JP2001208986A - Light source device for endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a light source device for endoscope which allows an endoscope image to be observed with the same color balance without manually changing the setting of an image signal processor and light source device even if the model of the endoscope connected to the light source device varies. SOLUTION: This light source device for endoscope is provided with a turret 23 for switching filters which varies the wavelength of exit light by discriminating the identification information for every kind of model emitted from the endoscope 2 to be used.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a light source device used for a medical or industrial electronic endoscope using a viewing optical system using a glass fiber or a relay lens and a solid-state imaging device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the case of performing observation by color imaging using an electronic endoscope apparatus, color filters are arranged on the front surface of a light receiving section of a solid-state imaging device, and imaging signals separated for each color corresponding to pixels of the solid-state imaging device. , A color video signal is obtained by video signal processing.

At this time, there are factors such as illumination light and characteristics of a color filter that disturb the color balance, and a standard color balance is obtained by white balance processing of a color balance of a color-separated signal in order to correct them. .

In the case of an endoscope apparatus using a glass fiber, it is difficult to automatically correct a difference in an observation image due to a difference in characteristics of an illumination glass and an observation glass fiber for transmitting an observation image. .

In particular, when a plurality of endoscopes having different characteristics of illumination light and observation optical system are connected to the same image signal processing device or light source device and used, if the number of endoscopes to be used increases, the It is very difficult to correct the difference in the color of the image due to the characteristics of the optical system that differs for each endoscope.

As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 63-220221, there has been proposed a method of automatically switching an illumination method of an electronic endoscope by identifying an endoscope connected to a light source device.

However, in this method, color information of an endoscope image is not adjusted in accordance with characteristics of each endoscope model. Further, the color adjustment cannot be automatically performed by a fiberscope system in which an image is transmitted by a glass fiber.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image signal processing device and an image signal processing device which are connected to a light source device. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope light source device capable of observing an endoscope image with the same color balance without manually changing the setting of the light source device.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a light source lamp for supplying illumination light, a means for determining model identification information emitted from an endoscope to be used, and a means for varying the wavelength of emitted light. And a light source device for an endoscope that selectively changes to emission light having a wavelength suitable for the endoscope in accordance with model identification information of the endoscope to be used.

[0010] Information for identifying the model of the endoscope can be determined, and the wavelength of the illumination light supplied from the light source lamp can be selectively changed according to the color characteristics of the model. Observed images with the same color balance are obtained regardless of the model.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] The present embodiment provides an electronic endoscope apparatus in which the wavelength of emitted light can be varied by changing a color filter using a turret. Hereinafter, an electronic endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

(Structure) As shown in FIG. 1, an electronic endoscope device 1 includes an electronic endoscope 2, an image processor 3, and a light source device 4.
It consists of.

The electronic endoscope 2 comprises a main body 9 composed of an operation section 5, an insertion section 6 extending from the operation section 5, and cables 7, 8 extending from the operation section 5.
The main body 9 has a function as an endoscope. The cables 7 and 8 include an image processor 3 and a light source device 4.
Are provided with connectors 11 and 12, respectively.

At the tip of the insertion section 6, an objective imaging optical system 13 and a CCD 14 as a solid-state image pickup device installed at an imaging position of the objective imaging optical system 13 are installed. The CCD 14 is connected to the image processor 3 to which the connector 11 is connected via a signal line 15 provided in the main body 9.

The endoscope 2 has a light guide 1 which is a glass fiber bundle for transmitting illumination light to the distal end of the insertion section 6.
The light guide 16 is connected to the light source device 4 via the connector 12.

The connector 12 of the main body 9 of the endoscope 2 has a built-in memory 18 which stores model information of the endoscope 2.

The light source device 4 includes a lamp 21 as a light source for generating illumination light, a lens 22 for condensing the illumination light on the incident end face of the light guide 16, a lamp 21 and the lens 22, And a filter switching turret 23 interposed between the optical axes.

The turret 23 has a turret plate 25 rotated by a motor 24 as shown in FIG. A plurality of types of color filters 26a to 26e are arranged around the turret plate 25. Then, by rotating the turret plate 25 by the motor 24, any of the color filters 26a to 26e can be positioned on the light axis between the lamp 21 and the lens 22.

The color filters 26a to 26e may be filters capable of changing the wavelength of illumination light, such as polarizing filters or filters for blocking / transmitting light of a specific wavelength.

The light source device 4 is provided with a drive circuit 27 for driving the motor 24 and a control circuit 28 for controlling the drive circuit 27. The control circuit 28 controls the drive circuit 27 of the motor 24 so that the turret 23 selects the optimal color filters 26a to 26e based on the model information stored in the built-in memory 18 installed in the main body 9 of the endoscope 2. The turret plate 25 is controlled to rotate by an appropriate amount. Further, the light source device 4 is provided with an I / F 29 for performing signal communication with the image processor 3.

On the other hand, the image processor 3 has a C
A drive circuit 31 for driving the CD 14, a video signal processing circuit 32 for processing a signal captured by the CCD 14, a control circuit 33 for controlling the imaging timing of the CCD 14 and the timing of the light source device 4, An I / F 34 for performing signal communication is provided.

(Operation) When the electronic endoscope 2 is used,
When the connector 12 of the endoscope 2 is connected to the light source device 4, the motor 24 is driven based on the model information of the endoscope 2 stored in the built-in memory 18 built in the endoscope 2, and the turret 23 The turret plate 25 is rotated by a predetermined amount, and the color filters 26 a to 26 according to the color characteristics of the CCD 14 and the light guide 16 of the endoscope 2 connected to the light source device 4.
e is selected, and the selected color filters 26a-26
e is located on the output optical axis. For this reason, it is possible to illuminate with illumination light having a wavelength suitable for the model of the endoscope 2.

(Effects) Differences in color characteristics due to differences in the material of the light guide 16 in the electronic endoscope 2 connected to the light source device 4 and differences in color characteristics due to differences in the type of the CCD 14 are described. It can be automatically determined, corrected, and used in optimal lighting conditions. Therefore,
A plurality of types of endoscopes 2 having different optical characteristics are used for the same light source device 4.
Can always be used under the same conditions.

[Second Embodiment] In the present embodiment, the endoscope is a fiberscope. Hereinafter, the electronic endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The description of the same parts as those in the first embodiment is omitted.

(Structure) The fiberscope device 40 according to the present embodiment has a fiberscope 41 instead of an electronic endoscope.

The fiber scope 41 transmits an image formed by the objective optical system 13 using an image guide 42 using a glass fiber bundle instead of the CCD. The image guide 42 includes an eyepiece optical system 44 provided in an eyepiece 43 of the fiberscope 41.
To the position. The observation image transmitted by the image guide 42 can be directly observed with the naked eye through the eyepiece 43, but the fiberscope device 40 here is connected to the external camera head 45 which is freely connected to and detachable from the eyepiece 43. An image was taken.

The external camera head 45 incorporates a CCD 46 as a solid-state image pickup device for picking up an observation image formed through the eyepiece 43. The CCD 46 is connected to the image processor 3 through a signal line 48 disposed in a cable 47 as in the first embodiment.

In the case of the fiberscope device 40, as in the case of the electronic endoscope device 1, the endoscope model information is communicated from the built-in memory 18 provided in the main body 9 to the light source device 4.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a built-in memory 18 is provided in the operation unit 5 of the fiberscope 41, an electric contact 49 is provided in the eyepiece unit 43, and the external camera head 45 is provided in the external camera head 45. An electrical contact 50 that contacts the electrical contact 49 when connected to the eyepiece 43 is provided. When the external camera head 45 is connected to the eyepiece 43, the electrical contact 49 contacts the electrical contact 50, Communication with the light source device 4 may be performed through a signal line 48 disposed in a cable 47 of the external camera head 45, and further through a control circuit 33 and an I / F 34 of the image processor 3.

(Operation) When this fiberscope 41 is used, the endoscope stored in the internal memory 18 in the connector 12 or the internal memory 18 provided in the operation section 5, that is, the model information of the endoscope is transmitted. By driving the motor 24 on the basis, the turret plate 25 of the turret 23 is rotated,
Color filters 26 a-2 according to the color characteristics of image guide 42 and light guide 16 of fiberscope 41
Select 6e.

(Effects) The basic effects of this embodiment are as follows.
However, in this embodiment, the light source device 4 is formed by combining a lens of the objective imaging optical system 13 and a lens of the eyepiece optical system 44 with a transmission filter or a cutoff filter of a special wavelength light (not shown). Endoscope observation under illumination with light of a special wavelength is also possible by using a similar filter incorporated in the device.

[Third Embodiment] In this embodiment, the wavelength of the emitted light in the first and second embodiments is changed by rotating a turret by a stepping motor.

Hereinafter, the electronic endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The description of the same parts as those in the above-described embodiment will be omitted.

(Structure) As shown in FIG. 5, the turret 23 includes a stepping motor 61 for rotating and driving the turret plate 25 provided with the color filters 26a to 26e.
The stepping motor 61 is connected to the rotation shaft of the turret plate 25. The drive circuit 27 that drives the stepping motor 61 is controlled by the control circuit 28, and the rotation speed and the rotation direction of the turret plate 25 are changed according to the distance between the positions of the color filters 26a to 26e of the movement source and the position of the movement destination. It is configured to perform a variable operation.

