JP2001046334A - Endoscope device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To lessen the influence of the noise from peripheral high-frequency apparatus when the video signals from an endoscope are radio transmitted to a signal receiver. SOLUTION: The video signal of the observed image obtained in the endoscope 11 is modulated in a modulation circuit 23 and is radio transmitted to the signal receiver 12. The demodulated video signal is outputted to a monitor device 13. On the other hand, a portion of the high frequency outputted from an electric knife device 3 imparts disturbance as the noise to the signal receiver 12. In such a case, the information indicating the state of an actuation switch 42 of the electric knife device 3 is radio transmitted from the electric knife device 3 to the endoscope 11. When the actuation switch 42 goes on, an output control circuit 24 of the endoscope 11 increases a signal transmission output level. As a result, the S/N of the signal receiver is improved and the influence of the noise disturbance is lessened.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus for wirelessly transmitting image information obtained by an endoscope to a receiving apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, endoscope apparatuses have been widely used in which an elongated insertion portion can be inserted into a body cavity or a duct to monitor and monitor a subject image in the body cavity or the duct. Such an endoscope apparatus generally includes an endoscope having an insertion portion inserted into a body cavity or a duct, and is provided separately from the endoscope and supplies illumination light to the endoscope. A light source device, a light guide cable for guiding illumination light from the light source device to the endoscope, and an imaging signal for capturing an image of a subject which is provided in the endoscope or provided detachably. An imaging device for obtaining an image signal, a video processor provided separately from the endoscope and converting an image signal obtained by the endoscope into a video signal that can be displayed on a monitor, and an image signal from the endoscope being converted to the video signal. It comprises a signal cable for transmitting to a processor and a monitor device for displaying a video signal obtained by the video processor. Therefore, the endoscope is connected to an external device by a light guide cable or a signal cable, thereby restricting a moving range of the endoscope and hindering operability of the endoscope.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 60-48011 discloses
In the No. 1, an illumination device composed of an LED (light emitting diode) or the like is built in the endoscope, whereby a light guide cable extending from the endoscope is removed, and video signal processing is performed on an image pickup signal. A video signal processing circuit that obtains a video signal that can be displayed on a monitor, and a transmission circuit that transmits the video signal by radio waves are provided in the endoscope, and a receiving device that receives the radio waves and demodulates the video signal is an endoscope. An endoscope apparatus has been proposed in which a signal cable extending from an endoscope is removed by being provided separately from the endoscope. Such an endoscope device includes:
Generally, it is also called a wireless endoscope apparatus, and has an advantage that the restriction on the moving range of the endoscope is relaxed and operability is improved.

However, in a wireless endoscope apparatus that transmits image information by radio waves, when a high-frequency device that generates a high frequency, for example, a high-frequency cautery apparatus, a so-called electric scalpel apparatus, is used around the endoscope apparatus. There is a problem that noise leaking from the device interferes with the endoscope apparatus and an endoscope image obtained by the endoscope apparatus is disturbed.

Therefore, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-335450.
In this publication, a storage means for storing a release image as a still image is provided in the endoscope, and when the release image is captured by the endoscope, the endoscope and the video processor are connected by wire to release the release image data. There is disclosed a technique for obtaining a release image without being affected by noise by transmitting the image from an endoscope to a video processor. Further, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
No. 69054 discloses a technique for preventing interference of an interference wave in an image signal by transmitting the image signal of an endoscope by modulating the image signal in a frequency band different from the frequency band of the interference wave. It is shown. Further, generally, in order to reduce the influence of the interference of the interference wave, the transmission power may be constantly increased.

