JP2002272683A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To cool a hard leading end of an endoscope by monitoring signals outputted from an image pickup part of the endoscope, measuring with a timer the time during which the output signals are invariable, and causing a control means to control a supply means when this invariable time measured with the timer has continued for a predetermined time, thus ejecting air or water to the end surface of the hard leading end. SOLUTION: Brightness signals coming from the CCD of an electronic endoscope 10 are monitored with a microcomputer 58 and the time during which the brightness signals are invariable is measured with the timer. After this invariable time measured with the timer has continued for a predetermined time with a light source turned on, the microcomputer 58 turns on a switch 43 of an air pump 42 and controls a solenoid valve 76 to eject air from a nozzle 66 to the end surface 23 of the hard leading end 22 to cool.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope capable of preventing a high temperature at a hard distal end portion due to heat conduction of observation light.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An electronic endoscope used for medical purposes is used by being connected to a light source unit and an image processing unit. The illumination light for observation from the light source unit is emitted from the illumination window of the hard end portion of the endoscope toward the target portion via a light guide provided in the endoscope. The affected part is imaged by a solid-state imaging device (CCD) through an observation window of a hard distal end, and an output signal from the solid-state imaging device is image-processed by an image processing unit, so that the affected part is displayed on a monitor. . While observing the affected part displayed on the monitor, the operator operates the endoscope to perform a treatment.

[0003] Some of the hard tip portions are provided with nozzles for jetting air or water toward the observation window.
When the observation window becomes dirty during the treatment, the observation window is cleaned by injecting air or water into the observation window from the air / water inlet.

[0004]

When a conventional electronic endoscope is left in a state where the electronic endoscope is connected to a light source unit, illumination light for observation is radiated from an illumination window at a hard end portion of the endoscope. However, when the standing time (non-use time) is prolonged, there is a drawback that the heat generated by the observation light generates heat at the hard tip portion.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope which can prevent a high temperature of a hard tip portion when not in use.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an illumination window for irradiating an illumination light for observation supplied from a light source to a hard end portion of an endoscope insertion portion, and an observation window. And an endoscope provided with a nozzle that injects air or water to the end surface of the hard distal end portion, and an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject through the observation window, and a supply unit that supplies the air or water. A timer for monitoring an output signal from the imaging unit and measuring an invariable time of the output signal;
A control means for controlling the supply means to be turned on when a predetermined time has continuously elapsed in the invariable time measured by the timer in the N state.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an illumination window for irradiating observation illumination light supplied from a light source to a hard distal end portion of an endoscope insertion portion, an observation window, air or A nozzle for injecting water to the end surface of the distal end hard portion, and an endoscope provided with supply means for supplying the air or water, wherein a timer for measuring the irradiation time of the illumination light; and And a control means for turning on the supply means when the measured irradiation time of the illumination light continues for a predetermined time.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an illumination window for irradiating an illumination light for observation supplied from a light source to a hard distal end portion of an endoscope insertion portion, an observation window, air or air. A nozzle for injecting water to the end face of the distal end hard portion, and an endoscope including a supply means for supplying the air or water, wherein the sensor for measuring the temperature of the distal end hard portion, and the sensor When the measured temperature of the distal end hard part exceeds a predetermined temperature, a control means for turning on the supply means is provided.

The invention according to claim 1 focuses on the fact that a signal output from an imaging unit of the endoscope, for example, a luminance (RGB) signal does not change when the endoscope is left out of clinical practice. It was done. According to the present invention, the invariable time of the luminance signal is measured by the timer. Then, when the invariable time measured by the timer continues for a predetermined time while the light source is in the ON state, that is, when the time when the tip hard portion becomes high temperature (about 40 ° C.) when the light source is left for a longer time elapses, the control means Controls the supply means to inject air or water to the end face of the distal end hard portion to cool the distal end hard portion. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the tip hard portion from becoming hot when not in use. The injection of the air or the water is performed for a predetermined time and then stopped. However, if the endoscope is continuously left after that, the above-described control is repeatedly performed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the irradiation time of the illumination light measured by the timer continues for a predetermined time, that is, when the irradiation time is longer than this, the tip hard portion is heated to a high temperature (about 40 ° C.). After a lapse of a certain time, the control means controls the supply means to inject air or water to the end face of the hard tip portion to cool the hard tip portion.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the temperature of the distal end hard portion measured by the sensor exceeds a predetermined temperature (about 40 ° C.), the control means controls the supply means to supply air or water. Injection is performed on the end surface of the hard tip portion to cool the hard tip portion.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the nozzle also serves as a cleaning nozzle for cleaning at least one of the illumination window and the observation window, the number of nozzles can be reduced.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above-described nozzle, a dedicated cooling nozzle is provided at the distal end hard portion and connected to the supply means. Therefore, according to the present invention, by providing a dedicated cooling nozzle, it is possible to reduce the cooling time of the hard distal end portion.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of an endoscope according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The electronic endoscope 10 shown in FIG. 1 has a hand operation section 12 and an insertion section 16 connected to a distal joint 14 of the hand operation section 12. The insertion portion 16 includes a flexible portion 18, a bending portion 20, and a hard distal end portion 22. The bending portion 20 is connected to the hand operation portion 12 via an angle operation wire (not shown) inserted into the flexible portion 18. Are connected to a pair of angle operation knobs 24, 24. Therefore, when the operator operates the angle operation knobs 24, 24, the bending portion 20 is bent in the vertical and horizontal directions, and the distal end hard portion 22 is directed in a desired direction. Sign 2
Reference numeral 6 denotes a treatment instrument insertion port through which a treatment instrument such as forceps is inserted into the insertion section 16.

A forceps port 28 shown in FIG. 2 is formed on the end face 23 of the distal end hard portion 22, and this forceps port 28 is connected to the treatment instrument insertion port 26 of FIG. 1 via a channel (not shown). The observation window 5 is provided on the end surface 23 of the distal end hard portion 22.
Illumination windows 3030 are provided on both sides of 0. A light emitting end of a light guide (not shown) is arranged behind these illumination windows 30. This light guide is inserted through the bending portion 20, the flexible portion 18, the hand operation portion 12, and the flexible cable 32 shown in FIG. Are connected to a light guide bar 36 of a light guide connector 34 connected to the flexible cable 32.

The light guide connector 34 is connected to a light source unit 38 shown in FIG. The light source unit 38 includes a xenon lamp 40, an air pump 42, and the like. The illumination light for observation by the xenon lamp 40 is
After excess infrared rays are cut by passing through the infrared cut filter 44, the rays are condensed by the condenser lens 46, and the light incident on the light guide rod 36 through the aperture 48 set to a predetermined aperture value. Irradiated to the edge. Thereby, the illumination light for observation is transmitted from the light guide connector 34 to the light guide, and is emitted from the light emitting end of the light guide to the outside through the illumination windows 30, 30 in FIG.
As a result, the portion to be inspected is illuminated.

An observation window 50 is provided on the end surface 23 of the distal end hard portion 22, and an objective lens optical system (not shown) and a CCD (imaging unit) are arranged behind the observation window 50.
Therefore, an image of the affected area illuminated with the illumination light is formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD from the observation window 50 via the objective lens optical system. The signal lines connected to the CCD substrate
The bending section 20, the flexible section 18, the hand operation section 12, shown in FIG.
It is inserted through the flexible cable 32 and the light guide connector 34, is inserted through the flexible tube 52 from the light guide connector 34, and is connected to the electric connector 54. The electrical connector 54 is connected to an image processing unit (not shown) called a processor. Therefore, the CCD
Is transmitted to an image processing unit, where it is converted into a video signal and output to a monitor (not shown).
As a result, the affected part is displayed on the monitor, and the operator performs an operation while viewing the image of the affected part displayed on the monitor.

In the output signal from the CCD, FIG.
Is output to a microcomputer (control means) 58 incorporated in the image processing unit. When the luminance signal is output to the microcomputer 58, the timer 60 of the microcomputer 58 is operated, but when the signal changes, the timer is controlled to be reset. Also, instead of a luminance signal, an ALC (Auto Light C
ontrol) signal may be monitored by the microcomputer 58. In short, the ALC signal changes with the luminance signal.

On the other hand, the end face 2 of the distal end hard portion 22 shown in FIG.
An air supply / water supply port 62 indicated by a broken line in FIG. A nozzle 66 is attached to the air / water supply port 62, and an injection port 68 of the nozzle 66 is formed toward the surface of the observation window 50. Therefore, the air or water injected from the injection port 68 flows along the end surface 23 and flows on the surface of the observation window 50 to clean the surface.

The air / water supply port 62 is connected to an air / water supply pipe 70 as shown in FIG. The air / water supply pipe 70 is inserted into the bending section 20, the flexible section 18, the hand operation section 12, and the flexible cable 32 shown in FIG. 1, and is connected to the light guide connector 34 connected to the flexible cable 32.
When the light guide connector 34 is connected to the light source unit 38, the air pump 42 built in the light source unit 38
Is connected to one port of the electromagnetic valve 76 via an air supply pipe 77. Therefore, when one port of the solenoid valve 76 is opened, the compressed air from the air pump 42 is supplied to the air supply pipe 7.
7. The gas is injected from the injection port 68 of the nozzle 66 through the air / water pipe 70 and the air / water supply port 62.

The other port of the solenoid valve 76 has an air supply pipe 7
8 is connected. When the light guide connector 34 is connected to the light source unit 38, the air supply pipe 78 is connected to an air supply pipe 84 of a water tank 82 via a conduit 80 provided in the light guide connector 34. In addition, water tank 8
2 is connected to a water supply pipe 86.
Is connected to the air / water supply pipe 74 in the light guide connector 34. Therefore, when the other port of the solenoid valve 76 is opened, the compressed air from the air pump 42 is supplied to the water tank 82 via the air supply pipe 78, the pipe 80, and the air supply pipe 84. As a result, the pressure of the water tank 82 increases, and the water 83 in the water tank 82 is supplied to the air / water supply pipe 70 via the water supply pipe 86 by the pressure. Therefore, water is injected from the injection port 68 of the nozzle 66.

The switching of the solenoid valve 76 is performed by operating an air / water switch 88 provided in the hand operation unit 12 in FIG. This air / water switch 88
This switch is called a two-stage operation switch, and as shown in FIG. 5, is composed of a pressing portion 92 supported vertically movably on a main body 90, contacts 96, 98, 100 mounted on a substrate 94, and the like. When the pressing portion 92 is pressed down one step, the contact 96 formed of an elastic member is pressed by the pressing portion 92 to be elastically deformed and comes into contact with the contact 98. As a result, a predetermined terminal of the air / water switch 88 is turned on, and its signal is output to the microcomputer 58 of FIG. The microcomputer 58 controls the solenoid valve 76 shown in FIG. 3 based on the signal to open one port of the solenoid valve 76 and close the other boat. Thereby, air is injected from the nozzle 66.

In this state, when the pressing portion 92 shown in FIG. 5 is pressed down in two steps, the contact 96 and the contact 98 are elastically deformed while the contact 96 is in contact with the contact 98, and come into contact with the contact 100. As a result, a predetermined terminal of the air / water switch 88 is turned on, and its signal is output to the microcomputer 58 of FIG. The microcomputer 58 controls the solenoid valve 76 based on the signal to close one port of the solenoid valve 76 and open the other boat. Thereby, water is injected from the nozzle 66. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 104 denotes a suction switch, and reference numeral 106 denotes a shutter button, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the electronic endoscope 1 configured as described above.
The operation when 0 is not used will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

The timer 60 is controlled to always start (S100), but when the light source OFF signal is output from the light source switch 41 (S110),
The timer 60 is reset (S120).

On the other hand, when the light source ON signal is output from the light source switch 41 (S110), the microcomputer 58 monitors the luminance signal output from the CCD, and when the luminance signal changes (S130), Electronic endoscope 10
Is in use, the timer 60 is reset (S
120).

If the luminance signal does not change and its invariable state has passed for a predetermined time (X seconds: 120 to 180 seconds) (S14)
0), that is, if it is left for longer than this, after the time when the tip hard portion 22 becomes high temperature (temperature at which human body tissue is burned: about 40 ° C.) due to heat conduction of the illumination light for observation, the microcomputer 5
8 controls the ON of the switch 43 of the air pump 42 and controls the electromagnetic valve 76 to inject air (or water) from the nozzle 66 to the end face 23 of the hard tip portion 22 to cool the hard tip portion 22.

As a result, it is possible to prevent the tip end hard portion 22 from becoming hot when not in use. The injection of the air is performed for a predetermined time, and thereafter, is stopped automatically or by operation of a solenoid valve switch (S160). The control is repeatedly performed. The solenoid valve switch is a manual switch provided on the light source unit 38. When this switch is operated, the air pump 42 stops.

In the above embodiment, whether the electronic endoscope 10 is in use or not is determined based on the luminance signal. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The determination may be based on a signal. Since the ALC signal does not change and is constant when the electronic endoscope 10 is not used, the same operation and effect can be obtained by measuring the invariant time of the ALC signal with the timer 60.

If the irradiation time of the illumination light measured by the timer 60 continues for a predetermined time without being influenced by the signal, that is, if the irradiation time is longer than this, the tip end hard portion becomes high temperature (about 40 ° C.). After a lapse of time, the microcomputer 58 controls the switch 43 of the air pump 42 to be ON, and controls the solenoid valve 76 to inject air (or water) from the nozzle 66 to the end face 23 of the hard tip portion 22. .

Further, a temperature sensor 108 is attached to the distal end hard portion 22 as shown in FIG. 3, and when the temperature of the distal end hard portion 22 measured by the temperature sensor 108 exceeds a predetermined temperature (about 40 ° C.), the microcomputer 58 starts the air pump. 42 switches 43
May be turned on, and the electromagnetic valve 76 may be controlled to inject air (or water) from the nozzle 66 to the end surface 23 of the distal end hard portion 22. In these cases, a switch for stopping the microcomputer 58 from controlling the switch 43 of the air pump 42 is provided in the light source unit 38 or the like so that air does not accidentally come out during the inspection.

FIG. 7 shows an electronic endoscope 1 according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a structural view showing the electronic endoscope 10, and members that are the same as or similar to those of the electronic endoscope 10 of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

The operation unit 12 of the endoscope 110 includes:
An air / water supply valve 112 is provided, and a suction valve 114 and a shutter button 106 are juxtaposed adjacent to the air / water supply valve 112.

The air / water supply valve 112 is connected to the cylinder 11
6, a piston 118, and an operation button 120. The distal end of each of an air supply pipe 122 and a water supply pipe 124 is connected to the cylinder 116. Air supply line 1
Reference numeral 22 extends to the light guide connector 34 via the flexible cable 32, and its connection end 122 </ b> A protrudes from the light guide connector 34. The connection end 122A is
When the light guide connector 34 is connected to the light source unit device 38, the air pump 42 supplies the air supply pipe 78 and the electromagnetic valve 7.
6 are connected. Thereby, the air pump 42
Is supplied to the cylinder 116 through the air supply pipe 122. The air supplied to the cylinder 116 closes the air leak hole 121 of the operation button 120 with the operator's finger, so that the air supply / water supply pipe 7 connected to the cylinder 116 is closed.
0 is supplied. Therefore, one port of the solenoid valve 76 is always open, and when the air leak hole 121 is closed, the compressed air from the air pump 42 flows through the air supply pipe 78, the air supply pipe 122, and the air supply water pipe 70 to the nozzle 66. Is injected to the end face of the distal end hard portion 22.

The air supply pipe 122 is connected to the light guide connector 3.
4 is connected to the branch pipe 126. The connection end 126A of the branch pipe 126 is connected to the light guide connector 34.
And is connected to the water supply tank 82 through the air supply pipe 128. A water pipe 130 is connected to the water supply tank 82, and the water pipe 130 is connected to the light guide connector 34.
Is connected to a connection end 124A of the water supply pipe 124 protruding from the water supply pipe 124. Therefore, with the air leak hole 121 of the air / water supply valve 112 closed, the piston 118 is closed.
Is pressed, the air from the pump 42 is
26, and blown out to the water supply tank 82 via the air supply pipe 128. As a result, the internal pressure in the water supply tank 82 increases, and the water 83
Flows through the water pipe 130 to the water supply pipe 124, and
It is supplied to a cylinder 116. The water supplied to the cylinder 116 is supplied to the water supply tube 1 connected to the cylinder 116.
32. The water supply tube 132 is connected to the air / water supply pipe 70. Therefore, the water supplied to the water supply tube 132 is injected from the injection port 68 of the nozzle 66 to the end face of the distal end hard portion 22 via the air supply and water supply pipe 70.

The endoscope 110 is provided with a cooling air supply pipe 134 in addition to the air supply and water supply pipe 70. The air supply pipe 134 includes the distal end hard portion 22 and the curved portion 2.
0, flexible part 18, hand operation part 12, and flexible cable 3
2 and is connected to a light guide connector 34 connected to the flexible cable 32. When the light guide connector 34 is connected to the light source unit 38, the connection end 134 </ b> A is connected to the other port of the solenoid valve 76 of the air pump 42 via the air supply pipe 77. Therefore, when the other port of the solenoid valve 76 is opened, the compressed air from the air pump 42 flows from the air supply pipe 77 to the air supply pipe 134.
Supplied to The distal end of the air supply pipe 134 is connected to a water supply port 136 (shown by a broken line in FIG. 8) formed in the end surface 23 of the distal end hard portion 22 shown in FIG. In addition, water outlet 13
A nozzle 138 is attached to 6, and the injection port 140 of this nozzle is directed to the central portion 23 </ b> A of the end surface 23. Thereby, the compressed air injected from the injection port 140 flows toward the central portion 23 </ b> A of the end surface 23 and cools the distal end hard portion 22.

As described above, the air supply pipe 134 dedicated for cooling the distal end hard part is provided, and the distal end hard part 22 is cooled by the compressed air supplied from the air supply pipe 134. The part 22 can be cooled. Note that a device for supplying water instead of compressed air to the air supply pipe 134 may be provided.

[0039]

As described above, according to the endoscope of the present invention, the invariable time of the output signal output from the imaging unit is measured by the timer, and the time is measured by the timer when the light source is ON. When the invariable time has continued for a predetermined time, the control means controls the supply means to inject air or water onto the end face of the hard tip portion to cool the hard tip portion. High temperature of the hard part can be prevented.

According to the present invention, when the irradiation time of the illumination light measured by the timer continues for a predetermined time,
The control means controls the supply means to inject air or water onto the end face of the hard tip portion to cool the hard tip portion, thereby preventing the tip hard portion from becoming hot when not in use.

Further, according to the present invention, when the temperature of the hard tip portion measured by the sensor exceeds a predetermined temperature, the control means controls the supply means to inject air or water to the end face of the hard tip portion. As a result, the distal end hard portion is cooled, so that the temperature of the distal end hard portion can be prevented from becoming high when not in use.

Further, according to the present invention, by providing a nozzle dedicated to cooling the distal end hard portion in the distal end hard portion, the distal end hard portion can be cooled even in an endoscope having a valve structure.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall view showing an electronic endoscope according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a view showing an end surface of a hard distal end portion of the electronic endoscope in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a structural diagram of the electronic endoscope shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the electronic endoscope shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the structure of an air / water switch.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when the electronic endoscope shown in FIG. 1 is not used.

FIG. 7 is a structural diagram showing an electronic endoscope according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an end surface of a distal end hard portion of the electronic endoscope according to the second embodiment;

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 110: electronic endoscope, 12: operation unit at hand, 16:
Insertion part, 22: Hard tip part, 23: End face, 30: Illumination window, 40: Xenon lamp, 42: Air pump, 50:
Observation window, 54: electrical connector, 58: microcomputer, 62,
64 ... air / water inlet, 66, 68 ... nozzle, 88 ... air / water switch, 108 ... temperature sensor

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI Theme coat II (Reference) H04N 5/225 H04N 5/225 C F term (Reference) 2H040 BA00 CA05 CA10 CA11 CA12 CA23 DA03 DA14 DA17 DA22 DA43 DA57 GA02 GA05 4C061 CC06 FF39 FF50 JJ11 LL02 PP15 5C022 AA09 AC42 AC69

Claims (5)

[Claims] An illumination window for irradiating an observation illumination light supplied from a light source to a distal end hard portion of an endoscope insertion portion, an observation window, and a nozzle for jetting air or water to an end surface of the distal end hard portion. An endoscope comprising: an imaging unit that images a subject through the observation window; and a supply unit that supplies the air or water. The endoscope monitors an output signal from the imaging unit, and outputs the output signal. A timer for measuring an invariable time of the signal; and a control unit for controlling the supply unit to be ON when the invariable time measured by the timer continues for a predetermined time while the light source is on. Endoscope. 2. An illumination window for irradiating an observation illumination light supplied from a light source to a distal end hard portion of the endoscope insertion portion, an observation window, and a nozzle for jetting air or water to an end surface of the distal end hard portion. Provided, and a supply means for supplying the air or water, the endoscope comprising: a timer for measuring the irradiation time of the illumination light, the irradiation time of the illumination light measured by the timer is continued An endoscope comprising: a control unit for turning on the supply unit when a predetermined time has elapsed. 3. An illumination window for irradiating the distal end hard portion of the endoscope insertion portion with observation illumination light supplied from a light source, an observation window, and a nozzle for jetting air or water to an end surface of the distal end hard portion. And an endoscope provided with supply means for supplying the air or water, wherein the sensor for measuring the temperature of the distal end hard portion, the temperature of the distal end hard portion measured by the sensor is a predetermined temperature If exceeded,
An endoscope comprising: a control unit that controls ON of the supply unit. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle also serves as a cleaning nozzle for cleaning at least one of the illumination window and the observation window. Endoscope. 5. An end face of the rigid end portion of the endoscope insertion portion is provided with air or water on an end surface of the rigid end portion separately from a cleaning nozzle for cleaning at least one of the illumination window and the observation window. 4. A cooling nozzle for injecting water and cooling a hard tip portion is provided, and the cooling nozzle is connected to the supply means. Endoscope.