JPH0994221A - Light source apparatus for endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a light source apparatus for endoscope capable of securely switching a lamp with a simple constitution. SOLUTION: This apparatus comprises sockets S1 and S2 inserted with a connector 30 on the end of a light guide 8 and lamps L1 and L2 opposing to the sockets S1 and S2, respectively. When the main lamp L1 is put out by break, the connector 30 is put out from the socket S1 and is inserted into the socket S2. When the connector 30 is inserted and then the socket S2 is electrically connected thereby a relay 13 actuates the lamp L2 to light.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

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

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a light source device for an endoscope of this type, the scope of the endoscope is inserted into a dark portion (for example, in the body of a patient in a medical endoscope) and the portion is observed. The illumination light is supplied to the tip of the scope via the light guide in order to apply the illumination light to the subject to be illuminated. Normally, the irradiation light from the light source is collected,
The light guide is configured to be incident on an incident end of a light guide in an insertion portion (base etc.) inserted in a single socket. In addition, a backup light source is provided inside the device in case the main light source is cut off. This is because it is necessary to immediately replace the auxiliary light source, especially when the main light source is cut off during surgery.

Therefore, for example, in the apparatus, a lamp for a main light source (main lamp) and a lamp for a preliminary light source (spare lamp) are arranged side by side on a disk body which is rotationally driven by a motor, and an incident end of a light guide is provided. A sensor such as a photodiode is arranged between the single socket for inserting the main lamp and the lit main lamp, and when the main lamp has burned out (it suddenly goes out due to life or failure), There is a method in which the motor is controlled so as to be rotationally driven and the spare lamp is automatically (or manually) switched. In some cases, a mirror is provided between the entrance end of the light guide and each lamp, and when the main lamp is sensed to be cut off, the angle of the mirror is switched by a motor to switch to the spare lamp.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned light source switching mechanism, the disc body to which a plurality of lamps are attached and the mirror are mechanically moved to switch from the main lamp to the spare lamp. As a result, the internal mechanism of the device becomes complicated, and malfunctions due to malfunctions may occur.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object thereof is to provide a light source device for an endoscope having a simple structure and capable of reliably switching light sources. .

[0006]

The present invention has the following configuration to achieve the above object. That is, the present invention relates to an endoscope light source device that supplies illumination light to the tip of a scope via a light guide in order to illuminate the subject with illumination light. Corresponding to, a socket into which the insertion portion including the incident end of the light guide is inserted, detection means for detecting insertion of the insertion portion into any socket, and the insertion based on a signal from the detection means. And a control means for controlling to turn on the light source body corresponding to the socket into which the part is inserted.

[0007]

The operation of the present invention is as follows. Usually, the insertion part including the incident end of the light guide is inserted into a socket corresponding to one light source of the light source device for use. Then, when the light source body is turned off due to the life or the like, the worker inserts the insertion portion into a socket corresponding to another light source body in order to switch the cut light source body to another light source body.

On the other hand, inside the apparatus, the detection means now detects that the insertion portion is inserted into the socket corresponding to another light source body, and based on this detection signal, the control means causes the light source body corresponding to the socket. Is controlled to turn on. Then, light is emitted from a light source other than the cut light source to the scope tip of the endoscope. While the light source body is lit, the light source body that has just been cut is replaced with a new light source body.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of a light source device for an endoscope of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall view showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of a light source device for an endoscope according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope 1 is composed of a scope body 2, an image processing device 3, an output device 4, a light source device 5, and the like. At the tip of the scope body 2, a CCD
The image pickup device 6 and the objective lens 7 are provided, and the emission end 8b of the light guide 8 is also arranged. Light guide 8
A cable 9 for transmitting an output signal (electrical signal) from the image pickup device 6 is connected to the light source device 5 and the image processing device 3, respectively, through the tube 10 and the operation unit 11.

