JP2016154940A - Endoscope apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display a high quality normal observation image and special observation image (spectral image) without complicating an illumination optical system.SOLUTION: In an endoscope apparatus: a light source unit combining a first lamp 32 emitting white light, a second lamp 34 emitting special light in a narrow band and an FP resonator 33 is provided; the first lamp 32 and the second lamp 34 are installed so that optical axes E1, E2 intersect with each other; an illumination optical system 40 including a rotor 42 formed with a mirror 42A and an aperture 42B is positioned so as to be inclined with respect to the optical axes E1, E2 in the region where the optical axes E1, E2 intersect with each other; while the illumination optical system 40 rotates, the white light is reflected on the mirror 42A but the special light is shielded by a light shielding surface 42Q, and the white light is guided to the outside of the optical path through the aperture 42B but the special light passes through the aperture 42B, and thereby the white light and the special light are incident on a light guide incident end 14A.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus that images a subject such as an inner wall of an organ, and more particularly to an illumination optical system that irradiates an observation target with light of a narrow band wavelength in order to obtain a spectral image.

  In an endoscopic device, white light is irradiated onto an observation site to display a normal full-color image, and light with a spectrum in a specific band is irradiated to produce a spectral image (special observation image) consisting of limited color components. Can be displayed.

  For example, in the case of autofluorescence observation, a grayscale image (autofluorescence image) is obtained by irradiating the observation target with excitation light in a short wavelength region and receiving autofluorescence emitted from the observation target. Alternatively, when imaging a blood vessel or the like in the deep region of the inner wall of the organ, light of a short wavelength / long wavelength region is irradiated.

  In order to display both normal observation images and special observation images, the processor or light source device of the endoscope apparatus has a light source that emits white light and a light source that emits narrow band light (or a combination of a light source and a filter). Light source system).

  In this case, an optical system such as a prism and a filter provided with a half mirror is arranged near the light source. When illumination light is incident on these optical systems, light having different wavelength regions travels in the same optical axis direction due to light reflection, light transmission, and the like. As a result, white light and narrow-band light are incident on the light guide incident end alternately (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2011-234844 A

  When an optical system including a half mirror such as a prism is arranged on the optical path, the light intensity decreases in the process of normal light and narrowband light passing through the optical system. In particular, the light intensity of narrowband light is often inferior to that of normal light, and securing sufficient light output is limited. For this reason, there is a risk that the image quality of the special observation image may be lowered due to a decrease in the pixel signal level read from the image sensor.

  On the other hand, in the case of an endoscope processor or a single light source device, the space that can be secured near the light guide incident end is limited. For this reason, it is difficult to arrange a dedicated optical system for each light source, and work steps such as optical axis adjustment become complicated.

  Therefore, it is necessary to irradiate the observation target with sufficient light intensity while constructing and arranging a simple optical system.

  The endoscope apparatus of the present invention can generate a spectral image together with an observation image that is a normal color image, and has a light having a broad spectrum (hereinafter referred to as normal light) and a light having a narrow band spectrum (hereinafter referred to as normal light). And a special light source) are provided so as to irradiate in different directions so as to cross each other.

  Here, “normal light having a broadband spectrum” represents light having a continuous spectrum in a relatively wide wavelength range within the visible light band. For example, white light having a spectrum over the entire visible light band can be applied. On the other hand, “special light having a narrow-band spectrum” indicates light having a spectrum in a narrower wavelength range than normal light, and is irradiated on an observation image to obtain a spectral image. For example, light in a short wavelength range or a long wavelength range is applicable.

  As a configuration of the light source unit, it is possible to provide light sources that emit normal light and special light, respectively. In addition, the configuration of the light source is not limited to a simple lamp, but a system combining optical systems such as a filter and a resonator can be installed as the light source.

  As an example, a white light source that emits white light having a spectrum over the entire visible light range, and spectroscopic optics that emits special light having a specific narrow band spectrum based on the incident white light An element (such as an FP (Fabry-Perot) resonator) can be provided as a special light source. What is necessary is just to irradiate normal light and special light along the optical axis of each light source.

  The endoscope apparatus according to the present invention includes such a light source unit, and further includes an illumination optical system capable of rotating an axis, further including a reflective surface on which a mirror is formed, a light-shielding surface formed on the back side, and a transmission unit. Is provided. During rotation, the illumination optical system alternately guides normal light and special light toward the light guide incident end provided in the scope by reflection of light by the mirror and transmission of light by the transmission part.

  While normal light and special light travel in different directions, normal light or special light incident on the mirror enters the mirror and is reflected toward the light guide incident end. At this time, the other light is shielded by the light shielding surface on the back side.

  Then, by rotating the illumination optical system, one light of the normal light and the special light is reflected by the mirror toward the light guide incident end, while the other light is shielded by the light shielding surface, and the other light is transmitted through the transmission part. While guiding the light toward the light guide incident end, one light is guided to other than the light guide incident end through the transmission part.

  In addition, as a configuration for guiding normal light and special light in the direction of the incident end of the light guide composed of an optical fiber bundle, etc., a mirror, a lens is used for the purpose of condensing the emitted light as much as possible to the incident end of the light guide. It is also possible to provide a separate optical system. Alternatively, it is possible to irradiate the entire light guide incident end with both lights by a configuration of only the illumination optical system.

  The transmission part may be configured such that there is substantially no power loss of light and the other light passes through the transmission part along the traveling direction. For example, it is possible to provide an opening so that the other light passes directly to the light guide incident end without changing the traveling path.

  For the mechanism that rotates the illumination optical system, it is possible to provide an actuator such as a motor that rotates the illumination optical system and a detection unit (such as an encoder) that detects the rotation speed or position of the illumination optical system. It is. In this case, the drive unit may be provided on the light shielding surface in consideration of the arrangement space of the optical system, the influence of irregular reflection, and the like.

  Based on such illumination, the endoscope apparatus of the present invention responds to the normal observation image corresponding to the normal light and the special light based on a series of pixel signals read from the imaging element provided at the distal end portion of the scope. Image processing means for generating a special observation image (spectral image) is provided. For example, it is possible to generate and display a normal observation image and a special light observation image at the same time by alternately irradiating normal light and special light in accordance with one field or one frame readout time interval.

  In order to collect one light reflected by the mirror and the other light passing through the transmission part as efficiently as possible and guide it to the light guide incident end side, the optical path / optical axis of the light passing through the illumination optical system is substantially It is better to match. In this case, the light illumination optical system can be inclined with respect to the traveling direction of one light so that one light reflected by the mirror travels along the optical path of the other light passing through the transmission part. It is.

  For example, when the light source unit includes a first light source that emits white light and a second light source that emits special light, the illumination optical system is configured so that the optical axis of one light source is the optical axis of the other light by a mirror. You may make it arrange incline so that it may correspond. It is possible to configure the rotation axis of the illumination optical system to be inclined by 45 degrees with respect to the optical axes of both light sources.

  It can be arbitrarily set in the work environment whether special light or normal light is reflected by the mirror and passed through the transmission part. However, for example, when the light intensity of special light is limited as compared with normal light, it is desirable to reach the observation site without reducing the power of special light.

  That is, it is desirable to guide the special light to the light guide incident end side through the transmission part, instead of reflecting the special light by the mirror. In this case, the illumination optical system is preferably arranged so that normal light is incident on the reflecting surface and special light is incident on the light-shielding surface.

  As a configuration of the illumination optical system, it is desirable to rotate while keeping the inclination angle of the rotation axis constant. Therefore, the mirror and the transmission part are preferably formed around the rotation axis of the illumination optical system so that the normal light and special light passage path lengths during rotation are equal. Considering a structure suitable for such a rotating member, for example, a disk-shaped rotating body can be provided.

  In order to alternately generate the normal observation image and the special observation image, it is preferable that the mirrors and the transmission portions are alternately arranged along the circumferential direction. For example, it is possible to make the semicircular mirror and the transmission part one by one symmetrical with respect to the rotation axis. Alternatively, a plurality of (for example, quarter-annular) mirrors and transmission parts may be alternately arranged.

  When an FP resonator or the like is used, there is a limit to narrowing the bandwidth of the special light obtained, and it is difficult to obtain a very narrow narrowband light. Therefore, in the illumination optical system, an optical filter that transmits only light in a narrower wavelength range than that of the special light may be formed. Thus, new special light for different image diagnosis can be irradiated.

