JP2005349189A - Endoscope device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope device with an LED lighting device for lighting an LED light source, preventing a sudden temperature rise of the LED light source. <P>SOLUTION: This endoscope device has the LED lighting device for lighting the LED light source in an LED control part. The LED lighting device includes: a constant voltage power supply 30 for outputting constant voltage; and a constant current part 29 for converting the output of the constant voltage power supply 30 to a constant current and outputting the same to the above LED light source, wherein the endoscope device further includes an integrating circuit 28 provided in the constant current part 29 for limiting a change in a current flowing through the LED light source when the LED light source is lighted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus, and more particularly, to an LED lighting technique for lighting an LED light source in an endoscope apparatus.

An endoscope apparatus is an apparatus for inserting and observing an image related to a desired part by inserting a tube to the vicinity of the desired part inside the object.
In some of such endoscope apparatuses, an LED for irradiating light to an observation target is provided at the distal end portion of the tube.

As a technique for supplying current to the LED provided at the tip of the tube, for example, there is a conventional technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 below.
According to this prior art, as shown in FIG. 14, in the portable endoscope system, when the switch 150 is turned on by an external operation, the booster circuit 120 is connected to the battery 100 via the diode 113 and the switch 150. Current is supplied. Then, a constant current is supplied to the LEDs 51 to 56 via the constant current control circuit 140 and the transistor 130 in the subsequent stage.

When time elapses, the output voltage from the battery 100 drops and the potential at point A in the figure becomes lower than the voltage obtained by subtracting the forward voltage of the LED 112 from the output voltage of the battery 111. A current is supplied from the battery 111. In conjunction with the current supply from the battery 111, the LED 112 emits light so as to prompt the user to replace the battery 100. By doing so, the LEDs 51 to 56 are prevented from suddenly turning off.
JP 2003-21792 A “Portable Endoscope System”

  However, the LED has a low resistance to heat, and there is a possibility that the performance of the LED may deteriorate when triggered by a sudden change in current such as when the switch is turned on. And when LED is arrange | positioned in a narrow area | region like the front-end | tip part of an endoscope, from a viewpoint of heat dissipation etc., the factor of such performance fall will increase further.

  The above-described conventional technique is a technique for controlling so as not to change the current supplied to the LED. However, for example, it does not cope with a change in the current flowing through the LED when the switch is turned on.

  The subject of this invention is providing the endoscope apparatus which can prevent the rapid temperature rise of a LED light source in the endoscope apparatus which has a LED lighting device for lighting a LED light source.

  An endoscope apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is an endoscope apparatus having an LED lighting device for lighting an LED light source, wherein the LED lighting device includes a constant voltage power source that outputs a constant voltage, and the constant voltage power source. A constant current unit that converts the output of the voltage power source into a constant current and outputs the constant current to the LED light source, and a current change that limits a change in the current flowing through the LED light source when the LED light source is turned on in the constant current unit The endoscope apparatus further includes a limiting unit.

  Here, since the change in the current flowing through the LED light source is limited by the current change limiting means provided in the constant current section, for example, even when the LED light source is turned on, the current flowing through the LED light source changes suddenly. Therefore, the heat radiation of the LED light source that is proportional to the current flowing through the LED light source does not cause a sudden increase in temperature according to the turning on of the LED light source.

  An endoscope apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is an endoscope apparatus having an LED lighting device for lighting an LED light source, wherein the LED lighting device outputs a constant voltage corresponding to a control signal. A voltage source, and a constant current unit that converts the output of the constant voltage source into a constant current and outputs the constant current to the LED light source, and variably controls the duty ratio of the control signal when the LED light source is turned on. It is the characteristic endoscope apparatus.

  Here, the control signal input to the constant voltage power supply is configured to gradually increase the lighting time, for example, at a predetermined frequency so that the duty ratio of the control signal is variable when the LED light source is turned on. Be controlled. Therefore, a sudden current change occurs in each instant, but since the period in which the current is turned off is also included periodically, it does not lead to a sudden temperature rise of the LED light source.

An endoscope apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention detects attachment / detachment of an optical adapter in an endoscope apparatus that is attached to a distal end portion of an endoscope and in which an optical adapter having a built-in LED light source is detachable. Adapter attaching / detaching detecting means, an LED lighting device for lighting the LED,
And the lighting of the LED by the LED lighting device is controlled based on the detection result of the adapter attachment / detachment detection means.

  Here, even when the optical adapter incorporating the LED light source is once removed and then attached again, the current flowing through the LED can be controlled. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a sudden temperature rise of the LED light source.

  In the endoscope apparatus of the present invention, for example, even when an LED light source is turned on, the current flowing through the LED light source does not change suddenly by the current change limiting means, and is therefore proportional to the current flowing through the LED light source. As for the heat radiation of the LED light source, a sudden temperature rise is not caused when the LED light source is turned on. For this reason, the performance fall of an LED light source can be avoided.

  In the endoscope apparatus of the present invention, the control signal input to the constant voltage power source is, for example, at a predetermined frequency and a lighting time so that the duty ratio of the control signal is variable when the LED light source is turned on. Is controlled to gradually increase. Therefore, a sudden current change occurs in each instant, but since the period in which the current is turned off is also included periodically, it does not lead to a sudden temperature rise of the LED light source. For this reason, the performance fall of an LED light source can be avoided.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
The present invention relates to an LED lighting technique in an endoscope apparatus. First, the configuration of the entire endoscope apparatus will be described, and then a unit related to the LED lighting will be described.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall structure of an endoscope apparatus common to the first, second, and third embodiments of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, an endoscope apparatus 1 includes an operation unit including an insertion unit 2 provided with an LED 10, a solid-state imaging device (CCD) 9, and an objective lens 8 at a distal end portion of a tube, a bending control unit 13, and a user interface 14. 3, a universal cable 4, a power supply unit 5, a display device 7, and a fixing unit 6 to which the display device 7 can be attached and detached.

Below, operation | movement of this endoscope apparatus 1 is demonstrated in order of image processing, LED control, power supply, default control, and curvature control.
(1) Image processing First, based on a control signal from the LED control unit 20, the subject is irradiated with light from the LED 10. The light is reflected by the subject, enters the objective lens 8, forms an image on the CCD 9 disposed at the imaging position of the objective lens 8, and is photoelectrically converted.

  The CCD 9 receives a CCD drive signal for driving the CCD 9 from the CCD drive unit 21 via the composite coaxial cable, and the photoelectric conversion is performed at a timing based on the CCD drive signal. The signal photoelectrically converted by the CCD 9 is transmitted to the image processing unit 22 via the composite coaxial cable.

  The image data transmitted to the image processing unit 22 is subjected to various types of processing based on instructions from the user interface 14 via the system control unit 19. The image data processed by the image processing unit 22 is transmitted to the display device 7 via a cable and output. Note that examples of the instruction from the user interface 14 include a zoom up / down instruction (ZOOM UP / DOWN signal) and a freeze instruction (FREEZE signal).

The recording / reproducing unit 26 communicates with the system control unit 19 to record an image and reproduce the recorded image based on an instruction given through the system control unit. A recording medium 27 can be connected to the recording / reproducing unit 26. The recording medium 27 can store the image data from the image processing unit 22 via the recording / reproducing unit 26. The image data stored in the recording medium 27 can be read out to the image processing unit 22 via a cable, and can be further output to the display device 7 via the cable.
(2) LED control The LED 10 located at the tip of the insertion unit 2 is controlled by the LED control unit 20 by a signal (LED ON / OFF signal) for turning on / off the LED from the system control unit 19. The extinction / lighting is controlled. The LED ON / OFF signal is transmitted to the system control unit 19 via a cable in response to a user instruction from the user interface 24, for example, pressing of a switch.
(3) Power Supply The power supply circuit 18 is connected to the system control unit 19, the battery 15, the battery detection mechanism 16, the AC adapter 17, and the fan 23 via cables. And the voltage supplied to each internal unit is produced by obtaining a voltage via a cable from either the battery 15 or the AC adapter 17. The output of the battery 15 and the AC adapter 17 is coupled by a diode (not shown), and the higher voltage is given priority. The battery detection mechanism 16 detects the presence or absence of the battery 15 and transmits the information to the system control unit 19 via the power supply circuit 18. The fan 23 is driven by the voltage supplied from the power supply circuit 18 and cools the power supply unit 5.
(4) Default Control Various defaults set by the user via the user interface 24 are stored in the default setting unit 25 via the system control unit 19. Then, for example, various defaults set in conjunction with power-on are transmitted from the default setting unit 25 to the system control unit 19.
(5) Bending Control The bending control unit 13 performs control for bending the distal end of the insertion unit 2. The bending control unit 13 is connected to the motor 11 via a cable, and is also connected to the system control unit 19 via a cable in the universal cable 4. The motor 11 can be turned on / off by receiving a motor on / off instruction (motor ON / OFF signal) from the user interface 24 via the system control unit 19.

  When the user operates a joystick (not shown) and tilts the distal end portion of the insertion portion 2 in a direction in which the insertion portion 2 is to be curved, the bending operation of the distal end portion is performed. That is, when the motor gear 12 contacts a pulley (not shown) that transmits power and rotates, the power of the motor 11 helps and the bending operation is performed.

  In addition, the bending control unit 13 monitors the load state of the motor 11, and transmits a motor overload state detection signal to the system control unit 19 when an abnormal load is applied to the motor 11. When receiving the motor overload state detection signal, the system control unit 19 transmits a control signal for turning off the motor 11 to the bending control unit 13 to stop the motor 11.

The LED lighting device provided in the LED control unit 20 of the endoscope apparatus 1 described above will be described below.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of the LED lighting device provided in the endoscope apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 2, first, a control signal indicating that the constant voltage power supply 30 in the LED control unit 20 is turned on (thus turning on the LED 37) is input to the constant voltage power supply 30 from the system control unit 19 of FIG. A predetermined voltage V _OUT is output from the constant voltage power supply 30. The output of the constant voltage power supply 30 is input to the constant current unit 29 via the integration circuit 28.

  As shown in the figure, the output of the integrating circuit 28 provided between the constant voltage power supply 30 and the constant current unit 29 is input to one input terminal of the operational amplifier 34, and the voltage at this input terminal is the integrating circuit 28. It rises gradually and continuously over a predetermined rise time determined by the values of the resistor 31 and the capacitor 32 constituting the.

On the other hand, the output from the operational amplifier 34 is input to the base of the transistor 35. The output of the emitter of the transistor 35 is fed back to the other input terminal of the operational amplifier 34. That is, the operational amplifier 34 operates so as to compensate for the variation due to the temperature of the potential difference between the base and the emitter when the transistor 35 is on. For this reason, the potential V _BE of the emitter of the transistor 35 becomes a substantially constant value regardless of the temperature. At this time, a voltage given by the following equation is applied to the resistor 36 for adjusting the current flowing through the LED 37.
V = V _OUT −V _BE (A)
That is, when the resistance value of the resistor 36 is R, the following current I flows through the resistor 36.
I = V / R (B)
This current I flows to the LED 37 because the transistor 35 is on, and the LED 37 is lit.

  Thus, the voltage input to one input terminal of the operational amplifier 34 is also input to the base of the transistor 35. Therefore, as described above, when the voltage input to one input terminal of the operational amplifier 34 gradually rises over a predetermined time due to the action of the integrating circuit 28, the potentials of the base and emitter of the transistor 35 are each increased. Also rises gradually. Corresponding to this, the current flowing through the LED 37 represented by the equation (B) also gradually increases over time.

When the LED 37 is turned off, the power supply voltage is turned off. In this way, V _OUT becomes 0 (zero) V and the base of the transistor 35 becomes 0 V, so that the transistor 35 is turned off, the current flowing through the LED 37 is cut, and the light is extinguished.

  In addition, the switch 32 provided to connect both ends of the resistor 31 in the integrating circuit 28 is turned on (pressed) after a certain period of time when the current value is adjusted by factory shipment adjustment or the like. Therefore, it is provided in order to shorten the time to reach the reaching point of the rise as much as possible. The timing for turning on the switch 32 must be set so as not to destroy the LED 37.

  In the above description, the output of the constant voltage power supply 30 is continuously changed in the constant current unit 29 by the integrating circuit 28. However, the output of the constant voltage power supply 30 is changed stepwise (step (step) May be changed. In the second embodiment described below, the output of the constant voltage power supply 30 is changed stepwise.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of the LED lighting device provided in the endoscope apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, the description of the same parts as those in FIG.
In FIG. 3, instead of providing the integration circuit provided in FIG. 2, by providing a current adjustment resistor switching circuit 40 for switching the resistor 36 for adjusting the current flowing in the LED 37 of FIG. Raised in stages.

