JPH02130515A - Endoscope device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To transmit plural signal with one piece of signal line and to decrease the noise from the signal line by converting at least a part of the signals from an externally mounted TV camera to light signals after selection of a brightness level and transmitting the same by an optical cable. CONSTITUTION:The electric signals outputted from the externally mounted TV camera 80 are at least partly converted to the light signals after the selection of the brightness level and the signals are transmitted through the optical cable 76. The signals are again converted to the electric signals which are impressed to a camera control unit 120. The light of the different brightness levels are transmitted via the optical fiber 76 when a freeze switch 86 and/or release switch 87 is pushed in this case. The state when the freeze switch 86 and/or the release switch 87 is pushed is identified according to this brightness level. The freeze instruction signal and the release instruction signal are transmitted through the optical cable 76 in such a manner. The noise by signal line is decreased in this way.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention is an endoscopy system in which at least a portion of a signal from an external TV camera attached to a fiberscope is converted into an optical signal and transmitted through an optical cable. Regarding a mirror device.

[Prior Art] In recent years, electronic endoscopes that use solid-state imaging devices such as charge-coupled devices (C0D) instead of image guides that transmit optical images have been put into practical use. ! It is now possible to display a mirror image.

Additionally, an external TV camera with a built-in imaging means such as a COD is attached to the eyepiece of an optical endoscope using a conventional image guide, and the captured endoscopic image is displayed on a TV monitor. has also started to be practiced.

However, when trying to display endoscopic images using the above configuration, multiple cables are required to connect the endoscope, an external camera, and a light source device that supplies illumination light to the endoscope. These multiple cables become kinked and the weight of the cables increases, significantly reducing the operability of the endoscope.

An example of the prior art for solving this drawback is the patent application No. 63-
This was proposed by the applicant in the specification of No. 2043.

The configuration of this prior art example is shown in a block diagram in FIG. The endoscope device 1 of this prior art example includes a fiberscope 2, an external TV camera 3 attached to the fiberscope 2, and a light source device M4 connected to the fiberscope 2 and supplying illumination light. A camera control unit (hereinafter referred to as C) is connected to this light source device 4 and performs signal processing.
CU) 5, and a TV monitor 6 that displays video signals output from the CCU 3.

The fiberscope 2 includes an elongated insertion section 7, a large-diameter operation section 10 connected to the rear of the insertion section 7, and a universal cable 16 extending from the side of the large-diameter operation section 10. It is equipped with A light guide 8 for transmitting illumination light is inserted into the insertion portion 7 and the universal cable 16, and by connecting the connector portion 10a provided at the tip of the universal cable 16 to the light source device 4, the light White light emitted from a light source lamp 9, such as a xenon lamp, is irradiated onto the incident end face of the guide 8, with its sufficiency being adjusted by a dimming light shielding member 11, and condensed by a condenser lens 12.

and. The light guide 8 transmits the illumination light to the output end face on the distal end side of the insertion section 7 and outputs it to the object side via the light distribution lens 13. The object illuminated by this illumination light is imaged by the objective lens 14 on the incident end surface of the image guide 17 inserted through the insertion section 7 . The output end surface of the image guide 17 is arranged to face the imaging lens 18 of the external TV camera 3 which is detachably attached to the eyepiece section 15 provided at the rear end of the operation section 10. The optical image transmitted by the image lens 18 is transferred to a solid-state image sensor (
The image is formed on the imaging surface of COD) 19. For example, an RGB mosaic filter 21 is disposed on the imaging surface of the CCD 19.

The CCD 19 outputs an image signal (video signal) photoelectrically converted by application of a drive signal from a COD drive circuit 22 provided in the external TV camera 3, and this image signal is sent to a CDS circuit (video signal) in the CCUS. The signal is input to a correlated double sampling circuit (correlated double sampling circuit) 23, where it is double sampled and 1/f noise generated from the CCD 19 is suppressed. The output of the CDS circuit 23 is a video information signal, and this video information signal is input to the FM modulator 24 and subjected to FM modulation. Then, this FM modulated video signal is sent to a mixer 2.
7 is input.

