ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM, ENDOSCOPE, AND DRIVING METHOD

Abstract

An endoscope includes an elongated tube. An objective lens system is disposed in the elongated tube, for passing image light from an object. A fiber optic image guide includes plural optical fibers bundled together, has a distal tip, is inserted through the elongated tube, for transmitting the image light focused on the distal tip by the objective lens system in a proximal direction. A displacing device displaces the distal tip laterally and periodically upon receiving entry of the image light being focused by use of a piezoelectric actuator positioned outside the distal tip. Plural shifted images are created by the fine displacement, and registered together by image registration, and combined as a synthesized image of up-sampling. Preferably, an evaluator retrieves information of relative position, which is used for error correction of the shifted images.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an endoscope system, endoscope, and driving method. More particularly, the present invention relates to an endoscope system, endoscope, and driving method in which an elongated tube of the endoscope can have a reduced diameter and images of high image quality can be produced.

2. Description Related to the Prior Art

An endoscope is an important medical instrument used in the field of the clinical medicine. Examples of the endoscope include primitive models such as a fiberscope or stomach camera, an electronic endoscope containing a CCD, and a capsule endoscope which is orally swallowed by a patient to retrieve an image.

In the field of endoscopic examination, extreme thinning of a tube for a reduced diameter to produce an ultra thin tube is desired very seriously for an elongated tube of the endoscope. Various ideas for the extreme thinning for a reduced diameter have been suggested for the purpose of imaging of various body parts in a narrow lumen, such as a pancreatic duct, bile duct, breast duct, terminal bronchioles, and the like.

The fiberscope is structurally suitable for the extreme thinning for a reduced diameter, because the image can be retrieved only by having a fiber optic image guide and an illuminating light guide. The fiber optic image guide transmits image light of the image of a body part or object of interest. The illuminating light guide applies light to the body part. However, cladding of an optical fiber bundle constituting the fiber optic image guide does not contribute to the transmission of the image light. There occurs a problem in that a pattern of mesh of a loss region due to the cladding appears locally within the image, and the image quality of the image will be low.

In view of this problem, U.S. Pat. No. 4,618,884 (corresponding to JP-A 60-053919) discloses the fiberscope. In a first embodiment of the document, a focusing lens system is disposed at a distal tip of the fiber optic image guide for focusing of image light on the distal tip. A piezoelectric actuator vibrates the focusing lens system to remove light component of a pattern of mesh from the image. The piezoelectric actuator vibrates the focusing lens system horizontally and vertically at a predetermined amount according to a pixel pitch of the pixels of the CCD or the optical fibers in the fiber optic image guide.

In a second embodiment of U.S. Pat. No. 4,618,884, the CCD is disposed at a distal end of the elongated tube without the fiber optic image guide. The focusing lens system in front of the CCD is vibrated in the same manner as its first embodiment. During the vibration, image light of the image is received on pixels of the CCD in a time division manner. Data are obtained, and written to a frame memory sequentially, to produce one frame of the image. Thus, high definition of the image can be obtained.

JP-A 6-343134 discloses a technique for removing a pattern of mesh of a loss region in the image. A white plate is photographed to obtain a reference image. Portions in an image corresponding to the pattern of mesh in the reference image are substituted by white portions, by adjacent pixels, by numerous surrounding pixels, or by calculated interpolation values.

JP-A 8-191440 discloses extraction of a center coordinate point of a part image of a core of an optical fiber included in the fiber optic image guide on an image pickup surface by detection from a white image obtained by photographing a white object. Pixels of the white images are corrected to increase uniformity of brightness. Pixels other than the pixel of the center coordinate point are interpolated by two-dimensional interpolation and embedment.

The focusing lens system has a larger diameter than the fiber optic image guide to ensure high brightness in the image. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,618,884, the focusing lens system is vibrated by the piezoelectric actuator. Even with the focusing lens system having the larger diameter than the fiber optic image guide, a further space is required for positioning a frame or retention mechanism for supporting the focusing lens system in a pivotally movable manner. The elongated tube must have a larger size in the radial direction. It follows that vibrating the focusing lens system with the piezoelectric actuator is inconsistent to the extreme thinning for a reduced diameter. A space required for positioning such a frame or retention mechanism is a serious problem in view of the extreme thinning for a reduced diameter of an order from tens of microns to a number of millimeters.

Although high definition of an image can be obtained from the second embodiment of U.S. Pat. No. 4,618,884, the extreme thinning for a reduced diameter is still impossible because the CCD is disposed in front of the elongated tube in addition to the focusing lens system.

Although it is possible in JP-A 6-343134 and JP-A 8-191440 to remove the pattern of mesh of a loss region, there is no increase in the number of pixels for imaging. A problem arises in limited possibility of high resolution even by use of the pixel interpolation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope system, endoscope, and driving method in which an elongated tube of the endoscope can have a reduced diameter and images of high image quality can be produced.

In order to achieve the above and other objects and advantages of this invention, an endoscope system includes an objective lens system, disposed in an elongated tube of an endoscope, for passing image light from an object. A fiber optic image guide includes plural optical fibers bundled together, has a distal tip, inserted through the elongated tube, for transmitting the image light focused on the distal tip by the objective lens system in a proximal direction. An image sensor detects the image light from the fiber optic image guide. A displacing device displaces the distal tip laterally and periodically upon receiving entry of the image light being focused. A sync control unit drives the image sensor for detecting the image light for plural times in synchronism with displacement of the displacing device, and controls the image sensor and the displacing device to create plural images in plural set positions of the distal tip relative to the image light being focused. An image synthesizing unit combines the plural images according to information of a relative position of the image light transmitted respectively by the optical fibers to pixels of the image sensor on an image pickup surface thereof, and according to a shift amount of the displacement of the distal tip with the displacing device, to form one synthesized image.

Furthermore, an evaluator retrieves information of the relative position according to a reference image obtained by imaging an object with a smooth surface and a single color in the endoscope.

The information of the relative position is retrieved at a predetermined period.

The evaluator includes a binarizer for binarizing the reference image to create a binary image. A center coordinate detector detects a center coordinate point of the image light transmitted by one of the optical fibers on the image pickup surface of the image sensor according to the binary image.

The image synthesizing unit determines a representative value of pixel values for each of the optical fibers according to pixels of the image sensor positioned in respectively areas each of which is defined about the coordinate point being detected and has a diameter equal to a core diameter of the optical fibers.

The image synthesizing unit determines the representative value according to an average or maximum of the pixel values of the pixels of the image sensor within each of the areas.

The image synthesizing unit determines a representative value of pixel values for each of the optical fibers at each one time of the plural times of imaging in the image sensor in synchronism with displacement of the displacing device.

The image synthesizing unit maps the representative value to a pixel in the image sensor corresponding thereto for a pixel value according to the shift amount.

The image synthesizing unit adds the shift amount to information of the coordinate point corresponding to each of the optical fibers, to specify a pixel on the image sensor for mapping of the representative value thereto.

The image synthesizing unit produces a pixel value of a pixel without mapping according to the pixel value of the pixel to which the representative value is mapped among pixels corresponding to the optical fibers.

The displacing device shifts the distal tip stepwise from a first set position to an Nth set position, and shifts back the distal tip to the first set position for one two-dimensional shift sequence, where N is an integer. The image sensor carries out image pickup for each of the first to Nth set positions.

The displacing device retains the distal tip in each of the first to Nth set positions by intermittent shifting.

A distance between the first to Nth set positions is 1/n as long as a pitch of arrangement of the optical fibers in the fiber optic image guide, wherein n is an integer.

N is 4 or 9, and the first to Nth set positions are arranged in a rhombic shape in which two or three of the set positions are arranged on one edge thereof and which has interior angles of substantially 60 and 120 degrees.

The displacing device shifts the distal tip with a shortest path length defined by arranging the first to Nth set positions.

N is three or more.

The first to Nth set positions are arranged on a polygonal path.

Furthermore, a support casing supports the distal tip inserted therein, and keeping the distal tip shiftable on the displacing device. The displacing device includes a piezoelectric actuator, disposed outside the support casing, for expanding and contracting to move the fiber optic image guide in cooperation with the support casing.

Each of the optical fibers includes a core, and a cladding disposed about the core. The displacing device shifts the distal tip at a shift amount for setting a distal end of the core at a location where a distal end of the cladding has been set.

Furthermore, an evaluator retrieves information of the relative position for correction. The image synthesizing unit creates registered images by image registration of plural shifted forms of the image with the shift amount, correcting the registered images for error correction according to the relative position information, and creating the synthesized image of up-sampling by use of the registered images after the error correction.

Also, an endoscope is provided, and includes an elongated tube. An objective lens system is disposed in the elongated tube, for passing image light from an object. A fiber optic image guide includes plural optical fibers bundled together, has a distal tip, inserted through the elongated tube, for transmitting the image light focused on the distal tip by the objective lens system in a proximal direction. A displacing device displaces the distal tip laterally and periodically upon receiving entry of the image light being focused by use of a piezoelectric actuator positioned outside the distal tip. The fiber optic image guide transmits the image light to an image sensor for detecting the image light for plural times in synchronism with displacement of the displacing device, the image sensor and the displacing device are controlled to create plural images in plural set positions of the distal tip relative to the image light being focused. The plural images are combined according to information of a relative position of the image light transmitted respectively by the optical fibers to pixels of the image sensor on an image pickup surface thereof, and according to a shift amount of the displacement of the distal tip with the displacing device, to form one synthesized image.

