JP2013048693A - Endoscope device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope device which suppresses a decrease in oscillating efficiency of an oscillator, early deterioration of the oscillator, a thermal effect of the oscillator on other built-in objects, and an increase in power consumption, by properly driving and controlling a contamination-removing function of an observation window under an in-vivo observation.SOLUTION: The endoscope device 1 includes: the observation window 32 provided facing an imaging module 34 at the apical end of the insertion part 11 of an endoscope 2; an ultrasonic oscillator 37 stuck on an inner surface of the observation window 32 and a deflection grating 40 converting ultrasonic oscillations f generated in the ultrasonic oscillator 37 into a surface elastic wave Φ propagated on an outer surface of the observation window 32; a detection means 38 detecting a relative distance between the observation window 32 and an object to be observed; an operation means 13 operating the stop of the ultrasonic oscillator 37; and a control means 52 driving and controlling the ultrasonic oscillator 37 corresponding to the relative distance between the observation window 32 and the object to be observed when an instruction signal for driving the ultrasonic oscillator 37 is received.

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus that easily removes dirt adhering to the surface of an observation window.

  In recent years, a surgical operation using an endoscope has been widespread for the purpose of minimally invasive medical treatment. In such an operation under the endoscope, dirt and blood such as blood and fat are likely to be scattered, and the field of view is hindered by attaching them to the observation window of the endoscope.

  As a countermeasure against this problem, for example, a technique of an endoscope apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. This Patent Document 1 proposes a method of removing dirt adhering to an observation window of an endoscope apparatus by ultrasonic vibration or a surface acoustic wave obtained by converting it by a diffraction grating.

  In Patent Document 1, ultrasonic vibrations are propagated near the surface of an observation window using a deflection unit formed on the observation window and an ultrasonic vibrator provided at a position facing the deflection unit. A technique of an endoscope apparatus that removes attached dirt is disclosed. Specifically, in a conventional endoscope apparatus, a diffraction grating-shaped groove having a rectangular cross-sectional shape is formed as a deflection portion on the outer surface of a glass plate serving as an observation window. When the groove is projected from the (outer surface) toward the bonding surface (inner surface) of the piezoelectric vibrator of the glass plate, at least a part of the surface of the piezoelectric vibrator is located in the projection area of the groove.

  Then, the ultrasonic vibration generated by the piezoelectric vibrator is diffracted (deflected) by the diffraction grating-shaped grooves on the glass plate, and at least a part of the glass plate is in the above-described central direction, that is, the observation visual field region of the imaging unit. It becomes possible to efficiently propagate in the center direction of the portion facing the surface, and it is possible to efficiently remove dirt on the glass plate.

JP 2009-254571 A

  By the way, in the conventional endoscope apparatus, when the vibrator is driven, ultrasonic vibration is excited to the surface of the observation window, and the vibrator generates heat and the temperature rises. Such a high-temperature vibrator not only lowers the vibration efficiency, but also may cause early deterioration and a thermal effect on other nearby built-in objects.

  However, such a countermeasure is not taken in the conventional endoscope apparatus. Furthermore, driving the vibrator in an unnecessary state under in-vivo observation by the endoscope apparatus consumes power wastefully.

  Thus, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and under observation in a living body, the dirt removal function of the observation window is driven and controlled to an appropriate state to reduce the vibration efficiency of the vibrator. It is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope apparatus that suppresses early deterioration of the image, thermal influence on other built-in objects by the vibrator, and increase in power consumption.

  An endoscope apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes an observation window provided at a distal end of an insertion portion of an endoscope so as to face an imaging module, and an ultrasonic transducer attached to an inner surface of the observation window. A diffraction grating that is provided in the observation window and converts ultrasonic vibration generated by the ultrasonic transducer into a surface acoustic wave that propagates to the outer surface of the observation window, and an observation object that faces the observation window. A detection unit that detects a relative distance; an operation unit that operates to stop driving the ultrasonic transducer; and an instruction signal that drives the ultrasonic transducer is input by the operation unit. And a control means for driving and controlling the ultrasonic transducer in accordance with a relative distance between the object and the observation object.

  According to the present invention, under observation in a living body, the dirt removal function of the observation window is driven and controlled to an appropriate state to reduce the vibration efficiency of the vibrator, early deterioration of the vibrator, and other built-in items by the vibrator. It is possible to provide an endoscope apparatus that suppresses the thermal influence on and the increase in power consumption.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope system according to an aspect of the present invention. The block diagram which mainly shows the internal configuration of the endoscope system Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the front-end | tip part of a rigid endoscope same as the above Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 3 Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the front-end | tip part of a water supply sheath same as the above FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the configuration of the water supply sheath in the direction of arrow VI in FIG. The perspective view of the front-end | tip part which shows the state by which the insertion part of the rigid endoscope was insertedly arranged by the water supply sheath similarly The same fragmentary sectional view which shows the constitution of the tip part of the rigid endoscope The flowchart when the control unit executes the dirt removing function The fragmentary sectional view of the front-end | tip part of the rigid endoscope which shows the structure of the detection apparatus of a 1st modification similarly. XI-XI line sectional view of FIG. The fragmentary sectional view of the front-end | tip part of the rigid endoscope which shows the structure of the detection apparatus of a 2nd modification as same as the above. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG. The figure for demonstrating the detection principle of the detection apparatus of FIG.

  Hereinafter, an endoscope apparatus according to the present invention will be described. In the following description, the drawings based on each embodiment are schematic, and the relationship between the thickness and width of each part, the thickness ratio of each part, and the like are different from the actual ones. It should be noted that the drawings may include portions having different dimensional relationships and ratios between the drawings.

  First, an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. In the following description, for example, a rigid endoscope that performs laparoscopic surgery is illustrated. The present invention is applicable not only to rigid endoscopes but also to various endoscopes that are inserted into living body lumens.

  1 to 14 relate to an embodiment of one aspect of the present invention, FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope system, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram mainly showing an internal configuration of the endoscope system. 3 is a sectional view showing the configuration of the distal end portion of the rigid endoscope, FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the configuration of the distal end portion of the water supply sheath, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the distal end portion showing a state in which the insertion portion of the rigid endoscope is inserted and disposed in the water supply sheath, and FIG. 8 is the distal end of the rigid endoscope. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the part, FIG. 9 is a flowchart when the control unit executes the dirt removal function, and FIG. 10 is a partial cross-section of the distal end portion of the rigid endoscope showing the configuration of the detection device of the first modification. FIG. 11, FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line XI-XI in FIG. 10, and FIG. 12 shows the configuration of the detection device of the second modification. Partial cross-sectional view of a distal portion of sexual endoscope, FIG. 13 is sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII of FIG. 12, FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the detection principle of the detector of FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an endoscope system 1 that is an endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a rigid endoscope (hereinafter simply referred to as an endoscope) 2 and the endoscope 2. The insertion part 11 is mainly comprised by the water supply sheath 3 which comprises the washing | cleaning-liquid supply means by which it is inserted and arrange | positioned inside, the camera control unit (CCU) 5, the light source device 4, and the monitor (apparatus) 6. . The CCU 5, the light source device 4, and the monitor 6 constitute an extracorporeal device.

  The endoscope 2 is a universal cable that is a composite cable extending from the operation unit 12, an operation unit 12 that is connected to the hard insertion unit 11, switches 13 that are operation means provided in the operation unit 12, and the operation unit 12. The cable 14, the light source connector 15 disposed at the extending end of the universal cable 14, the electric cable 16 extending from the side of the light source connector 15, and the extending end of the electric cable 16 And an electrical connector 17. The light source connector 15 is detachably connected to the light source device 4. The electrical connector 17 is detachably connected to the CCU 5.

  The CCU 5 is electrically connected to the light source device 4 and the monitor 6. The CCU 5 converts the image data captured by the endoscope 2 into a video signal and displays it on the monitor 6. Further, the CCU 5 receives operation signals from the switches 13 disposed in the operation unit 12 of the endoscope 2, and controls the light source device 4 based on these signals, or washing water such as physiological saline. Constitutes a control device which is a control means for sending air from the CCU 5 to the water supply tank 24 which is a water supply device in which water is stored and controlling the supply of the wash water in the water supply tank 24 to the water supply sheath 3. . The water supply tank 24 is connected to an air supply tube 25 provided with an air supply connector 26 detachably attached to the CCU 5 at its end.

Next, an internal configuration mainly of the endoscope system 1 will be described below based on FIG.
The CCU 5 receives a power source 51 for supplying power to each circuit and each unit, a control unit 52 having a processing circuit (CPU) for performing each process, and a control signal from the control unit 52, and receives the power source 51 and the circuit. A switch circuit 53 that switches connection to the memory, a memory 54 that stores a processing algorithm, a drive signal supply system 55 that is a power supply system that outputs a drive signal to the piezoelectric vibrator 37 of the ultrasonic vibrator, and an insertion unit 11 is a timing generation circuit 56 that sends a clock signal, a control signal, and the like to the image pickup unit 34 arranged at the tip of the image pickup unit 11, and an image signal that is input from the image pickup unit 34, performs image processing, and receives image processing on the monitor 6. And an image processing circuit 57 for outputting a signal.

  The drive signal supply system 55 includes a signal generation circuit 58 that generates a reference signal, and an electric energy necessary for driving the signal from the signal generation circuit 58 and the piezoelectric vibrator 37 disposed at the distal end portion of the insertion portion 11. And an amplifier circuit 59 for amplifying the signal to a drive signal. The signal generation circuit 58 and the amplification circuit 59 of the drive signal supply system 55 are monitored by the detection circuit 60 for their states. The drive signal supply system 55 receives a control signal from the control unit 52 and controls the signal generation circuit 58 and the amplification circuit 59. The detection circuit 60 outputs the monitoring results of the signal generation circuit 58 and the amplification circuit 59 to the control unit 52 as detection signals.

  The operation unit 12 includes an operation circuit 61 that receives an input signal based on an operation of the switches 13 that gives instructions to generate / stop the surface acoustic wave Φ (see FIG. 8) together with water supply, and outputs the operation signal to the control unit 52. I have. The CCU 5 includes a pump control circuit (not shown) and a pump that is a compressor.

  The light source device 4 includes a light source such as a halogen lamp and a light source control circuit that drives the light source (all not shown). The light source control circuit is electrically connected to and controlled by the control unit 52 of the CCU 5.

Next, the configuration of the distal end portion of the insertion portion 11 of the endoscope 2 will be described below with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIGS. 3 to 4, the insertion portion 11 of the endoscope 2 has a substantially disc-shaped transparent member 32 of a glass plate as an observation window at the tip of a metallic tubular member 31 constituting the insertion portion exterior. Are joined via an adhesive.

  Inside the tubular member 31, the above-described imaging unit 34, which is an imaging module including an imaging optical system, and two light guides 33 for illumination are arranged here. Although not shown in detail, the imaging unit 34 incorporates an imaging optical system, a solid-state imaging device, and a driver chip thereof, and a communication cable 35 is drawn out in the root direction.

  In addition, on the inner surface (back surface) of the transparent member 32, a region that does not obstruct the observation field of view, that is, one region side outside the imaging unit 34 that is oppositely arranged (in this case, a direction away from a part of the outer periphery by a predetermined distance). In addition, for example, a piezoelectric vibrator 37 that is a rectangular ultrasonic vibrator made of PZT and a detection device 38 that is a proximity sensor for detecting the distance from the object are attached.

  A wiring 36 is connected to the piezoelectric vibrator 37 and is electrically driven. That is, in the piezoelectric vibrator 37, the wiring 36 that supplies a voltage for excitation is drawn out in the root direction of the endoscope 2. Further, the fixing of the piezoelectric vibrator 37 to the transparent member 32 is not limited to fixing with an adhesive, and solder or the like may be used. Further, the tubular member 31 and the transparent member 32 may be fixed with screws. The piezoelectric vibrator 37 is driven at or near the resonance frequency to generate ultrasonic vibration f in the transparent member 32 (see FIG. 8).

  The detection device 38 which is a detection means is a proximity sensor. The control unit 5 in the CCU 5 in the endoscope system 1 is provided with a detection circuit board (not shown) that is electrically connected to the detection device 38. In the detection device 38 which is a proximity sensor, a wiring 39 for transmitting a drive power supply, a detection signal, and the like is drawn out in the root direction of the endoscope 2. The detection device 38 outputs a detection signal to the detection circuit board of the control unit 52 of the CCU 5 when the endoscope 2 is electrically connected to the CCU 5. Here, the fixing of the detection device 38 to the transparent member 32 is not limited to fixing with an adhesive, and solder or the like may be used.

  As shown in FIG. 3 (FIG. 8), the transparent member 32 diffracts the ultrasonic vibration f at a position on the outer surface facing the piezoelectric vibrator 37 attached to the inner surface (back surface), thereby surface acoustic waves. A diffraction grating 40 of a deflecting unit that converts (deflects) into Φ is provided. The diffraction grating 40 here is a plurality of irregularities having a rectangular cross section formed on the outer surface of the transparent member 32, here five groove portions 40a (see FIG. 8). These groove portions 40a are formed in parallel on the outer surface of the transparent member 32 at equal intervals, and are parallel concave grooves.

  The ultrasonic vibration f generated from the above-described piezoelectric vibrator 37 propagates mainly in a direction perpendicular to the sticking surface of the piezoelectric vibrator 37 (the inner surface of the transparent member 32), and is a transparent member facing the piezoelectric vibrator 37. It enters the 32 diffraction gratings 40. The ultrasonic vibration f incident on the diffraction grating 40 is converted (deflected) into a surface acoustic wave Φ propagating on the outer surface of the transparent member 32 by the diffraction grating 40 (see FIG. 8).

The components of the endoscope 2 are sealed by a tubular member 31 and a joined transparent member 32, and have a structure that can withstand sterilization with high-pressure steam.
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the inner surface of the transparent member 32 that faces the imaging optical system of the imaging unit 34 is planar, but part of the surface that faces the imaging optical system has a convex lens shape or a concave lens shape. A part of the optical system may be configured.

  The light guide 33 according to the present embodiment extends to the universal cable 14, and the light guide 33 is terminated at the light source connector 15. The communication cable 35 and the wiring 36 are connected to the electrical connector 17 via the electrical cable 16.

  That is, in the endoscope 2, the light guide 33 is connected to the light source of the light source device 4 including the light source control circuit via the universal cable 14 and the electric cable 16, and the communication cable 35 drawn from the imaging unit 34 is used for image processing of the CCU 5. Wiring 36 drawn from the piezoelectric vibrator 37 is connected to the circuit 57 to a drive signal supply system 55 that constitutes the vibration means of the CCU 5.

Next, the water supply sheath 3 will be described below based on FIGS. 1, 5, and 6.
The water supply sheath 3 includes a coated tube 21 having a distal end member, a connection portion 22 provided continuously to the proximal end of the coated tube 21, and a water supply tube 23 extending from a side portion of the connection portion 22. Configured. The extended end of the water supply tube 23 is connected to the water supply tank 24. The water supply tank 24 is connected to the other end of an air supply tube 25 having one end connected to an air supply connector 26 of the CCU 5.

  The covered tube 21 of the water supply sheath 3 includes a tube main body 41 and a substantially cylindrical tip member 42 fitted to the tip of the tube main body 41. One part of the thick portion of the tube main body 41 is formed with one water supply passage 43 having a circular cross section for water supply. The water supply path 43 is disposed up to the connection portion 22 and communicates with the water supply tube 23 via the connection portion 22. The distal end member 42 has an eaves portion 44 that is a plate body along the opening end surface at a position facing the water supply path 43 of the tube main body 41.

  The water supply sheath 3 configured as described above is connected so that the water supply path 43 communicates with the water supply tank 24 via the water supply tube 23. Then, physiological saline or the like which is the washing water in the water supply tank 24 is fed into the water supply path 43 by increasing the pressure in the water supply tank 24 by the air from the pump controlled by the pump control circuit. Thus, it flows to the surface of the transparent member 32 provided at the tip of the insertion portion 11.

  In the endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 7, the insertion portion 11 of the endoscope 2 is inserted and disposed in the covering tube 21 of the water supply sheath 3, for example, laparoscopic surgery Used for surgery.

In the endoscope 2 of the present embodiment described above, the detection device 38, which is a proximity sensor, detects the relative distance between the distal end of the insertion portion 11 and the living tissue during observation / operation in the living body. When it is detected that the relative distance between the distal end portion (the surface of the transparent member 32) and the living tissue is within a predetermined constant value, the start of driving of the dirt removing function during driving and the dirt removing function is stopped. An example of control executed by the controller 52 at this time will be described in detail below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
Specifically, when the power of the endoscope system 1 is turned on and the drive switch for the dirt removing function is turned on (step S1), the distance measuring function of the detection device 38 that is driven and controlled by the control unit 52 is activated. (Step S2). The distance to the living tissue is measured by starting the detection device 38 in step S <b> 2, and the measured distance (measurement value signal) is input to the control unit 52.

  The control unit 52 compares the measurement distance of the detection device 38 with a predetermined depth of field included in the imaging unit 34, and determines the magnitude of the comparison (step S3). At this time, the control unit 52 determines the depth of field of the imaging unit 34 in which the distance between the measurement target (living tissue) that is the observation target and the tip of the insertion unit 11 (the surface of the transparent member 32) is a predetermined distance. If larger, the dirt removal function is driven (step S4), and the routine proceeds to step S7.

  The dirt removing function means that the control unit 52 drives the piezoelectric vibrator 37 with a predetermined intensity, and the ultrasonic vibration f generated from the piezoelectric vibrator 37 is converted into the surface acoustic wave Φ by the diffraction grating 40. This is a function of being converted (deflected) and propagating on the outer surface of the transparent member 32 and being sent to the surface of the transparent member 32 for cleaning. This operation is performed by operating the switches 13 as described above.

  On the other hand, if the measurement distance between the measurement object and the distal end of the insertion unit 11 is smaller than the depth of field of the imaging unit 34 that is a predetermined distance, the control unit 52 does not drive the dirt removal function here, Then, it is determined whether the measurement distance between the measurement object and the distal end of the insertion portion 11 is 0 (zero), that is, whether the surface of the transparent member 32 is in contact with the living tissue (step S5).

  At this time, when the measurement distance between the measurement object and the distal end of the insertion portion 11 is not 0 (zero), the control unit 52 sets the piezoelectric vibrator 37 to a predetermined low strength set lower than the set normal strength. Drive control is performed (step S6), and the routine proceeds to step S7.

  On the other hand, when the measurement distance between the measurement object and the tip of the insertion portion 11 is 0 (zero), the control unit 52 does not drive the piezoelectric vibrator 37 and proceeds to the routine of step S7. To do. In step S <b> 7, the control unit 52 confirms the switch state, that is, confirms whether a signal is input from the switches 13.

  Then, when the dirt removing function in a state where a signal is input from the switches 13 is ON, the control unit 52 returns to the above-described routine of step S2 and loops from step S2 to step S8. That is, the control unit 52 loops from step S2 to step S8 in a state where a signal for driving the dirt removing function is input from the switches 13.

  On the other hand, when the signal for driving the dirt removal function from the switches 13 is OFF, the control unit 52 turns off the distance measuring function of the detection device 38 and finishes the driving of the dirt removal function (step). S9).

  As described above, in the endoscope system 1 according to the present embodiment, when the dirt removing function is ON, the measurement object (biological tissue) and the insertion unit 11 are detected by the detection device 38 which is a proximity sensor here. Is measured to measure the distance to the tip (surface of the transparent member 32) and determine whether to drive the dirt removal function. That is, in the endoscope system 1, when the dirt removal function is instructed to be driven (ON) by operating the switches 13, the piezoelectric vibrator 37 stops when the surface of the transparent member 32 contacts the living tissue. Control.

