JP2008119025A - Endoscope apparatus and observation device capable of magnifying display - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform useful diagnoses in magnified observations by an endoscope apparatus capable of displaying magnified display images by a zoom lens. <P>SOLUTION: In the electronic endoscope apparatus with a videoscope, a scale filter 14 is arranged between a CCD 16 and an objective optical system 12 and can be selectively positioned on an optical path or in an evacuation position by a crank mechanism. When a magnified observation lever is operated, the objective optical system 12 and the CCD 16 are slid to separate from each other by the rotation of a cam cylinder 19, and the scale filter 14 is moved onto the optical path from the evacuation position in accordance with the movement of a CCD holding frame 33 for holding the CCD 16. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus capable of displaying an enlarged display image with a zoom lens.

In an endoscope apparatus that can optically generate an enlarged display image, a zoom lens is provided at the distal end portion of the endoscope, and a zoom operation is performed by moving a lens holding frame that holds an objective optical system. The lens holding frame is connected to the magnifying observation lever provided in the operation portion of the endoscope via the pulling wire, and when the pulling wire is pulled in accordance with the operation of the magnifying observation lever, the distal end portion of the endoscope The lens holding frame is moved along the optical axis direction by the cam mechanism disposed in the position. Thereby, an enlarged display image is displayed on the monitor (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).
JP-A-11-42202 JP-A-11-42203

  When measuring the size of a lesioned part, it is necessary to insert forceps with a scale engraved into the endoscope separately, which is complicated. Further, in enlarged display, display of an image different from the normal display image is required for the enlarged display image, such as displaying an image in which blood vessels are emphasized.

  An endoscope apparatus according to the present invention is an endoscope apparatus that can optically display a magnified image, and an electronic endoscope apparatus that uses an endoscope apparatus such as a fiber scope or a video scope including an imaging element. It is possible to generate an enlarged display image that has been subjected to optical filter processing in accordance with the enlarged display.

  An endoscope apparatus of the present invention is operated for magnifying display, and includes a magnifying observation operation member configured by, for example, a lever, a zoom lens, and a photographing optical system that forms a subject image on a subject image forming surface, A filter disposed so as to be retractable between the photographing optical system and the subject image forming surface, zooming means for driving the zoom lens along the optical axis with respect to the subject image forming surface for enlargement display, and a filter. And a filter driving mechanism for selectively moving to a road or a retracted position. In the electronic endoscope apparatus, a subject image is formed on the light receiving surface of the image sensor, and in the case of a fiberscope, a subject image is formed on the end surface of the image guide. With respect to zooming, only the photographing optical system may be moved, or the image sensor may be moved, or both may be moved.

  In the present invention, the filter drive mechanism moves the filter from the retracted position onto the optical path when the enlargement observation operation member is operated for enlargement display. Any filter can be used as long as it can be used for magnified observation. For example, when it is desired to know the size or the like of a lesion displayed in an enlarged image, it is preferable to arrange a filter with a scale. When diagnosing a blood vessel, a filter that enhances the blood vessel may be disposed. An enlarged display image that is different from an image in normal observation (normal display image) that is not subjected to enlargement operation by arranging a filter for achieving the diagnostic purpose in the optical path in accordance with the zoom operation during magnification observation. Is displayed.

  For example, when the zooming means is connected to a magnifying observation operating member that is operated for magnifying display and uses a pulling wire that moves the objective optical system, the filter drive mechanism has one end attached to the pulling wire and the pulling wire is pulled. And a filter arrangement mechanism for arranging the filter on the optical path in accordance with the movement of the filter wire.

  It is desirable to retract the filter so as to shorten the size of the endoscope tip, particularly the length in the optical axis direction. Therefore, for example, when the zooming means moves the subject image forming surface in a direction away from the objective optical system, the filter is disposed between the subject image forming surface and the photographing optical system during normal observation. It is preferable that the filter drive mechanism is disposed on the optical path in accordance with the movement of the subject image forming surface.

  When the scale filter is used, the size of the subject image displayed in accordance with the enlargement magnification changes, but the size of the scale formed on the filter does not change. Therefore, in order to inform the observer of the size of the scale on the screen according to the change of the magnification, the amount of operation of the magnification observation operation member operated for the magnification display, and the amount of operation corresponding to the magnification is determined. Detection means for detecting, calculation means for calculating an enlargement magnification based on the detected operation amount, and display means for displaying the size of the scale displayed on the screen together with the enlarged image based on the calculated enlargement magnification are provided. Is desirable.

  The scope of the present invention has a zoom lens, a photographing optical system that forms a subject image on a subject image forming surface, a filter that is retractably disposed between the photographing optical system and the subject image forming surface, and an enlarged display Therefore, a zoom driving means for moving the zoom lens relative to the subject image forming surface along the optical axis, and a filter driving mechanism for selectively moving the filter to the optical path or the retracted position are provided. However, the filter is moved on the optical path in accordance with the enlarged display.

  An observation apparatus according to the present invention has a zoom lens, a photographing optical system that forms a subject image on a subject image forming surface, a filter that is retractably disposed between the photographing optical system and the subject image forming surface, and an enlargement A zooming means for moving the zoom lens relative to the subject image forming surface along the optical axis for display, and a filter driving mechanism for selectively moving the filter to an optical path or a retracted position, and filter driving The mechanism is characterized in that the filter is moved on the optical path in accordance with the enlarged display.

  The observation method of the present invention includes a zoom lens, and a filter that is retractably disposed between a photographing optical system that forms a subject image on a subject image forming surface and the subject image forming surface. The lens is moved relative to the subject image forming surface along the optical axis, and the filter is moved from the retracted position onto the optical path in accordance with the enlarged display.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to make a useful diagnosis in magnified observation.

  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 the first embodiment.

  The electronic endoscope apparatus includes a video scope 10 and a processor 100, and the video scope 10 is detachably connected to the processor 100. A CCD 16 is disposed at the distal end portion 10 </ b> A of the video scope 10, and light that has passed through the objective optical system (shooting optical system) 12 reaches the light receiving surface of the CCD 16 via the scale filter 14. The electronic endoscope apparatus is an endoscope apparatus capable of magnifying observation, and can be zoomed by moving the objective optical system 12 relatively along the optical axis. In addition, the scale filter 14 is selectively disposed on the optical path or at a position retracted from the optical path, as will be described later.

  When the subject image is formed on the light receiving surface 16 </ b> A of the CCD 16, an image signal corresponding to the subject image is read from the CCD 16 and sent to the signal processing circuit 102 of the processor 100. In the signal processing circuit 102, various processes such as a white balance process and a color conversion process are performed on the image signal, and as a result, a video signal is generated. The video signal is sent to the monitor 120 connected to the processor 100, whereby the subject image is displayed on the monitor 120. Note that the screen output to the monitor can be recorded on an external storage device (magnetic recording device or CF card) or a hard disk such as a printer.

  The system control circuit 104 controls the operation of the processor 100 and outputs a control signal to the signal processing circuit 102 and the like. A CRTC (CRT Controller) 106 outputs a character signal. When data corresponding to the character code is sent from the system control circuit 104, the character signal is output at a predetermined timing, and the character signal is output to the monitor 120 together with the video signal. As a result, character information and the like are superimposed on the subject image on the monitor 120.

  A magnification observation lever (not shown here) is attached to the operation unit of the video scope 10, and the movement amount detection unit 18 provided in the video scope 10 detects the operation amount. As will be described later, the system control circuit 104 displays the size (length) of the scale on the monitor 120 based on the detection signal of the operation amount of the magnification observation lever.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the distal end portion 10 </ b> A of the video scope 10. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of the operation unit of the video scope 10.

  10 A of front-end | tip parts are comprised from 10 C of rigid front-end | tip part main bodies, and the curved part 10C attached to the outer peripheral surface of the front-end | tip part main body 10B, and the curved part 10C connected the several node ring rotatably. It has a structure. The bending portion 10C bends up, down, left, and right in accordance with an operation of a bending lever (not shown) provided in the operation portion of the video scope 10. A part of the distal end portion main body 10 </ b> B and the curved portion 10 </ b> C are covered with a rubber tube 11.

  The distal end body 10B has a structure in which an external fixing cylinder 15 is inserted into a hole provided along the axial direction, and the external fixing cylinder 15 is fixed to the distal end body 10B. A cam cylinder 19 having slit-shaped cam grooves 19B and 19C formed therein is inserted into the outer fixed cylinder 15 coaxially with the axis E. Further, the cam cylinder 19 has an internal fixed cylinder. 29 is inserted coaxially.

  A cover lens 22 is attached to the distal end surface 13 of the distal end main body 10B so as to maintain hermeticity, and the cover lens 22 is covered with one end 29B of the internal fixed cylinder 29. One end 29B of the internal fixed cylinder 29 is fitted between the front cover 24 and the cover lens 21, and the front cover 24 is integrally fixed to the external fixed cylinder 15 and one end 29B of the internal fixed cylinder 29. . Further, the other end 29A of the internal fixed cylinder 29 is also fixed to the tip end body 10B. Therefore, the internal fixed cylinder 29 is fixed to the tip end body 10B.

  On the other hand, the cam cylinder 19 is rotatably mounted on the internal fixed cylinder 15, and a slide cylinder 17 slidable along the axis E is mounted between the external fixed cylinder 15 and the cam cylinder 19. Yes. The cam cylinder 19 is also rotatable with respect to the slide cylinder 17. A compression coil spring 27 is mounted between the other end 29 </ b> A of the internal fixed cylinder 29 and the slide cylinder 17 so as to surround the cam cylinder 19. Further, a pin 32 that engages with the cam groove 19C is screwed and fixed to the slide cylinder 17 with the head portion protruding inward.

  FIG. 3 schematically shows an internal configuration of the operation unit of the video scope 10, and the operation wire (traction wire) 26 is connected to the magnification observation lever 62 and is pulled in accordance with the operation of the magnification observation lever 62. Is done. As shown in FIG. 2, the distal end portion of the operation wire 26 is fixed by a fixed ring 17 </ b> A provided in the slide cylinder 17, and the operation wire 26 is fixed along a guide tube (FIG. (Not shown) extends to the operation unit of the video scope 10.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the magnifying observation lever 62 can be rotated around the operation unit shaft 60. When the enlargement observation lever 62 is rotated toward the left side of the drawing (clockwise), the operation wire 26 is pulled toward the operation unit. . When the magnification observation lever 62 is rotated clockwise, the base end portion of the magnification observation lever 62 is screwed with the operation portion shaft 60, and is engaged with the friction plate 64 below the magnification operation lever 62, thereby operating the operation wire. 26 traction states are locked. On the other hand, when it is rotated to the right (counterclockwise), the locked state is released and the pulling of the operation wire 26 is released.

  The operation wire 26 is wound around and fixed to the proximal end portion 65 of the magnification observation lever 62, and a strain gauge 66 is attached to the distal end of the operation wire 26. When the operation wire 26 is pulled, the value of the strain gauge 66 changes, and the operation amount detector 18 shown in FIG. 1 detects the change amount of the strain gauge 66.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an objective optical system 12 housed in a lens frame 28 </ b> A is provided inside the cam cylinder 19, and the cylindrical lens holding frame 28 holds the lens frame 28 </ b> A, that is, the objective optical system 12. is doing. The lens holding frame 28 is attached coaxially to the internal fixed cylinder 29, and the optical axis of the objective optical system 12 coincides with the axis E. A pin 30 that engages with the cam groove 19B of the cam cylinder 19 is screwed and fixed to the lens holding frame 28 in a state of protruding inward. The lens holding frame 28 is movable along the axis E toward the distal end surface 13, and the internal fixed cylinder 29 is formed with a slit 29 </ b> C along the sliding direction of the pin 30.

  Behind the lens holding frame 28, a cylindrical CCD holding frame 33 for holding the CCD 16 is coaxially inserted into the internal fixed cylinder 29, and between the CCD holding frame 33 and the lens holding frame 28. A compression spring 34 is mounted to urge the two in the direction of separating them. The CCCD holding frame 33 is slidably inserted into the internal fixed cylinder 29. Note that the elastic force of the compression spring 26 attached along the outer periphery of the cam cylinder 19 is larger than the elastic force of the compression spring 34 attached along the inner periphery of the internal fixed cylinder 29.

  The light receiving surface 16A of the CCD 16 is covered with a cover glass 34A, and a YAG cut filter 36 is disposed on the entire surface of the cover glass 34A. The CCD 16 is connected to a flexible substrate 40 on which a buffer circuit 38 is mounted. The flexible substrate 40 is connected to a signal cable 42 that passes through the covered tube 44.

  An insulating tape 45 is wound around the outer periphery of the CCD 16 and the flexible substrate 44, and a cylindrical conductive shield tube 46 is covered on the outside. The shield tube 46 is fixed to the CCD holding frame 33 by a fixing screw 48 screwed into the CCD holding frame 33.

  Below the YAG cut filter 36, the scale filter 14 used for magnification observation is disposed at the retracted position, and the scale filter 14 is attached to one end of a wire 47 that penetrates the inside of the CCD holding frame 33. . The other end of the wire 47 is wound around the pulling wire 26, and when the pulling wire 26 is pulled, the wire 47 is pulled accordingly.

  FIG. 4 is a plan view of the scale filter 14 as seen from the front and side. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a drive mechanism of the scale filter 14. In FIG. 2, the drive mechanism of the scale filter 14 is not shown.

  As shown in FIG. 4, lines that draw a plurality of circles are formed on the surface of the scale filter 14 at equal pitch intervals in a concentric manner, and this pattern is superimposed on the observation image displayed on the monitor 120. Is displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the scale filter 14 is selectively disposed on the optical path and at the retracted position by the crank mechanism 50. The crank mechanism 50 includes rods 52, 54, 56 and pins 51, 53, 58. The rod 52 is connected to the rod 54 by the pins 51, and the pins 53 and 56 are fixed to the CCD holding frame 33. ing. The rod 52 is rotatable about the pin 53, and the rod 54 is rotatable about the pin 51.

  A connecting portion 59 is slidably mounted around the rod 56, and the connecting portion 59 moves linearly by using the rod 56 as a guide plate. The rod 52 is biased toward the objective lens by a spring (not shown), and the scale filter 14 is positioned at the retracted position when the wire 47 is not pulled. As described above, the wire 47 advances and retreats as the pulling wire 26 advances and retracts. When the wire 47 is pulled, the rod 54 moves and the rod 52 rotates. Accordingly, the scale filter 14 moves from the retracted position to the optical axis position. When the pull of the wire 47 is released, the scale filter 14 is moved to the retracted position shown in FIG. 2 by the restoring force of the spring. In FIG. 5, the scale filter 14 has moved to the position where it falls to the CCD side, but in reality, it moves only 90 degrees from the retracted position, that is, to a position perpendicular to the optical axis due to the limitation of the wire 47.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the distal end portion 10A of the video scope 10 during magnification observation.

  The cam grooves 19B and 19C formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cam cylinder 19 shown in FIG. 2 extend by a predetermined distance along the inclination direction with respect to the axis E, that is, along the spiral direction of the axis E. The extending direction of the cam grooves 19B and 19C and the groove length are determined according to the distance range in which the objective optical system 12 slides along the axis E for magnified observation.

  When the magnification observation lever 62 shown in FIG. 2 is operated and the operation wire 26 is pulled, the slide cylinder 17 attached to the operation wire 26 is pulled toward the operation portion. Since the cam cylinder 19 is rotatable, the slide cylinder 17 slides toward the operation portion of the video scope 10 while the cam cylinder 19 is rotated by the engagement between the pin 32 of the slide cylinder 17 and the cam groove 19C.

  As the cam cylinder 19 rotates, the pin 30 of the lens holding frame 28 slides along the axis E while engaging along the cam groove 19 </ b> B, and the objective optical system 12 moves toward the distal end surface 13. Since the compression spring 34 urges the lens holding frame 28 and the CCD holding frame 33 to separate from each other, the CCD holding frame 33 moves in the direction of the operation unit of the video scope 10 as the lens holding frame 28 moves. Slide towards. This increases the distance between the objective optical system 12 and the CCD 16 (see FIG. 6). On the other hand, when the wire 47 wound around the operation wire 26 is pulled, the crank mechanism 50 shown in FIG. 2 inverts the scale filter 14 on the optical path. At this time, the position of the scale filter 14 is determined so that the scale filter 14 is instantaneously arranged on the optical path in accordance with the movement of the CCD holding frame 33.

  In the enlarged observation state, the compression spring 26 mounted around the cam cylinder 19 is compressed, and the slide cylinder 17 is urged toward the distal end surface 13. Therefore, when the lock state of the operation wire 26 is released, the slide cylinder 17 moves along the axis E to the original position while the cam cylinder 19 rotates. Then, the lens holding frame 28 and the CCD holding frame 33 also return to their original positions as the slide cylinder 19 moves. On the other hand, when the pulling of the wire 47 is released, the scale filter 14 is moved to the retracted position by the crank mechanism 50.

  The magnification observation lever 62 can be locked at an arbitrary position, and the distance interval between the objective optical system 12 and the CCD 16 is the most distant position (maximum magnification) from the distance interval during normal observation (magnification magnification = 1). Magnification) range. Therefore, the magnification is continuously changed according to the operation of the magnification observation lever 62, and the magnification according to the position where the magnification observation lever 62 is locked is set.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a scale size display process during magnification observation. FIG. 8 shows an enlarged image.

  When the magnification observation lever 62 is operated, in step S101, the change amount of the strain gauge 66, that is, the operation amount (wire pulling amount) is detected by the movement amount detection unit 18. In step S102, the enlargement magnification is calculated based on the detected operation amount.

  In step S103, the pitch size of the scale displayed in accordance with the enlarged image, that is, the size of the reference scale is calculated based on the calculated enlargement magnification. In step S104, display processing is executed so that character information indicating the pitch size of the reference scale is displayed at a predetermined position on the monitor 120.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the enlarged observation display, since the scale filter 14 is disposed on the optical path, concentric circles with equal pitch intervals are displayed together with the enlarged image. Although the enlargement magnification changes according to the operation amount of the enlargement observation lever 62, the pitch interval P of the concentric scale on the screen does not change. In the present embodiment, the numerical value NP of the pitch interval is changed according to the change in the enlargement magnification.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the scale filter 14 is disposed between the CCD 16 and the objective optical system 12 and is selectively positioned on the optical path or the retracted position by the crank mechanism 50. When the magnification observation lever 62 is operated, the scale filter 14 moves from the retracted position onto the optical path in accordance with the movement of the objective optical system 12 and the CCD 16 along the optical axis.

  In place of the scale filter, a filter that emphasizes hemoglobin having a wavelength near 450 nm may be applied. Further, other filters that can be used for magnified observation may be applied. Regarding the positioning of the filter, a configuration other than the crank mechanism, for example, a configuration using an elastic member such as a spring may be used. For magnification observation, the objective optical system may be moved by a configuration other than the cam mechanism.

  Next, an electronic endoscope apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the second embodiment, the size of a lesion is detected.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a lesion detection process in the second embodiment.

  The execution of steps S201 to S203 is the same as the execution of steps S101 to S103 in FIG. 7, and the length of the scale pitch on the screen is detected based on the enlargement magnification. In step S204, a boundary line of the lesioned part is detected by a conventionally known edge detection. In step S205, a representative length of the lesioned part is calculated as the size of the lesioned part. The calculated lesion size is displayed on the monitor 120.

  Instead of the electronic endoscope apparatus, the present invention may be applied to other endoscopes such as a fiberscope. Furthermore, you may apply to observation apparatuses other than endoscopes, such as a microscope.

It is a block diagram of the electronic endoscope apparatus which is 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the front-end | tip part of a videoscope. It is the figure which showed schematically the internal structure of the operation part of a videoscope. It is the top view which looked at the scale filter from the front and the side. It is the figure which showed the drive mechanism of the scale filter. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the tip part of a videoscope at the time of magnification observation. It is the flowchart which showed the size display process of the scale at the time of expansion observation. It is the figure which showed the enlarged image. It is the flowchart which showed the lesioned part detection process in 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10 Videoscope 12 Objective optical system (shooting optical system)
14 Scale filter (filter)
15 External fixed cylinder 16 CCD
16A Light receiving surface (object image forming surface)
17 Slide cylinder 19 Cam cylinder 19B, 19C Cam groove 26 Operation wire (traction wire)
29 Internal fixed cylinder 47 Wire 50 Crank mechanism (filter drive mechanism)
62 Magnifying observation lever 100 Processor 120 Monitor

Claims (10)

A magnifying observation operating member operated for magnifying display;
A photographing optical system having a zoom lens and forming a subject image on a subject image forming surface;
A filter disposed so as to be retractable between the photographing optical system and the subject image forming surface;
Zooming means for moving the zoom lens relative to the subject image forming surface along the optical axis for enlarged display;
A filter driving mechanism for selectively moving the filter to an optical path or a retracted position;
An endoscope apparatus, wherein the filter driving mechanism moves the filter from the retracted position onto the optical path when the magnification observation operation member is operated to display an enlarged image.   The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the filter includes a filter in which a scale is formed. The zooming means is connected to the magnification observation operation member, and has a pulling wire for moving the objective optical system;
The filter drive mechanism is
One end of the puller wire is attached to the filter wire, and the filter wire is pulled when the puller wire is pulled.
The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a filter arrangement mechanism that arranges the filter on an optical path in accordance with the movement of the filter wire. The zooming means moves the subject image forming surface in a direction away from the objective optical system;
The filter drive mechanism retracts the filter to the lower side or the upper side of the optical system disposed between the subject image forming surface and the photographing optical system during normal observation, and forms the subject image by enlarged display. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the filter is arranged on an optical path in accordance with movement of a surface.   The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the zooming unit includes a cam mechanism. A detecting means for detecting an operation amount of the enlargement observation operation member and corresponding to an enlargement magnification;
Calculating means for calculating an enlargement magnification based on the detected operation amount;
The endoscope apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising display means for displaying a size of a scale displayed on the screen together with the enlarged image based on the calculated enlargement magnification.   The endoscope apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising automatic dimension detection means for detecting a size of a lesion portion by edge detection based on a size of a displayed reference scale. A photographing optical system having a zoom lens and forming a subject image on a subject image forming surface;
A filter disposed so as to be retractable between the photographing optical system and the subject image forming surface;
Zooming means for moving the zoom lens relative to the subject image forming surface along the optical axis for enlarged display;
A filter driving mechanism for selectively moving the filter to an optical path or a retracted position;
The scope characterized in that the filter driving mechanism moves the filter onto an optical path in accordance with an enlarged display. A photographing optical system having a zoom lens and forming a subject image on a subject image forming surface;
A filter disposed so as to be retractable between the photographing optical system and the subject image forming surface;
Zooming means for moving the zoom lens relative to the subject image forming surface along the optical axis for enlarged display;
A filter driving mechanism for selectively moving the filter to an optical path or a retracted position;
An observation apparatus, wherein the filter driving mechanism moves the filter onto an optical path in accordance with an enlarged display. A photographic optical system that has a zoom lens and forms a subject image on a subject image forming surface and a filter that is retractably disposed between the subject image forming surface,
In the case of enlarged display, the zoom lens is moved relative to the subject image forming surface along the optical axis,
An observation method, wherein the filter is moved from the retracted position onto the optical path in accordance with an enlarged display.

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