JP2001104245A - Endoscope and endoscope apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To remove deficiencies of a face mounting medical image display apparatus comprising an electronic endoscope with a TV camera, a camera controller for driving/controlling the TV camera, an image synthesizer unit for synthesizing image signals taken by the TV camera and a device with plural functions as an FMD controller for driving/controlling a medical FMD, etc., that the system is complicated and cables connecting devices are obstacles around the feet and hands of an operator during the medical treatment. SOLUTION: This endoscope apparatus has a light source connector 16a detachably connected with a light source device 12 generating illumination light, an illumination light transmitting means 14 for irradiating the illumination light generated at the light source device 12 to a subject, an imaging means 18 for taking an image of the subject, a signal processing means 21 for processing signals of the image taken by the imaging means 18, a face mounting display means 13 with a mounting part to be mounted on the face of a user and a display part for displaying the image signals processed by the signal processing means and a connector 22 for display to which the face mounting display means 13 is detachably connected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope and an endoscope which can be connected to face-mounted display means which is mounted on a person's face and has a display for displaying an image signal generated by an image pickup means. Related to the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent medical treatments, medical treatments such as medical examinations and treatments in a body cavity using an endoscope are frequently used. In the medical operation by the endoscope, the affected part image captured by the endoscope is converted into a television image signal so that a plurality of operators or caregivers involved in medical treatment can visually recognize the same at the same time, and reproduced and displayed on a television monitor. Has been done.

[0003] However, this television monitor is installed at a predetermined location in a treatment room, and the operator alternates between operating the endoscope at hand and a television monitor that displays a television image signal captured by the endoscope. It is troublesome to perform a medical practice while watching.

[0004] For this reason, the FMD of a face-mounted display device, which is mounted on the face of an operator performing diagnostic treatment using an endoscope and has a display section on which the television image generated by the endoscope is displayed. (Face Mounted Displ
ay) has been developed and put to practical use. The FMD is
HMD (Head Mounted Display)
Also called.

[0005] An example of using this FMD for medical treatment is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-98855. The medical face-mounted image display device described in this publication includes a 3D endoscope equipped with a television camera for imaging the inside of a body cavity, and a 3D image signal captured and generated by the television camera via a camera control unit. An image captured by the image synthesizing unit and subjected to image signal processing by the image synthesizing unit is output to a medical FMD via an FMD controller, and a captured image is displayed on a display unit provided in the medical FMD. .

[0006] Between the 3D endoscope equipped with the television camera and the camera control unit, between the camera control unit and the image synthesizing unit,
Various signal cables are connected between the image synthesizing unit and the medical FMD, between the image synthesizing unit and the FMD controller, and between the FMD controller and the medical FMD.

[0007]

A conventional medical face-mounted image display apparatus comprises an endoscope having at least a television camera for imaging an inside of a body cavity, a camera controller for driving and controlling the television camera, and a television. It is composed of a device having a plurality of functions including an image synthesizing unit of an image signal captured by a camera and an FMD controller for driving and controlling a medical FMD.

[0008] The plurality of types of devices are connected by a plurality of types of cables for connecting each of them, resulting in a complicated system configuration. An operator performing medical treatment can operate the endoscope and the camera controller at hand. There has been a problem that complicated actions such as confirmation of an image displayed on a television monitor have to be performed, and a plurality of types of cables have been installed under the feet to hinder the action.

The present invention has been made in view of the problem of an endoscope apparatus using a conventional medical face-mounted image display apparatus, and can easily construct an endoscope system using a face-mounted display apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope imaging apparatus that allows the surgeon to concentrate on medical treatment only.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An endoscope according to the present invention includes a light source connector detachably connected to a light source device for generating illumination light, and an illumination for irradiating an object with the illumination light generated by the light source device. A light transmission unit, an imaging unit for imaging the subject image, a signal processing unit for processing an image signal captured by the imaging unit, a mounting unit mounted on a user's face, and the signal processing unit A display connector to which a face-mounted display unit having a display unit for displaying an image signal is detachably connected.

Further, the endoscope apparatus according to the present invention comprises a light source device for generating illumination light, an illumination light transmitting means for irradiating the object with the illumination light generated by the light source device, and an imaging device for imaging the object image. Means, a signal processing means for processing an image signal picked up by the image pickup means, a mounting part to be mounted on a user's face, and a display part for displaying the image signal processed by the signal processing means. And a pattern display means.

According to the endoscope or the endoscope apparatus of the present invention,
By connecting the display connector of the endoscope to the face-mounted display means, and connecting the light source connector to the light source device, an endoscope system can be constructed with a small number of devices and cables,
In addition, it has become possible to provide an endoscope or an endoscope apparatus that allows the user (operator) to concentrate on the operation at hand in medical practice using the endoscope.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the first embodiment of the endoscope according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the video signal processing circuit shown in FIG.

An endoscope imaging device 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes an electronic endoscope 11, a light source device 12, and a face-mounted display device (hereinafter, referred to as a face-mounted display device).
FMD device 13).

The electronic endoscope 11 includes an insertion section 14 inserted into a body cavity, an operation section 15 for operating the insertion section 14, and a universal cable 16.

An imaging lens 17, a solid-state imaging device 18, and an illumination lens 19 are disposed inside the distal end of the insertion section 11, and a distal end of an optical fiber bundle 20 is disposed inside the illumination lens 19. Have been. This optical fiber bundle 2
0 is disposed in the insertion portion 14 and in the universal cable 16, and the base of the optical fiber bundle 20 is connected to the light source 1 via a light source connector 16 a.
2 are connected. Further, although not shown, the insertion portion 14 has a bending portion for bending the distal end portion of the insertion portion 14 up, down, left and right, and a bending control cable for controlling the bending drive of the bending portion is arranged.

The operation unit 12 includes a video signal processing circuit 14 electrically connected to the solid-state imaging device 18 disposed in the insertion unit 14, and a bending operation function (not shown) connected to the bending control cable. And the video signal processing circuit 14
And a video output terminal 22 for outputting the video signal generated in step (1).

The light source device 12 includes a connecting portion 2 for connecting a light source connector 16a at the base end of the universal cable 16.
3, a light source for supplying illumination light via the optical fiber bundle 20 in the universal cable 16 connected to the connection section 23, and a power supply for generating drive power for the video signal processing circuit 21 of the operation section 15. Part. The universal cable 16 incorporates a power supply line (not shown) for supplying the optical fiber bundle 20 and the video signal processing circuit 21.

The FMD device 13 has a video input terminal 24 connected to a video output terminal 22 of the operation unit 15 by a connection cable 25, and displays a video based on a video signal supplied to the video input terminal 24. And a display unit (not shown) formed by a liquid crystal display, a liquid crystal driver, and the like. The FMD device 13 is in the form of glasses or goggles, and is attached to the face with a string or a band hung on the ear, and the liquid crystal display is arranged in a portion corresponding to a portion where a lens of the glasses is inserted. It is.

The video signal processing circuit 21 includes, as shown in FIG. 2, an SSG circuit 31 for generating and supplying a control signal for driving and controlling the solid-state imaging device 18, and a driving control signal from the SSG circuit 31. An image signal obtained by converting an image formed on the solid-state imaging device 18 into an electric signal is taken in, and a pre-processing circuit 32 for performing correlated double sampling (hereinafter, referred to as CDS) processing is subjected to CDS processing by the pre-processing circuit 32. A / that converts the analog signal to digital
A D circuit 33, a DSP circuit 34 for performing digital processing such as white balance and contour enhancement on the digital signal converted by the A / D circuit 33, and an analog video signal for converting the digital signal digitally processed by the DSP circuit 34 And a buffer circuit 36 for current-amplifying the video signal analog-converted by the D / A circuit 3. The output of the buffer circuit 36 is connected to the video output terminal 22. It is being supplied. The SSG circuit 31 also generates and supplies a control signal for controlling the operation of the pre-processing circuit to the buffer circuits 32-36.

The operation of the endoscope device 10 having such a configuration will be described. The light source connector 16a of the universal cable 16 of the electronic endoscope 11 is connected to the connection portion 23 of the light source device 12, and The light projected from the light source is guided to the optical fiber bundle 20, and is projected from the illumination lens 19 disposed at the tip of the optical fiber bundle 20. The driving power of the video signal processing circuit 21 generated by the power supply unit of the light source device 12 is supplied from the connection unit 23 via the power supply line of the universal cable 16.

The insertion section 14 of the electronic endoscope 11 is inserted into a body cavity, and an image of a subject is picked up by the solid-state image pickup device 18 based on illumination light projected from the illumination lens 19, and the video signal is The video signal generated by the processing circuit 21 guides the insertion section to a desired organ in the body cavity based on the video displayed on the display section of the FMD device 13 and displays the video of the affected part. Thus, the FMD device 1
Based on the image of the diseased part displayed in 3, treatment forceps are inserted from a treatment forceps guide hole provided in the insertion part 14 of the electronic endoscope 11 (not shown), and treatment of the diseased part is performed. At the time of treatment using such an electronic endoscope, the surgeon can perform the treatment while viewing the image displayed on the FMD device 13 attached to his / her face. In addition, the only devices connected to the electronic endoscope 11 are the light source device 12 and the FMD device 13 mounted on the light source device 12 itself. Since the number of connection cables can be reduced, the user can concentrate on the operation of the electronic endoscope at hand during medical treatment. .

Next, referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
An embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a second embodiment of the endoscope device according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the video signal processing circuit shown in FIG. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals in the last two digits of the reference numerals, and the last three digits are denoted by reference numerals in the hundreds, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The endoscope imaging apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment
0 differs from the endoscope imaging apparatus 10 of the first embodiment in that an illumination lamp 120 is provided behind an illumination lens 119 provided at the distal end of the insertion section 114 of the electronic endoscope 111. The video signal processing circuit 12 has a lighting power supply line disposed in the insertion portion 114.
1 and the operation unit 115 of the electronic endoscope 111 is provided with a power supply battery 15.
0, and the video signal processing circuit 121 is provided with a power supply circuit 151 for newly generating various drive power supplies with electric power from the battery 150 and a drive power supply supplied from the power supply circuit 151. And SSG
The point is that a lamp lighting circuit 152 for generating a drive power supply for the circuits or the buffer circuits 131 to 136 is provided. The power supply circuit 151 is connected to the FMD via the connection cable 125.
The driving power of the display unit of the device 113 is also supplied.

That is, the insertion portion 214 of the electronic endoscope 111 is inserted into the body cavity, and the illumination of the built-in and affected parts is performed by the lighting power from the lamp lighting circuit 152.
0 is illuminated and projected through an illumination lens 119. An image of a subject, such as an internal organ or a diseased part, illuminated by the illumination light of the illumination lamp 120 is formed on a solid-state imaging device 118 by an optical lens 117. The solid-state imaging device 11
8 The video signal obtained by the imaging is processed by the pre-processing circuit or the buffer circuits 132 to 136 to the video output terminal 1.
22 via the connection cable 125, the FMD device 11
3 to the FMD device 113
The captured image is displayed on a display unit provided in the camera.

The endoscope image pickup apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is constituted by the minimum equipment including only the electronic endoscope 111 and the FMD device 113, and further comprises the electronic endoscope 111 and the F
Since the MD device 113 is connected only by the connection cable 125, the operator can concentrate on the operation of the electronic endoscope 111 at hand, and there is no cable obstructing the feet, which is very medical for the operator. Severity of action at the time of action can be secured.

Next, referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
An embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a third embodiment of the endoscope apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the video signal processing circuit shown in FIG. The same parts as those in FIGS. 3 and 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals in the last two digits of the reference numerals, and the last three digits are denoted by reference numerals in the 200's, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The endoscope imaging apparatus 20 according to the third embodiment
The difference between the endoscope imaging apparatus 100 of the second embodiment and the video signal processing circuit 121 of the electronic endoscope 111
Is changed to a connection cable 125 for transmitting the analog video signal generated by the electronic endoscope 21 to the FMD device 13.
1 video signal processing circuit 2 arranged in the operation unit 215
A transmission circuit 253 and a transmission antenna 254 for transmitting the analog video signal generated by
The MD device 213 is provided with a receiving antenna 255 for receiving a radio wave of the analog video signal transmitted from the transmitting antenna 254 of the video signal processing circuit 221 and receiving the radio wave received by the receiving antenna 255 into an analog video signal. That is, a receiving circuit (not shown) is newly provided.

