JP7085468B2 - Endoscopes, endoscope devices, endoscope diagnostic methods, and endoscope diagnostic programs - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an endoscope, an endoscope device, a diagnostic method for an endoscope, and a diagnostic program for an endoscope.

Generally, endoscopes employ an airtight or watertight structure to protect internal objects. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of monitoring the humidity inside an endoscope with a humidity sensor and determining whether or not the watertightness is lowered according to the monitoring result. Patent Document 2 discloses a technique in which an image sensor and a humidity sensor are provided on a substrate built in the tip of the insertion portion, and the information of the humidity sensor is used to detect whether or not moisture has entered the tip of the insertion portion. There is.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-244794 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-118937

When a liquid enters the part where the watertightness of the endoscope should be maintained, when the endoscope is hung on a hanger rack or the like, the liquid is affected by gravity and accumulates at the tip of the insertion part. become. An image sensor is provided at the tip of the insertion portion. Therefore, if the humidity inside the tip portion becomes high due to this liquid, the quality of the captured image captured by the image pickup device may deteriorate.

As described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, although it is possible to detect that the watertightness is reduced only by the humidity information detected by the humidity sensor, what kind of trouble is caused by the decrease in the watertightness? I can't know if it is.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is an endoscope capable of detecting a deterioration in the performance of an image pickup element provided at a tip portion, an endoscope device provided with this endoscope, and an endoscope. It is an object of the present invention to provide a diagnostic method for an endoscope and a diagnostic program for an endoscope.

The endoscope device of the present invention is an endoscope device having an endoscope including an image pickup unit provided in the tip portion of the insertion portion, and the image pickup unit is a pixel that converts the received light into a voltage signal. It has an image pickup element including a unit, a conversion unit that converts the voltage signal into a digital signal, and an information addition unit that adds error detection information to the digital signal and outputs it as output data. The provided humidity sensor, an error detection unit that receives the output data and detects that an error has occurred when the digital signal is output from the image pickup element based on the output data, and the above. It is provided with a diagnostic processing unit for diagnosing the state of the image pickup element based on the humidity information inside the tip portion detected by the humidity sensor and the error information detected by the error detection unit. ..

The endoscope of the present invention is an endoscope including an image pickup unit provided in the tip portion of the insertion portion, and the image pickup unit has a pixel unit that converts received light into a voltage signal and the voltage signal. A humidity sensor having an image pickup element including a conversion unit that converts a digital signal and an information addition unit that adds error detection information to the digital signal and outputs it as output data, and a humidity sensor provided in the tip portion. The error detector that receives the output data and detects that an error has occurred when the digital signal is output from the image pickup element based on the output data, and the humidity sensor that detects the above. It is provided with a diagnostic processing unit for diagnosing the state of the image pickup element based on the humidity information inside the tip portion and the error information detected by the error detection unit.

The method for diagnosing an endoscope of the present invention is a method for diagnosing an endoscope including an imaging unit provided in the tip of an insertion portion, and the imaging unit is a pixel unit that converts received light into a voltage signal. It has an image pickup element including a conversion unit that converts the voltage signal into a digital signal, and an information addition unit that adds error detection information to the digital signal and outputs it as output data, and receives the output data. Then, based on the output data, the error detection step for detecting that an error has occurred when the digital signal is output from the image pickup element and the humidity sensor provided in the tip portion have detected the error. It includes a diagnostic processing step for diagnosing the state of the image pickup element based on the humidity information inside the tip portion and the error information detected by the error detection step.

The diagnostic program for an endoscope of the present invention is a diagnostic program for an endoscope including an imaging unit provided in the tip of an insertion portion, and the imaging unit is a pixel unit that converts received light into a voltage signal. It has an image pickup element including a conversion unit that converts the voltage signal into a digital signal, and an information addition unit that adds error detection information to the digital signal and outputs it as output data, and receives the output data. Then, based on the output data, the error detection step for detecting that an error has occurred when the digital signal is output from the image pickup element and the humidity sensor provided in the tip portion have detected the error. The purpose is to cause a computer to execute a diagnostic processing step for diagnosing the state of the image pickup element based on the humidity information inside the tip portion and the error information detected by the error detection step.

