JP2006026133A - Electronic endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To secure the function of a transmission line for transmitting signals inputted and outputted to/from an image pickup element even in the case that a bending operation is excessively performed. <P>SOLUTION: In the subject electronic endoscope provided with the image pickup element for picking up images inside a celom, a mounting board where a prescribed circuit for processing signals inputted or outputted in the image pickup element is mounted, and the transmission line of the plurality of signals inputted and outputted to/from the prescribed circuit on the distal end part, at least two systems of the transmission lines are installed regardingly to each of the plurality of signals. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging device for imaging a body cavity, a mounting board on which a circuit for processing signals input to and output from the imaging device is mounted, and a transmission path for a plurality of signals input to and output from the circuit The present invention relates to an electronic endoscope having a distal end portion thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electronic endoscope provided with an image sensor for imaging the inside of a body cavity at its distal end is widely known and put into practical use (for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2000-237128 A

  The electronic endoscope as disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a circuit for driving the element, and a plurality of signal lines that are transmission paths for signals input to and output from the element, in addition to the imaging element. ing. The signal line transmits a signal to be processed between the image sensor and the processor, and extends from the distal end portion of the electronic endoscope to the connection portion with the processor.

  In general, an endoscope is provided with a mechanism that bends the vicinity of its distal end so that the observation visual field in a body cavity can be changed. When the vicinity of the distal end is bent, the direction of the front surface of the distal end (that is, the surface on which the observation system is installed) is changed, so that the observation visual field is also changed.

  When the vicinity of the tip portion is bent, the signal line wired inside thereof is bent similarly. However, in order to reduce the diameter of the endoscope, such a signal line is very thin, and the bent part is always the same part. For this reason, when the bending operation is excessively performed, it is assumed that the signal line is deteriorated, damaged, or disconnected. When a problem occurs in the signal line in this way, it becomes impossible to transmit a signal between the image sensor and the processor.

  Therefore, in view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides an electronic endoscope that does not lose the function of a transmission path for transmitting a signal input to and output from an image sensor even when the bending operation is excessively performed. The purpose is to do.

  An electronic endoscope according to an aspect of the present invention that solves the above-described problem is provided with an imaging element that images the inside of a body cavity and a predetermined circuit for processing a signal that is input to and output from the imaging element The front end portion includes a substrate and a plurality of signal transmission paths that are input to and output from the predetermined circuit, and at least two transmission paths are provided for each of the plurality of signals.

  In the electronic endoscope, each signal transmission path has an electrode connected to a corresponding portion in the predetermined circuit, and at least two signal lines connected to the electrode. May be.

  In the electronic endoscope, each signal transmission path is independently connected to each of the at least two identical electrodes and at least two identical electrodes that are electrically connected to corresponding portions in the predetermined circuit. Alternatively, it may have at least two signal lines. The at least two identical electrodes may be disposed adjacent to each other on the mounting substrate. Further, it may be arranged on the mounting substrate so as to face each other with the vicinity of the endoscope central axis in between. Alternatively, it may be arranged on the mounting substrate with an electrode forming another signal transmission path between them.

  The electronic endoscope may further include a bending mechanism that bends the vicinity of the distal end portion in a predetermined direction. In this case, an electrode that forms a transmission path for each signal may be disposed in a region on the mounting substrate excluding the vicinity of a line drawn in the predetermined direction from the central axis of the endoscope.

  In the above electronic endoscope, a plurality of electrodes constituting each signal transmission path are for transmitting a vertical drive signal, for transmitting a horizontal drive signal, and for transmitting a power supply voltage. , A grounding material may be included.

  In the electronic endoscope, the electrodes forming the transmission path for each signal may be disposed on the back surface of the circuit mounting surface on the mounting substrate.

  Since the electronic endoscope of the present invention includes at least two transmission paths for each signal, for example, even if one of the transmission paths is disconnected due to excessive bending operation, the signal is transmitted through the other transmission paths. It is possible to transmit.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an electronic endoscope system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the electronic endoscope system 10 of the present embodiment. Below, with reference to FIG.1 and FIG.2, the structure and effect | action of the electronic endoscope system 10 of this embodiment are demonstrated.

