JP2013183948A - Medical image transmission system, transmitting device, and receiving device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology for saving power by suppressing transmission of unnecessary signals in a medical image transmission system where medical equipment and a display device transmit/receive signals via radio.SOLUTION: In a medical image transmission system for transmitting medical images obtained by medical equipment to a display device, a video input selection part 26 detects an output state of the signal received by a radio input/output part 21 to the display device. A central operation processing unit 25 sets a first transmission mode for radio-transmitting prescribed information about medical images with respect to communication between radio input/output parts 21 and 34 when the video input selection part 26 detects that the signal received by the radio input/output part 21 is being outputted to a monitor 2. When it is detected that the signal received by the radio input/output part 21 is not outputted to the monitor 2, a second transmission mode smaller in a quantity of information than the first transmission mode is set with respect to the communication between the radio input/output parts 21 and 34.

Description

  The present invention relates to a medical image transmission system that transmits a medical image acquired in a medical device to a display device, and a transmission device and a reception device that are used in the medical image transmission system.

  Conventionally, an endoscopic image or an ultrasonic image displayed on a display device using a medical image transmission system that transmits a medical image acquired by a medical device such as an endoscope device from the medical device to a display device such as a monitor. In general, it is used for observation and surgery. A system having a configuration in which a plurality of medical devices are connected to a display device and a video to be displayed on the display device can be switched from videos transmitted from each of the plurality of medical devices has been used. In recent years, in such a medical image transmission system, there has been a movement toward the realization of using a medical device capable of transmitting a signal via radio.

  Regarding a technique for wirelessly transmitting a signal, a capsule medical device including a capsule unit, a recording device, and a display device is disclosed (for example, Patent Document 1). The capsule type unit is inserted into the body and performs imaging. The recording device wirelessly receives the biological information from the capsule unit and records it. The display device is detachably connected to the recording device and displays biological information. In such a capsule medical device, it is determined whether or not a display device is connected, and the operation of a USB (Universal Serial Bus) driver is controlled in accordance with the determination result.

  With regard to the technology for transmitting and receiving signals via wireless, for example, an electronic endoscope transmits an imaging signal obtained by an imaging device wirelessly and by wire, and a processor device generates a video signal from the imaging signal. A mirror device is also disclosed (for example, Patent Document 2). According to this, the transmission gain setting is optimized at the time of wired transmission and at the time of wireless transmission.

  In addition, regarding a capsule endoscope system, the capsule endoscope wirelessly transmits image data obtained by imaging to a receiving device, or wirelessly receives a control command from the receiving device by radio waves. The operation is also disclosed (for example, Patent Document 3).

International Publication No. 2004/100776 Pamphlet JP 2008-264252 A JP 2008-237639 A

  In the medical image transmission system, when it is configured to transmit and receive video signals wirelessly between the medical device and the display device, from the viewpoint of power saving, for a period when the video is not displayed on the display device, It is desirable to suppress transmission of unnecessary signals.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of saving power by suppressing transmission of unnecessary signals in a medical image transmission system in which a medical device and a display device transmit and receive signals via wireless communication. To do.

  According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a medical image transmission system that transmits a medical image acquired in a medical device to a display device, the first transmission / reception unit that transmits / receives a signal via radio, and the first transmission / reception unit. A second transmission / reception unit that transmits / receives a signal to / from the wireless unit, a detection unit that detects an output state of the signal received by the second transmission / reception unit to the display device, and the detection unit, When it is detected that a signal received by the second transmission / reception unit is being output to the display device, predetermined information regarding the medical image is wirelessly transmitted for communication between the first and second transmission / reception units. When the first transmission mode to be transmitted is set and it is detected that the signal received by the second transmission / reception unit is not output to the display device, communication between the first and second transmission / reception units More information than the first transmission mode. Characterized in that it comprises a control unit that sets a smaller second transmission mode of the amount, the.

  In addition, according to another aspect of the present invention, a first transmission / reception unit that transmits a video signal of a medical image acquired in a medical device via radio, and transmits / receives the signal via radio And a second transmitter / receiver that transmits / receives a signal to / from the first transmitter / receiver wirelessly, the signal transmitted by the first transmitter / receiver displays the medical image in the second transmitter / receiver. When the communication signal including the first transmission mode indicating that the output is being output to the display device is received in the first transmission / reception unit, control is performed so as to transmit predetermined information regarding the medical image, When the second transmission / reception unit receives a communication signal including a second transmission mode indicating that the signal transmitted by the first transmission / reception unit is not output to the display device, the first transmission / reception unit Transmission of less information than the transmission mode Characterized in that it comprises a control unit for controlling to perform.

  Furthermore, according to another aspect of the present invention, a first transmission / reception unit that receives a video signal of a medical image acquired in a medical device via radio, and transmits / receives the signal via radio Among the received signals, the video signal is transmitted to the image processing unit that processes the video signal, and the second transmission / reception unit When a detection unit that detects an output state of the received signal to the display device and the detection unit detects that the video signal received by the second transmission / reception unit is being output to the display device When a first transmission mode for wirelessly transmitting predetermined information related to the medical image is set, and when it is detected that the video signal received by the second transmission / reception unit is not output to the display device, Less information than the first transmission mode And a control unit that sets the second transmission mode have, characterized in that it comprises a.

  Furthermore, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a medical image transmission system for transmitting a medical image acquired in a medical device to a display device, wherein the first transmission / reception unit transmits / receives a signal via radio, and the first A second transmission / reception unit that transmits / receives a signal to / from the transmission / reception unit, a detection unit that detects whether an image signal is input from the medical device, and the detection unit includes the image signal Is detected, the first transmission mode for wirelessly transmitting predetermined information about the medical image is set, and when it is detected that the image signal is not input, And a control unit that sets a second transmission mode with a smaller amount of information than the first transmission mode.

  According to the present invention, in a medical image transmission system in which a medical device and a display device transmit and receive signals via radio, it is possible to save power by suppressing transmission of unnecessary signals.

It is a lineblock diagram of an endoscope system which has a medical image transmission system concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows typically the method to control transmission of the video signal from the endoscope apparatus 3 which communicates via radio | wireless in the endoscope system which has a medical image transmission system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram of a monitor. It is a figure which illustrates the selection information which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the medical device which receives control of signal transmission by the medical image transmission system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which illustrates the output setting information which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is the flowchart which showed the control processing by the central processing part of the monitor which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is the flowchart which showed the control processing by the central processing part of the medical device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the endoscope system which has a medical image transmission system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which illustrates selection information concerning a 2nd embodiment. It is the flowchart which showed the control processing by the central processing part of the monitor which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the method to control transmission of the video signal from the endoscope apparatus which communicates via radio | wireless in the medical image transmission system which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of an endoscope system when performing an operation and a diagnosis using the endoscope apparatus which transmits / receives a signal via radio | wireless.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an endoscope system having a medical image transmission system according to the present embodiment. An endoscope system 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a monitor device (hereinafter abbreviated as a monitor) 2, an endoscope device 3, an ultrasonic observation device 4, and a CT (Computed Tomography) / MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) image display device 5. Have.

The endoscopic device 3 and the ultrasonic observation device 4 are medical devices used in endoscopic surgery or the like, and acquire an endoscopic image and an ultrasonic image, respectively.
The CT / MRI image display device 5 is an information processing device that holds CT images and MRI images obtained by CT examination and MRI examination. In the embodiment, since a personal computer is used as the CT / MRI image display device, the CT / MRI image display device 5 is expressed as “PC5” in the following.

  The monitor 2 processes and displays video signals transmitted from the endoscope apparatus 3, the ultrasonic observation apparatus 4, and the PC 5. In FIG. 1, the wired connection is represented by a solid line and the wireless connection is represented by a broken line. The ultrasonic observation apparatus 4 and the PC 5 are connected to the monitor 2 by a wire, whereas the endoscope apparatus 2 is connected to the monitor 2. Connected wirelessly.

  In the present embodiment, when a video signal from a predetermined device is selected by a user from among a plurality of video signals transmitted from a plurality of devices such as the endoscope device 3, the monitor 2 thereafter displays the video signal. Display. At the same time, the monitor 2 notifies the device that wirelessly transmits the video signal of information indicating how to transmit the video signal thereafter. In the example of FIG. 1, the endoscope apparatus 3 receives a notification from the monitor 2 and controls the transmission of the video signal by a method according to the content of the notification.

  As described above, in the medical image transmission system 1 included in the endoscope system 10 of FIG. 1, the medical device (the endoscope apparatus 3 in the example of FIG. 1) that wirelessly transmits a video signal of a medical image is a video signal. A transmission mode indicating how to transmit is set. The medical device transmits a medical image according to the set transmission mode. Depending on the transmission mode, the amount of information about the medical image including the video signal is determined. A specific method for setting the transmission mode will be described later.

  FIG. 2 schematically shows a method of controlling transmission of a video signal from the endoscope apparatus 3 that communicates wirelessly in the endoscope system 10 having the medical image transmission system 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. The transmission mode will be described with reference to FIG.

  As described above, in the embodiment, a video signal of a medical image is transmitted and received between the endoscope device 3 and the monitor 2 via wireless. For this reason, in FIG. 2, only the structure regarding the wireless transmission of these medical images is described, and description of others is abbreviate | omitted.

  Assume that an endoscopic image is selected on the monitor 2 as shown in FIG. In this case, the monitor 2 sets a transmission mode indicating that the endoscope apparatus 3 should transmit high-quality video, and notifies the endoscope apparatus 3 of the set transmission mode. The endoscope apparatus 3 wirelessly transmits high-quality video according to the transmission mode notified from the monitor 2. By processing and displaying the video signal received from the endoscope device 3 on the monitor 2, a high-quality endoscopic image that can be used for surgery or examination is provided to a user such as an operator. The

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2B, it is assumed that an image from a device other than the endoscope device 3 is selected on the monitor 2. In this case, the monitor 2 sets a transmission mode indicating that it is not necessary to transmit high-quality video, and notifies the endoscope apparatus 3 of the set transmission mode. The endoscope apparatus 3 stops transmission of a video signal, for example, according to the transmission mode notified from the monitor 2. Alternatively, the endoscope apparatus 3 suppresses the amount of information to be transmitted by compressing an image or the like. Details will be described later.

In the following description, the transmission modes set in the cases of FIGS. 2A and 2B are referred to as a first transmission mode and a second transmission mode, respectively.
In the following, a configuration in which a transmission / reception unit is built in the monitor 2 and the endoscope apparatus 3 will be described as an example. However, the medical image transmission system 1 according to the present embodiment is not limited to this, and transmission / reception is not limited thereto. The configuration may be such that the machine is connected externally.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 3-6, the structure and operation | movement of each apparatus contained in the medical image transmission system 1 which concern on this embodiment are demonstrated.
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the monitor 2. The monitor 2 shown in FIG. 3 includes a wireless input / output unit 21, two video input units 22 (22A and 22B), an image processing unit 23, a video display unit 24, a central processing unit 25, and a video input selection unit 26.

  The wireless input / output unit 21 performs input / output of a signal to / from a medical device that transmits a video signal via wireless. In the embodiment, the wireless input / output unit 21 inputs and outputs signals to and from the endoscope device 3 connected to the monitor 2 wirelessly.

  The video input / output unit 22 receives a signal transmitted from a device connected to the monitor 2 by wire. In the embodiment, the video input / output unit 22A receives a signal transmitted from the ultrasound observation apparatus 4 connected to the monitor 2 by wire, and the video input / output unit 22B is connected to the monitor 2 by wire. A signal transmitted from the PC 5 is received.

  The image processing unit 23 receives an input of a video signal among signals input from the wireless input / output unit 21 and the video input units 22 </ b> A and 22 </ b> B, performs necessary processing, and outputs the video signal to the video display unit 24. The video display unit 24 displays the video signal image-processed by the image processing unit 23.

  The video input selection unit 26 detects the display state of the signal received by the wireless input / output unit 21 by receiving selection of a video to be displayed on the video display unit 24 by the user. In the configuration of FIG. 1, buttons and the like corresponding to the three images input from the endoscope apparatus 3, the ultrasonic observation apparatus 4, and the PC 5 are provided on the monitor 2. When the video input selection unit 26 recognizes an operation such as pressing a button by the user, the video input selection unit 26 notifies the central processing unit 25 of the video corresponding to the button as the selected video.

  The central processing unit 25 controls the operation of each part of the monitor 2. Specifically, the central processing unit 25 determines whether the video notified from the video input selection unit 26 is input from the wireless input / output unit 21 or the video input units 22A and 22B. The apparatus that transmits the video signal via the terminal 21 is notified of which of the first and second transmission modes is to be used. At the same time, the central processing unit 25 holds information notified from the video input selection unit 26 in a storage unit such as a memory. Then, the central processing unit 25 processes the video signal received by the input / output unit / input unit corresponding to the selected video out of the wireless input / output unit 21 and the video input units 22A and 22B according to the held information. Then, a processing instruction for outputting to the video display unit 24 is issued to the image processing unit 23.

In the following description, information stored in a storage unit such as a memory in accordance with notification from the video input selection unit 26 by the central processing unit 25 is referred to as “selection information”.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating selection information according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, information indicating which of the three input units of the monitor 2 that receives the input of the video signal is selected by the video input selection unit 26 is set in the selection information. The three input units of the monitor 2 indicate the wireless input / output unit 21 and the video input units 22A and 22B in FIG.

  For example, the selection information “11” indicates that the wireless input / output unit 21 is selected by the video input selection unit 26 among the three input units, that is, the monitor 2 displays the video from the endoscope device 3. Indicates that it is selected. The selection information “21” and “22” indicate that the video input units 22A and 22B are selected, that is, that the images from the ultrasound observation apparatus 4 and the PC 5 are selected, respectively. .

A medical device such as the endoscope apparatus 3 that transmits / receives a signal to / from the monitor 2 via wireless receives the notification of output setting information indicating the transmission mode determined based on the selection information from the monitor 2.
FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a medical device that receives control of signal transmission by the medical image transmission system 1 according to the present embodiment. The medical device shown in FIG. 5 includes a medical image input unit 31, an image processing unit 32, a central processing unit 33, and a wireless input / output unit 34.

  The medical image input unit 31 receives an input of an image signal acquired in a medical device. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 1, the medical device in FIG. 5 corresponds to the endoscope device 3, and the medical image input unit 31 is acquired in the scope (not shown in FIG. 5) of the endoscope device 3. Receives image signal input.

The image processing unit 32 performs necessary processing on the image signal input from the medical image input unit 31 to generate a video signal, and outputs the generated video signal to the wireless input / output unit 34.
The central processing unit 33 controls the operation of each unit of the medical device. Specifically, when the transmission mode is notified from the monitor 2 via the wireless input / output unit 34, the central processing unit 33 receives information necessary for controlling transmission of the video signal according to the notified transmission mode. Is stored in a memory or the like. The central processing unit 33 controls the image processing unit 32 and the wireless input / output unit 34 in accordance with the stored information. In the following description, information stored in the storage unit such as a memory according to the transmission mode notified from the monitor 2 by the central processing unit 33 is referred to as “output setting information”.

  The wireless input / output unit 34 inputs and outputs communication signals and video signals processed by the image processing unit 32 according to the output setting information via wireless. The monitor 2 receives the video signal output from the wireless input / output unit 34.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating output setting information according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the output setting information includes a processing command to the image processing unit 32 and a processing command to the wireless input / output unit 34, and a medical device holding the output setting information is selected on the monitor 2. Depending on whether or not the transmitted video is transmitted, two types of first and second output setting information are set. Specifically, when an image transmitted from a medical device is selected by the image input selection unit 26 of the monitor 2, first output setting information corresponding to the first transmission mode is set. When another medical device is selected by the video input selection unit 26, second output setting information corresponding to the second transmission mode is set.

  In the first output setting information, the processing command to the image processing unit 32 includes a command not to perform image compression processing and a command to process a signal that can be wirelessly transmitted. The command includes a command to wirelessly transmit a video signal input from the image processing unit 32.

The second output setting information can be set by two methods.
First, in the first setting method of the second output setting information, among the second output setting information, the processing command to the image processing unit 32 includes a command to compress the image and a signal that can be wirelessly transmitted. The processing command to the wireless input / output unit 34 includes a command to wirelessly transmit the video signal input from the image processing unit 32. The difference from the first output setting information is that the processing command to the image processing unit 32 is a command to compress the image.

  On the other hand, in the second setting method, in the second output setting information, the processing command to the image processing unit 32 includes a command not to perform processing, and the processing command to the wireless input / output unit 34 is And a command not to wirelessly transmit the video signal input from the image processing unit 32. In this case, the medical device transmits only a data signal for confirming that the monitor 2 is wirelessly connected.

  In FIG. 6, the first setting method of the second output information exemplifies a case where an instruction to transmit a compressed image is given, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which low-resolution video is transmitted, a frame rate is decreased, a delay amount is increased, and the like.

  As described above, when the first output setting information is set, the medical device transmits high-quality video without performing image compression, whereas the second output setting information is set. Transmits the video signal while suppressing the amount of information, or does not transmit the video signal. When the video signal transmitted from the medical device is not displayed on the monitor 2, the control is performed based on the second output setting information, and the amount of information to be transmitted is suppressed or the video signal itself is not transmitted. Therefore, power consumption in medical devices is suppressed.

  Next, refer to the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 and 8 for what kind of control is performed in each of the monitor 2 and the medical device (the endoscope apparatus 3 in the embodiment) that communicates with the monitor 2 wirelessly. I will explain.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control process by the central processing unit 25 of the monitor 2 according to this embodiment. For example, the central processing unit 25 starts the processing shown in FIG.

  First, in step S <b> 1, the central processing unit 25 determines whether there is a notification from the video input selection unit 26, and waits until there is a notification from the video input selection unit 26. When the central processing unit 25 receives the notification from the video input selection unit 26, the central processing unit 25 holds the selection information of the content corresponding to this in the memory or the like, and shifts the processing to step S2.

  In step S2, the central processing unit 25 determines the content of the selection information held in the memory or the like in step S1. If the selection information indicates that a video signal from the endoscope apparatus 3, that is, a video signal input via the wireless input / output unit 21, is selected, the process proceeds to step S3. If the selection information indicates that a video signal from another device is selected, the process proceeds to step S4.

  In step S3, the central processing unit 25 instructs the wireless input / output unit 21 to output the first output setting information. As described above with reference to FIG. 6 and the like, according to the first output setting information, the endoscope apparatus 3 performs control so as to transmit high-quality video without performing compression processing or the like.

  In step S4, the central processing unit 25 instructs the wireless input / output unit 21 to output the second output setting information. According to the second output setting information, the endoscope apparatus 3 performs control to transmit a video signal while suppressing the amount of information such as compressing and transmitting an image, or control to stop transmission of video. .

When the process of step S3 or step S4 is executed, the process returns to step S1.
In addition, the output setting information transmitted via the wireless input / output unit 21 in step S3 and step S4 may be stored in a predetermined field of a predetermined telegram in a sequence related to transmission of a known video signal. Alternatively, in order to notify the output setting information from the monitor 2 to the medical device, a new sequence can be prepared and stored in a predetermined field of a message in a predetermined format.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 7, the case where the communication signal including the output setting information is output from the monitor 2 to the medical device in step S3 and step S4 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. Even if the output setting information itself is not transmitted, it is sufficient that the notified medical device can recognize which of the first and second transmission modes should control the transmission processing.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control process by the central processing unit 33 of the medical device according to the present embodiment. The central processing unit 33 starts the processing shown in FIG. 8 after the medical device is activated, for example.

  First, in step S <b> 11, the central processing unit 33 determines whether or not there is a notification from the wireless input / output unit 34. The notification here refers to a notification transmitted by the monitor 2 in step S3 or step S4 in FIG. The central processing unit 33 of the medical device waits until receiving the notification, and when receiving the notification, shifts the processing to step S12.

  In step S12, the central processing unit 33 holds the output setting information included in the notification received from the wireless input / output unit 33 in step S11 in a memory or the like, and determines the content thereof. As described with reference to FIG. 6 and the like, the notification received from the wireless input / output unit 33 in step S11 is first or second depending on whether or not the video signal from the medical device is selected, respectively. Output setting information is included. Therefore, the central processing unit 33 shifts the processing to step S13 when the first output setting information is included according to the content of the output setting information included in the notification, and includes the second output setting information. If yes, the process proceeds to step S14.

  In step S13, the central processing unit 33 performs a process according to the first output setting information. Specifically, when a processing command is issued to the image processing unit 32 or the wireless input / output unit 34 and control is performed to output the video signal output from the image processing unit 32 from the wireless input / output unit 34, the process returns to step S11. .

  In step S14, the central processing unit 33 performs a process according to the second output setting information. Specifically, a processing command is issued to the image processing unit 32 and the wireless input / output unit 34, and the compressed video signal is output from the wireless input / output unit 34, or the video signal is not output from the wireless input / output unit 34. When the control of each part is performed, the process returns to step S11.

  As described above, according to the medical image transmission system 1 according to the present embodiment, the monitor 2 sets the selection information according to the input in the video input selection unit 26 and holds it in the memory or the like. The monitor 2 outputs, in accordance with the content of the selection information held, output setting information that indicates in which transmission mode it should be transmitted to a medical device (endoscope device 3 in the embodiment) that transmits a video signal via radio. To be notified. Upon receiving the notification from the monitor 2, the medical device sets output setting information and stores it in a memory or the like. Thereafter, the medical device processes the video signal according to the output setting information held. The medical device uses the second output setting information indicating that the video signal should be transmitted in the second transmission mode when the video transmitted by the device is not selected by the video input selection unit 26 of the monitor 2. Accordingly, processing relating to transmission of the video signal is executed. According to the second output setting information, control is performed such as suppressing the amount of information to be transmitted or not transmitting a video signal. For this reason, power consumption in the medical device is suppressed. In recent years, there has been an increasing tendency to make the entire medical device wireless for reasons such as being portable, and there is also a demand for battery-driven use. By suppressing / stopping unnecessary wireless communication by the above-described method, it is possible to meet a demand for power saving for a medical device or the like used by battery driving.

As described above, the medical image transmission system 1 according to the present embodiment may be configured such that the monitor 2 and the endoscope apparatus 3 are externally connected to a transceiver. Even when such a configuration is adopted, the same effect can be obtained by suppressing and stopping wireless transmission of unnecessary video signals by the above method.
<Second Embodiment>

  In the above embodiment, only one device among the plurality of devices that transmit the video signal to the monitor 2 transmits the video signal via wireless communication. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, a plurality of devices transmit video signals via radio.

Hereinafter, a method for controlling transmission of a medical image by the medical image transmission system according to the present embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the first embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of an endoscope system having a medical image transmission system according to the present embodiment. Compared with that according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the present embodiment is different in that the ultrasound observation apparatus 4 transmits a video signal via radio.

  The configuration of the ultrasonic observation apparatus 4 is as shown in FIG. 5 and is as described in the description of the first embodiment. The ultrasound image input from the medical image input unit 31 is processed by the image processing unit 32 and wirelessly transmitted to the monitor 2 via the wireless input / output unit 34.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, since the ultrasound observation apparatus 4 transmits a video signal via a wire, the monitor 2 has a video from the ultrasound observation apparatus 4 via the video input unit 22A. The signal is accepted. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the monitor 2 receives video signals from the endoscope apparatus 3 and the ultrasonic observation apparatus 4 via the wireless input / output unit 21. Other configurations of the monitor 2 are the same as those in the above embodiment.

  Similar to the above-described embodiment, the central processing unit 25 of the monitor 2 holds selection information having contents corresponding to which image is selected by the video input selection unit 26 in a memory or the like. Then, the central processing unit 25 outputs output setting information according to the selection information to each medical device that transmits a video signal wirelessly, in the embodiment, the endoscope device 3 and the ultrasound observation device 4. Notify each.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating selection information according to the present embodiment. Compared with the selection information according to the above-described embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the selection information “12” indicating that the ultrasound observation apparatus 4 has been selected is different in that it is associated with the wireless input / output unit 21. . When the selection information held in the memory or the like is “11” and “12”, the central processing unit 25 causes the video display unit 24 to display the video from the wireless input / output unit 21.

  Together with this, the central processing unit 25 of the monitor 2 sets output setting information based on the selection information of the configuration shown in FIG. 10 for a medical device that wirelessly transmits a video signal, Make a notification. With reference to FIG. 11, a method in which the monitor 2 transmits output setting information to each medical device that performs wireless communication based on selection information of the configuration illustrated in FIG. 10 will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a control process by the central processing unit 25 of the monitor 2 according to the present embodiment. Similar to the above embodiment, the central processing unit 25 starts the processing shown in FIG.

  Steps S21 and S22 are the same as steps S1 and S2 in FIG. 7, respectively. If the selection information stored in the memory indicates that the video signal from the endoscope apparatus 3 is selected, the process proceeds to step S23. Similarly, the processing is shifted to step S24 when the video signal from the ultrasound observation apparatus 4 is selected, and to step S25 when the video signal from the PC 5 is selected.

  In step S23, the central processing unit 25 sends the first output setting information to the endoscope apparatus 3 and the second output setting information to the ultrasound observation apparatus 4 to the wireless input / output unit 21. Command.

  In step S24, the central processing unit 25 sends the first output setting information to the ultrasound observation apparatus 4 and the second output setting information to the endoscope apparatus 3 so as to output the second output setting information. Command.

In step S <b> 25, the central processing unit 25 instructs the wireless input / output unit 21 to output the second output setting information to the endoscope apparatus 3 and the ultrasound observation apparatus 4.
If said process is performed in each of step S23-step S25, it will return to step S21. The monitor 2 receives video signals from a plurality of medical devices via the wireless input / output unit 21 when the second output setting information is set to transmit information with a reduced amount of information such as a compressed image. Will be. Even in such a case, for example, by adding a unique ID (IDentification) information or the like to each medical device and transmitting a video signal, the monitor 2 refers to the ID information and from any device. Whether the video is transmitted can be identified. Thereby, on the monitor 2, the video selected by the video input selection unit 26 can be displayed on the video display unit 24.

  The operations of the endoscope apparatus 3 and the ultrasound observation apparatus 4 that have received the notifications in the processes in steps S23 to S25 are as described above with reference to FIG. .

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, even when there are a plurality of medical devices that communicate via wireless, the video signal that does not need to be displayed on the monitor 2 as in the above embodiment. Controls whether to suppress the amount of information or stop transmission. Thereby, it contributes to the power saving of a medical device similarly to said embodiment.

In addition, when a plurality of medical devices communicate with the monitor 2 via radio, the use frequency bands overlap and the possibility of interference is increased. By the above method, when transmission of video signals other than the video selected on the monitor 2 is stopped, it is possible to effectively suppress interference generated between a plurality of medical devices.
<Third Embodiment>

  In the above embodiment, the monitor 2 determines which of the plurality of devices that transmit the video signal to display the video, that is, the transmission mode. Based on the notification from the monitor 2, the medical device performs control such as continuing high-quality video transmission or suppressing the amount of information / not transmitting video signals to devices that have not been selected. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the medical device which communicates via radio | wireless differs by the point which determines the transmission mode of an own apparatus based on the state of an own apparatus.

  The following is a method for controlling transmission of a video signal from a medical device that performs wireless communication in the medical image transmission system according to the present embodiment, focusing on differences from the first and second embodiments described above. Will be described.

  In the following description, the endoscope apparatus 3 will be described as an example of a medical device that communicates wirelessly. In this case, the system configuration is as shown in FIG. 1, and the configuration of each device is as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a method for controlling transmission of a video signal from the endoscope apparatus 3 that performs wireless communication in the medical image transmission system according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 12A shows a configuration of W when the transmission / reception unit 61 is built in the processor 7A that processes the image signal input from the scope 10.

  In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 12A, the attachment / detachment detection unit 72 in the processor 7 </ b> A detects attachment / detachment of the scope 10 and notifies the central processing unit 71. The technique in which the processor attachment / detachment detection unit detects attachment / detachment of the scope 10 is a known technique.

  When the central processing unit 71 receives a notification from the attachment / detachment detection unit 72 that the scope 10 is connected, the central processing unit 71 sends out a high-quality video signal from the transmission / reception unit 73 without performing image compression or the like. On the other hand, when the central processing unit 71 receives a notification from the attachment / detachment detection unit 72 that the scope 10 is not connected to the processor 7A, for example, a smaller amount than when the scope 10 is connected to the processor 7A. Is transmitted from the transmitter / receiver 73. Alternatively, the central processing unit 71 performs control such as stopping the video signal transmission processing.

  This is a state in which when the scope 10 is not connected to the processor 7A, the video signal transmitted from the processor 7A is not used for surgery / diagnosis and a color bar or the like is displayed on the monitor. This is because it can be determined that there is no need to transmit high-quality video. Therefore, when the attachment / detachment detection unit 72 detects the “detached” state, as described above, control is performed such as suppressing the amount of information to be transmitted or stopping transmission of the video signal.

  The specific control to be performed when the scope 10 is not connected to the processor 7A is the same as in the above embodiment. That is, for example, to transmit a compressed image, to transmit at a low resolution, to reduce the frame rate, to increase the delay amount, to confirm that the radio is connected to the monitor 2 without transmitting the video signal Each unit is caused to execute processing such as transmitting only a data signal.

In the dedicated housing 6, processing such as displaying a video signal received via the transmission / reception unit 61 is performed. The device that receives the video signal is not limited to the dedicated housing 6 and may be a monitor or the like.
FIG. 12B shows a configuration when the transmitter 8 is externally attached to the processor 7B.

  Even in the case of adopting the configuration shown in FIG. 12B, the transmission of the video signal can be controlled in the same manner as in the case where the processor includes the transmission / reception unit. That is, the processor 7B notifies the transmitter 8 of the attachment / detachment state of the scope 10 via the communication unit 75 based on the attachment / detachment state of the scope 10 to / from the processor 7B detected by the attachment / detachment detection unit 72. The image signal acquired by the scope 10 is processed. Then, the processor 7 </ b> B passes the video signal output from the video processing unit 74 to the transmitter 8 based on the attachment / detachment state of the scope 10.

  In accordance with the attachment / detachment state of the scope 10 received from the processor 7B via the communication unit 82, the transmitter 8 performs necessary processing such as image compression in the video processing unit 81 in the same manner as in FIG. And wirelessly transmit to the dedicated housing 6 via the transmission / reception unit 83. When the scope 10 is in the “detached” state, only the data signal is transmitted, and the data signal received from the processor 7B in the communication unit 82 is transmitted to the dedicated housing 6 via the transmission / reception unit 83. .

  As described above, according to the medical image transmission system 1 according to the present embodiment, in a medical device such as an endoscope apparatus that transmits a medical image toward the dedicated housing 6 or the like, for example, in a state where the scope 10 is attached or detached. Based on the state of the medical device, it is determined whether or not high quality video needs to be transmitted. In the above embodiment, when the scope 10 is not connected to the processors 7A and 7B, it is assumed that the video transmitted from the endoscope apparatus is not used for surgery or diagnosis, and the amount of information transmitted is suppressed. And control such as stopping transmission of video signals. Thereby, it contributes to the power saving of the medical device which communicates via a radio | wireless.

  In the description of the medical image transmission system according to the first to third embodiments, an endoscope apparatus is cited as an example of a medical device that transmits and receives signals via radio. In recent years, with respect to endoscope apparatuses, the trend toward wireless communication has become stronger for communication between the scope and the processor.

Hereinafter, a method for creating and maintaining an optimum state for wireless transmission in an endoscope apparatus that performs communication between a scope and a processor via wireless will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the endoscope system when performing an operation or a diagnosis using an endoscope apparatus that transmits and receives signals via wireless communication. FIG. 13A shows a case where the drive antenna unit is provided near the operation unit of the scope, and FIG. 13B shows a case where the drive antenna unit is installed at a position away from the operation unit of the scope.

  As shown in FIG. 13 (a), in the configuration in which the drive antenna unit is provided in the vicinity of the operation unit of the scope, for example, even if the radio environment is deteriorated during the operation, the operator manually operates the direction of the drive antenna. Can be operated. This makes it possible to create and maintain an optimum environment for wireless transmission when the image signal acquired by the scope is transmitted to the processor.

  As shown in FIG. 13B, when the drive antenna unit is installed at a position away from the operation unit of the scope, the drive antenna unit is installed on, for example, the operator himself, a patient (subject), an operating table, or the like. . Even in such a configuration, as in the configuration of FIG. 13A, when the wireless environment is deteriorated during the operation, the direction of the drive antenna can be manually operated. ) To obtain the same effect.

Furthermore, in the configuration of FIG. 13B, the drive antenna unit is separated from the scope operation unit, so that the drive antenna unit can be operated even by a person other than the operator.
In addition to the above, the present invention can be variously improved and changed without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, some components may be deleted from the overall configuration shown in each of the above-described embodiments, and different components in each embodiment may be appropriately combined.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Medical image transmission system 2 Monitor 3 Endoscope apparatus 4 Ultrasound observation apparatus 5 CT / MRI image display apparatus (PC)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Endoscope system 21 Wireless input / output part 22, 22A, 22B Video input part 23 Image processing part 24 Video display part 25 Central processing part 26 Video input selection part 31 Medical image input part 32 Image processing part 33 Central processing part 33 34 Wireless input / output unit

Claims (9)

A medical image transmission system for transmitting a medical image acquired in a medical device to a display device,
A first transmission / reception unit for transmitting / receiving a signal via wireless;
A second transceiver for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the first transceiver by wireless;
A detection unit for detecting an output state of the signal received by the second transmission / reception unit to the display device;
When the detection unit detects that the signal received by the second transmission / reception unit is being output to the display device, the communication between the first and second transmission / reception units relates to the medical image. When a first transmission mode for wirelessly transmitting predetermined information is set and it is detected that a signal received by the second transceiver is not output to the display device, the first and second A controller that sets a second transmission mode with less information than the first transmission mode for communication between the transmission and reception units;
A medical image transmission system comprising: The first transmission / reception unit transmits a video signal input from a first image processing unit in the medical device that generates a video signal from an image signal acquired in the medical device;
The second transmission / reception unit outputs a video signal out of signals received from the first transmission / reception unit to a second image processing unit in the display device that processes the video signal. The medical image transmission system according to claim 1. The medical image transmission system according to claim 2, wherein the control unit performs control so as not to transmit a medical image acquired from the medical device in the second transmission mode. The medical image transmission system according to claim 2, wherein the control unit performs control so as to compress and transmit a medical image acquired from the medical device in the second transmission mode. When information indicating whether to output a video signal received from a predetermined medical device from the plurality of medical devices connected to the display device to the display device is newly set, the control unit The medical image transmission system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first transmission mode is set for a medical device and the second transmission mode is set for another medical device. The control unit includes a first control unit provided on the first transmission / reception unit side, and a second control unit provided on the second transmission / reception unit side,
The second control unit is configured to detect the first or second in the first control unit based on an output state of the signal received by the second transmission / reception unit detected by the detection unit to the display device. When generating a communication signal including information indicating which of the transmission modes should be set, the communication signal is output to the second transmission / reception unit,
The first control unit sets the first or second transmission mode according to the communication signal received by the first transmission / reception unit, and controls transmission processing of the video signal according to the set transmission mode. The medical image transmission system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: A transmission device that wirelessly transmits a video signal of a medical image acquired in a medical device,
A first transmission / reception unit for transmitting / receiving a signal via wireless;
A display in which the medical image is displayed by the signal transmitted from the second transmitter / receiver in the second transmitter / receiver by transmitting / receiving a signal to / from the first transmitter / receiver via radio. When the first transmission / reception unit receives a communication signal including the first transmission mode indicating that the signal is being output to the apparatus, the control unit performs control to transmit predetermined information about the medical image. In the second transmission / reception unit, when a communication signal including the second transmission mode indicating that the signal transmitted by the first transmission / reception unit is not output to the display device is received, the first transmission mode A control unit that performs control to transmit a smaller amount of information,
A transmission device comprising: A receiving device for receiving a video signal of a medical image acquired in a medical device via wireless,
A signal is transmitted / received wirelessly to / from a first transmission / reception unit that transmits / receives a signal via wireless, and among the received signals, a video signal is output to an image processing unit that processes the video signal. Two transceiver units;
A detection unit for detecting an output state of the signal received by the second transmission / reception unit to the display device;
When the detection unit detects that the video signal received by the second transmission / reception unit is being output to the display device, a first transmission mode for wirelessly transmitting predetermined information about the medical image is set. When it is detected that the video signal received by the second transmitter / receiver is not output to the display device, the second transmission mode having a smaller information amount than the first transmission mode is set. A control unit,
A receiving apparatus comprising: A medical image transmission system for transmitting a medical image acquired in a medical device to a display device,
A first transmission / reception unit for transmitting / receiving a signal via wireless;
A second transceiver for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the first transceiver by wireless;
A detection unit that detects whether an image signal is input from the medical device;
When the detection unit detects that the image signal is input, the first transmission mode for wirelessly transmitting predetermined information about the medical image is set, and the image signal is not input. A control unit that sets a second transmission mode with less information than the first transmission mode;
A medical image transmission system comprising: