JP2944081B2 - Endoscope system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial application field] The present invention relates to an endoscope system in which a light source device and a signal processing device are separated, and a freeze, a release, and the like can be performed via the light source device.

[Prior art] In recent years, by inserting an elongated insertion portion into a body cavity,
An endoscope (also referred to as a scope or a fiber scope) capable of observing organs in a body cavity or performing various treatments using a treatment tool inserted into a treatment tool channel as necessary.
Is widely used.

Also, various electronic scopes using a solid-state imaging device such as a charge-coupled device (abbreviated as CCD) as an imaging unit have been proposed. This electronic scope has a higher resolution than a fiber scope, and it is easy to record and play back images,
In addition, there is an advantage that image processing such as enlargement of an image and comparison of two screens is easy.

Further, a TV camera having a built-in imaging means such as a solid-state imaging device is mounted on the eyepiece of the fiber scope, and the image is displayed on a TV monitor.

An endoscope system equipped with a TV camera or an electronic scope mounted on the fiber scope is disclosed in, for example,
62-266024. The endoscope system includes a control device having a light source unit and a video signal processing circuit unit, an electronic scope or a TV camera connected to the control device, and a TV monitor capable of displaying an image,
A display image on a TV monitor can be made a still image or a display image on a TV monitor can be recorded by a still camera or the like via a control device integrated by a switch provided on the electronic scope and the TV camera.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] By the way, in an endoscope system in which a light source device and a signal processing device are separated, an image displayed on a TV monitor is photographed using an electronic scope, When the image is a still image, it is necessary to connect a foot switch for release or freeze operation to the signal processing device. On the other hand, when taking a photograph using a foot switch in combination with a light source device and a fiber scope separate from the signal processing device, a foot switch can be connected to the light source device side in order to synchronize the light source and the release. Must be.

When the light source device and the signal processing device are separated as described above, if the type of endoscope used is different, the foot switch for release or freeze operation must be reconnected to the light source device side or the signal processing device side. However, this connection was complicated. In addition, if a foot switch can be connected to each of the light source device side and the signal processing side, there is a problem that the operation of the foot switch is erroneous and a cable or the like obstructs the operator.

[Object of the Invention] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and in an endoscope system in which a light source device and a signal processing device are separated from each other, even when the endoscope used is a fiberscope. It is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope system which can improve the operability of a foot switch without having to change a foot switch for performing release or freeze even in the case of an electronic scope.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention relates to an endoscope system in which a signal processing device that generates a video signal and a light source device that supplies illumination light to a subject are separated from each other. It has switch means connected and configured separately from the light source device, and corresponds to a signal from the switch means when the endoscope device connected to the light source device has no imaging means. A release signal for photographing is transmitted from the light source device to the endoscope apparatus not having the imaging means, and when the connected endoscope apparatus has the imaging means, a signal from the switch means is transmitted. Transmitting a signal from the light source device to the signal processing device in response to the video signal generated by the signal processing device in accordance with the transmitted signal. Switch with In an endoscope system in which a signal processing device that generates a video signal and a light source device that supplies illumination light to a subject are separated from each other, the endoscope system is connected to the light source device. An endoscope having a discriminating means for discriminating the type of the endoscope device, and a switch means connected to the light source device and formed separately from the light source device, wherein the discriminating means does not have an imaging means; When it is determined that the device is connected, a release signal for photographing is transmitted from the light source device to the endoscope device having no imaging means in response to the signal from the switch means. When it is determined that the endoscope apparatus having the imaging means is connected by the determination means, a signal is transmitted from the light source device to the signal processing device in response to a signal from the switch means, Sending The images corresponding to the video signal in response to the signal generated by the signal processing apparatus is characterized in that the switching between a still image and moving image.

[Operation] In the present invention, a foot switch capable of controlling the signal processing device is connected to the light source device. The foot switch can input a control signal to an arithmetic circuit provided in the light source device, and the signal processing device receives a release signal from the arithmetic circuit.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

 1 to 5 show a first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 2, an endoscope system 1 is a plane-sequential electronic scope having a plane-sequential imaging unit as a scope.
2A, a color mosaic-type electronic scope 2B, and a fiberscope with a frame-sequential television camera externally attached (hereinafter referred to as a fiberscope with a frame-sequential television camera) 2C
, A fiberscope with a color mosaic type television camera externally attached (hereinafter referred to as a fiberscope with a color mosaic type television camera) 2D, and a fuzzy scope 2E capable of visual observation with the naked eye.

Further, the endoscope system 1 includes the scopes 2
(Representing 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, and 2E) are connected, and a light source device 3 for supplying illumination light suitable for each scope 2; Scope 2C (these two scopes 2A, 2C
Is also referred to as a field sequential scope. ) Is connected, and a frame sequential video processor 4A that performs signal processing on the frame sequential scopes 2A and 2C, the color mosaic electronic scope 2B and the fiber scope 2D with a color mosaic television camera (hereinafter, these two scopes) 2B and 2D are also referred to as color mosaic-type scopes), a color mosaic-type video processor 4B for performing signal processing on the color mosaic-type scopes 2B and 2D, and a television monitor 5 connected to the video processors 4A and 4B. And It should be noted that one of the video processors 4A and 4B corresponding to the scope to be used is connected to the light source device 3.

Each of the scopes 2 has an elongated and flexible insertion portion 11, for example, and a large-diameter operating portion is provided at the rear end of the insertion portion 11.
12 are connected in series. A flexible universal cord 13 extends laterally from the operation section 12, and light source connectors 14A, 14B, 14
C, 14D and 14E are provided. This light source connector 14 (14
A, 14B, 14C, 14D, and 14E. ) Is the light source device 3
Connected to the connector receiver 15.

The light source connector 14 of each scope 2 is provided with an air supply and water supply connector (not shown) together with a light guide connector, and the connector receiver 15 of the light source device 3 can also connect these.

The fiber scopes 2C, 2D, and 2E are provided with an eyepiece 28 at the rear end of the operation unit 12, and the fiber scope 2C with a frame-sequential television camera and the fiber scope 2D with a color mosaic-type television camera are each frame-sequential. Television camera 20
C, and is configured by connecting a color mosaic television camera 20D.

In the plane sequential electronic scope 2A and the color mosaic electronic scope 2B, from the light source connectors 14A and 14B,
The signal codes 16A and 16B are extended, and the signal codes 16A and 16B
Are provided with electric connectors 17A and 17B at the tip of the. Also, from the TV cameras 20C, 20D, signal codes 16C, 1
6D is extended, and electrical connectors 17C and 17D are provided at the ends of the signal codes 16C and 16D. Surface-sequential scope 2
A, 2C electrical connectors 17A, 17C are connected to the connector receiver 18A of the frame sequential video processor 4A, while the electrical connectors 17B, 17D of the color mosaic scopes 2B, 2C,
The color mosaic video processor 4B is connected to a connector receiver 18B.

Note that a foot switch 21 that can input a release signal as a control signal is connected to the light source device 3.

Next, the color mosaic type electronic scope 2B will be described as an example.

In FIG. 1, a color mosaic type video processor 4B to which an electric connector 17B of a color mosaic type electronic scope 2B is connected is connected to a monitor image pickup device 22.

In FIG. 3, the light source device 3 to which the light source connector 14B of the color mosaic type electronic scope 2B is connected includes a light source lamp 24, a condenser lens 26, and an arithmetic circuit 27. Illumination light emitted from the light source lamp 24 is condensed by the condenser lens 26, and the universal code
The light is incident on an incident end face of a light guide 23 made of a fiber bundle in the optical fiber 13. The light guide 23 transmits the illumination light and illuminates the subject side from the emission end face.

In addition, an objective lens 29 for imaging is provided at the tip of the insertion section 11. At the image forming position of the objective lens 29, a solid-state image sensor (hereinafter abbreviated as CC) 32 having a color mosaic optical filter 31 provided on the front surface is provided. The optical image transmitted through the color mosaic type optical filter 31 is separated into each color of red, green, and blue, and is received by the image area of the CCD 32. The electric signal including image information from the CCD 32 is sequentially output, for example, in a horizontal direction in synchronization with a clock signal applied from a drive circuit (not shown). This electric signal is amplified by the preamplifier 33 and input to the luminance signal processing circuit 34 and the color reproduction circuit 36. A luminance signal processing circuit 34 generates a luminance signal Y, and a chrominance signal reproducing circuit 36 generates chrominance signals RY and BY in a time-series manner for each horizontal line.
White balance compensation. The luminance signal Y output from the luminance signal processing circuit 34 is digitized by the A / D converter 38 and stored in the memory A39. Further, the color difference signals R-Y and B-Y that have been line-sequentially passed through the color signal reproduction circuit 36 and the white balance circuit 37 are digitized by the A / D converter 41, and are then synchronized and stored in the memory B42. It is stored in the memory C43. The luminance signal Y and the color difference signals RY and BY stored in the memories A39, B42 and C43 are D, respectively.
The signals are converted into analog signals by the / A converters 44, 46, 47 and input to the NTSC encoder 48 and the inverse matrix circuit 49. The NTSC encoder 48 converts the signal into a composite video signal of the NTSC system and outputs it to a monitor (not shown) provided in the monitor image pickup device 22. In the inverse matrix circuit 49, three primary color signals RGB are generated and output to a monitor (not shown) in the monitor image pickup device 22 via the buffer 51.

The foot switch 21 is connected to the light source device 3 so that a release signal (photographing signal) can be input to the arithmetic circuit 27. The arithmetic circuit 27 operates according to a flowchart shown in FIG. 4, for example.

The front panel of the light source device 3 is provided with a switch (not shown) for light amount adjustment and the like, and it is monitored whether this switch is pressed or not pressed. When the foot switch 21 is pressed as one of the switches, it is determined whether or not the fiber scope 2E provided with a camera capable of taking a photograph is connected to the light source device 3. In this case, know. Therefore, the arithmetic circuit 27 sends a release signal to the color mosaic video processor 4B. When a fiberscope 2E provided with a camera capable of taking a photograph is connected to the light source device 3, the arithmetic circuit 27 sends a release signal to the camera in order to cause the camera to perform a release operation. It has become.

The release signal output as described above is input to the timing control circuit 52 in the color mosaic video processor 4B. This timing control circuit 52
When a release signal is input, writing to the memories A39 and B42 and the memory C43 is prohibited so that the image on the monitor in the monitor image pickup device 22 is a still image. Thereafter, the relay 53 is turned on to transmit a release signal to a camera (not shown) provided in the monitor image capturing device 22 to capture a still image. After the photographing, the timing control circuit 52 turns off the relay 53 and releases the memories A39, B42, and C43 from the write-protected state. When the write-protection state is released, a moving image is displayed on a monitor (not shown).

As in the present embodiment, the light source device 3 is provided with the arithmetic circuit 27, and the release signal from the foot switch 21 is input to the arithmetic circuit 27. Therefore, even when taking a photograph with the fiber scope 2E, the color mosaic electronic scope is used.
Even when the image obtained by 2B is captured by the monitor image capturing device 22, there is no need to change the connection of the foot switch 21, and an endoscope system with good operability can be provided.

Although the color mosaic type electronic scope has been described as an example in the present embodiment, a color mosaic type television camera may be connected. The same applies to the case of connection.

Further, the image is recorded by the monitor image pickup device, but may be recorded by an electronic still camera, an image file, or the like.

 5 to 7 show a second embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 5, in this embodiment, a foot switch 21 that can input a release signal as a control signal to the light source device 3 and a foot switch 56 that can input a freeze signal (still image signal) are connected. Further, the color mosaic video processor 4B can output a video signal to the television monitor 5 in addition to the monitor image pickup device 22.

In FIG. 6, a CCD 32 provided at the distal end of the insertion section 11 of the color mosaic type electronic scope 2B has a subject image photoelectrically converted and, for example, in a horizontal direction in synchronization with a clock signal applied from a drive circuit (not shown). Output sequentially. This electric signal is amplified by the preamplifier 33 and input to the luminance signal processing circuit 34 and the color reproduction circuit 36. Luminance signal processing circuit
34, a luminance signal Y is generated.
The color difference signals R-Y and B-Y are generated in time series from the horizontal line for each horizontal line, and white balance compensation is performed by a white balance circuit 37. The luminance signal Y output from the luminance signal processing circuit 34 is digitized by the A / D converter 38 and stored in the memory A39. The white balance circuit 37
Are branched, one is input to an analog switch 57, and the other is delayed by one horizontal line by a 1H delay line 58 and input to an analog switch 59. The analog switches 57 and 59 are switched by a switching signal of a timing generator (not shown), and the color difference signals R-Y, B
−Y is generated. This color difference signal RY,
BY is digitized by the A / D converters 61 and 62 and stored in the memory B42 and the memory C43. Memory A39 and Memory B
42 and the luminance signal Y and the color difference signal R stored in the memory C43.
−Y and BY are converted into analog signals by D / A converters 44, 46 and 47, respectively, and are converted into an NTSC encoder 48 and an inverse matrix circuit 49.
To be entered. The NTSC encoder 48 converts the signal into a composite video signal of the NTSC system and outputs the composite video signal to a monitor (not shown) provided in the monitor image pickup device 22 and the television monitor 5. In the inverse matrix circuit 49, three primary color signals RGB are generated and output to the buffer 51.
Through a monitor (not shown) in the monitor image pickup device 22 and the television monitor 5.

The foot switch 21 that can input the release signal and the foot switch 56 that can input the freeze signal are the light source device 3
And a release signal and a freeze signal can be input to the arithmetic circuit 27. When the foot switch 21 that can input this release signal is pressed, the arithmetic circuit
Numeral 27 operates according to the same sequence as in the first embodiment to take a picture. Note that the image on the television monitor 5 is a still image during the release.

Next, when the foot switch 56 capable of inputting a freeze signal is pressed, the operation is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the foot switch 56 is turned on, the arithmetic circuit 27 outputs a freeze signal to the timing control circuit 52 in the color mosaic video processor 4B. When the freeze signal is input, the timing control circuit 52 sets the memories A39, B42, and C43 in the write-protected state. Thereby, the monitor image pickup device 22
The image on the monitor (not shown) and the image on the television monitor 5 are still images. When the foot switch 56 is turned on again, the timing control circuit 52 stores the memory A39 and the memory B
The write-protection state is released to the memory 42 and the memory C43, so that the monitor in the monitor image pickup device 22 and the image on the television monitor 5 return to a moving image.

In this embodiment, the release signal and the freeze signal are input by the foot switch. However, the sequence is the same as that of this embodiment even when only the freeze signal is used.

According to the present embodiment, a still image can be displayed on the television monitor 5 even when photographing is not performed, so that a wider use can be provided as compared with the first embodiment.

Other configurations, operations and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

In each of the above embodiments, the operation circuit outputs the release signal or the freeze signal. However, the signal of the foot switch may be directly transmitted to the video processor via the light source device.

Further, an arithmetic circuit may be provided in the video processor, and a signal of a foot switch may be input via the light source device to generate a release signal or a freeze signal.

Furthermore, the transmission of the control signal may be performed via a universal cord of the scope.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, in an endoscope system in which a light source device and a signal processing device are separated from each other, even when an endoscope to be used is a fiber scope or an electronic scope. However, there is no need to change the connection of the foot switch that performs release or freeze, and the operability of the foot switch can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIGS. 1 to 4 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope system using a color mosaic type electronic scope and a release foot switch connected to a video processor. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the entire endoscope system. FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining a color mosaic type imaging method, FIG. 4 is a flowchart for generating a release signal of an arithmetic circuit, and FIGS. 5 to 7 relate to a second embodiment of the present invention. Is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of an endoscope system using a color mosaic type electronic scope and connecting a foot switch for release and a foot switch for freeze to a video processor,
FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining a color mosaic type imaging method, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart for generating a freeze signal of an arithmetic circuit. 1. Endoscope system 2A: Sequential electronic scope 2B: Color mosaic electronic scope 2C: Fiber scope with television camera 2D: Fiber scope with color mosaic television camera 2E: Fiber scope 3 light source device 4A video sequential video processor 4B color mosaic video processor 21 foot switch 22 monitor image capturing device

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. An endoscope system in which a signal processing device that generates a video signal and a light source device that supplies illumination light to a subject are separate, and connected to the light source device and separate from the light source device. In the case where the endoscope device connected to the light source device does not have an image pickup device, the endoscope device transmits the image pickup device from the light source device in response to a signal from the switch device. A release signal for photographing is sent to an endoscope device that does not have the same, and when the connected endoscope device has an imaging unit, the light source device transmits the release signal in response to a signal from the switch unit. Transmitting a signal to a signal processing device, and switching between a still image and a moving image corresponding to the video signal generated by the signal processing device in response to the transmitted signal. Mirror system 2. An endoscope system in which a signal processing device that generates a video signal and a light source device that supplies illumination light to a subject are separate, a type of the endoscope device connected to the light source device. And a switch unit connected to the light source device and configured separately from the light source device, and the endoscope device having no imaging unit is connected by the determination unit. If it is determined that the release signal for photographing is transmitted from the light source device to the endoscope device having no imaging means in response to the signal from the switch means, When it is determined that the endoscope device having the means is connected, a signal is transmitted from the light source device to the signal processing device in response to the signal from the switch device, and the signal is transmitted in response to the transmitted signal. do it The endoscope system characterized by switching the images corresponding to the video signal generated by the serial signal processor between the still image and video.