JP2006110228A - Light source device for endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a light source device for an endoscope apparatus, capable of cooling not only a main light source but an auxiliary light source under usage, having a simple structure. <P>SOLUTION: When the main light source emits illumination light, an arm 60 connected to an auxiliary light source driving motor 46 holds the auxiliary light source 38 at a retracted position, so as not to interrupt the light path of the illumination light. When the main light source 32 does not emit the illumination light due to a certain abnormality, the auxiliary light source driving motor 46 moves the auxiliary light source 38 from the retracted position to a light path position. The auxiliary light source 38 at the light path position exists on the light path of the illumination from the main light source 32 and emits the illumination light in a direction being the same as that of the main light source 32. Cool blow passing through the radiation part 32L of the main light source 32 having a heat sink cools the auxiliary light source 38 for emitting the illumination light at the light path position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a light source device used in, for example, an endoscope apparatus.

  An electronic endoscope apparatus is generally composed of a processor including a light source for illuminating a body tissue that is a subject, and a video scope including an image sensor. Illumination light from the light source is emitted from the distal end portion of the videoscope to the subject via a light guide inserted into the videoscope. Then, an image signal obtained by the image sensor is transmitted to the processor, and a predetermined process is performed on the image signal in the processor, whereby the subject image is displayed on the monitor.

In order to cool a light source that generates heat due to emission of illumination light and prevent the light source from exceeding a predetermined temperature, an endoscope apparatus is usually provided with a fan (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, a spare light source used to extract the videoscope from the patient's body is generally used in case the main light source is unable to emit illumination light during observation of the subject due to lamp life or failure. Is provided in the endoscope apparatus (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2004-180814 A (FIG. 1) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-167126 (FIG. 2)

  The fan for the light source provided in the endoscope apparatus is usually for cooling only the main light source, and cannot be used for a spare light source that is not always used. For this reason, when the auxiliary light source is used for a relatively long time, the temperature of the auxiliary light source may rise beyond the allowable range. Further, if a fan is provided for each of the main light source and the auxiliary light source, the structure of the light source device becomes complicated.

  An object of the present invention is to realize a light source device for an endoscope apparatus that can cool not only a main light source but also a spare light source in use and has a simple structure.

  The light source device of the present invention includes first and second light sources that respectively emit first and second illumination lights for illuminating a subject, an abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality of the first light source, and a first And a light source cooling means capable of cooling the second light source. When the abnormality detection unit detects an abnormality of the first light source, the second light source emits the second illumination light, and the light source cooling unit cools the second light source.

  The light source device preferably further includes a light source moving unit that moves the second light source. When the abnormality detecting unit detects an abnormality of the first light source, the light source moving unit uses the second light source and the light source cooling unit uses the second light source. Move to a coolable position. More preferably, the light source moving means moves the second light source from the retracted position not on the optical path of the first illumination light onto the optical path of the first illumination light. In this case, the light source moving means rotates, for example, the second light source.

  The second light source preferably emits the second illumination light in the same direction as the first illumination light at a position where the light source cooling means can cool. And it is preferable that a light source device further has a light source position detection means which detects that there exists a 2nd light source in the position which a light source cooling means can cool.

  The light source cooling unit is, for example, a blowing unit that sends cooling air to the light source. In this case, the cooling air preferably passes through the first light source and hits the second light source.

  The second light source includes, for example, a semiconductor light emitting element (LED). The light intensity of the second illumination light is preferably lower than the light intensity of the first illumination light.

  The endoscope apparatus of the present invention includes a light source device. And it is preferable that an endoscope apparatus further has an abnormality notification means for notifying the user of an abnormality of the first light source.

  According to the present invention, not only a main light source but also a spare light source in use can be cooled, and a light source device for an endoscope apparatus having a simple structure can be realized.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the electronic endoscope apparatus 10.

  The electronic endoscope apparatus 10 includes a video scope 20 used for imaging in a body cavity of a patient, and a processor 30 that supplies illumination light to the video scope 20 and processes an image signal transmitted from the video scope 20. Prepare. The video scope 20 is detachably connected to the processor 30, and a monitor 80 is connected to the processor 30.

  The processor 30 is provided with a light source device including a main light source 32 incorporating a xenon lamp (not shown) and an auxiliary light source 38 incorporating a white LED (not shown). The light source power supply 34 supplies a current to the main light source 32 or the auxiliary light source 38 by operating a light source lighting switch (not shown) and supplying power from the AC input terminal 36. The main light source 32 emits illumination light for illuminating the subject during normal subject observation. On the other hand, the auxiliary light source 38 is used when the main light source 32 becomes unusable due to the xenon lamp being out of service or due to failure.

  The control circuit 50 is supplied with power from the system power supply 52 and controls the entire processor 30. The control circuit 50 transmits a signal indicating the amount of current supplied from the light source power source 34 to the main light source 32 or the auxiliary light source 38 to the light source power source 34, and the main light source 32 and the auxiliary light source 38 emit and emit illumination light. Controls stop switching and the intensity of illumination light. The auxiliary light source 38 is mainly used for extracting the video scope 20 from the patient's body in an emergency in which the main light source 32 cannot be used. Since the luminance of the illumination light is not as high as when observing the subject, the light intensity of the emitted illumination light is not necessary. Is lower than that of the main light source 32. Further, the light source device is provided with a light source fan 42 for sending cooling air for cooling the main light source 32 and the auxiliary light source 38. The control circuit 50 controls the light source fan 42 so that cooling air is always blown while the electronic endoscope apparatus 10 is operating. A power supply fan 44 for cooling the light source power supply 34 is provided in the vicinity of the light source power supply 34.

  If an abnormality occurs in the main light source 32 during observation of the subject and the main light source 32 does not emit illumination light even though current is supplied from the light source power source 34, the light source power source 34 is connected to the main light source 32. Sends a signal to the control circuit 50 indicating that the illumination light is not emitted. Therefore, the control circuit 50 detects an abnormality in the main light source 32 and causes the light source power supply 34 to stop supplying current to the main light source 32 and supply current to the auxiliary light source 38. Further, the control circuit 50 sends a signal for driving the auxiliary light source 38 to the auxiliary light source driving motor 46. As a result, the main light source 32 stops emitting the illumination light, and the auxiliary light source 38 moves on the optical path of the illumination light emitted by the main light source 32 and emits the illumination light. Whether the auxiliary light source 38 is on the optical path of the illumination light from the main light source 32 is determined by the light source position sensor 40.

  The illumination light emitted from the main light source 32 or the auxiliary light source 38 passes through the diaphragm member 56 controlled by the control circuit 50 and enters the incident end 12A of the light guide 12 through the lens system 58. The light guide 12 transmits the illumination light incident on the light guide incident end 12A to the distal end portion of the video scope 20 having the observation site, and the illumination light passing through the light guide 12 is emitted from the emission end 12B.

  Illumination light reflected from the observation site, which is a subject, reaches the CCD 22 through an objective lens (not shown) and a color filter (not shown). Then, electric charges generated by photoelectric conversion for forming an image signal of the subject image corresponding to the color passing through the color filter are accumulated on the light receiving surface of the CCD 22. Here, the NTSC system is applied as the color television system, and the image signals generated in the CCD 22 are sequentially read out every field period, that is, every 1/60 second interval, and sent to the initial signal processing circuit 24. .

  In the video scope 20, a scope control unit 26 that controls the entire video scope 20 and an EEPROM 28 in which data related to characteristics and signal processing of the video scope 20 are stored in advance are provided. The scope control unit 26 sends a control signal to the initial signal processing circuit 24, reads data from the EEPROM 28 as appropriate, and sends necessary data to the control circuit 50 on the processor 30 side.

  In the initial signal processing circuit 24, the read image signal is subjected to amplification processing, and further converted from an analog signal to a digital signal. Various processes such as white balance adjustment are performed on the digital image signal to generate a luminance signal and a color difference signal. The luminance signal and the color difference signal are sent to the processor signal processing circuit 48 of the processor 30, converted into a video signal such as an NTSC signal, and output to the monitor 80. As a result, the subject image is displayed on the monitor 80.

  When the control circuit 50 detects an abnormality of the main light source 32 based on a signal from the power source 34 for the light source, a predetermined warning message for notifying the abnormality of the main light source 32 is displayed on the monitor 80 via the processor signal processing circuit 48. Let Thereby, the user can grasp | ascertain that abnormality which the main light source 32 did not radiate | emit illumination light occurred.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the arrangement of the light source device and the like in the processor 30 as viewed from above. FIG. 3 is a front view of the processor 30, and FIG. 4 is a rear view of the processor 30.

  The light source device is provided on the front right side in the processor 30. The cooling air sent out by the light source fan 42 proceeds in the direction indicated by the arrow A, and efficiently removes heat from heat sink fins (not shown) provided in the main light source 32 when passing through the main light source 32. The air is discharged from the exhaust port (not shown) provided in the processor 30 to the outside of the processor 30. As shown in the figure, the cooling air cools the auxiliary light source 38 when the auxiliary light source 38 is on the optical path of the main light source 32 in order to emit illumination light.

