JP3336703B2 - Ultrasound endoscope hard copy device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hard copy device of an ultrasonic endoscope for photographing and recording an ultrasonic image together with an endoscopic image in a body cavity at the time of examination by an ultrasonic endoscope. It is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ultrasonic endoscope is provided with an endoscope observation mechanism comprising illumination means and observation means at an insertion portion into a body cavity, and an ultrasonic observation mechanism provided with an ultrasonic transducer. Since not only the observation of the internal image of the body cavity but also the acquisition of information on the in-vivo tissue tomography at a lesion or the like is possible, it is extremely convenient for examination and diagnosis inside the body cavity. As an observation means constituting an endoscope observation mechanism, in recent years, a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD is used to convert an image in a body cavity into an electric signal, take out the image, and reproduce the image on a screen such as a CRT.
So-called electronic endoscopes have been widely used. On the other hand, the ultrasonic observation mechanism applies an ultrasonic pulse from the ultrasonic transducer toward the inner wall of the body cavity, receives the reflected echo, extracts the received signal as an electric signal, and performs necessary signal processing. Then, it is also displayed on a display means such as a CRT.

[0003] Both an endoscope image obtained by the endoscope observation mechanism and an ultrasonic image obtained by the ultrasonic observation mechanism can be recorded on a video tape, but the recorded image is displayed on a screen. In addition, since it cannot be reproduced in the state of a moving image, an extremely troublesome operation is required to observe and inspect the moving image, and precise observation cannot be performed. For this reason, it is necessary to obtain a hard copy by taking a picture from a video for each necessary shot as a material for recording and storage, and record the hard copy in a filing system. It is convenient to record a hard copy for filing, for example, when comparing and examining a past state.

[0004] From the above demand, a hard copy device is used. As is well known, the hard copy device includes a display unit such as a CRT for displaying an endoscopic image or an ultrasonic image, and a camera for taking a picture of the image displayed on the monitor. Here, the display unit displays the same image as a CRT that displays an endoscopic image or a CRT that displays an ultrasonic image. Therefore, while watching the CRT,
When the required video is displayed, the image can be taken by activating the hard copy device.

[0005]

By the way, since the endoscopic image and the ultrasonic image are processed by different signal processing systems, conventionally, they are displayed on separate CRTs, respectively, and are respectively hard copy devices. , And recorded and stored in separate filing systems. For this reason, there are drawbacks such as two hard copy devices are required and a large installation space is required. Further, since the ultrasonic image is a tomographic image in a body cavity, and it is not always clear by itself that the captured image is a tomographic image of which part and in which state, it is necessary to separately obtain and file the tomographic image. After collating the hard copy of the endoscope image with the hard copy of the ultrasound image, it must be sorted and re-filed again, and this requires a high level of knowledge and experience. Inconveniences such as poor performance and mistakes may occur.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to acquire both an endoscope image and an ultrasonic image with a single hard copy device. It is in.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides an endoscopic image of a body cavity obtained from an endoscope and a tomographic image obtained by an ultrasonic inspection apparatus. Image display means capable of selectively displaying a sound wave image, photographing means for photographing an image projected on the image display device, an endoscope image photographing switch and an ultrasonic image photographing switch, and the image display means In this case, the endoscope image is always displayed, and when the ultrasonic image capturing switch is operated, the image display means is switched to a state in which the ultrasonic image is displayed for a predetermined time, and after this switching, a fixed amount is displayed. And control means for controlling so as to take a picture by the photographing means when a time has elapsed.

[0008]

During the examination and diagnosis using the ultrasonic endoscope, the endoscopic image is displayed on the image display device. Therefore, if there is a necessary shot, the image can be obtained as a hard copy by operating the endoscope image capturing switch. When the ultrasonic transducer is operated, an ultrasonic image is displayed on the CRT of the ultrasonic observation device. And to make a hard copy of this ultrasound image,
Operate the ultrasonic imaging switch. As a result, the image display means switches from a state in which the endoscopic image is displayed to a state in which the ultrasonic image is displayed. Then, when the image is stabilized after a certain period of time, the image displayed on the image display means, that is, the ultrasonic image, is hard copied. Further, after the hard copy of the ultrasonic image is created, the state is switched to a state in which the endoscopic image is displayed.

[0009] When an endoscope is inserted into a body cavity, an endoscope image is always obtained. Therefore, a hard copy device always makes a hard copy of an endoscope image. It is held in a state where it can be acquired, and the display state of the endoscopic image is switched to the display state of the ultrasonic image only when it is necessary to make a hard copy of the ultrasonic image. This makes it possible to obtain both a hard copy of an endoscopic image and a hard copy of an ultrasonic image with a single hard copy device, so that these are mixed and filed, and the mutual relationship is clearly defined. Become
This is extremely convenient in terms of utilization, such as easy comparison.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of an ultrasonic endoscope system. In the drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes an ultrasonic endoscope. The ultrasonic endoscope 1 includes an insertion section 2 for inserting into a body cavity, and a main body operation section 3 having a proximal end portion of the insertion section 2 connected thereto. , Body operation unit 3
And a universal cord 4 extending from the As shown in FIG. 2, the distal end portion of the insertion section 2 is provided with a means for performing endoscopic observation and a means for performing ultrasonic observation. The means for endoscopic observation includes an illumination window 10 for illuminating the inside of a body cavity and an observation window 11 on which an objective lens is mounted. A solid-state imaging device 12 is provided. on the other hand,
As means for performing ultrasonic observation, there is provided an ultrasonic vibrator 14 rotatably incorporated in a distal end cap 13 protruding from the distal end of the insertion section 2. The means for performing the endoscope observation and the means for performing the ultrasonic observation do not necessarily need to be integrally incorporated. For example, the means for performing the ultrasonic observation includes an ultrasonic vibrator and its remote control means. With a small diameter ultrasonic probe, this ultrasonic probe,
It can also be configured as a type that is incorporated so as to be inserted into a treatment tool insertion channel such as forceps in a normal endoscope. Further, the ultrasonic transducer 14 is configured to perform radial scanning, but various types of scanning methods can be used regardless of a mechanical type or an electric type.

As is well known, an emission end of a light guide faces the illumination window 10, and the light guide extends into the universal cord 4 through the insertion section 2 and the main body operation section 3. Also, the cable connected to the solid-state imaging device 12 and the cable connected to the ultrasonic vibrator 14 are inserted into the universal cord 4 from the insertion section 2 through the main body operation section 3 similarly to the light guide. The distal end of the universal cord 4 is branched into three, one of which is a light source connector 4a, which is connected to the light source device of the endoscope. The other is an imaging electrical connector 4 b, which is connected to a processor that processes signals from the solid-state imaging device 12. Here, the light source device and the processor may be configured as separate members, but in this embodiment, the endoscope observation device 20 in which the light source device and the processor are integrated.
It is connected to the. Further, the third is an ultrasonic electric connector 4c, which is connected to the ultrasonic observation device 21.

The endoscope observation device 20 includes an apparatus main body 20a including a light source unit having a light source lamp and the like, a processor unit having a signal processing circuit and the like, and a body cavity based on signals processed by the processor unit. And a CRT 20b as an image receiving device for displaying the video of the above. In general, in the endoscope, the solid-state imaging device 12 is driven by a plane-sequential system in order to reduce the diameter of the insertion section 2 and improve the resolution of an image. That is, the light of the three primary colors of RGB is sequentially and repeatedly irradiated on the subject from the light source unit in the apparatus main body 20a, and the solid-state imaging device 12 is exposed to acquire image signals of these colors. The signal and the synchronizing signal are transmitted from the device
0b, is converted to a video signal such as NTSC by the CRT 22, and a color image of the subject is projected.

On the other hand, the ultrasonic observation apparatus 21 has a signal processing unit 21a and a CRT 21b. The signal processing unit 21a includes an output signal from the ultrasonic transducer 14 and a rotation angle of the ultrasonic transducer 14. Is detected, and is converted into a video signal by a scan converter in the signal processing unit 21a.
After being input to the RT 21b, a radial ultrasonic image is displayed on the CRT 21b.

Further, in the figure, reference numeral 22 denotes a hard copy device. The hard copy device 22 is connected to a device main body 20a of the endoscope observation device 20 and a signal processing unit 21a of the ultrasonic observation device 21. The monitor 22a is used to create a hard copy of a desired shot among the images displayed on the endoscope observation device 20 or the ultrasonic observation device 21. And a photographing means 22b for photographing an image displayed on the monitor 22a. here,
The monitor 22a has an RG as in the case of a normal television receiver.
It has a B input terminal and a video input terminal. And
The main body operation unit 3 is provided with two switches 5 and 6. The switch 5 is a switch for capturing an endoscope image. When the switch 5 is pressed, the shutter of the imaging unit 22b is opened, a hard copy of the endoscope image is created, and the switch 6 is used for capturing an ultrasonic image. When the switch 6 is depressed, the shutter of the imaging means 22b is opened, and a hard copy of the ultrasonic image is obtained.

Therefore, based on FIGS. 3 and 4, an apparatus configuration for making a hard copy of an endoscope image and a hard copy of an ultrasonic image by operating the switches 5 and 6 will be described. explain.

In the drawing, reference numeral 30 denotes an endoscope image creation circuit in the apparatus main body 20a of the endoscope observation apparatus 20, and 31 denotes an ultrasonic image creation circuit in the signal processing section 21a of the ultrasonic observation apparatus 21. As described above, the endoscope image creation circuit 30 creates the RGB color image signals and outputs the three primary color image signals (RGB signals) and the synchronization signal. Also, the ultrasonic image creation circuit 3
1 outputs a video signal.
Therefore, the hard copy device 22 has an RGB signal line 32, a synchronizing signal line 33, a video signal line 34,
Shutter signal lines 35 and 36 from shutters 5 and 6
Is provided with a connector to be connected. As long as the respective video signals are output from the endoscope video generation circuit 30 and the ultrasonic video generation circuit 31, the signals are converted to the RGB signal line 32, the synchronization signal line 33, and the video signal line 3
4, the signal is transmitted to the hard copy device 22.

Here, in the hard copy device 22, a synchronizing signal recognizing circuit 40 and a video signal switching circuit 41 are provided, and a synchronizing signal from the synchronizing signal line 33 is input to the synchronizing signal recognizing circuit 40. Then, the signal is input to an RGB signal synthesizing circuit 42 for synthesizing the RGB signals transmitted from the RGB signal line 32, and an endoscope video signal is generated from the RGB signals and the synchronizing signal. At the same time, the synchronization signal is supplied to the video signal switching circuit 41.
The endoscopic video signal output from the RGB signal synthesizing circuit 42 is also input to the monitor 22a, and the endoscopic video is displayed on the monitor 22a. On the other hand, when the synchronization signal is not input from the synchronization signal line 33 to the synchronization signal recognition circuit 40, the ultrasonic image from the video signal line 34 is displayed. That is, the video signal switching circuit 41
The function of switching between an endoscopic image display mode in which an endoscopic image based on the B signal can be displayed and an ultrasonic image display mode in which an ultrasonic image from the video signal line 34 can be displayed.

By the way, as long as the signal from the endoscope image creation circuit 30 is output, the image signal switching circuit 41 gives priority to the signal, enters the endoscope image display mode, and outputs the signal to the monitor 22a. Without displaying endoscope video,
The ultrasonic image display mode is set only when there is no output of the synchronization signal from the endoscope image generation circuit 30, and the video signal output from the ultrasonic image generation circuit 31 is taken into the monitor 22a and the ultrasonic image is displayed. Will be. Therefore, only the control mechanism on the hard copy device 22 side
When signals are output from both the endoscope image creation circuit 30 and the ultrasound image creation circuit 31, even if the switch 6 is operated, a hard copy of the ultrasound image cannot be obtained.

Therefore, in conjunction with the operation of the switch 6,
A display switching device 50 for switching the video displayed on the monitor 22a by inhibiting the input of the synchronization signal from the synchronization signal line 33 to the hard copy device 22 for a predetermined time is provided. The display switching device 50 includes a delay circuit 51, a timer circuit 52, and a relay circuit 53. The synchronization signal line 33 and the shutter signal line 36 from the switch 6 for creating a hard copy of the ultrasonic image are connected to the hard copy device 22 via the display switching device 50.

When a signal is input from the switch 6, the signal is input to the timer circuit 52, and the timer circuit 52 is operated, and the timer circuit 52 is connected to the relay circuit 53.
The relay current is supplied only for the time set in 2. The synchronization signal line 33 is connected to the relay circuit 53, and while the relay current is flowing through the relay circuit 53, the synchronization signal line 33 is connected to the synchronization signal line 33.
The synchronization signal to 0 is not input. As a result, the video signal switching circuit 41 switches from the endoscope video display mode to the ultrasonic video display mode. The switch 6 is connected to the photographing unit 22b via the delay circuit 51.
With a delay set by the delay circuit 51, the shutter of the photographing means 22b operates, and the image displayed on the monitor 22a is photographed.

Therefore, the delay circuit 51 switches to the ultrasonic image display mode so that the monitor 22a has a time delay until the ultrasonic image is displayed in a stable state. The set time is set so as to operate only for the time required for image photographing by the photographing means 22b after switching to the ultrasonic image display mode. Thereby, the ultrasonic image is displayed on the monitor 22a only while the hard copy of the ultrasonic image is being made, and when the time set by the timer circuit 52 elapses,
The supply of the relay current to the relay circuit 53 is stopped, a synchronization signal is input from the synchronization signal line 33 to the synchronization signal recognition circuit 40 in the hard copy device 22, and the monitor 22a returns to the endoscope video display mode. , An endoscope image is displayed.

With the above configuration, the monitor 22 in the hard copy device 22 is always
An endoscope image is displayed in a, and the surgeon operates the ultrasonic endoscope 1 while observing the CRT 20b of the endoscope observation device 20, and an image that needs to be recorded as a hard copy is displayed. When displayed, the switch 5 is pressed. As a result, a shutter release signal is input from the shutter signal line 35 to the imaging unit 22b of the hard copy device 22, and the image displayed on the monitor 22a is captured.

On the other hand, when the ultrasonic vibrator 14 is operated,
A reflected echo from a tissue tomogram in the body cavity obtained by the ultrasonic transducer 14 is acquired, transmitted to the signal processing unit 21a of the ultrasonic observation device 21, and an ultrasonic image is displayed on the CRT 21b. Thereby, the condition of the body tissue can be examined. Thus, it is necessary to create and record a hard copy of the ultrasonic image displayed on the CRT 21b. The switch 6 provided by the operator on the main body operation unit 3
Is pressed, the signal from the switch 6 is input to the timer circuit 52 and the delay circuit 51 of the display switching device 50. In the timer circuit 52, a timer operates using a signal from the switch 6 as a trigger signal. While the timer is operating, transmission of a synchronization signal from the synchronization signal line 33 to the synchronization signal recognition circuit 40 is prohibited. The result image signal switching circuit 41 switches to the ultrasonic image display mode, the ultrasonic image from the ultrasonic image creating circuit 31 is taken into the monitor 22a, and the ultrasonic image is displayed on the monitor 22a. On the other hand, by the action of the delay circuit 51,
That is, a signal is sent to the photographing means 22b with a delay until the ultrasonic image is displayed in a stable state, the shutter of the photographing means 22b is opened, and a hard copy of the ultrasonic image is created. . Then, when the time for completing the creation of the hard copy of the ultrasonic image has elapsed, the relay current in the relay circuit 53 is cut off, so that the hard copy device 22 resumes the capture of the synchronization signal and the monitor 22a. Then, an endoscope image is displayed.

Thus, one hard copy device 2
Since a hard copy of an endoscope image and an ultrasonic image can be created in Step 2, the number of devices constituting the ultrasonic endoscope system can be reduced, and the entire system can be reduced in size and size. In addition, the hard copy of the ultrasound image can be mixed and recorded and stored in the same filing system as the hard copy of the endoscope image, and the endoscope image and the ultrasound image can be compared. Observation,
Inspection becomes easier. In particular, it is not clear which part of an ultrasonic image is an image in itself, so if a hard copy of an endoscopic image can be created so as to be associated with this ultrasonic image, records should be kept. It is also preferable for observing this record.

Therefore, when making a hard copy of the ultrasonic image, for example, the operation shown in FIG. 5 may be performed. That is, by first depressing the switch 6, the timer circuit 52 of the display switching device 50 is operated, the display mode is switched to the ultrasonic image display mode for the time set by the timer circuit 52, and the ultrasonic image is displayed on the monitor 22a. Is displayed. Further, the shutter of the photographing means 22b is opened with a certain time delay from the operation of the switch 6 by the delay circuit 51, and the ultrasonic image displayed on the monitor 22a is photographed. Then, after the time set by the timer circuit 52 has elapsed and the mode has been switched to the endoscope image display mode, the switch 5 is depressed,
The endoscopic image displayed on the monitor 22a of the hard copy device 22 is photographed by the photographing means 22b. Thus, after obtaining a hard copy of the ultrasonic image, a hard copy of the endoscopic image of the relevant site is obtained.

When a hard copy of an ultrasonic image is obtained, a hard copy of an endoscopic image of the site is automatically created together with the hard copy, as shown by a virtual line in FIG. A second delay circuit 54 is provided on the output side of the delay circuit 51 in the shutter signal line 36;
The signal from the delay circuit 51 is directly taken by the photographing means 22b.
, The photographing means 22b was operated to make a hard copy of the ultrasonic image, and thereafter, the display on the monitor 22a was switched to an endoscopic image by passing through the second delay circuit 54. Later, the second signal may be input to the photographing unit 22b, and the shutter of the photographing unit 22b may be opened again to create a hard copy of the endoscope image.

[0027]

As described above, according to the present invention, an endoscopic image in a body cavity obtained from an endoscope and an ultrasonic image relating to a tomographic image in a body obtained by an ultrasonic inspection apparatus are selectively provided. Since it is configured to provide a displayable image display means and a photographing means for photographing an image projected on the image display device, a single hard copy device can hardly copy an endoscope image. A hard copy of an ultrasonic image can also be obtained, and the number of devices constituting the entire ultrasonic endoscope system including a hard copy device can be reduced, and the entire system can be made compact. Two switches, a mirror image photographing switch and an ultrasonic image photographing switch, were provided, and the endoscopic image was always displayed on the image display means, and the ultrasonic image photographing switch was operated. Since the image display means is switched to a state in which an ultrasonic image is displayed for a predetermined time, and control is performed such that an image is taken by the image pickup means after a lapse of a predetermined time, an ultrasonic image Can be obtained in a mixed state with the hard copy of the endoscope image and recorded and stored in a single filing system, so that the ultrasonic image and the endoscope image can be easily compared and observed. It produces various effects such as

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an ultrasonic endoscope system.

FIG. 2 is an external view of a distal end portion of an insertion section in the ultrasonic endoscope.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a hard copy device.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a control mechanism of the hard copy device.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart illustrating operation control of the hard copy device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic endoscope 2 Insertion part 5, 6 switch 12 Solid-state image sensor 14 Ultrasonic transducer 20 Endoscope observation device 20a Device main body 20b CTR 21 Ultrasonic observation device 21a Signal processing unit 21b CRT 22 Hard copy device 22a Monitor 22b Imaging means 30 Endoscope image creation circuit 31 Ultrasound image creation circuit 40 Synchronization signal recognition circuit 41 Video signal switching circuit 42 RGB signal synthesis circuit 50 Display switching device 51 Delay circuit 52 Timer circuit 53 Relay circuit

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image display means capable of selectively displaying an endoscopic image in a body cavity obtained from an endoscope and an ultrasonic image related to a tomographic image in a body obtained by an ultrasonic inspection apparatus,
A photographing means for photographing an image projected on the image display device, an endoscope image photographing switch and an ultrasonic image photographing switch, and an endoscope image is always displayed on the image display means. When the sound wave image capturing switch is operated, the image display means is switched to a state in which an ultrasonic image is displayed for a predetermined time, and control is performed so as to capture an image by the capturing means when a predetermined time has elapsed after the switching. A hard copy device for an ultrasonic endoscope, the control device comprising: