# US 2017/0289528 A1 · Medical stereoscopic observation device, medical stereoscopic observation method, program, and medical stereoscopic observation system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0289528 A1 - Document ID: US20170289528A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/450,250 - Filed: 2017-03-06 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-29 - Assignees: Sony Olympus Medical Solutions Inc.; Sony Corporation - Applicants: Sony Olympus Medical Solutions Inc.; Sony Corporation - Inventors: Keiji SHIODA; Manabu KOISO; Satoshi MITSUI - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170289528A1 ## CPC - H04N 13/239: using two two-dimensional [2D] image sensors having a relative position equal to or related to the interocular distance (H04N13/243 takes precedence) - A61B 1/00193: {adapted for stereoscopic vision} - A61B 1/00194: {adapted for three-dimensional imaging} - A61B 1/04: combined with photographic or television appliances - H04N 13/296: Synchronisation thereof; Control thereof - H04N 13/302: for viewing without the aid of special glasses, i.e. using autostereoscopic displays - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract There is provided a medical stereoscopic observation device, including: an acquisition section that acquires a first signal associated with a first imaging section and a second signal associated with a second imaging section via mutually different transmission channels; and a switching section that switches a signal to use for a certain control between the first signal and the second signal, in accordance with a state of the transmission channel for transmitting the first signal. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A medical stereoscopic observation device, comprising: an acquisition section that acquires a first signal associated with a first imaging section and a second signal associated with a second imaging section via mutually different transmission channels; and a switching section that switches a signal to use for a certain control between the first signal and the second signal, in accordance with a state of the transmission channel for transmitting the first signal. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The medical stereoscopic observation device according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition section acquires the first signal from an external device that controls operation of each of the first imaging section and the second imaging section, and acquires the second signal from the second imaging section. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The medical stereoscopic observation device according to claim 2, wherein the first signal is a first control signal for controlling operation of the first imaging section, and the second signal is a second control signal for controlling operation of the second imaging section. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The medical stereoscopic observation device according to claim 3, wherein the first control signal is a synchronization signal for controlling a timing of operation of the first imaging section, the second control signal is a synchronization signal for controlling a timing of operation of the second imaging section, and the switching section switches a synchronization signal to supply to the first imaging section between the first control signal and the second control signal, in accordance with a state of the transmission channel for transmitting the first control signal. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The medical stereoscopic observation device according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition section acquires the first signal from the first imaging section, and acquires the second signal from the second imaging section. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The medical stereoscopic observation device according to claim 5, wherein the second signal includes information output from the second imaging section, and at least part of information output from the first imaging section. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The medical stereoscopic observation device according to claim 1, wherein the switching section temporarily stops the switching, in accordance with a supply state of the first signal and the second signal. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The medical stereoscopic observation device according to claim 1, further comprising: a notification section that notifies an external device of a detection result of a state of each of a first transmission channel for transmitting the first signal and a second transmission channel for transmitting the second signal. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The medical stereoscopic observation device according to claim 1, further comprising: an adjustment section that adjusts a phase difference between the first signal and the second signal. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The medical stereoscopic observation device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission channel for transmitting the first signal is bendably configured. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The medical stereoscopic observation device according to claim 1, further comprising: a support section that supports the first imaging section and the second imaging section, wherein at least part of the transmission channel for transmitting the first signal is supported by the support section. ### Claim 12 A medical stereoscopic observation method, comprising: acquiring a first signal associated with a first imaging section and a second signal associated with a second imaging section via mutually different transmission channels; and switching, by a processor, a signal to use for a certain control between the first signal and the second signal, in accordance with a state of the transmission channel for transmitting the first signal. ### Claim 13 A program causing a computer to execute: acquiring a first signal associated with a first imaging section and a second signal associated with a second imaging section via mutually different transmission channels; and switching a signal to use for a certain control between the first signal and the second signal, in accordance with a state of the transmission channel for transmitting the first signal. ### Claim 14 A medical stereoscopic observation system, comprising: an imaging unit that includes a first imaging section and a second imaging section; an image processing device that performs image processing on images captured by the first imaging section and the second imaging section; a transmission cable that connects the imaging unit to the image processing device; an acquisition section that acquires a first signal associated with the first imaging section via a first transmission channel provided along the transmission cable, and acquires a second signal associated with the second imaging section via a second transmission channel different from the first transmission channel; and a switching section that switches a signal to use for a certain control between the first signal and the second signal, in accordance with a state of the first transmission channel. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The medical stereoscopic observation system according to claim 14, further comprising: a support section that supports the imaging unit, wherein at least part of the transmission cable is supported by the support section. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The medical stereoscopic observation system according to claim 14, further comprising: an endoscope section that includes an insertion section having an elongated shape to be inserted into a test subject's body, wherein the imaging unit is held on a front end of the insertion section, and at least part of the transmission cable is provided along the insertion section.