JP5749822B2 - Endoscope device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus for observing the inside of a test object.

  Conventionally, an endoscope apparatus provided with a long insertion portion has been widely used for the purpose of observing the inside of a test object. As such an endoscope apparatus, an endoscope apparatus in which an imaging device made up of a CCD or the like is provided at the distal end of an insertion portion is known. In such an endoscope apparatus, an image acquired by the imaging apparatus is transmitted to the main body of the endoscope apparatus through an insertion unit, and is displayed on a display unit such as a display through image processing or the like.

  Moreover, in an endoscope apparatus, in order to point an imaging device toward an observation target inside a test object, it is common to include a bending mechanism that bends the distal end of the insertion portion. In addition, since light often does not reach the inside of the test object, it is also conventional to brighten (illuminate) the field of view of the imaging device using an illumination mechanism including a light emitting member such as a light emitting diode (LED). It is performed in a endoscope apparatus.

  In recent years, in order to make the endoscope apparatus easier to use, an operation unit that operates an insertion unit and the above-described display unit are integrated, and the one that is miniaturized to the extent that it can be held with one hand has been proposed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). In such an endoscope apparatus, the operation unit, the display unit, and the main body unit are combined into one casing, and the user can directly hold the casing and use the endoscope.

US Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0109429

  By the way, in the endoscope apparatus, the optimum conditions of the shape of the insertion portion and the driving method of the bending mechanism differ depending on the test object. For this reason, the endoscope apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is inconvenient because it is necessary to arrange a plurality of endoscope apparatuses at hand in order to observe the test object under the optimum conditions.

  It is also conceivable to provide a plurality of scope units that are unitized so that insertion sections having different configurations can be attached to and detached from the main body, and to replace the scope unit and attach it to the main body. However, in this case, there is a possibility that the scope unit cannot be operated sufficiently by the control method set in advance in the main body when the scope unit is added.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an endoscope apparatus that can accurately reflect an operation input in a main body portion on a scope unit.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention proposes the following means.

The endoscope apparatus according to the present invention acquires an image of the test object provided in an insertion portion, a bending portion provided in the insertion portion, a bending drive portion that drives the bending portion, and the insertion portion. A scope unit for observing the test object, an operation unit for performing operation input for operating at least the bending unit, and a control unit for controlling the bending driving unit. In the endoscope apparatus having the main body unit, the scope unit is configured to be detachable from the main body unit, and has a storage unit in which the driving parameters of the bending driving unit are stored,
The control unit communicates with a scope unit attached to the main body, and drives the curve in the attached scope unit based on a drive parameter stored in a storage unit in the attached scope unit. It is characterized by controlling the part.

  The drive parameter preferably includes information for driving the bending drive unit set based on at least one of the length and the diameter of the insertion unit.

  Further, the storage unit stores a driving program for driving the scope unit, the driving program is transferred from the scope unit side to the main body side, and the main body unit drives corresponding to the scope unit. Preferably, a signal is generated.

  According to the endoscope apparatus of the present invention, the drive parameter is stored in the storage unit provided in the scope unit, and the drive parameter can be referred to from the main body unit side. It can be accurately reflected in the unit.

It is a perspective view which shows the endoscope apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a system configuration figure showing the composition of the endoscope system of one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the state which attached the scope unit in the same endoscope system, (A) is a front view, (B) is a fragmentary sectional view. It is a fragmentary sectional view showing the state where other scope units were attached in the endoscope system. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the same endoscope system. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of use of the endoscope system. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of use of the same endoscope system. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of use of the same endoscope system. (A) And (B) is a side view which shows the structure of the scope unit in the modification 1 of the same endoscope system. (A) And (B) is a side view which shows the structure of the scope unit in the modification 2 of the same endoscope system. It is a side view which shows the structure of the scope unit in the modification 3 of the same endoscope system. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the scope unit in the modification 4 of the same endoscope system. It is a fragmentary sectional view which shows the endoscope apparatus of the modification 4 of the state which attached the scope unit. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the modification 5 of the same endoscope system. It is a block diagram which shows the other structural example of the modification 5 of the same endoscope system. (A) thru | or (C) is a perspective view which shows the structure of the scope unit in the modification 6 of the same endoscope system.

  Hereinafter, an endoscope system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, the configuration of the endoscope system of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the endoscope system 1. FIGS. 3A and 3B are views showing a state in which the scope unit 100 is attached to the endoscope system 1, wherein FIG. 3A is a front view and FIG. 3B is a side sectional view. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing a state in which the scope unit 200 is attached to the endoscope system 1. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the endoscope system 1.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the endoscope system 1 includes a scope unit 100 having an insertion portion 110 and a main body portion 20 connected to the proximal end side of the insertion portion 110. The scope unit 100 is for observing the inside of the test object. The endoscope system 1 further includes a scope unit 200 that can be used in exchange for the scope unit 100. The endoscope system 1 according to the present embodiment is configured to operate as an endoscope apparatus in a form in which the scope unit 100 is attached to the main body 20 and a form in which the scope unit 200 is attached to the main body 20. .

  The insertion part 110 provided in the scope unit 100 is inserted into the test object, and is formed in a long shape with a flexible tubular member. The insertion unit 110 includes an imaging unit 11 and an illumination unit 12 provided at the distal end 110A of the insertion unit 110, and a bending unit 113 for changing the direction of the distal end of the insertion unit 110 in a desired direction.

  The imaging unit 11 obtains an objective optical system (not shown) that forms an image of an observation site inside the test object, and an image of the observation site formed by the objective optical system, and converts the image into an image signal by photoelectric conversion. An image pickup device such as a CCD for picking up an image is provided. A signal line (not shown) for transmitting an image signal of an image acquired by the image sensor is connected to the imaging unit 11. This signal line extends through the insertion portion 110 to the proximal end 110B side of the insertion portion 110. An optical adapter for adjusting the viewing angle, viewing direction, observation depth, and the like of the imaging unit 11 may be attached to the imaging unit 11 as necessary.

  The illumination unit 12 includes an optical element and the like. The illumination unit 12 includes an illumination light irradiation unit 12A at the distal end 110A of the insertion unit 110, and illuminates the field of the imaging unit 11 with illumination light.

  The bending portion 113 is formed by connecting cylindrical node rings or bending pieces (hereinafter referred to as “node rings or the like”) aligned in the direction of the central axis thereof. The bending portion 113 is disposed on the distal end 110A side of the insertion portion 110 and has flexibility. The bending portion 113 can be bent in a direction away from the central axis O of the insertion portion 110 in the radial direction of the insertion portion 110. In the endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment, the bending portion 113 can bend the distal end 110 </ b> A side of the insertion portion 110 in two directions that are radially separated from the axis of the insertion portion 110.

As shown in FIG. 3, a unit main body 24 for attaching the scope unit 100 to the main body portion 20 is provided at the proximal end 110 </ b> B of the insertion portion 110 in the scope unit 100. Inside the unit main body 24, there are a light source unit 70 as a light source of the illumination unit 12, a heat radiation unit 80 thermally connected to the light source unit 70, a bending drive unit 160 for bending the bending unit 113, A connector 27 for electrically connecting to a connector 26 of the main body 20 described later is provided.
In the present embodiment, the imaging unit 11, the illumination unit 12, and the light source unit 70 constitute an observation unit. Since the observation means includes the imaging unit 11, the illumination unit 12, and the light source unit 70, the inside of the test object can be illuminated and suitably observed even if the inside of the test object is dark.

