JP2023036247A - Processor device, processor device operation method, and endoscope system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a processor device, processor device operation method, and endoscope system capable of selecting whether an inspection is the same inspection or the different inspection by the intention of a user before disconnection and after re-connection when an endoscope is disconnected and re-connected during the inspection.SOLUTION: A processor device 13 includes a processor side connector 42, an endoscope connection/disconnection button 32, a central control section 47, and an image signal acquisition section 48. The image signal acquisition section 48 acquires an endoscopic image. When an endoscope 12 is disconnected and re-connected after the operation of the endoscope connection/disconnection button 32, and also when the endoscope connection/disconnection button 32 is re-operated, the central control section 47 stores management information that an endoscopic image before the disconnection and an endoscopic image after the re-connection are the images acquired in the same inspection.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to a processor device for controlling an endoscope, a method of operating the processor device, and an endoscope system.

2. Description of the Related Art In the medical field, examinations using an endoscope and an endoscope system including a processor are widely performed. By using an endoscope system, it is possible to acquire an image (hereinafter referred to as an endoscope image) obtained by photographing an observation target, which is a subject, with an endoscope. The endoscopic image is used for display on a display, attachment to a medical report, or the like, and is useful for diagnosis.

In an examination using an endoscope, for example, when the endoscope connected to the processor device is replaced during the examination, the connection between the processor device and the endoscope may be disconnected and then reconnected. In the endoscope system disclosed in Patent Document 1, after the processor device and the endoscope are connected, the first release signal is input as the inspection start instruction signal, and when the inspection end button is operated, the inspection end instruction signal is output. is entered. In this endoscope system, even if the endoscope is replaced during the period from when the examination start instruction signal is input until when the examination end instruction signal is input, it is considered to be one examination. , examination data including endoscopic images are recorded in an integrated manner.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-245239

However, in the endoscope system described in Patent Document 1, when the endoscope is replaced during an examination, the examination data before and after the exchange are treated as the same examination or different examinations as intended by the user. unable to manage. That is, in the endoscope system described in Patent Document 1, there is no opportunity to input whether or not to perform the same examination once after the examination start instruction signal is input until the examination end instruction signal is input. do not have. Therefore, when disconnecting and reconnecting the endoscope during an examination, the user cannot select either the same examination or another examination.

The present invention provides a processor device that allows a user to select the same examination or different examinations before disconnection and reconnection when disconnecting and reconnecting an endoscope during an examination. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of operating a processor device and an endoscopic system.

A processor device of the present invention includes a processor-side connector connected to an endoscope, an examination continuation button, and a processor. Acquire an endoscopic image obtained by photographing an observation target with an endoscope, and connect the processor-side connector and the endoscope after the examination continuation button is operated while the endoscopic image is being acquired. When disconnection and reconnection are performed and the examination continuation button is operated again, the endoscopic image obtained before disconnection and the endoscopic image obtained after reconnection are obtained in the same examination. It stores management information that is.

If the examination continuation button is not operated while the endoscopic image is being acquired and the connection is disconnected and reconnected, the processor displays the endoscopic image acquired before disconnection and the endoscopic image acquired after reconnection. It is preferable to store management information indicating that the endoscopic image obtained is obtained by a different examination.

Another processor device of the present invention is a processor device comprising a processor-side connector connected to an endoscope, an examination continuation button, and a processor, and the processor is connected to the processor-side connector and the endoscope. In this case, when an endoscopic image obtained by photographing an observation target with an endoscope is acquired, and the examination continuation button is operated, the mode is switched between the endoscopic image acquisition mode and the examination continuation mode, In the endoscopic image acquisition mode, after acquiring an endoscopic image and switching from the endoscopic image acquisition mode to the examination continuation mode by operating the examination continuation button, the connector on the processor side and the endoscope are disconnected, And when the connection is reconnected and the mode is switched from the examination continuation mode to the endoscopic image acquisition mode by operating the examination continuation button, the endoscopic image acquired before disconnection and the endoscopic image acquired after reconnection It stores management information indicating that the images are acquired in the same examination.

An inspection start/end button for starting or ending the endoscopic image acquisition mode is provided, and after the processor ends the endoscopic image acquisition mode by operating the inspection start/end button, the processor-side connector and the endoscope are connected. When the connection is disconnected and reconnected and the examination start/end button is operated again, the endoscopic image acquisition mode is started, and when the examination start/end button is operated to end the endoscopic image acquisition mode, It is preferable to store management information indicating that the endoscopic image acquired before disconnection and the endoscopic image acquired after reconnection were acquired in different examinations.

The processor stops power supply to the endoscope when the mode is switched from the endoscopic image acquisition mode to the examination continuation mode, and stops power supply to the endoscope when the mode is switched from the examination continuation mode to the endoscopic image acquisition mode. Power feeding is preferred.

It is preferable that a first display for notifying that it is in the examination continuation mode is provided, and the processor causes the first display to be displayed during the examination continuation mode.

The examination continuation button is provided integrally with the first display, and the processor displays in a manner different from that in the endoscopic image acquisition mode when the mode is switched from the endoscopic image acquisition mode to the examination continuation mode. It is preferable to display the first display.

A second display for notifying that the examination continuation mode is on is provided, the second display is provided around the examination continuation button, and the processor displays the second display in the endoscopic image acquisition mode. is not emitted, and when the mode is switched from the endoscopic image acquisition mode to the examination continuation mode, it is preferable to cause the second display to emit light.

The processor-side connector can selectively connect any one of a plurality of endoscopes, and the endoscope to be reconnected may be an endoscope different from the endoscope before disconnection. preferable. The reconnected endoscope is preferably the same endoscope as before the disconnection.

Further, an endoscope system of the present invention includes the above processor device and an endoscope connectable to the processor device and having an imaging sensor.

A method of operating an endoscope system according to the present invention is a method of operating a processor apparatus having a processor-side connector connected to an endoscope, an examination continuation button, and a processor, wherein the processor-side connector and the endoscope are connected. If so, a step of acquiring an endoscopic image obtained by photographing an observation target with an endoscope; and the endoscope are disconnected and reconnected, and the examination continuation button is operated again, the endoscopic image acquired before disconnection and the endoscopic image acquired after reconnection will be different. and storing management information obtained in the same examination.

According to the present invention, when disconnecting and reconnecting the endoscope during an examination, it is possible for the user to select the same examination before disconnection and after reconnection, or a different examination.

