JP2005058249A - Endoscope device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allocate an appropriate function corresponding to the way an operator holds a holding part. <P>SOLUTION: An endoscope device is provided with: a soft mirror 10 provided with a thin and long insertion part; an image pickup part for electronically picking up the image of an object; a signal processing part for applying signal processing to electric signals outputted from the image pickup part and generating video signals; a monitor 13 for displaying the video signals generated in the signal processing part as endoscopic images; a holding part 14 which is connected to the insertion part and can be held by the operator; and a CPU 11 for detecting the state the operator holds the holding part 14 and allocating a function corresponding to the detected holding state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Endoscopic devices are widely used in the medical field and the industrial field. In these endoscope apparatuses, a means for imaging a fine and complex observation site with high resolution and high image quality is required.
[0003]
In general, an electronic endoscope apparatus is provided with a solid-state imaging device typified by a CCD or a CMOS in an imaging unit of an endoscope to electronically capture an optical image of an observation site. The electrical signal output from the image sensor is input to a camera control unit (hereinafter referred to as CCU) provided outside the endoscope, and after the image quality is adjusted by the video processing circuit in the CCU, the video signal is output. The In addition to the image quality adjustment function, some CCUs are provided with a freeze function that freezes an observation image and a control function (recording / pause) of a VTR connected to the CCU.
[0004]
These functions can be assigned and controlled by a remote switch attached to a flexible endoscope (hereinafter referred to as a flexible endoscope). That is, it is possible to perform white balance processing or freeze the observation image by operating the remote switch while holding the flexible mirror.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In general, a flexible endoscope is generally inserted into a patient's body while holding the grasping portion with the left hand and holding the insertion portion of the flexible mirror with the right hand. In fields such as otolaryngology, there are cases where a flexible endoscope is held in the right hand and operated due to the historical background of holding the rigid endoscope in the patient's body and examining it.
[0006]
A plurality of remote switches are arranged on the flexible endoscope. For example, an endoscope image freeze function is assigned to the switch that is most easily touched, and a moving image and a still image of the endoscope image can be switched by pressing the assigned remote switch. However, there are cases where the remote switch that is most likely to be touched differs when the holding part of the flexible mirror is held in the left hand and when held in the right hand. When the flexible mirror is held in the left hand, the switch A is most easily touched, whereas when it is held in the right hand, the switch B is most likely to be touched.
[0007]
In some cases, it is easier to observe the endoscopic image when the flexible mirror is held with the right hand and when the endoscopic image when held with the left hand is rotated by 180 °.
[0008]
The present invention has been made paying attention to such a problem, and an object of the present invention is an endoscope capable of assigning appropriate functions in accordance with how the operator grasps the grasping portion. To provide an apparatus.
[0009]
Another object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope apparatus that can display an endoscopic image in an appropriate form in accordance with how the operator grips the grip portion.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the first invention is an endoscope apparatus, which includes an endoscope having an elongated insertion portion, an imaging portion that electronically images a subject, and an electric power output from the imaging portion. A signal processing unit that performs signal processing on the signal to generate a video signal, a display unit that displays the video signal generated by the signal processing unit as an endoscopic image, and an insertion unit connected to the operator A gripping unit gripped by the gripping state, a gripping state detection unit that detects a state in which the gripping unit is gripped by an operator, a control unit that assigns functions according to the gripping state detected by the gripping state detection unit, It comprises.
[0011]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the endoscope apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the gripping state detection unit includes a remote switch provided on the gripping unit and operable by an operator. A function is assigned to the remote switch in accordance with the gripping state detected by the gripping state detection unit.
[0012]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the endoscope apparatus according to the first or second aspect of the invention, the control means displays the endoscopic image in a form corresponding to the gripping state detected by the gripping state detection unit. indicate.
[0013]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the endoscope apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the gripping state detection unit includes a sensor provided in the gripping unit, and the operator Based on the output value from the sensor when the grip portion is gripped so as to shield the screen, it is detected whether the operator grips the grip portion with the right hand or the left hand.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
First, the outline of the present invention will be described. In the electronic endoscope apparatus of the present invention, the operator grasps whether the operator is holding the flexible endoscope with the left hand or the right hand, assigns an appropriate remote switch function according to the detection result, and The endoscopic image is displayed in an appropriate display form (upright image or inverted image). Here, the function assignment pattern for a plurality of remote switches when the flexible endoscope is held with the left hand and the function assignment pattern for the same switches when held with the right hand are stored by the CCU. For example, in the case of gripping with the left hand, the A switch is stored as a freeze function and the B switch is stored as a white balance function. In the case of gripping with the right hand, the A switch is assigned a white balance function and the B switch is referred to as a freeze function. Stored in pattern.
[0015]
In order to detect the gripping state of the flexible mirror, a sensor such as a photodiode (PD) is provided in the gripping portion of the flexible mirror. When the flexible mirror is held with the left hand, the detected current value is 0 because the sensor of the gripping part is shielded from light. In addition, when the flexible mirror is held with the right hand, the current value detected without being shielded from the sensor of the gripping part is an arbitrary value other than 0, so that the gripping state can be identified by the difference in the current value.
[0016]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 relate to the present embodiment, FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an electronic endoscope apparatus, FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a flexible endoscope, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a gripping state of the flexible endoscope. FIG. 4 is a block diagram mainly showing the configuration of the CCU 11 in the apparatus.
[0017]
As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic endoscope apparatus of this embodiment includes a soft mirror 10 that electronically images an observation site, a CCU 11 that outputs an image signal by passing an imaging signal from the flexible mirror 10 through a process circuit, and dark It comprises a light source device 12 for illuminating an observation site and a monitor 13 for displaying an image.
[0018]
The flexible endoscope 10 includes a gripping portion 14 that also serves as an operation portion, and an elongated insertion portion 15 that extends from the distal end side of the gripping portion 14. An objective lens 16 that captures an observation site as an optical image and a solid-state imaging device 17 composed of a CCD, a CMOS, or the like for electronically capturing the optical image are provided at the distal end of the insertion portion 15.
[0019]
In addition, the flexible mirror 10 includes a light guide cable 18 that can be attached to and detached from the light source device 12 in the grip portion 14 in order to guide the light emitted from the light source device 12 to the distal end of the insert portion, and from the grip portion 14 to the insert portion 15. The light guide fiber 19 is also provided. In the light guide cable 18, in addition to the fiber, a signal cable for inputting the imaging signal output from the solid-state imaging device 17 to the CCU 11 is also arranged.
[0020]
As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the flexible endoscope 10 according to the present embodiment is provided with a bending operation lever 21 for bending the distal end of the insertion portion 15 in addition to the gripping portion 14 and the insertion portion 15 described above. ing. The gripping unit 14 includes remote switches 22 and 23 that allow an operator to perform a CCU processing function such as controlling switching of a moving image / still image of an endoscopic image, and a gripping state of the flexible endoscope 10 A sensor 24 for detecting the above is provided.
[0021]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram mainly showing the configuration of the CCU 11 in the endoscope apparatus, a drive circuit 40 for driving the CCD, an amplifier circuit 41 for amplifying an imaging signal (analog signal), and an amplified imaging. A CDS circuit / A / D conversion circuit 42 that samples a signal and converts it into a digital signal, a luminance / color difference signal separation circuit 43 that separates a digitized imaging signal into a luminance signal and a color difference signal, and an image quality adjustment Video signal processing circuit 44, an image rotation processing circuit 45 for rotating the endoscopic image by 180 °, a switch 49 for switching the output of the video signal processing circuit 44 and the output of the image rotation processing circuit 45, and a digital video signal A D / A conversion circuit 46 that converts the signal into analog, a current detection circuit 47 that measures the current value of the sensor (PD) 24 that detects the gripping state of the flexible endoscope 10, and A microcontroller (hereinafter referred to as a CPU) for assigning functions of the remote switches 22 and 23 and controlling the display of an upright / inverted image of an endoscopic image in accordance with the grasped state of the flexible endoscope 10 48).
[0022]
The operation of the electronic endoscope apparatus configured as described above will be described below.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 1, the light guide cable 18 of the flexible mirror 10 is connected to the light source device 12 and the CCU 11, and the power switches of the light source device 12 and the CCU 11 are turned on. When the power switch of the light source device 12 is turned on, the illumination lamp in the light source device is turned on, and the illumination light emitted from the illumination lamp passes through the light guide cable 18 from the tip of the flexible mirror insertion portion 15 to the observation site. Irradiated towards.
[0024]
When the power switch of the CCU 11 is turned on, the drive circuit 40 shown in FIG. 4 drives the solid-state image pickup device (CCD) 17, and the solid-state image pickup device (CCD) 17 electronically displays the observation site image projected by the objective lens 16. Take an image and output an electrical signal (analog signal). Next, the output electric signal is converted into a digital signal through an amplifier circuit 41 and a CDS / A / D circuit 42 and separated into a luminance signal and a color difference signal by a luminance / color difference signal separation circuit 43, and then digital video processing. It is input to the circuit 44.
[0025]
The video digital processing circuit 44 performs image quality adjustments such as conversion from luminance / color difference signals to RGB video signals, white balance, image brightness and hue, and enhancement, and outputs video digital signals. The video digital signal output from the video digital processing circuit 44 is converted into a video analog signal by the D / A conversion circuit 46 and output to the monitor 13. An electronic image of the observation site is displayed on the monitor 13 so that the operator can observe it.
[0026]
The change of the function assignment pattern of the remote switch in accordance with the gripping state of the flexible endoscope 10 and the switching display between the upright image and the inverted image of the endoscope image will be described below with reference to FIGS. To do.
[0027]
In general, as shown in FIG. 3B, the flexible endoscope 10 can bend the distal end of the insertion portion 15 when the operator holds the grip portion 14 with the left hand and operates the bending operation lever 21 with the left thumb. Further, the remote switch 22 or the remote switch 23 provided on the flexible endoscope 10 can be pressed with the left thumb or the index finger.
[0028]
When the freeze function is assigned to the remote switch 22 or the remote switch 23 in the CCU 11, the operator switches the video / still image of the endoscopic image by pressing the remote switch 22 or the remote switch 23 while holding the flexible endoscope 10. Can be controlled.
[0029]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3A, in some fields such as otolaryngology, the operator may hold the grip 14 with the right hand. The grip part 14 is gripped with the right hand, and the bending operation lever 21 is operated with the right hand index finger. Further, the remote switch 22 or the remote switch 23 can be pressed with the right thumb or the index finger.
[0030]
For example, when an operator as shown in FIG. 3B holds the grip portion 14 with the left hand, the frequently used freeze function is assigned to the remote switch 23 that is easy to touch, and the white balance function is assigned to the remote switch 22. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3A, when the operator holds the grip 14 with the right hand, the freeze function is assigned to the remote switch 22 that is easy to touch, and the white balance function is assigned to the remote switch 23. Further, it is easier to observe an image held with the right hand if it is displayed after rotating the endoscopic image when held with the left hand by 180 °.
[0031]
Hereinafter, a specific method for detecting the gripping state of the gripping part 14 (that is, whether the operator is gripping the flexible endoscope 10 with the right hand or the left hand) will be described. As shown in FIG. 3 (B), when the operator holds the flexible endoscope 10 in the left hand and shields the sensor 24 (see FIGS. 2 (B) and 4) provided in the grip portion 14, the current detection circuit 47 The measured value becomes zero. When the measured value becomes 0, the CPU 48 determines that the operator holds the flexible endoscope 10 with his left hand, assigns the function of the remote switch by the above method, and displays an upright image of the endoscope image. Select and display on the monitor 13.
[0032]
On the other hand, when the operator holds the flexible endoscope 10 in the right hand as shown in FIG. 3 (A), the sensor 24 (see FIGS. 2 (B) and 4) is not shielded, so that the current detection circuit 47. The measured value becomes an arbitrary value. When the measured value becomes an arbitrary value, the CPU 48 determines that the operator holds the flexible endoscope 10 with the right hand, performs the function assignment of the remote switch by the above method, and also displays the inverted image of the endoscopic image. Is displayed on the monitor 13. At this time, an inverted image of the endoscopic image is generated by the image rotation processing circuit 45.
[0033]
Note that the attachment position of the sensor 24 for detecting the gripping state of the flexible endoscope 10 can be detected by attaching it to the rear end of the grasping portion 14 so that the operator can shield the light only when the operator holds the flexible endoscope 10 with the right hand. . In this case, when the measured value in the current detection circuit 47 becomes 0, the operator holds the flexible endoscope 10 with the right hand, and when the measured value becomes an arbitrary value, the operator holds it with the left hand.
[0034]
According to the above-described embodiment, even if the gripping state of the flexible endoscope is different for each operator, the function assignment of the remote switch is automatically changed to an appropriate pattern each time, so that appropriate function assignment can be performed. In addition, since the endoscopic image is switched to an appropriate form and displayed, observation using a flexible endoscope is facilitated.
[0035]
【The invention's effect】
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the endoscope apparatus which can perform allocation of a suitable function according to how the operator hold | grips the holding part is provided.
[0036]
In addition, according to the present invention, there is provided an endoscope apparatus that can display an endoscopic image in an appropriate form in accordance with how the operator grips the grip portion.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an electronic endoscope apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a flexible endoscope.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a gripping state of the flexible endoscope.
4 is a block diagram mainly showing a configuration of a CCU 11. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Flexible mirror, 11 ... Camera control unit, 12 ... Light source device, 13 ... Monitor, 14 ... Gripping part, 15 ... Insertion part, 16 ... Objective lens, 17 ... Solid-state image sensor, 18 ... Light guide cable, 19 ... Light Guide fiber, 21 ... curved lever, 22 ... remote switch, 23 ... remote switch, 24 ... sensor (photodiode), 40 ... drive circuit, 41 ... amplifier circuit, 42 ... CDS / A / D circuit, 43 ... brightness / color Separation circuit 44... Image processing circuit 45. Image rotation circuit 46. D / A circuit 47. Current detection circuit 48.

Claims (4)

An endoscope having an elongated insertion portion;
An imaging unit that electronically images a subject;
A signal processing unit that generates a video signal by performing signal processing on the electrical signal output from the imaging unit;
A display unit for displaying the video signal generated by the signal processing unit as an endoscopic image;
A gripping part connected to the insertion part and gripped by an operator;
A gripping state detection unit for detecting a state in which the gripping unit is gripped by an operator;
An endoscope apparatus comprising: a control unit that assigns a function according to a gripping state detected by the gripping state detection unit. The gripping state detection unit includes a remote switch that is provided on the gripping unit and can be operated by an operator, and the control unit controls the remote switch according to the gripping state detected by the gripping state detection unit. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a function is assigned. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit displays the endoscopic image in a form corresponding to a gripping state detected by the gripping state detection unit. The gripping state detection unit includes a sensor provided in the gripping unit, and based on an output value from the sensor when the operator grips the gripping unit so as to shield the sensor, the operator The endoscope apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein whether the grip portion is gripped with a right hand or a left hand is detected.

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