrors 81a, 81b and 81c in the moving direction. A light emitting device 88 and light receiving sensor 89 are provided in the positions holding the above mentioned band switching mirror 81 and opposed selectively to the above mentioned aperture windows 87a, 87b and 87c so that the output of this light receiving sensor 89 may be input into the above mentioned band switching controlling part 85. The above mentioned aperture window 87 a is provided in the position opposed to the light emitting device 88 and light receiving sensor 89 when the mirror 81a is interposed in the illuminating light path. The aperture 87b is provided in the position opposed to the light emitting device 88 and light receiving sensor 89 when the mirror 81b is interposed in the illuminating light path. The aperture window 87c is provided in the position opposed to the light emitting device 88 and light receiving sensor 89 when the mirror 81c is interposed in the illuminating light path. In the above mentioned band controlling part 85, which of the mirrors 81a, 81b and 81c is interposed in the illuminating light path can be discriminated by the difference in the amount of light received by the above mentioned light receiving sensor 89.
In this embodiment, when any of the ultraviolet visible and infrared observing bands is selected in the band switching controlling part 85, the motor 83 will be rotated through the motor driver 86 and the band switching mirror 81 will be moved in the directions indicated by the arrows in the drawing. When any of the mirrors 81a, 81b and 81c corresponding to the selected band is interposed in the illuminating light path, any of the aperture windows 87a, 87b and 87c corresponding to this mirror will be positioned between the light emitting device 88 and light receiving sensor 89 and the light emitted from the light emitting device 88 will be received by the light receiving sensor 89 through the above mentioned aperture window. In case the light amount received by this light receiving sensor 89 coincides with the light amount set in advance by the area of the aperture window corresponding to the selected band, the rotation of the above mentioned motor 83 will be stopped and the band switching mirror 81 will be stopped. Thus, the mirror reflecting only the light of the selected band will be interposed in the illuminating light path. The lights reflected by the mirrors 81a, 81b and 81c are reflected by the mirror 90 and enter the entrance end of the light guide 33.
For example, when the visible band is selected, as shown in FIG. 19, the mirror 81b, reflecting only the visible light, will be interposed in the illuminating light path and the light emitted from the light source 24 will be reflected by the mirror 81b to be a visible light and will be further transmitted through the rotary filter 31 to be divided in time series into light of the respective wavelength bands of R, G and B. When the ultraviolet band is selected, the mirror 81a reflecting only the ultraviolet light will be interposed in the illuminating light path and the light emitted from the light source 24 will be reflected by the mirror 81a to be an infrared light and will be further transmitted through the rotary filter 31 to be divided in time series into lights of the respective wavelength bands of UV1, UV2 and UV3. In case the infrared band is selected, the mirror 81c reflecting only the infrared light will be interposed in the illuminating light path and the light emitted from the light source 24 will be reflected by the mirror 81c to be an infrared light and will be further transmitted through the rotary filter 31 to be divided in time series into light of the respective wavelength bands of IR1, IR2 and IR3.
In this embodiment, the rotary mirror 91 in the modification of the sixth embodiment may be used instead of the band switching mirror 61 or the band switching filter 27 in the first embodiment may be used.
As shown in FIG. 26, a light guide 114 transmitting an illuminating light is inserted through the insertable part of the electronic endoscope 1. The tip surface of this light guide 114 is arranged in the tip part 9 of the insertable part 2 so that the illuminating light can be emitted from this tip part 9. The above mentioned light guide 114 is inserted on the entrance end side through the universal cord 4 and is connected to the connector 5. An objective lens system 115 is provided in the above mentioned tip part 9. A solid state imaging device 116 is arranged in the image forming position of this objective lens system 115 and has a sensitivity to a wide wavelength range from the ultraviolet range to the infrared range and including the visible range. A liquid crystal shutter 117 temporarily intercepting the light entering this solid state imaging device 116 is provided on the front surface of this solid state imaging device 116. Signal lines 126 and 127 are connected to the above mentioned solid state imaging device. A signal line 128 is connected to the above mentioned liquid crystal shutter 117. These signal lines 126, 127 and 128 are inserted through the above mentioned insertable part 2 and universal cord 4 and are connected to the above mentioned connector 5.
