JP2001286441A - Portable endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable endoscope for imaging an endoscopic observation image while maintaining the excellent operation performance of the endoscope. SOLUTION: A solid imaging element 22 for imaging an endoscopic observation image is disposed at the tip 22 of an inserting part 2, and a transmission circuit 23 for transmitting the image signal of the endoscopic observation image taken by the solid imaging element 22 by means of a radio signal is disposed at an operating part 3. The electric power to drive the solid imaging element 22 and the transmission circuit 23, etc., is fed from a power source 13 of a light source unit 10 directly connected to the operating part 3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable endoscope in which a light source unit having a light source lamp and a power source for the light source lamp is directly connected to an operation unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a portable endoscope is provided with an eyepiece for observing an endoscope observation image and an entrance end of a light guide for illumination on an operation section connected to a base end of an insertion section. In addition, a light source unit including a light source lamp for supplying illumination light to the illumination light guide and a power supply for lighting the light source lamp is provided directly connected to the operation unit.

[0003] In order to display an image observed by such a portable endoscope on a television monitor, a television camera is conventionally mounted on an eyepiece of the portable endoscope, and an image signal obtained by the television camera is transmitted as a signal. It was sent to the control unit by cable.

[0004]

However, in the portable endoscope, the fact that no cords such as a light guide cord extend from the operation unit is incomparable in operability and cleaning and disinfecting after use. Although it is an excellent feature that produces easiness and the like, when a TV camera is attached, the signal cable extending therefrom greatly impairs operability.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a portable endoscope capable of capturing an endoscope observation image while maintaining good operability of the portable endoscope.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a portable endoscope according to the present invention comprises an operating portion connected to a base end of an insertion portion, wherein an input end of a light guide for illumination is disposed. In a portable endoscope provided with a light source unit having a light source lamp for supplying illumination light to an illumination light guide and a power supply for lighting the light source lamp directly connected to an operation unit, an endoscope is provided. A solid-state imaging device for capturing an observation image is arranged at the tip of the insertion unit, and a transmission circuit that transmits a video signal of an endoscope observation image captured by the solid-state imaging device by a wireless signal is arranged in the operation unit, The power for driving the solid-state imaging device, the transmission circuit, and the like is supplied from the power supply of the light source unit.

[0007] The wireless transmission may be performed using radio waves or infrared rays as a medium.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 show a portable endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention.

An insertion section 2 of the portable endoscope 1 is covered with a flexible tube, and an operation section 3 connected to a base end of the insertion section 2.
The incidence end 4 of the light guide fiber bundle 4 for illumination
a is arranged.

An objective optical system 5 is built in the distal end portion 2a of the insertion section 2, and an image receiving surface of the solid-state image pickup device 22 is arranged at a position where an image of a subject is formed by the objective optical system 5. The exit end of the light guide fiber bundle 4 is arranged to illuminate the subject.

A light source unit 10 for supplying illumination light to the light guide fiber bundle 4 is directly and detachably connected to an upper portion of the side surface of the operation unit 3. Reference numeral 11 denotes a switch ring for turning on / off the light source unit 10.

As shown in FIG. 1, the light source unit 10 includes a light source lamp 1 such as a so-called miniature light bulb at a position facing the incident end face of the light guide fiber bundle 4.
2 are arranged.

A power supply battery 13 for supplying power to the light source lamp 12 is exchangeably built in.
A switch 14 for connecting / disconnecting continuity between the light source lamp 12 and the power supply battery 13 is opened and closed by the switch ring 11.

On a circuit board 23 electrically connected to the solid-state imaging device 22 and arranged in the operation section 3, a drive circuit for the solid-state imaging device 22, a process circuit for video signals, a video signal transmission circuit, and the like are mounted. ing. 21 is a transmitting antenna.

The video signal transmission circuit mounted on the circuit board 23 converts the video signal of the endoscopic observation image captured by the solid-state imaging device 22 into a wireless signal and transmits (oscillates) the signal from the transmission antenna 21.

The solid-state image sensor 22 and the same chip
A synchronization signal generation circuit, an image sensor scanning timing circuit, a video signal generation circuit, and the like may be provided in an integrated manner. If, for example, an element having a CMOS structure is used as the solid-state imaging element 22, such integration can be easily performed.

Also, an automatic white balance circuit, a lamp lighting timing output circuit for adjusting the brightness of the image according to the lighting time of the light source lamp 12, and an electronic shutter circuit for adjusting the brightness of the image by changing the accumulation time of the image signal. A / D (analog / digital)
One or more of various circuits such as a conversion circuit and a D / A (digital / analog) conversion circuit may be included on the same chip as the solid-state imaging device 22.

