JP2006158716A - Endoscope system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reliably ensure the amount of light suitable for illumination light emitted from an endoscope. <P>SOLUTION: The endoscope 1 has a lamp 10 in a main body 4 of the endoscope, guides the light of the lamp 10 to the distal end portion of an insertion portion 5 of the endoscope by using light guides 13, 15, and emits the light to the inside of a body after making the light pass an illumination lens 16. Moreover, a light sensor 55 for detecting the light guided to the illumination lens 16 from a second light guide 15 is provided, and a lamp control part 12 controls the lamp 10 in response to a detecting result by the light sensor 55. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope system including an endoscope used by being inserted into a body.

An endoscope is known as a means that is inserted into the body and directly observes and treats tissue. The endoscope is provided with a flexible endoscope insertion portion to be inserted into the body at the tip of the endoscope main body held by the practitioner. Here, some endoscopes are provided with an optical device that illuminates the inside of the body (for example, see Patent Document 1). This optical device includes a lamp, a light guide that guides illumination light from the lamp to the distal end of the endoscope insertion portion, and a condensing lens disposed at the end of the light guide. Note that a fiber bundle in which a large number of optical fibers are bundled is used for the light guide.
Furthermore, some conventional endoscopes are configured such that an endoscope main body and an endoscope insertion portion are detachable (see, for example, Patent Document 2). The endoscope disclosed in Patent Document 2 is provided with a positioning mechanism that positions an operation unit that is an endoscope body and a flexible portion that is an endoscope insertion unit.
JP-A-11-281901 JP 2000-14626 A

When the distal end of the endoscope insertion section is bent frequently, a part of the optical fiber that constitutes the light guide may be broken. Leakage causes less illumination light to be emitted from the distal end of the endoscope insertion portion, which makes the field of view dark and difficult to perform the procedure. Therefore, it was necessary to make it clear that the optical fiber was broken early.
Also, when the endoscope insertion part is configured to be detachable from the endoscope body, it is necessary to control the illumination light not to be emitted from the distal end of the endoscope body with the endoscope insertion part separated. was there.
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a main object of the present invention is to ensure an appropriate amount of light as illumination light emitted from an endoscope. Further, it is to prevent light emission in a state where the endoscope insertion portion is separated.

An invention according to claim 1 of the present invention that solves the above-described problems is an endoscope that controls an endoscope in an endoscope that includes an endoscope main body and an endoscope insertion portion that is inserted into the body. An endoscope that connects an endoscope control unit and guides light generated by an illumination light source provided in the endoscope to a distal end portion of the endoscope insertion unit through a light guide to illuminate a subject. In the mirror system, an optical sensor that detects light emitted from an end portion of the light guide disposed at a distal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion is provided at the distal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion, and the detection of the optical sensor is performed. The endoscope system is characterized in that a light source control unit that controls power supply to the illumination light source according to the result is provided in the endoscope control unit.
This endoscope system detects whether or not illumination light is emitted from the distal end of the endoscope insertion portion, or detects the amount of light, and based on the result, the light source control portion needs to replace the light guide. If the light is not emitted or the amount of light is small, the power supply to the light source is stopped to stop the light emission.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, an endoscope control unit that controls the endoscope is connected to an endoscope including an endoscope main body and an endoscope insertion unit that is inserted into the body, In an endoscope system that illuminates a subject by guiding light generated by an illumination light source provided in an endoscope through a light guide to a distal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion, the endoscope A light guide fiber for light detection is provided on one end of the light guide fiber for light detection so as to face an optical path of light emitted from the distal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion. The other end of the endoscope is connected to an optical sensor, and a light source control unit that controls power supply to the illumination light source according to a detection result of the optical sensor is provided in the endoscope control unit. The endoscope system was used.
In this endoscope system, in addition to the light guide for guiding light, a light guide fiber for detection is inserted into the endoscope. When illumination light is emitted from the distal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion, this light is detected by the optical sensor through the detection light guide fiber. When light is not emitted or when the amount of light is small, the light source control unit stops power supply to the light source and stops light emission.