As in the first embodiment, when the adjacent color filters 26a to 26e are selected by the stepping motor 61 based on the model information of the endoscope connected to the light source device 4, the movement can be made within one second. The turret plate 25 is rotated at a speed. However, when the color filters 26a to 26e located far apart are selected and positioned on the optical axis, the drive frequency of the stepping motor 61 is changed to increase the rotation speed of the turret plate 25. I do. In addition, the turret plate 25 is rotated by selecting a direction in which the distance to the position on the optical axis is the shortest.

(Operation) For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the color filter 26f of the movement source selected to be moved is located far away from the color filter 26a which is presently located on the optical axis, it is less than that. The rotational driving speed of the stepping motor 61 is increased so that the color filter 26f is moved to the position of the destination color filter 26a in the same time as the case where the color filter 26f is temporarily moved to the position of the adjacent color filter 26g which is close.

When the source color filter 26f is moved to the current position of the color filter 26a, the turret plate 25 is rotated clockwise so that the moving distance to the current position of the color filter 26a is minimized. Let it. When another color filter 26d is moved to the current position of the color filter 26a, the turret plate 25 is rotated counterclockwise so that the moving distance to the current position of the color filter 26a is minimized. Drive.

(Effect) According to the present embodiment, the turret plate 25 is moved to the destination according to the distance between the position of the color filter 26a to 26e at the source and the position of the destination.
By controlling the rotation speed and the rotation direction of the color filters 26a to 26e, the time required for switching the color filters 26a to 26e is reduced, and the time lag due to the switching of the color filters 26a to 26e is reduced.

[Fourth Embodiment] In this embodiment, the type of the endoscope is determined by identifying the size of the connector when the connector of the endoscope is mounted.

Hereinafter, an electronic endoscope apparatus according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The description of the same parts as those in the first embodiment is omitted.

(Structure) The basic structure of the electronic endoscope device according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, but as shown in FIG. The main body 9 of the type endoscope 2 does not have a built-in memory for storing model information.
6 have different outer diameter sizes at the connector-side end portion (generally, a connector portion constituting a guide tube) 71.

The light source device 4 has the structure described in the first embodiment and, as shown in FIGS.
6, a plurality of claws 7 radially arranged around the connector-side end 71 with respect to the center axis thereof and movable in the radial direction.
2, pressure sensors 73a to 73c respectively disposed at the tips of the claws 72a to 72c abutting on the connector side end 71 of the light guide 16, and the claws 72a to 72c.
And a pressure sensor 7 for moving the
A detection circuit 7 for detecting the outer diameter size of the connector-side end portion 71 of the light guide 16 from the pressure values obtained in 3a to 73c
5 and a control circuit 7 for controlling the movement of the drive motor 74
And 6.

(Operation) When the connector 12 of the endoscope 2 is connected to the light source device 4, each of the claws 72 a to 72 c is attached to the connector end 7 of the light guide 16.
1 moves toward the central axis and is pressed against the peripheral surface thereof. The pressing pressure at that time is determined by the pressure sensors 73a to 73a.
3c. Further, the motor 74
From the connector start end time and the claws 72a-7
The length of time up to the point in time when the pressure between 2c and 2c starts to be detected is detected. Based on this information, the light guide 16
Of the outer diameter of the connector-side end 71 of the endoscope 2
Is determined.

Based on the model information of the endoscope 2, the first
The color balance of the endoscope image is adjusted in the same manner as in the embodiment. Further, based on the pressure values detected by the pressure sensors 73a to 73c, the control circuit 76 controls the motor 74 so that the amount of pressing force of the claws 72a to 72c against the light guide 16 becomes an appropriate value for fixing the light guide 16.
Is controlled.

(Effects) The effect of adjusting the color balance of an endoscope image by discriminating the model of the endoscope 2 is the same as that of the first embodiment described above. The electrical connection between the connector of the light guide 16 of the endoscope 2 and the light source device 4 is unnecessary, and the color balance of the endoscope image can be adjusted only by changing the outer diameter size of the light guide 16 depending on the model. It is. Also,
The light guide 16 can be appropriately fixed by a mechanism for detecting the outer diameter size of the light guide 16.

[Fifth Embodiment] In this embodiment, the model of the endoscope is determined by identifying the size of the light guide connector when the connector of the endoscope is mounted.

Hereinafter, the electronic endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The description of the same parts as those in the first embodiment is omitted.

(Structure) In this embodiment, the means for detecting the outer diameter of the light guide of the fourth embodiment is used as the waveform detection means of the drive motor.

The light source device 4 according to the present embodiment has, in addition to the configuration described in the first embodiment, a plurality of claws 81 that can abut on the outer periphery of the connector-side end 71 of the light guide 16, and the claws 81. , A detection circuit 83 for detecting a drive waveform of the motor 82, and a control circuit 84 for controlling the movement of the motor 82.

(Operation) The basic operation of this embodiment is the same as that of the fourth embodiment. However, in the present embodiment, when the claw 81 abuts on the connector end 71 of the light guide 16 by driving the motor 82, the drive waveform of the motor 82 changes. Therefore, the size of the outer diameter of the connector end 71 of the light guide 16 is converted according to the length of time from the start of driving of the motor 82 to the change of the drive waveform, and the model of the endoscope 2 is determined.

The movement of the motor 82 is controlled by the control circuit 84 based on the driving waveform of the motor 82 so that the pressing force of the claw 81 against the connector end 71 of the light guide 16 becomes appropriate.

(Effect) This is the same as the fourth embodiment.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. According to the above description, each item listed in the following supplementary notes and those obtained by arbitrarily combining those items can be obtained.

[Supplementary Notes] A light source lamp for supplying illumination light, a unit for determining model identification information emitted from the endoscope to be used, and a unit for varying the wavelength of the emitted light, according to the model identification information of the endoscope to be used. A light source device for an endoscope, wherein the output light is selectively changed to a light beam having a wavelength suitable for the endoscope.

2. The first means for changing the wavelength of the emitted light is a means for switching a filter by a turret.
The light source device for an endoscope according to the above item.

3. 3. The light source device for an endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the drive source of the turret is a stepping motor.

4. 3. The light source device for an endoscope according to claim 2, further comprising means for changing a rotation speed and a rotation direction of a turret.

5. 2. The light source device for an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the model determination means is a detection means for identifying a size of the connector of the endoscope when the endoscope connector is attached.

6. The detection means includes a pressure sensor provided at the tip of a claw for gripping a light guide of the endoscope, and identifies a model of the endoscope from a pressure value obtained by the pressure sensor. The light source device for an endoscope according to the above item.

7. 6. The endoscope according to claim 5, wherein the detection means includes a waveform detection circuit of a drive motor of a claw for gripping a light guide of the endoscope, and identifies a model of the endoscope based on a change in the waveform. Light source device.

[0061]

As described above, according to the present invention, the color characteristic of the endoscope connected to the light source device due to the difference in the material of the light guide, and the color due to the difference in the type of the image guide and the CCD. By automatically determining and correcting differences between models, such as differences in characteristics, it is possible to connect a plurality of types of endoscopes having different optical characteristics to the same light source device and always use them under the same conditions.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration explanatory diagram of an electronic endoscope apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a turret plate of a turret in the light source device for an electronic endoscope according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a configuration explanatory view of an electronic endoscope apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a configuration explanatory diagram of an electronic endoscope apparatus according to a modification of the second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a configuration explanatory view of an electronic endoscope apparatus according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a turret plate of a turret in a light source device for an electronic endoscope according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a configuration explanatory view of an electronic endoscope apparatus according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing a mechanism for determining a model of an endoscope in a light source device for an electronic endoscope according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a configuration explanatory view of an electronic endoscope apparatus according to a fifth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electronic endoscope apparatus, 2 ... Electronic endoscope, 3 ... Image processor, 4 ... Light source apparatus, 9 ... Endoscope main body, 13 ... Optical system for objective imaging, 14 ... CCD, 16 ... Light guide,
18 Built-in memory, 21 Lamp, 22 Condensing lens, 23 Filter turret, 24 Motor, 25 Turret plate, 26a to 26e Color filter, 27 Drive circuit, 28 Control circuit.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Tomoyuki Takashino 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Seiichi Hosoda 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo No. Olympus Optical Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Mitsuru Ito 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Yutaka Koshikawa 2-43-2, Hatagaya Shibuya-ku, Tokyo No. Olympus Optical Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Keiji Handa 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Takeaki Nakamura 2-43 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo No. 2 Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2H040 BA11 CA02 CA09 CA11 CA27 CA30 GA01 GA02 GA05 4C061 AA00 BB02 C C06 DD00 GG01 JJ18 LL02 LL03 MM02 NN01 RR04 RR14 RR25 5C054 CA04 CC07 EJ01 FB03 HA01 HA12

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An endoscope comprising: a light source lamp for supplying illumination light; means for determining model identification information emitted from an endoscope to be used; and means for varying the wavelength of emitted light. A light source device for an endoscope, wherein the light source is selectively changed to emission light having a wavelength suitable for the endoscope in accordance with the model identification information.