According to the present invention, an endoscope capable of detecting a deterioration in the performance of an image pickup element provided at the tip thereof, an endoscope device provided with the endoscope, a diagnostic method for the endoscope, and an endoscope. A diagnostic program can be provided.

It is a figure which shows the schematic structure of the endoscope apparatus 100 which is one Embodiment of the endoscope apparatus of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the internal structure of the endoscope apparatus 100 shown in FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the detailed structure of the image pickup part 26 of the endoscope apparatus 100 shown in FIG. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the sealing structure of the image pickup element 23 and the humidity sensor 24 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the functional block of the scope control part 28 in the endoscope 1 shown in FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the diagnostic operation of the endoscope 1 in the endoscope apparatus 100 shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an endoscope device 100, which is an embodiment of the endoscope device of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope device 100 includes an endoscope 1 and a main body 2 including a processor device 4 and a light source device 5 to which the endoscope 1 is connected.

The processor device 4 is connected to a display unit 7 that displays an captured image or the like, and an input unit 6 that is an interface for inputting various information to the processor device 4. The processor device 4 controls the endoscope 1, the light source device 5, and the display unit 7.

The endoscope 1 is a tubular member extending in one direction and is inserted into a body cavity as an observation object. An observation mode switching operation and an imaging record are continuously provided at the base end of the insertion portion 10. An operation unit 11 provided with an operation member for performing an operation, a forceps operation, an air supply / water supply operation, a suction operation, an electric knife operation, etc., an angle knob 12 provided adjacent to the operation unit 11, and an endoscope. A universal cord 13 including connector portions 13A and 13B for detachably connecting the mirror 1 to the light source device 5 and the processor device 4, respectively, is provided.

Although omitted in FIG. 1, a treatment tool such as a biopsy forceps or an electric knife, which is a collection instrument for collecting a biological tissue such as a cell or a polyp, is installed inside the operation unit 11 and the insertion unit 10. A treatment tool insertion passage for insertion is provided.

The insertion portion 10 is composed of a flexible portion 10A, a curved portion 10B provided at the tip of the flexible portion 10A, and a hard tip portion 10C provided at the tip of the curved portion 10B. The tip portion 10C is a portion harder than the soft portion 10A and the curved portion 10B.

The curved portion 10B is configured to be bendable by the rotation operation of the angle knob 12. The curved portion 10B can be curved in an arbitrary direction and an arbitrary angle according to the part of the subject in which the endoscope 1 is used, and the tip portion 10C can be directed in a desired direction.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the internal configuration of the endoscope device 100 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a detailed configuration of an image pickup unit 26 of the endoscope device 100 shown in FIG.

The light source device 5 includes a light source control unit 51 and a light source unit 52.

The light source unit 52 generates illumination light for illuminating the observation portion. The illumination light emitted from the light source unit 52 is incident on the light guide 20 built in the universal cord 13, and is applied to the observation portion through the illumination lens 20a provided at the tip portion 10C of the insertion portion 10.

As the light source unit 52, a white light source that emits white light, or a plurality of light sources including a white light source and a light source that emits light of other colors (for example, a blue light source that emits blue light) are used. The light emitting element used as the light source in the present specification is, for example, an LD (Laser Diode), an LED (Light Emitting Diode), or the like.

The light source control unit 51 is composed of various processors that execute programs to perform processing, and is connected to the system control unit 44 of the processor device 4. The light source control unit 51 controls the light source unit 52 based on a command from the system control unit 44.

The tip portion 10C of the endoscope 1 includes an imaging optical system including an objective lens 21 and a lens group 22, an imaging unit 26 including an imaging element 23 (see FIG. 3) that images a subject through the imaging optical system, and a light source. A light guide 20 for guiding the illumination light emitted from the unit 52 to the illumination lens 20a, and a signal cable 27 for transmitting the signal output from the image pickup unit 26 to the processor device 4 are provided.

The light guide 20 extends from the tip portion 10C to the connector portion 13A of the universal cord 13. With the connector portion 13A of the universal cord 13 connected to the light source device 5, the illumination light emitted from the light source portion 52 of the light source device 5 can be supplied to the light guide 20. Specifically, the light guide 20 is an optical fiber bundle coated with a covering member in a state where a plurality of flexible optical fibers (for example, plastic optical fibers) are bundled, and is from a light source unit 52. The emitted illumination light is transmitted to the tip portion 10C.

As shown in FIG. 3, the image pickup unit 26 includes an image pickup element 23, a humidity sensor 24, and a substrate 25 on which the image pickup element 23 and the humidity sensor 24 are formed.

A CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor is used as the image sensor 23.

The image pickup element 23 has a pixel portion 23A in which a plurality of pixels including a photoelectric conversion element such as a photodiode are arranged in a two-dimensional manner, and an optical image formed on the pixel portion 23A by the above-mentioned image pickup optical system is obtained. It is converted into a voltage signal (imaging signal) in each pixel. A color filter such as a primary color or a complementary color is mounted on the pixel portion 23A of the image pickup device 23.

When a light source unit 52 that generates illumination light by separating white light emitted from a white light source by color filters of a plurality of colors in a time-divided manner is used, the pixel unit 23A of the image pickup element 23 is a color filter. You may use the one which is not equipped with.

The image pickup device 23 further includes a signal processing unit 23B for processing a voltage signal output from the pixels of the pixel unit 23A, and an information addition unit 23C.

The signal processing unit 23B at least performs a process of converting a voltage signal output from the pixels of the pixel unit 23A into a digital signal (hereinafter referred to as a digital pixel signal). The signal processing unit 23B constitutes a conversion unit.

The information addition unit 23C adds error detection information to the digital pixel signal output from the signal processing unit 23B, and outputs the output data to the signal cable 27. The signal cable 27 extends from the tip portion 10C of the insertion portion 10 to the connector portion 13B of the universal cord 13, and is electrically connected to the processor device 4 in a state where the connector portion 13B is connected to the processor device 4. .. The information addition unit 23C is configured by an electric circuit or by a processor executing software.

The error detection information is information for detecting an error when an error occurs in the digital pixel signal output from the image pickup element 23, and a code used for error detection of various methods is used. As the error detection information, for example, a code used for CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) or an ECC (error-detecting code) or the like is used. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the error detection information is a CRC value.

The humidity sensor 24 detects the humidity inside the tip portion 10C of the endoscope 1, in other words, around the image pickup element 23, and a resistance type or capacitance type sensor or the like is used. The humidity information detected by the humidity sensor 24 is input to the signal cable 27.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the sealing structure of the image pickup device 23 and the humidity sensor 24 shown in FIG. The portion of the image pickup device 23 other than the pixel portion 23A is covered and protected by a sealing member 23M such as resin. In the humidity sensor 24, a portion other than the humidity-sensitive region 24a on which the humidity-sensitive film is arranged is covered with a sealing member 24M made of resin or the like to protect the humidity sensor 24.

Further, although not shown in FIG. 4, the entire portion of the substrate 25 other than the pixel portion 23A is covered with a sealing member such as resin. That is, the humidity sensor 24 is covered only by the sealing member that seals the entire substrate 25 in the humidity-sensitive region 24a, and the sealing member that seals the entire substrate 25 in the portion other than the humidity-sensitive region 24a. , It is double-covered by the sealing member 24M.

As shown in FIG. 2, the processor device 4 includes a signal processing unit 42, a display control unit 43, and a system control unit 44.

The signal processing unit 42 generates captured image data by receiving and processing a digital pixel signal transmitted from the image pickup element 23. The captured image data generated by the signal processing unit 42 is recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or a flash memory (not shown).