1 is a schematic diagram of an endoscope system; FIG. 1 is an external view of an endoscope system; FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing functions of an endoscope system; FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a processor device; FIG. It is a front view of a processor device. FIG. 10 is an external perspective view of a processor device to which an endoscope-side connector is connected; Fig. 2 is an external perspective view of an endoscope-side connector; Explanatory diagram for explaining the process (A) of storing management information obtained in the same examination, and explanation explaining the process (B) of storing management information obtained in another examination. It is a diagram. 4 is a flow chart showing the flow of operation of the processor device; FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating display modes in a power-on state and before connecting the endoscope (A), and after connecting the endoscope and when acquiring an endoscopic image (B). FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a display mode (A) under examination continuation mode and a display mode (B) under endoscopic image acquisition mode; FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining display modes in a power-on state and before connection of the endoscope (A), and when an endoscope image is being acquired after connection of the endoscope (B) in the second embodiment; . FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display mode (A) under an examination continuation mode and a display mode (B) under an endoscopic image acquisition mode in the second embodiment;

[First embodiment]
[Schematic configuration of endoscope system]
In FIG. 1 , endoscope system 10 includes endoscope 12 , processor unit 13 , display 14 and user interface 15 . The endoscope 12 images an observation target. The processor unit 13 performs system control of the endoscope system 10 as a whole.

[Schematic configuration of endoscope]
As shown in FIG. 2, the endoscope 12 includes an insertion section 16 inserted into the body of a subject, an operation section 17 provided at the proximal end portion of the insertion section 16, and a It has a universal cable 18 and an endoscope-side connector 19 provided at the end of the universal cable 18 . The endoscope 12 is detachably connected to the processor-side connector 42 of the processor device 13 via the endoscope-side connector 19 .

The insertion portion 16 is composed of a flexible portion 16a, a curved portion 16b, and a distal end portion 16c, which are successively connected from the proximal end to the distal end. By operating the angle knob 17a of the operation portion 17, the bending portion 16b is bent. As a result, the tip portion 16c faces in a desired direction.

The universal cable 18 controls a light guide 25 (see FIG. 3) that guides illumination light emitted by a light source 46, which will be described later, and an imaging sensor 22 (see FIG. 3) provided at the distal end portion 16c of the insertion portion 16. A signal line for transmitting an image signal output by the imaging sensor 22 when an image of an observation target irradiated with illumination light is captured, a power line for supplying power to each part of the imaging sensor, etc. are integrated.

[Schematic configuration of processor device]
Processor unit 13 is electrically connected to display 14 and user interface 15 . The display 14 outputs and displays an endoscopic image of an observation target processed by the processor device 13, information, or the like.

The user interface 15 has a keyboard, mouse, touch pad, microphone, etc., and has a function of receiving input operations such as function settings. The display 14 outputs and displays an endoscopic image such as a moving image or a still image.

In the endoscope system 10 of this embodiment, between the endoscope 12 and the processor device 13, electrical signals, power, optical signals, etc. are non-transferable via the endoscope side connector 19 and the processor side connector 42. It has a structure that transmits by contact. Specifically, transmission and reception of image signals and the like between the processor device 13 and the endoscope 12 are performed by wireless communication. Therefore, the processor device 13 receives image signals and the like transmitted by the endoscope 12 wirelessly. Further, the processor device 13 supplies power to the endoscope 12 for driving the imaging sensor 22 and the like, and this power supply is also performed wirelessly.

[Internal configuration of the endoscope]
As shown in FIG. 3, the endoscope 12 is provided with an imaging optical system 21a and an illumination optical system 21b. The imaging optical system 21 a causes various kinds of light such as reflected light, scattered light, and fluorescence from an observation target to enter the imaging sensor 22 . As a result, an image of the observation target is formed on the imaging sensor 22 . The illumination optical system 21b irradiates an observation target with illumination light propagated by a light guide 25, which will be described later.

The imaging sensor 22 is a color imaging sensor in which any one of R (red), G (green), or B (blue) color filters is provided for each pixel. to output As the imaging sensor 22, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) imaging sensor or a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) imaging sensor can be used. Further, instead of the image sensor 22 provided with color filters of primary colors, a complementary color image sensor provided with complementary color filters of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow) and G (green) may be used. . When a complementary color imaging sensor is used, CMYG four-color image signals are output. Therefore, by converting the CMYG four-color image signal into the RGB three-color image signal by complementary color-primary color conversion, an RGB image signal similar to that of the image sensor 22 can be obtained. Also, instead of the imaging sensor 22, a monochrome sensor without a color filter may be used.

A CDS/AGC (Correlated Double Sampling/Automatic Gain Control) circuit 23 performs correlated double sampling (CDS) and automatic gain control (AGC) on analog image signals obtained from the imaging sensor 22 . The image signal that has passed through the CDS/AGC circuit 23 is converted into a digital image signal by an A/D (Analog/Digital) conversion circuit 24 . The digital image signal after A/D conversion is input to the processor device 13 via wireless communication units 43 and 62, which will be described later.

In this embodiment, the endoscope system 10 can alternatively use a plurality of different endoscopes 12 . That is, the processor-side connector 42 of the processor device 13 can selectively connect the endoscope-side connectors 19 of the plurality of endoscopes 12 .

[Schematic configuration of processor device]
As shown in FIG. 4, on the front surface of the processor unit 13, there are a power button 31, an endoscope connection/disconnection button 32, an air supply button 33, a light source button 34, an examination start/end button 35, operation buttons 36 to 38, 39A, 39B, and a display panel 41 are provided, and a processor-side connector 42 for connecting the endoscope-side connector 19 is provided on the front right side.

The endoscope connection/disconnection button 32 corresponds to an examination continuation button in the scope of claims, detects a user's press, and outputs an operation signal to the central control unit 47 . The endoscope connection/disconnection button 32 is an operation button for enabling disconnection of the endoscope side connector 19 of the endoscope 12 connected to the processor side connector 42. This is an operation button for mode switching between an image acquisition mode and an examination continuation mode.

The endoscope connection/disconnection button 32 is pressed when the twist of the universal cable 18 of the endoscope 12 is to be corrected, or when the endoscope 12 is to be replaced. Specifically, there are cases where it is desired to replace the insertion section 16 with one having a different outer diameter, or for one suitable for treatment (for example, one with a balloon attached to dilate the stenosed site).

In addition, the endoscope connection/disconnection button 32 is integrally provided with a first display for notifying that it is in the examination continuation mode. ) is provided with a light source (not shown) such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode). As a result, when light is emitted during the endoscopic image acquisition mode and the examination continuation mode described later, and when the mode is switched from the endoscopic image acquisition mode to the examination continuation mode, the display is different from that during the endoscopic image acquisition mode. It emits light in a manner. The different display modes referred to here include, for example, different colors of light emission, switching between light emission/non-light emission, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 5, an indicator 32A is provided on the front surface of the processor unit 13 and around the endoscope connection/disconnection button 32. As shown in FIG. The term "surrounding" as used herein refers to a range within which the user can visually recognize the endoscope connection/disconnection button 32 and the indicator 32A at the same time. The indicator 32A is a second display device for notifying that the test continuation mode is on, and represents "DETACH" which is an English character meaning detachable. The indicator 32A has, for example, a light source (not shown) such as an LED arranged on the back side, and emits light during the examination continuation mode described later.

The air supply button 33 is an operation button for operating a pump provided inside the processor device 13 to supply air to the endoscope 12 . A light source button 34 is an operation button for switching on/off of the light source 46 .

The examination start/end button 35 is an operation button for starting or ending an endoscopic image acquisition mode, which will be described later. Similar to the endoscope connection/disconnection button 32, the examination start/end button 35 is provided with a light source (not shown) on the back side (inside the processor device 13), so that an endoscope image to be described later is displayed. At least emit light when in acquisition mode.

Indicators 35A and 35B are provided on the front surface of the processor unit 13 and around the examination start/end button 35. As shown in FIG. The term "surrounding" as used herein means that the user can see the examination start/end button 35 and the indicators 35A and 35B at the same time. The indicator 35A represents "ACTIVE" which is an English letter meaning the state of use, and the indicator 35B represents the English letter "STANDBY" which means a ready state. Like the indicator 32A, the indicators 35A and 35B have a light source (not shown) such as an LED on the rear side. The indicator 35A emits light at least during an endoscopic image acquisition mode, which will be described later, and the indicator 35B emits light at least before starting an examination (that is, before connecting the endoscope 12).

Operation buttons 36 to 38, 39A, and 39B are operation buttons for adjusting multi-light emission, light emission mode, diaphragm opening in light source 46, illuminance of light source 46, and the like.

The processor-side connector 42 is provided with locking portions 42A and 42B, a contact surface 42C, a fitting recess 42D, and a connection hole 42E. The contact surface 42C is a flat surface that contacts the front surface 61A of the endoscope-side connector 19, which will be described later. The locking portions 42A and 42B are located at positions projecting from the contact surface 42C, and when the endoscope-side connector 19 is connected, lock the endoscope-side connector 19 to maintain the connection. The fitting recess 42D is a recess that is one step recessed from the contact surface 42C, and a fitting protrusion 61B of the endoscope-side connector 19, which will be described later, is fitted. The connection hole 42E is a through hole provided inside the fitting recess 42D, into which the light guide rod 64 (see FIG. 7) of the endoscope side connector 19 is inserted.

When connecting the endoscope-side connector 19 to the processor-side connector 42, the light guide rod 64 is inserted into the connection hole 42E of the processor-side connector 42 so that the incident end 25A of the light guide 25 is connected to the light source 46 of the processor device 13. Face to face. Thereby, illumination light from the light source 46 is transmitted to the illumination optical system 21b through the light guide 25. As shown in FIG.

Further, behind the lower portion of the contact surface 42C, a wireless communication unit 43 for wirelessly communicating with the wireless communication unit 62 of the endoscope-side connector 19 and a wireless power receiving unit 63 of the endoscope-side connector 19 are provided with electric power. A wireless power supply unit 44 for supplying power is provided. The wireless communication section 43 includes an image signal receiving section 45 (see FIG. 3). The image signal receiving section 45 receives image signals from the image signal transmitting section 65 of the endoscope-side connector 19 . The connection hole 43A of the wireless communication section 43 is shaped to receive the connection pin 62A of the endoscope-side connector 19 therein. The wireless power supply unit 44 is, for example, a coil (so-called primary coil), and supplies power to the wireless power reception unit 63 by a contactless power transmission method such as an electromagnetic induction method or a magnetic resonance method.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the endoscope-side connector 19 of the endoscope 12 is connected to the processor-side connector 42 of the processor device 13, the illumination light emitted by the light source 46 is emitted from, for example, a prism, a light guide rod, or the like. is incident on the light guide 25 of the endoscope 12 by means of a light guide member (not shown).

The light guide 25 is built in the endoscope 12 including the universal cable 18 and the endoscope-side connector 19, and guides the illumination light to the distal end portion 16c of the endoscope 12. An illumination optical system 21b is provided at the distal end portion 16c. The illumination optical system 21 b is arranged around the imaging optical system 21 a and faces the output end 25 B of the light guide 25 . In this embodiment, the imaging optical system 21a and the illumination optical system 21b are exposed from the distal end surface of the distal end portion 16c. The illumination light emitted by the light source 46 is guided from the light source 46 by the light guide 25, and is irradiated onto the observation target from the illumination optical system 21b.

The light guide 25 is composed of a fiber bundle in which optical fibers are bundled. The optical fiber that constitutes the light guide 25 is, for example, silica-based fiber or multi-component fiber. In this embodiment, part of the light guide 25 is provided inside the endoscope-side connector 19, specifically inside the light guide rod 64 (see FIG. 5).

[Schematic configuration of connector]
As shown in FIG. 7 , the endoscope-side connector 19 has an exterior case 61 , a wireless communication section 62 , a wireless power receiving section 63 and a light guide rod 64 . Hereinafter, the posture in which the endoscope-side connector 19 is properly connected to the processor device 13 is referred to as the "connection posture", and the connection direction in which the endoscope-side connector 19 is connected to the processor device 13 in the connection posture is referred to as the Z direction. The vertical direction of the endoscope-side connector 19 is defined as the Y direction, and the horizontal direction perpendicular to the Z and Y directions is defined as the X direction.

The exterior case 61 accommodates the wireless communication unit 62 and the wireless power receiving unit 63, and the light guide rod 64 protrudes from the front surface 61A located on the processor unit 13 side in the connection posture. The wireless communication unit 62 wirelessly communicates with the processor device 13 . The wireless power receiving unit 63 receives power wirelessly from the processor device 13 . Since the position where the light guide rod 64 protrudes is the vertically upward side in the connection posture, the exterior case 61 accommodates the wireless communication unit 62 and the wireless power receiving unit 63 on the vertically downward side in the connection posture. do.