  Furthermore, when the surface of the transparent member 32 of the endoscope 2 comes close to the living tissue at a distance outside the depth of field of the imaging unit 34, the endoscope system 1 sets the piezoelectric vibrator 37 to a predetermined value lower than the normal strength. Drive control to the intensity of.

  As described above, the endoscope system 1 according to the present embodiment is piezoelectric when the relative distance between the living tissue and the transparent member is not included in the depth of field of the imaging unit 34 under observation in the living body. Decreasing the vibration efficiency of the piezoelectric vibrator 37 by stopping the driving of the vibrator 37 in an appropriate state so as not to unnecessarily increase the temperature or controlling the driving with low strength so that the piezoelectric vibrator 37 does not become unnecessarily high temperature. Further, it is possible to suppress early deterioration, thermal influence on other built-in objects by the piezoelectric vibrator 37 and increase in power consumption.

(First modification)
The above-described detection device 38 may have a configuration of a capacitive proximity sensor as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

  The detection device 38 of the present modification includes an annular detection electrode 62 disposed around the observation window, a cylindrical blocking electrode 63 that covers the imaging unit 34, and between the detection electrode 62 and the blocking electrode 63. And an oscillating circuit 64 provided.

  A wiring 62 a that is electrically connected to the oscillation circuit 64 extends from the detection electrode 62, and a communication line 64 a that extends through the communication cable 35 and is connected to the electrical connector 17 extends from the oscillation circuit 64. Further, a communication line 63 a that extends through the communication cable 35 and is connected to the electrical connector 17 also extends from the cutoff electrode 63.

  The detection device 38 having such a configuration is suitable for the inside of the distal end of the insertion portion 11 in the narrow space by providing sensor electrodes and an oscillation circuit around the imaging unit 34. The configuration of the detection device 38 is an example, and a set of capacitive proximity sensors including a detection electrode, a cut-off electrode, and an oscillation circuit may be independently provided at the distal end of the insertion portion 11. The circuit board connected to the proximity sensor may be provided not only at the control unit 52 of the CCU 5 but also at the distal end of the insertion unit 11 or the operation unit 12.

(Second modification)
Furthermore, the detection device 38 may have a sensor configuration that measures the distance to the object with laser light as shown in FIGS.

  Specifically, the sensor of the detection device (38) that detects the distance from the object is a distance (displacement) sensor that uses a laser beam and an image sensor 34 a provided in the imaging unit 34.

  At the distal end of the insertion portion 11, a laser light emitting portion 65 a that is an end surface of the laser guide 65 is provided so as to face the back surface of the transparent member 32. The laser guide 65 uses a part of the fiber of the light guide 33, and transmits laser light from a laser light source (not shown) to the laser light emitting unit 65a. In the light source box of the light source device 4 (see FIGS. 1 and 2), a laser light source (not shown) that emits laser light transmitted by the laser guide 65 is provided.

  The principle of distance detection with an object is that the laser light emitted from the laser light emitting unit is reflected by the measurement object (living tissue) and incident on the image sensor 34a in the image pickup unit 34. The distance to the measurement object is detected based on a predetermined reference position using the measurement of the distance due to the difference in the position where the laser beam is incident depending on the distance (see FIG. 14). At this time, some of the pixels of the image sensor 34a are used.

  With such a configuration of the detection device (38), since it is not necessary to provide various sensors in the distal end of the insertion portion 11, the same dimensions as in the conventional case can be maintained. Here, the detection device 38 is configured such that a laser guide 65 having a laser light emitting portion 65a on the front surface of the transparent member 32 provided at the distal end of the insertion portion 11 also serves as a part of the light guide 33. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is sufficient that the laser light receiving unit as the imaging element 34a is provided in front of the endoscope 2. For example, the laser guide 65 may be a laser light emitting element, or the laser light receiving unit may be a laser position detecting element. (PSD).

(Third Modification)
The detection device (38) may be a sensor based on image processing using information at the time of acquiring an endoscopic image.
Specifically, the sensor that detects the distance to the object as the detection device (38) here captures an image when the surface of the transparent member 32 of the endoscope 2 approaches the surface of the living tissue within a certain distance. Using the fact that the contrast of the acquired image is low compared with the state in which the measurement object is in focus by the unit 34, it is detected that the surface of the transparent member 32 is close to the surface of the living tissue. Drive control of dirt removal function during driving. Note that the control unit 52 of the CCU 5 executes the routine according to the flowchart described with reference to FIG. Note that the contrast is lowered when the subject is separated from the living body, but the amount of light input to the image sensor 34a is also reduced at the same time. This drive stop operation is not performed.

  The invention described in the above embodiment is not limited to the embodiment and modifications, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Further, the above embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements.

  For example, even if some constituent requirements are deleted from all the constituent requirements shown in the embodiment, the described requirements can be deleted if the stated problem can be solved and the stated effect can be obtained. Such a configuration can be extracted as an invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscopy system 2 ... Endoscope 3 ... Water supply sheath 4 ... Light source device 5 ... Control part 6 ... Monitor 11 ... Insertion part 12 ... Operation part 13 ... Switches 14 ... Universal cable 15 ... Light source connector 16 ... Electric cable DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 17 ... Electrical connector 21 ... Coated tube 22 ... Connection part 23 ... Water supply tube 24 ... Water supply tank 25 ... Air supply tube 26 ... Air supply connector 31 ... Tubular member 32 ... Transparent member 33 ... Light guide 34 ... Imaging unit 34a ... Imaging element 35 ... Communication cable 36 ... Wiring 37 ... Piezoelectric vibrator 38 ... Detection device 39 ... Wiring 40 ... Diffraction grating 40a ... Groove 41 ... Tube body 42 ... Tip member 43 ... Water supply path 44 ... Eaves part 51 ... Power supply 52 ... Control part 53 ... Switch circuit 54 ... Memory 55 ... Drive signal supply system 56 ... Timing generation circuit 57 ... Image processing circuit 58 ... Signal generation circuit 59 ... Increase Circuit 60 ... detecting circuit 61 ... operating circuit 62 ... detection electrode 63 ... blocking electrodes 64 ... oscillator 65 ... laser guide 65a ... laser emitting unit f ... ultrasonic vibrations [Phi ... SAW

Claims (7)

An observation window provided at the tip of the insertion portion of the endoscope so as to face the imaging module;
An ultrasonic transducer attached to the inner surface of the observation window;
A diffraction grating that is provided in the observation window and converts the ultrasonic vibration generated by the ultrasonic transducer into a surface acoustic wave that propagates to the outer surface of the observation window;
Detection means for detecting a relative distance between the observation object and the observation object facing the observation window;
Operating means for operating the driving stop of the ultrasonic transducer;
Control means for driving and controlling the ultrasonic vibrator according to a relative distance between the observation window and the observation object when an instruction signal for driving the ultrasonic vibrator is input by the operation means; ,
An endoscope apparatus characterized by comprising:   The control unit controls the driving of the ultrasonic transducer to be stopped or driven at a low intensity when the relative distance between the observation window and the observation object deviates from the depth of field of the imaging module. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   3. The control unit according to claim 2, wherein the control unit performs control so as to stop driving of the ultrasonic transducer when a relative distance between the observation window and the observation target object is zero. 4. Endoscopic device. The detection means is a capacitive proximity sensor,
The endoscope apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the proximity sensor includes an electrode and an oscillation circuit.   The said detection means contains the laser-type distance sensor which detects a laser beam with the image pick-up element of the said imaging means, The emission part of the said laser light was made to oppose and contact the said observation window, Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. The endoscope apparatus according to any one of items 3.   6. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a part of a light guide that transmits illumination light disposed in the insertion part is used as a transmission path for transmitting the laser light to the emitting part. .   The detection means is a distance sensor based on image processing using information at the time of acquiring an endoscope image, and detects a relative distance between the observation window and the observation object using a difference in contrast. The endoscope apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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