The display control unit 43 causes the display unit 7 to display an image captured image based on the image captured image data generated by the signal processing unit 42.

The system control unit 44 controls each part of the processor device 4 and sends a command to the scope control unit 28 of the endoscope 1 and the light source control unit 51 of the light source device 5, and controls the entire endoscope device 100 in an integrated manner. do. The system control unit 44 controls the image pickup unit 26 via the scope control unit 28, and controls the light source unit 52 via the light source control unit 51.

The system control unit 44 includes various processors for executing and processing programs, a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a ROM (Read Only Memory).

As various processors in the present specification, a processor whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacturing such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), which is a general-purpose processor that executes a program and performs various processes, and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). A programmable logic device (PLD) or a dedicated electric circuit which is a processor having a circuit configuration specially designed for executing a specific process such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) is included. .. More specifically, the structure of these various processors is an electric circuit in which circuit elements such as semiconductor elements are combined.

The system control unit 44 may be configured by one of various processors, or may be configured by a combination of two or more processors of the same type or different types (for example, a combination of a plurality of FPGAs or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). May be done.

A scope control unit 28 is provided inside the connector unit 13B of the universal cord 13. The scope control unit 28 includes the various processors described above, RAM, and ROM. The scope control unit 28 is connected to the system control unit 44 of the processor device 4 by wiring inside the connector unit 13B. The scope control unit 28 controls the image pickup unit 26 based on a command from the system control unit 44.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a functional block of the scope control unit 28 in the endoscope 1 shown in FIG.

The processor of the scope control unit 28 executes a program (a program including a diagnostic program for the endoscope) stored in the ROM built in the scope control unit 28 to execute the error detection unit 28A, the error correction unit 28B, and the diagnosis. It functions as a processing unit 28C and a notification control unit 28D.

The error detection unit 28A receives the above output data (digital pixel signal + error detection information (CRC value)) transmitted through the signal cable 27, and is output from the image pickup element 23 based on this output data. Detects an error that occurs in a digital pixel signal. When an error is detected, the error detection unit 28A stores the error information in the RAM.

The error information is, for example, the CRC value of the digital pixel signal before output from the image sensor 23 added by the information addition unit 23C, and this digital after output from the image sensor 23 calculated by the error detection unit 28A. It is represented by the difference from the CRC value of the pixel signal. The difference between the CRC values is a numerical index indicating the degree of the detected error.

When an error is detected in the digital pixel signal of the output data, the error correction unit 28B corrects the error in the digital pixel signal having the error. The digital pixel signal processed by the error detection unit 28A and the error correction unit 28B is transmitted to the processor device 4. The error correction unit 28B can correct the error if the difference between the CRC values described above is not more than a predetermined value. In other words, it is not possible to correct an error in which the difference between the CRC values exceeds the above-mentioned predetermined value.

The diagnostic processing unit 28C diagnoses the state of the image pickup element 23 based on the humidity information from the humidity sensor 24 transmitted through the signal cable 27 and the error information detected by the error detection unit 28A.

Specifically, the diagnostic processing unit 28C determines that the error information (difference in CRC value) is equal to or higher than a predetermined first threshold value and the humidity information is equal to or higher than a predetermined second threshold value. It is diagnosed that the performance of the image pickup element 23 has deteriorated.

The first threshold value is set to a value smaller than the upper limit value (predetermined value described above) of the degree of error that can be corrected by the error correction unit 28B. The second threshold value is set to a value larger than the humidity when dew condensation occurs inside the tip portion 10C during normal use of the endoscope 1.

The notification control unit 28D performs notification processing when it is diagnosed by the diagnostic processing unit 28C that the performance of the image pickup device 23 has deteriorated. The notification control unit 28D may, for example, transmit a predetermined message (the performance of the image sensor is deteriorated, the image sensor may fail, or the endoscope may fail) via the system control unit 44. A notification process is performed in which the display unit 7 displays a warning message or the like indicating that the inspection of 1 is necessary. Instead of displaying the message on the display unit 7, the notification control unit 28D may output the message from a speaker (not shown) provided in the endoscope device 100. Alternatively, the notification control unit 28D may notify the administrator of the endoscope device 100 of the need for repair by transmitting the above message to an external electronic device connected to the processor device 4.

The diagnostic operation of the endoscope 1 in the endoscope device 100 configured as described above will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the diagnostic operation of the endoscope 1 in the endoscope device 100.

When the connector portions 13A and 13B of the endoscope 1 are connected to the main body portion 2 and the endoscope 1 is energized, the image pickup device 23 starts imaging under the control of the scope control unit 28. The pixel signal generated by the pixel unit 23A of the image pickup element 23 is converted into a digital pixel signal by the signal processing unit 23B, and then error detection information is added and output to the signal cable 27. This error detection information is a first CRC value which is a remainder value obtained by dividing the digital pixel signal by a predetermined value.

When the output of the output data from the image sensor 23 to the signal cable 27 is started, the error detection unit 28A performs error detection based on the output data. Specifically, the error detection unit 28A calculates a second CRC value which is a remainder value obtained by dividing the digital pixel signal included in the output data by the above-mentioned predetermined value, and from the second CRC value. , The CRC difference value (corresponding to the increase amount of the CRC value) is calculated by subtracting the first CRC value included in this output data.

The diagnostic processing unit 28C acquires a CRC difference value from the error detection unit 28A (step S1), and determines whether or not the CRC difference value is equal to or greater than the first threshold value (step S2). When the CRC difference value is less than the first threshold value (step S2: NO), the diagnostic processing unit 28C returns the processing to step S1.

When the CRC difference value is equal to or higher than the first threshold value (step S2: YES), the diagnostic processing unit 28C acquires humidity information from the humidity sensor 24 (step S3), and whether the humidity is equal to or higher than the second threshold value. It is determined whether or not (step S4). When the humidity is less than the second threshold value (step S4: NO), the diagnostic processing unit 28C returns the processing to step S1.

When the humidity is equal to or higher than the second threshold value (step S4: YES), the diagnostic processing unit 28C diagnoses that the performance of the image pickup device 23 is deteriorated (step S5). After that, the notification process is performed by the notification control unit 28D (step S6). The above operation is repeated during the operation of the image pickup device 23.

As described above, according to the endoscope device 100, when the performance of the image pickup device 23 deteriorates as a result of moisture invading the inside of the endoscope 1 and the humidity inside the tip portion 10C becoming high, this can be done. It can be detected. Although it is possible to detect that the watertightness of the endoscope 1 is reduced only by the humidity information inside the tip portion 10C, it is not possible to know what kind of trouble is caused by the decrease in the watertightness. According to the endoscope device 100, the state of the image pickup device 23 is diagnosed in consideration of not only the humidity inside the tip portion 10C but also the occurrence of an error when the digital pixel signal is output from the image pickup device 23. Therefore, it is possible to identify specific abnormal contents such as a decrease in the performance of the image pickup device 23 due to a decrease in watertightness.

Further, according to the endoscope device 100, the first threshold value to be compared with the CRC difference value indicating the degree of the error that has occurred is the CRC difference value indicating the degree of the error that can be corrected by the error correction unit 28B. It is set to a value smaller than the upper limit. Therefore, even if the determination in step S2 and the determination in step S4 are both YES, if the error is small, the error itself generated in the digital pixel signal can be corrected.

As described above, according to the endoscope device 100, it is possible to detect the deterioration of the performance of the image pickup element 23 before the image pickup element 23 is damaged to the extent that the error cannot be corrected. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a serious failure of the endoscope 1, shorten the repair period, and reduce the repair cost. Further, if the CRC difference value is not more than the above upper limit value, the quality of the captured image obtained by imaging by the image pickup element 23 is guaranteed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation such as interrupting the examination and replacing the endoscope 1 with another one after inserting the endoscope 1 into the body cavity. Therefore, efficient inspection can be performed with a reduced burden on both the inspector and the inspector.

When the determination in step S4 is YES, the notification control unit 28D determines whether or not the CRC difference value acquired in step S1 exceeds the above upper limit value, and the CRC difference value is determined. The content of the notification processing may be changed depending on whether the above upper limit value is exceeded or the CRC difference value is equal to or less than the above upper limit value.

Specifically, when the CRC difference value exceeds the above upper limit value, the notification control unit 28D has deteriorated the performance of the image pickup device 23 to the extent that error correction cannot be supported, that is, immediate repair. Notify that action is required. On the other hand, when the CRC difference value is equal to or less than the above upper limit value, the notification control unit 28D notifies that the image pickup device 23 has deteriorated in performance but can be continuously used.

In this way, by changing the notification content according to the magnitude of the CRC difference value, if the damage to the image sensor 23 due to moisture is small, the inspection is performed even when the endoscope 1 is inserted into the body cavity. Can be continued without interruption. Further, if the image pickup element 23 is severely damaged by moisture, the use of the endoscope 1 can be prohibited and repair measures can be urged.

Further, according to the endoscope device 100, the state of the image pickup element 23 can be diagnosed only by the endoscope 1. Therefore, it is not necessary to improve the processor device 4 and the light source device 5, and the manufacturing cost of the endoscope device 100 can be reduced. Further, the function can be added to the existing endoscope device only by replacing the endoscope 1, and the versatility can be enhanced.

Further, in the endoscope device 100, as shown in FIG. 4, the humidity sensitive region 24a of the humidity sensor 24 is not covered by the individual sealing member 24M. Therefore, the humidity detection sensitivity can be increased. Further, the moisture-sensitive region 24a is covered with a sealing member that seals the entire substrate 25. Therefore, it is possible to prevent water droplets generated by dew condensation inside the tip portion 10C of the endoscope 1 from directly touching the humidity-sensitive region 24a, and it is possible to improve the humidity detection accuracy.

The error detection unit 28A, error correction unit 28B, diagnostic processing unit 28C, and notification control unit 28D of the scope control unit 28 of the endoscope device 100 are systemized by the processor of the system control unit 44 executing a program. It may be realized by the control unit 44. According to this configuration, the manufacturing cost of the endoscope 1 can be reduced. Further, the diagnostic processing unit 28C of the scope control unit 28 of the endoscope device 100 may be mounted on a computer connected to the main body unit 2 via a network such as the Internet.

Further, in the endoscope device 100, the error detection unit 28A may be provided in the tip portion 10C. Specifically, the error detection unit 28A may be provided between the image pickup device 23 and the signal cable 27 on the substrate 25. According to this configuration, it is possible to eliminate the influence of a transmission error when the digital pixel signal is transmitted by the signal cable 27, and it is possible to diagnose the performance deterioration of the image pickup device 23 with higher accuracy.

As described above, the following matters are disclosed in the present specification.

(1)
An endoscope device having an endoscope including an imaging unit provided in the tip of the insertion unit.
The imaging unit includes a pixel unit that converts the received light into a voltage signal, a conversion unit that converts the voltage signal into a digital signal, and information addition that adds error detection information to the digital signal and outputs it as output data. It has an image pickup element including a part and
Humidity sensor provided in the tip and
An error detector that receives the output data and detects that an error has occurred in the digital signal based on the output data.
An endoscope including a diagnostic processing unit that diagnoses the state of the image pickup element based on the humidity information inside the tip portion detected by the humidity sensor and the error information detected by the error detection unit. Mirror device.

(2)
(1) The endoscope device according to the above.
In the diagnostic processing unit, the numerical index indicating the degree of the error detected by the error detection unit is at least a predetermined first threshold value, and the humidity information is at least a predetermined second threshold value. An endoscope device for diagnosing that the performance of the image pickup element has deteriorated.

(3)
(2) The endoscope device described above.
It is equipped with an error correction unit that performs processing to correct the above error when it is detected that the above error has occurred.
The first threshold value is an endoscope device in which a value lower than the upper limit value of the numerical index indicating the degree of the error that can be corrected by the error correction unit is set.

(4)
The endoscope device according to any one of (1) to (3).
A sealing member for individually sealing the humidity sensor inside the tip portion is provided.
The sealing member is an endoscope device that covers a portion of the humidity sensor excluding the humidity-sensitive area.

(5)
The endoscope device according to any one of (1) to (4).
The error detection unit and the diagnostic processing unit are endoscope devices provided in the main body of the endoscope device to which the endoscope is connected.

(6)
The endoscope device according to any one of (1) to (4).
The error detection unit and the diagnostic processing unit are endoscope devices provided in the endoscope.

(7)
(6) The endoscope device according to the above.
The error detection unit is an endoscope device provided in the tip portion.

(8)
The endoscope device according to any one of (1) to (7).
An endoscope device including a notification control unit that performs notification processing when it is diagnosed that the performance of the image pickup device has deteriorated.

(9)
An endoscope including an imaging unit provided in the tip of the insertion unit.
The imaging unit includes a pixel unit that converts the received light into a voltage signal, a conversion unit that converts the voltage signal into a digital signal, and information addition that adds error detection information to the digital signal and outputs it as output data. It has an image pickup element including a part and
Humidity sensor provided in the tip and
An error detector that receives the output data and detects that an error has occurred in the digital signal based on the output data.
An endoscope including a diagnostic processing unit that diagnoses the state of the image pickup element based on the humidity information inside the tip portion detected by the humidity sensor and the error information detected by the error detection unit. mirror.

(10)
(9) The endoscope described above.
The error detection unit is an endoscope provided in the tip portion.

(11)
It is a diagnostic method for an endoscope including an imaging unit provided in the tip of the insertion unit.
The imaging unit includes a pixel unit that converts the received light into a voltage signal, a conversion unit that converts the voltage signal into a digital signal, and information addition that adds error detection information to the digital signal and outputs it as output data. It has an image pickup element including a part and
An error detection step that receives the output data and detects that an error has occurred in the digital signal based on the output data, and an error detection step.
A diagnostic processing step for diagnosing the state of the image pickup element based on the humidity information inside the tip portion detected by the humidity sensor provided in the tip portion and the error information detected by the error detection step. And, the diagnostic method of the endoscope equipped with.

(12)
It is a diagnostic program for an endoscope including an imaging unit provided in the tip of the insertion unit.
The imaging unit includes a pixel unit that converts the received light into a voltage signal, a conversion unit that converts the voltage signal into a digital signal, and information addition that adds error detection information to the digital signal and outputs it as output data. It has an image pickup element including a part and
An error detection step that receives the output data and detects that an error has occurred in the digital signal based on the output data, and an error detection step.
A diagnostic processing step for diagnosing the state of the image pickup element based on the humidity information inside the tip portion detected by the humidity sensor provided in the tip portion and the error information detected by the error detection step. And, an endoscope diagnostic program to make a computer run.

100 Endoscope device 1 Endoscope 2 Main body 20 Light guide 20a Illumination lens 21 Objective lens 22 Lens group 23 Image pickup element 23A Pixel unit 23B Signal processing unit 23C Information addition unit 23M Sealing member 24 Humidity sensor 24a Moisture sensitive area 24M Sealing member 25 Board 26 Imaging unit 27 Signal cable 28 Scope control unit 28A Error detection unit 28B Error correction unit 28C Diagnostic processing unit 28D Notification control unit 4 Processor device 42 Signal processing unit 43 Display control unit 44 System control unit 5 Light source device 51 Light source control unit 52 Light source unit 6 Input unit 7 Display unit 10 Insertion unit 10A Flexible unit 10B Curved unit 10C Tip unit 11 Operation unit 12 Angle knob 13 Universal cord 13A, 13B Connector unit