A fitting projection 61B that fits into the fitting recess 42D of the processor-side connector 42 is provided at the base end portion of the light guide rod 64, and this fitting projection 61B protrudes from the front surface 61A.

The light guide rod 64 is arranged in the center of the front surface 61A in the X direction. Further, the exterior case 61 has a curved upper surface 61C positioned vertically upward in the connected posture, and a flat lower surface 61D positioned vertically downward in the connected posture. The light guide rod 64 is provided on the upper surface 61C side of the front surface 61A. On the other hand, the wireless communication unit 62 and the wireless power receiving unit 63 are housed side by side on the lower surface 61D side of the front surface 61A.

The wireless communication section 62 includes an image signal transmission section 65 (see FIG. 3). The image signal transmission unit 65 wirelessly transmits an image signal obtained by imaging the observation target irradiated with the illumination light to the image signal reception unit 45 of the processor device 13 . Wireless communication performed by the wireless communication unit 62 is optical communication, and is preferably near-infrared communication using near-infrared light (light with a wavelength of approximately 0.7 μm to 2.5 μm), for example.

The wireless communication section 62 has a connection pin 62A. The connection pin 62A has an optical signal output end at the tip, and by connecting the connection pin 62A to the connection hole 43A of the processor-side connector 42, it is possible to transmit and receive optical signals to and from the wireless communication unit 43 of the processor device 13. becomes. As a result, the optical signal of the image signal transmission section 65 is optically transmitted to the image signal reception section 45 of the processor device 13 in a non-contact manner.

The image signal optically transmitted to the image signal receiving section 45 is transmitted to the processor device 13 . The image signal transmitted from the endoscope 12 to the processor device 13 is subjected to image processing and displayed on the display 14 as an endoscope image. Note that the functions of the wireless communication units 43 and 62 are not limited to those described above, and they transmit and receive control signals for controlling the imaging sensor 22 of the endoscope 12 and the like.

The wireless power receiving unit 63 is, for example, a coil (a so-called secondary coil), and receives power supply from a wireless power supply unit 44 provided in the processor device 13 by a non-contact power transmission method. Note that an endoscope that feeds power using a primary coil and a secondary coil is known from Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-67534, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted here. As shown in FIG. 5, since the wireless power receiving unit 63 is provided behind the front surface 61A, it receives power from the processor device 13 through the front surface 61A.

Furthermore, the endoscope 12 includes a power generation section 66 connected to the wireless power receiving section 63, and the power generation section 66 can supply power to each section of the endoscope 12 including the imaging sensor 22 and the like. . The power generator 66 has, for example, a capacitor charged by the current induced in the wireless power receiver 63 and a voltage stabilization circuit that generates a desired voltage from the voltage charged in the capacitor.

As described above, the processor-side connector 42 is provided with locking portions 42A and 42B. When the endoscope-side connector 19 is connected to the processor-side connector 42, the endoscope-side connector 19 is locked by locking the upper surface 61C and the lower surface 61D of the exterior case 61 to maintain the connection.

[Internal configuration of processor device]
As shown in FIG. 3, the processor unit 13 includes a light source 46 that emits illumination light that irradiates an observation target. The processor unit 13 controls the amount of illumination light emitted by the light source 46, the emission timing of the illumination light, the operation of the imaging sensor 22, and the like, and uses an image signal obtained by imaging the observation target illuminated by the illumination light to obtain an endoscopic image. get.

The light source 46 is composed of, for example, a semiconductor light source such as a multicolor LED, a combination of a laser diode and a phosphor, or a xenon lamp or halogen light source. In addition, the light source 46 includes an optical filter or the like for adjusting the wavelength band of light emitted by the LED or the like.

In addition to the wireless communication unit 43, wireless power supply unit 44, and light source 46 described above, the processor device 13 includes a central control unit 47, an image signal acquisition unit 48, a signal processing unit 49, an image storage unit 51, a display control unit 52, and A power control unit 53 is provided. The image signal acquisition section 48 is connected to the wireless communication section 43 . The image signal received by the image signal receiving section 45 of the wireless communication section 43 is transmitted to the image signal acquiring section 48 .

The central control unit 47 controls each circuit of the processor device 13 , sends control signals to the endoscope 12 , and controls the entire endoscope system 10 . A user uses the power button 31 or the user interface 15 to input an instruction to turn on/off the power of the processor device 13 . A control signal based on the instruction input is transmitted from the central control unit 47 of the processor device 13 to the imaging sensor 22 of the endoscope 12 and the like through the wireless communication units 43 and 62 .

The central control unit 47 controls the amount of illumination light and the timing of light emission by turning on/off each LED constituting the light source 46 and adjusting the driving current and driving voltage of each LED. The central control unit 47 also controls the wavelength band of the illumination light by changing the optical filter or the like. Light emitted from each LED is incident on the light guide 25 via an optical path coupling section (not shown) composed of mirrors, lenses, and the like.

In the processor unit 13, programs related to processing such as image signal processing, image storage processing, and light source control are stored in a program memory (not shown). In the processor unit 13, the functions of the signal processing unit 49, the image storage unit 51, the display control unit 52, etc. are realized by running the programs in the program memory by the central control unit 47 constituted by the processor. . The central control unit 47 also receives information such as instructions from the power button 31 , the endoscope connection/disconnection button 32 , the air supply button 33 , the light source button 34 , the examination start/end button 35 and the user interface 15 . Note that the present invention is not limited to this, and the central control unit 47 receives information from the operation unit provided in the endoscope 12, and based on the received information, controls each unit of the processor unit 13, and controls the endoscope. 12 controls may be performed.

The image signal acquisition unit 48 receives an image signal obtained by capturing an image of a subject, which is an observation target illuminated by illumination light, from the imaging sensor 22 . Specifically, image signals received from the endoscope 12 through the wireless communication units 62 and 43 are input to the image signal acquisition unit 48 . The image signal acquisition unit 48 has a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), a noise reduction unit, and the like, and uses these to perform various processing on the acquired image signal as necessary. Then, the image signal acquisition unit 48 acquires a digital image signal of an endoscopic image obtained by photographing the subject with the endoscope 12 for each frame.

The signal processing unit 49 performs signal processing such as color conversion processing, color enhancement processing, and structure enhancement processing on the image signal acquired by the image signal acquisition unit 48 as necessary to obtain a color image of the observation target. to generate an endoscopic image of

The image storage unit 51 performs image storage processing for storing endoscopic images. A storage area (not shown) provided inside the processor unit 13 is a storage area in which the image storage unit 51 stores endoscopic images. Note that the storage area is not limited to this, and an external storage device connected to the processor device 13 or a cloud service or the like that stores data in a server connected via the Internet may be used as the storage area. The display control unit 52 controls display of images or information on the display 14, which is display means. For example, it performs control to display an endoscopic image on the display 14 in real time, or control to display a saved still image in a set area such as a sub-screen of the display 14 .

The power control unit 53 is connected to a commercial or domestic power supply outside the processor device 13 . Power supplied from a commercial or household power source and stabilized by the power control unit 53 is supplied to the wireless power supply unit 44 . The power supplied from the power control unit 53 to the wireless power supply unit 44 supplies power from the wireless power supply unit 44 to the wireless power receiving unit 63 in a non-contact manner. The wireless power receiving unit 63 receives power from the wireless power feeding unit 44 in a non-contact manner.

As described above, when the endoscope-side connector 19 of the endoscope 12 is attached to the processor-side connector 42 of the processor device 13, the wireless power supply unit 44 and the wireless power receiving unit 63 are arranged close to each other, and the wireless power supply unit 44 is set to a state in which contactless power transmission from to the wireless power receiving unit 63 is possible.

The wireless power supply unit 44 is, for example, a coil (so-called primary coil), and performs power transmission together with the wireless power reception unit 63, which is a secondary coil. As a method of non-contact power transmission, an example of using the wireless power supply unit 44 as the primary coil and the wireless power receiving unit 63 as the primary coil has been shown, but any method of non-contact power transmission may be used. Such a system may be used. Furthermore, the endoscope 12 includes a power generator 66 connected to the wireless power receiver 63, and the power generator 66 can supply power to internal circuits including the imaging sensor 22 and the like.

The processor device 13 also includes a detection switch 54 that detects whether or not the endoscope-side connector 19 on the endoscope side is connected to the processor-side connector 42 . The detection switch 54 is arranged near the processor-side connector 42 .

The detection switch 54 detects the electrical connection with the light guide rod 64 covered with metal, for example, to detect that the light guide rod 64 has been inserted, that is, the processor-side connector 42 and the endoscope-side connector. 19 is connected. When detecting the insertion of the light guide rod 64 , the detection switch 54 outputs the detection signal to the central control section 47 .

The detection switch 54 is not limited to the electrical connection with the light guide rod 64, but is a microswitch that detects mechanical contact with the light guide rod 64, and optically detects the presence or absence of the light guide rod 64. A photointerrupter or the like may be used.

The central control unit 47 also functions as a mode switching unit, and performs mode switching between an endoscopic image acquisition mode and an examination continuation mode according to operation of the endoscope connection/disconnection button 32 . Specifically, when the processor-side connector 42 and the endoscope-side connector 19 of the endoscope 12 are connected, the central control unit 47 executes an endoscopic image acquisition mode for acquiring an endoscopic image. do. Then, when the endoscope connection/disconnection button 32 is operated, the mode is switched from the endoscope image acquisition mode to the examination continuation mode.

When the mode is switched from the endoscope image acquisition mode to the examination continuation mode by operating the endoscope connection/disconnection button 32, the central control unit 47 controls the image signal acquisition unit 48 to stop acquisition of the endoscope image. and controls the power control unit 53 to stop supplying power to the endoscope 12 . As a result, the endoscope 12 connected to the processor-side connector 42 can be disconnected. On the other hand, when the endoscope connection/disconnection button 32 is operated to switch the mode from the examination continuation mode to the endoscope image acquisition mode, power is supplied to the endoscope 12 and the image signal acquisition unit 48 is controlled to Resume acquisition of endoscopic images.

On the other hand, when the endoscope connection/disconnection button 32 is not operated while the processor device 13 is acquiring an endoscopic image, and the examination start/end button 35 is operated, the central control unit 47 End the endoscope image acquisition mode, that is, end the endoscope image acquisition in the processor device 13 . After the endoscope image acquisition mode is terminated by operating the examination start/end button 35, the endoscope 12 connected to the processor-side connector 42 is disconnected and reconnected, and the examination start/end button 35 is pressed again. When operated, acquisition of endoscopic images is started.

Furthermore, the central control unit 47 also functions as an image management unit, and when the user performs a predetermined operation, the endoscope image acquired before disconnection of the endoscope 12 and the reconnection of the endoscope 12 are displayed. It stores management information indicating that the endoscopic image acquired later was acquired in the same examination. Specifically, after the endoscope connection/disconnection button 32 is operated while the processor device 13 is acquiring an endoscopic image, the endoscope 12 connected to the processor-side connector 42 is disconnected. , and when the connection is reconnected and the endoscope connection/disconnection button 32 is operated again, the central control unit 47 controls the image storage unit 51 to restore the endoscope acquired before disconnection of the endoscope 12. It stores management information indicating that the endoscope image and the endoscope image acquired after reconnection of the endoscope 12 are acquired in the same examination.

As shown in FIG. 8A, an endoscopic image acquired before disconnection of the endoscope 12 and an endoscopic image acquired after reconnection of the endoscope 12 are acquired in the same examination. When storing the management information indicating that the images have been acquired in the same examination, for example, the same examination ID (identifier) is attached to the endoscopic image and stored. In FIG. 8A, the same examination ID "ABCD" is attached to the endoscopic image 70 as the incidental information 71 both before disconnection and after reconnection. Note that in FIG. 8A, time T11 is the time when the endoscope connection/disconnection button 32 is operated and the endoscopic image acquisition mode is switched to the examination continuation mode, and time T12 is the examination continuation mode. This is the time when the mode is switched again from the mode to the endoscopic image acquisition mode.

After the endoscope image acquisition mode is terminated by the operation of the examination start/end button 35 without the endoscope connection/disconnection button 32 being operated, the endoscope 12 connected to the processor-side connector 42 is disconnected, and When the connection is reconnected and the examination start/end button 35 is operated again, the central control unit 47 controls the image storage unit 51 to store the endoscopic image acquired before disconnection of the endoscope 12, It stores management information indicating that the endoscopic image acquired after the reconnection of the endoscope 12 was acquired in a different examination.

