JP2001075021A - Electronic endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic endoscope which is low in electric power consumption and satisfies safety standard conditions. SOLUTION: The front end 11 of the electronic endoscope 1 is internally provided with an illumination section 21 arranged with an LED for illumination and a C-MOS 23 for picking up the observation image illuminated by illumination light. The illumination section 21 and a battery 24 for supplying electric power to the C-MOS 23 are arranged within an operation part 15. The base end of the operation part 15 is provided with a video output terminal part 15 to which one end of a video cable for outputting video signals to a display device 2 is connected. The battery 24, the illumination section 21 and the C-MOS 23 are connected to each other by a power supply cable 26 branched to a power source cable 27 for illumination and a power source cable 28 for an image pickup element. The mid-way part of the powder supply cable 26 is provided with a current limiting circuit 29 for preventing the flow of excess current to the illumination section 21 and the C-MOS 23. A video signal transmission cable 30 extending from the C-MOS 23 is connected to the video output terminal part 25.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic endoscope driven with low power.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, by inserting an elongated insertion portion into a body cavity, it is possible to observe internal organs in the body cavity or to perform various treatments using a treatment tool inserted into a treatment tool channel as necessary. Endoscopes are widely used. Also, in the industrial field, industrial endoscopes are widely used for observing and inspecting internal scratches and corrosion of boilers, turbines, engines, chemical plants and the like.

An endoscope used as described above has an electronic endoscope (hereinafter abbreviated as an endoscope) provided with an image pickup device such as a CCD for photoelectrically converting an optical image into an image signal at the distal end of an insertion portion. Do). In this endoscope, an observation image of an observation site illuminated by illumination light supplied from a light source device is formed on an imaging surface of an imaging device, and an image signal of the observation image photoelectrically converted by the imaging device is output to an external device. The video signal is generated by transmitting it to a signal processing unit of a certain camera control unit (hereinafter abbreviated as CCU), and an endoscopic image is displayed on a monitor screen for observation.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. HEI 8-117184 discloses an endoscope apparatus which realizes high performance with a small diameter and simple configuration by eliminating a light guide fiber composed of an optical fiber. An endoscope apparatus including a solid-state imaging device for imaging an observation region and a surface light source for illuminating the observation region is disclosed.

Some endoscopes used in the industrial field include:
Some are used in hazardous locations such as explosive atmospheres (hereinafter referred to as hazardous locations), such as piping and gas tanks in chemical plants. In order to prevent the device from being used as a source of ignition or the like, the device used in this hazardous area must be at least “DC28V or less, 93mA or less, 0.66W or less”.
Must meet the safety standard conditions.

[0006]

However, since the CCD provided in the endoscope has a characteristic that a rising current value generated at the time of driving becomes high, even if the problem of power consumption can be solved. Since the above-mentioned current value condition cannot be satisfied, there remains a problem in use in a dangerous place.

[0007] In addition, when the temperature of the tip becomes high due to the heat generated by electronic components such as resistors provided near the CCD or the heat of illumination light supplied from the light source device, for example, ethyl nitrite whose ignition point is 80 ° C is obtained. There is a problem that it becomes difficult to use an electronic endoscope in a pipe or the like that handles a gas that may ignite at a low temperature such as ethyl nitrate or 85 ° C.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic endoscope which consumes low power and satisfies safety standard conditions in a dangerous place.

[0009]

An electronic endoscope according to the present invention comprises:
An electronic endoscope provided with an imaging unit having an imaging surface on which an optical image is formed and an illuminating unit for illuminating an observation site at a distal end of the insertion unit, wherein the imaging unit outputs a video signal.
A MOS image sensor, wherein the illumination means is an illumination LED that emits illumination light.

According to this configuration, the power consumption of the electronic endoscope is reduced, and the electronic endoscope can be used in a dangerous place.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a view for explaining the configuration of an electronic endoscope device provided with the electronic endoscope of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a configuration of the electronic endoscope. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment is configured such that an illumination LED, which is a surface-emitting light source, is disposed at a distal end portion 11 of an insertion section 10 as illumination means, and an image pickup means. C-MOS (Complementary metal oxide semiconductor: Com
An electronic endoscope (hereinafter abbreviated as an endoscope) 1 provided with an image sensor, and a video cable 16 extending from an operation unit 15 also serving as a grip of the endoscope 1. And a display device 2 such as a CRT monitor, which is a display means connected to the main unit.

The insertion portion 10 has a tip portion 11 formed of a hard member in order from the tip end, a bending portion 12 formed by connecting a plurality of bending pieces to be rotatable, and a flexible portion formed of a flexible member. It is constituted by connecting the tube portion 13 continuously.

The C-MOS used as the image pickup means is suitable for high-density mounting of all functions as a camera, such as a drive signal generator, a noise reduction circuit, an output signal level stabilization circuit, and an A / D converter. , "DC28V or less,
The system is characterized in that it operates by satisfying the safety standard condition of 93 mA or less, 0.66 W or less as a system including a lighting LED. When disposing the display device 2 in a dangerous place, a display device having a configuration satisfying the safety standard condition is used.

As shown in FIG. 2, the insertion portion 1 of the endoscope 1
An illumination LED for illuminating the observation site is provided in the distal end portion 0
And a C-MO that captures, through an objective lens 22, an observation image of an observation site illuminated by illumination light emitted from the illumination unit 21.
An S image sensor (hereinafter abbreviated as C-MOS) 23 is provided.

On the other hand, a battery 24, such as a dry battery, is disposed in the operation section 15 of the endoscope 1 as a power supply section for supplying power to the illumination section 21 and the C-MOS 23. The video output terminal 2 is connected to one end of the video cable 16 serving as a signal output unit for outputting a video signal to the display device 2, for example, at the base end of the operation unit 15.
5 are provided.

The battery 24 and the illumination unit 21
The C-MOS 23 is electrically connected to a power supply cable 26 that branches into a power supply cable 27 for illumination and a power supply cable 28 for an image sensor at an intermediate position.

In the middle of the power supply cable 26, there is provided a current limiting circuit 29 for preventing an excessive current from flowing to the lighting section 21 and the C-MOS 23 due to a short circuit or the like. A video signal transmission cable 30 extending from the C-MOS 23 and transmitting a video signal is electrically connected to the video output terminal 25.

Thus, the illumination LED of the illumination unit 21 provided in the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment is turned on by the power supplied from the battery 24 provided in the operation unit 15 to illuminate the observation site. Then, an observation image of the observation site illuminated by the illumination LED forms an image on the imaging surface of the C-MOS 23 through the objective lens 22, and the C-MOS 2
The video signal is processed into a video signal in 3 and output to the video output terminal unit 25. That is, the endoscope 1 is configured to perform observation while satisfying the safety standard condition.

The operation of the electronic endoscope 1 configured as described above will be described. First, the operator arranges the display device 2 in the safety area, and brings the endoscope 1 and the video cable 16 into the danger area.

Next, the video cable 16 is connected to the video output terminal unit 25, and a power switch (not shown) provided on the operation unit 15 is operated. Then, the operation unit 1
Power is supplied from the battery 24 provided to the C-MOS 23 and the illumination unit 21 through the current limiting circuit 29.

As a result, the illumination light is emitted from the illumination unit 21 and the observation image captured by the objective lens 22 is formed on the imaging surface of the C-MOS 23, and the C-MOS 2
3 is a video signal transmission cable 3
0, transmitted to the display device 2 via the video output terminal unit 25 and the video cable 16. This allows the display device 2
The endoscopic image of the observation site is displayed on the screen of. The observer performs observation while viewing the endoscope image displayed on the screen of the display device 2, and can perform desired observation by sending an operation instruction to the operator.

As described above, the C-MOS and the lighting L operating at 28 V DC or less, 93 mA or less, and 0.66 W or less are used.
Since the electronic endoscope is configured by providing the ED at the distal end portion, the endoscope can be safely brought into a dangerous area by bringing the electronic endoscope.

Also, by using a power source for the C-MOS and the LED for illumination provided at the distal end of the operation unit as a battery, it is possible to greatly improve portability.

Further, by providing a current limiting circuit in the operation section, it is possible to reliably prevent an excessive current from being supplied to the C-MOS and the illumination LED, thereby improving the safety of the electronic endoscope. .

As shown in FIG. 3, a temperature sensor 31 for detecting the temperature of the distal end portion 11 is provided at the distal end portion 11 of the insertion portion 10, and the illumination power cable 2 is provided.
A safety circuit 32 for controlling the supply of electric power to the illumination unit 21 in accordance with the temperature information transmitted from the temperature sensor 31 to adjust the amount of illumination light is provided in the middle of the unit 7. As a result, the heat generated by the illumination unit 21 causes the tip 1
1 does not rise above a predetermined temperature,
In this way, it is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of a problem due to the heat generation of (1).

In this embodiment, the power supply is a battery, but the power supply is not limited to a battery.
An external power supply provided with a power supply limiting circuit may be used. When the power supply is an external power supply, the configuration of the operation unit can be further simplified by controlling the current value on the external power supply side.

Further, in the present embodiment, the objective lens and the illumination section are provided on the distal end surface, but the objective lens and the illumination section may be provided on the side face and the like.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining another configuration of the electronic endoscope according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the electronic endoscope 1 of the present embodiment
A is supplied with power from the first battery 24a to the illumination unit 21 provided at the distal end portion 11 by the illumination power cable 27 via the first current limiting circuit 29a.
For the C-MOS 23, the second battery 24b
Power supply cable 2 for image sensor via current limiting circuit 29b
8 to supply power. That is, the illumination unit 21 and the C-MOS 23 are configured as independent circuits. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, the circuit for the lighting unit and C-
Circuits for MOS are independent, and can be used in hazardous areas. "DC28V or less, 93mA or less, 0.66W
By adopting a configuration in which each circuit satisfies the following safety standard condition, it is possible to supply sufficient power to the illumination unit and obtain a sufficient illumination light amount. Other functions and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining another configuration of the electronic endoscope according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the electronic endoscope 1 of the present embodiment
B denotes a video output terminal unit 2 as a signal output unit to the operation unit 15.
Instead of 5, a transmission unit 33 that outputs a weak radio wave or infrared light that can be used in a dangerous place is provided. Further, instead of the display device 2, at least one display device 2A having a receiving unit 2a, a recording device (not shown), or the like is used.

The power supply to the transmission unit 33 is performed by the third battery 24c. Note that a third current limiting circuit 29c is provided between the third battery 24c and the transmitting unit 33. Further, the first battery 24a or the second battery 24b may be used as a power supply unit of the transmission unit 33. At this time, the transmitting unit 33 and the batteries 24a, 24
b, a current limiting circuit is provided. Other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

In this manner, observation and recording can be performed by transmitting a signal from a transmission unit provided in the operation unit to a reception unit such as a display device arranged in the safety area. Further, the portability and operability of the endoscope and the degree of freedom of work can be greatly improved by omitting the use of a video cable or the like for communicating the danger area and the safety area. Other functions and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

In the above-described embodiment, the electronic endoscope has been described as an electronic endoscope used in a hazardous place. However, the configuration of the present embodiment is applied to an industrial endoscope or a medical endoscope used in a safety area. May be applied to the endoscope.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to only the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

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

(1) In an electronic endoscope provided with an imaging means having an imaging surface on which an optical image is formed and an illuminating means for illuminating an observation site at the distal end of the insertion section, the imaging means outputs a video signal. An electronic endoscope, wherein the illumination means is an illumination LED that emits illumination light.

(2) The electronic endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein a power source for the C-MOS image sensor and the illumination LED is a battery provided in an operation unit provided at a base end of the insertion unit. .

(3) The electronic endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein one of the batteries is provided in the operation unit so as to correspond to each of the C-MOS image sensor and the illumination LED.

(4) The battery, the lighting section and the C
-The electronic endoscope according to Supplementary Note 2 or 3, wherein a current limiting circuit is provided between the electronic endoscope and the MOS image sensor.

(5) The electronic endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein a temperature sensor and a safety circuit are further provided at a tip portion of the insertion portion.

(6) The video signal output from the C-MOS image sensor is output from a signal output section provided on an operation section provided at the base end of the insertion section toward a display device. The electronic endoscope according to supplementary note 1.

(7) The electronic endoscope according to appendix 3, wherein the signal output section is a video output terminal section.

(8) The electronic endoscope according to attachment 3, wherein the signal output section is a transmission section.

(9) The electronic endoscope according to appendix 8, wherein the transmitting section operates by electric power supplied from a single battery through a current limiting circuit.

(10) The electronic endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein the C-MOS image sensor operates under a safety standard condition.

(11) The electronic endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein the illumination LED satisfies safety standard conditions and emits illumination light.

[0050]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electronic endoscope which consumes low power and satisfies the safety standard conditions in a dangerous place.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 and 2 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 1 is a view for explaining the configuration of an endoscope apparatus provided with an electronic endoscope of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic endoscope.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic endoscope further provided with a temperature sensor and a safety circuit.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating another configuration of the electronic endoscope.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating another configuration of the electronic endoscope.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electronic endoscope 10 ... Insertion part 15 ... Operation part 21 ... Illumination part 23 ... C-MOS image sensor 24 ... Battery 25 ... Video output end 27 ... Illumination power cable 28 ... Image sensor power cable 29 ... Current Limiting circuit 30 ... Video signal transmission cable

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Katsunori Sakiyama 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo F-term in Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (reference) 2H040 AA00 AA02 AA03 BA00 CA03 CA23 DA03 DA14 DA15 DA21 GA02 GA11 4C061 AA00 AA29 BB02 CC06 DD00 FF40 JJ11 LL02 NN01 QQ06

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An electronic endoscope provided with an imaging means having an imaging surface on which an optical image is formed and a lighting means for illuminating an observation site at a distal end of an insertion portion, wherein the imaging means outputs a video signal. An electronic endoscope, wherein the electronic endoscope is a C-MOS image sensor, wherein the illumination means is an illumination LED that emits illumination light.