Image processing apparatus, endoscope system, operation method of image processing apparatus, and non-transitory computer readable medium

1 . An image processing apparatus comprising an image processor, wherein the image processor is configured to:

acquire a plurality of types of candidate images based on an endoscope image obtained by imaging an observation target using an endoscope;

perform control of displaying, on a display, a display image based on at least one type of the candidate image among the plurality of types of candidate images;

perform a first analysis process through a plurality of different candidate methods on each of the plurality of types of candidate images set in advance among the plurality of types of candidate images;

select at least one type of the candidate image from the plurality of types of candidate images as an optimum image based on a first analysis process result obtained through the first analysis process through the plurality of different candidate methods, wherein the optimum image is subject to the first analysis process through an optimum method among the plurality of different candidate methods;

and

perform a second analysis process on the optimum image by using the optimum method to obtain a second analysis process result,

wherein the plurality of different candidate methods are different image enhancement methods that enhance structure contrast and color contrast on the observation subject.

2 . The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein the image processor is configured to perform control of displaying the second analysis process result on the display.

3 . The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein the image processor is configured to perform control of superimposing the second analysis process result on the display image and displaying the superimposed display image.

4 . The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein the first analysis process and the second analysis process are analysis processes having contents different from each other.

5 . The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein the image processor is configured to:

generate the candidate image by performing an enhancement process on the endoscope image; and

distinguish types of the candidate images depending on presence or absence or a type of the enhancement process and to acquire the plurality of types of candidate images.

6 . The image processing apparatus according to claim 5 ,

wherein the enhancement process is a color enhancement process and/or a structure enhancement process.

7 . An endoscope system comprising:

the image processing apparatus according to claim 1 ; and

a light source unit that emits illumination light with which the observation target is irradiated.

8 . The endoscope system according to claim 7 ,

wherein the image processor is configured to acquire the endoscope image obtained by imaging the observation target illuminated with each of a plurality of types of illumination light emitted by the light source unit, which have optical spectra different from each other, as each of different types of the candidate images from each other.

9 . The endoscope system according to claim 7 ,

wherein the light source unit repeatedly emits each of a plurality of types of illumination light, which have optical spectra different from each other, in one light emission period consisting of order set in advance.

10 . The endoscope system according to claim 9 ,

wherein the image processor is configured to select at least one optimum image from the plurality of types of candidate images obtained in the one light emission period.

11 . The endoscope system according to claim 7 , further comprising:

a light source processor configured to emit first illumination light in a first light emission pattern during a first illumination period, emit second illumination light in a second light emission pattern during a second illumination period, and switch between the first illumination light and the second illumination light; and

an image pick-up sensor that outputs a first endoscope image obtained by imaging the observation target illuminated with the first illumination light and a second endoscope image obtained by imaging the observation target illuminated with the second illumination light,

wherein the image processor is configured to acquire the first endoscope image and the second endoscope image as the candidate images.

12 . The endoscope system according to claim 7 ,

wherein the image processor is configured to acquire the endoscope image obtained by imaging the observation target illuminated with white illumination light emitted by the light source unit as one type of the candidate image.

13 . The endoscope system according to claim 7 ,

wherein the image processor is configured to acquire the endoscope image obtained by imaging the observation target illuminated with illumination light, which is emitted by the light source unit and includes narrowband light in a wavelength range set in advance, as one type of the candidate image.

14 . An operation method of an image processing apparatus comprising:

acquiring a plurality of types of candidate images based on an endoscope image obtained by imaging an observation target using an endoscope;

performing control of displaying, on a display, a display image based on at least one type of the candidate image among the plurality of types of candidate images;

performing a first analysis process through a plurality of different candidate methods on each of the plurality of types of candidate images set in advance among the plurality of types of candidate images;

selecting at least one type of the candidate image from the plurality of types of candidate images as an optimum image based on a first analysis process result obtained through the first analysis process through the plurality of different candidate methods, wherein the optimum image is subject to the first analysis process through an optimum method among the plurality of different candidate methods;

and

performing a second analysis process on the optimum image by using the optimum method to obtain a second analysis process result,

wherein the plurality of different candidate methods are different image enhancement methods that enhance structure contrast and color contrast on the observation subject.

15 . A non-transitory computer readable medium for storing a computer-executable program for causing a computer to function as an image processing apparatus, the program causing the computer to execute:

acquiring a plurality of types of candidate images based on an endoscope image obtained by imaging an observation target using an endoscope;

performing control of displaying, on a display, a display image based on at least one type of the candidate image among the plurality of types of candidate images;

performing a first analysis process through a plurality of different candidate methods on each of the plurality of types of candidate images set in advance among the plurality of types of candidate images;

selecting at least one type of the candidate image from the plurality of types of candidate images as an optimum image based on a first analysis process result obtained through the first analysis process through the plurality of different methods, wherein the optimum image is subject to the first analysis process through an optimum method among the plurality of different candidate methods;

and

performing a second analysis process on the optimum image by using the optimum method to obtain a second analysis process result,

wherein the plurality of different candidate methods are different image enhancement methods that enhance structure contrast and color contrast on the observation subject.

16 . The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein the plurality of types of candidate images comprise an endoscope image obtained with white light, an endoscope image in which blood vessels or structures are enhanced, and an endoscope image in which a color difference between an abnormal portion and a normal portion is enhanced.