JPH04338446A - Narrow location insertion type observer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain an image signal of high quality with a small and simple construction by arranging an image pickup means drive circuit to read an image signal for driving and a synchronous circuit to generate a synchronous signal necessary for an image signal processing circuit for processing the image signal. CONSTITUTION:A inserting part 3 is inserted into a part to be observed with a cord of a monitor device 10 connected to a connection connector 11 while a battery 12 is assembled into a body section 2. An image pickup means 5 is exposed to light to convert an image of an object into an electrical signal and a reading/driving signal is applied to the image pickup means 5 through a signal cable 6 from a image pickup means driving circuit 7. As a result, a signal charge accumulated in the image pickup means is read out and an output signal thereof is transmitted to an image signal processing circuit 8 composing a processor through the signal cable 6 to generates a composite image signal. Then, an image is transmitted to the monitor device 10 with the cord 10a to be displayed.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Industrial Application Field] The present invention is designed to be inserted into a narrow space such as a narrow passage, such as inside a human body or other body cavity or inside a mechanical device, and to obtain information regarding an image of a subject in this narrow space or deep inside the narrow passage. The present invention relates to an observation device that can be inserted into a narrow space, which converts the electrical signal into an electrical signal, transmits it to the outside, processes the signal, and displays the signal on a monitor device for observation.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Medical and industrial endoscopes are examples of observation devices that can be inserted into narrow spaces. The endoscope has a main body operating section connected to an insertion section inserted into a body cavity or the like, and this main body operating section is connected to a light source device equipped with an illumination lamp via a universal cord. Further, in order to illuminate the inside of a body cavity or the like, the endoscope is provided with a light guide made of an optical fiber bundle having an output end facing the distal end of the insertion section and an input end on the connector side of the universal cord. . There are two types of endoscopes as observation systems: optical endoscopes and electronic endoscopes.When configured as an electronic endoscope, the endoscope is attached to the observation window at the tip of the insertion section. An imaging means equipped with a CCD or other solid-state imaging device is disposed at the imaging position of the objective lens, and this imaging means converts information regarding the subject image into an electrical signal and transmits it to a processor. By processing the NTSC and other composite video signals, this is displayed on a monitor device. Here, the processor is a separate device from the endoscope, and is installed at an appropriate location along with a light source device, monitor device, etc., and the signal cable from the imaging means is connected to the insertion section along with the light guide to operate the main body. The universal cord is inserted through the universal cord, and the tip of the universal cord is branched so that one end is connected to the light source device and the other end is removably connected to the processor.

0003

However, as described above, if the processor is provided separately from the endoscope, there is a problem that the overall structure of the object observation system becomes complicated and large. Further, a signal cable is used to electrically connect the image pickup means to the processor, and a drive signal to the image pickup means is transmitted via the signal cable, and a video signal from the image pickup means is transmitted to the processor. However, as the total length of the signal cable increases, the signal deteriorates and the risk of noise intrusion increases. Additionally, multiple endoscopes are usually connected to the processor;
There may be discrepancies in image quality characteristics between the imaging means in each endoscope and the video signal processing means in the processor, and depending on the endoscope connected to the processor, it may not always be possible to obtain high-quality images. Furthermore, variations in image quality also occur. Therefore, in terms of image quality, it is preferable to provide a dedicated processor for each endoscope and adjust the processor according to its imaging means. Therefore, the installation space becomes extremely large.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks and problems of the prior art, and its purpose is to obtain high-quality video signals with a small and simple configuration. The object of the present invention is to provide an observation device that can be inserted into narrow spaces.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a main body with an insertion portion that is inserted into a narrow place such as a passage narrower than the main body, and the insertion portion An imaging means is provided at the distal end of the main body, and the main body includes an imaging means driving circuit for driving the imaging means, a video signal processing means for processing signals from the imaging means, and a synchronization circuit.
The present invention is characterized in that a connector for connection to a monitor device for displaying an image of a subject obtained by the imaging means is provided.

[0006]

[Operation] Here, the narrow space insertion type observation device to which the present invention is directed is equipped with an insertion section that can be inserted into a passage narrower than the main body, and the main body operation section has an insertion section that can be inserted into a body cavity. The concept includes an endoscope that has an insertion section that is inserted into a mechanical device or the like. However, since endoscopes are inserted into body cavities or other dark places, they are equipped with illumination means for illuminating the subject, and the information acquired is generally an optical image of the subject. The apparatus does not require that the subject be illuminated or that the information acquired be an optical image. For example, when illumination light is obtained from a source other than the observation device, when an infrared image is taken that is an invisible image and there is no need to provide illumination at all, or when an endoscope or other equipment is used separately. In cases where illumination can be performed by an illumination light irradiation means, it is not necessary to provide the observation device itself with an illumination means. The point is that it is a device that can be inserted into narrow passages or other narrow places into which the main body cannot be inserted, and used to observe the insertion passage itself or the inner part thereof.

[0007]The essential components of this observation device include an imaging means for photoelectrically converting information regarding an image of a subject, and a video signal processing means and an imaging means for processing a video signal from this imaging means. an image sensor drive circuit that drives and controls signal readout, and a synchronization circuit that generates a reference frequency signal, horizontal synchronization signal, vertical synchronization signal, etc. for controlling the operation of the video signal processing means and the image sensor drive circuit. It is equipped with This observation device itself is a device for taking an image of a subject, and is used to observe the subject by inserting it into a narrow space where the main body cannot be inserted. Therefore, the length of the insertion portion may be determined according to the insertion path to be observed.

[0008] Here, since the length of the signal cable only needs to be the length corresponding to the distance between the tip of the insertion section to which the imaging means is attached and the main body, the signal cable can be connected via the universal cord. Compared to conventional electronic endoscopes, etc., which have a signal cable connected to the processor, the length of the signal cable can be reduced to about half or less, minimizing signal deterioration and noise contamination. Can be suppressed. Furthermore, since there is no need to provide a separate processor and connect it to it, the entire observation system can be made smaller and more compact. Therefore, when this observation device is configured as an electronic endoscope, it is possible to save space, which is advantageous for use in places where space is limited, such as in a hospital examination room. . Moreover, since the imaging means and processor are integrated, the characteristics of the various processing circuits that make up the processor can be adjusted according to the characteristics of the imaging means, so that video signals with the best image quality can always be obtained. You will be able to obtain

[0009]

Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be explained based on the drawings. First, FIG. 1 shows the basic configuration of the observation device of the present invention. In the figure, 1 indicates an observation device, and this observation device 1
is composed of a main body part 2 and an insertion part 3, and the insertion part 3
is made of a small-diameter soft member, and an observation window is provided at its tip 3a, and an objective lens 4 is attached to this observation window. An imaging means 5 made of a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD is mounted at the imaging position of the objective lens 4. A signal cable 6 connected to the imaging means 5 extends from the insertion section 3 to the main body section 2.

The main body 2 is provided with an image pickup means drive circuit 7 for driving the image pickup means 5 to read out video signals. Further, a video signal processing circuit 8 for processing the video signal acquired by the imaging means 5 is provided, and a synchronization circuit for generating a synchronization signal necessary for the imaging means driving circuit 7 and the video signal processing circuit 8. 9 is provided. Then, it is processed by the video signal processing circuit 8,
A connector 11 is provided for connecting a cord 10a of a monitor device 10 externally provided with a composite video signal such as NTSC. Reference numeral 12 denotes a battery, which is removably installed within the main body 2 and supplies power to the image pickup means drive circuit 7, video signal processing circuit 8, and synchronization circuit 9. And this battery 1
2 can be charged by detaching it from the main body 2.

The present embodiment is constructed as described above, and its operation will be explained next. The battery 12 is assembled into the main body 2 of the observation device 1, and the insertion portion 3 is inserted into a site to be observed with the cord of the monitor device 10 connected to the connector 11. Here, since the insertion portion 3 is made of a small-diameter soft member, it can be smoothly inserted even if the insertion path is narrow or curved. Then, when the distal end 3a of the insertion section 3 reaches the site where a predetermined observation is to be performed (or from the beginning of insertion into the insertion path), the imaging means 5 is exposed to light to convert the image of the subject into an electrical signal. do. Here, the image of the subject may be an optical image or a non-visible image such as an infrared image. Therefore, a readout drive signal is applied from the imaging means driving circuit 7 to the imaging means 5 via the signal cable 6. As a result, the signal charge accumulated in the imaging means 5 is read out, and the output signal is transmitted via the signal cable 6 to the video signal processing circuit 8 that constitutes the processor, and the video signal processing circuit 8 processes the signal. is performed to generate a composite video signal. This composite video signal is then transmitted to the monitor device 10 through the cord 10a connected to the connection connector 11, and the video is displayed on the monitor device 10.

[0012] Here, since the imaging means 5 is provided at the tip of the insertion section 3 that is inserted into the narrow insertion path, it is necessary to make it as small as possible. It is preferable to use a solid-state imaging device, and in order to generate a color image, a color filter may be attached to this solid-state imaging device. Moreover, when photographing under sequential illumination with R, G, and B wavelength light, there is no need to use a color filter. However, in this case, as the video signal processing circuit 7, R, G
, B is required, the configuration of the video signal processing circuit becomes somewhat complicated and power consumption inevitably increases. Furthermore, if there is space in the insertion section 3 to install a color separation means such as a dichroic prism, two plates, three
A plate solid-state imaging device may also be provided.

