JP2732119B2 - Standard color indicator for color tone adjustment of endoscope - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope color tone adjustment reference color display for displaying a reference color for adjusting the color tone of an observation image of an endoscope projected on a monitor. About the tool.

[Prior Art] In recent years, a so-called electronic endoscope using a solid-state imaging device for transmitting an observation image has been generalized. In this type of endoscope,
It is necessary to adjust the color tone of the image projected on the monitor before use, and conventionally, generally, the three primary colors of red, green,
A blue color chart and a white chart were used. That is, these charts are projected on a monitor through an endoscope on a desk, and the color of the image projected on the monitor is adjusted by comparing the monitor image with the actual chart color.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, an endoscope is used for observation inside a body cavity, and conditions such as reflection, scattering and absorption of illumination light are different between a body cavity and a desk. Are different in color reproducibility. As a result, no matter how strict the color tone is adjusted on the desk, the subject in the body cavity is not reproduced in an accurate color, and there is a drawback that accurate diagnosis of an affected part in the body cavity or the like cannot be performed.

Therefore, there has been a case where an endoscope is inserted into a body cavity and color tone is adjusted based on an image of a mucous membrane surface in the body cavity. However, in that case, there is nothing that can be objectively used as a reference for the color tone, and the color tone is adjusted according to the subjective opinion of the operator, so that it is extremely difficult to reproduce an accurate color.

The present invention solves such a conventional drawback, and can perform a correct color tone adjustment for reproducing a subject image in a body cavity with an accurate color on a monitor. The purpose is to provide.

Means for Solving the Problems To achieve the above object, a reference color indicator for adjusting the color tone of an endoscope according to the present invention includes a flexible tube that can be inserted into and removed from a forceps channel of the endoscope. , Formed at the distal end of the tube, by remote control from the proximal end side of the tube,
An end surface that is bent from a straight state and that can be deformed into a substantially T-shape; a reference color for adjusting the color tone of an observation image of an endoscope displayed on a monitor; Is colored.

[Operation] When using the color tone adjusting reference color indicator of the endoscope of the present invention, first, the endoscope (electronic endoscope) is inserted into the body cavity of the patient. Then, with the distal end of the tube kept straight, the tube is inserted through the forceps channel of the endoscope. When the tip of the tube protrudes from the endoscope,
The distal end of the tube is deformed into a substantially T-shape by remote control from the proximal end side.

Then, if the tip is pressed against and adhered to the mucosal surface in the body cavity, the tip colored with the reference color becomes substantially the same as the mucosal surface and is observed near the center of the field of view of the endoscope. In this state, while observing the observation image projected on the monitor of the endoscope, the color tone of the image can be adjusted so that the three colors are correctly reproduced.

Example An example will be described with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a flexible tube made of, for example, tetrafluoroethylene resin, for example, having an outer diameter of 1.5 to 2.5 m.
m and a thickness of about 0.2 to 0.5 mm are used.

The tube 1 is cut at a position of, for example, 10 to 50 cm from the tip. Then, metal connection pipes 3 are inserted into the two openings of the cut portion and joined to connect the tube 1 to one tube. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the portion, in which a spiral groove 1s is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the tube 1 so that the adhesive can flow around the outer peripheral surface of the connection pipe 3 well.

Returning to FIG. 1, at a position at a distance L from the distal end 1a of the tube, a first cut 2 is cut into the tube 1 in the radial direction by a razor blade or the like. Distance L
Is, for example, about 10 to 50 mm, and may be set to a length according to the purpose of use. Tube 1 has a first cut 2
The portion is cut leaving a slight connection margin 2a, and can be flexed and extended freely like a joint at this portion.

A second cut 6 is cut in a radial direction of the tube 1 from a direction different from the first cut 2 at a position closer to the base side than the first cut 2 and at a distance M from the first cut 2. The tube 1 is formed so as to be able to bend and stretch freely in the portion. 6a
Is the connection fee. This distance M may be shorter than L, and is most preferably about half of L. In this embodiment, the second cut 6 is spaced from the first cut 2
It is cut 180 degrees from the opposite direction.

In this way, the distal end portion 5 of the tube 1 is formed to be able to flex and stretch. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion 5 is colored in an equal width by three primary colors of red (R), green (G), and blue (B). Note that these three colors do not necessarily have to be standard three primary colors.

A flexible core rod 7 having substantially the same length as the tube 1 is inserted into the tube 1 so as to be able to advance and retreat from the base end 1b side of the tube. When a single fiber of an optical fiber having a diameter of about 0.2 to 1 mm is used for the core rod 7, the core rod 7 has appropriate flexibility and stiffness and is hard to bend. In this embodiment, a single fiber of an optical fiber coated with a synthetic resin tube having a thickness of about 0.1 mm is used.