The current adjustment resistor switching circuit 40 includes, for example, three switches 41 ₁ , 41 ₂ , and 41 _3, and a resistance value R ₁ having one end connected in series to these switches and the other end connected to the ground. Resistors 42 ₁ , 42 ₂ , and 42 ₃ having R2 and R3 (R1 <R2 <R3), respectively, are provided.

In the clock generator 43, a control signal indicating that the constant voltage power supply 30 in the LED control unit 20 is turned on (thus turning on the LED 37) is input to the constant voltage power supply 30 from the system control unit 19 of FIG. At this time, based on the control signal, a delay signal is generated to turn on one of the switches 41 ₁ , 41 ₂ , 41 ₃ .

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating operation waveforms of the LED control unit in the second embodiment of FIG. 3.
As shown in FIG. 4, a control signal for turning on only the switch 41 ₃ (switch S ₃ ) is output from the clock generator 43 for a certain period after the control signal for the constant voltage power supply is turned on. Then, with the elapse of a predetermined period, a control signal for turning on only the switch 41 ₂ (switch S ₂ ) and a control signal for turning on only the switch 41 ₁ (switch S ₁ ) are sequentially generated. Is output from.

Here, considering that the resistance value R3 of the resistor 42 ₃ corresponding to the switch S ₃ had the largest among the three resistors, in the state in which only the switch S ₃ is turned on, flowing through the resistor 42 ₃ current Is the smallest (among the three resistors), and as described above, the current flowing through the LED 37 is also the smallest in this case. Hereinafter, the same way, the state in which only the switch S ₂ is on, the state in which only the switch S ₁ is turned on, a current flows in the order of the LED37 will increase stepwise.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the current flowing in the LED 37 is gradually increased to prevent a sudden temperature rise of the LED light source. In the third embodiment shown in FIG. By making the duty ratio of the control signal input to the constant voltage power supply 30 variable, a sudden change in current occurs in each instant, but the period in which the current is turned off is also periodically included. It does not lead to a sudden temperature rise of the light source.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing operation waveforms of the LED control unit in the third embodiment of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, the control signal applied to the constant voltage power supply 30 is operated at a predetermined frequency, and has a waveform in which the duty ratio is changed to gradually increase the lighting time. For example, the LED lighting period is synchronized between the effective pixel ranges of the video signal by synchronizing with the horizontal or vertical scanning frequency of the video signal. The LED 37 can be pulse-lit by the control signal having such a waveform.

By operating as described above, the flicker becomes inconspicuous, and at the same time, the light quantity of the LED can be utilized to the maximum.
When the control signal shown in FIG. 6 is applied to the constant voltage power supply 30, the output of the constant voltage power supply 30 is repeatedly turned on / off in synchronization with the control signal, and the pulsed voltage is applied to the base of the transistor 35. As a result, the emitter potential of the transistor 35 has the waveform shown in the figure. Then, by applying this voltage to the resistor 36, the operation waveform of the LED current shown in the figure is obtained.

Needless to say, the pulse lighting period can be adjusted by changing the control signal.
Next, FIG. 7 will be described. This figure is a diagram showing the overall structure of an endoscope apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7, the description of the parts that are the same as those in FIG.

  In FIG. 7, an optical adapter 60 having a built-in LED 10 as a light source can be attached to and detached from the distal end portion of the insertion portion 2. The main body side of the endoscope apparatus 1 and the circuit inside the optical adapter 60 are connected through an adapter contact 69.

  In a state where the optical adapter 60 is attached to the insertion portion 2, the adapter attachment / detachment detection portion 61 is connected to the LED 10 via a cable. The adapter attachment / detachment detection unit 61 and the LED control unit 20 drive the LED 10 based on a command from the system control unit 19.

Next, FIG. 8 will be described. The figure shows a circuit configuration of the adapter attachment / detachment detector 61.
When the ON / OFF switch of the LED 10 in the user interface 24 is pressed, the system control unit 19 turns on the AD attaching / detaching circuit ON / OFF signal (outputs a high level). When the AD attachment / detachment circuit ON / OFF signal is output, the transistor 65 is turned on via the resistor 64. Here, when the base terminal is pulled up by the resistor 66 and the resistor 67 (held by the voltage of the adapter detection power supply), the transistor 68 that has been in the state until that time is turned on. As a result, the state transitions to the on state via the resistor 67. Thereby, the voltage of the adapter detection power supply is applied to the LED 10.

  In FIG. 8, since the power for lighting the LED 10 is output from the adapter contact 69, it is preferable from the viewpoint of safety that the voltage of the adapter detection power source is set lower than the power source voltage for normal lighting of the LED 10. .

Hereinafter, the operation of the adapter attachment / detachment detection unit 61 will be described in detail for the case where the optical adapter 60 is attached and the case where the optical adapter 60 is not attached.
(1) When the optical adapter 60 is attached Since the voltage of the adapter detection power source is applied to the LED 10, a predetermined current flows through the resistor 62. At this time, a potential difference occurs between both ends of the resistor 62. The voltage comparator 63 detects this potential difference and transmits an attachment / detachment detection signal having a high level to the system control unit 19.

  On the other hand, when the system control unit 19 receives the high-level attachment / detachment detection signal, the system control unit 19 determines that the optical adapter 60 is mounted, and operates the LED control unit 20 by setting the LED control signal to high level, Light up.

  At this time, the LED control unit 20 performs the same operation as that described in the first, second, or third embodiment. That is, in order to protect the LED, the LED 10 is driven by one of the driving methods of gradually increasing the current value, increasing the current value stepwise, or gradually increasing the current by pulse lighting. To do. Thereby, destruction of LED10 resulting from the rapid temperature change of the peripheral member of LED10 is prevented. That is, the LED 10 is protected even when the optical adapter 60 incorporating the LED 10 is attached or detached.

  Further, the LED control unit 20 turns off the transistor 65 by setting the AD attaching / detaching circuit ON / OFF signal to a low level in order to avoid a collision between the adapter detection power source and the LED 10 lighting power source in conjunction with the lighting operation of the LED 10. Thus, the supply of adapter detection power to the LED 10 side is cut off by causing the transistor 68 to transition to the OFF state.

(2) When the optical adapter 60 is not mounted Since the adapter contact 69 is open, no current flows through the resistor 62. At this time, since there is no potential difference between both ends of the resistor 62, the voltage comparator 63 transmits an attachment / detachment detection signal having a low level to the system control unit 19.

  On the other hand, when the system control unit 19 receives the low level attachment / detachment detection signal, the system control unit 19 determines that the optical adapter 60 is not attached, and stops the operation of the LED control unit 20 by setting the LED control signal to Low. Turn off the light.

  Thereafter, when the ON / OFF switch of the LED 10 in the user interface 24 is kept pressed, the detection operation of the optical adapter 60 described above is repeated at a predetermined interval by polling processing, and the optical adapter 60 is When mounting is detected, the LED 10 is operated to light up.

Next, operation | movement of the adapter attachment / detachment detection part 61 mentioned above is further demonstrated using the flowchart shown in FIG.
First, in step 70, the power is turned on to the endoscope apparatus 1 by the user, and the flow of this flowchart is started.

  Next, in step 71, the system control unit 19 determines whether or not the ON / OFF switch of the LED 10 in the user interface 24 is pressed and turned on. If it is determined that the ON / OFF switch is OFF, a polling process is performed at a predetermined interval until the switch is turned ON to detect the ON / OFF switch in step 71. repeat. On the other hand, if it is determined that the ON / OFF switch is ON, the process proceeds to step 72.

  In step 72, as described above, the system control unit 19 controls the AD attaching / detaching circuit ON / OFF signal, and determines whether or not the optical adapter 60 is attached based on the output signal of the voltage comparator 63. Here, when the output of the voltage comparator 63 is at the low level, it is determined that the optical adapter 60 is not attached, and the process proceeds to step 71, and the detection process of the ON / OFF switch of the LED 10 is performed again. In addition, regarding the process of step 71 and step 72, the polling process is performed at both predetermined intervals. On the other hand, when the output of the voltage comparator 63 is at the high level, it is determined that the optical adapter 60 is attached, and the process proceeds to step 73.

  In step 73, when it is determined that the optical adapter 60 is attached, the system control unit 19 transmits a control signal to the LED control unit 20 to turn on the LED 10. As described above, the same operation as that described in the first, second, or third embodiment is performed, and in order to protect the LED 10, the current value is gradually increased, and the current value is increased stepwise. The LED 10 is driven by one of the driving methods of increasing the current by pulse lighting or gradually increasing the current.

