JPH01209414A - Control method for endoscope light source device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain the flexible system structure and to improve the operability by setting in-use atmosphere matching with a connected endoscope only by operating a mode switch by a user. CONSTITUTION:A CPU 61 turns on one of LEDs 87a-87c corresponding to the depression of the mode switch 87 and also performs various kinds of control corresponding to the mode switch 86 selected through an I/O port. The user, therefore, merely operates the mode switch 86 to set a connected endoscope mode, thereby setting an illumination light state, etc., corresponding to the endoscope. Information regarding the environment of an endoscope mode which is used before is held by backup power supply after the endoscope mode is switched, so the environment need not be set again and the environmental state is set automatically. Consequently, the flexible system constitution is realized and the operation is facilitated corresponding to it.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an endoscope light source that outputs illumination light compatible with a field-sequential endoscope, an endoscope with a built-in color filter, and an optical endoscope. This invention relates to a method of controlling a device.

[Prior Art] In recent years, optical endoscopes (also called fiberscopes) that transmit an optical image formed by an objective lens at the distal end of the insertion section to the proximal side using an image guide formed by a fiber bundle have been developed. Instead, the optical image formed by the objective lens is photoelectrically converted with a solid-state image sensor such as a charge-coupled device (hereinafter referred to as COD), converted into an electric signal, and transmitted to the hand side, and equipped with video signal processing means. Videobuot? Electronic endoscopes (hereinafter also referred to as electronic endoscopes or electronic scopes) that can be displayed on a color monitor via a tuft have come to be realized.

The above-mentioned electronic scope is currently used for the upper or lower gastrointestinal tract and has a diameter of approximately 10 mm.

However, for example, an endoscope for the bronchus usually requires an endoscope of around 5φ or less, and in order to realize an electronic scope for the bronchus (1 diameter), an image carrying element with a small number of pixels must be used. I have no choice but to.

When the number of pixels is small, illumination is performed in a sequential manner with light of each wavelength of red, blue, and green, rather than the color II image method using a color mosaic filter to prevent a decrease in resolution.
A frame-sequential color 11il image system is advantageous, in which images are transported in a plane-sequential manner under the illumination, and these images are combined and displayed in color. On the other hand, if the diameter can be made large, the number of pixels is large, and sufficient resolution can be obtained, a mosaic color imaging method using a mosaic filter may be adopted.

In the case of the above-mentioned electronic scope, in addition to the light source device used in the fiber scope, a video processor is used that processes signals and converts them into video signals that can be displayed on a color monitor.

For example, as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 60-243625, a system has been proposed in which an imaging adapter is connected to a fiberscope and images can be displayed on a color monitor screen.

When an imaging adapter is connected to this conventional example, it is possible to form an electronic scope that performs color imaging in a frame-sequential manner (integrating a video processor and a light source device).
When connected to the Control I equipment, color display can be performed by sequential image capture.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the conventional example described above, since the video processor and the light source device are integrated, there is a drawback that the utilization efficiency of the optical a device is reduced.

That is, the light source device in the above conventional example constitutes a field-sequential type illumination means, and can only be used in a field-sequential type endoscope. If this field-sequential illumination means is provided with a means for inserting and removing a rotating color filter from the optical path, for example, it can be used with a fiber scope, and the light source device can be used effectively.

On the other hand, if the light source device can be used with either a fiberscope or a field-sequential endoscope, it is desirable to be able to easily set whether or not to move the rotary filter depending on the endoscope to be connected.

Further, if the light source device can be used with any endoscope in this way, a flexible system configuration can be realized, but it is necessary to make the system easy to operate.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method for controlling an endoscope light source device that allows a flexible system to be constructed and has good operability.

[Means and effects for solving the problems] The present invention provides an illumination light output means that can output white light and field-sequential light by inserting a rotating filter corresponding to three types of endoscopes to be connected. , a mode switch for setting various endoscope modes, and means for determining the operation of this mode switch;
By providing a control means that performs control suitable for the corresponding endoscope using this discrimination means, the user can easily operate the mode switch to control the usage environment that is suitable for the connected endoscope. It is possible to set it to .

[Example] Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically explained with reference to the drawings.

Figures 1 to 10 relate to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a configuration diagram of a light source device according to a first embodiment, Figure 2 is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope system equipped with a light source device, Figure 3 is a front view showing a rotating filter that can be pushed freely from the optical path, and Figure 4 is a front view showing a rotating filter that can be pushed freely from the optical path. The figure is a front view showing the rotary filter turret, Figure 5 is a front view of the panel, Figure 6 is a configuration diagram showing the mode switch and the LED for indicating the endoscope mode, and Figures 7 to 10 are the modes. It is a flowchart which shows the content processed by a light source device with press of a switch.

As shown in FIG. 2, the endoscope system 1 according to one embodiment includes a field-sequential electronic scope 2A, a simultaneous (color filter built-in type) electronic scope 2B, a fiber scope 2G, and a rigid scope 2D. , these scope 2
1 (1=A, B, C.

D); a light source device 3 that supplies illumination light; a frame-sequential video processor 4A that performs signal processing for the frame-sequential electronic scope 2A; and a simultaneous video processor 4B that performs signal processing for the simultaneous electronic scope 2B. , a color monitor 5 that displays predetermined video signals output from these video processors 4A and 4B in color, etc., and a photo of the monitor screen! It also has a monitor photographing device 6 that can take pictures of images.

The above-mentioned system 1 is equipped with a frame-sequential video processor 4A or a simultaneous video converter, respectively, when a frame-sequential video converter 8A or a simultaneous video converter 8B is attached to the eyepiece 7C or 7D of a fiber scope 2C or a rigid scope 2D. Signal processing can be performed by the processor 4B. Further, the endoscope camera 9 can be attached to the eyepiece 7C or 7D of the fiber scope 2C or the rigid scope 2D to take a photograph 11ta.

Further, the light source device 3 is connected to a foot switch 10 so that a release operation can be performed when taking a photograph.

The light source connector receiver 11 of the light source device 3 includes light source connectors 12A, 12B of each scope 2A, 2B, 2C.
, 120 (the rigid scope 2D is connected to the light source device 3 via a light guide cable (not shown)). The signal connector 14A of the frame-sequential electronic scope 2A and the signal connector 15A of the frame-sequential video converter 8A can be connected to the frame-sequential electronic scope 2A. Furthermore, the signal connector receiver 13B of the simultaneous video processor 4B is designed to allow connection of the signal connector 14B of the simultaneous electronic scope 2B and the signal connector 15B of the simultaneous video converter 8B.

By the way, FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a light source device 3 according to one embodiment.

White light from a xenon lamp 22 turned on by a switching regulator 21 passes through a filter turret 24 which is rotary-switched by a motor 23, and then is focused by a lens 25'C''.A lens 25'C'' is placed on the focused optical path. The amount of light passing through is controlled by a diaphragm 26, which is opened and closed, and after passing through a shutter 27 which is opened and closed, it is made into a parallel light beam by a lens 28 facing the lens 25, and an RG8 rotary filter 31 is rotated by a motor 29. The illumination light is condensed by the condenser lens 32 and supplied to the incident end face of the light guide fiber 33 connected to the connector receiver 11.

The rotary filter 31 and the motor 29 can be freely pushed out from the optical path by an insertion/extraction motor 34, and can be inserted (interposed).
In the rotated state, it outputs RGB illumination light that has passed through the rotating filter 31, that is, field-sequential illumination light, and in the rotated state, it outputs white light.

A mechanism for inserting and removing the rotary filter 31 is shown in FIG.

The rotating filter 31 includes red, green, and blue color transmission filters 42R, 4 in three fan-shaped openings provided in the circumferential direction of the rotating frame 41.
2G and 42B are attached, and this rotating frame 41 is rotated by a motor 29 fixed to the upper part of the stand 43. This stand 43 is movable on a sliding surface 44, and a screw rod 45 for movement is passed through a screw hole provided in the stand 43, and both ends of this screw rod 45 are rotatable by bearings 46 and 46. One end of this threaded rod 45 is fixed to the rotating shaft of the insertion/extraction motor 34.

By rotating the motor 34, for example, in the direction of arrow E, the stand 43 is moved in the direction of arrow F,
This allows the rotating filter 31 to be retracted from the optical path O. In this retracted state, white light is output because it does not pass through the rotating filter 31.

This white light is emitted from a simultaneous electronic scope 2B, an optical scope (that is, a fiber scope 2C or a rigid scope 2D), or a simultaneous video converter 8B attached to this optical scope (these are also referred to as simultaneous scopes). It will be appropriate for the case. - By the way, two microswitches 47 and 48 are provided on the sliding surface 44 as means for positioning the stand 43.
is the installation. Thus, when the motor 34 is rotated, the stand 43 is positioned at a position where the microswitches 47 and 48 are turned off. For example, in FIG. 3, the rotation of the motor 34 is stopped at the position where the lever of the microswitch 47 is pressed by the stand 43 and turned off.

In this state, the rotating filter 31 is maintained in the optical path.

In this state, the field-sequential electronic scope 2A or the optical scope is equipped with the field-sequential video converter 8Δ, and these are hereinafter referred to as field-sequential scopes. ) will output field-sequential light that conforms to

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the filter turret 24 has three circular openings in the circumferential direction on a turret plate 51 which is rotated by the motor 23 in a 0-tally manner.
A first filter 52, a transparent section 53, an infrared cut filter 54, a xenon lamp 55 as an emergency light, and a second filter 56 that can be replaced by the user are attached.

The opening to which the second filter 56 can be attached is provided with an attachment/detachment notch 57 so that it can be pushed out from the outer peripheral side of the turret plate 51. Note that the first filter 52, the transparent section 53, and the second filter 56 can be arbitrarily selected in the case of an optical scope or a simultaneous scope.

Further, the infrared cut filter 54 is interposed in the optical path when the field sequential type scope is used.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 1, this light source device 3 has a C
It is equipped with a PU 61, and various controls are performed by the CPU 61. This CPU 61 is connected via a data bus and an address bus to a ROM 62 in which program contents for performing various controls are written, and a RAM 63 that stores various information when used.

Note that even when the light source device 3 is powered off by the backup battery 64, the RAM 63 backs up and retains previously loaded information. Further, this backed up information is stored in a memory area 63A corresponding to the three endoscope modes.

638.63G respectively. For example, the memory areas 63A, 638, and 630 are provided with areas for storing information previously selected by the user regarding each endoscope mode of a sequential scope, a simultaneous scope, and an optical scope, respectively.

Further, the CPU 61 is configured to perform control corresponding to the switch operation of a panel display switch 67 provided on the panel 66 via a panel switch controller 65. Furthermore, this CPU 61 is configured to be able to send and receive control signals to and from the photographing camera via a communication interface unit 68 and a communication buffer 69. For example, when the endoscope camera 9 is attached to an optical scope, the contact point of the attachment part is turned on, so that it is possible to know that the camera 9 is attached. It also allows you to know the release operation, etc.

As shown in FIG. 5, the panel 66 includes a photography panel 71, a collation light hanging panel 72, and an endoscope mode panel 7.
3, a test mode panel 74, and a pump/filter panel 75.

The photographic panel 71 is provided with an ED 76 that lights up according to the photographic sensitivity. Also, switch 77
Sensitivity constants are freely selected and set using a and 78b, and the LED corresponding to the set sensitivity constant lights up. Further, an automatic/manual changeover switch 79 allows switching between automatic and manual modes each time the switch is pressed. This switch 79 lights up the EDs 81a and 81b on the selected side.

The illumination light hanging panel 72 is provided with an LED 82 that lights up according to the dimming level. The level of the collimation light can be freely selected and set using the collation light amount setting switches 83a and 83b, and the LED corresponding to the set level is lit. In addition, by the automatic/manual changeover switch 84,
The illumination light intensity can be set automatically or manually. In the endoscope mode panel 73, each time the switch 86 is pressed, the modes of an optical scope (in this case, for example, fiber scope, beam), sequential scope, and simultaneous scope are cycled through. It is switchable and the scope mode display LED 87 corresponds to the selected scope.
a, 87b, and 87c light up.

Incidentally, when the test mode switch 88 is depressed, the test mode display LED 89 lights up.

On the rough pump/filter panel 75, the on/off and suction state of the pump can be selected, and the LED corresponding to the selected one lights up. Further, the first and second filters 52, 56 can be selectively used by filter selection switches 91, 92, and the ED on the selected side lights up.

By the way, when the mode switch 86 is pressed, the sixth
As shown in the figure, the fiberscope LED 87a,
LED87b for field sequential scope, L for simultaneous scope
Turn on ED87c.

When the mode switch 86 is pressed, the "H11 level" caused by the resistor R connected to the power supply terminal VCC becomes the "Yes" level, and this "L" level is
4 to the CPU 61, and the CPU 61 uses the LED
LE via the controller 95 and LED driver 96
Turn on any one of D87a to 87C.

