JP2015173738A - endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a small-diameter endoscope capable of transmitting an optical signal stably.SOLUTION: An endoscope 1 includes a leading end where a light emitting unit 28 for converting an electric signal output by an imaging part 21 to a light signal is arranged, a soft part 30 into which an optical fiber 31 that transmits the light signal is inserted, and an operation part 40 where a light receiving unit 48 for re-converting the light signal to an electric signal is arranged, and further includes a light intensity control part 45 arranged at the operation part 40 for outputting an optical control signal for controlling the light emitting intensity of the light emitting unit 28 based on the intensity of the light signal received by the light receiving unit 48, and a clock line 32 inserted into the soft part 30 for transmitting a superimposed signal in which the optical control signal is superimposed on a clock signal.

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope in which an optical fiber that transmits an optical signal is inserted through an insertion portion.

  The endoscope has an imaging unit including an imaging element such as a CCD at the distal end of an elongated insertion unit. In recent years, use of an imaging device having a high pixel number for an endoscope has been studied. When an image sensor with a high number of pixels is used, the amount of signal to be transmitted increases. Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-194037 discloses an endoscope that performs optical signal transmission using an optical signal via an optical fiber instead of electric signal transmission via a metal wiring using an electric signal. For optical signal transmission, a light emitting unit that converts an electrical signal into an optical signal and a light receiving unit that converts an optical signal into an electrical signal are used.

  The intensity of the optical signal generated by the light emitting unit varies depending on the assembly accuracy at the time of manufacture, the use environment, aging deterioration, and the like. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-245264 discloses an apparatus that detects fluctuations in the intensity of an optical signal received by a light receiving unit and feeds back to the light emitting unit for stable transmission of an optical signal.

  For feedback control, it is necessary to transmit a control signal for controlling the intensity of the optical signal to the light emitting unit via the control signal transmission line.

  The insertion portion of the endoscope is strongly required to have a small diameter for minimizing the invasiveness. For this reason, it may not be easy to newly insert a signal line for transmitting a control signal to the insertion portion having a small diameter.

JP 2010-194037 A JP 2008-245264 A

  An object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a small-diameter endoscope that stably transmits an optical signal.

An endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an imaging unit, a distal end portion provided with a light emitting unit that converts an electrical signal output from the imaging unit into an optical signal, and light that transmits the optical signal. A flexible portion through which the fiber is inserted, and a base end portion on which a light receiving unit that converts an optical signal transmitted by the optical fiber into an electrical signal is disposed,
Based on the intensity of the optical signal received by the light receiving unit, further comprising a light intensity control unit disposed at the base end for outputting a light control signal for controlling the light emission intensity of the light emitting unit, A transmission line for transmitting a light control signal to the tip has a function other than the light control signal transmission.

An endoscope according to another embodiment transmits the optical signal to a distal end portion in which an imaging unit and a light emitting unit that converts an electrical signal output from the imaging unit into an optical signal are disposed. A flexible portion through which an optical fiber is inserted, and a base end portion on which a light receiving unit that converts an optical signal transmitted by the optical fiber into an electrical signal is disposed,
A light intensity control unit disposed at the base end for outputting a light control signal for controlling the light emission intensity of the light emitting unit based on the intensity of the light signal received by the light receiving unit; and the light control signal And a superimposed signal transmission line that passes through the flexible part and transmits a superimposed signal on which is superimposed.

Furthermore, an endoscope according to another embodiment transmits the optical signal to a distal end portion in which an imaging unit and a light emitting unit that converts an electrical signal output from the imaging unit into an optical signal are disposed. A flexible portion through which an optical fiber is inserted, and a base end portion on which a light receiving unit that converts an optical signal transmitted by the optical fiber into an electrical signal is disposed,
A light intensity control unit that outputs a light control signal for controlling the light emission intensity of the light emitting unit based on the intensity of the light signal received by the light receiving unit is further provided at the base end portion, and the light control signal is the light signal. It is transmitted to the tip via a fiber.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide an endoscope that stably transmits an optical signal even if the diameter is small.

It is a perspective view of the endoscope of a 1st embodiment. It is a lineblock diagram of an endoscope system containing the endoscope of a 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the clock signal of the endoscope of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the superimposition signal of the endoscope of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the superimposition signal of the endoscope of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the superimposition signal of the endoscope of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the superimposition signal of the endoscope of the modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the superimposition signal of the endoscope of the modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the superimposition signal of the endoscope of the modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the endoscope system containing the endoscope of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the electric power for a drive of the endoscope of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the superimposition signal of the endoscope of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the superimposition signal of the endoscope of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the superimposition signal of the endoscope of 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the endoscope system containing the endoscope of 3rd Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the endoscope system containing the endoscope of 4th Embodiment.

<First Embodiment>
As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope 1 according to this embodiment includes a long and narrow insertion portion 10 that is inserted into the body of a subject, and a surgical operation disposed on the proximal end side of the insertion portion 10. And an operation part (base end part) 40 operated by a person, and a universal cord 50 connecting the connector 51 and the operation part 40. The insertion portion 10 includes a hard tip portion 20 and a flexible elongated soft portion 30. The proximal end side of the distal end portion 20 is a curved portion 20A for changing the direction of the distal end portion.

  The distal end portion 20 is provided with an imaging unit 21 and a light emitting unit 28 that converts an electrical signal (imaging signal) output from the imaging unit 21 into an optical signal. The operation unit 40 includes a light receiving unit 48 that reconverts an optical signal transmitted by the optical fiber 31 into an electric signal, and an optical control that controls the light emission intensity of the light emitting unit 28 based on the intensity of the optical signal received by the light receiving unit 48. And a light intensity control unit 45 for outputting a signal.

  An optical fiber 31 that transmits an optical signal to the operation unit 40, a clock signal transmission line (clock line) 32 that is a metal wiring that transmits a clock signal to the imaging unit 21 and the like, and driving power are supplied to the flexible unit 30. A power transmission line (power line) 33 and the like are inserted. Although the optical fiber 31 has a small diameter, it is more flexible than a metal wiring having the same diameter, and the amount of signals that can be transmitted is very large.

  The imaging signal reconverted into an electrical signal by the light receiving unit 48 of the operation unit 40 is transmitted to the connector 51 via the imaging signal transmission line 52 that passes through the universal cord 50. The universal cord 50 is also inserted with a clock line 53 for transmitting a clock signal to the operation unit 40, a power transmission line 54, and the like.

  Since the universal cord 50 is unlikely to be reduced in diameter unlike the insertion portion 10, a plurality of metal wires and thick metal wires can be disposed.

  As will be described later, in the endoscope 1, the light control signal is transmitted to the distal end portion 20 via a clock line 32 that is a superimposed signal transmission line that is superimposed on the clock signal and passes through the soft portion 30 as a superimposed signal.

  Next, the endoscope system 2 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. The endoscope system 2 includes an endoscope 1, a processor 60 connected to the connector 51 of the endoscope 1, and a display unit 64.

  An imaging unit 21, a light emitting unit 28, and a signal separation unit 26 are disposed at the distal end portion 20 of the endoscope 1. The light emitting unit 28 includes an A / D conversion unit 22, a serializer 23, a driving unit 24, and a light emitting unit 25.

  The light emitting unit 25 includes a light emitting element, for example, a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL). The light emission intensity of the light emitting element is controlled by the current value of the drive signal, for example.

  The imaging unit 21 includes an imaging element such as a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor or a charge coupled device (CCD), and outputs an imaging signal (electric signal) of a subject. The A / D converter 22 converts the analog imaging signal output from the imaging unit 21 into a digital signal. The serializer 23 serializes the digital signal output from the A / D converter 22 into a transfer signal. The drive unit 24 converts the transfer signal output from the serializer 23 into a drive signal for the light emitting element of the light emitting unit 25. That is, the drive unit 24 outputs a drive signal for ON / OFF control of the light emitting element at high speed based on the transfer signal. The current value of the drive signal is a predetermined value set in a memory (not shown) of the drive unit 24, for example.

  The signal separation unit 26 will be described in detail later.

  Note that the configuration of the light emitting unit 28 is not limited to the above configuration as long as it has a function of converting an electrical signal output from the imaging unit 21 into an optical signal.

  The optical signal generated by the light emitting unit 28 is transmitted to the light receiving unit 48 of the operation unit 40 via the optical fiber 31 inserted through the soft part 30.

  In the operation unit 40, a light receiving unit 48, a light intensity control unit 45, and a signal superimposing unit 46 are disposed. The light receiving unit 48 includes a light receiving unit 41, a transimpedance amplifier (TIA) 42, a limiting amplifier (LA) 43, and a deserializer 44.

  The light receiving unit 41 includes a light receiving element such as a photodiode (PD) that converts an optical signal into a current signal. The TIA 42 performs I / V conversion on the current signal output from the light receiving unit 41 and outputs it as a voltage signal. The LA 43 binarizes the voltage signal output from the TIA 42. The deserializer 44 parallelizes the binary voltage signal output from the LA 43.

  The light intensity control unit 45 and the signal superimposing unit 46 will be described in detail later.

  The configuration of the light receiving unit 48 is not limited to the above configuration as long as it has a function of converting an optical signal into an electrical signal.

  The parallelized imaging signal is transmitted to the signal processing unit 61 of the processor 60 via the imaging signal transmission line 52 that passes through the universal code 50. The imaging signal transmission line 52 may be a single metal wiring or may be composed of a plurality of metal wirings. The signal processing unit 61 processes the image pickup signal and outputs a video signal having a predetermined specification that can be displayed on the display unit 64. The power supply unit 63 supplies driving power to the distal end portion 20 through the power transmission line 33.

  The clock signal generation unit 62 of the processor 60 includes a crystal oscillator (master clock) and a multiplication circuit, and outputs a clock signal having a predetermined frequency for adjusting the operation timing of the imaging unit 21 and the like. The clock signal is transmitted to a signal superimposing unit 46 disposed in the operation unit 40 via a clock line 53 that passes through the universal cord 50.

  In the endoscope 1, the light emission intensity of the light emitting unit 28 is feedback-controlled. That is, feedback is provided by the light emitting unit 25, the optical fiber 31, the light receiving unit 41, the TIA 42, the light intensity control unit 45, the signal superimposing unit 46, the clock line 32, the signal separating unit, and the driving unit 24. A loop is formed.

  The light intensity control unit 45 is configured so that the light emission intensity of the light emitting unit 28, that is, the intensity L of the optical signal received by the light receiving unit 48, in other words, the signal output by the TIA 42 of the light receiving unit 48 becomes a predetermined reference value. A light control signal for controlling the light emitting unit 28 is output. The signal superimposing unit 46 superimposes the light control signal on the clock signal transmitted by the clock line 53, and outputs the superimposed signal.

  In other words, the clock line 53 has a function of transmitting an optical control signal to the distal end portion 20 in addition to the original function of transmitting a clock signal to the distal end portion 20. In other words, the transmission line (clock line 53) that transmits the light control signal to the tip portion 20 has a function other than the light control signal transmission.

  Here, the superimposed signal will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3D. In the endoscope 1, the clock signal is DC-superimposed by the light control signal. The voltage V of the light control signal has a predetermined relationship, for example, a proportional relationship, with the intensity L of the light signal. FIG. 3A shows a clock signal on which the light control signal is not superimposed. The clock signal is a rectangular wave having a predetermined frequency with an amplitude of V0. The clock signal may be an AC signal.

  On the other hand, FIG. 3B shows a superimposed signal in which a direct current signal of voltage V1 is superimposed on the clock signal as an optical control signal when the intensity L of the optical signal is the reference value L0. FIG. 3C shows a superimposed signal on which a DC signal of voltage V2 is superimposed when the intensity L of the optical signal exceeds the reference value. FIG. 3D shows a superimposed signal on which a DC signal of voltage V3 is superimposed when the intensity L of the optical signal is less than the reference value. In the superimposed signal shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D, (V2 <V1 <V3) is satisfied, but the opposite may be (V2> V1> V3).

  The voltage V of the superimposed DC signal only needs to correspond to the intensity L of the optical signal received by the light receiving unit 48. That is, the voltage V increases or decreases according to the degree of deviation from the reference value L0 of the intensity L of the optical signal. The voltage V may change continuously in proportion to the intensity of the optical signal, or may change stepwise in a predetermined step. Alternatively, a positive voltage DC signal may be superimposed when the intensity L of the optical signal is less than the reference value, and a negative voltage DC signal may be superimposed when the optical signal intensity L exceeds the reference value.

  Further, the direct current signal may be superimposed only when the intensity L of the optical signal is outside the predetermined range (less than the lower limit value / more than the upper limit value).

  The superimposed signal is transmitted via a clock line 32 that passes through the flexible portion 30. That is, in the endoscope 1, it is not necessary to insert a signal line for newly transmitting a light control signal into the flexible portion 30 for feedback control of the light emitting unit 28.

  The superimposed signal transmitted to the tip portion 20 via the clock line 32 is separated into an optical control signal and a clock signal by the signal separation unit 26. The drive unit 24 outputs a drive signal corresponding to the voltage V of the light control signal having a predetermined relationship with the intensity L of the optical signal to the light emitting unit 25.

  For example, the drive unit 24 outputs a drive signal having a current value that is stored in a memory (not shown) of the light-emitting unit 28 and that conforms to the following settings in (Table 1). The drive unit 24 uses a feedback control based on the intensity of the optical signal to display a table of drive signal current values corresponding to the temperature stored in the memory of the light emitting unit 28 in order to correct the temperature characteristics of the light emitting unit 25. It may be used for correction.

  Note that the clock signal is converted into a timing signal for driving the imaging unit 21, the A / D conversion unit, the serializer 23, and the like in synchronization by a timing generator (not shown).

  The signal separation unit 26 is not an essential component, and the driving unit 24 may operate according to a superimposed signal that is not signal-divided, or the timing generator outputs a timing signal corresponding to the superimposed signal that is not signal-divided. Also good.

  Further, the signal separation unit 26 may output a light control signal in a form different from the light control signal output from the light intensity control unit 45 based on the superimposed signal. For example, the signal separation unit 26 may output a light control signal whose current changes at a constant voltage or a digital light control signal.

  The endoscope 1 can stably transmit an optical signal because the light emission intensity of the light emitting unit 28 is feedback-controlled, and a new signal line for transmitting the optical control signal is newly added to the flexible portion 30 for feedback control. The insertion portion 10 has a small diameter because it is not necessary to pass through the insertion portion 10.

  Note that the light receiving unit 48, the signal superimposing unit 46, and the like may be disposed in the connector 51 instead of the operation unit 40 as long as the base end is closer to the processor than the soft unit 30. Further, it may be disposed in the processor of the endoscope system 1.

  The endoscope 1 may not always perform feedback control on the light emission intensity of the light emitting unit 28. For example, feedback control may be performed at predetermined time intervals, or feedback control may be performed only when an operator's control instruction is given. Further, feedback control may be performed only at the time of shipment adjustment after the endoscope is manufactured. The feedback result is stored in, for example, a memory (not shown) of the light emitting unit 28, and the light emitting unit 28 operates according to the final feedback result until the next feedback control is performed.

<Modification of First Embodiment>
Next, an endoscope 1A according to a modification of the first embodiment will be described. Since the endoscope 1A of the endoscope system 2A is similar to the endoscope 1, components having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  In the endoscope 1A, the signal superimposing unit 46A modulates the amplitude of the clock signal with the light control signal.

  FIG. 4A shows a superimposed signal when the intensity L of the optical signal is a predetermined reference value L0. The amplitude of the superimposed signal is not amplitude-modulated at the same V0 as that of the clock signal.

  On the other hand, FIG. 4B shows an amplitude-modulated superimposed signal when the intensity L of the optical signal is less than the reference value. The amplitude of the superimposed signal obtained by modulating the amplitude of the clock signal by the light control signal is V4. FIG. 4C shows an amplitude-modulated superimposed signal when the intensity L of the optical signal exceeds the reference value. The amplitude of the superimposed signal obtained by modulating the amplitude of the clock signal by the light control signal is V5. The amplitude of the superimposed signal shown in FIGS. 4A to 4B is (V4> V0> V5), but may be the opposite (V5> V0> V4). Note that the amplitude modulation rate increases or decreases according to the degree of deviation from the reference value L0 of the intensity L of the optical signal.

  The endoscope 1A has the same effect as the endoscope 1. Furthermore, in order to separate the clock signal from the superimposed signal, for example, it is only necessary to pass through a limit amplifier (LA), so the configuration is simple.

  In the endoscopes 1 and 1A, the clock line 32 which is a superimposed signal transmission line is a metal wiring. However, the superposed signal that has been subjected to direct current superposition or amplitude modulation may be converted into an optical signal and optically transmitted to the distal end portion 20 via a separate optical fiber from the optical fiber 31 that transmits the optical signal. The optical fiber can be made thinner than the metal wiring, and the signal transmitted through the optical fiber is hardly deteriorated even at a high frequency.

Second Embodiment
Next, an endoscope 1B according to a modification of the second embodiment will be described. Since the endoscope 1B of the endoscope system 2B is similar to the endoscopes 1 and 1A, components having the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the endoscope 1B, the light control signal is superimposed on the driving power of the imaging unit 21 that the power supply unit 63 supplies via the power transmission line 33B. That is, the power transmission line 33B inserted through the soft part 30 is a superimposed signal transmission line. Then, the signal separation unit 26 separates the superimposed signal into a light control signal and driving power.

  The power transmission line 33 </ b> B has a function of transmitting a light control signal to the distal end portion 20 in addition to the original function of transmitting driving power to the distal end portion 20. In other words, the transmission line (power transmission line 33B) for transmitting the light control signal to the tip portion 20 has a function other than the light control signal transmission.

  FIG. 6A shows an example of driving power on which the light control signal is not superimposed. The exemplified driving power is a constant voltage (voltage V0) DC signal.

  On the other hand, FIG. 6B shows a superimposed signal that is frequency-modulated by superimposing a sine wave signal of frequency f1 as an optical control signal on the driving power when the intensity L of the optical signal is the reference value L0. FIG. 6C shows a superimposed signal on which a sine wave signal of frequency f2 is superimposed when the intensity L of the optical signal exceeds the reference value. FIG. 6D shows a superimposed signal on which a sine wave signal of frequency f3 is superimposed when the intensity L of the optical signal is less than the reference value. Here, in FIG. 6B to FIG. 6D, f2> f1> f3, but f2 <f1 <f3 may be used. Further, frequency modulation may be performed by a rectangular wave or the like instead of a sine wave. Furthermore, when the intensity of the optical signal is the reference value L0, a sine wave signal or the like may not be superimposed.

  Note that the driving power on which the light control signal is superimposed is not limited to the driving power to the imaging unit 21 and may be, for example, driving to the illumination LED as long as the driving power is supplied to the distal end portion 20. Needless to say, the power may be the driving power of the electric actuator disposed at the tip portion 20 or the like.

  The endoscope 1B has the same effect as the endoscope 1.

<Modification of Second Embodiment>
Next, endoscopes 1C and 1D according to modifications of the second embodiment will be described. Since the endoscopes 1C and 1D of the endoscope systems 2C and 2D are similar to the endoscope 1B, the components having the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description with reference to the drawings is omitted.

  In the endoscope 1C, a direct-current light control signal is superimposed on the driving power to the imaging unit 21 that the power supply unit 63 supplies via the power transmission line 33B. In the endoscope 1 </ b> D, the driving power including an alternating current or a rectangular wave signal supplied from the power supply unit 63 via the power transmission line 33 </ b> B is amplitude-modulated by the light control signal.

  The endoscopes 1C and 1D have the same effect as the endoscope 1B.

<Third Embodiment>
Next, an endoscope 1E according to the third embodiment will be described. Since the endoscope 1E of the endoscope system 2E is similar to the endoscope 1 or the like, the same reference numerals are given to components having the same functions, and description thereof will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the endoscope 1 </ b> E, the light control signal is transmitted to the distal end portion 20 via the optical fiber 31. That is, it has a single-core bidirectional configuration using a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) method in which light of two or more wavelengths is transmitted and received through one optical fiber 31.

  The second light emitting unit 28 </ b> A disposed in the operation unit 40 has substantially the same function as the first light emitting unit 28 disposed in the distal end portion 20. On the other hand, the second light receiving unit 48 </ b> A disposed at the distal end portion 20 has substantially the same function as the first light receiving unit 48 disposed at the operation unit 40. The first optical fiber coupler 27 disposed at the distal end portion 20 and the second optical fiber coupler 47 disposed at the operation portion 40 are optical demultiplexers / multiplexers.

  The first optical signal (imaging optical signal) output from the first light emitting unit 28 enters the optical fiber 31 via the first optical fiber coupler 27. The first optical signal incident on the second optical fiber coupler 47 of the operation unit 40 via the optical fiber 31 is converted into an electrical signal by the first light receiving unit 48.

  On the other hand, the light control signal output from the light intensity control unit 45 is converted into a second light signal (control light signal) by the second light emitting unit 28A and enters the optical fiber 31 via the second optical fiber coupler 47. To do. The second optical signal incident on the first optical fiber coupler 27 at the distal end portion 20 via the optical fiber 31 is converted into an electric signal (light control signal) by the second light receiving unit 48A and output to the driving unit 24. The

As described above, the endoscope 1E is disposed on the distal end portion 20, the elongated flexible portion 30 disposed on the proximal end portion side of the distal end portion 20, and the proximal end portion side of the flexible portion 30. An operation unit 40, a universal cord 50 extending from the operation unit 40 to the base end side, and a connector 51 disposed at an end of the universal cord 50,
An imaging unit 21, a first light emitting unit 28 that converts an electrical signal output from the imaging unit 21 into a first optical signal, and a second light receiving unit that converts the second optical signal into an electrical signal. A unit 48A and a first optical fiber coupler 27;
Based on the intensity of the first light signal received by the first light receiving unit 48 and the first light receiving unit 48 that converts the first light signal into an electric signal, the first light emission is made to the operation unit 40 or the connector 51. A light intensity controller 45 for outputting a light control signal for controlling the light emission intensity of the unit 28; a second light emitting unit 28A for converting the light control signal into a second light signal; and a second optical fiber coupler 47. Have
An optical fiber 31 through which the first optical signal and the second optical signal are transmitted through the first optical fiber coupler 27 and the second optical fiber coupler 47 passes through the flexible portion 30.

  The endoscope 1E has the same effect as the endoscope 1. Furthermore, the light control signal transmitted through the fiber 31 is not easily deteriorated and has high reliability.

<Fourth embodiment>
Next, an endoscope 1F according to the fourth embodiment will be described. Since the endoscope 1F of the endoscope system 2F is similar to the endoscope 1E and the like, the same reference numerals are given to components having the same functions, and the description thereof will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the endoscope 1 </ b> F, a superimposed signal obtained by superimposing a light control signal on a clock signal is optically transmitted to the distal end portion 20 via an optical fiber 31.

  That is, like the endoscope 1, the signal superimposing unit 46 superimposes the light control signal on the clock signal. The superimposed signal is converted into a second optical signal (superimposed optical signal) by the second light emitting unit 28A. The second optical signal is incident on the optical fiber 31 via the second optical fiber coupler 47. The second optical signal transmitted to the distal end portion 20 via the optical fiber 31 inserted through the flexible portion 30 is incident on the second light receiving unit 48A via the first optical fiber coupler 27.

  Then, the superposed signal reconverted into the electrical signal by the second light receiving unit 48A is separated into a clock signal and an optical control signal by the signal separation unit 26. As the superimposing method, an amplitude modulation method or a direct current superimposing method is used.

As described above, the endoscope 1F has the configuration of the endoscope 1E,
The operation unit 40 includes a signal superimposing unit 46 that superimposes a light control signal on a clock signal and outputs a superimposition signal, and the second light emitting unit 28A converts the superimposition signal into a second optical signal,
An optical fiber 31 through which a second optical signal based on the first optical signal and the superimposed signal is transmitted passes through the flexible portion 30.

  The endoscope 1F has the same effect as the endoscope 1E. Furthermore, since the clock signal transmission line does not pass through the flexible part 30, the endoscope 1F can be further reduced in diameter than the endoscope 1E.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications, combinations, and applications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1A-1F ... Endoscope 2, 2A-2F ... Endoscope system 10 ... Insertion part 20 ... Tip part 21 ... Imaging part 24 ... Drive part 25 ... -Light emitting unit 26-Signal separating unit 27-Optical fiber coupler 28, 28A-Light emitting unit 30-Soft unit 31-Optical fiber 32-Clock signal transmission line 33-Electric power Transmission line 40 ... operation section 41 ... light receiving section 45 ... light intensity control section 46 ... signal superposition section 47 ... optical fiber couplers 48, 48A ... light receiving unit 50 ... universal code 51 ... Connector 52 ... Imaging signal transmission line 53 ... Clock signal transmission line 54 ... Power transmission line 60 ... Processor 61 ... Signal processing unit 62 ... Clock signal generation unit 63 ..Power supply section

Claims (12)

A distal end portion provided with an imaging unit and a light emitting unit that converts an electrical signal output from the imaging unit into an optical signal;
A soft part through which an optical fiber transmitting the optical signal is inserted;
An endoscope having a light receiving unit arranged to convert an optical signal transmitted by the optical fiber into an electrical signal,
Based on the intensity of the light signal received by the light receiving unit, further comprising a light intensity control unit disposed at the base end portion for outputting a light control signal for controlling the light emission intensity of the light emitting unit,
An endoscope, wherein a transmission line for transmitting the light control signal to the distal end portion has a function other than the light control signal transmission. A distal end portion provided with an imaging unit and a light emitting unit that converts an electrical signal output from the imaging unit into an optical signal;
A soft part through which an optical fiber transmitting the optical signal is inserted;
An endoscope having a light receiving unit arranged to convert an optical signal transmitted by the optical fiber into an electrical signal,
A light intensity control unit disposed at the base end portion that outputs a light control signal for controlling the light emission intensity of the light emitting unit based on the intensity of the light signal received by the light receiving unit;
An endoscope further comprising: a superimposed signal transmission line that transmits the superimposed signal on which the light control signal is superimposed, and that is inserted through the flexible portion.   The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the superimposed signal is DC-superimposed by the light control signal.   The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the superimposed signal is amplitude-modulated by the light control signal.   The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the superimposed signal is frequency-modulated by the light control signal.   The endoscope according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the superimposed signal transmission line is a clock signal transmission line.   The endoscope according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the superimposed signal transmission line is a power transmission line that supplies driving power.   The endoscope according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the superimposed signal transmission line is a metal wiring.   The endoscope according to claim 6, wherein the superimposed signal transmission line is an optical fiber.   The endoscope according to claim 9, wherein the superimposed signal transmission line is the optical fiber that transmits the optical signal. A distal end portion provided with an imaging unit and a light emitting unit that converts an electrical signal output from the imaging unit into an optical signal;
A soft part through which an optical fiber transmitting the optical signal is inserted;
A light receiving unit for converting an optical signal transmitted by the optical fiber into an electrical signal, and a base end portion,
A light intensity control unit that outputs a light control signal for controlling the light emission intensity of the light emitting unit based on the intensity of the light signal received by the light receiving unit is further provided, and the light control signal is transmitted to the optical fiber. An endoscope that is transmitted to the distal end portion via the endoscope.   The endoscope according to claim 11, wherein a superimposed signal obtained by superimposing the light control signal on a clock signal is transmitted through the optical fiber.

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