JPH08234116A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To prevent the interruption of illumination during the use of an endoscope without entailing a cost increase. CONSTITUTION: A light source device 1 for the endoscope has two pieces of light source lamps 3a, 3b to which electric power is supplied from a power source B. These light source lamps 3a, 3b are lighted on/out simultaneously by a switch 4. The switch 4 is turned on/off according to the operation to start/ stop observation by the endoscope. The illumination light rays from the respective light source lamps 3a, 3b are condensed by respective condenser lenses 5a, 5b and are introduced to the incident ends of light guides 7a, 7b via a half mirror 6 and are integrated to one ray by a light guide 2. The light is simultaneously supplied to the front end of the scope via the light guide 2. A subject is irradiated with the irradiation light from the respective lamps 3a, 3b. Even if one piece of the light source lamp is blown, the illumination light from another light source lamp illuminates the subject and, therefore, the interruption of the illumination by the lamp blow is prevented.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a medical or industrial endoscope, and more particularly, it supplies illumination light to the tip of a scope via a light guide in order to illuminate the subject with illumination light. The present invention relates to a light source device for an endoscope.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In this type of endoscope, a scope is inserted into a dark part (for example, a medical endoscope is inside a patient's body) and observed there. In order to apply the light, a light source device for supplying illumination light to the distal end of the scope via a light guide is provided.

The conventional light source device is usually constructed so that the irradiation light from one light source lamp is condensed and made to enter the light guide entrance end. When the light source lamp is cut off, the power source is once turned off. The light source lamp is being replaced.

[0004]

However, when the lamp burnout occurs during use of the endoscope, the illumination is interrupted and the work using the endoscope is interrupted. This also means that, for example, in a medical endoscope, the illumination is interrupted while the scope is inserted into the patient's body, which may damage the patient's body by injuring the patient's body with the scope tip. There is a particular problem because it will be exposed. Also, when performing treatment while observing the inside of the patient with a treatment device (such as an electric scalpel) attached to the scope (endoscopic treatment), or when performing treatment with another treatment device while observing with the endoscope. In (endoscopic treatment), the illumination is interrupted during the treatment, so the risk to the patient is higher.

In view of the above, some conventional devices are provided with a spare light source lamp in the light source device and can be manually switched to the spare light source lamp when the main light source lamp runs out. In the case of such a configuration, the worker (doctor, etc.) knows that the main light source lamp has burned out because the illumination was interrupted during the work by the endoscope, and then the worker operates a switch etc. The light source lamp is switched to manually. Therefore, the interruption time of the illumination in the case of such a configuration is shorter than the interruption time of the illumination due to the above-mentioned lamp replacement, but after knowing the lamp burnout of the main light source lamp, the switch is manually operated to operate the backup. The illumination will continue to be interrupted until switching to the light source lamp, and the work using the endoscope will be interrupted for a short time. Especially in the case of a medical endoscope, the danger to the patient is still eliminated. I haven't.

Therefore, in a medical endoscope or the like, a xenon lamp is used as a light source lamp in which the life of the lamp is controlled by a timer, or when the life of the lamp approaches, the amount of light gradually decreases and the lamp burnout can be predicted in advance. In some cases, the lamp burnout during use of the endoscope can be reduced by using the above. However, when managing the life of a lamp with a timer, the lamp must be replaced early in anticipation of safety, and the number of lamps used will increase, and the xenon lamp is very expensive. Is not economical. Further, in the above timer management and use of the xenon lamp, since the lamp replacement before the lamp is burned out is only done by human management, it is easy to make a management mistake, and as a result, the lamp burns out while the endoscope is in use. There is no guarantee.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an endoscope provided with a light source device capable of preventing interruption of illumination during use of the endoscope without increasing cost. The purpose is to provide.

[0008]

The present invention has the following configuration to achieve the above object. That is, the invention according to claim 1 is an endoscope including a light source device that supplies illumination light to the tip of the scope via a light guide in order to illuminate the subject with illumination light. , (A) a plurality of light source lamps,
(B) A switch for simultaneously switching on / off of power supply to each of the light source lamps, and (c) light guiding means for guiding each illumination light emitted from each of the light source lamps to the light guide. It is characterized by being configured.

The invention according to claim 2 is an endoscope including a light source device for supplying illumination light to the tip of a scope through a light guide in order to illuminate the subject with illumination light. The light source device includes (a) a main light source lamp, (b) a spare light source lamp, and (c) a first light guide means for guiding the illumination light emitted from the main light source lamp to the light guide. , (D) second light guide means for guiding the illumination light emitted from the auxiliary light source lamp to the light guide, and (e) lamp burnout detection means for detecting burnout of the main light source lamp. And (d) a lamp switching means for automatically switching the power supply to the main light source lamp to the power supply to the auxiliary light source lamp when the lamp burnout detection means detects the lamp burnout of the main light source lamp. Shi It is characterized in.

[0010]

The operation of the present invention is as follows. That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, power is simultaneously supplied to the plurality of light source lamps by the switch and the plurality of light source lamps are simultaneously turned on, and the illumination light from each of the light source lamps is guided to the light guide by the light guide means. . Then, the illumination lights from the respective light source lamps are combined and supplied to the tip of the scope through the light guide to illuminate the subject. Therefore, even if one light source lamp burns out, the subject is illuminated by the illumination light from the other light source lamp.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the main light source lamp is normally supplied with power and turned on, and its illumination light is supplied to the distal end of the scope through the first light guide means and the light guide. It illuminates the subject. When this main light source lamp burns out, the lamp burn-out detection means detects this, and upon detection of this lamp burn-out, the lamp switching means automatically supplies power to the main light source lamp to supply power to the backup light source lamp. Switch with. As a result, the spare light source lamp is turned on, and the illumination light from the spare light source lamp is supplied to the distal end of the scope via the second light guide means and the light guide to illuminate the subject.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1A is an overall view showing a schematic configuration of an example of an endoscope according to the present invention, and FIG.
(A) It is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the distal end of the scope surrounded by the one-dot chain line circle. Although FIG. 1 shows an endoscope configured with an electronic scope, an endoscope configured with a fiberscope and treatment equipment (electric scalpel, laser device, etc.)
The present invention can be similarly applied to a light source device provided in a medical endoscope or the like provided with.

As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope comprises a scope body 100, an image processing device 200, an output device 300, a light source device 1, and the like. At the tip of the scope body 100, an image pickup device 101 such as a CCD and an objective lens 10 are provided.
2 is provided, and the emission end of the light guide 2 is also arranged. The light guide 2 and the cable 103 for transmitting the output signal (electrical signal) from the image sensor 101 are the tubes 1
The light source device 1 and the image processing device 200 are respectively connected via the inside of 04 and the inside of the operation unit 105.

During observation with an endoscope, a light source lamp in the light source device 1 is turned on by the operation of an operator (for example, a doctor), and the irradiation light is supplied to the distal end of the scope via the light guide 2. Then, illumination light is applied to the subject, the image sensor 101 captures the subject through the objective lens 102, and the output signal is transmitted to the image processing apparatus 200 via the cable 103. The image processing device 200 outputs the imaged subject to the output device 300 such as a monitor based on the signal provided. The operation unit 105 is for performing operations such as changing the direction of the tip of the scope and cleaning the objective lens 102.

Next, various embodiments of the light source device for an endoscope, which is a main part of the present invention, will be described. <First Embodiment> Referring to FIG. FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a schematic configuration of the first embodiment of the light source device for an endoscope. The first embodiment device corresponds to the first aspect of the invention.

The light source device 1 according to the first embodiment is supplied with power from a power source B (for example, AC100v power source) 2
The individual light source lamps 3a and 3b are provided, and the light source lamps 3a and 3b are configured such that supply / stop of power from the power source B, that is, lighting / extinguishment can be simultaneously switched by the switch 4. ON of this switch 4
The OFF operation is performed by a control signal CS given from a control unit (not shown) in response to an operator's operation to start / stop observation by the endoscope.

