JPH03284233A - Endoscope system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To achieve a higher operability by providing a centralized operation section which is capable of operating a plurality of system component devices centrally while a controller is provided for central control or management of actions of the component devices based on an operation at the operation section. CONSTITUTION:An endoscope system 1 is made up of a laptop personal computer 3 equipped with a touch panel 2 composing a centralized operation section, a personal computer 4 for control for central control or management of component devices of the system 1 as connected separately to these parts, a control unit 5 for an electronic scope and a power source 6 connected separately to the personal computer 4 and the like. As a result, operation of the component devices of the endoscope system 1 can be operated centrally with the touch panel 2 and a keyboard 7 common however the number of the component devices of the endoscope system 1 increases. This allows the operating of a part to be operated at one point even the component devices are scattered in arrangement thereby achieving a higher operability as compared with the case where operation sections of the devices are scattered without central management.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application 1] The present invention relates to an endoscope system incorporating a control device that centrally controls at least a plurality of system component devices such as a light source device.

[Prior art] In recent years, not only in the medical field but also in the industrial field,
Endoscopes became widely used.

For example, in the medical field, the main products are endoscopes and light source devices, other treatment tools such as electric scalpels, and recently camera control units (or video system centers) for videoscopes (electronic scopes). ), is used as an endoscope system configured with an image filling system, etc.

In this way, especially recently, a wide variety of products (system configuration devices) are often used together.

Under these circumstances, the current situation is that these products are stored in racks or the like and placed here and there in a narrow mirror room.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Conventionally, each component device was used independently, so each device had to be operated while stored in a rack or the like. When operated by a doctor or nurse, the device may be located in a position that is difficult to operate, or the device must be moved around to operate, making the operation 16 complicated and creating an environment suitable for testing and treatment. There wasn't.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope system with good operability.

[Means and effects for solving the problem] In the present invention, a central operation unit capable of centrally operating at least a plurality of system component devices including a light source device is provided, and the plurality of system components including a light source device are By providing a control device that centrally controls or manages the operations of system component devices, operability is improved compared to when each device is operated individually.

[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;
The figure is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main parts of the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a front view of the device main body, FIG. 3 is a plan view of the device main body, and FIG.
The figure is a rear view of the device body, Figure 5 is a right side view of the device body,
Figure 6 is a left side view of the device body, Figure 7 is a front view schematically showing the device body with some doors open, Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view of the device body, and Figure 9 is a schematic front view of the device body with some doors open. FIG. 10 is a front view showing the arrangement of the light source connector receiver and the signal connector receiver, and is an overall view of one embodiment.

First, the outline of the main parts of one embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG.
Thereafter, one embodiment of the system will be explained in detail.

As shown in FIG. 1, the main parts of the endoscope system 1 of one embodiment include a laptop computer (computer) 3 equipped with a touch panel 2 constituting a central operation section, and the touch panel 2 and the laptop computer 3, respectively. Cable 2a and cable 3a with interface 8A interposed
A control personal computer (computer) 4 that centrally controls or controls the component devices constituting this system 1, and cables 5a and 6a "if" connected to the control personal computer 4 and interfaces 8B and 8C, respectively. It is comprised of a control unit (also called a video system center, hereinafter abbreviated as VSC) 5, a light source device 6, etc. for an electronic scope as a connected component device.

The touch panel 2 is made up of transparent electrodes and a large number of switches arranged in a matrix, and is scanned in the x (horizontal) direction and the Y (vertical) direction by a scanning means to determine which part of the switch is pressed. This allows the coordinates to be detected.

That is, the control computer scans from the I10 port, detects which part of the touch panel 2 attached to the display screen of the laptop computer 3 is pressed (touched), and detects whether it is touched. Import the coordinate data. Therefore, touch detection and coordinate data are input from this touch panel 2 to the I10 port of the control personal computer 4 via the cable 2a. Then, the control personal computer 4 sends a command to the laptop computer 3 to change the display screen via the cable 3a in accordance with the pressed switch. This cable 3a is, for example, R8-232C and is capable of bidirectional data communication.

The laptop computer 3 switches the display screen (for example, VSC5
(Switching from 0 control mode to light source device 6 control mode)
, or change your own operating mode accordingly.

