JP2007209656A - Electronic endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic endoscope which can surely supply power to a scope to be used, supplies optimum power to the imaging part of the scope or the like and prevents the destruction of the imaging part or the like. <P>SOLUTION: For the electronic endoscope, the electric connectors 17-n of different kinds in various kinds of the scopes are connected to the pertinent connector receiving parts 19-n of a processor unit 12. When detecting that the electric connector 17-n of one scope 10-n to be used is connected to the connector receiving part 19-n and the light source connector 18 of the same scope 10-n is connected to a light source connector receiving part 22 by the level change of the port of a CPU 24; the power is supplied to the scope 10-n. For instance, the power for communication is supplied first; the type of the CCD of the scope 10 is discriminated by the communication with the scope 10, and a plurality of CCD power supplies (a), (b) and (c) are supplied in an order corresponding to the type of the CCD by a power switching circuit 28 and a delay circuit 26 thereafter. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention uses an electronic endoscope apparatus, in particular, a single processor device having a plurality of connector receiving portions or a plurality of processor devices having a single connector receiving portion in order to connector-connect various types of scopes. The present invention relates to a configuration for scope power supply in the case.

  An electronic endoscope apparatus images an object to be observed with a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) disposed at the distal end of an insertion portion of a scope (electronic endoscope), and an imaging signal of the CCD is a processor device. Supplied to. In this processor device, a video signal subjected to various signal processes is formed, and the video signal is output to the monitor, whereby the object to be observed can be observed on the monitor screen.

The processor device used in this electronic endoscope apparatus has been conventionally configured to connect only one scope. However, in recent years, imaging is performed on devices with different performance, different application sites, old and new devices, etc. Since various scopes with different parts are manufactured, a plurality of connectors and necessary signal processing circuits are provided in the processor device corresponding to these various scopes so that various scopes can be connected to one processor device. Things have been done. According to this, it is possible to realize sharing of processor devices corresponding to different types of scopes (or imaging units), and there is an advantage that usability can be improved and cost can be reduced.
JP 2001-299759 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-236738

  By the way, when multiple scopes are connected to the processor unit, it is not preferable to supply power to all the scopes, and it is necessary to supply power only to the scopes to be used. However, specify which scope to use. If not, there is a problem that it is not possible to reliably supply power to the scope selected for this use.

  Further, in various scopes connected to the processor device, there is a preferable power-on method depending on the configuration of the internal circuit. For example, in an imaging unit having a CCD or the like, supply (turn-on) of positive power and negative power to the CCD. In some cases, the order may be different. If all the various power supplies to these imaging units are uniformly supplied, there is a problem that the CCD is burdened and eventually destroyed.

  Furthermore, as a system configuration of the electronic endoscope apparatus, when a light source device for illuminating the object to be observed is arranged as a separate body, the scope is also connected to the light source device by a light guide (light source) connector. If this light source device is only compatible with a predetermined scope or does not reach the optimum state, the necessary image or optimum image can be obtained even if another scope is connected to the processor device. There is also a problem that it is impossible to obtain a good image.

  Also, if the scope electrical connector (or light guide connector) is inadvertently disconnected from the processor device or connected again after the connector is disconnected while the scope power is being supplied, the scope and processor device will not operate properly. It becomes stable and leads to failure of the apparatus, which is not preferable.

  Furthermore, when various types of scopes can be used, a configuration in which one light source device and a plurality of processor devices (one or several electrical connector receiving portions) are combined may be considered. Even in the case of a simple configuration, the above problem occurs.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to reliably supply power to a scope to be used, and to connect various scopes using a plurality of connector receiving portions in a processor device. In this case, it is possible to supply optimal power to the imaging unit of the scope, prevent destruction of the imaging unit, etc., and maintain the optimal configuration of the electronic endoscope device including the light source device. It is another object of the present invention to provide an electronic endoscope apparatus that can ensure safety even when the scope is removed while the scope power is supplied.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, an electrical connector arranged in various scopes is connected to a corresponding receiving part among a plurality of electrical connector receiving parts arranged in a single or a plurality of processor devices. In an electronic endoscope apparatus that connects and connects a light source (light guide) connector arranged in the scope to a light source connector receiving part of the light source part, it is used (selected for the light source connector receiving part of the light source part) A connector connection detecting means for detecting whether or not the light source connector of the scope is connected and the electrical connector of the same scope to be used is connected to the electrical connector receiving portion of the processor device; and disposed in the processor device. Supplying power to the scope in which connection of both the light source connector and the electrical connector is detected by the connector connection detecting means. A scope power control circuit, characterized in that the provided.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging unit (CCD) mounted on the processor device by communication with the scope where connection of both the light source connector and the electrical connector is detected by the connector connection detecting means. When the connection of both the light source connector and the electrical connector is detected by the imaging unit discriminating means for discriminating the type and the connector connection detecting means, the communication power is supplied to the scope from the electrical connector for detecting the connection. And a scope power supply control circuit for supplying a plurality of imaging unit power supplies in the order corresponding to the type of imaging unit determined by the imaging unit determination unit.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the scope power supply control circuit is provided only for the electrical connector receiving portion that is selectively set (limited) based on the connection detection of both the light source connector and the electrical connector by the connector connection detection means. A scope power supply is supplied, and control is performed so that the scope power supply is not supplied to other electrical connector receiving portions even if the connection of the scope connector is detected.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the connection of both the light source connector and the electrical connector is detected by the connector connection detection means, the supply of the scope power is cut off when any one of the non-connections is detected. It is characterized by that.

