JP5467967B2 - Endoscope system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope system capable of grasping a defect quickly and easily.

  In an endoscope, a user can observe an object in a body cavity of a patient or image an object by operating a switch provided in an operation unit of the endoscope while grasping an endoscope body. To do.

  In general, since endoscopy is performed with the examination room dim, it is impossible to instantaneously identify the positions of switches and the functions assigned to the switches on the operation unit of the endoscope and the touch panel of the video processor. Further, in an endoscope system in which a plurality of types of endoscopes can be connected to a single video processor, depending on various combinations of the endoscope and the video processor, the endoscope or the video processor may be There are cases where it is possible to execute or not execute even though the function is inherent. Therefore, it is difficult to easily determine whether these functions are valid or invalid with a glance at an endoscope or a video processor. This means that if a malfunction occurs in any of the functions in the endoscope system, the function is in an invalid state due to the combination of the endoscope and the video processor in the first place, or a malfunction occurs. It becomes a factor which raises the difficulty of judgment of whether it is unnecessarily. Furthermore, it is time consuming and troublesome for the surgeon who is performing the operation to identify the device or function in which the malfunction occurs, which can be a heavy burden.

  Therefore, an endoscope system as disclosed in Patent Document 1 has been proposed as a warning for malfunctions in the endoscope system. In Patent Document 1, a warning when a problem occurs in an endoscope apparatus can be displayed on a touch panel of a video processor. On the touch panel, a warning screen and a solution corresponding to the content of the warning are displayed. Thereby, it is possible to grasp the content of the warning and the coping method for the defect only by confirming the touch panel.

JP-A-9-192095

  However, in the conventional endoscope system as described above, when a malfunction occurs in the function of the system during the operation, the operator interrupts the operation of the switch or the like in the operation unit to confirm the warning. Since it is necessary to check the touch panel of the processor, the treatment efficiency may be reduced.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope system capable of grasping a problem in an endoscope system without taking an eye off the operation unit even if a problem occurs during operation of the operation unit. .

  An endoscope system according to an embodiment of the present invention that solves the above problems includes an operation unit having a plurality of switches for executing functions of the endoscope system, and light emitting means for causing each switch to emit light. It has an endoscope, a video processor to which the endoscope is connected, and detection means for detecting a malfunction of the endoscope system. The first light emitting means emits light with a light emission color and a first light emission pattern that are determined in advance according to a failure occurrence location at a device level that constitutes the endoscope system detected by the detection means. The light emission process is performed. Thereby, the operator and other workers can confirm whether the malfunction occurred in the operation unit or the video processor only by confirming the operation unit.

  Preferably, after the first light emission process, the light emitting means has a predetermined light emission color and a first color determined according to a defect occurrence location at a functional level of the endoscope system detected by the detection means with at least one switch. A second light emission process for emitting light with the second light emission pattern is performed.

  More preferably, the video processor has a switch for executing the function of the endoscope system and emits light in a predetermined light emission color, and the function assigned to the switch of the video processor is defective. If it occurs, in the second light emission process, at least one switch of the plurality of switches of the operation unit emits light in the second light emission pattern with the light emission color of the switch of the video processor that executes the function in which the malfunction occurred. . In addition, when a failure occurs in a function assigned to any of the plurality of switches of the operation unit, the switch assigned with the function emits light in the second light emission pattern in the second light emission process. .

  The endoscope system includes a peripheral device, and when a failure occurs in the peripheral device, the first emission process causes the emission color to be different from the emission color associated with the endoscope and the video processor. Then, at least one switch of the plurality of switches of the operation unit emits light.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, even if the malfunction in an endoscope system generate | occur | produces during a treatment, the endoscope system which can grasp | ascertain a malfunction without taking an eye from an operation part can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an endoscope system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic views showing an operation unit of an endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, an endoscope system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same number is attached | subjected, when showing the same member over several figures.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an endoscope system 100 of the present invention. The endoscope system 100 includes an endoscope 1 and a video processor 2. The endoscope 1 is optically and electrically connected to the video processor 2. The light source unit 41 of the video processor 2 is a condensing lens that condenses light from the light source at an incident end of a light guide 21 including a light source such as a halogen lamp, a xenon lamp, a white LED, or an optical fiber that is a propagation path of illumination light. A color filter provided between the light source and the light guide 21 for sequentially separating the white light from the light source into red (R), green (G), and blue (B) light, and a video signal in the frame memory A color filter rotation control circuit for controlling the speed and phase of the color filter so that the color filter rotates in synchronization with the timing pulse and vertical synchronization signal at the time of writing, a light quantity stop for adjusting the light quantity of illumination light, and a light quantity It has a circuit for controlling the diaphragm, etc., and generates illumination light by a frame sequential method. Note that the imaging method may be a simultaneous imaging method instead of the frame sequential method. That is, the white light of the light source is condensed and propagated to the light guide as it is, irradiated to the observation target part, the complementary color signal is separated by an on-chip complementary color filter on the image sensor, and this complementary color signal is converted into R, G , B can be converted to color difference signals RY and BY using the color difference matrix. Of course, a simultaneous system in which primary color signals are output using color filters of the three primary colors R, G, and B instead of the complementary color filter may be used. Further, the video processor 2 is provided with a thermometer 40 for measuring the temperature of the light source of the light source unit 41. Data on the temperature of the light source measured by the thermometer 40 is acquired by the CPU 39.

  The illumination light generated by the light source unit 41 propagates through the inside of the light guide 21 and is emitted from the exit end of the light guide 21 disposed in the distal end portion of the flexible tube of the endoscope 1. A light distribution optical system 12 for irradiating illumination light is provided at the distal end portion of the flexible tube so as to be coupled to the distal end of the light guide 21. In addition to the light distribution optical system 12, an objective optical system 11 is provided at the distal end of the flexible tube, and an image pickup device 13 (CCD image sensor, CMOS image sensor, or the like) is disposed at the subsequent stage. Although the objective optical system 11 is shown as a single piece in the figure, it is actually composed of a plurality of pieces and corresponds to the optical zoom. In addition, a signal line in which a plurality of transmission paths are bundled is drawn from the image sensor 13 to a connection portion with the video processor 2.

  The illumination light emitted from the light guide 21 reaches the target site via the light distribution optical system 12. The illumination light is reflected by the target part and forms an image on the imaging surface of the imaging element 13 via the objective optical system 11. The illumination light received by the image sensor 13 is photoelectrically converted and then sent to the video signal processing circuit 30 of the video processor 2.

  The surgeon operates the electronic zoom switch provided on the operation unit 22 of the endoscope 1, the operation panel 42 of the video processor 2, or the like to change the magnification of the electronic zoom. Each switch of the operation panel 42 can be made to emit light with a different emission color for each function by an LED or the like by a light emitting circuit 43 as a light emitting means. The light emission circuit 43 is controlled to emit light by the CPU 39. The CPU 39 of the video processor 2 receives an operation signal for the electronic zoom switch, and transmits an electronic zoom control signal to the image processing circuit 34 based on the operation signal. The image processing circuit 34 performs electronic zoom processing on the video signal based on the received control signal.

  Further, in the endoscope system 100, in addition to the electronic zoom that is a zoom function executed on the video processor 2 side, an optical zoom that is a zoom function executed on the endoscope 1 side can also be executed. In the operation unit 22 of the endoscope 1, a motor 14 and a rotary encoder 15 that detects the number of rotations of the motor 14 are provided as optical zoom means. The motor 14 is connected to the gear 10 via a torque wire. The gear 10 moves some lenses in the objective optical system 11 in the optical axis direction by using the driving force of the motor 14, and changes the focal length with the imaging surface of the imaging element 13 without changing the in-focus position. . Information such as the input to the motor 14 and the rotational speed of the motor 14 detected by the rotary encoder 15 is fed back to the motor control circuit 16. For example, in the case of a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) drive type that modulates by changing the duty ratio of the pulse wave, the PWM frequency and the duty ratio are fed back to the motor control circuit 16. Since the rotational speed of the motor 14 corresponds to the movement amount of the part of the lens of the objective optical system 11, feedback control is performed based on information such as the rotational speed of the motor 14 detected by the rotary encoder 15. The optical zoom can be adjusted to a desired magnification. The operator changes the magnification of the optical zoom by operating a switch for the optical zoom provided on the switch of the operation unit 22 or the operation panel 42. The CPU 18 of the endoscope 1 receives an operation signal for the optical zoom switch, and transmits a control signal to the motor control circuit 16 based on the received operation signal. The motor control circuit 16 drives the motor 14 by the number of rotations corresponding to a desired optical zoom magnification by a control signal from the CPU 18. The drive of the motor 14 is transmitted to the gear 10, and the gear 10 moves the above-mentioned part of the lens of the objective optical system 11 in the optical axis direction by the number of rotations of the motor 14. The CPU 18 monitors the output from the sensor 24 for detecting a failure of the motor 14 although no connection is shown in FIG.

  The CPU 18 is connected to the memory 17 and the timing circuit 19 in addition to the motor control circuit 16. The memory 17 stores information related to the endoscope 1 such as functions that can be executed by the endoscope 1, the number of pixels of the image sensor 13, and a frame rate. Therefore, the CPU 18 reads information necessary for image processing from the memory 17 and designates a setting value necessary for each block. Further, when the endoscope 1 is connected to the video processor 2, the CPU 18 within the video processor 2, such as identification information of the endoscope 1 and property information unique to the image sensor 13 among the information stored in the memory 17. Information necessary for this process is transmitted to the CPU 39.

  When the CPU 39 receives information related to the endoscope 1 from the CPU 18, the CPU 39 instructs the timing circuit 37 to change the processing timing of each block in the video processor 2 based on the received information, or the RGB in the image processing circuit 34. Control is performed such that the color optimized for the endoscope is reproduced by adjusting the gain value. Further, the CPU 18 receives information related to image processing in the video processor 2 stored in the memory 44 from the CPU 39, and sets the drive timing of the image sensor 13 based on the received information.

  The video signal processing circuit 30 of the video processor 2 receives the video signal output from the image sensor 13 and applies various signals such as clamp, knee, γ correction, interpolation processing, AGC (Auto Gain Control) to the input signal. The signal processing is performed. The processed signal is converted into a digital signal sequence, RGB color conversion is performed, and R, G, and B signals are output to the R memory 31, the G memory 32, and the B memory 33, respectively. The R memory 31, the G memory 32, and the B memory 33 buffer the input video signal in units of frames based on the timing pulse output from the timing circuit 37. The R memory 31, the G memory 32, and the B memory 33 convert the signal into a monitor display format such as NTSC (National Television System Committee) or PAL (Phase Alternation Line) under the control of the timing circuit 37, and perform image processing. Send to circuit 34.

  The image processing circuit 34 performs image processing such as enhancement for enhancing blood vessels, brightness correction, and noise reduction on the R, G, and B video signals received from the R memory 31, the G memory 32, and the B memory 33. Applied, D / A converted and output. The character generation circuit 38 sends various character information such as a patient name, a practitioner's findings and comments, which are input from the keyboard 3 or the operation panel 42 as input means, to the adding unit 35. The adder 35 performs character information processing that overwrites the video signal at the position where the character information is displayed by the character information signal output from the character generation circuit 38. The video signal to which the character information is added by the adding unit 35 is sent to the amplifier 36 and amplified, and then output to the monitor 8, the printer 4, the PC 5, and the VTR 6 that are peripheral devices.

  2A and 2B are schematic views of the operation unit 22 of the endoscope 1 according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, four switches 51, 52, 54, 55 for executing various functions of the endoscope system 100 are provided in the operation unit, and different functions are assigned to the switches. . In addition, a left and right bending angle knob 57 and a vertical bending angle knob 58 are provided for directing the distal end portion of the flexible tube of the endoscope 1 in the vertical and horizontal directions. By rotating the left / right bending angle knob 57 and the left / right bending angle knob 58, the bending direction of the distal end portion of the flexible tube of the endoscope 1 can be controlled to change the imaging range. The left and right bending angle knob 57 and the left and right bending angle knob 58 are respectively provided with lock levers 56 and 59 for fixing the bending state of the distal end portion of the flexible tube by each angle knob. In addition to the functions of the endoscope 1 and the video processor 2, the switches 51, 52, 54, and 55 measure the printer 4, the PC 5, the VTR 6, the electrocardiogram, the pulse, the blood pressure, and the like connected to the video processor 2. Functions of peripheral devices such as the measuring device 7 and the monitor 8 can also be executed. For example, a still image generated in the video processor 2 is transmitted to the printer 4 for printing, a still image or a moving image generated in the video processor 2 is stored in the PC 5 or VTR 6, and output from the measuring device 7. The measurement result can be displayed or hidden on the monitor 8.

  Further, the air / water switch 53 is used to expand the patient's lumen by air supply from the air / water supply port provided at the distal end of the flexible tube of the endoscope 1, and to ensure a visual field, body fluid, bleeding, etc. When the objective lens surface becomes dirty and the observation performance of the endoscope deteriorates, the water is sprayed to remove the dirt on the lens surface, and air is sent to blow the water droplets on the objective lens surface to restore the field of view. This switch is used when air is blown onto the surface of the treatment object to acquire a clear observation image of the treatment object. The suction switch 60 is a switch used when sucking air or sucking body fluid or blood in order to adjust the amount of air in the body cavity of the patient. Further, a forceps port 61 is provided on the distal end side of the operation unit 22. The distal end portion of the flexible tube of the endoscope 1 is provided with a treatment instrument insertion port, and various treatment instruments such as a biological forceps, a cell collection brush, a foreign substance removal forceps, a washing pipe, and an injection needle are attached to the forceps. It inserts from the mouth 61, and it applies to a treatment object site | part, such as a lesioned part, via a treatment tool penetration channel and a treatment tool penetration opening, and performs a treatment.

  Next, various warning methods using each switch of the operation unit 22 of the endoscope 1 in the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the CPU 18 and the CPU 39 function as detection means for detecting a malfunction that has occurred in each part of the endoscope 1 and the video processor 2, respectively. As shown in FIG. 1, the switches 51, 52, 54, and 55 can emit light in various colors by LEDs or the like by a light emitting circuit 23 as a light emitting means. Although no connection is shown in FIG. 1, the light emission circuit 23 is controlled to emit light by the CPU 18. When a failure occurs in the endoscope system 100, the CPU 18 emits a switch of the operation unit 22 using various light emission patterns having different emission colors, lighting, blinking, and the like depending on the location where the failure occurs (patent) Equivalent to the first emission in the claims). For example, when warning of a malfunction occurring in the endoscope 1, a red hue color is used, and when a malfunction occurring in the video processor 2 is warned, a green hue color is used in a peripheral device such as the printer 4. To warn of a malfunction that has occurred, the switch emits light with a blue hue. For peripheral devices, each peripheral device can be distinguished by changing the hue such as blue-violet, blue, or light blue for each device. As a result, the surgeon can identify a device in which a defect in the endoscope system 100 has occurred.

  In addition, after notifying the location where the failure has occurred by emitting the switch of the operation unit 22, the switch of the operation unit 22 is lit to indicate which function or mechanism of the device in the endoscope system 100 is defective. (Corresponding to the second light emission in the claims) can also warn. For example, when a malfunction such as a contact failure occurs in the switch of the operation unit 22, the switches of the remaining operation unit 22 that operate normally are set in advance after emitting light of a red hue as described above. Light is emitted using a light emission color and a light emission pattern. The light emission pattern may be set and changed by a user operation. Note that the “preset” light emission patterns described in the text including the above are the same in terms of words, but may be different light emission patterns or the same light emission patterns.

  In addition, when a malfunction occurs in the function assigned to the switch of the operation unit 22, the switch is caused to emit light with a preset emission color and emission pattern. For example, it is assumed that a freeze function for acquiring a still image is assigned to the switch 51, an image printing function by the printer 4 is assigned to the switch 52, and an electronic zoom and optical zoom magnification changing function is assigned to the switches 54 and 55. One of the switches 54 and 55 is a switch for increasing the zoom magnification, and the other is a switch for decreasing the zoom magnification. Further, it is assumed that the electronic zoom and the optical zoom can be switched by simultaneously pressing the switches 54 and 55.

  First, when a malfunction occurs in the still image generation process using the freeze function, the CPU 39 detects the malfunction and sends a signal to the CPU 18 notifying that a malfunction of the freeze function has occurred. When the CPU 18 receives a signal notifying the malfunction, it emits each switch of the operation unit 22 with a green hue color as described above, and then turns on the switch 51 with a preset emission color (green hue color). ) And a light emission pattern. As a result, the surgeon and other workers can grasp that the freeze function of the video processor 2 is defective.

  In addition, when an error in the printing function in the printer 4 occurs, such as running out of ink or running out of paper, the CPU 39 detects a state where there is no response from the printer 4 and sends a signal notifying that the printer 4 has a problem. Send to CPU18. When the CPU 18 receives the signal notifying the malfunction, it emits each switch of the operation unit 22 with a blue hue color as described above, and then sets the switch 52 to a preset emission color (blue hue color). ) And a light emission pattern. If an error occurs in the operation control of the printer 4 by the video processor 2, each switch of the operation unit 22 emits light with a green hue color instead of a blue hue color, and then the switch 52 is turned on. Light is emitted with a preset emission color (green hue color) and emission pattern. As a result, the surgeon and other workers grasp not only that the printer 4 has a problem but also whether the problem is caused by a problem on the printer 4 side or a problem on the video processor 2 side. can do.

  Next, when a malfunction occurs in the zoom function, for example, the motor 14, and the optical zoom cannot function normally, the CPU 18 detects an abnormal output from the sensor 24, and switches each switch of the operation unit 22 as described above. Then, after emitting light in a red hue, the switches 54 and 55 are caused to emit light in a preset emission color (red hue color) and emission pattern. Thereby, the surgeon can grasp that a malfunction has occurred in the function of operating the optical zoom in the endoscope 1. Further, when a malfunction occurs in the zoom image generation process by the electronic zoom, the CPU 18 receives a signal notifying the malfunction from the CPU 39 as in the case of the malfunction in the freeze function, and operates the operation unit 22. After each of the switches emits light in a green hue color as described above, the switches 54 and 55 are caused to emit light in a preset emission color (green hue color) and emission pattern. As a result, the surgeon can grasp that a malfunction has occurred in the function of operating the electronic zoom in the video processor 2.

  In the present embodiment, it is possible to warn of defects and abnormalities with respect to elements other than the functions executed in the endoscope system 100. For example, if the CPU 39 detects from the output data of the thermometer 40 that the temperature around the light source of the light source unit 41 is an abnormal value, a signal notifying the CPU 18 that the temperature of the light source unit 41 is abnormal is sent to the CPU 18. send. Further, the CPU 39 monitors the type and usage time of the lamp of the light source of the light source unit 41, and determines that the lamp has been used after a usage time that is a guide for lamp replacement has passed. Send to CPU18. The CPU 18 receives a failure signal of the light source unit 41 from the CPU 39 and emits each switch of the operation unit 22 with a green hue.

  At this time, each switch of the operation unit 22 emits light with a light emission pattern different from the case where a malfunction occurs in the function of the video processor 2. For example, when a malfunction occurs in the function of the video processor 2 that is not assigned to the switch of the operation unit 22, each switch is turned on. When a malfunction occurs in the light source unit 41, each switch is blinked at a predetermined interval. In addition, when a malfunction occurs in the function of the video processor 2 that is not assigned to the switch of the operation unit 22, the blinking is performed slowly, and when the malfunction of the light source unit 41 occurs, the blinking is performed rapidly. . Thus, the surgeon can determine whether the malfunction in the video processor 2 is related to a function or a physical mechanism. Furthermore, by displaying a message on the operation panel 42 or providing an indicator indicating the state of the light source on the operation panel 42 to emit light with a unique color, it is possible to notify the specific contents of the malfunction.

  This completes the description of the embodiment of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the above-described configuration, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. For example, the light emission pattern of the switch of the operation unit is not limited to the above, but more specifically warns of a malfunction occurring in the endoscope system by changing the light emission pattern such as lighting, extinguishing, blinking, and light emission time. be able to. In addition, when the switch on the operation unit of the endoscope and the switch on the operation panel of the video processor have the same function, and the switch on the operation panel also emits light, the occurrence status of the malfunction can be confirmed by matching the light emission pattern. It becomes easy.

  Furthermore, the function assigned to the switch of the operation unit can be changed at an arbitrary timing. The surgeon uses the operation panel 42 of the video processor 2 and the keyboard 3 connected to the video processor 2 as input means, and changes the function and the emission color assigned to each switch of the operation unit 22. Moreover, it is also possible to change the function assigned to the switch by operating the switch of the operation unit 22 of the endoscope 1. When the function is changed by the switch of the operation unit 22 of the endoscope 1, the function change is started or ended by pressing the switch at the same time or by long pressing. And CPU18 can warn of the malfunction which arose in the endoscope system by appropriate switch light emission by grasping | ascertaining the function currently allocated to the switch, even if the function of a switch is changed.

1 Endoscope 2 Video processor 3 Keyboard 4 Printer 5 PC
6 VTR
7 Measuring device 18, 39 CPU
22 Operation parts 23 and 43 Light-emitting circuit 42 Operation panel 51, 52, 54, 55 Switch 100 Endoscope system

Claims (5)

An endoscope having an operation unit having a plurality of switches for executing the function of the endoscope system, and a light emitting means for causing each switch to emit light;
A video processor to which the endoscope is connected;
Detecting means for detecting a malfunction of the endoscope system;
Have
The light emitting means sets at least one of the switches to a light emission color and a first light emission pattern that are determined in advance according to a failure occurrence location at a device level constituting the endoscope system detected by the detection means. An endoscope system characterized in that a first light emission process for emitting light is performed.   The light emitting means emits at least one of the switches after the first light emission processing in accordance with a failure occurrence position at a functional level of the endoscope system detected by the detection means. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein a second light emission process for emitting light with a color and a second light emission pattern is performed. The video processor includes a switch for executing a function of the endoscope system and emitting light in a predetermined emission color;
When a failure occurs in a function assigned to the switch of the video processor, a plurality of light emitting colors of the switch of the video processor that executes the function in which the failure has occurred in the second light emission process. The endoscope system according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the switches emits light in the second light emission pattern.   When a failure occurs in a function assigned to any of the plurality of switches of the operation unit, the switch assigned the function is emitted in the second light emission pattern in the second light emission process. The endoscope system according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterized by comprising: The endoscope system includes peripheral devices,
When a malfunction occurs in the peripheral device, in the first light emission process, at least one of the switches of the operation unit has a light emission color different from the light emission color associated with the endoscope and the video processor. The endoscope system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein one switch emits light.

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