When this laptop computer 3 is switched to a mode in which it scans the keyboard 7 and sends it (for example, referred to as data mode), the control computer 4
Send to cover. Then, the control personal computer 4 inputs -1--]- by operating the keyboard 7 sent from the laptop computer 3 to a keyboard corresponding to the keyboard of the VSO 4 or by operating the operation panel of the VSO 4. The output command is converted into a command (output command) and sent to this VSO 4 via the interface 8B of the VS'C5. This transmission is transmitted via cable 5a. Also, this cable 5a
The state of VSO4 is detected by. For this reason, a cable 5a for port input/output is used.

The cable 5b used is for serial communication, and sends a TTL level signal from the control personal computer 4 to the VSO 4 so that data can be input to the VSC 5.

Further, this control personal computer 4 converts the key code operated by the keyboard 7 into one corresponding to the keyboard command of the light source device 6, and also provides an interface 8C to the light source device 6.
Send via. The state of this light source device 6 is also detected by the control personal computer 4 via the cable 6a.

In this embodiment, for example, a signal corresponding to an operation using the operation panel of the VSO 4 is generated by the control personal computer 4 based on signals from operations on the touch panel 2 and the keyboard 7, and is generated by electrically pressing a switch on the operation panel. This allows you to perform the same operation as . In other words, the interface 8B is provided in place of the operation panel of the VSO 4, and the control personal computer 4 performs operation control or operation management based on the operation of the laptop computer 3 equipped with the touch panel 2, in the same manner as when operating the operation panel of the VSO 5. I do. Similarly, the control personal computer 4 is configured to perform similar operation control or operation management for the light source device 6 as well. That is, the control personal computer 4 centrally controls or manages the operations of a plurality of system component devices.

In this embodiment, the boat output of the control PC 4 is connected to the human power line of the operation panel of the component equipment, and the output signal from the control PC 4 ( This allows for control (equivalent to panel operation).

According to this embodiment, even if the number of component devices of the endoscope system 1 increases, their operations can be performed using a common touch panel 2.
And the keyboard 7 allows for centralized operation. Therefore, even if the component devices are distributed, the operable parts can be operated from one place, and an easy-to-operate device can be constructed.

(In the first embodiment, the main components that are frequently used are centrally operated in one place.) Also, since a laptop computer 3 was used for the man-machine I/F, the software It was possible to modularize the input screen, giving more freedom in the input screen.

Furthermore, since separate personal computers are used for the man-machine I/F and control purposes, each software can be developed independently.

Next, the configuration of the system 1 of one embodiment will be specifically explained with reference to FIG. 2 and subsequent figures.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the endoscope system 1 of one embodiment includes an endoscope device main body 11 (hereinafter simply referred to as the main body) and an arm 12 extending from the main body 11. A monitor 3 that is movable and rotatably attached to nine monitors, a laptop computer 3 that is rotatably arranged on the top surface of this main body 11, and an oval tray 14 that is installed on the top surface of this main body 11. , an endoscope to be used, for example, an electronic scope 16 (see FIG. 8), and a scope hanger 5 can be detachably attached to this main body 11. As shown in FIG. 8, the tray 14 is designed to hold small items such as an electronic scope 16 used in endoscopic procedures and treatment tools (not shown). This tray 14 is rotatable and attached to the upper surface of the main body 11.

The main body 11 is composed of a cylindrical storage section that serves as a main storage section, and a trapezoidal or modified rectangular cylindrical storage section that is connected to the cylindrical storage section and serves as a sub storage section. As shown in FIG.
It can be placed so that one end of 7 faces.

As shown in FIG. 3, the position opposite to the arcuate front of the main body 11 is a position suitable for operation by the doctor who is the primary user. The main body 11 is designed on the assumption that the position N facing the rear surface of the main body 11 will be a position suitable for operation by a nurse serving as a secondary cog. Further, the distance between the front and back surfaces formed by the sub storage section is set to approximately 2/3 or less of the main storage section.

As shown in FIG. 2, there is a duct 2 on the front of this main body 11.
1. Connector & P-plate connector & service for switch 22. Heat coagulation treatment 23.
light source connector receiver 25, 0 for electronic scope, phase signal connector receiver (26) for signal connector, hanger 27 for signal connector, electric scalpel device 28, control unit for TV camera attached to fiberscope (hereinafter referred to as C
29 (denoted as CU) is coming.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the back of the main body 11 has a
INPUT is an input/output terminal for inputting and outputting %6 bits.
LINE and 0UTPUT LIN [: 30, Electric scalpel panel 28A1 Thermocoagulation treatment instrument panel 23A, PO
WER switch 31, ignition switch 32, suction device switch 33, lamp life meter 34, suction device bottle 35, treatment instrument water tank 36, water tank 37, simple cleaning water bottle 38, intraoral suction chicobe 39
is coming.

Further, on the right side surface shown in FIG. 5, a photographing device 41 is housed inside the door.

In addition, inside the main body 11, as shown in FIG. 7, when a part of the front door is removed, there are an electric scalpel device 28, a CCU 29 for TV +7, a VSC 5 for an electronic scope, a control personal computer 4, A power supply device 44 for the light source device is housed. Note that a light source device 6 is housed below the left thermocoagulation treatment tool 123, and a cooling device is housed below that.

As shown in FIG. 8, on the upper surface of the main body 11, a laptop (type) personal computer 4, which serves as an operating section of the system 1, is rotatably arranged.

That is, as shown in FIG. 1, this personal computer 3 has a touch panel 2 attached to the front side of its display screen as described above, and is electrically connected to the control personal computer 4 inside the main body 11. In addition, in order to prevent the display unit 52 using liquid crystal from falling down when the touch panel 2 is pressed to operate the touch panel 2, the bottom side and surrounding area of the laptop body and the back surface of the display unit 52 are It is installed so that the surrounding area is covered with a cover material such as plastic. Therefore, by this cover member, the display section 52
The display screen is kept at an angle that makes it easy to see.

This personal computer 3 is mounted on a table 54, and this table 54 is rotatable.

In other words, the structure 2 supports the personal computer 3 in a rotatable manner so that the doctor can operate it by rotating it, and the nurse can also easily operate it by rotating it as needed.

As described above with reference to FIG. 1, the laptop computer 3 and the touch panel 2 are connected to the control pan controller 4 in the main body 11, and the control computer 4 is further connected to the electronic scope VSC 5 and the light source device 6. has been done. In addition, the light source device 6 is designed to be compatible with any of the following modes: an electronic scope, a fiber scope, and a television camera attached to the fiber optics (via the control computer 4). and control its behavior).

Further, as can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 8, the light source connector receivers 25 are arranged at intervals in the horizontal direction so as to be diagonally above the signal connector receivers 26. A light source connector 16b shown in FIG. 8 is connected to the light source connector receiver 25, and a connection cable 16c extending from the light source connector 16b is connected to the signal connector receiver 26.
The signal connector 16a at the tip 3 can be connected.

For the above light source] Connector holder (P 25 and signal connector holder 2)
The arrangement relationship with 6 is shown in an enlarged manner in FIG. 9(a). Note that FIG. 9(b) and FIG. 9(C) show conventional examples for comparison.
In FIG. 6B, a light source device 62 and a VSC 63 are installed vertically on a shelf 61, and the positional relationship between the light source connector receiver 1 pro 4 and the electronic scope signal connector receiver 65 is on a vertical line.

Furthermore, in the conventional example shown in FIG. 9(C), the light source device 62 and the VSC
63 are stacked one above the other. The positional relationship between the light source connector receiver 64 and the signal connector receiver 65 is on a vertical line.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9(a), the positional relationship between the light source connector receiver 25 and the electronic scope signal connector receiver 026 is oblique.

Therefore, it has the following advantages (effects).

When replacing the scope, in the conventional example, the signal connector receiver 26
When the signal connector 16a of the scope 16 is connected to the signal connector receiver 25, the four connection cables 16c extended from the light source connector 16b hang down near the light source connector receiver 25, and the signal connector 16a of the scope 16 is connected to the signal connector receiver 26. However, in this embodiment, even if it hangs down, it does not get close to the signal connector receiver 26, so it does not get in the way of the connection, making it easier to connect.

Furthermore, the connecting cable 16c does not get in the way of the operator's hand. Furthermore, since stress is less likely to be applied to the cable 16C, it is possible to prevent the signal line within the cable 16c from breaking. Also, it is now easier to put on and take off with your left hand. Also, regarding the S cord and suction tube, even if you remove the connecting cable 16c that connects to the scope, the connecting cable will not hang down nearby, and if you remove the connecting cable 16c first when replacing the scope, it will be easier than the conventional case. It can also be easily attached and detached.

FIG. 10 shows the overall configuration of one embodiment.

In Figure 10, to the left of the dotted line (excluding bed 17)
Components housed or installed in the main body 11 are shown, and the right side shows satellite-side equipment that is connected to the main body 11 and used.

As mentioned above, the touch panel 2 made of transparent electrodes is attached to the liquid crystal panel of the laptop computer 3, and each switch on this touch panel 2 is read by the control computer 4.

Further, graphics on the back side of the touch panel 2 are created by an operating personal computer, that is, a laptop computer 3, upon receiving commands from a controlling personal computer 4. When this control personal computer 4 receives a request from the laptop computer 3, it transmits the status of all the switches. The laptop computer 3 requests the switch status from the control computer 4 when the power is turned on. on the other hand,
The control personal computer 4 has a hard disk, and stores the status of the switches at any given time.

Therefore, when the power is turned on, the display screen of the laptop computer 3 has contents corresponding to the status of the switch when the power is turned off.

The control personal computer 4 is housed inside the main body 11, but since the main body 11 has a relatively large storage space 6, it is possible to store a computer such as a large personal computer. On the other hand, if the operating personal computer (computer) is too large, it will get in the way, so in one embodiment, a laptop computer is used.

(Of course, it is not limited to a laptop, but a lightweight personal computer or computer can be used.) The VSO 4 and the light source device 6 can be connected, for example, by removing the front operation panel and installing the interfaces 8B and 8C there. It is connected to 4.

As shown in FIG. 10, the VSO 4 includes a still image photographing device 41 (or still video recorder 5 VR 41a) inside the main body 11, an external VTR 71, and an external VTR 71 as peripheral video devices.
It can be connected to the video printer 72, and all of these peripheral devices are controlled by the VSO4 via a remote cable.
Moreover, since this VSO 4 is controlled by the control personal computer 4, the control personal computer 4 indirectly controls the video equipment.

By controlling with the VSO 4 in this way, there is no need to create a new control program.

7 When the still image photographing device 41 is connected, the video printer 72 takes in the video signal from this device 41, and when the 5VR 41a is connected, the video printer 72 takes in the video signal from this device 41.
It is designed to import from a.

In addition, a ccU 29 for a TV camera is built into the main body 11, and a VT camera is connected via a manually selectable switch 73.
This allows the R71 to be controlled.

Note that the light source device 6 and the VSO 4 are always in the same state when the power is turned on, and the switches are set according to the backup data when the power is turned on using data in the hard disk of the control pan controller 4. This is V
SO4, optical mSi! This is to prevent the status of the control PC 4 from being permanently deviated from the status of the platform by noise or the like when the battery backup of the i-station 6 is used.

Further, in this embodiment, the electric scalpel device 28 and the thermocoagulation treatment tool (abbreviated as HP U in FIG. 01) 23 are provided so as not to be controlled by the control unit personal computer 4.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the respective operation panels are provided at positions suitable for operation by a doctor and a nurse.

The electric scalpel device 28 and thermocoagulation instrument 23 are not frequently used for the VSO 4 or the light source device 6 in endoscopy, so they cannot be operated using the control PC 4. The operation panel is placed in an easily accessible location.

The water tank of the thermocoagulation treatment instrument 23, optical equipment @6, and maintenance unit 7/I housed in the main body 11 is backlit by a backlight illumination device 75 so that the water level can be seen at a glance.

Further, the VSO 4 controls the light source device 6 for flash and EE. This light source device 6 is capable of emitting flash light using a flash unit 76.

Note that the suction pump 77 is used when the suction tube 39 is connected for suction use.

Further, seven first sub-monitors and a second sub-monitor 79' each using a liquid crystal are connected to the upper plate 913 connected to the VSO 4 and CCU 29 via a distributor 78. Since each sub-monitor 79, 79' does not have an 01JTPUT terminal, the two cannot be connected in cascade, so they are connected via the distributor 78.

Note that the VSC5G can be connected to the image file device 80 via, for example, the INPUT LINE and the OUTPUT LINE 30, so that image data and the like can be transmitted and received.

The control personal computer 4, laptop computer 3, still image photographing device 41.5VR41a, monitor 13, sub-monitor 79,79', and distributor 78 are isolated from the power source.

According to the first embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.

At a minimum, the equipment required for IC endoscopic chain testing, including treatment procedures, is stored or prepared, so there is no need to move around unnecessarily. The power supply is also centrally managed, and the Dode A signal, etc., including the terminals, etc., is also centrally managed.

A tray 140 is provided in the cylindrical storage section, that is, the main storage section, and the rotatable tray 14 can be rotated to store items necessary for the inspection and to reduce the range of movement, so that the scope necessary for the inspection can be placed in front. You can bring something like that.

In addition, the display section 52 of the laptop computer 3 which serves as the operation section
In addition to this display function, it also has an operation function, and also has a keyboard 7, which allows data input and the like.

The piping system, suction device, water tank, simple cleaning device, cleaning cup, etc. are all prepared and stored, allowing cleaning to be carried out all at once.

It also has a built-in Sujiru painting by Akira Ken, and can be recorded within the system.

We decided to connect it to an external image filing system ON LINE, making it possible to create a 4Z system.

Also, the monitor 13 is mounted on the main body 1 so that its position can be changed freely.
Since there is an attachment τ in 1, it can be set in a state that is easy to observe.

In this way, in one embodiment, most of the equipment required for endoscopy can be stored or connected within the main body 11, and the control or operation functions required by the mouth doctor are placed in a position where the doctor can easily operate them. In addition, items necessary for the nurse to operate are placed on the nurse's side, and items that are frequently used can be centrally operated from a central operation unit, and a central control unit ( management) means to enable centralized control. In addition, the central operation part is rotatable so that it can be set in a direction that is convenient for both doctors and nurses. (Incidentally, only the display section 52 of the central operation section may be provided in a position where it is easy for the doctors and nurses who serve as users on the primary and secondary sides to observe it. They may be placed at positions that are easy for the user on the side to operate.

) Also, since there are no protruding parts in terms of appearance, doctors and nurses can move smoothly.

Furthermore, many drawbacks of conventional devices, such as the difficulty of operating the devices due to cables running around on the floor, etc., and the inconvenience of having to operate each device in separate locations, have been eliminated. There is.

2. In FIG. 10, the configuration is such that the VTR 71 and video printer 2 side are the sub-light side with respect to the main body 11. In other words, the main body 11 serves as a terminal device that records endoscopic image data and the like during endoscopic examination. Further, the image file device 80 also plays a similar role.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
A filing system 81 such as 0 etc. and a plurality of endoscope systems IA, IB, 1G, .
It is also possible to configure the endoscope complex system 83 by making the file system 81 function like a central control center and the file system 81 function like a central control center.

In this configuration, the filing system 81 centrally manages images, patient data, etc. sent from each endoscope system 11. Each endoscope system 12 can also send image data and the like to this filing system 81, and can also search for image data and the like. For example, you can easily search for data related to patients who have undergone endoscopy using other endoscopy systems, or you can search for similar cases and perform tests and treatments. It can also be used for farming. This can be easily constructed because each endoscope system 11 is controlled/managed by the control personal computer 4 as a system control device.

In addition, in FIG. 10, the CCU 29 may also be configured in the same manner as the relationship between the control personal computer 4 and the VSe 2.

Note that a mouse or the like may be used instead of the touch panel 20, or a two-pronged display may be used in combination.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, a centralized operation unit for a plurality of component devices often used in endoscopy such as a light source device,
Since a control device is provided that centrally controls or centrally manages the operation of each component device in response to the operation, operability can be improved compared to when the operation section of each device is distributed without centralized control. .

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

4 Figures 1 to 10 relate to one embodiment of the present invention;
The figure is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main parts of the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a front view of the device main body, FIG. 3 is a plan view of the device main body, and FIG.
The figure is a rear view of the device body, Figure 5 is a right side view of the device body,
Figure 6 is a left side view of the device body, Figure 7 is a front view schematically showing the device body with some doors open, Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view of the device body, and Figure 9 is the device body. A front view showing the optical connector receiver and the signal connector receiver in the main body, Figure 10 is an overall configuration diagram of one embodiment, and Figure 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of multiple endoscope systems. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an endoscope complex system configured as a terminal. 1... Endoscope system 2... Touch panel 3
...Laptop computer 4...Control computer 5...Video system center (VSC,) 6...
・Light source @ 11...Device body 13...
Monitor ゛ 23...Thermocoagulation treatment tool 28...
Electric scalpel device 29...CCU71...VTR
72...Video printer 5 C

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] An endoscope system including at least a light source device, comprising: a centralized operation unit for performing centralized operation of at least a plurality of component devices constituting the endoscope system; and an operation performed by the centralized operation unit. An endoscope system comprising: a control device that centrally controls or centrally manages operations of the plurality of component devices based on the above.