  The electronic endoscope system 10 according to the present embodiment is inserted into a body cavity, and includes an electronic endoscope 100 that images a biological tissue that is an observation target in the body cavity. In addition, the processor 200 includes a signal processing unit that processes an electrical signal output from the electronic endoscope 100 and converts it into a monitor-displayable signal, and a light source device for illuminating the inside of the body cavity. . Furthermore, it has the monitor 300 which displays the signal which this processor 200 output as an image | video.

  The electronic endoscope 100 according to the present embodiment includes a connector unit 110 that is connected to a processor-side connector unit 210 included in the processor 200. Inside the connector unit 110, an in-connector board 120 on which various elements are mounted is installed. The electronic endoscope 100 is electrically and optically connected to the processor 200 by connecting the connector unit 110 to the processor side connector unit 210.

  In addition, the electronic endoscope 100 includes an operation unit 130 for an operator to operate the endoscope 100. The connector unit 110 and the operation unit 130 are connected by a universal cord 140 having flexibility. Furthermore, this electronic endoscope 100 includes a flexible insertion portion flexible tube 150 as a portion to be inserted into a body cavity, and a distal end portion 160 formed at the distal end portion of the insertion portion flexible tube 150. It has. In the electronic endoscope 100, a plurality of signal lines for transmitting various signals and a light guide for guiding illumination light to the observation target are disposed between the distal end portion 160 and the connector unit 110.

  The processor 200 includes a lamp 221 that is a light source of white light emitted into the body cavity, a condenser lens 222 installed in front of the lamp 221, a lamp control circuit 223 that controls the light emission of the lamp 221, and the processor 200. A control unit 230 that performs overall processing and an operation panel 240 for performing various operations by the surgeon are provided. As the lamp 221 here, for example, a metal halide lamp, a xenon lamp, a halogen lamp, or the like is assumed.

  When a light on / off switch (not shown) for turning on / off the lamp 221 provided on the operation panel 240 is operated and turned on, a signal indicating that the switch is turned on is input to the control unit 230. The control unit 230 transmits a control signal to the lamp control circuit 223 based on this input signal. When the lamp control circuit 223 controls the light emission of the lamp 221 based on this control signal, the lamp 221 is turned on. The white light emitted from the lamp 221 is condensed near the end of the light guide 162 serving as a light guide unit on the processor side by the condenser lens 222 and is incident on the light guide 162, and the inside thereof is directed toward the tip 160. Is transmitted.

  FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing a section in the vicinity of the distal end portion 160 of the electronic endoscope 100. The tip portion 160 of the present embodiment has a resin frame 161 for holding each component as a housing. Since the resin forming the frame body 161 is hard, the distal end portion 160 is not flexible and is hard unlike the insertion portion flexible tube 150. Below, with reference to FIG. 3, the structure and effect | action of the front-end | tip part 160 of this embodiment are demonstrated.

  The light guide 162 described above is disposed along the universal cord 140 and the insertion portion flexible tube 150 of the electronic endoscope 100, one end of which is positioned near the condenser lens 222, and the other end is the tip. It is located inside the part 160. A light distribution lens 163 for irradiating the body cavity with white light transmitted through the light guide 162 is disposed in front of the end portion on the distal end portion 160 side. Note that the vicinity of the end of the light guide 162 on the front end 160 side and the light distribution lens 163 are held by the frame 161.

  The white light emitted from the light distribution lens 163 illuminates the biological tissue that is the observation target, and is reflected by the tissue. The reflected white light is incident on the objective lens group 164 included in the distal end portion 160. The objective lens group 164 is held by a lens frame 165, and this lens frame 165 is held by a frame body 161.

  The reflected light emitted from the objective lens group 164 is reflected on the light receiving surface (the surface on which a plurality of light receiving elements are arranged in a matrix) 172 of the solid-state image sensor 171 by the power of the objective lens group 164. Formed as an optical image. The optical image of the living tissue imaged on the light receiving surface 172 is accumulated as a charge corresponding to the amount of light in each light receiving element and converted into an image signal of the living tissue. A cover glass 173 for protecting the light receiving surface 172 is bonded to the front surface of the light receiving surface 172. Further, an infrared cut low-pass filter 174 for reducing generation of false colors and moire is adhered to the front surface of the cover glass 173.

