JP5570328B2 - Portable endoscope system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to power supply for a portable endoscope system using LEDs as light sources.

  2. Description of the Related Art A portable endoscope that is configured as a fiberscope and uses an LED that is a semiconductor light emitting element as a light source is known at the distal end of an insertion portion that is inserted into a living body. In recent years, LEDs have been reduced in size and increased in brightness, and a plurality of LEDs can be arranged in a limited space at the distal end of an insertion portion of an endoscope.

  Therefore, a portable endoscope system in which a booster circuit is formed on a circuit board on the portable endoscope side and a battery unit or an AC adapter as a power source is mounted on the portable endoscope has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). In this portable endoscope system, a constant current control circuit connected to each of driving elements for driving LEDs via a variable resistor electrically converts voltage supplied from a power source into a predetermined voltage value. The current value supplied to the LED can be changed by adjusting the resistance value of the variable resistor.

JP 2002-301027 A

  However, when a battery unit is used as a power source, it takes time and effort to replace the battery early in anticipation of running out of the battery during the procedure. In addition, when an AC adapter is used as a power source, it is troublesome to insert and remove the cable, and the cable hinders free endoscope operation, so that it is not possible to concentrate on the procedure.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a portable endoscope system that supplies power to a portable endoscope in which a plurality of LEDs are arranged at the distal end of a scope as a light source of illumination light without using a battery and a cable. Let it be an issue.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and a portable endoscope system according to the present invention includes a scope having an illumination LED and a power receiving coil at the distal end of an insertion portion, and a drive current to the LED. A portable endoscope provided with a driving means for supplying, and a power feeding device formed of a power feeding sheet that feeds power to the power receiving coil in a non-contact manner when the power receiving coil approaches, the power feeding sheet comprising: A position detection coil array in which a plurality of position detection coils that are magnetically coupled to a power reception coil at the distal end of a scope inserted into the body are arranged in a sheet shape, and a position detection coil whose inductance has changed due to magnetic coupling with the power reception coil is detected. The position detection coil sheet formed by the organic transistor and the position detection coil sheet are arranged so as to overlap the position detection coil sheet. The power transmission sheet is formed by a power transmission coil array arranged in a shape and a MEMS switch sheet in which a plurality of MEMS switches for turning on and off the power transmission coil are arranged in a sheet shape, Only the power transmission coil corresponding to the position of the power receiving coil detected by the position detection coil sheet is selectively energized by the MEMS switch, so that the power receiving coil is fed by electromagnetic induction, and the LED is turned on via the driving means. It emits light.

  The power feeding device is preferably formed in a vest shape. In this case, the test subject wears the subject.

  In the power feeding device, it is preferable that regions corresponding to the subject's esophagus, stomach and intestine are formed of a power feeding sheet.

  The position detection coil and the power transmission coil may be shared. In this case, the power feeding sheet can be made thin.

  The driving means is a constant voltage means for converting current into a predetermined voltage value, a driving element for driving the LED, and a driving element connected to the driving element via a variable resistor. It is preferable to include a current control circuit and a current-voltage conversion circuit that is connected to the power receiving coil and converts the current input from the power receiving coil into a voltage and outputs the voltage.

  The portable endoscope according to the present invention includes a scope having a lighting LED and a power receiving coil at a distal end of an insertion portion, and a driving means for supplying a driving current to the LED.

  A power supply device for a portable endoscope according to the present invention includes a scope having an illumination LED and a power receiving coil at a distal end of an insertion portion, and a driving means for supplying a driving current to the LED. A power feeding device that feeds power to a mirror, and is formed of a power feeding sheet that feeds power to the power receiving coil in a non-contact manner when the power receiving coil approaches the power feeding sheet, A position detection coil sheet formed by a position detection coil array in which a plurality of position detection coils that are magnetically coupled are arranged in a sheet shape, and an organic transistor that detects a position detection coil whose inductance has changed due to magnetic coupling with the power receiving coil, and An electric power transmission coil array that is arranged on the position detection coil sheet and in which a plurality of electric power transmission coils for feeding are arranged in a sheet shape; A power transmission sheet formed by a MEMS switch sheet in which a plurality of MEMS switches for turning on and off energization of the transmission coil are arranged in a sheet shape, the power transmission sheet being a power receiving coil detected by the position detection coil sheet Only the power transmission coil corresponding to the position is selectively energized by the MEMS switch, so that the power receiving coil is fed by electromagnetic induction to cause the LED to emit light through the driving means.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the portable endoscope system which supplies electric power to a portable endoscope without using a battery and a cable can be provided.

It is a figure which shows the portable endoscope system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is an expanded sectional view of the front-end | tip of the insertion part of a portable endoscope. It is a typical perspective view which expands and shows the front-end | tip of the insertion part of a portable endoscope. It is a figure which shows the circuit structure for supplying a drive current to LED arrange | positioned at the front-end | tip of the insertion part of a portable endoscope.

  Hereinafter, a portable endoscope system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the portable endoscope (scope) 10 includes an operation unit 11 having a rigid structure and an insertion unit 12 that is a flexible conduit extending from the operation unit 11. In the portable endoscope 10, an image guide fiber bundle (hereinafter referred to as an image guide) for observing an endoscopic image is provided. One end of the image guide extends to the distal end of the insertion portion 12, and the end opposite to the distal end of the insertion portion 12 extends to the eyepiece 13 provided on the operation portion 11.

  In the operation unit 11, a forceps channel insertion port 15 is provided on the insertion unit 12 side, and the eyepiece unit 13 side in the operation unit 11 is used to remotely control the direction of the bending portion near the distal end of the insertion unit 12. An operation rod 16 is provided. A suction operation unit 17 for performing a suction operation through the forceps channel is provided in the vicinity of the operation rod 16 in the operation unit 11.

  The insertion unit 12 is inserted from the mouth M of the subject P. The subject P is inspected by wearing the vest 21 of the power supply apparatus 20 as an inspection suit. The power supply device 20 includes a vest 21 incorporating a coil array, a controller 22 and a power supply device 23.

  The best 21 is a power feeding sheet that feeds power to the power receiving coils 101 to 109 by non-contact electromagnetic induction when the power receiving coils 101 to 109 (see FIG. 3) disposed at the distal end of the insertion portion 12 of the portable endoscope 10 approach each other. 21a. The power supply sheet 21a is a plastic film made up of two sheets, a position detection coil sheet (not shown) and a power transmission sheet (not shown). The position detection coil sheet is a position detection coil in which a plurality of position detection coils that are magnetically coupled to the power receiving coils 101 to 109 at the distal end of the insertion portion 12 of the portable endoscope 10 inserted into the body of the subject P are arranged in a sheet shape. The array includes a thin film transistor sheet in which organic transistors to be detected by detecting (scanning) a position detection coil whose inductance has changed due to magnetic coupling with the power receiving coils 101 to 109 as a voltage change are arranged in a sheet shape. The power transmission sheet is arranged to overlap the position detection coil sheet, and a power transmission coil array in which a plurality of power transmission coils for power feeding are arranged in a sheet shape, and a plurality of MEMS (micro electro mechanical systems) switch (plastic MEMS switch) and a MEMS switch sheet arranged in a sheet form. The MEMS switch selectively supplies power to a specific power transmission coil corresponding to the position of the power receiving coil detected by the position detection coil sheet by switching on and off the contacts of the MEMS switch by electrostatic attraction. It is configured as follows. In FIG. 1, for example, a power transmission sheet is disposed on the side in contact with the subject P, and a position detection coil sheet is laminated thereon. The controller 22 performs position detection using a position detection coil and an organic transistor, and performs control to turn on the MEMS switch and cause a current to flow through the power transmission coil. The power supply device 23 drives the controller 22 and the position detection coil. When worn, it is preferable to stand the collar 21n so as to cover the neck in order to increase sensitivity.

  2 and 3 are enlarged views of the distal end of the insertion portion 12. In FIG. 2, the image guide is indicated by reference numeral 40. The insertion portion 12 has an octagonal shape, and a distal end portion 30 made of a suitable rigid material, for example, a corrosion-resistant metal, is fixed to the opening at the distal end of the insertion portion 12. A through hole 31 is formed in the distal end portion 30 for accommodating the distal end of the image guide 40. An objective optical system 41 is disposed at the tip of the image guide 40. An observation window 42 is fixed to the opening of the through hole 31 to protect the objective optical system 41 and prevent the entry of foreign matter into the through hole 31. A tip cover 70 is attached to the insertion portion 12.

  Further, through holes 32 and 33 are formed in the tip portion 30. LEDs 51 and 52 are disposed near the open ends of the through holes 32 and 33, respectively. In the through holes 32 and 33, diverging optical systems 57 and 58 are provided on the optical path of the emitted light from the LEDs 51 and 52. The LEDs 51 and 52 are connected to substrate units 61 and 62 for supplying drive current. In the embodiment of the present invention, the tip portion 30 has six LEDs 51 to 56 and nine power receiving coils 101 to 109. The substrate unit 61 includes a constant current control circuit (drive means) 201, a transistor (drive means) 211, and a variable resistor (drive means) R1 (see FIG. 4), and is embedded in the through hole 32. Similarly, the substrate unit 62 includes a constant current control circuit 202, a transistor 212, and a variable resistor R2, and is embedded in the through hole 33. The substrate units 61 and 62 are connected to a current / voltage conversion circuit (driving means) 111 and supplied with a voltage. The current-voltage conversion circuit 111 is fixed to the inner end face 63 of the tip portion 30. The other LEDs 53 to 56 are similarly configured.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the distal end portion 30 and schematically shows the relative positional relationship between the respective portions. In FIG. 3, the state which removed the front-end | tip cover 70 is shown. The tip portion 30 has a coil groove 71 and eight coil housing recesses 72 to 79 (76 to 79 are not shown). The coil 101 is fitted into the coil groove 71, and the power receiving coils 102 to 109 (105 to 109 are not shown) are fitted into the coil housing recesses 72 to 79. The power receiving coils 101 to 109 are electrically connected to the current-voltage conversion circuit 111, respectively. The discharge hole 43 communicates with a water / air supply passage formed in the insertion portion 12, and compressed air and washing water are ejected, and the clouding of the observation window 42 is removed and washing is performed. Further, from the forceps channel 44, the cup portion of the biopsy forceps inserted from the forceps channel insertion port 15 (see FIG. 1) is exposed, and a tissue piece of the affected area is cut off. In addition to the LEDs 51 and 52 shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of LEDs 53 to 56 are disposed at the distal end portion 30 in a region excluding the observation window 42, the discharge hole 43 and the forceps channel 44. In addition, the structure in the front-end | tip part 30 of LED53-56 is the same as that of the above-mentioned structure of LED51,52.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration for driving the LEDs 51 to 56. As described above, the insertion portion 12 of the portable endoscope 10 is provided with the constant current control circuits 201 to 206, and is connected to each of the LEDs 51 to 56 provided at the distal end of the insertion portion 12. The constant current control circuits 201 to 206 are electrically connected to the current / voltage conversion circuit 111 in parallel. That is, the six sets of circuits including the LEDs 51 to 56 and the constant current control circuits 201 to 206 are electrically independent of each other. The constant current control circuits 201 to 206 are configured as a known circuit using a reference voltage IC and a current detection resistor. For example, a variable shunt regulator TL431 is used as the reference voltage IC.

  A voltage converted by the current-voltage conversion circuit 111 is applied to the LED 51 via the constant current control circuit 201. The cathode terminal of the LED 51 is connected to the collector terminal of a bipolar transistor 211 as an LED driving element. The base terminal of the transistor 211 is connected to the constant current control circuit 201, and the emitter terminal is connected to the constant current control circuit 201 via the variable resistor R1. The LED 51 is driven by a constant current by the constant current control circuit 201, and the current value is determined by the resistance value of the variable resistor R1. Further, the current supplied to the LED 51 is detected by the variable resistor R1. Combinations of the other LEDs 52 to 56 and the constant current control circuits 202 to 206 have the same circuit configuration. Therefore, in this embodiment, the brightness of the LEDs 51 to 56, in other words, the illuminance of the emitted light is set to the same level by appropriately setting the resistance values of the variable resistors R1 to R6 according to the product individual differences of the LEDs 51 to 56. Can be matched. The current-voltage conversion circuit 111 is configured using a known IC.

  Next, an operation method of the portable endoscope system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. The subject P is made to wear the vest 21 of the power feeding device 20. The power supply device 23 is turned on, the controller 22 and the position detection coil are driven, and the insertion portion 12 of the portable endoscope 10 is inserted into the body from the mouth M of the subject P. When any one of the position detection coils of the vest 21 and the power receiving coils 101 to 109 at the distal end of the insertion portion 12 of the portable endoscope 10 approach each other, the position detection coil and the power receiving coils 101 to 109 are magnetically coupled to each other. Changes, and the amount of change is read by the organic transistor connected to the position detection coil. With the MEMS switch, energization to the power transmission coil corresponding to the position where the inductance change is detected is turned on. A current flows through the power transmission coil, and a current flows through the power receiving coils 101 to 109 due to electromagnetic induction. This current is input to the current-voltage conversion circuit 111, converted into a voltage, and output to the constant current control circuits 201-206. A current flows through the constant current control circuits 201 to 206, the transistors 211 to 216 are activated, and power is supplied to the LEDs 51 to 56 through the circuit described above, and the LEDs 51 to 56 emit light. When the current stops flowing, the power feeding is stopped and the light emission of the LEDs 51 to 56 is stopped.

  As described above, in the portable endoscope system according to the embodiment of the present invention, a number of coils are embedded in the vest 21, and the distal end of the insertion portion 12 of the portable endoscope 10 on the power receiving side is the power receiving coils 101 to 109. Therefore, only the insertion portion 12 of the portable endoscope 10 approaches the vest 21 can supply power to the LEDs 51 to 56 without any unnecessary current flowing without contact. In the present invention, it is not necessary to separately provide a power source for causing the LEDs 51 to 56 of the portable endoscope 10 to emit light, and since the portable endoscope 10 is wireless, it can be freely operated without using a battery and a cable. , Can concentrate on the procedure.

  In the present embodiment, the test clothes are formed in a vest shape, but the test clothes may be formed by the power supply sheet only in regions corresponding to the esophagus, stomach, and intestines of the subject into which the endoscope is inserted. It doesn't matter. Further, the shape is not necessarily worn by the subject, and the sheet itself may be placed at a position to be inspected, such as the abdomen of the subject. It is also possible to provide a plurality of power transmission coils with the functions of a plurality of position detection coils so that the position detection coil and the power transmission coil can be shared.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Portable endoscope 12 Insertion part 20 Power supply apparatus 21 Best 21a Power supply sheet 22 Controller 23 Power supply apparatus 51-56 LED
101-109 Power receiving coil 111 Current-voltage conversion circuit (driving means)
201-206 Constant current control circuit (driving means)
211 to 216 Transistor (driving means)
P Subject R1-R6 Variable resistance (drive means)

Claims (5)

A scope having a lighting LED and a receiving coil at the tip of the insertion portion;
A portable endoscope provided with a driving means for supplying a driving current to the LED;
A power feeding device formed of a power feeding sheet that feeds power to the power receiving coil in a non-contact manner by approaching the power receiving coil;
The power supply sheet has an inductance due to magnetic coupling between a position detection coil array in which a plurality of position detection coils magnetically coupled to a power reception coil at a distal end of a scope inserted into the body of a subject and the power reception coil. A position detection coil sheet formed by an organic transistor that detects the changed position detection coil;
A power transmission coil array in which a plurality of power transmission coils for power supply are arranged in a sheet shape, and a plurality of MEMS switches for turning on and off the power transmission coil in a sheet shape, which are arranged on the position detection coil sheet. A power transmission sheet formed by the arranged MEMS switch sheet,
In the power transmission sheet, only the power transmission coil corresponding to the position of the power receiving coil detected by the position detection coil sheet is selectively energized by the MEMS switch, thereby supplying power to the power receiving coil by electromagnetic induction. via the drive unit to emit the LED, the position detecting coil and the power transmission coil, portable endoscopic system characterized that you have been common.   The portable endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein the power feeding device is formed in a vest shape.   2. The portable endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein the power supply device includes a region corresponding to a subject's esophagus, stomach, and intestines formed of the power supply sheet. The drive means includes a transformer means for converting a current into a predetermined voltage value;
A driving element for driving the LED;
A constant current control circuit connected to the drive element via a variable resistor, driving the LED at a constant current, and connected to the transformer;
The portable endoscope system according to claim 1, further comprising: a current-voltage conversion circuit that is connected to the power receiving coil and converts a current input from the power receiving coil into a voltage and outputs the voltage. A scope having a lighting LED and a receiving coil at the tip of the insertion portion;
A power feeding device that feeds power to a portable endoscope provided with a driving means for supplying a driving current to the LED,
The power feeding device is formed of a power feeding sheet that feeds power to the power receiving coil in a non-contact manner when the power receiving coil approaches,
The power supply sheet has an inductance due to magnetic coupling between a position detection coil array in which a plurality of position detection coils magnetically coupled to a power reception coil at a distal end of a scope inserted into the body of a subject and the power reception coil. A position detection coil sheet formed by an organic transistor that detects the changed position detection coil;
A power transmission coil array in which a plurality of power transmission coils for power supply are arranged in a sheet shape, and a plurality of MEMS switches for turning on and off the power transmission coil in a sheet shape, which are arranged on the position detection coil sheet. A power transmission sheet formed by the arranged MEMS switch sheet,
In the power transmission sheet, only the power transmission coil corresponding to the position of the power receiving coil detected by the position detection coil sheet is selectively energized by the MEMS switch, thereby supplying power to the power receiving coil by electromagnetic induction. the allowed through the drive means emitting the LED, the power feeding apparatus wherein the position detecting coil and the power transmission coil, characterized that you have been common.

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