JP3420085B2 - Endoscope shape detector - Google Patents

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 device 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 medical fields and industrial fields. In particular, in an endoscope in which the insertion portion is flexible, by inserting this insertion portion into a bent body cavity, it is possible to diagnose an organ deep inside the body cavity without making an incision, and if necessary, to provide the endoscope. It is possible to insert a treatment instrument into a certain treatment instrument channel and perform a medical treatment such as excising a polyp.

However, a certain degree of skill is required to smoothly insert the insertion portion into the bent body cavity, for example, when examining the lower digestive tract from the anus side. In addition, during insertion, it is necessary to perform a bending operation of the bending portion provided in the insertion portion according to the bending of the digestive tract to perform smooth insertion, and for that purpose, the distal end position of the insertion portion is inside the body cavity. It is convenient to be able to know the position and the current insertion state of the insertion section.

Therefore, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 8-107875
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Heisei 10-28242 discloses an endoscope shape detecting device for detecting the shape of an endoscope using a magnetic field.
No. 69075 proposes a position estimation device that reduces an estimation error when a three-dimensional position of a source coil is obtained by a plurality of sets of sense coils.

[0005]

However, the endoscope shape detecting device for detecting the endoscope shape in the body cavity is shown in FIG.
7, a drive block that drives a source coil that is a magnetic field generation element, a reception block that detects a signal received by a sense coil that is a magnetic field detection element, and a signal processing circuit that processes the signal detected by this reception block. A control unit 1 having a built-in control block, a coil unit 2 having a plurality of sense coils connected to the control unit 1 via a sense cable 2a, and a control unit 1 connected to the control unit 1 via a monitor cable 3a. It is configured with the endoscope shape display monitor 3 that displays the insertion shape image of the endoscope insertion portion on the screen by inputting the video signal generated by the control block. Then, on the front surface of the main body 1a of the control device 1, a marker connector 1b to which marker cables extending from a plurality of markers and a probe for confirming an endoscope insertion shape in which a source coil for generating a magnetic field is arranged are connected. Probe connector 1c
Was provided.

Therefore, when an endoscope system is configured by the endoscope shape detection device and the endoscope device as shown in FIG. 18, the control device 1 of the endoscope shape detection device is viewed by the endoscope. An endoscope observation monitor mounted on a cart 4 equipped with a light source device (not shown), which is a peripheral device of a mirror, a video processor, etc., and the endoscope shape display monitor 3 mounted on the cart 4. 5, while the coil unit 2 was placed next to the examination bed on which the patient lies via the unit fixing stand 6. And
The marker cable 8a extending from the marker 8 arranged on the inspection bed was 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 and arranged in the insertion portion 7a.

Therefore, 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 in the examination room. A plurality of cables such as a sense cable 2a connecting the control device 1 and the control device 1 and the probe 9 are routed, and these cables and tubes are particularly near the cart 4 in which the endoscope peripheral device in which the operator is located is mounted. It was a factor that reduced workability by concentrating on.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an endoscope shape detecting apparatus which is capable of highly accurate position detection, eliminates the complexity of an examination room, and is excellent in workability. Is intended for.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An endoscope shape detecting apparatus according to the present invention is a coil unit or an endoscope insertion in which a plurality of magnetic field detecting elements for detecting a magnetic field generated by a magnetic field generating element in an endoscope inserting section are arranged. A coil unit in which a magnetic field generating element that emits a magnetic field detected by the magnetic field detecting element in the section is arranged;
A control device incorporating 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 is integrated. Further, the coil unit and the control device are integrally configured via a column provided with a height varying mechanism.

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

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 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 view 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 magnetic field detection range of the coil unit and each member, FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the height varying mechanism of the support column, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the height varying mechanism. 6 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the inspection bed and the detection surface, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the action of the height varying mechanism, and FIG. 8 is FIG.
Similarly, a diagram showing the operation of the height varying mechanism, FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the shape detection operating portion, FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a handle that is detachably attached to the pedestal, and FIG. 11 is an internal view of the handle attached to the pedestal. FIG. 12 is a view showing a mirror shape detecting device, FIG. 12 is a view for explaining a switch of 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 detecting device. FIG. 14 is a block diagram for explaining the display of FIG.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a state in which the endoscope shape detecting device is arranged on the examination bed, and FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining an examination room in which the endoscope system is configured.

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

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A, the endoscope shape detecting apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment has a magnetic field provided on a probe (not shown) inserted into an insertion portion of an endoscope (not shown). A plurality of sense coils that are magnetic field detection elements that detect a magnetic field generated by a source coil (not shown) that is a generation element (see FIG. 3).
The coil unit 20 in which the detection surface 21 is provided by regularly arranging the reference numerals 22), and at least the front surface 31f and the upper surface 3
A device main body 31 having a 1 u exterior formed of a non-metal member, for example, a resin member, and a transmission block 32 for supplying a drive signal to a source coil provided in the probe inside the main body 31 of the device, the source coil Calculation of an endoscope shape based on a reception block 33 that receives a signal transmitted from the sense coil that detects a magnetic field emitted by the sensor and a reception signal detected by the reception block 33 and a drive signal generated by the transmission block 32 A control device 30 having a built-in control block 34 having a CPU (central processing unit) that performs processing and the like, and a height of a detection surface 21 of the coil unit 20 that is provided upright at the center of the front side of the device main body 31. A column 40 having a variable height mechanism that can be changed, and this column 4
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 showing the insertion shape of the endoscope insertion portion, which is arranged on the upper part of 0, is integrated. It is configured.

The support column 40 corresponds to the control device 30.
Fixed column 41 standing upright in the center of the front side of the device body 31 of
And a moving column 42 that slides vertically with respect to the fixed column 41.
The coil unit 20 is disposed at the tip of the moving column 42, and the monitor 50 is provided at the upper end.
Are arranged. The monitor 50 may be detachably attached to the upper end of the moving column 42. And the control device 3
The 0 and the fixed column 41 are fixedly mounted on a pedestal 62 formed of a rigid metal member or the like in which a plurality of casters 61 are arranged. Reference numeral 63 is a handle arrangement hole described later.

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

On the front surface 31f of the apparatus main body 31, a plurality of markers (reference numeral 1 in FIG. 16) for indicating the positional relationship between the endoscope inserted into the body cavity of the patient and the outside of the body cavity during the endoscopic examination.
1) and a marker connector 35 to which a marker cable (see reference numeral 12 in FIG. 16) connected and 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 connected to the probe connector 36, and the side surface 31s is provided with a power switch 37 for ON / OFF operation of the main power source.

As shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b), the transmission block 32 and the reception block 33 have substantially the same shape, and the fixed column 4 is erected at the center of the front side of the apparatus main body 31.
1, the blocks 32 and 33 are located on the side surface 31 of the device main body 31 with the center line 40a extending from the center thereof interposed therebetween.
It 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 that is not affected by noise is provided between the two blocks 32 and 33, so that the noise generated in the transmission block 32 is mixed into the reception signal transferred to the reception block 33 and the detection accuracy is increased. Are prevented from deteriorating and the detection accuracy is prevented from deteriorating due to noise generated from the transmission block 32.

Further, a heavy power supply unit 38 and a drive mechanism section 43 of the height varying mechanism of the support column 40 are arranged in the lower center part between the transmission block 32 and the reception block 33, and the control is performed. In the direction orthogonal to the center line 40a, the block 34 is placed in the transmission block 3
2 and the receiving block 33. As a result, the position of the center of gravity of the control device 30 is lowered, and the weight balance of the entire endoscope shape detecting device 10 is stabilized.

As shown in FIG. 3, the coil unit 20
A plurality of sense coils 22 (see FIG. 5) are regularly arranged in the inside, and a signal detected by the sense coils 22 is transmitted to the reception block 33 via a sense cable (not shown). It is like this. Then, the detection surface 2 formed by arranging the sense coil 22
The range indicated by the two-dot chain line on the front side of 1 is the magnetic field measurement range, and the range indicated by the broken line is the magnetic field detection range.

The endoscope shape detecting device 10 is adapted to detect the endoscope shape by utilizing magnetism. Therefore, if metal exists in the magnetic field measurement range and the magnetic field detection range, iron loss or the like affects mutual inductance between the source coil for magnetic field generation and the sense coil for detection. In this case, the amplitude and the phase of the signal measured by the quadrature detection that is generally used for detecting the minute magnetic field change.

[0021] Therefore, by the Turkey it is accurately detected signal, in the present embodiment to be able to obtain a high endoscope shape image accuracy, in order to set the environment for the magnetic field generated is not affected The endoscope shape detection device is configured as shown below.

First, in order to prevent the monitor 50 from being positioned within the magnetic field measurement range, the monitor 50 is moved to the moving column 42.
Of the sense coil 22 and above the base end face of the sense coil 22. As a result, the monitor 50 is located outside the magnetic field measurement range and 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 body 31 so that the magnetic field is not affected by metal or the like. As a result, since the upper surface of the control block 34 is separated from the gap 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. Further, by forming the front surface 31f and the upper surface 31u of the apparatus main body 31 with a non-metal, it is possible to reliably prevent an error at the time of detecting the shape of the endoscope, which is caused by the disturbance of the distribution of the magnetic field. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the entire device body 31 is made of resin.

In addition, it is possible to prevent the measurement accuracy from being adversely affected by the magnetic field leaking from the transmission block 32 that drives a plurality of source coils arranged in the probe, and to consider the weight balance described above. The block is arranged on the lower side of the sense coil 22 as far as possible from the lower end surface and the base end surface, that is, on the handle arrangement hole 63 side.

A metal handle (reference numeral 64 in FIG. 10), which will be described later, is used when moving the endoscope shape detecting device.
The handle 64 is detachable as described later in order to prevent it from being left in the magnetic field detection range as indicated by the alternate long and short dash line.

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, resin such as delrin or wood. Since an AC magnetic field is actually used for position detection by the source coil, it may be made of a material that does not magnetically affect the frequency of the drive signal.

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

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the user supports the coil unit 20 and lifts it upward with a slight force, so that the moving column 42 rises as shown by the chain double-dashed line. The position of is raised.

When the coil unit 20 is stopped at a desired height, the load applied to the coil unit 20 is eliminated, that is, the coil unit 20.
By releasing the hand supporting the slide member 4,
4 and the drive mechanism 43 are kept in balance, and the coil unit 20 stops at that position. Reference numeral 47 is a fixture for securely holding the position of the coil unit 20.

Therefore, for example, 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 endoscope shape detection as shown in FIG. Grasp and lift up. 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 endoscope shape detection.

When the height of the inspection bed is higher than that of 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 to a desired position. It can be set to 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 detection surface of the coil unit can be arranged in an optimal positional relationship with respect to the patient lying on the examination bed to detect the shape of the endoscope. Further, since the height varying mechanism is provided, it is possible to correspond to a lifting type inspection bed whose height dimension is variable.
Further, the fixed column 41, the movable column 42, and 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, like the device main body 31.

As shown in FIG. 9, in addition to the "Num Lock" key, the "Tab" key, the "Back Space" key, various numeric keys, etc., the apparatus main body 31 is provided with the start of the endoscopic shape examination and the patient. "Enter, Start" to start inputting ID No.
Key 71, a “Track” key 72 for arranging the endoscopic shape image in the substantially center of the screen 51, and “R.Siz” for measuring the optimization of the display size of the endoscopic shape image on the screen 51.
"e" key 73, "Reg.An" key 74 which is displayed based on the initial position of the anal marker, "Elimi.ON / O" which erases the excess part outside the anal marker and displays only the body part
"FF" key 75, end of endoscopic shape inspection and patient ID No.
For example, an operation pad 70 dedicated to the endoscope shape detection device 10 in which a function key such as an “End” key 76 for instructing the end of input such as is combined is detachably 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. Further, when the "Enter, Start" key 71 is pressed to enter the endoscope shape detection state, the number keys "2", "4", "6", "8" are operated to display the screen 51. It is possible to move the position of the endoscopic-shaped image displayed on the screen in the direction indicated by the arrow. Further, the operation pad 70 is arranged at the position of the apparatus body 31
It is not limited to the upper surface 31u, but may be the front surface 31f, the side surface 31s, or the like.

As shown in FIG. 10, a handle 64 made of metal, which is used when the endoscope shape detecting device 10 is moved to a predetermined position, is detachably attached to a handle placement hole 63 formed in the pedestal 62. It is supposed to be placed in. By arranging the handle 64 in the handle arrangement hole 63 as shown in FIG. 11, it is possible to easily move the endoscope shape detecting device 10 to a desired position by gripping 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 placement hole 63. As shown in FIG. 13, in the switch 65, when the handle 64 is arranged in the handle arrangement hole 63 as shown in FIG. 12B, the contact 65 a and the contact 65 b are brought into conduction by the switch 65. As a result, the system processor 34a outputs an instruction signal to the image generation circuit 34b, and the image generation circuit 34b outputs the image generation signal to the monitor 50, which is provided on the screen 51 of the monitor 50 as shown in FIG. is the handle 64 on the child screen 52 has is to display characters or pictures prompting announcements statements or warnings for notifying the state der Rukoto that remains attached to the handle mounting holes 63, the handle to the operator 6
Instruct to remove 4. Note that reference numeral 53 is a main screen on which an endoscope-shaped (inserted state shape of the insertion portion) image is displayed.

Then, as shown in FIG. 12A, when the handle 64 is removed from the handle placement hole 63, the system processor 34a instructs the image generating circuit 34b to display a notice or a letter or a picture urging a warning. Since no signal is output, no notice text or a letter or picture prompting a warning is 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 disposing and fixing the endoscope shape detection 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 base 62. At this time, the endoscope device 80 is provided near the position where the operator stands on the opposite side of the examination bed.
A cart 82 equipped with a light source device as a peripheral device, a video processor, and an endoscopic observation monitor 81 is arranged, and an endoscope 83, a tube, and cables necessary for endoscopic inspection and treatment are connected. deep.

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

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

Next, the insertion portion 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 sent to the receiving block 33.

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

By thus integrally forming the coil unit and the control device, an inspection room in consideration of workability is realized only by disposing the integrally formed endoscope shape detection device at a desired position. can do. As a result, the cables extending from the endoscope shape detection device and the tubes and cables extending from the endoscope device are intricately entangled with each other, and the tubes and cables are concentrated on the operator's side. As a result, an inspection room space with excellent workability is constructed by eliminating problems such as deterioration of workability.

Further, 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 in the vicinity of the magnetic field measuring range and the magnetic field detecting range are formed of non-metal members, the distribution of the magnetic field can be improved. Can be prevented from being disturbed and a highly accurate endoscopic image can be obtained.

Furthermore, 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, and the position of the transmission block is taken into consideration. Can be obtained.

Further, the power supply unit and the drive mechanism section, which are heavy in weight, are arranged on the lower center side, and the transmission block and the reception block, which are slightly lighter in weight and approximately the same in weight, are distributed 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 in which the endoscope shape detection device is hard to fall down and can be stably moved. As a result, the height of the detection surface of the coil unit is changed to a desired height, and even when the position of the center of gravity is changed, the endoscope shape detecting device is arranged and held in a stable state.

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

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[Additional Notes] According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention described in detail above, the following configuration can be obtained.

(1) Generation of a magnetic field that emits a magnetic field detected by 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 the endoscope insertion section or a magnetic field detecting element in the endoscope insertion section is arranged. Endoscope shape in which a coil unit in which elements are arranged, a control block 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 are integrally formed Detection device.

(2) The endoscope shape detecting device according to appendix 1, wherein the coil unit and the control device are integrally configured via a column having a height varying mechanism.

(3) The endoscope shape detecting means described in appendix 2, wherein a predetermined space 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 non-metal member.

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

(6) The endoscope shape detecting device according to appendix 2, wherein the height varying mechanism includes a constant force 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 according to a work procedure.

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

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

(10) When the switch detects that the handle is attached, the shape of the endoscope according to Appendix 9 notifying that the handle is still attached on the monitor screen. Detection device.

(11) The endoscope shape detecting device according to appendix 2, wherein the transmitting block and the receiving block are arranged with the supporting column interposed therebetween.

(12) The endoscope shape detecting device as set forth in 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 device which enables highly accurate position detection, eliminates the complexity of the examination room, and is excellent in workability. it can.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 to 16 relate to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an endoscope shape detection 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 diagram for explaining a height changing mechanism 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 diagram showing an operation of a height varying mechanism.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the operation of the height varying mechanism as in FIG. 7.

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

FIG. 10 is a view showing a handle which is detachably attached to a pedestal.

FIG. 11 is a view showing an endoscope shape detection device with a handle attached to a pedestal.

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

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

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

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

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an examination room that configures an endoscope system.

17 and 18 relate to a conventional endoscope shape detecting device, and FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of the endoscope shape detecting device.

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

[Explanation of symbols]

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

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Fumiyuki Onoda 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Sumiyo Uchimura 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Akira Taniguchi 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masahiro Maruyama 4-4 51 Iguchi, Mitaka City, Tokyo (56) References JP-A-9-28660 (JP, A) JP-A-9-28659 (JP, A) JP-A-6-285043 (JP, A) JP-A-8-107875 (JP, A) ( 58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A61B 1/00-1/32

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A coil unit in which a plurality of magnetic field detection elements for detecting a magnetic field generated by a magnetic field generation element in an endoscope insertion section are arranged, or a magnetic field generation element for generating a magnetic field detected by a magnetic field detection element in the endoscope insertion section. And a control unit that includes 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, are integrally configured. Endoscope shape detector. 2. The endoscope shape detecting means according to claim 1, wherein the coil unit and the control device are integrally configured via a column having a height varying mechanism.