JP2002000559A - Electronic endoscope system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable connection of an endoscope to a processor via a trunk cable having general purpose properties, and avoid such a situation as to be connected to the processor for disabling processing of a signal from an imaging means provided in the endoscope. SOLUTION: A connector 18 in a connector box 16 of the endoscope 1A has a receiver 43 provided at its terminal member 25 and a stopper wall 44 provided at the member 25 at the endoscope 1B side. The receiver 43 is provided at a terminal member 26 of a cable connector 5 of a light source unit 2A, and the wall 44 is provided at the member 26 of a light source unit 2B side. Detecting pins 42a and 42b projected from or retracted in surfaces of terminal members 32 and 33 are provided at the trunk cable 19, can be retracted in the receiver 43. When the pins 42a and 42b are contacted with the wall 44, the pins 42a and 42b are pressed in a retracting direction. Accordingly, the cable 19 cannot be connected to the endoscope 1B and the unit 2B.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic endoscope apparatus in which a relay cable for connecting an endoscope and a processor can be detachably connected to both the endoscope and the processor. In particular, when connecting between the endoscope and the processor via the relay cable, it is determined whether or not the signal from the imaging means provided in the endoscope can be processed by the processor. The present invention relates to an electronic endoscope apparatus provided with a mechanism for determining.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An electronic endoscope apparatus includes an endoscope and a processor. The endoscope includes an illumination means for illuminating the inside of a body cavity at a distal end of an insertion portion, and a body cavity under illumination by the illumination means. Observation means for observing the inside is provided, and as the observation means, an imaging means including a solid-state imaging device or the like is mounted. The body cavity is irradiated with the illumination light from the lighting unit, and the reflected light information from the body cavity is converted into an electric signal by the imaging unit.The electric signal obtained by the imaging unit is transmitted to the processor via a signal cable, An image signal is generated by performing predetermined signal processing by the processor, and an image in the body cavity is displayed on a monitor attached to the processor.

As described above, the image pickup means and the processor are connected by a signal cable. The signal cable extends from the insertion section of the endoscope through the main body operation section, and extends from the main body operation section. Guided in code. In addition, a light guide that constitutes lighting means is also inserted into the universal cord, and the other end of the light guide is detachably connected to the light source device.
On the other hand, since the signal cable is connected to the processor, the universal cord is branched into a light guide insertion portion and a signal cable insertion portion on the way, and a light source detachably connected to the light source device at the end of the light guide insertion portion. A connector is provided, and a connector for electric signal transmission is provided at the end of the signal cable insertion portion. Therefore, by connecting the light source connector to the light source device and connecting the electrical signal transmission connector to the processor, the electronic endoscope device can be operated. That is, by illuminating the inside of the body cavity, the optical information in the body cavity image is converted into an electric signal by the imaging unit, and the electric signal is subjected to predetermined processing by the processor and displayed on the monitor.

[0004] By the way, endoscopes need to be cleaned and disinfected each time they are used. In order to easily clean the endoscope, it is common to immerse the entire end including the universal cord in a cleaning solution or a disinfecting solution. In addition, when the endoscope is not used, it is general that the main body operation unit is hooked on a hanger and the insertion unit and the universal cord are suspended and stored. Furthermore, when transporting the endoscope, it is stored in a special bag. Therefore, if the universal cord has a branch, not only the work of cleaning and disinfection becomes troublesome, but also it is inconvenient at the time of storage and transportation, etc., so the universal cord has no branch. Is conventionally known. That is, a connector box is provided at the end of the universal cord, a light source connector extends from the connector box, and a connection connector is provided.
The connection to the processor is performed by detachably connecting a relay cable to the connection connector and detachably connecting the other end of the relay cable to the processor (actually, Japanese Utility Model Publication 7-46241).

[0005] With the above configuration, the relay cable is connected to the connector box when the endoscope is used, and the relay cable is separated from the connector box during cleaning, storage, and transportation. Thus, the universal cord has a simple shape in which a connector box is provided at the end of one cord without a branch portion. Further, since the relay cable is not inserted into the body cavity, it is not always necessary to simultaneously clean the relay cable when cleaning and disinfecting the endoscope, and the endoscope is also cleaned and disinfected from this point. Work becomes easier.