  The light source unit 70 includes an LED 71 that emits illumination light, and a light guide 72 that is arranged so that illumination light emitted from the LED 71 is incident thereon. As the configuration of the light guide 72, a configuration in which a plurality of optical fibers are bundled can be employed. The light guide 72 enters the insertion portion 110 from the unit main body 24, passes through the insertion portion 110, and is connected to the illumination portion 12 located on the distal end 110 </ b> A side of the insertion portion 110.

  The heat radiating portion 80 is made of a material having good thermal conductivity such as metal, and has fins 81 and fins 82 that are exposed outside the unit main body 24. Further, a part of the heat radiating part 80 enters the inside of the unit body 24 and is thermally connected to the LED 71. The fins 81 and the fins 82 exposed to the outside of the unit main body 24 function as heat sinks for releasing the heat generated by the LEDs 71 to the outside of the unit main body 24.

  The bending drive unit 160 includes a set of a motor 61 that is a drive source and a pulley 62 that is rotated by the motor 61. There is no particular limitation on the manner of interlocking between the motor 61 and the pulley 62, and the pulley 62 may be attached to the shaft of the motor 61, and the shaft and the rotation shaft of the pulley 62 are connected by a power transmission member such as a belt. Also good.

  Two angle wires 14 </ b> A and 14 </ b> C that are inserted through the insertion portion 110 and connected to the node ring on the distal end 110 </ b> A side of the insertion portion 110 are wound and connected to the pulley 62. Thereby, the motor 61 is rotated, the pulley 62 is rotated, and the pair of the angle wire 14 </ b> A and the angle wire 14 </ b> C can be moved relative to the insertion portion 110. As a result, the bending drive unit 160 can bend the bending portion 113 in the two directions described above.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the scope unit 100 is provided with a configuration storage unit 195 in which configuration identification information I100 for identifying the configuration of the bending drive unit 160 provided in the scope unit 100 is stored.

  The configuration storage unit 195 includes a storage element having a semiconductor chip. For example, a ROM that is a non-rewritable nonvolatile memory, an EPROM that is a rewritable nonvolatile memory, a flash memory, or the like can be employed.

  The configuration identification information I100 stored in the configuration storage unit 195 includes a bending method parameter P100 for identifying the bending method of the bending drive unit 160 for bending the bending portion 113 of the scope unit 100, and a bending operation of the scope unit 100. Drive parameter P110. The bending method parameter P100 and the drive parameter P110 are stored in the configuration storage unit 195 in a state described in, for example, one setting file F100.

  The bending method parameter P100 includes information indicating that the scope unit 100 bends electrically and information indicating that the bending unit 113 includes a bending driving unit 160 that bends the bending portion 113 in two directions. Accordingly, it is possible to identify that there are two directions in which the bending portion 113 can be bent by P100 as the bending method parameter.

The drive parameter P <b> 110 includes information for converting an operation input when the user performs an operation on the main body unit 20 into a drive signal for operating the bending drive unit 160. Specifically, the drive parameter P110 in the present embodiment is information regarding the direction P111 in which the motor 61 of the bending drive unit 160 is rotated, the rotation amount P112, and the rotation speed P113.
The drive parameter P110 is set based on the length and diameter of the insertion portion 110 in order to appropriately perform the bending operation of the bending portion 113.
The direction P111 is a parameter that associates the bending direction of the bending portion 113 with the direction in which the motor 61 is rotated. These parameters are determined so that, for example, the bending portion 113 is bent upward when a positive voltage is applied to the motor 61 and the bending portion 113 is bent downward when a negative voltage is applied to the motor 61. Yes.
Note that the direction P111 indicates whether the bending operation of the bending portion 113 is quickly reversed when an instruction to reverse the bending direction is input during the bending operation of the bending portion 113, or is slowly reversed after being temporarily stopped. May be included.
The rotation amount P112 is a parameter that determines the rotation amount of the motor 61, and the rotation speed P113 is a parameter that determines the rotation speed of the motor 61.
Regarding each parameter of the drive parameter P210, which will be described later, the meaning of each parameter of direction, rotation amount, and rotation speed is the same as that of the drive parameter P110.

Next, the configuration of the scope unit 200 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the scope unit 200 includes an insertion portion 210 provided in place of the insertion portion 110 of the scope unit 100 and a bending drive portion 260 provided in place of the bending drive portion 160. The scope unit 100 is different in configuration. The scope unit 200 includes a light source unit 70 and a heat radiating unit 80 having the same configuration as the scope unit 100.
Hereinafter, a description will be given focusing on differences from the scope unit 100.

  The insertion part 210 has a bending part 213 provided in place of the bending part 113. The bending portion 213 differs from the bending portion 113 in the configuration of the node ring or the like, and the insertion portion 210 is rotated by the relative rotation of the node ring or the like around two axes orthogonal to the central axis direction of the insertion portion 210 and orthogonal to each other. The tip 210 </ b> A can be bent in four directions.

  Further, in order to bend the insertion portion 210 in four directions, as shown in FIG. 4, the bending portion 213 includes an angle wire 14 </ b> A, an angle wire 14 </ b> B, an angle wire 14 </ b> C corresponding to each of the four directions for bending the bending portion 213. An angle wire 14D is provided.

  The bending drive unit 260 includes two sets of a motor 61 that is a drive source and a pulley 62 that is rotated by the motor 61. Of the four angle wires 14A, 14B, 14C, and 14D connected to the curved portion 213, the two angle wires 14A and 14C that are positioned opposite to each other in the radial direction of the insertion portion 210 are one of the pulleys 62. It is wound around and connected to the first pulley 62A. In addition, the two angle wires 14B and 14D positioned opposite to each other in the direction shifted by 90 degrees around the axis of the insertion portion 110 with respect to the two directions described above are wound around and connected to the second pulley 62B. ing.

  With such a configuration, the first motor 61A and the second motor 61B are rotated to rotate the corresponding first pulley 62A and second pulley 62B, and the pair of the angle wire 14A and the angle wire 14B and the angle wire 14C The pair with the angle wire 14 </ b> D can be moved relative to the insertion portion 210. As a result, the bending drive section 260 can bend the bending section 213 in a direction away from the central axis of the insertion section 210.

  Further, a connector 27 for electrically connecting to a connector 26 of the main body 20 described later is formed on the outer surface of the scope unit 200 in the same manner as the scope unit 100.

  Further, the scope unit 200 is provided with a configuration storage unit 295 having a semiconductor chip similar to the configuration storage unit 195. The configuration identification information I200 stored in the configuration storage unit 295 includes a bending method parameter P200 for identifying the bending method of the bending driving unit 260 for bending the bending portion 213 of the scope unit 200, and a bending operation of the scope unit 200. Drive parameter P210. The bending method parameter P200 and the drive parameter P210 are stored in the configuration storage unit 295 in a state described in one setting file F200, for example.

  As with the bending method parameter P100, the bending method parameter P200 includes information indicating that the scope unit 200 bends electrically and information indicating that the bending unit 213 is provided with a bending drive unit 260 that bends the bending portion 213 in four directions. Is included.

  The drive parameter P <b> 210 includes information for converting an operation input when the user performs an operation on the main body unit 20 into a drive signal for operating the bending drive unit 260. Specifically, the drive parameter P210 in the present embodiment is information regarding the direction P211, the rotation amount P212, and the rotation speed P213 in which the first motor 61A and the second motor 61B of the bending drive unit 260 are rotated.

  The main body 20 is detachably attached to each of the scope units 100 and 200, and when the scope units 100 and 200 are attached to the main body 20, the scope unit 100 or the scope unit 200 and the main body 20 are connected to each other. The main unit 20 controls the scope unit 100 or the scope unit 200 by communicating with each other.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the main body 20 includes an operation unit 21 that is gripped and operated by a user, an operation unit 21 that is provided in the operation unit 21, and an operation of the bending unit 113. The operation input unit 40 for inputting, the display unit 50 for displaying the video signal acquired by the imaging unit 11 as an image, and the scope unit 100 or the scope unit 200 when the scope unit 100 or the scope unit 200 is attached to the main body unit 20. And a control unit 90 (see FIG. 5) that controls the operation of the scope unit 200.

  Further, the operation unit 21 includes a mounting part 23 having a concave shape capable of holding the unit main body 24 of the scope unit 100 or the scope unit 200 inside, and an electrical connection between the scope unit 100 or the scope unit 200 and the inside of the mounting part 23. And a connector 26 for performing communication by connecting to the.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the grip portion 30 is formed in a rod shape protruding from the operation portion 21, and has a battery 31 inside. The battery 31 supplies driving power to the scope unit 100 or the scope unit 200 and the display unit 50 provided in the main body unit 20.

  The operation input unit 40 is used to input an operation direction of the bending unit 113 and various settings of the display unit 50. The operation input unit 40 includes a joystick 41 (hereinafter referred to as “J / S41”) that operates so as to incline from a neutral state in four directions of an upward direction U, a downward direction D, a left direction L, and a right direction R. And a push button 42.

The J / S 41 has, for example, a potentiometer 41A that detects a position on a straight line along two axes orthogonal to each other. By tilting the J / S 41, the resistance value of the potentiometer 41A changes. Reference is made by a control unit 90 described later.
Instead of J / S41, keys, buttons, or the like corresponding to the direction in which the scope unit 100 or the scope unit 200 is operated may be employed.

  The display unit 50 includes a display screen 51 and a display control unit 52 that processes the video signal transmitted from the imaging unit 11 so that the video signal can be displayed on the display screen 51. In addition, a so-called touch panel type display is adopted as the display screen 51, and an operation input for bending the bending portion 113 or the bending portion 213 and an operation input to the imaging unit 11 are performed via the touch panel of the display screen 51. It can also be adopted.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the display control unit 52 includes a camera control unit 52A (hereinafter referred to as “CCU 52A”) and an image recording unit 52B that stores an image signal transmitted from the imaging unit 11 to the CCU 52A. ing. The display control unit 52 transmits the image information transmitted from the imaging unit 11 provided in the insertion unit 110 of the scope unit 100 to the display screen 51 as, for example, an NTSC signal and causes the display screen 51 to display an image. Yes.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the control unit 90 is disposed inside the operation unit 21 in the main body unit 20. The control unit 90 is electrically connected to the scope unit 100 and the scope unit 200 attached to the main body unit 20 via the connector 26.

  Further, the control unit 90 is electrically connected to the display control unit 52 of the display unit 50 inside the main body unit 20, and the control unit 90 controls the operation of the display unit 50. Further, the control unit 90 is electrically connected to the operation input unit 40, and receives an operation input when the J / S 41 and the button 42 are operated.

  In a state in which the scope unit 100 is attached to the main body unit 20, the control unit 90 communicates with each of the configuration storage unit 195, the bending drive unit 160, and the light source unit 70.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 90 includes a central processing unit 91, a storage unit 92 electrically connected to the central processing unit 91, a bending drive circuit 93 electrically connected to the central processing unit 91, and And a light source driving circuit 94.

  The central processing unit 91 operates according to an embedded operating system for driving the endoscope system 1 and controls each of the storage unit 92, the bending drive circuit 93, and the light source drive circuit 94.

The central processing unit 91 refers to the resistance value of the potentiometer 41A of the J / S 41 via an I / O circuit (not shown). The central processing unit 91 displays the operation input input from the J / S 41 to the control unit 90 on the display screen 51 and the drive operation input for transmitting a drive signal from the bending drive circuit 93 to the bending drive units 160 and 260. The cursor is moved to the instruction operation input for specifying the coordinates on the display screen 51 by moving the cursor or the like.
The drive operation input and the instruction operation input can be switched by the button 42 and can be electrically switched based on the information of the configuration identification information I100 or the configuration identification information I200.

  Further, the central processing unit 91 sets the display control unit 52 so as to display a menu screen, an image of the test object, etc. on the display screen 51 according to a program of an embedded operating system for driving the endoscope system 1. Control.

  The storage unit 92 includes a ROM 92A and a RAM 92B. The above-described operating system is stored in the ROM 92A, and when the endoscope system 1 is activated, main components of this operating system are transferred to the RAM 92B and executed.

  In the present embodiment, the RAM 92B is a volatile storage device, and all the information stored in the RAM 92B is obtained by shutting off the power supply of the endoscope system 1 or removing the scope unit 100 or the scope unit 200 from the main body 20. Erased.

  Further, the RAM 92B temporarily stores the direction in which the J / S 41 is tilted, the angle at which the J / S 41 is tilted, and the speed at which the J / S 41 is tilted.

  In addition, the configuration identification information I100 and I200 stored in the configuration storage unit 195 of the scope unit 100 and the configuration storage unit 295 of the scope unit 200 are read into the RAM 92B when the endoscope system 1 is activated.

In the present embodiment, configuration identification information I100 or configuration identification information I200 is stored in RAM 92B by transferring setting files F100 and F200 stored in configuration storage unit 195 or configuration storage unit 295 to RAM 92B. ing.

  Note that a rewritable nonvolatile memory may be employed as the RAM 92B. In this case, the configuration identification information can be retained even when the power supply of the endoscope system 1 is shut off, and is necessary when the scope unit 100 or the scope unit 200 is replaced and attached to the main body unit 20 for use. Accordingly, a configuration in which the configuration identification information is read from the configuration storage unit 195 or the configuration storage unit 295 and overwritten in the RAM 92B can be employed.

  The bending drive circuit 93 is a circuit that generates a bending drive signal for driving the bending drive unit 160 or the bending drive unit 260. In the bending drive circuit 93, information on the direction in which J / S41 is tilted, the angle at which J / S41 is tilted, and the speed at which J / S41 is tilted are stored in the RAM 92B, respectively, as configuration identification information I100 and I200. The bending drive signal 160 is generated as a bending drive signal for driving the bending drive unit 160 or the bending drive unit 260, and the bending drive signal is transmitted to the bending drive unit 160 or the bending drive unit 260.

  If these setting files do not exist in the RAM 92B, the bending drive circuit 93 does not operate. At this time, the power supply of the part which concerns on the bending drive circuit 93 among the control parts 90 may be interrupted | blocked.

  The light source driving circuit 94 is a circuit for driving the light source unit 70. The light source drive circuit 94 generates a light source drive signal that indicates the voltage, current, and drive waveform of the drive power for driving the LED 71 based on the configuration identification information I100 and I200 stored in the RAM 92B, and this drive signal is generated by the LED 71. To supply.

  The light source drive circuit 94 has a prescribed light source drive signal for driving the light source unit 70 when the configuration identification information does not exist in the RAM 92B. If the configuration identification information does not exist, the light source drive circuit 94 has a prescribed light source drive signal. The LED 71 emits light based on the light source drive signal.

An operation at the time of using the endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described.
6 to 8 are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment.
First, an attaching process for attaching the scope unit 100 or the scope unit 200 to the main body 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

Step S <b> 1 is a step of performing unit attachment / detachment detection for detecting that the scope unit is attached to the main body unit 20.
In step S <b> 1, the user attaches, for example, the scope unit 100 to the attachment part 23 of the main body part 20. Then, the connector 27 provided in the scope unit 100 is connected to the connector 26 provided in the main body unit 20. At this time, the bending drive unit 160 and the light source unit 70 are electrically connected to the control unit 90, respectively. Here, the bending drive unit 160 is connected to the bending drive circuit 93 of the control unit 90, and the LED 71 is connected to the light source drive circuit 94 of the control unit 90.

When the LED 71 is connected, the light source driving circuit 94 transmits a signal indicating that a scope unit such as the scope unit 100 or the scope unit 200 is connected to the central processing unit 91. Thereby, it is detected in the central processing unit 91 that the scope unit is attached to the main body unit 20.
Step S1 is complete | finished now and it transfers to step S2.

Step S <b> 2 is a step of reading the configuration identification information of the scope unit connected to the main body 20 into the main body 20.
In step S2, in a state where the scope unit 100 is attached to the main body unit 20, the setting file F100 in which the configuration identification information I100 is described is read from the configuration storage unit 195 of the scope unit 100 into the RAM 92B of the control unit 90.
Step S2 is complete | finished now and it transfers to step S3.

Step S3 is a step of determining the presence or absence of configuration identification information.
In step S3, first, it is confirmed whether the operation of reading the configuration identification information into the RAM 92B has been successful and whether the configuration identification information has been damaged.
In the present embodiment, the configuration identification information I100 and I200 are stored in the scope unit 100 and the scope unit 200, respectively. However, the scope identification unit may not include configuration identification information in a scope unit that does not require a bending operation. is there. In this case, a configuration may be adopted in which it is detected that no configuration identification information is provided by detecting that there is no response from the scope unit even when a predetermined timeout time stored in the ROM 92A has elapsed.

If there is no configuration identification information indicating that the bending drive unit 160 or the bending drive unit 260 is present, step S3 ends and the process proceeds to step S4.
In the present embodiment, the configuration identification information I100, I200 of the scope units 100, 200 stores that the electric bending method is stored in the bending method parameter P200, so that the scope unit is driven to be bent in step S3. As a result of the determination, step S3 ends and the process proceeds to step S5.

Step S4 is a step of setting an operation in which the control unit 90 responds to the input operation input to J / S41.
In step S4, the operation input input to the J / S 41 is an instruction operation input for selecting an option displayed on the display screen 51 or designating a part of the video displayed on the display screen 51. The control unit 90 is set so as to recognize. At this time, the operation of tilting the J / S 41 by the user is referred to by the control unit 90, and the control unit 90 moves the cursor displayed on the display screen 51 to indicate a point on the display screen 51. Move in conjunction with the movement.
Thereby, step S4 is completed, and the operation of J / S41 is set to be used for the operation of the display screen 51.

Step S5 is a step of setting an operation in which the control unit 90 responds to the input operation input to J / S41.
In step S5, the control unit 90 switches between the driving operation input for operating the bending driving unit 160 provided in the scope unit 100 and the above-described instruction operation input so as to recognize the operation input input to the J / S 41. Set to At this time, the operation of J / S 41 can be switched alternately by pressing the button 42, for example.
Thereby, step S5 is completed, and the operation of J / S41 is set to be used for both the operation of the bending drive unit 160 and the operation of the display screen 51.

  Thus, the attachment process for attaching the scope unit 100 or the scope unit 200 to the main body 20 is completed.

  When the attachment process is completed, a method selection process for selecting a bending method for bending the scope unit in the endoscope system 1 is subsequently started.

As shown in FIG. 7, step S10 is a step of determining whether or not the scope unit attached to the main body 20 shown in FIG. 2 can be bent.
In step S10, if there are the bending method parameters P100 and P200 based on the configuration identification information I100 or the configuration identification information I200 stored in the RAM 92B in step S2, step S10 ends, and the process proceeds to step S11.
For example, when a scoring unit that is not driven to bend is attached to the main body 20, the configuration identification information does not include information on the bending method parameter, so step S10 ends and the method selection process ends.

Step S11 is a step of determining whether or not there is an input operation to J / S41 by the user.
In step S11, the control unit 90 refers to the resistance value of the potentiometer 41A of J / S41, and determines whether or not J / S41 is in the neutral position from the resistance value of the potentiometer 41A. When the user inputs an operation of J / S41, J / S41 is tilted so as to be located at a position different from the neutral position, and therefore the resistance value of potentiometer 41A is different from that when J / S41 is in the neutral position.

  In the control unit 90, if the resistance value when J / S 41 is in the neutral position and the resistance value of the potentiometer 41A when step S11 is executed, step S11 ends, and the process proceeds to step S12.

  When the user does not input J / S41, J / S41 is in the neutral position. If the control unit 90 determines that J / S41 is in the neutral position, step S11 ends and the method selection process ends. To do.

Step S12 is a step of selecting a bending method of the scope unit.
In step S12, the control unit 90 selects a bending method of the scope unit based on the configuration identification information read into the RAM 92B. In the present embodiment, since the bending method parameter P100 of the configuration identification information I100 of the scope unit 100 stores that the bending method of the scope unit 100 is the electric bending method, in step S12, the bending method of the scope unit 100 is stored. Is determined to be an electric bending method, step S12 ends, and the process proceeds to step S13.

  In step S12, if a bending method other than electric bending is stored in the bending method parameter, step S12 ends and the process proceeds to step S14. In this embodiment, as an example of a bending method other than the electric bending method, it is conceivable that the scope unit includes a bending drive unit that performs a bending operation of the bending portion by fluid pressure. The configuration and operation of the scope unit having a bending method using fluid pressure will be described later.

Step S13 is a step of operating the scope unit in accordance with the electric bending method.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing in more detail the operation of the endoscope system 1 in step S13.
As shown in FIG. 8, in step S13, first, step S100 is started. In step S100, the control unit 90 refers to parameters for causing the scope unit 100 and the scope unit 200 to bend in the configuration identification information I100 read into the RAM 92B.

  When the scope unit 100 is attached to the main body unit 20, the bending method parameter P100 of the configuration identification information I100 stores that the bending operation of the bending unit 113 by the bending drive unit 160 of the scope unit 100 is in two directions. Therefore, step S100 ends and the process proceeds to step S101.

  When the scope unit 200 is attached to the main body unit 20, the bending method parameter P200 of the configuration identification information I200 stores that the bending operation of the bending unit 213 by the bending drive unit 260 of the scope unit 200 is in four directions. Thus, step S100 ends and the process proceeds to step S201.

  A bending operation process for bending the bending portion 113 or the bending portion 213 will be described with reference to FIG.

Step S101 is a step of detecting the type of operation input by the user in J / S41.
In step S101, the control unit 90 refers to the resistance value of the potentiometer 41A stored in the RAM 92B. If J / S41 is tilted upward U or downward D, step S101 is terminated and step S102 is performed. Migrate to

  If J / S41 is tilted leftward L or rightward R, step S101 is terminated and step S101 is started again. When the left direction L or the right direction R is input by the user at the same time as the upward direction U or the downward direction D in J / S41, it is assumed that only the upward direction U or the downward direction D has been input, step S102. Migrate to

Step S102 is a step of acquiring the direction, angle and acceleration in which J / S 41 is tilted based on the resistance value of potentiometer 41A stored in control unit 90.
In step S102, the direction, angle, and acceleration in which J / S41 is tilted are written in the RAM 92B.
Step S102 is ended now and it shifts to Step S103.

Step S103 operates the bending drive unit 160 to control the bending direction of the bending unit 113 of the scope unit 100 based on the information of the direction in which J / S41 is tilted among the information written in the RAM 92B in Step S102. This is a step of generating a drive signal to be generated.
In step S103, the bending drive circuit 93 of the control unit 90 includes the direction in which the J / S 41 is tilted among the information stored in the RAM 92B and the configuration identification information I100 provided in the bending drive unit 160 of the scope unit 100. Reference is made to the drive parameter P110. The bending drive circuit 93 converts the direction in which J / S 41 is tilted into a direction in which the motor 61 is rotated based on the drive parameter P210, and generates a drive signal for rotating the motor 61.
Step S103 is complete | finished now and it transfers to step S104.

In step S104, the bending drive unit 160 of the scope unit 100 is controlled so as to control the bending speed of the bending unit 113 based on the information on the acceleration at which J / S41 is tilted among the information written in the RAM 92B in step S102. This is a step of generating a drive signal to be operated.
In step S <b> 104, the bending drive circuit 93 of the control unit 90 includes the acceleration at which J / S 41 is tilted among the information stored in the RAM 92 </ b> B and the configuration identification information I <b> 100 provided in the bending drive unit 160 of the scope unit 100. Reference is made to the drive parameter P110. The bending drive circuit 93 converts the direction in which J / S 41 is tilted into a speed at which the motor 61 is rotated based on the drive parameter P <b> 110, and generates a drive signal for rotating the motor 61.
Step S104 is ended now and it shifts to Step S105.

  In step S105, the bending drive unit 160 of the scope unit 100 is operated so as to control the bending angle of the bending portion 113 based on the information on the angle at which J / S41 is tilted among the information written in the RAM 92B in step S102. This is a step of generating a drive signal to be generated.

  In step S105, the bending drive circuit 93 of the control unit 90 includes the angle at which J / S41 is tilted among the information stored in the RAM 92B and the configuration identification information I100 provided in the bending drive unit 160 of the scope unit 100. Reference is made to the drive parameter P110. The bending drive circuit 93 converts the angle at which the J / S 41 is tilted into a rotation amount for rotating the motor 61 based on the drive parameter P110, and generates a drive signal for rotating the motor 61.

  In steps S103, S104, and S105, drive signals that specify the direction in which the motor 61 is rotated, the rotation speed, and the rotation amount are generated. The bending drive circuit 93 drives the motor 61 of the bending drive unit 160 based on the drive signal generated in steps S103, S104, and S105. Step S105 is ended now and it returns to Step S101.

  In this manner, by repeating the loop from step S101 to step S105, the motor 61 of the bending drive unit 160 rotates in conjunction with the position where the user tilts J / S41, and the bending unit 113 performs the bending operation. The loop from step S101 to step S105 includes a termination interrupt that occurs in a termination process for shutting down the power supply of the endoscope system 1, and energization of the scope unit 100 to replace the scope unit 100 with another scope unit. It ends by the exchange interruption etc. which shuts off.

  In the following, the operation of the endoscope system 1 when it is determined in step S100 described above that the bending method of the scope unit is four-direction bending, that is, when the scope unit 200 is attached to the main body 20 is shown in FIG. Will be described with reference to FIG.

Step S201 is a step of acquiring the direction, angle and acceleration in which J / S41 is tilted based on the resistance value of potentiometer 41A stored in control unit 90.
In step S201, the direction, angle, and acceleration in which J / S41 is tilted are written in the RAM 92B.
Step S201 is ended now and it shifts to Step S202.

Step S202 operates the bending drive unit 260 so as to control the bending direction of the bending unit 213 of the scope unit 200 based on the information of the direction in which J / S41 is tilted among the information written in the RAM 92B in Step S201. This is a step of generating a drive signal to be generated.
In step S202, the bending drive circuit 93 of the control unit 90 includes the direction in which the J / S 41 is tilted and the configuration identification information I200 provided in the bending drive unit 260 of the scope unit 200 among the information stored in the RAM 92B. Reference is made to the drive parameter P210. The bending drive circuit 93 rotates the first motor 61A and the second motor 61B in the direction in which the J / S 41 is tilted and the first motor 61A and the second motor 61B, respectively. Then, the drive signal P210 is converted based on the drive parameter P210, and a drive signal for rotating the motor 61 is generated.
Step S202 is ended now and it shifts to Step S203.

In step S203, the bending drive unit 260 is operated so as to control the bending speed of the bending unit 213 of the scope unit 200 based on information on the acceleration at which J / S41 is tilted among the information written in the RAM 92B in step S203. This is a step of generating a drive signal to be generated.
In step S203, the bending drive circuit 93 of the control unit 90 includes the acceleration in which J / S41 is tilted among the information stored in the RAM 92B and the configuration identification information I200 provided in the bending drive unit 260 of the scope unit 200. Reference is made to the drive parameter P210. The bending drive circuit 93 converts the direction in which J / S 41 is tilted into a speed at which the motor 61 is rotated based on the drive parameter P210, and generates a drive signal for rotating the motor 61.
Step S203 is ended now and it shifts to Step S204.

Step S204 operates the bending drive unit 260 so as to control the bending angle of the bending unit 213 of the scope unit 200 based on the information of the angle at which J / S41 is tilted among the information written in the RAM 92B in Step S203. This is a step of generating a drive signal to be generated.
In step S203, the bending drive circuit 93 of the control unit 90 includes the angle at which J / S41 is tilted among the information stored in the RAM 92B and the configuration identification information I200 provided in the bending drive unit 260 of the scope unit 200. Reference is made to the drive parameter P210. The bending drive circuit 93 converts the angle at which the J / S 41 is tilted into a rotation amount for rotating the motor 61 based on the drive parameter P210, and generates a drive signal for rotating the motor 61.

  Through steps S202, S203, and S204, drive signals that specify the direction in which the first motor 61A and the second motor 61B are rotated, the rotation speed, and the rotation amount are generated. The bending drive circuit 93 drives the first motor 61A and the second motor 61B of the bending drive unit 260 based on the drive signals generated in steps S202, S203, and S204. Step S204 is complete | finished now and it returns to step S201.

  In this manner, by repeating the loop from step S201 to step S204, the first motor 61A and the second motor 61B of the bending drive unit 260 rotate in conjunction with the position where the user tilts J / S41 to bend. The portion 213 performs a bending operation. The loop from step S201 to step S104 includes a termination interrupt that occurs in a termination process for shutting down the power supply of the endoscope system 1, and energization of the scope unit 200 to replace the scope unit 200 with another scope unit. It ends by the exchange interruption etc. which shuts off.

  As described above, according to the endoscope apparatus of the present embodiment, the configuration storage unit 195 or the configuration storage unit provided in the scope unit 100 or the scope unit 200 for each of the exchanged and used scope units. It can be generated in the bending drive circuit 93 based on the configuration identification information stored in 295 and transmitted from the main body 20 to the scope unit 100 or the scope unit 200. As a result, even if a plurality of scope units having different configurations are exchanged for the main body, the operation input in the main body can be accurately reflected in the scope unit.

  Further, the control unit 90 reads the configuration identification information from the scope unit 100 or the scope unit 200 in step S2 and stores it in the RAM 92B. In step S3, the control unit 90 is input to J / S41 of the operation input unit 40. The operation input based on the configuration identification information I100 and I200 is input to the drive operation input for receiving the operation and driving the bending portion 113 or the bending portion 213 and the instruction operation input for instructing the coordinates to the display unit 50. Recognize with distinction. For this reason, the usage method of J / S41 can be appropriately set according to the structure of a scope unit.

  Further, the scope unit 100 is provided with a bending drive unit 160, and the scope unit 200 is provided with a bending drive unit 260. Since the driving unit for bending the bending portion is provided on the scope unit side in this way, the weight of the main body portion 20 can be reduced without placing unnecessary heavy objects on the main body portion 20 side. .

In addition, since the configuration identification information stored in the configuration storage unit 195 of the scope unit 100 and the configuration storage unit 295 of the scope unit 200 is different for each configuration of the scope unit, the scope unit is replaced during use of the endoscope system 1. Even if the configuration identification information is not confused, the control unit 90 can generate a drive signal corresponding to the scope unit.
In addition, since the direction in which the scope unit can be bent and the bending method can be identified based on the bending method parameters P100 and P200, it is not necessary for the user to identify these manually, so that the operation of the endoscope system is simple. It is.

  Further, since the configuration identification information includes a parameter for bending the bending portion, the control unit 90 performs an operation in which the J / S 41 is tilted in the bending driving circuit 93 by the bending driving unit 160 or the bending driving unit 260. Can be converted into a drive signal for the motor. For this reason, the operation input in the main body can be accurately reflected in the scope unit.

(Modification 1)
Below, the structure of the modification 1 of the endoscope system 1 of this embodiment is demonstrated with reference to FIG. 9 (A) and FIG. 9 (B).
FIG. 9A is a side view showing a scope unit that can be attached to the endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment. FIG. 9B is a side view showing another scope unit that can be attached to the endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment.

  A scope unit 400 shown in FIG. 9A includes a unit main body 24 for attachment to the attachment part 23 of the main body part 20 shown in FIG. 2, and a second insertion part 410 having one end fixed to the unit main body 24. Yes. The second insertion portion 410 has flexibility, but unlike the scope unit 100 and the scope unit 200, does not have a mechanism for bending the second insertion portion 410.

  Although not shown, the scope unit 400 includes a second imaging unit, a second illumination unit, and a second light source unit configured in the same manner as the imaging unit 11, the illumination unit 12, and the light source unit 70 of the scope unit 100. Two observation means are provided.

  The endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment can include a scope unit such as the scope unit 400 as the second scope unit in addition to the scope unit 100 or the scope unit 200.

  Further, the scope unit 400A shown in FIG. 9B is different in configuration from the scope unit 400 described above in that an insertion portion 410A is provided instead of the second insertion portion 410. The insertion portion 410A is formed in a hard cylindrical shape. The endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment can include a scope unit 400A.

  When the scope unit 400 is attached to the main body unit 20 instead of the scope unit 100 or the scope unit 200, the control unit 90 accepts an operation input to the J / S 41 of the operation input unit 40 and configures the scope unit 400. Based on the identification information, the operation input is recognized as an instruction operation input for instructing coordinates to the display unit 50.

(Modification 2)
Below, the structure of the modification 2 of the endoscope system 1 of this embodiment is demonstrated with reference to FIG. 10 (A) and FIG. 10 (B).
FIG. 10A is a side view showing a scope unit that can be attached to the endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment. FIG. 10B is a side view showing another scope unit that can be attached to the endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment.

  A scope unit 500 shown in FIG. 10A includes a second insertion portion 510 provided in place of the second insertion portion 410 described above, and a connection cord provided between the second insertion portion 510 and the unit main body 24. The scope unit 400 is different from the above-described scope unit 400 in that it includes the 515 and the angle knob 560.

In the present modified example, the angle wire 14A, the angle wire 14B, the angle wire 14C, and the angle wire 14D are provided in the second insertion portion 510 in the same manner as the insertion portion 210 described above, and the angle wire 14A and the angle wire 14B are provided. The angle wire 14C and the angle wire 14D are pulled by the angle knob 560. Accordingly, the bending portion 513 on the distal end 510A side of the second insertion portion 510 performs a bending operation.
Although not shown, the connection cord 515 includes a light guide 72 and a signal line connected to the imaging unit 11, and the second observation unit is configured in the same manner as the scope unit 400 described above.

  In this modification, the user pulls the angle wire 14A, the angle wire 14B, the angle wire 14C, and the angle wire 14D by manually rotating the angle knob 560 instead of the operation of electrically rotating the motor 61 described above. Thus, the bending portion 213 at the tip of the second insertion portion 510 can be bent. Such a scope unit may be provided in the endoscope system 1 as the second scope unit together with the scope unit 100 or the scope unit 200.

  As shown in FIG. 10B, the scope unit 500A has an angle knob 560 attached to the unit main body 24. In this case, since the main body 20 and the angle knob 560 are close to each other, the angle knob 560 can be operated while supporting the main body 20 with both hands.

(Modification 3)
Below, the structure of the modification 3 of the endoscope system 1 of this embodiment is demonstrated with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a side view showing a scope unit that can be attached to the endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment.

  A scope unit 600 shown in FIG. 11 is a scope unit that performs a bending operation by fluid pressure, unlike the scope unit 100 and the scope unit 200 described above. The scope unit 600 includes a unit main body 24 that can be attached to the main body portion 20, a connection cord 615 having one end fixed to the unit main body 24, and an insertion unit 616 connected to the connection cord 615.

  The insertion unit 616 includes a second insertion portion 610 to be inserted into the test object, a rotary reel 618 around which the second insertion portion 610 is wound, a support portion 617 that supports the rotation reel 618, and a second insertion portion 610. And an air compressor 660 connected to the connection cord 615.

  The second insertion portion 610 of the present embodiment has an actuator that expands and contracts by the air supplied from the air compressor 660 in the second bending portion 613, and the second bending portion 613 according to the amount of air supplied to the actuator. The amount of curvature can be changed.

  In this modification, the scope unit 600 includes a second light source unit 670 provided in the insertion unit 616 instead of the light source unit 70 provided in the unit main body 24. The operation of the second light source unit 670 is controlled by the light source driving circuit 94 of the control unit 90 in the same manner as the light source unit 70.