Light emitted from the light source lamps 3a and 3b is
The light is condensed by the condenser lenses 5a and 5b, respectively, and guided to the incident ends of the light guides 7a and 7b via the half mirror 6. That is, the irradiation light from the light source lamp 3a is divided into two by the half mirror 6, the illumination light transmitted through the half mirror 6 is guided to the incident end of the light guide 7a, and the half mirror 6 is illuminated.
The illumination light reflected by is guided to the incident end of the light guide 7b. In addition, the irradiation light from the light source lamp 3b is similarly bisected by the half mirror 6 and guided to the incident ends of the light guides 7a and 7b. The emission ends of the light guides 7a and 7b are integrated at the incident end of the light guide 2.

The light guide 2 is shown in FIG.
(A cross-sectional view), a plurality of optical fibers 2a are bundled and configured (in the figure, a part of the optical fibers 2a forming the light guide 2 is drawn). The light guides 7a and 7b are also composed of a plurality of optical fibers. Here, the optical fiber 2a on the right side of the alternate long and short dash line SL in FIG. 3 is connected to the optical fiber forming the light guide 7a, and the optical fiber 2a on the left side of the alternate long and short dash line is connected to the optical fiber forming the light guide 7b. .

As a result, the light emitted from each of the light source lamps 3a and 3b is combined into one by the light guide 2 via each of the light guides 7a and 7b (optical fibers forming the light guides 7a and 7b). These light source lamps 3 are simultaneously supplied to the tip of the scope through each optical fiber 2a).
The subject is illuminated with the illumination light from a and 3b. The condenser lenses 5a and 5b, the half mirror 6, and the light guide 7
a and 7b constitute the light guide means in the invention described in claim 1.

In this embodiment, when observing with an endoscope,
Irradiation light from the light source lamps 3a and 3b is simultaneously supplied to the tip of the scope, and these irradiation lights illuminate the subject.
Therefore, even if either one of the light source lamps 3a or 3b is cut off, the subject is illuminated with the illumination light from the other light source lamp 3b or 3a, so that the illumination can be prevented from being interrupted.

In this embodiment, the half mirror 6 is used to guide the illumination light from the light source lamps 3a and 3b to the incident ends of the light guides 7a and 7b, respectively, and the light guides 2 combine them. . Therefore, even if either one of the light source lamps 3a or 3b is cut off, the illumination light from the other light source lamp 3b or 3a is guided to all the optical fibers 2a forming the light guide 2, so that the light guide The irradiation range of the illumination light irradiated from the emission end of 2 is the same as in the normal time, and the range for illuminating the subject is not narrowed.

Incidentally, for example, as shown in FIG.
And the optical fibers 2a ₁ of the light guide 2 connected to the light guide 7a, the light guide 7b and the optical fiber 2a ₂ of the light guide 2 is connected is randomly mixed in the light guide 2 is formed In this case, as shown in FIG. 4B or FIG. 4C, the illumination light from the light source lamp 3a is supplied to the light guide 7a (or 7).
Alternatively, the illumination light from the light source lamp 3b may be separately guided to the incident end of the light guide 7b (or 7a) at the incident end of b).

In the case of such a configuration, even if either one of the light source lamps 3a or 3b is cut off, the illumination light from the other light source lamp 3b or 3a is arranged in the light guide 2 at random in each optical fiber 2a. Since the light is guided to ₂ or 2a ₁ , the irradiation range of the illumination light emitted from the emission end of the light guide 2 does not become extremely narrow as compared with the normal case. Note that FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the light guide 2, and also in this case, a part of the optical fibers 2a ₁ and 2a ₂ forming the light guide 2 is drawn. Further, reference numeral 6a in FIG. 4 (c) indicates each of the light source lamps 3a and 3b.
Reflecting mirrors for returning the optical paths of the illuminating light from the light guides 90 degrees and guiding them to the incident ends of the light guides 7b and 7a, respectively. Further, the emission ends of the light guides 7a and 7b shown in FIGS. 4 (b) and 4 (c) are gathered at the incident end of the light guide 2.

Such a modification can be similarly modified and applied to each modification and each embodiment described later.
In the case of FIG. 4B, the condenser lenses 5a, 5b,
The light guides 7a and 7b constitute the light guiding means in the invention described in claim 1, and in the case of FIG. 4C, the condenser lenses 5a and 5b, the reflecting mirror 6a, and the light guides 7a and 7b are claimed. The light guide means in the invention described in 1.

Depending on the type of endoscope, the light guide 2 at the distal end of the scope may be divided into a plurality of emission ends. In the endoscope having such a structure,
By appropriately applying the above-described embodiment and the modified example of FIG. 4, the illumination range of the illumination light emitted from each emission end of the light guide 2 is made to be the same in the normal time and when one lamp is burned out. In addition, the illumination light from each of the light source lamps 3a and 3b can be configured to be guided to the light guide 2.

Further, according to this embodiment, even when the light source lamp 3a or 3b that has been cut off is replaced, the amount of illumination light that illuminates the subject becomes slightly darker, but the other light source lamp 3b is used.
Alternatively, the lamp replacement work can be performed calmly and reliably because the lamp replacement work can be performed while performing the work with the endoscope by the illumination light from 3a. It is also possible to prevent unnecessary confusion due to the interruption of the lighting.

Although the light source lamps 3a and 3b rarely turn off at the same time, in order to prevent this from happening, for example, as shown in FIG. It is preferable to operate so that the life LT is shifted with time and the light source lamps 3a, 3b are exchanged with respect to time.

Further, the halogen lamp, which is cheaper than the xenon lamp or the like and whose light quantity can be adjusted by adjusting the voltage, has a drawback that it suddenly turns off when it reaches a certain life, but as described above, in the case of this embodiment, Even if one of the light source lamps 3a or 3b is burnt out while the mirror is in use, the interruption of the illumination is prevented.
Inexpensive lamps such as the above halogen lamps can be used, and the cost can be reduced.

Further, in this embodiment, the individual light source lamps 3a and 3b can be used up to the end of their respective lives, and the number of lamps used can be reduced, so that the cost can be reduced.

Further, in this embodiment, at the normal time (when all the light source lamps 3a and 3b are not cut off), the respective light source lamps 3 are
The illumination light from a and 3b is combined to illuminate the subject. Therefore, even if the light amount of each of the light source lamps 3a and 3b is reduced by adjusting the voltage, for example, a sufficient amount of illumination light that illuminates the subject can be obtained. For example, it is known that the life of a halogen lamp or the like is extended by lowering the amount of illumination light (lowering the supplied voltage). Therefore, in the case of this embodiment, the life of each of the light source lamps 3a and 3b can be extended and the number of lamps used can be reduced, so that the cost can be further reduced.

In the above embodiment and each of the following modified examples, the case where two light source lamps are provided in the light source device 1 and the subject is illuminated with the illumination light from each of the light source lamps 3a and 3b has been described. , For example, as shown in FIG.
The light source device 1 may be provided with three or more (three in FIG. 6) light source lamps 3a to 3c, and the subject may be illuminated with illumination light from each of the light source lamps 3a to 3c.

Incidentally, FIG. 6A shows a structure corresponding to the above embodiment, in which the illumination light from each of the light source lamps 3a to 3c is guided to each of the light guides 7a to 7c by using the half mirror 6. The light emitting ends of the light guides 7a to 7c are integrated into the light emitting end of the light guide 2. Further, FIG. 6B shows a configuration corresponding to the modification of FIG. 4, in which the illumination light from the light source lamp 3a is guided to the light guide 7a and the illumination light from the light source lamp 3b is guided to the light guide 7b.
To guide the illumination light from the light source lamp 3c to the light guide 7
The optical fibers in the light guide 2 connected to the light guides 7a to 7c are randomly arranged.

In FIG. 6B, the light source lamp 3
When it is necessary to change the optical path of the illumination light emitted from all or part of the light source lamps 3a to 3c due to restrictions on the arrangement of the light guides 7a to 7c and the light guides 7a to 7c. As described above, it is possible to separately guide the illumination light from the light source lamps 3a to 3c to the incident ends of the light guides 7a to 7c by using a reflecting mirror. Further, when four or more light source lamps are provided, it can be configured by applying FIG.

As the number of light source lamps increases, it becomes more difficult for all the light source lamps to be burnt out simultaneously. In addition,
Also in this case, in order to ensure safety, it is preferable to operate the light source lamps so that the light source lamps are exchanged at different times as described above with reference to FIG. Also, as the number of light source lamps increases, the light intensity of each light source lamp in normal time can be further reduced, the life of each light source lamp can be further extended, and the total light intensity of all light source lamps (illumination light that illuminates the subject in normal time Since the light intensity ratio of one light source lamp to the light intensity of (1) is small, the decrease in the light intensity of the illumination light that illuminates the subject when one light source lamp is burned out is reduced accordingly, and one lamp is used while the endoscope is in use. It is possible to perform the work with the endoscope more safely even when the power is cut.

Next, various modifications of the first embodiment will be described below. [First Modification] The configuration of the first modification will be described with reference to the circuit diagram of FIG. This first modified example is characterized in that light amount adjusting units 10a and 10b are provided on the power supply lines to the respective light source lamps 3a and 3b of the first embodiment, and other configurations are the same as the first embodiment device. The same reference numerals as those in FIG. 2 are given and the detailed description thereof is omitted.

Each of the light quantity adjusting units 10a and 10b is composed of a variable resistor and is configured to adjust the light quantity of each of the light source lamps 3a and 3b by adjusting the voltage supplied to each of the light source lamps 3a and 3b. There is.

In this modification, when one of the light source lamps 3a or 3b is burnt out when the endoscope is used, the amount of light emitted from the other light source lamp 3b or 3a can be increased. This allows one light source lamp 3 when the endoscope is used.
Even when a or 3b is cut off, the other light source lamp 3b
Or the illumination light from 3a can illuminate the subject with the same light amount as in normal times, and even if one light source lamp burns out when using the endoscope, work with the endoscope is the same as in normal times. Can be done

[Second Modification] The configuration of the second modification will be described with reference to the circuit diagram of FIG. This second modified example is characterized in that it is further configured to display a lamp burn-out state of the light source lamps 3a and 3b in addition to the first modified example, and other configurations are similar to the first modified example. Therefore,
The same reference numerals as in FIG.

The second modification is the same as the first modification (see FIG. 7).
The lamp burn-out detection units 20a and 20b, and the lamp burn-out display units 21a and 21b are additionally provided.

The lamp burn-out detecting section 20a includes the light source lamp 3
The lamp burnout detection unit 20b detects the lamp burnout of a.
It is for detecting the lamp out of the light source lamp 3b,
Each of the lamp burnout detectors 20a and 20b is a normal clog type relay (while the light source lamp is lit and current is flowing through the relay coil 22, the contacts a and b are cut off, while the light source lamp is burned out. When a current stops flowing through the relay coil 22, the contacts a and b are connected to each other).

Also, the lamp burn-out display portions 21a, 21b
Are LEDs (light emitting diodes) 23a and 23b, respectively.
As shown in FIG. 8, by connecting the contacts a and b of the lamp burn-out detection units 20a and 20b, power is supplied to the LEDs 23a and 23b, and the LED2
The circuit is assembled so that 3a and 23b are turned on.

In this modification, the normal light source (all light source lamps 3
a, 3b are lit), LEDs 23a, 23b
Is off, and when the light source lamp 3a is turned off, LE
When D23a is turned on and the light source lamp 3b is turned off, the LED 23b is turned on to inform the operator (for example, a doctor) that the lamp is out and which light source lamp is turned off.

With this, the operator can immediately know when the lamp burns out, and which light source lamp 3a, 3b has burned out, so that the lamp burnout does not occur. The light amount of the light source lamp 3b or 3a can be adjusted by the light amount adjusting unit 10b or 10a without hesitation, and the light source lamp 3a or 3b that has been cut can be replaced without hesitation.

[Third Modification] The configuration of the third modification will be described with reference to the circuit diagram of FIG. In the first and second modified examples, the light amount adjustment is configured to be performed manually, but in the third modified example, the light amount adjustment is configured to be performed automatically, and other configurations are Since it is the same as the first embodiment and each modification, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 2, 7, and 8 are given and the detailed description thereof is omitted.

