JP4076736B2 - Endoscope device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The endoscope apparatus emits white light from the distal end of a flexible tube of a scope inserted into the body to illuminate the front, and observes an illuminated subject image with a visual or monitor device. The act of inserting a scope into a patient's body and observing it is a medical practice, and the use of the endoscope device is limited to qualified doctors.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional endoscope apparatus is in a state where anyone can use it, and in particular, there are no restrictions on use and measures against crime prevention.
[0004]
In view of the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to give authority to use an endoscope apparatus only to a specific person and manage the endoscope apparatus.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An endoscope apparatus according to the present invention includes a scope in which a flexible tube and a gripping unit are integrated, an authentication unit that is detachably attached to the scope and has unique identification information, and a processor to which the scope is attached. The processor has a memory storing a database of identification information, and when the authentication unit is attached to the scope, the identification information is read out and obtained by the scope only when it matches one of the identification information stored in the memory. The main feature is that it includes a processor that makes it possible to view the video to be viewed.
[0006]
For example, the authentication unit may include a button for operating the scope, or may include a button for operating an external device connected to the processor. Further, the authentication unit may be an external recording medium.
[0007]
In the endoscope apparatus, it is preferable that the identification information stored in the authentication unit and the database of identification information stored in the processor are rewritable.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0009]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic endoscope system to which the endoscope apparatus according to the first embodiment is applied. An endoscope device is an electronic endoscope device that converts an optical subject image into a video signal and displays it on a monitor screen. In order to reproduce a color image, a simultaneous method is adopted, and the video signal standard is adopted. The NTSC system is adopted for.
[0010]
The electronic endoscope apparatus includes an electronic scope 10 having a flexible tube 20, a processor 100 detachably attached to the electronic scope 10, and a monitor device 200 connected to the processor 100.
[0011]
A light guide member 12 formed of an optical fiber bundle is inserted into the electronic scope 10 up to the distal end portion 20a of the flexible tube 20, and the proximal end side of the light guide member 12 is a processor when the electronic scope 10 is attached to the processor 100. It is optically connected to a light source unit 102 provided in 100. As a result, the illumination light from the light source unit 102 is guided to the distal end portion 20a of the flexible tube by the light guide member 12, and the front subject, for example, the internal organ officer X is illuminated.
[0012]
The flexible tube tip 20a is provided with an imaging sensor 14 made of a solid-state imaging device, for example, a CCD, and this imaging sensor 14 includes an objective lens system (not shown) combined with the CCD. An optical image of a subject illuminated with white illumination light is formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD by the objective lens system, and converted into each color light by a complementary color chip filter (not shown) on the light receiving surface. The optical subject image formed on the CCD is photoelectrically converted into an analog image signal for one frame by the image sensor 14 and sequentially read out from the image sensor 14 by the CCD drive signal generated by the timing control circuit 112 of the processor 100. .
[0013]
The analog imaging signal read from the imaging sensor 14 is processed in the first-stage video signal processing circuit 104 according to the characteristics of the imaging sensor 14 and the optical characteristics of the electronic scope 10, such as clamp processing, sample hold processing, γ correction processing, White balance correction processing, amplification processing, and the like are performed, converted into component digital signals composed of luminance signals and color difference signals, and sequentially stored in the image memory 106.
[0014]
When the component digital signal for one frame is read out from the image memory 106, it is converted into an analog color video signal such as an NTSC composite video signal obtained by multiplexing a color difference signal and a decoded synchronization signal into a luminance signal by a post-stage video signal processing circuit 108. The
[0015]
The analog color video signal is output from the processor 100 to the monitor device 200, and a subject image is reproduced on the screen of the monitor device 200 based on the analog color video signal. The analog color video signal is output from the processor 100 to a recording device 300 such as a VTR or VCR, and recorded on a video tape or the like. Further, the analog color video signal is output to a filing device 350 such as a personal computer via an interface (not shown), and is filed as an image here.
[0016]
A keyboard 400 is connected to the system control circuit 110, and character information such as a patient name input from the keyboard 400 and an observation date and time obtained from a timer circuit (not shown) is converted into a character pattern signal by the system control circuit 110 to be a subsequent video. The signal is output to the signal processing circuit 108 where it is added to the component digital signal. Thereby, the character information is displayed on the screen of the monitor device 200 together with the reproduced image of the optical subject image.
[0017]
The system control circuit 110 is a microcomputer that controls the entire operation of the processor 100, and includes a CPU, a ROM for storing programs and parameters for executing various routines, and a RAM for temporarily storing data and the like. The timing control circuit 112 generates a synchronization signal for synchronizing the operation of each circuit.
[0018]
The processor 100 is provided with a front panel 114 having a plurality of switches for manually adjusting the image quality, light quantity, etc., and setting various modes, and supplies power to each circuit and the light source unit 102 of the processor 100. A power supply unit 116 to be supplied and a power button 118 for switching ON / OFF of the power supply unit 116 are provided.
[0019]
The electronic scope 10 includes a grip 30 integrated with the flexible tube 20. Various buttons for operating the flexible tube 20, specifically, air or water are supplied to the distal end 20 a of the flexible tube. Are provided with an air supply / blow button 32 for sending the liquid, a suction button 34 for sucking up liquid and air, and an angle knob 36 for changing and fixing the angle of the distal end portion 20a of the flexible tube.
[0020]
Further, an authentication unit 40 for personal authentication is detachably attached to the grip portion 30, a connection pin (not shown) protruding from the grip portion 30, and a pin hole (not shown) provided in the authentication unit 40. And are electrically connected to each other. The authentication units 40 are prepared for the number of users, and each authentication unit 40 has a built-in memory unit 42 for storing single identification information. On the other hand, the processor 100 is provided with a personal information memory 120 which is a readable / writable nonvolatile memory, and the personal information memory 120 stores the same identification information as the identification information of all the authentication units 40. That is, the personal information memory 120 has identification information for the number of users. When there are a plurality of electronic scopes 10 connected to the processor 100, identification information corresponding to the total number of authentication units 40 that can be attached to each electronic scope 10 is stored in the personal information memory 120. .
[0021]
When any one of the authentication units 40 is attached to the grip unit 30, the memory unit 42 of the authentication unit 40 is electrically connected to the system control circuit 110 of the processor 100. The system control circuit 110 reads the identification information stored in the memory unit 42, determines whether it matches any one of the identification information in the personal information memory 120, and if it matches, the operation of the electronic scope 10 and the processor 100 If they do not match, the operation of the electronic scope 10 and the processor 100 is prohibited. Therefore, only the person having the authentication unit 40, that is, the doctor can be authorized to use the processor and the electronic scope, and medical accidents and crimes caused by the use of persons who do not have a doctor license can be prevented.
[0022]
On the surface of the authentication unit 40, an image still button 44 for displaying a still image on the monitor device 200, a recording button 46 for starting and stopping image recording by the recording device 300, and a filing device 350 are operated. An activation button 48 is provided. These operation buttons 44, 46 and 48 are provided for remotely operating the external devices 200, 300 and 350 connected to the processor 100. By providing them on the authentication unit 40 side, the authentication unit 40 is provided. If it is not attached to the scope 10, the external devices 200, 300, and 350 cannot be operated substantially, and forgetting to attach the authentication unit 40 is prevented. The external devices 200, 300, and 350 are operated by the processor 100. However, by providing the buttons 44, 46, and 48, the scope 10 can be operated and the operability is improved.
[0023]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an authentication processing routine executed in the system control circuit 110. The authentication processing routine is started when a power button 118 provided on the surface of the processor 100 is pressed, and power is turned on in the first step S102.
[0024]
Subsequently, in step S104, it is determined whether or not the authentication unit 40 is attached to the electronic scope 10. If it is determined that the authentication unit 40 is attached, further personal authentication is performed in step S106, that is, identification information in the memory unit 42. It is determined whether there is data in the personal information memory 120 that matches the above. If it is determined that personal authentication has been completed, step S108 is executed to permit the operation of the endoscope system, and the authentication processing routine ends. Specifically, it is possible to operate each button provided on the surface of the authentication unit 40, turn on the light source unit 102, display an image on the monitor device 200, record the recording device 300 or the filing device 350, and the like.
[0025]
If it is determined in step S104 that the authentication unit 40 is not attached to the electronic scope 10 or that the identification information does not match in step S106, step S108 is not executed, that is, the operation of the endoscope system is not permitted. The authentication processing routine ends.
[0026]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an input state of identification information. For the input of the identification information, a dedicated connection terminal 450 is used in addition to the authentication unit 40, the processor 100, the monitor device 200, and the keyboard 400. The connection terminal 450 transfers pins 452 for electrically connecting the authentication unit 40 and the system control circuit 110 of the processor 100 and identification information (for example, name and ID number) input from the keyboard 400 to the authentication unit 40. Cable 454.
[0027]
The front panel 114 of the processor 100 is provided with a switch for setting an identification information input mode. When the identification information input mode is set by this switch, an input screen is displayed on the monitor device 200 and input from the keyboard 400. Displayed. When the input of the identification information is completed, the result is stored in both the memory unit 42 of the authentication unit 40 and the personal information memory 120 of the processor 100.
[0028]
Instead of providing a switch for setting the identification information input mode, a configuration is provided in which the identification information input mode is set by inputting a combination of specific keys (password input) on the keyboard 400 connected to the processor 100. May be.
[0029]
The identification information can be rewritten. When the identification information is stored in the memory unit 42 in advance, the currently stored identification information is erased and the newly input identification information is stored.
[0030]
As a management method, for example, a doctor who uses the same processor 100 is provided with an authentication unit 40 storing each identification information, and the connection terminal 450 necessary for rewriting the identification information is specified to have the authority to rewrite the identification information. For example, a service person. Thereby, a person other than the specific person cannot rewrite the identification information stored in the electronic scope 10 and the processor 100, which is effective for crime prevention.
[0031]
FIG. 4 is a view showing a second embodiment of the endoscope apparatus according to the present invention. The second embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment except that the input method of identification information is different. In the second embodiment, identification information is input by a dedicated input terminal 460, and the monitor device 200 and the keyboard 400 are not used.
[0032]
The input terminal 460 includes a display unit 462 and an input unit 464 and is connected to the connection terminal 450 and the processor 100. The identification information input by the input unit 464 is displayed on the display unit 462, transferred to the authentication unit 40 and the processor 100 on the connection terminal 450, and written in the memory unit 42 and the personal information memory 120.
[0033]
FIG. 5 is a view showing a third embodiment of the endoscope apparatus according to the present invention. The third embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment except that the identification information input method is different, and the description of the same configuration is omitted. In the third embodiment, identification information is input by a personal computer 470 in which a dedicated software program is installed.
[0034]
When the personal computer 470 starts a software program, inputs identification information from the attached keyboard 472, confirms it on the monitor device 474, and instructs transfer, the connection terminal 450 connected to the personal computer 470 receives the input identification information. The data is transferred to the authentication unit 40 and the processor 100 through the memory and written in the memories 42 and 120.
[0035]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a fourth embodiment of an endoscope apparatus according to the present invention, and is an overview diagram showing only an electronic scope. The fourth embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment except that the configuration of the authentication unit that can be attached to and detached from the electronic scope is different.
[0036]
The electronic scope 610 is integrally provided with not only an air supply / air blowing button 32 and a suction button 34 but also an image still button 44, a recording button 46 and an operation button 48 on the surface of the grip 630, and only the angle knob 636 is provided. It is detachable. A memory unit 42 that stores single identification information is built in the angle knob 636.
[0037]
On the side of the grip 630, there are four connection pins 641 for electrical connection with the angle knob 636, a central shaft member 643 disposed in the center of the four connection pins 641, and outside the connection pins 641. An O-ring 645 is provided which seals between the two when the angle knob 636 is mounted. The angle knob 636 engages with the central shaft member 643 and rotates relative to the central shaft member 643 about the axis. The bending mechanism of the flexible tube distal end portion 20a by the angle knob 636 is conventionally known and will not be described here.
[0038]
Also in the fourth embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the memory unit 42 is provided in a member (angle knob 636) that can be freely attached to and detached from the scope 610 to store the identification information, so that the electronic scope 610 and the processor 100 can be used. Can be limited to qualified doctors and service personnel.
[0039]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a fifth embodiment of an endoscope apparatus according to the present invention, and is an overview diagram showing only an electronic scope. In the fifth embodiment, the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment except that an external recording medium storing identification information is detachably provided in the electronic scope. The same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.
[0040]
Single identification information is stored in the external recording medium 742. The holding portion 730 of the electronic scope 710 is formed with a storage chamber 745 that stores the external recording medium 742. When the external recording medium 742 is inserted into the storage chamber 745, the system control circuit 110 of the processor 100 operates as an external recording medium. The identification information stored in 742 is read to perform personal authentication. External recording medium 742, in order to avoid an increase in size of the grip portion 730 to accommodate this, it is preferable that the relative to small. The accommodation chamber 745 is preferably provided at a position that does not hinder the use of the electronic scope 710 of the doctor.
[0041]
In the fifth embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the identification information is stored in the memory card 742 that can be freely attached to and detached from the scope 710, so that the use of the electronic scope 710, the processor 100, and the like can be used by a doctor licensed person and a service. It can be limited only to man.
[0042]
In the first to fifth embodiments, an electronic scope provided with an image sensor is used and a subject image is visually recognized by a monitor device. However, a fiber scope that is directly viewed from an eyepiece without providing an image sensor is used. Needless to say, the present invention can also be applied. Further, the imaging method may be a frame sequential method, or a PAL method may be adopted as a video signal standard.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the endoscope of the present invention can give the authority to use the endoscope apparatus only to a specific person, and can manage the endoscope apparatus.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of an endoscope apparatus according to the present invention, and is a schematic block diagram of an electronic endoscope system.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an authentication processing routine executed in the system control circuit shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a situation in which personal information is recorded in an authentication unit by a processor.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the endoscope apparatus according to the present invention, and is a diagram illustrating a situation in which personal information is recorded in an authentication unit by a dedicated terminal.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a third embodiment of an endoscope apparatus according to the present invention, and is a diagram showing a situation in which personal information is recorded in an authentication unit by a personal computer.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a fourth embodiment of an endoscope apparatus according to the present invention and showing a scope body and an authentication unit.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a fifth embodiment of an endoscope apparatus according to the present invention, and is a diagram showing a scope body and a memory card.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Electronic scope 14 Imaging sensor 42 Memory part 100 Processor 120 Personal information memory 200 Monitor apparatus 300 Recording apparatus

Claims (4)

A scope , an authentication unit that is detachable from the scope and has unique identification information, and a processor to which the scope is attached,
The processor has a memory storing a database of the identification information, and when the authentication unit is mounted on the scope, the identification information is read and matches any one of the identification information stored in the memory The operation of the scope is enabled only when, and the authentication unit is provided with an operation member for operating at least one of the scope and an external device connected to the processor. Endoscope device.   The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the authentication unit is an external recording medium.   The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification information stored in the authentication unit and a database of the identification information stored in the processor are rewritable. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the identification information is written by an input device separate from the processor.

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