JP2000135198A - Endoscope shape detector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope shape detector which is capable of making position detection with high accuracy, eliminates the laboriousness in an inspection chamber and has excellent workability. SOLUTION: This endoscope shape detector 10 has a coil unit 20 provided with a detecting surface by lining up sense coils which are magnetic field detecting elements and a device body section which forms the armors of at a front surface 31f and upper surface of nonmetallic members. The endoscope shape detector is constituted by integrating a controller 30 containing a transmission block 32 for supplying a drive signal to the source coil, a reception block 33 for receiving the signal transmitted from the sense coils for detecting the magnetic fields to be emitted and a control block 34 for executing calculation processing of an endoscope shape, etc., a strut 40 which is erected at the center on the front surface side of the device body section and makes it possible to change the height of the detecting surface of the coil unit 20 and a liquid crystal monitor 50 for endoscope shape display which is arranged in the upper part of this strut 40 and displays endoscope shape images into the device body section.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope shape detecting apparatus for detecting the position or shape of an endoscope using a magnetic field generating element and a magnetic field detecting element.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, endoscopes have been widely used in the medical and industrial fields. In particular, in an endoscope having a soft insertion portion, by inserting this insertion portion into a bent body cavity, it is possible to diagnose an organ deep in the body cavity without making an incision, or to provide the endoscope as necessary. It is possible to perform a treatment such as excision of a polyp by inserting a treatment tool into a certain treatment tool channel.

[0003] However, as in the case of examining the lower digestive tract from the anal side, for example, some skill is required to smoothly insert the insertion portion into a bent body cavity. In addition, during insertion, it is necessary to perform a smooth insertion by bending the bending portion provided in the insertion portion in accordance with the bending of the digestive tract, and for this purpose, the distal end position of the insertion portion must be within the body cavity. It is convenient to be able to know the position and the current insertion state of the insertion section.

[0004] For this reason, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-107875.
Discloses an endoscope shape detecting device for detecting an endoscope shape using a magnetic field.
No. 69075 proposes a position estimating apparatus for reducing an estimation error when a three-dimensional position of a source coil is obtained by a plurality of sets of sense coils.

[0005]

However, an endoscope shape detecting device for detecting an endoscope shape in a body cavity is shown in FIG.
7, a drive block for driving a source coil as a magnetic field generating element, a receiving block for detecting a signal received by a sense coil as a magnetic field detecting element, and a signal processing circuit for performing signal processing on a signal detected by the receiving block A control unit 1 having a built-in control block having: a coil unit 2 having a plurality of built-in sense coils connected to the control device 1 via a sense cable 2a; and a coil unit 2 being connected to the control device 1 via a monitor cable 3a. The video signal generated by the control block is inputted, and the endoscope shape display monitor 3 displays an insertion shape image of the endoscope insertion portion on the screen. A marker connector 1b to which a marker cable extending from a plurality of markers is connected and a probe for confirming an endoscope insertion shape in which a source coil for generating a magnetic field is arranged are connected to the front surface of the main body 1a of the control device 1. Probe connector 1c
Was provided.

For this reason, as shown in FIG. 18, when an endoscope system is constituted by the endoscope shape detecting device and the endoscope device, the control device 1 of the endoscope shape detecting device is used for the endoscope. The monitor 3 is mounted on a cart 4 equipped with a light source device (not shown), a video processor, etc., which are mirror peripheral devices, and the endoscope shape display monitor 3 is mounted on the cart 4 for an endoscope observation monitor. 5, the coil unit 2 is arranged via a unit fixing stand 6 beside an examination bed on which a patient lies. And
The marker cable 8a extending from the marker 8 arranged on the inspection bed is connected to the marker connector 1b of the control device 1. Further, the probe 9 is connected to the probe connector 1c of the control device 1, and the probe 9 is inserted through the insertion portion 7a.

Therefore, in the examination room, in addition to various tubes and control cables used in the endoscope 7, a marker cable 8a extending from the marker 8 used in the endoscope shape detecting device to the control device 1 and the coil unit 2 are provided. A plurality of cables such as a sense cable 2a and the probe 9 for connecting the control device 1 to the control device 1 are routed, and these cables and tubes are particularly arranged near the cart 4 on which the peripheral device for the endoscope where the operator is located is mounted. This was a factor that reduced workability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an endoscope shape detecting device capable of detecting a position with high accuracy, eliminating complexity in an examination room, and having excellent workability. The purpose is.