[0006]

However, in the prior art disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-335450, a still image which is not affected by noise can be obtained after shooting, but a moving image can be obtained in real time during observation. There was a problem that can not be. Also, JP-A-59-6905
In the prior art shown in No. 4, image information is transmitted using a carrier in a frequency band that avoids the frequency band of the interfering wave, and thus there is a problem that the frequency band of the carrier is limited. In addition, wireless endoscopes are
In general, since a battery is used as a power source, if the transmission output is constantly increased to reduce the influence of an interference wave, the power consumption of the endoscope increases, thereby shortening the use time of the battery, that is, the endoscope. There was a problem that the use time of the device became short. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, suppresses the shortening of the use time of the endoscope, and without limiting the frequency band of the carrier wave, and wirelessly transmits the observed image in real time as a moving image, It is another object of the present invention to provide an endoscope apparatus capable of obtaining an observation image of good image quality with reduced influence of noise.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an endoscope apparatus provided in an endoscope, wherein a first image signal is obtained by capturing a subject image. When,
Means for modulating a carrier with the first video signal, provided on the endoscope, and receiving and demodulating the carrier transmitted wirelessly from the endoscope and providing a second video signal to display means. An endoscope apparatus provided with the receiving means for obtaining, wherein the transmission output varying means is provided in the endoscope and changes the transmission output level of the carrier wave according to a setting; Transmission output setting means for detecting that a high-frequency device that gives noise to the means is being operated or in an operable state, and increasing the setting of the transmission output level of the transmission output variable means according to the detection result; It is characterized by having.

[0008] The endoscope apparatus according to claim 2 of the present invention comprises:
Means for providing a first video signal by capturing an image of a subject provided in the endoscope; means for providing a first image signal to modulate a carrier with the first video signal; and A receiving means for receiving and demodulating the carrier wave transmitted wirelessly to obtain a second video signal to be provided to a display means, wherein the noise provided to the receiving means and provided to the receiving means is provided. Noise detection means for instructing the endoscope to increase the transmission output level according to the detection result, and the transmission output level of the carrier wave is provided in the endoscope and changes according to the setting. Transmission output varying means, and transmission output setting means provided in the endoscope, for increasing the setting of the transmission output level of the transmission output varying means in response to an instruction from the noise detection means. Features.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 and 2 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a surgical apparatus including an endoscope apparatus, and FIG. 2 is an endoscope. 6 is a time chart showing a control operation of the transmission output of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, a surgical apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes an endoscope apparatus 2 and an electrosurgical apparatus 3 used around the endoscope apparatus 2.

The endoscope device 2 captures a subject image in a body cavity and wirelessly transmits image information of the subject image. The endoscope 11 receives radio waves from the endoscope 11 and receives the subject image. And a monitor device 13 for displaying the video signal from the receiving device 12.

The endoscope 11 has an elongated insertion portion (not shown) for insertion into a body cavity, and is provided continuously with a proximal end of the insertion portion, and an operation (not shown) for gripping and operating the endoscope 11. Unit, an illumination device (not shown) for irradiating the object with illumination light, a battery (not shown) for supplying power to each unit of the endoscope 11, and a signal provided by, for example, provided at the tip of the insertion unit to capture an image of the object and capture an image of the object. An imaging control circuit 22 that drives and controls the imaging device 21 to obtain an image signal of a signal level capable of signal processing by inputting an imaging signal from the imaging device 21 and an imaging control circuit 22 A modulation circuit 23 for modulating a carrier with the obtained video signal; an output control circuit 24 for changing a transmission output level of the carrier obtained by the modulation circuit 23 according to a setting; and a transmission output level of the output control circuit 24. Transmission output setting circuit to set the 25
An antenna 26 that radiates a carrier wave output from the output control circuit 24 as a radio wave, an antenna 27 that receives a control instruction wirelessly transmitted from an external device, and a control instruction from a carrier wave received by the antenna 27. And a demodulation circuit 28 that demodulates the signal and provides it to the transmission output setting circuit 25. The control instruction includes at least an output increase instruction for instructing an increase in the transmission output level of the endoscope 11, and when the transmission output setting circuit 25 receives the output increase instruction, the transmission output setting circuit 25 outputs the output signal level of the output control circuit 24. It is configured to increase the setting.

The imaging device 21 includes, for example, an imaging optical system (not shown) for imaging a subject image, and a CCD (not shown) for obtaining an imaging signal by imaging the subject image formed by the imaging optical system. It is provided with an image pickup device such as a coupling device.

The receiving device 12 includes an antenna 31 for receiving a carrier wave transmitted from the endoscope 11 as a radio wave.
A demodulation circuit 32 for demodulating a video signal from a carrier wave received by the antenna 31; and a video signal processing circuit for performing video signal processing on the video signal obtained by the demodulation circuit 32 to obtain a video signal in a format that can be displayed on a monitor. 33 are provided. The video signal processing circuit 33 includes an encoder that converts the video signal into a format that can be displayed on a monitor, a white balance correction circuit that performs, for example, a white balance correction process on the video signal, And a video enhancement circuit for performing an image enhancement process on the video signal.

The electrocautery device 3 is also called a high-frequency cautery treatment tool, and is a device that applies high-frequency waves to a treatment target portion to perform an incision action and a coagulation action on the treatment target portion.
The electric circuit includes a high frequency output circuit 41 for outputting a high frequency.
An operation switch 42 configured by, for example, a foot switch and instructing the generation of a high frequency, and a setting switch 43 provided on, for example, an operation panel (not shown) of the electrocautery device 3 and setting an operation mode and a high-frequency output level; A control circuit 44 for controlling the output waveform and output level of the high-frequency output circuit in accordance with the operation of the operation switch 42 and the setting switch 43, and the state of the operation switch 42 and the setting switch 43 via the control circuit 44. And a modulation circuit 45 for modulating a carrier with control instruction information for the endoscope 11 according to these switch states.
And an antenna 46 for radiating a carrier wave from the modulation circuit 45 as a radio wave and transmitting the radio wave to the endoscope 11. The operation modes set by the setting switch 43 include, for example, a mode in which an incision operation is performed, a mode in which a coagulation operation is performed, a mode in which an incision operation and a coagulation operation are mixed, and a mode in which none of the operation modes is selected. That is, there is a mode that cannot be operated.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. A subject image observed by the endoscope 11 is picked up by the image pickup device 21 and given to the image pickup control circuit 22 as an image pickup signal.
The imaging control circuit 22 obtains a video signal of a signal level capable of signal processing from the applied imaging signal and supplies the video signal to the modulation circuit 23. The modulation circuit 23 modulates a carrier with a given video signal, and the modulated carrier is radiated as radio waves from an antenna 26 via an output control circuit 24,
It is provided to the receiving device 12.

The carrier supplied to the receiving apparatus 12 is supplied from an antenna 31 to a demodulation circuit 32, and the demodulation circuit 3
2 demodulates the applied carrier wave to extract a video signal and supplies it to the video signal processing circuit 33. This video signal processing circuit 3
Reference numeral 3 converts a given video signal into a video signal in a format that can be displayed on a monitor and outputs the video signal to a monitor device 13. The monitor device 13 displays a subject image observed by the endoscope 11.

On the other hand, an operation mode and an output level are set by a setting switch 43 of the electric scalpel device 3 used around the endoscope 11, and when the operation switch 42 is operated, it is controlled by a control circuit 44. High frequency output circuit 41
Outputs a high frequency of a waveform and an output level corresponding to the setting state of the setting switch 43 to a treatment target portion, and a medical treatment is performed on the treatment target portion by the high frequency.

At this time, the high-frequency wave output from the high-frequency output circuit 41 of the electrosurgical device 3 is not only given to the treatment target site, but partly leaks and is radiated, and the radiated high-frequency wave is received as noise. Antenna 3 of device 12
1, the noise enters the demodulation circuit 32 and the video signal processing circuit 33 and disturbs the video signal, whereby the display image on the monitor device 13 is disturbed.

Next, the operation of reducing the influence of the noise emitted from the electrocautery device 3 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the signal strength a is transmitted from the endoscope 11 to the receiving device 12.
Carrier waves are given. That is, the transmission output level corresponding to the signal strength a is set in the output control circuit 24 in a normal state, that is, when no noise is generated. When the operation switch 42 of the electric scalpel device 3 is turned on, noise of intensity b is given from the electric scalpel device 3 to the receiving device 12.