  The solid-state imaging device 171 has a plurality of pad portions (not shown) in a non-light receiving region on the same surface as the light receiving surface 172. These pad portions are electrodes formed by the same semiconductor process as the light receiving surface 172, and are arranged at a predetermined interval. Each pad portion is bonded to one end of a lead 175 that is a signal line for transmitting a signal input / output in the solid-state imaging device 171. These leads 175 are pulled out from the light receiving surface 172 side toward the rear of the solid-state imaging device 171. Note that the lead 175 is made of gold that is flexible and has excellent electrical characteristics such as low impedance.

  A mounting board 181 on which a circuit including a plurality of electric elements for processing signals input / output in the solid-state image sensor 171 is mounted behind the solid-state image sensor 171. A plurality of lands (not shown) that are part of the copper foil pattern drawn on the substrate 181 are provided on the side surface of the mounting substrate 181. The other end of each of the plurality of leads 175 drawn out from the solid-state image sensor 171 is soldered to these lands. Each of these lands is connected to an electric element on the mounting substrate 181, for example.

  Here, the electric element 182 shown in FIG. 3 constitutes a booster circuit that boosts the power supply voltage supplied to the solid-state image sensor 171 from the processor 200 side, for example. A plurality of electrodes are disposed on the surface of the mounting substrate 181 opposite to the mounting surface, and the electric element 182 is electrically connected to two independent electrodes 182a and 182b. Each of these electrodes is soldered with a plurality of signal lines for transmitting various signals arranged from the connector unit 110 to the tip portion 160. These electrodes 182a and 182b are connected to signal lines 182A and 182B for transmitting a signal for a power supply voltage, respectively. Therefore, the signal for the power supply voltage supplied from the processor 200 side is transmitted to the two signal lines 182A and 182B, and is input to the electric element 182 through the electrodes 182a and 182b connected to the signal lines. . After boosting, the pattern on the mounting substrate 181 is transmitted, the lead 175 is transmitted through the land, and is input to the solid-state image sensor 171 from the pad portion. As a result, the power supply voltage is supplied to the solid-state image sensor 171.

  3 outputs, for example, a well-known horizontal drive signal and vertical drive signal for driving the solid-state imaging device 171 according to the control on the processor 200 side. The electrical element 183 is an electrode disposed on the surface opposite to the mounting surface of the mounting substrate 181 and is electrically connected to two independent electrodes 183a and 183b. These electrodes 183a and 183b are connected to signal lines 183A and 183B for transmitting the output signal of the processor 200, respectively. Therefore, the control signal supplied from the processor 200 side is transmitted to the two signal lines of the signal lines 183A and 183B, and is input to the electric element 183 through the electrodes 183a and 183b connected to the signal lines. When the horizontal drive signal and the vertical drive signal are output by the element 183, these signals transmit a pattern on the mounting substrate 181, transmit the lead 175 through the land, and perform solid-state imaging from the pad portion. Input to the element 171. Thereby, an imaging process is performed in each light receiving element of the solid-state imaging element 171.

  Further, the electric element 184 is for performing pre-processing of the image signal output from the solid-state image sensor 171 (for convenience, processing performed on the electronic endoscope 100 side is pre-processing, and the processor 200 side The processing executed in step 4 is the subsequent processing). The electrical element 184 is an electrode disposed on the surface opposite to the mounting surface of the mounting substrate 181 and is electrically connected to two independent electrodes 184a and 184b. These electrodes 184a and 184b are respectively connected to signal lines 184A and 184B that transmit the image signal processed in the previous stage. Accordingly, the image signal output from the solid-state imaging device 171 is transmitted through the lead 175 through the pad portion, transmitted through the land through the pattern on the mounting substrate 181, and input to the electric device 184. Then, after the pre-processing, the two signal lines 183A and 183B are transmitted via the electrodes 183a and 183b and are output to the processor 200.

  Furthermore, two electrodes 185 a and 185 b are disposed on the mounting substrate 181. These electrodes 185a and 185b are connected to signal lines 185A and 185B dropped to the ground, respectively. The solid-state imaging device 171 is connected to these electrodes 185a and 185b through the pad portion, the lead 175, the land, and the pattern on the mounting substrate 181.

  As described above, the electronic endoscope 100 according to the present embodiment includes two transmission paths for transmitting each signal.