That is, an analog video signal obtained by subjecting a video signal captured by the solid-state imaging device 218 of the electronic endoscope 211 to signal processing by the pre-processing circuit to the D / A circuits 232 to 235 of the video signal processing circuit 221 is transmitted. The signal is converted into a radio signal by the circuit 253 and transmitted from the transmission antenna 254. F
The MD device 213 receives a wireless signal transmitted from the transmission antenna 254 of the electronic endoscope 211 by a reception antenna 255 and a reception circuit, and displays the captured image on a display unit. The FMD device 213 has a power battery for driving a display unit and a receiving circuit.

The endoscope image pickup apparatus 200 according to the third embodiment of the present invention comprises the electronic endoscope 211 and the FMD device 213 and is the minimum device.
Since the MD device 213 transmits and receives a video signal by a wireless signal, only the FMD device 213 is mounted on the face of the operator, and there is no signal transmission / reception cable that hinders the treatment. The degree of freedom of the hands and feet during the medical practice can be secured.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the FMD device used for the endoscope device according to the present invention.

In the fourth embodiment, the F connected to the endoscope imaging apparatus 10, 100, 200 according to the present invention described above.
MD devices 13, 113, and 213 that have new functions
In the MD device 313, the FMD device 313
As in the case of the D devices 13, 113 and 213, at least a liquid crystal panel for displaying images and the image signal processing circuits 21 and 12
There is a liquid crystal driver for controlling the driving of the liquid crystal panel based on the video signal transmitted from the devices 1 and 221 to display an image.

For example, a semiconductor laser or the like that emits red light is used in the central portion of the front of the FMD device 313 where the liquid crystal panel is arranged, that is, between the eyes when the FMD device 313 is mounted on the face. Laser pointer 3
14 are arranged inside. The output direction of the red light emitted from the laser pointer 314 depends on the FMD device 313.
It is arranged so as to be substantially in the direction of the line of sight of the surgeon wearing the. Although not shown, a pointer lighting circuit for causing the laser pointer 314 to emit red light is provided in the FMD device 314.

The operator mounts the FMD device 313 having such a laser pointer 314 on the face, and indicates the position of the affected part or the like during the treatment operation by the red light from the laser pointer 314, so that the treatment operation can be performed. The affected area can be identified to a plurality of caregivers.

Conventionally, a commercially available laser pointer or the like has been used to identify the affected area between the operator and the caregiver of this type, and the operator or the caregiver had to hold the laser pointer by hand. F with laser pointer 314 of the present invention
By using the MD device 313, it is possible to indicate the affected part with red light without closing both hands.

As described above, the endoscope apparatus of the present invention used for medical treatment such as treatment or surgery can construct an endoscope system including an electronic endoscope, a light source device, and an FMD device. The minimization of the various cables connecting the devices was realized.

In addition, by providing a power supply battery in the electronic endoscope and incorporating a lighting lamp, the operator can:
You can concentrate on the operation of the electronic endoscope at hand, and you can secure the freedom of action because the cable that obstructs your feet is eliminated, and convert the signal exchange between the electronic endoscope and the FMD device into a wireless signal As a result, it was possible to eliminate any cables that hinder the operator's range of action.

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

(1) A light source connector detachably connected to a light source device for generating illumination light, illumination light transmitting means for irradiating the illumination light generated by the light source device to a subject, and capturing the subject image A face having image pickup means, a signal processing means for processing an image signal picked up by the image pickup means, a mounting part to be mounted on a user's face, and a display part for displaying the image signal processed by the signal processing means An endoscope comprising: a display connector to which the wearable display means is detachably connected.

(2) A light source device for generating illumination light, an illumination light transmitting unit for irradiating the object with the illumination light generated by the light source device, an imaging unit for imaging the subject image, and an imaging unit for the imaging unit Signal processing means for processing the processed image signal, a mounting unit mounted on the user's face, and a face-mounted display means having a display unit for displaying the image signal processed by the signal processing means. An endoscope apparatus characterized in that:

(3) The light source device has a driving power supply unit, and the driving power of the signal processing unit is supplied from the light source unit via the light source connector, and the face-mounted device is connected via the display connector. The endoscope according to the above (1), wherein driving power for the pattern display means is supplied.

(4) Illumination means having an illumination lamp for generating illumination light, imaging means for imaging the subject image,
A face processing unit configured to process an image signal captured by the imaging unit; a mounting unit mounted on a user's face; and a display unit configured to display the image signal processed by the signal processing unit. An endoscope apparatus comprising:

(5) Battery means for supplying drive power for the illumination means, the image pickup means, and the signal processing means, and connection for supplying image signals and drive power from the signal processing means to the face-mounted display means. The endoscope apparatus according to the above (4), further comprising a cable means.

(6) The signal processing means has a transmitting means for generating and transmitting a wireless signal of the image signal, and the face-mounted display means has a receiving means for receiving the wireless signal of the image signal. The endoscope apparatus according to the above (4), wherein:

(7) The endoscope or endoscope apparatus according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein a laser pointer is provided on the face-mounted display means.

[0046]

The endoscope or the endoscope apparatus according to the present invention incorporates signal processing means for processing an image signal generated by the imaging means, and includes only a connector for connecting the light source apparatus and the face-mounted display apparatus. The electronic endoscope operated by the operator has a simple configuration to the light source device and the face-mounted display device, and has the effect of simplifying the connection of each device. This has the effect of minimizing or eliminating cables that hinder the operator's feet or hands during the treatment operation using an endoscope.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a first embodiment of an endoscope apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a video signal processing circuit of the endoscope apparatus according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a video signal processing circuit of the endoscope apparatus according to the second embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a configuration of a third embodiment of the endoscope apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a video signal processing circuit of the endoscope apparatus according to the third embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a face-mounted display device used for the endoscope apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Endoscope imaging device 11 ... Electronic endoscope 12 ... Light source device 13 ... Face-mounted display device (FMD device) 14 ... Insertion part 15 ... Operation part 16 ... Universal cable 17 ... Imaging lens 18 ... Solid-state imaging device 19 ... Illumination lens 19a ... Illumination connector 20 ... Optical fiber bundle 21 ... Video signal processing circuit 22 ... Video output terminal 23 ... Connection part 24 ... Video input terminal 25 ... Connection cable 31 ... SSG circuit 32 ... Pre-processing circuit 33 ... A / D Circuit 34 ... DSP circuit 35 ... D / A circuit 36 ... Buffer circuit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Atsuyuki Amano 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masaru Tsuzuki 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroko Oishi 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Susumu Kawada 2-43-2, Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Within Olympus Optical Industries, Ltd. (72) Inventor Seiya Fujita 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Industries Ltd. (72) Junichi Ichikawa 2-43-2, Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo No. Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Katsuya Suzuki 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Manabu Industrial Co., Ltd. in the F-term (reference) 2H040 GA02 GA11 4C061 AA00 BB02 CC06 DD00 FF07 FF11 LL02 NN05 SS17 VV01 VV06 5C022 AA09 AC13 AC69 5C054 AA01 AA05 CA04 CB03 CC07 CD05 DA08 EA01 EA05 EB05 EB07 FA07 HA12

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A light source connector detachably connected to a light source device for generating illumination light, an illumination light transmitting unit for irradiating a subject with illumination light generated by the light source device, and an imaging for imaging the subject image Means, a signal processing means for processing an image signal picked up by the image pickup means, a mounting part to be mounted on the face of a user, and a display part for displaying the image signal processed by the signal processing means. An endoscope comprising: a display connector to which the mold display means is detachably connected. 2. A light source device for generating illumination light, an illumination light transmitting unit for irradiating a subject with illumination light generated by the light source device, an imaging unit for imaging the subject image, and an image captured by the imaging unit A signal processing unit for processing the image signal; a mounting unit mounted on the user's face; and a face-mounted display unit including a display unit for displaying the image signal processed by the signal processing unit. An endoscope device characterized by the above-mentioned.