JP2006181148A - Endoscope system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope system surely and efficiently perform a connecting operation and a power input operation of a processor and a scope. <P>SOLUTION: When a connector 22 is inserted into a connector insertion port for fitting a projection part 26 in a positioning hole 38, an engagement part 24 is moved to a position coming into contact with an introduction plate 52 via a roller 54. When a scope attaching/detaching lever 36 is pushed in the direction indicated by an arrow A, the introduction plate 52 is interlocked therewith to move to the lower side, and the engagement part 24 is engaged with a cam groove provided in the introduction plate 52 and moves to the side of the bottom face 34B of the connector insertion port along a notch 50. When moving to a position coming into contact with the bottom 34B of the connector insertion port, the connector 22 pushes a power switch provided at the bottom 34B. The processor 30 is started by electrically connecting the connector 22 to electrodes 48. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope system, and more particularly to an endoscope system that reliably and efficiently performs a connection operation between a processor and a scope and a power input operation.

  In general, an endoscope apparatus includes a processor that performs image data processing and the like, and a scope that includes a light guide that guides light to a subject. The processor and the scope are detachable. At the time of use, the endoscope apparatus is started by turning on the power switch after the connection operation between the processor and the scope.

  When the endoscope apparatus is used, a power switch provided in the processor is turned on after the scope is attached to the processor. In order to start using the endoscope apparatus as described above, several operations are required. Even if the processor and the scope are not connected due to an erroneous operation, the processor may be turned on without being detected as being connected, and the start of subject observation will be delayed. .

  An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope system that reliably and efficiently performs a connection operation between a processor and a scope and a power input operation.

  The endoscope apparatus system of the present invention is an endoscope system including a processor and a scope that is detachably attached to the processor, the scope having a connector to be attached to the processor, and the processor includes a connector. And a power switch and electrodes provided on the mounting member. When the connector is attached to the attachment member, the connector and the electrode are electrically connected, and the connector presses the power switch to supply power to the processor.

  It is preferable that the processor further includes a determination unit that determines whether or not the connector and the electrode are electrically connected. In this case, for example, the electrode is provided on the surface of the attachment member, and the periphery of the electrode is insulated in the surface of the attachment member. In addition, the electrode protrudes from the surface of the mounting member when the connector is not connected. When the connector is connected, the electrode retracts into the surface of the mounting member. Judged to be electrically connected.

  The mounting member preferably includes a lever for moving the tip of the connector to the bottom surface side of the recess provided in the mounting member.

  The scope of the present invention has a connector for attachment to a processor. The scope is electrically connected to the connector by attaching the connector to a processor having an attachment member for attaching the connector, and a power switch and electrodes provided on the attachment member. Presses the power switch to supply power to the processor.

  The processor of the present invention includes an attachment member for attaching a connector included in the scope, and a power switch and an electrode provided on the attachment member. The processor is characterized in that when the connector is attached to the attachment member, the connector and the electrode are electrically connected, and the connector presses the power switch to supply power.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the endoscope system which performs the connection operation | movement of a processor and a scope, and power supply input operation reliably and efficiently is realizable.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an electronic endoscope apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  The electronic endoscope apparatus 10 includes a scope 20 used for imaging a body cavity of a patient as a subject, and a processor 30 that processes an image signal sent from the scope 20. The scope 20 is provided with a connector 22, and the processor 30 is provided with a scope attachment member 32. The scope 20 is detachably attached to the processor 30 by the connector 22 being inserted into a connector insertion port 34 that is a recess provided in the scope attachment member 32.

  FIG. 2 is a front view showing the scope attaching member 32 in the present embodiment.

  The connector insertion port 34 is provided with two identical attachment mechanisms 44 for attaching the connector 22 to a predetermined position. The scope attaching member 32 is provided with a scope attaching / detaching lever 36. After the connector 22 is inserted to a predetermined position of the connector insertion port 34, the scope attaching / detaching lever 36 is pushed down in the direction indicated by the arrow A, so that the tip (not shown) is the bottom surface of the connector insertion port 34. It is inserted until it touches 34B. On the bottom surface 34B, a power switch 40 of the processor 30 is provided together with a plurality of insertion openings 42 into which contact pins (not shown) provided on the connector 22 are inserted. The power switch 40 is a button-type switch and is turned on when pressed by the tip of the connector 22. A positioning hole 38 for inserting the connector 22 into a predetermined position is provided above the connector insertion port 34. A light guide insertion port 46 into which a light guide (not shown) is inserted is provided below the scope attachment member 32.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the scope attaching member 32 and the connector 22 in a state where the scope attaching / detaching lever 36 is not operated. FIG. 4 is a view showing a cam groove provided in an introduction plate that is a part of the attachment mechanism 44 as viewed from the inside of the connector insertion port 34. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the scope attaching member 32 in a state where the scope attaching / detaching lever 36 is pushed down.

  Two straight cutouts 50 are provided on the inner wall surface 34 </ b> S of the connector insertion port 34. An attachment mechanism 44 is provided outside the notch 50. When the scope attaching / detaching lever 36 is pushed down in the direction indicated by the arrow A, the attachment mechanism 44 includes an introduction plate 52 that moves downward in conjunction with this, and a roller that moves the engaging portion 24 to the cam groove of the introduction plate 52. 54 is included. The attachment mechanism 44 moves the engaging portion 24 while fixing the engaging portion 24 provided on the side surface of the connector 22 through the notch 50 as described below. As a result, the connector 22 is moved to the attachment position where the connector tip 29 on the outer periphery of the contact pin 28 contacts the bottom surface 34B of the connector insertion port 34.

  First, as shown in FIG. 3, in a state where the scope attaching / detaching lever 36 is not operated, the connector 22 is inserted into the connector insertion port 34 so that the protruding portion 26 is fitted into the positioning hole 38, and the engaging portion 24 is , The roller 54 is moved to a position in contact with the introduction plate 52. At this time, the engaging portion 24 is located at the end of the cam groove 56 of the introduction plate 52 (see FIG. 4). When the scope attaching / detaching lever 36 is pushed down in the direction indicated by the arrow A, the introduction plate 52 moves downward as indicated by the arrow B in conjunction with this. While the introduction plate 52 moves, the inner wall surface 34S of the connector insertion port 34 is fixed, so that the engaging portion 24 engages with the cam groove 56 as indicated by the arrow C, and enters the notch 50. Along the bottom surface 34 </ b> B side of the connector insertion port 34. That is, the cam groove 56 moves to the bottom surface 34B side of the connector insertion port 34 in the notch 50 by the movement of the introduction plate 52 accompanying the operation of the scope attaching / detaching lever 36 (see FIG. 5).

  An electrode 48 for electrical connection with the connector 22 is provided on the side surface 34S of the connector insertion port 34. When the connector 22 moves to the attachment position, the connector tip 29 presses the power switch 40 and the connector 22 is electrically connected to the electrode 48. In this way, when the power switch 40 is pressed and the connector 22 and the electrode 48 are connected, power is supplied to the processor 30 and the processor 30 is activated. The connection between the connector 22 and the electrode 48 is detected when a CPU (not shown) provided in the processor 30 receives an electrical signal transmitted from the scope 20 via the connector 22 and the electrode 48. . Thus, in order to detect the connection of the connector 22 to the electrode 48 and to exchange signals between the processor 30 and the scope 20 via the electrode 48 after activation, of the side surface 34S of the connector insertion port 34, The region not including the electrode 48 is insulated.

  When the signal indicating that the power switch 40 is pressed is transmitted to the CPU, but the connector 22 and the electrode 48 are not electrically connected, the power switch 40 is not connected by the connector 22 but by a foreign object or the like. Some abnormality such as being pressed has occurred. In this case, since the CPU does not activate the processor 30, it is possible to prevent malfunction, and it is easily detected by the user that the scope 20 is not correctly attached to the processor 30.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a startup routine of the processor 30 when the scope 20 is attached to the processor 30.

  When the connector 22 is inserted into the connector insertion port 34, the startup routine starts. In step S1, it is determined whether or not the power switch 40 is pressed by the connector tip 29. If it is determined that the power switch 40 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S2. In step S2, it is determined whether or not the electrode 48 is electrically connected to the connector 22, that is, whether or not it is electrically connected. If it is determined that the electrode 48 is electrically connected to the connector 22, the process proceeds to step S3. If it is determined that the electrode 48 is not electrically connected to the connector 22, the process returns to step S1. In step S3, the power of the processor 30 is turned on, and the startup routine of the processor 30 ends.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the connector 22 is attached to the scope attachment member 32, the processor 30 is automatically activated, so that the connection operation between the processor 30 and the scope 20 and the power input operation can be quickly performed. An endoscope system can be realized. Furthermore, since the processor 30 is activated after confirming the connection between the connector 22 and the electrode 48, it is possible to prevent activation due to an erroneous operation.

  FIG. 7 is a side view, partly in section, showing the scope attachment member 32 and the connector 22 in the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a side view, partly in section, showing the scope attachment member 32 with the connector 22 attached.

  In the second embodiment, only the electrode 48 is different from the first embodiment. That is, in the first embodiment, the electrode 48 is provided along the inner wall surface 34S of the connector insertion port 34, whereas in the present embodiment, when the connector 22 is not attached, the electrode 48 is provided. Protrudes from the inner wall surface of the connector insertion port 34 and retracts into the inner wall surface 34S of the connector insertion port 34 when the connector 22 is inserted into the connector insertion port 34 (see FIG. 8). As the electrode 48 is retracted, an electrical signal for transmitting the connection between the connector 22 and the electrode 48 is transmitted to the CPU.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, by using the electrode 48 that can be retracted by connection with the connector 22, the insulation treatment on the inner wall surface 34 </ b> S of the connector insertion port 34 is not necessary.

1 is a perspective view schematically showing an electronic endoscope apparatus according to a first embodiment. It is a front view which shows the scope attachment member in 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the scope attachment member in the state in which the scope attachment / detachment lever is not operated in 1st Embodiment, and a connector. It is a figure which shows the cam groove provided in the introduction board in 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the scope attachment member in the state in which the scope attachment / detachment lever was pushed down in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the starting routine of the processor in 1st Embodiment. It is a side view which shows the scope attachment member and connector in 2nd Embodiment. It is a side view which shows the scope attachment member in the state in which the connector was attached in 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Electronic endoscope apparatus 20 Scope 22 Connector 30 Processor 32 Scope attachment member (attachment member)
34 Connector slot (concave)
36 Scope release lever (lever)
40 Power switch 48 Electrode

Claims (7)

An endoscope system including a processor and a scope detachably attached to the processor,
The scope has a connector for attachment to the processor;
The processor has an attachment member for attaching the connector, a power switch and an electrode provided on the attachment member,
When the connector is attached to the attachment member, the connector and the electrode are electrically connected, and the connector depresses the power switch to supply power to the processor. Endoscope system.   The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein the processor further includes a determination unit that determines whether or not the connector and the electrode are electrically connected.   The endoscope system according to claim 2, wherein the electrode is provided on a surface of the attachment member, and the periphery of the electrode is insulated in the surface of the attachment member.   The electrode protrudes from the surface of the mounting member in a state where the connector is not connected. When the connector is connected, the electrode is retracted into the surface of the mounting member. The endoscope system according to claim 2, wherein it is determined that the connector and the electrode are electrically connected.   The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein the attachment member includes a lever for moving a distal end portion of the connector to a bottom surface side of a recess provided in the attachment member. A scope having a connector for attaching to a processor,
When the connector is attached to a processor having a power switch and an electrode provided on an attachment member for attaching the connector, the connector and the electrode are electrically connected, and the connector is connected to the power switch. A scope, wherein the processor is pressed to supply power to the processor. A processor having an attachment member for attaching a connector included in the scope, and a power switch and an electrode provided on the attachment member;
The processor, wherein the connector is attached to the attachment member, whereby the connector and the electrode are electrically connected, and the connector depresses the power switch to supply power.

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