[0009]

According to the present invention, there is provided an endoscope shape detecting apparatus comprising: a coil unit having a plurality of magnetic field detecting elements for detecting a magnetic field generated by a magnetic field generating element in an endoscope insertion portion; A coil unit in which a magnetic field generating element that emits a magnetic field detected by a magnetic field detecting element in the unit is arranged;
A control device having a built-in transmission block for supplying a drive signal to the magnetic field generation element and a reception block for receiving a signal detected by the magnetic field detection element is integrated. In addition, the coil unit and the control device are integrally formed via a support provided with a height variable mechanism.

According to this configuration, the integrated endoscope shape detecting device can be easily arranged at a desired position different from the endoscope device, which is optimal for the examination. Also,
Since the cables extending from the endoscope shape detecting device and the tubes and cables extending from the endoscope device are dispersed without being concentrated at one place, the workability in the examination room is improved. In addition, by changing the height of the coil unit using the variable height mechanism provided on the column, it is possible to detect the endoscope shape in an optimal detection state even for an inspection bed with a different height or an inspection bed with a variable height. .

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 16 relate to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an endoscope shape detecting device, FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the endoscope shape detecting device, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the magnetic field measurement range and the magnetic field detection range of the coil unit and each member, FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a column height variable mechanism, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the height variable mechanism. 6 is a diagram showing a positional relationship between the inspection bed and the detection surface, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the operation of the height variable mechanism, and FIG.
Similarly, FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the height variable mechanism, FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a shape detection operation unit, FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a handle detachable from the pedestal, and FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a mirror shape detection device, FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a switch in a handle arrangement hole provided in a pedestal and an operation of the switch, and FIG. 13 is a relationship between a switch provided in the handle arrangement hole and the endoscope shape detection device. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a display surface of a monitor when the switch is actuated,
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a state in which an endoscope shape detecting device is arranged on an examination bed, and FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an examination room in which an endoscope system is configured.

FIG. 2A is a view for explaining the configuration of the endoscope shape detecting device as viewed from the back, and FIG. 2B is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the endoscope shape detecting device as viewed from the upper surface. FIG. FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the column height varying mechanism as viewed from the front, and FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating the column height varying mechanism as viewed from the side. FIG. 12A is a view showing a state in which the handle is removed from the handle arrangement hole, and FIG. 12B is a view showing a state in which the handle is arranged in the handle arrangement hole.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A, an endoscope shape detecting apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is provided with a magnetic field provided on a probe (not shown) inserted into an insertion portion of an endoscope (not shown). A plurality of sense coils (FIG. 3) which are magnetic field detecting elements for detecting a magnetic field generated by a source coil (not shown) which is a generating element
A coil unit 20 provided with a detection surface 21 by regularly arranging the detection surface 21 and at least a front surface 31f and an upper surface 3;
A transmission block 32 for supplying a drive signal to a source coil provided in the probe inside the device main body 31; A receiving block 33 for receiving a signal transmitted from the sense coil for detecting a magnetic field generated by the sensor, and calculating an endoscope shape based on the received signal detected by the receiving block 33 and the drive signal generated by the transmitting block 32 A control device 30 having a control block 34 having a CPU (central processing unit) for performing processing and the like, and a height of a detection surface 21 of the coil unit 20 which is erected at the center on the front side of the device main body 31 A column 40 having a height variable mechanism that allows the column to be changed, and this column 4
And an endoscope shape display liquid crystal monitor (hereinafter, also referred to as a monitor) 50 provided with a screen 51 for displaying an endoscope shape image indicating the insertion shape of the endoscope insertion portion, which is disposed above the zero. It is configured.

It is to be noted that the support column 40 is
Fixed column 41 erected at the center of the front side of the main body 31 of the apparatus
And a moving column 42 that slides up and down with respect to the fixed column 41.
The coil unit 20 is disposed at the tip of the movable column 42, and the monitor 50 is provided at the upper end.
Is arranged. The monitor 50 may be detachably attached to the upper end of the movable pillar 42. And the control device 3
The fixed column 41 and the fixed column 41 are fixed on a pedestal 62 formed of a rigid metal member or the like on which a plurality of casters 61 are arranged. Reference numeral 63 denotes a handle arrangement hole described later.