In the third modified example, when the light source lamp 3a is turned on, the contact point a of the relay constituting the lamp burnout detecting section 20a for detecting the lamp burnout of the light source lamp 3a,
As a result of the connection between the contacts b and the contacts a and b of the relay 30b that switches the supply voltage to the light source lamp 3b, the supply voltage to the light source lamp 3b is reduced when the light source lamp 3a is lit. The resistance of the light source lamp 3b is lowered by the resistor 31b, and the light source lamp 3b is turned on with a low light amount.

On the other hand, when the light source lamp 3b is turned on, the contacts a and b of the relay which constitutes the lamp burnout detecting portion 20b of the light source lamp 3b are connected to each other, thereby switching the supply voltage to the light source lamp 3a. As a result of the connection between the contacts a and b of the relay 30a, when the light source lamp 3b is turned on, the supply voltage to the light source lamp 3a is lowered by the resistor 31a and the light source lamp 3a is turned on with a low light amount.

That is, when the light source lamps 3a and 3b are both turned on, the light source lamps 3a and 3b are turned on with a low light amount.

Next, when the light source lamp 3a is cut off,
Contact points a and c of the lamp burnout detection unit 20a of the light source lamp 3a
Are connected to each other, whereby the LED 23a of the lamp burn-out display portion 21a that indicates the lamp burn-out of the light source lamp 3a is turned on, and the current flows through the relay coil 22 of the relay 30b so that the contacts a and c are connected. Is
As a result, when the light source lamp 3a is turned off, the voltage supplied to the light source lamp 3b is not adjusted by the voltage of the resistor 31b, and the light source lamp 3b is automatically switched to turn on with a high light amount.

When the light source lamp 3b is cut off,
Contact points a and c of the lamp burnout detection unit 20b of the light source lamp 3b
Are connected to each other, whereby the LED 23b of the lamp burn-out display portion 21b that indicates the lamp burn-out of the light source lamp 3b is turned on, and the contacts a and c of the relay 30a are connected, so that the light source lamp 3b is burned. In this case, the voltage supplied to the light source lamp 3a is not adjusted by the voltage of the resistor 31a, and the light source lamp 3a is automatically switched to turn on with a high light amount.

The relays constituting the lamp burn-out detecting portions 20a and 2b and the relay 30 according to the third modified example.
Reference characters a and 30b are relays in which the contacts a and b are connected to each other when a current flows in the relay coil 22 and the contacts a and c are connected to each other when a current stops flowing in the relay coil 22. Further, the resistors 31a and 31b adjust the supply voltage so as to reduce the lighting light amount of the light source lamps 3a and 3b to approximately half of the full light amount.

With this configuration, when one of the light source lamps 3a or 3b is burnt out, the lighting amount of the other light source lamp 3b or 3b is automatically switched to a high light amount, and even if one lamp burns out. Even if the operator does not perform any operation, the subject is illuminated with the same amount of light as in normal times.

In this third modification, the light amount of the remaining light source lamp is automatically adjusted when the lamp burns out. Therefore, the operator can confirm that the lamp burnout has occurred by changing the irradiation light amount from the tip of the scope. Although it cannot be known, since the lamp burn-out display portions 21a and 21b are provided, it is possible to immediately know that the lamp burned out and which lamp burned out. This is more convenient than the case where the display units 21a and 21b are not provided.
Even if the lamp burn-out display portions 21a and 21b are not provided, it is possible to automatically adjust the light amount of the remaining lamp when the lamp burns out.

The resistors 31a and 31b may be variable resistors. With this configuration, when the illumination light is emitted from the two light source lamps 3a and 3b, the light amount of the light source lamps 3a and 3b can be arbitrarily adjusted. For example, one of the light source lamps 3a and 3b can be adjusted. It is also possible to adjust the light amount so as to increase the light amount of the other light source lamp 3b or 3a when the light amount of No. 3 has decreased.

[Fourth Modification] In each of the above modifications, the light amount is adjusted by the supply voltage. For example, a movable diaphragm is provided in front of each light source lamp, and one light source lamp is When the lamp burns out, the lamp burnout may be detected, and the movable diaphragm provided in front of the other light source lamp may be operated to increase the amount of illumination light of the remaining light source lamp. When a lamp such as a halogen lamp whose light quantity can be adjusted by the supply voltage is used, it is easier to configure it as in the above modifications, but, for example, a xenon lamp becomes cheaper and this lamp (supply voltage When a lamp whose light amount cannot be adjusted in step 1) is used, the light amount may be adjusted by the movable diaphragm as described above.

<Second Embodiment> The configuration of the second embodiment device will be described with reference to FIG. The device of the second embodiment corresponds to the invention described in claim 2. Further, in the figure, the same components as those in the first embodiment and its modification are designated by the same reference numerals as those in the above figures, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In this embodiment, the light source lamp 3b is used as a main light source lamp, the light source lamp 3a is used as a spare light source lamp, and normally only the main light source lamp 3b is turned on (the spare light source lamp 3a is turned off). When the lamp 3b is burnt out, this is detected, the spare light source lamp 3a is turned on, and the subject is illuminated with the illumination light from the spare light source lamp 3a.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, when the switch 4 is turned on in a state where the main light source lamp 3b is not cut off, the lamp cutoff detection unit 2 as a lamp cutoff detection means.
0b is connected between the contacts a and b of the relay, and between the contacts a and b of the relay forming the lamp switching unit 40 as a lamp switching means, as a result, power is supplied only to the main light source lamp 3b. Only the main light source lamp 3b is turned on. The illumination light from the main light source lamp 3b is condensed by the condenser lens 5b and the half mirror 6 into the light guide 7a,
These light guides 7a, 7 are guided to the incident end of 7b.
The illumination light incident on b is collected by the light guide 2 and illuminates the subject through the light guide 2.

When the main light source lamp 3b is burned out, the contacts a and c of the relays forming the lamp burn-out detection portion 20b are connected to each other and the LED of the lamp burn-out display portion 21b is connected.
23b is turned on, and the contacts a and c of the relays forming the lamp switching unit 40 are connected. As a result, the power supply to the main light source lamp 3a is automatically switched to the power supply to the auxiliary light source lamp 3a. Then, the spare light source lamp 3b is turned on. The illumination light from the spare light source lamp 3a is guided to the incident ends of the light guides 7a and 7b by the condenser lens 5a and the half mirror 6, and the illumination light incident on these light guides 7a and 7b is guided by the light guide 2. , And illuminate the subject through the light guide 2.

As a result, even if the main light source lamp 3b is burnt out when the endoscope is used, the backup light source lamp 3a is immediately and automatically switched, so that the interruption of the illumination when the endoscope is used is prevented.

The relay which constitutes the lamp burn-out detecting section 20b and the relay which constitutes the lamp switching section 40 have a contact a, when a current is flowing through the relay coil 22,
This is a relay in which the contacts b and b are connected and the contacts a and c are connected when the current stops flowing through the relay coil 22.

Further, the condenser lens 5b, the half mirror 6,
The light guides 7a, 7b constitute the first light guide means in the invention described in claim 2, and the condenser lens 5a, the half mirror 6, and the light guides 7a, 7b are the first light guide means in the invention described in claim 2. 2 constitutes a light guide means.

In the second embodiment, the illumination light from the main light source lamp 3b is condensed by the condenser lens 5b, the half mirror 6,
The illumination light from the spare light source lamp 3a is guided to the light guide 2 via the light guides 7a and 7b, and the condenser lens 5 is used.
The light is guided to the light guide 2 via a, the half mirror 6, and the light guides 7a and 7b. For example, a movable reflecting mirror is provided between the condenser lenses 5a and 5b and the light guide 2. Is arranged, and normally, the reflecting mirror is retracted, and the main light source lamp 3b condensed by the condenser lens 5b.
The illumination light from directly enters the light guide 2 at the incident end,
On the other hand, when the main light source lamp 3b is burnt out, the movable reflecting mirror operates to illuminate the illumination light from the auxiliary light source lamp 3a collected by the condenser lens 5a by changing the optical path with this reflecting mirror. The guide 2 may be configured to be incident on the incident end. In this case, the half mirror 6 and the light guides 7a and 7b are unnecessary.

In the second embodiment, each of the main light source lamp and the spare light source lamp is composed of one light source lamp. However, by combining the techniques according to the first embodiment, the main light source lamp and / or the spare light source lamp are combined. The light source lamp may be composed of a plurality of light source lamps.

In the second embodiment, since the lamp burn-out display portion 21b is provided, it is convenient for the operator to immediately know that the main light source lamp 3b has burned out. Even if the portion 21b is not provided, it is possible to obtain the effect of preventing interruption of illumination when the endoscope is used.

The above-described embodiments and modifications thereof are examples of the present invention, and the present invention can be realized with other configurations.

[0066]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the invention described in claim 1, a plurality of light source lamps are turned on at the same time, and the irradiation light from each of the light source lamps is simultaneously supplied to the tip of the scope. Since the illumination light is used to illuminate the subject, even if one light source lamp runs out while the endoscope is in use, the illumination light from the other light source lamps will illuminate the subject. It is possible to prevent interruption of lighting inside. As a result, in particular, diagnosis and treatment (endoscopic treatment, endoscopic treatment) using a medical endoscope can be safely performed.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 1, normally, the illumination light from a plurality of light source lamps is combined to illuminate the subject, so that the light amount of each light source lamp can be reduced. As a result, the life of each light source lamp can be extended, and the cost can be reduced accordingly, which is economical.

On the other hand, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the main light source lamp and the spare light source lamp are provided, and when the main light source lamp runs out, it is detected and the spare light source lamp is automatically switched to. With this configuration, even if the main light source lamp is burnt out while the endoscope is in use, the subject is illuminated by the light emitted from the auxiliary light source lamp. It is possible to prevent interruption, and in particular, it is possible to safely carry out diagnosis and treatment (endoscopic treatment, endoscopic treatment) using a medical endoscope.

Further, according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, even when the burned light source lamp is replaced, the burned lamp is burned while working with the endoscope by the illumination light from the remaining light source lamp. Lamp replacement work can be performed calmly and reliably, and it is possible to prevent unnecessary confusion due to interruption of illumination due to lamp burnout, as in the conventional device.

Further, according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, it is not necessary to use an expensive xenon lamp as the light source lamp, and the individual light source lamps can be used up to the end of their life. Reduced and economical.

[0071]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an example of an endoscope according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a schematic configuration of a first embodiment of a light source device for an endoscope, which is a main part of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a light guide.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a modified example of the light guide.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a preferred operation example of replacing each light source lamp.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a modified example in which three light source lamps are provided.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing a schematic configuration of a light source device for an endoscope according to a first modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram showing a schematic configuration of a light source device for an endoscope according to a second modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram showing a schematic configuration of a light source device for an endoscope according to a third modification example of the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram showing a schematic configuration of a light source device for an endoscope according to a second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... Endoscope light source device 2 ... Light guide 3a, 3b ... Light source lamp 4 ... Switch 5a, 5b ... Condensing lens 6 ... Half mirror 7a, 7b ... Light guide 20a ... Lamp burnout detection unit 40 ... Lamp switching unit

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An endoscope including a light source device for supplying illumination light to a tip of a scope via a light guide for applying illumination light to the subject from the tip of the scope, wherein a plurality of (a) light source devices are provided. Light source lamp, (b) a switch for simultaneously switching the supply / stop of electric power to each of the light source lamps, and (c) a light guide for guiding each illumination light emitted from each of the light source lamps to the light guide. An endoscope characterized by comprising: 2. An endoscope including a light source device for supplying illumination light to the tip of a scope via a light guide for applying illumination light to the subject from the tip of the scope, wherein the light source device is (a) a main light source. A lamp, (b) a spare light source lamp, and (c) first light guide means for guiding the illumination light emitted from the main light source lamp to the light guide.
(D) illumination light emitted from the auxiliary light source lamp,
Second light guide means for guiding light to the light guide, and (e)
Lamp burnout detection means for detecting a lamp burnout of the main light source lamp; and (d) when the lamp burnout detection means detects a lamp burnout of the main light source lamp, supply of power to the main light source lamp to the backup light source lamp. And a lamp switching means for automatically switching to the power supply of the endoscope.