As shown in FIG. 8B, an endoscopic image acquired before disconnection of the endoscope 12 and an endoscopic image acquired after reconnection of the endoscope 12 are acquired by different examinations. When storing the management information indicating that the image has been obtained by another examination, for example, a different examination ID is attached to the endoscopic image and stored as the management information indicating that the examination was obtained by another examination. In FIG. 8(B), the endoscopic image 70 before disconnection is attached with the examination ID "ABCD" as supplementary information 72A, and the endoscopic image 70 after reconnection is labeled with supplementary information 72B. "EFGH", which is an examination ID, is attached to the . Note that in FIG. 8B, time T21 is the time when the examination start/end button 35 is operated and the endoscopic image acquisition mode is terminated, and time T22 is the time when the examination start/end button 35 is operated. This is the time when the endoscopic image acquisition mode started.

Note that the management information described above, that is, the information obtained in the same examination or the information obtained in another examination is stored together with the endoscopic image as supplementary information, for example, but is not limited to this. The management information indicating that the image was obtained in the same examination or in another examination, and the unique number of the endoscopic image, etc., may be associated with each other and stored.

Next, the operation and the like of the endoscope system 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 and explanatory diagrams shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. When a user performs an examination using the endoscope system 10, first, the power button 31 is operated to turn on the power of the processor device 13 (step ST100). At this time, as shown in FIG. 10A, the endoscope connection/disconnection button 32 has a color indicating the attachable/detachable state, and the examination start/end button 35 has a color indicating an OFF state. It emits light in the luminous color. At this time, the indicator 32A indicating the detachable state and the indicator 35B indicating the ready state also emit light. At this time, the air supply button 33 and the light source button 34 also emit light in a color indicating the off state.

After confirming that the processor device 13 is powered on, the user connects the endoscope connector 19 of the endoscope 12 to the processor connector 42 (YES in step ST101). At this time, the central control unit 47 detects connection of the endoscope side connector 19 to the processor side connector 42 by the detection switch 54 .

After the endoscope side connector 19 is connected to the processor side connector 42 (YES in step ST101) and the patient information is input, the central control section 47 starts the endoscopic image acquisition mode. That is, the central control unit 47 sends control signals to the endoscope 12 through the wireless communication units 43 and 62 . As a result, an endoscope image is obtained by photographing an observation object, which is a subject, with the endoscope 12 . The image signal acquisition unit 48 that has received the image signal through the wireless communication units 62 and 43 acquires the endoscopic image for each frame (step ST102). Note that the image signal acquisition unit 48 acquires the endoscopic images in order of photographing time. Then, the examination information including the patient information is attached to the endoscopic image, and the endoscopic image is saved by the image saving unit 51 .

As shown in FIG. 10B, when the endoscopic image acquisition mode is set and an endoscopic image is being acquired, the endoscope connection/disconnection button 32 is displayed in a color indicating a non-detachable state and an examination start/end state. The button 35 has a color indicating an ON state, and emits light in a blue emission color, for example. That is, it emits light in a display mode different from the display mode indicating the attachable/detachable state or the OFF state. At this time, the indicator 32A indicating the detachable state and the indicator 35B indicating the ready state stop emitting light, and the indicator 35B indicating the use state emits light.

In the endoscopic image acquisition mode, the display modes of the air supply button 33 and the light source button 34 are switched by the user's operation. That is, when the off state is switched to the on state, light is emitted in a color different from the color indicating the off state, such as blue or green. 10(A), 10(B), 11(A), and 11(B) are different from the actual display, but for convenience of illustration, the difference in color is indicated by the presence or absence of shading. showing.

When the endoscope image is being acquired by the processor device 13 (step ST102), for example, when wanting to correct the twist of the universal cable 18 of the endoscope 12 or when wanting to replace the endoscope 12, the user operates the endoscope connection/disconnection button 32 . When the endoscope connection/disconnection button 32 (examination continuation button) is operated (YES in step ST103), the central control unit 47 switches the mode from the endoscope image acquisition mode to the examination continuation mode (step ST104). . That is, the endoscope 12 connected to the processor-side connector 42 can be disconnected by controlling the image signal acquisition unit 48 to stop acquiring the endoscopic image and stopping the power supply to the endoscope 12 . state. The central control unit 47 also monitors the detection switch 54 to detect the connection state of the endoscope-side connector 19 to the processor-side connector 42 .

As shown in FIG. 11(A), when the mode is switched from the endoscope image acquisition mode to the examination continuation mode, the endoscope connection/disconnection button 32 is displayed in a color indicating the detachable state (see FIG. 10 ( It emits light with the same emission color as in the case of A). That is, it emits light in a display manner different from that in the non-detachable state. At this time, the indicator 32A that indicates the detachable state also emits light.

In addition, in the continuous examination mode, the light source button 34 also switches the display mode in conjunction with the endoscope connection/disconnection button 32, switching from the ON state to the OFF state. Central control unit 47 stops light emission of light source 46 . In addition, in the examination continuation mode, the examination start/end button 35 continues the color indicating the ON state (the same emission color as in FIG. 10B), and the indicator 35B indicating the usage state continues emitting light. . In this case, in order to indicate that acquisition of the endoscopic image is stopped, a display mode different from the endoscopic image acquisition mode, for example, the examination start/end button 35 and the indicator 35B are displayed continuously. Instead of emitting light, it may emit light intermittently.

After the mode is switched to the examination continuation mode, the endoscope side connector 19 is disconnected from the processor side connector 42 (YES in step ST105), and the endoscope side connector 19 is reconnected to the processor side connector 42 ( YES) is performed in step ST106. That is, the endoscope side connector 19 of the endoscope 12 that is the same as before disconnection after fixing the twist of the universal cable 18 or an endoscope 12 that is different from that before disconnection is connected to the processor side connector 42. become.

Disconnecting the endoscope-side connector 19 from the processor-side connector 42 (YES in step ST105), reconnecting the endoscope-side connector 19 to the processor-side connector 42 (YES in step ST106), and connecting/disconnecting the endoscope When the button 32 is operated again (YES in step ST107), the central control section 47 switches the mode from the examination continuation mode to the endoscopic image acquisition mode. That is, the power control unit 53 is controlled to supply power to the endoscope 12, and the image signal acquisition unit 48 is controlled to restart acquisition of endoscopic images (step ST108). Then, in the same manner as before disconnection of the endoscope-side connector 19 , examination information including patient information is added to the endoscopic image, and the endoscopic image is saved by the image saving unit 51 . At this time, the central control unit 47 determines that the endoscopic image acquired before disconnection of the endoscope 12 and the endoscopic image acquired after reconnection of the endoscope 12 are acquired in the same examination. Management information indicating that the object is a thing is stored (step ST109).

As shown in FIG. 11B, after the mode is switched from the examination continuation mode to the endoscopic image acquisition mode, while the endoscopic image is being acquired, the endoscope connection/disconnection button 32 is attached/detached. The color indicating the disabled state (same emission color as in FIG. 10B), and the examination start/end button 35 are displayed in a color different from the color indicating the ON state, that is, the display mode indicating the detachable state or the OFF state. It emits light in a manner. At this time, the indicator 32A indicating the detachable state and the indicator 35B indicating the ready state stop emitting light, and the indicator 35B indicating the use state emits light.

Thereafter, acquisition of endoscopic images is repeated in the same manner. Then, when ending the examination, the user operates the examination start/end button 35 to end the endoscopic image acquisition mode and end the acquisition of the endoscopic image (step ST110). When the endoscopic image acquisition mode is terminated, the endoscope connection/disconnection button 32 is colored to indicate the attachable/detachable state, and the examination start/end button 35 is colored to indicate the off state, that is, FIG. 10(A). returns to the same display mode as

If the endoscope connection/disconnection button 32 (examination continuation button) is not operated (NO in step ST103), the examination start/end button 35 is operated to terminate the endoscope image acquisition mode (step ST110). YES), the endoscope 12 connected to the processor-side connector 42 is disconnected and reconnected, and the examination start/end button 35 is operated again, the central control unit 47 controls the image storage unit 51. Then, the endoscopic image acquired before disconnection of the endoscope 12 and the endoscopic image acquired after reconnection of the endoscope 12 are managed by different examinations. Store information.

As described above, when the user performs a predetermined operation on the endoscope connection/disconnection button 32 and the examination start/end button 35, the endoscopic image acquired before disconnection of the endoscope 12 and the endoscopic Since management information is stored indicating that the endoscopic image acquired after reconnection of the mirror 12 was acquired in the same examination, it is possible to obtain the same examination or a different examination before disconnection and after reconnection. can be selected by the user's intention.

When the mode is switched from the endoscopic image acquisition mode to the examination continuation mode, the endoscope connection/disconnection button 32 and the indicator 32A are in a display mode indicating the detachable state (that is, the examination continuation mode), and the detachable state is changed. emit light in different display modes. As a result, the user can easily recognize that the test continuation mode is on, and can prevent the user from making a mistake in selecting the same test or a different test before disconnection and after reconnection. In addition, in the case of the examination continuation mode, the endoscope connection/disconnection button 32 emits light in a color different from that of the examination start/end button 35, so that selection errors can be further prevented.

[Second embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the endoscope connection/disconnection button 32 (examination continuation button) emits light in a color indicating the attachable/detachable state when the power of the processor device 13 is turned on, and the endoscopic image acquisition mode is activated. is an example in which light is emitted in a different color, and in the examination continuation mode, light is emitted in a color indicating the attachable/detachable state. acquisition mode) and the state in which the endoscope can be attached and detached (in the examination continuation mode). In the example shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the display mode is switched between light emission and blinking between the state of acquiring an endoscopic image and the state of detachable endoscope. The configuration other than the display mode of the endoscope connection/disconnection button 32 is the same as that of the endoscope system 10 of the first embodiment. omitted.

As shown in FIG. 12A, when the power button 31 is operated to turn on the power of the processor device 13, the endoscope connection/disconnection button 32 is in a non-light emitting state, and the indicator 32A is also in a non-light emitting state. Luminescence. The display modes of the air supply button 33, the light source button 34, and the examination start/end button 35 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and description thereof will be omitted. Also, in FIG. 12, for convenience of illustration, the non-light emitting state of the endoscope connection/disconnection button 32 is indicated by hatching, but this is different from the actual state.

After the endoscope-side connector 19 is connected to the processor-side connector 42 and the patient information is input, the central control unit 47 starts the endoscopic image acquisition mode. As shown in FIG. 12(B), when the endoscopic image acquisition mode is set and an endoscopic image is being acquired, the endoscope connection/disconnection button 32 is in a light emitting state, indicating that it is in a non-detachable state. show. In this case, the luminescence color of the endoscope connection/disconnection button 32 is a different color from that of the examination start/end button 35, for example, yellow luminescence color. Also, at this time, the indicator 32A indicating the attachable/detachable state stops emitting light.

As shown in FIG. 13A, when the mode is switched from the endoscopic image acquisition mode to the examination continuation mode, the endoscope connection/disconnection button 32 is pressed without changing the emission color (FIG. 12 ( The same luminescent color as in the case of B)) is switched from the luminescent state to the blinking state. That is, the display mode is different from that in the non-detachable state. Also, at this time, the indicator 32A that indicates the attachable/detachable state is also emitting light.

When the endoscope side connector 19 is disconnected from the processor side connector 42, the endoscope side connector 19 is reconnected to the processor side connector 42, and the endoscope connection/disconnection button 32 is operated again, the central control unit 47 performs mode switching from the examination continuation mode to the endoscopic image acquisition mode. As shown in FIG. 13B, after the mode is switched from the examination continuation mode to the endoscopic image acquisition mode, the endoscope connection/disconnection button 32 can be attached/detached while the endoscopic image is being acquired. A light emission state indicating the disabled state is obtained (same emission color as in the case of FIG. 12B), that is, a display mode different from that of the detachable state. At this time, the indicator 32A stops emitting light.

When the endoscopic image acquisition mode is ended, the endoscope connection/disconnection button 32 is in the display mode indicating the attachable/detachable state, and the indicator 32A is in the light emitting state, that is, in the same display mode as in FIG. 13(A). return. With the above configuration, as in the first embodiment, it is possible for the user to intentionally select the same inspection or different inspections before disconnection and after reconnection.

In the above-described embodiments, the endoscope connection/disconnection button 32 and the examination start/end button 35 are exemplified as yellow and blue, but the present invention is not limited to these colors. can be changed as appropriate.

In the above embodiment, the central control unit 47, the image signal acquisition unit 48, the signal processing unit 49, the image storage unit 51, the display control unit 52, and the power supply control unit 53 included in the processor device 13 execute various processes. The hardware structure of the processing unit is various processors as shown below. Various processors include CPUs (Central Processing Units) and FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), which are general-purpose processors that run software (programs) and function as various processing units. Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), which are processors, and dedicated electric circuits, which are processors having circuitry specifically designed to perform various processes.

One processing unit may be composed of one of these various processors, or composed of a combination of two or more processors of the same type or different types (for example, a plurality of FPGAs or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). may be Also, a plurality of processing units may be configured by one processor. As an example of configuring a plurality of processing units in one processor, first, as represented by computers such as clients and servers, one processor is configured by combining one or more CPUs and software, There is a form in which this processor functions as a plurality of processing units. Secondly, as typified by System On Chip (SoC), etc., there is a form of using a processor that realizes the functions of the entire system including multiple processing units with a single IC (Integrated Circuit) chip. be. In this way, the various processing units are configured using one or more of the above various processors as a hardware structure.

Further, the hardware structure of these various processors is, more specifically, an electrical circuit in the form of a combination of circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

10 Endoscope system 12 Endoscope 13 Processor unit 14 Display 15 User interface 16 Insertion section 16a Flexible section 16b Bending section 16c Tip section 17 Operation section 17a Angle knob 18 Universal cable 19 Endoscope side connector 21a Imaging optical system 21b Illumination Optical system 22 Image sensor 23 CDS/AGC (Correlated Double Sampling/Automatic Gain Control) circuit 24 A/D (Analog/Digital) conversion circuit 25 Light guide 25A Input end 25B Output end 31 Power button 32 Endoscope connection/disconnection button 32
32A Indicator 33 Air supply button 34 Light source button 35 Inspection start/end button 35
35A, 35B Indicators 36 to 38, 39A, 39B Operation button 41 Display panel 42 Processor-side connectors 42A, 42B Locking portion 42C Contact surface 42D Fitting recess 42E Connection holes 43, 62 Wireless communication unit 43A Connection hole 44 Wireless power supply unit 45 Image signal receiving unit 46 Light source 47 Central control unit 48 Image signal acquisition unit 49 Signal processing unit 51 Image storage unit 52 Display control unit 53 Power control unit 54 Detection switch 61 Exterior case 61A Front surface 61B Fitting protrusion 61C Upper surface 61D Lower surface 62A Connection pin 63 Wireless power receiving unit 64 Light guide rod 65 Image signal transmitting unit 66 Power generating unit 70 Endoscope images 71, 72A, 72B Supplementary information ST100 to ST110 Step T11 Time T12 Time T21 Time T22 Time

Claims (12)

A processor device comprising a processor-side connector connected to an endoscope, an examination continuation button, and a processor,
The processor
when the processor-side connector and the endoscope are connected, acquiring an endoscopic image obtained by photographing an observation target with the endoscope;
After the examination continuation button is operated while acquiring the endoscopic image, the processor-side connector and the endoscope are disconnected and reconnected, and the examination continuation button is operated again. a processor device that stores management information indicating that the endoscopic image acquired before the disconnection and the endoscopic image acquired after the reconnection are acquired in the same examination, if . The processor
When the examination continuation button is not operated while the endoscopic image is being acquired, and the connection is disconnected and reconnected, the endoscopic image acquired before the disconnection and the reconnection 2. A processor device according to claim 1, which stores management information indicating that said endoscopic image acquired later was acquired in a different examination. A processor device comprising a processor-side connector connected to an endoscope, an examination continuation button, and a processor,
The processor
when the processor-side connector and the endoscope are connected, acquiring an endoscopic image obtained by photographing an observation target with the endoscope;
When the examination continuation button is operated, mode switching is performed between an endoscopic image acquisition mode and an examination continuation mode,
In the endoscopic image acquisition mode, acquiring the endoscopic image,
After the endoscope image acquisition mode is switched to the examination continuation mode by operating the examination continuation button, the processor-side connector and the endoscope are disconnected and reconnected, and the examination continuation button is pressed. When the mode is switched from the examination continuation mode to the endoscopic image acquisition mode by an operation, the endoscopic image acquired before the disconnection is the same as the endoscopic image acquired after the reconnection. A processor unit that stores administrative information that is obtained by inspection. an examination start/end button for starting or ending the endoscopic image acquisition mode;
The processor
After the endoscopic image acquisition mode is terminated by operating the examination start/end button, the processor-side connector and the endoscope are disconnected and reconnected, and the examination start/end button is operated again. If so, start the endoscopic image acquisition mode,
When the endoscopic image acquisition mode is terminated by operating the examination start/end button, the endoscopic image acquired before the disconnection and the endoscopic image acquired after the reconnection are merged. 4. The processor device according to claim 3, which stores management information obtained by another examination. The processor
When the mode is switched from the endoscopic image acquisition mode to the examination continuation mode, power supply to the endoscope is stopped, and when the mode is switched from the examination continuation mode to the endoscopic image acquisition mode, the endoscopic 5. A processor device as claimed in claim 3 or 4, for powering the mirror. A first display for notifying that the inspection continuation mode is in place,
The processor
The processor device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the first display is displayed during the examination continuation mode. The examination continuation button is integrally provided with the first display,
The processor
7. The processor device according to claim 6, wherein when the mode is switched from the endoscopic image acquisition mode to the examination continuation mode, the first display is displayed in a display mode different from that during the endoscopic image acquisition mode. A second display for notifying that the inspection continuation mode is in place,
The second display is provided around the examination continuation button,
The processor
7. When the endoscopic image acquisition mode is set, the second display is not illuminated, and when the mode is switched from the endoscopic image acquisition mode to the examination continuation mode, the second display is illuminated. The processor device according to . The processor-side connector can alternatively connect any one of the plurality of endoscopes,
9. The processor device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the endoscope to be reconnected is an endoscope different from the endoscope before the disconnection. 9. The processor device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the endoscope to be reconnected is the same as the endoscope before the disconnection. a processor device according to any one of claims 1 to 10;
an endoscope connectable to the processor device and having an imaging sensor. A method of operating a processor device that includes a processor-side connector that connects to an endoscope, an examination continuation button, and a processor,
acquiring an endoscopic image obtained by photographing an observation target with the endoscope when the processor-side connector and the endoscope are connected;
After the examination continuation button is operated while acquiring the endoscopic image, the processor-side connector and the endoscope are disconnected and reconnected, and the examination continuation button is operated again. and storing management information indicating that the endoscopic image acquired before the disconnection and the endoscopic image acquired after the reconnection are acquired in the same examination, if the A method of operating a processor device comprising:

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