Further, instead of providing a magnetic field generating element on a probe (not shown), a magnetic field detecting element for detecting a magnetic field is provided,
A configuration in which a magnetic field generating element is arranged in the coil unit may be used.

A plurality of markers (reference numeral 1 in FIG. 16) for indicating the positional relationship between the endoscope inserted into the patient's body cavity and the outside of the body cavity during the endoscopic examination are provided on the front surface 31f of the device main body 31.
1), a marker connector 35 to which a marker cable (see reference numeral 12 in FIG. 16) is connected, and a probe in which a plurality of source coils (not shown) for generating a magnetic field are arranged at predetermined intervals (see reference numeral 13 in FIG. 16). ) Is provided, and a power switch 37 for turning on / off the main power supply is provided on the side surface 31s.

As shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b), the transmission block 32 and the reception block 33 have substantially the same shape, and a fixed column 4 is provided upright at the center of the front side of the apparatus main body 31.
Each of the blocks 32, 33 sandwiches a center line 40 a extending from the center of the device body 1.
The transmission block 32 is arranged so as to be located on the s side so that the transmission block 32 is not located immediately below the coil unit 20.
As a result, a distance is provided between the two blocks 32 and 33 at which the influence of noise does not occur, so that noise generated in the transmission block 32 is mixed into the reception signal transferred to the reception block 33 and the detection accuracy is reduced. Is prevented from deteriorating, and the detection accuracy is prevented from deteriorating due to the noise generated from the transmission block 32.

A heavy power supply unit 38 and a driving mechanism 43 for a height-variable mechanism of the support post 40 are disposed in the lower center portion between the transmission block 32 and the reception block 33, and Block 34 in the direction orthogonal to the center line 40a,
2 and above the receiving block 33. With this, the position of the center of gravity of the control device 30 is lowered, and the weight balance of the entire endoscope shape detection device 10 is stabilized.

As shown in FIG.
A plurality of sense coils 22 (see FIG. 5) are arranged regularly and arranged therein, and a signal detected by the sense coils 22 is transmitted to the receiving block 33 via a sense cable (not shown). It has become. Then, the detection surface 2 formed by disposing the sense coil 22 is formed.
A range indicated by a two-dot chain line on the front side of 1 is a magnetic field measurement range, and a range indicated by a broken line is a magnetic field detection range.

The endoscope shape detecting device 10 detects the endoscope shape using magnetism. For this reason, if metal exists in the magnetic field measurement range and the magnetic field detection range, the mutual inductance between the source coil for generating the magnetic field and the sense coil for detection is affected by iron loss and the like. In this case, the amplitude and phase of a signal measured by quadrature detection generally used for detecting a minute magnetic field change.

Therefore, in this embodiment, an environment in which the generated magnetic field is not affected is set so that a highly accurate endoscopic image can be obtained by detecting a signal with high accuracy. The detection device is configured as described below.

First, in order to prevent the monitor 50 from being positioned within the magnetic field measurement range, the monitor 50 is
And above the upper end face of the sense coil 22 and rearward from the base end face. As a result, the monitor 50 is located outside the magnetic field measurement range and outside the magnetic field detection range.

Further, an interval a is set between the lower end surface of the coil unit 20 and the upper surface 31u of the apparatus main body 31 so that the influence of metal or the like does not affect the magnetic field. Thus, since the upper surface of the control block 34 is separated from the space a, even if the case body of the control block 34 is formed of a metal plate, the influence of the metal does not affect the magnetic field. Since the front surface 31f and the upper surface 31u of the apparatus main body 31 are formed of a non-metal, an error in detecting the endoscope shape caused by the disturbance of the magnetic field distribution is reliably prevented. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the entire device main body 31 is formed of resin.

In addition, it is possible to prevent a magnetic field leaking from the transmission block 32 for driving a plurality of source coils disposed in the probe from adversely affecting the measurement accuracy and to take into account the weight balance described above. The block is disposed below the handle arrangement hole 63, which is as far as possible from the lower end surface and the base end surface of the sense coil 22.

Further, a metal handle to be described later (64 in FIG. 10) used when moving the endoscope shape detecting device.
The handle 64 is detachable as described later in order to prevent a state in which the handle 64 is kept in the magnetic field detection range as indicated by a dashed line.

Then, the inspection bed and the apparatus main body 31
Is formed of a magnetically transparent material (in other words, a material that does not affect the magnetic field), for example, a resin such as Delrin or wood. Note that an AC magnetic field is actually used for position detection by the source coil, so that it may be formed of a material that does not magnetically affect the frequency of the drive signal.

Here, referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a mechanism for varying the height of the column 40 of the endoscope shape detecting apparatus 10 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5A and 5B, the support column 40 includes the fixed column 41, the moving column 42 holding the coil unit 20 at one end, and the moving column 42.
A sliding member 44 also serving as a counterweight for moving
A rail member 45 on which the slide member 44 slides, and a drive mechanism section 43 configured by, for example, a constant load spring mechanism for moving the coil unit 20 up and down with a slight force in balance with the slide member 44. Have been. The drive mechanism 43 and the slide member 44 are connected by, for example, a stainless steel wire 46.

For this reason, as shown in FIG. 5, when the user supports the coil unit 20 and lifts it upward with a slight force, the moving column 42 rises as shown by the two-dot chain line and the coil unit 20 is lifted. Is raised.

When the coil unit 20 is stopped at a desired height, the load applied to the coil unit 20 is eliminated.
By releasing the hand supporting the sliding member 4
The balance between the drive unit 4 and the drive mechanism 43 is maintained, and the coil unit 20 stops at that position. Reference numeral 47 denotes a fixture for securely fixing and holding the position of the coil unit 20.

Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the detection surface 21 of the coil unit 20 is located below the examination bed on which the patient lies, and is not suitable for detecting the endoscope shape, the user can remove the coil unit 20 by the user. Grasp and lift upward. Then, as a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the position of the detection surface 21 of the coil unit 20 with respect to the patient lying on the examination bed can be adjusted to the optimum height for the endoscope shape detection.

When the height of the inspection bed is higher than the inspection bed shown in FIG. 7, as shown in FIG. 8, the coil unit 20 is further lifted upward to set the position of the detection surface 21 at a desired position. It is possible to set the position. In this way, according to the height of the inspection bed,
By adjusting the height of the detection surface of the coil unit,
The endoscope shape can be detected by arranging the detection surface of the coil unit in an optimal positional relationship with respect to a patient lying on the examination bed. In addition, by providing the height variable mechanism, it is possible to cope with an elevating type inspection bed whose height is variable.
Further, the fixed column 41, the moving column 42, the slide member 4
4, the rail member 45 and the fixture 47 are formed of a resin member which is a non-metal member, similarly to the apparatus main body 31.

As shown in FIG. 9, the apparatus main body 31 includes a "Num Lock" key, a "Tab" key, a "Back Space" key, various numeric keys, etc. "Enter, Start" to instruct input start of ID No. etc.
Key 71, a "Track" key 72 for arranging the endoscope shape image substantially at the center of the screen 51, and a "R.Siz" for measuring the optimization of the display size of the endoscope shape image on the screen 51.
"e" key 73, "Reg.An" key 74 to display based on the initial position of the anal marker, "Elimi.ON / O" to erase extra parts outside the anal marker and display only the internal part
FF "key 75, end of endoscope shape inspection and patient ID No.
For example, an operation pad 70 dedicated to the endoscope shape detection device 10 in which function keys such as an “End” key 76 for instructing the end of the input are collectively connected or arranged.

The function keys, "Enter, Start" key 71, "Track" key 72, "R. Size" key 73, "R
eg.An ”key 74,“ Elimi.ON / OFF ”key 75,“ End ”
The keys 76 are arranged in order from the bottom in accordance with the work procedure. When the “Enter, Start” key 71 is pressed and the endoscope shape is detected, the number keys “2”, “4”, “6”, and “8” are operated to display the screen 51. Can be moved in the direction indicated by the arrow. The arrangement position of the operation pad 70 is the same as that of the device main body 31.
Is not limited to the upper surface 31u, but may be the front surface 31f or the side surface 31s.

As shown in FIG. 10, a metal handle 64 used for moving the endoscope shape detecting device 10 to a predetermined position is detachably provided in a handle arrangement hole 63 formed in the pedestal 62. It is arranged to be. By arranging the handle 64 in the handle arrangement hole 63 as shown in FIG. 11, the endoscope shape detecting device 10 can be easily moved to a desired position by grasping and operating the handle 64. ing.

As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, an interlock switch 65 is provided at one bottom of the handle arrangement hole 63. As shown in FIG. 13, when the handle 64 is arranged in the handle arrangement hole 63 as shown in FIG. 12B, the contact 65a and the contact 65b are electrically connected by the switch 65. As a result, an instruction signal is output from the system processor 34a to the image generation circuit 34b, and an image generation signal is output from the image generation circuit 34b to the monitor 50, and provided on the screen 51 of the monitor 50 as shown in FIG. The operator removes the handle 64 by displaying a notice or a letter or picture prompting a warning on the child screen 52 indicating that the handle 64 is still attached to the handle arrangement hole 63. Instruct. Reference numeral 53 denotes a main screen on which an endoscope shape (insertion state shape of the insertion section) image is displayed.

When the handle 64 is removed from the handle arrangement hole 63 as shown in FIG. 12 (a), the system processor 34a instructs the image generation circuit 34b to display a notice or a letter or picture for urging a warning. Since no signal is output, a notice or a character or picture prompting a warning is not displayed on the child screen 52 of the monitor 50.

The operation of the endoscope shape detecting device 10 configured as described above will be described. First, after arranging and fixing the endoscope shape detecting device 10 at a desired position near the examination bed,
As shown in FIG. 15, the height of the coil unit 20 of the endoscope shape detecting device 10 is adjusted. Then, the handle 64 is removed from the pedestal 62. At this time, in the vicinity of the position where the operator stands on the opposite side of the examination bed, the endoscope device 80
A cart 82 equipped with a light source device, a video processor, and an endoscope observation monitor 81, which are peripheral devices, is connected, and an endoscope 83, tubes, and cables necessary for endoscopic inspection and treatment are connected. deep.

Next, the marker cable 12 extending from the plurality of markers 11 is connected to the marker connector 35, and the probe 13 on which the plurality of source coils are arranged is connected to the probe connector 36. It is inserted and arranged in the insertion section 86 via the operation section 85 of the mirror 83.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 16, an endoscope system having the so-called endoscope shape detecting device 10 in which the endoscope device 80 and the endoscope shape detecting device 10 are arranged near the examination bed. Is configured.

Next, the insertion section 86 of the endoscope 83 is inserted into the body cavity. At this time, since the drive signal from the transmission block 32 is supplied to the source coil in the probe 13, a magnetic field is generated around the source coil to which the drive signal is applied. Then, the magnetic field generated around the source coil is detected by the sense coil in the coil unit 20 and transmitted to the receiving block 33.

Next, the signal obtained in the receiving block 33 is input to a control block 34 having a CPU for performing processing for calculating the shape of the endoscope and the like. The calculation is performed, the position information is transmitted to the shape image generation unit, graphic processing is performed, and an endoscope (insertion unit 86) shape image signal is generated and output to the monitor 50. Then, the endoscope shape image is displayed on the display surface 51 of the monitor 50.

As described above, since the coil unit and the control device are integrally formed, an examination room in consideration of workability can be realized simply by disposing the integrated endoscope shape detection device at a desired position. can do. As a result, the cables and cables extending from the endoscope shape detecting device and the tubes and cables extending from the endoscope device are complicatedly entangled, and the tubes and cables are concentrated on the operator's hand side. Inspection room space with excellent workability is constructed without problems such as deterioration of workability.

In addition, since the metal member is not arranged in the magnetic field measuring range and the magnetic field detecting range of the magnetic field detecting element and the members near the magnetic field measuring range and the magnetic field detecting range are formed of non-metallic members, the distribution of the magnetic field is improved. Can be prevented, and a highly accurate endoscope shape image can be obtained.

Further, an interval between the magnetic field detection range and the metal member is set so that the influence of the metal member does not affect the magnetic field. Can be obtained.

Further, a heavy power supply unit and a drive mechanism are disposed at the lower center, and the transmission block and the reception block, which are slightly lighter than the power supply unit and have substantially the same weight, are allocated to the power supply unit, and By arranging the control block above the transmission block and the reception block, it is possible to achieve a weight balance that makes it difficult for the endoscope shape detection device to fall down and that it can be stably moved. As a result, the height of the detection surface of the coil unit is changed to a desired height, and the endoscope shape detection device is stably maintained even when the position of the center of gravity changes.

In the present embodiment, the source coil is incorporated in the insertion portion of the endoscope by inserting and fixing a probe having a source coil in the insertion portion of the endoscope. A source coil may be incorporated in the device.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the invention.

[Appendix] According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the following configuration can be obtained.

(1) A coil unit in which a plurality of magnetic field detecting elements for detecting a magnetic field generated by a magnetic field generating element in an endoscope insertion section or a magnetic field generating a magnetic field detected by a magnetic field detecting element in an endoscope inserting section are provided. An endoscope shape integrally configured with a coil unit in which elements are arranged, and a control device including a transmission block that supplies a drive signal to the magnetic field generation element and a reception block that receives a signal detected by the magnetic field detection element. Detection device.

(2) The endoscope shape detecting device according to appendix 1, wherein the coil unit and the control device are integrally formed via a support provided with a variable height mechanism.

(3) The endoscope shape detecting means according to appendix 2, wherein a predetermined interval is provided between the magnetic field detecting element and a metal member in the control device.

(4) The endoscope shape detecting device according to appendix 1, wherein the exterior member of the control device is formed of a nonmetallic member.

(5) The endoscope shape detecting apparatus according to appendix 2, wherein the support is formed of a non-metallic member.

(6) The endoscope shape detecting device according to appendix 2, wherein the height variable mechanism includes a constant load spring mechanism.

(7) The endoscope shape detecting device according to appendix 1, wherein the endoscope shape detecting device is provided with a dedicated operation pad in which function keys are arranged in accordance with a work procedure.

(8) The endoscope shape detecting device according to appendix 1, wherein the endoscope shape detecting device is provided with a detachable handle.

(9) The endoscope shape detecting device according to appendix 8, further comprising a switch for detecting whether or not the handle is attached.

(10) The endoscope shape according to appendix 9, wherein when the switch detects that the handle is attached, the switch notifies the monitor screen that the handle is still attached. Detection device.

(11) The endoscope shape detecting apparatus according to appendix 2, wherein the transmission block and the reception block are arranged with the support interposed therebetween.

(12) The endoscope shape detecting device according to appendix 11, wherein the transmission block is not located immediately below the coil unit.

[0061]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an endoscope shape detecting apparatus which can detect a position with high accuracy, eliminates complexity in an examination room, and is excellent in workability. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIGS. 1 to 16 relate to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an endoscope shape detecting device.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an endoscope shape detection device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a magnetic field measurement range and a magnetic field detection range of a coil unit and each member.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining a mechanism for varying the height of a column.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a height variable mechanism.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a positional relationship between an inspection bed and a detection surface.

FIG. 7 is a view showing the operation of the height variable mechanism.

FIG. 8 is a view showing the operation of the height variable mechanism as in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a shape detection operation unit.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a detachable handle on a base.

FIG. 11 is a view showing the endoscope shape detecting device in a state where the handle is attached to the base.

FIG. 12 is a view for explaining a switch in a handle arrangement hole provided on a base and an operation of the switch;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a relationship between a switch provided in a handle arrangement hole and an endoscope shape detection device.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a display surface of a monitor when the switch operates.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a state in which an endoscope shape detection device is arranged on an inspection bed.

FIG. 16 is a view for explaining an examination room constituting the endoscope system;

17 and 18 are related to a conventional endoscope shape detecting device, and FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the endoscope shape detecting device.

FIG. 18 is a view for explaining a situation in an examination room in which an endoscope system is configured by an endoscope shape detection device and an endoscope device;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Endoscope shape detection apparatus 20 ... Coil unit 30 ... Control device 32 ... Transmission block 33 ... Reception block 40 ... Prop

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Chieko Aizawa 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Fumiyuki Onoda 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Sumihiro Uchimura 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Akira Taniguchi 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Within Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masahiro Maruyama 4-51, Iguchi 4-chome, Mitaka City, Tokyo 2F063 AA04 AA41 BA30 DA05 GA01 4C061 AA00 AA04 BB00 CC00 DD03 GG01 HH52 HH53 HH56 JJ11

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A coil unit in which a plurality of magnetic field detecting elements for detecting a magnetic field generated by a magnetic field generating element in an endoscope insertion section or a magnetic field generating element for generating a magnetic field detected by a magnetic field detecting element in an endoscope inserting section are provided. And a control device including a transmission block for supplying a drive signal to the magnetic field generating element and a receiving block for receiving a signal detected by the magnetic field detection element. Endoscope shape detection device. 2. The endoscope shape detecting means according to claim 1, wherein said coil unit and said control device are integrally formed via a support provided with a height varying mechanism.