  According to the above configuration, the light source connector of the scope selected for use in the inspection and treatment is connected to the light source connector receiving part of the light source unit by the connector connection detecting means, and the electrical connector of the same scope is connected to the processor device. Only when it is detected that it is connected to the electrical connector receptacle, power can be reliably supplied to this selected scope, that is, only to the scope in use, and other scopes connected to the electrical connector receptacle. No power is supplied to the.

  In the power supply described above, first, communication power is supplied from the electrical connector receiving portion to the scope, so that the type of the imaging portion (CCD) (types 1, 2, 3,...) Is communicated between the processor device and the scope. ) Is determined, and the power supply for the imaging unit is supplied to the scope in the order set according to the type of the imaging unit. As a result, a good and safe operation of the scope according to the imaging unit is performed. Is called.

  According to the configuration of claim 3, the scope power supply (communication power supply, imaging section power supply) is supplied only to the second connector receiving section corresponding to the type 2 scope, for example, in accordance with the type of the light source device or the like. In this case, scope power is supplied only to type 2 scopes, and even if other types of scopes are connected to other connector receptacles, scope power is supplied to those scopes. Will not be supplied.

  According to the electronic endoscope apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to reliably supply power to a scope to be used, and when connecting various scopes using a plurality of connector receiving portions of a single processor device. Since necessary power is supplied to the imaging unit and the like of the scope in an optimal order, the imaging unit having the CCD is prevented from being destroyed and the safety of the scope can be ensured. In addition, by limiting the connector receiving portion to which the scope power supply is turned on, it is possible to ensure the use of the electronic endoscope apparatus including the light source device while maintaining the optimum configuration, and the scope power supply is supplied. Even when the scope is removed, the scope power supply is immediately cut off, so that unstable operation and failure of the scope and the processor device can be prevented, and safety can be ensured.

  FIG. 1 shows a circuit configuration of an electronic endoscope apparatus according to the embodiment (particularly a detailed configuration in a processor apparatus), and FIG. 2 shows an overall configuration of the electronic endoscope apparatus. Shows the configuration of the connector connection detecting means of the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic endoscope apparatus includes a plurality of types of scopes (electronic endoscopes) 10-n (n: 1, 2, 3,...), A processor device 12, a light source device 14, and a figure. Type 1 scope according to the type of CCD (imaging unit) 15-n (n: 1, 2, 3,...) Mounted at the tip as the scope 10-n. 10-1 and type 2 scope 10-2 are provided. The scope 10-n includes an electrical connector 17-n (n: 1, 2, 3...) For connection to the processor device 12 and a light source connector (light guide connector) 18 for connection to the light source device 14. For example, a round first connector 17-1 is disposed in the type 1 scope 10-1, and a square second connector 17-2 is disposed in the type 2 scope 10-2.

  The scope 10-n is provided with detection lines (conductive lines) K for detecting connector connection from the electrical connector 17-n (detection pin) to the light source connector 18 (detection pin 18k). The light source connector 18 is provided with a circuit board 18a for the detection line K, and is arranged so that an incident end 18b of the light guide protrudes from the tip.

  The processor device 12 includes electrical connector receiving portions 19-n (n: 1, 2, 3,...) Having shapes corresponding to the respective shapes of the electrical connectors 17-n. A round first connector receiving portion 19-1 corresponding to the round first connector 17-1, and a square second connector receiving portion 19 corresponding to the square second connector 17-2. -2, and a triangular third connector receiving portion 19-3 is arranged corresponding to the triangular third connector 17-3. Therefore, in the processor device 12 of the embodiment, the connector receiving portion 19-n corresponding to the type of the scope 10 is provided. The processor device 12 is provided with a power switch 20 and the like.

