JPH07181400A - Light source device for endoscopic observation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a contact failure from being caused in the contact part between an endoscope and a light source device by fixing a unit including at least the contact member of the light source device in the state movable to the box body of the light source device. CONSTITUTION:The illuminating light emitted from a lamp 3 illuminates a body internal part 18 from the top end of an endoscope 3, and the image of the body internal part 18 is caught by a CCD 5, and transmitted as an electric signal to the EE circuit 6 of a camera control unit 2. The information related to brightness processed in the EE circuit 6 is again passed through the endoscope 3 as electric signal, and sent from the contact pin 12 of a connector 11 to the dimming circuit 9 of a light source device 1 through the contact panel 14 of the socket 13 of the light source device 1. The endoscope 3 is twisted or pulled for internal insertion. Although the connector 11 of the endoscope 3 is thus oscillated at that time, the socket 31 of the light source device 1 to which the connector 11 is installed is oscillated together with the connector 11 because it is also fixed to a box body 16 through an elastic member 15.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a light source device for an endoscope observation system in which an electric connection between the endoscope and the light source device in the endoscope observation system is improved.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an endoscope observation system includes an endoscope for observing the inside of a body, a light source device for supplying observation light to an endoscope body, and a camera control unit for converting an observation image inside the body into a video signal. , An observation image display monitor,
The light source device, endoscope and camera control unit
They are electrically connected and exchange electric signals. In particular, between the endoscope and the light source device, the contact pin of the connector of the endoscope and the contact spring of the socket of the light source device are brought into contact with each other to establish conduction.

[0003]

By the way, since endoscopes are highly demanded for disinfection and sterilization, they are often washed in their entirety including the contact pins of the connector. Although metal such as SUS having a high corrosion resistance is used for the contact pins of the connector, it is inevitable that the oxide film becomes thick during the round washing. Further, since the endoscope is twisted or pulled for insertion into the body, slight sliding occurs between the contact spring of the socket of the light source device and the contact pin of the endoscope connector. In such an electrical contact by the contact between the contact pin and the contact spring, if slight sliding is applied to the oxide film formed on the contact pin, deposition of an insulator such as oxide locally increases at the contact portion, It caused poor contact. If a contact failure occurs in the socket of the light source device, the brightness of the light source device cannot be adjusted accurately, and an observation image of appropriate brightness cannot be displayed on the monitor.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems in the conventional endoscope observation system. Even if a twist or pull is applied, a contact failure occurs between the endoscope and the light source device. It is an object of the present invention to provide a light source device for an endoscope observation system that does not include the light source.

[0005]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an endoscope for observing the inside of the body, a light source device for supplying observation light to the endoscope body, and an observation image of the inside of the body. It consists of a camera control unit that converts the image signal into a video signal and an observation image display monitor. The brightness information of the observation image inside the body enters the light source device from the camera control unit via the endoscope as an electric signal In the endoscope observation system configured to adjust the above, the unit including at least the contact member of the light source device corresponding to the connector of the endoscope is movably fixed to the housing of the light source device.

With such a structure, when the endoscope is twisted or pulled, the unit including the contact member of the light source device vibrates slightly, and the connector of the endoscope and the contact member of the light source device are separated from each other. Fine sliding does not occur at the contact points of the units that include it. Since fine sliding does not occur at the contact portion in this way, even if the contact pin of the connector of the endoscope is made of highly corrosion-resistant metal, poor conduction does not occur,
This fact has been confirmed by experiments.

[0007]

EXAMPLES Next, examples will be described. [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the entire endoscope observation system, and FIG. 2 is a first view of a light source device according to the present invention.
It is a figure which shows the principal part of an Example. In FIG. 1, 1 is a light source device, 2 is a camera control unit, 3 is an endoscope,
Reference numeral 10 denotes a monitor, and these devices constitute an endoscope observation system. In the light source device 1, a lamp 4 for making illumination light incident on the endoscope 3, a diaphragm 7 for adjusting the illumination light of the lamp 4, a diaphragm motor 8 for driving the diaphragm 7, and a dimming circuit 9 for controlling the diaphragm motor 8 are provided. Is provided. A CCD 5 is provided at the tip of the endoscope 3, and an EE circuit 6 for processing an electric signal of the CCD 5 is provided in the camera control unit 2.
Is provided. And the monitor 10 that displays the image of the CCD 5
Is connected to the camera control unit 2.
In FIG. 2, 11 is a connector of the endoscope 3 and
A contact pin 12 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of 11. Reference numeral 13 is a socket of the light source device 1, and the socket 13 has an endoscope connector.
A contact spring 14 is provided at a position corresponding to the contact pin 12 of 11. The socket 13 is fixed to the housing 16 of the light source device via the elastic member 15. In FIG. 2, 17 indicates an optical unit.

Next, the operations of the endoscope observation system and the light source device configured as described above will be described. The illumination light emitted from the lamp 4 is emitted from the tip of the endoscope 3 into the body 18
The image of the body 18 is captured by the CCD 5 and sent as an electric signal to the EE circuit 6 of the camera control unit 2. The information on the brightness processed by the EE circuit 6 is
The electric signal again passes through the endoscope 3 and enters the light control circuit 9 of the light source device 1 from the contact pin 12 of the connector 11 through the contact spring 14 of the socket 13 of the light source device 1. In response to this, the dimming circuit 9 moves the diaphragm motor 8 so that the light quantity is controlled to an appropriate quantity, and puts the diaphragm 7 in the optical path of the illumination light. As a result, even if the brightness of the image in the body captured by the CCD 5 changes, the light amount is always controlled to an appropriate amount by the same operation as described above. The electric signals other than the brightness information that have entered the EE circuit 6 are processed by the camera control unit 2 and are monitored.
It is always projected in 10 with the proper amount of light.

By the way, during actual use, the endoscope 3 is twisted or pulled by an operator for insertion into the body. As a result, at this time, the connector 11 of the endoscope 3 rocks, but the socket 13 of the light source device 1 in which the connector 11 is mounted is also fixed to the housing 16 via the elastic member 15. In order to swing with the connector 11. Therefore, the contact pin 12 of the connector 11 and the socket 13
Fine sliding does not occur between the contact springs 14 and the occurrence of contact failure can be effectively prevented.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a main part of the second embodiment. In this embodiment, not only the socket 13 of the light source device 1 but also the optical unit 17 is simultaneously fixed to the housing 16 via the elastic member 15. In FIG. 3, 19 is a support plate that integrally supports the socket 13 and the optical unit 17.

Also in the second embodiment thus constructed, when the connector of the endoscope is swung, the socket 13 and the optical unit 17 are swung together with the swing of the connector, so that the contact pin of the connector is Fine sliding between the socket and the contact spring is prevented, and contact failure is prevented.

[Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a main part of the third embodiment. In this embodiment, not only the socket 13 of the light source device 1 but also the optical unit 17 and the lamp unit 20 are simultaneously fixed to the housing 16 via the elastic member 15.

Also in the third embodiment constructed as described above, when the connector of the endoscope swings, the socket 13, the optical unit 17, and the lamp unit 20 are synchronized with the swing.
Swings together. Therefore, similar to each of the above-described embodiments, the occurrence of poor contact is prevented. Further, this embodiment has an advantage that the positional relationship among the socket 13, the optical unit 17, and the lamp unit 20 of the light source device 1 does not occur even if the connector swings.

[Fourth Embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a main part of the fourth embodiment. In this embodiment, the socket 13 of the light source device 1 is
21 and a contact spring unit 22 to which a contact spring 14 is fixed.The contact spring unit 22 is pivotally attached to the socket body 21, and the socket body 21 is directly fixed to the housing 16. It is composed.

In the fourth embodiment thus constructed, the socket is moved as the connector of the endoscope swings.
The 13 contact spring units 22 follow and swing. Therefore, fine sliding does not occur between the contact pin of the endoscope connector and the contact spring of the socket, and the occurrence of poor contact is avoided.

