JP2967750B2 - Light source device for endoscope - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope light source device capable of outputting white light and plane-sequential light.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, by inserting an elongated insertion portion into a body cavity, it is possible to observe internal organs of the body cavity, etc., and to perform various treatments using a treatment tool inserted into a treatment tool channel as necessary. Endoscopes (also called scopes or fiberscopes) are widely used.

Various electronic scopes using a solid-state imaging device such as a charge-coupled device (CCD) as imaging means have also been proposed. This electronic scope has a higher resolution than a fiber scope, and can easily record and reproduce an image.
In addition, there is an advantage that image processing such as enlargement of an image and comparison of two images is easy.

[0004] For example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 61-82731, the illumination light is divided into R (red), G (green), and B (blue). ), Etc .;
As disclosed in JP-A-88-88, there is a simultaneous type in which a filter array in which color filters transmitting R, G, B, and the like color lights are arranged in a mosaic pattern or the like is provided on the front surface of a solid-state imaging device. The frame sequential method has an advantage that the number of pixels can be reduced as compared with the simultaneous method, while the simultaneous method has an advantage that color shift does not occur.

Further, the electronic scope has been diversified according to the purpose of use. For example, for an upper or lower digestive organ, an insertion part having an outer diameter of about 10 mm is used. On the other hand, for bronchial use, for example, an outer diameter of about 5 mm or less is usually required. As described above, using the same type of imaging device and the same type of imaging method for various electronic scopes having a wide range of outer diameters of the insertion portion is physically and performance impractical. That is,
For example, in order to realize an electronic scope for bronchi (small diameter), an imaging element having a small number of pixels must be used.

When the number of pixels is small as described above, in order to prevent a decrease in resolution, a frame sequential method using light of each wavelength of R, G, and B is used rather than a simultaneous imaging method using a color mosaic filter. Illuminated, and imaged sequentially in that light,
It is advantageous to use a color image pickup method of a frame sequential type in which these are combined and displayed in color.

On the other hand, for those having an outer diameter of about 10 mm, it is necessary to increase the number of pixels and use a simultaneous imaging method.
This is advantageous for improving image quality.

Incidentally, the fiber scope or the electronic scope is generally used by being connected to a light source device for supplying illumination light suitable for each scope.

The illumination method differs between the fiber scope, the plane-sequential type electronic scope, and the simultaneous type electronic scope. In other words, an electronic scope that is simultaneous with a fiber scope
A white light is required for a light-emitting device, and a light that is sequentially switched to R, G, B, or the like is required for a field-sequential electronic scope. However, the conventional light source device has a field-sequential electronic scope,
Only the illumination light corresponding to either the simultaneous electronic scope or the fiber scope can be output. Therefore, the user prepares different light source devices for each type of scope and performs different operations. Need to do
The economy and efficiency were poor.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-243625 discloses that a fiber scope having an optical fiber bundle for transmitting an image is connected to an electronic scope control device having a field sequential light source device. There has been disclosed a connection system that enables observation on a display screen of a monitor television or the like. However, this system does not allow simultaneous electronic scope and visual observation using fiber scope.

Therefore, the present applicant has filed Japanese Patent Application No. 62-21461 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-189122).
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. HEI 9-216, etc., have proposed a light source device for an endoscope that can output white light and plane-sequential light.

However, in the endoscope light source device, white light and surface-sequential light must be selected by appropriately switching, for example, a selection switch according to the connected scope or external camera. This is cumbersome in operation.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and automatically selects illumination light suitable for a connected scope or an external television camera.
An object of the present invention is to provide a light source device for an endoscope that can be supplied.

[0014]

A light source device for an endoscope according to the present invention comprises a light source for emitting white light and a lighting device for the light source.
And location, at least during sequential light output, is interposed in the optical path of the light emitted from the light source, means for converting the white light to frame sequential light emitted from the light source, is the conversion
Synchronize the frame-sequential light and the endoscope image obtained by this
Signal generating means for generating the timing signal
The output of the generator and the white light of constant brightness
Switch to the signal output for
Switch means for applying a force, and a white light
By moving the means for converting to
Selection means for selecting the type of emitted light from white light and surface-sequential light, and whether the connected endoscope or external television camera requires white light as illumination light
Detection means for detecting whether those requiring sequential light, the output of said detecting means, for selecting the illumination light suitable for the type of the endoscope or external television camera
The selecting means , the timing signal generating means,
Control means for controlling the switch means .

That is, in the light source device for an endoscope according to the present invention, when the type of the endoscope or the external television camera is detected by the detecting means, the control circuit instructs the selecting means by the output of the detecting means. A light type suitable for the type of the endoscope or the external television camera is selected from white light and field sequential light. In this case, when the surface-sequential light is selected, a conversion unit for converting the white light into the surface-sequential light is interposed in the optical path of the white light emitted from the light source.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, before describing an embodiment of the present invention, a light source device for an endoscope which is a premise of the present invention will be described.

FIGS. 1 to 17 relate to a light source device for an endoscope which is a premise of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the entire endoscope system, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a fiberscope, and FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a surface-sequential external TV camera, FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a simultaneous external TV camera, FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a surface-sequential electronic scope, and FIG. FIGS. 7 and 8 are block diagrams showing a configuration of a video processor, FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a camera control unit, FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a frame sequential process circuit, and FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a filter moving unit of the light source device, FIG. 12 is a front view of the color conversion filter, and FIG. 13 is a lamp current and a scope when a white light is output in the light source device of the comparative example. FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing a lamp current at the time of plane-sequential light output in the light source device of the comparative example, and FIG. 15 is a view showing a lamp current and white light output at the end of the scope in this light source device. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing the light amount emitted from the end of the scope, FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing the lamp current and the amount of light emitted from the distal end of the light source device at the time of plane sequential light output, and FIG. 17 is a timing chart showing the operation of this light source device.

As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope system includes a light source device 1 for an endoscope, and an endoscope (hereinafter, referred to as a scope) connected to the light source device 1 enables a naked eye observation. It comprises a possible fiberscope 2E, a plane-sequential electronic scope 2A with plane-sequential imaging means, and a simultaneous electronic scope 2B with simultaneous imaging means. Further, as an external television camera which is detachably connected to the eyepiece of the fiber scope 2E and displays an image on a monitor, a surface sequential external television camera 4A and a simultaneous external television camera 4B are provided. ing. Also, the plane sequential electronic scope 2A or the plane sequential external television camera 4A is connected, and a video processor 5 for performing signal processing on these is connected to the simultaneous electronic scope 2B or the concurrent external television camera 4B. Camera control unit 6 for performing signal processing on these
And a television monitor 7 connected to the video processor 5 and the camera control unit 6.

Each of the scopes 2E, 2A and 2B has an elongated and flexible insertion portion 11, for example, and a large-diameter operation portion 12 is connected to the rear end of the insertion portion 11.
A flexible universal cord 13 extends laterally from the operation unit 12, and light source connectors 14E, 14A, 14B are respectively attached to the distal end of the universal cord 13.
Is provided. These light source connectors 14E, 14
A and 14B are light source connector receivers 15 of the light source device 1.
Is to be connected to.

In the plane-sequential type electronic scope 2A and the simultaneous type electronic scope 2B, the light source connectors 14A, 14A
Electrical connector receptacles 16A and 16B are provided on the side of B, and one ends of signal cords 17A and 17B are connected to the electrical connector receptacles 16A and 16B, respectively. The electrical connectors 18A and 18B provided at the other ends of the signal codes 17A and 17B respectively
The electrical connector receiver 19A of the video processor 5 and the electrical connector receiver 1 of the camera control unit 6
9B.

The light source device 1, video processor 5 and camera control unit 6 respectively include
Corresponding electrical connector receivers 50, 51A, 51B are provided. Then, the electric connector receivers 50, 51
A is connected by a rear cable 52A, and between the electric connector receivers 50 and 51B is a rear cable 52B.
Is to be connected by Via the rear cables 52A and 52B, between the light source device 1 and the video processor 5, the light source device 1, the camera control unit 6
Between them, signals of a switch for freeze or release, various timing signals, and the like are transmitted and received.

The inside of each of the scopes 2E, 2A, 2B is configured as shown in FIGS. 2, 5, and 6, respectively.

Each of the scopes 2E, 2A, 2B is
An objective lens system 22 and a light distribution lens 23 are provided at one end 21. On the rear end side of the light distribution lens 23,
A light guide 24 for transmitting illumination light is continuously provided. The light guide 24 is inserted into the insertion portion 11 and the universal cord 13, and is connected to the light source connectors 14E, 14E.
A, 14B. Then, by connecting the light source connectors 14E, 14A, and 14B to the light source connector receiver 15 of the light source device 1, illumination light suitable for each scope is supplied from the light source device 1 to the incident end of the light guide 24. It is supposed to be. This illuminating light is transmitted to the distal end 21 by the light guide 24.
The light is emitted from the emission end of the light guide 24, passes through the light distribution lens 23, and irradiates the subject.

As shown in FIG. 2, the fiberscope 2E
The distal end surface of the image guide 26 inserted into the insertion section 11 is disposed at the image forming position of the objective lens system 22. An eyepiece 28 having an eyepiece 27 facing the rear end of the image guide 26 is provided at the rear end of the operation unit 12. And the objective lens system 22
The image of the subject formed on the distal end surface of the image guide 26 is transmitted to the eyepiece 28 side by the image guide 26, and the eyepiece 27
Is to be observed through.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, a plane sequential type electronic scope 2A and a simultaneous type electronic scope 2B are provided with a solid-state image pickup device such as a CCD 31A as an image pickup means at an image forming position of the objective lens system 22. , 31B are provided. A color filter array 32 in which color filters transmitting red (R), green (G), blue (B), and the like are respectively arranged in a mosaic pattern is provided on the front surface of the CCD 31B of the simultaneous electronic scope 2B. Have been.

A signal line 34 for outputting a signal and a signal line 35 for applying a driving pulse are connected to the CCDs 31A and 31B via a preamplifier 33. The signal lines 34 and 35 are connected to the insertion portion 11 and the universal cord 1.
3 and is connected to the electrical connector receivers 16A and 16B.

Further, the above-mentioned frame-sequential external television camera 4
A, the simultaneous external TV camera 4B is shown in FIG.
It is configured as shown in FIG.

That is, the television cameras 4A and 4B are camera bodies 36A and 36B detachably connected to the eyepiece 28 (see FIG. 1) of the fiber scope 2E, and extend from the bodies 36A and 36B. Signal code 37A,
37B, and electrical connectors 38A and 38B provided at the ends of the signal codes 37A and 37B. Electrical connector 38 of the above-mentioned frame sequential external television camera 4A
A is connected to the electrical connector receptacle 19A of the video processor 5 (see FIG. 1), while the electrical connector 38B of the simultaneous external television camera 4B is connected to the electrical connector receptacle 19B of the camera control unit 6 (see FIG. 1). It is to be connected. The camera bodies 36A, 36
B, an imaging lens 39 for imaging the light from the eyepiece 28 is provided, and CCDs 31A and 31B are arranged at the imaging positions of the imaging lens 39, respectively. The CCD 3 of the simultaneous external TV camera 4B
On the front surface of 1B, a color filter array 32 in which color filters transmitting color lights of R, G, B and the like are arranged in a mosaic or the like is provided. Each of the CCDs 31A, 3
1B, a signal line 34 for signal output and a signal line 35 for driving pulse application are connected via a preamplifier 33. The signal lines 34 and 35 are connected to the signal code 37.
A, 37B, and inserted into the electrical connectors 38A, 38B.
B.

The eyepiece 2 of the fiber scope 2E
Although not shown, a still camera or a cine camera can also be connected to 8.

When the naked eye is observed using the fiberscope 2E, the eyepiece 28 of the fiberscope 2E is used.
When a simultaneous external TV camera 4B, a still camera or a cine camera is connected and used, and when the simultaneous electronic scope 2B is used, white light is required as illumination light, while the eyepiece of the fiber scope 2E is used. In the case where the externally connected TV camera 4A is connected to the unit 28 and the externally-scoped electronic scope 2A is used, surface-sequential light that sequentially switches to three primary colors or complementary colors is required as illumination light. And The light source device 1 can output both the white light and the surface-sequential light.

That is, as shown in FIG.
Is a lamp 41 such as a xenon lamp or a halogen lamp that emits white light, and a light source connector 14E, which collects light from the lamp 41 and is connected to the light source connector receiver 15.
Lenses 42a and 42b for making the light guide 24 of the light guides 14A and 14B be incident on the light guide 24 are provided. The lamp 4
1, a lighting device 40 controls lighting and lamp current. Further, the lenses 42a,
Between 42b, color transmission filters 43R, 43G, and R of three primary colors of R, G, and B (or may be three complementary colors).
43B (see FIG. 12), and a color conversion filter (also referred to as a rotation filter) 4 that is rotationally driven by a motor 44.
3 is disposed in the optical path of the lamp 41 so as to be freely inserted and removed. In addition, between the respective color transmission filters 43R, 43G, 43B in the color conversion filter 43, a light shielding portion is provided. The rotary filter 43 and the motor 44 are moved by a filter moving means 45.

Further, R, G,
In order to determine the position of each opening of B, as shown in FIG.
In the vicinity of the filter 43, there is provided an encoder 46 such as a photoreflector or a photointerrupter for detecting the opening position detection mark 43M, as shown in FIG. Further, a timing signal generating means 47 for generating a timing signal for each of the R, G, and B opening periods and the light shielding period from the detection output of the encoder 46 is provided. The output signal of the timing signal generating means 47 is applied to one input terminal 48a of a two-input one-output changeover switch 48. The other input end 48 b of the changeover switch 48 is connected to the signal connector receiver 50 of the light source device 1. An output terminal 48 c of the changeover switch 48 is connected to the lighting device 40. Then, the timing signal from the timing signal generating means 47 and the signal connector receiver 50 via the switch 48.
And a signal input to the light source device 1 via the light source device 1 can be selectively input to the lighting device 40.

The light source device 1 is provided with scope type selecting means 49 for switching output light according to the type of scope. This scope type selection means 4
9 comprises, for example, a selection switch, and the motors 44,
The switching of the filter moving means 45 and the changeover switch 48 is controlled. That is, when white light is selected by the scope type selecting unit 49, the color conversion filter 43 is retracted from the illumination optical path by the filter moving unit 45, and the rotation of the motor 44 is stopped. The changeover switch 48 is set such that the input terminal 48b is in a connected state. On the other hand, when plane-sequential light is selected by the scope type selecting means 49, the color conversion filter 43 is moved by the filter moving means 45.
Is inserted into the illumination light path, and the motor 44 is rotated. The changeover switch 48 is set so that the input terminal 48a is in a connected state.

In this light source device, when white light is selected by the scope type selecting means 49, the timing signal from the timing signal generating means 47 is not input to the lighting device 40, and the lighting device 40 , A constant current, for example, 18 A, is supplied to the lamp 41. Accordingly, the amount of light emitted from the lamp 41 becomes constant. On the other hand, when the frame type selecting means 49 selects the frame sequential light, the timing signal from the timing signal generating means 47 is input to the lighting device 40, and the lighting device 40 responds to the timing signal. Thus, the current supplied to the lamp 41 is increased to, for example, 25 A during the opening period of the color conversion filter 43, and is decreased to, for example, 10 A during the light shielding period. Therefore, the amount of light emitted from the lamp 41 increases during the opening period of the color conversion filter 43 and decreases during the light blocking period.

The filter moving device 45 is configured, for example, as shown in FIG. That is, the color conversion filter 43 and the motor 44 for rotating the color conversion filter 43
Is mounted on a plate-shaped mounting bracket 306, and a lower part of the mounting bracket 306 is formed with a horizontally bent flange portion 307. This flange part 3
07, two rails 334, 334 fixed to the housing side of the light source device 1 are provided in parallel, and the rails 334, 33 are provided at the bottom of the flange portion 307.
4 is formed with a slide portion 308 sandwiching the slide member 4 from the left and right. Then, the slide portion 308 is connected to the rail 3
The color conversion filter 43 and the motor 44 can be slidably fitted to each other.

A rack gear 310 is mounted on the surface of the mounting bracket 306 on the side of the lamp 41 along the moving direction of the color conversion filter 43. A worm gear 312 rotated by a motor 311 meshes with the rack gear 310. Note that the motor 311 is fixed to the housing side of the light source device 1 by a bracket 313. And the motor 3
The worm gear 3 is rotated by rotating the worm gear 3 forward and reverse.
The color conversion filter 43 can be moved via the rack gear 12 and the rack gear 310. The motor 311 is controlled by scope type selecting means 49.

Flat rectangular columnar switch pressing portions 315a and 315b are provided on the upper surfaces of both ends of the flange portion 307 of the mounting bracket 306 in the moving direction.
Further, at both ends of the moving range of the color conversion filter 43, the micro switch 316a for detecting the switching position is located at the position pressed by the switch pressing parts 315a, 315b.
316b is provided. The micro switches 316a and 316b are connected to the switch pressing portions 315.
a, 315b detects that the color conversion filter 43 has reached the end of the movement range, stops the rotation of the motor 311 and regulates the movement range of the color conversion filter 43. I have. In the illustrated example, the switch pressing portion 315a is a micro switch 316.
In this state, the white light from the lamp 41 is transmitted through the color conversion filter 43 and is incident on the light guide 24 as illumination light in a sequential manner, while the switch pressing part 315b is turned on by the microswitch 316b. Is pressed, white light from the lamp 41 enters the light guide 24 without passing through the color conversion filter 43.

Next, the video processor 5 is configured, for example, as shown in FIG. That is, the video processor 5 includes a frame-sequential processing circuit 61A that processes an output signal of the CCD 31A of the frame-sequential electronic scope 2A or the frame-sequential external television camera 4A, and
Driver 62 for applying a drive pulse to CCD 31A
A, each of which has an electrical connector receiver 1.
9A. The CCD 31A is a driver 6
The output signal of the CCD 31A, which is driven and read by the 2A, is amplified by the preamplifier 33 and then input to the frame sequential process circuit 61A, for example, each of which is imaged under R, G, and B frame sequential light. The obtained signal is converted to a color signal R,
G and B are output. The color signals R, G, and B are respectively output as three primary color signals RGB from a three primary color output terminal 65A via a driver 64A. The color signals R, G, and B are passed through a matrix circuit 66, and the luminance signal Y and the color difference signals RY,
BY is generated, and then the NTSC encoder 67A is generated.
, Is converted into an NTSC composite video signal, and is output from an NTSC output terminal 68A. The timing of the frame sequential process circuit 61A, driver 62A and NTSC encoder 67A is controlled by a timing generator 63A. Further, a timing signal from the timing signal generating means 47 of the light source device 1 is input to the timing generator 63A via the electrical connector receiver 51A, and the timing generator 63A is synchronized with the rotation of the color conversion filter 43. Control is performed.

The frame sequential process circuit 61A is configured, for example, as shown in FIG. That is, the output signal of the CCD 31A input through the preamplifier 33 is
After being sample-holded by the sample-hold circuit 71, the sample-hold circuit 71 corrects the gamma by the gamma correction circuit 72, and the A / D converter 7
In step 3, it is converted to a digital signal. Then, through a multiplexer 74 which is switched by the signal of the timing generator 63A, a signal imaged under the R, G, B frame sequential light is converted into an R frame memory 75R, a G frame memory 75G, B The data is written to the frame memory 75B. These frame memories 75R, 75G, and 75B are read simultaneously, converted into analog color signals R, G, and B by a D / A converter 76, and output.

On the other hand, the camera control unit 6
For example, it is configured as shown in FIG. That is, the camera control unit 6 includes the simultaneous electronic scope 2
B or CCD31B of simultaneous external TV camera 4B
Process circuit 61 for processing the output signal of the video signal
B and a driver 62B for applying a drive pulse to the CCD 31B, and these are connected to the electrical connector receiver 19B, respectively. The CCD 31B is driven by a driver 62B, and the read CCD 31B
After being amplified by the preamplifier 33, the output signal is input to the simultaneous processing circuit 61B, and for example, a luminance signal Y and color difference signals RY and BY are output. The luminance signal Y and the color difference signals RY and BY are N
The video signal is input to the TSC encoder 67B, converted into an NTSC composite video signal, and output from an NTSC output terminal 68B. The luminance signal Y and the color difference signals RY, BY are input to an inverse matrix circuit 69, converted into color signals R, G, B, output from a three primary color output terminal 65B via a driver 64B. It has become so. The simultaneous process circuit 61B and the driver 6
The timing of the 2B and NTSC encoders 67B is controlled by a timing generator 63B.

The simultaneous process circuit 61B is configured, for example, as shown in FIG.

That is, the C amplified by the preamplifier 33
The output signal of the CD 31B is input to a luminance signal processing circuit 78, which generates a luminance signal Y. The output signal of the CCD 31B is input to a color signal reproducing circuit 79, and color difference signals RY and BY are generated in time series for each horizontal line. This color difference signal R-
Y and BY are white balance compensated by a white balance circuit 80, and one of them is directly sent to an analog switch 81.
The other is delayed by one horizontal line by a 1H delay line 82 and input to an analog switch 83. The color difference signal R is output from the analog switches 81 and 83 which are switched by the switching signal of the timing generator 63B.
-Y and BY are obtained.

Next, the operation of the light source device as a premise of the present invention configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.

When the naked eye observation is performed using the fiber scope 2E, when the simultaneous external television camera 4B is connected to the eyepiece 28 of the fiber scope 2E, or when the simultaneous electronic scope 2B is used, Scope 2E
Alternatively, the 2B light source connector 14E or 14B is connected to the light source connector receiver 15 of the light source device 1. Further, white light is selected by the scope type selecting means 49 of the light source device 1. Then, the color conversion filter 43 is retracted from the illumination light path by the filter moving means 45, the rotation of the motor 44 is stopped, and the changeover switch 48 is set to the input terminal 48.
The b side is connected. Then, the lighting device 40 is configured as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5A, at the time of lighting, a constant current, for example, 18 A, is supplied to the lamp 41, and a certain amount of light is emitted from the lamp 41. This light is condensed by the lenses 42a and 42b without passing through the color conversion filter 43 and is incident on the light guide 24 of the scope 2E or 2B. This illuminating light is guided to the distal end portion 21 by the light guide 24, passes through the light distribution lens 23, and irradiates the subject. The illumination light emitted from the end of the scope has a constant light level, as shown in FIG. Note that this light amount level is 1.

On the other hand, the eyepiece 28 of the fiberscope 2E
In the case where the externally connected television camera 4A is connected and used, and the electronic sequential scope 2A is used, the light source connector 14E or 14A of the scope 2E or 2A is connected to the light source connector receiver 15 of the light source device 1. Connect to Further, the scope type selecting means 4 of the light source device 1
In step 9, plane-sequential light is selected. Then, the color conversion filter 43 is inserted into the illumination light path by the filter moving means 45, the motor 44 is rotated, and the changeover switch 48
Is connected on the input end 48a side. Then, as shown in FIG. 16A, the lighting device 40 increases the current supplied to the lamp 41 during the opening period of the color conversion filter 43 to, for example, 25 A, and decreases the current to, for example, 10 A during the light-shielding period. Therefore, the amount of light emitted from the lamp 41 increases during the opening period of the color conversion filter 43 and decreases during the light blocking period. This light passes through the color conversion filter 43 and
The light is converted into G, B plane-sequential light, is condensed by the lenses 42a, 42b, and is incident on the light guide 24 of the scope 2E or 2A. This illuminating light is guided to the distal end portion 21 by the light guide 24, and is applied to the subject through the light distribution lens 23. As shown in FIG. 16B, the illumination light emitted from the distal end of the scope becomes intermittent light having a light amount level 1.5, which is about 1.5 times the light amount when white light is output.

FIG. 17 shows the lamps 41 and 42 at the time of plane-sequential light output.
The timing of the operation of the color conversion filter 43, the surface sequential CCD 31A, and the like is shown. As shown in FIG. 17A, the color conversion filter 43 alternately repeats light blocking and exposure, and the transmission wavelength region at the time of exposure is sequentially switched to R, G, and B. From the timing signal generating means 47, FIG.
As shown in (b), a timing signal indicating the start timing of each of the R, G, and B exposure periods is output.
It is input to the lighting device 40. In response to the timing signal, as shown in FIG. 17C, the current supplied from the lighting device 40 to the lamp 41 increases to 25 A during the exposure period of the color conversion filter 43 and 10 A during the light-shielding period. Is reduced to In response to this change in the current, as shown in FIG. 17D, the amount of light emitted from the tip of the scope increases to level 1.5 during the exposure period of the color conversion filter 43, and increases during the light-shielding period. It becomes level 0. As shown in FIG. 17E, the exposure period and the light-shielding period of the color conversion filter 43 correspond to the exposure period and the signal charge transfer period of the CCD 31A of the field sequential electronic scope 2A or the field sequential external television camera 4A. Synchronized. Therefore, during the exposure period of the CCD 31A, the illumination light amount is at level 1.5,
During the light-shielding period of 1A, the illumination light amount is at level 0.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show, for comparison, the case where the light amount of the lamp 41 is constant both at the time of white light output and at the time of surface-sequential light output. As shown in FIG. 13, the white light output in this case is the same as the white light output of the present light source device. On the other hand, at the time of surface-sequential light output, as shown in FIG. 14A, the current supplied to the lamp 41 is constant at 18 A, which is the same as at the time of white light output, and therefore, as shown in FIG. The illumination light emitted from the distal end of the scope becomes intermittent light having a light amount level 1 equal to the light amount when white light is output.
For this reason, the total light quantity is smaller than that at the time of white light output, and the light quantity at the time of observation becomes insufficient.

On the other hand, in the present light source device, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the surface-sequential light is intermittent light of the light amount level 1.5, so that the light amount does not become insufficient. In addition, during the light blocking period of the color conversion filter 43,
Since the lamp current is reduced to 10 A during the charge transfer period of 31 A, the amount of light can be increased with almost no change in the total power consumption of the lamp 41 as compared with the time of white light output.

Further, since the light amount of the lamp 41 is reduced during the light-shielding period of the color conversion filter 43, the light emitted from the lamp 41 can be effectively used even when the light is sequentially output.

Further, the life of the lamp 41 can be extended.

The operation of the light source device 1 at the time of plane-sequential light output is performed by a plane-sequential electronic scope 2A having a plane-sequential CCD 31A or a plane-sequential external television camera 4A
For example, as shown in FIG. 17E, the present invention can be applied to a simultaneous electronic scope or a simultaneous external television camera using a line transfer CCD having a charge transfer period. That is, in this case, the light amount of the lamp 41 may be increased during the exposure period of the CCD, and may be decreased during the charge transfer. As a result, as in the case of using a frame sequential electronic scope or a frame sequential external TV camera, the total power consumption is almost unchanged.
The amount of light can be increased.

Further, one lamp 41 can cope with white light and plane-sequential light, the configuration is simple, and the light source device can be downsized.

The above is the configuration and operation of the endoscope light source device 1 on which the present invention is based. By the way, as mentioned above,
In the endoscope light source device 1 as a premise of the present invention, it is necessary to appropriately switch the scope type selection switch 49 in order to obtain appropriate output light according to the type of the scope or the external television camera.

As described above, the operation of switching the selection switch depending on the type of the scope to select white light and surface-sequential light is very troublesome, and there is a risk of erroneous operation of forgetting or erroneously switching.

Therefore, in the present invention, the type of the scope or the external television camera connected to the light source device can be automatically detected, whereby the selection switch is automatically switched.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the endoscope light source device 1 described above. FIG. 18 is a schematic configuration diagram of an endoscope light source device 101 showing an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the same components as those of the light source device 1 for an endoscope which are the premise of the present invention described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The light source connector receiver 15 of the endoscope light source device 101 is provided with terminals 111a and 111b. A power supply voltage Vc is applied to one terminal 111 a via a resistor 120, and is connected to a detection circuit 131. The detection output of the detection circuit 131 is input to a control circuit 132. The control circuit 132 controls the motor 44, the filter moving means 45, and the changeover switch 48.

On the other hand, the terminal 111 of the light source connector receiver 15 is connected to the light source connector 14E of the fiberscope 2E.
Terminals 112a and 112b connected to a and 111b are provided. The eyepiece 28 has a signal line 113a.
Terminal 114a connected to the terminal 112a via
And a terminal 114b connected to the terminal 112b via a signal line 113b.

Also, a frame sequential external television camera 4A
Are terminals 114a, 114 provided on the eyepiece 28.
Terminals 116a and 116b connected to the terminal b are provided, and a resistor 121A is connected between the terminals 116a and 116b. In addition, the simultaneous external TV camera 4B
Terminals 117a and 117b connected to terminals 114a and 114b provided on the eyepiece 28 are provided, and a resistor 121B is connected between the terminals 117a and 117b.

Assuming that the resistance values of the resistors 120, 121A and 121B are R120, R121A and R121B, respectively.
These resistance values are, for example, ◎ R120 = R121A << R121B
It is set to be ◎.

In the detection circuit 131, a voltage V0 at the terminal 111a is applied to a non-inverting input terminal of a comparator (not shown), and a reference voltage VREF is applied to an inverting input terminal. This reference voltage VREF is equal to Vc and 1 / 2V
For example, it is set to 2/3 Vc during c. The comparison output v0 of the comparator is output to the control circuit 13
2 is input.

When the output v0 of the comparator is an H signal, the control circuit 132
18 is retracted from the illumination light path as shown by a solid line in FIG. 18, the rotation of the motor 44 is stopped, and the changeover switch 48 is set so that the input end 48b is connected. On the other hand, when the output v0 is an L signal, the control circuit 13
2, a color conversion filter 43 is inserted into the illumination light path as shown by a broken line in FIG. 18, the motor 44 is rotated, and the filter moving means 45 is controlled. The changeover switch 48 is connected to the input end 48a. State.

The light source connector 14A of the field sequential type electronic scope 2A is connected to the terminal 11 of the light source connector receiver 15.
Terminals 141a and 141b connected to the terminals 1a and 111b are provided, and a resistor 121A having a resistance value R121A is connected between the terminals 141a and 141b. Similarly, the light source connector 14B of the simultaneous electronic scope 2B is provided with terminals 142a and 142b connected to the terminals 111a and 111b of the light source connector receiver 15, respectively.
A resistor 121B having a resistance value R121B is connected between a and 142b.

In this embodiment, the two lenses 42
A single condenser lens 42 is provided instead of a and b. Other configurations are the same as those of the endoscope light source device 1 on which the present invention is based.

In the present embodiment configured as described above,
A face-sequential external television camera 4A is connected to the eyepiece 28 of the fiberscope 2E, and the fiberscope 2E
Is connected to the light source connector receiver 15 of the light source device 101, the terminal 1 of the light source connector receiver 15
11a, 111b and the terminals 112a,
112b are connected, and the terminals 114a, 114 of the eyepiece 28 are connected.
4b and the terminal 116 of the external television camera 4A of the frame sequential type
a, 116b are connected. Therefore, the light source device 10
V0 = Vc.R121A / (R120 + R121A) = 1 / 2Vc (R120 = R121A) is applied to the first detection circuit 131. This voltage V0 is compared with a reference voltage VREF by a comparator, and V0 = 1 / 2Vc <2 / 3Vc
Therefore, the output v0 of this comparator becomes an L signal.
Accordingly, the color conversion filter 43 is inserted into the illumination light path, and the light source device 101 outputs light in a frame sequential manner. In this case, the light of the lamp 41 increases during the exposure period of the color conversion filter 43 and decreases during the light-shielding period, similarly to the endoscope light source device 1 on which the present invention is based.

On the other hand, when a simultaneous external television camera 4B is connected to the eyepiece 28 of the fiber scope 2E and the light source connector 14E of the fiber scope 2E is connected to the light source connector receiver 15 of the light source device 101, the light source connector Terminals 111a and 111b of receptacle 15 are connected to terminals 112a and 112b of light source connector 14E, and
8 terminals 114a and 114b and terminals 117a and 117b of the simultaneous external television camera 4B. Therefore, V0 = Vc.R121B / (R120 + R121B) 0Vc (R120 << R121B) is applied to the detection circuit 131 of the light source device 101. This voltage V0 is compared with a reference voltage VREF by a comparator. From V0 ≒ Vc> ２Vc,
The output v0 of this comparator becomes an H signal. Therefore, the color conversion filter 43 is retracted from the illumination light path, and the light source device 101 outputs white light. In this case, the light amount of the lamp 41 is constant as in the case of the endoscope light source device 1 on which the present invention is based.

Further, without connecting the television cameras 4A and 4B to the eyepiece 28 of the fiber scope 2E, the light source connector 14 of the fiber scope 2E is connected to the light source device 101.
, The terminals 111a and 111b of the light source connector receiver 15 are opened, and V0 = Vc is applied to the detection circuit 131 of the light source device 101. This voltage V0 is supplied to a reference voltage V
REF and V0 = Vc> 2 / 3Vc, the output v0 of this comparator becomes an H signal. Therefore, the color conversion filter 43 is retracted from the illumination light path, and the light source device 10 is retracted.
1 outputs white light.

When the light source connector 14A of the field sequential type electronic scope 2A is connected to the light source connector receiver 15 of the light source device 101, the operation is the same as that of the field sequential type external television camera 4A, and the simultaneous type When the light source connector 14B of the electronic scope 2B is connected to the light source connector receiver 15 of the light source device 101, the operation is the same as that of the simultaneous external television camera 4B.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the type of the scope connected to the light source device 101 and the type of the external television camera in the case of the fiber scope 2E are detected, and the connected scope or the external Illumination light suitable for a television camera can be automatically supplied.

[0070]

As described above, the light source device for an endoscope according to the present invention automatically detects the type of the connected scope or the external television camera, and simultaneously detects the connected scope or the external television camera. Illumination light suitable for the vehicle can be automatically supplied. Therefore, the disadvantages of this type of endoscope light source device can be eliminated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIGS. 1 to 17 relate to a light source device for an endoscope which is a premise of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an entire configuration of an endoscope system;

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a fiberscope,

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a frame sequential external television camera;

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a simultaneous external TV camera,

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a plane-sequential electronic scope,

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a simultaneous electronic scope;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a video processor.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a camera control unit.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a frame sequential process circuit.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a simultaneous process circuit;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an example of a filter moving unit of the light source device.

FIG. 12 is a front view of a color conversion filter,

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a lamp current and a light emission amount at the tip of a scope when a white light is output in a light source device of a comparative example.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a lamp current and a light amount emitted from a scope tip at the time of plane-sequential light output in the light source device of the comparative example;

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a lamp current and a light amount emitted from a scope tip at the time of white light output in a light source device on which the present invention is based;

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a lamp current and a light amount emitted from the tip of a scope at the time of plane-sequential light output in the light source device on which the present invention is based;

FIG. 17 is a timing chart showing the operation of the light source device on which the present invention is based;

FIG. 18 is a schematic configuration diagram of an endoscope light source device, showing an embodiment of the present invention;

[Explanation of symbols]

 2A: Surface-sequential electronic scope 2B: Simultaneous electronic scope 2E: Fiber scope 4A: Surface-sequential external television camera 4B: Simultaneous external television camera 40: Lighting device 41: Lamp (light source) 43: Color conversion filter ( Conversion means) 45 Filter moving means 101 Light source device for endoscope 131 Detection circuit (detection means) 132 Control circuit (control means)

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A light source that emits white light, a lighting device for the light source, and at least at the time of plane-sequential light output, a white light that is interposed in an optical path of light emitted from the light source and emitted from the light source Means for converting the light into surface-sequential light, and the converted surface-sequential light and an endoscope image obtained thereby.
A timing signal generator for synchronizing images, an output of the timing signal generator,
Switching between signal output for emitting bright white light
Moving the switch means for inputting the light to the lighting device and the means for converting the white light into surface-sequential light.
Thereby, a type of light emitted from the light source is selected from white light and surface-sequential light, and the connected endoscope or external television camera is used as illumination light.
Need white light or need plane-sequential light
Detection means for detecting whether one that, by the output of said detecting means, for selecting the illumination light suitable for the type of the endoscope or external television camera,
The selecting means , the timing signal generating means, and the switch
Control means for controlling the switch means, and a light source device for an endoscope.