  On the other hand, the light source device 14 is provided with a light source connector (light guide connector) receiving portion 22 for connecting the light source connector 18. The light source connector receiving portion 22 includes a light guide receiver 22a and the light source. A pin receiver 22b for connecting the detection pin 18k of the connector 18 is disposed. The light source device 14 may be integrated with the processor device 12 in some cases.

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the connector connection detection means for electrically detecting the connector connection state. As described above, the first to first scopes 10-1 to 10-3 of types 1 to 3 are shown. The detection pins 18k of the light source connector 18 are connected to the three connectors 17-1 to 17-3 (detection pins) via the detection line K. In the light source device 14, the pin receiver 22b of the light source connector receiver 22 is grounded (grounded). On the other hand, in the first to third connector receiving portions 19-1 to 19-3 of the processor device 12, the detection line L connected to the detection line K (detection pin) in the connectors 17-1 to 17-3. ₁ ~L ₃ is arranged, the scope detection port 1 of CPU (or microcomputer) 24 of the detection line _{L 1} of the first connector receiving portion 19-1 is a processor device 12, detection of the second connector receiving portion 19-2 line _{L 2} is scope detection port 2 of CPU 24, together with the detection line _{L 3} of the third connector receiving portion 19-3 is connected to the scope detection port 3 of CPU 24 (the number of connector receiving portion detection port are provided), A voltage VDD is applied to these detection lines L _{1 to} L ₃ .

According to the connector connection detecting means having such a configuration, the voltage VDD is applied to the detection lines L _{1 to} L ₃ of all the first to third connector receiving portions 19-1 to 19-3. A high (H) level signal is supplied to the ports 1 to 3, but for example, the type 1 scope 10- is connected to the first (electrical) connector receiving portion 19-1 (or 19-2, 19-3). When the first connector 17-1 (17-2, 17-3) is connected and the light source connector 18 of the scope 10-1 is connected to the light source connector receiving portion 22 of the light source device 14, the detection line L ₁ by ~L ₃ is grounded via a detection line K, the port 1 Low (L) level signal is supplied. Therefore, when the port 1 is at the low level, the first connector 17-1 is connected to the first connector receiving portion 19-1 and the light source connector 18 is connected to the light source connector receiving portion 22, and the port 2 is at the low level. When the second connector 17-2 is connected to the second connector receiving portion 19-2 and the light source connector 18 is connected to the light source connector receiving portion 22, and when the port 3 is at the low level, the third connector 17 is connected. It is detected that -3 is connected to the third connector receiving portion 19-3 and the light source connector 18 is connected to the light source connector receiving portion 22.

In FIG. 1, the processor device 12 includes a delay circuit 26 that gives a delay time (amount) for controlling the power-on sequence of the imaging unit, and a scope power source according to the type of the CCD (imaging unit) 15 in the scope 10. A power supply switching circuit 28 for setting the turn-on order and a patient-side power supply 30 for supplying scope power are provided. In the power supply switching circuit 28, the power supply for communication which is a scope power supply, the CCD power supply a (for example, CCD positive power supply), the CCD power supply b (for example, CCD negative power supply) and the CCD power supply c (others) are switched and controlled. controlling, for example, _d 1 delay time given for CCD power _{a~c, d 2, d 3 (} d 1 <d 2 <d 3) in the delay circuit 26.

Further, the CPU 24 (or microcomputer) determines the type (type) of the CCD 15 by communicating with the scope 10-n to which the communication power is turned on. The type of the CCD 15 may be determined from information on the imaging unit itself, or may be determined from information on the type of scope. In the power supply switching circuit 28 and the delay circuit 26 according to the embodiment, when the CCD 15 is of type 1, the delay times d ₁ , d ₂ , and d ₃ are given to the CCD power supplies a, b, and c, thereby a → b Control is performed so that the CCD power supply is supplied in the order of c, and when the CCD 15 is of type 2, b → a is provided by giving delay times d ₂ , d ₁ , d ₃ to the CCD power supplies a, b, c. Control is performed so that the CCD power is supplied in the order of c.

  Furthermore, in the embodiment, in consideration of the type and characteristics of the light source device 14 used, the scope 10-n (n: integer) that can be used by being connected to the processor device 12 can be limited to any of them. In this case, for example, an input device such as a keyboard attached to the processor device is used to select one to be used from the connector receiving portions 19-n. As a result, the CPU 24 has a scope only for one scope 10-n in which the electrical connector 17-n is connected to the selected connector receiving portion 19-n and the light source connector 18 is also connected to the light source connector receiving portion 22. Power can be supplied. Further, the CPU 24 assumes that one or both of the connectors 17-n and 18 are removed when the disconnection is detected after the connection of both the electrical connector 17-n and the light source connector 18 is detected. Then, the scope power supply to the connector receiving portion 19-n related to the removal is stopped.

  The embodiment has the above-described configuration, and the operation of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 4, the CPU 24 determines in step 101 whether or not the port 1 for detecting the scope connection has become L (Low), in step 102, in the same manner whether or not the port 2 has become L, in step 103, Similarly, it is detected whether or not the port 3 is L (if there is another detection port, the port is detected), and when all the ports 1 to 3 are N (NO), In step 104, it is determined that the scope 10-n is not connected. In step 105, the display of “Scope Power Off” is displayed on the monitor screen, and the scope power supply as in step 106. The off state is maintained.

  In step 101 above, the connection shown in FIG. 1 has detected that the port 1 is set to L (Low) and the connection between the electrical connector 17-n and the light source connector 18 of the type 1 scope 10-1 is detected. In step 107, the communication power source, which is a scope power source, is turned on. In step 102, when the port 2 becomes L and the connection of both connectors of the type 2 scope 10-2 is detected, step 108 is performed. In step 109, the CPU 24 starts communication with the corresponding scopes 10-1 and 10-2. In the next step 110, it is determined whether or not the communication has been normally completed. If N (NO), the scope power supply (communication power supply, CCD power supply, etc.) including the communication power supply is turned off in step 111, In step 112, it is determined whether or not the communication has not been completed normally three times. If it is the third time, a message such as “Scope Communication Error, Please Contact Serviceman” is displayed on the monitor. (Step 113).

In step 110, if Y (YES), it is determined in next step 114 whether the CCD 15 (imaging unit) is of type 1 or not. It is turned on in the order of (positive power source) → b (negative power source) → c (others). That is, the delay time d _{1 for} the CCD power source a, the delay time d _{2 for} the CCD power source b, and the delay time d ₃ (for the CCD power source c) by the type 1 power source switching circuit and the delay circuit 26 in the power source switching circuit 28 of FIG. By giving d ₁ <d ₂ <d ₃ ), the CCD power sources a, b, and c are turned on in this order. On the other hand, if N in step 114, it is determined in next step 116 whether or not the CCD 15 is of type 2, and if Y, in step 117, the CCD power source a is set to the delay time d ₂ , the CCD. By applying the delay time d _{1 to} the power source b and the delay time d ₃ to the CCD power source c, the CCD power source is turned on in the order of b → a → c. Similarly, in step 118, it is determined that the CCD 15 is type 3 At this time, the CCD power supply is turned on in the order of a → c → b. When the answer is N in the above step (final step of image pickup unit determination) 118, it is determined that the CCD 15 is not of any type (step 119), and the scope power supply is turned off (step 120).

  As described above, in the embodiment, after the communication power is turned on to the scope 10-n in which the connection of the electrical connector 17-n and the light source connector 18 is detected, the type of the CCD 15 is determined by communication. A plurality of CCD power sources a, b, and c can be supplied in an order suitable for the type of the CCD 15, and thereby, good and safe power-on corresponding to the various CCDs 15 and the operation accompanying it can be performed. The destruction of the CCD 15 is prevented.

  FIG. 5 shows an operation when the scope that can be used by connecting to the processor device is limited. When the scope 10-n that can be used is selected and set to, for example, the type 2 scope 10-2, the CPU 24 In step 201, it is detected whether or not the scope detection port 2 has become L (Low). When the scope detection port 2 is Y, the scope power supply for the second connector receiving portion 19-2 is turned on (step 202). Thereby, the scope 10-n (single or plural) that matches the light source device 14 to be used can be selected, the use of the scope 10-n that does not fit can be excluded, and the scope can be used according to other situations. 10-n can be selected and set.

  FIG. 6 shows the operation when the electrical connector 17-n or the light source connector 18 is removed. For example, when the scope power supply is turned on for the first connector receiving portion 19-1, step 301 is performed. Then, it is detected whether or not the scope detection port 1 of the CPU 24 has become H (High). When N, the scope power supply is kept on (step 302), and when Y, the scope power supply is turned off. (Step 303) Then, in Step 304, a warning such as ““ WARNING ”Please don't remove Scope” is displayed on the monitor or the like. As a result, even if the electrical connector 17-n or the light source connector 18 is inadvertently removed from the processor device 12 or connected again after being removed, unstable operation of the scope 10-n and the processor device 12 is prevented. It is also possible to avoid a failure of the apparatus.