  Next, in step 74, the system control unit 19 determines again whether or not the optical adapter 60 is attached. Note that the determination method at this time may be the same as that in step 72. If it is determined that the optical adapter 60 is not attached, the process proceeds to step 71. On the other hand, if it is determined that the optical adapter 60 is attached, the process proceeds to step 75.

  In step 75, the system control unit 19 determines again whether the ON / OFF switch of the LED 10 in the user interface 24 is ON. Note that the determination method at this time may be the same as that in step 71. If it is determined that the switch is not turned on, the process proceeds to step 71. On the other hand, when the switch is turned on, the routine proceeds to step 73.

That is, the LED 10 can be continuously lit by repeatedly performing the processes of Step 73, Step 74, and Step 75 at predetermined intervals.
As described above, in the fourth embodiment, in the optical adapter 60 in which the LED 10 as the light source is built, even when the optical adapter 60 is once removed and then attached again, the current flowing through the LED 10 can be gradually increased. Therefore, destruction of LED10 itself and the peripheral member of LED10 is prevented, and performance and quality deterioration are prevented.

In addition, when the optical adapter 60 is removed and the adapter contact 69 is open, the voltage of the lighting power source for the LED 10 is not applied, so the safety is further improved.
By the way, the CCD drive unit 21 shown in FIGS. 1 and 7 can be composed of a single CCD drive substrate 76 having the structure illustrated in FIG.

  In FIG. 10, a CCD drive board 76 has solder plating patterns 79 and 80a to 80o to which a plurality of signal lines in a composite coaxial cable connected to the CCD 9 are soldered, and further optimizes the CCD drive pulse. A CCD drive circuit portion 77 is provided. Here, the solder plating pattern 79 is a pattern for collectively soldering the outer shield wires of the composite coaxial cable. The solder plating patterns 80a to 80o are solder plating patterns for soldering signal lines.

  Usually, the substrate on which the composite coaxial cable is soldered and the substrate on which the CCD drive circuit is mounted are configured separately, but by adopting a configuration as shown in FIG. 10, the entire endoscope apparatus 1 is reduced in size. be able to.

  The contact pin 82 is connected to a pin connector in the image processing board 83 described later. In FIG. 10, reference numerals 81 a to 81 d are screw mounting holes for screwing the CCD drive substrate 76.

  Further, the CCD drive board 76 is provided with an oscilloscope probe so that the adjustment can be easily performed in combination with the image processing board 83 provided with a part of the image processing unit 22. A probe through-hole 78 for penetrating is provided. Further, a solder plating pattern (not shown) is prepared around the through hole 78.

Next, FIG. 11 will be described. This figure shows an example of the structure of the image processing board 83.
The image processing unit 22 includes an image processing board 83 and a plurality of boards (not shown). The image processing board 83 is provided with an image processing circuit portion 84 that performs image processing of a signal obtained from the CCD 9, a pin connection connector 86, and screw mounting holes 85a to 85d.

  Next, FIGS. 12 and 13 will be described. These drawings are diagrams showing how the unit combining the CCD drive substrate 76 and the image processing substrate 83 is adjusted. FIG. 12 shows the CCD drive substrate 76 in FIG. 10 and the image processing substrate 83 in FIG. FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams seen from the right side in these drawings, and FIG. 13 is a diagram seen from the lower side in these diagrams.

  The CCD drive substrate 76 and the image processing substrate 83 are fixed by spacers 89a to 89f and screws 90a to 90c. The CCD drive substrate 76 and the image processing substrate 83 are electrically connected through contact pins 82.

  In the normal adjustment, it is necessary to adjust the CCD drive substrate 76 while observing the signal in the image processing substrate 83. According to this embodiment, a unit of a combination of the CCD drive substrate 76 and the image processing substrate 83 is used. It can be easily adjusted according to the state.

The adjustment method will be described in detail below.
First, the probe 87 of the oscilloscope is exposed and connected so as to lean against the test pin 88 in the image processing substrate 83 through the probe through hole 78 in the CCD drive substrate 76. At this time, since the GND (ground) connection portion of the oscilloscope comes into contact with the solder plating pattern around the probe through-hole 78, the connection of the oscilloscope GND line and the image processing board 83 at the tip portion (probe portion) of the oscilloscope. Together with the connection to the test pin 88 above. Therefore, the signal in the image processing board 83 can be easily observed with an oscilloscope, and the CCD drive board 76 can be easily adjusted.

  In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the endoscope apparatus common to 1st, 2nd and 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the circuit structure of the LED lighting device with which the endoscope apparatus of 1st Embodiment of this invention is equipped. It is a figure which shows the circuit structure of the LED lighting device with which the endoscope apparatus of 2nd Embodiment of this invention is equipped. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement waveform of the LED control part in 2nd Embodiment of FIG. It is a figure which shows the circuit structure of the LED lighting device with which the endoscope apparatus of 3rd Embodiment of this invention is equipped. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement waveform of the LED control part in 3rd Embodiment of FIG. It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the endoscope apparatus of 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the circuit structure of an adapter attachment / detachment detection part. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content of attachment / detachment detection operation | movement of an optical adapter. It is a figure which shows the example of the structure of a CCD drive board | substrate. It is a figure which shows the example of the structure of an image processing board | substrate. FIG. 3 is a diagram (part 1) illustrating a state in which a unit combining a CCD drive substrate and an image processing substrate is adjusted. FIG. 6 is a diagram (part 2) illustrating a state in which a unit combining a CCD drive substrate and an image processing substrate is adjusted. It is a figure which shows the lighting circuit of LED of a prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Endoscope apparatus 2 Insertion part 3 Operation part 4 Universal cable 5 Power supply part 6 Fixing part 7 Display apparatus 8 Objective lens 9 CCD
10 LED
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Motor 12 Motor gear 13 Curvature control part 14 User interface 15 Battery 16 Battery detection mechanism 17 AC adapter 18 Power supply circuit 19 System control part 20 LED control part 21 CCD drive part 22 Image processing part 23 Fan 24 User interface 25 Default setting part 26 Recording / reproducing unit 27 Recording medium 28 Integration circuit 29 Constant current unit 30, 45 Constant voltage power supply 31, 42, 62, 64, 66, 67 Resistor 32, 41 Switch 33 Capacitor 34 Operational amplifier 35, 65, 68 Transistor 36 Current adjustment resistor 37 LED
Reference Signs List 40 Current adjustment resistor switching circuit 43 Clock generator 60 Optical adapter 61 Adapter attachment / detachment detection unit 63 Voltage comparator 69 Adapter contact 76 CCD drive board 77 CCD drive circuit part 78 Probe through-hole 79, 80a-80o Solder plating pattern 81a-81d , 85a to 85d Screw mounting hole 82 Contact pin 83 Image processing board 84 Image processing circuit part 86 Pin connector 87 Probe 88 Test pin 89a to 89f Spacer 90a to 90c Screw

Claims (8)

In an endoscope apparatus having an LED lighting device for lighting an LED light source,
The LED lighting device includes a constant voltage power source that outputs a constant voltage, and a constant current unit that converts the output of the constant voltage power source into a constant current and outputs the constant current to the LED light source,
An endoscope apparatus further comprising a current change limiting means for limiting a change in a current flowing through the LED light source when the LED light source is turned on in the constant current unit.   The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the current change limiting unit gradually increases a current flowing through the LED light source.   The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the current change limiting unit continuously increases the current flowing through the LED light source by integrating the output of the constant voltage power source.   The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the current change limiting unit increases the output from the constant current unit to the LED light source in a stepwise manner. In an endoscope apparatus having an LED lighting device for lighting an LED light source,
The LED lighting device includes a constant voltage power source that outputs a constant voltage in response to a control signal, and a constant current unit that converts the output of the constant voltage power source into a constant current and outputs the constant current to the LED light source,
An endoscope apparatus that variably controls a duty ratio of the control signal when an LED light source is turned on.   The endoscope apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control signal gradually increases the lighting time at a predetermined frequency. In an endoscope apparatus in which an optical adapter built in an LED light source attached to the distal end of an endoscope is detachable,
Adapter attachment / detachment detecting means for detecting attachment / detachment of the optical adapter;
An LED lighting device for lighting the LED;
With
An endoscope apparatus characterized in that lighting of the LED by the LED lighting device is controlled based on a detection result of the adapter attachment / detachment detection means. The LED lighting device includes a constant voltage power source that outputs a constant voltage, and a constant current unit that converts the output of the constant voltage power source into a constant current and outputs the constant current to the LED light source,
The constant current unit further includes current change limiting means for limiting a change in current flowing through the LED light source when the LED light source is turned on.
The endoscope apparatus according to claim 7.

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