Endoscope system

An apparatus for processing an image, comprising:

• a detector comprising a camera, the detector configured such that when an operator views each spectral image of a plurality of spectral images, the detector detects a respective operator's aiming spot, the plurality of spectral images being generated imager under illumination of an observable object by a plurality of narrow-band lights having different peak wavelengths;
• a system control circuit that determines for each spectral image of the plurality of spectral images, a corresponding plurality of diagnosis object areas each within a respective spectral image and that contain the respected detected aiming spot as a center point;
• and
• a spectral image processor that, after combining pixel information of the diagnosis object areas, generates a diagnosis image that distinguishes a diseased area from other portions of the diagnosis object areas, the diseased area based on spectral characteristics of the combined pixel information.

A method for processing a spectral image in an endoscope system, comprising:

• emitting a plurality of narrow-band lights having different peak wavelengths in sequence;
• detecting, via a detector having a camera, a respective operator's aiming spot for each spectral image of a plurality of spectral images, when an operator views each spectral image of the plurality of spectral images, the plurality of spectral images being acquired by observing, via an imager, an object under illumination by the plurality of narrow-band lights;
• determining, via a system control circuit, for each spectral image of the plurality of spectral images, a corresponding plurality of diagnosis object areas each within a respective spectral image and that contain the respective detected aiming spot as a center point;
• and
• generating, after combining pixel information of the diagnosis object areas, a diagnosis image that distinguishes a diseased area from other portions of the diagnosis object areas, the diseased area based on spectral characteristics of the combined pixel information.

An endoscope system comprising:

• an illuminator that is capable of emitting white light and a plurality of narrow-band lights having different peak wavelengths, respectively, toward an object to be observed;
• an image processor that generates an observed image on the basis of one field/frame worth of image-pixel signals, the image-pixel signals being read from an image sensor provided in the tip portion of a video scope;
• a detector comprising a camera, the detector configured to detect a position of an operator's gaze on a screen of a display that displays the observed image;
• and
• a spectral image processor that determines a diagnosis object area that contains the detected position of the operator's gaze in each spectral image of a plurality of spectral images, the plurality of spectral images being generated under the illumination by the plurality of narrow-band lights of the object to be observed, and extracts, after combining pixel information of the diagnosis object areas, a diseased area based on spectral characteristics of the combined pixel information, said image processor generating a diagnosis image that distinguishes the diseased area from other portions of the diagnosis object areas.

A video processor in an endoscope system, comprising:

• an illuminator that is capable of emitting white light and a plurality of narrow-band lights having different peak wavelengths, respectively, toward an object to be observed;
• an image processor that generates an observed image on the basis of one field/frame worth of image-pixel signals, the image-pixel signals being read from an image sensor provided in the tip portion of a video scope;
• a detector that detects a position of an operator's gaze on a screen of a display that displays the observed image;
• and
• a spectral image processor that determines a diagnosis object area that contains the detected position of the operator's gaze in each spectral image of a plurality of spectral images, the plurality of spectral images being generated under the illumination by the plurality of narrow-band lights of the object to be observed, and extracts, after combining pixel information of the diagnosis object areas, a diseased area based on spectral characteristics of the combined pixel information, said image processor generating a diagnosis image that distinguishes the diseased area from other portions of the diagnosis object areas.