  In FIG. 3, the number of electric elements mounted on the mounting substrate 181 is three, but this is shown in a simplified manner for easy understanding of the description. The number of is not limited to that illustrated in this embodiment. Further, the mounted electrical element is not limited to the one that performs the above-described processing.

  All the signal lines connected to each of the electrodes described above are disposed along the universal cord 140 and the insertion portion flexible tube 150, and the boundary line between the distal end portion 160 and the insertion portion flexible tube 150 ( 3 is housed in a flexible tube 186 having one end near the top and a connector unit 110 having the other end.

  Each component located between the rear end of the lens frame 165 and the tip of the tube 186 is held in a thin metal cylinder 170. Further, a space in the cylinder 170 that extends from the surface on which the electrodes on the mounting substrate 181 are arranged to the end of the cylinder 170 is filled with a curable resin 187 (for example, an epoxy resin). Therefore, each signal line exposed from the tube 186 is fixed by the resin 187. Moreover, since each signal line accommodated in the tube 186 is not fixed by the resin as described above, flexibility is maintained.

  Next, signal processing in the processor 200 will be described.

  As described above, the image signal output from the solid-state image sensor 171 is processed in the preceding stage and transmitted through two transmission lines having signal lines 184A and 184B, and input to the image processing signal circuit 251 included in the processor 200. To do. The image signal input to the circuit 251 is subjected to post-processing, color-separated into R component, G component, and B component color component signals and output to the amplifier 252.

  The amplifier 252 includes an amplifier 252R that amplifies the R component signal, an amplifier 252G that amplifies the G component signal, and an amplifier 252B that amplifies the B component signal. The signal of each color component output from the image signal processing circuit 251 is input to the corresponding amplifier, and the intensity (signal level) is amplified and output to the memory 253.

  The memory 253 includes a memory 253R that stores an R component signal, a memory 253G that stores a G component signal, and a memory 253B that stores a B component signal. Each color component signal output from the amplifier 252 is stored in a corresponding memory. The signals of the color components stored in the memories are simultaneously read out from the memories 253R, 253G, and 253B at a predetermined timing under the control of the control unit 230, and output to the video signal processing circuit 254. The video signal processing circuit 254 converts the video signal into a video signal that can be displayed on the monitor (for example, a composite video signal, an S video signal, or an RGB video signal). When the converted video signal is output to the monitor 300 via the character superimposing circuit 255 described later, the image in the body cavity currently being observed is displayed on the screen of the monitor 300.

  The electronic endoscope 100 is a bending mechanism that bends the vicinity of the distal end portion 160 (more precisely, a part of the insertion portion flexible tube 150 positioned near the distal end portion 160) in order to change the observation field of view in the body cavity. The insertion portion flexible tube 150 includes wires 191 and 192 arranged from the distal end portion to the distal end portion thereof. This bending mechanism is interlocked with the operation of the operation unit 130. For example, when the operation unit 130 is operated so as to slide the wire 191 in the direction of arrow C, the vicinity of the boundary line between the distal end portion 160 and the insertion portion flexible tube 150 is bent, and the distal end portion 160 moves in the arrow down direction. Thereby, since the direction of the front surface of the front end portion 160 (that is, the direction of the objective lens group 164) is also changed in the arrow down direction, the observation visual field is also changed. When the operation unit 130 is operated so that the wire 192 is slid in the direction of arrow C, the vicinity of the boundary line between the distal end portion 160 and the insertion portion flexible tube 150 is bent as described above, and the distal end portion 160 Move in the direction. Thereby, since the direction of the front surface of the front end portion 160 is also changed in the arrow-up direction, the observation visual field is also changed. The electronic endoscope 100 has two other wires (not shown). These wires move the front surface of the distal end portion 160 in an arrow right direction and an arrow left direction obtained by rotating the arrow up direction and the arrow down direction by 90 degrees around the central axis 100a of the electronic endoscope.

  When the vicinity of the distal end portion 160 is bent by the bending mechanism, the signal lines such as the signal lines 182A and 182B are wired across the insertion portion flexible tube 150 and the distal end portion 160. It bends like the tube 150. Here, as described above, in each signal line, the portion exposed from the tube 186 is fixed by the resin 187, and the portion accommodated in the tube 186 is not fixed. In addition, the most bent portion of each signal line is a portion that is always located near the end of the tube 186. For this reason, when the bending operation is excessively performed, it is assumed that the signal line is deteriorated, damaged, or disconnected.

  However, the electronic endoscope 100 of this embodiment has two transmission paths for transmitting each signal, such as the signal lines 183A and 183B connected to the electrodes 183a and 183b that form the transmission path for driving signals, respectively. It has a system. For this reason, for example, even if one transmission line is disconnected due to an excessive bending operation, a signal can be transmitted through the other transmission line.

  FIG. 4 shows a disconnection detection circuit for detecting that one of the two transmission lines for transmitting each signal is disconnected (or that signal transmission cannot be performed due to damage, etc.), and an electronic endoscope when the connection is disconnected. The block diagram which showed the structure which detects 100 use environments etc. is shown. Here, a transmission path for transmitting a horizontal drive signal and a vertical drive signal will be described as an example. FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a state in which the two transmission lines are normal, and FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a state in which one transmission line is disconnected.

  The disconnection detection mechanism included in the electronic endoscope 100 according to the present embodiment includes a resistor connected to each transmission path and a detection amplifier that compares the voltage value of each transmission path. In the example shown in FIG. 4, resistors r1 and r3 of, for example, 10 kΩ are mounted on the connector inner board 120 installed in the connector unit 110. Further, resistors r2 and r4 that are light loads of, for example, 1 kΩ and do not affect the driving of the solid-state imaging device 171 are mounted on the mounting substrate 181 installed inside the tip portion 160. One end of these resistors r2 and r4 is connected to the ground. Note that the resistor r1 and the resistor r2 are disposed in the transmission line having the signal line 183A. In addition, the resistor r3 and the resistor r4 are disposed in the transmission line having the signal line 183B. Furthermore, on the connector inner substrate 120, a detection amplifier 121 connected to each of the transmission path having the signal line 183A and the transmission path having the signal line 183B is mounted. An endoscope control unit 122 is disposed at the output destination of the detection amplifier 121.

この場合、検出アンプ１２１の両入力部において同一値の電圧が検出される為、当該検出アンプ１２１は、「Ｈ」信号を内視鏡制御部１２２に出力する。入力信号が「Ｈ」信号の場合、内視鏡制御部１２２は、伝送路が断線していないと判断する。 First, with reference to FIG. 4A, a case where the two transmission lines are normal will be described. When the voltage V is applied from the control unit 230 to the electronic endoscope 100, the voltage values E ₁ and E ₂ detected by the input units V ₁ and V ₂ of the detection amplifier 121 are expressed by the following equation ( ₁ ). Value. In this example, the resistance of the electric element 183 is not taken into consideration for the sake of easy understanding. The resistance value of the resistor r1 is “r1”, the resistance value of the resistor r2 is “r2”, the resistance value of the resistor r3 is “r3”, and the resistance value of the resistor r4 is “r4”.

In this case, since the same voltage is detected at both input parts of the detection amplifier 121, the detection amplifier 121 outputs an “H” signal to the endoscope control part 122. When the input signal is an “H” signal, the endoscope control unit 122 determines that the transmission path is not disconnected.

また、検出アンプ１２１の入力部Ｖ_２で検出される電圧値Ｅ_２は、電圧値Ｖとなる。この場合、検出アンプ１２１の両入力部の各々において検出される電圧値が異なる為、当該検出アンプ１２１は、「Ｌ」信号を内視鏡制御部１２２に出力する。入力信号が「Ｌ」信号の場合、内視鏡制御部１２２は、伝送路が断線したと判断する。 Next, a case where the signal line 183B is disconnected will be described with reference to FIG. When the control unit 230 a voltage V is applied toward the electronic endoscope 100, the voltage value E ₁ is detected at the input V ₁ of the sense amplifier 121 has a value indicated by the number 2 below.

The voltage value E ₂ detected at the input V ₂ of the detection amplifier 121 becomes the voltage value V. In this case, since the voltage values detected at both the input parts of the detection amplifier 121 are different, the detection amplifier 121 outputs an “L” signal to the endoscope control part 122. When the input signal is an “L” signal, the endoscope control unit 122 determines that the transmission path is disconnected.

  A disconnection detection mechanism similar to that of the detection amplifier 121 and the resistors r1 to r4 as shown in FIG. 4 is also installed in the transmission path of other signals such as an image signal and ground.

  The endoscope control unit 122 includes a counter 122 a that counts the operation time of the electronic endoscope 100. Further, an EEPROM 123, a temperature sensor 124, and a humidity sensor 125 that store information related to disconnection are mounted on the in-connector board 120 installed in the connector unit 110. The endoscope control unit 122 executes character information generation processing described below using information obtained from these components. The time counted by the counter 122a may be a continuous operation time that is reset every time the power is turned off, or may be a cumulative operation time that is accumulated even when the power is turned off.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a character information generation process executed by the endoscope control unit 122 of the electronic endoscope 100 according to the present embodiment. Below, with reference to FIG. 5, the character information generation process performed in this embodiment is demonstrated.

  Note that the character information generation processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 ends when a power source (not shown) of the electronic endoscope 100 is turned off.

  When the power source of the electronic endoscope 100 is turned on, the endoscope control unit 122 determines whether or not the signal output from the detection amplifier 121 is an “L” signal (Step 1, hereinafter, steps). Abbreviated "S"). When the signal output from the detection amplifier 121 is an “H” signal (S1: NO), since the transmission path is not disconnected, the endoscope control unit 122 does not proceed with the process of this flowchart and performs a predetermined timing. Later, the determination process of S1 is performed again. When the signal output from the detection amplifier 121 is an “L” signal (S1: YES), the endoscope control unit 122 acquires various types of information in S2 because one of the transmission paths is disconnected. Proceed to processing.

  In the process of S2, the endoscope control unit 122 acquires the continuous operation time (or cumulative operation time) counted by the counter 122a. At this time, the temperature information detected by the temperature sensor 124 and the humidity information detected by the humidity sensor 125 are also acquired. Furthermore, information indicating which signal transmission path is disconnected (for example, information indicating that the transmission path transmitting the drive signal is disconnected in FIG. 4B) is acquired.

  If various information is acquired, the endoscope control part 122 will memorize | store these information in EEPROM123 (S3). Then, character information representing the acquired information is generated (S4) and output to the character superimposing circuit 255 of the processor 200 (S5), the process returns to the determination process of S1 again, and the series of processes described above is repeated.

  When the character superimposing circuit 255 provided in the processor 200 acquires the character information from the endoscope control unit 122, the character superimposing circuit 255 superimposes the character information on the video signal output from the video signal processing circuit 254, and outputs it to the monitor 300. To do. As a result, the character indicating the disconnection of the transmission path along with the observation target in the body cavity is displayed on the monitor 300.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 6 to FIG. 9, the arrangement of electrodes and signal lines inside the electronic endoscope 100 according to various embodiments will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the structure of the electronic endoscope 100 according to the embodiment in which the electrodes and the signal lines are arranged so that two transmission lines that transmit the same signal are adjacent to each other. FIG. 6A is a diagram showing the electrode arrangement on the mounting substrate 181 in this form. FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the insertion portion flexible tube 150, in which only each signal line is extracted and shown.

  Here, the signal line to which the load is most applied when the operation unit 130 is operated and the vicinity of the distal end portion 160 is bent is arranged at a position where the signal line extends most at the time of bending. Also, a relatively high load is applied to the signal line arranged at the most contracted position when bent. In the electronic endoscope 100 of FIG. 6B, for example, when the vicinity of the distal end portion 160 is bent so that the front surface of the distal end portion 160 faces in the arrow-up direction, the arrow with respect to the central axis 100a of the electronic endoscope is used. The signal line 185A located in the direction opposite to the direction extends most. Therefore, the highest load is applied to the signal line 185A. In this case, the signal line 183A located in the direction coinciding with the arrow up direction is most contracted. Therefore, a relatively high load is applied to the signal line 183A.

  In the electronic endoscope 100 of the form shown in FIG. 6, when the electronic endoscope central axis 100a is used as a reference, in the two transmission lines that transmit each signal, one of the transmission lines has any bending direction. The other transmission path is located in a direction that does not coincide with any of the bending directions. An example of the arrangement of two transmission lines that transmit a signal for power supply voltage will be described. The transmission line having the electrode 182a and the signal line 182A is positioned in a direction that coincides with the arrow left direction, and the electrode 182b and the signal The transmission line having the line 182B is located in a direction that does not coincide with any bending direction.

  When each transmission path is arranged as shown in FIG. 6, different loads are applied to each of the two transmission paths that transmit the same signal when the vicinity of the tip 160 is bent. For this reason, these transmission lines are not substantially disconnected or damaged at the same time. Therefore, the surgeon can easily grasp whether or not each transmission path is transmitting a signal to be transmitted by the disconnection detection mechanism or the character information generation process. As a result, for example, even when one of the two transmission lines that transmit the same signal is disconnected, the surgeon can quickly cope with the transmission of the other transmission line. Surely implemented. In other words, the transmission path of a certain signal does not fail during the procedure.

  Further, FIG. 7 shows an electronic endoscope according to an embodiment in which each electrode and signal line are arranged so that each of two transmission paths for transmitting the same signal is opposed to each other with the central axis 100a of the electronic endoscope interposed therebetween. FIG. Fig.7 (a) is a figure similar to Fig.6 (a), Comprising: It is a figure which shows the electrode arrangement | positioning on the mounting board | substrate 181 of this form. FIG. 7B is a view similar to FIG. 6B, and is a cross-sectional view of the insertion portion flexible tube 150, in which only each signal line is extracted and shown.

  In the electronic endoscope 100 of the form shown in FIG. 7, when the electronic endoscope central axis 100a is used as a reference, two systems of transmission lines (electrodes 182a, 182b, signal line 182A, And 182B) and two systems of transmission lines (including electrodes 184a and 184b and signal lines 184A and 184B) for transmitting an image signal are located in directions that do not coincide with any of the bending directions. Since these transmission lines are arranged at places where relatively little load is applied, they are not easily broken or damaged by the bending operation.

  Also, two transmission lines (including electrodes 183a and 183b and signal lines 183A and 183B) for transmitting a horizontal drive signal and a vertical drive signal, and two transmission lines (electrodes 185a, 185b, Signal lines 185A and 185B) are located in a direction that coincides with one of the bending directions. However, during the bending operation, different loads are applied to the two transmission lines. For this reason, these transmission lines are not substantially disconnected or damaged at the same time. Accordingly, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the transmission path of a certain signal does not fail during the procedure.

  Further, in FIG. 8, the electrodes and the signal lines are arranged so that each of the two systems of transmission paths for transmitting the same signal is at a position rotated about 90 degrees around the central axis 100a of the electronic endoscope. It is a figure which shows the structure of the electronic endoscope of embodiment. FIG. 8A is a view similar to FIG. 6A and shows the electrode arrangement on the mounting substrate 181 in this form. FIG. 8B is a view similar to FIG. 6B, and is a cross-sectional view of the insertion portion flexible tube 150, in which only each signal line is extracted and shown.

  In the electronic endoscope 100 of the form shown in FIG. 8, when the electronic endoscope central axis 100a is used as a reference, two transmission lines for transmitting a power supply voltage signal and two systems for transmitting an image signal are used. The transmission path is located in a direction that does not coincide with any of the bending directions, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. Since these transmission lines are arranged at places where relatively little load is applied, they are not easily broken or damaged by the bending operation.

  Also, the two transmission lines that transmit the horizontal drive signal and the vertical drive signal and the two transmission lines connected to the ground are in the same direction as any of the bending directions, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. Is located. In other words, the transmission line having the electrode 183a and the signal line 183A among the two transmission lines that transmit the drive signal is located in the direction that coincides with the arrow-up direction, and has the electrode 183b and the signal line 183B. The transmission path is located in a direction that coincides with the arrow light direction. Of the two transmission lines connected to the ground, the transmission line having the electrode 185a and the signal line 185A is positioned in the direction matching the arrow down direction, and the transmission line having the electrode 185b and the signal line 185B is It is located in a direction that matches the arrow left direction.

  Here, the frequency at which the vicinity of the tip 160 is bent in the arrow up / down direction and the arrow right / left direction is different. For this reason, a different load is applied to each of the two transmission lines for the drive signal or ground. Therefore, these transmission lines are not substantially disconnected or damaged at the same time. As a result, like the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the transmission path of a certain signal does not function during the procedure.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the structure of the electronic endoscope according to the embodiment in which the electrodes and the signal lines are arranged in a direction that does not coincide with any bending direction when the electronic endoscope central axis 100a is used as a reference. is there. FIG. 9A is a view similar to FIG. 6A and shows the electrode arrangement on the mounting substrate 181 in this form. FIG. 9B is a view similar to FIG. 6B, and is a cross-sectional view of the insertion portion flexible tube 150, in which only each signal line is extracted and shown.

  In the electronic endoscope 100 of the form shown in FIG. 9, all transmission paths are arranged in a region on the mounting substrate 181 excluding the vicinity of a line drawn in the bending direction from the central axis 100a of the electronic endoscope. . Since these transmission lines are arranged at places where relatively little load is applied, they are not easily broken or damaged by the bending operation.

  The above is the embodiment of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to these embodiments and can be modified in various ranges.

  In this embodiment, each signal transmission path has two electrodes and two signal lines connected to each of them. In another embodiment, each signal transmission path is connected to one electrode. Alternatively, it may have two signal lines.

It is the figure which showed typically the electronic endoscope system of embodiment of this invention. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the electronic endoscope system of embodiment of this invention. It is the sectional side view which showed the cross section of the front-end | tip part vicinity of the electronic endoscope of embodiment of this invention. It is the block diagram which showed the structure which detects the use environment of an electronic endoscope, etc. when a disconnection detection circuit which detects one of two transmission lines which transmit each signal was disconnected, and disconnection. It is the flowchart which showed the character information generation process which the control part of the electronic endoscope of embodiment of this invention performs. It is a figure which shows one form of the electronic endoscope which has arrange | positioned each electrode and a signal wire | line. It is a figure which shows one form of the electronic endoscope which has arrange | positioned each electrode and a signal wire | line. It is a figure which shows one form of the electronic endoscope which has arrange | positioned each electrode and a signal wire | line. It is a figure which shows one form of the electronic endoscope which has arrange | positioned each electrode and a signal wire | line.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Electronic endoscope system 100 Electronic endoscope 120 Connector inner board 121 Detection amplifier 122 Endoscope control part 123 EEPROM
124 Temperature sensor 125 Humidity sensor 130 Operation part 150 Insertion part Flexible tube 160 Tip part 171 Solid-state image sensor 175 Lead 181 Mounting substrate 182, 183, 184 Electric element 182a, 182b, 183a, 183b, 184a, 184b, 185a, 185b Electrode 182A, 182B, 183A, 183B, 184A, 184B, 185A, 185B Signal line 191, 192 Wire 200 Processor 230 Controller 255 Character superimposing circuit 300 Monitor r1, r2, r3, r4 Resistance

Claims (9)

An image sensor for imaging the body cavity;
A mounting board on which a predetermined circuit for processing a signal input / output in the image sensor is mounted;
In an electronic endoscope comprising a plurality of signal transmission paths input to and output from the predetermined circuit, and a distal end thereof,
An electronic endoscope characterized in that at least two transmission paths are provided for each of the plurality of signals.   2. The transmission line for each signal includes an electrode that is electrically connected to a corresponding portion in the predetermined circuit, and at least two signal lines connected to the electrode. An electronic endoscope according to 1.   The transmission path of each signal includes at least two identical electrodes that are electrically connected to corresponding portions in the predetermined circuit, and at least two signal lines that are independently connected to each of the at least two identical electrodes. The electronic endoscope according to claim 1, further comprising:   The electronic endoscope according to claim 3, wherein the at least two identical electrodes are arranged adjacent to each other on the mounting substrate.   The electronic endoscope according to claim 3, wherein the at least two identical electrodes are arranged on the mounting substrate so as to face each other with a vicinity of an endoscope central axis in between.   The electronic endoscope according to claim 3, wherein the at least two identical electrodes are arranged on the mounting substrate with an electrode forming the transmission path of another signal interposed therebetween. A bending mechanism that bends the vicinity of the tip in a predetermined direction;
3. The electrode constituting the transmission path of each signal is arranged in a region on the mounting substrate excluding the vicinity of a line drawn in the predetermined direction from the central axis of the endoscope. Item 7. The electronic endoscope according to any one of Items 6.   The plurality of electrodes constituting each signal transmission path include at least one for transmitting a vertical drive signal, one for transmitting a horizontal drive signal, one for transmitting a power supply voltage, and one serving as a ground. The electronic endoscope according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein   The electronic endoscope according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the electrodes constituting each signal transmission path are disposed on a back surface of a mounting surface of the circuit on the mounting substrate. .

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