JP2016214381A - Endoscope apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope apparatus capable of supplying a stable voltage to the tip even when insertion parts of different lengths are used changeably.SOLUTION: An endoscope apparatus includes a slim insertion part 3 in which an imager 11 is provided to a tip part 2, and a body part 4 having a body part power source 46 for supplying power to the tip part 2. The tip part 2 includes a tip part power source 18 for supplying power supplied from the body part power source 46 to the imager 11, and a communication control voltage monitoring part 17 for monitoring the voltage of the power supplied to the tip part power source 18 and outputting a voltage monitoring result. The body part 4 includes a system control part 45 for adjusting the power supplied from the body part power source 46 on the basis of the voltage monitoring result. The insertion part 3 includes a wire 33 for transmitting the power, and an optical fiber 31 for transmitting a video signal, and the voltage monitoring result is transmitted with the use of the optical fiber 31.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus, and more particularly to an endoscope apparatus capable of adjusting the voltage of an endoscope body.

  Conventionally, by observing an observation site such as an organ in a body cavity by inserting an elongated insertion portion into a body cavity, or using a treatment instrument inserted into a treatment instrument channel provided in the insertion section as necessary, 2. Description of the Related Art Medical endoscopes that can perform various treatments on a target site in a body cavity are widely used. Endoscopes are widely used not only for medical purposes but also in the industrial field for observation and inspection of observation sites such as boilers, turbines, engines, and chemical plants.

  Thus, as endoscopes used in medical and industrial applications, electronic endoscopes in which an imaging element such as a CCD that photoelectrically converts an optical image into an image signal is provided in the distal end portion of an insertion portion are well known. It is. As described above, in an electronic endoscope, generally, various sensors for detecting the state of the distal end, such as the rotation angle and temperature of the distal end, are provided at the distal end of the insertion portion. .

  In such an endoscope, an electric wire that is an elongated conductor inserted into the insertion portion from the power source installed in the endoscope apparatus main body to the imaging device or sensor provided at the distal end portion of the insertion portion. (See, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

JP 2012-110490 A JP 2012-1000088 A1

  In an endoscope apparatus, in order to be able to cope with various inspection objects, an elongated insertion part can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body, and an optimal insertion part can be exchanged and used depending on the inspection object. It has been demanded. In such a case, the length of the electric wire from the power source installed in the apparatus main body to the image sensor or sensor located at the distal end of the insertion unit changes depending on the length of the insertion unit to be used for replacement. Along with this, the resistance value of the electric wire fluctuates.

  For this reason, the longer the insertion portion, the greater the voltage drop due to the influence of the resistance value, making it difficult to supply a desired voltage to the image sensor and sensor from the same power source of the apparatus body. In particular, in an industrial endoscope apparatus used for non-destructive inspection of pipes, etc., there are cases where the total length of the insertion part is replaced by a fairly long one of about several tens of meters. The fluctuation of the voltage is remarkable.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope apparatus that can supply a stable voltage to a distal end portion even when an insertion portion having a different length is exchanged and used.

  An endoscope apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes an insertion portion in which an imaging element that images a subject and generates a video signal is provided at a distal end portion, and a main body power source that supplies power to the distal end portion A main body provided, and the front end is supplied to the image sensor with the power supplied from the main body power, and is supplied from the main power to the front power. A voltage monitoring unit that monitors the voltage of the power and outputs a voltage monitoring result, and the main body unit adjusts the power supplied from the main body power source based on the voltage monitoring result And the insertion unit includes a power transmission path for transmitting the power and a video signal transmission path for transmitting the video signal, and the voltage monitoring result is obtained by using the video signal transmission path. The data is transmitted from the monitoring unit to the power supply voltage adjusting unit.

  According to the endoscope apparatus of the present invention, a stable voltage can be supplied to the distal end portion even if the insertion portion having a different length is used.

The figure which shows an example of a structure of the principal part of the endoscope apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. The flowchart explaining the starting procedure of an endoscope apparatus. The flowchart explaining the procedure which adjusts the power supply voltage of a main body side automatically. The flowchart explaining another procedure which adjusts the power supply voltage of a main body side automatically. The flowchart explaining the procedure which adjusts a communication parameter automatically. The figure which shows another example of a structure of the principal part of the endoscope apparatus which concerns on this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a main part of the endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes an endoscope distal end portion 2, an endoscope insertion portion 3, an endoscope main body portion 4, a monitor 5, and an operation unit. 6.

  The endoscope distal end portion 2 includes an objective lens 10a that captures an image of a subject, and a first imager 11a such as a CCD or a CMOS as an image sensor that photoelectrically converts an object image captured by the objective lens 10a to generate an imaging signal. I have. For example, when a direct-view image of a subject is acquired by the objective lens 10a and the first imager 11a, in order to acquire a side-view image, another object lens 10b and a subject image captured by the objective lens 10b are photoelectrically converted. A second imager 11 b such as a CCD that generates an imaging signal may be mounted on the endoscope distal end portion 2.

  Further, the endoscope distal end portion 2 includes a gyro sensor 12, an acceleration sensor 13, a temperature sensor 14, and an LED 15 as an illumination unit.

  The gyro sensor 12 detects the angular velocity in the triaxial direction of the endoscope distal end portion 2 corresponding to the displacement amount of the endoscope distal end portion 2 at any time, and outputs it as angular velocity information. The acceleration sensor 13 detects the acceleration in the triaxial direction of the endoscope distal end portion 2 corresponding to the displacement amount of the endoscope distal end portion 2 as needed, and outputs it as acceleration information. The temperature sensor 14 measures the temperature of the endoscope distal end 2 and outputs it as temperature information. The LED 15 is configured to emit illumination light for illuminating a subject in accordance with an illumination power supply signal output from the illumination circuit 47 of the endoscope body 4.

  In addition, the kind of sensor arrange | positioned at the endoscope front-end | tip part 2 is not limited to the gyro sensor 12, the acceleration sensor 13, and the temperature sensor 14 mentioned above, For example, the triangulation method, the TOF method, etc. were used. A distance sensor, an ultrasonic sensor that measures the distance between the distal end portion of the endoscope 2 and the subject, a thermosensor that measures the surface temperature of the subject, and the like may be arranged. A microphone or the like may be arranged.

  Furthermore, the endoscope distal end portion 2 is provided with a superimposition processing portion 16, a communication control voltage monitoring portion 17, a distal end power source 18, and an optical module 19.

  The superimposition processing unit 16 outputs a video signal input in parallel from the first imager 11a and the second imager 11b and various sensor data and voltage values input from the communication control voltage monitoring unit 17 to one transmission line. Serialized for output to the optical module 19 and output to the optical module 19.

  The communication control voltage monitoring unit 17 as a voltage monitoring unit controls the exchange of data between the endoscope main body 4 and the endoscope distal end 2 or from the endoscope main body 4 to the endoscope distal end. 2 to monitor the voltage of the power supplied to 2. Specifically, the control of data exchange between the endoscope main body 4 and the endoscope distal end 2 is performed by receiving a control command signal input from the endoscope main body 4, In accordance with the instruction content, the control content is instructed to a predetermined sensor or imager, and various sensor data (angular velocity information, acceleration information, temperature information) input from the gyro sensor 12, the acceleration sensor 13, and the temperature sensor 14 are endoscopes. The sensor data is output to the superimposition processing unit 16 for transmission to the main body unit 4.

Further, the monitoring of the voltage of the power supplied from the endoscope main body 4 to the endoscope distal end 2 is specifically performed by measuring the voltage V ₁ on the entrance side of the distal end power supply 18 to determine the endoscope main body. In order to transmit to the unit 4, the measured voltage value is output to the superimposition processing unit 16.

  The communication between the communication control voltage monitoring unit 17 and various sensors (gyro sensor 12, acceleration sensor 13, temperature sensor 14) and imagers (first imager 11a, second imager 11b) is, for example, many pairs. 1 is performed by I2C communication capable of serial communication.

  The distal end power supply 18 receives a power signal from the main body power supply 46 mounted on the endoscope main body 4 and supplies power to each part of the endoscope distal end 2. Since it is desirable to supply a constant voltage to each part of the endoscope distal end portion 2, a regulator is generally used for the distal end power source 18.

  The optical module 19 converts an electrical signal such as a video signal or sensor data input from the superimposition processing unit 16 into an optical signal and outputs the optical signal to the endoscope body unit 4.

The endoscope insertion portion 3 has a long, substantially cylindrical shape having flexibility, and performs data transmission between the endoscope distal end portion 2 and the endoscope main body portion 4. The endoscope insertion portion 3 is provided with an optical fiber 31 as a video signal transmission path that connects between the optical module 19 of the endoscope distal end portion 2 and the optical module 41 of the endoscope main body portion 4. Yes. Through the optical fiber 31, a video signal, various sensor data, and a voltage V ₁ of the tip power source 18 are transmitted from the endoscope tip 2 to the endoscope body 4.

  Further, the endoscope insertion unit 3 includes an electric wire 32 for transmitting a control command signal from the endoscope body 4 to various sensors and imagers of the endoscope tip 2, and the endoscope body 4. The main body power supply 46 transmits an electric power signal to the distal end power supply 18 of the endoscope distal end 2 and the endoscope tip from the electric wire 33 as a power transmission path or the illumination circuit 47 of the endoscope main body 4. An electric wire for transmitting an illumination power signal is also laid on the LED 15 of the section 2.

  The endoscope main body 4 includes an optical module 41, a separation processing unit 42, an imaging circuit 43, a driver 44, a system control unit 45, a main body power supply 46, and an illumination circuit 47. It is configured.

The optical module 41 receives optical signals (video signals, various sensor data, and the voltage value V1 of the tip power supply 18) input from the optical module 19 disposed at the endoscope tip 2 via the optical fiber 31. It is converted into an electrical signal and output to the separation processing unit 42. Separation processing unit 42, serialized video signals, various types of sensor data, and the voltages V ₁ deserializes the superimposition processing unit 16 is separated into individual data. Then, the separated video signal is output to the imaging circuit 43. Further, the sensor data and the voltage V ₁ after separation processing are output to the system control unit 45.

  The imaging circuit 43 converts the video signal input from the separation processing unit 42 into a format that can be displayed on the monitor 5, and outputs the video signal to the monitor 5. Note that the imaging circuit 43 may perform various types of image processing on the input video signal as necessary, such as gamma correction processing, edge enhancement processing, and digital zoom processing.

  Based on various operation instructions input from the operation unit 6 and various sensor data input from the separation processing unit 42, the system control unit 45 performs various sensors (gyro sensor 12, gyro sensor 12, A control command signal is generated and output to the acceleration sensor 13 and the temperature sensor 14) and the imager (the first imager 11a and the second imager 11b). The control command signal output from the system control unit 45 is input to the communication control voltage monitoring unit 17 of the endoscope distal end portion 2 via the driver 44 and the electric wire 32 laid in the endoscope insertion unit 3. The

In addition, the system control unit 45 as a power supply voltage adjusting unit generates a power supply voltage V ₀ to be supplied to the endoscope distal end portion 2 to the main body power supply 46 based on the voltage V ₁ input from the separation processing unit 42. Instruct.

The main body power supply 46 supplies power to each part of the endoscope main body 4. Further, the voltage V ₀ instructed by the system control unit 45 is supplied to the distal end power source 18 of the endoscope distal end portion 2. The illumination circuit 47 is a circuit that supplies power for driving the LED 15 of the endoscope distal end portion 2.

  The monitor 5 includes an LCD (liquid crystal display) and the like, and displays a video signal of a subject output from the imaging circuit 43 and the like.

  The operation unit 6 includes, for example, a graphical user interface (GUI) composed of a touch panel and button display, a keyboard, and the like, and a user inputs control instructions to each part of the endoscope distal end portion 2 from the GUI. Then, the input control instruction content is output to the system control unit 45. The operation unit 6 may be configured as a separate device from the endoscope body 4 or may be configured as an interface integrated with the endoscope body 4.

  Next, the operation at the time of starting the system in the endoscope apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the startup procedure of the endoscope apparatus 1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a procedure for automatically adjusting the power supply voltage on the main body side. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining another procedure for automatically adjusting the power supply voltage on the main body side. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for automatically adjusting communication parameters.

When the system start-up is started, first, the power supply voltage supplied from the main body power supply 46 is automatically adjusted (step S1). A specific procedure of the power supply voltage automatic adjustment in step S1 will be described with reference to FIG.

In the automatic power supply voltage adjustment, first, the main body power supply 46 is turned on (step S11). Then, power is supplied from the main body power supply 46 to the tip power supply 18 through the electric wire 33. The tip power supply 18 supplies the supplied power to the communication control voltage monitoring unit 17. When power is supplied to the communication control voltage monitoring unit 17 and reaches a voltage exceeding a predetermined voltage, the communication control voltage monitoring unit 17 is automatically activated and initialized. The communication control voltage monitoring unit 17 measures the voltage _{V 1} of the entry side of the tip supply 18, is stored as the voltage _{V 10} at startup communication control voltage monitoring unit 17 (step S12).

Next, only one sensor (or imager) subject to voltage measurement is selected and activated from the sensors and imagers supplied with power from the tip power supply 18 (step S13). For example, as shown in FIG. 1, power is supplied from a tip power supply 18 to the first imager 11 a, the second imager 11 b, the gyro sensor 12, the acceleration sensor 13, and the temperature sensor 14, and the imager. First, the first imager 11a is selected as a voltage measurement target and activated. Subsequently, the communication control voltage monitoring unit 17 measures the voltage V ₁ of the entry side of the tip supply 18, selected sensor (or imager) is stored as the voltage V ₁₁ at startup (step S14).

For all sensors and imagers to which power is supplied from the tip power supply 18, if the startup voltage measurement has not been completed (step S15, NO), the process returns to step S13, and the sensors (or imagers for which voltage measurement has not been completed). ) one selected by activating the sensor (or imager) to be measured from, to measure the voltage V ₁ of the entry side of the tip supply 18, selected sensor (or imager) voltage V _1n startup _(although , N are stored as 1 to a natural number up to the number of sensors and imagers supplied with power from the tip power supply 18 (step S14). That is, the selection of the voltage measurement object in step S13 and the set of voltage measurement in step S14 are executed by the number of sensors and imagers to which power is supplied from the tip power supply 18. For example, when the endoscope apparatus 1 is configured as shown in FIG. 1, since there are five sensors and imagers to which power is supplied from the distal end power supply 18, the set of step S13 and step S14 is repeated five times. Executed. Then, five voltage values of V ₁₁ , V ₁₂ , V ₁₃ , V ₁₄ , and V ₁₅ are acquired as voltages at the time of starting each sensor and the imager.

When voltage measurement has been completed for all sensors and imagers to which power is supplied from the tip power source 18 (step S15, YES), the process proceeds to step S16, where the communication control voltage monitoring unit 17 When the sensors and imagers to which power is supplied from all are activated, the total voltage drop ΔV _all on the input side of the tip power supply 18 is estimated. Here, the total voltage drop amount ΔV _all is estimated as the sum of the voltage drop amounts when the individual sensors (or imagers) are activated. That is, the voltage when only one sensor (or imager) is activated is V ₁₁ , V ₁₂ , V ₁₃ , V ₁₄ , V ₁₅ , and the voltage when none of the sensors (or imagers) are activated. there therefore is _{V 10,} the total amount of voltage drop [Delta] V _{all is, (V 10 -V 11) +} (V 10 -V 12) + (V 10 -V 13) + (V 10 -V 14) + (V 10 It is estimated as the calculation result of the -V _15).

Next, the communication control voltage monitoring unit 17 transmits the total voltage drop amount ΔV _all estimated in step S16 to the endoscope body 4 (step S17). The total voltage drop amount ΔV _all is transmitted from the communication control voltage monitoring unit 17 to the endoscope body 4 via the superimposition processing unit 16, the optical module 19, and the optical fiber 31.

When the optical module 41 receives the total voltage drop amount ΔV _all by the optical module 41, the endoscope body 4 inputs the total voltage drop amount ΔV _all to the system control unit 45 via the separation processing unit 42. Based on the input total voltage drop amount ΔV _all , the system control unit 45 instructs the main body power supply 46 to change the power supply voltage value supplied to the endoscope distal end portion 2 (step S18). Specifically, the change is instructed so that the power supply voltage value V ₀ ′ supplied to the endoscope distal end portion 2 becomes a value obtained by adding the total voltage drop amount ΔV _all to the current power supply voltage value V ₀ . The main body power supply 46 changes the power supply voltage value supplied to the endoscope distal end 2 to a value instructed by the system control unit 45.

As described above, the power supply voltage value V ₀ supplied from the main body power supply 46 to the endoscope distal end portion 2 is obtained from the total voltage drop amount ΔV _all when all the sensors and all imagers are operated at the endoscope distal end portion 2. Is set to a large value, it is possible to prevent abnormal operation and system down due to insufficient voltage in the endoscope distal end portion 2.

Communication control voltage monitoring unit 17, the voltage V ₁ of the entry side of the tip supply 18, to verify that it has been boosted total voltage drop [Delta] V _all content (step S19). Subsequently, the communication control voltage monitoring unit 17 restarts all sensors and imagers to which power is supplied from the tip power source 18 (step S20). When all of the sensors and imagers power is supplied from the tip supply 18 is restarted, the communication control voltage monitoring unit 17, the voltage V ₁ of the entry side of the tip supply 18, were measured and stored in step S12 It is confirmed that the voltage V is ₁₀ or more (step S21). That is, when all sensors and all imagers are actually activated, it is confirmed whether or not a voltage drop larger than the total voltage drop amount ΔV _all estimated in step S16 has occurred.

  When the confirmation of the voltage value is completed, the process proceeds to step S22, where the communication control voltage monitoring unit 17 confirms whether all sensors and imagers supplied with power from the tip power source 18 are operating normally. The fact that the endoscope distal end portion 2 is in a normal state is transmitted to the endoscope main body portion 4. In addition, the communication control voltage monitoring unit 17 stores that the automatic adjustment of the power supply voltage has been completed.

  Finally, when receiving a signal indicating that the endoscope main body unit 4 is in a normal state from the endoscope distal end unit 2, the endoscope main body unit 4 inputs the signal to the system control unit 45. The system control unit 45 stores the fact that the power supply voltage automatic adjustment is finished (step S23). The power supply voltage automatic adjustment in step S1 of FIG.

  In this way, the parts that operate using the power supplied from the main body power supply 46 such as sensors and imagers arranged at the distal end portion 2 of the endoscope are individually operated during operation when the system is started up. The total voltage drop amount when all the sensors and imagers are operated is estimated by the endoscope distal end portion 2. Then, by reporting the estimated total voltage drop amount from the endoscope front end portion 2 to the endoscope main body portion 4, a voltage larger than at least the total voltage drop amount is sent from the main body power supply 46 to the endoscope front end portion. The supply voltage is automatically adjusted by the system control unit 45 so as to be supplied to 2. Thereby, even when the endoscope insertion portion 3 and the endoscope distal end portion 2 are changed, a stable voltage necessary for the operation of the endoscope distal end portion 2 can be reliably supplied.

  In the above-described automatic power supply voltage adjustment procedure, the amount of voltage drop is measured for each sensor or imager. However, a plurality of sensors or imagers can be used as long as they are operable within the supplied voltage range. The voltage drop amount may be measured by operating in combination. For example, the voltage drop amount may be measured by operating the first imager 11a and the second imager 11b simultaneously.

  In the above-described automatic power supply voltage adjustment procedure, the voltage value obtained by adding the total voltage drop at the endoscope distal end 2 to the power supply voltage value initially supplied from the main body power supply 46 is used as a normal operation. Since the power supply voltage is adjusted to the current value, there is a possibility that an excessive voltage is supplied. Therefore, another procedure as shown in FIG. 4 may be used to automatically adjust the power supply voltage to a minimum and stable power supply voltage necessary for the operation of the endoscope distal end portion 2. Hereinafter, another procedure of automatic power supply voltage adjustment will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the main body power supply 46 is turned on (step S41). Then, power is supplied from the main body power supply 46 to the tip power supply 18 through the electric wire 33. The power supply voltage V _{0 at} this time is set to the maximum voltage V _0max when the length of the endoscope insertion portion 3 is the longest length that _{ensures the} operation of the endoscope apparatus 1. The tip power supply 18 supplies the supplied power to the communication control voltage monitoring unit 17. When power is supplied to the communication control voltage monitoring unit 17 and reaches a voltage exceeding a predetermined voltage, the communication control voltage monitoring unit 17 is automatically activated and initialized (step S42).

Next, all sensors and imagers to which power is supplied from the tip power source 18 are activated (step S43). For example, in the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 1, five sensors including a first imager 11 a, a second imager 11 b, a gyro sensor 12, an acceleration sensor 13, and a temperature sensor 14 are supplied with power from the tip power supply 18. Start all imagers. Subsequently, the communication control voltage monitoring unit 17 measures the voltage V ₁ on the input side of the distal end power source 18 and calculates a difference ΔV ₁ from the minimum voltage V _min that is guaranteed to operate at the endoscope distal end 2. Calculate (step S44).

When ΔV ₁ is larger than the allowable error voltage (ΔV _e ) (step S45, YES), it is determined that more than necessary voltage is supplied from the main body power supply 46, and thus the power supply voltage is adjusted. . More specifically, the process proceeds to step S46, the communication control voltage monitoring unit 17, calculated in step S44, the voltage V ₁ of the entry side of all the sensors and imagers startup tip supply 18 in the endoscope tip section 2 The difference ΔV ₁ from the minimum voltage V _min for which the above operation is guaranteed is transmitted to the endoscope body 4 (step S46). The difference ΔV ₁ is transmitted from the communication control voltage monitoring unit 17 to the endoscope body 4 via the superimposition processing unit 16, the optical module 19, and the optical fiber 31.

When receiving the difference ΔV ₁ by the optical module 41, the endoscope main body 4 inputs the difference ΔV ₁ to the system control unit 45 via the separation processing unit 42. The system control unit 45 based on the difference [Delta] V ₁ input, with respect to the main body portion power supply 46, instructing a change of supply source voltage value to the distal end of the endoscope 2 (step S47). Specifically, the change is instructed so that the power supply voltage value V ₀ ′ supplied to the endoscope distal end portion 2 is a value obtained by subtracting the difference ΔV ₁ from the current power supply voltage value V ₀ (= V _0max ). To do. The main body power supply 46 changes the power supply voltage value supplied to the endoscope distal end 2 to a value instructed by the system control unit 45.

Communication control voltage monitoring unit 17, the voltage V ₁ of the entry side of the tip supply 18, to confirm that the stepped down by the difference [Delta] V ₁ (step S48). Subsequently, the communication control voltage monitoring unit 17 recalculates the difference ΔV ₁ between the input side voltage V ₁ of the distal end power source 18 and the minimum voltage V _min for which the operation at the endoscope distal end 2 is guaranteed. Then, it is confirmed that the difference ΔV ₁ is equal to or less than the allowable error voltage (ΔV _e ) (step S49), and the process proceeds to step S50.

As described above, when the power supply voltage value V ₀ supplied from the main body power supply 46 to the endoscope distal end portion 2 is operated by all the sensors and all imagers at the endoscope distal end portion 2, the distal end power supply 18 is turned on. By setting the value so that the voltage V ₁ on the side falls within the allowable error voltage (ΔV _e ) range, while preventing an abnormal operation or system down due to insufficient voltage at the endoscope distal end portion 2, Application of a useless voltage to the endoscope distal end portion 2 can be suppressed.

On the other hand, when the difference ΔV ₁ is equal to or less than the allowable error voltage (ΔV _e ) in step S45 (NO in step S45), the power supply voltage is sufficiently low and adjustment of the voltage value is not necessary. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S50.

  In step S50, the communication control voltage monitoring unit 17 confirms whether all sensors and imagers to which power is supplied from the tip power supply 18 are operating normally, and The fact that the endoscope distal end portion 2 is in a normal state is transmitted. In addition, the communication control voltage monitoring unit 17 stores that the automatic adjustment of the power supply voltage has been completed.

  Finally, when receiving a signal indicating that the endoscope main body unit 4 is in a normal state from the endoscope distal end unit 2, the endoscope main body unit 4 inputs the signal to the system control unit 45. The system control unit 45 stores the fact that the power supply voltage automatic adjustment has been completed (step S51). The power supply voltage automatic adjustment in step S1 of FIG.

  When step S1 is completed in the procedure of FIG. 2, the communication parameters are then automatically adjusted (step S2). A specific procedure for automatically adjusting communication parameters in step S2 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the communication control voltage monitoring unit 17 instructs the endoscope main body unit 4 via the optical fiber 31 to start adjustment of communication parameters (step S31). When receiving the start instruction, the endoscope body 4 inputs the instruction to the system control unit 45. The system control unit 45 sets communication parameters used for various control instructions to the communication control voltage monitoring unit 17 to initial values registered in advance (step S32).

  Next, the system control unit 45 transmits a pulse waveform to the communication control voltage monitoring unit 17 through the driver 44 for a predetermined time (step S33). The communication control voltage monitoring unit 17 checks the received pulse waveform, and checks the period (f), threshold value (Vth), and pulse height (ΔV) (step S34). When the pulse waveform is distorted, the pulse height is not aligned between on and off, or the wavelength is not appropriate (step S34, NO), the communication control voltage monitoring unit 17 is the endoscope body unit. 4 is requested to change the communication parameter. Note that signal transmission from the communication control voltage monitoring unit 17 to the endoscope body unit 4 such as a request for changing a communication parameter is performed by optical communication via the optical fiber 31. When receiving a request for changing a communication parameter, the endoscope main body 4 inputs the request to the system control unit 45. The system control unit 45 changes the communication parameter according to the input request content (step S35), and transmits a pulse waveform to the communication control voltage monitoring unit 17 via the driver 44 (step S33).

  On the other hand, when the communication control voltage monitoring unit 17 determines that the received pulse waveform is a waveform that can be sufficiently used for communication of the control command signal (YES in step S34), the communication control voltage monitoring unit 17 Then, a request for changing to the normal communication mode is output to the endoscope main body unit 4 to finish the automatic parameter adjustment (step S36). When receiving a request for changing the normal communication mode, the endoscope main body 4 inputs the request to the system control unit 45. Finally, when receiving the request, the system control unit 45 shifts to a normal communication state (step S37). The communication parameter automatic adjustment in step S2 of FIG. 2 is executed by the above series of procedures.

  When the automatic adjustment of the power supply voltage (step S1) and the automatic adjustment of communication parameters (step S2) are completed, the system is finally activated (step S3), and a series of procedures for starting up the endoscope apparatus 1 is performed. finish.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the endoscope apparatus 1 is started up, the main body power supply 46 such as sensors and imagers arranged at the endoscope distal end portion 2 prior to system activation is provided. The voltage drop amount is measured for the part that operates using the power source supplied from the terminal. By reporting the measured value (or estimated value) of the total voltage drop when all sensors and imagers are operated from the endoscope distal end 2 to the endoscope body 4, at least the total voltage drop The supply voltage is automatically adjusted by the system controller 45 so that a larger voltage is supplied from the main body power supply 46 to the endoscope distal end portion 2. Thereby, even when the endoscope insertion portion 3 and the endoscope distal end portion 2 are changed, a stable voltage necessary for the operation of the endoscope distal end portion 2 can be reliably supplied.

  In addition, since communication from the communication control voltage monitoring unit 17 to the system control unit 45 can perform stable communication by using optical communication via the optical fiber 31, not only automatic adjustment of the power supply voltage but also the system control unit The communication parameter of the control command signal from 45 to the communication control voltage monitoring unit 17 can also be automatically adjusted when the system is started.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another example of the configuration of the main part of the endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment. In the above-described embodiment described with reference to FIG. 1, the control command signal and the power signal are communicated between the endoscope main body 4 and the endoscope distal end 2 using separate electric wires 32 and 33. However, as shown in FIG. 6, a single electric wire 32 ′ may be used in common for communication. 1 differs from the configuration of FIG. 1 in that the main body power supply 46 ′ has not only a power supply function but also a superposition circuit for superimposing the communication signal and the power supply signal, and the communication control voltage monitoring unit 17 ′ communicates. It also has a separation function. Other components are the same as those shown in FIG.

  Thus, since the number of electric wires arranged in the endoscope insertion portion 3 is reduced by communicating the control command signal and the power supply signal with one electric wire 32 ′, the endoscope insertion portion 3 can be further updated. The diameter can be reduced.

  Each “unit” in this specification is a conceptual one corresponding to each function of the embodiment, and does not necessarily correspond to a specific hardware or software routine on a one-to-one basis. Therefore, in the present specification, the embodiment has been described assuming a virtual circuit block (unit) having each function of the embodiment. In addition, each step of each procedure in the present embodiment may be executed in a different order for each execution by changing the execution order and performing a plurality of steps at the same time, as long as it does not contradict its nature. Furthermore, all or part of each step of each procedure in the present embodiment may be realized by hardware.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are illustrated by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope apparatus, 2 ... End-of-endoscope part, 3 ... Endoscope insertion part, 4 ... Endoscope main-body part, 5 ... Monitor, 6 ... Operation part, 10a, 10b ... Objective lens, 11a, 11b DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Imager, 12 ... Gyro sensor, 13 ... Acceleration sensor, 14 ... Temperature sensor, 15 ... LED, 16 ... Superimposition processing part, 17 ... Communication control voltage monitoring part, 18 ... Tip part power supply, 19, 41 ... Optical module, 31 ... Optical fiber, 32, 33 ... Electric wire, 42 ... Separation processing part, 43 ... Imaging circuit, 44 ... Driver, 45 ... System control part, 46 ... Main part power supply, 47 ... Lighting circuit,

Claims (5)

An insertion portion provided with an imaging element at the distal end for imaging a subject and generating a video signal;
A main body provided with a main body power supply for supplying power to the tip, and
The distal end portion monitors the voltage of the power supplied from the main body portion power supply to the distal end portion power source by supplying the power supplied from the main body portion power source to the imaging element, and the voltage monitoring result A voltage monitoring unit that outputs
The main body has a power supply voltage adjustment unit that adjusts the power supplied from the main body power supply based on the voltage monitoring result,
The insertion unit has a power transmission path for transmitting the power and a video signal transmission path for transmitting the video signal,
The endoscopic apparatus, wherein the voltage monitoring result is transmitted from the voltage monitoring unit to the power supply voltage adjusting unit using the video signal transmission path.   The tip has a sensor that detects a state of the tip and outputs a detection result signal, and the tip power supply supplies the power supplied from the main body power to the sensor. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1. The tip portion has a communication waveform detection unit that monitors a communication waveform of a control command signal input to the imaging element or the sensor from the main body unit and outputs a communication waveform monitoring result,
The main body has a communication waveform adjustment unit that adjusts parameters of the communication waveform of the control command signal based on the communication waveform monitoring result,
The endoscope apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the communication waveform monitoring result is transmitted from the voltage monitoring unit to the power supply voltage adjusting unit using the video signal transmission path.   The main body unit includes a superimposing processing unit that superimposes the power and the control command signal to convert them into a serial signal, and the tip unit separates the serial signal into the power and the control command signal The endoscope apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a processing unit, wherein the serial signal is transmitted from the main body unit to the distal end unit using the power transmission path.   The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the video signal transmission path is an optical fiber.

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