When the operation switch 42 and the setting switch 43 are operated, the switch status information is stored in the endoscope 1.
1 as control instruction information from the control circuit 44 to the modulation circuit 45.
To the endoscope 11 wirelessly from the antenna 46. When the endoscope 11 receives a radio wave from the electric scalpel device 3 by the antenna 27, the control instruction information is demodulated by the demodulation circuit 28, and the control instruction information is provided to the transmission output setting circuit 25.

Then, the transmission output setting circuit 25 increases the output level setting of the output control circuit 24 in response to the operation switch 42 of the electrocautery device 3 being turned on,
As a result, the signal strength of the carrier wave provided from the endoscope 11 to the receiving device 12 is reduced to a signal strength of about (a + b) obtained by adding the noise strength b to the normal signal strength a, or to a signal strength higher than that. Will be increased. That is, when noise occurs, the output control circuit 24 sets the transmission output level substantially corresponding to the signal strength (a + b) or higher by the transmission output setting circuit 25.

Accordingly, even if noise is generated from the electrosurgical device 3, the S / N (signal-to-noise ratio) of the carrier provided from the endoscope 11 is improved in the receiving device 12,
The S / N of the demodulated video signal is improved, and the monitor device 13
Displays an image of good image quality with reduced influence of noise.

The operation switch 42 of the electrocautery device 3
Is turned off, the generation of noise stops, so that the setting of the transmission output level of the output control circuit 24 is returned to the normal setting, and the carrier having the signal strength a is supplied to the receiving device 12.

As described above, in the present embodiment,
The observation image is transmitted as a moving image from the endoscope 11 to the receiving device 12 in real time. Also, when noise occurs,
Since the transmission output level of the endoscope 11 increases, it is possible to obtain an observation image of good image quality with reduced influence of noise. Further, when no noise is generated, the transmission output level of the endoscope 11 is reduced as compared to when the noise is generated, and accordingly, the power amount of the battery of the endoscope 11 is saved. . When noise occurs, the endoscope 1
1 is configured to reduce the influence of noise by increasing the signal strength of the carrier wave supplied to the receiving device 12, so that the influence of noise is reduced even if the frequency band of the carrier wave and the noise overlap. Is done. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, shortening of the use time of the endoscope is suppressed, the frequency band of the carrier is not limited, the observation image is wirelessly transmitted as a moving image in real time, and the influence of noise is reduced. The effect is obtained that a reduced observation image of good image quality can be obtained.

The present embodiment can be variously modified as follows. For example, the transmission output level set by the transmission output setting circuit 25 to the output control circuit 24 when noise occurs may be different depending on the state of the setting switch 43 of the electrocautery device 3. Thereby, even if high-frequency waves having various waveforms and intensities are output from the high-frequency output circuit 41 depending on the operation mode of the electrocautery device 3,
It is possible to cope with noise of various intensities generated from the electric scalpel device 3.

Further, as shown in FIG.
The high-frequency output circuit 41 may be controlled to start high-frequency output after a predetermined delay time after the operation switch 42 is turned on. Thus, it is possible to prevent noise from occurring during the period until the transmission output level of the endoscope device 2 is increased.

As shown in FIG. 2, the output control circuit 24 of the endoscope 11 includes an operation switch 42 of the electrocautery device 3.
The transmission output level may be controlled to decrease after a predetermined delay time from turning off the power supply. Thus, it is possible to obtain a margin for a delay time from when the operation switch 42 of the electrocautery device 3 is turned off to when the generation of noise stops.

The electric scalpel device 3 is not limited to the electric scalpel device, but may be another high-frequency device for generating high frequency.

The endoscope 11 is not limited to an electronic endoscope in which the image pickup device 21 is built, but may be a fiberscope that optically emits an observation image. At this time, an external camera device having an electric circuit equivalent to the electric circuit of the endoscope 11 shown in FIG.

The output control circuit 24 of the endoscope 11
Even if the operation switch 42 of the electrocautery device 3 is not turned on, the transmission output level of the endoscope 11 is increased when the electrosurgical device 3 becomes usable by operating the setting switch 43, for example. May be controlled.

The transmission output level of the endoscope 11 is determined not only by the transmission output setting circuit 25 but also by, for example,
The signal determined by the control circuit 44 of the electrosurgical device 3 and indicating the transmission output level may be transmitted to the endoscope 11.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a surgical device including an endoscope device according to the embodiment. Note that, in the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to portions configured similarly to the first embodiment, and description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 3, a surgical apparatus 101 according to the present embodiment has an endoscope apparatus 2 similar to that of the first embodiment, and centralized control for centrally controlling the entire surgical apparatus 101. The device 102 and the electric scalpel device 3 of the first embodiment
Electric knife device 103 provided in place of (see FIG. 1)
And The endoscope device 2 includes an endoscope 11 substantially similar to the first embodiment, a receiving device 12 similar to the first embodiment, and a monitor device 13 similar to the first embodiment. It is comprised including.

The electrocautery device 103 has substantially the same configuration as the electrocautery device 3 of the first embodiment (see FIG. 1), but has a modulation circuit 45 (see FIG. 1) of the first embodiment. ) And the antenna 46 (see FIG. 1), the status information of the electrocautery device 103 is transmitted to the central control device 102.
For example, a communication circuit 111 for transmitting data via a wire is provided.

The centralized control device 102 is a device for controlling the electric scalpel device 103 and various devices installed in the operating room and collecting status information. In the present embodiment,
Communicates with the electrocautery device 103 and communicates with the electrocautery device 1
03, a setting discriminating circuit 122 for discriminating switch status information of the operation switch 42 and the setting switch 43 from the status information collected from the electrocautery device 103, and a setting discriminating circuit 122. A modulation circuit 124 and an antenna 125 for wirelessly transmitting the obtained switch state information to the endoscope 11 are provided.

That is, in the present embodiment, the transmission path of the switch state information is different from that of the first embodiment, and the endoscope 1 is transmitted from the electric scalpel device 103 through the central control device 102.
1 is provided with switch state information.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the description of the actions common to the first embodiment will be omitted. The image information of the subject image obtained by the endoscope 11 is wirelessly transmitted to the receiving device 12 and the subject image is displayed on the monitor device 13 as in the first embodiment. The electric scalpel device 103 generates noise in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and this noise interferes with the receiving device 12.

In this embodiment, the switch state information of the electrocautery device 103 is transmitted from the control circuit 44 to the communication circuit 11.
1, a communication circuit 121, a setting determination circuit 122, a modulation circuit 124, and an antenna 125 to the endoscope 11. The control of the transmission output level of the endoscope 11 based on the switch state information is the same as in the first embodiment. That is, the relationship between the operation timing of the operation switch 42, the timing of noise generation, and the timing of switching the transmission output level of the endoscope 11 is the same as in the first embodiment. Further, the relationship between the noise intensity and the signal intensity due to the transmission output of the endoscope 11 is the same as in the first embodiment.

In the present embodiment described above, similarly to the first embodiment, the observation image is transmitted in real time from the endoscope 11 to the receiver 12 as a moving image. Further, similarly to the first embodiment, when noise occurs, the transmission output level of the endoscope 11 increases, so that it is possible to obtain an observation image of good image quality in which the influence of noise is reduced. Further, similarly to the first embodiment, when no noise is generated, the transmission output level of the endoscope 11 is reduced as compared to when the noise is generated. The amount of power of the eleven batteries is saved. Further, similarly to the first embodiment, when noise occurs, the signal strength of the carrier wave supplied from the endoscope 11 to the receiving device 12 is increased, so that the influence of the noise is reduced. Therefore, even if the frequency bands of the carrier and the noise overlap, the influence of the noise is reduced. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the reduction of the use time of the endoscope is suppressed, the frequency band of the carrier is not limited, and the observation image is converted into a moving image in real time. Wireless communication and obtain an observation image of good image quality with reduced influence of noise.

In the present embodiment, the state of various devices used around the endoscope device 2 is controlled by the central control device 102.
Therefore, even when a plurality of high-frequency devices serving as noise sources are used, the state information of each high-frequency device is transmitted from the central control device 102 to the endoscope 11, and the endoscope device 2 Can deal with noise interference from a plurality of high-frequency devices.

Note that the present embodiment can be variously modified as in the first embodiment. Further, a plurality of high-frequency devices may be connected to the central control device 102 for use. At this time, the output control circuit 24 may be controlled so that the transmission output level is changed according to the type of the high-frequency device serving as a noise generation source. The transmission output level of the endoscope 11 is determined not only by the transmission output setting circuit 25 but also by, for example, the central control device 102 and a signal indicating the transmission output level is transmitted to the endoscope 11. It may be.

(Third Embodiment) FIGS. 4 and 5 relate to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a surgical apparatus including an endoscope apparatus, and FIG. 6 is a time chart showing a control operation of a transmission output of the endoscope. Note that, in the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to portions configured similarly to the first embodiment, and description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 4, a surgical apparatus 201 according to the present embodiment is similar to the endoscope apparatus 2 according to the first embodiment.
Endoscope device 202 provided in place of (see FIG. 1)
And an electrosurgical device 203 provided in place of the electrosurgical device 3 (see FIG. 1) of the first embodiment.

The endoscope device 202 is provided in place of the endoscope 11 having substantially the same configuration as that of the first embodiment and the receiving device 12 (see FIG. 1) of the first embodiment. And a monitor device 13 similar to that of the first embodiment. However, in the endoscope 11 of the present embodiment, as described later, the control operation of the transmission output level is different from that of the first embodiment.

The receiving device 204 includes an antenna 31 similar to that of the first embodiment, a demodulation circuit 32 similar to that of the first embodiment, and a video signal processing circuit 33 similar to that of the first embodiment. In addition, a noise detection circuit 211 for detecting the intensity of a noise component included in the video signal demodulated by the demodulation circuit 32, a modulation circuit 212 for wirelessly transmitting information indicating the noise intensity to the endoscope 11, and an antenna 213 are provided.

The endoscope device 202 configured as described above
Then, the noise intensity information detected by the receiving device 204 is wirelessly transmitted to the endoscope 11, and the transmission output level of the endoscope 11 is changed according to the noise intensity information.

The electrosurgical device 3 is a normal electrosurgical device which does not have a function related to noise reduction of the endoscope device, and has the same high-frequency output circuit 41 as in the first embodiment.
An operation switch 42 similar to the first embodiment, a setting switch 43 similar to the first embodiment, and an output of the high-frequency output circuit 41 in response to an operation on the operation switch 42 and the setting switch 43. And a control circuit 44 for controlling the waveform and the output level.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the description of the actions common to the first embodiment will be omitted. The image information of the subject image obtained by the endoscope 11 is wirelessly transmitted to the receiving device 204, and the subject image is displayed on the monitor device 13, as in the first embodiment. The electric scalpel device 203 generates noise in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and this noise interferes with the receiving device 204.

As shown in FIG. 2, when noise from the electrocautery device 203 is received by the receiving device 204 in addition to the transmission output from the endoscope 11, the received wave of the receiving device 204 is changed by the noise. Disturbed. In the example of the figure, due to the influence of noise, a portion where the intensity protrudes by the intensity c is generated in a part of the received wave. As described above, when the received wave is disturbed by the influence of noise, the video signal obtained by the demodulation circuit 32 is also disturbed by the influence of noise, and a protruding portion is generated. Therefore, the video signal obtained by the demodulation circuit 32 is given to the noise detection circuit 211.
By detecting the intensity of the noise component included in the video signal, the intensity c of the noise component included in the received wave is detected.

At this time, the noise detection circuit 211 detects a noise component by, for example, comparing the intensity of the video signal with a predetermined threshold and detecting that the intensity of the video signal exceeds the predetermined threshold. Alternatively, the noise detection circuit 211
For example, a noise component is detected by differentiating the video signal and detecting a sharp change in the video signal. Then, the noise detection circuit 211 performs, for example, an arithmetic process according to a predetermined relationship between the intensity of the noise component included in the video signal and the intensity of the noise component of the received wave, and obtains the intensity c of the noise component included in the received wave. Ask for.

When the noise component intensity c is obtained by the noise detection circuit 211, information indicating the intensity c is transmitted to the modulation circuit 2.
The signal is supplied to the endoscope 11 via the antenna 12 and the antenna 213, and is supplied to the transmission output setting circuit 25 via the antenna 27 and the demodulation circuit 28 of the endoscope 11.

When the information indicating the noise component strength c is given, the transmission output setting circuit 25 increases the setting of the transmission output level of the output control circuit 24 according to this information.
At this time, the transmission output level of the output control circuit 24 is set to a level obtained by adding a level substantially corresponding to the intensity c to the transmission output level in a normal state, ie, when no noise is generated, or a higher level. Then, the receiving device 204
The S / N of the received wave obtained in step (1) is improved, the influence of noise is reduced, and an observation image with good image quality is displayed on the monitor device 13.

[0054] Generally, once noise occurs, several noise components tend to cause interference to the received wave following the initial noise component. In the example shown in FIG.
The noise component of intensity e smaller than the intensity c is generated following the noise component of. Therefore, the transmission output setting circuit 25
After the setting of the transmission output level of the output control circuit 24 is increased, the increased transmission output level is maintained for a predetermined time t1. As a result, the influence of the noise component having the intensity e on the receiving device 204 is reduced.

When the predetermined time t1 has elapsed, the transmission output setting circuit 25 returns the setting of the transmission output level of the output control circuit 24 to the normal transmission output level. As a result, when no noise is generated, the transmission output level of the endoscope 11 is reduced and the power consumption of the endoscope 11 is reduced as compared to when the noise is generated.

In the embodiment described above, the endoscope 1
1 to the receiving device 204, the observation image is transmitted in real time as a moving image. Further, when noise occurs, the transmission output level of the endoscope 11 increases, so that it is possible to obtain an observation image of good image quality with reduced influence of noise. Further, when no noise is generated, the transmission output level of the endoscope 11 is reduced as compared to when the noise is generated, and accordingly, the power amount of the battery of the endoscope 11 is saved. . When noise is generated, the signal strength of the carrier wave supplied from the endoscope 11 to the receiving device 204 is increased to reduce the influence of the noise. , The effect of noise is reduced. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, shortening of the use time of the endoscope is suppressed, the frequency band of the carrier is not limited, the observation image is wirelessly transmitted as a moving image in real time, and the influence of noise is reduced. The effect is obtained that a reduced observation image of good image quality can be obtained. Further, in this embodiment, since the high-frequency equipment used around the endoscope apparatus 202, for example, the electric scalpel apparatus 203, is not equipped with a function related to noise reduction of the endoscope apparatus 202, any high-frequency equipment is used. Is used in the vicinity of the endoscope device 202, the influence of noise from high-frequency equipment is reduced.

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

[Supplementary Note] (Supplementary item 1-1) Means provided on the endoscope to capture a subject image and obtain a first video signal, and means provided on the endoscope and providing the first video signal Means for modulating a carrier wave, and an endoscope apparatus comprising a receiving means for receiving and demodulating the carrier wave wirelessly transmitted from the endoscope to obtain a second video signal to be provided to a display means, Provided on the endoscope,
Transmission output varying means for changing the transmission output level of the carrier wave according to the setting, and a high-frequency device provided in the endoscope for giving noise to the reception means is being operated or is in an operable state. And a transmission output setting means for increasing the setting of the transmission output level of the transmission output varying means according to the detection result.

(Additional Item 1-2) The endoscope device according to additional item 1-1, which is a medical endoscope device.

(Additional Item 1-3) In the endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 1-1, the transmission output setting means detects that the high-frequency device is operated.

(Additional Item 1-4) In the endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 1-1, the transmission output setting means detects that the high-frequency device is in an operable state.

(Additional Item 1-5) The endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 1-1, wherein the transmission output setting means is that the high-frequency device is operated or operable. Is obtained by communication from the high-frequency device.

(Additional Item 1-6) The endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 1-1, wherein the transmission output setting means is that the high-frequency device is being operated or is in an operable state. Is obtained by communication from an information collection device that collects state information of the high-frequency device.

(Additional Item 1-7) The endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 1-6, wherein the information collecting device collects status information of a plurality of the high-frequency devices.

(Supplementary Item 2-1) Means provided on the endoscope to capture a subject image to obtain a first video signal, and a means provided on the endoscope and transmitting a carrier wave using the first video signal An endoscope apparatus comprising: a modulating unit; and a receiving unit that receives the carrier wave wirelessly transmitted from the endoscope, demodulates the carrier wave, and obtains a second video signal to be provided to a display unit. Noise detection means for detecting the occurrence of noise given to the reception means, and instructing the endoscope to increase the transmission output level in accordance with the detection result, and provided in the endoscope, Transmission output varying means for changing the transmission output level of the carrier wave in response to the transmission signal, and setting the transmission output level of the transmission output variable means in response to an instruction from the noise detection means provided in the endoscope. Transmission output setting means The endoscope apparatus characterized by a.

(Additional Item 2-2) The endoscope device according to Additional Item 2-1 is a medical endoscope device.

(Additional Item 2-3) In the endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 2-1, the noise detecting means detects the intensity of the noise.

(Additional Item 2-4) The endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 2-4, wherein the transmission output setting means is configured to determine the intensity of the noise detected by the noise detection means. The setting of the transmission output level of the transmission output variable means is increased.

(Additional Item 2-5) In the endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 2-1, the transmission output setting means increases the setting of the transmission output level for a predetermined period.

[0070]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Suppress the shortening of the use time of the endoscope, transmit the observation image wirelessly in real time as a moving image without limiting the frequency band of the carrier wave, and obtain an observation image of good image quality with reduced influence of noise. The effect that it can be obtained is obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a surgical apparatus including an endoscope apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a time chart showing a control operation of a transmission output of the endoscope.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a surgical apparatus including an endoscope apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 4 and 5 relate to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a surgical apparatus including an endoscope apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a time chart showing the control operation of the transmission output of the endoscope.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Endoscope apparatus 3 ... Electric scalpel apparatus 11 ... Endoscope 12 ... Reception apparatus 24 ... Output control circuit 25 ... Transmission output setting circuit 28 ... Demodulation circuit 102 ... Centralized control apparatus 103 ... Electric scalpel apparatus 202 ... Endoscope Device 204 ... Reception device 211 ... Noise detection circuit 212 ... Modulation circuit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Masahisa Murata, Inventor 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kazutaka Nakachi 2-43-2, Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo No. Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2H040 FA06 FA13 4C061 AA00 BB00 CC06 DD00 FF45 HH57 JJ15 JJ17 JJ19 NN03 UU06 UU08 UU09 5C054 AA01 AA05 CA04 CC03 EA01 EJ01 EJ04 EJ05 FA00 HA12

Claims (2)

[Claims] A means provided on an endoscope for capturing a subject image to obtain a first video signal; a means provided on the endoscope for modulating a carrier with the first video signal; Receiving means for receiving and demodulating the carrier wave wirelessly transmitted from the endoscope to obtain a second video signal to be provided to a display means; provided in the endoscope; Transmission output varying means for changing the transmission output level of the carrier wave according to the following: that the high-frequency device provided in the endoscope and giving noise to the receiving means is operated or operable. An endoscope apparatus, comprising: a transmission output setting means for detecting and setting the transmission output level of the transmission output variable means in accordance with a result of the detection. 2. A means provided on the endoscope for capturing a subject image to obtain a first video signal; a means provided on the endoscope for modulating a carrier with the first video signal; Receiving means for receiving and demodulating the carrier wave wirelessly transmitted from the endoscope to obtain a second video signal to be provided to a display means; provided in the receiving means; Noise detection means for detecting the occurrence of noise given to the means, and instructing the endoscope to increase the transmission output level in accordance with the detection result, provided in the endoscope, the carrier of the carrier wave according to the setting Transmission output varying means for changing a transmission output level; transmission output setting means provided in the endoscope, for increasing a setting of a transmission output level of the transmission output varying means in accordance with an instruction from the noise detection means; It is special that The endoscope apparatus according to.