During normal observation with the endoscope 1, the main lamp L1 in the light source device 5 is used for lighting, and the irradiation light is supplied to the scope tip 2a via the light guide 8 to illuminate the object. Then, the image pickup device 6 picks up an image of the subject through the objective lens 7, and the output signal is transmitted to the image processing device 3 through the cable 9. The image processing device 3 outputs the imaged subject to the output device 4 such as a monitor, based on the given signal.

The light source device 5 which is the main part of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, two sockets S <b> 1 and S <b> 2 into which a metal (stainless steel, aluminum, etc.) base (insertion portion) 30 including the incident end 8 a of the light guide 8 and the like are inserted are covered by the light source device 5. (Chassis) 12
Deployed and fixed to the end face of. Sockets S1 and S2 respectively
Two lamps (halogen lamp or xenon lamp) L1 and L2 are arranged in the chassis 12 so as to be opposed to each other. One lamp L1 is a normally used main lamp and the other lamp L2 is a spare lamp. Each of the lamps L1 and L2 is connected to a relay (relay) 13 that performs these switching operations. In addition, the movable contact spring 13a of the relay 13 is approximately 5 to 24V.
It is connected to the drive power supply unit 15 that drives the relay 13 with the output voltage of. Further, an optical filter 16 is arranged between each of the sockets S1 and S2 and the light source lamps L1 and L2.

The socket S1 normally holds the light guide 8
It corresponds to the main lamp L1 into which the base 30 including the entrance end 8a of the is inserted, and is composed of a resin cylindrical body. FIG. 2 is a view of a state in which the base 30 is inserted in the socket S2 as viewed from the inner end device side of the socket S2. On the other hand, the socket S2 corresponds to the spare lamp L2,
As shown in FIG. 2, a cylindrical body made of metal (stainless steel, aluminum, etc.) is vertically divided into a socket S2a and a socket S2b. 2 is a view of the socket S2 with the base 30 inserted therein, as viewed from the inner end device side of the socket S2. The socket S2a is connected to the drive power supply unit 15 via the relay coil 13a, and the socket S2b is directly connected to the drive power supply unit 15.

That is, when the base 30 is inserted into the socket S2, the socket S2a and the socket S2b are brought into conduction via the base 30, and the electromagnetic force of the relay coil 13b causes the movable contact spring 13a to be spared from the contact p1 of the main lamp L1. The attraction control is performed so as to switch to the contact p2 of the lamp L2. On the contrary, when the cap 30 is pulled out from the socket S2, the conduction between the socket S2a and the socket S2b is released,
The movable contact spring 13a moves from the contact p2 of the auxiliary lamp L2 to the contact p of the main lamp L1 by the action of a recovery spring (not shown).
It is configured so as to be reset and displaced toward 1. The socket S2 also corresponds to the detection means of the present invention, and the relay 13
Corresponds to the control means.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a state in which the incident end of the light guide is inserted into the socket S1 or S2. As shown in the sectional view of FIG. 3, the socket S1 is provided with a compression spring 22 as a stopper 20 for preventing the cap 30 from coming off, so that the surface of the sphere 21 slightly projects from the inner peripheral surface S10 of the socket S1. A structure for urging the spherical body 21 is provided, and the spherical body 21 is engaged with the narrow groove 30a formed on the outer peripheral surface of the base 30 so that the base 30 does not fall out. Further, the socket S2 is also provided with a stopper 20 having a similar structure.

The operation of switching the lamps L1 and L2 of the endoscope light source device 5 configured as described above will be described below. Normally, the base 30 is inserted into the socket S1 corresponding to the main lamp L1 of the light source device 5, and the irradiation light from the main lamp L1 is guided to the light guide 8 and is irradiated onto the subject. When the main lamp L1 is cut off and turned off, the worker removes the base 30 inserted in the socket S1 and inserts it in the socket S2 in order to switch to the spare lamp L2.