The invention according to claim 3 is the endoscope system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the illumination light source is a white light source lamp that emits white light including a wavelength of 380 nm to 780 nm. To do.
In this endoscope system, white light generated by an illumination light source is guided to a distal end portion of an endoscope insertion portion through a light guide to illuminate a subject in the body.

The invention according to claim 4 is the endoscope system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the illumination light source is a laser light source, and an end portion of the light guide is excited by laser light, A fluorescent member containing a phosphor emitting white light having a wavelength of 380 nm to 780 nm is arranged.
In this endoscope system, the proof light source oscillates laser light, and this laser light is guided to the distal end of the endoscope insertion portion by a light guide, and white light is generated by the fluorescent member. Illuminate the subject.

The invention according to claim 5 is the endoscope system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the endoscope insertion portion is configured to be detachable from the endoscope main body, An optical connector comprising a first connector portion for connecting a light guide inserted through each of the endoscope insertion portion and the endoscope main body, and a second connector portion, and the first connector The part is supported by the endoscope main body, the end of the light guide inserted through the endoscope main body is fixed, and the second connector part can be fitted to the first connector part. The end portion of the light guide inserted through the endoscope insertion portion is fixed, and one connector portion of the first connector portion or the second connector portion moves relative to the other connector portion. It is characterized by being freely supported.
In this endoscope system, the endoscope is configured to be detachable from an endoscope main body portion and an endoscope insertion portion. When the endoscope insertion portion is attached to the endoscope main body portion, if a displacement occurs between the two connector portions to which the light guide is connected, one connector portion may correct the displacement. The other connector part is received while moving to. Thereby, the light guide on the endoscope main body side and the light guide on the endoscope insertion portion side are connected without being deviated.

The invention according to claim 6 is the endoscope system according to claim 5, further comprising attachment / detachment detection means for detecting attachment / detachment between the endoscope insertion portion and the endoscope body, wherein the attachment / detachment detection means comprises: When the endoscope insertion portion is separated, the first connector portion and the second connector portion are moved from a position where the first connector portion and the second connector portion are fitted to each other. The light source control unit is arranged to perform a detection operation until it moves to a completely separated position, and the light source control unit detects the illumination when the attachment / detachment detection unit detects that the connector unit is disconnected. The light source is stopped.
In order for the endoscope body and the endoscope insertion portion to be completely separated, the connector portions need to be completely separated from each other. However, the attachment / detachment detection means is configured such that the movement amount of the endoscope insertion portion is Operates when a predetermined value shorter than the fitting length is reached, and outputs a signal indicating that the endoscope insertion portion has been separated. Then, based on the output of the attachment / detachment detection means, the light source control unit stops the power supply to the illumination light source, for example, so that the illumination light is not irradiated from the end of the light guide on the endoscope body side. To do.

  According to the present invention, when an endoscope has a light source for illumination and light from the light source is guided to the distal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion by the light guide, the light emitted from the end surface of the light guide at the distal end portion. When the light is not emitted from the end face of the light guide or when the light quantity is small, the light sensor is detected and the power supply to the illumination light source is controlled according to the detection result of the light sensor. In such a case, the illumination light source can be stopped to prompt the user to replace the light guide. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the procedure from being performed in a state where the amount of light is insufficient, or the state where light has leaked into the endoscope to be maintained.

The best mode of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope system includes an endoscope 1 and an endoscope control unit 3 connected to the endoscope 1 with a connector 2. The endoscope 1 is used outside the body. The endoscope main body 4 is configured to be detachably attached to the endoscope main body 4 by a detachable mechanism (not shown) and is inserted into the body.

  In the endoscope 1, a lamp 10 that is a light source for illumination and a condenser lens 11 that condenses illumination light emitted from the lamp 10 are disposed on the endoscope body 4 side. The lamp 10 is a white light source lamp that outputs white light having a wavelength of 380 nm to 780 nm, and is connected to a lamp control unit 12 (light source control unit) of the endoscope control unit 3. In addition, one end portion of the first light guide 13 made of an optical fiber is disposed in the vicinity of the focal position of the condenser lens 11. An optical connector 14 is provided at the other end of the first light guide 13, and one end of the second light guide 15 on the endoscope insertion portion 5 side is connected through the optical connector 14. ing. The second light guide 15 is made of an optical fiber, and the other end is disposed on the distal end side of the endoscope insertion portion 5. An illumination lens 16 is disposed further on the tip side than the other end of the second light guide 15.

In addition to the illumination lens 16 for illumination, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 17 as an imaging means and an air supply or liquid supply (A / W) conduit 18 are provided at the distal end of the endoscope insertion portion 5. The opening 18a and the opening 19a of the suction pipe 19 are disposed.
The CCD 17 is connected to an I / O (Input / Output) circuit 22 via a CCD driver 21. The I / O circuit 22 outputs a signal via the transmission / reception circuit 23. The transmission / reception circuit 23 is connected to a transmission / reception circuit 25 on the endoscope body 4 side by an electrical connector 24. The transmission / reception circuit 25 is connected to the bending motor control device 27 and the lamp control unit 12 of the endoscope control unit 3 via the I / O circuit 26.

  The bending motor control device 27 is connected to a bending motor 28 that drives the bending of the distal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion 5 and an encoder 29 that detects the rotational position of the bending motor 28. Further, the bending motor control device 27 detects rotation position detecting means 32 for detecting the rotation position of the gear train 31 connected to the bending motor 28 via the clutch 30 and the attachment / detachment of the endoscope insertion portion 5. Therefore, it is connected to an attachment / detachment detection switch 33 provided in the endoscope body 4. The gear train 31 can be transmitted to the gear train 35 on the endoscope insertion portion 5 side via the connector 34. A pulley 36 is attached to the gear train 35, and an angle wire 37 for winding the distal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion 5 is wound around the pulley 36.

The pipes 18 and 19 on the endoscope insertion part 5 side are connected to the pipes 38 and 39 on the endoscope main body 4 side from the proximal end of the endoscope insertion part 5, respectively. , 39 are formed with openings 38 a, 39 b on the side of the endoscope body 4. A side hole 41 into which a treatment tool (not shown) can be inserted is formed in the suction conduit 39, and the side hole 38 can be closed by a forceps plug 42. Further, a tube 43 is connected so as to cover the openings 38 a and 39 a, and the tube 43 is connected to the intake / exhaust control unit 44 of the endoscope control unit 3.
The endoscope control unit 3 includes an intake / exhaust control unit 44, a lamp control unit 12, an overall control unit 45 that controls them, a video processing unit 46 that processes a signal captured by the CCD 17, and an optical sensor detection unit 47. It consists of and. The video processing unit 46 is connected to a monitor 48 so that a video image in the body can be displayed on the screen. In addition, a remote control operation unit 49 is attached to the overall control unit 45 via a cable. The remote control operation unit 49 is provided with a joystick 50 that bends the distal end of the endoscope insertion unit 5 and a plurality of switches 51 that control intake / exhaust, liquid feeding, and the like.

  Here, a signal input communication line 52 is connected to the optical sensor detection unit 47. The communication line 52 is connected to a communication line 54 on the endoscope insertion portion 5 side via a connector 53 provided at a detachable portion between the endoscope main body 4 and the endoscope insertion portion 5. The communication line 54 is connected to an optical sensor 55 disposed on the distal end side of the endoscope insertion portion 5. The optical sensor 55 can detect the presence or absence of light incident on the illumination lens 16 from the second light guide 15 via the light guide unit 56.

The configuration of the optical connector 14 and the attachment / detachment detection switch 33 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 shows a state where the endoscope body 4 and the endoscope insertion portion 5 are separated.
As shown in FIG. 2, the endoscope insertion portion 5 is formed with a through hole 60 through which the second light guide 15 is inserted. On the proximal end side of the endoscope insertion portion 5, an annular convex portion 61 in which the peripheral edge portion of the through hole 60 protrudes in the longitudinal direction is formed, and a plug portion which is a second connector portion of the optical connector 14 is formed here. 62 is attached. The plug part 62 has a cap 64 fixed to the tip of a cylindrical body part 63. The second light guide 15 is inserted in the center of the cap 64 in parallel, and is fixed so that the end surface of one end of the second light guide 15 and the front end surface 64a of the cap 64 are substantially flush with each other. Has been. Such a plug portion 62 is screwed into the annular convex portion 61 at the base end side of the main body portion 63 and is held in a watertight manner by an O-ring.

  On the other hand, a connector receiving portion 65 is recessed at the distal end portion of the endoscope body 4 in accordance with the shape of the annular convex portion 61. The connector receiving portion 65 includes an annular convex portion receiver 66 into which the annular convex portion 61 can be fitted, and an accommodating portion 67 in which the center of the end surface 66a of the annular convex portion receiver 66 is further recessed, and the end surface 66a as a whole. It has a cylindrical shape with a step. A side hole 68 is formed in the peripheral wall of the annular protrusion receiver 66, and a detector 33 a of the attachment / detachment detection switch 33 is inserted into the side hole 68 so as to protrude and retract with respect to the peripheral surface. The accommodating portion 67 has an annular groove 69 formed by enlarging the peripheral surface in the vicinity of the step portion, and an annular locking portion 70 is configured by the groove 69 and the step portion. Yes. The accommodating portion 67 communicates with the insertion hole 71 of the first light guide 13 on the terminal end side, and a socket portion 72 that is a first connector portion that holds the other end portion of the first light guide 13 is movably supported. Has been.

  The socket portion 72 has a bottomed cylindrical shape, the opening 73 is disposed on the annular convex portion receiving 66 side, and the other end portion of the first light guide 13 is connected to the inner surface 74 a of the bottom portion 74. It is inserted and fixed so that it is flush. The opening 73 has its inner peripheral surface enlarged in a taper shape toward the end surface. Further, from the outer periphery in the vicinity of the opening 73, a collar portion 75 extends radially outward and is inserted into an annular groove 69 on the housing portion 67 side. The outer diameter of the collar portion 75 is set smaller than the diameter of the groove 69. One end of an elastic member 76 such as a compression coil spring is fixed to the base end surface 75 a of the collar portion 75. The other end of the elastic member 76 is fixed to a ring plate 77 that is movably inserted into the groove 69. Since the elastic member 76 urges the collar portion 75 and the ring plate 77 away from each other in a natural state, the distal end surface 75b of the collar portion 75 is in contact with the locking portion 70. In this state, The end surface of the opening 73 and the end surface 66a of the annular convex receiver 66 are substantially flush with each other.

  The outer diameter of the socket part 72 is smaller than the diameter of the accommodating part 67, and the inner diameter of the socket part 72 is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the plug part 62. The length of the socket part 72 is shorter than the length of the accommodating part 67. A distance L1 from the bottom 74 of the socket 72 to the end surface of the opening 73 is substantially equal to the protruding length L3 of the plug 62. Furthermore, the distance L2 between the end face of the opening 73 and the detector 33a of the attachment / detachment detection switch 33 is shorter than the protruding length L3 of the plug part 62.

The operation of this embodiment will be described.
First, when the endoscope 1 is used, the endoscope insertion portion 5 is inserted into the body, and illumination light is emitted from the distal end portion. Specifically, the lamp control unit 12 causes the lamp 10 to emit light. The light from the lamp 10 is condensed by the condenser lens 11, is guided to the first light guide 13, is guided to the second light guide 15 through the optical connector 14, and passes through the illumination lens 16. Irradiates the subject inside the body. At this time, the optical sensor 55 detects the light incident on the illumination lens 16 via the light guide unit 56 and outputs the detection signal to the optical sensor detection unit 47. In this case, the lamp control unit 12 connected to the optical sensor detection unit 47 continues to supply power to the lamp 10. On the other hand, when the light sensor 55 does not detect the light emitted from the end face of the second light guide 15, the lamp control unit 12 stops the power supply to the lamp 10 and turns off the lamp 10. Let Further, a warning that the light guides 13 and 15 need to be replaced is output from the monitor 48 or the like.

Furthermore, the action at the time of attaching / detaching the endoscope insertion portion 5 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, when the endoscope insertion portion 5 in the separated state is attached to the endoscope main body 4, the endoscope 14 so that the positions of the connectors 14, 24, and 34 shown in FIG. Insert the insertion part 5. The plug portion 62 shown in FIG. 2 is inserted into the socket portion 72 through the annular convex portion receiver 66, and the front end surface 64a of the plug portion 62 and the inner surface 74a of the bottom portion 74 of the socket portion 72 come into contact with each other. The end surfaces of the guides 13 and 15 are in close contact with each other.
Here, when the position of the plug part 62 and the position of the socket part 72 are slightly shifted in the direction orthogonal to the insertion direction, the socket part 72 slides the collar part 75 on the locking part 70. By moving while contacting, the displacement is corrected and the plug portion 62 is received. At this time, due to the taper of the opening 73 of the socket part 72, the plug part 62 smoothly enters the fitting part 67 and fits therein. In addition, since the diameter of the first light guide 13 is smaller than that of the insertion hole 71, no load is applied to the first light guide 13 even if the plug portion 62 moves.
Further, when the position of the plug part 62 and the position of the socket part 72 are slightly shifted in the insertion direction, the collar part 75 compresses the elastic member 76 while the socket part 72 receives the plug part 62, As a result, the entire socket portion 72 is retracted along the groove 69, and the plug portion 62 is received and fitted.

  As the plug portion 62 is fitted into the socket portion 72, the annular convex portion 61 is fitted into the annular convex portion receiver 66. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, the detector 33 a of the attachment / detachment detection switch 33 protruding from the side surface of the annular protrusion receiver 66 is immersed so as to be pushed back by the annular protrusion 61. As a result, the contact in the attachment / detachment detection switch 33 is closed and a signal is output. This signal is output to the bending motor control device 27 and the lamp control unit 12 shown in FIG. When receiving the signal, the bending motor control device 27 permits the driving of the bending motor 28. Thereafter, when the surgeon moves the joystick 50 of the remote control operation unit 49, the endoscope insertion unit is responded accordingly. 5 can be bent. In addition, the lamp control unit 12 outputs a signal that permits the lamp 10 to be lit, and thereafter, illumination light can be emitted from the distal end of the endoscope insertion unit 5.

  Further, when removing the endoscope insertion portion 5, an attachment / detachment mechanism (not shown) is removed, and the endoscope insertion portion 5 is detached from the endoscope main body 4. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, before the plug portion 62 is pulled out from the socket portion 72 and completely detached, the annular convex portion 61 leaves the end surface 66a of the annular convex portion receiver 66, and the annular convex portion 61 It is pulled out from the position where the side hole 68 is formed. The amount of movement of the endoscope insertion portion 5 at this time corresponds to the distance from the distance L2 to the distance L3 shown in FIG. At this time, the detector 33a of the attachment / detachment detection switch 33 projects again, the contact is opened, and the signal output stops. The bending motor control device 27 shown in FIG. 1 prohibits the driving of the bending motor 28 and thereafter the endoscope insertion portion 5 cannot be bent. The lamp control unit 12 stops the power supply to the lamp 10 and turns off the lamp even if the lamp 10 is lit.

In this embodiment, an optical sensor 55 is provided at the distal end of the endoscope insertion portion 5 and in the vicinity of the illumination lens 16, and the illumination light emitted from the endoscope insertion portion 5 is detected by the optical sensor 55. Thus, since it is configured to feed back to the lamp controller 12, it is possible to quickly detect that the light amount has decreased due to the deterioration of the light guides 13 and 15. By controlling the power supply to the lamp 10 based on the result thus detected, the lamp 10 is prevented from continuing to emit light when the light guides 13 and 15 are deteriorated, and the light quantity is insufficient. In addition, light is prevented from leaking into the endoscope 1.
Further, since the socket portion 72 on the endoscope body 4 side is supported so as to be movable in the insertion direction and in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction, a positional shift is caused between the endoscope insertion portion 5 and the endoscope body 4. Even in the case where the occurrence has occurred, it is possible to fit the socket portion 72 and the plug portion 62 while absorbing such a displacement. Therefore, it becomes easy to mount the endoscope insertion portion 5 and workability is improved. In addition, since the end surfaces of both the light guides 13 and 15 can be brought into close contact with each other without displacement, transmission loss in the optical connector 14 can be reduced.
Further, since the attachment / detachment detection switch 33 stops the signal output before the plug part 62 is completely detached from the socket part 72, the endoscope insertion part 5 is completely separated from the endoscope body 4. Before, the separation of the endoscope insertion part 5 can be detected. Further, in conjunction with the attachment / detachment detection switch 33, the bending drive of the endoscope insertion portion 5 can be stopped or the lamp 10 can be turned off, so the endoscope insertion portion 5 is not attached. In this state, the gear train 31 is prevented from rotating or irradiating illumination light.

  When the light guides 13 and 15 are fiber bundles in which a plurality of optical fibers are bundled, the lamp control unit 12 supplies power to the lamp 10 when the light amount is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. You may make it stop. When a part of the plurality of optical fibers breaks and the total light quantity is insufficient, such a problem can be detected at an early stage and the replacement of the light guides 13 and 15 can be promoted.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component as 1st Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted.
As shown in FIG. 5, the endoscope body 5 includes a laser diode 80 as an illumination light source. The laser diode 80 is controlled by the laser diode control unit 81 of the endoscope control unit 3 and is, for example, a laser light source that oscillates laser light in the ultraviolet region. A fluorescent member 82 is disposed at the other end of the second light guide 15. The fluorescent member 82 is obtained by dispersing a phosphor that is excited by laser light and emits white light having a wavelength of 380 nm to 780 nm in an optically transparent material. It is being fixed to the recessed part 5a formed in the front end surface. The light guide 56 communicates with the recess 5a.

  When the endoscope 1 is used, the laser beam from the laser diode 80 is irradiated to the fluorescent member 82 through the light guides 13 and 15. By the irradiation of the laser light, white light is generated in the fluorescent member 82, and this white light is irradiated to the subject in the body from the distal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion 5. At this time, the optical sensor 55 detects white light via the light guide unit 56 and outputs a detection signal to the optical sensor detection unit 47. When white light is not detected or when a predetermined amount of white light is not detected, the laser diode control unit 81 stops the oscillation of the laser light or prompts the light guides 13 and 15 to be replaced. Other functions and effects of this embodiment are as described above.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component as 1st Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted.
As shown in FIG. 6, the endoscope 1 includes a lamp 10 as an illumination light source in the endoscope body 4, and is provided at the distal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion and in the vicinity of the illumination lens 16 for light detection. The light guide fiber 85 is provided so that the end surface thereof faces the illumination lens 16 by the curved portion 85a on the distal end side. The light detection light guide fiber 85 is connected to the light detection light guide fiber 86 via the optical connector 14 at the proximal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion 5. The light detection light guide fiber 86 is connected to an optical sensor 87 provided in the endoscope body 4. The optical sensor 87 is connected to the optical sensor detection unit 47 of the endoscope control unit 3.
In the endoscope 1, the light and the light incident on the illumination lens 16 are made incident on the optical sensor 87 through the light detection light guide fibers 85 and 86, so that the same operations and effects as those in the first embodiment are achieved. Is obtained. Furthermore, by providing the optical sensor 87 on the endoscope body 4 side, the distal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion 5 can be reduced in diameter.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 7 shows a fourth embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component as 2nd, 3rd Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted.
As shown in FIG. 7, the endoscope 1 includes a laser diode 80 and an optical sensor 87 in the endoscope body 4. In the endoscope insertion portion 5, a fluorescent member 90 is disposed at the other end portion of the second light guide 15. The fluorescent member 90 has the same configuration as the fluorescent member 82, and the distal end surface thereof is substantially flush with the distal end surface of the endoscope insertion portion 5. Further, in the fluorescent member 90, the end surface of the light guide fiber 85 for light detection is in contact with the base end surface that is the surface opposite to the front end surface.

In the endoscope 1, the fluorescent member 90 is excited by laser light to form white light. The white light is detected by the optical sensor 87 on the endoscope body 4 side through the light detection light guide fibers 85 and 86.
In this embodiment, the same effect as in the third embodiment can be obtained. Furthermore, since the white light emitted from the fluorescent member 90 can be guided without bending the light-detecting light guide fiber 85, the distal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion 5 can be easily manufactured.

Note that the present invention can be widely applied without being limited to the above-described embodiment.
For example, when a plurality of position detection switches 33 are provided, it is possible to more reliably detect the attachment / detachment of the endoscope insertion portion 5.
The socket part 72 may be supported movably only in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction. In this case, the groove 69 is set to a length so as to be in sliding contact with the collar portion 75.
The socket part 72 may be fixed to the endoscope body 4 and the plug part 62 may be movably supported by the endoscope insertion part 5. As a support mechanism for the plug portion 62, the same mechanism as shown in FIG. 2 is employed. Moreover, the plug part 62 may be provided in the endoscope body 4 and the socket part 72 may be provided in the endoscope insertion part 5 so that only one of them can be movably supported.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the endoscope system in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of an optical connector when an endoscope main body and an endoscope insertion part are isolate | separated. It is a figure which shows an optical connector when an endoscope insertion part is mounted | worn. It is a figure which shows the process in which an endoscope insertion part is isolate | separated. It is a figure which shows the structure of an endoscope system. It is a figure which shows the structure of an endoscope system. It is a figure which shows the structure of an endoscope system.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Endoscope 3 Endoscope control part 4 Endoscope main body 5 Endoscope insertion part 13 1st light guide 14 Optical connector 15 2nd light guide 33 Attachment / detachment detection switch (attachment / detachment detection means)
55 Optical sensor 62 Plug part (second connector part)
72 Socket part (first connector part)
80 Laser diode (lighting source, laser light source)
82, 90 Fluorescent member 85, 86 Light guide fiber for light detection

Claims (6)

An endoscope control unit that controls the endoscope is connected to an endoscope including an endoscope main body and an endoscope insertion unit that is inserted into the body, and is provided in the endoscope. In an endoscope system that illuminates a subject by guiding light generated by an illumination light source to a distal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion through a light guide,
An optical sensor for detecting light emitted from the end portion of the light guide disposed at the distal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion is provided at the distal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion, and according to the detection result of the optical sensor. An endoscope system comprising a light source control unit that controls power supply to the illumination light source in the endoscope control unit. An endoscope control unit that controls the endoscope is connected to an endoscope including an endoscope main body and an endoscope insertion unit that is inserted into the body, and is provided in the endoscope. In an endoscope system that illuminates a subject by guiding light generated by an illumination light source to a distal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion through a light guide,
A light guide fiber for light detection is provided in the endoscope, and one end of the light guide fiber for light detection is arranged facing an optical path of light emitted from a distal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion, and the light The other end of the light guide fiber for detection is connected to an optical sensor, and a light source controller that controls power supply to the illumination light source according to the detection result of the optical sensor is provided in the endoscope controller. Endoscope system characterized by.   The endoscope system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the illumination light source is a white light source lamp that emits white light including a wavelength of 380 nm to 780 nm.   The illumination light source is a laser light source, and a fluorescent member containing a phosphor that emits white light including a wavelength of 380 nm to 780 nm that is excited by laser light is disposed at an end of the light guide. The endoscope system according to claim 1 or 2.   The endoscope insertion portion is configured to be detachable with respect to the endoscope main body, and a first connector that connects a light guide inserted through each of the endoscope insertion portion and the endoscope main body. And an optical connector comprising a second connector portion, the first connector portion being supported by the endoscope body, and the end portion of the light guide being inserted through the endoscope body being fixed The second connector portion can be fitted into the first connector portion, and an end portion of the light guide inserted through the endoscope insertion portion is fixed, and the first connector portion or The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein one connector portion of the second connector portion is movably supported with respect to the other connector portion. system. An attachment / detachment detection means for detecting attachment / detachment between the endoscope insertion portion and the endoscope main body is provided, and the attachment / detachment detection means is configured to separate the endoscope insertion portion from the first connector portion and the endoscope insertion portion. It is arranged to perform the detection operation from the position where the second connector part is fitted to the position where the first connector part and the second connector part are completely separated. The endoscope system according to claim 5, wherein the light source control unit stops the illumination light source when the attachment / detachment detection unit detects that the connection of the connector unit is released. .

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