On the other hand, a lamp 121 emitting a light in a wide range from the ultraviolet light to the infrared light is provided within the control apparatus 6. A general xenone lamp or strobo lamp can be used for this lamp 121. The above mentioned xenone lamp or strobo lamp emits a large amount of not only a visible light but also ultraviolet and infrared light. This lamp 121 is fed with an electric power by a current source part 122. A rotary filter 124 as a dividing means rotated and driven by a motor 123 is arranged in front of the above mentioned lamp 121. As shown in FIG. 27, this rotary filter 124 is divided into eight parts in the peripheral direction. As shown in FIG. 28, filters 124a to 124h transmitting respectively the red light(R), green light(G), blue light(B), first ultraviolet light (UV1), second ultraviolet light(UV2), first infrared light(IR1), second infrared light(IR2) and third infrared light(IR3) and having a band pass characteristic of selectively transmitting the wavelength of a narrow band over ultraviolet light to infrared light bands are arranged in this order in the divided respective parts. The above mentioned first to third infrared light are different from each other in the wavelength range and the wavelength is longer in the order of IR1, IR2 and IR3. In the same manner, the above mentioned first and second ultraviolet light are different from each other in the wavelength range and the wavelength is longer in the order of UV1 and UV2. The above mentioned motor 123 is controlled to be rotated and driven by a motor driver 125.
The returning light from the observed position by this illuminating light is made to form an image on the solid state imaging device 116 by the objective lens system 115 and is photoelectrically converted. A driving pulse from a driver circuit 131 within the above mentioned control apparatus 6 is applied to this solid state imaging element 116 through the above mentioned signal line 126. The reading out and transfer are made by this driving pulse. The video signal read out of this solid state imaging device 116 is input into a pre-amplifier 132 provided within the above mentioned control apparatus 6 or electronic endoscope 1 through the above mentioned signal line 127. The video signal amplified by this pre-amplifier 132 is input into a processing circuit 133, is processed to be γ-corrected and white-balanced and is converted to a digital signal by an A/D converter 134. This digital video signal is to be selectively stored in three memories (1)136a, (2)136b and (3)136c corresponding to the respective colors, for example, of red(R), green(G) and blue(B) by a selecting circuit 135. The signals of the above mentioned memories (1) 136a, (2)136b and (3)136c are simultaneously read out, are converted to analogue signals by a D/A converter 137, are output as R, G and B color signals, are input into an encoder 138 and are output out of this encoder 138 as an NTSC composite signal.
Here, if, for example, any three wavelength ranges are selected from among the divided wavelength ranges as shown in FIG. 28, when the filters corresponding to the selected wavelength ranges from among the respective filters 124a to 124h of the above mentioned rotary filter 124 are inserted in the illuminating light path, by the drive of the shutter driver 141, the liquid crystal shutter 117 will open, the above mentioned solid state imaging device 116 will be exposed and a video signal will be obtained. On the other hand, when the filters corresponding to the wavelength ranges not selected are inserted in the illuminating light path, the above mentioned liquid crystal shutter 117 will close and the above mentioned solid state imaging device 116 will not be exposed. Thus, only the video images of the object illuminated by the light transmitted through the filters corresponding to the wavelength ranges selected by the switching circuit 143 among the respective filters 124a to 124h of the rotary filter 124 will be read out in time series by the driver circuit 131 synchronized with the timing generator 142. The signals read out of this solid state imaging device 116 are amplified by the pre-amplifier 132, are processed to be γ-corrected and white-balanced by the processing circuit 133 and are then converted to digital signals by the A/D converter 134 and the video signals read out in time series by the selecting circuit 135 are stored respectively in the memories (1)136a, (2)136b and (3)136c corresponding to the respective colors of R, G and B for the respective wavelength ranges. The signals simultaneously read out of the memories 136a, 136b and 136c are converted to analogue signals by the D/A converter 137 and are output as R, G and B signals in the color monitor 7 capable of inputting R, G and B signals. Respective colors of R, G and B are allotted to the selected wavelength ranges and the observed object is displayed in quasi colors. Also, the above mentioned R, G and B signals are converted to an NTSC composite signal by the encoder 138, this signal is input into the color monitor and the observed object is displayed in quasi colors in the same manner. When respective transmitted wavelength ranges of R, G and B are selected and the respective colors of R, G and B are allotted to the respective transmitted wavelength ranges of R, G and B, an ordinary color picture image will be obtained.
As shown in FIG. 33, the above mentioned CCD 150 has each picture element 154 formed of a photosensitive part 151 receiving a light and photoelectrically converting it to an electric signal, a read-out gate 152 reading out a signal charge accumulated in this photosensitive part and a vertically transferring CCD 153 transferring in the vertical direction the signal charge read out of this readout gate 152 and is further provided with a horizontally transferring CCD 155 transferring in the horizontal direction the charge transferred by the above mentioned vertically transferring CCD 153. The rate occupied by the above mentioned light receiving part 151 in the entire CCD 150 is less than 50% as there are the read-out gate 152 and vertically transferring CCD 153.
In this embodiment, the transmitted wavelength ranges of the respective filters of the above mentioned filter 231 are limited to wavelength ranges belonging to either of the visible band and infrared band by the above mentioned band limiting filter 227. That is to say, when the visible band is selected by the above mentioned band limiting filter 227, only the visible light will enter the rotary filter 231 and therefore the lights of R, G and B will be color-separated in time series by the above mentioned rotary filter 231 and will enter the entrance end of the light guide 33. On the other hand, when the infrared band is selected by the above mentioned band limiting filter 227, only the infrared light will enter the rotary filter 231, the above mentioned rotary filter 231 will not color-separate R, G and B and the light of the infrared band IR will be emitted from this rotary filter 231 and will enter the entrance end of the light guide 33.
In ease the visible band is selected by the above mentioned band limiting filter 227, the light of the respective wavelength ranges of R, G and B will be radiated in time series onto the observed object and the returning light from this observed object will be made to form an image on the solid state imaging device 36 by the objective lens system 35. This solid state imaging device 36 is driven by the driver 37. The signals read out of the solid state imaging device 36 in response to the respective wavelength ranges are to the respective colors of red, green and blue and are processed to be video signals in the video signal processing part 41. For example, the output signal of the above mentioned solid state imaging device 36 is amplified and γ-corrected in the process circuit 38 and the color signal is corrected in the matrix circuit 39 so as to reproduce the colors accurately in the color measurement. Further, the three kinds of picture images color-separated in the respective wavelength ranges are temporarily stored in the encoder 40, are converted to video signals observable with a general television monitor and are output in the monitor 7. Therefore, when the respective colors of red, green and blue are allotted to the respective wavelength ranges of R, G and B, an ordinary color picture image will be obtained.
The above mentioned band limiting filter 227 is not limited to be disc-like as shown, for example, in FIG. 41 but also, as shown, for example, in FIG. 46, a filter 228a transmitting the visible band and a filter 228b transmitting the infrared band are arranged in the peripheral direction in a substantially fan-shaped frame 228 so that, when the frame 228 is rotated by a predetermined angle with the rotary shaft 229 as a center, either of the filters 228a and 228b may selectively interposed in the illuminating light path of the light source 24. Also, as shown in FIG. 47, the filter 231a transmitting the visible band and the filter 231b transmitting the infrared band are arranged on the left and right in the frame 231 so that, when the above mentioned frame 231 is moved in the rightward and leftward direction by a rack 232 provided in the rightward and leftward direction in the above mentioned frame 231 and a pinion 233 meshing with this rack 232, the above mentioned frame 231 may be moved in the rightward and leftward direction and thereby either of the filters 231a and 231b may be selectively interposed in the illuminating light path of the light source 24.
FIG. 50 shows a difference in the spectral characteristic (the attenuation rate by mixing in ICG) between blood in which was mixed Indocyanine green (ICG) which is an infrared ray absorbing color and blood in which ICG was not mixed. As shown in this diagram, the blood in which ICG was mixed has a maximum absorption at 805 nm. Therefore, when ICG is mixed into blood, for example, by venous injection and the infrared band is selected by the band limiting filter 227 and the above mentioned band limiting filter 240 having a band pass characteristic in which the absorption factor has a maximum of 805 nm. in the center is interposed in the illuminating light path, a light of a narrow band having 805 nm. in the center will be radiated onto the observed object and the observed object image in this narrow band will be observed. The light having 805 nm. in the center will reach the deep part of the mucous membrane and will be absorbed in the venous part and therefore the venous part will be observed as a shadow. Therefore, as compared with the observation in other wavelength ranges, the vein running state can be observed in a much higher contrast.
In this embodiment, when the visible band is selected by the band limiting filter 227, the same as in the twelfth embodiment, the light of R, G and B will be color-separated in time series by the rotary filter 251 and a color picture image in an ordinary visible band will be obtained. On the other hand, when the infrared band is selected by the above mentioned band limiting filter 227, the light of IR1, IR2 and IR2 will be color-separated in time series by the above mentioned rotary filter 251 and three lights will be radiated onto the observed object. In the video signal processing part 41, the respective colors of red, green and blue are optionally allotted to the above mentioned wavelength ranges of IR1, IR2 and IR3 and the video signals are processed. Therefore, the observed object image of the infrared band is displayed in quasi colors.
In this embodiment, when the visible band is selected by the band limiting filter 261, the same as in the twelfth embodiment, the light of R, G and B will be color-separated in time series by the rotary filter 262 and a color picture image in an ordinary visible range will be obtained. On the other hand, when the ultraviolet band is selected by the above mentioned band limiting filter 261, the light of UV1, UV2 and UV3 will be color-separated in time series by the above mentioned rotary filter 262 and will be radiated onto the observed object. In the video signal processing part 41, the respective colors of red, green and blue are optionally allotted to the above mentioned wavelength ranges of UV1, UV2 and UV3 to process video signals. Therefore, the observed object image in the ultraviolet band is displayed in quasi colors.
In the above mentioned twelfth to seventeenth embodiments, there may be used a band limiting filter which can selectively transmit such three or more bands as the ultraviolet band, visible band and infrared band and respective filters of the color filter having a transmitting characteristic in three or more ranges selectable by the above mentioned band limiting filter so that any observing wavelength band may be selected from among three or more observing wavelength bands.
The selectable observing wavelength band is not limited to be divided into ultraviolet, visible and infrared bands but may be set so that, for example, a part of the long wavelength side of the visible range and the short wavelength side of the infrared range may be made an observing wavelength band.
On the other hand, a solid state imaging device 336 as an imaging means is arranged in the image forming position of the objective lens system 35 provided in the tip part. This solid state imaging device 336 has a sensitivity at least to the visible band and infrared band. A color filter 337 as a wavelength range dividing means is arranged in front of the imaging surface of the above mentioned solid state imaging device 336. In this color filter 337, as shown in FIG. 64, filters 337a, 337b and 337c transmitting respectively different wavelength ranges are arranged, for example, to be mesaic like.
In this embodiment, the above mentioned respective filters 337a, 337b and 337c have a double transmitting characteristic and have transmitted wavelength ranges in the visible band and infrared band. That is to say, as shown in FIG. 65, the filter 337a transmits the red light R in the visible band and infrared light IR3 in the infrared band, the filter 337b transmits the green light G in the visible band and infrared light IR2 in the infrared band and the filter 337c transmits the blue light B in the visible band and infrared light IR1 in the infrared band. The above mentioned infrared lights IR1, IR2 and IR3 are respectively different in the wavelength range and the center wavelengths are longer in the order of IR1, IR2 and IR3.
In this embodiment, the transmitted wavelength ranges of the respective filters 337a, 337b and 337c of the above mentioned color filter 337 are limited to the wavelength ranges belonging to either of the visible band and infrared band by the above mentioned band limiting filter 328. That is to say, when the visible band is selected by the above mentioned band limiting filter 328, the infrared band will not be illuminated and therefore the respective filters 337a, 337b and 337c of the above mentioned color filter 337 will transmit respectively B, G and R of the visible band. On the other hand, in case the infrared band is selected by the above mentioned band limiting filter 328, the visible band will not be illuminated and therefore the respective filters 337a, 337b and 337c of the above mentioned color filter 337 will transmit respectively IR1, IR2 and IR3 in the infrared band. The light transmitted through the above mentioned respective filters 337a, 337b and 337c are received by the above mentioned solid state imaging device 336 and are photoelectrically converted. The signals corresponding to the respective picture elements of this solid state imaging device 336 are input into a video signal processing part 338 and are processed in response to a simultaneous system. In this video signal processing part 338, the signals corresponding to the respective picture elements of the above mentioned solid state imaging device 336 are processed to be video signals by the type of the filters 337a, 337b and 337c in front of the respective picture elements. For example, red(R) is allotted to the picture element signal corresponding to the filter 337a, green(G) is allotted to the picture element signal corresponding to the filter 337b and blue(B) is allotted to the picture element signal corresponding to the filter 337c and the signals are processed to be video signals. The video signals output from this video signal processing part 338 are input into the above mentioned color CRT monitor 7 and the observed object is color-displayed.
The returning light from the observed position by this illuminating light is made to form an image on the solid state imaging device 452 by the objective lens system 115 and is photoelectrically converted. A driving pulse from the driver circuit 178 within the above mentioned control apparatus 6 is applied to the solid state imaging device 452 through the above mentioned signal line 126 and the signal is read out and transferred by this driving pulse. The video signal read out of this solid state imaging device 452 is input through the above mentioned signal line 127 into the pre-amplifier 132 provided within the above mentioned control apparatus or within the electronic endoscope 1. The video signal amplified by this pre-amplified 132 is processed by the process circuit 133, A/D converter 234, selecting circuit 135, three memories (1) 136a, (2) 136b and (3) 136c, D/A converter 137 and converter 138 the same as in the eighth and tenth embodiments.
In this embodiment, when the filter switching device 451 is controlled by the switching circuit 143 to interpose the outer peripheral side of the rotary filter 450 into the illuminating light path between the lamp 121 and the entrance end of the light guide 114, the light emitted from the above mentioned lamp 121 will pass in turn through the filters 450a, 450b and 450c transmitting respectively R, G and B of the above-mentioned rotary filter 450 and will be divided in time series into the light of the respective wavelength ranges of R, G and B. This light of R, G and B is transmitted to the tip part 9 through the light guide 114 and is radiated onto the object to be imaged. The returning light from the object by the illuminating light in the field order of R, G and B in this visible range is made to form an image on the solid state imaging device 452 by the objective lens system 115 and the object is imaged by this solid state imaging device 452. Therefore, an ordinary visible picture image is color-displayed in the monitor.
On the other hand, when the filter switching device 451 is controlled by the above mentioned switching circuit 143 to interpose the inner peripheral side of the rotary filter 450 into the illuminating light path between the lamp 121 and the entrance end of the light guide 114, the light emitted from the above mentioned lamp 121 will pass in turn through the filters 450d, 450e and 450f transmitting respectively UV1, IR1 and IR2 of the above mentioned rotary filter 450 and will be divided in time series into light of the respective wavelength ranges of UV1, IR1 and IR2. The light is transmitted to the tip part 9 through the light guide 114 and is radiated onto the object to be imaged. The returning light from the object by this illuminating light is made to form an image on the solid state imaging device 452 by the objective lens system 115 and the object is imaged by this solid state imaging device 452. Therefore, a picture image in invisible ranges such as the ultraviolet and infrared light ranges by the respective wavelength ranges of UV1, IR1 and IR2 is displayed in quasi colors in the monitor 7. When one or two of the memories 136a, 136b and 136c are selectively read out, a picture image by one or two wavelength ranges of UV1, IR1 and IR2 will be able to be obtained.
Thus, according to this embodiment, the same as in the other embodiments, not only an ordinary visible color picture image but also a picture image in invisible such as the ultraviolet and infrared light ranges can be obtained.
By the way, the present invention is not limited to the above mentioned respective embodiments. For example, the reflected light from the observed object is not limited to be received but the light having passed through the object may be received.
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