A base 16 made of synthetic resin or metal is connected and fixed to the base end 1 b of the tube 1 so as to communicate with the tube 1. This base 16 has the first straight
A luer lock base 16a is provided, and a second luer lock base 16b protrudes from the side. A syringe (not shown) or the like is attached to the second luer lock base 16b, and a cleaning solution or the like is injected into the tube 1 to clean and disinfect the inside of the tube.

An operation knob 17 that can be freely attached to and detached from the first luer lock base 16a.
The base end of the core rod 7 is connected and fixed. By pushing and pulling the operation knob 17, the core rod 7 can be advanced and retracted in the tube 1.

A stopper 18 made of, for example, a metal pipe or a synthetic resin tube is fixed to the middle of the core rod 7 by bonding or caulking. Then, when the operation knob 17 is pulled and the distal end of the core rod 7 comes out to a position closer to the base side than the second cut 6 as shown in FIG. Thus, the core rod 7 cannot be pulled out any more. When the operating knob 17 is engaged with the first luer lock base 16a, as shown in FIG. 3, the leading end of the core rod 7 enters the leading end portion 5 on the front side of the first cut 2. In this manner, the leading end of the core bar 7 can move from before the second cut 6 to the front side of the first cut 2.

In the tube 1, there is a coil spring 10 near the tip.
Is provided so as to surround the core rod 7. As shown in FIG. 2, the base end of the coil spring 10 is fixed to the connecting pipe 3 by silver brazing or the like. A pulling wire 10a made of, for example, tie is connected to the tip side of the coil spring 10. The pulling wire 10a may be formed by extending the tip of the coil spring 10 straight.

On the other hand, the tube 1 has a connection margin of the second cut 6.
A pair of first and second through holes 8a and 8b are formed at positions substantially symmetrical with respect to 6a so that the puller wire 10a can be inserted lightly. The pulling wire 10a is inserted into the pair of through holes 8a and 8b, and passes outside the tube 1 between the pair of through holes 8a and 8b.

A first through hole 8a drilled ahead of the second cut 6
, A third through hole 9 is formed in the tube 1. Then, the pulling wire 10a is again drawn out of the tube 1 through the through hole 9 and the connection margin 6a of the first cut 2 is formed.
Are locked to the distal end portion 5 of the tube 1 at a position substantially symmetrical with respect to. More specifically, the pulling wire
10a is connected to a retaining ring 12 in the distal end portion 5 through a through hole 11 formed near the center of the distal end portion 5. In addition, as shown in FIG.
The first and third through holes 8a and 9 are formed so as to face the outside of the tube 1 so as to be opposed to each other so that the core 10 does not prevent the core rod 7 from moving forward and backward.

With such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 1, the core rod 7 is located closer to the base side than the second cut 6, and the first and second cores 7 are provided.
When the cuts 2 and 6 can be bent and stretched, the tip 5 is pulled by the elastic force of the coil spring 10 so that
Attracted through. As a result, the tube 1 becomes the first
And the second cuts 2 and 6, the tip of the tube 1 is formed in a substantially T-shape.

In the present embodiment, the pulling wire 10a passes through the outside of the tube 1 at those portions so as to sandwich the connection margins 2a, 6a of the first and second cuts 2, 6, respectively.
When the pulling wire 10a is pulled in the proximal direction, the tube 1
Is pulled so as to bend at each of the cuts 2 and 6, and is surely formed in a T-shape.

When the mandrel 7 is pushed to the front of the first cut 2, the tube 1 is straightened by the mandrel 7, as shown in FIG. At this time, the coil spring 10 is extended against its elastic force. However, as shown in FIG. 3, the coil spring 10 is formed such that the coil portion does not protrude outward from the second cut 6 when extended.

Next, the use of the reference color indicator for color tone adjustment of the endoscope of the above embodiment will be described.

First, as shown in FIG. 3, the core rod 7 is inserted until it reaches a position inside the distal end portion 5 of the tube.
In this state, since the core rod 7 has passed through the first and second cuts 2, 6, the tube 1 does not bend at each of the cuts 2, 6. Therefore, in this state, it can be easily inserted into the forceps channel of the endoscope.

Therefore, a reference color indicator for adjusting the color tone of the endoscope is inserted into a forceps channel of a so-called electronic endoscope using a solid-state imaging device for transmitting an observation image.

When the distal end of the tube 1 is protruded from the distal end of the endoscope, the operation knob 17 is pulled. Then, as shown in FIG. 1, the core rod 7 comes out of the first and second cuts 2, 6 and the tip 5 is pulled by the coil spring 10, and the tip 5 of the tube 1 is substantially T-shaped. It is formed in a shape.

In this state, if the tip 5 is pressed against and adhered to the mucosal surface in the body cavity, the tip 5 colored with the three reference colors of red, green, and blue becomes almost the same surface as the mucosal surface. Is observed near the center of the field of view of the endoscope. In this state, while observing the observation image displayed on the monitor of the electronic endoscope, the color tone of the image is adjusted so that the three colors are correctly reproduced. Therefore, under exactly the same conditions as actual mucosal surface observation in the body cavity,
The color tone can be adjusted based on the predetermined three primary colors.

Further, in this embodiment, since the distal end portion 5 is colored in the same width by three colors, each color portion becomes a scale and can be used as a length measuring tool in a body cavity.

In a case where the tube 1 approaches the mucosal surface from an oblique direction, as shown in FIG. The bend angle of the cut 6 changes, and the tip 5 comes into close contact with the mucosal surface. Therefore, even when the tube approaches the mucous membrane surface from any inclined direction, the distal end portion 5 can be brought into close contact with the mucous membrane surface.

When the length measuring tool is removed from the forceps channel of the endoscope after use, the tube 1 may be pulled toward the hand side (base side) without any operation from the state shown in FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the distal end portion 5 of the T-shaped tube 1 naturally straightens along the forceps channel 50 in the forceps channel 50, and the operation thereof causes the coil spring 10 to move. Is stretched. Therefore, even if the tube 1 is pulled out very quickly, the distal end of the tube 1 is straightened and extended while the coil spring 10 is stretched to follow it.

FIG. 8 shows a white portion (W) interposed between the three primary colors and having the same width as the three primary colors. As a result, a so-called white balance can be seen, and the accuracy is further improved as a scale of the length measuring tool.

FIG. 9 shows the variation of the coloring width of the three primary colors in accordance with the color stimulus value. That is, red having a large stimulus value has a narrow width, and blue having a small stimulus value has a wide width. By doing so, the adjustment accuracy for each color can be made equal. Further, since the coloring width of each color is known in advance, it can be used as a scale of a length measuring tool.

FIG. 10 shows the tip portion 5 entirely colored white. However, when the tube 1 itself is white, there is no need to color again. Thus, in the case of a single color of white, it can be used for white balance adjustment. In addition, it can be used as a measuring tool with a scale.

[Effect of the Invention] According to the reference color indicator for color tone adjustment of the endoscope of the present invention,
The color tone of the observation image can be adjusted with a predetermined reference color under exactly the same conditions as actual mucosal surface observation in the body cavity, so that the color tone of the observation image projected on the monitor can be objectively and accurately adjusted. It has an excellent effect that a correct diagnosis can be made.

Then, for example, when the observation site changes, the color tone adjustment reference color indicator of the present invention is inserted into the forceps channel as necessary, and the color tone is readjusted to match the environment of the new observation site. It can also be used as a length measuring instrument for measuring the size of a mucosal surface or the like in a body cavity.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a reference color indicator for color tone adjustment of an endoscope according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view thereof, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of a tip portion of the embodiment pressed against a mucous membrane surface at an oblique position, FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line VV in FIG. 1, FIG. The figure is a schematic view of an embodiment in a state where the tube is withdrawn from the forceps channel, FIG. 7 is a front external view of a tube tip portion of the embodiment, and FIGS. It is a front external view of a front-end | tip part. 1 ... Tube, 2 ... First cut, 2a ... Connection margin, 4 ... Scale, 5 ... Tip, 6 ... Second cut,
6a: Connection allowance, 7: Core rod, 10: Coil spring, 10a: Traction wire, 50: Forceps channel.

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] A first cut is formed in a portion near a distal end of a flexible tube that can be inserted into and detached from a forceps channel of an endoscope. The outer peripheral surface between the front end and the first cut is colored with a reference color for adjusting the color tone of the observation image of the endoscope displayed on the monitor, and is provided at a portion closer to the hand than the first cut. A second cut is formed in the tube from a direction different from the first cut, and an operation wire inserted into the tube is taken out of the tube at a position closer to the hand than the second cut, and a tip of the operation wire The part is passed through a through hole formed in the tube at a position between the first and second cuts, and is locked to the tube at a position ahead of the first cut. Tow Tone adjustment reference color display device of an endoscope, characterized in that set to be substantially T-shaped front end portion of the tube is respectively bent in the first and second cut portions by. 2. The reference color indicator for adjusting a color tone of an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said reference colors are three colors of red, green and blue. 3. The reference color indicator for color tone adjustment of an endoscope according to claim 2, wherein a white portion is provided between adjacent colored portions of the three colors. 4. The reference color indicator for adjusting a color tone of an endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the respective color portions are formed to have the same length in the axial direction of the tube. 5. A color portion having a smaller color stimulus value is formed longer than a color portion having a larger color stimulus value in an image observed by the endoscope when comparing the length of each color portion in the axial direction of the tube. The reference color indicator for color tone adjustment of an endoscope according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the reference color indicator is provided. 6. The reference color indicator for adjusting a color tone of an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the reference color is white.