JP2001299693A - Endoscopic image pickup apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscopic image pickup apparatus capable of surely transmitting the originally intended appropriiate data from the camera head side to an image processing part to display an appropriate image for the camera head to be used without increasing the cost or maintenance work. SOLUTION: The endoscopic image pickup apparatus 1 comprises a scope main body having an optical vision tube 101 and an image pickup part 102 with an image pickup element inside, mounted at the base end side of the optical vision tube 101, and an image processing part 104 for processing an image based on the signal inputted from the image pickup part 102. In the endoscopic image pickup apparatus 1, discrimination means (a camera head data recording part 121 and a camera head distinguishing part 120) are mounted at the connection part (a camera head connector 122) between the image processing part 104 and the image pickup part 102 for discriminating the kind of the scope main body made of a material having the autoclave-resistance and image data such as the color matrix and the image pickup mask shape.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope imaging apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Japanese Patent No. 2624961 discloses an endoscope image pickup apparatus provided with a discriminating element at a connection portion of an electronic scope. European Patent No. 0669756 discloses that a memory is provided inside a camera head and information such as various settings is stored in the camera head side. When the camera head is connected to the image processing unit, the image processing unit Discloses a technique for identifying the type of a connected scope, video information of a color matrix suitable for the scope, and the like, based on information stored in the scope.

On the other hand, an autoclave has been used as a method of sterilizing a metal surgical instrument such as a surgical scalpel. In recent years, this autoclave is safe, has little effect on the external environment, and is provided to employees who perform cleaning work. As one of the sterilization methods in consideration of safety, it has been adopted as a sterilization method for equipment and the like including a camera head used in a clean area during an operation.

In an autoclave, sterilization is performed in a high-temperature, high-humidity environment. Therefore, the characteristics of a resistance element may fluctuate due to a thermal factor, or information recorded in a recording element may be erased due to a thermal factor. As a result, information such as a type of scope and a color matrix different from the originally intended information is transmitted to the image processing unit, and in some cases, appropriate various information cannot be obtained.

Further, in order to protect electronic components such as LSIs provided in the camera head from high humidity conditions caused by an autoclave, a substrate or the like on which electronic components such as LSIs are mounted is hermetically sealed by some means. In many cases, measures are taken to prevent direct exposure to high humidity environment by autoclave.

However, even if the temperature of the sealed outside is lowered to some extent due to the hermetic sealing, the sealed inside does not sufficiently exchange heat with the outside. It may be used in an atmosphere higher than the use environment conditions for the resistive element and the recording element used for head determination and the like.

[0007] Therefore, since the resistive element and the recording element are used in an atmosphere exceeding the operating environment conditions, normal operation cannot be performed, and erroneous information is transferred to the image processing section, thereby causing malfunction of the camera head and recording. Problems such as a decrease in the number of use cases due to early progress of element deterioration occur.

[0008]

As described above, in an autoclave environment, the information stored in the camera head is regarded as accurate information due to the change in the characteristics of the electronic members arranged in the camera head due to high temperature conditions. May not be able to communicate. In this case, the original work of connecting the camera head to the image processing unit, driving the image sensor under appropriate conditions, displaying an image on an external monitor, and performing an operative procedure based on the image is smooth. Can not do it.

[0009] In an autoclave, sterilization may be performed in a short period of time, and may be put into an autoclave immediately after completion of one case and used for the next case. In this case, for example, an electric board on which a hermetically sealed electronic member or the like is mounted in a camera head may actually be put into a case without the surrounding atmosphere being sufficiently cooled to the use environment conditions. is there.

At the start of the next case, even if it can be cooled to within the conditions of the use environment, the electronic members and the like naturally generate heat during the case. The ambient temperature may exceed the operating environment conditions of the electronic member during use. As a result, erroneous information may be transmitted at the start of the next case or during an operation, and the image being observed may not be displayed on the external monitor.

The problem is that after the camera head is sterilized in an autoclave, it is naturally cooled sufficiently for a long time, and the next operation is carried out until the internal temperature of the hermetically sealed member reaches a level not much different from the external temperature. It can be overcome by putting it in the formula. However, in order to do so, the number of cases per day in the surgical procedure is reduced, or a plurality of the same camera heads are owned.

However, for example, in facilities such as emergency hospitals and large-scale hospitals where the number of cases per day is large, it is not possible to reduce the number of cases. There is not much merit in terms of maintenance, and there are some facilities that cannot currently possess the same camera head.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide appropriate information originally intended to a camera head without increasing costs and increasing maintenance work. The present invention is to provide an endoscope imaging apparatus that can reliably transmit an image to an image processing unit and display an appropriate image on a scope to be used.

