JP5288909B2 - Endoscope system and switch - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope system including a processor device and a light source device, and a switch used for the endoscope system.

  In the medical field, examination using an endoscope system is widely used. An endoscope system is based on an endoscope that takes an image of a body cavity (subject) and an imaging signal that is detachably connected to the endoscope and that is output from a solid-state imaging device built in the endoscope. The apparatus includes a processor device that generates an endoscopic image, a monitor that displays the endoscopic image, and a light source device that supplies light that illuminates the body cavity to the endoscope. The doctor performs an examination while viewing the endoscopic image displayed on the monitor.

  Endoscope systems are limited in the types of endoscopes that can be connected to the processor device because the imaging method and connector shape differ for each type of endoscope. For this reason, a processor device corresponding to each endoscope is prepared, and an endoscope system is configured for each endoscope.

On the other hand, since many of the light source devices are compatible with a plurality of types of processor devices, there is no need to prepare a light source device for each processor device. Therefore, there is a type in which an endoscope system is configured at a low cost by sharing a light source device for a plurality of processor devices (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the endoscope system described in Patent Document 1, a detection line is provided in the endoscope in order to automatically detect a processor device that is selectively used. Since the detection line functions as a ground for the processor device, the signal level changes due to the connection of the endoscope, and the processor device to be used is detected based on this.
JP 2007-209656 A (paragraph numbers [0030] to [0032], FIG. 7)

  However, in the endoscope system described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to separately prepare an endoscope in which a detection line is arranged or to modify an existing endoscope, and no detection line is arranged. Existing endoscopes cannot be used as they are.

  In addition, the light source device needs to be provided with a plurality of ports in order to communicate with each processor device, and an existing light source device with a limited number of ports cannot be used.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides an endoscope system using a common light source device for a plurality of processor devices using existing equipment, and the endoscope. An object is to provide a switch used in the system.

  In order to achieve the above object, an endoscope system according to the present invention is configured such that an endoscope incorporating an image sensor is detachably connected, and an endoscopic image is generated based on an image signal output from the image sensor. A plurality of processor devices, a single light source device to which the endoscope is detachably connected, and supplies light to illuminate a subject to the endoscope, all the processor devices and the light source devices The processor device and the light source device to acquire identification information unique to the endoscope, and the processor device that is the acquisition source of the identification information that matches the identification information acquired via the light source device And a switch for switching the processor device that communicates with the light source device to the determined processor device.

  The identification information is preferably an endoscope serial number.

  The switching device according to the present invention includes a plurality of processor devices that are detachably connected to an endoscope having a built-in image sensor and generate an endoscopic image based on an image signal output from the image sensor, and the internal device An endoscope is detachably connected, connected to one light source device that supplies light illuminating the inside of the subject to the endoscope, and identification information unique to the endoscope via the processor device and the light source device The processor device that is the acquisition source of the identification information that matches the identification information acquired through the light source device is determined, and the processor device that communicates with the light source device is determined as the determined processor device. Switch.

  According to the endoscope system and the switching device of the present invention, the processor device that is the acquisition source of the identification information that matches the identification information unique to the endoscope acquired through the light source device is determined, and communicates with the light source device. Since the processor device is switched to the determined processor device, one existing light source device can be used in common for a plurality of processor devices.

[First Embodiment]
As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope system 10 according to the first embodiment includes an endoscope 11 that images a body cavity, processor devices 12 and 13 that generate endoscopic images, and light that illuminates the body cavity. Are provided to the endoscope 11, monitors 15 and 16 for displaying endoscopic images, and a switcher 17 for switching between the processor devices 12 and 13 to be used. The endoscope system 10 is used with a set of devices mounted on a cart (not shown).

  The endoscope 11 includes a flexible insertion portion 18 that is inserted into a body cavity, an operation portion 19 that is connected to a proximal end portion of the insertion portion 18, a processor device 12 or 13, and a light source device 14. And a universal cord 20 connected to the.

  A distal end portion 22 having a built-in CCD (charge coupled device) 21 (see FIG. 2) as an image sensor is provided at the distal end of the insertion portion 18. Behind the distal end portion 22 is provided a bending portion 23 that connects a plurality of bending pieces (not shown). The bending portion 23 is bent vertically and horizontally by operating an angle knob 24 provided in the operation portion 19 and pushing and pulling a wire (not shown) inserted in the insertion portion 18. Thereby, the front-end | tip part 22 is orient | assigned to the desired direction in a body cavity.

  The base end of the universal cord 20 is connected to the connector 25. The connector 25 is of a composite type, and the light source device 14 is connected to the connector 25 in addition to the processor device 12 or 13. Hereinafter, a case where the connector 25 is connected to the processor device 12 will be described.

  The processor device 12 receives the imaging signal output from the CCD 21 and performs various signal processing on the received imaging signal to convert it into image data. The image data converted by the processor device 12 is displayed as an endoscopic image on a monitor 15 connected to the processor device 12 by a cable 26. The processor device 12 is electrically connected to the switcher 17 via the cable 27 and controls the operation of the endoscope system 10 in an integrated manner.

  The processor device 13 performs the same processing as 12 and displays an endoscopic image on the monitor 16 connected by the cable 28. The processor device 13 is electrically connected to the switcher 17 via the cable 29 and controls the operation of the endoscope system 10 in an integrated manner. The cables 26 to 29 may be LAN, ANSI / TIA / EIA-232-F-1997 (commonly known as RS-232), or the like.

  The switch 17 is electrically connected to the light source device 14 via the cable 36. The cable 36 may be a LAN, ANSI / TIA / EIA-232-F-1997 (commonly known as RS-232), or the like.

  In FIG. 2, an illumination window 31, an observation window 32, a forceps outlet (not shown), and an air / water supply nozzle (not shown) are provided on an end surface 30 (see FIG. 1) of the tip portion 22. From the illumination window 31, the illumination light guided from the light source device 14 through the light guide 33 is irradiated to the observation site. The image light of the observation site is incident on the observation window 32. The forceps outlet is connected to a forceps channel (not shown) provided in the insertion portion 18 and communicates with a forceps port 34 (see FIG. 1) provided in the operation portion 19. Various types of treatment tools having an injection needle, a high-frequency knife or the like disposed at the tip are inserted into the forceps port 34, and the tips of the various types of treatment tools are exposed from the forceps outlet. The air / water supply nozzle is a cleaning water supplied from an air / water supply mechanism (not shown) built in the light source device 14 in response to an operation of an air / water supply button 35 (see FIG. 1) provided in the operation unit 19. And air are jetted toward the observation window 32.

  The CCD 21 built in the endoscope 11 is disposed at the imaging position of the objective lens 41 provided to face the observation window 32. In addition to the CCD 21, the endoscope 11 is provided with a correlated double sampling / programmable gain amplifier (hereinafter referred to as “CDS / PGA”) 42, a ROM 43, and the like. The CCD 21 captures image light of an observation site that has entered through the observation window 32 and the objective lens 41, and outputs an imaging signal corresponding to the image light. The CDS / PGA 42 performs noise removal and amplification on the imaging signal output from the CCD 21. The ROM 43 stores identification information unique to the endoscope 11 (for example, the serial number of the endoscope 11). As will be described in detail later, the identification information stored in the ROM 43 is used for selecting the processor devices 12 and 13.

  The processor device 12 includes a system control unit 44, a timing generator (hereinafter referred to as “TG”) 45, a CCD driver 46, an A / D converter (hereinafter referred to as “A / D”) 47, and an image generation unit 48. Is provided. The system control unit 44 communicates with the system control unit 54 of the light source device 14 and comprehensively controls each unit of the processor device 12.

  The TG 45 inputs a timing signal (clock pulse) to the CCD driver 46 under the control of the system control unit 44. The CCD driver 46 inputs a drive signal to the CCD 21 based on the input timing signal, and controls the readout timing of the accumulated charge of the CCD 21 and the electronic shutter speed of the CCD 21.

  The A / D 47 converts the analog imaging signal output from the CDS / PGA 42 into digital image data. The image generation unit 48 performs various types of image processing on the image data digitized by the A / D 47 to generate an endoscopic image. The image generator 48 converts the generated endoscopic image into a video signal (component signal, composite signal, etc.) corresponding to the format of the monitor 15, and outputs the video signal to the monitor 15. Thereby, an endoscopic image is displayed on the monitor 15.

  The processor device 13 includes a system control unit 49, a timing generator (hereinafter referred to as “TG”) 50, a CCD driver 51, an A / D converter (hereinafter referred to as “A / D”) 52, and an image generation unit 53. Is provided.

  The light source device 14 includes a system control unit 54, a light source 55, a light source driver 56, a diaphragm mechanism 57, a condenser lens 58, and the like. The system control unit 54 comprehensively controls each unit of the light source device 14.

  The light source 55 includes a xenon lamp or a halogen lamp, and is driven and controlled by a light source driver 56. The diaphragm mechanism 57 is disposed on the light exit side of the light source 55 and increases or decreases the amount of light incident on the condenser lens 58. The condenser lens 58 collects the light that has passed through the aperture mechanism 57 and guides the light to the incident end of the light guide 33 of the endoscope 11 connected to the light source device 14. The light guide 33 is inserted from the proximal end of the endoscope 11 to the distal end portion 22, and the emission end is connected to the illumination window 31.

  The switch 17 is provided with a system control unit 59 and a connection switching unit 60. The system control unit 59 determines whether the system control unit 54 of the light source device 14 communicates with the system control unit 44 of the processor device 12 or the system control unit 49 of the processor device 13, and Control all parts centrally. The system control unit 54 of the light source device 14 communicates with one determined by the system control unit 59 of the switcher 17 among the system control unit 44 of the processor device 12 and the system control unit 49 of the processor device 13.

  The system control unit 59 determines which system control unit 44 and 49 the system control unit 54 communicates with, based on identification information stored in the ROM 43 of the endoscope 11. The identification information is input from the ROM 43 to the system control unit 54 of the light source device 14 via the universal code 20 and the connector 25. Then, it is acquired from the system control unit 54 of the light source device 14 to the system control unit 59 of the switch 17 via the cable 36. Further, the identification information is input from the ROM 43 to the system control unit 44 of the processor device 12 to which the endoscope 11 is connected via the universal code 20 and the connector 25. Then, the data is acquired from the system control unit 44 of the processor device 12 to the system control unit 59 of the switcher 17 via the cable 27. On the other hand, it is not acquired from the processor device 13 to which the endoscope 11 is not connected. The system control unit 59 receives the identification information acquired via the light source device 14 from the processor device 12, and the system control unit 54 of the light source device 14 communicates with the system control unit 44 of the processor device 12. Decide to do. Note that when the endoscope 11 is connected to the processor device 13, identification information is acquired via the processor device 13, so that the system control unit 54 of the light source device 14 receives the system control unit 49 of the processor device 13. It is decided to communicate with.

  Based on the determination by the system control unit 59, the connection switching unit 60 is one of the system control unit 54 of the light source device 14, the system control unit 44 of the processor device 12, and the system control unit 49 of the processor device 13. Switch connection. In the present embodiment, the connection switching unit 60 connects the system control unit 54 of the light source device 14 and the system control unit 44 of the processor device 12 so that communication is possible.

  Next, the processing procedure of the endoscope system 10 having the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When a doctor performs an examination with the endoscope system 10, the doctor 11 connects the endoscope 11 to each of the processor device 12 or 13 and the light source device 14 (see FIG. 1), and powers the endoscope system 10. Put in. Hereinafter, a case where the endoscope 11 is connected to the processor device 12 will be described.

  When the endoscope system 10 is turned on, the system control unit 59 of the switcher 17 acquires the identification information of the endoscope 11 through the light source device 14 and the processor device 12 or 13. . Then, the system control unit 59 of the switch 17 determines whether the system control unit 54 of the light source device 14 communicates with the system control unit 44 of the processor device 12 or the system control unit 49 of the processor device 13. . When the identification information of the endoscope 11 is acquired via the processor device 12, the system controller 59 of the switch 17 communicates with the system controller 44 of the processor device 12 by the system controller 54 of the light source device 14. Decide to do. On the other hand, when the identification information of the endoscope 11 is acquired through the processor device 13, the system control unit 59 of the switcher 17 is connected to the system control unit 54 of the light source device 14 by the system control unit 49 of the processor device 13. Decide to communicate with. In the description of the present embodiment, since the endoscope 11 is connected to the processor device 12, it is determined that the system control unit 54 of the light source device 14 communicates with the system control unit 44 of the processor device 12.

  The doctor operates an examination start button (not shown) provided on the processor device 12. This instructs each part of the endoscope system 10 to start the examination.

  When receiving the instruction to start the inspection, the system control unit 44 of the processor device 12 controls the TG 45 and starts driving the CCD 21 by the CCD driver 46. The CCD 21 captures the image light of the observation site incident through the observation window 32 and the objective lens 41 in accordance with the driving of the CCD driver 46, and outputs an imaging signal corresponding to the image light.

  The output imaging signal is subjected to noise removal and amplification by the CDS / PGA 42. The image pickup signal subjected to noise removal and amplification is input to the A / D 47 and converted into digital image data. The image data is input to the image generation unit 48. The image generation unit 48 performs various types of image processing on the input image data, and generates an endoscope image from the image data. The image generation unit 48 converts the generated endoscopic image into a video signal corresponding to the format of the monitor 15, and outputs the video signal to the monitor 15. Thereby, an endoscopic image is displayed on the monitor 15.

  When the endoscopic image is displayed on the monitor 15, the doctor inserts the distal end portion 22 of the endoscope 11 into the body cavity of the patient and starts observation in the body cavity.

  As described above, since the switch 17 that detects the processor device to which the endoscope is connected is provided based on the identification information unique to the endoscope, it is not necessary to provide a plurality of ports in the light source device 14. In addition, unlike the endoscope system described in Patent Document 1, it is not necessary to separately prepare an endoscope provided with detection lines or to remodel an existing endoscope. As a result, the common use of the light source device for a plurality of processor devices can be realized without modifying existing equipment.

[Second Embodiment]
As shown in FIG. 4, the endoscope system 61 of the second embodiment includes endoscopes 11 and 62. The endoscope 11 is connected to the light source device 14 in addition to the processor device 12 via a connector 25 coupled to the base end of the universal cord 20.

  On the other hand, the endoscope 62 includes a universal cord 65 connected to the processor device 13 and the light source device 14. The base end of the universal cord 65 is connected to the connector 70. The connector 70 is of a composite type, and the light source device 14 is connected to the connector 70 in addition to the processor device 13. The endoscope 62 is denoted by reference numerals in the drawings, and detailed description thereof is omitted. In addition, in order to distinguish the structure of the endoscope 11 and the structure of the endoscope 62, the mutually different code | symbol was attached | subjected. For example, the reference numerals assigned to the insertion portions are different between 18 and 63. Below, the case where the connector 25 of the endoscope 11 is connected to the light source device 14 and the connector 70 of the endoscope 62 is not connected will be described.

  In FIG. 5, the system control unit 59 determines which system control unit 44, 49 communicates with the system control unit 54 by using identification information stored in the ROM 43 of the endoscope 11 and the endoscope. This is performed based on the identification information stored in the ROM 83 of 62. The identification information of the endoscope 11 is acquired by the system control unit 59 of the switch 17 via the light source device 14, and the system control unit of the switch 17 via the processor device 12 to which the endoscope 11 is connected. 59. On the other hand, the identification information of the endoscope 62 is input from the ROM 83 to the system control unit 49 of the processor device 13 via the universal code 65 and the connector 70. Then, the data is acquired from the system control unit 49 of the processor device 13 to the system control unit 59 of the switcher 17 via the cable 29. The system control unit 59 receives the fact that the identification information acquired via the light source device 14 matches the identification information acquired from the processor device 12, and the system control unit 54 of the light source device 14 controls the system control of the processor device 12. It is determined to communicate with the unit 44. On the other hand, when the endoscope 62 instead of the endoscope 11 is connected to the light source device 14, the identification information acquired through the light source device 14 and the identification information acquired through the processor device 13 are included. Therefore, it is determined that the system control unit 54 of the light source device 14 communicates with the system control unit 49 of the processor device 13. Note that the description of the same configuration as in the first embodiment is omitted.

  Next, the processing procedure of the endoscope system 61 having the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the doctor turns on the power of the endoscope system 61 when performing an examination with the endoscope system 61 to which each device is connected.

  When the endoscope system 61 is turned on, the system control unit 59 of the switcher 17 acquires the identification information of the endoscope connected to the processor devices 12 and 13 via the processor devices 12 and 13. The identification information of the endoscope connected to the light source device 14 is acquired via the light source device 14. Then, the system control unit 59 of the switch 17 determines whether the system control unit 54 of the light source device 14 communicates with the system control unit 44 of the processor device 12 or the system control unit 49 of the processor device 13. . When the identification information of the endoscope connected to the light source device 14 is acquired from the processor device 12, the system control unit 59 of the switching unit 17 is controlled by the system control unit 54 of the light source device 14. It is determined to communicate with the unit 44. On the other hand, when the identification information of the endoscope connected to the light source device 14 is acquired from the processor device 13, the system control unit 59 of the switcher 17 is connected to the system control unit 54 of the light source device 14. It is determined to communicate with the system control unit 49. In the description of the present embodiment, since the endoscope 11 is connected to the light source device 14, it is determined that the system control unit 54 of the light source device 14 communicates with the system control unit 44 of the processor device 12. Note that description of processing procedures and effects similar to those of the first embodiment will be omitted.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where there are two processor devices has been described as an example. However, three or more processor devices may be used.

  In each of the above embodiments, the processor device to be used is selected based on the identification information stored in the ROM of the endoscope. However, the arrangement and shape of the pins provided on the connector of the endoscope are determined by the processor device. Then, the endoscope may be identified based on the arrangement and shape of the pins. Further, the supplementary information of the image data may be acquired by the image generation unit, and the endoscope may be identified based on the supplementary information.

  In each of the above embodiments, the processor device to be used is selected based on the identification information unique to the endoscope. However, a processor device that is powered on may be selected. In this case, when both of the processor devices (a plurality of processor devices when there are three or more processor devices) are turned on, the processor device to be used is selected based on a predetermined rule. As predetermined rules, the order in which the power is turned on, the preset priority order, and the usage status (select the frequency and the last used one) are stored in the switch 17 and used. And so on.

  Moreover, in each said embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 4, although the switch 17 was stored in the housing | casing and mounted in the upper surface of the light source device 14, the endoscope systems 10 and 61 are mounted. It may be built in or attached to the cart.

  Moreover, the endoscope systems 10 and 61 shown in the above embodiments are merely examples, and can be appropriately changed to any form without departing from the gist of the present invention.

It is the schematic which shows the structure of the endoscope system in 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical and optical structure of the endoscope system in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the endoscope system in 1st Embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the endoscope system in 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical and optical structure of the endoscope system in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the endoscope system in 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 61 Endoscopy system 11, 62 Endoscope 12, 13 Processor unit 14 Light source unit 17 Switch 21 CCD (charge coupled device)
43, 83 ROM
59 System control unit 60 Connection switching unit

Claims (8)

Endoscope imaging device with built is detachably connected, and pulp processor device to generate an endoscope image based on the imaging signal output from the imaging element,
The endoscope is detachably connected, and a light source device you provide light for illuminating the inside of the subject in the endoscope,
A switch that can connect one light source device and a plurality of processor devices, and determines one processor device that communicates with the light source device from among the plurality of processor devices,
A function of acquiring unique identification information of the connected endoscope from the light source device to which the endoscope is connected, and the processor device to which the endoscope is connected among a plurality of the processor devices And having the function of acquiring the identification information unique to the connected endoscope,
The light source based on the presence or absence of acquisition of the identification information from a plurality of the processor devices, or the matching status of the identification information from the light source device and the identification information from the processor device An endoscope system comprising: a switching unit that determines one processor device that communicates with a device. One of the light source devices and a plurality of the processor devices are connected to the switch, and the same endoscope as the endoscope connected to the light source device is connected to one of the plurality of processor devices. Is connected,
In response to the identification information being acquired from the one processor device connected to the endoscope, the switch determines the processor device as one processor device that communicates with the light source device. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein: One light source device and at least two first and second processor devices are connected to the switch, and the first and second endoscopes are respectively connected to the first and second processor devices. Is connected, and one of the first and second endoscopes is connected to the light source device,
The switch includes first identification information that is identification information of the first endoscope and second identification information that is identification information of the second endoscope, respectively, from the first and second processor devices. Among the first and second identification information, the identification information that matches the identification information from the light source device is determined, and the processor device that is the acquisition source of the determined identification information is determined as the light source. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein the processor device is determined to be one processor device that communicates with the device. The endoscope system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the identification information is an endoscope serial number. Endoscope imaging device with built is detachably connected, said product to pulp processor apparatus an endoscopic image based on the imaging signal output from the imaging device, and the endoscope is detachably connected is used the light that illuminates the inside of the subject to an endoscope system having a light source device and that be supplied to the endoscope,
A switch that can connect one light source device and a plurality of processor devices, and determines one processor device that communicates with the light source device from among the plurality of processor devices,
A function of acquiring unique identification information of the connected endoscope from the light source device to which the endoscope is connected, and the processor device to which the endoscope is connected among a plurality of the processor devices And having the function of acquiring the identification information unique to the connected endoscope,
The light source based on the presence or absence of acquisition of the identification information from a plurality of the processor devices, or the matching status of the identification information from the light source device and the identification information from the processor device A switch for determining one processor device to communicate with a device. One of the light source devices and a plurality of the processor devices are connected to the switch, and the same endoscope as the endoscope connected to the light source device is connected to one of the plurality of processor devices. Is connected,
In response to the identification information being acquired from the one processor device connected to the endoscope, the switch determines the processor device as one processor device that communicates with the light source device. The switching device according to claim 5, wherein: One light source device and at least two first and second processor devices are connected to the switch, and the first and second endoscopes are respectively connected to the first and second processor devices. Is connected, and one of the first and second endoscopes is connected to the light source device,
The switch includes first identification information that is identification information of the first endoscope and second identification information that is identification information of the second endoscope, respectively, from the first and second processor devices. Among the first and second identification information, the identification information that matches the identification information from the light source device is determined, and the processor device that is the acquisition source of the determined identification information is determined as the light source. The switching device according to claim 5, wherein the switching device is determined to be one processor device that communicates with a device. The switch according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the identification information is a serial number of an endoscope.

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