JPH05285100A - Endoscope system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an endoscope system which enables the preventing of malfunctioning as caused by X rays. CONSTITUTION:This system has an endoscope apparatus 2, an endoscope device such as electric scalpel 33 applicable together with the endoscope apparatus 2, an X-ray device 3 having an X-ray irradiator 6, a detection means to detect the irradiation state of the X-ray irradiator 6 and a system controller 41 which has a limiting means to limit the operation of the endoscope device based on an output of the detection means.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope provided with means for detecting the irradiation state of an X-ray irradiation means and limiting the operation of an endoscope device during irradiation to prevent malfunction. Regarding the system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, endoscope apparatuses have come to be widely used in the medical field. In addition, the endoscope apparatus may be used together with a treatment endoscope device such as a treatment tool that is used by being inserted into a channel of the endoscope. Further, although the endoscope apparatus can obtain optical information, it may be used together with a device capable of obtaining other information.

Further, the endoscope apparatus is provided with an X-ray apparatus for confirming the position of the distal end side of the endoscope and the position of the treatment tool.
May be used. For example, JP-A-2-68027
The publication discloses a conventional example in which an endoscopic image and an X-ray image are displayed on the same display.

[0004]

The above X-ray apparatus generates electromagnetic noise during X-ray irradiation. Therefore, there is a drawback in that the treatment endoscope device such as an electric scalpel malfunctions due to electromagnetic noise during X-ray irradiation.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope system capable of preventing malfunction due to X-rays.

[0006]

[Means and Actions for Solving the Problems] An endoscope apparatus,
An endoscopic device that can be used together with the endoscopic device, an X-ray device including an X-ray irradiation unit, a detection unit that detects an irradiation state of the X-ray irradiation unit, and an output of the detection unit,
By providing limiting means for limiting the operation of the endoscopic device, the detecting means detects that the X-ray irradiating means is in the irradiation state, and the restricting means may cause malfunction of the endoscopic equipment. Since it limits the malfunction, it can prevent malfunction.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is an overall view showing a configuration of an endoscope system of the first embodiment,
2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the system controller and the like in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the endoscope, and FIG.
6 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the system controller.

As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope X of the first embodiment
The X-ray system 1 is composed of an endoscope apparatus 2 and an X-ray apparatus 3 for confirming the distal end position of the endoscope or the treatment instrument.

The X-ray apparatus 3 includes an X-ray irradiator 6 for irradiating a living body 5 placed on a bed 4 with X-rays, an X-ray imager 7 for picking up an X-ray transmitted through the living body 5, and An X-ray operating device 8 including an X-ray processing circuit for processing a signal from the X-ray imaging device 7, a monitor 9 for displaying a video signal generated by the X-ray operating device 8, and an X-ray operating device 8 First and second XY for moving the X-ray irradiation device 6 and the X-ray imaging device 7 in conjunction with each other by operating the operation panel 8a provided in the
It is composed of stages 11 and 12. The X-ray operating device 8 is isolated from the X-ray irradiation device 6 side by a protective wall 13.

On the other hand, the endoscope apparatus 2 has a built-in electronic endoscope 14 having a built-in image pickup means, and a light source for supplying illumination light to the electronic endoscope 14 and a signal processing means for performing signal processing for the image pickup means. It is composed of a camera control unit (referred to as CCU) 15 and a monitor 16 for displaying a video signal output from the CCU 15.

The electronic endoscope 14 has an elongated insertion portion 17
And an operation portion 18 formed at the rear end of the insertion portion 17,
The universal cable 19 extends from the side of the operation portion 18, and the connector 21 provided at the tip of the universal cable 19 can be connected to the CCU 15.

The operating portion 18 is provided with an angle knob 22. By operating the angle knob 22, the bending portion 24 formed adjacent to the distal end portion 23 of the insertion portion 17 shown in FIG. 3 is bent. It can be operated.

As shown in FIG. 3, the light guide 25 is inserted into the insertion portion 17 and the universal cable 19, and the connector 21 is connected to the CCU 15,
Illumination light from a lamp (not shown) is condensed and supplied to the incident end surface of the light guide 25. This illumination light is the tip 2
The illumination lens 26 is further attached from the emission end face attached to
It is emitted to the front through the.

An objective lens 28 is attached to the tip portion 23, and a CCD 29 is arranged on the focal plane of the objective lens 28, and photoelectric conversion is performed by the CCD 29. This CCD
By applying the drive signal of the drive circuit 31 housed in the distal end portion 23 to 29, the photoelectrically converted signal is input to the signal processing circuit in the CCU 15 and signal-processed to generate a standard video signal. , Is displayed on the monitor 16.

Further, the operation portion 18 is provided with an insertion port 34 through which a treatment instrument such as the electric knife 33 can be inserted, and the electric knife 33 inserted into the insertion port 34 is opened from the tip opening of the channel 35. Can project side. This operation unit 18
Is provided with a freeze switch 37 for performing a freeze. The freeze switch 37 is connected to a contact point of the connector 21 via a signal line, and is connected to the memory controller in the CCU 15 by connecting the connector 21 to the CCU 15, so that an image can be frozen or released.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the CCU 15 is connected to a system controller 41 which performs centralized control.
The system controller 41 includes a keyboard 42, a foot switch 43, an electric knife control device 34 (which controls ON / OFF of the electric knife 33, and has a built-in power supply circuit),
It is connected to the X-ray operating device 8 and the like.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the system controller 41 and the like. The system controller 41 includes a CPU 51 that performs centralized control, an operation panel 52 that inputs commands and the like to the CPU 51, a communication I / F 53,
54 and 55 are built in. The CPU 51 is directly connected to the keyboard 42 and the foot switch 43 for turning ON / OFF the electric knife 33 via an input / output port.

Then, the CPU 51 monitors the levels to these ports. For example, when detecting that the level of the port to which the foot switch 43 is connected changes from “H” to “L”, the electric knife 33 is turned on from off.
When it is determined that the operation (or from ON to OFF) has been performed, the corresponding control command is transmitted. On the other hand, CCU1
5. Communication with the electric knife control device 44 and the X-ray operation device 8
/ F53, 54, 55 are connected respectively.

For example, the CPU 51 uses the communication I / F 53 and R
It is connected to the communication I / F in the CCU 15 via the S-232C cable 56. Further, the CPU 51 is a communication I /
It is connected to the communication I / F in the electric knife control device 44 via the cable 54 of F54 and RS-232C.
Further, the CPU 51 uses the communication I / F 55 and the RS-232C cable 58 to communicate with the communication I / F 5 in the X-ray controller 8.
9 is connected.

On the other hand, the X-ray operation device 8 includes a CPU 61 for controlling each part of the X-ray device, and an irradiation instruction switch 62 for performing a switch operation of an irradiation instruction to the CPU 61.
A signal processing circuit 63 that performs signal processing on an X-ray imaging signal from the X-ray imaging device 7, the communication I / F 59, and a first
And a stage drive circuit 64 that drives the second stages 11 and 12.

The CPU 61 turns on / off the operation of the X-ray irradiation device 6 by operating the irradiation instruction switch 62. The CPU 61 also turns on the operation of the X-ray irradiation device 6.
When / OFF, the corresponding signal is RS-232C
It is transferred to the system controller 41 side via the cable 58.

When a signal is sent from the X-ray operating device 8 side, the system controller 41 writes a flag in a register in the CPU 51 or a memory (not shown) by an X-ray (operating) device side input processing routine as shown in FIG. I do. By writing this flag, the X-ray state flag is set to 1 during irradiation and 0 during stop.

When, for example, the foot switch 43 or the keyboard 42 is operated, processing for preventing malfunction is performed. In the system configuration of this embodiment, the operation signals of the foot switch 43 and the keyboard 42 are most likely to be affected by X-ray irradiation. For example, the foot switch 43
Is a signal whose level changes from “H” to “L” when pressed, and is easily affected by noise. On the other hand, the RS-232C cable 56 and the like are not easily affected by noise.

For this reason, in this embodiment, processing for preventing malfunction and ensuring safety is performed in response to the operation of the foot switch 43 and the keyboard 42 (the operation function such that the malfunction reduces the safety is restricted or prohibited). Set to the state). For example, when the foot switch 43 is operated, the foot switch input processing routine shown in FIG. 4 is performed.

In the foot switch input processing routine, the X-ray apparatus state is first read in step S1. The contents of the X-ray state flag are detected by this reading process. Next, it is determined whether or not the irradiation is being performed in step S2. If it is determined that the irradiation is in progress, step S2 is performed.
As shown in 3, the operation other than the operation of turning off the electric knife is ignored or prohibited. That is, in this case, the electric knife is either switched from ON to OFF or maintained in the OFF state.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the irradiation is not being performed, a control command corresponding to the operation of the foot switch is transmitted as shown in step S4. Further, even when the keyboard 42 is operated, the remote control function is limited in order to ensure safety. For example, when the keyboard 42 is operated to perform a remote operation for sending a command to the X-ray control device 8 side, which greatly increases the X-ray irradiation amount, the flag is set as in the process shown in FIG. A value of 1 will ignore such commands.

According to the first embodiment, the detecting means for detecting the irradiation state of the X-ray is provided, and the remote operation is performed on the basis of the output of the detecting means so that there is a safety problem when a malfunction occurs. Since it is designed to be restricted or prohibited, malfunctions can be prevented and safety can be reliably ensured.

In the first embodiment, the X-ray device 3 side may be limited in function or the like to the components that may malfunction due to X-ray irradiation or to signals.

FIG. 5 shows a part of the endoscope / X-ray system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, an X-ray irradiation mechanism that irradiates X-rays is provided so as not to affect imaging.
The electronic endoscope 101 of this embodiment has, for example, a frame-sequential image pickup means built therein, and has almost the same configuration as the electronic endoscope 14 shown in FIG. 3, and the same components are designated by the same reference numerals. is there. The electronic endoscope 101 in this embodiment does not include the drive circuit 31, for example, but is driven by the drive circuit 31 incorporated in the CCU 102.

As shown in FIG. 5, a field-sequential light source device 103 incorporated in the CCU 102 supplies field-sequential illumination light to the incident end surface of the light guide 25 of the electronic endoscope 101. That is, the white light of the lamp 104 is made into a parallel beam by the lens 105, and then is irradiated on the rotary filter 107 that is rotationally driven by the motor 106.

The rotary filter 107 has a fan shape in the circumferential direction, and the color transmission filter 10 transmits red, green and blue respectively.
8, 109 and 110 are attached, and the light passing through the rotary filter 107 becomes red, green, and blue frame sequential light,
Further, the light is condensed by the lens 111, and this field sequential light is supplied to the incident end surface of the light guide 25.

The motor 106 has a constant rotation speed (for example, 30 rps) by a (motor) servo circuit 112.
Is controlled so that Illumination in this case is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6B, the CCD 29 reads the signal during the light-shielding period between the illumination periods, that is, C
A drive signal is applied to the CD 29.

On the other hand, the X-ray irradiator 115 is the X-ray irradiator 1
A shielding filter 118 made of lead, which is rotationally driven by a motor 117, is arranged in front of 16. The shielding filter 118 is formed by cutting out a disk shape into a fan shape and opening 1
19 is provided, and this opening 119 is used for the X-ray irradiation tube 116.
When it is located in front of, the thickness of lead is set so that X-rays are radiated forward through the opening 119 and X-rays can be shielded except the opening 119.

The motor 117 has the servo circuit 112.
Controls the rotation speed and phase. That is, FIG.
As shown in (c), the X-ray irradiation timing is synchronized with the illumination period (that is, the imaging period), and the X-ray irradiation is not performed during the reading period. Therefore, even if electromagnetic noise is generated when X-ray irradiation is performed, reading is not performed, and therefore the output signal of the CCD 29 is hardly affected.

That is, according to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the noise based on X-rays from being mixed in the endoscopic image picked up by the electronic endoscope 101, so that the image quality of the endoscopic image is deteriorated. It can be effectively prevented.

In this embodiment, the field-sequential illumination and imaging method is used, but the simultaneous method can also be applied in the same manner as follows. For example, instead of constantly reading the signal imaged (photoelectrically converted) from the CCD, a reading period for high-speed reading is provided, a period for not reading is provided, and X-ray irradiation is performed during the period for not reading. You should do it.

FIG. 7 shows an endoscope / X-ray system 71 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The endoscope / X-ray system 71 includes an endoscope device 72 and an X-ray device 73 for confirming the position of the endoscope tip or the tip of the treatment tool.

The X-ray device 73 includes an X-ray irradiator 76 for irradiating the living body 75 placed on the bed 74 with X-rays, an X-ray imager 77 for imaging the X-rays transmitted through the living body 75, and
An X-ray control device 78 incorporating an X-ray processing circuit for processing the signal from the X-ray imaging device 77, a monitor 79 for displaying the video signal generated by the X-ray control device 78, and a display on the monitor 79. The recording device 80 records the X-ray fluoroscopic image.

On the other hand, the endoscope device 72 has a built-in electronic endoscope 84 having a built-in image pickup means and a light source for supplying illumination light to the electronic endoscope 84, and centrally controls each part constituting the endoscope device. Central control unit 85, a signal processing circuit 86 connected via the central control unit 85, and the signal processing circuit 8
6, a monitor 87 connected via the central control unit 85 and displaying a video signal output from the signal processing circuit 86;
It is composed of a central controller 85 and a recording device 88 connected thereto. The CCD signal line of the electronic endoscope 84 is connected to the signal processing circuit 86 through the central controller 85.
The function of the signal processing circuit 86 may be incorporated in the central controller 85.

In this embodiment, the central controller 85 is connected to each of the constituent elements of the endoscope apparatus 72 and controls them centrally. A keyboard 89 is connected to the central control unit 85, and by operating the keyboard 89, commands and the like can be input to the central control unit 85.

The central control unit 85 is the X-ray unit 73.
Is also connected to the X-ray controller 78 for centrally controlling the constituent elements of the controller via a cable 90 such as RS-232C, and from one controller 85 (or 78) to the other controller 78 (or 85). By sending a control signal, the operation of the other device 73 (or 72) can be centrally controlled. The central controller 85 and the X-ray controller 78 are composed of a CPU and the like.

The structure of the electronic endoscope 84 is shown in FIG.
This electronic endoscope 84 is provided with a release switch 36 and multi-switches 91 and 92 on the operation unit 18 of the electronic endoscope 14 shown in FIG. One multi switch 91
Has a function of setting the X-ray device 73 to an operating state or stopping the operation (that is, equivalent to a power switch of the X-ray device 73).

The other multi-switch 92 has a function of turning on / off the operation of the recording apparatus 80, for example. When the multi-switches 91 and 92 are operated, these functions are detected by the central control unit 85, and the corresponding control signals are output.
Transfer to the X-ray controller 78, and X
The power switch of the line device 73 is turned on / off.

These multi-switches 91 and 92 can be set to other functions by registering the function of the switch using the keyboard 89 connected to the central control unit 85, for example. When this registration is performed, the function is stored in a memory (not shown) in the central controller 85,
When the multi-switches 91, 92 are operated, a CPU (not shown) in the central control unit 85 refers to the contents of the memory and generates a corresponding control command. The control command corresponding to the registered function may be stored, and the CPU may directly generate the control command corresponding to the function of the switch by reading the contents of the memory.

According to this embodiment, the operator operating the endoscope device 72 operates the multi-switch 91 provided on the operation portion 18 of the electronic endoscope 84, so that the central controller 85, the X-tip. The power switch of the X-ray device 73 can be turned on / off via the control device 78, and when turned on, X
Allows observation of X-ray images and irradiation of X-rays
It can be FF. That is, the operator who operates the endoscope device 72 can easily observe the X-ray image.

Conventionally, the control unit of the X-ray device is installed at a place away from the bed, and therefore, the X-ray irradiation is performed at a place remote to the operator who operates the endoscope device 72. You have to go, or you need someone to operate the X-ray irradiation. On the other hand, according to this embodiment, the X-ray image can be easily observed by a simple operation without going to a distant place.

Further, by inputting a control command from the keyboard 89, the X-ray irradiator 7 is connected to the X-ray controller 78 side.
6 and the X-ray imaging device 77 are attached to the moving stage (not shown) to change the irradiation position of the X-ray.

The power switch of the X-ray device 73 is turned on / off.
A foot switch may be provided instead of the multi-switch 91 for turning off, or a foot switch for turning on / off other functions may be provided in addition to the multi-switches 91 and 92. Further, the multi-switch 91 for turning on / off the power switch of the X-ray device 73 and the like may be provided near the operator who operates the endoscope, such as the front panel of the central controller 85. This is convenient because the operator can operate nearby without moving much.

The central control unit 85 has, for example, the function of the light source unit in the configuration of the system controller 41 shown in FIG.
It may be configured by one having a processing function for the multi-switches 91 and 92, and detects (determines) whether or not X-rays are being emitted. On the other hand, the operation may be prohibited.

FIG. 9 shows an endoscope / X-ray system 71 'according to a modification of the third embodiment. This modification is the endoscope X of FIG.
In the X-ray system 71, the X-ray device 73 to the monitor 79
The X-ray device 73 'does not have the recording device 80.
The central control unit 85 is connected to the X-ray control unit 78 via a communication cable 90 and also connected to a signal transmission cable 90 'so that an X-ray image can be displayed on the monitor 87. Further, an X-ray image can also be recorded in the recording device 88. Other configurations are similar to those shown in FIG. 7.

The above-mentioned embodiments may be partially combined to form different embodiments.

[0052]

As described above, according to the present invention, an endoscopic device, an endoscopic device usable with the endoscopic device, an X-ray device having an X-ray irradiating means, and Since the detecting means for detecting the irradiation state of the X-ray irradiating means and the limiting means for restricting the operation of the endoscope apparatus based on the output of the detecting means are provided, the X-ray irradiating means is in the irradiation state. The detecting means detects this, and the limiting means limits the operation of the endoscopic device which may cause a malfunction, so that the malfunction can be prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall view showing a configuration of an endoscope system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a system controller and the like.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the system controller.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing a part of an endoscope / X-ray system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram of the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing an endoscope / X-ray system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of an electronic endoscope.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram showing an endoscope / X-ray system of a modified example of the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope / X-ray system 2 ... Endoscope device 3 ... X-ray device 4 ... Bed 5 ... Living body 6 ... X-ray irradiation device 7 ... X-ray imaging device 8 ... X-ray operation device 9 ... Monitor 11 ... 1 XY stage 12 ... 2nd XY stage 13 ... Protective wall 14 ... Electronic endoscope 15 ... CCU 16 ... Monitor 22 ... Angle knob 25 ... Light guide 28 ... Objective lens 29 ... CCD 31 ... Drive circuit 33 ... Electric knife 34 ... Insertion port 35 ... Channel 41 ... System controller 42 ... Keyboard 51, 61 ... CPU 53, 54, 55 ... Communication I / F

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Masahito Goto 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yudai Nakagawa 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Akihiro Miyashita 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shinji Yamashita 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Akira Murata 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Akifumi Ishikawa 2-43 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An endoscopic device, an endoscopic device usable with the endoscopic device, an X-ray device having an X-ray irradiating means, and detection for detecting an irradiation state of the X-ray irradiating means. An endoscope system comprising: means and a limiting means for limiting the operation of the endoscope device based on the output of the detecting means.