[0014]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an optical viewing tube and an imaging section provided with an image pickup device and provided at a base end side of the optical viewing tube. In an endoscope imaging apparatus including a scope body having an image processing unit that performs image processing based on an input signal from the imaging unit, a connection unit between the image processing unit and the imaging unit has an autoclave resistance. There is provided identification means for identifying video information such as a type of the scope main body, a color matrix, an imaging mask shape, etc., formed of a material having the same.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the endoscope imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment includes a camera head as a scope main body having an optical viewing tube 101 and an imaging unit 102 having an imaging element therein, and an image processing unit. 104 and the light source device 1 as a peripheral device
11 and an external monitor 112. Also,
The image processing unit 104 includes an information processing circuit 105, an interface circuit 106, a CPU circuit 107, a light control circuit 10,
8, an image processing circuit 109 and an external output circuit 110.

One end of the image pickup unit 102 is connected to the optical viewing tube, and the other end is connected to the image processing unit 104 via a camera head connector 122 as a connection unit. A camera head information recording unit 121 is provided on the camera head connector 122. The information recorded in the camera head information recording unit 121 is video information such as a scope type, a color matrix, and a mask diameter.

The image processing unit 104 includes an image pickup unit 102
A camera head discriminating unit 120 for reading information from the camera head information recording unit 121 is provided at one end combined with the connector side of the camera head. This camera head determination unit 12
0 and the camera head information recording unit 121 constitute an identification unit.

By assembling the camera head connector 122 to the image processing unit 104, the information in the camera head information recording unit 121 is read by the camera head discrimination unit 120, and the read information is sent to the information processing circuit 105 in the image processing unit 104. To analyze. The analysis result is transmitted to the CPU circuit 107 in the image processing unit 104 via the interface circuit 106.

The CPU circuit 107 transmits appropriate signals to the image processing circuit 109 and the dimming circuit 108 based on the transmitted analysis result, and various images such as a color matrix and a mask diameter according to the connected scope. Change the information as appropriate.

A light guide 1 is provided on the optical viewing tube 101.
03 is connected and extends to the light source device 111. The light source device 111 is dimmed by a signal from the dimming circuit 108.

The image signal processed by the image processing circuit 109 is displayed on an external monitor 112 via an external output circuit 110.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the flow of various processes in the image processing unit 104 after the connection of the connector in the first embodiment. First, after the connector connection is performed in step S1, information from the camera head information recording unit 121 is read by the camera head discrimination unit 120 (step S2). Next, the information processing circuit 105 analyzes necessary information (type of scope, color matrix, mask diameter, etc.) from the read information (step S3). Next, the analysis result information from the information processing circuit 105 is output to the CPU circuit 107 via the interface circuit 106 (step S4). Next, in the CPU circuit 107, the image processing circuit 109, the dimming circuit 108, based on the input analysis result information.
Is changed (step S5).

FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the embodiment in which the above-described camera head information recording section is realized by bar code labels.

Here, the camera head connector 202
Image information such as a scope type and a color matrix is written in a barcode form on a barcode label made of a sheet-like member having autoclave resistance. In response to this, a bar code reader 203 as an optical reading unit is provided as the camera head determination unit 120 of the image processing unit 104.

When the camera head is connected to the image processing unit 104, the bar code information provided on the camera head connector 202 is read by the camera head discrimination unit 120, and the bar code information is read into the image processing unit 104 based on the read information. To select the type of scope, color matrix, photographic mask type, etc.

The sheet-shaped member may be a member having autoclave resistance by itself, or may be a normal barcode sheet sealed with a member having autoclave resistance and having good optical transparency.

With the above arrangement, the user cannot change the video information such as the color matrix according to his / her preference. Therefore, in the present embodiment, by using a configuration as shown in FIG. 4, information such as a color matrix can be changed by the user as desired. That is, as shown in FIG.
An external interface unit 304 is provided in the image processing unit 104 and can be connected to the external interface unit 304.
An external device 301 including a barcode recorder unit 303 and a barcode reader unit 302 is connected to the image processing unit 104 via an interface cable 305. If the color matrix can be changed by a function as image processing, the changed color matrix is transferred to the external device 301. The external device 301 creates a barcode sheet as described above and attaches the barcode sheet to the camera head connector as needed, so that the color matrix can be changed to a color matrix suitable for the user's preference.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of various signal lines required for the interface of the external device 301 described above.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C are diagrams for explaining the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention using identification fins. In the second embodiment, image information such as a scope type, a color matrix, and a mask diameter is read by a fin 402 for identification provided on a camera head connector 401. Therefore, the image processing unit 1
04 is provided with a fin identification unit 403 so as to face the identification fin 402. This fin identification section 4
03, the presence or absence of the identification fin 402 is determined and the information is read.

In the example shown in FIG. 6C, the fin identifying section 4
Reference numeral 03 denotes a photointerrupter (optical reading unit) including an LED as a light emitting element and a phototransistor as a light receiving element. In this case, a voltage (e1, e2, e) depending on whether the identification fin 402 provided on the camera head connector 401 blocks light from the LED of the photointerrupter or not.
The information can be read by 3).

The identification fin 402 also functions as a positioning component when the camera head is inserted.
Further, the identification fin 402 may be a plurality of protrusions provided on the outer surface of the camera head connector.

According to the above-described embodiment, the camera head connector, which is connected to the image processing section provided at one end of the image pickup section, has autoclave resistance, the type of camera head, the color matrix, and the image pickup mask. It has a member to which image information such as a shape is attached.

As described above, the means for identifying the kind of the scope and the like is not an electric element but a sheet-like member, a fin or a projection for identification which is not degraded by a thermal factor even when an autoclave is performed. Because of the configuration, by the denaturation of the electrical element caused by thermal factors due to the autoclave,
It is possible to prevent erroneous information, which is different from various kinds of information originally desired to be transmitted, from being transmitted from the camera head side to the image processing unit, thereby enabling an appropriate image display to be performed on the camera head used. .

Further, with the above-described configuration, it is possible to provide a camera head of an endoscope apparatus which has a relatively small increase in manufacturing cost even if the types of camera heads increase. Also, since there is little thermal denaturation, it is not necessary to have a plurality of the same camera head. Furthermore, even in a surgical procedure performed continuously, it becomes possible to continuously supply the equipment to be subjected to autoclave while minimizing the interval for each surgical procedure. In addition, since a single camera head can cope to some extent, the camera head can be used effectively at low cost even for the user.

It should be noted that the invention having the following configuration can be extracted from the specific embodiment described above.

1. A scope main body including an optical viewing tube, an imaging device, and an imaging unit provided on the base end side of the optical viewing tube, and an image processing unit that performs image processing based on an input signal from the imaging unit In an endoscope imaging apparatus comprising: a connection portion between the image processing unit and the imaging unit, formed of a material having autoclave resistance, the type of the scope main body, a color matrix, an imaging mask type and the like An endoscope imaging apparatus comprising an identification unit for identifying video information.

2. The identification means is provided on a surface of the connection portion, and is a barcode label representing various types of video information such as a type of the scope main body, a color matrix, and an imaging mask type in the form of a barcode. 1.
An endoscope imaging apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The identification means is an identification fin or a projection provided on a surface of the connection part and representing various types of video information such as a type of the scope main body, a color matrix, and an imaging mask type. An endoscope imaging apparatus according to claim 1.

4. When the scope main body is connected to the image processing unit, the image processing unit is read by an optical reading unit provided at a position facing the barcode label, and read by the optical reading unit. 1. An information processing circuit for analyzing information of a barcode label and changing the various kinds of video information so as to be adapted to the connected scope body based on the analysis result. An endoscope imaging apparatus according to claim 1.

5. When the scope main body is connected to the image processing unit, the image processing unit includes: an optical reading unit provided at a position facing the identification fin or the projection; and the optical reading unit. An information processing circuit that analyzes the read information of the identification fins or the protruding portions and, based on the analysis result, changes the various types of video information so as to match the connected scope body. Features 3 An endoscope imaging apparatus according to claim 1.

[0042]

According to the present invention, proper information originally intended is reliably transmitted from the camera head side to the image processing unit without increasing costs and increasing maintenance work.
An endoscope imaging apparatus capable of displaying an appropriate image on a used camera head can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an endoscope imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a flow of various processes in an image processing unit after connection of a connector in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the embodiment in which the camera head information recording unit is realized by a barcode label.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration for a user to change information such as a color matrix according to his / her preference.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of various signal lines required for an interface of the external device 301.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention using identification fins.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Endoscope imaging apparatus 101 Optical viewing tube 102 Imaging part 103 Light guide 104 Image processing part 105 Information processing circuit 106 Interface circuit 107 CPU circuit 108 Dimming circuit 109 Image processing circuit 110 External output circuit 111 Light source device 112 External monitor 120 Camera Head discrimination unit 121 Camera head information recording unit 122 Camera head connector 201 Barcode label 202 Camera head connector 203 Barcode reader 301 External device 302 Barcode reader unit 303 Barcode recorder unit 304 External interface unit

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A scope body including an optical viewing tube, an imaging device, and an imaging unit provided at a base end side of the optical viewing tube, and image processing based on an input signal from the imaging unit. In an endoscope imaging apparatus comprising an image processing unit for performing, the connection portion between the image processing unit and the imaging unit, formed of a material having autoclave resistance, the type of the scope body, a color matrix, An endoscope imaging apparatus comprising an identification unit for identifying video information such as an imaging mask type.