In this case, depending on which mode is currently selected, the CPU 61 outputs signal data corresponding to the next mode to the LED controller 95 via the I10 port 97. This output signal determines which LEDs 87a to 87C are lit via the LED driver 96.

The CPU 61 lights up the LED 87 i (any of I-A, B, or C) in response to the press of the mode switch 86, and performs various controls corresponding to the mode switch 86 selected via the I10 boat 97. .

As shown in FIG. 1, the CPU 61 has an I10 port 9
switching regulator control circuit 101 via 7;
Filter turret control circuit 102, aperture control circuit 10
3. Shutter drive circuit 104, filter control circuit 105
, and control the EE signal amplifier 106.

The switching regulator control circuit 101 causes the xenon lamp 22 to emit flash light intermittently when the frame-sequential scope mode is selected, and causes the xenon lamp 22 to emit flash light when the optical scope or simultaneous scope mode is selected. It outputs a control signal that causes 22 to light up continuously. In the frame-sequential scope mode, the switching regulator control circuit 101 outputs a control signal to the switching regulator 21 to cause the ignition switch to emit a larger flash than when the light is continuously lit. The timing of this flash emission is determined by the filter control circuit 105.
Red, green depending on the output signal.

This is done while the blue color transmission filters 42R, 42G, and 42B are interposed in the optical path.

The filter turret control circuit 102 includes a CPU 61
When the frame-sequential scope mode is selected by a signal from , the motor 23 is controlled so that an infrared cut filter 54 is inserted in the optical path. On the other hand, in the optical scope or simultaneous scope mode, the first and second filters 52 and 56 and the transparent section 53 can be selected.

The aperture control circuit 103 receives a control signal determined by the CPU 61 when the collimation light amount setting switches 83a and 83b on the panel 66 are operated, and variably sets the aperture width of the aperture 26 in accordance with this control signal. .

The shutter drive circuit 104 operates when the photograph R is in the shadow, and the shutter drive circuit 104 operates when the camera releases the shutter.
69, CPLJ6 via communication interface 68
The shutter 27 is driven to open and close by the release signal transmitted to the shutter 1.

The filter control circuit 105 performs control to insert the rotary filter 31 into the optical path by operating the insertion/extraction motor 34 in HA mode in the frame-sequential scope mode. On the other hand, in the optical scope or simultaneous scope mode, the insertion/extraction motor 34 is controlled so as to retract the rotating filter 31 from the optical path.

In the EE signal amplifier 106, the gain for the EE multiplied signal when performing EE photometry is switched by a gain switching signal applied to the control end via the I10 port 97. The photometric EE multiplied signal from the camera or video processor is amplified by the amplifier 106, and the aperture control circuit 103 automatically sets the aperture limit of the aperture 26 to an appropriate level based on this output level. In this case, the EE multiplied signal from the simultaneous scope, the E
Since it is 1/40 of the E times signal level, gain switching is performed to match the levels when performing E E III III.

Further, the CPU 61 is configured to be able to transmit a freeze signal to the video processors 4A and 4B via the I10 port 97, so that a still image can be displayed by a freeze operation on the foot switch 10, for example.

Incidentally, in the case of the system 1 shown in FIG. 2, the mode switch 86 performs processing along the flow shown in FIG.

The CPU 61 scans the switches to see if any of the switches on the panel 66 are being operated. However,
It is determined whether the mode switch 86 is on or off, and if it is off, the switch returns to scanning, and if it is on, the current mode is an optical scope (marked as OES).
After determining whether or not the current mode is selected, processing is performed to move to the next mode by turning on the switch. That is, if it is determined that it is an optical scope, the process shown in FIG. 8 is performed, and if not, the mode display changes to the next simultaneous scope (denoted as CCLJ). (In other words, the LED 87b is turned off and the LED 87c is turned on.

) Then, the communication interface unit 68 or the like performs a scan to see if the camera is connected, and determines whether or not the camera is connected. When it is determined that the camera is connected, the corresponding information regarding the photography and illumination light amount is read out from the RAM 63 backed up by the battery 64, for example, information for setting the usage state previously set (or selected). It is set to the usage state and displayed on the panel 66, and the processing shown in FIG. 10 is performed.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the camera is not connected, the EE gain from the simultaneous scope is set to Hi (for example, 100x), the collimation light mode is set to automatic, and the backup R
Information on the previously set dimming level is read from the AM 63, set to the usage state, and displayed on the panel 66. At the same time, the panel display related to photography is turned off, and the processing by operating the mode switch 86 is ended.

On the other hand, in the processing process shown in Figure 8, it is determined whether the current mode is a simultaneous scope or not, and if it is determined that it is not this scope, the process moves to the process shown in Figure 9, If it is determined, the scope is set to the next mode, that is, a field sequential scope (denoted as VP) mode. Then, the RGB rotating filter 31 is inserted into the optical path, pulse lighting is started, and the filter turret 24 is set to infrared cut. Further, the EE low signal gain from the video processor 4A is set to LO (for example, 2.degree. 5 times), and the aperture mode is set to automatic. Furthermore, the RAM 6 is backed up by a backup battery 64.
3, information corresponding to the dimming level is read out, and set to its usage state, displayed on the panel 66, and furthermore, the display related to photographing and the filter turret 24 is turned off, and the processing by suppressing this switch is completed.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the current mode is a simultaneous scope, switch operation will switch to the next mode, that is, the 9th mode.
The mode of the optical scope is displayed as shown in the figure. Then, the rotating filter 31 is removed from the optical path, the pulse lighting is stopped, and continuous lighting is started. In addition, the information backed up from the RAM 63 is read out, and the filter turret 2
4 to the previously selected state. Furthermore, the settings regarding photography and the amount of illumination light are read out from the RAM 63 and set to the previously selected settings.

Furthermore, via the communication means, a scan is performed to see if the camera is connected, and if it is not connected, this process is completed, and if it is determined that the camera is connected, the first
Proceed to the process shown in Figure 0.

That is, it is determined whether the photography mode is automatic (manual), and if it is determined to be automatic, the EE low signal gain from the camera is set to Lo (for example, 2°5x), and the camera is The R shadow mode and photographing sensitivity are transmitted, the state is set to be ready for photographing, and the process ends.

In addition, if it is determined that the photo m shadow mode is manual, the EE low signal gain from the camera is set to l-1i (for example, 100 times), and the Ill mode and shooting sensitivity are sent to the camera. The process of suppressing this mode switch ends.

According to this one embodiment, the user simply switches the mode switch 86
By operating the , and setting it to the connected endoscope mode, you can set the illumination light state etc. that corresponds to that endoscope. Also,
After switching the endoscope mode, information regarding the environment of the previously used endoscope mode is backed up, so it is convenient to be able to automatically set the environment to that state without having to reset it.

Further, various systems can be constructed using the light source device 3 according to the control method of this embodiment, and an economical endoscope device with high utilization efficiency can be constructed.

The lighting of the LEDs 87a to 87c can also be controlled by outputting a switch operation through a ternary counter via a chattering prevention means.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided an illumination light output means suitable for various endoscopes to be connected, and an illumination light output means suitable for various endoscopes to be connected. [The mode switch, the mode switch's discrimination means, and the discrimination means are used to perform control suitable for the corresponding endoscope, so the operator simply presses the mode switch and selects the connected endoscope. Simply by setting the endoscope to endoscope mode, you can set the usage state suitable for the connected endoscope.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figures 1 to 10 relate to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a configuration diagram of a light source device according to a first embodiment, Figure 2 is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope system equipped with a light source device, Figure 3 is a front view showing a rotating filter that can be inserted and removed from the optical path, and Figure 4. 5 is a front view of the rotary filter turret, FIG. 5 is a front view of the panel, FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing the mode switch and endoscope mode display LED, and FIGS. 7 to 10 are the mode switches. 3 is a flowchart showing the contents processed by the light source device in response to the pressing of the button. 1... Endoscope system 2△... Field sequential electronic scope 2B... Simultaneous electronic scope 2C... Fiber scope 2D... Rigid scope 3... Light source device 4A... Field sequential Type video processor 4B...Simultaneous video processor 5...Color monitor 6...Monitor Wi-ring device 24...Motor 31...Rotating filter 6
3...RAM 66...Panel 86...
・Mode switch 87a, '87b, 87cm LED Figure 4 Figure 6 Figure 8 Figure 9

Claims (1)

[Claims] By inserting and removing the rotating filter from the illumination optical path,
In an endoscope light source device capable of outputting white light and field-sequential light, the rotary filter can be inserted and removed and the set mode can be changed based on an output signal from a mode setting means that corresponds to various types of endoscopes to be connected. A method for controlling an endoscope light source device, comprising controlling a panel display means for displaying a panel display.