The video information signal from the CDS circuit 23 is also input to a video level detection circuit (DET) 26, where the video signal output from the CDS circuit 23 is detected and has a magnitude proportional to the photoelectric conversion output level of the CCDs 1-9. is converted into a DC signal. This DC signal is sent to the mixer 2 as an automatic light control signal.
7 and is superimposed on the video signal. Note that the output of the FM modulator 24 does not include a DC component because it is modulated.

Therefore, even if the direct current component of the automatic dimming signal is superimposed, problems such as interference will not occur.

The external TV camera 3 is provided with a microphone 28 through which the operator can input audio. The output of this microphone 28 is amplified by an audio amplifier 29, and input to an audio FM modulator 31 exclusively for audio, where it is FM modulated. This audio F
The FM modulated wave that is the output of the M modulator 31 is transmitted to the mixer 2
7 is input.

The output of the mixer 47 is provided at a position facing the eyepiece 35. At the same time as the external TV camera 3 is attached to the fiberscope 2, the signal is transmitted to a signal line 33 serving as a dimming control signal supply line, which is inserted through the operation unit 10 and the universal cable 16 via the connector pin 32. This signal line 33 is connected to a connector pin 34 provided in the connector section 10a, and at the same time when connecting this connector section 10a to the light source device 4, an FM Modulated waves can be input. The cutoff frequency of this LPF36 is designed to separate and extract 0 to 100H2,
This extracted automatic dimming signal is input to the dimming circuit 37. This light control circuit 37 controls the light blocking member 11 for light control and adjusts the illumination light stone 1 .

Note that a power supply circuit 49 is provided in the light source device 4,
This power supply circuit 49 supplies power to the light source lamp 9 and is connected to a signal line 52 inserted through the universal cable 16 and the operating section 1o via a connector pin 51 provided in the connector section 10a. This signal line 52 is connected to the external TV via a connector bin 53 provided in the eyepiece 15.
A circuit power supply 54 that supplies power to electrical accessories inside the camera 3
It is connected to and can supply power.

The FM modulated wave inputted into the optical FA wave device is passed through the above LPF3.
6 and is branched and output to the CCU 3 via the connector bin 38.

By the way, the FM modulated wave input to the CCU 3 is input to a bypass filter (HPF) and a band pass filter (BPF), which are not shown. In the HP F, the video FM modulated wave is separated and extracted and input to a video demodulator (not shown) to demodulate the video signal.

The demodulated video signal is sent to a video processing circuit 6 (not shown).
2, a synchronizing signal is added, one-color signal processing, etc. are performed, and, for example, an NTSG composite video signal is output. On the other hand, BPF
separates and extracts the frequency band representing the III voice i:M modulated wave, inputs the extracted audio component to an audio demodulator (not shown), demodulates it, and outputs it. The NTSC composite video signal and audio signal are then input to a TV monitor, an image of the object is displayed on the screen, and the audio is played back.

Note that an air supply and suction pump 44 is built into the light source device 4. A conduit 46 connected to the air supply and suction pump 44 is connected to a conduit 47 through which the insertion section 7 and the universal cable 16 are inserted, and the connector section 10a1. : It is detachably connected through the provided connecting part 48 and cleans the tip surfaces of the light distribution lens 13 and the objective lens 14 or the object.

In this way, the signal line 33 that was used for dimming control of the external TV camera 3 is used to transmit an FM modulated wave, and is also used as a power source for the automatic dimming circuit of the external TV camera 3. By supplying power from the signal line 52 to the circuit power supply 54, operability can be greatly improved without directly connecting a signal cable from the external TV camera 3 to the CCU 3, and without modifying the fiberscope 2. This means that it can be done.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in this prior art example, since signals are transmitted through signal lines, noise is generated from these signal lines. In addition, as the number of peripheral devices increases, noise also increases, and this noise may adversely affect other signal lines or exceed the radiation noise limit specified for the endoscope system as a whole. There are problems such as leakage of electricity to the scope.

[Objective of the Invention 1] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope device that does not cause electrical leakage.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The endoscope device of the present invention includes an optical internal pA mirror and a 1L mirror that can be detachably attached to the eyepiece of the optical endoscope.
An endoscope comprising: an external TV camera for controlling the i2zeQ means; a light source for supplying illumination light to the optical endoscope; and a camera control unit for processing image signals obtained by the imaging means. In the apparatus, an electro-optical conversion means for converting at least a part of the electric signal output from the external TV camera into an optical signal, a selection means for selecting a brightness level of the optical signal, and an optical cable for transmitting the optical signal. and photoelectric conversion means for converting the optical signal transmitted through the optical cable back into an electrical signal and applying it to the camera control unit.

[Function] That is, in the endoscope device of the present invention, at least a portion of the electrical signal output from the external TV camera is
After the brightness level is selected, it is converted into an optical signal, transmitted through an optical cable, and then converted back into an electrical signal and applied to the camera control unit.

[Example] Hereinafter, each example of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 relate to the first embodiment of the present invention.
The figure is a block diagram showing the configuration of the endoscope apparatus, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the optical receiving circuit.

As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope apparatus of this embodiment includes a light source device 60, a fiber scope 70, an external TV camera 80, a CCU 120, and a monitor 130. The light source device 60 includes a lamp 61 and a condensing lens 6.
2, and by connecting the light source device 60 and the fiber scope 70, the light emitted from the lamp 61 passes through the condensing lens 62 to the incident end surface of the light guide 71 of the fiber scope 70. It is designed to be incident. This illumination light is transmitted through this light guide 71
is adapted to be guided to the distal end of the fiberscope 70. An illumination lens 72 and an objective lens 73 are disposed at this tip, and the light emitted from the output end of the light guide 71 is illuminated a1 on the subject via the illumination lens 72. ing. Then, the reflected light from the subject is imaged by an objective lens 73 on the incident end surface of an image guide 74 inserted through the fiberscope 70. An imaging lens 75 is provided on the output end surface of the image guide 74, and the imaging lens 75 allows the image guide 7 to
The optical image transmitted through the external TV camera 80
The image is formed on the imaging surface of the CCD 82 inside. Incidentally, on the W image plane of this CCD 82, for example, R, G, B
A mosaic filter 81 such as the following is provided.

The image signal photoelectrically converted by the CCD 82 is then input to the signal processing circuit 83.
3, various signal processing is performed.

The processed image signal is transmitted through the signal line 84. This signal line 84 is connected to the signal line 78 of the fiber scope 70 by connecting the connector 85 of the external TV camera 80 and the connector 77 of the fiber scope 70.
It is designed to be connected to

On the other hand, the external TV camera 80 is provided with a freeze switch 86 for freezing an image and a release switch 87 for recording a still image. and,
When the freeze switch 86 is pressed, a resistor 88 and when the release switch 87 is pressed, a resistor 89 is connected to an optical cable light source constituted by a resistor 90 and a photodiode 91, respectively. and,
Light emitted from this optical cable light source is made to enter the optical cable 92.

The optical cable 92 is connected to an optical cable 76 inside the fiberscope 70. Further, this optical cable 76 is connected to an optical cable 69 inside the light source device 60.

An optical receiving circuit 63 is provided at the output end of the optical cable 69. The optical receiving circuit 63 has a configuration as shown in FIG. 2, and the light emitted from the output end of the optical cable 69 is irradiated onto the base of the phototransistor 131. A current corresponding to the brightness level of this light is caused to flow from the collector of the phototransistor 131, and is applied to an inverting input terminal of a comparator 147 and a non-inverting input terminal of a comparator 148. Incidentally, the emitter of the phototransistor 141 is grounded, and the collector is connected to, for example, a 5V power supply through a resistor 142. The comparator 1
For example, 3 is connected to the non-inverting input terminal of the
A voltage (2) is applied and is grounded through a resistor 144.

Similarly, a resistor 1 is connected to the inverting input terminal of comparator 148.
A voltage of, for example, 1.5 .mu. is applied through the resistor 45 and grounded through the resistor 146.

A 2-bit signal outputted from the output end of each of the comparators 147 and 148 becomes a signal indicating the operating state of the freeze switch 86 or the release switch 87.

This 2-bit signal is transmitted via the signal line 115, which is connected by connecting the connector 65 and the connector 114, and can also be transmitted to the CcU 120 by connecting the connector 116 and the connector 121. ing. After various processes are performed by the CCU 120, the image is displayed on the monitor 130.

Next, the actual operation of the apparatus of this embodiment configured as described above will be explained.

Light emitted from the lamp 61 in the light source device 60 is focused by a condensing lens 62 onto the incident end face of a light guide 71 inserted through the scope 7o.

Then, the light is guided to the tip of the fiber scope 70 through the light guide 71 that is emitted to the subject, and is emitted to the subject.

Then, the reflected light from the object is focused on the incident end surface of the image guide 74 by the objective lens 73. This image is transmitted through the image guide 74, exits from its output end face, and is then sent to the external TV camera 8 by the imaging lens.
The image is formed on the imaging surface of the CCD 82 within 0. This image is a mosaic filter 8 provided in front of this CC[) 82.
3, the signal is separated into three color signals, photoelectrically converted by the CCD 82, and then processed by the signal processing circuit 84, and then connected to the signal line 84 and connector 85 in the external TV camera 80, and the connector in the fiberscope 70. 7
7. Through the signal line 78 and the connector 79, the connector 66, the signal line 67, and the connector 68 in the light source device 60, the connector 111, the signal line 112, and the connector 113,
It is sent to CCU120. Various images are displayed on the monitor 130 based on signals controlled by the CCU 120.

When the freeze switch 86 and/or release switch 87 of the signal processing device 80 is pressed while displaying such an image, the resistor 88 and/or the resistor 89 are connected to the optical cable light source, respectively. As described above, this optical cable light source is composed of the resistor 90 and the LED 91.

In this embodiment, the values of these resistors 88, 89.90 are 500Ω, 300Ω, and 500Ω, respectively. Now, when the freeze switch 86 is set to SW1 and the release switch 87 is set to SW2, currents having values as shown in Table 1 below flow through the LED 91 depending on the on/off states of the freeze switch 86 and the release switch 87.

Depending on the magnitude of the current flowing through LED91, this will cause ED9
The brightness level of the light emitted from 1 changes. In other words, depending on the on/off states of the freeze switch 86 and release switch 87, light signals with different brightness levels are sent to the LED 9.
It will be emitted from 1. This optical signal is transmitted to the optical receiving circuit 63 through the optical cable 92, the optical cable 76 inside the fiber scope 70, and the optical cable 69 inside the light source bag ff60. In the optical receiving circuit 63, the photodiode 141 converts the optical signal into an electrical signal and sends it to the comparators 147 and 148. Now, if the voltage of this electric signal is VS, then the voltage applied to the non-inverting input terminal of the comparator 147 and the voltage applied to the inverting input terminal of the comparator 148 are 3V and 1.5■, respectively. The level states at the output terminals 63a and 63b of the optical receiving circuit 63 are as shown in Table 2 below, depending on the on/off states of the freeze switch 86 (SW1) and the freeze switch 87 (SW2).

Table 2 Such a level signal is output from the output terminal 63a of the optical receiving circuit 63.
, 63b, the state of the freeze switch 86 or release switch 87 can be determined based on this signal. This signal is then sent to the CCU 120 through the connector 65, the connector 114, the signal line 115, the connector 116, and the connector 121. CCU1
At step 20, a freeze operation and/or release operation is performed based on the discrimination signal, and the still image is displayed on the monitor 13.
0 or record a still image.

As stated above, according to this embodiment, when the freeze switch and/or release switch is pressed, light with different brightness levels is transmitted through the optical fiber, and the freeze switch and/or release switch are /or the pressed state of the release switch is identified. in this way,
Since the freeze instruction signal and the release instruction signal are transmitted through the optical cable, noise caused by the signal line can be reduced.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In this second embodiment, the signal processing circuit 83, which was transmitted through the signal line 84 in the first embodiment,
The output from the LED 96a.

After converting into optical signals by 96b and 96c, optical cables 97a, 97b, 97c and optical cables 101a and 1
01b and 101c to the light source device i[60, and the optical signal is transmitted to the phototransistor 102.103.10.
4, the signal is received and amplified. Note that resistors 1 are connected to these phototransistors 102, 103, and 104.
05, 106° and 107 are connected, respectively. In addition, freeze switch 86 and release switch 8
Click-type freeze/release switch 9 instead of 7
3 is provided, and at the tip of this freeze/release switch 93, three types of filters 94a with different transmittances are provided.
, 94b, and 94c are provided so that the light emitted from the LED 91 has different brightness levels depending on the state of the freeze/release switch 93. The subsequent signal flow is the same as in the first embodiment.

A power supply 96 for the signal processing circuit 83 is also provided.

The rest of the structure of this second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, so that the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, since the signal from the signal processing circuit is also sent through the optical cable, noise can be further reduced than in the first embodiment.

In addition, a relay 200 is provided in the part that transmits signals from the fiber scope 2 to the CCU 3 in the light source device 4 of the endoscope apparatus shown in FIG. The exposure control circuit 210
It is also possible to switch between connecting and not connecting. FIG. 4 shows the relay 200 and the exposure control circuit 21.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an endoscope device in the case of providing 0 and 0;

Next, the operation of the relay 200 will be explained in FIGS. 5 and 6.
This will be explained with reference to the figures. Incidentally, FIG. 5 shows a case where a still camera is connected to the eyepiece, and FIG. 6 shows a case where a TV camera is connected to the eyepiece.

When a still camera is connected to the eyepiece, the relay 200 in the optical IQ device 4 performs switching as shown in FIG.
- While the above are connected and communication is performed between them, FS-EE and FS-EE on the scope side and light source side
GNDs are also connected, and information about the aperture on the scope side is transmitted to the exposure control circuit (aperture control circuit) 210 on the light source side.

Also, if an external TV camera is connected to the eyepiece,
External TV camera (hereinafter referred to as OTV) side relay +
, relays perform switching as shown in FIG. Here, TB+ and T on the scope side and OTV side
B- are connected to each other and the OTV adapter on the scope side (
On the other hand, communication is carried out between the FS-EE on the scope side and the OTV side (7) EEOUT,!
:, S:] -7 side (7) FS-EEGND ,! =OT
V side (7) EEOUT GND are connected to each other, and a sum signal (FS-EE) of aperture information and COD output from the OTV adapter is sent to the OTV side (EEOUT). Furthermore, E E IN on the OTV side and FS- on the light source side.
EE, E INGND on the scope side and F on the light source side
S-E-E-GND are connected to each other, and a signal from which only aperture information is extracted from the OTV side (E-IN) is sent to the light source side (FS-EE).

With the above-described configuration, the endoscope apparatus can be applied to both cases in which a camera is connected to the external device and a still camera is connected to the endoscope apparatus.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, at least a portion of the back of the signal from an external TV camera is converted into an optical signal after selecting a brightness level, and the signal is transmitted by an optical cable. Therefore, in addition to being able to transmit multiple signals through one signal line, it is also possible to reduce noise from the signal line, which will not adversely affect the signal line or reduce the radiation level of the entire endoscope system. This eliminates the possibility of exceeding the limit value or causing electrical leakage to the scope.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 relate to the first embodiment of the present invention.
The figure is a block diagram showing the configuration of the endoscope device, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the optical receiving circuit, and FIG. 3 is the second block diagram of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the endoscope device of the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the endoscope device, and FIG. 5 shows the operation of the relay when a still camera is connected to the endoscope device. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the relay when a TV camera is connected to the endoscope apparatus, and FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the endoscope apparatus according to the prior art. 60... Light source device 63... Optical receiving circuit 70... Fiber scope 69.76.92.97a. 97b, 97C, 101a. 101b, 101c... Optical cable 91.96a, 96b, 96cm LED102, 10
3. 104. 141...Phototransistor 120...CCU 130...Monitor Figure 5 Procedure Nei City official document (self-proposed) June 7, 1989 1. In box 6, line 9 of the specification, there is a ``above mixture''"The output of the mixer 27 is opposed to the eyepiece 35" is revised to "The output of the mixer 27 is opposed to the eyepiece 15" 1, Case description 2, Title of the invention 3, amended. Address related to the person's case 4, Agent's address 5, Date of amendment order 6, Subject of amendment 1986 Patent Application No. 286381 Endoscope device

Claims (1)

[Claims] An optical endoscope, an external TV camera having an imaging means that can be detachably attached to an eyepiece of the optical endoscope, and a light source that supplies illumination light to the optical endoscope. and,
An endoscope apparatus comprising a camera control unit that processes an image signal obtained by the imaging means,
Electro-optical conversion means for converting at least a portion of the electrical signal output from the external TV camera into an optical signal;
a selection means for selecting the brightness level of the optical signal; an optical cable for transmitting the optical signal; and a photoelectric conversion means for converting the optical signal transmitted by the optical cable back into an electrical signal and applying it to the camera control unit. An endoscope device characterized by: