JP3231734B2 - Endoscope system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improved endoscope system for irradiating X-rays without affecting imaging.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, endoscope apparatuses have been widely used in the medical field. In addition, the endoscope apparatus is sometimes used together with a treatment endoscope device such as a treatment tool inserted through a channel of the endoscope. Although the endoscope apparatus can obtain optical information, it may be used together with a device capable of obtaining other information.

Further, the endoscope apparatus includes an X-ray apparatus for confirming the position of the distal end of the endoscope and the position of the treatment tool.
May be used. For example, JP-A-2-68027
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-163,003 discloses a conventional example in which an endoscope image and an X-ray image are displayed on the same display.

[0004]

The above X-ray apparatus generates electromagnetic noise at the time of X-ray irradiation. For this reason, when reading out the electric charge stored in the CCD during X-ray irradiation, noise is mixed in the output signal of the CCD, and noise based on X-rays is mixed in the captured endoscope image, so that the endoscope image is generated. There is a disadvantage that the image quality is deteriorated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and prevents noise based on X-rays from being mixed into a captured endoscope image, thereby effectively reducing the deterioration of the image quality of the endoscope image. It is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope system that can prevent the endoscope system.

[0006]

To achieve the above object, an endoscope system according to the first aspect of the present invention is provided in a distal end portion of an insertion portion inserted into a cavity of a subject. An optical system for obtaining an optical image in the cavity, an optical image capturing unit that captures an optical image of the subject obtained by the optical system, and a charge storage period in which the optical image capturing unit stores charge, An optical image capturing control means for alternately controlling the readout period for reading out the electric charges stored in the optical image capturing means, and a reading direction directed toward the subject to confirm the insertion portion inserted into the cavity of the subject. X-ray irradiating means for irradiating the subject with X-rays, X-ray imaging means for imaging X-rays emitted from the X-ray irradiating means, Irradiating the X-rays by the X-ray irradiating means, and Gakuzo imaging means and having a X-ray irradiation control means for prohibiting irradiation of X-rays by the X-ray irradiation means to subject the period for reading the accumulated charge. An endoscope system according to a second aspect of the present invention is provided with an optical system for obtaining an optical image in the cavity of the subject, which is provided in a distal end portion of the insertion section inserted into the cavity of the subject. The obtained optical image capturing means for capturing the optical image of the subject, a charge accumulation period in which the optical image capturing means accumulates charges, and a readout period in which the charges stored in the optical image capturing means are read out alternately. An X-ray irradiating means for irradiating the subject with X-rays along a predetermined path to confirm the insertion portion inserted into the cavity of the subject; An X-ray imaging unit configured to image X-rays emitted from the X-ray irradiating unit; an X-ray shielding unit inserted into the predetermined path to shield the X-ray radiated from the X-ray irradiating unit; The X-ray irradiating means is provided while the image pickup means is in the charge accumulation period. The X-ray irradiating unit is evacuated from the path to irradiate the subject with X-rays by the X-ray irradiating unit, and the optical image capturing unit reads out the accumulated electric charge. X-ray shielding control means for interposing the X-ray shielding means in the path and prohibiting the subject from being irradiated with X-rays by the X-ray irradiating means.

With this configuration, it is possible to prevent noise based on X-rays from being mixed into the captured endoscope image.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is an overall view showing a configuration of an endoscope system according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the system controller and the like in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the endoscope, and FIG.
5 is a flowchart showing processing contents of a system controller.

As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope X of the first embodiment is shown.
The X-ray system 1 includes an endoscope apparatus 2 and an X-ray apparatus 3 for confirming the end position of the endoscope or the treatment tool.

The X-ray apparatus 3 includes an X-ray irradiator 6 for irradiating a living body 5 placed on a bed 4 with X-rays, an X-ray imaging apparatus 7 for imaging X-rays transmitted through the living body 5, An X-ray operation device 8 including an X-ray processing circuit for processing a signal from the X-ray imaging device 7, a monitor 9 for displaying a video signal generated by the X-ray operation device 8, and an X-ray operation device 8 First and second XY for moving the X-ray irradiation device 6 and the X-ray imaging device 7 in conjunction with each other by operating the operation panel 8a provided in
It is composed of stages 11 and 12. The X-ray operation device 8 is separated from the X-ray irradiation device 6 by a protective wall 13.

On the other hand, the endoscope apparatus 2 incorporates an electronic endoscope 14 having built-in image pickup means, a light source for supplying illumination light to the electronic endoscope 14, and signal processing means for performing signal processing for the image pickup means. It comprises a camera control unit (CCU) 15 and a monitor 16 for displaying video signals output from the CCU 15.

The electronic endoscope 14 has an elongated insertion portion 17.
An operation section 18 formed at the rear end of the insertion section 17;
A universal cable 19 extending from a side portion of the operation unit 18, and a connector 21 provided at a distal end of the universal cable 19 can be connected to the CCU 15.

The operating portion 18 is provided with an angle knob 22. By operating the angle knob 22, the bending portion 24 formed adjacent to the distal end portion 23 of the insertion portion 17 shown in FIG. Can be operated.

As shown in FIG. 3, a light guide 25 is inserted into the insertion portion 17 and the universal cable 19, and by connecting the connector 21 to the CCU 15,
Illumination light from a lamp (not shown) is condensed and supplied to the incident end face of the light guide 25. This illumination light is at the tip 2
From the exit end face attached to the illumination lens 26
And is emitted forward.

An objective lens 28 is attached to the distal end 23. A CCD 29 is disposed on the focal plane of the objective lens 28, and the CCD 29 performs photoelectric conversion. This CCD
When a drive signal of the drive circuit 31 housed in the distal end portion 23 is applied to 29, the photoelectrically converted signal is input to a signal processing circuit in the CCU 15, where the signal is processed to generate a standard video signal. Are displayed on the monitor 16.

The operating section 18 is provided with an insertion port 34 through which a treatment tool such as an electric knife 33 can be inserted. The electric knife 33 inserted through this insertion port 34 The side can protrude. This operation unit 18
Is provided with a freeze switch 37 for performing a freeze. The freeze switch 37 is connected to a contact of the connector 21 via a signal line, and is connected to a memory controller in the CCU 15 by connecting the connector 21 to the CCU 15 so that an image can be frozen or released.

As shown in FIG. 1, the CCU 15 is connected to a system controller 41 which performs centralized control.
The system controller 41 includes a keyboard 42, a foot switch 43, an electric knife control device 34 (which performs ON / OFF control of the electric knife 33 and the like, and has a built-in power supply circuit),
It is connected to the X-ray operation device 8 and the like.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the system controller 41 and the like. The system controller 41 includes a CPU 51 that performs centralized control, an operation panel 52 that inputs commands and the like to the CPU 51, a communication I / F 53,
54 and 55 are built-in. The CPU 51 is directly connected to the keyboard 42 and the foot switch 43 for turning on / off the electric knife 33 via an input / output port.

The CPU 51 monitors the levels to these ports. For example, when detecting that the level of the port connected to the foot switch 43 has changed from “H” to “L”, the electric knife 33 is turned on from OFF.
It is determined that an operation of (or from ON to OFF) has been performed, and a corresponding control command is transmitted. On the other hand, CCU1
5, communication with the electric knife control device 44 and the X-ray operation device 8
/ F53, 54, and 55 respectively.

For example, the CPU 51 has a communication I / F 53 and an R
It is connected to a communication I / F in the CCU 15 via an S-232C cable 56. Further, the CPU 51 communicates with the communication I /
It is connected to the communication I / F in the electric scalpel controller 44 via the F54 and the cable 57 of the RS-232C.
Also, the CPU 51 communicates with the communication I / F 5 in the X-ray operation device 8 via the communication I / F 55 and the cable 58 of the RS-232C.
9 is connected.

On the other hand, the X-ray operation device 8 includes a CPU 61 for controlling each part of the X-ray device, an irradiation instruction switch 62 for performing a switch operation of an irradiation instruction to the CPU 61, and the like.
A signal processing circuit 63 that performs signal processing on an X-ray imaging signal from the X-ray imaging device 7; the communication I / F 59;
And a stage drive circuit 64 for driving the second stages 11 and 12.

The CPU 61 turns on / off the operation of the X-ray irradiation device 6 by operating the irradiation instruction switch 62. The CPU 61 turns on the operation of the X-ray irradiation device 6
/ OFF, the signal corresponding to it is RS-232C
To the system controller 41 via the cable 58 of FIG.

When a signal is sent from the X-ray operation device 8 side, the system controller 41 writes a flag into a register in the CPU 51 or a memory (not shown) by an X-ray (operation) device side input processing routine as shown in FIG. I do. By writing this flag, the X-ray state flag is set to 1 during irradiation and to 0 during stop.

When, for example, the foot switch 43 or the keyboard 42 is operated, a process for preventing a malfunction is performed. In the system configuration of this embodiment, the operation signals of the foot switch 43 and the keyboard 42 are most easily affected by X-ray irradiation. For example, foot switch 43
Is a signal whose level changes from "H" to "L" when pressed, and is easily affected by noise. On the other hand, the cable 56 of the RS-232C is hardly affected by noise.

For this reason, in this embodiment, the operation of the foot switch 43 and the keyboard 42 is performed to prevent malfunction and secure the safety (operation functions in which malfunction reduces security are restricted or prohibited). Set to the state that you want). For example, when the foot switch 43 is operated, the processing of a foot switch input processing routine shown in FIG. 4 is performed.

When the routine proceeds to the foot switch input processing routine, first, the state of the X-ray apparatus shown in step S1 is read. The content of the X-ray state flag is detected in this reading process. Next, it is determined whether or not irradiation is being performed as shown in step S2. If it is determined that irradiation is being performed, step S2 is performed.
As shown in FIG. 3, the operation other than the operation of turning off the electric knife is ignored or prohibited. That is, in this case, the electric scalpel is either turned off from ON or maintained in the OFF state.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the irradiation is not being performed, a control command corresponding to the operation of the foot switch is transmitted as shown in step S4. Further, even when the keyboard 42 is operated, the function of the remote control is restricted in order to ensure safety. For example, when the keyboard 42 is operated to perform a remote operation for sending a command to greatly increase the X-ray irradiation amount to the X-ray control device 8 side, the flag is set as in the process shown in FIG. If it is 1, such a command is ignored.

According to the first embodiment, a detecting means for detecting the irradiation state of X-rays is provided, and based on the output of the detecting means, a remote operation which causes a safety problem if a malfunction occurs. Are restricted or prohibited, malfunction can be prevented and safety can be ensured.

In the first embodiment, on the X-ray apparatus 3 side, the function or the like may be restricted to components or signals that may malfunction due to X-ray irradiation.

FIG. 5 shows a part of an endoscope / X-ray system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, an X-ray irradiation mechanism for irradiating X-rays is provided so as not to affect imaging.
The electronic endoscope 101 of this embodiment incorporates, for example, a plane-sequential imaging means, and has almost the same configuration as the electronic endoscope 14 shown in FIG. 3, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. is there. The electronic endoscope 101 in this embodiment does not include the drive circuit 31, for example, but is driven by the drive circuit 31 built in the CCU 102.

As shown in FIG. 5, an illumination end face of the light guide 25 of the electronic endoscope 101 is supplied with illumination light in a sequential manner from a planar sequential light source device 103 built in the CCU 102. That is, the white light of the lamp 104 is converted into a parallel beam by the lens 105 and then applied to the rotary filter 107 driven to rotate by the motor 106.

The rotary filter 107 has a fan shape in the circumferential direction, and a color transmission filter 10 that transmits red, green, and blue, respectively.
8, 109, and 110 are attached, and the light that has passed through the rotary filter 107 becomes red, green, and blue plane-sequential light,
Further, the light is condensed by the lens 111, and the light is supplied to the incident end face of the light guide 25 in this plane sequential manner.

The motor 106 is driven by a (motor) servo circuit 112 at a constant rotation speed (for example, 30 rps).
It is controlled so that Illumination in this case is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6B, the CCD 29 reads out signals during the light-shielding period between the illumination periods,
A drive signal is applied to the CD 29.

On the other hand, the X-ray irradiation device 115
A shielding filter 118 made of lead, which is driven to rotate by a motor 117, is disposed in front of the shielding filter 118. The shielding filter 118 is formed by cutting the disk shape into a fan shape and opening 1
An opening 119 is provided in the X-ray irradiation tube 116.
In this case, X-rays are emitted forward through the opening 119, and the thickness of lead is set so that the X-rays other than the opening 119 can be shielded.

The motor 117 is connected to the servo circuit 112
Controls the rotation speed and phase. That is, FIG.
As shown in (c), the X-ray irradiation timing is synchronized with the illumination period (that is, the imaging period), and X-ray irradiation is not performed during the readout period. Therefore, even if electromagnetic noise is generated when X-ray irradiation is performed, reading is not performed, so that the output signal of the CCD 29 is hardly affected.

In other words, according to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent noise based on X-rays from being mixed in the endoscope image picked up by the electronic endoscope 101, so that the image quality of the endoscope image is degraded. Can be effectively prevented.

In this embodiment, the illumination and the image pickup are performed in a sequential manner. However, the simultaneous method can be applied in the same manner as described below. For example, instead of always reading a signal imaged (photoelectrically converted) from the CCD, a reading period for reading at a high speed is provided, a period during which reading is not performed is provided, and X-ray irradiation is performed during the period during which reading is not performed. You can do it.

FIG. 7 shows an endoscope / X-ray system 71 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The endoscope / X-ray system 71 includes an endoscope device 72 and an X-ray device 73 for confirming the position of the distal end of the endoscope or the distal end of the treatment tool.

The X-ray device 73 includes an X-ray irradiator 76 for irradiating a living body 75 placed on a bed 74 with X-rays, an X-ray imaging device 77 for imaging X-rays transmitted through the living body 75,
An X-ray control device 78 including an X-ray processing circuit for processing a signal from the X-ray imaging device 77; a monitor 79 for displaying a video signal generated by the X-ray control device 78; And a recording device 80 that records an X-ray fluoroscopic image to be made.

On the other hand, the endoscope device 72 incorporates an electronic endoscope 84 having built-in image pickup means and a light source for supplying illumination light to the electronic endoscope 84, and centrally controls each component constituting the endoscope device. A central processing unit 85, a signal processing circuit 86 connected via the central control unit 85, and a signal processing circuit 8
A monitor 87 connected to the control unit 6 via the central control device 85 and displaying a video signal output from the signal processing circuit 86;
It comprises a central control device 85 and a recording device 88 connected thereto. The CCD signal line of the electronic endoscope 84 is connected to the signal processing circuit 86 through the central control device 85.
The function of the signal processing circuit 86 may be built in the central control device 85.

In this embodiment, the central control device 85 is connected to each of the components constituting the endoscope device 72, and controls them centrally. A keyboard 89 is connected to the central control device 85. By operating the keyboard 89, a command or the like can be input to the central control device 85.

The central control device 85 includes an X-ray device 73.
Is also connected via a cable 90 such as RS-232C to centrally control the constituent elements constituting the device, and from one control device 85 (or 78) to the other control device 78 (or 85). By sending a control signal, the operation of the other device 73 (or 72) can be centrally controlled. The central controller 85 and the X-ray controller 78 are constituted by a CPU or the like.

FIG. 8 shows the configuration of the electronic endoscope 84.
The electronic endoscope 84 is provided with the release switch 36 and the multi-switches 91 and 92 in the operation unit 18 in the electronic endoscope 14 shown in FIG. One multi-switch 91
Has a function of, for example, setting the X-ray device 73 to an operation state or stopping the operation (that is, equivalent to a power switch of the X-ray device 73).

The other multi-switch 92 has, for example, an ON / OFF function of the operation of the recording device 80. In these functions, when the multi-switches 91 and 92 are operated, the central controller 85 detects the operation and outputs a corresponding control signal to X.
To the X-ray control device 78,
The power switch of the wire device 73 is turned on / off.

These multi-switches 91 and 92 can be set to other functions by registering switch functions using, for example, a keyboard 89 connected to the central controller 85. When this registration is performed, the function is stored in a memory or the like (not shown) in the central control device 85,
When the multi-switches 91 and 92 are operated, a CPU (not shown) in the central control device 85 generates a corresponding control command by referring to the contents of the memory. Note that the control command corresponding to the registered function may be stored, and the CPU may directly generate the control command corresponding to the function of the switch by reading the contents of the memory.

According to this embodiment, the operator who operates the endoscope device 72 operates the multi-switch 91 provided on the operation section 18 of the electronic endoscope 84, so that the central control device 85 and the X-point The power switch of the X-ray device 73 can be turned ON / OFF via the control device 78.
It is possible to observe a fluoroscopic image,
It can be FF. That is, the operator who operates the endoscope device 72 can easily observe the X-ray image.

Conventionally, the control unit of the X-ray apparatus is installed at a place away from the bed, so that the X-ray irradiation is performed to a place far away for the operator operating the endoscope apparatus 72 to operate. You have to go or need someone to control the X-ray irradiation. On the other hand, according to this embodiment, an X-ray image can be easily observed by a simple operation without going to a remote place.

Further, a control command is inputted from the keyboard 89, and the X-ray controller
It is also possible to move a moving stage (not shown) to which the X-ray imaging device 6 and the X-ray imaging device 77 are attached, and to perform control such as changing the X-ray irradiation position.

The power switch of the X-ray device 73 is turned ON / OFF.
A foot switch may be provided instead of the multi-switch 91 for turning off, or a foot switch for turning on / off other functions may be provided in addition to the multi-switches 91 and 92. Further, a multi-switch 91 for turning on / off the power switch of the X-ray device 73 may be provided near an operator who operates the endoscope, such as a front panel of the central control device 85. This is convenient because the surgeon can operate nearby without moving much.

The central control unit 85 includes, for example, the function of the light source device in the configuration of the system controller 41 shown in FIG.
It may be configured to have a processing function for the multi-switches 91 and 92, which detects (determines) whether or not X-rays are being irradiated. On the other hand, the operation may be prohibited.

FIG. 9 shows an endoscope / X-ray system 71 'according to a modification of the third embodiment. This modification is the endoscope X of FIG.
In the X-ray system 71, the monitor 79
And the X-ray device 73 'without the recording device 80.
The central controller 85 is connected to the X-ray controller 78 via a communication cable 90 and also to a signal transmission cable 90 'so that an X-ray image can be displayed on the monitor 87. The recording device 88 can also record an X-ray image. Other configurations are the same as those shown in FIG.

It is to be noted that the above embodiments may be partially combined or the like to form different embodiments.

[0053]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent noise based on X-rays from being mixed in a captured endoscope image, and to effectively prevent deterioration of the image quality of the endoscope image. It has the effect of being able to

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall view showing a configuration of an endoscope system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a system controller and the like.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing contents of a system controller.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing a part of an endoscope / X-ray system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram of the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing an endoscope / X-ray system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of an electronic endoscope.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram showing an endoscope / X-ray system according to a modification of the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope and X-ray system 2 ... Endoscope apparatus 3 ... X-ray apparatus 4 ... Bed 5 ... Living body 6 ... X-ray irradiation apparatus 7 ... X-ray imaging apparatus 8 ... X-ray operation apparatus 9 ... Monitor 11 ... 1 XY stage 12 2nd XY stage 13 Protective wall 14 Electronic endoscope 15 CCU 16 Monitor 22 Angle knob 25 Light guide 28 Objective lens 29 CCD 31 Drive circuit 33 Electric scalpel 34 insertion slot 35 channel 41 system controller 42 keyboard 51, 61 CPU 53, 54, 55 communication I / F

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Masahito Goto 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside O-limpus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yudai Nakagawa 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside the Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Akihiro Miyashita 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside the Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Shinji Yamashita 2-43-2, Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside the Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Akira Murata 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside the Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. Akiyoshi Ishikawa 2-43-2, Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus optical industry Co., Ltd. in the (56) reference Patent Sho 59-103642 (JP, a) (58 ) investigated the field (Int.Cl. ^7, B name) A61B 1/00 - 1/32 A61B 6/00 - 6/14 G02B 23/24 H05G 1/00 - 1/70

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A distal end portion of an insertion portion to be inserted into a cavity of a subject.
Optical system for obtaining an optical image in the cavity of the subject
And light for capturing an optical image of the subject obtained by the optical system
Scientific image capturing means, and a charge storage period in which the optical image capturing means stores charges,
Readout for reading out the charges stored in the optical image pickup means
Optical imaging control means for alternately controlling
Step and for confirming the insertion portion to be inserted into the cavity of the subject
X-ray irradiating means for irradiating the subject with X-rays, and X-ray imaging for imaging X-rays emitted from the X-ray irradiating means
Imaging means, and an object to be inspected while the optical image imaging means accumulates electric charges.
Irradiating X-rays by the X-ray irradiating means;
During the period in which the imaging unit reads out the accumulated electric charge,
Prohibit X-ray irradiation by the X-ray irradiating means for X
An endoscope system comprising: a line irradiation control unit . 2. Inside the distal end of an insertion portion to be inserted into a cavity of a subject
Optical system for obtaining an optical image in the cavity of the subject
When, Light for capturing an optical image of a subject obtained by the optical system
Scientific image capturing means, A charge accumulation period in which the optical image imaging means accumulates charges,
Readout for reading out the charges stored in the optical image pickup means
Optical imaging control means for alternately controlling
Steps and To confirm the insertion part inserted into the cavity of the subject
An X-ray irradiator that irradiates the subject with X-rays through a predetermined path
Steps and X-ray imaging for imaging X-rays emitted from the X-ray irradiating means
Image means; To shield X-rays emitted from the X-ray irradiator
X-ray shielding means interposed in the predetermined path; The X-ray irradiation is performed while the optical image capturing unit is in the charge accumulation period.
Evacuating the X-ray shielding means from the path of the
Irradiating the body with X-rays by the X-ray irradiating means, and
In the period during which the optical image pickup means reads out the accumulated charges,
During the X-ray irradiation The X-ray shielding means in the path of the emitting means
X-ray irradiation of the subject by the X-ray irradiating means
X-ray shielding control means for prohibiting radiation, An endoscope system comprising: