JP2002291691A - Electronic endoscope apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic endoscope apparatus which enables operation from imaging to video signal output even without an external signal processor, is miniaturized, has improved operability an can prevent erroneous setting of a switch. SOLUTION: An electronic endoscope apparatus 1 is provided with an electronic endoscope 10 with a built-in solid imaging device 2 in the top end of the inserting art thereof. The electronic endoscope 10 is provided with an electric circuit part 24 having a drive circuit 61 for outputting a driving signal for driving the solid imaging device 2 and an electric signal processing circuit 62 for outputting a standard video signal by processing an imaging signal from the solid imaging device 2 driven by the drive circuit 61. The electric circuit part 24 is provided with an input I/F 68 which is connected to a digital video processing circuit 66 provided in the electric signal processing circuit 62, for inputting signals from a remote controller 45 (external parameter setting means).

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 integrally provided with signal processing means for processing an image signal from an imaging means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, endoscopes have been widely used in medical and industrial fields. The endoscope requires a means for imaging a high resolution and high image quality even in a minute and complicated observation site.

The endoscope captures an optical image of an observation site from an objective optical system provided at the distal end of an elongated insertion portion, transmits the optical image to an eyepiece by light guide means, and uses the eyepiece to observe the observation site. There is an optical endoscope for observing an optical image of the optical endoscope. The optical endoscope includes an external television camera (hereinafter, referred to as a TV) attached to the eyepiece.
Camera) is detachably attached, and this TV camera is detachably connected to an external signal processing device provided outside and installed, whereby an electronic endoscope device can be configured. The TV camera is a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or CMOS (
Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) and other solid-state imaging devices are built in. The solid-state imaging devices are driven by the external signal processing device and convert the optical image of the observation site transmitted from the eyepiece of the optical endoscope. Electronic imaging is performed.

[0004] As an endoscope, there is an electronic endoscope having a built-in solid-state imaging device for capturing an optical image of an observation site taken from an objective optical system at a distal end side of an insertion portion. This electronic endoscope is configured to be detachably connected to the external signal processing device, thereby driving a built-in solid-state imaging device to constitute an electronic endoscope device that electronically captures an optical image of an observation site. ing.

A solid-state image pickup device built in the electronic endoscope or the TV camera is driven by a drive signal output from a drive circuit in the external signal processing device, and photoelectrically converts an optical image of an observation site. An imaging signal (electric signal) is output. The imaging signal output from the solid-state imaging device is subjected to video signal processing by a video processing circuit in the external signal processing device, and the video signal whose image quality has been adjusted is output to a monitor and displayed as an endoscope image. It is supposed to be. Note that the video processing circuit is provided with parameter setting means so that the user can arbitrarily set the brightness and hue of the video which the user can easily observe.

As described above, the electronic endoscope apparatus requires an external signal processing device provided outside in addition to the electronic endoscope or the optical endoscope and the TV camera. Had become.

On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-329
Japanese Patent Publication No. 82 proposes an electronic endoscope apparatus that does not require an external signal processing device provided outside. An electronic endoscope device that does not require an external signal processing device is an electric endoscope device having a signal processing function, such as a drive circuit for a solid-state imaging device, a peripheral analog circuit, and a video digital processing circuit, which is usually built in the external signal processing device. Small package IC with processing circuit
(Integrated circuit), and this IC can be mounted on an electronic endoscope or a TV camera to directly output a video signal. The electronic endoscope device that does not require the external signal processing device is small and easy to carry.

[0008] Even in an electronic endoscope apparatus which does not require such an external signal processing apparatus, means for adjusting parameters such as brightness and color tone are required as needed in order to obtain an image which can be easily observed.

[0009]

However, the electronic endoscope device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-32982 has a switch for setting parameters such as brightness and color, a display unit for indicating an input setting state, and the like. If it is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the electronic endoscope or the TV camera, it becomes difficult to reduce the size of the device. In addition, an endoscope such as an electronic endoscope or an optical endoscope normally performs observation by gripping the operation unit with a hand, but there is a possibility that a switch may be erroneously set due to a hand operation such as gripping. . In addition, if many switches and display units are provided on the outer periphery of the operation unit of the flexible endoscope, there is a problem that the operability is deteriorated depending on the arrangement.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and can perform from imaging to video signal output without an external signal processing device, is compact, has good operability, and can prevent erroneous setting of switches. It is an object to provide a simple electronic endoscope device.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image pickup means for picking up an image of an observation region, and outputs a drive signal for driving the image pickup means. A signal processing unit for performing signal processing on an output imaging signal and a signal output unit for outputting a video signal obtained by performing signal processing by the signal processing unit are integrally provided, and parameters relating to signal processing of the signal processing unit are provided. An input unit for inputting a signal from an external parameter setting unit to be set is provided in the signal processing unit.
With this configuration, it is possible to realize an electronic endoscope apparatus that can perform from imaging to video signal output without an external signal processing device, is small, has good operability, and can prevent erroneous setting of switches.
An electronic endoscope apparatus according to the present invention includes an electronic endoscope having an imaging unit provided at a distal end portion of an insertion section, or an optical endoscope and an external endoscope which is detachably attached to an eyepiece of the optical endoscope. It refers to an electronic endoscope device composed of a television camera.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 6 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an electronic endoscope apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 2 is an external view showing the operation remote controller of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram showing an internal configuration of the electronic endoscope apparatus of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 shows the power supply unit of FIG. 1 and a charger of this power supply unit. Schematic configuration diagram,
FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of a monitor screen displaying a parameter setting state, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, an electronic endoscope apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention has an elongated insertion section 11 having a solid-state imaging device 2 such as a CCD or a CMOS built in at a distal end thereof, and An operation unit 1 also serving as a grip unit continuously provided on the base end side of the insertion unit
Endoscope main body 10A provided with an electronic endoscope 2, a lamp unit 14 detachably connected to a lamp unit connecting portion 13 provided on the operation section 12 side of the electronic endoscope main body 10A, and the electronic endoscope A portable electronic endoscope 10 having a rechargeable battery / dry cell insertion type power supply unit (hereinafter referred to as a power supply unit) 16 detachably connected to a power supply unit connection section 15 provided at a rear end of the operation section 12 of the main body. It is configured with.

The insertion portion 11 includes a distal end portion 21 that is harder than the distal end side, a bending portion 22 that can be bent freely, and a soft flexible tube portion 23 that has flexibility. The operation unit 12
Is provided with a bending operation lever (not shown) on the side of the grip portion 12a gripped by the user, and the bending portion 22 can be bent by rotating the bending operation lever.

A drive circuit for driving the solid-state image sensor 2 and a signal processing of an image signal from the solid-state image sensor 2 driven by the drive circuit are output in the operation section 12 to output a standard video signal. An electric circuit unit 24 having an electric signal processing circuit is provided. The electric circuit section 24 includes a signal line 2
4a, it is connected to a coaxial cable 25 extending from the peripheral portion on the operation unit 12 side. The end of the coaxial cable 25 has a TV connector 25a detachably connected to the monitor 26.

The power supply unit connection portion 15 of the operation portion 12 is provided with an exposed power supply terminal 31 which is in contact with the positive electrode 27a of the battery 27 built in the power supply unit 16.

The power supply terminal 31 is connected to the battery 27.
A power supply line 32 for supplying power from the power supply is connected. The other end of the power supply line 32 branches into two, one of which is connected to a power supply terminal 33 provided in the lamp unit connection section 13, and the other of which is connected to the electric circuit section 24. The negative electrode 27b of the battery 27 is in contact and conduction with the inner peripheral portion of the power supply unit 16 via a power supply line 27c. The power supply unit 16 is detachably attached to the power supply unit connection portion 15 of the electronic endoscope main body 10A, so that the positive electrode 27a of the battery 27 and the power supply terminal 31 of the electronic endoscope main body 10A are connected. At the same time, the inner peripheral portion of the main body 10A of the electronic endoscope and the inner peripheral portion of the main body of the power supply unit 16 are brought into contact with each other through a power supply line (not shown) connected to the electric circuit portion 24. And the electric circuit section 24 form a closed circuit. Although not shown, power is supplied to the solid-state imaging device 2 through the electric circuit section 24.

Further, the lamp unit 14 has a power terminal 34 which is in contact with the power terminal 33 of the lamp unit connecting portion 13 and is electrically connected thereto.
5 is connected to the positive electrode end of the illumination lamp 36.
The negative electrode end of the illumination lamp 36 is in contact with and conductive to the inner peripheral portion of the lamp unit 14 main body. Then, the lamp unit connection portion 13 of the electronic endoscope body 10A
By detachably connecting the lamp unit 14 to the power supply terminal, the power supply terminal 33 of the lamp unit connection portion 13 and the power supply terminal 34 of the lamp unit 14 are brought into contact with each other, and the inner peripheral portion of the lamp unit 14 and the The inner peripheral portion of the electronic endoscope main body 10 </ b> A makes contact and conduction, and the battery 27 and the illumination lamp 36 of the lamp unit 14 form a closed circuit. The power supply unit 16, the lamp unit 14, and the inner peripheral portions of the electronic endoscope main body 10A are shielded to prevent radiation of electromagnetic noise and the like.

A light guide fiber 41 for guiding illumination light is inserted through the insertion portion 11. The rear end of the light guide fiber 41 is fixed in the lamp unit connection part 13 via the operation part 12.
The lamp unit 1 is connected to the lamp unit connection portion 13.
4 is detachably connected, and the power supply is supplied from the power supply unit 16 as described above.
When the illumination lamp 36 emits light, the illumination light from the illumination lamp 36 is transmitted through the condenser lens 42 to the light guide fiber 4 of the lamp unit connection portion 13.
1 light incident end face. The supplied illumination light is guided by the light guide fiber 41, and illuminates the observation site from the illumination window 21a of the distal end portion 21.

The illuminated observation site is the illumination window 21a.
Optical system 4 attached to observation window 21b adjacent to
3, the solid-state imaging device 2 arranged at this image forming position
The image is to be formed. The solid-state imaging device 2
Is driven by a drive signal from a drive circuit provided in the electric circuit unit 24 via a signal line 44, and photoelectrically converts the formed optical image of the observation site to output an imaging signal.

The image signal output from the solid-state image sensor 2 is transmitted to the electric circuit 2 via the signal line 44.
4 is converted into a standard video signal by the electronic signal processing circuit provided on the monitor 4 and is displayed as an endoscope image on the monitor 26 via the coaxial cable 25 and the TV connector 25a. .

In this embodiment, a remote controller for inputting parameters as external parameter setting means for adjusting parameters such as brightness and color to obtain an image which is easy to observe for the endoscope image displayed on the monitor 26. (Hereinafter, remote controller) 45 is configured to be detachably connected to the electronic endoscope 10.

A remote control connection terminal 47 to which a remote control connector 46a provided at an end of a remote control cable 46 of the remote control 45 is detachably connected is provided on a peripheral portion of the operation section 12 of the electronic endoscope 10. . The remote control connection terminal 47 is connected to the electric circuit unit 24 via a signal line 48.
Connected to The remote controller 45 can set the parameters by inserting the remote controller connector 46a into the remote controller connection terminal 47.

The remote controller 45 includes, for example, a menu key switch 51, numeric key switches 52 from 1 to 8 and an up / down level key switch 5 as shown in FIG.
3 and an enter key switch 54. In the numerical key switches 52 from 1 to 8, setting contents of parameters to be performed, such as white balance and exposure adjustment, are set in advance. How to use the menu key switch 51, the numeric key switch 52, the up / down level key switch 53, and the enter key switch 54 will be described later.

Next, a detailed configuration of the electric circuit section 24 provided inside the operation section of the electronic endoscope will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the electric circuit unit 24 includes a driving circuit 61 that outputs a driving signal for driving the solid-state imaging device 2, and an electric signal for processing an imaging signal from the solid-state imaging device 2. And a processing circuit 62.

The electric signal processing circuit 62 includes a preamplifier 63 for amplifying with a predetermined gain to compensate for a loss caused by transmission of the imaging signal output from the solid-state imaging device 2, and a signal amplified by the preamplifier 63. Switch 64 for turning on / off the imaging signal based on the sampling clock
and a sampling circuit 64 having a capacitor C1 for holding the voltage of the imaging signal by turning on and off the switch 64a, and sampling and holding the input imaging signal;
A / D-converts the imaging signal sampled and held by the sampling circuit 64 into a 10-bit digital signal.
A / D conversion circuit 65 and a 10-bit digital signal converted by the A / D conversion circuit 65
A video digital processing circuit 66 for generating a video digital signal of bits, and a D / A conversion circuit 67 for D / A converting the 10-bit video digital signal generated by the video digital processing circuit into a video analog signal and outputting the same. And is configured.

The video digital processing circuit 66 converts the digital signal output from the A / D conversion circuit 65 into a video digital signal that is easy to observe. Image processing circuits such as an adjustment circuit (electronic shutter adjustment, light source output adjustment), an auto gain control circuit (hereinafter, referred to as an AGC circuit), an enhancement circuit for enhancing the outline of an image, and a color adjustment circuit for adjusting a red / blue level. Is configured.

In this embodiment, the remote control connector 46a of the remote control 45 is detachably connected to the remote control connection terminal 47 of the electronic endoscope 10, and the white balance is turned on for the video digital processing circuit 66. / O
The configuration is such that parameter settings such as FF settings and image brightness level settings can be made.

That is, the electric circuit section 24 is connected to the video digital processing circuit 66 provided in the electric signal processing circuit 62 and is connected to the remote control 45 via the remote control connection terminal 47 and the signal line 48. An input interface 68 (hereinafter, referred to as an input I / F) for inputting the input signal is provided.

The electric circuit section 24 generates and outputs a character signal for displaying a parameter setting state on the screen of the monitor 26 based on an input signal input from the remote controller 45. Is provided. The display circuit 69 superimposes a character signal in a parameter setting state on an endoscope image as shown in FIG. 6 described later via an adder 69a provided at a subsequent stage of the D / A conversion circuit 67. I have. The input I / F 68
May be configured so that signals can be input from a personal computer (personal computer), a mobile phone, or the like, as well as the remote controller 45 as described later.

The operation of the electronic endoscope 10 configured as described above will be described. First, the power supply unit 16 attached to the rear end of the operation section 12 of the electronic endoscope main body 10A is detached from the power supply unit connection section 15 of the electronic endoscope main body 10A while the battery 27 is arranged. Then, the removed power supply unit 16 is connected to the charger 70 as shown in FIG.

The charger 70 connects the commercial AC outlet plug 70a to a commercial AC power supply (not shown) so that the connected power supply unit 16 can be charged. After the charging of the power supply unit 16 is completed, the charged power supply unit 16 is attached to the power supply unit connection portion 15 of the electronic endoscope main body 10A so that power supply power can be supplied to the illumination lamp 36 and the electric circuit portion 24. .
The solid-state imaging device 2 is supplied with power from the electric circuit unit 24.

Next, the lamp unit 14 is connected to the lamp unit connection portion 13 provided on the peripheral portion on the operation portion 12 side. Next, when a power switch (not shown) of the electronic endoscope 10 is turned on and the power supply unit 16 is turned on, power is supplied to the illumination lamp 36 from the battery 27 of the power supply unit 16 as described above. Lights up. The illumination light from the illumination lamp 36 is transmitted through the light guide fiber 41 as described above, and illuminates the observation site from the distal end 21 of the insertion section 11. The illuminated observation site is imaged on the solid-state imaging device 2 by the objective optical system 43.

When the power supply unit 16 is turned on, the electric power is supplied to the electric circuit section 24 from the battery 27 of the power supply unit 16 as described above.
Power is also supplied to the solid-state imaging device 2 via the electric circuit unit 24. The solid-state imaging device 2 is driven by a driving signal from a driving circuit of the electric circuit unit 24, and photoelectrically converts the formed optical image of the observation site to output an imaging signal. Next, the imaging signal output from the solid-state imaging device 2 is input to the electric signal processing circuit 62, and the electric signal processing circuit 62
And a standard video signal is generated.

The imaging signal from the solid-state imaging device 2 input to the electric signal processing circuit 62 is converted into a digital signal through a preamplifier 63, a sampling circuit 64, and an A / D conversion circuit 65, and is converted into a digital signal. Is entered. The image digital processing circuit 66 performs image quality adjustment such as white balance, image brightness and hue, and enhancement, and outputs an image digital signal.

The digital video signal is supplied to a D / A conversion circuit 67.
Is converted to a video analog signal by the remote controller connection terminal 47.
Cable 25 and TV connector 25a connected to
Is output to the monitor 26 via the. An electronic image of the observation site is displayed on the monitor 26 so that the user can observe the electronic image.

Here, the user sets parameters such as brightness and hue of the image while viewing the image on the monitor 26 on which the observation site is projected, so as to make the image easy to observe. For this parameter setting, parameters are input from the remote controller 45, and input signals are input to the respective processing circuits in the video digital processing circuit 66 via the input I / F 68 in the electric circuit section 24. At this time, based on an input signal from the remote controller 45, the display circuit 69 generates a character signal and superimposes it on the video signal from the D / A conversion circuit 67 via the adder 69a.

For example, the user first depresses the menu key switch 51 of the remote controller 45 to display the parameter setting contents on the screen of the monitor 26 as shown in FIG. In the figure, W / B (white balance),
Exposure adjustment, AGC (auto gain control), color tone blue (blue level adjustment), color tone red (red level adjustment), and enhancement (outline emphasis) are displayed.

Next, the user depresses the numeric key switch 52 corresponding to the change of the parameter to be performed and depresses the enter key switch 54. Then, if the setting change of the parameter to be performed is an automatic adjustment, the adjustment is automatically performed by the corresponding processing circuit in the video digital processing circuit 66, and the adjustment is completed. On the other hand, if the setting change of the parameter to be performed is not automatic adjustment, an indicator (not shown) is displayed, and until the indicator reaches a desired level, the up / down level key switch 53 is pressed and the enter key switch 54 is pressed. . Then
Adjustment is performed at a desired level in a corresponding processing circuit in the video digital processing circuit 66.

Here, when the user wants to perform white balance adjustment, for example, "1" of the numeric key switch 52 is set.
When the white balance (W / B) is selected and pressed, "1" on the monitor screen blinks. Next, when the user presses down the enter key switch 54, the white balance adjustment is automatically performed in the W / B circuit in the video digital processing circuit 66. After the adjustment is completed, FIG.
As shown in (b), "OK" is displayed on the monitor screen for a predetermined time.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the parameter setting of the video digital processing circuit 66 is provided outside the electronic endoscope 10, so that the size of the electronic endoscope apparatus 1 can be reduced, and the operability can be improved. An endoscope having an excellent shape can be designed without being restricted by the arrangement of the switches. Therefore, in the present embodiment, there is no mistake in pressing the setting switch when operating the electronic endoscope apparatus 1, and malfunction can be prevented.

In the present embodiment, basically, once the parameters are set once when the electronic endoscope apparatus 1 is started to be used, the remote controller 45 can be detached from the electronic endoscope 10. The endoscope 10 can be operated comfortably.

Thus, the electronic endoscope apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is small and excellent in portability, so that it can be widely used in medical sites such as emergency diagnosis and home visits.

In this embodiment, the electronic endoscope body 1
A power supply unit 16 having a battery 27 is detachably connected to the rear end of the operation unit 12 of the 0A, and a lamp unit 14 having an illumination lamp 36 is detachably connected to the side of the operation unit 12. Although the present invention is applied, the present invention is not limited to this.
The present invention is applied to an electronic endoscope having a configuration in which a battery-type light source device integrally including a lamp unit having a battery 6 and a power supply unit having a battery 27 is detachably connected to a side of the operation unit 12 of the electronic endoscope main body 10A. The invention may be applied.
In addition, the present invention may be applied to an electronic endoscope that can supply a power source and that detachably connects a portable external light source device to a side of the operation unit 12 of the electronic endoscope main body 10A.

As the external parameter setting means, a personal computer 81 or a mobile phone 82 may be used as a setting input device in addition to the remote controller 45 as shown in FIG. In this case, as the transmission means, wired communication such as RS-232c or USB (Universal Serial Bus) or wireless communication using a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or an infrared sensor is used. In accordance with this, an input I / F 68 capable of supporting any input device or transmission path is configured.

More specifically, in the case of the wired communication, the personal computer 81 and the portable telephone 82 are connected to the RS-23.
2c and a communication line 83 such as USB and a communication connector 83a connected to the communication line 83.
The communication connector 84a and the communication line 84 are connected to the communication connector 84a.

In the case of wireless communication, a transmitter 85 for transmitting infrared light or the like is provided for the remote controller 45, and a receiver 86 for receiving infrared light or the like is provided on the input I / F 68 side. On the other hand, a wireless LAN such as Blue Tooth is used for the personal computer 81 and the mobile phone 82, and a transmitting section 87 is provided on the personal computer 81 and the mobile phone 82, and a receiving section 87 is provided on the input I / F 68 side. Here, Blue Tooth is a wireless transmission standard whose basic standards have been established by five companies, mainly Ericsson of Sweden. It is possible. still,
Reference numerals 86a and 88a are communication lines for transmitting signals received by the receiving units 86 and 88.

When the personal computer 81 or the mobile phone 82 is used, data relating to parameter setting is transmitted / received between the personal computer 81 or the mobile phone 82 and the video digital processing circuit 66, and received by the personal computer 81 or the mobile phone 82. The configuration may be such that the parameter can be set while displaying the data on the display unit of the personal computer 81 or the mobile phone 82. When the mobile phone 82 is used, it goes without saying that image data displayed on the display unit can be transmitted.

At a medical site, a user who is directly involved in an examination or an operation or a medical staff other than a nurse (for example, a nurse carrying surgical instruments or the like to an operating room) cannot touch an endoscope sterilized and sterilized. Sometimes. In addition, the user and nurse are holding hands with the endoscope and instruments in both hands,
In some cases, a nurse who cannot directly contact the endoscope must set parameters. In such a case, the external parameter setting means using wireless communication such as the wireless LAN and the infrared remote controller described above is very effective.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
It is a schematic structure figure showing the electronic endoscope apparatus concerning an embodiment. In the first embodiment, the electronic endoscope 10 having the solid-state imaging device 2 built in the distal end portion 21 of the endoscope insertion portion 11 is described.
The present invention is applied to the electronic endoscope apparatus 1 having the configuration described above. In the second embodiment, an optical endoscope and an external television detachably attached to the optical endoscope are provided. The present invention is applied to an electronic endoscope apparatus including a camera. The other configuration is the same as that described in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted, and the same configuration is denoted by the same reference numeral.

That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the electronic endoscope apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention comprises an optical endoscope 10.
1 and an attachment portion 102 on the eyepiece of the optical endoscope 101.
and an external television camera (hereinafter, referred to as a TV camera) 102 which is detachably attached via a.

The optical endoscope 101 comprises an elongated and rigid insertion portion 111, an operation portion 112 provided on the base end side of the insertion portion 111, and an eyepiece portion 113 provided above the operation portion 112. This is a rigid endoscope composed of: In the optical endoscope 101, a lamp unit connection portion 13 having substantially the same configuration as that described in the first embodiment is provided on the endoscope main body.
The lamp unit 14 can be connected detachably.

When the lamp unit 14 is detachably connected to the lamp unit connection portion 13 and power is supplied from a power supply unit to be described later to cause the illumination lamp 36 of the lamp unit 14 to emit light, The illumination light from the illumination lamp 36 is transmitted through the light guide fiber 41 as described in the first embodiment, and illuminates the observation site from the illumination window 114a provided at the distal end 114 of the insertion section 111.

The illuminated observation site is the illumination window 114.
An image is formed on a light incident end face of a relay lens system 115 which is an optical image transmitting means disposed at this image forming position by an objective optical system 114c attached to an observation window 114b adjacent to a. The formed optical image is transmitted to the rear side by the relay lens system 115, and is connected to the eyepiece window 11 of the eyepiece unit 113.
The image is magnified and observed through an eyepiece 113b attached to 3a. Incidentally, the optical endoscope 101 may be constituted by using an optical image transmitting means such as an image guide fiber instead of the relay lens system 115.

When the TV camera 102 is mounted on the eyepiece 113 via the mounting portion 102a, the subject image from the eyepiece 113 is formed by an imaging lens system 116 provided on the TV camera 102. An image is formed on a solid-state imaging device 2 such as a CCD or a CMOS arranged at an image position.

In this embodiment, the TV camera 102
Is a solid-state imaging device 2, an electric circuit unit 24 similar to that described in the first embodiment, and an input I / F 68.
A semiconductor device with a built-in is provided by providing an imaging module device 117 in one package.
The configuration is such that a video signal can be directly output from the imaging module device 117.

The TV camera 102 has a terminal 118 connected to the electric circuit section 24 of the imaging module device 117.
A coaxial cable 25 connected to the signal line 118 via a is provided at the rear end. A TV connector 2 detachably connected to a monitor 26 is provided at an end of the coaxial cable 25.
5a.

The image pickup module device 117 is provided with a terminal 121 connected to the input I / F 68 so that parameters can be set for a video digital processing circuit provided in the electric circuit section 24. The terminal 121 is connected via a signal line 123 to a receiving unit 122 such as an infrared sensor provided on the side periphery of the TV camera 102. On the other hand, the remote controller 124 for setting parameters for the video digital processing circuit of the electric circuit section 24 is provided with a transmission section 124a for transmitting a remote control signal such as infrared rays. This allows the remote controller 124 to set parameters for the video digital processing circuit of the electric circuit section 24.

The TV camera 102 is provided with the first
The power supply unit 125 having substantially the same configuration as that described in the embodiment is detachably attached to the power supply unit connection portion 126. Power supply unit connection part 1
26, a power supply terminal 127 that is in contact with and conductive to the + electrode 125a of the power supply unit 125 is provided to be exposed. The power supply terminal 127 is connected to the power supply unit 125.
Power supply line 128 for supplying power from the battery 27
Is connected. The other end of the power supply line 128 is branched into two, one of which is connected to the power supply terminal 129 of the electric circuit section 24, and the other is connected to the camera-side power supply terminal 131 provided on the mounting section 102a.

The camera-side power supply terminal 131 is adapted to be in contact with and electrically connected to an endoscope-side power supply terminal 132 provided to be exposed at the eyepiece 113 of the optical endoscope 101. The endoscope-side power supply terminal 132 is connected to a power supply line 133 for supplying power supplied from the camera-side power supply terminal 127 of the TV camera 102. This power line 133
Is connected to the power supply terminal 3 of the lamp unit connection portion 13.
3 is connected.

The negative electrode of the battery 27 is in contact with the inner periphery of the main body of the power supply unit 125 in the same manner as described in the first embodiment.
When the TV 25 is attached to the TV camera 102, the TV 25
Contact conduction with the inner peripheral portion of the V camera 102
7 and the electric circuit section 24 form a closed circuit.

In this state, when the TV camera 102 is attached to the optical endoscope 101 and the lamp unit 14 is attached to the lamp unit connecting portion 13 of the optical endoscope 101, a power line (not shown) is connected. The inner peripheral portion of the main body of the optical endoscope 101 and the TV camera 10
The inner periphery of the main body 2 is in contact and conduction with the inner periphery of the lamp unit 14 and the inner periphery of the main body of the optical endoscope 101 is in contact and conduction, and the illumination of the battery 27 and the lamp unit 14 is performed. The lamp 36 forms a closed circuit. The power supply unit 125, the TV camera 102, the lamp unit 14, and the optical endoscope 10
The inner periphery of the main body is shielded to prevent radiation of electromagnetic noise and the like.

The electronic endoscope device 10 thus configured
The operation of 0 will be described. First, the power supply unit 125 attached to the side of the TV camera 102 is detached from the power supply unit connection portion 126 of the TV camera 102 in advance, and connected to the charger as described in the first embodiment to charge. Keep it. After charging is completed, the power supply unit 125 is turned on again.
Attached to the power supply unit connection section 126 of the V camera 102, power supply power can be supplied to the electric circuit section 24 and the solid-state imaging device 2.

Next, the TV camera 102 in this state is attached to the eyepiece section 113 of the optical endoscope 101, and the lamp unit connection section 1 of the optical endoscope 101 is mounted.
3, the lamp unit 14 is attached so that power for the illumination lamp 36 can be supplied.

Next, when the power switch (not shown) of the TV camera 102 is turned on and the power supply unit 125 is turned on, the power is supplied from the battery 27 of the power supply unit 125 to the illumination lamp 36 as described above. 36 lights up.

The illumination light from the illumination lamp 36 is transmitted through the light guide fiber 41 as described above, and
The observation part is illuminated from the tip part 114 of the eleventh part. The illuminated observation region is imaged by the objective optical system 114c on the light incident end of the relay lens system 115, and the relay lens system 1
At 15, the light is guided to the eyepiece 113b of the eyepiece 113 and transmitted to the TV camera 102 through the eyepiece window 113a. The optical image transmitted to the TV camera 102 is formed on the solid-state imaging device 2 via the imaging lens system 116.

When the power supply unit 125 is turned on, the electric power is supplied from the battery 27 of the power supply unit 125 to the electric circuit unit 24 as described above. Power is also supplied to the power supply.

Then, as described in the first embodiment, the solid-state imaging device 2 is driven to photoelectrically convert the formed optical image to output an imaging signal. The signal is processed by the signal processing circuit, output to the monitor 26 as a standard video signal, and displayed on the monitor 26 as an endoscope image.

Here, as described in the first embodiment, the user sets parameters such as brightness and hue of the image while observing the image on the monitor 26 on which the observation region is projected. Make the image easy to read. The user inputs parameters to the remote control 124. Then, a remote control signal such as infrared light is output from the transmission section 124a of the remote control 124. This remote control signal is transmitted to the TV camera 10
2, and an input signal is input to each processing circuit in the video digital processing circuit provided in the electric circuit unit 24 via the input I / F 68. Then, as described in the first embodiment, the electric circuit unit 24
Are set in the digital video processing circuit.

As a result, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. Note that the TV camera 102 used in the second embodiment includes a coaxial cable 25 and a T
Although a video signal is output to a monitor 26 provided outside via the V connector 25a to display an endoscope image on the monitor 26, the present invention is not limited to this.
A display unit such as a liquid crystal (not shown) is provided on the TV camera 102,
The present invention may be applied to a configuration in which an endoscope image is displayed on the display unit.

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

[Supplementary Notes] (Supplementary Note 1) Imaging means for imaging an observation site, and a drive signal for driving the imaging means are output, and an image signal output from the driven imaging means is subjected to signal processing. A signal processing unit and a signal output unit that outputs a video signal obtained by performing signal processing by the signal processing unit; and a signal from an external parameter setting unit that sets parameters related to signal processing of the signal processing unit. An electronic endoscope apparatus, wherein input means for inputting a signal is provided in the signal processing means.

(Additional Item 2) Imaging means for imaging the observation site, and signal processing means for outputting a drive signal for driving the imaging means and processing the imaging signal output from the driven imaging means And a signal output unit that outputs a video signal obtained by performing signal processing by the signal processing unit, and receives a signal from an external parameter setting unit that sets parameters related to signal processing of the signal processing unit. An input means provided for the signal processing means.

(Additional Item 3) Imaging means for imaging the observation site, and signal processing means for outputting a drive signal for driving the imaging means and performing signal processing on the imaging signal output from the driven imaging means And a signal output unit that outputs a video signal obtained by performing signal processing by the signal processing unit, and receives a signal from an external parameter setting unit that sets parameters related to signal processing of the signal processing unit. A television camera, wherein input means for providing the information is provided in the signal processing means.

(Additional Item 4) The electronic endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 1, wherein the input means is connectable to the external parameter setting means via a detachable connection cable.

(Additional Item 5) The electronic endoscope apparatus according to additional item 1, wherein the input means is connectable to the external parameter setting means via wireless communication means.

[0077]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to perform everything from imaging to output of a video signal without an external signal processing device, and it is compact, has good operability, and can prevent erroneous setting of switches. An endoscope device can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is an external view showing the operation remote controller of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the electronic endoscope apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the power supply unit of FIG. 1 and a charger of the power supply unit.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a monitor screen displaying a parameter setting state.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an electronic endoscope apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electronic endoscope 2 ... Solid-state imaging device 10 ... Electronic endoscope 14 ... Lamp unit 16 ... Power supply unit 24 ... Electric circuit part 25 ... Coaxial cable 27 ... Battery 36 ... Illumination lamp 45 ... Remote control (external parameter setting means) 47 remote control connection terminal 61 drive circuit 62 electric signal processing circuit 66 video digital processing circuit 68 input I / F (input means) 69 display circuit

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] April 19, 2001 (2001.4.1
9)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Fig. 1

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Akihiko Mochida 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Ken Sudo 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shinji Yamashita 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Industries Co., Ltd. (72) Kuniaki Ue 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2H040 GA02 GA06 GA11 4C061 CC06 JJ06 SS01 5C022 AA09 AB65 AC00 AC42 AC69 AC78 CA00 5C054 AA01 CA04 CC07 EA01 EB05 EB07 FE12 HA12

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup means for picking up an image of an observation region, a signal processing means for outputting a drive signal for driving the image pickup means, and a signal processing for an image pickup signal outputted from the driven image pickup means A signal output unit that outputs a video signal obtained by performing signal processing by the signal processing unit; and an input for inputting a signal from an external parameter setting unit that sets parameters related to signal processing of the signal processing unit. An electronic endoscope apparatus wherein means is provided in the signal processing means.