JP2020103368A - Endoscope, endoscope device, endoscope diagnostic method, and endoscope diagnostic program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an endoscope, an endoscope device, an endoscope diagnostic method, and an endoscope diagnostic program capable of detecting performance deterioration in an image pickup device.SOLUTION: An endoscope device includes an endoscope including an imaging unit provided in the tip part. The imaging unit includes an image pickup device including a pixel part for converting received light into a voltage signal, a signal processing part for converting the voltage signal into a digital signal, and an information addition unit for adding information for error detection to the digital signal and outputting it as output data, and a humidity sensor. The endoscope device includes an error detection unit 28A for detecting that an error is occurring in the digital signal based on the output data, and a diagnostic processing unit 28C for diagnosing a state of the image pickup device based on humidity information detected by the humidity sensor and information on the error detected by the error detection unit 28A.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to an endoscope, an endoscope apparatus, an endoscope diagnosis method, and an endoscope diagnosis program.

Generally, an endoscope employs an airtight or watertight structure in order to protect the internal components. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of monitoring the humidity inside the endoscope by a humidity sensor and determining whether or not the watertightness is lowered according to the monitoring result. Patent Document 2 discloses a technique in which an image pickup element and a humidity sensor are provided on a substrate built in the tip of the insertion portion, and the information of the humidity sensor is used to detect whether or not moisture has entered the tip of the insertion portion. There is.

JP, 2007-244794, A JP, 2013-118937, A

If liquid enters the part where the watertightness of the endoscope should be maintained, the liquid may be affected by gravity and accumulate at the tip of the insertion part when the endoscope is hung on a hanger rack. become. An image sensor is provided at the tip of the insertion section. For this reason, if the humidity inside the tip portion becomes high due to this liquid, the quality of the captured image captured by the image sensor may deteriorate.

As described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, although it is possible to detect that the watertightness is deteriorated only by the humidity information detected by the humidity sensor, what kind of trouble occurs due to the watertightness decrease. I can't know until.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an endoscope capable of detecting a deterioration in performance of an image pickup element provided at a distal end portion, an endoscope apparatus including the endoscope, and an endoscope. It is an object of the present invention to provide a diagnostic method for the above and a diagnostic program for an endoscope.

An endoscopic device of the present invention is an endoscopic device having an endoscope including an imaging unit provided in a distal end portion of an insertion unit, wherein the imaging unit is a pixel that converts received light into a voltage signal. A portion, a conversion portion for converting the voltage signal into a digital signal, and an information addition portion for adding error detection information to the digital signal and outputting it as output data. A humidity sensor provided, an error detection section that receives the output data, and detects that an error has occurred in the digital signal based on the output data, and the tip section detected by the humidity sensor A diagnostic processing unit for diagnosing the state of the image sensor based on internal humidity information and information on the error detected by the error detection unit is provided.

An endoscope of the present invention is an endoscope including an imaging unit provided in a distal end portion of an insertion unit, wherein the imaging unit converts the received light into a voltage signal and a voltage signal. A humidity sensor provided in the tip portion, which has an image sensor including a conversion unit for converting into a digital signal and an information addition unit for adding error detection information to the digital signal and outputting as output data. Upon receiving the output data, based on the output data, an error detection unit that detects that an error has occurred in the digital signal, humidity information inside the tip portion detected by the humidity sensor, and the And a diagnostic processing unit for diagnosing the state of the image sensor based on the error information detected by the error detection unit.

The diagnostic method for an endoscope of the present invention is a diagnostic method for an endoscope including an image capturing section provided in a distal end portion of an insertion section, wherein the image capturing section converts a received light into a voltage signal. And an information adding section for converting the voltage signal into a digital signal and an information adding section for adding error detection information to the digital signal and outputting it as output data, and receiving the output data. Then, based on the output data, an error detection step of detecting that an error has occurred in the digital signal, the humidity information inside the tip portion detected by a humidity sensor provided in the tip portion, A diagnostic processing step of diagnosing the state of the image pickup device based on the error information detected by the error detection step.