Claims (12)

An endoscope device having an endoscope including an imaging unit provided in the tip of the insertion unit.
The imaging unit includes a pixel unit that converts the received light into a voltage signal, a conversion unit that converts the voltage signal into a digital signal, and information addition that adds error detection information to the digital signal and outputs it as output data. It has an image pickup element including a part and
Humidity sensor provided in the tip and
An error detection unit that receives the output data and detects that an error has occurred when the digital signal is output from the image sensor based on the output data.
An endoscope including a diagnostic processing unit that diagnoses the state of the image pickup element based on the humidity information inside the tip portion detected by the humidity sensor and the error information detected by the error detection unit. Mirror device. The endoscope device according to claim 1.
In the diagnostic processing unit, the numerical index indicating the degree of the error detected by the error detection unit is at least a predetermined first threshold value, and the humidity information is at least a predetermined second threshold value. An endoscope device for diagnosing that the performance of the image pickup element has deteriorated. The endoscope device according to claim 2.
It is provided with an error correction unit that performs a process of correcting the error when it is detected that the error has occurred.
The endoscope device in which the first threshold value is set to a value lower than the upper limit value of the numerical index indicating the degree of the error that can be corrected by the error correction unit. The endoscope device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
A sealing member for individually sealing the humidity sensor inside the tip portion is provided.
The sealing member is an endoscope device that covers a portion of the humidity sensor excluding the humidity-sensitive region. The endoscope device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
The error detection unit and the diagnostic processing unit are endoscope devices provided in the main body of the endoscope device to which the endoscope is connected. The endoscope device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
The error detection unit and the diagnostic processing unit are endoscope devices provided in the endoscope. The endoscope device according to claim 6.
The error detection unit is an endoscope device provided in the tip portion. The endoscope device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
An endoscope device including a notification control unit that performs notification processing when it is diagnosed that the performance of the image pickup device has deteriorated. An endoscope including an imaging unit provided in the tip of the insertion unit.
The imaging unit includes a pixel unit that converts the received light into a voltage signal, a conversion unit that converts the voltage signal into a digital signal, and information addition that adds error detection information to the digital signal and outputs it as output data. It has an image pickup element including a part and
Humidity sensor provided in the tip and
An error detection unit that receives the output data and detects that an error has occurred when the digital signal is output from the image sensor based on the output data.
An endoscope including a diagnostic processing unit that diagnoses the state of the image pickup element based on the humidity information inside the tip portion detected by the humidity sensor and the error detection information output from the error detection unit. .. The endoscope according to claim 9, wherein the endoscope is used.
The error detection unit is an endoscope provided in the tip portion. It is a diagnostic method for an endoscope including an imaging unit provided in the tip of the insertion unit.
The imaging unit includes a pixel unit that converts the received light into a voltage signal, a conversion unit that converts the voltage signal into a digital signal, and information addition that adds error detection information to the digital signal and outputs it as output data. It has an image pickup element including a part and
An error detection step that receives the output data and detects that an error has occurred when the digital signal is output from the image pickup device based on the output data.
A diagnostic processing step for diagnosing the state of the image pickup element based on the humidity information inside the tip portion detected by the humidity sensor provided in the tip portion and the error information detected by the error detection step. And, the diagnostic method of the endoscope equipped with. It is a diagnostic program for an endoscope including an imaging unit provided in the tip of the insertion unit.
The imaging unit includes a pixel unit that converts the received light into a voltage signal, a conversion unit that converts the voltage signal into a digital signal, and information addition that adds error detection information to the digital signal and outputs it as output data. It has an image pickup element including a part and
An error detection step that receives the output data and detects that an error has occurred when the digital signal is output from the image pickup device based on the output data.
A diagnostic processing step for diagnosing the state of the image pickup element based on the humidity information inside the tip portion detected by the humidity sensor provided in the tip portion and the error information detected by the error detection step. And, an endoscope diagnostic program to make a computer run.

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