JPH02140714A - Endoscope system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate the need for providing a signal processor in a light source by providing an adapter which is made to interpose between a connector and a light source device and connects one end of a signal line and the signal processor. CONSTITUTION:The title system is provided with an external still camera 30 and an external television camera 40 which are attachably and detachably mounted to the eyepiece part 8 of a fiberscope 1, the adapter 50 which is made to interpose between the connector 5 of the fiberscope 1 and the light source device 20 at the time of mounting the television camera 40, a camera control unit(CCU) 60 which performs the processing of signal for the television camera 40 and a monitor 70 connected to the CCU 60. In the case of mounting the television camera 40 to the eyepiece part 8 of an endoscope, the adapter 50 is made to interpose between the connector 5 of the endoscope and the light source device 20 and the television camera 40 and the signal processor are connected through the signal line in the endoscope, the connector of the endoscope and the adapter. Thus, the signal processor need not be provided in the light source.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an endoscope system in which a television camera can be attached to the eyepiece of the endoscope.

[Problems to be solved by conventional technology and inventions] In recent years,
By inserting the elongated insertion section into the body cavity, it is possible to observe internal organs, etc., and perform various therapeutic procedures as necessary using the treatment instrument inserted into the treatment instrument channel. ! Mirrors are widely used.

One type of endoscope is a fiberscope for visual observation.In this fiberscope, an external still camera or external television camera is attached to the eyepiece, allowing photographic distance imaging, Monitor vA detection becomes possible.

As shown in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 61-143034, a fiber scope to which a still camera can be attached is equipped with a signal line necessary for still camera photography from the eyepiece to the light guide cable connector. There is something. The still camera is connected to a circuit such as a dimming circuit in the light source device through a signal line in the fiber scope, so that good shadow removal can be performed.

On the other hand, the television camera attached to the eyepiece of the fiberscope has conventionally been connected to a camera control unit via a cable extending from the main body of the television camera. Therefore, when a TV camera is attached to a fiberscope, two cables, the light guide cable of the fiber optic lobe and the cable of the TV camera, extend from near the eyepiece.
There are problems in that the balance is poor and the two cables get in the way, making it difficult to operate.

Therefore, it is conceivable to install a camera control unit within the light source device and connect the camera control unit and the television camera via a signal line inserted into the fiberscope.

However, in this case, the camera control unit is always provided within the light source device, which is not economical for users who do not use a television camera. Also,
The fiberscope requires a signal line for the still camera and a signal line for the television camera, which increases the number of signal lines and, along with it, the number of contacts, making the configuration complex.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an external television camera that is attached to the eyepiece of an endoscope and can be connected to a signal processing device using a signal line inside the endoscope. Another object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope system that does not require a signal processing device in the light source.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The endoscope system of the present invention includes an endoscope that has an eyepiece that enables macroscopic observation and a connector that receives illumination light, and the connector is connected to the endoscope system. a light source device that supplies illumination light to the endoscope; a television camera that is detachably attached to the eyepiece and conveys an image observed by the endoscope; and a signal that performs signal processing for the television camera. a processing device; a signal line inserted into the endoscope; one end connected to the television camera at the eyepiece; and the other end connected to the connector; and the television camera attached to the eyepiece. In this case, the connector is interposed between the connector and the light source device, and the other end of the signal line and the signal processing pi! It also includes an adapter for connecting to the device.

[Operation] In the present invention, when a television camera is attached to the eyepiece of an endoscope, an adapter is interposed between the connector of the endoscope and the light source device. The television camera and signal processing device are:
It is connected via a signal line within the endoscope, an endoscope connector, and an adapter.

[Example] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1 to 3 relate to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an endoscope system with a television camera attached to the eyepiece of the endoscope, and FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing the endoscope system with a still camera attached to the eyepiece of the endoscope, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the fiber scope, the television camera, and the still camera.

The endoscope system of this embodiment includes a fiberscope 1,
A light source device 2 that supplies illumination light to this fiberscope 1
0, an external still camera 30 and a television camera 40 are externally attached to the eyepiece 8 of the fiberscope 1 in a detachable manner, and when the television camera 40 is attached, the connector 5 of the fiberscope 1 is attached. It includes an adapter 50 interposed between the light source device 20, a camera control unit (hereinafter referred to as CCU) 60 that performs signal processing for the television camera 40, and a monitor 70 connected to the CCU 60. There is.

As shown in FIG. 3, the fiberscope 1 has an elongated, for example, flexible insertion section 2, and a large-diameter operating section 3 is connected to the rear end of the insertion section 2. As shown in FIG. At the rear end of the operating section 3, the eyepiece section 8 is provided. Further, a flexible light guide cable 4 extends laterally from the operation section 3, and an end of the light guide cable 4 has a
A connector 5 connected to the connector receiver 29 of the light source device 20 is provided.

On the distal end side of the insertion portion 2, a rigid distal end portion 10 and a bendable curved portion 11 adjacent to the rear of the distal end portion 10 are provided in sequence. The operation section 3 also includes a bending operation knob 1 for bending the bending section 11 in the up and down/left directions.
2 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 1, the distal end portion 10 is provided with an objective lens system 13 and a light distribution lens 14. At the imaging position of the objective lens system 13, the tip end surface of an image guide 15 made of a fiber bundle is arranged. The image guide 15 is inserted through the insertion section 2 , and its rear end extends to the eyepiece 8 , with its rear end facing the eyepiece 9 of the eyepiece 8 . The object image formed by the objective lens system 13 is transmitted to the image guide 1
5 to an eyepiece 8, from which observation can be made.

Further, a light guide 16 made of a fiber bundle is connected to the rear end side of the light distribution lens 14. The light guide 16 is inserted through the insertion section 2, the operation section 3, and the light guide cable 4, and is connected to the connector 5. The illumination light emitted from the light source device 20 enters the incident end of the light guide 16, is guided by the light guide 16 to the tip 10, passes through the light distribution lens 14, and is irradiated onto the object. It has become so.

Further, the eyepiece portion 8 is provided with contacts 17a to 17f, the connector 5 is provided with contacts 18a to 18f,
Corresponding contacts are connected by signal lines 19a to 19f inserted through the operating section 3 and the light guide cable 4.

Further, the tip portion 10 is provided with an air/water supply nozzle (not shown), and an air/water channel tube 7 is connected to this air/water supply nozzle.

This air and water supply channel tube 7 is connected to the insertion section 2.
It is inserted into the operation part 3 and the light guide cable 4,
Connected to connector 5.

The light source device 20 includes a lamp 21 that makes illumination light enter the incident end of the light guide 16 connected to the connector receiver 29, a dimming circuit 22 that adjusts the light penetration of this lamp 21, and the still camera 30. a communication control circuit 23 for data communication between the still camera 30 and the television camera 40, a power supply 24 of, for example, 12 V DC, which supplies power to the still camera 30 and the television camera 40, and a A pump 25 for supplying water is provided.

Also, a light source! As shown in FIG. 2, when the connector 5 of the fiberscope 1 is directly connected, the connector receiver 29 of 20 is connected to the contact 1 provided on the connector 5.
Contact 2 connected to 8 (representing 18a to 18f)
6. Note that the number of contacts 26 corresponding to the number of contacts 18 is provided. When the connector 5 of the fiber scope 1 is directly connected to the light source device 20,
The communication control circuit 23 connects the contact 18a via the contact 26.
, 18b, a power source 24 is connected to contacts 18c and 18d, and a dimming circuit 22 is connected to contacts 18e and 18f, respectively.

In addition to the contact 26, the light source device 20 also includes a contact 2.
7, and this contact 27 is connected to the dimming circuit 22.

The still camera 30, as shown in FIG.
It is equipped with an imaging lens 32 that forms an image upward. A half prism 33 is disposed between the film 31 and the imaging lens 32 to divide the light beam into two. A light receiving element 34 is provided at a position to receive one of the light beams reflected by the half prism 33. Further, a control circuit 35 is provided which generates an EE multiplied signal synchro signal, etc., and the output of the light receiving element 34 is amplified by an amplifier 36 and then input to the control circuit 35. Also,
A release switch 37 is provided, and this release switch 37 is connected to the control circuit 35. Also,
A communication control circuit 38 for performing data communication with the light source device 20 is provided.

Further, the still camera 30 includes the fiber scope 1
It has a contact 39 that is connected to the contact 17 (typically covering 17a to 17f) provided on the eyepiece 8. Note that the number of contacts 39 corresponding to the number of contacts 17 is provided. Then, via the contact 39, the communication control circuit 3
8 is the contact 17a.

17b and the control circuit 35 are connected to contacts 178 and 17f, respectively. In addition, contact 17c,
17d is connected to the power supply connection end of each circuit within the still camera 30.

The television camera 40, as shown in FIG.
a solid-state imaging device 41 such as, an imaging lens 42 that forms an image of light from the eyepiece section 8 onto the solid-state @device 41, a driver 43 that drives the solid-state imaging device 41, and the solid-state imaging device. a preamplifier 44 that amplifies the output signal of 41;
A process circuit 45 processes the output signal of the preamplifier 44 as a video signal, and a process circuit 45 processes the output signal of the process circuit 45.
and an NTSC encoder 46 for converting into a TSC composite signal. A synchronization signal from the driver 43 is input to the process circuit 45, and the process circuit 45 performs signal processing in synchronization with the driving of the solid-state image sensor 41.

Further, the television camera 40 has a contact 47 connected to the contact 17 provided on the eyepiece 8 of the fiberscope 1. Note that the number of contacts 47 corresponding to the number of contacts 17 is provided. The driver 43 is connected to the contacts 17a and 17b, and the NTSC encoder 46 is connected to the contacts 17e and 17f via the contact 47. Further, the contacts 17c and 17d are connected to the power supply connection terminals of each circuit within the television camera 40.

The adapter 50 is interposed between the connector 5 of the fiberscope 1 and the connector receiver 29 of the light source device 20, as shown in FIG. This adapter 50 includes a light guide 51 that connects the incident end of the light guide 16 of the fiber scope 1 and the light guide insertion opening in the connector receptacle (pull 29) of the light source device 20, and an air/water channel 11 channel cove of the fiber scope 1. A tube 52 is provided at the end of the adapter 50 to connect it to the air/water channel insertion port in the connector receiver 29. Also, at the end of the adapter 50 connected to the connector 5, a tube 52 is provided. A contact 54 is provided which is connected to the contact 18 which is connected to the contact 18 .

Note that the number of contacts 54 corresponds to the number of contacts 18. Further, at the end of the adapter 50 connected to the light source device 20, a contact 55 is provided which is connected to the contact 26 connected to the power source 24 of the light source device 20.

Note that this contact 55 is the same as the contacts 18c and 18d of the connector 5.
The contact points 18c and 18d are connected to the contact points 18c and 18d. Moreover, the connector 5 of the adapter 50
Among the contacts 54, the contacts 18a, 18b, 18 of the connector 5 are connected to the ends that are not connected to either the light source device 20 or the light source device 20.
e, a contact 56 connected to a contact 54 connected to 18f
is provided.

The CCU 60 includes a clock signal generator 61 and an EE signal generation circuit 62, as shown in FIG.

The CCLI 60 also has a contact 63 connected to the contact 56 of the adapter 50 via a cable 57, a contact 64 connected to the contact 27 of the light source device M20 via a cable 28, and a monitor 70. A contact point 65 is provided. Behind the contact 63, the cable 57.
Contacts 18a and 18b of connector 5 via adapter 50
The clock generator 61 is connected to the contact connected to the clock generator 61 . Furthermore, among the contacts 63, the cable 57
．． Contacts 18e, 18 of connector 5 via adapter 50
The contact connected to f' is connected to the EE signal generating circuit 62.
The input terminal of and the contact 65 are connected. Further, the output end of the EE signal generating circuit 62 is connected to the contact 64.

The monitor 70 is connected to the contact 65 of the CCU 60 via a cable 71.

Next, the operation of this actual flow example will be explained.

During naked eye observation and when the still camera 30 is attached, the connector cover 5 of the fiberscope 1 is directly connected to the light source device 20 without using the adapter 50, as shown in FIG.

Illumination light emitted from the lamp 21 of the light source device 20 enters the input end of the light guide 16 of the fiber scope 1, passes through the light guide 16 and the light distribution lens 14, and is irradiated onto the subject from the tip 10. The returned light from the subject is imaged by the objective lens system 13, and this subject image is transmitted to the eyepiece 8 by the image guide 15 and observed from the eyepiece 8.

When the still camera 30 is attached to the eyepiece section 8,
Contact point 39 of still camera 30. Contact point 17 of eyepiece section 8.
Signal wire 19 (representatively 19a to 19f) inside fiberscope 1, contact point 18 of connector 5. and light source device 2
Each circuit in the still camera 30 and each circuit in the light source device 20 are connected through the contact point 26 of 0. In detail, the communication control circuit 23 of the light source device 20 and the still camera 3
The communication control circuit 38 of the light source device 20 is connected to the power supply connection end of each circuit in the still camera 30, and the dimming circuit 22 of the light source device 20 and the control circuit 35 of the still camera 30 are connected. be done.

The communication circuits 23 and 38 perform data communication necessary for photographing.

The light from the eyepiece 8 of the fiberscope 1 is imaged onto the film 31 by the imaging lens 32, is partially reflected by the half prism 33, and is received by the light receiving element 34. The output of the light receiving element 34 is input to a control circuit 35 via an amplifier 36, and the control circuit 35 generates an EE multiplied signal which is brightness information. Further, the control circuit 35 operates in response to pressing the release switch 37.
Generate a synchronized signal. EE from this control circuit 35
The double signal synchro signal etc. are sent to the dimming circuit 22 of the light source device 20.
is input. This dimming circuit 20 adjusts the light M of the lamp 21 according to the EE multiplication signal.

On the other hand, when the TV camera 40 is attached, the connector 5 of the fiber scope 1 is connected to the adapter 50 as shown in FIG.
It is connected to the light source device 20 via.

In addition, the adapter 50 and the CCU 60 are connected by a cable 57.
Connect the CCU 60 and the light source device 20 with the cable 2.
8 and connect the CCU 60 and monitor 70 with cable 7.
Connect at 1.

Also, the contact point 47 of the television camera 40. Contact point 1 of eyepiece section 8
7. Signal line 19 in fiberscope 1 Contact point 18 of connector 5. The power supply 24 of the light source device 20 and the power supply connection ends of each circuit in the television camera 40 are connected through the contacts 54 and 55 of the adapter 50 and the contact 26 of the light source device 20.

Also, the contact point 47 of the television camera 40. Contact point 1 of eyepiece section 8
7. Signal line 19 inside the fiber scope 1. Contacts 18 of connector 5, contacts 54, 56 of adapter 50. cable 5
7 and the contact 63 of the CCU 60, the clock generator 61 of the CCU 60 and the driver 43 of the television camera 40 are connected, and the EE signal generation circuit 62 and contact 65 of the CCU 60 are connected to the NTSC encoder 46 of the television camera 40. Furthermore, a cable 7 connected to the contact 65
1, the NTSC encoder 46 and the monitor 70
The EE signal generating circuit 62 and the dimming circuit 22 of the light source device 20 are connected via the cable 28 connected to the contact 64 of the CCLI 60.

Light from the eyepiece 8 of the fiber scope 1 is imaged onto the solid-state image sensor 41 by the imaging lens 42. C.C.
The clock from the clock generator 61 of U60 is input to the driver 43 of the television camera 40.
3 generates a drive signal for driving the solid-state image sensor 41. The output signal of the solid-state image sensor 41 driven by this driver 43 is amplified by a preamplifier 44,
The signal is input to a processing circuit 45 and subjected to video signal processing.

The output signal of this process circuit 45 is converted into an NTSC signal by an NTSC encoder 46, and this NTSC signal is inputted to a monitor 70 via a CCU 60, and a subject image is displayed on this monitor 70.

The NTSC signal is input to an EE multiplied signal generation circuit 62 of the CCU 60, which generates an EE signal q which is brightness information, and this EE multiplied signal is sent to the light source via the cable 28. It is input to the dimming circuit 22 of the device 20. The dimming circuit 20 adjusts the light intensity of the lamp 21 according to the EE multiplication signal.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the still camera 30 attached to the eyepiece 8 of the fiberscope 1 can be connected to the light source device 20 via the signal line inside the fiberscope 1, and the eyepiece The television camera 40 attached to the CCU 60 is connected to the CCU 60 using the signal line inside the fiber scope 1.
can be connected to.

Therefore, when the television camera 40 is attached, there is no cable extending from the television camera, so the balance does not deteriorate, and operability is good.

Further, since the signal line inside the fiberscope 1 is shared by the still camera 30 and the television camera 40, the number of signal lines and contacts does not increase.

Moreover, via the adapter 50, the TV camera 4o, etc.
Since the CCU 60 is connected, there is no need to provide the CCU 60 inside the light source device 20, and a conventional light source device can be used as the light source device 20.

Incidentally, the CCU 60 as shown in FIG. 1 has recently become smaller and can be made interosseous. Therefore, this CC
A fixing means may be provided on the CCU 60 so that the U6'0 can be placed in a position convenient for the operator.

4 and 5 show an example of the fixing means for the CCU, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the endoscope system, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the CCU.
It is a perspective view showing the fixing means of.

In this example, as shown in FIG. 5, a suction cup 73 is provided on one side of the CCU 60. Then, using this suction cup 73, as shown in FIG.
0 or monitor 70.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another example of the fixing means.

In this example, a key 74 is provided on one side of the CCU 60,
A key receiver 75 is provided which engages with the key 74 by sliding and inserting the key 74 into the light source device 20 or monitor 70'8 to which the CCIJ 60 is attached.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of still another example of the fixing means. In this example, a hook 76 is provided on one side of the CCU 60,
A hole 77 into which the hook 76 is inserted is provided in the light source device 20, monitor 70, etc. to which the CCU 60 is attached.

Incidentally, the hook receiver 75 and the hole 77 may be provided at a plurality of locations.

By the way, when the still camera 30 and the television camera 40 are frequently replaced and attached to the eyepiece section 8 of the fiber scope 1, it is troublesome to replace both. Therefore, an example in which a still camera and a television camera can be easily exchanged is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the endoscope system, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the camera body and CCD back.

In this example, the still camera 30 is configured such that a film bag 82 containing the film 31 can be detachably attached to a storage section 83 provided in the camera body 81. Incidentally, in FIG. 8, reference numeral 84 is a lid that closes the storage section 83.

In this example, the camera body 81 is shared by a still camera and a television camera.

In other words, as shown in FIG.
A CCD bag 90 that can be attached to the camera is provided. This C
When the CD back 90 is installed in the storage section 83, the CD back 90 is placed at the imaging position of the imaging lens in the camera body 81.
CD91 is on the right.

Further, on the outer periphery of the CCD back 90, the CCD
A connector 92 having contacts connected to 91 is provided. On the other hand, the connector 92 is located in the storage section 83.
A connector 95 to which is connected is provided. This connector 95 is connected to a contact 39 on the camera body 81 which is connected to a contact 17 provided on the eyepiece 8 of the fiberscope 1 . Therefore, when the CCD back 90 is attached to the storage section 83 of the camera body 81, it becomes a television camera.

Incidentally, not only the CCD 91 but also the circuit for performing signal processing for the COD 91 may be formed into a film pack shape.

If the still camera is equipped with a shutter, the shutter is electrically or mechanically kept open at all times when the CCD pack 90 is attached.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and may be an endoscope system in which only the television camera 40 is attached to the eyepiece section 8 of the fiberscope 1, for example. Also in this case, there is no cable extending from the television camera 40,
Another advantage is that a conventional light source device can be used.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, f
8 is connected to the TV camera at the eyepiece, and the other end is connected to the connector. Therefore, the external cable attached to the eyepiece of the endoscope connects the TV camera to the TV camera inside the endoscope. The signal line can be used to connect to the signal processing device, and an adapter is provided between the connector and the optical Q device to connect the other end of the signal line and the signal processing device. This has the advantage that there is no need to provide a processing device within the light source.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figures 1 to 31 relate to one embodiment of the present invention;
The figure is an explanatory diagram showing an endoscope system with a television camera attached to the eyepiece of the endoscope, and Figure 2 shows the endoscope system with a still camera attached to the eyepiece of the endoscope. 3 is a perspective view showing a fiber scope, a television camera, and a still camera, FIGS. 4 and 5 are examples of CCU fixing means, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an endoscope system. 5 is a perspective view showing the fixing means of the CCU, FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another example of the fixing means, FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing still another example of the fixing means, FIG. Figure 9 shows an example in which the still camera and television camera can be easily replaced, Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the endoscope system, and Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the camera body and CCD pack. It is a diagram. 1...Fiberscope 5...Connector 8...
Eyepiece section 17.18...Contact point 20...Light source device 40...TV camera 60...CCU 19...Signal line 30...Still camera 50...Adapter 70...Monitor number Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] An endoscope having an eyepiece that enables naked eye observation and a connector that receives supply of illumination light, the connector being connected and supplying illumination light to the endoscope. a light source device; a television camera that is detachably attached to the eyepiece and captures an image observed by the endoscope; a signal processing device that processes signals for the television camera; and a signal processing device that is inserted into the endoscope. , a signal line whose one end is connected to the television camera at the eyepiece and the other end is connected to the connector; and when the television camera is attached to the eyepiece, a signal line between the connector and the light source device; 1. An endoscope system comprising: an adapter for connecting the other end of the signal line and the signal processing device;