JP5374088B2 - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope equipped with illumination which saves a space and uniformly illuminates in directions of side surfaces. <P>SOLUTION: The endoscope is equipped with a flexible surface light emitting body 7 as an observation light source, and the flexible surface light emitting body 7 is provided in a part of an outer circumference of the distal end portion 2 of the endoscope 1 and in the circumference of the rear observation opening part 6 of a front-rear complete periphery observation optical system for observing the complete periphery of the endoscope. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to endoscope illumination.

  In recent years, an endoscope optical system capable of observing not only the front direction but also all directions including the lateral direction has been disclosed (for example, Patent Document 1). Such an all-around observation endoscope is capable of capturing an image of the subject over the entire side and rear, so that an effect of preventing oversight of a tumor of the subject (surgical site) is expected.

  Further, a guide instrument such as a trocar provided with an organic electroluminescence device (hereinafter referred to as an organic EL element) as an illumination element is disclosed (for example, Patent Document 2).

  Further, the light emitting state of the light emitting means can be changed according to the state of the endoscope inserting portion inserted into the sheath by the endoscope device in which the light emitting means is provided in the sheath through which the endoscope inserting portion is inserted. Is disclosed (for example, Patent Document 3).

In addition, capsule endoscopes using organic EL elements as surface-emitting light sources are disclosed (for example, Patent Document 4 and Patent Document 5).
Patent Document 6 is also disclosed regarding the illumination of the endoscope.
Special table 2007-536982 gazette JP 2006-166969 A JP 2005-342010 A JP 2004-275542 A JP 2006-197986 A JP 2005-502083 Gazette

  In patent document 1, the illumination LED ring which has arrange | positioned several LED in the ring is used as illumination for a side surface direction. However, when the illumination LED ring is attached to the distal end portion of the endoscope, the distal end portion becomes bulky. In addition, since the illumination LED ring in which the LEDs are arranged at a predetermined interval is a point light source, a sufficient amount of light cannot be obtained or a non-uniform illumination state can be considered.

  Therefore, an endoscope provided with illumination that can illuminate in a space-saving and lateral direction uniformly is provided.

An endoscope according to the present invention includes a front lamp that is provided in front of an endoscope distal end portion and performs front illumination, and a side lamp that is provided on a side surface of the endoscope distal end portion and includes a surface emitting light source. An all-around observation optical system that is a mirror and is controlled so that the light emission timing of the front lamp and the light emission timing of the side lamp are synchronized, and is capable of observing the direction including the side direction in addition to the front direction of the endoscope Is arranged at the distal end portion of the endoscope, and an image of the entire periphery can be displayed on the same screen, and the entire periphery observation optical system observes the direction of the side surface of the endoscope on the side surface of the distal end portion of the endoscope. an opening for is provided, characterized in that a transparent glass cover, which is formed by using a surface-emitting material covering the opening is provided.

When the endoscope is illuminated by a surface sequential method that sequentially emits RGB illumination light, the lighting of each color in the front lamp and the side lamp is synchronized and sequentially emitted .

In the endoscope, the endoscope may be a capsule endoscope. The surface-emitting light source is formed in a bellows shape.

Also, the endoscope includes a front lamp button to switch on and off of the front lamp, and a side lamp button to switch on and off of the side lights.

  According to the endoscope according to the present invention, it is possible to illuminate the space in a space-saving direction.

<First Embodiment>
In this embodiment, in an all-around observation endoscope that captures an image of a subject over the entire side and back, an endoscope provided on the entire periphery of the endoscope distal end with the light emitting surface of the flexible surface-emitting light source facing outward The mirror will be described.

  FIG. 1 shows an overall outline of an endoscope system according to the present embodiment. A forceps channel 3, an eyepiece 4 for front observation, and a front lamp 5 for front illumination are provided on the front surface 9 of the distal end portion 2 of the endoscope 1.

On the side surface of the front half of the tip 2, an opening 6 for observing the entire rearward periphery is provided in the circumferential direction.
An observation optical system for observing the rear of the endoscope through the opening 6 is provided inside the opening 6 as will be described later.

  A flexible surface-emitting light source (side lamp) 7 is provided on the side surface of the rear half of the tip 2 in the circumferential direction. The side lamp 7 is a flexible light source formed of an organic EL element. The side lamp 7 is connected to a light source device (not shown) or a video processor (not shown) via a signal cable passing through the insertion portion 8 of the endoscope 1. The light emission operation of the side lamp 7 is controlled by a control unit built in the light source device (not shown) or the video processor (not shown).

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the distal end portion 2 of the endoscope in the present embodiment. Although omitted in FIG. 1, the opening 6 and the side lamp 7 are covered with a transparent glass cover 21 and are not exposed to the outside.

  FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the distal end portion 2 of the endoscope in the present embodiment. A front / rear all-around observation optical system 31 (see, for example, Patent Document 1) is provided inside the distal end portion 2 of the endoscope 1. The front / rear all-around observation optical system 31 observes the front direction A of the endoscope 1 through the eyepiece lens 4 and observes the side direction B and the rear direction C of the endoscope through the opening 6. This is an optical system. Thereby, the entire periphery of the distal end portion 2 of the endoscope can be observed.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the observation visual field of the endoscope 1 based on whether or not the front lamp 5 and the side lamp 7 are turned on in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, since the front / rear omnidirectional observation optical system 31 is used, an image in the omnidirectional direction of the endoscope tip can be displayed in the same screen.

  FIG. 4A shows an example of an observation visual field when only the front lamp 5 is turned on. Since only the front direction is illuminated, the vicinity of the center of the image is bright, but since the side and rear are not illuminated, the area other than the vicinity of the center of the image has a dark field of view.

  FIG. 4B shows an example of an observation visual field when only the side lamp 7 is turned on. Since only the side and the rear direction are illuminated, the area other than the vicinity of the center of the image has a bright field of view. On the other hand, since it is not illuminated in the front direction, the vicinity of the center of the image has a dark field of view.

  FIG. 4C shows an example of an observation visual field when the front lamp 5 and the side lamp 7 are turned on. Since the front direction and all directions on the side and rear are illuminated, the entire image is a bright field of view.

  Note that this embodiment can be applied to both a flexible endoscope and a rigid endoscope. As a modification, the transparent glass cover 21 itself may be used as a surface light emitter by using a surface light emitting material as the material of the transparent glass cover 21. Further, in the present embodiment, the side lamp 7 is provided in the circumferential direction after the opening 6, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, even if the side lamp is provided across the opening 6, A side lamp may be provided around.

  According to this embodiment, it is possible to uniformly illuminate a subject around the entire back by a flexible surface-emitting light source. In addition, since the rear subject can be observed as a bright image, a further effect of preventing the tumor from being overlooked can be expected. Furthermore, since it is a flexible surface-emitting light source, an illumination lens or the like is unnecessary, and a very compact (small diameter) endoscope can be manufactured.

<Second Embodiment>
Special light observation is realized by having a color filter inside the light source device and cutting light of a specific wavelength. In that case, a large-scale mechanism such as a color filter or a mechanism for rotating the color filter is required. Thus, in the present embodiment, an endoscope that can realize special light observation without using a large-scale mechanism such as a color filter will be described. In addition, since the structure of the endoscope used in this embodiment is the same as that in FIGS.

  FIG. 5 shows an overall outline of the endoscope system in the present embodiment. The endoscope system generally includes an endoscope 1, a video processor 51, and a monitor 57. An RGB color organic EL element is used for the side lamp 7 of the endoscope 1.

  The video processor 51 performs signal processing on the optical image data captured by the endoscope 1 to convert it into a video signal, and outputs an endoscopic image to the monitor 57. Further, the video processor 51 has a function of turning on / off specific RGB channels of the organic EL element. This will be described in detail.

  The video processor 51 is provided with a special light switching button 52, a front lamp button 53, a side lamp button 54, a dimming UP button 55, and a dimming DOWN button 56. The special light switching button 52 turns on / off only the R channel of the organic EL element. The front lamp button 53 turns the front lamp 5 on and off. The side lamp button 54 turns the side lamp 7 on and off. The dimming UP button 55 and the dimming DOWN button 56 make the light amount UP and DOWN, respectively.

  When performing normal light observation, the operator turns on all the RGB channels of the organic EL element. That is, the special light switching button 52 is pressed to turn on the R channel of the organic EL element. The operation flow of normal light observation will be described with reference to FIGS.

  On the other hand, when special light observation is performed, the special light switching button 52 is pressed to turn off the R channel of the organic EL element. The operation flow of special light observation will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 6 shows a lighting flow in the case of normal light observation in the present embodiment. After the special light switching button 52 is pressed to turn on the R channel of the organic EL element, the operator turns on the front lamp button 53 to light the front lamp 5 (S1). Thereby, it can observe with the eyepiece 4. At this time, if the user feels dark or wants to observe the side and the rear (S2), the side lamp button 54 is turned on to turn on the side lamp 7 (S3).

  If it is dark in this state (S4), the dimming UP button 55 is pressed to increase the dimming (voltage) (S5). In order to make it a little darker, the dimming DOWN button 56 is pressed to DOWN the dimming (voltage) (S6).

  In addition, when making it illuminate by a surface sequential system, it is necessary to synchronize the color of the front lamp 5 and the color which lights up with the side lamp 7. FIG. The light emission timing chart at that time is shown below. In the present embodiment, the following timing control is performed by the control unit in the video processor 51.

  FIG. 7 shows a light emission timing chart in the case of the frame sequential type during normal observation in the present embodiment. This figure is a chart showing the light emission timing of the side lamps that are lit in the RGB plane sequential method in synchronization with the front lamps being lit in the RGB plane sequential method. In the front lamp 5, the R channel, the G channel, and the B channel are sequentially turned from OFF to ON, and this is repeated. In synchronization with lighting of the R channel, G channel, and B channel of the front lamp 5, each of the R channel, G channel, and B channel of the side lamp 7 emits light sequentially.

  FIG. 8 shows a lighting flow in the case of special light observation in the present embodiment. The operator turns on the front lamp button 53 to turn on the front lamp 5 (S11). Thereby, it can observe with the eyepiece 4. Here, in order to perform special light observation, the special light observation function can be turned on by pressing the special light switching button 52 and turning off the R channel of the organic EL element (S12).

  At this time, if the user feels dark or wants to observe the side and the rear (S13), the side lamp button 54 is turned on to turn on the side lamp 7 (S14). Then, only the G channel and B channel of the organic EL element are turned on (only the R channel of the organic EL element is turned off) (S15). Note that the G channel and the B channel may be turned off in accordance with the special light observation to be used, or only a specific channel may emit 50%. When returning to normal light observation, the special light switching button 52 is pressed again to turn on the R channel.

  FIG. 9 shows a light emission timing chart in the case of simultaneous type at the time of special light observation in the present embodiment. When the front lamp 5 is turned on (however, the R channel is blocked by the filter), the G channel and B channel of the side lamp 7 are turned on in synchronization with the lighting.

  FIG. 10 shows a timing chart in the case of the frame sequential type at the time of special light observation in the present embodiment. The front lamp 5 does not control the light by turning on and off the light source itself, but blocks the light by a filter, so that a specific channel is also lit. In FIG. 10, the G channel and B channel of the side lamp 7 emit light sequentially in synchronization with the sequential lighting of each channel of the front lamp 5 by the RGB surface sequential method in the present embodiment.

  In the case of an organic EL element, the wavelength of light emission can be narrowed down by changing the organic material used for each of RGB. Therefore, when the R channel is turned off, the same effect as that obtained by cutting the wavelength of the R channel with a conventional light source device can be obtained.

  In this embodiment, the R channel is turned ON / OFF. However, the G and B channels may be turned ON / OFF in accordance with the characteristics of the subject. May emit light (for example, 50% light is emitted only by R).

  According to this embodiment, special light observation can be realized without using a large-scale light source device. In addition, when an organic EL is used as a light emitting member, the possibility of burns or the like can be reduced because heat generation is small.

<Third Embodiment>
In this embodiment, a capsule endoscope in which a flexible surface light emitter is provided on at least a part of the side surface of the capsule endoscope will be described.

  FIG. 11 shows an example of the external configuration of the capsule endoscope in the present embodiment. In the front part of the capsule endoscope 111, there are an observation lens 113 and a front lamp 112. A side surface of the capsule endoscope 111 is provided with a flexible surface light emitter (for example, an organic EL element) 114 in the circumferential direction. In the figure, the surface light emitters 114 are provided on the entire circumference, but may be provided on a part thereof.

  Inside the capsule endoscope 111, in addition to an image pickup device such as a CCD, a light emission control unit for controlling light emission of the front lamp 112 and the surface light emitter 114, and a power source for supplying power necessary for driving these devices are incorporated. Has been. The light emission control unit can control the light emission state of the front lamp 112 and the surface light emitter 114 as in the second embodiment.

  According to this embodiment, the brightness of the entire lumen through which the capsule endoscope passes is improved by illuminating the side surface direction with a surface light emitter provided around the capsule endoscope. Improvements can be made.

<Fourth Embodiment>
In the present embodiment, an endoscope in which a flexible surface light emitter is provided on the entire circumference of the side surface of the insertion portion will be described.

  FIG. 12 shows an example of the external configuration of the endoscope 121 in the present embodiment (Example 1). The endoscope 121 is obtained by applying the side lamp 7 of the endoscope of the first embodiment to the entire side surface of the insertion portion 8. That is, the side surface of the insertion portion 8 is covered with a flexible surface light emitter 122 (for example, an organic EL element).