[Fifth Embodiment] Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a main part of the fifth embodiment. In this embodiment, similarly to the fourth embodiment, the socket 13 of the light source device 1 is composed of the socket body 21 and the contact spring unit 22 to which the contact spring 14 is fixed, and the contact spring unit 22 is attached to the socket body 21. In contrast, the spring elastic member 23 is used for fixing.

In the fifth embodiment thus constructed, as in the fourth embodiment, as the connector of the endoscope swings, the contact spring unit 22 of the socket 13 follows and swings. Therefore, fine sliding does not occur between the contact pin of the endoscope connector and the contact spring of the socket, and the occurrence of poor contact is avoided.

Next, another configuration example applicable to the light source device of the endoscope observation system according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a partial cross section of the configuration example, and FIG. 8 is a top view thereof. In both figures, 31 is a heat sink, and the emitted light from the Xe lamp 32 fixed to the heat sink 31 is cut in the infrared region by a robon filter 33, condensed by a condenser lens 34, and connected to a socket 35. The light is incident on the fiber end face of the endoscope connector. A light blocking plate 36 is connected to the socket 35.When the endoscope connector is pulled out, the light blocking plate 36 is closed to block the light path so that light does not leak, and when the connector is inserted, the connector insertion section The light shielding plate 36 is pushed up to secure an optical path to the end face of the connector. Further, the socket 35 is fixed to a heat absorbing plate 37 made of a material having good heat conductivity, and the heat absorbing plate 37 is coupled to a heat radiating plate 38 provided with heat radiating fins 39 arranged outside the housing. This endothermic plate
37 is arranged so as to surround the light emitted from the Xe lamp,
The scattered light is efficiently absorbed and irradiation of the scattered light to other members is prevented. The lamp house 40 is formed of a heat resistant insulating member and surrounds the Xe lamp 32 and the heat sink 31. The Xe lamp 32 and the heat sink 31 are air-cooled by the fan 43. Also, a shield case is provided on the outer periphery of the lamp house 40.
41 is arranged, and the shield case 41 is a Xe lamp 32.
Xe lamp 32 while shielding the radiation noise generated
It holds a robon filter 33 that cuts out the infrared region of the emitted light.

In such a structure, the Lobon filter
The light emitted from the Xe lamp 32 that has passed through 33 is condensed on the end face of the endoscope connector by the condensing lens 34 as described above, but each member in the housing, such as the substrate, is reflected by the lens surface or the like. 42 causes temperature rise inside each member and housing, but each member exposed to scattered light inside has a coating with a high reflection coefficient, and can be made of a member with good heat conduction fixing the socket 35, for example. The heat absorbing plate 37 having a low reflection coefficient is coated so that the scattered light is positively absorbed, and the heat generated by the heat absorbing plate 37 is radiated by the heat radiating plate 38 thermally coupled to the heat absorbing plate 37. Heat is radiated to the outside through the fin 39.

As described above, by applying this configuration to the light source device, the scattered light from the Xe lamp and the light emitted from the Xe lamp with the endoscope connector removed are positively absorbed, The generated light can be positively radiated to the outside of the housing by changing the light into heat, and the temperature inside the housing can be effectively increased even if the space is saved.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a modification of the configuration example shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In this modification, the heat absorbing plate 37 and the heat radiating plate 38 provided outside the housing are coupled via a heat pipe 45, and heat transfer from the heat absorbing plate 37 to the heat radiating plate 38 is performed by the heat pipe 45.
It is intended to be actively done through.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another modification of the configuration example shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In this modification, a Peltier element 46 is coupled to one end of the heat absorbing plate 37, a DC voltage is applied to the Peltier element 46 to cool the contact surface side with the heat absorbing plate 37, and the heat radiation on the opposite side, that is, outside the housing, is performed. Heats the fin 39 side, heat absorption plate
The heat absorbed in 37 is transferred through the Peltier element 46,
The transferred heat is effectively dissipated to the outside of the housing by the heat dissipating fins 39.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing still another modification of the configuration example shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, and FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the heat absorbing plate. In this modification, a plurality of ventilation holes 48 are provided in the lower part of the heat absorbing plate 47, a fan 49 is arranged below the lower part of the heat absorbing plate 47, and the ventilation holes 48 of the heat absorbing plate 47 are ventilated by the fan 49. The heat absorbing plate 47 is effectively cooled. In FIG. 11, reference numeral 50 is an exhaust duct provided in a housing portion in which the fan 49 is arranged.

Next, an example of the structure applicable to the connection portion between the socket and the connector of the endoscope in the light source device of the endoscope observation system according to the present invention will be described. 13 (A),
(B) shows the connector portion of the endoscope, and FIG. 14 shows the socket portion of the light source device. The connector 51 of the endoscope is provided with a plurality of contact pins 53 that are movable in the radial direction with respect to the connector body 52, and one hole 54 is formed in the central portion of the connector body 52. . And contact pins
The elastic member 55 is urged toward the center of the connector main body 52, a part of its tip is located in one hole 54, and its rear end is located near the outer peripheral surface of the connector main body 52. On the other hand, in the socket 61 of the light source device, one portion 62 which is inserted into one hole 54 of the connector 51 and drives the contact pin 53.
Is provided facing the connector side. Two parts 62
The tip is tapered and the socket
The 61 has a contact spring 63 at a position corresponding to the contact pin 53 of the connector 51.

At the connecting portion between the endoscope and the light source device having such a structure, when the endoscope is mounted on the light source device, the connector 51 of the endoscope is connected to the socket 61 of the light source device. The one portion 62 of the socket 61 is inserted into the one hole 54 of the connector 51 and presses the tip portion located in the one hole portion of the contact pin 53. Since the tips of the two parts 62 are tapered, the contact pins 53 are pushed out toward the outer periphery of the connector body 52, and the pushed contact pins 53 come into contact with the contact spring 63 of the socket 61 to measure the necessary conduction. To be

With this configuration, when the connector and the socket are attached and detached, the contact pin and the contact spring are not in contact with each other at the beginning, but the contact gradually starts with the mounting, and a high contact pressure is obtained when the mounting is completed. There is an advantage that it can be attached and detached with a light force for the contact pressure finally obtained.

[0027]

As described above on the basis of the embodiments,
According to the present invention, since fine sliding does not occur at the contact portion between the endoscope and the light source device, conduction failure can be effectively prevented. Further, since the force due to the twisting or pulling of the endoscope is absorbed by the movable fixed portion, it is possible to reduce damage to the connector of the endoscope.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of an endoscope observation system.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a main part of a first embodiment of the light source device of the endoscope observation system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a main part of a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a main part of a third embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a main part of a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a main part of a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration example applicable to a light source device of the endoscope observation system according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the configuration example shown in FIG.

9 is a diagram showing a modified example of the configuration example shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another modification of the configuration example shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

11 is a diagram showing still another modified example of the configuration example shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a heat absorbing plate in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a connector of an endoscope having a configuration example applicable to a connection portion between a light source device and an endoscope of a light source device of an endoscope observation system according to the present invention.

14 is a diagram showing a socket of a light source device corresponding to the connector shown in FIG. 13.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 light source device 2 camera control 3 endoscope 4 lamp 5 CCD 6 EE circuit 7 diaphragm 8 diaphragm motor 9 dimming circuit 10 monitor 11 connector 12 contact pin 13 socket 14 contact spring 15 elastic member 16 housing 17 optical unit 18 in-body 19 Support plate 20 Lamp unit 21 Socket body 22 Contact spring unit 23 Elastic member for spring

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An endoscope for observing the inside of the body, a light source device for supplying observation light to the endoscope body, a camera control unit for converting an observation image of the inside of the body into a video signal, and an observation image display monitor, In the endoscope observation system, the brightness information of the observation image inside the body enters the light source device through the endoscope as an electric signal from the camera control unit, and the light amount of the light source device is adjusted. A unit including at least a contact member of a light source device corresponding to
A light source device, which is movably fixed to a housing of the light source device.