Since the imaging means driving circuit 7, the video signal processing circuit 8, and the synchronizing circuit 9 are built into the main body 2,
The observation system is composed of two devices, the observation device 1 and the monitor device 10, and when viewed as an entire observation system, the configuration can be extremely simplified and compact. Furthermore, since the object can be observed simply by connecting the main body section 2 to the monitor device 10, its handling becomes extremely simple. The entire length of the signal cable 6 from the imaging means 5 to the imaging means driving circuit 7 that transmits drive signals to the imaging means 5 and the video signal processing circuit 8 that processes signals from the imaging means 5 is substantially Since only the length of the section 3 is required, deterioration of the signal during transmission by the signal cable 6 and mixing of noise can be suppressed to a minimum. Moreover, since the characteristics between the imaging means 5 and the video signal processing circuit 8 can be adjusted in advance,
The image quality of the video displayed on the monitor device 10 can be significantly improved.

Next, FIGS. 2 and 3 show a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the observation device according to the present invention is constructed as an electronic endoscope. In the figure, 20 indicates an endoscope, and this endoscope 20 has an insertion section 22 which is inserted into a body cavity or the like through a main body operation section 21.
As is well known, most of the insertion section 22 from the section connected to the main body operation section 21 is a flexible section, and the tip of this flexible section has an angled section. Furthermore, hard tip portions are sequentially connected to the tip portion of the angle portion. The angle portion can be bent in a desired direction using an angle knob (not shown) provided on the main body operation portion 21. An illumination window and an observation window are formed in the hard tip part, and an illumination lens 23 for diffusing illumination light is attached to the illumination window. An output end 24a of a light guide 24 made of an optical fiber bundle faces out. Further, an objective lens 25 is attached to the observation window, and this objective lens 25 is attached to the observation window.
A CCD 26 as an imaging means is provided at the imaging position 5. Here, from the viewpoint of reducing the diameter of the insertion portion 22, a single-plate solid-state image sensor is used as the CCD 26, and from the viewpoint of simplifying signal processing, the CCD 26 is provided with a color filter array. .

A signal cable 27 is connected to the CCD 26, and the other end of this signal cable 27 is connected to the main body operation section 2.
1 and is transmitted to an analog signal processing circuit 28 constituting the processor. Further, a synchronization signal is inputted to this signal processing circuit 28 from a synchronization circuit 29, and its operation is controlled. Furthermore, this synchronization circuit 29 is also input with a necessary pulse signal to a CCD drive circuit 30, and this CCD drive circuit 30
A read drive signal can be applied to the CCD 26 from the CCD 26. Then, a composite video signal such as NTSC is generated by this signal processing circuit 28,
This composite video signal is connected to a monitor device 31 and can also be connected to an external image memory device 32. Therefore, a connector 33 and a memory connection terminal 34 for connecting to the monitor device 31 are formed in the main body operation section 21. Here, the image memory device 32 includes an A/D converter 32a, a field memory 32b, and a D/A converter 32c.
The output signal from the /A converter 32c can be input to a frozen image display monitor 35. Since this image memory device 32 needs to be synchronized with the processing in the signal processing circuit 28, the image memory device 32
2 is provided with a synchronization circuit 32d that can introduce external synchronization, and this synchronization circuit 32d is necessary for performing digital signal processing based on the synchronization signal from the synchronization circuit 29 built in the main body operation section It is designed to generate a pulse signal. Therefore, in order to introduce this synchronization circuit 29 into the image memory device 32, the main body operation section 21 is provided with a synchronization output terminal 36. A connector 33 and a memory connection terminal 34 are provided for connection to external equipment including the monitor device 31 and image memory device 32 described above.
In order to electrically insulate the synchronous output terminal 36 from these external devices, an isolation element IS made of a transformer, a photocoupler, etc. is provided.

Next, the above-mentioned light guide 24 is used as an illumination means for illuminating the subject, and this light guide 24 is connected to the main body operating section 21 from the insertion section 22 via the main body operating section 21. The light source device 38 is inserted into a universal cord 37 and detachably connected to the light source device 38. This light source device 38 has an illumination lamp 39 that is turned on by connecting an AC power plug 38a to a power source, and the illumination light from this illumination lamp 39 passes through a condenser lens 40 to a light guide 24
The light is made to enter the incident end 24b of the. Then, from this illumination lamp 39, a condenser lens 40
A light amount diaphragm means 41 is provided in the middle of the illumination optical path leading to the illumination light path, and by operating this light amount diaphragm means 41, the amount of illumination light can be adjusted.

Further, the light source device 38 has a built-in rechargeable battery 42, and this battery 42 allows the signal processing circuit 28 built in the main body operation section 21 to be connected to a synchronizing circuit 29, a signal processing circuit 28, This is for supplying power to the synchronous circuit 29 and 30. This battery 42 is charged from the same power source as the lighting lamp 39, and when power is supplied to each of the circuits described above, AC is used.
It is electrically isolated from the power supply. In order to automatically perform this switching, a circuit configuration shown in FIG. 3 is provided. As is clear from the figure, the battery 42
is the AC power supplied from the AC power supply 43,
A rectifier circuit 44 including a rectifier D and a rectifier D converts the current into direct current, which can be stored in the battery 42. Switches 45 and 46 are provided on the charging side and the discharging side of the battery 42, respectively, and the switches 45 and 46 are switched in conjunction with each other by a switch drive circuit 47. This switch drive circuit 47 has a switch 47a that is switched in conjunction with the operation of the illumination lamp 39. When the illumination lamp 39 is in a non-lit state, the switch 47a of the switch drive circuit 47 is held in the OFF state, and this At times, the switch 45 is turned on and the switch 46 is turned off, so that the battery 42 is charged. Further, when the illumination lamp 39 is lit, the switch 47a of the switch circuit 47 is turned on, and the switch 45 is turned off.
The switch 46 is turned on and the battery 42 can be discharged. Here, the power supply 47b in the switch drive circuit 47
The switches 45 and 46 are turned ON and OFF by energizing or cutting off the current to the coils C1 and C2. With this configuration, when the battery 42 is discharged, the battery 42 is turned on and off. 42 is A
Both the C power supply 43 and the switch drive circuit 47 are electrically insulated.

The second embodiment is constructed as described above, and when the light source device 38 is connected to the AC power source 43, the illumination lamp 39 of the light source device 38 is turned off when the endoscope 20 is not in use. Since the light is kept in the off state, the switch 47a of the switch drive circuit 47 is turned OFF.
As a result, switch 45 is turned on and switch 46 is turned off.
F, and the battery 42 is charged. Therefore, when using the endoscope 20, first the illumination lamp 39 of the light source device 38 is turned on. As a result, the switch circuit 4
The switch 47a of No. 7 is switched, and the battery 42 is switched to A.
The connection with the C power source 43 is cut off, and the state becomes ready for discharge.

Then, the insertion section 22 of the endoscope 20 is inserted into the patient's body, but since the light source lamp 39 is lit, it is difficult to guide the insertion section 22 to the site to be observed. By photographing an image of the inside of the body and displaying it on the monitor device 31, the insertion section 22 can be smoothly advanced to the observation target region. An endoscopy is performed by projecting the image of the observation target area on the monitor device 31, and if necessary, forceps or other By inserting the treatment tool, cells can be collected and the affected area can be treated.

[0020]Acquisition of an image of the observation target will now be explained. When the illumination lamp 39 is turned on, the illumination light from this illumination lamp 39 is directed to the light guide 24.
The light is transmitted to illuminate the inside of the body. Then, the reflected light from the subject is imaged on the CCD 26 provided at the imaging position via the objective lens 25, and the CCD 26
is photoelectrically converted. Therefore, by inputting the readout drive signal from the CCD drive circuit 30 to the CCD 26, the signal charge accumulated in the CCD 26 is read out and transmitted to the analog signal processing circuit 28 via the signal cable 27, and is transmitted to the analog signal processing circuit 28 via the signal cable 27. Signal processing is performed to generate a composite video signal. This composite video signal is output to the monitor device 31, and the video of the subject is displayed. In addition, a memory connection terminal 34 and a synchronous output terminal 36
When the image memory device 32 is connected to the image memory device 32, the composite video signal generated by the analog signal processing circuit 28 is captured.If the image freeze device 35 is connected to the image memory device 32, a frozen image can be displayed. Furthermore, if a hard copy device is connected, a hard copy of the image can be created.

[0021] In this way, by incorporating the circuit necessary for generating a composite video signal in the main body operation section 21, the overall configuration of the electronic endoscope system can be made smaller and more compact. , CCD2
Not only can the length of the signal cable 27 from 6 to 6 be significantly shortened, signal deterioration and noise can be minimized, but also analog Since the signal processing circuit 28 and the analog signal processing circuit 28 can generate a composite video signal, the power supplied to the main body operation section 21 can be reduced, and the battery 42 can be used as a power source. However, it can operate for a sufficiently long time.

Moreover, the main body operation section 21 is connected to the monitor device 31.
Since the isolation element IS is provided at the connection connector 33, memory connection terminal 34, and synchronization output terminal 36 for connecting to external devices such as the image memory device 32, etc., The endoscope 20 can be electrically insulated from these external devices. Furthermore, the battery 42 is reliably connected to AC when discharging.
It can be insulated from the power source 43. Therefore, patient safety can be adequately protected. Furthermore, for example, an emitter follower circuit in the analog signal processing circuit 28 (
If an isolation element is also provided on the output side (not shown), patient safety can be further ensured. Note that depending on the part to be observed, it is necessary to adjust the amount of illumination light directed toward the subject, and this adjustment of the amount of illumination light is performed based on a signal in the analog signal processing circuit 28. The exposure time of the CCD 26 may be adjusted using this electronic shutter. However, if adjusting the exposure time using the electronic shutter is insufficient, the light amount diaphragm 41
can be adjusted by manual operation, and the operation of this light amount diaphragm means 41 may be used in combination.

[0023]

Effects of the Invention As explained above, the present invention includes an insertion section that is inserted into a narrow passage or other narrow place, which is connected to the main body, and an imaging means is provided at the distal end of the insertion section. A driving circuit for driving the imaging means, a video signal processing means for processing signals from the imaging means, and a synchronization circuit are built into the main body, and the main body displays an image of the object obtained by the imaging means. Since the configuration includes a connector for connecting to the monitor device, the entire observation system can be made smaller and more compact, and the length of the signal cable can be extremely shortened, reducing signal deterioration and noise contamination. Furthermore, since the imaging means and processor are integrated, the characteristics of the various processing circuits that make up the processor can be adjusted according to the characteristics of the imaging means. By doing so, various effects such as always obtaining a video signal of the best image quality can be achieved.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit configuration diagram of an observation device showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit configuration diagram showing an observation device configured as an electronic endoscope device as a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an operational circuit diagram of the battery of FIG. 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Observation device 2 Main body 3 Insertion part 5 Imaging means 6 Signal cable 7 Imaging means drive circuit 8 Video signal processing circuit 9 Synchronous circuit 10 Monitor device 11 Connector 12 Battery 20 Endoscope 21 Main unit operation section 22 Insertion part 24 Light guide 26 CCD 27 Signal cable 28 Analog signal processing circuit 29 Synchronous circuit 30 CCD drive circuit 31 Monitor device 32 Image memory device 33 Connector 34 Memory connection terminal 36 Synchronous output terminal 38 Light source device 42 Battery

Claims (7)

[Claims] Claim 1: An insertion section is connected to the main body, an imaging means is provided at the distal end of the insertion section, and the main body includes an imaging means driving circuit for driving the imaging means and a circuit for processing signals from the imaging means. An observation device for insertion into a narrow space, characterized in that it has a built-in video signal processing means and a synchronization circuit, and is also provided with a connector for connection to a monitor device for displaying an image of a subject obtained by the imaging means. . 2. The narrow space insertion observation device according to claim 1, wherein the insertion portion is configured to have an illumination light irradiation member for illuminating the subject. 3. The illumination light irradiation member is composed of a light guide made of an optical fiber bundle, and the light guide is detachably connected to the light source device from the main body via a universal cord. Claim 2
The narrow space insertion type observation device described above. 4. The main body includes a memory connection terminal for connecting the video signal processing means to an image memory device, and a memory connection terminal for transmitting a synchronization signal from the synchronization circuit to the synchronization circuit in the image memory device. 2. The narrow space insertion type observation device according to claim 1, further comprising a synchronous output terminal. [Claim 5] A connector for connection to the monitor device;
5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the insertion portion and the main body portion are electrically insulated from external equipment by connecting the insertion portion and the main body portion by interposing isolation means in the memory connection terminal and the synchronization output terminal. Observation device that can be inserted into narrow spaces. 6. The narrow space insertion type observation device according to claim 1, wherein a battery is used as a power source for the imaging means driving circuit, the video signal processing means, and the synchronization circuit. 7. The power source for the image pickup means drive circuit, video signal processing means, and synchronization circuit is a rechargeable battery built into a light source device connected to an AC power source, and when the lamp of the light source device is turned off, the power source is a rechargeable battery. 4. The narrow space insertion type observation device according to claim 3, further comprising a switching means for electrically insulating the lamp from a power source and switching the lamp to a dischargeable state when the lamp is turned on.