  With this configuration, the entire endoscope can emit light. Therefore, by inserting an endoscope into the intestine and causing it to emit light, the emitted light can be visually recognized from the outside through the abdominal surface, so that the shape of the intestine and the running state of the endoscope can be directly confirmed.

  FIG. 13 shows an example of the external configuration of the endoscope 131 in the present embodiment (Example 2). The side surface of the insertion portion of the endoscope 131 is configured in a bellows shape. FIG. 13A shows a state where the bellows portion 132 is contracted. FIG. 13B shows a state where the bellows portion 132 is extended.

  In FIG. 13, a surface light emitter 133 (for example, an organic EL element) is provided on the entire circumference of the bellows portion 132. The surface light emitter 133 emits light with the bellows portion contracted during normal observation. In order to obtain a larger amount of light, the bellows portion 132 is extended to cause the surface light emitter 133 to emit light.

<Fifth Embodiment>
In the present embodiment, an endoscope using a flexible surface light emitter for a front lamp will be described.
FIG. 14 shows an example of the distal end portion of the endoscope 141 in the present embodiment. The front portion 9 of the distal end portion 2 of the endoscope 141 includes an observation lens 143 and a front lamp 142 made up of a flexible surface light emitter (for example, an organic EL element).

This embodiment can be used as a substitute for the front lamps 5 and 112 of the first to fourth embodiments.
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various configurations or embodiments can be taken without departing from the gist of the present invention. Moreover, you may combine any embodiment among 1st-5th embodiment for this invention.

1 shows an overall outline of an endoscope system according to a first embodiment. The perspective view of the front-end | tip part of the endoscope in 1st Embodiment is shown. Sectional drawing of the front-end | tip part of the endoscope in 1st Embodiment is shown. An example of the observation visual field of the endoscope 1 based on the presence or absence of lighting of the front lamp 5 and the side lamp 7 in the first embodiment is shown. The whole endoscope system outline in a 2nd embodiment is shown. The lighting flow in the case of normal light observation in the second embodiment is shown. The light emission timing chart in the case of the field sequential type at the time of normal light observation in 2nd Embodiment is shown. The lighting flow in the case of special light observation in 2nd Embodiment is shown. The light emission timing chart in the case of the simultaneous type in the special light observation in 2nd Embodiment is shown. The light emission timing chart in the case of the field sequential type at the time of normal light observation in 2nd Embodiment is shown. An example of the external appearance structure of the capsule endoscope in 3rd Embodiment is shown. An example of an external appearance structure of the endoscope 121 in 4th Embodiment (Example 1) is shown. An example of an external appearance structure of the endoscope 131 in 4th Embodiment (Example 2) is shown. An example of the front-end | tip part of the endoscope 141 in 5th Embodiment is shown.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Endoscope 2 Tip part 3 Forceps channel 4 Eyepiece lens 5 Front light 6 Opening part for rear periphery observation 7 Side light 8 Insertion part 21 Transparent glass cover 31 Front / rear all periphery observation optical system 51 Video processor 52 Special light Switch button 53 Front light button 54 Side light button 55 Dimming UP button 56 Dimming DOWN button 111 Capsule endoscope 112 Front light 113 Observation lens 114 Surface light emitter 121 Endoscope 122 Surface light emitter 131 Endoscope 132 bellows portion 133 surface light emitter 141 endoscope 142 front light 143 observation lens

Claims (5)

A front lamp that is provided in front of the endoscope tip and performs front illumination;
A side lamp which is provided on a side surface of the endoscope distal end portion and which includes a surface-emitting light source;
An endoscope having
Controlled so that the light emission timing of the front lamp and the light emission timing of the side lamp are synchronized ,
An all-around observation optical system capable of observing the direction including the side direction in addition to the front direction of the endoscope is arranged at the tip of the endoscope, enabling image display of the entire periphery within the same screen,
A transparent glass formed using a surface light emitting material that covers the opening, and an opening for the omnidirectional observation optical system to observe the direction of the endoscope side surface is provided on a side surface of the distal end portion of the endoscope endoscope you characterized in that the cover is provided. 2. When the endoscope is illuminated by a surface sequential method in which RGB illumination light is sequentially emitted, lighting of each color in the front lamp and the side lamp is sequentially emitted in synchronization. The endoscope according to 1. The endoscope, endoscope according to claim 1 or 2 is a capsule endoscope. The surface-emitting light source, endoscope according to claim 1 or 2 which is formed in a bellows shape. A front lamp button for switching on and off the front lamp;
A side light button for switching on and off the side light;
The endoscope according to claim 1 , comprising:

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