JP2003275162A - Endoscope device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable an arbitrary change in and setting of the function of an operating switch only from a scope side, and facilitate cleaning of an operating switch arrangement portion. <P>SOLUTION: An F/H operating button 12, a VTR operating button 13 and a magnification (Mag.) operating button 14 arranged in an endoscope operating part are detachably arranged in mounting recesses 11A to 11C. The operating buttons 12 to 14 have characters showing a switch function and have a recessed portion 22B as an identification of the switch function in a lower surface, and detecting circuits 23 and 24 detect the identifying recessed portion 22B to identify the switch function. Each of the operating buttons 12 to 14 can be arranged in any of the mounting recesses 11A to 11C. Each operating button may have the same structure with a specific portion, so that the mounting recess detects the arrangement position of the specific portion to identify the function of the operating button. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus, and more particularly to an endoscope apparatus in which the functions of various operation switches arranged in an endoscope operation section can be arbitrarily set.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an endoscope apparatus equipped with an electronic endoscope, a fiberscope, etc., a moving image of an object to be observed captured by the endoscope is displayed on a monitor. Various operations can be performed by a plurality of operation switches provided in the operation section of the device such as a freeze (still image) switch, a VTR switch, and an enlargement switch. With the freeze switch, for example, a still image of the observed object is displayed on the monitor by the first operation, and the still image is hard copied by the second operation. With the VTR switch, the moving image of the observed object is recorded in the VTR. And enlarge (magnification)
The switch can display an image in which the observed object is optically or electronically enlarged. Then, these various operation switches are arranged at optimum positions of the operation unit in consideration of the frequency of use and the like.

[0003]

However, the arrangement of the above-mentioned operation switches of the conventional endoscope apparatus is fixed and cannot be moved, so that there is a problem that it is not always easy to use. That is, the frequency of use of the operation switches varies depending on the purpose of use of the endoscope, the application site, and the observation site, and it may be better to change the arrangement of these switches, and the individuality and preference of the operator who is the user. Therefore, there is a demand for arbitrarily setting the arrangement of operation switches.
Therefore, it is convenient if the function of the operation switch of the endoscope can be arbitrarily changed (customized), and a device with good usability can be obtained.

On the other hand, conventionally, in order to meet the above demands, Japanese Patent Publication No. 50725/1993 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2762/1990
No. 14, JP-A-12-271065, it has been proposed that the function of each switch provided in the endoscope operation section can be arbitrarily changed and set on the processor side.

However, in such a conventional device, the processor device must be operated without fail when changing / setting the switch function, which makes the changing / setting operation complicated. Especially, in the endoscope device, it is performed to connect a plurality of types of scopes to the processor device as necessary,
There is a problem in that the function of the operation switch must be reset for each connected scope.

Further, when changing the function of the operation switch in the scope, it is necessary to remember what the changed operation switch is, and it becomes difficult to grasp the setting status of the function of each switch. There are also inconveniences.

Further, since this type of scope is applied to the human body, it is necessary to clean and disinfect not only the insertion section but also the operation section after use. Especially, the operation switch member and the operation section body in the operation section are required. A liquid or the like is likely to adhere to a gap or the like in a connection portion between the and, and the presence of such an operation switch is one factor that makes cleaning difficult.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is that the function of the operation switch can be arbitrarily changed and set only on the scope side, and the changed function of each switch can be set. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope apparatus in which the situation can be easily grasped and the portion where the operation switch is arranged can be easily washed.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is an endoscope apparatus in which a plurality of operation switches for operating various functions are provided in an endoscope operation section. A plurality of operation bodies that are arranged (detachably) on a plurality of switch attachment portions of the endoscope operation portion and that can be exchanged between the operation switches, and the operation bodies are arranged on the switch attachment portion. At this time, an identifying means for identifying the switch function of the operating body and a control circuit for executing each switch function based on the operation of each operating body identified by the identifying means are provided. According to a second aspect of the invention, the identifying means includes a function-specific structure provided on the operating body side and a detection unit provided on the endoscope operation section side for detecting the function-specific structure. It is characterized by

In the invention according to claim 3, the identifying means is
A specific portion provided on the operating body side and a plurality of detection positions for function identification are provided on the switch mounting portion, and by detecting the specific portion arranged at any one of the plurality of detection positions, It is characterized by comprising a detection unit for identifying the switch function of the operating body. The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that a character representing the switch function is attached to the operating body.

According to the above-mentioned structures of claims 1 and 2, if, for example, three operation switches are attached to the operation section of the endoscope, a function-dependent structure, for example, a concavo-convex shape, is provided below these operation bodies. Are formed at different positions, and the presence / absence of this uneven shape is determined by a detection circuit of, for example, a light-transmitting / receiving system on the side of the switch mounting portion, whereby the function assigned and set to each operating body is identified. According to this, the operating body provided with the freeze function is recognized as the freeze function operating switch regardless of which switch mounting portion is arranged. Therefore, by arranging the operating body provided with the function-specific structure at a desired location, the switch function can be set at an arbitrary location.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the operating body provided with the protrusion as the specific portion is used as a common operating body, and the switch mounting portion side is turned on by the protrusions at four locations on the inner circumference, for example. Provide an identification switch to turn off. That is, each function of the operation switch is assigned to each of the four identification switches. For example, the first identification switch has a freeze function, the second identification switch has an iris mode function, the third identification switch has an image enlargement function, and the fourth identification switch. To VTR
The function is set. Therefore, if the operating body is arranged while the first identification switch is pressed by the protrusion, the operating body will be recognized as a switch having a freeze function, and the functions of the first to fourth identification switches pushed by the protrusion will be recognized. Is treated as the function of the manipulator.

According to the structure of claim 4, the operating body provided with the function-specific structure or the common operating body is
Characters representing the switch function, such as characters, characteristic symbols, numbers, etc., are attached, so that the user can easily change the switch function simply by replacing the operating body on which these characters are displayed. it can. Moreover, there is an advantage that the setting status of each switch function can be seen at a glance.
Further, according to the present invention, at the time of cleaning and disinfecting, the operation body can be detached from the endoscope operation portion or the like for the work, and there is an advantage that the cleaning work can be easily performed.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an endoscope operating section of an endoscope apparatus according to the first embodiment, and FIGS. 2 to 6 show the configuration of an operating switch section. ing. In this endoscope device, as shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope (scope) is used.
For example, three mounting recesses (switch mounting portions) 11A, 11B, and 11C for arranging the operation buttons (operating bodies) having the same outer peripheral shape are formed on the upper surface of the main body of the operating portion 10. In this example, the operation switches include F (freeze) / H (hard copy) switch for performing freeze (still image display) and hard copy operations, and VTR (Vide).
VTR switch for recording to otape Recorder)
A magnifying switch is provided for performing optical and electronic magnifying operations.

That is, as a part of the F / H switch,
The operation button (body) 12 with the letters "F / H" is arranged in the mounting recess 11A on the operation section body side, and the operation button 13 with the letters "VTR" is used as the VTR switch. The operation button 14 provided with the character "Mag." Is disposed in the mounting recess 11B on the main body side, and the enlargement (magnifying power) switch is disposed in the mounting recess 11C. In addition,
Characters such as other symbols and numbers may be attached instead of the above characters.

As shown in FIG. 2, a cutout portion 16 is formed on the operation button 13 (the same applies to the other 12 and 14) to align in the rotational direction, and the other mounting recess 11B.
(The same applies to the other 11A and 11C), the notch 16
A straight wall 17 for fitting the is provided. In this Figure 2,
Although the configuration of only the VTR switch is shown, other switches have the same structure. In addition, these operation buttons 12, 13, 1
4 is detachably fixed to the mounting recesses 11A, 11B, 11C by a fixing means. Although not shown, various known configurations can be applied to this fixing means, and both of them may be provided with a structure such as an engagement type in which the convex part engages with the concave part, a screw-threaded type structure, or the like. The buttons 12, 13 and 14 themselves may be attached to the operation unit 10 case side by a separate screw-locking type fixing member.

Further, the operation buttons 12, 13, 14 are provided with
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a protrusion 19 for on / off operation is provided in the center of the lower portion, and the protrusion 1 is provided on the bottom surface of the other mounting recess 11A, 11B, 11C.
A detection circuit 20 for detecting an off state when 9 is on the upper side [FIG. 5 (A)] and an on state when the protrusion 19 is moved to the lower side [FIG. 5 (B)] is provided. It is provided.

Each of the operation buttons 12, 13 and 14 has a function-specific structure showing its operation function, and has concave portions 22A and 22B on its lower surface as shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6. Along with the formation of the recesses (including the recesses), the detection circuits (sections) 23 and 24 for detecting the presence of the recesses 22A and 22B are provided in the mounting recesses 11A, 11B and 1 respectively.
It is provided on the bottom surface of 1C. These detection circuits 20, 2
The arrangement state of 3, 24 is as shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 shows the detection circuits 20, 23 and 24.
The detection state of the detection circuit is shown.
Reference numeral 24 is for detecting a state (ON, OFF) in which the projected light is reflected and received from the lower surface portion (including the projection 19 and the identification concave portions 22A, 22B) of each operation button 12, 13, 14. In the example, so that the projected light reflects well,
The detection circuit 2 except for the recesses 22A and 22B for identification
A reflecting plate 26 is arranged on the lower surface of each of the operation buttons 12, 13, and 14 facing the 0, 23, and 24.

FIG. 7 shows the detection circuits 20, 23 and 24.
The specific configuration of the recognition circuit including is shown. The detection circuits 20, 23 and 24 include a light projecting window 28E, a light emitting diode 28F, a light projecting section 28 having a constant current source 28G, and a light receiving window 29E. It comprises a phototransistor 29F and a light receiving section 29 having a power supply 29G. Then, the detection output from the light receiving section 29 is supplied to a microcomputer 30 provided in the endoscope, and the operation buttons 12, 13, 1 are operated by the microcomputer 30.
4 functions are identified and the operation buttons 12, 13, 1
4 turns on and off is recognized.

The first embodiment is constructed as described above, and the operation buttons 12, 13, 14 are identified by the following Table 1.

[Table 1]

That is, as shown in FIG. 5 (A), when there is no concave portion having a function-specific structure, the detection circuits 23 and 24 both detect ON (first stage in Table 1), and therefore the operation button 12 is used. If the microcomputer 30 recognizes that the switch is an F (freeze) / H (hard copy) switch, and there is a function-specific recess 22B on the right side of the figure as shown in FIG. 6A, the detection circuit 23 turns it on. The detection circuit 24 detects OFF (second stage in Table 1). That is, as shown in FIG. 8, in the detection circuit 23, the light from the light projecting unit 28 is reflected by the reflecting plate 26 and is received by the light receiving unit 29.
It is turned on because it is received by, and turned off because the reflected light is not received by the light receiving unit 29 in the detection circuit 24, and the microcomputer 30 recognizes that the operation button 13 is a VTR switch. Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, when there is a function-specific recess 22A on the left side of the figure, the detection circuit 23 detects OFF and the detection circuit 24 detects ON (third row in Table 1). ,
The operation button 14 is Mag. It is recognized as a (magnification) switch.

Then, these respective operation buttons 12, 13, 1
In the case of No. 4, the protrusion 19 at the central portion of the lower surface is brought close to the detection circuit 20 by the pushing operation to perform the switch action. That is, in the state of FIG. 5 (A) or FIG. 8, the reflected light from the reflection plate 26 does not reach the light receiving section 29 and is in the off state.
When the projection 19 approaches the detection circuit 20 as shown in (B), the light from the light projecting section 28 is reflected by the reflecting plate 26 and reaches the light receiving section 29, and is turned on.

In the first embodiment as described above, the arrangement state of the switches shown in FIG. 1 can be replaced with an arbitrary arrangement state. That is, even if the operation buttons 12, 13, and 14 are attached to the attachment recesses 11A, 11B, and 11C, the operation buttons 12
Is an F / H switch, the operation button 13 functions as a VTR switch, and the operation button 14 functions as an enlargement switch. Therefore, the user can arbitrarily set the arrangement of the operation switches simply by exchanging the positions of the operation buttons 12, 13, and 14.

Further, since the operation buttons 12, 13 and 14 are provided with a character representing a switch function, the switch function is clarified, and the switch function can be easily changed and set. Further, in the case of the conventional example such as the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application No. 5-50725, it is necessary to remember the changed function or location of the operation switch or rewrite it every time.
The present invention has an advantage that such work is unnecessary and erroneous judgment and erroneous operation are prevented.

In the first embodiment described above, three operation switches have been described, but the number of these switches can be set arbitrarily, and the number of the mounting recesses 11 is three, but there are three or more operation buttons, for example. It is also possible to prepare five pieces and increase the number of the detection circuits (23, 24) in the circumferential direction of the bottom surface of the mounting recess so that three of the five operation buttons can be selectively used. Thereby, for example, the switch of another recording device (video printer, video disk recorder, image filing device, etc.) can be arranged in place of the VTR switch or the hard copy switch.

9 to 12 show the configuration of the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the functions are identified by the mounting position of the operating body having a common structure. Is. As shown in FIG. 9, also in the second embodiment,
Three attachment recesses 34A, 34B, 34C for disposing the operation buttons (operation body) 33 are provided on the upper surface of the main body of the operation unit 10. The operation button 33 attached to the attachment recesses 34A to 34C integrally has a protrusion 35 protruding from the outer periphery as a specific portion of the identification means, and an operation shaft 36 that moves up and down in response to an operation is provided inside. The operation buttons 33 including the projection 35 and the operating shaft 36 have the same structure.

As shown in FIG. 11, the mounting recess 34
In A, 34B, and 34C, a rubber outer skin 38 is arranged on the inner surface side of the support portion 37, and the projections 35 are placed under the support portion 37 at four equal intervals (intervals of 90 degrees). Opening 39 is formed, and the first,
Second, third and fourth identification switches 41A, 41B, 4
1C and 41D are arranged (41B and 41C in FIG. 11).
Draw only). In this example, the first identification switch 41A has a freeze function, the second identification switch 41B has an iris mode function for selecting photometric conditions, and the third identification switch 41C.
Is an image enlarging function, and the fourth identification switch 41D is arranged for identifying the VTR function.

An opening 43 into which the operation shaft 36 of the operation button 33 is inserted is formed in the bottom surface of the support portion 37, and a main switch 44 for turning on / off the function operation is arranged in the opening 43. It Then, the ON / OFF signals of the first to fourth identification switches 41A to 41D and the main switch 44 are supplied to the microcomputer 45. In the microcomputer 45, the first to fourth identification switches 41A to 41D are turned on and off. The signal identifies the function of each operation button 33 arranged in the mounting recesses 34A to 34C, and recognizes whether the operation by the operation button 33 is on or off.

Further, the projection 3 is provided on the upper surface of the operation button 33.
A mark (for example, a black circle as shown) M indicating the arrangement position (outer peripheral position) of 5 is attached, and the other operation unit 10 is
At the edges of the mounting recesses 34A, 34B, 34C, function numbers are given to the positions corresponding to the first to fourth identification switches 41A to 41D. That is, the first identification switch 4
The number 1 is assigned to the placement position of 1A, the number 2 is assigned to the placement position of the second identification switch 41B, the number 3 is assigned to the placement position of the third identification switch 41C, and the number 4 is assigned to the placement position of the fourth identification switch 41D. According to this, the number with which the mark M of the operation button 33 matches indicates the function of the operation button 33. It should be noted that instead of the above numbers, a character indicating a switch function (such as the symbol or pictogram as in the first embodiment) may be added.

The second embodiment has the above-described structure. In this second embodiment, various functions are provided by attaching the operation button 33 to the attachment recesses 34A, 34B, 34C while changing the position of the projection 35 thereof. Can be set. That is, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the operation button 33 is inserted in the mounting recess 34C on the left side of the drawing, for example, with the projection 35 facing the number 3. Then,
2, the projection 35 of the operation button 33 has an opening 39
Therefore, the third identification switch 41C is pressed, and as a result, the left operation button 33 is identified as an image enlargement switch and functions as an image enlargement switch.

Similarly, the mounting recess 34B in the middle of the figure
When the operation button 33 is inserted with the protrusion 35 facing the number 1, the protrusion 35 pushes the first identification switch 41A from the opening 39, so that the intermediate operation button 33 functions as a freeze switch. Also, the mounting recess 3 on the right side of the drawing
4A, the operation button 3 with the protrusion 35 facing the number 4
3 is inserted, the protrusion 35 pushes the fourth identification switch 41D from the opening 39, so that the operation button 33 on the right side is V
Functions as a TR switch. These operation buttons 3
The function of No. 3 can be grasped by looking at the numbers 1 to 4 where the mark M is located, as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 12, each of the operation buttons 33 is turned on when the central operation shaft 36 pushes the main switch 44 through the opening 43 at the time of pushing operation. The operation of each function can be executed by a simple switch action.

As described above, in the second embodiment, it is possible to change to an operation switch having an arbitrary function by simply changing the arrangement position of the projection 35 of the operation button 33, and as in the first embodiment, it is possible to use the exclusive switch. There is an advantage that it is not necessary to prepare the operation buttons (12 to 14). Also in the second embodiment, the first button showing the switch function is provided on the upper surface of the operation button 33.
Characters such as those in the embodiment can be attached.

[0035]

As described above, according to the present invention,
With respect to the switch mounting portion of the endoscope operating section, a plurality of operating bodies are arranged so that they can be exchanged between the respective operating switches, and the switching functions of these operating bodies are identified by the identifying means. The function of the operation switch of the endoscope can be customized as desired according to the purpose of use, application site, observation site, or individuality or preference of the user,
A device that is easy to use can be obtained. Further, since the operation switch can be removed, there is an advantage that the mounting connection portion of the operation switch can be easily washed.

Further, according to the invention of claim 3, the function identification is performed at the detection position on the side of the operation section of the endoscope where the specifying section of the operation body is arranged. Can have the same structure, the operating body can be simplified, and the handling becomes easy.

Further, according to the invention of claim 4, since a character representing the switch function is attached to the operating body,
The setting status of the switch function can be seen at a glance, and it is easy to change and set the switch function, and it is not necessary to remember the function or location of the changed operation switch, and erroneous judgment and erroneous operation can be prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an endoscope operation section of an endoscope apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an operation button (VTR switch) and a mounting recess of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a mounting recess in the endoscope operation section of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a detection circuit and a reflector of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an off state [FIG. (A)] and an on state [FIG. (B)] of the F / H switch of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration (when off) of a VTR switch [FIG. (A)] and an expansion switch [FIG. (B)] of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing a specific configuration of identification means including the detection circuit of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a detection state of a detection circuit in the VTR switch of the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an endoscope operating section of the endoscope apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a view of the endoscope operation section of FIG. 9 viewed from the upper side.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of an operation button and a mounting recess of the second embodiment and an identification means.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the operation button of the second embodiment is arranged in the mounting recess and a state where the operation button is pressed.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Endoscope (scope) operation part, 11A, 11B, 1
1C, 34A, 34B, 34C ... Mounting recess, 12 ... F
/ H operation button (operation body), 13 ... VTR operation button, 14 ... Enlargement (Mag.) Operation button, 16 ... Notch portion, 19,
35 ... Protrusion, 20, 23, 24 ... Detection circuit, 22A, 2
2B ... Recessed portion (structure according to function), 26 ... Reflector plate,
28 ... Projector, 29 ... Receptor, 30, 45 ...
Microcomputer, 33 ... Operation button (operation body), 39, 43 ... Opening, 41A, 41B, 41C, 41D ... Identification switch.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An endoscope apparatus in which a plurality of operation switches for operating various functions are provided in an endoscope operation section, wherein the plurality of switch attachment sections of the endoscope operation section are arranged and each operation is performed. A plurality of operating bodies that can be exchanged between switches, and when these operating bodies are arranged in the switch mounting section,
An endoscope apparatus comprising: an identification unit for identifying a switch function of the operating body; and a control circuit for executing each switch function based on the operation of each operating body identified by the identifying unit. . 2. The identifying means comprises a function-specific structure provided on the operating body side and a detection unit provided on the endoscope operation section side for detecting the function-specific structure. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein 3. The identifying means is provided with a specific portion provided on the operating body side and a plurality of detection positions for functional identification on the switch mounting portion, and is arranged at any one of the plurality of detection positions. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a detection unit that detects a switch function of the operating body by detecting the specific unit. 4. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operating body is provided with a character representing a switch function thereof.