  FIG. 7 shows a configuration in which a plurality of processor devices having a single connector receiving portion are used. For example, two processor devices 12-1 and 12-2 are connected to one light source device 14. The present invention can also be applied when used. That is, the processor device 12-1 has a first connector receiving portion 19-1 corresponding to the type 1 scope 10-1, and the processor 12-2 corresponds to the type 2 scope 10-2. The light source device 14 has a receiving portion 19-2 and corresponds to both the scopes 10-1 and 10-2. The electrical connectors 17-1 and 17-2 and the light source connector 18 of each scope 10 and other configurations are the same as described above.

  Even in such a configuration, the first connector 17-1 of the scope 10-1 is connected to the first connector receiving portion 19-1 of the processor device 12-1, and the light source connector 18 of the scope 10-1 is connected to the light source device 14. When the connection to the light source connector receiver 22 is detected, power is supplied from the processor device 12-1 to the scope 10-1, while the second connector receiver 19-2 of the processor device 12-2 is connected to the second connector receiver 19-2. When it is detected that the first connector 17-2 of the scope 10-2 is connected and the light source connector 18 of the scope 10-2 is connected to the light source connector receiving portion 22, the processor device 12-2 detects the scope 10-2. Is supplied with power.

  In the above-described embodiment, the connection between the electrical connector 17-n and the light source connector 18 is detected with a simple configuration in which the light source device 14 is provided with a ground line to the ground and the scope 10-n is provided with the detection line K. However, the ground wire is wired to both the electrical connector 17-n and the light source connector 18 of the scope 10-n, and the light source device 14 uniquely detects the connection of the light source connector 18 by its CPU (microcomputer). Similarly, the connection of the electrical connector 17-n may be detected. In this case, the processor device 12-n receives the connection detection information of the light source connector 18 from the light source device 14 and controls the supply of power to the scope 10-n.

It is a circuit block diagram which shows the structure of the processor apparatus in the electronic endoscope apparatus which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the electronic endoscope apparatus of an Example. It is a circuit diagram which shows the structure of the connector connection detection means of an Example apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of scope power supply from the connector connection detection of an Example. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement at the time of limiting the scope which can be used in the processor apparatus of an Example. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement when a scope connector is extracted in an Example. It is a figure which shows the structure at the time of using multiple processor apparatuses which have a single connector receiving part in an Example.

Explanation of symbols

10-1, 10-2, 10-3, 10-n ... scope (electronic endoscope),
12, 12-1, 12-2 ... processor device,
14 ... light source device, 15-1, 15-2 ... CCD (imaging unit),
17-1, 17-2, 17-3, 17-n ... electrical connectors,
18 ... Light source (light guide) connector, 18k ... Detection pin,
19-1, 19-2, 19-3, 19-n ... electric connector receiving part,
22 ... Light source connector receiving part, 22b ... Pin receiving,
24 ... CPU, 26 ... delay circuit,
28 ... Power source switching circuit, 30 ... Patient power source,
K, L _{1 to} L ₃ ... detection lines.

Claims (4)

Electrical connectors arranged in various scopes are connected to corresponding receiving parts among a plurality of electrical connector receiving parts arranged in a single or a plurality of processor devices, and the light source connector arranged in the scope is connected to a light source part. In the electronic endoscope apparatus connected to the light source connector receiving part of
Connector connection detection for detecting whether or not a light source connector of a scope to be used is connected to a light source connector receiving part of the light source unit and whether an electric connector of the same scope to be used is connected to an electrical connector receiving part of the processor device Means,
An electronic device comprising: a scope power supply control circuit that is disposed in the processor device and supplies power to a scope in which connection of both the light source connector and the electrical connector is detected by the connector connection detection means. Endoscopic device. In the processor device,
An imaging unit discriminating unit for discriminating the type of the imaging unit mounted on the scope by communication with the scope where the connection of both the light source connector and the electrical connector is detected by the connector connection detecting unit;
When connection of both the light source connector and the electrical connector is detected by the connector connection detection means, communication power is supplied from the connection detection electrical connector to the scope, and then to the imaging unit discrimination means. The electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a scope power supply control circuit that supplies a plurality of image pickup unit power supplies in an order according to the type of the image pickup unit determined in step 1.   The scope power supply control circuit supplies scope power only to the electrical connector receiving portion selected and set based on the connection detection of both the light source connector and the electrical connector by the connector connection detection means, and other electrical connectors. 3. The electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receiving unit is controlled not to supply scope power even if connection of the scope connector is detected.   The scope power supply is shut off when the connector connection detection means detects the connection of both of the light source connector and the electrical connector and then detects the disconnection of either one of them. Item 4. The electronic endoscope apparatus according to Item 1.

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