On the other hand, inside the device 5, the socket S2a
The socket s2b and the socket s2b are electrically connected to each other via the base 30, and it is detected that the base 30 is inserted into the socket S2, and an electromagnetic force is generated in the relay coil 13b. This electromagnetic force causes the movable contact spring 13a to be attracted from the contact p1 of the main lamp L1 to the contact p2 of the auxiliary lamp L2, and the current from the driving power supply unit 15 flows to the auxiliary lamp L2 to light the auxiliary lamp L2. Then, the scope tip 2a of the endoscope 1 is irradiated with the light from the preliminary lamp L2.
After the endoscopic inspection, the main lamp L1 which has just been cut off is replaced with a new lamp L3.

At the next endoscopic inspection, the operator inserts the base 30 inserted in the socket S2 into the socket S1 which has been replaced with the new main lamp L3. At this time, the socket S2a and the socket S2b are connected to the base 30.
Continuity is released by pulling out the relay coil 13
The electromagnetic force of b disappears, and the movable contact spring 13a is displaced from the contact p2 of the preliminary lamp L2 to the contact p1 of the main lamp L3 by the action of a restoration spring (not shown). Therefore, the light of the main lamp L3 is emitted from the tip 2a of the scope toward the subject.

According to the above structure and operation, even if the main lamp L1 is burnt out, the light is emitted again from the tip 2a of the scope simply by inserting the base 30 into the socket S2 of the spare lamp L2, so that the lamp L1 can be operated quickly. , L2 can be switched, and the light source device 5 can be realized with a simple structure.

The present invention can be modified as follows. (1) The detection means of the embodiment has a structure in which the socket S2 is divided into two parts and the conduction is cut off by inserting and removing the base 30, but as shown in FIG. 4, a hole 41 is provided in the socket S2, and this hole is formed. A light projector 42 such as an LED may be provided at one outer end of 41, and a photosensor 43 may be provided at the other end of the facing position. Further, a micro switch may be provided on the inner end device side of the socket S2 or the like, or a proximity switch may be provided on the socket S2 to detect that the metal cap 30 is inserted.

(2) Although the control means of the embodiment is constituted by the relay 13, it may be constituted so as to switch the lamps L1 and L2 by a C contact type switch having an intermediate contact.

(3) Also, in the embodiment, the lamps L1 and L2
Further, although two sockets S1 and S2 corresponding thereto are provided, the number of sockets may be three or more. Further, it is not necessary to distinguish the main (main) and the spare (sub) from the lamps L1, L2 ...

(4) Further, in the embodiment, as the stopper 20 when the base 30 is inserted into the socket S1 or S2, the spherical body 21 is fixed to the base 30 by the compression spring 22.
Was urged toward the outer peripheral surface of the socket, but the inner peripheral surface S10 of the socket and the outer peripheral surface of the base 30 are provided with screw portions to be engaged with each other
You may take measures to prevent coming off.

[0024]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the light source body is switched only by inserting the insertion portion including the incident end of the light guide into one of the sockets of the plurality of light source bodies. Therefore, there is no need for a mechanical drive mechanism for switching the light source bodies inside the apparatus, and the light source bodies can be reliably switched with a simple configuration.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of a light source device for an endoscope according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which an incident end of a light guide is inserted in a socket according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a state in which an incident end of a light guide is inserted in a socket according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a detection unit according to a modified example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... endoscope 2a ... scope tip 5 ... light source device 8 ... light guide 8a ... light guide entrance end 13 ... relay 30 ... base (insertion part) L1, L2 ... lamp (light source) S1, S2 ... socket

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A light source device for an endoscope, which supplies illumination light to a tip of a scope through a light guide in order to apply illumination light to the subject from the tip of the scope, includes a plurality of light source bodies and each of these light source bodies. Correspondingly, a socket into which the insertion part including the incident end of the light guide is inserted, detection means for detecting that the insertion part is inserted into any socket, and the insertion part based on a signal from the detection means. A light source device for an endoscope, comprising: a control unit that controls to turn on a light source body corresponding to the inserted socket.