  On the left side of the front side of the processor 30, a circuit for processing signals sent via a control board 65 having a processor signal processing circuit 48 and a control circuit 50, and an RGB connector 64 and a Y / C connector 66 (see FIG. 4) described later. And a rear panel substrate 72 having.

  On the front surface 30L of the processor 30, an operation panel (front panel) 68 used by the user for brightness adjustment, noise reduction, etc., a processor side end 12E of the light guide 12, and a scope insertion for inserting the video scope 20 are inserted. A mouth 70 is provided (see FIG. 3). When the user operates the operation panel 68, a predetermined instruction signal corresponding to the operation is transmitted to the control circuit 50, and processing such as brightness adjustment and noise reduction is performed. On the other hand, an RGB connector 64, a Y / C connector 66, and an AC input terminal 36 are provided on the back surface 30R of the processor 30 (see FIG. 4).

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the auxiliary light source 38 as viewed from the light guide incident end 12A side. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the auxiliary light source 38 as viewed from above the processor 30.

  When the main light source 32 emits illumination light, the auxiliary light source 38 is positioned by a broken line by an arm 60 connected to the auxiliary light source drive motor 46 so as not to block the optical path L of the illumination light by the main light source 32 ( Hereinafter, it is held at a retracted position (see FIGS. 5 and 6). For this reason, the cooling air from the light source fan 42 indicated by the arrow A passes while cooling only the main light source 32 and does not hit the auxiliary light source 38 (see FIG. 6).

  On the other hand, if the main light source 32 does not emit illumination light due to some abnormality, the auxiliary light source drive motor 46 rotates the arm 60 under the control of the control circuit 50, and the auxiliary light source 38 is moved from the retracted position to the main light source indicated by a solid line. 32 is moved to a position on the optical path L of the illumination light (hereinafter referred to as an optical path position). The auxiliary light source 38 in the optical path position emits illumination light in the same direction as the main light source 32, that is, so as to travel along the optical path L (see FIG. 6). For this reason, even when the main light source 32 suddenly becomes unusable, illumination of the subject illuminated by the main light source 32 is continued. Further, since the cooling air that has passed through the heat radiating portion 32L of the main light source 32 provided with a heat sink (not shown) passes through the optical path position, the auxiliary light source 38 is cooled in the same manner as the main light source 32 while emitting illumination light. The

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a light source control routine in the electronic endoscope apparatus 10.

  When the power switch of the electronic endoscope apparatus 10 is turned on, the light source control routine starts. In step S1, the light source position sensor 40 determines whether or not the auxiliary light source 38 is in the optical path position. If it is determined that the auxiliary light source 38 is in the optical path position, the process proceeds to step S2, and if it is determined that the auxiliary light source 38 is not in the optical path position, the process proceeds to step S3. In step S2, the position of the auxiliary light source 38 is initialized, that is, under the control of the control circuit 50, the auxiliary light source drive motor 46 moves the auxiliary light source 38 to the retracted position, and the process proceeds to step S3. In step S3, it is determined whether or not the video scope 20 is connected to the processor 30, and when the video scope 20 is connected to the processor 30, the process proceeds to step S4. In step S4, necessary data is exchanged between the scope control unit 26 and the control circuit 50, and the process proceeds to step S5.

  In step S5, it is determined whether or not the light source lighting switch is on. If the light source lighting switch is on, the process proceeds to step S6. In step S6, the control circuit 50 transmits a light source ON signal for turning on the main light source 32 to the light source 34, and the process proceeds to step S7. In step S <b> 7, it is determined whether the control circuit 50 has received a light source lighting signal indicating that the main light source 32 has been turned on from the light source power source 34. When the control circuit 50 receives the light source lighting signal, the process proceeds to step S8, and when not received, the process proceeds to step S9. In step S8, the control circuit 50 controls the exposure by the electronic shutter function of the CCD 22 via the scope control unit 26 so that an appropriate exposure is obtained, and the process proceeds to step S10.

  In step S10, it is determined whether or not the operation panel 68 has been operated. If the operation panel 68 is operated by the user, the process proceeds to step S11. If not, the process proceeds to step S12. In step S11, based on the instruction signal from the operation panel 68, the control circuit 50 or the like performs a predetermined calculation process and proceeds to step S12.

  In step S12, it is determined whether or not the light source lighting switch has been operated so as to be turned on again. When the light source lighting switch is operated so as to be turned on again, the process proceeds to step S13 and is operated so as to be turned on again. If not, the process returns to step S10. In step S13, the control circuit 50 transmits an off signal for turning off the main light source 32 to the light source 34, and the process returns to step S5.

  In step S9, it is determined whether the specified time has passed without the control circuit 50 receiving the light source lighting signal. If the control circuit 50 does not receive the light source lighting signal after the specified time, the process proceeds to step S14. If the light source lighting signal is received within the specified time, the process returns to step S7. In step S14, a light source error process is performed as described later, and the light source control routine ends.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a light source error processing routine.

  The light source error processing routine starts when the control circuit 50 does not receive a light source lighting signal for a specified time or longer (see steps S9 and S14 in FIG. 7). In step S15, the control circuit 50 transmits a light source off signal to the light source power source 34 in order to stop the illumination light emission instruction from the main light source 32 in which an abnormality has occurred, and the process proceeds to step S16. In step S16, the control circuit 50 drives the auxiliary light source drive motor 46 in order to move the auxiliary light source 38 from the retracted position to the optical path position where the illumination light is emitted, and the process proceeds to step S17. In step S17, it is determined whether or not the auxiliary light source 38 is in an optical path position for emitting illumination light. If it is determined that the auxiliary light source 38 is in an optical path position, the process proceeds to step S18.

  In step S18, the auxiliary light source drive motor 46 is stopped by the control circuit 50, and the process proceeds to step S19. In step S19, a predetermined amount of current is supplied from the light source power supply 34 to the auxiliary light source 38 under the control of the control circuit 50, the auxiliary light source 38 is turned on, and the light source error processing routine ends.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the auxiliary light source 38 used in an emergency can be cooled using the light source fan 42 that cools the main light source 32, and the endoscope apparatus has a simple structure. Can be realized.

  As long as the cooling air from the light source fan 42 is sent to both the main light source 32 and the auxiliary light source 38 used in an emergency, the arrangement of the auxiliary light source 38 and the like is not limited to this embodiment. Also, the type of light source is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the auxiliary light source 38 may be a lamp other than an LED, and the main light source 32 may be a halogen lamp in addition to a xenon lamp.

  The power source of the auxiliary light source drive motor 46 is not limited to the motor of this embodiment as long as the auxiliary light source can be moved, and for example, a solenoid may be used.

It is a block diagram of an electronic endoscope apparatus. It is a figure which shows roughly arrangement | positioning of a light source device etc. in a processor seeing from the top. It is a figure which shows the front of a processor. It is a figure which shows the back surface of a processor. It is a figure which shows arrangement | positioning of the auxiliary light source seen from the light guide entrance end side. It is a figure which shows arrangement | positioning of the auxiliary light source seen from the upper direction of a processor. It is a flowchart which shows a light source control routine. It is a flowchart which shows a light source error processing routine.

Explanation of symbols

10 Electronic Endoscope Device (Endoscope Device)
20 Videoscope 30 Processor 32 Main light source (first light source)
34 Power source for light source (abnormality detection means)
38 Auxiliary light source (second light source)
40 Light source position sensor (light source position detection means)
42 Light source fan (light source cooling means / air blowing means)
46 Auxiliary light source drive motor (light source moving means)
50 Control circuit (abnormality detection means)
80 Monitor (Abnormality notification means)

Claims (12)

First and second light sources that respectively emit first and second illumination lights for illuminating a subject;
An abnormality detection means for detecting an abnormality of the first light source;
A light source cooling means capable of cooling the first and second light sources,
When the abnormality detection unit detects an abnormality of the first light source, the second light source emits the second illumination light, and the light source cooling unit cools the second light source. Light source device. A light source moving means for moving the second light source;
2. The light source moving unit moves the second light source to a position where the light source cooling unit can be cooled when the abnormality detecting unit detects an abnormality of the first light source. The light source device described.   The said light source movement means moves the said 2nd light source to the optical path of the said 1st illumination light from the retreat position which is not on the optical path of the said 1st illumination light. Light source device.   The light source device according to claim 3, wherein the light source moving unit rotates the second light source.   The said 2nd light source radiate | emits the said 2nd illumination light toward the same direction as a said 1st illumination light in the position which the said light source cooling means can cool. Light source device.   The light source device according to claim 2, further comprising a light source position detecting unit that detects that the second light source is in a position where the light source cooling unit can be cooled.   The light source device according to claim 1, wherein the light source cooling unit is a blowing unit that sends cooling air to the light source.   The light source device according to claim 7, wherein the cooling air passes through the first light source and strikes the second light source.   The light source device according to claim 1, wherein the second light source includes a semiconductor light emitting element (LED).   The light source device according to claim 1, wherein the light intensity of the second illumination light is lower than the light intensity of the first illumination light.   An endoscope apparatus comprising the light source device according to claim 1. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising an abnormality notifying unit that notifies the user of an abnormality of the first light source.

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