JP2007296208A - Endoscope apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically recognize actual replacement into a new light source and to accurately measure the total lighting time of the light source. <P>SOLUTION: A light quantity sensor 17 provided at an electronic endoscope apparatus is arranged near a lamp 12 to detect the quantity of light radiated from the lamp 12. The light quantity of the lamp 12 in the previous use is compared with the light quantity of the lamp 12 at the initial lighting. When there is a sudden (noncontinuous) increase in the quantity of light, replacement into a new lamp is determined, and the lighting total time of the lamp is reset. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus capable of imaging and displaying an observation target such as a stomach, and more particularly to an illumination light source.

In the endoscope apparatus, a lamp for an illumination light source is provided to irradiate light to a dark observation site such as a body such as a stomach, and light emitted from the lamp is transmitted to the observation site through a light guide. . In order to monitor the life of the lamp, a life meter is usually incorporated, and the total lighting time from the start of use of the lamp is measured. When the total lighting time of the lamp exceeds a predetermined time, a warning is displayed to notify the operator that it is time to replace the lamp. The operator replaces the lamp according to the warning display. After the lamp replacement, for example, an operator operates a reset switch or the like in order to reset the total lighting time of the lamp (see Patent Document 1). Alternatively, lamp replacement is recognized by detecting electrical continuity and disconnection during replacement work in the lamp mounting mechanism (see Patent Document 2).
JP-A-8-321019 JP 2000-65965 A

  In the endoscope apparatus, it is determined that the lamp has been replaced with a new lamp by detecting the operation of the operator or the installation of the lamp. In other words, the endoscope apparatus does not determine whether or not it is actually replaced with a new lamp. Therefore, even if the operator accidentally resets the unit, or if the conventional lamp is mounted again, the total lighting time of the lamp is reset, and the total lighting time of the measured lamp is the actual total lighting time. It is not possible to properly notify the time and discrepancy and the replacement time.

  The endoscope apparatus of the present invention is an endoscope apparatus that uses an interchangeable light source that emits illumination light for illuminating an observation site, and is combined with a light source apparatus that does not include a signal processing mechanism or a video scope. Applies to the processor used. The endoscope apparatus includes a light source total lighting time measuring unit that measures a total lighting time of a light source, and a light amount detection unit that detects a light amount of illumination light of the light source. For example, a sensor capable of detecting the amount of light such as a photoelectric conversion element may be provided in the vicinity of the light source.

  The endoscope apparatus according to the present invention includes a light amount increase detection unit that detects whether or not the light amount when the light source is turned on indicates a non-continuous increase corresponding to the light source replacement with respect to the light amount of the light source at the previous use. Furthermore, when there is a non-continuous increase in the amount of light, reset means for resetting the total light source lighting time is provided. Usually, the light quantity of the light source gradually and continuously decreases according to the total lighting time, and also decreases in proportion to the time axis. When the light source is replaced, the light amount of the detected light source increases rapidly. In the endoscope apparatus of the present invention, it is recognized that the light source is actually replaced by a new light source by detecting this non-continuous increase. When the non-continuous increase is detected, the total light source lighting time is reset. As the detection time, it is preferable to start the lighting. Furthermore, since there is a high possibility that the light source is abnormal when there is a non-continuous decrease with respect to the light amount of the light source at the time of previous use, there is further provided an informing means for informing that the light source is abnormal.

  The amount of light emitted from the light source is not stable for a while (approximately several minutes) after the light source is turned on. Therefore, the light quantity increase detection means may calculate the average of the period from the start of lighting until the light quantity stabilizes, and use this as the light quantity at the start of lighting of the light source. The light quantity increase detection means may calculate an average light quantity during the previous use and use this as the light quantity of the light source during the previous use. Or it is good also considering the standard deviation as the light quantity in use last time. Then, it is only necessary to detect whether or not the ratio between the light amount of the light source that needs to be replaced and the light amount of the light source at the initial use for the first time exceeds a predetermined ratio. For example, a light amount reduction of about 70% with respect to the light amount at the start of use is determined as the light source replacement time. In this case, the light quantity increase detection means indicates that if the ratio between the light quantity of the light source at the previous use and the light quantity at the start of lighting of the light source exceeds about 1.4 times, it is a discontinuous light quantity increase. Judge that

  The endoscope light source replacement detection apparatus according to the present invention includes a light amount detection means for detecting the light amount of illumination light of a light source, and the light amount at the start of lighting of the light source corresponds to the light source replacement with respect to the light amount of the light source at the previous use. Resetting the light source total lighting time of the replaceable light source that emits illumination light for illuminating the observation site when there is a non-continuous increase in the light amount and the light intensity increase detection means that detects whether or not it shows a non-continuous increase And a resetting means.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to automatically recognize that the light source has actually been replaced with a new light source, and to accurately measure the total lighting time of the light source.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic endoscope apparatus according to this embodiment.

  The electronic endoscope apparatus includes a video scope 50 having a CCD 54 and a processor 10 that processes an image signal read from the CCD 54, and a monitor 32 and a keyboard 34 that display a subject image are connected to the processor 10. The video scope 50 is detachably connected to the processor 10.

  When a main power switch (not shown) is turned on, a power supply circuit (not shown) supplies power to each circuit in the processor 10. Further, when a lamp lighting switch (not shown) is turned on, power is supplied from the lamp power source 11 including the lamp control unit 11A to the lamp 12. Light emitted from the lamp 12 is incident on an incident end 51A of a light guide 51 provided in the video scope 50 via a condenser lens (not shown). The light guide 51 is an optical fiber bundle that transmits light emitted from the lamp 12 to the distal end side of the video scope 50. Light that has passed through the light guide 51 is emitted from the emission end 51B, and is a light distribution lens ( Light is irradiated to the observation site via a not-shown). The lamp 12 is replaceably mounted on the processor 10 and is replaced by an operator at an appropriate time.

  The light reflected at the observation site passes through the objective lens (not shown) and reaches the CCD 54, whereby a subject image at the observation site is formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD 54. In this embodiment, a single plate simultaneous type is applied as a color imaging method, and yellow (Ye), cyan (Cy), magenta (Mg), and green (G) color elements are checked on the light receiving surface of the CCD. Complementary color filters (not shown) arranged in a line are arranged so as to correspond to the respective pixels on the light receiving surface. In the CCD 54, the image signal of the subject image corresponding to the color passing through the complementary color filter is generated by photoelectric conversion, and the image signal for one frame or one field is sequentially read according to the color difference line sequential method at every predetermined time interval. For example, the NTSC system is applied as a color television system, and image signals for one frame (one field every 1/60 second interval) are sequentially read out every 1/30 second interval, and are sent to the initial signal processing circuit 55. Sent. The initial signal processing circuit 55 performs amplification processing and the like, and the processed image signal is sent to the processor signal processing circuit 28 of the processor 10.

  The processor signal processing circuit 28 executes various processes such as a separation process for separating a luminance signal and a color signal, a matrix operation for generating R, G, and B signals, white balance adjustment, gamma correction, luminance, and a color difference signal generation process. , NTSC composite signals, Y / C separation signals (S video signals), RGB separation signals, and the like are sent to the monitor 32. As a result, the subject image is displayed on the monitor 32. On the other hand, the processor signal processing circuit 28 calculates a luminance value indicating the brightness of the subject image based on the input image signal, and sends the luminance data to the system control circuit 22.

  A system control circuit 22 including a CPU 24 controls the entire processor 10 and outputs a control signal to each circuit such as the lamp control unit 11A of the lamp power supply 11 and the processor signal processing circuit 28. In the timing control circuit 30, a clock pulse for adjusting a signal processing timing is output to each circuit in the processor 10. The RAM 26 stores scope data sent from the video scope 50.

  In the video scope 50, a scope control unit 56 for controlling the entire video scope 50 and an EEPROM 57 capable of rewriting data are provided. The scope control unit 56 reads data from the EEPROM 57 and controls the initial signal processing circuit 55. When the video scope 50 is connected to the processor 10, timely data is transmitted and received between the scope control unit 56 and the system control circuit 22, and from the scope control unit 56 to the system control circuit 22 as necessary or system control. Data is transmitted from the circuit 22 to the scope controller 56.

  A diaphragm 16 that adjusts the amount of illumination light is provided between the light source lamp 12 and the incident end 51 </ b> A of the light guide 51. When a control signal is transmitted from the system control circuit 22 to the peripheral control circuit 23 based on the luminance value, the diaphragm 16 opens and closes so that the brightness of the subject image is appropriate.

  The OSD circuit 31 is a circuit for displaying character information such as a patient name and time on an observation image displayed on the monitor 32 and displaying a video signal based on a control signal sent from the system control circuit 22. A character signal is inserted between them at an appropriate timing. Thereby, the character information is superimposed on the observation image.

  A light quantity sensor 17 is provided between the lamp 12 and the diaphragm 16 in the vicinity of the light beam traveling from the lamp 12 to the light guide incident end 51A. Here, the light amount sensor 17 is a photoelectric conversion element, and detects the amount of light emitted from the lamp 12. The system control circuit 27 is provided with an RTC (Real Time Clock) 27, and the system control circuit 22 measures the total lighting time (usage time) after the lamp 12 is started to be used.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the light source replacement time monitoring process executed in the system control circuit 22. The light source replacement time monitoring process is executed by interrupting the main routine at a predetermined time interval (for example, one minute).

  In step S101, it is determined whether or not the lamp power is on and the lamp 12 is lit. If it is determined that the lamp 12 is not lit, the process ends. If it is determined that the lamp 12 is lit, the process proceeds to step S102 to determine whether or not the predetermined time T1 has elapsed. To be judged. In the present embodiment, the average of the light amount during a predetermined period from when the lamp 12 is lit until it is stabilized is determined as the light amount at the start of lamp lighting, and thereafter, the light amount of the lamp 12 is periodically detected and sequentially detected. Based on the light amount, the average light amount of the lamp 12 that is lit is calculated. Here, the predetermined time T1 is set to 5 minutes because the time from when the lamp 12 is lit until it is stabilized is about 5 minutes.

  If it is determined in step S102 that the predetermined time T1 has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S103, where the light amount of the lamp 12 is detected by the light amount sensor 17 as a voltage value. In step S104, the light amount data is stored in the RAM. The light amount data detected at regular time intervals is sequentially stored in the RAM 26 and used to calculate an average light amount which will be described later. When step S104 is executed, the process ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S102 that the predetermined time T1 has not elapsed, the process proceeds to step S105. In step S105, the light amount of the lamp 12 is detected and the light amount data is stored in the RAM 26, as in steps S103 and S104. In step S106, it is determined whether or not the number of light detection times from when the lamp is lit exceeds a predetermined number. Here, the light source replacement time monitoring process is executed at an interval of one minute, and since it takes about 5 minutes from the time when the lamp 12 is turned on until it is stabilized, the predetermined number of times is set to “5”. .

  In step S106, if it is determined that the number of light detection times since the lamp is lit does not exceed the predetermined number, the process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S106 that the number of light detection times from when the lamp is lit exceeds the predetermined number, the process proceeds to step 107.

  In step S107, an average light quantity Q1 from when the lamp 12 is turned on until it is stabilized is calculated. In step S108, it is determined whether or not the value of the ratio between the average light quantity Q0 of the lamp 12 at the previous use and the average light quantity Q1 at the start of lighting of the lamp 12 exceeds a predetermined value R. In the present embodiment, when the lamp 12 is turned off, the average light quantity during lamp lighting is calculated based on the light quantity data sequentially stored in the RAM 26 in step S104 and stored in the ROM 25. Then, the average light quantity Q1 from when the lamp 12 is newly lit is compared with the average light quantity Q0 stored in the ROM 25 at the previous use. Normally, when the light amount decreases from the initial light amount when the lamp 12 starts to be used to about 70%, the lamp needs to be replaced. Therefore, the predetermined value R is set to 1.4 here.

  If it is determined in step S108 that the ratio between the average light quantity Q0 of the lamp 12 at the previous use and the average light quantity Q1 at the start of lighting of the lamp 12 exceeds the predetermined value R, the process proceeds to step S109 and the lamp is replaced. It is recognized that there is a lamp, and the lamp lighting time reset process is executed. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S108 that the ratio of the average light quantity Q0 of the lamp 12 at the previous use and the average light quantity Q1 at the start of lighting of the lamp 12 does not exceed the predetermined value R, the lamp has not been replaced. The determination is made, and the process ends as it is.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a subroutine of step S109 in FIG.

  In step S201, the total usage time of the lamp 12 is reset, and the reset date and time is stored in the ROM 25. In step S202, character information indicating lamp replacement confirmation is displayed on the monitor 32 in order to notify the operator that lamp replacement has been automatically recognized.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the light amount sensor 17 is disposed in the vicinity of the lamp 12 and the amount of light emitted from the lamp 12 is detected. Then, the light amount of the lamp 12 at the previous use is compared with the light amount of the lamp 12 at the start of lighting. If there is a sudden (non-continuous) increase in the amount of light, it is determined that the lamp has been replaced with a new lamp, and the total lighting time of the lamp is reset.

  The amount of light at the previous use and the amount of light after the start of lighting may be calculated by a method other than the calculation method described above. Alternatively, the light amount of the lamp 12 at the previous use may be compared with the light amount of the lamp 12 at the start of lighting after a predetermined time has elapsed since the lighting was started, not at the start of lighting.

  The light quantity of the lamp 12 at the time of the previous use is compared with the light quantity of the lamp 12 at the start of lighting, and if the light quantity has a sharp (non-continuous) decrease, the operator is notified that there is more in the lamp. You may comprise. For example, the buzzer sound may be used, or the warning character information may be displayed on the monitor 32 by controlling the OSD circuit.

It is a block diagram of the electronic endoscope apparatus which is this embodiment. It is the flowchart which showed the light source replacement time monitoring process performed in a system control circuit. It is the figure which showed the subroutine of step S109 of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

10 Processor 17 Light sensor 22 System control circuit 50 Video scope

Claims (7)

An interchangeable light source that emits illumination light to illuminate the observation site;
A light source total lighting time measuring means for measuring a total lighting time of the light source;
A light amount detecting means for detecting a light amount of illumination light of the light source;
A light quantity increase detection means for detecting whether or not the light quantity when the light source is turned on indicates a non-continuous increase according to the light source exchange with respect to the light quantity of the light source at the previous use;
An endoscope apparatus comprising: reset means for resetting the total lighting time of the light source when there is a discontinuous increase in the amount of light.   The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light amount increase detection unit calculates an average of a period from the start of lighting until the light amount is stabilized as the light amount at the time of starting the light source.   The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light amount increase detection unit calculates an average light amount during the previous use as the light amount of the light source at the previous use.   The light quantity increase detection means has a ratio of the light quantity of the light source at the previous use and the light quantity at the start of lighting of the light source exceeding a predetermined value based on a ratio between the light quantity of the light source requiring replacement and the light quantity of the light source at the initial use. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when there is an increase, there is a discontinuous light amount increase.   The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light amount increase detection unit detects the light amount based on a light amount at the start of lighting of the light source.   2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an informing unit that informs that the light source is abnormal when the light amount when the light source is turned on has a non-continuous decrease with respect to the light amount of the light source at the previous use. The endoscope apparatus described. A light amount detection means for detecting the light amount of the illumination light of the light source;
A light quantity increase detection means for detecting whether or not the light quantity when the light source is turned on indicates a non-continuous increase according to the light source exchange with respect to the light quantity of the light source at the previous use;
Endoscope light source replacement detection, comprising: reset means for resetting the total lighting time of a replaceable light source that emits illumination light for illuminating the observation site when there is a discontinuous increase in the amount of light apparatus.

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