[0006]

Here, the image pickup means mounted on the endoscope has various structures. Although the imaging means is basically composed of a two-dimensional image sensor, the number of pixels of the image sensor tends to increase with the development of integrated circuit technology, and the driving method of the imaging means, the signal reading method, and the like. Varies depending on the type of imaging means. Therefore, in connecting an endoscope provided with a certain type of imaging means to the processor,
Depending on the type of processor, some can effectively process the signal from the imaging unit, and others cannot perform signal processing. Therefore, in the prior art, the relay cable connected to the connector box of the universal cord is dedicated to each endoscope.

[0007] By the way, the relay cable is basically
A predetermined number of contact portions are provided at both ends, and each of these contact portions is connected by a signal line, and even if the endoscope has any type of imaging means, Even a processor having a signal processing circuit can be connected if the number of contacts is the same, and an endoscope having various types of imaging means can be connected to a processor including various signal processing circuits. be able to. That is, it is not particularly difficult to use a structure in which the relay cable can be shared as a means for connecting a plurality of types of endoscopes and the processor. Therefore, if the relay cables are made to have versatility, it is advantageous in that it is not necessary to prepare more relay cables than necessary.

However, when the relay cable is provided with versatility to connect between a plurality of types of endoscopes and the processor, when the endoscope is connected to a certain processor, the endoscope is connected to the endoscope. It may be connected to a processor that cannot process signals from the imaging means provided on the mirror. If an endoscope provided with an imaging means of a type that cannot be processed by the processor is connected to the body of a patient while the endoscope is connected by a relay cable, the endoscope is connected to the monitor. However, there is a disadvantage that an image in the body cavity is not displayed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to enable connection between an endoscope and a processor by a general-purpose relay cable. To prevent a situation in which the endoscope is connected to a processor that cannot process a signal from an imaging unit provided in the endoscope.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a universal cord is extended from a main body operating portion connected to an insertion portion, and a light source connector is provided at the other end of the universal cord. The connector box is connected to the connector box, a connector is provided in the connector box, and a relay cable is detachably connected to the connector. The other end of the relay cable is provided at an end of the insertion section. An electronic endoscope apparatus detachably connected to a processor for processing a signal read from a processor to generate a video signal to be displayed on a monitor, wherein the connector box includes an imaging unit provided in the insertion unit. An imaging means type display unit indicating the type of means is provided, and the processor includes:
Determining whether or not the image signal of the imaging unit of the connected endoscope can be processed; and transmitting the information between the imaging unit type display unit and the determination unit to the relay cable. The transmission means for performing the above is provided.

Here, the configuration of the transmitting means includes a passage connecting between the connection terminals provided at both ends of the relay cable,
A transmission line slidably inserted into the passage, and the imaging means type display unit and the discriminating unit prevent insertion of the receiving unit into which the end of the transmission line is inserted or insertion of the end. With such a configuration, when the stopper wall is provided on both of the imaging unit type display unit and the discriminating unit, the stopper wall is provided on one of the connector box or the processor of the relay cable. Since connection becomes impossible, it is possible to prevent a mismatch between the imaging unit and the processor from occurring.

[0012] The imaging means type display section may be configured to transmit a recognition code encoding the type of the imaging means provided in the endoscope. The determination means is configured to determine whether or not the processor can process the video signal from the imaging means based on the recognition code transmitted from the imaging means type display unit. In this case, the transmitting means is means for transmitting the recognition code from the endoscope to the processor, and the recognition code may be electrically or optically transmitted. When it is determined by the determining means that the imaging means of the endoscope to be connected cannot be processed by the processor, an alarm is generated by a buzzer, a message displayed on a monitor, or the like. It is desirable to configure as follows.

[0013]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration of an electronic endoscope apparatus. In the figure, 1 is an endoscope, 2 is a light source unit, and 3 is a monitor. Here, the light source unit 2
Is a light source device and a processor provided integrally,
The light source device and the processor may be configured as separate devices. The endoscope 1 is provided with an insertion section 11 that is inserted into a body cavity or the like of the main body operation section 10, and a universal cord 12 extends from the main body operation section 10. The distal end of the insertion section 11 is provided with an illuminating means for illuminating at least the inside of the body cavity and the like, and an observing means for observing an image in the body cavity with the illumination light emitted from the illuminating means. , A channel through which the treatment tool is inserted, and air / water supply means. Since these are well known in the related art, their illustration is omitted.

The endoscope 1 is an electronic endoscope. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, an objective optical system 13 and a connection between the objective optical system 13 are provided as observation means provided at the distal end of the insertion section 11. Solid-state imaging device 14 as imaging means arranged at an image position
The solid-state imaging device 14 supplies power to the solid-state imaging device 14, inputs a drive signal,
Further, a cable 15 in which a number of wirings for transmitting a signal generated by the solid-state imaging device 14 are bundled is connected. The illumination means includes a light guide for transmitting illumination light. The cable 15 and the light guide connected to the solid-state imaging device 14 extend from the distal end of the insertion section 11 through the main body operation section 10 and into the universal cord 12.

The universal cord 12 is for connecting the endoscope 1 to the light source unit 2 detachably.
Thereby, the light source device and the processor constituting the endoscope 1 and the light source unit 2 are connected to each other, so that the illumination light can be radiated into the body cavity through the light guide, and the signal from the solid-state imaging device 14 is processed. To generate a video signal. For this purpose, the light source unit 2 is provided with a light guide connection part 4 and a cable connection part 5,
A light guide as lighting means is detachably connected to the light guide connection portion 4, and a cable 15 from the solid-state imaging device 14 is detachably connected to the cable connection portion 5.

Next, FIG. 3 shows the structure of the distal end portion of the universal cord 12. As shown in FIG. As is clear from this figure, a connector box 16 is provided at the end of the universal cord 12.
Are connected. The connector box 16 is provided with a light source connector 17 projecting therefrom. The light source connector 17 is detachably connected to the light guide connection portion 4 of the light source unit 2. A connector 18 is provided in the connector box 16, and a relay cable 19 is detachably connected to the connector 18. Relay cable 19
A first connection part 20 whose one end side is detachably connected to the connection connector 18 of the connector box 16, a second connection part 21 detachably connected to the cable connection part 5 of the light source unit 2, These first and second connection parts 20,
And a flexible cord body 22 provided between them.

FIG. 4 shows the structure of the relay cable 19, the connection connector 18 of the connector box 16, and the cable connection part 5 of the light source unit 2. As is apparent from this figure, the terminal member 2 to which a predetermined number of wires 23 and 24 are connected is connected to the connector 18 and the cable connecting portion 5 respectively.
5 and 26 are fixedly arranged in the receiving members 27 and 28, respectively. And these terminal members 25, 26
A predetermined number of electrodes are provided on the opening side surfaces of the receiving members 27 and 28, respectively. The electrode provided on the terminal member 25 on the connection connector 18 side of the connector box 16 is an electrode pin 2
9 and the cable connection portion 5 of the light source unit 2.
The electrode provided on the terminal member 26 on the side is constituted by a pin insertion hole (not shown). Here, the wiring 2 connected to the terminal member 25 of the connection connector 18 of the connector box 16
Reference numeral 3 is connected to the solid-state imaging device 14 directly or via some relay means.

On the other hand, the first and second connecting portions 20 and 21 of the relay cable 19 are connected to the respective receiving members 27 and 2 respectively.
The plug members 30 and 31 are detachably fitted to the plug 8. Terminal members 32 and 33 are provided inside the plug members 30 and 31, respectively, and terminals of the terminal members 32 and 33 are provided. Both ends of the wiring 34 are connected between them. Since the electrode pins 29 are provided on the terminal members 25 of the connection connector 18 of the connector box 16, the terminals of the terminal member 32 on the first connection portion 20 side that are detachably connected to the connection connector 18 are electrodes. It is constituted by a pin insertion hole (not shown) into which the pin 29 is inserted. Further, since the terminal of the light source connector 2 on the side of the cable connection portion 5 is formed by a pin insertion hole, the terminal of the terminal member 32 on the side of the second connection portion 21 detachably connected to the cable connection portion 5 is It is composed of electrode pins 35. The connector 16
And the first and second portions of the cable connecting portion 5 and the relay cable 19.
The electrical connection between the connecting portions 20 and 21 can be made not only by the electrode pins and the pin insertion holes but also by the contact members which are mutually connected and separated from each other.

Here, the number of terminals provided on the connection connector 16 and the terminal members 25 and 26 of the cable connection part 5 and the number of terminals of the terminal members 32 and 33 in the first and second connection parts 20 and 21 of the relay cable 19 are shown. It is not always necessary to match the number of terminals. However, the number of terminals on the relay cable 19 side is at least the connection connector 16 and the cable connection portion 5.
As many as the number of terminals. Thus, even if there is a difference in the number of terminals, the positions of the terminals must correspond to each other. In short, the relay cable 19 is used as a transmission path of an electric signal, and does not perform any special signal processing inside the relay cable 19, and the connection between the terminal of the connector 16 and the terminal of the cable connection part 5 is not performed. It exhibits the function of electrically connecting between them. Therefore, the connection connector 16 and the cable connection portion 5 of the plurality of types of endoscope 1 and light source unit 2 are provided.
The structure of (1) can be connected to the first and second connecting portions 20 and 21, thereby sharing the relay cable 19.

As shown in FIG. 5, there are two endoscopes 1A and 1B each provided with a different type of solid-state image pickup device, and two light sources each having a built-in processor having a different signal processing circuit. Assume that there are units 2A and 2B. Then, the processor of the light source unit 2A also performs processing based on signals obtained by the solid-state imaging device provided in the endoscope 1A.
Although the processor of the light source unit 2B can generate a video signal, the signal obtained by the solid-state imaging device of the endoscope 1B is provided with a processor capable of generating a video signal in the light source unit 2A. It is assumed that a video signal cannot be produced. Also,
The relay cable 19 is composed of these two types of endoscopes 1A and 1B.
And a light source unit 2A, 2B.

In the above, when the solid-state image pickup device of the endoscope and the processor are connected via the relay cable 19, only the connection between the endoscope 1B and the light source unit 2B is disabled. Is connected to a processor that cannot generate a video signal by processing a signal from a solid-state imaging device provided in the endoscope 1B, so that a so-called mismatch connection state is prevented.

As a mechanism for preventing the mismatch connection, the connection connector 18 of the connector box 16 provided on the universal cord 12 of the endoscope 1B and the light source unit 2
When the first connection portion 20 or the second connection portion 21 of the relay cable 19 is connected to one of the cable connection portions 5 B, the connection is mechanically prevented from being connected to the other connection portion. I do. For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 6, the flexible sleeve 4 is provided in the cord body 22 of the relay cable 19.
0 is inserted, and both ends of the flexible sleeve 40 are fixed to terminal members 32 and 33 constituting the first and second connection portions 20 and 21, respectively. A wire 41 is inserted through the inside of the flexible sleeve 40, and detection pins 42a and 42b are connected to both ends of the wire 41. Therefore, the wire 41 and the detection pins 42a and 42b provided at both ends thereof constitute a transmission line, and both the detection pins 42a and 42b are
The through holes 32a and 33a provided in the second and third holes 33 and 33 can be protruded and retracted. On the other hand, the terminal member 2 of the connector 18
The pin 7 and the terminal member 28 of the cable connecting portion 5 are provided with a pin receiving portion into which the detection pins 42a and 42b are inserted, or a stopper wall for preventing the detection pins 42a and 42b from being received. Here, the depth dimension of the pin receiving portion is the same as or smaller than the protruding length of the other side when one end of the detection pins 42a and 42b is located at substantially the same position as the surfaces of the terminal members 32 and 33. Large dimensions.

Accordingly, the terminal member 25 of the connector 18
The pin receiving portion or the stopper wall provided on the side functions as an imaging means type display portion. The terminal member 26 of the cable connecting portion 5 on the light source connector 2 side is also provided with a pin receiving portion or a stopper wall. It constitutes a determining means for determining whether or not the image signal of the imaging means of the endoscope can be processed. Furthermore, it is provided on the relay cable 19,
The flexible sleeve 40, the wire 41 provided inside the flexible sleeve 40, and the detection pins 42a and 42b connected to both ends of the wire 41 are provided with information of the imaging type display section, that is, which of the pin receiving section or the stopper wall is used. A transmission unit that transmits information on whether the information is provided to the determination unit is configured.

Therefore, if the terminal member 26 is provided with a pin receiving portion, for example, a stopper wall is provided on the terminal member 25 of the connector 18 constituting the imaging means type display portion, and the detection pin 42a is connected to the terminal member 32. Even if it cannot project from the receiving portion, the detection pin 42b side can enter the receiving portion, and thus connection is possible. On the other hand, when the terminal member 26 is provided with the stopper wall,
If a stopper wall is also provided on the terminal member 25 of the connection connector 18, one of the detection pins 42a, 42b protrudes, and one of the first and second connection portions 20, 21 is connected to the connection connector 18 or It becomes impossible to connect to the cable connection part 5.

From the above, as described above, when the endoscope 1B and the light source unit 2B are combined with each other, the connection is prevented as a mismatch, and when the other end of the combination is set, the connection is prevented. As shown in FIG. 5, in the connection connector 18 in the connector box 16 of the endoscope 1A, a receiving portion 43 is provided on the terminal member 25, and a stopper wall 44 is provided on the terminal member 25 on the endoscope 1B side. . Further, the receiving portion 43 is provided on the terminal member 26 of the cable connection portion 5 of the light source unit 2A, and the stopper wall 44 is provided on the terminal member 26 on the light source unit 2B side.

When the endoscope 1A is connected to the light source unit 2A, the receiving portions 43 are provided on both ends, so that regardless of which of the detection pins 42a, 42b the relay cable 19 is connected to, the connection therebetween. It can be performed. When the endoscope 1A is connected to the light source unit 2B, as shown by a solid line in FIG. 5, when the detection pin 42a is protruding, when the relay cable 19 is connected, the detection pin 42a is Since it enters the receiving section 43 on the endoscope 1A side, the endoscope 1A and the light source unit 2
B is connected. Also, as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 5, even if the detection pin 42b side protrudes, when the relay cable 19 is connected to the light source unit 2B, the wire 41 is pushed by the stopper wall 44 and the wire 41 is Inside, the detection pin 42b is retracted, and the detection pin 42a
Protrudes. The receiving portion 43 for receiving the detection pin 42a is provided on the endoscope 1A side, and thus the protruding detection pin 42a is inserted into the receiving portion 43. The connection between the mirror 1A and the light source unit 2B can be established. When the endoscope 1B is connected to the light source unit 2A using the relay cable 19, the detection pin 42b is inserted into the receiving portion 43 provided on the light source unit 2A side, as described above. Become.

On the other hand, when the endoscope 1B and the light source unit 2B are to be connected via the relay cable 19, when one end of the relay cable 19 is connected to any of them, the detection pin which comes into contact with the stopper wall 44 is detected. 42a or 4
2b retreats, and the detection pin 42b or 42a on the opposite side protrudes. However, the other end of the relay cable 19 may be connected to the light source unit 2B or the endoscope 2
Even if an attempt is made to connect to B, the detection pin protrudes and comes into contact with the stopper wall 44, so that the detection pin hinders connection. As a result, there is a mismatch between the endoscope 1B and the light source unit 2B due to the connection of the relay cable 19, that is, the endoscope 1B is erroneously connected to a processor having a signal processing circuit that cannot process signals from the solid-state imaging device provided in the endoscope 1B. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of the situation that occurs.

As described above, a plurality of endoscopes can be electrically connected to the processor by using one relay cable, and depending on the imaging means provided in each endoscope, the video signal may be changed. Can be prevented from being connected to a processor that cannot generate the relay cable, so that the relay cable can be shared.

In the above-described embodiment, a mechanical detection mechanism is provided as a system for preventing the connection between the endoscope and the processor (light source unit) in a mismatched state. For example, as shown in FIG. As described above, a configuration in which an electrical detection mechanism is provided may be employed. That is, as shown in the figure, a transmitter 100 for transmitting a recognition code signal indicating the type of the solid-state imaging device mounted on the endoscope in a connector box 116 provided in the universal code of the endoscope. The cable connection unit 105 in the light source unit receives the recognition code signal from the transmitter 100, and the processor provided in the light source unit appropriately processes the signal from the solid-state imaging device to display the image. A determination circuit 101 for determining whether a signal can be generated is provided. The first and second connection portions 120 and 121 at both ends of the relay cable 119 have connection pins 142a and 142b projecting from both ends thereof, and the both ends of the relay cable 119 are connected to the connection connectors 118 of the connector box 116, respectively. When the connection pin 142a is connected to the cable connection section 105, the connection pin 142a
Reference numeral 42b is configured to be electrically connected to the determination circuit 101. Although not shown, the connection pins 142a and 142b are connected by the signal cable 102, and therefore, the connection pins 142a and 142b are connected.
Transmission means is constituted by b and the signal cable 102 therebetween.

With the above configuration, one of the plurality of types of endoscopes and light source units is connected to the relay cable 1.
When the connection is made by using the transmitter 19, the recognition code indicating the type of the image pickup device mounted on the endoscope is transmitted from the transmitter 100 on the endoscope side to the determination circuit 101 of the light source unit via the relay cable 119. Is done. Then, the determination circuit 101 determines whether or not the circuit configuration of the processor incorporated in the light source unit can process the signal from the imaging unit to generate a video signal. If the signal processing cannot be performed based on the result of this determination, the fact is notified by, for example, a buzzer or sound. This makes it possible to reliably detect a mismatch between the imaging unit and the processor. In addition, in a state where power is not supplied to the light source unit, the relay cable 119 is not turned on.
In some cases, the endoscope and the light source unit may be connected via the communication unit. Even in this case, the determination from the transmitter 100 by the determination circuit 101 is performed in order to perform the above-described determination and notify the result. It is desirable that the operation of reading the recognition code, determining whether or not a mismatch connection state has occurred, and notifying the user when the mismatch state has occurred is performed using a backup power supply provided in the light source unit.

In addition to the above, for example, in the first embodiment, a plurality of electric cords are put in a flexible sleeve to determine whether a signal from the imaging means can be processed by a combination of electric signals. It can be configured to make the determination. In addition, an optical fiber is inserted in place of the electric cord, and an optical signal from the endoscope side, that is, light ON,
It is also possible to configure so that the image pickup means provided in the endoscope is recognized when turned off. In this case, the light signal can use the illumination light transmitted by the light guide as the light source. Further, in the first embodiment, even if the degree of protrusion of the detection pin is detected by an optical sensor provided on the light source unit side, the type of the imaging means of the endoscope is detected on the processor side of the light source unit. can do.

[0032]

Since the present invention is constructed as described above, the endoscope and the processor can be connected with a versatile relay cable, and the endoscope can be connected to the image pickup means. There is an effect that a situation in which the signal is not connected to a processor which cannot process the signal does not occur.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an electronic endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a distal end portion of an insertion portion of the endoscope.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a connection portion of a relay cable in a universal cord of an endoscope.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a connection portion at both ends of a relay cable and a connection portion of a partner.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a combination of an endoscope and a processor in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a transmission unit provided on the relay cable and transmitting information between the imaging unit type display unit and the determination unit.

FIG. 7 is a configuration explanatory view of a mechanism for recognizing an imaging means of an endoscope on a processor side according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1A, 1B Endoscope 2, 2A, 2B Light source unit 5, 105 Cable connection part 10 Main body operation part 11 Insertion part 12 Universal code 14 Solid-state imaging device 15 Cable 16, 116 Connector box 17 Light source connector 18, 118 Connection connector 19, 119 Relay cable 20, 120 First connection part 21, 121 Second connection part 22 Cord body 23, 24, 34 Wiring 25, 26, 32, 33 Terminal member 40 Flexible sleeve 41 Wire 42a, 42b Detection Pin 43 Receiving part 44 Stopper wall 100 Transmitter 101 Discrimination circuit 102 Signal cable 142a, 142b Connection pin

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2H040 BA00 CA07 CA11 CA12 CA23 CA24 DA17 DA56 DA57 GA02 GA11 4C061 CC06 DD03 FF45 JJ06 JJ17 JJ18 UU03 VV06 YY14 5C054 CC07 CD00 HA12

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A universal cord is extended from a main body operating portion connected to an insertion portion, a connector box having a light source connector is connected to the other end of the universal cord, and a connector is provided in the connector box. hand,
A relay cable is detachably connected to the connection connector, and the other end of the relay cable processes a signal read from an imaging unit provided at a tip of the insertion portion to generate a video signal to be displayed on a monitor. In the electronic endoscope apparatus detachably connected to the processor, the connector box is provided with an imaging unit type display unit that indicates the type of imaging unit provided in the insertion unit, and is connected to the processor. A determining unit for determining whether or not the image signal of the imaging unit of the endoscope can be processed; and a transmission for transmitting information between the imaging unit type display unit and the determination unit in the relay cable. An electronic endoscope apparatus characterized by comprising means. 2. The image pickup device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit includes a passage provided between both ends of the relay cable for connecting the connection terminals, and a transmission line slidably inserted into the passage. The means type display section and the discriminating section are constituted by either a receiving section for inserting the tip of the transmission line or a stopper wall for preventing the insertion of the tip, and are provided on both the imaging section type display section and the discriminating section. 2. The electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a connection to one of the connector box and the processor of the relay cable is disabled when the stopper wall is provided. 3. The image pickup means type display section transmits the type of the image pickup means provided in the endoscope as a recognition code, and the discriminating means transmits from the image pickup means type display section. The processor determines whether the processor can process the video signal from the imaging unit based on the recognized recognition code, and further, the transmission unit electrically or optically transmits the recognition code. The electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an alarm is issued when it is determined that the imaging means of the endoscope to be connected by the determination means cannot perform signal processing by the processor. Item 3. The electronic endoscope device according to item 3.