JP2007252738A - Endoscopic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscopic apparatus with a built-in battery unit capable of extending using time even when the residual amount of a loaded battery becomes small. <P>SOLUTION: The LED for illumination of the endoscopic apparatus 10 is driven by a voltage obtained from a battery pack 34. In the battery pack, six batteries 40-45, changeover switches 50-59 and a connection path 46 for connecting them are incorporated. The changeover switches 50-59 are located so as to individually connect the batteries 40-45 in parallel by the control of a switch switching device 33. When an output voltage from the battery pack 34 becomes a predetermined threshold or below, the switch switching device 33 switches the changeover switches 50, 52, 53, 57 and 59 and switches to a second circuit of connecting the batteries 40-45 serially for two pieces and parallel for three pieces. Thereafter, when the output voltage becomes the threshold or below, the remaining changeover switches are switched and changeover to a third circuit of serially connecting six pieces of the batteries 40-45 is performed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable endoscope apparatus including an endoscope and a battery for supplying power to a light source built in the endoscope.

  In recent years, endoscopes are widely used for diagnosis or examination in the medical field and the industrial field. A light source unit such as an LED that supplies illumination light is attached to the endoscope. In general, power supply to the light source unit is performed by a commercial power source. However, portable endoscopes often have an environment where a commercial power source cannot be used. Therefore, a portable endoscope apparatus in which a battery is built in an endoscope is known (Patent Document 1).

When the light source is used for a long time, the output voltage of the battery decreases, and the illumination of the light source unit becomes dark. Therefore, the invention described in Patent Document 1 includes a main power source (lithium battery) and an auxiliary power source (a lithium battery having an output voltage lower than that of the main power source), and the output voltage of the main power source is lower than the output voltage of the auxiliary power source. When the voltage drops to the level, the main power supply is switched to the auxiliary power supply, and the power supply voltage is boosted and supplied from the auxiliary power supply by the booster circuit.
JP 2003-21792 A

  By the way, in a portable endoscope apparatus, if the battery is consumed during the treatment, the illumination becomes dark and it becomes a serious problem that the treatment cannot be performed. Therefore, there is a demand for a configuration that can be used for as long as possible in the brightest illumination state even when the battery is exhausted. In the invention described in Patent Document 1, even if the battery as the main power source runs out, it is switched to the supply from the battery as the auxiliary power source so that illumination can be continued for a long time, but neither power source can be charged. Since the lithium battery is used, if two batteries are consumed, it takes time to replace the batteries one by one, and it is economically expensive. Further, even if considering incorporating a rechargeable battery, once a battery that has been fully charged is exhausted, it cannot be used again unless it is charged using a commercial power source.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope apparatus incorporating a battery unit that can extend the usage time even when the remaining amount of the loaded battery is low. And

  To achieve the above object, in the endoscope apparatus of the present invention, a connection path for connecting a plurality of batteries; a plurality of change-over switches provided in the connection path; and any or all of the plurality of change-over switches By switching the connection of the N switches, N batteries are divided into B groups (the same number) by B groups, A batteries belonging to each group are connected in series, and each B group is connected in parallel. A switch switch for generating a circuit to be connected; a voltage detection means for detecting a power supply voltage output from the battery unit; a comparison means for comparing the voltage detected by the voltage detection means with a predetermined threshold; and an output of the battery unit Each time the voltage falls below the threshold, the number (A) of the batteries belonging to the group connected in series is sequentially increased, and the group of batteries connected in series is increased. Those having a; and control means for controlling said switch selector to switch to circuit connected number (B) is sequentially reduced by connecting the-loop in parallel.

  According to this, every time the output voltage of the battery unit falls below a predetermined threshold, the number (A) of the N batteries that are connected in series is sequentially increased and the battery is connected in series. Since the control means switches to the connected circuit by sequentially reducing the number (B) of connecting in parallel, a bright illumination state can be continued for a long time even when the battery is depleted.

  For example, in the initial state, the switch selector controls the switching position of the selector switch to generate a parallel circuit that individually connects all the batteries in parallel. That is, the number (A) for directly connecting the batteries belonging to each group is “1”, and the number (B) for connecting the groups (B) connected in series to each group in parallel is “6”. Make a circuit. N is the total number of batteries, and B is a natural number divisible by N / A.

  The battery unit outputs a power supply voltage obtained from the parallel circuit in the initial state. When the output voltage of the battery unit falls below a predetermined threshold, the control means controls the switch changer to increase the number (A) of connecting the parallel circuits in series with the batteries belonging to the group, and Control is performed so as to switch in a stepwise manner to a circuit in which the number (B) of the groups in which the batteries are connected in series is connected in parallel is reduced. For example, when N = 6, the circuit is switched from a parallel circuit in which six batteries are connected in parallel to a circuit in which two series are connected in three parallels (a circuit in which A = 2 and B = 3).

  Since this switching is performed step by step whenever the output voltage of the battery unit falls below a predetermined threshold value, the last is a series circuit in which all the batteries are connected in series (A = N, B = 1 circuit). ). Thereby, even if the output voltage of each battery falls, the output voltage of a battery unit can be maintained at a predetermined voltage. In addition, when switching to the series circuit, the total output voltage of each battery at that time does not exceed the predetermined maximum output voltage of the battery unit, that is, the maximum input voltage of the electric drive unit. , The number of batteries connected in series (A), and the number of batteries connected in series (B) connected in parallel. The threshold is preferably set according to the minimum power supply voltage at which the electric drive unit can operate normally. The battery may be rechargeable or non-rechargeable.

  Further, when the output voltage of the battery unit becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold value, a two-stage switching configuration may be adopted in which the initial parallel circuit is switched to the series circuit. Further, it may be switched to three stages. In this case, the parallel circuit that connects all the batteries in parallel is the first circuit, the series circuit that connects all the batteries in series is the third circuit, and the first circuit (parallel circuit) is changed to the third circuit (series circuit). Switch to the second circuit before switching. The second circuit is a circuit that divides a plurality of batteries into the same number (A) of B groups, connects the groups in parallel, and connects the batteries belonging to the groups in series.

  When the control means switches the switch changer, since the contact of the change-over switch is separated from the side where it has been connected so far and then connected to the next side to be connected, there is a period in which neither side is connected. In addition, when simultaneously switching a plurality of changeover switches, even if a changeover signal is given simultaneously, the operation time of each changeover switch varies and the changeover switches do not necessarily operate simultaneously. In this way, the circuit is not fixed until the operation of all the changeover switches is completed, and the state becomes unstable. When a switch is used for the power supply circuit, there is a concern that power supply is interrupted or an unintended voltage is output during this unstable period. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide backup means for supplying the charged electric power to the electric drive unit during the operation of being switched by the output from the battery and switching the changeover switch. As the backup means, a capacitor or a secondary battery is suitable. When these are used, they may be connected in parallel with a circuit portion including a battery and a changeover switch. According to this, power of the voltage detection means, the comparison circuit, the switch changer, the control means, etc. can be backed up.

  In addition, it is preferable to provide notifying means for notifying the outside when the output voltage of the battery unit becomes equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value. As a notification means, you may notify outside by LCD or LED, and you may notify by sound.

  According to the present invention, when the output voltage of the battery unit falls below a predetermined threshold, the control means controls the switch changer to sequentially increase the number (A) of batteries connected in series, and Since the number (B) of the groups in which the batteries are connected in series is sequentially reduced and switched to the connected circuit in stages, each battery can be used again only for a certain period of time even if it is depleted. . In addition, the power supply circuit can be automatically switched while continuously using the endoscope apparatus, which is convenient.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes a portable endoscope 11 and a battery unit 12 that is detachably attached to the portable endoscope 11. The endoscope 11 includes an insertion part 13, a grip part 14, an eyepiece part 15, and the like. The insertion portion 13 is elongated and elastic, and is inserted into a body cavity or the like. The grip portion 14 is provided at the rear end of the insertion portion 13. The eyepiece part 15 is provided at the rear end of the grip part 14, and the eyepiece lens 16 is exposed. The battery unit 12 is detachably attached to the grip part 14.

  A diverging optical system 26 is provided at the distal end of the insertion portion 13, and an illumination LED 25 is provided behind the diverging optical system 26. One end of a wiring 24 is connected to the LED 25, and the other end of the wiring 24 is connected to a drive circuit 31 built in the battery unit 12 through a detachable connection terminal 30.

  An observation window 27 is provided adjacent to the diverging optical system 26 at the distal end of the insertion portion 13, and an objective lens 28 is attached to the back of the observation window 27. An image guide 29 is provided between the objective lens 28 and the eyepiece lens 16. The image guide 29 is a fiber bundle in which thousands to tens of thousands of pixel fibers are arranged at the same position at the entrance end and the exit end and bundled, and an image formed on the fiber end face by the objective lens 28 is displayed on each pixel. Disassemble into fiber and transmit to the other end. The image transmitted to the other end of the image guide 29 is enlarged and observed through the eyepiece 16.

  In addition to the drive circuit 31, the battery unit 12 includes a control unit 32, a switch switch 33, a battery pack 34, and a notification unit 35.

  The drive circuit 31 is a constant current circuit that supplies a stable current to the LED 25. As shown in FIG. 2, the battery pack 34 includes six batteries 40 to 45 and a connection path 46 that connects the batteries 40 to 45 so as to be variable in parallel or in series and supplies a voltage to the drive circuit 31 within a predetermined range. And ten changeover switches 50 to 59 incorporated in the connection path 46.

  The control means 32 includes a voltage detection circuit 60, a comparison circuit 61, and a control circuit 62. The voltage detection circuit 60 monitors the power supply voltage supplied from the battery pack 34 to the drive circuit 31 and sends a signal having voltage value information to the comparison circuit 61. The comparison circuit 61 compares the output voltage of the battery pack 34 with a predetermined threshold value and sends the result to the control circuit 62. The control circuit 62 sends a switching signal to the switch switch 33 when the output voltage of the battery pack 34 becomes equal to or lower than the threshold value. There are two switching signals, a first-stage switching signal and a second-stage switching signal, which are sent in time series. The second-stage switching signal is transmitted again after the first-stage switching signal is sent and the power supply voltage is again set to the threshold value. Dispatched when: The threshold value is a level value that does not fall below the minimum input voltage within the allowable range of the voltage input to the drive circuit 31.

  Each change-over switch 50-59 is changeable between the 1st position shown in FIG. 2, and the 2nd position shown in FIG. In response to receiving the first stage switching signal, the switch selector 33 switches the selector switches 50, 52, 53, 56, 57, 59 among the selector switches 50 to 59 from the first position to the second position, In response to receiving the second stage switching signal, the selector switches 51, 54, 55, and 58 among the selector switches 50 to 59 are switched from the first position to the second position.

  By the way, while the switch selector 33 is switching the selector switches 50 to 59, the output of the battery pack 34 is interrupted or becomes unstable. For this reason, a relatively large capacity capacitor (backup means) 36 is connected in parallel to the output portion of the battery pack 34. The capacitor 36 stabilizes the power supply by supplying charged power or smoothing the power supply voltage when the power output is interrupted while the switch switch 33 is switching the changeover switches 50 to 55.

  Further, the control circuit 62 outputs a notification signal when the output voltage of the battery pack 34 becomes equal to or lower than the threshold value. This notification signal is sent to the notification means 35. The notification means 35 is composed of an LCD and its drive circuit, and notifies the battery remaining amount display to the outside by lighting or blinking of the LCD, for example, in three stages. In addition, you may display using not only LCD display but LED and a lamp | ramp. Furthermore, you may display with a sound.

  The initial positions of the changeover switches 50 to 59 are all in the first position as shown in FIG. When each of the changeover switches 50 to 59 is in the first position, a first circuit for connecting all the six batteries 40 to 45 in parallel using a part (a part indicated by a solid line in FIG. 2) 46a of the connection path 46 is provided. Generate.

  Of the changeover switches 50 to 59, six changeover switches 50, 52, 53, 56, 57 and 59 are automatically switched to the second position in response to the first stage switching signal as shown in FIG. , Six batteries 40 to 40 using a connection path 46b (part indicated by a solid line in FIG. 3) constituted by a part of the connection path 46a and a part of the remaining connection paths excluding the part. A second circuit for connecting 45 in series 2 in parallel is generated.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the remaining four selector switches 51, 54, 55, and 58 are automatically switched to the second position in response to the second-stage switching signal. A third circuit that connects six batteries 40 to 45 in series is generated using a connection path (a part indicated by a solid line in FIG. 4) 46 c configured by all of the remaining connection paths except the unit.

  Each of the batteries 40 to 45 is a secondary battery, and each battery 40 to 45 is charged by connecting a charging cord (not shown) to the external connection terminal 65a of the charging circuit 65 provided in the control means 32. be able to. The charging circuit 65 controls the switch selector 33 in response to detecting the connection and charging of the charging cord, and returns all of the changeover switches 50 to 59 to the first position.

  The input voltage range to the drive circuit 31 is, for example, in the range of 3v to 9v, and the output voltage to the LED 25 is a constant voltage, for example, 4v. That is, by inputting a 3 v to 9 v DC power supply from the battery pack 34 to the drive circuit 31, a 4 v DC voltage is output from the drive circuit 31, and this 4 v DC voltage is sent to the LED 25 through the wiring 24.

  After the completion of charging, all the changeover switches 50 to 59 are all in the first position as shown in FIG. 2, and the battery pack 34 has a first circuit for connecting six batteries in one series and six in parallel. Has been generated. Since each battery 40-45 outputs 6v of direct current, for example, the same 6v direct-current voltage as the output voltage of each battery 40-45 is input to the drive circuit 31. The input voltage to the drive circuit 31 is monitored by the voltage detection circuit 60. In addition, the notification means 35 is in a fully charged display state by lighting all the battery remaining amount display scales of the LCD.

  If the output voltage of the battery pack 34 drops to a threshold value (predetermined level), for example, 3v, during the observation with the insertion unit 13 inserted into the patient's body, that is, at time t1 shown in FIG. When 60 and the comparison circuit 61 detect and the control circuit 62 determines that the voltage is low, a notification signal and a first stage switching signal are sent out. The first stage switching signal is sent to the switch switching unit 33, and the switch switching unit 33 generates a second circuit in response to receiving the first stage switching signal. , 57, 59 are controlled to be switched to the second position. Thereby, the changeover switch group 50, 52, 53, 56, 57, 59 is switched to the second position, and a second circuit for connecting the batteries 40 to 45 in two series and three in parallel is generated, and the output voltage of the battery pack 34 is generated. Becomes 6v again. In this case, it is assumed that the output voltage of each of the batteries 40 to 45 has decreased to 3 v on average. The notification signal is sent to the notification means 35. As a result, the notification unit 35 performs a display in which only one of the three scales is turned on by turning off one scale of the battery remaining amount display on the LCD.

  When the time t2 shown in FIG. 5 elapses after the circuit of the battery pack 34 is switched to the second circuit, the output voltage of the battery pack 34 drops again, and the output voltage of the battery pack drops to a threshold value, for example, 3v. Is detected by the voltage detection circuit 60 and the comparison circuit 61, and the control circuit 62 determines that the voltage has dropped, a notification signal and a second stage switching signal are sent out. The second stage switching signal is sent to the switch selector 33, and the switch selector 33 generates the third circuit in response to receiving the second stage switching signal 51, 54, 55, 58. Is controlled to switch to the second position. Accordingly, the changeover switch groups 51, 54, 55, and 58 are switched to the second position, and a third circuit that connects the batteries 40 to 45 in series is generated. Thereby, the output voltage of the battery pack 34 becomes 9v.

  By the way, the capacitor 36 supplies power when the switch switch 33 switches the changeover switches 50 to 59, or stabilizes the power supply by smoothing the power supply voltage. The capacitor 36 needs to have a relatively large capacity, and an electric double layer capacitor or the like is preferable. A secondary battery may be used.

  The notification signal is sent to the notification means 35. By receiving the second notification signal, the notification unit 35 turns off one of the LCD battery remaining power scales and turns on and displays only one of the 3 scales. In this display state, the predetermined luminance of the LED 25 is maintained until time t3, that is, until the output voltage of the battery pack 34 drops to 3 v or less. This makes it possible to extend the lighting time of the LED 25 for illumination during the endoscopic examination by one charge, that is, the continuous use time of the battery pack 34, so that the remaining amount of the battery is low during clinical use. Even if it becomes, it can prevent for a long term that a light quantity becomes dark.

  In the said embodiment, although demonstrated as an example which provided one LED25 and the diverging optical system 26 at the front-end | tip of the insertion part 13, you may provide not only this but a several LED and diverging optical system in this invention. . In this case, the drive circuit 31 and each LED may be connected by wiring, and a plurality of LEDs may be driven simultaneously by a constant current output from the drive circuit.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the circuit which connects the batteries 40-45 is switched to three steps, a 1st circuit, a 2nd circuit, and a 3rd circuit, in this invention, not only this but two steps, Or you may switch to four steps or more. In the case of switching to two stages, a parallel circuit for connecting the batteries in parallel is first generated, and the output voltage of the battery pack 34 is below a threshold that is a level that does not fall below the minimum input voltage of the drive circuit 31. Sometimes it is only necessary to switch to a series circuit that connects the batteries in series. Furthermore, when switching to four or more stages, a battery belonging to each group is divided into a second circuit in which a plurality of batteries are divided into the same number of groups and each group is connected in parallel and the batteries belonging to each group are connected in series. The same number may be added and connected in series, and each group may be connected in parallel.

  For example, when the total number of batteries is 8 for example, the four-stage switching configuration is a parallel circuit for connecting batteries in 1 series and 8 in parallel, 2nd circuit for connecting directly in 4 parallel, 4 in series and 2 in parallel The circuit is switched to four stages of the third circuit and the series circuit connected in series. In this case, when the output voltage of each battery is 6v and the threshold value is 3v, the output voltage of each group connected in series is connected to the second circuit when the output voltage of each battery becomes 3v. It may be switched in turn to the third circuit when it becomes 3v, and further to the series circuit when the output voltage of each group connected in series similarly becomes 3v.

  In the above embodiment, the endoscope 11 is described as an optical endoscope (fiberscope type endoscope). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the imaging position of the objective lens is not limited thereto. The present invention can also be applied to an electronic endoscope provided with a solid-state imaging device such as a charge coupled device (CCD). The present invention can also be applied to a television camera-equipped endoscope in which a television camera with a built-in solid-state imaging device is attached to the eyepiece of an optical endoscope (fiber scope or rigid endoscope).

  In the case of an electronic endoscope or an endoscope equipped with a television camera, a signal processing unit for a solid-state imaging device and a monitor for displaying a video signal generated by the signal processing unit are provided. In order to make it suitable for portability, it is preferable to provide a monitor using a video signal processing circuit and a liquid crystal element in the grip portion 14 or the like.

  In each of the above embodiments, the output power of the battery unit 12 is used only for the LED 25. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and power may be supplied to an electric drive unit other than the LED 25. For example, in the case of an electronic endoscope or a TV camera-equipped endoscope, the electrical drive unit includes an individual image sensor, a video signal processing circuit, and a monitor. In this case, since the necessary voltages of the light source lamp and the other electric drive units are different, the DC power output from the battery may be boosted or stepped down by the DC-DC converter to be converted into the necessary voltages and supplied. .

  Moreover, although LED25 is used in said each embodiment, you may use a light source lamp instead of LED25.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline of an endoscope apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline of a battery pack and a control circuit. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline of the battery pack and control circuit which switched to the 2nd circuit which connected the battery in 2 series 3 parallel. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline of the battery pack which switched to the 2nd circuit which connected the battery in 6 series, and a control circuit. It is a graph which shows the displacement of the output voltage of a battery pack.

Explanation of symbols

11 Endoscope 12 Battery unit 16 Eyepiece lens 25 LED
26 Divergence optical system 27 Observation window 28 Objective lens 40-45 Battery 50-59 Changeover switch

Claims (3)

An electric drive unit including a light source, and a battery unit having N (N is a plurality) batteries and supplying power from the battery to any of the plurality of electric drive units. In the endoscopic device,
A connection path for connecting the plurality of batteries;
A plurality of changeover switches provided in the connection path;
By switching the connection of any or all of the plurality of change-over switches, the N batteries are divided into B (same number) B groups, and A batteries belonging to each group are connected in series. And a switch changer for generating a circuit for connecting each of the B groups in parallel,
Voltage detection means for detecting a power supply voltage output from the battery unit;
A comparison means for comparing the voltage detected by the voltage detection means with a predetermined threshold;
Each time the output voltage of the battery unit falls below a predetermined threshold, the number (A) of the batteries belonging to the group connected in series is sequentially increased, and the group of the batteries connected in series is connected in parallel. Control means for controlling the switch switch so as to switch to a connected circuit by sequentially reducing the number (B) to be connected;
An endoscope apparatus comprising:   2. The internal view according to claim 1, further comprising backup means for supplying the charged electric power to the electric drive unit during an operation of switching the changeover switch by being charged by an output from the battery. Mirror device.   The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit configured to notify the outside when an output voltage of the battery unit becomes equal to or less than the threshold value.

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