Medical image acquisition system and medical imaging device

Abstract

A medical image acquisition system includes an imaging device and an image processing device. The imaging device includes: an imaging unit configured to receive light and convert the light into an electric signal so as to generate the imaging signal; an optical unit including a focus mechanism moving one or a plurality of lenses so as to adjust a focal point position, and configured to form an optical image on the imaging unit; a memory configured to store therein unique information of the imaging device; and an auto focus controller configured to totally control the imaging device. The image processing device includes an auto focus evaluation unit configured to perform focusing evaluation based on the imaging signal, and the auto focus controller controls driving of the focus mechanism by referring to the unique information in accordance with an evaluation result by the auto focus evaluation unit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A medical image acquisition system comprising:
 an imaging device configured to image a subject so as to generate an imaging signal; and   an image processing device electrically connected to the imaging device detachably and configured to process the received imaging signal so as to generate an image signal corresponding to the imaging signal, wherein   the imaging device includes:
 an imaging unit configured to receive light and convert the light into an electric signal so as to generate the imaging signal; 
 an optical unit including a focus mechanism moving one or a plurality of lenses so as to adjust a focal point position, and configured to form an optical image on the imaging unit; 
 a memory configured to store therein unique information of the imaging device; and 
 an auto focus controller configured to totally control the imaging device and control driving of the focus mechanism by referring to the memory, 
   the image processing device includes an auto focus evaluation unit configured to perform focusing evaluation based on the imaging signal, and   the auto focus controller controls driving of the focus mechanism by referring to the unique information in accordance with an evaluation result by the auto focus evaluation unit.   
     
     
         2 . The medical image acquisition system according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the imaging device further includes:
 a camera head including the imaging unit and the optical unit; and 
 a signal transmitter including a transmission cable transmitting the imaging signal from the imaging unit to the image signal generation device, and 
   the auto focus controller is arranged in the signal transmitter.   
     
     
         3 . The medical image acquisition system according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the signal transmitter includes a first connection unit as a connection unit to the image processing device, a second connection unit as a connection unit to the camera head, and a cable unit connecting the first connection unit and the second connection unit, and   the auto focus controller is provided in the first connection unit.   
     
     
         4 . The medical image acquisition system according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the focus mechanism includes a movable optical member configured to hold the one or plurality of lenses and that is movable in an optical axis direction,   the imaging device further includes a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature near the movable optical member,   the memory stores therein a relational table indicating a relation between the temperature and a correction amount related to movement of the movable optical member, and   the auto focus controller determines the correction amount based on a detection result by the temperature sensor and the relational table, and sets a movement amount of the one or plurality of lenses of the focus mechanism based on the determined correction amount and the movement amount of the movable optical member that is stored as the unique information.   
     
     
         5 . The medical image acquisition system according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the imaging device further includes an input unit configured to receive input of an instruction signal related to movement of the one or plurality of lenses, and   the auto focus controller sets a movement amount of the one or plurality of the lenses in accordance with the instruction signal.   
     
     
         6 . The medical image acquisition system according to  claim 1 , wherein the auto focus evaluation unit operates a contrast of an image in accordance with the imaging signal and performs the focusing evaluation for each frame, and generates an evaluation result correlated with the frame. 
     
     
         7 . The medical image acquisition system according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an electrical-to-optical converter provided in the imaging unit and configured to convert the imaging signal generated by the imaging unit into an optical signal; and   an optical-to-electrical converter provided in the image generation device and configured to convert the optical signal into an electric signal.   
     
     
         8 . A medical imaging device adapted to image a subject so as to generate an imaging signal, the medical imaging device comprising:
 an imaging unit configured to receive light and convert the light into an electric signal so as to generate the imaging signal;   an optical unit including a focus mechanism moving one or a plurality of lenses so as to adjust a focal point position and configured to form an optical image on the imaging unit;   a memory configured to store therein unique information of the medical imaging device; and   an auto focus controller configured to totally control the medical imaging device and control driving of the focus mechanism by referring to the unique information in accordance with a focusing evaluation result of an image received from an external device.