JP5307518B2 - Medical equipment system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a medical instrument system characterized by signal transmission. <P>SOLUTION: The medical instrument system having an imaging device for imaging an observation region includes a video signal transmission means comprising: a first conversion-into-AC means for converting a video signal generated by the imaging device into an AC for each prescribed number of bits; a second conversion-into-AC means for converting a synchronization signal into the AC for each number of bits different from the first conversion-into-AC means; a superimposing means for converting the video signal converted into the AC by the first conversion-into-AC means and the synchronization signal converted into the AC by the second conversion-into-AC means into a superimposed signal; a transmission means for transmitting the superimposed signal; and a synchronization signal detection means for detecting the synchronization signal from the superimposed signal transmitted by the transmission means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a medical device system and an electronic endoscope device, and more particularly to a medical device system and an electronic endoscope device characterized by signal transmission between a patient circuit and a secondary circuit.

  In general, an electronic endoscope apparatus has an elongated insertion portion that is inserted into a body cavity, and is an image sensor (for example, an individual image sensor such as a CCD) that is an image sensor that generates an imaging signal of an observation site in the body cavity. Is a medical device system comprising: a scope provided at the distal end portion; and an endoscope control device that generates a desired video signal from a synchronization signal for driving control of the scope and an imaging signal photographed by the imaging device. . Here, the elongated insertion part of the scope is the part that is inserted into the patient's body cavity for observation, and the image sensor and cable that are part of the electrical circuit are also inserted into the patient's body cavity, so that the patient can be treated safely Therefore, when an electrical circuit called “patient circuit” that touches the patient is used to transmit a signal to a commercial power supply side circuit or video signal processing circuit (secondary circuit) on the endoscope control device side, It is necessary to provide electrical insulation.

  The patient circuit and the secondary circuit are insulated from each other by forming an insulation circuit that transmits and transmits the video signal from the image sensor upstream of the video signal processing circuit. However, when the power circuit of the video signal processing circuit is a switching power supply, or when an electronic endoscope device and an electric knife are used in combination, radiation noise, conduction noise generated by the switching power supply, or the output of the electric knife Radiation noise at the time will affect the video signal as external noise.

  In other words, when affected by external noise, common mode noise is generated in the patient circuit, and when viewed from the secondary circuit ground (ground potential), the patient circuit ground is in a state where the potential fluctuates. When the analog video signal of the patient circuit is isolated and transmitted to the secondary circuit, the analog video signal includes common mode noise.

  Generally, an analog video signal is weak against noise superimposition, and when noise is superimposed on an analog video signal, an image output to an external device becomes an image that is remarkably buried in noise. Therefore, a method is used in which an output signal from the image sensor is processed and A / D converted, and then insulated from the patient circuit to the secondary circuit.

  A first example of a conventional insulating circuit will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 shows an electronic endoscope apparatus 100 including a scope 110, a video processor 120, and an external device 130. The scope 110 includes an image sensor 112 at the distal end of the insertion portion 111. The video signal of the image sensor 112 is A / D converted (analog / digital converted) by an A / D circuit 122 via an AFE (analog front end) 121. The A / D converted video signal is insulated and transmitted by the insulation circuit 123 from the patient circuit to the secondary circuit. The video signal processing circuit 124 is required for processing the video signal after the insulated transmission in the secondary circuit. Furthermore, since it is necessary to synchronize the patient circuit and the secondary circuit, a synchronization signal is generated by a timing generator (TG) 125 which is a synchronization circuit. The synchronization signal generated by the timing generator 125 is transmitted to synchronization signal isolation transmission means in the isolation circuit 123. The timing generator 125 further transmits a drive signal corresponding to the synchronization signal to the image sensor drive circuit 126 to drive the image sensor 112.

  A first example of a conventional insulation circuit is shown in FIG. The insulation circuit 1 in FIG. 6 digitizes a video signal by an alternating means by A / D conversion and sends it to an insulation transmission means for the video signal. Similarly, the synchronizing signal is sent to the insulating signal transmission means.

  In Patent Document 1, an A / D converted image signal such as R (red), G (green), and B (blue) is converted into a 1-bit serial signal by a parallel / serial converter, and then optical communication is performed. A method is described in which an optical signal is converted into an optical signal by a module and insulated and transmitted while suppressing electromagnetic noise.

FIG. 7 shows a second example of a conventional insulation circuit. The purpose of this is to superimpose the video signal and the synchronization signal with the same number of bits and to make the insulated transmission means one system. Specifically, a predetermined range of the video signal (for example, “& hF0 to & hFF” if “& h00 to & hFF”) is defined as a synchronization signal, and the transmission line is reduced by superimposing the signal on the video data ( For example, see Patent Document 2).
JP 2006-51162 A JP 2005-66129 A

  In the insulation circuit 1 of the first example of the conventional insulation circuit (FIG. 6), two transmission lines are required: a video signal transmission line (upper stage) and a synchronization signal transmission line (lower stage). Furthermore, the video signal and the synchronization signal need to be electrically insulated and transmitted by the respective insulated transmission means. When an image signal such as an R, G, B image signal is transmitted in an isolated manner, a photocoupler or a pulse transformer is required as an insulating transmission means corresponding to each of the R, G, B image signals. Therefore, disposing the respective insulated transmission means in the video processor 120 requires a considerable installation area, and causes an increase in size and complexity of the apparatus.

  Furthermore, in the electronic endoscope described in Patent Document 1, a single-line photocoupler is required for image signal insulation transmission by converting the signal into a 1-bit serial signal by a parallel / serial converter. The insulated transmission means can be provided with a simple configuration. However, the synchronization signal transmission line is still necessary, and two transmission lines of the image signal insulation transmission and the synchronization signal transmission line are required.

  Next, in the insulation circuit 2 of the second example of the conventional insulation circuit (FIG. 7), the synchronization signal is superimposed on the video signal, so that only one system of insulation transmission means is required. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the dynamic range of the video signal by the amount of superimposition of the synchronization signal, thereby reducing the reproducibility of the video signal.

(Object of invention)
An object of the present invention is to solve the problem that the dynamic range of a video signal is reduced when a video signal and a synchronization signal converted by the same bit are superimposed and transmitted. That is, paying attention to the fact that the signal is made redundant by alternating current at the time of isolated transmission, while maintaining the dynamic range of the video signal by converting and superimposing the video signal and the synchronization signal for each different number of bits, and The synchronization signal can be detected from the superimposed signal without conversion.

(means)
The medical device system according to the present invention is a medical device system having an image pickup device for picking up an image of an observation site, and a first alternating means for converting the video signal generated by the image pickup device into a predetermined number of bits. A second alternating means for converting the synchronizing signal into an alternating current for each bit number different from that of the first alternating means, a video signal converted by the first alternating means, and the second Superimposing means for superimposing the synchronized signal converted into alternating current by the alternating current means, transmitting means for transmitting the superimposed signal, and synchronizing signal from the superimposed signal transmitted by the transmitting means Video signal transmission means comprising synchronization signal detection means for detecting the video signal.

  Furthermore, the transmission means is an insulated transmission means for insulating and transmitting the superimposed signal, preferably by any one of wireless, optical transmission, electrostatic induction, and electromagnetic induction.

  Further, the synchronization signal detection means preferably detects the signal without converting the superimposed signal by detecting a signal converted by the second AC means with a bit number different from that of the video signal. To detect.

  Further, the number of bits to be exchanged for each bit by the first AC means is preferably smaller than the number of bits to be exchanged for each bit number by the second AC means.

(Function)
By alternating the video signal and the synchronization signal at different bit intervals, signal patterns that do not overlap each other can be obtained even when the video signal and the synchronization signal are superimposed.

  According to the present invention, the synchronization signal can be superimposed without reducing the dynamic range of the video signal, and the number of insulated transmission lines for transmission can be reduced. Furthermore, since the synchronization detection signal circuit can detect the synchronization signal without data conversion, a large-scale and complicated circuit is not required.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a video signal transmission portion of a video signal transmission means 10 of a medical device system according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, when the video signal, for example, data “11111” of 5 bits (denoted as “5 /” in the drawing, the same applies hereinafter) is transmitted as it is by the insulating transmission means such as the transformer 21, The direct current component is attenuated and cut. That is, the insulation transmission means can transmit only a constant AC component because a constant continuous signal (DC component) is attenuated and cut with respect to the time axis. For this reason, the data is exchanged (redundant) by the alternating means 11 and, for example, predetermined bit data, for example, “0” is inserted between each bit data of the 5-bit data “11111”, and 10 bits (“10” in the drawing). / "And the same applies hereinafter) to" 1010101010 ". As a result, the video signal is converted into an alternating current and can be insulated and transmitted via the transformer 21. In the above-mentioned alternating current, a predetermined bit eater is inserted between each bit data, and the alternating current is shown for each bit number. However, alternating current is not necessarily required for each 1-bit number, and predetermined bit data may be inserted for each 2-bit number, 3-bit number, or the like.

  Further, as the above-described video signal alternating (redundant) means, Manchester means may be employed. “Manchestering” is to pattern “1” data into “01” and “0” data into “10”. Although the frequency band needs to be doubled, even if “0” or “1” continues, the data always changes every bit and the data delimiter time is transmitted.

  The video signal is, for example, three signals of R, G, and B, and three insulated transmission means, for example, three transformers 21 are required to perform insulation transmission for each signal. This leads to an increase in size and complexity of the apparatus. Therefore, each signal is serialized (serialized) by the parallel-serial conversion means 14 to become one system. The serialized video signal is insulated and transmitted by an insulating transmission means such as a transformer 21 using amplifiers 20 and 22.

  The serialized signal (serialized signal) is again deserialized into a parallel signal, for example, an R, G, B video signal, by the serial / parallel converter 30 for the video signal transmitted by the insulating transmission unit. That is, deserialization refers to a process of reconverting serialized serialized signals from parallel signals into original parallel signals.

  The deserialization signal (that is, each parallel signal) has the number of bits in the state of being previously ACed. For example, 5-bit data “11111” is made 10-bit data “1010101010” by inserting predetermined bit data, for example, “0” between each bit data by the alternating means. In this alternating (redundant) signal, the amount of data remains increased, and therefore processing for deleting the inserted predetermined bit data is required. This process is called simplification (coring) and is performed by the simplification means 32. More specifically, the simplification processing refers to 10-bit data “1010101010” in which predetermined bit data, for example, “0” is inserted between each bit data of 5-bit data “11111”, and again to 5-bit data “11111”. Is to convert.

  FIG. 2 shows the video signal transmission means 10 including the synchronization signal superimposing means in the video signal transmission means of the medical device system according to the present invention. 1, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The video signal is converted into an alternating current by the alternating means 11 (referred to as the first alternating means 11) shown in FIG. The synchronization signal is converted into an alternating current by the second alternating means 13 which is another alternating means. When the synchronization signal is, for example, 5-bit data “11111”, for example, “00000” data is inserted into the upper space and converted to 10-bit data “00000111111”. That is, the synchronization signal is converted into an alternating current every 5 bits. For example, the first ACing means 11 for the video signal is ACed for each number of bits, whereas the second ACing means for the synchronization signal is higher than the first ACing means 11. By alternating each 5-bit number, the signal can be easily identified and superimposed. That is, for example, a predetermined “0” signal is inserted for each bit number in the video signal converted by the first AC unit for each bit number, so that “11111” is included in the converted video signal. A continuous signal such as “cannot appear. On the other hand, for example, the synchronous signal converted into the alternating current by the second alternating means for every 5 bits becomes “0000011111” which is a continuous signal, etc., and is converted into the alternating current by the first alternating means for every 1 bit number. For example, the “1010101010” signal that is the recorded video signal does not appear. Thus, signals having different numbers of bits can be easily identified even if the synchronization signal converted by the second alternating means is superimposed on the video signal converted by the first alternating means. it can.

  Preferably, the number of bits to be exchanged for each number of bits by the first exchange means is smaller than the number of bits to be exchanged for each number of bits by the second exchange means. This is due to the fact that the data amount of the video signal converted by the first alternating means has a larger data arrangement pattern than the data amount of the synchronization signal converted by the second alternating means. is there. As a result, the synchronization signal can be superimposed without reducing the dynamic range of the video signal.

  The synchronization signal converted into an alternating current is superimposed on the video signal converted into an alternating current by the synchronization signal superimposing means 12. The superimposed signal is serialized by the parallel-serial conversion means 14 to become one system. The serialized video signal is isolated and transmitted by the transformer 21, and then the serialized signal is deserialized again into a parallel video signal by the serial-parallel converter 30.

  From the deserialized signal, the synchronization signal is identified and separated by the synchronization signal detecting means 31. At this time, as described above, even if the synchronization signal converted by the second alternating means is superimposed on the video signal converted by the first alternating means, the first alternating form Since the number of bits of the video signal converted by the means differs from the number of bits of the synchronization signal converted by the second alternating means, the superimposed synchronization signal can be easily detected and separated. That is, the synchronization signal can be detected without converting the superimposed signal. The detected synchronization signal and video signal are input to a video signal processing circuit 124 (not shown) and displayed on an external device 130 (not shown) such as a monitor or display.

(Function)
A medical device system having an imaging device for imaging an observation site includes a video signal transmission unit. The video signal transmission means first converts the video signal generated by the imaging device into an alternating current for each bit number, for example, 1 bit by the first alternating current converting means. In addition, the second alternating means different from the first alternating means converts the synchronization signal into alternating current for every different number of bits, for example, 5 bits. Next, the video signal converted into the alternating current by the first alternating means and the synchronizing signal converted into the alternating current by the second alternating means are superimposed by the superimposing means. Then, after transmitting the superimposed signal, the synchronization signal is detected from the superimposed signal by the synchronization signal detecting means.

(effect)
By adopting this embodiment, when transmitting a video signal and a synchronization signal, both signals can be easily superimposed by alternating them using alternating means with different bit numbers. Can be done. The superimposed signal can be serialized to make a plurality of systems one system. This can prevent the circuit from becoming large and complicated. The serialized signal can be transmitted from the patient circuit to the secondary circuit by insulated transmission means. The transmitted serialized signal can be deserialized and separated into a plurality of systems in order to be visualized. The synchronization signal can be easily identified and separated from the deserialized signal. This is because the video signal and the synchronization signal are superimposed by the alternating means having different numbers of bits.

(Second Embodiment)
The isolation configuration between the patient circuit and the secondary circuit for safely treating the patient includes an isolation circuit that insulates and transmits the video signal from the image sensor before the video signal processing circuit 124. The insulation configuration from the circuit is maintained. In the first embodiment, the insulating transmission means employs electromagnetic induction means such as the transformer 21. However, the insulating transmission means is not limited to electromagnetic induction means such as the transformer 21, and may be any means of wireless, optical transmission, and electrostatic induction. An example in which the insulated transmission means is wireless is shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows an example in which the video signal transmitter 21a is incorporated in the capsule endoscope casing 50, and the video signal receiver 21b is provided in the external secondary circuit 60 installed separately from the patient. The capsule endoscope is a kind of medical device system having an image pickup device for imaging an observation site, and is a small endoscope formed in a capsule shape for imaging / inspecting an observation site in a living body. The capsule endoscope has a housing 50 that contains a circuit board or the like in a watertight manner. The housing 50 has an objective lens on the front surface of an image sensor that is an image sensor, and has a substantially hemispherical shape covering the front of the objective lens. A transparent cover (not shown) and a cylindrical cover that covers the rear and has a hemispherical rear end, and is formed by water-tightly bonding the transparent cover and the cylindrical cover.

  In the capsule endoscope casing 50, an image sensor control unit 53 is disposed at the tip, and an image sensor 112 having an objective lens and a light source 52 are disposed on the front surface of the image sensor control unit 53. Yes. Although not shown, the image sensor control unit 53 includes an AFE 121, an A / D circuit 122, a TG 125, an image sensor drive circuit 126, a light source control unit, a battery unit, and the like. The video signal transmitted from the A / D circuit is converted into an alternating current by the first alternating means 11. The synchronization signal and the drive signal are generated by the TG 125. The generated synchronization signal is converted into an alternating current by the second alternating means 13. The generated drive signal is transmitted to the image sensor drive circuit 126.

  The video signal and the synchronization signal converted into alternating current are superimposed by the synchronization signal superimposing unit 12 and serialized via the parallel-serial conversion unit 14. The serialized signal is amplified by the amplifier 20 and wirelessly transmitted to the outside by the video signal transmitter 21a.

  The wirelessly transmitted signal is received by the video signal receiver 21b of the external secondary circuit 60 installed separately from the patient. This wireless transmission / reception can realize isolated transmission.

  The received signal is amplified by the amplifier 22 of the external secondary circuit 60 and then deserialized via the serial / parallel conversion means 30. From the deserialized signal, the synchronization signal is identified and separated by the synchronization signal detecting means 31. At this time, as described above, even if the synchronization signal converted by the second alternating means is superimposed on the video signal converted by the first alternating means, the first alternating form Since the number of bits of the video signal exchanged by the means differs from the number of bits of the synchronization signal exchanged by the second alternating means, the superimposed synchronization signal can be easily detected and separated. The separated synchronization signal and video signal are input to a video signal processing circuit 124 (not shown) and displayed on an external device 130 (not shown) such as a monitor or display.

(Function)
The patient circuit is disposed in the capsule endoscope housing 50. The image of the observation site imaged by the image sensor 112 of the capsule endoscope is converted into a video signal for each predetermined number of bits, and at the same time, the synchronization signal generated by the TG is also converted into a different number of bits. The alternating video signal and the synchronization signal are superimposed by the superimposing means. The superimposed signal is wirelessly transmitted and received by the video signal receiver 21b of the external secondary circuit 60 installed away from the patient. Isolated transmission is realized by this wireless transmission and reception.

(effect)
By performing transmission of signals between the patient circuit and the secondary circuit by wireless transmission / reception, completely insulated transmission can be realized. Thereby, a patient can be treated safely.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 4 shows an example in which the insulating transmission means is an optical transmission, for example, a photocoupler 21 ′. The photocoupler 21 ′ as an optical transmission means includes an electric signal / optical signal converter (hereinafter referred to simply as E / O converter) and an optical signal / electric signal converter (hereinafter referred to simply as O / O converter). E converter) is used in the module.

  The video signal and the synchronizing signal are converted into alternating currents for each different number of bits by the first alternating means and the second alternating means, respectively. The video signal and the synchronization signal converted into alternating current are superimposed by the synchronization signal superimposing unit 12 and serialized via the parallel-serial conversion unit 14. The serialized electrical signal is amplified by the amplifier 20, converted into an optical signal by the E / O converter, and transmitted. The transmitted optical signal is again converted into an electric signal by an O / E converter disposed adjacent to the E / O converter.

  The signal converted into the electric signal is deserialized again by the serial / parallel conversion means 30 into a parallel video signal.

  From the deserialized signal, the synchronization signal is identified and separated by the synchronization signal detecting means 31. At this time, as described above, even if the synchronization signal converted by the second alternating means is superimposed on the video signal converted by the first alternating means, the first alternating form Since the number of bits of the video signal converted by the means differs from the number of bits of the synchronization signal converted by the second alternating means, the superimposed synchronization signal can be easily detected and separated. The separated synchronization signal and video signal are input to a video signal processing circuit 124 (not shown) and displayed on an external device 130 (not shown) such as a monitor or display.

  An electrostatic induction type element can also be used as an example in which the insulating transmission means is electrostatically dielectric.

(effect)
By performing transmission of signals between the patient circuit and the secondary circuit by optical transmission, completely isolated transmission can be realized. Thereby, a patient can be treated safely.

It is a figure which shows the video signal part of the video signal transmission means of the medical device system which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the video signal transmission means of the medical device system which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the video signal transmission means using the wireless transmission of the medical device system which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the video signal transmission means using the optical transmission of the medical device system which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of an electronic endoscope. It is a figure which shows the 1st example of the conventional video signal insulation transmission circuit. It is a figure which shows the 2nd example of the conventional video signal insulation transmission circuit.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Video signal transmission means, 11 ... 1st alternating current means, 12 ... Synchronous signal superimposing means, 13 ... 2nd alternating current means, 14 ... Parallel serial conversion means, 20 ... Amplifier, 21 ... Transformer, 21 '... Photocoupler, 21a ... Video signal transmitter, 21b ... Video signal receiver, 22 ... Amplifier, 30 ... Serial to parallel conversion means, 31 ... Synchronization signal detection means, 32 ... Simplification means, 50 ... Capsule endoscope housing, 52 ... Light source, 53 ... Image sensor control unit, 60 ... External secondary circuit, 100 ... Electronic endoscope apparatus, 110 ... Scope, 111 ... Insertion unit, 112 ... Image sensor, 120 ... Video processor, 121 ... AFE (analog) Front end), 122 ... A / D circuit, 123 ... insulation circuit, 124 ... video signal processing circuit, 125 ... timing generator, 126 ... image Sensor drive circuit, 130 ... external device.

Claims (4)

A medical device system having an image sensor for imaging an observation site,
First alternating means for alternating the video signal generated by the imaging element for each predetermined number of bits;
Second alternating means for alternating the synchronizing signal for each bit number different from the first alternating means;
Superimposing means for superimposing a video signal converted into an alternating current by the first alternating means and a synchronizing signal converted into an alternating current by the second alternating means;
Transmission means for transmitting the superimposed signal;
Synchronization signal detection means for detecting the synchronization signal from the superimposed signal transmitted by the transmission means;
A medical device system comprising a video signal transmission means comprising:   The medical device system according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit is an insulating transmission unit that insulates and transmits the superimposed signal by any one of radio, optical transmission, electrostatic induction, and electromagnetic induction.   The synchronization signal detection means detects the synchronization signal without converting the superimposed signal by detecting a signal converted by the second AC means for each bit number different from the video signal. The medical device system according to 1 or 2.   The medical device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the number of bits to be exchanged for each number of bits by the first AC means is smaller than the number of bits to be exchanged for each number of bits by the second AC means. system.

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