  The scope unit 600 of this modification includes a configuration storage unit 695 inside the unit main body 24. In the configuration storage unit 695, configuration identification information for identifying the configuration of the scope unit 600 is stored in the configuration storage unit 695. This identification information is a bending method other than the electric bending of the scope unit 600. And a driving parameter for operating the air compressor 660 provided in the scope unit 600 is included.

  Here, the driving parameter for operating the air compressor 660 is a parameter for converting the resistance value of the potentiometer 41A of the operation input unit 40 into a driving signal in the bending driving circuit 93, and the driving signal is converted into the bending driving circuit 93. Communication information for transmitting to the air compressor 660.

  When the scope unit 600 of the present modification is attached to the main body unit 20, in step S12 shown in FIG. 7, it is selected that the bending method is other than electric bending, and the process proceeds to step S14.

Step S14 is a step of driving the air compressor 660 of the scope unit 600 by fluid pressure bending control.
In step S14, the resistance value of the potentiometer 41A is temporarily stored in the RAM 92B of the control unit 90 in the same manner as in step S13 described above. Further, the bending drive circuit 93 refers to the information stored in the RAM 92B, converts the resistance value of the potentiometer 41A into a drive signal for driving the air compressor 660 based on the configuration identification information, and transmits the drive signal to the air compressor 660. To do. Accordingly, the second bending portion 613 can be bent in a direction in which J / S 41 is inclined.

The scope unit 600 of this modification is also the endoscope system 1 as a second scope unit to be added to the scope unit 100 or the scope unit 200, similarly to the scope unit 400, scope unit 400A, scope unit 500, and scope unit 500A described above. Can be prepared.
In this modification, the configuration of the air compressor 660 that curves the second insertion portion 610 is significantly different from the configuration of the scope unit 100 bending drive portion 160 described above, but an appropriate drive signal for driving the air compressor 660 is used. Can be generated based on the configuration identification information to drive the air compressor 660. Thus, according to the endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment, even if the scope unit 600 (second scope unit) of the present modified example is replaced and used, the scope units can be suitably operated. Can do.

(Modification 4)
Below, the structure of the modification 4 of the endoscope system 1 of this embodiment is demonstrated with reference to FIG.12 and FIG.13. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a scope unit that can be attached to the endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a partial configuration of the scope unit that can be attached to the endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the scope unit 700 of this modification includes a second insertion portion 710 provided in place of the insertion portion 210, and an LED 771 (second light source portion) provided in place of the LED 71. Is different from the scope unit 200 in that The scope unit 700 has a bending drive unit similar to the bending drive unit 260 described above.
The LED 771 includes a plurality of LEDs provided in the vicinity of the irradiation unit 12A of the second insertion portion 710, and a power supply wire 772 for transmitting drive power to the LED 771 is disposed inside the second insertion portion 710. . The power supply wire 772 is electrically connected to the light source drive circuit 94 of the main body 20 through the connector 27 and the connector 26.

  Further, the unit main body 24 of the scope unit 700 is provided with a configuration storage unit 795 for storing configuration identification information. In the configuration storage unit 795, in addition to the drive parameters for driving the bending drive unit 260, an illumination parameter P720 for driving the light source unit 770 is stored as configuration identification information.

  Illumination parameters P720 for driving the light source unit 770 include light emission method list information P721 to be displayed on the menu screen in order to select a light emission method for causing the LED 771 to emit light on the display screen 51, and a light source corresponding to the list. The drive circuit 94 includes an illumination drive parameter P722 for generating a drive signal. The illumination drive parameter P722 for generating a drive signal for driving the light source unit 770 includes voltage and current supplied to the LED 771 and time width information indicating the light emission timing when the LED 771 emits light intermittently.

  When the scope unit 700 is attached to the main body unit 20, the configuration identification information is read from the configuration storage unit 795 to the RAM 92B. Then, similarly to the scope unit 200 described above, a driving signal for performing the bending operation of the bending portion 213 can be generated in the bending drive circuit 93, and a list of light emitting methods for causing the LED 771 to emit light is listed on the display screen 51. The display is based on the information P721, and the light emission method of the LED 771 can be selected on the display screen by tilting J / S41.

  As described above, according to the scope unit 700 of the present modified example, the configuration identification information includes the illumination parameter P720 including the list information P721 and the illumination drive parameter P722. When attached and used, it is possible to select the light emitting method equipped in the scope unit by looking at the display screen 51. As a result, even if a plurality of scope units equipped with different light emission methods are used for each scope unit, it is easy to understand how to use the scope unit.

  Note that the scope unit 700 of this modification is also the second scope unit to be added to the scope unit 100 or the scope unit 200, similarly to the scope unit 400, scope unit 400A, scope unit 500, scope unit 500A, and scope unit 700 described above. Can be provided in the endoscope system 1. In this case, compared to the configuration in which the illumination light of the LED 71 is transmitted to the irradiation unit 12A using the light guide 72, the transmission loss of the illumination light is small even if the length of the second insertion unit 710 is increased, and the first The two insertion portions 710 can be configured to be thin.

  In addition to the scope unit 700, examples of the scope unit having a different illumination unit configuration include a scope unit that employs a light source other than an LED. For example, a scope unit that employs a halogen lamp or a laser diode (LD) as a light source is conceivable. Even in this case, configuration identification information including light emitting methods and parameters corresponding to these light sources is stored in the configuration storage unit. Thus, the control unit 90 of the main body unit 20 can control each light source.

(Modification 5)
Below, the structure of the modification 5 of the endoscope system 1 of this embodiment is demonstrated with reference to FIG.14 and FIG.15. FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a configuration of Modification 5 of the endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment. FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing still another configuration example of the modification example 5 shown in FIG.
The scope unit 100 shown in FIG. 14 is provided with a CCD 11A in the imaging unit 11, and the scope unit 800 shown in FIG. 14 is provided with a CMOS 811A in the imaging unit 11 instead of the CCD 11A. The scope unit 800 is a second scope unit provided in addition to the scope unit 100.

  Further, the scope unit 800 is provided with a configuration storage unit 895 instead of the configuration storage unit 195. Configuration identification information is stored in the configuration storage unit 895, and the configuration identification information stored in the configuration storage unit 895 is image information transmitted from the CCD 11A or the CMOS 811A to the display control unit 52 of the display unit 50. The operation | movement procedure for converting into the signal for displaying on 51 is included.

  In addition, the configuration identification information stored in the configuration storage unit 195 or the configuration storage unit 895 is read into the RAM 92B of the control unit 90. For example, when the scope unit 800 is attached to the main body unit 20, the RAM 92B stores parameters for operating the display control unit 52 of the display unit 50 in addition to parameters for operating the bending drive unit 160. ing.

  The display control unit 52 converts the image signal transmitted from the CMOS 811A to the display control unit 52 into an image signal for display on the display screen 51 based on the parameters stored in the RAM 92B.

  In the present modification, even if the imaging devices provided in the imaging unit 11 are different, the image signal of the imaging device is displayed on the display screen 51 by reading the configuration identification information from the scope unit 100 or the scope unit 800 into the RAM 92B of the control unit 90. The image can be converted into a displayable format. Thereby, it is possible to exchange and use a plurality of scope units with different types of imaging elements.

  The camera is not limited to the configuration in which the operation of the display control unit 52 is switched depending on the parameters, and a plurality of different camera control units (for example, CCU 52A and CCU 852A shown in FIG. 15) are provided on the display control unit 52 and used based on the configuration identification information. A control unit may be selected.

  In addition, as another example of a scope unit having a different type of image sensor, a scope unit that employs an image sensor having a different number of effective pixels from the CCD 11A, for example, can be used. For example, when a CCD having a larger number of effective pixels than the CCD 11A is employed, a good enlarged image can be obtained even if the maximum zoom magnification of the digital zoom process is higher than that of the scope unit 100 equipped with the CCD 11A. Correspondingly, the configuration identification information can include information on the maximum magnification of the digital zoom in the display unit 50. In this case, the image sensor with a small number of effective pixels does not zoom to a magnification that does not allow the object to be observed well, and the image sensor with a large number of effective pixels has a high magnification without special settings. The operation of the endoscope system 1 can be simplified.

(Modification 6)
Below, the structure of the modification 6 of the endoscope system 1 of this embodiment is demonstrated with reference to FIG. 16 (A) thru | or FIG. 16 (C). FIG. 16A is a block diagram showing a scope unit that can be attached to the endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment. FIG. 16B is a block diagram showing another scope unit that can be attached to the endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment. FIG. 16C is a block diagram showing still another scope unit that can be attached to the endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment.

  The scope unit 900A, the scope unit 900B, and the scope unit 900C in FIGS. 16A to 16C are second scope units that can be provided in addition to the scope unit 100 and the scope unit 200.

  The scope unit 900A, the scope unit 900B, and the scope unit 900C respectively include a second insertion portion 910A, a second insertion portion 910B, and a second insertion portion 910C provided with the LED 771 similar to the scope unit 700. The second insertion portion 910A, the second insertion portion 910B, and the second insertion portion 910C have different axial lengths. For example, the second insertion portion 910A is 2 meters, the second insertion portion 910B is 10 meters, The insertion portion 910C is set to a length of 50 meters. Further, a CCD 11A is provided at the tip of each of the second insertion portion 910A, the second insertion portion 910B, and the second insertion portion 910C.

  Further, inside the unit main body 24, a configuration storage unit 995A in which configuration identification information set according to each of the second insertion unit 910A, the second insertion unit 910B, and the second insertion unit 910C is stored, and a configuration storage unit 995B and a configuration storage unit 995C are provided, and the configuration identification information stored in the configuration storage unit 995A, the configuration storage unit 995B, and the configuration storage unit 995C is transmitted from the CCD 11A of the imaging unit 11 and received by the display control unit 52. Parameters for correcting the image signal to be processed.

  In the present modification, the CCD 11A, which is the same image sensor, is provided in each of the second insertion portion 910A, the second insertion portion 910B, and the second insertion portion 910C, but transmission is performed from the CCD 11A toward the display control portion 52. The image signal to be displayed may have different electrical characteristics when it reaches the display control unit 52 according to the length of the insertion unit.

Here, the configuration identification information stored in each of the second insertion unit 910A, the second insertion unit 910B, and the second insertion unit 910C is read into the RAM 92B of the control unit 90, and is based on the configuration identification information read into the RAM 92B. Thus, the image signal that has reached the display control unit 52 is corrected and converted into a video signal that can be displayed on the display screen 51.
In this modification, it is possible to prevent the video displayed on the display screen 51 from being disturbed even if the scope unit having a different insertion portion length is replaced and used.

As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was explained in full detail with reference to drawings, the concrete structure is not restricted to this embodiment, The design change etc. of the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention are included.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the scope unit 100 and the scope unit 200 differ in the number of motors 61 is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of configurations differing in that the motor size and output are different. It is also possible to replace the scope unit. Also in this case, by providing the configuration identification information in the scope unit, the operation input in the main body can be accurately reflected in the scope unit.

  Moreover, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which a parameter is included as information for identifying the configuration of the bending unit, the illumination unit, the imaging unit, and the like of the scope unit as the configuration identification information is not limited thereto. It is also possible to store all drive programs for driving the bending section, illumination section, imaging section, etc. of the scope unit in the configuration storage section of the scope unit. In this case, information stored in the main body can be reduced, and a drive program not set in the main body can be transferred from the scope unit side to the main body to generate a drive signal corresponding to the scope unit. .

  Further, the operating system stored in the ROM of the main unit in the above-described embodiment is stored in the configuration storage unit of the scope unit, and the ROM stored in the main unit displays, for example, an image stored in the display unit on the display screen. It is good also as a structure which mounts the simple type operating system which has. In this case, an operating system that performs an operation suitable for the scope unit can be exchanged for each scope unit.

  In the above-described embodiment, the configuration identification information is an example of information for identifying the physical configuration of the scope unit. However, the configuration identification information is not limited to this, and the configuration identification information may be an operation mode of the scope unit or an electrical Information on specifications may be included. For example, scope units having the same physical configuration but different operation procedures may be identified based on the configuration identification information, and a drive signal for these scope units may be generated by the control unit. .

  Further, the constituent elements shown in the above-described embodiments and modifications can be combined as appropriate. For example, similarly to displaying a list of light emission methods of the light source unit of the scope unit on the display screen of the display unit in the above-described modification 4, a list for selecting a specific operation method for each scope unit is displayed on the display screen. Information for display can be included in the configuration identification information.

  Further, the scope unit described in each of the above-described modifications may be replaced with, for example, the above-described scope units 100 and 200 in addition to the scope unit 100 and 200 described above.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Endoscope system 11 Imaging part 12 Illumination part 20 Main body part 30 Gripping part 40 Operation input part 50 Display part 70 Light source part 90 Control part 100, 200, 400, 400A, 500, 500A, 600, 700, 800, 900A, 900B, 900C Scope unit 110, 210 Insertion part 410, 410A, 510, 610, 710, 910A, 910B, 910C Insertion part 113, 213 Second bending part (insertion part)
160, 260 Bending drive unit 195, 295, 695, 795, 895, 995A, 995B, 995C Configuration storage unit

Claims (6)

An insertion part;
A bending portion provided in the insertion portion;
A bending drive unit for driving the bending unit;
An observation means provided in the insertion portion for acquiring an image of the test object;
A scope unit for observing the test object,
An operation unit for performing an operation input for operating at least the bending unit;
A control unit for controlling the bending drive unit;
A main body having
In an endoscope apparatus having
The scope unit is configured to be detachable with respect to the main body, and has a storage unit in which drive parameters of the bending drive unit are stored.
The control unit communicates with a scope unit attached to the main body, and drives the curve in the attached scope unit based on a drive parameter stored in a storage unit in the attached scope unit. An endoscope apparatus characterized by controlling a unit.   2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the drive parameter includes information for driving the bending drive unit set based on at least one of a length and a diameter of the insertion unit. Mirror device.   The storage unit stores a driving program for driving the scope unit, the driving program is transferred from the scope unit side to the main body side, and the main body unit outputs a driving signal corresponding to the scope unit. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the endoscope apparatus is generated.   The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit includes a second storage unit (RAM92B) that stores a drive parameter stored in a storage unit provided in the scope unit. .   The control unit reads the drive parameter stored in the storage unit in the scope unit when the endoscope apparatus is activated, and stores the read drive parameter in the second storage unit. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 4.   The endoscope apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control unit erases the drive parameter stored in the second storage unit when the scope unit is detached from the main body unit.