The diagnostic program for an endoscope of the present invention is a diagnostic program for an endoscope including an image pickup section provided in a distal end portion of an insertion section, wherein the image pickup section converts a received light into a voltage signal. And an information adding section for converting the voltage signal into a digital signal and an information adding section for adding error detection information to the digital signal and outputting it as output data, and receiving the output data. Then, based on the output data, an error detection step of detecting that an error has occurred in the digital signal, the humidity information inside the tip portion detected by a humidity sensor provided in the tip portion, And a diagnostic processing step of diagnosing the state of the image pickup device based on the error information detected by the error detection step.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the endoscope which can detect the performance fall of the image pick-up element provided in the front-end|tip part, the endoscope apparatus provided with this endoscope, the diagnostic method of an endoscope, and the endoscope. A diagnostic program can be provided.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the endoscope apparatus 100 which is one Embodiment of the endoscope apparatus of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the internal structure of the endoscope apparatus 100 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a detailed configuration of an image pickup section 26 of the endoscope device 100 shown in FIG. 2. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the sealing structure of the image sensor 23 and the humidity sensor 24 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing functional blocks of a scope control unit 28 in the endoscope 1 shown in FIG. 2. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a diagnostic operation of the endoscope 1 in the endoscope apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an endoscope apparatus 100 which is an embodiment of the endoscope apparatus of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope device 100 includes an endoscope 1 and a main body 2 including a processor device 4 and a light source device 5 to which the endoscope 1 is connected.

A display unit 7 that displays a captured image and the like, and an input unit 6 that is an interface for inputting various kinds of information to the processor device 4 are connected to the processor device 4. The processor device 4 controls the endoscope 1, the light source device 5, and the display unit 7.

The endoscope 1 is a tubular member that extends in one direction and is inserted into a body cavity as an observation target, and an observation mode switching operation and an imaging record that are continuously provided at the proximal end of the insertion unit 10. An operation section 11 provided with operation members for performing an operation, a forceps operation, an air/water supply operation, a suction operation, an electric scalpel operation, and the like; an angle knob 12 provided adjacent to the operation section 11; A universal cord 13 including connector portions 13A and 13B for detachably connecting the mirror 1 to the light source device 5 and the processor device 4, respectively.

Although omitted in FIG. 1, a treatment instrument such as a biopsy forceps or an electric scalpel, which is a collection tool for collecting living tissue such as cells or polyps, is provided inside the operation section 11 and the insertion section 10. A treatment instrument insertion passage for inserting the treatment instrument is provided.

The insertion portion 10 includes a flexible portion 10A having flexibility, a bending portion 10B provided at the tip of the flexible portion 10A, and a hard tip portion 10C provided at the tip of the bending portion 10B. The tip portion 10C is a portion harder than the flexible portion 10A and the bending portion 10B.

The bending portion 10B is configured to be bendable by rotating the angle knob 12. The bending portion 10B can be bent in an arbitrary direction and an arbitrary angle according to the site of the subject in which the endoscope 1 is used and the like, and the tip portion 10C can be oriented in a desired direction.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an internal configuration of the endoscope apparatus 100 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a detailed configuration of the image pickup unit 26 of the endoscope apparatus 100 shown in FIG.

The light source device 5 includes a light source control unit 51 and a light source unit 52.

The light source unit 52 generates illumination light for illuminating the observation site. The illumination light emitted from the light source unit 52 is incident on the light guide 20 built in the universal cord 13, passes through the illumination lens 20a provided at the distal end portion 10C of the insertion unit 10, and is irradiated to the observation site.

As the light source unit 52, a white light source that emits white light, or a plurality of light sources including a white light source and a light source that emits light of another color (for example, a blue light source that emits blue light) is used. The light emitting element used for the light source in the present specification is, for example, an LD (Laser Diode) or an LED (Light Emitting Diode).

The light source control unit 51 is composed of various processors that execute programs to perform processing, and is connected to the system control unit 44 of the processor device 4. The light source control unit 51 controls the light source unit 52 based on a command from the system control unit 44.

At the distal end portion 10C of the endoscope 1, an imaging optical system including an objective lens 21 and a lens group 22, an imaging unit 26 including an imaging element 23 (see FIG. 3) for imaging a subject through the imaging optical system, and a light source. A light guide 20 for guiding the illumination light emitted from the unit 52 to the illumination lens 20a, and a signal cable 27 for transmitting a signal output from the imaging unit 26 to the processor device 4 are provided.

The light guide 20 extends from the tip portion 10C to the connector portion 13A of the universal cord 13. With the connector portion 13A of the universal cord 13 connected to the light source device 5, the illumination light emitted from the light source portion 52 of the light source device 5 can be supplied to the light guide 20. Specifically, the light guide 20 is an optical fiber bundle that is covered with a covering member in a state in which a plurality of flexible optical fibers (for example, plastic optical fibers) are bundled together. The emitted illumination light is transmitted to the tip portion 10C.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the imaging unit 26 includes an imaging element 23, a humidity sensor 24, and a substrate 25 on which the imaging element 23 and the humidity sensor 24 are formed.

As the image sensor 23, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor is used.

The image pickup device 23 has a pixel portion 23A in which a plurality of pixels including photoelectric conversion elements such as photodiodes are two-dimensionally arranged, and an optical image formed on the pixel portion 23A by the image pickup optical system is formed. Each pixel is converted into a voltage signal (imaging signal). The pixel unit 23A of the image pickup device 23 is equipped with a color filter of, for example, a primary color or a complementary color.

When the light source unit 52 uses white light emitted from a white light source and time-divisionally splits white light by a color filter of a plurality of colors to generate illumination light, the pixel unit 23A of the image sensor 23 includes a color filter. You may use the thing which is not equipped.

The image sensor 23 further includes a signal processing unit 23B that processes the voltage signal output from the pixel of the pixel unit 23A, and an information adding unit 23C.

The signal processing unit 23B performs at least a process of converting a voltage signal output from the pixel of the pixel unit 23A into a digital signal (hereinafter, referred to as a digital pixel signal). The signal processing unit 23B constitutes a conversion unit.

The information adding unit 23C adds error detection information to the digital pixel signal output from the signal processing unit 23B and outputs it as output data to the signal cable 27. The signal cable 27 extends from the tip portion 10C of the insertion portion 10 to the connector portion 13B of the universal cord 13, and is electrically connected to the processor device 4 in a state where the connector portion 13B is connected to the processor device 4. .. The information adding unit 23C is configured by an electric circuit or by a processor executing software.

The error detection information is information for detecting an error in the digital pixel signal output from the image sensor 23, and a code used for error detection of various methods is used. For the error detection information, for example, a code used for CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) or an ECC (error-detecting code) is used. In the following description, it is assumed that the error detection information is a CRC value.

The humidity sensor 24 detects humidity inside the distal end portion 10C of the endoscope 1, in other words, around the image sensor 23, and a resistance type or capacitance type sensor or the like is used. Humidity information detected by the humidity sensor 24 is input to the signal cable 27.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the sealing structure of the image sensor 23 and the humidity sensor 24 shown in FIG. The image pickup device 23 is protected by being covered with a sealing member 23M such as a resin, except for the pixel portion 23A. The humidity sensor 24 is protected by being covered with a sealing member 24M made of resin or the like, except for the moisture sensitive area 24a where the moisture sensitive film is arranged.

Further, although not shown in FIG. 4, the substrate 25 is entirely covered by a sealing member such as resin except for the pixel portion 23A. That is, the humidity sensor 24 is covered with only the sealing member that seals the entire substrate 25 in the moisture sensitive area 24a, and the sealing member that seals the entire substrate 25 in the portion other than the moisture sensitive area 24a. It is configured to be doubly covered with the sealing member 24M.

As shown in FIG. 2, the processor device 4 includes a signal processing unit 42, a display control unit 43, and a system control unit 44.

The signal processing unit 42 receives the digital pixel signal transmitted from the image sensor 23 and processes the digital pixel signal to generate captured image data. The captured image data generated by the signal processing unit 42 is recorded in a recording medium such as a hard disk or a flash memory (not shown).

The display control unit 43 causes the display unit 7 to display a captured image based on the captured image data generated by the signal processing unit 42.

The system control unit 44 controls each unit of the processor device 4 and sends a command to the scope control unit 28 of the endoscope 1 and the light source control unit 51 of the light source device 5 to integrally control the entire endoscope device 100. To do. The system control unit 44 controls the imaging unit 26 via the scope control unit 28, and controls the light source unit 52 via the light source control unit 51.

The system control unit 44 includes various processors that execute programs and perform processing, a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a ROM (Read Only Memory).

As various processors in the present specification, a processor whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacturing such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), which are general-purpose processors that execute programs to perform various processes A programmable electric logic device (PLD), which is the above, or a dedicated electric circuit, which is a processor having a circuit configuration specifically designed to execute a specific process such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), is included. .. More specifically, the structures of these various processors are electric circuits in which circuit elements such as semiconductor elements are combined.

The system control unit 44 may be configured by one of various processors, or a combination of two or more processors of the same type or different types (for example, a combination of a plurality of FPGAs or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). May be done.

A scope controller 28 is provided inside the connector 13</b>B of the universal cord 13. The scope control unit 28 includes the various processors described above, a RAM, and a ROM. The scope control unit 28 is connected to the system control unit 44 of the processor device 4 by wiring inside the connector unit 13B. The scope control unit 28 controls the imaging unit 26 based on a command from the system control unit 44.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the scope control unit 28 in the endoscope 1 shown in FIG.

The processor of the scope control unit 28 executes a program (a program including a diagnostic program for the endoscope) stored in the ROM incorporated in the scope control unit 28, thereby detecting the error detection unit 28A, the error correction unit 28B, and the diagnosis. It functions as the processing unit 28C and the notification control unit 28D.

The error detection unit 28A receives the output data (digital pixel signal+error detection information (CRC value)) transmitted through the signal cable 27, and outputs the image data from the image sensor 23 based on the output data. Detect an error that occurred in the digital pixel signal. When the error detection unit 28A detects an error, the error detection unit 28A stores the error information in the RAM.

The error information includes, for example, the CRC value of the digital pixel signal before output from the image sensor 23 added by the information adding section 23C and the digital value after output from the image sensor 23 calculated by the error detection section 28A. It is represented by the difference from the CRC value of the pixel signal. The difference between the CRC values serves as a numerical index indicating the degree of detected error.

When an error is detected in the digital pixel signal of the output data, the error correction unit 28B performs error correction of the digital pixel signal having the error. The digital pixel signal processed by the error detection unit 28A and the error correction unit 28B is transmitted to the processor device 4. The error correction unit 28B can correct an error if the difference between the CRC values is equal to or less than a predetermined value. In other words, it is impossible to correct an error in which the difference between the CRC values exceeds the predetermined value.

The diagnosis processing unit 28C diagnoses the state of the image sensor 23 based on the humidity information from the humidity sensor 24 transmitted through the signal cable 27 and the error information detected by the error detection unit 28A.

Specifically, the diagnosis processing unit 28C, when the error information (difference in CRC value) is equal to or greater than a predetermined first threshold value and the humidity information is equal to or greater than a predetermined second threshold value, It is diagnosed that the performance of the image sensor 23 has deteriorated.

The first threshold value is set to a value smaller than the upper limit value (the above-mentioned predetermined value) of the degree of error that can be corrected by the error correction unit 28B. The second threshold value is set to a value larger than the humidity when dew condensation occurs inside the distal end portion 10C during normal use of the endoscope 1.

The notification control unit 28D performs the notification process when the diagnosis processing unit 28C diagnoses that the performance degradation of the image sensor 23 has occurred. The notification control unit 28D, for example, via the system control unit 44, a predetermined message (the performance of the image sensor is degraded, the image sensor may be damaged, or the endoscope No. 1) is displayed on the display unit 7 and a notification message is displayed on the display unit 7. The notification control unit 28D may output the message from a speaker (not shown) provided in the endoscope device 100, instead of displaying the message on the display unit 7. Alternatively, the notification control unit 28D may notify the administrator of the endoscope device 100 of the necessity of repair by causing the external electronic device connected to the processor device 4 to transmit the message.

The diagnostic operation of the endoscope 1 in the endoscope apparatus 100 configured as above will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the diagnostic operation of the endoscope 1 in the endoscope apparatus 100.

When the connector sections 13A and 13B of the endoscope 1 are connected to the main body section 2 and the endoscope 1 is energized, the image pickup device 23 starts image pickup under the control of the scope control section 28. The pixel signal generated by the pixel unit 23A of the image pickup device 23 is converted into a digital pixel signal by the signal processing unit 23B, and then error detection information is added to the signal signal 27 and output to the signal cable 27. The error detection information is a first CRC value which is a remainder value obtained by dividing the digital pixel signal by a predetermined value.

When the output of the output data from the image pickup device 23 to the signal cable 27 is started, the error detection unit 28A detects an error based on the output data. Specifically, the error detection unit 28A calculates a second CRC value that is a remainder value obtained by dividing the digital pixel signal included in the output data by the above-mentioned predetermined value, and calculates the second CRC value from the second CRC value. Then, the first CRC value included in this output data is subtracted to calculate the CRC difference value (corresponding to the increase amount of the CRC value).

The diagnosis processing unit 28C acquires the CRC difference value from the error detection unit 28A (step S1) and determines whether or not this CRC difference value is equal to or larger than the first threshold value (step S2). If the CRC difference value is less than the first threshold value (step S2: NO), the diagnosis processing unit 28C returns the process to step S1.

When the CRC difference value is equal to or more than the first threshold value (step S2: YES), the diagnosis processing unit 28C acquires the humidity information from the humidity sensor 24 (step S3) and determines whether the humidity is equal to or more than the second threshold value. It is determined whether or not (step S4). 28 C of diagnostic processing parts return a process to step S1 when humidity is less than a 2nd threshold value (step S4: NO).

When the humidity is equal to or higher than the second threshold value (step S4: YES), the diagnosis processing unit 28C diagnoses that the performance of the image pickup device 23 is degraded (step S5). Then, the notification control unit 28D performs the notification process (step S6). The above operation is repeated during the operation of the image sensor 23.

As described above, according to the endoscope device 100, when the performance of the image pickup device 23 deteriorates as a result of moisture entering the endoscope 1 and the humidity inside the distal end portion 10C increasing, Can be detected. Although it is possible to detect that the watertightness of the endoscope 1 is deteriorated only by the humidity information inside the distal end portion 10C, it is not possible to know what kind of trouble is caused by the watertightness decrease. According to the endoscope apparatus 100, not only the humidity inside the distal end portion 10C but also the occurrence status of an error when the digital pixel signal is output from the image sensor 23 is taken into consideration to diagnose the state of the image sensor 23. Therefore, it is possible to specify a specific abnormality content such as a performance deterioration of the image pickup device 23 due to the deterioration of the watertightness.

Further, according to the endoscope apparatus 100, the first threshold value to be compared with the CRC difference value indicating the degree of the error that has occurred is the CRC difference value indicating the degree of the error that enables the error correction unit 28B to correct the error. It is set to a value smaller than the upper limit. Therefore, even if the determinations in step S2 and step S4 are both YES, if the error is small, the error itself that has occurred in the digital pixel signal can be corrected.

As described above, according to the endoscope apparatus 100, it is possible to detect the performance degradation of the image pickup device 23 at a stage before the image pickup device 23 is damaged to the extent that error correction cannot be performed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a serious failure of the endoscope 1, shorten the repair period, and reduce the repair cost. If the CRC difference value is equal to or less than the above upper limit value, the quality of the captured image obtained by capturing with the image sensor 23 is secured. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the examination is interrupted and the endoscope 1 is replaced with another one after the endoscope 1 is inserted into the body cavity. Therefore, it is possible to perform an efficient inspection with a reduced burden on both the inspected person and the inspector.

When the determination in step S4 is YES, the notification control unit 28D determines whether or not the CRC difference value acquired in step S1 exceeds the upper limit value, and this CRC difference value is The content of the notification process may be changed depending on whether the above-mentioned upper limit value is exceeded or the CRC difference value is equal to or less than the above-mentioned upper limit value.

Specifically, when the CRC difference value exceeds the upper limit value, the notification control unit 28D has deteriorated the performance of the image sensor 23 to such an extent that it cannot deal with error correction, that is, immediate repair. Notify that a response is required. On the other hand, when the CRC difference value is less than or equal to the upper limit value, the notification control unit 28D notifies that the performance of the image sensor 23 has deteriorated but continuous use is possible.

As described above, by changing the notification content according to the magnitude of the CRC difference value, as long as the damage to the image sensor 23 due to water is small, the examination is performed even when the endoscope 1 is inserted into the body cavity. Can be continued without interruption. In addition, if the damage to the image pickup device 23 due to moisture is large, it is possible to prohibit the use of the endoscope 1 and prompt repair support.

Further, according to the endoscope apparatus 100, the state of the image pickup device 23 can be diagnosed only by the endoscope 1. Therefore, it is not necessary to improve the processor device 4 and the light source device 5, and the manufacturing cost of the endoscope device 100 can be reduced. Further, even if the endoscope 1 is replaced with a new one, the function can be added to the existing endoscope apparatus, and the versatility can be enhanced.

Further, in the endoscope device 100, as shown in FIG. 4, the humidity sensitive area 24a of the humidity sensor 24 is not covered with the individual sealing member 24M. Therefore, the humidity detection sensitivity can be increased. The moisture sensitive area 24a is covered with a sealing member that seals the entire substrate 25. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the water droplets generated by the dew condensation inside the distal end portion 10C of the endoscope 1 from directly contacting the moisture sensitive area 24a, and it is possible to improve the humidity detection accuracy.

Note that the error detection unit 28A, the error correction unit 28B, the diagnosis processing unit 28C, and the notification control unit 28D of the scope control unit 28 of the endoscope apparatus 100 are configured by the processor of the system control unit 44 executing a program. It may be realized by the control unit 44. With this configuration, the manufacturing cost of the endoscope 1 can be reduced. Further, the diagnosis processing unit 28C of the scope control unit 28 of the endoscope apparatus 100 may be mounted on a computer connected to the main body unit 2 via a network such as the Internet.

Further, in the endoscopic device 100, the error detection unit 28A may be provided inside the distal end portion 10C. Specifically, the error detection unit 28A may be provided between the image sensor 23 and the signal cable 27 on the substrate 25. With this configuration, it is possible to eliminate the influence of a transmission error when the digital pixel signal is transmitted through the signal cable 27, and it is possible to diagnose deterioration in the performance of the image sensor 23 with higher accuracy.

As described above, the following items are disclosed in this specification.

(1)
An endoscope apparatus having an endoscope including an imaging unit provided in a distal end portion of an insertion unit,
The image pickup section includes a pixel section that converts received light into a voltage signal, a conversion section that converts the voltage signal into a digital signal, and information addition that adds error detection information to the digital signal and outputs it as output data. And an imaging device including
A humidity sensor provided in the tip,
An error detection unit that receives the output data and, based on the output data, detects that an error has occurred in the digital signal,
An internal view including a diagnostic processing unit that diagnoses the state of the image sensor based on the humidity information inside the distal end portion detected by the humidity sensor and the error information detected by the error detection unit. Mirror device.

(2)
The endoscope apparatus according to (1),
The diagnostic processing unit, the numerical index indicating the degree of the error detected by the error detection unit is greater than or equal to a predetermined first threshold value, and the humidity information is greater than or equal to a predetermined second threshold value. In this case, an endoscope apparatus for diagnosing that the performance of the image pickup device has deteriorated.

(3)
(2) The endoscope apparatus according to the above item,
An error correction unit is provided that performs a process of correcting the error when it is detected that the error has occurred,
The endoscope device in which the first threshold value is set to a value lower than an upper limit value of the numerical index indicating the degree of the error that can be corrected by the error correction unit.

(4)
The endoscope apparatus according to any one of (1) to (3),
A sealing member for individually sealing the humidity sensor inside the tip portion;
An endoscope apparatus in which the sealing member covers a portion of the humidity sensor excluding a moisture-sensitive area.

(5)
The endoscope apparatus according to any one of (1) to (4),
An endoscope apparatus in which the error detection unit and the diagnosis processing unit are provided in a main body of an endoscope device to which the endoscope is connected.

(6)
The endoscope apparatus according to any one of (1) to (4),
The error detection unit and the diagnosis processing unit are endoscope apparatuses provided in the endoscope.

(7)
(6) The endoscopic device according to the above item,
The error detection unit is an endoscope device provided in the distal end portion.

(8)
The endoscope apparatus according to any one of (1) to (7),
An endoscope apparatus including a notification control unit that performs a notification process when it is diagnosed that the performance of the image sensor is degraded.

(9)
An endoscope including an imaging unit provided in a distal end portion of an insertion unit,
The image pickup section includes a pixel section that converts received light into a voltage signal, a conversion section that converts the voltage signal into a digital signal, and information addition that adds error detection information to the digital signal and outputs it as output data. And an imaging device including
A humidity sensor provided in the tip,
An error detection unit that receives the output data and, based on the output data, detects that an error has occurred in the digital signal,
An internal view including a diagnostic processing unit that diagnoses the state of the image sensor based on the humidity information inside the distal end portion detected by the humidity sensor and the error information detected by the error detection unit. mirror.

(10)
The endoscope according to (9),
The error detection unit is an endoscope provided in the distal end portion.

(11)
A method of diagnosing an endoscope including an imaging unit provided in a distal end portion of an insertion unit,
The image pickup section includes a pixel section that converts received light into a voltage signal, a conversion section that converts the voltage signal into a digital signal, and information addition that adds error detection information to the digital signal and outputs it as output data. And an imaging device including
An error detection step of receiving the output data and detecting that an error has occurred in the digital signal based on the output data,
A diagnostic processing step for diagnosing the state of the image sensor based on the humidity information inside the tip portion detected by the humidity sensor provided in the tip portion and the error information detected by the error detection step. And a method of diagnosing an endoscope comprising:

(12)
A diagnostic program for an endoscope including an imaging unit provided in the distal end of an insertion unit,
The image pickup section includes a pixel section that converts received light into a voltage signal, a conversion section that converts the voltage signal into a digital signal, and information addition that adds error detection information to the digital signal and outputs it as output data. And an imaging device including
An error detection step of receiving the output data and detecting that an error has occurred in the digital signal based on the output data,
A diagnostic processing step for diagnosing the state of the image sensor based on the humidity information inside the tip portion detected by the humidity sensor provided in the tip portion and the error information detected by the error detection step. And a diagnostic program for an endoscope that causes a computer to execute.

100 Endoscope device 1 Endoscope 2 Main body 20 Light guide 20a Illumination lens 21 Objective lens 22 Lens group 23 Image sensor 23A Pixel part 23B Signal processing part 23C Information addition part 23M Sealing member 24 Humidity sensor 24a Moisture sensitive area 24M Sealing member 25 Substrate 26 Imaging unit 27 Signal cable 28 Scope control unit 28A Error detection unit 28B Error correction unit 28C Diagnostic processing unit 28D Notification control unit 4 Processor device 42 Signal processing unit 43 Display control unit 44 System control unit 5 Light source device 51 light source control section 52 light source section 6 input section 7 display section 10 insertion section 10A flexible section 10B bending section 10C tip section 11 operation section 12 angle knob 13 universal cord 13A, 13B connector section

Claims (12)

An endoscope apparatus having an endoscope including an imaging unit provided in a distal end portion of an insertion unit,
The imaging unit includes a pixel unit that converts the received light into a voltage signal, a conversion unit that converts the voltage signal into a digital signal, and information addition that adds error detection information to the digital signal and outputs it as output data. And an imaging device including
A humidity sensor provided in the tip,
An error detection unit that receives the output data and, based on the output data, detects that an error has occurred in the digital signal,
An endoscope including a diagnostic processing unit that diagnoses the state of the image sensor based on the humidity information inside the distal end portion detected by the humidity sensor and the error information detected by the error detection unit. Mirror device. The endoscopic device according to claim 1, wherein
The diagnostic processing unit has a numerical index indicating the degree of the error detected by the error detection unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined first threshold value, and the humidity information is equal to or greater than a predetermined second threshold value. In this case, the endoscope device for diagnosing that the performance of the image pickup device has deteriorated. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
An error correction unit that performs a process of correcting the error when it is detected that the error has occurred,
The endoscope apparatus in which the first threshold value is set to a value lower than an upper limit value of the numerical index indicating the degree of the error that can be corrected by the error correction unit. The endoscope apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A sealing member that individually seals the humidity sensor inside the tip portion;
An endoscope apparatus in which the sealing member covers a portion of the humidity sensor excluding a moisture sensitive area. The endoscope apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The endoscope apparatus in which the error detection section and the diagnosis processing section are provided in a main body section of the endoscope apparatus to which the endoscope is connected. The endoscope apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An endoscope apparatus in which the error detection unit and the diagnosis processing unit are provided in the endoscope. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 6, wherein
The error detection unit is an endoscope device provided in the distal end portion. The endoscope apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein:
An endoscope apparatus including a notification control unit that performs a notification process when it is diagnosed that performance degradation of the image sensor has occurred. An endoscope including an imaging unit provided in a distal end portion of an insertion unit,
The imaging unit includes a pixel unit that converts the received light into a voltage signal, a conversion unit that converts the voltage signal into a digital signal, and information addition that adds error detection information to the digital signal and outputs it as output data. And an imaging device including
A humidity sensor provided in the tip,
An error detection unit that receives the output data and, based on the output data, detects that an error has occurred in the digital signal,
An endoscope including a diagnostic processing unit that diagnoses a state of the image pickup device based on humidity information inside the distal end portion detected by the humidity sensor and error detection information output from the error detection unit. .. The endoscope according to claim 9, wherein
The error detection unit is an endoscope provided in the distal end portion. A method of diagnosing an endoscope including an imaging unit provided in a distal end portion of an insertion unit,
The imaging unit includes a pixel unit that converts the received light into a voltage signal, a conversion unit that converts the voltage signal into a digital signal, and information addition that adds error detection information to the digital signal and outputs it as output data. And an imaging device including
An error detection step of receiving the output data and detecting that an error has occurred in the digital signal based on the output data,
A diagnostic processing step for diagnosing the state of the image sensor based on humidity information inside the tip portion detected by a humidity sensor provided in the tip portion and information on the error detected by the error detection step. A method for diagnosing an endoscope comprising: A diagnostic program for an endoscope including an imaging unit provided in the distal end of an insertion unit,
The imaging unit includes a pixel unit that converts the received light into a voltage signal, a conversion unit that converts the voltage signal into a digital signal, and information addition that adds error detection information to the digital signal and outputs it as output data. And an imaging device including
An error detection step of receiving the output data and detecting that an error has occurred in the digital signal based on the output data,
A diagnostic processing step for diagnosing the state of the image sensor based on humidity information inside the tip portion detected by a humidity sensor provided in the tip portion and information on the error detected by the error detection step. And a diagnostic program for an endoscope that causes a computer to execute.

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