Also, a driving method of driving an endoscope is provided, the endoscope including an elongated tube, an objective lens system, disposed in the elongated tube, for passing image light from an object, and a fiber optic image guide, including plural optical fibers bundled together, having a distal tip, inserted through the elongated tube, for transmitting the image light focused on the distal tip by the objective lens system in a proximal direction. In the driving method, the distal tip is displaced laterally and periodically upon receiving entry of the image light being focused by use of a piezoelectric actuator positioned outside the distal tip. An image sensor is driven for detecting the image light for plural times in synchronism with displacement. Plural images are created with the image sensor in plural set positions of the distal tip relative to the image light being focused, to combine the plural images according to information of a relative position of the image light transmitted respectively by the optical fibers to pixels of the image sensor on an image pickup surface thereof, and according to a shift amount of the displacement of the distal tip, to form one synthesized image.

According to the invention, the elongated tube of the endoscope can have a reduced diameter and images of high image quality can be produced, because the displacing device can compensate for poorly recording pixels by displacement of the distal tip relative to the image light.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an endoscope system;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation illustrating a head assembly of an endoscope of the endoscope system;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section illustrating the head assembly;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a displacing device;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation illustrating a bundle of optical fibers of a fiber optic image guide;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating relevant elements in the endoscope system;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view in a front elevation illustrating a relationship between an image transmitted by the core and a pixel of a CCD;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view illustrating one example of displacement;

FIG. 9A is an explanatory view in a front elevation illustrating a two-dimensional path of a distal tip of one of the cores;

FIG. 9B is an explanatory view in a front elevation illustrating another two-dimensional path of the distal tip;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating relevant circuits for operation upon designating a composite imaging mode;

FIG. 11A is an explanatory view in a plan illustrating a white image;

FIG. 11B is an explanatory view in a plan illustrating a binary image;

FIG. 12 is a timing chart illustrating a relationship between driving of the CCD, a piezoelectric control signal and an image synthesis signal;

FIG. 13A is an explanatory view in a plan illustrating focused areas;

FIG. 13B is an explanatory view in a plan illustrating mapped images or intermediate images;

FIG. 14 is an explanatory view illustrating an image synthesis with image registration;

FIG. 15 is a flow chart illustrating operation of the endoscope system;

FIG. 16 is a flow chart illustrating the image synthesis with the image registration;

FIG. 17 is a front elevation illustrating a head assembly of another preferred endoscope;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view illustrating one example of displacement;

FIG. 19 is an explanatory view illustrating another example of displacement;

FIG. 20 is an explanatory view illustrating another example of the displacing;

FIG. 21A is an explanatory view in a front elevation illustrating a two-dimensional path of a distal tip of one of the cores;

FIG. 21B is an explanatory view in a front elevation illustrating one preferred two-dimensional path of the distal tip;

FIG. 21C is an explanatory view in a front elevation illustrating still another preferred two-dimensional path of the distal tip;

FIG. 22 is a front elevation illustrating one preferred displacing device having a regulating recess inside;

FIG. 23 is a front elevation illustrating one preferred embodiment having a regulating projection;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view illustrating another preferred endoscope system having a transfer device;

FIG. 25 is a block diagram illustrating the endoscope system of FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a block diagram illustrating one preferred embodiment having a laser light source.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In FIG. 1, an endoscope system 2 includes an endoscope 10, a processing apparatus 11 and a light source apparatus 12. The endoscope 10 is used for imaging of various body parts in narrow lumens, for example, a pancreatic duct, bile duct, breast duct, terminal bronchioles, and the like. The endoscope 10 includes an elongated tube 13 or insertion tube, a handle 14, a first connector 15, a second connector 16 or coupler, and a universal cable 17. The elongated tube 13 is flexible and entered in a patient's body. The handle 14 is disposed at a proximal end of the elongated tube 13. The first connector 15 is plugged in the processing apparatus 11. The second connector 16 is plugged in the light source apparatus 12. The universal cable 17 extends from the handle 14 to the first connector 15 and the second connector 16.

The elongated tube 13 has a thickness of 50 microns and outer diameter of 0.9 mm, and is formed from flexible material such as a Teflon (trade name), namely tetrafluoroethylene. A recording button 18 or release button among various buttons is disposed on the handle 14 for recording an endoscopic still image of a body part. An instrument opening 19 or forceps opening is formed on a side of the handle 14, and receives passage of an electrosurgical knife or other instruments for treatment. A head assembly 20 is disposed at a distal end of the elongated tube 13. An instrument opening 26 or forceps opening (See FIG. 2) is formed in the head assembly 20. A working channel 46 or forceps channel (See FIG. 3) is formed through the elongated tube 13, and extends from the instrument opening 19 to the instrument opening 26.

The processing apparatus 11 is connected with the light source apparatus 12 electrically, and controls operation of the constituents of the endoscope system 2. A connection cable 45 of FIG. 3 is inserted through the universal cable 17 and the elongated tube 13, and supplies the endoscope 10 with power from the processing apparatus 11. A displacing device 32 of FIG. 3 is also controlled by the processing apparatus 11. A CCD group 58 is contained in the processing apparatus 11. The CCD group 58 includes CCDs 58B, 58G and 58R or image pickup devices. See FIG. 6. Image light of an image of a body part is transmitted by a fiber optic image guide 31, and received by the CCD group 58, which generates an image signal. The processing apparatus 11 processes the image signal in image processing, to create an image. A monitor display panel 21 is connected by use of a cable, and displays the image created by the processing apparatus 11.

The head assembly 20 has a wall constituted by a pipe of a stainless steel and has a thickness of 25 microns and an outer diameter of 0.8 mm. In FIG. 2, a distal end face 20a of the head assembly 20 is illustrated. An imaging window 25 is disposed in an upper portion of the distal end face 20a. The instrument opening 26 is open in the distal end face 20a and disposed under the imaging window 25. A plurality of light guide devices 27 or illumination fiber optics are contained in the head assembly 20. Ends of the light guide devices 27 are positioned beside the imaging window 25 and the instrument opening 26 without bundling and packed randomly in a tube lumen inside the head assembly 20.

The instrument opening 26 has an outer diameter of 0.34 mm and an inner bore of 0.3 mm, and is an exit opening of the working channel 46. See FIG. 3. An example of material of a wall of the working channel 46 is polyimide. An example of the light guide devices 27 is an optical fiber having a diameter of 50 microns. The light guide devices 27 are inserted through the elongated tube 13 and the universal cable 17, and have a proximal end located in the second connector 16 or coupler. Light is entered through the proximal end of the light guide devices 27, is transmitted, and is applied to an object of interest through a distal end of the light guide devices 27 positioned within the distal end face 20a.

For the light guide devices 27, a plurality of optical fibers without bundling are inserted in the elongated tube 13. Adhesive agent in a fluid form is supplied into the head assembly 20 for adhesion of the light guide devices 27. It is possible according to requirements to polish the surface of the distal end of the light guide devices 27 after the adhesion, or to dispose a lighting window in front of the distal end of the light guide devices 27 to cover the same. Also, a coating of phosphor or other materials may be applied to the lighting window to diffuse the light.

In FIG. 3, an objective lens system 30 is disposed behind the imaging window 25 together with the fiber optic image guide 31 and the displacing device 32. The displacing device 32 shifts the fiber optic image guide 31. A lens barrel 33 contains the objective lens system 30. A distal tip 48 for receiving light is positioned on a plane where image light of an image from an object is in focus. A diameter of the objective lens system 30 is 0.35 mm. An outer diameter of the lens barrel 33 is 0.4 mm. A length of the lens barrel 33 in the axial direction is 3.2 mm.

The fiber optic image guide 31 is a bundle of optical fibers with a diameter of 0.2 mm. See FIG. 5. The fiber optic image guide 31 extends through the elongated tube 13 and the universal cable 17, and has a proximal tip contained in the first connector 15. The fiber optic image guide 31 transmits image light of an object received from the objective lens system 30 through the distal tip 48 toward its proximal tip.

In FIG. 4, the displacing device 32 includes a support casing 34, a piezoelectric actuator material 35 and electrodes 36. The support casing 34 is a barrel or pipe of stainless steel, and has an outer diameter of 0.26 mm and an inner bore of 0.2 mm. The fiber optic image guide 31 is inserted in and fixed on the support casing 34. The piezoelectric actuator material 35 has a thickness of 15 microns, and is a coating applied to an outer surface of the support casing 34 in a cylindrical form. The electrodes 36 have a thickness of 5 microns, and are a coating about the piezoelectric actuator material 35.

The displacing device 32 is contained in a wall of the head assembly 20. A lumen 37 is defined between the outside of the displacing device 32 and the inside of the wall of the head assembly 20, and has a width of approximately 0.1 mm.

The displacing device 32 includes a shift mechanism 38 and a stationary section 39. The shift mechanism 38 is a portion of the displacing device 32 free from the wall of the head assembly 20 without fixing. The fiber optic image guide 31 is displaceable within the lumen 37 with respect to the stationary section 39. Adhesive agent 40 is used in the stationary section 39, and attaches the displacing device 32 to the inner wall of the head assembly 20. An area of the adhesive agent 40 extends from a proximal point of the displacing device 32 where the fiber optic image guide 31 appears to a point near to a distal end of the elongated tube 13. Lengths of the shift mechanism 38 and the stationary section 39 are respectively 4 mm and 1.9 mm in the axial direction. A length of filling of the adhesive agent 40 in the axial direction is 3.2 mm inclusive of the stationary section 39 and a distal portion of the elongated tube 13.

The electrodes 36 are arranged in the circumferential direction regularly at an angle of 90 degrees. The electrodes 36 are oriented with an inclination of 45 degrees relative to the vertical or horizontal direction of FIG. 2. Four grooves 41 are formed to extend in parallel with the axial direction, and define the electrodes 36 of two pairs. The electrodes 36 have a locally large width in the shift mechanism 38, as an interval between the electrodes 36 is only as great as the width of the grooves 41. In contrast, recesses 42 are defined with the electrodes 36 in the area of the stationary section 39, and extend in a symmetrical manner from the grooves 41. A narrow portion 43 of the electrodes 36 is defined by the recesses 42. The narrow portion 43 extends to the vicinity of the proximal end of the piezoelectric actuator material 35. The grooves 41 and the recesses 42 are formed by etching after applying a coating of the electrode material to the entire surface of the piezoelectric actuator material 35.

Pads 44 are disposed at proximal ends of the narrow portion 43. The connection cable 45 is connected with each of the pads 44. Also, the end of the support casing 34 has another one of the pads 44, with which the connection cable 45 is connected. Consequently, the support casing 34 operates as a common electrode for the piezoelectric actuator material 35.

The connection cable 45 has a cable diameter of 15 microns and an outer jacket diameter of 20 microns. The connection cable 45 is extended about the fiber optic image guide 31, inserted in the elongated tube 13 and the universal cable 17, and connected by the first connector 15 with the processing apparatus 11.

The two pairs of the electrodes 36 are supplied with voltages of opposite polarities with reference to a voltage applied to the support casing 34 as a common electrode. For example, let the support casing 34 have a potential of 0 V. An upper one of the electrodes 36 is supplied with +5 V. A lower one of the electrodes 36 is supplied with −5 V. The piezoelectric actuator material 35 under the electrodes 36 expands and contracts axially. In response to this, a portion of the shift mechanism 38 in front of the stationary section 39 displaces in the lumen 37 together with the distal tip 48 of the fiber optic image guide 31. It is possible to displace the shift mechanism 38 at a predetermined angle and amount by changing a combination of the electrodes 36 for powering and levels of the voltages.

In FIG. 5, the fiber optic image guide 31 has plural optical fibers 52, for example 6,000 fibers, bundled with extreme tightness in an equilateral hexagonal form. Each of the optical fibers 52 includes a core 50 and a cladding 51. A diameter of the core 50 is 3 microns. A diameter of the cladding 51 is 6 microns. A pitch P of arrangement of the optical fibers 52 is 6 microns.

In FIG. 6, the processing apparatus 11 includes an enlarging lens system 55 and a three-CCD assembly 56. The enlarging lens system 55 is opposed to the proximal tip of the fiber optic image guide 31 extending to the outside of the first connector 15. The enlarging lens system 55 enlarges the object image from the fiber optic image guide 31 with a suitable magnification, and directs its image light to the three-CCD assembly 56.

The three-CCD assembly 56 is an image sensor disposed behind the enlarging lens system 55. A color separation prism 57 is combined with the CCD group 58 to constitute the three-CCD assembly 56 as well-known in the art. The color separation prism 57 includes three prism blocks and two dichroic mirrors disposed on optical faces of the prism blocks. The color separation prism 57 separates image light of a body part from the enlarging lens system 55 into light components of red, blue and green colors, which are directed to the CCD group 58. The CCD group 58 outputs an image signal according to light amounts of the light components from the color separation prism 57. Note that a CMOS image sensor may be used instead of the CCD.

Image light of a part image 80 is transmitted by the core 50 of the fiber optic image guide 31. There are pixels 81 arranged on the image pickup surface of the CCD group 58. In FIG. 7, the part image 80 is viewed in a state projected to the image pickup surface of the CCD group 58. A center of the part image 80 substantially coincides with the center of a set of nine of the pixels 81. The proximal tip of the fiber optic image guide 31 is positioned relative to the color separation prism 57 and the CCD group 58 so as to correlate the part image 80 with the pixels 81 in the depicted state.

In FIG. 6, an analog front end 59 or AFE is supplied with the image signal from the CCD group 58. The analog front end 59 includes a correlated double sampling circuit or CDS circuit, an automatic gain control circuit or AGC circuit, and an A/D converter. The CDS circuit processes the image signal from the CCD group 58 in the correlated double sampling, and eliminates noise generated by the CCD group 58, such as reset noise, amplification noise and the like. The AGC circuit amplifies the image signal with a predetermined signal gain after noise elimination in the CDS circuit. The A/D converter converts the amplified image signal from the AGC circuit into a digital signal with a predetermined number of bits. A digital signal processor 65 or DSP has a frame memory (not shown) to which the digital form of the image signal from the A/D converter is written.

A CCD driver 60 generates drive pulses for the CCD group 58 and a sync pulse for the analog front end 59. The drive pulses include a vertical/horizontal scan pulse, electronic shutter pulse, reading pulse, reset pulse and the like. The CCD group 58 responds to the drive pulses from the CCD driver 60, takes an image, and outputs an image signal. Components included in the analog front end 59 are operated according to the sync pulse from the CCD driver 60. Note that the CCD driver 60 and the analog front end 59 are connected with the CCD 58G in the drawing, but also connected with the CCDs 58R and 58B.

A piezoelectric driver 61 is connected by the connection cable 45 with the electrodes 36 and the support casing 34. A CPU 62 controls the piezoelectric driver 61 to supply the piezoelectric actuator material 35 with voltage.

The CPU 62 controls the entirety of the processing apparatus 11. The CPU 62 is connected with various elements by a data bus (not shown), address bus, control lines and the like. A ROM 63 stores data (such as graphic data) and programs (operation system and application programs) for controlling the processing apparatus 11. The CPU 62 reads the program and data required for the purpose from the ROM 63. A RAM 64 is a working memory with which the CPU 62 performs tasks with data for operation by running the program. An input interface 68 is also associated with the CPU 62. The CPU 62 is supplied with information related to the examination by the input interface 68 or the LAN (local area network) or other networks, the information including a date and time of the examination, personal information of a patient, doctor's name, other text information, and the like. The CPU 62 writes the information to the RAM 64.

The digital signal processor 65 reads an image signal produced by the analog front end 59 from the frame memory. The digital signal processor 65 processes the image signal in processing of various functions, such as color separation, color interpolation, gain correction, white balance adjustment, gamma correction and the like, and produces an image of one frame. Also, the digital signal processor 65 has an image synthesizing unit 65a. See FIG. 10. When a composite imaging mode (to be described later) is selected, the image synthesizing unit 65a outputs one synthesized image of a high definition by combining plural images obtained in one two-dimensional shift sequence. To this end, plural frame memories are incorporated in the digital signal processor 65. A digital image processor 66 includes a frame memory (not shown), to which the image or synthesized image from the digital signal processor 65 is written.

The digital image processor 66 is controlled by the CPU 62 for image processing. The digital image processor 66 reads images from the frame memory after processing in the digital signal processor 65. Examples of functions of the image processing in the digital image processor 66 are electronic zooming, color enhancement, edge enhancement and the like. A display control unit 67 is supplied with data of the image processed by the digital image processor 66.

The display control unit 67 has a VRAM for storing the processed image from the digital image processor 66. The display control unit 67 receives graphic data read by the CPU 62 from the ROM 63 and the RAM 64. Examples of the graphic data include data of a mask for display of an active pixel area by masking an inactive area in the endoscopic image, text information such as an examination date, patient's name, and doctor's name, and data of graphical user interface (GUI), and the like. The display control unit 67 processes the image from the digital image processor 66 in various functions of display control, the functions including superimposition of the mask, the text information and the GUI, graphic processing of data for display on the display panel 21, and the like.

The display control unit 67 reads an image from the VRAM, and converts the image into a video signal suitable for display on the display panel 21, such as a component signal, composite signal or the like. Thus, the endoscopic image is displayed by the display panel 21.

The input interface 68 is a well-known input device, of which examples are an input panel on a housing of the processing apparatus 11, buttons on the handle 14 of the endoscope 10, mouse, keyboard, or the like. The CPU 62 operates relevant elements in the processing apparatus 11 in response to an input signal from the input interface 68.

The processing apparatus 11 also includes an image compression device, a media interface and a network interface. The image compression device compresses images in a format of compression, for example JPEG format. The media interface operates in response to an input from the recording button 18, and records the compressed images to a recording medium such as a CF card, MO (optical magnetic disk), CD-R and other removable media. The network interface transmits or receives various data by use of the LAN or other networks. Those are connected to the CPU 62 by a data bus or the like.

A light source 70 is incorporated in the light source apparatus 12. Examples of the light source 70 are a xenon lamp, white LED and the like which generate light of a broad band of the wavelength from red to blue, for example, with a wavelength of 480-750 nm. A light source driver 71 drives the light source 70. An aperture stop device 72 is disposed in front of the light source 70, and adjusts an amount of incident light. A condenser lens 73 condenses the light passed through the aperture stop device 72, and directs the light to the distal end of the light guide devices 27. A CPU 74 communicates with the CPU 62 of the processing apparatus 11, and controls the light source driver 71 and the aperture stop device 72.

In the endoscope system 2, there are three modes including a test mode and a normal imaging mode without operating the displacing device 32 and a composite imaging mode in operation of the displacing device 32. In the composite imaging mode, the number of shift events is changeable between four and nine. The input interface 68 can be operated to change over the imaging modes and set the number of shift events.

When the composite imaging mode is selected to set the four shift events, the piezoelectric driver 61 drives the shift mechanism 38 of the displacing device 32 to displace the distal tip 48 of the fiber optic image guide 31 as illustrated in FIG. 8. At first, the shift mechanism 38 displaces the distal tip 48 laterally from the initial position of (a) leftwards and downwards with an inclination of 30 degrees, and with an amount half as much as the pitch P of arrangement of the optical fibers 52. The shift mechanism 38 sets the distal tip 48 in a set position of (b) with a first shift event. Then the distal tip 48 is displaced at the same amount in the rightward and downward direction, and set in a set position of (c) with a second shift event. In sequence, the distal tip 48 is displaced at the same amount in the rightward and upward direction, and set in a set position of (d) with a third shift event. Then the distal tip 48 is displaced at the same amount in the leftward and upward direction, and set in an initial position of (a) with a fourth shift event by way of the initial position. The shift mechanism 38 is stopped in the set positions stepwise by the piezoelectric driver 61. Note that the solid line in the drawing indicates an actual position of the core 50 at the distal tip 48. The broken line indicates a previous position of the core 50 before the actual position.

The core 50 in the distal tip 48 of the fiber optic image guide 31 repeatedly displaces in a composite sequence from the initial position of (a) to the set positions of (b), (c) and (d) then to the initial position of (a). The distal tip 48 shifts in a two-dimensional path of a polygonal shape of a rhombus of FIG. 9A to compensate for a loss region due to the cladding 51 in transmitting image light according to the initial position of (a).

Let a number of shift events be nine (9). In FIG. 9B, a two-dimensional path according to the nine shift events is illustrated. The number of shift events in each of the directions is one larger than that according to the mode of the four shift events. Note that a lateral direction from the seventh set position to the eighth set position is downward in contrast with the upward direction from the sixth set position to the seventh set position. A lateral direction from the eighth set position to the initial position or the ninth set position is upward with an angle of 90 degrees. In a manner similar to the mode of the four shift events, the two-dimensional path according to the nine shift events is in a shape to compensate for a loss region of the cladding 51 in transmitting image light according to the initial position. Furthermore, the distal tip 48 is displaced to the positions of the second, fourth and sixth set positions, which are the same as initial positions of three adjacent cores among the cores 50.

In FIG. 10, the composite imaging mode is designated. A sync control unit 62a and a piezoelectric control unit 62b are started in the CPU 62 of the processing apparatus 11. According to displacement information 85, the image synthesizing unit 65a of the digital signal processor 65 cooperates with the sync control unit 62a and the piezoelectric control unit 62b to perform various tasks.

The displacement information 85 is data related to shift events of the shift mechanism 38 of the displacing device 32. Examples of the data are a number of shift events, shift direction, shift pitch, diameter of the core 50, and relative positions of the part image 80 transmitted through the core 50 of FIG. 7 to the pixels 81 of the CCD group 58. The data of the number of shift events is generated by the input interface 68. The ROM 63 stores basic datasets of the shift direction, shift pitch, and diameter of the core 50. Any of those is read from the ROM 63 and set in the image synthesizing unit 65a, the sync control unit 62a and the piezoelectric control unit 62b. Note that the diameter of the core 50 may be that of a recognizable area in a binary image Gwb as the part image 80, which will be described later.

The test mode for difference evaluation before endoscopy is used for retrieving relative positions of the part images 80 transmitted by the core 50 of the fiber optic image guide 31 to the pixels 81 of the CCD group 58. The test mode is set at each time before endoscopic imaging. In the test mode, a binarizer 65b and a center coordinate detector 65c operate in the digital signal processor 65, for the difference evaluation to remove influence of errors in arrangement of the cores 50 and unevenness in the efficiency of the transmission.

In the test mode, at first a white object of a smooth surface, such as a white plate, is imaged by the endoscope 10. A white image Gw of FIG. 11A is produced as reference image, and has a form in which a plurality of the part images 80 of a circular shape are arranged in arrays of spots according to the pixels 81 opposed to the core 50. Hatched portions distinct from the part images 80 correspond to the cladding 51 with loss in transmitting image light of the part images 80, and result in a pattern of mesh.

In FIG. 11B, the binarizer 65b of the digital signal processor 65 binarizes the white image Gw to produce a binary image Gwb of a monochromatic form. To this end, the binarizer 65b refers to a predetermined threshold, and converts points in the image signal from the pixels 81 into white and black points. It is likely that the part images 80 become not circular, because the pixels 81 become black portions after binarization in correspondence to edge portions of the part images 80 where efficiency of transmission may be lower than the center.

The center coordinate detector 65c of the digital signal processor 65 obtains a center O of each binarized form of the part images 80 according to shape recognition well-known in the field of image processing, and also obtains coordinates of the pixels 81 at the center O (hereinafter referred to as coordinate point). The coordinates are indicated as (X, Y) by taking an X axis in the horizontal direction of the image pickup surface of the CCD group 58 and a Y axis in the vertical direction. An origin of the coordinate system is determined at a left corner of the CCD group 58. See FIG. 14. A small difference may occur between the coordinate point after the binarization and the center of the part images 80 in FIG. 7, because the binarized shape of the part images 80 may not be circular.

An internal memory 65d is included in the digital signal processor 65. The center coordinate detector 65c writes information to the internal memory 65d as relative positions of the part images 80 and the pixels 81, the information including the coordinate points (X1, Y1), (X2, Y2) and so on, and fiber Nos. F1, F2 and so on to identify the optical fibers 52 discretely. See FIG. 14. The fiber Nos. are assigned in a direction of closeness to the origin of the coordinates, namely from the left to the right, or downwards from an upper side.

The sync control unit 62a receives information of the drive pulses for the CCD group 58 from the CCD driver 60, and sends the piezoelectric control signal Sa to the piezoelectric control unit 62b and the image synthesis signal Sb to the image synthesizing unit 65a. The piezoelectric control unit 62b controls the piezoelectric driver 61 for fine displacement in synchronism with the piezoelectric control signal Sa. Similarly, the image synthesizing unit 65a performs a task of image synthesis in synchronism with the image synthesis signal Sb. Pixels of images G0, G1, G2 and G3 obtained from the set positions (in the mode of the four shift events) are mapped in accordance with the set positions in a registered form, to create one synthesized image Gc.

In FIG. 12, a mode of the four shift events is illustrated. Immediately after completing storing of the charge in the CCD group 58, the sync control unit 62a generates a piezoelectric control signal Sa. This is when the signal charge of one frame is read to a vertical transfer path from the pixels 81 of the CCD group 58 (or when a reading pulse is output by the CCD driver 60 to the CCD group 58). Also, the sync control unit 62a generates an image synthesis signal Sb upon completion of reading the charge of the CCD group 58 in correspondence with the image G3 obtained at the third set position. The operation of reading the charge is a sequence of CCD operation inclusive of reading the signal charge from the pixels 81 of the CCD group 58 to the vertical path, and vertical transfer, horizontal transfer and an output of an image signal of one frame.

The piezoelectric driver 61 in response to the piezoelectric control signal Sa supplies the piezoelectric actuator material 35 with a predetermined voltage, to displace the shift mechanism 38 from a previous set position to a present set position. Shift time from an output of the piezoelectric control signal Sa from the sync control unit 62a to the piezoelectric driver 61 until shift of the shift mechanism 38 to a succeeding set position is shorter than clearing time from completion of previous storing of charge in the CCD group 58 until a start of succeeding storing of charge. Thus, succeeding storing of charge is always started while the shift mechanism 38 is kept set in the succeeding set position by the piezoelectric driver 61.

The image synthesizing unit 65a in response to the image synthesis signal Sb reads images G0-G3 obtained from the set positions of displacement from the frame memory. The image synthesizing unit 65a maps pixels of the images G0-G3 according to the set positions in a registered form by use of the coordinate points of the part images 80 detected in the white image Gw in the test mode, and outputs a synthesized image Gc by image enhancement or up-sampling.

Specifically, the image synthesizing unit 65a determines a focused area 86 of FIG. 13A according to the coordinate point. The focused area 86 is a circle of which a center is the coordinate point and which has the diameter equal to that of the core 50 or the part image 80 before binarization. The focused area 86 is defined by incidence of light of the part image 80 transmitted by the core 50 on an image pickup surface of the CCD group 58.

Then the image synthesizing unit 65a determines a representative value D of the image signal from the pixels 81 in the focused areas 86 for each of the images G0-G3. See FIG. 14. The representative value D is either an average or a maximum of components of the image signal obtained at the pixels 81 of the focused area 86. The image synthesizing unit 65a accesses the internal memory 65d and the ROM 63 and reads the coordinate point and the diameter of the core 50 included in the displacement information 85. Otherwise, the image synthesizing unit 65a uses a diameter of a recognizable area in the binary image Gwb as the part image 80 for a diameter of the core 50. Then the image synthesizing unit 65a determines the representative value D according to those.

The index of the representative value D has two digits, a first one of which on the left side denotes the fiber No., and a second one of which is equal to the index of the images G0-G3. For example, D10 denotes a representative value for the fiber No. 1 at the coordinate point (X1, Y1) and for the focused area 86 of the image G0. In FIGS. 11A, 11B, 13A and 13B, the part images 80 are indicated by the solid lines, the pixels 81 by the dotted lines.

In the synthesized image Gc, a loss region due to the cladding 51 in transmitting image light can be compensated for in a visible manner. Pixel values of the pixels of the portions are directly derived from the object image without approximation or interpolation of adjacent pixels within one frame. Consequently, the number of pixels is higher than that in images obtained from the normal imaging mode or according to each one of the set positions of displacement, to produce the image in a very fine quality. Note that the image quality is higher in images obtained according to the nine shift events than images of the four shift events.

It is to be noted that the images G0-G3 have different part images 80 with differences in the set position by displacement. The part image 80 at the distal tip 48 is only shifted by keeping a proximal tip of the fiber optic image guide 31 stationary. No change occurs in the relative position between the proximal tip of the fiber optic image guide 31 and an image pickup surface of the CCD group 58. There are no apparently distinct features between data output according to the pixels 81 even with the various set positions. For example, the part image 80 of a position in the image G0 is different from the part image 80 of the same position in the image G1 in relation to the set position. However, those are recorded commonly by the same set of pixels included in the pixels 81 on the CCD group 58. Accordingly, the image synthesizing unit 65a determines original pixels of pixel values of the images among the pixels 81 by mapping on the basis of the relative position of the part image 80 of the displacement information 85 and the pixels 81, to carry out the image registration.

In FIG. 14, the image synthesizing unit 65a adds shift amounts ΔXs and ΔYs to information of the coordinate points in the images G0-G3 for the image registration, and assigns the representative value D to the pixels 81 associated with the coordinate points after the addition of the shift. This is a sequence of the position mapping. Data of the shift amounts are stored with values according to the set positions with reference to the initial position as an origin (zero). In the present example, the distal tip 48 is shifted at a pitch of ½.P in a direction of 30 degrees. For a first shift event, ΔXs1 is −√{square root over (3)}/4.P and ΔYs1 is ¼.P. For a second shift event, ΔXs2 is 0 and ΔYs2 is ½.P. Shift amounts for a third shift event are obtained by changing the positive and negative signs of those for the first shift event.

In FIG. 13B, a mapped image Gmp or intermediate image is obtained by position mapping. A representative value D of the mapped image Gmp is defined as a pixel value of the pixels 81 corresponding to the coordinate points after image registration with the shift amount (indicated by the dots in the drawing). In the mode of the four shift events, the pixel value of the pixels 81 according to the coordinate points within the rhombic region of the broken line in the drawing is data obtained by one of the cores 50. In short, the binary image Gwb of the white image Gw is analyzed to determine coordinate points of the part images 80 according to the cores 50. Shift amounts are added to information of the coordinate points. The representative value D is assigned to the pixels 81 corresponding to the set positions. Finally, the mapped image Gmp is obtained by locally arranging the part images 80 from the set positions suitably on the image pickup surface of the CCD group 58 after the image registration.

The image synthesizing unit 65a interpolates pixels by use of the representative values D of the pixels 81 in association with the coordinate points in the mapped image Gmp or intermediate image. The image synthesizing unit 65a creates pixel values of the pixels 81 located inside any one of numerous triangles of the solid line in FIG. 13B from the representative values D. The triangles are defined by straight lines drawn between pixels at the coordinate points with the representative values D.

For the pixel interpolation, weighting is carried out according to a distance to three of the pixels 81 constituted by the triangle. For example, a pixel value of a first one of the pixels 81 at the center of the triangle is a simple average of the representative values D or pixel values of the pixels 81 at the vertices of the triangle. A pixel value of a second one of the pixels 81 nearer to a first one of the vertices than the center of the triangle is an average between a value being two times as much as the representative value D of the pixel at the first vertex and values being half as much as one of the representative values D of the pixels 81 at two remaining vertices. The image synthesizing unit 65a finally outputs a synthesized image Gc to the display control unit 67 as an image enhanced by the pixel interpolation.

The operation of the endoscope system 2 of the above construction is described now. To observe a body part of a patient endoscopically, a doctor or operator connects the endoscope 10 to the processing apparatus 11 and the light source apparatus 12, which are turned on and powered. The input interface 68 is manually operated to input information related to the patient, to start examination.

After instructing the start, a doctor or operator enters the elongated tube 13 in the body. Light from the light source apparatus 12 is applied to body parts, while he or she observes an image on the display panel 21 from the CCD group 58 of the image sensor.

An image signal is generated by the CCD group 58, processed by the analog front end 59 for various functions of processing, and input to the digital signal processor 65. The digital signal processor 65 processes the image signal for various functions of signal processing, to produce an image. The image from the digital signal processor 65 is output to the digital image processor 66.

The digital image processor 66 is controlled by the CPU 62 and processes the image from the digital signal processor 65 for various functions of image processing. The image is input by the digital image processor 66 to the display control unit 67. According to the graphic data from the CPU 62, the display control unit 67 carries out control for display. Thus, the image is displayed on the display panel 21 as an endoscopic image.

In FIG. 15, difference evaluation in the test mode is carried out at the step S10 before the endoscopy. The endoscope 10 images a white object for test at the step S11. A white image Gw is obtained, and is converted by the binarizer 65b into a binary image Gwb at the step S12. The binary image Gwb is supplied to the center coordinate detector 65c, where coordinate points of the part images 80 after the binarization are detected at the step S13 for the difference evaluation. Information of the coordinate points is written to the internal memory 65d.

A composite imaging mode is designated (yes at the step S14). The sync control unit 62a and the piezoelectric control unit 62b are ready in the CPU 62 in the processing apparatus 11. According to the displacement information 85 and information of drive pulses from the CCD driver 60 for the CCD group 58, the sync control unit 62a sends the piezoelectric control signal Sa to the piezoelectric control unit 62b, and sends the image synthesis signal Sb to the image synthesizing unit 65a.

The operation of the piezoelectric driver 61 is controlled by the piezoelectric control unit 62b upon receiving the piezoelectric control signal Sa. The piezoelectric driver 61 applies a predetermined voltage to the piezoelectric actuator material 35. Thus, the shift mechanism 38 displaces at a predetermined angle and pitch according to the designated number of the shift events. See the step S15. At each time that the shift mechanism 38 is retained in one of the set positions, charge is stored in the CCD group 58. The part image 80 of a body part is picked up by the pixels 81 through the fiber optic image guide 31 in the step S16. Tasks of the steps S15 and S16 are repeated (no at the step S17) until the end of one two-dimensional shift sequence by shift of the shift mechanism 38 from the initial position and again to the same position.

When one two-dimensional shift sequence is terminated (yes at the step S17), image synthesis is carried out by the image synthesizing unit 65a upon receiving the image synthesis signal Sb, to produce a synthesized image at the step S18 from the images obtained according to the set positions of fine displacement.

In FIG. 16, the image synthesizing unit 65a reads the information of coordinate points from the internal memory 65d, and information of a diameter of the core 50 from the ROM 63. The representative value D of the image signal obtained from the pixels 81 within the focused area 86 is determined for each one of images obtained from the set positions of displacement. See the step S181.

Then shift amounts are added in the image registration to information of the coordinate points of images obtained from the set positions of displacement. The representative value D is assigned to one of the pixels 81 according to the coordinate points after the addition of the shift amounts. This is position mapping in the step S182. Finally, pixel interpolation of the step S183 is carried out, in which the pixels 81 assigned with the representative value D by the position mapping are used. According to this, remaining pixel values of the pixels 81 without assignment of the representative value D are produced.

In FIG. 15, after data of the synthesized image is processed in the digital image processor 66 and the display control unit 67, the synthesized image is displayed on the display panel 21 at the step S19. In contrast, when the normal imaging mode is designated, an image is picked up in the step S16 without tasks of the steps S15 and S18. The imaging is repeated until a command signal for terminating the examination is input (yes at the step S20).

As described above, the distal tip 48 of the fiber optic image guide 31 is displaced by the piezoelectric actuator material 35, to record plural images in one two-dimensional shift sequence. One synthesized image is obtained by combining the plural images. Thus, the image of high quality for diagnosis can be obtained, and the elongated tube 13 can have a very small diameter as ultra thin tube.

The part images 80 obtained from the set positions are mapped on the image pickup surface of the CCD group 58 and combined together according to the shift amounts and information of relative positions (coordinate points) of the part images 80 transmitted by the core 50 of the fiber optic image guide 31 to the pixels 81 of the CCD group 58. Thus, a synthesized image Gc can be produced with high precision by image enhancement or up-sampling.

As the coordinate points are detected by use of the binary image Gwb of the white image Gw and used for position mapping in image registration, it is possible to absorb errors in arrangement of the cores 50 and unevenness in the efficiency of the transmission. As pixel values of the pixels 81 without assignment of the representative value D are produced by pixel interpolation, it is possible to create a synthesized image Gc enhanced with still higher precision. It is possible periodically to detect a shift amount of the displacing device with a strain gauge or the like, and rewrite the shift amount in the displacement information.

An outer diameter of the displacing device 32 containing the fiber optic image guide 31 is equal to or lower than that of the lens barrel 33 inclusive of the connection cable 45. A thickness of each constituent of the displacing device 32 is as small as tens of microns. There occurs no increase of the size of the displacing device 32 in the radial direction. It is possible to reduce the extremely small diameter by extreme thinning in comparison with the known techniques for displacing the lens system for imaging.

The sync control unit 62a synchronizes the displacing device 32 with the CCD group 58. Images are picked up in setting the fiber optic image guide 31 in each one of the set positions. Thus, clear images can be recorded without blur in the set positions, to create a synthesized image with high quality.

The coating of the piezoelectric actuator material 35 is applied to the support casing 34 having a cylindrical shape. Voltage is applied to the two pairs of the electrodes 36. Thus, the shift mechanism 38 displaces in FIGS. 9A and 9B in the shortest two-dimensional path with the set positions in a patterned loop of a certain polygon. The shift mechanism 38 can shift to follow the image pickup of the CCD group 58 with a quick response without taking much time for fine displacement.

In the shift mechanism 38, the electrodes 36 have the large width to exert great force for driving. The narrow portion 43 of the electrodes 36 in the stationary section 39 is effective in preventing exertion of force to the stationary section 39. This results in high efficiency in driving and maintenance of high mechanical strength.

As the connection cable 45 is connected to the electrodes 36 on a proximal side from the stationary section 39, no physical stress is exerted to the connection cable 45 even upon the displacement. An increase of the size in the radial direction can be small in the structure of disposing the connection cable 45 about the support casing 34.

The fiber optic image guide 31 is held by the support casing 34 where the piezoelectric actuator material 35 is present. This makes it easy to assemble parts of the structure in comparison with a structure of the piezoelectric actuator material 35 directly on the fiber optic image guide 31. Also, the support casing 34 is used as a common electrode of the piezoelectric actuator material 35, so as to reduce the number of electrodes and cables. This is effective in reducing the diameter of the endoscope with an ultra thin tube.

It is possible selectively to set the normal imaging mode and the composite imaging mode, so as to reflect the intention of the doctor or operator. When the elongated tube 13 of the endoscope 10 is entered in the body and advanced, the normal imaging mode is sufficient, because a motion image can be created smoothly in a continuous manner without delay of time relative to motion of an object even with a low image quality. In contrast with this, the composite imaging mode is effectively designated for detailed imaging after the reach of the distal end of the elongated tube 13 to an object of interest with affected tissue or the like, so that an image suitable for diagnosis can be provided because of its higher image quality than the normal imaging mode.

Also, it is possible automatically to change over to a composite imaging mode of a high quality when the recording button 18 is depressed for recording a still image. For example, the composite imaging mode of the nine shift events is set upon depression of the recording button 18 in the course of a normal imaging mode or composite imaging mode of the four shift events. Thus, a still image of a body part can be endoscopically recorded with high quality, and can be utilized for diagnosis.

As the light guide devices 27 or illumination fiber optics are randomly packed in the remaining tube lumen in the elongated tube 13 as viewed in the distal end face 20a, light can be dispersed in a large area. The three-CCD assembly 56 is used, to produce a highly precise image, as the number of pixels is large in comparison with a single CCD assembly.

A CMOS image sensor can be also used in place of the CCD image sensor. It is possible with the CMOS image sensor to perform a task of partial reading, in which only an image signal of pixels corresponding to the focused area 86 is read. This is effective in quickening the reading task.

In the above embodiment, the shift amounts are added to information of images obtained from the set positions. However, the shift amounts can be added to information of a white image Gw in the test mode. After this addition to the white image Gw, a binary image Gwb is obtained, of which coordinate points are detected. Also, the shift amount is added to information of each one of images obtained from the set positions, to determine the representative value D of the pixels 81 within the focused area 86 in the manner similar to the above embodiment.

In the above embodiment, the test mode is set for each time of the endoscopic imaging. However, the test mode may be set only once at the time of shipment of the endoscope system. After this, difference evaluation in the test mode can be carried out periodically at a suitable period. A message for encouraging the use of the test mode can be displayed on the monitor display panel 21.

In the above embodiment, coordinate points are obtained as relative positions of the part images 80 to the pixels 81. Instead of this, it is possible to represent the relative positions by a distance of the part images 80 from the center of the image pickup surface of the CCD group 58 and their angle on the CCD group 58 with respect to a horizontal direction. Also, information of the shift amount can be represented similarly. In the above embodiment, the difference evaluation is carried out by creating the binary image Gwb to retrieve the relative position. However, it is possible not to consider errors in arrangement of the cores 50 or unevenness in the efficiency of the transmission, but to use the relative positions of the part images 80 to the pixels 81 of the CCD group 58 in FIG. 7 by way of theoretical values or ideally given values. Otherwise, it is possible to use information of a difference of the pixels 81 from the theoretical value in a quantified form by way of the relative positions.

Information of the relative positions in the difference evaluation is necessary for determining the pixels 81 of the CCD group 58 for pickup of the part images 80. Information of the shift amount is necessary for the position mapping in image registration of the pixel value (representative value D in the embodiment) obtained by the pickup in the set positions. Thus, the relative positions and shift amount are essentially important in the invention.

Note that the number of the pixels 81 for imaging of the part image 80 of each one of the cores 50 is approximately from three (3) to 30, and can be such a value that a difference between the coordinate points and the pixels 81 according to this will not be very large and that arithmetic operation for obtaining the representative value D or interpolation will take a sufficiently short time without long wait.

It is preferable to store the mapped image Gmp or intermediate image before the pixel interpolation together with the synthesized image Gc. Thus, it can be carefully determined that the image of a body part actually shows affected tissue or is according to the pixel interpolation should there be found an apparently unusual surface of tissue in the interpolated portion of the still image.

A displacing device may be shaped in a form other than the rod form. In FIGS. 17 and 18, another preferred displacing device 90 of a shape of a quadrilateral prism is illustrated. Elements similar to the above embodiments are designated with identical reference numerals.

A support casing 91 is included in the displacing device 90 in a form of a quadrilateral prism. The support casing 91 is constituted by a tube of a stainless steel and has a thickness of 50 microns and a width of 0.7 mm. The fiber optic image guide 31 is inserted in and attached to the support casing 91 by an adhesive agent (not shown) or the like. A piezoelectric actuator material 92 has a thickness of 50 microns, and is a coating overlaid on four faces of the support casing 91, or is a film or sheet attached to the four faces of the support casing 91 with electrically conductive adhesive agent. Electrodes 93 are a coating about the piezoelectric actuator material 92.

The displacing device 90 is contained in the wall of the head assembly 20. A lumen 94 is defined between the outside of the displacing device 90 and the inside of the wall of the head assembly 20, and has a width of approximately 0.1 mm.

The electrodes 93 are two pairs in the same manner as the above embodiment. A narrow portion 96 is defined as a portion of the electrodes 93 between recesses 95. A pad 97 is disposed at an end of the narrow portion 96 and the support casing 91, and used for connection with the connection cable 45.

The shift mechanism 38 displaces in the manner of FIG. 19 or 20 in the displacing device 90. In FIG. 19, the shift mechanism 38 displaces from the initial position of (a) in the leftward direction by 90 degrees at an amount of √{square root over (¾)}.P to come to the set position of (b) with a first shift event. After the image pickup in the set position of (b) with the first shift event, the shift mechanism 38 is returned to the initial position, and displaces in the downward direction by 90 degrees at an amount of ¼.P to come to the set position of (c) with a second shift event. Then the shift mechanism 38 is returned to the initial position, and displaces in the rightward direction by 90 degrees at an amount of ¼.P to come to the set position of (d) with a third shift event. The shift mechanism 38 is returned to the initial position, and displaces in the upward direction by 90 degrees at an amount of ¼.P to come to the set position of (e) with a fourth shift event. Finally, the shift mechanism 38 is returned to the initial position. The core 50 at the distal tip of the fiber optic image guide 31 displaces in the two-dimensional path of a crossed shape or polygonal chain of FIG. 21A by fine displacement to the set positions (b), (c), (d) and (e) and return to the initial position.

Also, in FIG. 20, the shift mechanism 38 displaces from the initial position of (a) in the leftward direction by 90 degrees at an amount of √{square root over (3)}/4.P, and displaces in the downward direction by 90 degrees at an amount of ¼.P, to come to the set position of (b) with a first shift event. After the image pickup in the set position of (b) with the first shift event, the shift mechanism 38 displaces from the set position of (b) in the downward direction by 90 degrees at an amount of ¼.P, and displaces in the rightward direction at an amount of √{square root over (3)}/4.P, to come to the set position of (c) with a second shift event. Also, in FIG. 20, the shift mechanism 38 displaces from the set position of (c) in the rightward direction by 90 degrees at an amount of √{square root over (3)}/4.P, and displaces in the upward direction by 90 degrees at an amount of ¼.P, to come to the set position of (d) with a third shift event. After the image pickup in the set position of (d) with the third shift event, the shift mechanism 38 displaces from the set position of (d) in the upward direction by 90 degrees at an amount of ¼.P, and displaces in the leftward direction at an amount of √{square root over (3)}/4.P. Finally, the shift mechanism 38 is returned to the initial position of (a). The core 50 at the distal tip 48 of the fiber optic image guide 31 displaces in the two-dimensional path of a quadrilateral shape of FIG. 21B by repetition of return to the initial position (a) and displacing to the set positions (b), (c) and (d).

It is also possible to displace the distal tip 48 in a two-dimensional shift sequence of FIG. 21C, namely a two-dimensional path of a form of a crooked cross or gourd shape, or in the downward and leftward direction, the downward and rightward direction, the upward and rightward direction, and the upward and leftward direction. An upward or downward shift is carried out at first. In a manner similar to the above embodiment, the distal tip 48 is displaced to compensate for a loss region of the cladding 51 in transmitting image light according to the initial position.

In the above embodiments, the piezoelectric actuator material 35 is overlaid in a cylindrical form on the displacing device 32, which can have the outer diameter equal to that of the lens barrel 33. It is possible to reduce the diameter of the elongated tube 13 more effectively for an ultra thin tube. In FIGS. 17 and 18, corners of the displacing device 90 having a shape of the quadrilateral prism project from the profile of the lens barrel 33. It is easy to dispose the piezoelectric actuator material 92 on the displacing device 90 by coating or adhesion without difficulty in manufacture. The displacing device 90 can be produced inexpensively and easily although a diameter of the elongated tube 13 is larger than that of the displacing device 32.

It is possible to utilize the displacing device 32 with the example of FIGS. 19-21C in which displacement is carried out with angular differences of 90 degrees. In FIG. 17, there is a lighting window 98 where a distal end face is extended forwards for applying laser light for treatment to affected tissue as object of interest. The lighting window 98 is an alternative structure in place of the working channel 46. Also, the lighting window 98 may be incorporated with the displacing device 32.

The above-described displacing device and method are only examples. Variants of displacing methods are possible. For example, the third set position may be omitted from the four set positions of fine displacement. It is possible to actuate the displacing device for three shift events in directions of 30 degrees, and return the same to the initial position. In short, the two-dimensional path can be triangular. Also, the eighth set position may be omitted from the nine set positions of displacement. It is possible to actuate the displacing device for eight shift events in directions of 30 degrees, and return the same to the initial position. Furthermore, the displacing device can displace to the first and second set positions included in the nine set positions, and return to the initial position.

Examples of two-dimensional paths where set positions are arranged according to the invention include a polygon, a concave polygon, one polygonal path of an open form, and plural polygonal paths which share one or more common point.

However, there is a characteristic of the hysteresis in the piezoelectric actuator materials, of which the set position may be offset upon driving the piezoelectric actuator materials without a patterned manner. Thus, the displacing device is caused to displace with the same two-dimensional path and in the same sequence. In short, a sequence of driving the piezoelectric actuator materials for actuating the displacing device is set equal for every event. Also, a sequence of supplying electrodes with voltage on a couple of the right and left sides is kept the same.

In the above embodiment, the displacement of the fiber optic image guide 31 is electrically controlled by changing the voltage applied to the piezoelectric actuator material 35. In addition to this or instead of this, displacement of the displacing device 32 in the set positions may be controlled mechanically. In FIG. 22, a displacing device 100 is illustrated, and displaces in the same manner as the displacing device 32. Regulating projections 101 are formed on the displacing device 100 and positioned in the shift direction of the outer surface of the distal end. Regulating recesses 102 are formed on a wall of the head assembly 20 for containing the displacing device 100, and disposed to face the projections 101. The recesses 102 are distant from the projections 101 with a lumen suitable for displacement of the displacing device 100. When the displacing device 100 displaces, the projections 101 become received in the recesses 102 to retain the displacing device 100.

In FIG. 23, regulating projections 103 are formed on an inner wall of the head assembly 20. When the displacing device 32 displaces to the set positions, an outer surface of the displacing device 32 contacts the projections 103 at two points, which are indicated by dots for clarity in the drawing. There are escapement recesses 104 for allowing the displacing device 32 to displace to the set positions. As a result, a cost for manufacturing this structure can be smaller than that of FIG. 22, because no projection is required for the displacing device 32.

To displace the distal tip 48 of the fiber optic image guide, only a portion of the fiber optic image guide in front of the stationary section is displaced unlike a structure in which a lens or optics for focusing are shifted. Force applied to the fiber optic image guide by displacement includes a component applied by the piezoelectric actuator material and a component of reaction force to come back to its original position. As the weight of the fiber optic image guide is comparatively great, it is likely that the fiber optic image guide does not displace smoothly due to the reaction force. However, a structure of FIG. 22 mechanically retains the fiber optic image guide in a set position. Thus, the fiber optic image guide can have the set position without error, and can operate stably and rapidly for displacement. Relatively low precision for control of the voltage can be sufficient with advantage.

The head assembly is entered in the body, and cleaned, disinfected or sterilized after use. The head assembly is likely to stand in the environment of high humidity. Thus, it is preferable to apply a moisture-proof coating to a displacing device inclusive of the cable, before the displacing device can be mounted in the head assembly. An example of the coating is a parylene coating which can be applied at a uniform thickness by the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of low vacuum and low temperature.

As the fiber optic image guide is displaced by tilt of a root portion of the shift mechanism, the fiber optic image guide is likely to vibrate and stop with lag in the set positions without immediate stop. Thus, it is preferable with a piezoelectric driver to drive the piezoelectric actuator material or to use other anti-vibration methods in order to tilt the shift mechanism instantaneously in reverse to the displacing after a stop of the displacing device. Specifically, reaction force is previously measured by simulation or experimentally. An offset voltage for the piezoelectric actuator material is stored in a ROM. The piezoelectric control unit reads the information of the offset voltage from the ROM and sets the information in the piezoelectric driver. Furthermore, non-conductive fluid with high viscosity can be charged in a lumen for an anti-vibration structure by utilizing damping effect.

In the above embodiment, shift time for the shift mechanism to displace to a succeeding position is shorter than clearing time from previous completion of storing charge of the CCD until a succeeding start of storing charge. However, the shift time may be longer than the clearing time for the reason of various factors, which include a length, material or shift amount of the shift mechanism, performance of the piezoelectric actuator material, or the like. In considering that the weight of the fiber optic image guide is relatively large, the shift time is very likely to be longer than the clearing time.

While the shift mechanism is set in the set position, the CCD driver is controlled by the CPU of the processing apparatus and supplies the CCD with an electronic shutter pulse. A start of storing charge is delayed. When the shift mechanism stops in the set position, storing charge is started. Otherwise, the light source is turned off while the shift mechanism is set in the set position, and then turned on when the shift mechanism stops in the set position.

In order to drive the CCD with reference to time required for shift to a succeeding one of the set positions, the frame rate must be set small should the shift time be longer than the clearing time. However, it is possible without blur to obtain an image even with the presently high frame rate by sweeping out charge with an electronic shutter pulse, or by turning off the light source, or by other methods.

In the above embodiment, the image synthesizing unit synthesizes the image only when the composite imaging mode is designated. However, it is possible to synthesize an image also in the normal imaging mode. This is effective in compensating for a loss region of the cladding even though an image for reflecting an object image positioned in association with the cladding cannot be obtained. Image quality can be high.

In the above embodiment, the image synthesizing unit carries out synthesis for one two-dimensional shift sequence, to output one synthesized image. However, a problem occurs in that a frame rate of the composite imaging mode is lower than the normal imaging mode. To solve this problem, it is preferable to raise a frame rate to four times as high a level as the frame rate for the normal imaging mode, namely change over the frame rate in response to designating the composite imaging mode.

Specifically, frequency of the clock signal of the system clock in the CPU 62 is changed to change frequency of a drive signal of the CCD driver 60. Otherwise, it is possible in the CCD driver 60 to dispose a clock divider without changing the clock signal. The clock signal can be divided by the clock divider to change the frequency.

Elements of the hardware can be incorporated in a housing separate from the processing apparatus, or may be incorporated in the endoscope, the hardware including the three-CCD assembly, the input interface for setting the imaging mode and the number of shift events, and electronic circuits to constitute the image synthesizing unit, sync control unit and piezoelectric control unit.

In FIGS. 24 and 25, one preferred endoscope system 110 is illustrated, in which a transfer device 112 or optical module or box is provided separately from a processing apparatus 111. Elements similar to those of the above embodiments are designated with identical reference numerals.

In FIG. 24, the first connector 15 of the endoscope 10 is plugged in the transfer device 112. A transfer cable 113 connects the transfer device 112 to the processing apparatus 111. An input interface 114 is disposed on a front side of the transfer device 112, and used for changing the imaging mode and setting the number of shift events.

In FIG. 25, the transfer device 112 includes a CPU 115, an image synthesizing unit 116, and a ROM 117 in addition to the three-CCD assembly 56, the analog front end 59, the CCD driver 60 and the piezoelectric driver 61. The CPU 115 communicates with the CPU 62 of the processing apparatus 111 by use of the transfer cable 113. In a manner similar to the CPU 62, the CPU 115 controls the CCD driver 60 and the piezoelectric driver 61 as a control unit related to the synchronization and piezoelectric operation. When the composite imaging mode is designated with the input interface 114, the image synthesizing unit 116 is caused by the CPU 115 to process an image signal from the analog front end 59 for the same image synthesis as the image synthesizing unit 65a. The ROM 117 stores the displacement information 85 in a manner similar to the ROM 63. The synthesized image produced by the image synthesizing unit 116 is input to the digital signal processor 65 of the processing apparatus 111 through the transfer cable 113.

If the feature of the invention is combined with the system including the endoscope with a CCD and a general purpose processing apparatus, the processing apparatus must be modified because the features of the above embodiment for fine displacement and image synthesis must be added to the general purpose processing apparatus. Otherwise, a hospital must purchase the processing apparatus 11 of the above embodiment in addition to the general purpose processing apparatus. In contrast, the introduction of the transfer device 112 of FIGS. 24 and 25 can utilize the processing apparatus 111 as a general purpose processing apparatus. Only an expense for the transfer device 112 is required in investment for medical instruments. Thus, the expense in the hospital can be reduced, to eliminate obstacles in view of introduction of the endoscope system of the invention in the hospital.

In FIG. 26, one preferred light source apparatus 121 for an endoscope system 120 is illustrated. The light source apparatus 121 includes a blue laser light source 122, a collimator lens 123 and a condenser lens 124. The blue laser light source 122 has a characteristic with a central wavelength of 445 nm. The collimator lens 123 collimates laser light from the blue laser light source 122 to output parallel light. The condenser lens 124 condenses the laser light. The CPU 74 controls the light source driver 71 to drive the blue laser light source 122.

Laser light emitted by the blue laser light source 122 is condensed by the condenser lens 124 and becomes incident upon a proximal end of the light guide devices 27. The light guide devices 27 transmit the laser light to the head assembly 20 of the endoscope 10.

A wavelength conversion device 125 is disposed on an exit side of the light guide devices 27 at its distal end. The wavelength conversion device 125 is a single block of a composite material which contains plural phosphors dispersed together. The phosphors partially absorb the laser light from the blue laser light source 122, to emit converted light with colors from green to yellow by excitation. The laser light from the blue laser light source 122 and the excitation light from green to yellow after the conversion are coupled together, to produce white light.

It is possible to obtain sufficiently bright light with a small number of light guide devices, namely one or two, because white light can be delivered by the blue laser light source 122 and the wavelength conversion device 125 with higher brightness than the former embodiment. The diameter of the endoscope can be reduced more effectively for an ultra thin tube.

Note that a single CCD assembly may be used instead of a three-CCD assembly. In the above embodiments, the first connector 15 is used commonly for the connection of the fiber optic image guide and the connection cable to the processing apparatus. However, two separate connectors may be used and may contain the fiber optic image guide and the connection cable discretely.

It is possible with the fine displacement of the displacing device 32 and the image synthesis of the image synthesizing unit 65a to use various known techniques in the related field, such as vibration, position mapping, image registration, image enhancement, up-sampling, error evaluation, noise reduction, moire reduction, demosaicing, high dynamic range imaging, and the like.

Although the present invention has been fully described by way of the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, various changes and modifications will be apparent to those having skill in this field. Therefore, unless otherwise these changes and modifications depart from the scope of the present invention, they should be construed as included therein.

Claims

1. An endoscope system comprising: an objective lens system, disposed in an elongated tube of an endoscope, for passing image light from an object;a fiber optic image guide, including plural optical fibers bundled together, having a distal tip, inserted through said elongated tube, for transmitting said image light focused on said distal tip by said objective lens system in a proximal direction;an image sensor for detecting said image light from said fiber optic image guide;a displacing device for displacing said distal tip laterally and periodically upon receiving entry of said image light being focused;a sync control unit for driving said image sensor for detecting said image light for plural times in synchronism with displacement of said displacing device, and controlling said image sensor and said displacing device to create plural images in plural set positions of said distal tip relative to said image light being focused;an image synthesizing unit for combining said plural images according to information of a relative position of said image light transmitted respectively by said optical fibers to pixels of said image sensor on an image pickup surface thereof, and according to a shift amount of said displacement of said distal tip with said displacing device, to form one synthesized image.

2. An endoscope system as defined in claim 1, further comprising an evaluator for retrieving information of said relative position according to a reference image obtained by imaging an object with a smooth surface and a single color in said endoscope.

3. An endoscope system as defined in claim 2, wherein said information of said relative position is retrieved at a predetermined period.

4. An endoscope system as defined in claim 2, wherein said evaluator includes: a binarizer for binarizing said reference image to create a binary image; anda center coordinate detector for detecting a center coordinate point of said image light transmitted by one of said optical fibers on said image pickup surface of said image sensor according to said binary image.

5. An endoscope system as defined in claim 4, wherein said image synthesizing unit determines a representative value of pixel values for each of said optical fibers according to pixels of said image sensor positioned in respectively areas each of which is defined about said coordinate point being detected and has a diameter equal to a core diameter of said optical fibers.

6. An endoscope system as defined in claim 5, wherein said image synthesizing unit determines said representative value according to an average or maximum of said pixel values of said pixels of said image sensor within each of said areas.

7. An endoscope system as defined in claim 1, wherein said image synthesizing unit determines a representative value of pixel values for each of said optical fibers at each one time of said plural times of imaging in said image sensor in synchronism with displacement of said displacing device.

8. An endoscope system as defined in claim 7, wherein said image synthesizing unit maps said representative value to a pixel in said image sensor corresponding thereto for a pixel value according to said shift amount.

9. An endoscope system as defined in claim 8, wherein said image synthesizing unit adds said shift amount to information of said coordinate point corresponding to each of said optical fibers, to specify a pixel on said image sensor for mapping of said representative value thereto.

10. An endoscope system as defined in claim 8, wherein said image synthesizing unit produces a pixel value of a pixel without mapping according to said pixel value of said pixel to which said representative value is mapped among pixels corresponding to said optical fibers.

11. An endoscope system as defined in claim 1, wherein said displacing device shifts said distal tip stepwise from a first set position to an Nth set position, and shifts back said distal tip to said first set position for one two-dimensional shift sequence, where N is an integer; said image sensor carries out image pickup for each of said first to Nth set positions.

12. An endoscope system as defined in claim 11, wherein said displacing device retains said distal tip in each of said first to Nth set positions by intermittent shifting.

13. An endoscope system as defined in claim 11, wherein a distance between said first to Nth set positions is 1/n as long as a pitch of arrangement of said optical fibers in said fiber optic image guide, wherein n is an integer.

14. An endoscope system as defined in claim 11, wherein N is 4 or 9, and said first to Nth set positions are arranged in a rhombic shape in which two or three of said set positions are arranged on one edge thereof and which has interior angles of substantially 60 and 120 degrees.

15. An endoscope system as defined in claim 11, wherein said displacing device shifts said distal tip with a shortest path length defined by arranging said first to Nth set positions.

16. An endoscope system as defined in claim 11, wherein N is three or more.

17. An endoscope system as defined in claim 11, wherein said first to Nth set positions are arranged on a polygonal path.

18. An endoscope system as defined in claim 1, further comprising a support casing for supporting said distal tip inserted therein, and keeping said distal tip shiftable on said displacing device; wherein said displacing device includes a piezoelectric actuator, disposed outside said support casing, for expanding and contracting to move said fiber optic image guide in cooperation with said support casing.

19. An endoscope system as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said optical fibers includes: a core; anda cladding disposed about said core;said displacing device shifts said distal tip at a shift amount for setting a distal end of said core at a location where a distal end of said cladding has been set.

20. An endoscope comprising: an elongated tube;an objective lens system, disposed in said elongated tube, for passing image light from an object;a fiber optic image guide, including plural optical fibers bundled together, having a distal tip, inserted through said elongated tube, for transmitting said image light focused on said distal tip by said objective lens system in a proximal direction;a displacing device for displacing said distal tip laterally and periodically upon receiving entry of said image light being focused by use of a piezoelectric actuator positioned outside said distal tip;wherein said fiber optic image guide transmits said image light to an image sensor for detecting said image light for plural times in synchronism with displacement of said displacing device, said image sensor and said displacing device are controlled to create plural images in plural set positions of said distal tip relative to said image light being focused;wherein said plural images are combined according to information of a relative position of said image light transmitted respectively by said optical fibers to pixels of said image sensor on an image pickup surface thereof, and according to a shift amount of said displacement of said distal tip with said displacing device, to form one synthesized image.

21. A driving method of driving an endoscope including an elongated tube, an objective lens system, disposed in said elongated tube, for passing image light from an object, and a fiber optic image guide, including plural optical fibers bundled together, having a distal tip, inserted through said elongated tube, for transmitting said image light focused on said distal tip by said objective lens system in a proximal direction, said driving method comprising steps of: displacing said distal tip laterally and periodically upon receiving entry of said image light being focused by use of a piezoelectric actuator positioned outside said distal tip;driving an image sensor for detecting said image light for plural times in synchronism with displacement; andcreating plural images with said image sensor in plural set positions of said distal tip relative to said image light being focused, to combine said plural images according to information of a relative position of said image light transmitted respectively by said optical fibers to pixels of said image sensor on an image pickup surface thereof, and according to a shift amount of said displacement of said distal tip, to form one synthesized image.