JPH0337028A - Endoscope device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To clearly detect the gravitational direction regardless of which direction the tip section of an endoscope is faced to by providing a gravitational direction detecting means on the insertion section, allowing a selecting means to alternately select the gravitational direction signal and the image signal when the signal indicating the gravitational direction of the insertion section is outputted, to display it on a monitor. CONSTITUTION:An endoscope 2 has an insertion section 8, and an observation window 16 and an illumination window 17 are provided on the tip face of its tip section 11. An objective optical system 18 is provided on the observation window 16, a solid photographing element 19 is provided behind it, and a gravitational direction detector 26 is provided behind it. An image signal processing circuit 23 and a detecting circuit 24 are provided on a control device 4 and the image signal processing circuit 23 generates a standard video signal based on the electric signal from the solid photographing element 19 to output it to a TV monitor 6. The detecting circuit 24 displays the gravitational direction of the insertion section 8 on a gravitational direction indicator 7 when the signal indicating the gravitational direction is inputted from a gravitational direction detector 26 connected via signal lines 27 and 27.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to an endoscope device that allows the direction of gravity of an insertion section to be known.

[Prior art and problems to be solved by the invention] Generally, in an endoscope, the direction of the tip of the insertion tube is not specified, so the vertical direction of the endoscopic image displayed on a monitor etc. does not necessarily match the direction of gravity of the observed visual field image. do not.

Therefore, even if a diseased site is found, it is difficult to confirm the location of the site within the body cavity, and there is a strong need to know the direction of gravity.

Therefore, in the endoscope disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-6391C1, a steel ball is sandwiched between two transparent disks, and by installing them between the objective optical system and the image receiving means, the position is changed by gravity. A technology has been shown that allows the person operating the steel ball to know the direction of gravity by visually observing the situation of the steel ball.

Moreover, in Japanese Patent Publication No. 63-64980, 8! A technique is shown in which the direction of the mirror and the observed image are combined and displayed on a monitor television.

However, the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-63910 can only determine the direction of gravity two-dimensionally. If the steel ball is tilted relative to the ground as shown in Figure 12, the position of the steel ball will be unstable and the direction of gravity will not be known at all. Furthermore, since the steel balls are provided within the visual field, there is a problem in that part of the observed image is omitted due to the steel balls.

Further, the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 63-64980 requires means for synthesizing the orientation of the endoscope and the endoscopic image, resulting in a complicated circuit configuration.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and allows the operator to clearly know the direction of gravity even when the tip of the endoscope is oriented in any direction, such as horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, with respect to the ground. , an object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope device with a simple configuration.

[Means and effects for solving the problem] The endoscope device of the present invention includes an elongated insertion portion having an observation window at the distal end;
an imaging means for capturing a YD image of a subject image through an observation window; an image processing means for converting a signal from an image carrier into a video signal;
The device includes a gravitational direction detection means that is provided in the insertion section and outputs a signal indicating the direction of gravity in the insertion section, and a selection means that selectively selects the gravitational direction signal and the video signal and displays the same on a monitor. .

The image carrying means of the endoscope apparatus configured as described above picks up an image of the subject and sends a signal to the video signal processing means, and the video signal processing means converts the signal into a video signal and outputs it to the selection means. Further, the gravity direction detection means provided in the insertion section outputs a signal indicating the gravity direction to the selection means. The selection means alternatively selects the video signal and the signal indicating the direction of gravity and outputs the selected signal to the monitor.

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

FIGS. 1 to 8 relate to the first embodiment of the present invention.
The figure is an explanatory diagram of the endoscope device, Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram of the gravity direction detection means, Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram of the gravity direction detector, Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram of the detection circuit, and Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram of the gravity direction. An explanatory diagram of the operation of the detector, Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram of the installation position of the gravity direction detector, Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram of other gravity direction detectors, and Figure 8 is an example of the display of the gravity direction indicator. It is an explanatory diagram.

In FIG. 1, the endoscope apparatus 1 of this embodiment is comprised of a family gift R2, a light source device 3, a control device 4, a TV monitor 6, and a gravity direction indicator 7.

The endoscope 2 has an insertion section 8, and a large diameter operation section 9 is connected to the rear end of the insertion section 8.

The insertion portion 8 has a distal end portion 11, a curved portion 12, and a flexible portion 13 connected in this order from the distal end side, and the operating portion 9 is connected to the rear end of the flexible portion 13.

The operating section 9 is provided with a bending operation knob 14 for bending the bending section 12 in vertical and horizontal directions, and furthermore, a universal cable 15 extends from the side. A connector 15a is provided at the end of the universal cable 15, and is detachably connected to the control device 4.

A light guide cable 20 extends from the connector 15a, and a connector 20a is detachably connected to the light source device 3 at the rear end of the light guide cable 20.

An observation window 16 and an illumination window 17 are provided on the distal end surface of the distal end portion 11, and an objective optical system 18 is provided in the observation window 16. A solid-state image carrier 19 is provided behind the objective optical system 18, and the li surface of this solid-state m-image element 19 coincides with the imaging position "t" of the objective optical system 18. The solid-state image element 19 converts the formed optical image into an electrical signal.A signal line 21 is connected to the solid-state image element 19, and this signal line 21 connects the insertion section 8 and the operation section. 9 and is connected to the restraining device 4 via a universal cable 15.

Furthermore, a ride guide 22 formed of a fiber bundle for transmitting illumination light is provided at the illumination window 17! ! The light guide 22 is connected to the light source device 3 via the insertion section 8, the operation section 9, the universal cable 15, and the light guide cable 20.

This light source device 3 is provided with a light source lamp (not shown), and illumination light emitted from this light source lamp is supplied to the light guide 22.

A gravity direction detector 26 is located behind the solid-state Ia image element 19.
is provided. This gravity direction detector 26 has a plurality of signal lines 27, 27. ... are connected, and this signal line 27.27. ... are connected to the control device 4 via the insertion section 8, the operation section 9, and the universal cable 15.

The control device 4 includes a video signal processing circuit 23 and a detection circuit 2.
4 is provided, and the video signal processing circuit 23 generates a standard video signal from the electrical signal from the solid-state image carrier 19 and outputs this video signal to the TV monitor 6. The detection circuit 24 also has the gravity direction detector 26 connected to signal lines 27, 27. ..., and is configured to input a signal indicating the direction of gravity from the gravity direction detector 26. The detection circuit 24 is connected to the gravity direction indicator 7 and displays the gravity direction at the insertion portion 8.

In FIG. 2, the gravity direction detector 26 has a spherical container 29 made of an electrically insulating material, and a conductive liquid 28, such as water, is sealed inside the container 29. It is sealed to prevent leakage to the outside. The container 29 has six sets of metal counter electrodes 31A, 31B, 31C, 31.
D, 31E.

Counter electrodes 31 (31A, 31B,
31C, 31E, and 31F are collectively referred to as 31. > are provided at an angle of 90 degrees. The amount of conductive liquid 28 is 60% of the volume of container 29, and the remaining 40% is filled with air.

The counter electrode 31 will be schematically explained using FIG. 3.
The counter electrode 31 has two spaced apart electrodes 32a.

32b, the tips of the electrodes 32a and 32b protrude into the container 29, and the rear ends are connected to the signal line 27.
．． It is connected to 27. The conductive liquid 28 is contained in a container 29
The conductive liquid 28 causes the electrodes 32a and 32b to become electrically conductive. This conduction state is detected by the detection circuit 24.

The circuit configuration of the detection circuit 24 will be explained with reference to FIG.

The electrodes 32a constituting the counter electrode 31 are each connected to GND, and the electrodes 32b are each connected to a resistor 33 (33A).

33B, 33G, 33D, 33E, 33F are collectively referred to as 3.
Set it to 4. ) and one end of the inverter 34 (34A, 348
．． 34B, 34C, 34D, 34E.

34F is collectively referred to as 34. ) is connected to the input end of the The other end of the resistor 33 is connected to a power supply vCC, and the output end of the inverter 34 is connected to input terminals A, B, C, D, E, and F of an arithmetic circuit 36, respectively. The calculation circuit 36 detects which of the counter electrodes 31 is in a conductive state, calculates the direction of gravity, and outputs a signal indicating the direction of gravity to the gravity indicator 7.

As shown in FIG. 8, a schematic diagram of the endoscope tip 11 and the detector 26 is drawn on the display panel 37 of the gravity direction indicator 26, which corresponds to the counter electrode 31 in the schematic diagram of the detector 26. Light emitting diode 38 (38A, 388.38
G, 380.38E.

38F is collectively referred to as 38. ) is provided.

The operation of the endoscope device 1 configured as described above will be explained.

The illumination light supplied from the light source device 3 passes through the light guide 22 and is irradiated onto the subject, and the reflected light from the subject forms an image on the image plane of the solid-state image sensor 19 via the objective optical system 18. The formed optical image is converted into an electrical signal and sent to the signal line 2.
1 to a video signal processing circuit 23, where a standard video signal is generated and output to the TV monitor 6. An endoscopic image is displayed on the screen of the TV monitor 6.

Now, if the gravity direction detector 26 is fixed to the endoscope tip 11 as shown in FIG. The conductive liquid 28 pools as shown due to gravity. Then, counter electrodes 31A, 31B, 31D except counter electrode 31G
, 31E, and 31F are immersed in the conductive liquid 28, so that their counter electrodes 31 are in a conductive state. By entering this conductive state, the resistors 33A, 33B, excluding the resistor 33G,
A current flows through each of 33D, 33E, and 33F, and due to the current drop, the inverter 34 except the inverter 34C
A, 34B, 34D, 34E.

Since the input of 34F is at L level, the output for the human power is at low level and is input to the arithmetic circuit 36. In this case, input terminals A and B of the performance circuit 36.

Among the input terminals C, D, E, and F in Table 1, only input terminal C is at L level and the rest are at low level. The arithmetic circuit 36 includes a conversion circuit as shown in Table 1, and as shown in FIG. 8(a), the light emitting diode (hereinafter abbreviated as ED) 3 of the indicator 7
8D flashes. The blinking LED 38D allows the subject to clearly know the gravitational direction of the image of the wedding gift 1 displayed on the TV monitor 6 even if the gravitational direction changes three-dimensionally.

In the case of FIG. 5, only the counter electrode 31G was insulated, but due to the inclination of the endoscope tip 11, two or more counter electrodes 3
1 may be in an insulated state.

If the endoscope tip 11 faces diagonally upward relative to the ground 35 due to a bending operation or the like, the counter electrodes 31A, 31C
becomes insulated, only the input terminals A and C of the abstraction circuit 36 become L level, and the indicator 7 becomes insulated as shown in FIG. 8(b).
will cause LE038B and LE038D to blink. In this case, it can be seen that the direction of gravity is between the blinking LEDs 38B and 38D. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 8(C), the indicator 7
When the LEDs 38B, 38D, and 38E flash, it can be seen that the direction of gravity is on the surface surrounding the three flashing points.

Since the state of the endoscope tip 11 is displayed on the display panel 37 of the indicator 7, the subject can see that the tip 11 is on the ground 3.
No matter what direction you are facing, horizontal, vertical, diagonal, etc., you can instantly and clearly know the direction of gravity.

In the case of this embodiment, since the indicator 7 is provided separately from the TV monitor 6, the indicator 7 can be composed of six LEDs 38, which has the advantage that it can be manufactured at a very low cost. . Of course, the indicator 7 may be displayed using a liquid crystal TV, color CRT, etc. In this case, various display methods may be used, such as displaying the endoscope tip 11 itself according to the direction of gravity through three-dimensional processing. It can be performed.

Further, in this embodiment, the number of counter electrodes 31 attached to the detector 26 is six, but it is preferable to have seven or more counter electrodes 31 attached to the conductive liquid 28.
By increasing the amount of , it becomes possible to easily know the direction of gravity in more detail.

Further, since the detector 26 of this embodiment detects the movement of the liquid 28, there is no movement of a solid body such as a steel ball, so high precision is not required in manufacturing, and there is no risk of failure.

In addition, by displaying the direction of gravity on the indicator 7 separately from the TV monitor 6 that displays the endoscopic image, the indicator 7 can be
From a simple item like a few E38s to an LCD TV
You can choose from a wide range of options, including color TVs, etc.

In addition, since the endoscopic image is not displayed on the TV monitor 6 with the direction of gravity superimposed, there is no problem that part of the endoscopic image is missing.

Furthermore, in the present invention, the detector 26 does not necessarily need to be placed at the distal end portion 11 of the endoscope; for example, as shown in FIG. It is possible to know the direction of the tip portion 11 in a state where the bending operation of J12 is performed.

Furthermore, the detector 26 in the present invention does not necessarily have to have a spherical shape, but may have a disk shape, for example, as shown in FIG.

In addition, by reversing the logic of the input of the arithmetic circuit 36 or by changing the combination of conversion circuits, the detector 2
It is also possible to reduce the amount of the liquid 28 inside the liquid 28 to 50% or less. In addition, as a device that shares the GND terminal, the detector 2
6 can also be configured.

The present invention also provides an endoscope 2 using a solid-state 1111 element 19.
It can also be applied to fiberscopes using image guides.

9 to 11 relate to the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an endoscope apparatus, FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a TV monitor displaying an endoscopic image, and FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a TV monitor displaying the direction of gravity.

In this embodiment, the gravity direction indicator 7 described in the first embodiment is not provided, and the endoscope image and the gravity direction are alternatively selected and displayed on the TV monitor 6 by switching the changeover switch 41. It is. Incidentally, the same reference numerals are given to the same constituent members as in the first embodiment, and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

The endoscope device 1 of this embodiment includes an endoscope 2, a light source device 3,
It is composed of a control device 42 and a TV monitor 6.

The control device 42 includes a video signal processing circuit 23 and a detection circuit 4.
3 and a changeover switch 41 are provided. Detection circuit 4
3 includes, in addition to the configuration described in the first embodiment, a circuit for generating a standard video signal for displaying the direction of gravity. The video signal indicating the direction of gravity generated by the detection circuit 43 and the internal vision V1. generated by the video signal processing circuit 23. The video signal representing the image is input to the changeover switch 41, and the changeover switch 41 selectively selects one of the video signals and outputs it to the TV monitor 6. There is.

In this embodiment, the electrical signal converted into electricity by the solid-state image sensor 19 is manually inputted to the video processing circuit 23, converted into a standard video signal, and inputted to the changeover switch 41. This video signal is outputted to the TV monitor 6 via the changeover switch 41, and an endoscopic image as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the screen of the TV monitor 6. The gravity direction of this displayed endoscopic image is detected by the gravity direction detector 26, and this signal is sent to the detection circuit 4.
3 is output. The detection circuit 43 detects the direction of gravity as described in the first embodiment, generates a video signal indicating the direction of gravity, and outputs it to the changeover switch 41.

When the operator wants to know the gravity direction of the endoscopic image displayed on the TV monitor 6, the operator switches the changeover switch 41 to the detection circuit 4.
3 side, and an image indicating the direction of gravity is displayed on the screen of the TV monitor 6. In this image, a schematic diagram of the endoscope 112 and the detector 26 is displayed as shown in FIG.
4 (44A.

44B, 44G, 44D, 44E, 44B are collectively referred to as 4.
Set it to 4. >It is shown. If the tip/portion 11 is now facing upward, an indicator 44B indicating the direction of gravity will blink.

In this embodiment, since the endoscopic image and the image indicating the direction of gravity are displayed alternatively by switching the changeover switch 41, a circuit for superimposing the endoscopic image and the image indicating the direction of gravity is required. The video circuit can be simplified without any need for it.

Furthermore, compared to the first embodiment, since the gravity direction indicator 7 is not required, the overall structure of the device can be made smaller.

Other configurations, operations, and effects are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, the present invention allows the gravity direction detector to output three-dimensional information, so that the tip of the endoscope can be oriented in any direction, such as horizontally, vertically, diagonally, etc. with respect to the ground. The operator can also clearly know the direction of gravity.

In addition, by selectively selecting the endoscopic image and the image showing the direction of gravity, there is no need for a superimposition circuit to superimpose the image showing the direction of gravity on the endoscopic image, simplifying the video circuit system. can do.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIGS. 1 to 8 relate to the first embodiment of the present invention.
The figure is an explanatory diagram of the endoscope device, Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram of the gravity direction detection means, Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram of the gravity direction detector, Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram of the detection circuit, and Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram of the gravity direction. An explanatory diagram of the operation of the detector, Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the installation position of the gravity direction detector, Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram of other gravity direction detectors, and Fig. 8 is a display example of the gravity 5 movement indicator. 9 to 11 relate to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the endoscope apparatus.
Fig. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a TV monitor displaying a family congratulation M@, Fig. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a TV monitor displaying the direction of gravity,
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram when the insertion portion is tilted. 1... Endoscopy 11 device 2... Endoscopic pAAs2.
-Light source device 4...Control device 6...TV monitor 7...Gravity direction indicator 23...Video signal processing circuit 24...Detection circuit 26...Gravity direction detector

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] An elongated insertion section having an observation window at its distal end, an imaging means for capturing an image of a subject through the observation window, and an image processing means for converting a signal from the imaging means into a video signal. , gravity direction detection means provided in the insertion section and outputting a signal indicating the direction of gravity in the insertion section; and selection means for selectively selecting the signal indicating the direction of gravity and the video signal and displaying the same on a monitor. An endoscope device comprising: .