JP2002034911A - Endoscope apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an highly durable endoscope apparatus for preventing radiated light supplied from a light source device from damaging an incident end of the radiated light of an endoscope and its proximity. SOLUTION: A diaphragm 31 is disposed on the way of an optical path between a lamp 15 and a light guide incident end 17 in the light source device 3, and radiated light amount collected at the light guide incident end 17 is adjusted by changing an opening degree of the diaphragm 31. The opening degree of the diaphragm 31 is calculated by a light amount control part 48 based on a brightness signal inputted from an image processing part 54, and adjusted by a diaphragm adjusting part 49 to be applied with so called automatic dimming control. A timer part 50 counts continuous time in an OFF state of a touch sensor 23, and, when the continuous time exceeds a predetermined reference time, outputs an indication signal to the restriction adjusting part 49 to forcibly change the opening degree of the diaphragm 31 to 25% of the maximum opening degree, namely a preset and predetermined opening degree.

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 for supplying illumination light to an endoscope, and to an endoscope device provided with light amount adjusting means for automatically controlling the amount of illumination light.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an elongated insertion portion is inserted into a body cavity to observe organs in the body cavity, and, when necessary, to perform various treatments using a treatment tool inserted into a treatment tool channel. Medical endoscopes that can be used are widely used. Also, in the industrial field, industrial endoscopes capable of observing and inspecting internal scratches and corrosion of boilers, turbines, engines, chemical plants, and the like are widely used.

[0003] The endoscope is provided with a light source device for supplying illumination light for illuminating an observation site. This light source device generally uses a power source supplied from a commercial power source to cause an illumination lamp in the light source device to emit light, and the illumination light generated by the illumination lamp emits light from an endoscope. The light is transmitted to the distal end of the endoscope by the guide, and illuminates a subject to be imaged through an illumination lens provided at the distal end of the endoscope.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-80428 has a photometric means for obtaining brightness from an output signal of a solid-state image sensor in order to automatically adjust the amount of illumination so as to optimize the brightness of a screen. An endoscope image system that adjusts the amount of illumination of a light source device to be supplied to an endoscope in accordance with the output of the photometric means and performs so-called automatic dimming is shown.

[0005]

In general, the inspection standby time for completing the inspection with the endoscope and proceeding to the next endoscope inspection requires several minutes to several tens of minutes. Then, the endoscope connected to the light source device is removed for cleaning and disinfection, and a new endoscope is connected to the light source device with the lamp turned on. The endoscope newly connected to the light source device is held on a hanger or the like.

[0006] In this state, the end of the endoscope is directed to the floor of the examination room or the like, so that the distance between the end and the subject is long. For this reason, in an endoscope apparatus that performs automatic dimming control, the amount of illumination light is increased and supplied from the light source device to the endoscope in order to avoid a shortage of light quantity due to a long distance to the subject.

That is, a large amount of illumination light is supplied from the light source device to the endoscope for a long time, even during the waiting time for the examination. This not only shortens the life of the lamp, but also exposes the light guide entrance end of the endoscope to high temperatures,
Problems such as deterioration and breakage may occur.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and prevents the illumination light incident end of the endoscope and its vicinity from being damaged by the illumination light supplied from the light source device, and has excellent durability. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope apparatus.

[0009]

An endoscope apparatus according to the present invention comprises:
An endoscope having an imaging unit for imaging a subject illuminated by the illumination unit, and a light source device for supplying illumination light to the illumination unit of the endoscope, wherein the light source device has an output signal from the imaging unit. An endoscope apparatus comprising a light amount adjusting means for automatically adjusting the amount of illumination light supplied from the light source device to the endoscope based on the light source device, wherein whether or not the endoscope is in use is determined. A grip state detection unit that detects whether the endoscope operation unit is in a grip state, and an illumination light amount supplied to the endoscope from the light source device according to a signal output from the grip state detection unit. Light amount control means for controlling.

An endoscope having an imaging means for imaging a subject illuminated by the illumination means, a light source device for supplying illumination light to the illumination means of the endoscope, and at least one fluid control means. An endoscope apparatus, wherein the light source device includes light amount adjusting means for automatically adjusting the amount of illumination light supplied to the endoscope from the light source device based on an output signal from the imaging means; An operating state detecting means for detecting whether or not the endoscope is in use by detecting whether or not the fluid control means is in an operating state; and the light source according to a signal output from the operating state detecting means. Light amount control means for controlling the amount of illumination light supplied from the device to the endoscope.

According to this configuration, when the grasping state detecting means or the operating state detecting means detects that the endoscope is not in use, the light amount control means stops the automatic light control by the light amount adjusting means and the endoscope. Control to reduce the amount of illumination light supplied to the endoscope to prevent a large amount of illumination light from being supplied to the endoscope.

On the other hand, even when the automatic light adjustment control by the light amount adjusting means is stopped by the light amount control means, it is determined that the endoscope is operated by the grip state detecting means or the operating state detecting means. Upon detection, the light quantity control means performs control for restarting the automatic light control by the light quantity adjustment means, so that normal observation can be performed.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a view for explaining one configuration example of an endoscope apparatus, and FIG. 2 is a view for explaining control when supplying illumination light to the endoscope. It is a flowchart.

As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope apparatus 1 of the present embodiment comprises an electronic endoscope (hereinafter abbreviated as an endoscope) 2 having an image pickup device such as a CCD 21 as an image pickup means, and A light source device 3 for supplying illumination light to the endoscope 2, a video processor 4 for performing signal processing on the CCD 21 of the endoscope 2 and outputting a video signal;
And a monitor 5 for displaying a video signal corresponding to a subject image output from the monitor.

The endoscope 2 has an elongated insertion portion 9,
A connection cord 11 in which a light guide 18 and the like are inserted extends from an end of an operation section 10 located on the base end side of the insertion section 9.

The endoscope 2 is detachably connected to the light source device 3 via a light guide connector 12 provided at an end of the connection cord 11.
A signal cable 13 extends from the side of the light guide connector 12 so that a video connector 14 provided at an end of the signal cable 13 is detachably connected to the video processor 4. Has become.

The insertion portion 9 has a distal end portion 6 provided with an illumination lens cover constituting an illumination optical system, an observation lens cover constituting an observation optical system, and the like in order from the distal end side, and can be bent in, for example, up, down, left and right directions. The bending portion 7 and the flexible and flexible flexible tube portion 8 are connected.

An objective lens group 20 and a CCD 21 constituting the observation optical system are arranged at the distal end portion 6, and a signal line 22 extends from the CCD 21 toward the video processor 4.

The operation unit 10 is provided with a touch sensor 23 comprising an electric switch having an electric contact as a grip state detecting means at a position where the operator touches the endoscope 2 when gripping the same for operating the endoscope 2. I have. The operation unit 10
Is provided with a light amount changeover switch 25 for converting the amount of illumination light supplied from the light source device 3 to the endoscope 2. The signal line 2 extending from the light amount switch 25
6 and a signal line 24 extending from the touch sensor 23
Is connected to a light amount control unit 48 which is a light amount adjusting means provided in the light source device 3.

A lamp 15 for emitting illumination light is arranged at a predetermined position in the light source device 3, and the illumination light emitted from the lamp 15 is condensed on a light guide incident end 17 projecting from the light guide connector 12. Then, the light is guided to the distal end portion 6 via the connection cord 11 and the light guide 18 inserted in the insertion portion 9, and is emitted toward the subject from the illumination lens cover.

The lamp 15 and the light guide entrance end 17
A diaphragm device 31 such as a rotary solenoid is disposed so as to be selectively inserted in the middle of the optical path, and illumination condensed on the light guide entrance end 17 by changing the aperture of the diaphragm device 31. The amount of light can be adjusted.

The diaphragm device 31 is connected to a diaphragm adjusting unit 49, which is a light amount control unit, which adjusts the aperture and appropriately changes the illumination light amount. The aperture adjustment unit 49 is connected to the light amount control unit 48 via a timer unit 50 that measures a continuous time of the OFF state of the touch sensor 23.

The video processor 4 includes the CCD 2
An image processing unit 54 is provided for generating an electric signal corresponding to the subject image output from 1 into a video signal output to the monitor 5. The image processing unit 54 and the light source device 3
The light amount control unit 48 is connected by the light control cable 19. For this reason, the image processing unit 54 outputs the generated video signal to the monitor 5, measures the brightness of the video captured by the CCD 21 from the video signal, and outputs the brightness signal via the dimming cable 19. The light is output to the light amount control unit 48 of the light source device 3.

Thus, the light amount control unit 48 controls the illumination light amount, that is, the aperture, so that the subject image is displayed on the monitor screen with appropriate brightness based on the brightness signal input from the image processing unit 54. The aperture of the device 31 is calculated, and the aperture adjustment unit 49 adjusts the aperture of the aperture device 31 so as to have the calculated aperture, and performs so-called automatic light control. Thereby, the illumination light amount adjusted to the optimal brightness is supplied from the light source device 3 to the endoscope 2.

The timing section 50 detects the O of the touch sensor 23.
While measuring the continuous time of the FF state, for example, when the reference time exceeds a preset reference time, an instruction signal is output to the aperture adjustment unit 49 to set the aperture of the aperture device 31 to the preset predetermined aperture. The aperture is forcibly changed to 25% of the aperture. As a result, the amount of illumination light supplied from the light source device 3 to the endoscope 2 decreases.

It should be noted that the light source device 3 includes
Is forced by the aperture adjustment unit 49 in response to a signal from
A return switch 52 for returning the aperture of the aperture device 31 changed to the 5% aperture to the original state and a manual light amount adjustment switch 53 for manually switching the aperture of the aperture device 31 are provided. , 28 are connected to the light quantity control unit 48.

The operation of the endoscope apparatus 1 configured as described above will be described. Put the endoscope in use to start the examination. Then, the subject image of the subject illuminated by the illumination light supplied from the light source device 3 is formed on the imaging surface of the CCD 21 by the objective lens group 20 and is photoelectrically converted.
The electric signal photoelectrically converted by the CCD 21 is supplied to a signal line 2
2 to the image processor 54 of the video processor 4.

The image processing section 54 generates the electric signal into a video signal and outputs the video signal to the monitor 5, while measuring the brightness of the video imaged by the CCD 21 from the video signal and converting the brightness signal into a light quantity control section 48. Output to step S in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic light control is started, and as shown in step S2, the touch sensor 23 constantly detects whether or not the operation unit 10 is in a gripping state.

Then, it is determined whether or not the touch sensor 23 is ON as shown in step S3. In addition,
That the determination result is OFF means that the operation unit 10 of the endoscope 2 is not grasped by the operator, and when the operator grasps the operation unit 10, the operation unit 10 comes into contact with the touch sensor 23 and turns ON. Become.

In step S3, the touch sensor 23
If it is determined to be N, the process proceeds to step S1 to continue the automatic light control. On the other hand, if the touch sensor 23
If it is determined to be F, the process proceeds to step S4, in which the timer unit 50 starts measuring the continuous time in the OFF state, and proceeds to step S5.

In this step S5, it is determined whether or not the continuous time of the OFF state measured by the timer 50 is longer than a preset reference time, for example, 1 minute or more.
Here, if the measured time is less than the reference time, step S
Proceed to 1 to continue the automatic light control. On the other hand, if the measured time is equal to or longer than the reference time, the process proceeds to step S6.

In step S6, the aperture of the aperture device 31 is forcibly changed to a preset 25% aperture based on the signal output from the timer 50 to the aperture adjuster 49, and that state is maintained. As a result, the light source device 3
One minute after the illumination light is emitted from the lamp 15, the mode becomes the dimming mode in which the illumination light amount supplied to the endoscope 2 is reduced. That is, when the endoscope 2 is held on a scope hanger or the like, such as during an inspection standby, the distance between the objective lens group 20 and the floor, which is the subject, becomes long, and the light amount becomes insufficient, and the light source device is controlled by automatic light control. Although the maximum light quantity is supplied from 3 to the endoscope 2, the supplied light quantity automatically decreases in a short time.

In the dimming mode, as shown in step S7, it is determined whether or not there is an input from the return switch 52 to the light quantity control unit 48. Here, the return switch 52
If there is an input signal from the controller 31, the process proceeds to step S1 to restart the automatic light control, that is, 25% of the aperture device 31
Automatic dimming control is performed by releasing the aperture. That is, by pressing the return switch 52 provided on the light source device 3,
Automatic dimming control can be started. On the other hand, when there is no input signal from the return switch 52, the process proceeds to step S8.

In step S8, it is determined whether or not there is an input from the manual light amount adjustment switch 53 to the light amount control unit 48. Here, if there is an input signal from the manual light amount adjustment switch 53, the aperture of the diaphragm device 31 is changed based on the input signal from the manual light amount adjustment switch 53, and then the process proceeds to step 1 to perform automatic adjustment. Perform light control. In other words, even if the operator feels that the display image displayed on the monitor 5 is dark and operates the manual light amount adjustment switch 53 to make the image brighter, the operation returns to the automatic light control thereafter. On the other hand, if there is no input signal from the manual light amount adjustment switch 53, the process proceeds to step S9.

In this step S9, it is determined whether or not the touch sensor 23 remains in the OFF state. Here, if the state remains OFF, the process proceeds to step S7, and steps S7 to S9 are repeated. On the other hand, when the ON signal is input, the 25% aperture is released, and the process proceeds to step S1 to start automatic light control. That is, when performing an endoscopic examination, the operator grasps the operation unit 10 of the endoscope 2 to start the examination, so that the touch sensor 23 is turned on and the automatic light control is started. .

As described above, it is possible to prevent the illumination light of the light source device from being continuously irradiated with a large amount of light for a predetermined time or more toward the light guide entrance end of the endoscope during the waiting time for the inspection. This prevents the light guide entrance end and its vicinity from being heated by the illumination light,
A sealing member such as a light guide entrance end and a cover glass (not shown) arranged near the lamp side of the light guide entrance end and an O-ring (not shown) arranged to keep water tight with the scope exterior body; or Since the adhesive and the filler provided in place of the seal member are not damaged by heat, an endoscope with good durability can be provided.

Further, since the structure is sufficient if an inexpensive touch sensor is provided in the endoscope, an inexpensive endoscope device can be provided.

The predetermined reference time in step S5 is not limited to the numerical value of the present embodiment, but can be arbitrarily set within a range of, for example, about 10 seconds to 20 minutes. In order to determine a normal use state and a state in which the amount of supplied light should be reduced, it is desirable to set the range from about 30 seconds to about 5 minutes.

The predetermined opening degree in step S6 is not limited to the 25% opening degree in the present embodiment, but may be any value as long as the supplied light amount does not damage the endoscope. It is possible, for example, to set the opening degree in a range of about 10% to 50% with respect to the maximum opening degree. In the dimming mode, the amount of supplied light may be completely eliminated.

Further, in this embodiment, the stop device is used as a means for reducing the amount of light supplied from the lamp to the light guide entrance end. However, by controlling the supply current to the lamp of the light source device, the lamp itself is controlled. A configuration in which the brightness is increased or decreased may be used. In the case of this configuration, the burden on the lamp during the waiting time is reduced, so that the life of the lamp can be extended, and the power consumption is reduced and the lamp is economical.

In this embodiment, the touch sensor 23 is provided on the operation unit 10 as a grip state detecting means for detecting whether the operation unit 10 of the endoscope 2 is in a grip state, that is, in a use state. However, the grip state detection means may be a photoelectric switch, an infrared sensor, a temperature sensor, a vibration sensor, a gravity sensor, or the like. Then, the temperature of the body temperature (for example, 35 ° C to 4 ° C)
0 ° C), the vibration sensor determines whether there is vibration, the gravity sensor determines whether a change has occurred in the direction of gravity, and keeps measuring the detection time continuously. Can perform the same control.

In short, any sensor may be used as long as it can detect whether or not the operation unit is gripped and used for inspection.

When the light amount changeover switch 25 provided on the operation unit 10 is turned on, the light amount control unit 48 outputs an instruction signal for widening the aperture of the aperture device 31 to the limit value via the aperture adjustment unit 49 when it is turned on. I do. That is, this is for maximizing the amount of light supplied to the endoscope 2, and usually,
The inspection is performed with the light amount switch 25 turned off. That is, the maximum opening degree set in the OFF state is, for example, 80% of the limit value.

Therefore, when the light quantity becomes insufficient, such as when the distance to the subject is long at the time of inspection, the light quantity switch 25 is turned on. Then, in the light amount control unit 48, the aperture adjustment unit 49 widens the aperture of the aperture device 31 to the limit value, and performs automatic light adjustment control in a state where the aperture device 31 is switched to this state. As a result, the light amount switch 25
The state becomes brighter than the illumination light amount in the FF state, and the insufficient light amount is resolved.

As described above, by setting the light amount changeover switch to the OFF state at the time of inspection standby, the amount of illumination light supplied from the light source device to the endoscope is set in advance so that the aperture of the diaphragm device 31 is smaller than the limit value. So it can be reduced. Then, when necessary, the maximum light quantity can be obtained for observation.

FIGS. 3 to 5 relate to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a view for explaining another example of the configuration of the endoscope apparatus. FIG. FIG. 5 and FIG. 5 are flowcharts for explaining control when supplying illumination light to the endoscope.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in the endoscope apparatus 1A of the present embodiment, instead of the light source device 3, a lamp 1 is used.
A light source device having a fluid control means including a fluid path through which a fluid flows, a control valve for controlling the fluid flowing through the fluid path, and an operation switch for opening and closing the control valve. It has a fluid control device 60. A suction conduit 61 for supplying a fluid, an air supply conduit 62 and a water supply conduit 63 are inserted through the insertion portion 9 of the endoscope 2.

The operation unit 10 of the endoscope 2 is provided with a suction switch 57 having electric contacts and serving as operation state detecting means, and an air / water switch 58 comprising a two-stage switch having electric contacts. And each switch 5
A signal cable 59 extending from 7, 58 is electrically connected to a fluid control unit 56 provided in the fluid control device 60.

The air supply line 62 and the water supply line 63 of the endoscope 2 join at the distal end side of the insertion portion 9 to form the air supply / water supply line 6.
The nozzle 65 is connected to the end of the air / water supply conduit 64. On the other hand, the suction conduit 61 is open at the distal end surface of the distal end, and merges with the conduit communicating with the forceps port 66 at an intermediate position. As a result, the forceps port 6
The treatment tool and the like inserted through 6 are introduced into the body cavity.

The proximal ends of the suction line 61, the air supply line 62, and the water supply line 63 are provided to the fluid control device 60 via a suction base 69, an air supply base 70, and a water supply base 71, respectively. The suction tube 72, the air supply tube 73, and the water supply tube 74 are communicated and connected.

The suction tube 72 is connected to a suction port 76a of a suction tank 76 via a suction valve 75 composed of an electromagnetic valve, and a suction pump 77 is connected to the suction tank 76 as a fluid device. The air supply tube 73 is connected to a connection port 79a of an air supply pump 79, which is a fluid device, via an air supply valve 78 formed of an electromagnetic valve. Further, the water supply tube 74 is connected to a water storage tank 81 storing water through a water supply valve 80 formed of an electromagnetic valve.
It is connected to the water supply port 81a inside.

The suction valve 75, the air supply valve 78, and the water supply valve 8
The opening / closing operation of 0 is controlled by the fluid control unit 56, respectively. Each operation of suction, air supply and water supply is performed by the suction switch 57, the air supply / water supply switch 5
By appropriately operating the suction valve 8, an instruction signal is sent to the fluid control unit 56 via the signal cable 59, and the suction valve 7 is
5. It is performed by opening and closing the air supply valve 78 and the water supply valve 80. The signal cable 59 is also connected to the light quantity control unit 48 via the fluid control unit 56.

The other construction is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

The operation of the endoscope apparatus 1A according to this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, the endoscope 2
When is turned on, the automatic dimming control is performed as shown in step S11, and it is determined whether or not at least one of the suction switch 57 and the air / water switch 58 is in operation as shown in step S12. . Here, either one is operating (that is, the switch is ON)
In step S11, the automatic light control is continued. On the other hand, in a state where neither the suction switch 57 nor the air / water switch 58 is operated (that is, the switch OFF).
In this case, the process proceeds to step S13, in which the timer 50 starts measuring the continuous time in the OFF state, and then proceeds to step S14.

In this step S14, it is determined whether or not the continuous time of the OFF state measured by the timer 50 is longer than a preset reference time, for example, 5 minutes or more. If the measured time is equal to or shorter than the reference time, step S11 is executed.
Proceed to and continue the automatic light control. On the other hand, if the measured time is equal to or longer than the reference time, the process proceeds to step S15.

Note that the steps S15 to S15
The processing up to 17 is the same as the processing from step S6 to step S8 in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. That is, Step S15 is replaced with Step S6
Is performed, and step S16 is performed in step S7.
Is performed, and step S17 is performed in step S8.
Is performed.

In step S18, in the dimming mode state, the suction switch 57, the air / water switch 5
It is determined whether or not 8 remains OFF. Here, if it remains OFF, steps S16 to S18 are repeated. On the other hand, when an ON signal is input from one of the suction switch 57 and the air / water switch 58, the 25% aperture is released, and the process proceeds to step S11 to start automatic light control.

That is, in the present embodiment, when no operation of air supply, water supply, or suction is performed for 5 minutes or more, such as during an inspection standby, the amount of light supplied from the light source device 3 to the endoscope 2 is reduced. Decrease automatically.

When the supplied light quantity is reduced during the endoscopic examination, the return switch 52 or the manual light quantity adjustment switch 53 is operated. Thereby, the automatic light control is started.

As described above, in the present embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the operation state is detected by the suction switch and the air / water switch. It is not necessary to newly provide a special means such as a touch sensor in the endoscope, and the endoscope can be configured at low cost.

In the present embodiment, the operation state of the suction switch 57 and the air supply / water supply switch 58 is detected to determine whether the apparatus is in the use state. The operation state may be detected.

That is, the suction line 61 and the air supply line 6
2. For example, a pressure sensor, a sound sensor, or the like is provided as an operation state detecting means in a fluid path such as the water supply pipe line 63 or the suction tube 72, the air supply tube 73, and the water supply tube 74, and air is supplied by the pressure sensor or sound sensor. The detection of whether or not the water supply / suction operation is performed may be performed to determine whether the operation state is the use state or the standby state.

In the present embodiment, the suction switch 57 and the air / water switch 58 are provided on the endoscope 2. However, the suction switch 57 and the air / water switch 58 are provided.
Is provided on a foot switch, which is a remote control means separate from the endoscope 2, for example. The foot switch 57 is connected to the fluid control unit 56 of the fluid control device 60, and the air supply / Water supply / suction may be controlled. In this case, the operating state of the foot switch operation may be detected to determine whether the operating state is the use state or the standby state.

Further, it is detected whether or not the suction valve 75, which is an electromagnetic valve, the air supply valve 78, and the water supply valve 80 are operating, and whether or not the air supply, water supply, and suction operations are being performed. Detection may be performed to determine whether the apparatus is in the use state or the standby state.

It is to be noted that the ON / OFF operation of the suction pump 77 and the air supply pump 79 itself without the electromagnetic valve,
A suction pump 77 and an air supply pump 79 are connected to the fluid control unit 56 for a device for performing fluid control of air supply, water supply, and suction, and the operation state of the suction pump 77 and the air supply pump 79 is detected to perform the transmission. It may be configured to detect whether the air / water supply / suction operation is being performed, and determine whether the operation state is the use state or the standby state.

If a large amount of illumination light is continuously supplied during the standby state or the like, there is a possibility that inconvenience may occur at the distal end of the endoscope. In other words, when the inspection is on standby, the temperature of the illumination optical system 42 shown in FIG. 6 illustrating the configuration of the distal end portion and the temperature of the distal end portion main body 38 surrounding the optical system may be increased by the supplied illumination light.

To prevent this, the distal end body 38
Is provided with an insulating cover member 39 made of a resin material and covering the outer peripheral side of the distal end body 38. The joint 41 made of a metal material constituting the curved portion 7 is fitted to the base end of the distal end body 38 and fixed with screws or the like. The tip main body 38 is formed of a metal material having good thermal conductivity such as aluminum, and is subjected to a surface treatment having excellent chemical resistance such as alumite oxalate.

Therefore, the distal end main body 3 is irradiated with the illumination light.
8 and the insulating cover member 39 are heated, the heat of the insulating cover member 39 is transmitted to the contacting distal end body 38 and cooled because the thermal conductivity of the distal end body 38 is good. The heat of the distal end body 38 is transmitted to the joint 41 and cooled. This prevents the temperature of the distal end body 38 and the insulating cover member 39 from rising.

The tip body 38 and the insulating cover member 39 may be joined to each other via ceramics having poor heat conductivity, or the tip body 38 and the insulating cover member 39 may be joined together.
It is also possible to provide notches or the like in a part, instead of fitting and connecting the entire circumference of the above, to provide a space in which air accumulates. This prevents the ceramic and air from forming a heat insulating layer and transmitting heat from the tip body 38 to the insulating cover member 39. In the second embodiment, the following control is performed to prevent the temperature of the distal end portion main body 38 and the insulating cover member 39 from rising.

That is, when it is determined by the operating state detecting means and the fluid control unit 56 that the apparatus is in a standby state, water is automatically supplied from the nozzle 65 under the control of the fluid control unit 56. As a result, at the time of waiting for the inspection, the insulating cover member 39 and the distal end portion main body 38 are cooled by the supplied water, and the temperature rise is prevented. The water supply may be automatically performed at regular intervals, for example, at intervals of about 1 to 5 minutes. Further, air may be supplied in accordance with the water supply.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7 which illustrates the distal end storage container, the endoscope 2 is mounted on a cart 35 which stores the light source device 3, the video processor 4, the fluid control device 60 and the like.
A scope hanger is provided to hold the endoscope 2 at a position corresponding to the distal end portion 6 of the endoscope 2.
Is provided. Then, the distal end container 36 is filled with cooling water. As a result, at the time of inspection standby, the distal end portion 6 of the endoscope 2 is cooled by the cooling water filled in the distal end storage container 36, and the temperature rise of the insulating cover member 39 and the distal end body 38 is prevented. Is done.

In place of the tip storage container 36, a blower fan for blowing air toward the tip 6 of the endoscope 2 is provided in the cart 35, and the insulating cover member 39 and the tip body 3 are provided.
8 may be prevented from rising.

In order to prevent a large amount of light from being supplied continuously during the inspection standby, the following configuration may be adopted.

A part of the insulating cover member 39 is provided with a deformed portion using a shape memory resin whose shape is changed to a previously stored shape when a predetermined temperature is reached. The deformed portion is formed so as not to enter the field of view of the observation optical system during normal observation, but to enter the field of view of the observation optical system when heated at a predetermined temperature.

As a result, when the inspection is on standby, a large amount of illuminating light is supplied from the light source device to the light guide, and the temperatures of the distal end body 38 and the insulating cover member 39 rise, so that the deformed portion is deformed and positioned in the visual field. . As a result, the illumination light is reflected by the deformed portion, and the amount of light supplied from the light source device is reduced by the automatic dimming control because the amount of light in the subject image is excessive. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a large amount of illumination light from being continuously supplied to the light guide.

When the illumination optical system 42 is arranged around the outer periphery of the insulating cover member 39, the objective lens group 20 is not blocked by the body cavity mucosa, and the visual field is secured. Is more likely to be blocked by the mucous membrane, which causes the subject image to be insufficient in light quantity. For this reason, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the layout position of the illumination optical system 42 is arranged not on the peripheral side of the insulating cover member 39 than on the objective lens group 20 but on the central side as much as possible. Thus, it is possible to prevent the illumination optical system 42 from being blocked by the body cavity mucous membrane, resulting in insufficient light quantity.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the invention.

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

(1) An endoscope having an image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject illuminated by the illuminating means, and a light source device for supplying illumination light to the illuminating means of the endoscope. In an endoscope apparatus provided with a light amount adjusting means for automatically adjusting the amount of illumination light supplied from the light source apparatus to the endoscope based on an output signal from an imaging means, whether the endoscope is in use or not. A grip state detection unit that detects whether the endoscope operation unit is in a grip state, and supplies the endoscope from the light source device to the endoscope according to a signal output from the grip state detection unit. An endoscope apparatus comprising: a light amount control unit that controls the amount of illumination light to be emitted.

(2) The light source device includes a timer for continuously measuring the detection time when the grip state detector detects that the gripping state is not in a grip state. 2. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light amount control unit stops the automatic light control by the light amount adjustment unit and performs control to reduce the amount of illumination light supplied from the light source device to the endoscope.

(3) The light quantity control means stops the automatic dimming control by the light quantity adjustment means when the time measured by the time measurement means exceeds a set time, and causes the light source device to control the endoscope. 2. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the endoscope apparatus performs control to reduce the amount of illumination light to be supplied.

(4) By the control of the light amount control means,
In a state in which the automatic light adjustment control by the light amount adjustment unit is stopped, when the grip state is detected by the grip state detection unit, the light amount control unit performs control to restart the automatic light adjustment control by the light amount adjustment unit. The endoscope apparatus according to Supplementary Note 2 or 3.

(5) The light source device includes an automatic light control device having an operation device for forcibly starting the automatic light control from a state where the automatic light control by the light power control device is stopped by the control of the light power control device. 2. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a light stop state releasing unit.

(6) The light source device is provided with a manual light amount adjusting means having an operating means capable of arbitrarily adjusting the amount of illumination light supplied to the endoscope. The light amount device is controlled by the light amount controlling means. 6. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 5, wherein when the manual light amount adjusting means is operated in a state where the automatic light control is stopped, the automatic light control stop state canceling means forcibly starts the automatic light control.

(7) The endoscope apparatus according to appendix 1, wherein the detection means is any one of an electric switch having an electric contact, a photoelectric switch, an infrared sensor, a temperature sensor, a vibration sensor, and a gravity sensor.

(8) An endoscope having an image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject illuminated by the illumination means, a light source device for supplying illumination light to the illumination means of the endoscope, and at least one fluid control means. An endoscope apparatus provided with the light source device, the light source device comprising: a light amount adjusting unit configured to automatically control an amount of illumination light supplied from the light source device to the endoscope based on an output signal from the imaging unit. Operating state detecting means for detecting whether or not the mirror is in use by detecting whether or not the fluid control means is in an operating state; and the light source device according to a signal output from the operating state detecting means. Light amount control means for controlling the amount of illumination light supplied to the endoscope from;
An endoscope device comprising:

(9) The light source device includes a timer for continuously counting the detection time when the operating state detector detects that the operating state is not in the operating state, and based on the time measured by the timer. 9. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the light amount control unit stops the automatic light control by the light amount adjustment unit and performs control to reduce the amount of illumination light supplied from the light source device to the endoscope.

(10) When the endoscope includes at least a plurality of fluid control means among the air supply means, the water supply means, and the suction means, the time keeping means is configured so that the operation state detecting means is provided with all of the fluid control means. Measures the continuous time in a state where the light source is not operating, and based on the time measured by the time measuring means, the light quantity control means stops the automatic light control by the light quantity adjusting means, and the endoscope from the light source device. 10. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the endoscope apparatus performs control to reduce the amount of illumination light supplied to the endoscope.

(11) The light quantity control means stops the automatic dimming control by the light quantity adjustment means when the time measured by the time measurement means exceeds a set time, and causes the light source device to control the endoscope. The endoscope apparatus according to Supplementary Note 9 or 10, which performs control to reduce the amount of illumination light to be supplied.

(12) When at least one operation state of the fluid control means is detected by the operation state detection means in a state where the automatic light control by the light amount adjustment means is stopped by the control of the light amount control means. ,
12. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the light quantity control means performs control for restarting the automatic light control by the light quantity adjustment means.

(13) Supplementary note 10 provided with a fluid device for supplying a fluid to any one of the fluid passages, the water supply device and the suction device, and a remote control device for remotely controlling the operation of the fluid device. 13. The endoscope apparatus according to one of Supplementary Notes 12.

(14) The operating state detecting means detects whether or not the remote operating means is in an operating state.
The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1.

(15) The endoscope apparatus according to appendix 13, wherein the operating state detecting means detects whether the fluid device is in an operating state.

(16) The endoscope apparatus according to appendix 13, wherein the operating state detecting means detects whether or not a fluid is flowing in the fluid passage.

(17) The fluid device has an electromagnetic valve member for controlling whether or not the fluid flows through the fluid passage, an operation switch for operating the electromagnetic valve member, and the operating state detecting means. 15. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the operation state of the operation switch is detected.

(18) The fluid device has an electromagnetic valve member for controlling whether or not the fluid flows through the fluid path, and an operation switch for remotely operating the electromagnetic valve member, 16. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the means detects an operation state of the solenoid valve.

(19) The fluid control device has an automatic operation with an operation means for forcibly starting the automatic light adjustment control from a state in which the automatic light adjustment control by the light amount adjustment means is stopped under the control of the light amount control means. 14. The endoscope apparatus according to supplementary note 13, further comprising a dimming stop state canceling unit.

(20) The fluid control device includes a manual light amount adjusting unit having an operation unit capable of arbitrarily adjusting the amount of illumination light supplied to the endoscope. 20. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 19, wherein when the manual light amount adjusting unit is operated in a state where the automatic light control is stopped, the automatic light control stop state canceling unit forcibly starts the automatic light control.

[0099]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the illumination light incident end of the endoscope and its vicinity from being damaged by the illumination light supplied from the light source device, and to improve the durability of the endoscope. An endoscope device can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 and 2 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an endoscope apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating control when supplying illumination light to an endoscope.

FIGS. 3 to 5 relate to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a view for explaining another configuration example of the endoscope apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a distal end surface of a distal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating control when supplying illumination light to the endoscope.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a tip portion.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a tip storage container.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope apparatus 2 ... Electronic endoscope 3 ... Light source device 4 ... Video processor 10 ... Operation part 21 ... CCD 31 ... Aperture device 48 ... Light amount control part 49 ... Aperture adjustment part 50 ... Clock part 54 ... Image processing part

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An endoscope having an image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject illuminated by an illuminating means, and a light source device for supplying illumination light to the illuminating means of the endoscope. An endoscope device comprising a light amount adjusting means for automatically adjusting the amount of illumination light supplied from the light source device to the endoscope based on an output signal from the means, wherein whether the endoscope is in use or not. From the light source device to the endoscope in response to a signal output from the gripping state detecting means, which detects whether or not the endoscope operation unit is in a gripping state. An endoscope apparatus comprising: a light amount control unit configured to control an illumination light amount. 2. An endoscope having an imaging means for imaging an object illuminated by the illumination means, a light source device for supplying illumination light to the illumination means of the endoscope, and at least one fluid control means. An endoscope apparatus, wherein the light source device includes a light amount adjusting unit for automatically adjusting the amount of illumination light supplied from the light source device to the endoscope based on an output signal from the imaging unit; Operating state detecting means for detecting whether the fluid control means is in an operating state or not, from the light source device according to a signal output from the operating state detecting means. An endoscope apparatus comprising: a light amount control unit configured to control an amount of illumination light supplied to the endoscope.