FIG. 3 shows an example of such an integrated circuit board 23. A timing generator 231 for transmitting a synchronizing signal and a solid-state image sensor are provided on a circuit board 23 on which the solid-state image sensor 22 is mounted. Shift registers 232 and 233 for scanning the element 22 in the vertical and horizontal directions;
(S / H) Sample hold circuit 234, A / D and D
/ A conversion circuits 235 and 237 and a video process circuit 236 for performing video signal processing are provided.

Further, the circuit board 23 has a serial interface 238 for inputting / outputting an adjustment signal for adjusting the state of an image to / from an external circuit, and detecting an image signal so that the image has an appropriate luminance. Includes a controller 239 for controlling the lighting time of the light source lamp 12 as shown in the time chart of FIG. 4, for example.

FIG. 5 shows an arrangement in which the brightness of the image is controlled by the lighting time of the light source lamp 12,
Electronic shutter (not shown) at the position where the incident light passes through
Is shown, the circuit board 23 is configured to change the accumulation time of the image signal to the solid-state image sensor 22. The controller 239 outputs a signal for controlling the opening and closing time of the electronic shutter. Thereby, the electronic shutter is opened only during the lamp ON period shown in FIG.

Returning to FIG. 1, the electric power for driving the circuits arranged on the solid-state image sensor 22 and the circuit board 23 and the like is supplied to the operation unit 3.
The power is supplied from the power supply battery 13 of the light source unit 10 to the circuit board 23 via the electric wire 9 disposed therein.

A contact point 91 is provided at a connection portion of the light source unit 10 to the operation unit 3. When the light source unit 10 is connected to the operation unit 3, the power supply battery 1 is connected via the switch 14.
3 and the electric wire 9 are connected.

As a result, when the switch ring 11 is rotated and the switch 14 is closed, the light source lamp 12 is turned on, and at the same time, the power for operating the solid-state image pickup device 22 and the circuits on the circuit board 23 is all supplied to the light source. Unit 10
The video signal of the endoscope observation image is wirelessly transmitted from the transmission antenna 21 without any cables extending from the operation unit 3.

The radio wave of the video signal transmitted from the transmitting antenna 21 in this manner is received by the receiver 30 provided with the receiving antenna 31, as shown in FIG.
An endoscope observation image is displayed on a television monitor 40 connected to the receiver 30.

The wireless transmission / reception of the present invention may be based on communication using infrared rays or the like instead of radio waves. In particular, when the influence of electromagnetic waves between medical equipment and other medical devices is considered, the design of a communication algorithm for infrared communication is easier than that for radio communication.

[0026]

According to the present invention, a solid-state image pickup device for picking up an endoscope observation image is arranged at the distal end of the insertion section, and a video signal of the endoscope observation image picked up by the solid-state image pickup device is provided. A transmission circuit that transmits by radio signal is arranged in the operation unit,
By supplying power for driving the solid-state imaging device and the transmission circuit from the power supply of the light source unit,
Since it is not necessary to extend the cable for transmitting the video signal, it is possible to capture an endoscope observation image and observe it on the receiving device side while maintaining good operability of the portable endoscope.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an internal configuration of a portable endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external front view of the portable endoscope according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example in which various circuits are integrated on a circuit board on which a solid-state imaging device is mounted.

FIG. 4 is a time chart showing a light source lamp lighting control state in the circuit shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a second example in which various circuits are integrated on a circuit board on which a solid-state imaging device is mounted.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Portable endoscope 2 Insertion part 3 Operation part 4 Light guide fiber bundle (light guide for illumination) 9 Electric wire 10 Light source unit 12 Light source lamp 13 Power supply battery (power supply) 14 Switch 21 Transmission antenna 22 Solid-state image sensor 23 Circuit board 30 Reception Machine 40 TV monitor 91 contacts

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Masaaki Nakajima 2-36-9 Maenocho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo Inside Asahitsu Gaku Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Yoshihiro Obata 2-36-9 Maenocho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo No. Asahi Gaku Kogyo Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 4C061 AA00 BB00 CC06 DD03 FF11 JJ11 JJ17 JJ19 LL02 UU05 UU06 5C022 AA09 AB03 AB17 AC42 AC70 5C054 AA01 CB03 CC07 DA07 HA12

Claims (2)

[Claims] A light source lamp for supplying illumination light to the illumination light guide; and a light source lamp for lighting the light source lamp. In a portable endoscope provided with a light source unit incorporating a power supply for directing connection to the operation unit, a solid-state imaging device for capturing an endoscope observation image is disposed at a distal end of the insertion unit. In addition, a transmission circuit for transmitting a video signal of an endoscope observation image captured by the solid-state imaging device by a wireless signal is arranged in the operation unit, and power for driving the solid-state imaging device and the transmission circuit and the like is provided. A portable endoscope, wherein the power is supplied from a power source of the light source unit. 2. The portable endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said wireless transmission is performed using radio waves or infrared rays as a medium.