  When the opening is formed as a transmission part, it is preferable to provide a balance adjustment opening that matches the position of the center of gravity with the rotation axis so that the balance during rotation is maintained.

  An endoscope illumination optical system according to another aspect of the present invention is a mirror in which one of the first light and the second light that have different wavelength ranges (spectral bands) and whose paths cross each other is incident. A rotating surface having a reflecting surface on which the other light is shielded, a light shielding surface formed on the back side of the reflecting surface where the other light is shielded, a transmission part through which the first and second light passes, and illumination optics And a drive unit for rotating the system. About a drive part, it is possible to attach to the light-shielding surface side of a rotary body.

  In order to collect one light reflected by the mirror and the other light passing through the transmission part as efficiently as possible and guide them to the light guide incident end side, the optical path / optical axis of the light passing through the illumination optical system is substantially matched. It is good. In this case, it is possible to arrange the rotating body so as to be inclined with respect to the traveling direction of one light so that one light reflected by the mirror travels along the optical path of the other light passing through the transmission part. .

  Thus, according to the present invention, it is possible to display a high-quality normal observation image and a special observation image (spectral image) without complicating the illumination optical system.

It is a block diagram of the electronic endoscope apparatus which is this embodiment. It is the top view which showed typically the structure of the light source part and the illumination optical system. It is the top view which showed the rotary body of the illumination optical system. It is the top view which showed the rotary body of the illumination optical system. It is the figure which showed the alternate irradiation of the illumination light by a rotary body. It is a top view of the rotary body in 2nd Embodiment. It is a top view of the rotary body in 3rd Embodiment. It is a top view of the illumination optical system which is 4th Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, the electronic endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

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

  The electronic endoscope apparatus includes a video scope 10 whose insertion portion is inserted into the body, and a processor 20, and the video scope 10 is detachably connected to the processor 20. A monitor 60 is connected to the processor 20.

  The processor 20 includes a light source unit 30 that can irradiate two types of illumination light, and includes white light having a substantially uniform spectrum over the entire visible light band and light having a spectrum in a specific band (hereinafter referred to as the following). Special light). The light source unit 30 includes a first lamp 32 and a second lamp 34 that both emit white light, and further includes an FP (Fabry-Perot) resonator 33 that emits special light based on the incident white light.

  White light from the light source unit 30 enters the incident end 14A of the light guide 14 provided in the video scope 10 via the illumination optical system 40, the diaphragm 50, and a condenser lens (not shown). The light incident on the light guide 14 composed of an optical fiber bundle or the like is emitted from the scope distal end portion 10T and irradiated on the subject (observation site).

  The light reflected by the subject is imaged by an objective lens (not shown) provided at the scope tip 10T, whereby a subject image is formed on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 12. Here, CMOS, CCD, etc. are applicable as the image sensor 12. On the light receiving surface of the image sensor 12, a complementary color filter (not shown) is arranged in which color filter elements made of Cy, Ye, G, and Mg are arranged in a mosaic pattern.

  In the image sensor 12, image signals for one field / frame are read at predetermined time intervals (for example, 1/60 second interval, 1/50 second interval) in accordance with the drive signal sent from the sensor drive unit 22. The read pixel signal is sent to the image processing circuit 24 of the processor 20.

  In the image processing circuit 24, various signal processing such as white balance processing (gain processing) and gamma correction processing are executed in addition to amplification processing and digital processing. As a result, a color digital image signal is generated. By outputting the image signal to the monitor 60, a normal observation image is displayed on the monitor 60.

  The system control circuit 28 includes a CPU, a ROM, and the like, and outputs a control signal to the light amount adjustment drive unit 52, the image processing circuit 24, and the like to control the operation of the entire processor. The signal processing timing of each circuit follows the synchronization signal output from the timing generator 26.

  The illumination optical system 40 includes a rotator 42 and a drive unit 44 and is rotatable about a shaft. The illumination optical system 40 guides the white light from the first lamp 32 and the special light emitted from the FP resonator 33 to the light guide incident end 14A. The rotational speed and phase of the rotating body 42 are controlled by the drive unit 44.

  The front panel of the processor 20 is provided with a mode switching unit (not shown) such as a switch for switching the observation mode between the normal observation mode and the special observation mode. When the normal observation mode is selected, the rotator 42 does not rotate, but reflects the white light from the first lamp 32 and guides it to the light guide incident end 14A. On the other hand, when the special observation mode is selected, the rotating body 42 rotates, and the white light from the first lamp 32 and the special light emitted from the FP resonator 33 are alternately guided to the light guide incident end 14A. .

  By irradiating the observation site with two illumination lights alternately, the respective reflected lights are incident on the image sensor 12 alternately. In the image sensor 12, pixel signals for 1 field / frame corresponding to white light and pixel signals for 1 field / frame corresponding to special light are alternately read.

  The image processing circuit 24 alternately generates image signals corresponding to the normal observation image and the special observation image / spectral image based on the respective pixel signals, and outputs them to the monitor 60 while adjusting the timing. As a result, a normal observation image that is a full-color image and a spectral image composed of specific color components are displayed simultaneously.

  Next, alternating irradiation of white light and special light in the special observation mode will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of the light source unit 30 and the illumination optical system 40. 3A and 3B are plan views showing the rotating body 42 of the illumination optical system 40. FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the alternate irradiation of the illumination light by the rotating body.

  As described above, the light source unit 30 includes the first lamp 32 and the second lamp 34 that both emit white light, and the white light from both lamps travels along the optical axes E1 and E2, respectively. The arrangement of the first lamp 32 and the second lamp 34 is determined so that the optical axes E1 and E2 intersect. The optical axis E2 of the second lamp 34 coincides with the optical axis of the light guide incident end 14A, and the optical axis E1 of the first lamp 32 is orthogonal to the optical axis E2 of the second lamp 34.

  The FP resonator 33 is disposed along the optical axis E2. When white light from the second lamp 34 is incident, light in a short wavelength range determined in advance by the resonance action is emitted in the direction of the illumination optical system 40. Here, in order to observe the tissue near the surface layer in the inner wall of the organ, narrow band light of a specific band in the range of 400 to 500 nm is generated as special light.

  The rotating body 42 of the illumination optical system 40 is disposed at a predetermined angle θ in the intersecting region of the optical axes E1 and E2. Here, the optical axes E1 and E2 are both inclined by 45 degrees. The reflected or transmitted white light or special light travels to the light guide incident end 14A along the optical axis E3 coinciding with the optical axis of the light guide incident end 14A.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the rotating body 42 is a disc-shaped optical member that rotates around an axis C in which a reflecting surface 42P partially formed with a mirror 42A is provided on one surface and a light shielding surface 42Q is provided on the opposite side and the back side. It is a member. The rotating body 42 has an opening 42B. Both the mirror 42A and the opening 42B are formed in a semi-annular shape, and have a symmetrical shape and arrangement so as to be opposed to the axis C.

  The optical path XL of white light emitted from the first lamp 32 intersects with the mirror 42A of the inclined rotating body 42, and the size of the cross-sectional area is within the area of the mirror 42A. While the rotating body 42 rotates about the axis C, the mirror 42A and the opening 42B alternately pass through the optical path XL. The lengths of the mirror 42A and the opening 42B along the circumferential direction are substantially the same, and the time for the optical path XL to pass through the mirror 42A and the opening 42B is equal while the rotating body 42 rotates at a constant speed.

  On the other hand, the optical path (not shown here) of special light from the second lamp 34 intersects the light shielding surface 42Q and the opening 42A. The intersecting portion corresponds to the opposite position of the optical path XL of the first lamp 32. As with the white light, while the rotating body 42 rotates at a constant speed, the mirror 42A and the opening 42B alternately pass through the optical path of the special light while the rotating path 42 rotates.

  Further, the rotary body 42 is formed with a semicircular balance adjustment opening 45 and a semi-annular balance adjustment opening 46 so that the position of the center of gravity offset by the influence of the opening 42B coincides with the axis C. Has been. FIG. 3B shows a cross-sectional view of the rotating body 42 along the reflective surface 42P and the light shielding surface 42Q, and the opening 42B and the balance adjustment openings 45 and 46 are shown.

  The rotating body 42 is rotated by a motor 44B (see FIG. 2) of a driving unit 44 attached to the light shielding surface 42Q, and the rotation speed and phase thereof are controlled by the system control circuit 28. The encoder 44A attached along the axis C of the rotating body 42 detects the rotational speed or the rotational position of the rotating body.

  The illumination optical system 40 configured in this way realizes alternate irradiation of white light and special light by the rotation of the rotating body 42. Hereinafter, this illumination control will be described.

  FIG. 4 shows a traveling path of white light and special light when the rotating body 42 is rotating. As described above, the rotating body 42 is positioned so that the mirror 42A / the light shielding surface 42Q and the opening 42B pass through the intersecting region of the white light and the special light during the rotation. Therefore, the special light from the second lamp 34 is shielded by the light shielding surface 42Q while the mirror 42A reflects the white light from the first lamp 32.

  On the other hand, the normal light from the first lamp 32 and the special light from the second lamp 34 pass through the opening 42B as it is while the opening 42B of the rotator 42 passes through the intersection region of the white light and the special light. Pass without changing direction of travel. Therefore, the special light travels as it is along the optical axis E3 to the light guide incident end 14A, while the white light from the first lamp 32 travels outside the light guide incident end 14.

  Since the rotation of the rotator 42 is synchronized with the 1 field / frame readout interval, the white light and the special light are alternately incident on the light guide 14, whereby the 1-field / frame pixel signal corresponding to the white light, One field / frame pixel signal corresponding to the special light is alternately read from the image sensor 12.

  Then, based on the angle detected by the encoder 44A (see FIG. 2) installed on the light-shielding surface side of the rotator 42, the rotation speed is set so that the half rotation of the rotator 42 coincides with one field / frame reading time interval. The phase is adjusted.

  The illumination control in the special observation mode has been described above. However, in the normal observation mode, the white light from the first lamp 32 is reflected by the mirror 42A, and the special light from the FP resonator 33 is shielded. The rotating body 42 is stopped.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the light source unit in which the first lamp 32 that emits white light, the second lamp 34 that emits narrow-band special light, and the FP resonator 33 is provided is provided. The first lamp 32 and the second lamp 34 are installed so that the axes E1 and E2 intersect each other. An illumination optical system 40 including a rotating body 42 having a mirror 42A and an opening 42B formed in a region where the optical axes E1 and E2 intersect with each other is positioned to be inclined with respect to the optical axes E1 and E2.

  While the illumination optical system 40 rotates, the white light is reflected by the mirror 42A while the special light is blocked by the light blocking surface 42Q, and the white light is guided out of the optical path through the opening 42B while the special light is opened. It passes through part 42B. As a result, white light and special light enter the light guide incident end 14A alternately.

  With a simple structure that rotates the disk-shaped optical system, it is possible to irradiate two lights alternately, and since no refractive optical system such as a prism is provided, both lights can be emitted without attenuating the light power. It can be guided to the light guide incident end. Also, the pixel signal readout and signal processing synchronization timing need only control the rotation speed, and accurate illumination can be easily realized.

  Furthermore, since alternate illumination is performed by reflection of white light and transmission of special light, even if there is a limitation on the light intensity of special light due to an FP resonator or the like, the light guide can be used as much light as possible without power loss or scattering. It can be guided to the incident end. As a result, a bright special observation image can be displayed.

  On the other hand, since the motor 44B is installed not on the reflecting surface 42P but on the light shielding surface 42Q, even if the special light irradiates the motor 44B, the white light is not affected and a sufficient space for forming the mirror 42A can be secured. Further, since the mirror 42A and the opening 42B are formed in a semicircular shape that is symmetrical with respect to the axis C, it is possible to easily perform the rotation control in accordance with the one frame / field time interval.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the second embodiment, the configuration of the rotating body is different from that of the first embodiment. About another structure, it is substantially the same as 1st Embodiment.

  FIG. 5 is a plan view of a rotator according to the second embodiment.

  The rotating body 200 has two mirrors 210A and 220A formed on the reflective surface 200P, and further, openings 210B and 220B are formed. The quarter-annular mirror 210A, the opening 210B, and the mirrors 210A and 220A are symmetrically arranged with respect to the axis C.

  While the rotating body 200 is rotating, the mirror 210A, the opening 210B, the mirror 220A, and the opening 220B sequentially pass through the optical path XL of white light one after another. The same applies to special light. The rotation speed of the rotator 200 is adjusted so that the ¼ rotation time matches one field / frame reading interval.

  Thus, by arranging the openings 210B and 220B at symmetrical positions, it becomes possible to make the center of gravity of the rotating body 200 coincide with the axis C, and the balance adjustment opening (as in the first embodiment) There is no need to provide meat removal.

  Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the third embodiment, color filters are partially arranged. About another structure, it is substantially the same as 1st Embodiment.

  FIG. 6 is a plan view of a rotator in the third embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a semi-annular opening 320B, a quarter-annular mirror 320A, and a color filter 330 are disposed on the reflective surface 300P of the rotator 300. The color filter 330 transmits only light in a short wavelength range and narrower than special light. Accordingly, light having a narrower band than the light emitted from the FP resonator 33 enters the light guide incident end as new special light.

  While the rotating body 300 rotates, white light, special light based on the FP resonator 33, and special light based on the color filter 330 are alternately guided to the light guide incident end. The speed of the rotator 300 is adjusted so that ¼ rotation coincides with one field / frame reading time interval.

  In the image sensor 12, pixel signals corresponding to white light, special light based on the FP resonator 33, and special light based on the color filter 330 are alternately read. In the image processing circuit 24, image signals corresponding to these three lights are generated at a predetermined timing.

  Since the observation region can be irradiated with light having a narrower wavelength range than the FP resonator 33, an observation image that clearly displays only a certain region such as a blood vessel existing in the deep wall of the organ can be displayed.

  Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the fourth embodiment, two rotating bodies are provided and a beam splitter is disposed. About another structure, it is substantially the same as 1st Embodiment.

  FIG. 7 is a plan view of an illumination optical system according to the fourth embodiment.

  In the illumination optical system, the rotators 410A and 410B are arranged to face the first lamp 32 and the second lamp 34, respectively, and are positioned perpendicular to the lamp optical axis. The rotating bodies 410A and 415B are formed with semicircular openings 410B and 415A, respectively, but are not provided with a mirror.

  A half mirror 420 is disposed at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the optical axis at a position where the light from the first lamp 32 and the second lamp 34 intersect. The half mirror 420 reflects white light from the first lamp and transmits special light from the second lamp 34 and the FP resonator 33.

  The rotating bodies 410A and 415B rotate with a half-phase phase difference from each other. The rotation control of the rotating bodies 410A and 415B is controlled by a driving mechanism 520 including a single motor 515 and gears.

  While the white light from the first lamp 32 passes through the opening 410B of the rotating body 410A, the special light from the second lamp 34 and the FP resonator 33 is blocked by the surface of the rotating body 42. Therefore, only white light is guided to the light guide incident end. On the other hand, while the special light passes through the opening 410B of the rotating body 410A, the white light is blocked by the rotating body 415B.

  The shape of the rotator and the position of the opening are arbitrary, and other light transmitting members such as glass can be installed in the opening as long as the light intensity can be secured to some extent. Further, the balance adjustment opening may be formed as appropriate. The illumination optical system can be installed not only in an endoscope processor with a light source function as in the embodiment, but also in a light source device independent of the processor.

  The configuration of the light source unit can be appropriately set according to the observation work. Broadband light other than white light may be radiated, and spectral light corresponding to the observation purpose may be radiated in the special light band corresponding to the spectral image. It is also possible to use a light source other than the discharge lamp, and the special light may be directly irradiated using a laser beam or the like, and a light source unit capable of emitting light of a plurality of wavelengths from one light source is used. It is also possible. Furthermore, configurations other than the embodiment are possible for the tilt angle and tilt arrangement of the rotating body.

10 Videoscope 12 Image sensor (Image sensor)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 Light guide 14A Light guide entrance end 20 Processor 24 Image processing circuit 30 Light source part 32 1st lamp | ramp (1st light source)
33 FP resonator (second light source)
34 Second lamp (second light source)
40 Illumination optical system 42 Rotating body 42A Mirror 42B Opening (transmission part)
42P Reflective surface 42Q Light-shielding surface 44 Drive unit 44A Encoder (detection unit)
44B Motor (actuator)
45, 46 Balance adjustment opening 330 Color filter

The processor of the endoscope apparatus of the present invention includes an illumination optical system and an image processing unit, and the illumination optical systems have different wavelength ranges, and one of the first light and the second light intersecting each other. A rotating body capable of rotating about an axis having a reflecting surface on which a mirror on which light is incident is formed, a light shielding surface formed on the back side of the reflecting surface on which the other light is shielded, and a transmission part through which the first and second light passes. And a drive unit that rotates the rotating body. The image processing unit can generate a first image corresponding to the first light and a second image corresponding to the second light. For example, the image processing unit includes the first image and the second image. Are generated alternately. The illumination optical system can further be provided with an optical filter. An endoscope apparatus according to the present invention is an endoscope apparatus including the processor of the endoscope apparatus and a scope. For example, the scope includes a CMOS image sensor, and the scope images an organ inner wall. Is possible.

An endoscope apparatus that is one embodiment of the present invention can generate a spectral image together with an observation image that is a normal color image, and can generate light having a broad spectrum (hereinafter referred to as normal light) and a narrow-band spectrum. And a light source unit that irradiates the light (hereinafter referred to as special light) in different directions so as to cross each other. Here, “normal light having a broadband spectrum” represents light having a continuous spectrum in a relatively wide wavelength range within the visible light band. For example, white light having a spectrum over the entire visible light band can be applied. On the other hand, “special light having a narrow-band spectrum” indicates light having a spectrum in a narrower wavelength range than normal light, and is irradiated on an observation image to obtain a spectral image. For example, light in a short wavelength range or a long wavelength range is applicable.

Claims (17)

A light source unit that irradiates normal light having a broadband spectrum and special light having a narrow band spectrum in different directions so as to cross each other;
A reflection surface formed with a mirror on which one of normal light and special light is incident; a light-shielding surface formed on the back side of the reflection surface on which the other light is blocked; and a transmission part through which normal light and special light pass An illumination optical system having a rotatable axis;
Based on a series of pixel signals read from an image sensor provided at the distal end of the scope, the image processing means for generating a normal observation image according to normal light and a special observation image according to special light,
The illumination optical system alternately guides normal light and special light toward a light guide incident end provided in a scope by reflection of light by the mirror and transmission of light by the transmission unit during rotation. Endoscope device.   The illumination optical system is arranged to be inclined with respect to the traveling direction of one light so that the one light reflected by the mirror travels along the optical path of the other light passing through the transmission portion. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1. The light source unit includes a first light source that emits white light and a second light source that emits special light;
The endoscope apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the illumination optical system is inclined so that an optical axis of one light source coincides with an optical axis of the other light by the mirror.   The endoscope apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the illumination optical system is arranged so that normal light is incident on the reflection surface and special light is incident on the light-shielding surface.   5. The mirror and the transmission part are formed around the rotation axis of the illumination optical system so that the passage paths of normal light and special light during rotation are equal. The endoscope apparatus according to any one of the above.   The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the illumination optical system includes a disk-shaped rotating body.   The endoscope apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the mirror and the transmission portion are alternately arranged along a circumferential direction of the rotating body.   The endoscope apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the illumination optical system includes an optical filter that transmits only light in a narrower wavelength range than the wavelength range of special light. The illumination optical system includes an actuator that rotates the illumination optical system, and a detection unit that detects a rotation speed or a rotation position of the illumination optical system,
The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the driving unit is disposed on the light shielding surface.   The endoscope apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the illumination optical system includes a balance adjustment opening that makes the position of the center of gravity coincide with the rotation axis.   The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission part has an opening.   The light source unit includes a white light source that emits white light having a spectrum over the entire visible light range, and a spectroscopic optical element that emits special light having a specific narrow-band spectrum based on the incident white light. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the endoscope apparatus is provided.   The endoscope apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the spectroscopic optical element includes an FP (Fabry-Perot) resonator. A reflective surface formed with a mirror on which one of the first light and the second light intersecting each other has a different wavelength range, and a light shielding surface formed on the back side of the reflective surface where the other light is shielded A rotating body capable of rotating an axis having a transmission part through which the first and second light passes;
An endoscope illumination optical system comprising: a drive unit that rotates the illumination optical system.   The illumination optical system is arranged to be inclined with respect to the traveling direction of one light so that the one light reflected by the mirror travels along the optical path of the other light passing through the transmission portion. The endoscope illumination optical system according to claim 14.   16. The endoscope illumination optical system according to claim 14, wherein the driving unit is provided on the light shielding surface.   17. The endoscope illumination optical system according to claim 14, wherein the transmission part has an opening.

Images