JPH11178789A - Endscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endscope capable of easily performing attaching/ detaching operation to these light source devices when plural connectors are provided on the side of a base tip. SOLUTION: This endscope 1 consists of an endscope main body 2, an operation part 20 provided at its base tip part, a connecting cable 3 connected to the part 20, a light guide cable 31 and a picture signal cable 32 which are branched from the cable 3, a connector for a light source 41 and a connector for a picture signal 42 which are respectively installed at the base tips of the both enables 31 and 32. The connectors 41 and 42 are respectively connected to the sockets 63b and 63a of the light source device 6 and provided with a separating and uniting means 5 separating and uniting these. The means 5 consists of a recessed part 51 formed at the connector 41 and a projecting part 52 which is formed at the connector 42 and can be fitted to the part 51.

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 use, industrial use, etc., and more particularly to an electronic endoscope.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the medical field, various endoscopes are used for examination and diagnosis of the digestive tract, trachea and the like. The endoscope includes an image pickup device (CCD) at the distal end, and transmits an image signal output from the image pickup device to the base end side of the endoscope by a built-in cable, and also includes a light fiber bundle. 2. Description of the Related Art There is known an electronic endoscope having a configuration in which light is guided by a guide to illuminate a distal end portion.

This electronic endoscope is used by connecting a base end side to a light source device. In this case, the base end of the endoscope branches into a light guide cable having a built-in light guide and an image signal cable for transmitting an image signal from the image sensor,
The light source connector and the image signal connector respectively provided at the base ends of these two cables are connected to corresponding terminals of the light source device.

[0004] Since the light source connector and the image signal connector are separate from each other, it is necessary to carry out the operation for attaching and detaching the light source device one by one.

However, when connecting both connectors to the light source device, hold the image signal connector by hand, hold the light source connector with the other hand, and connect the image signal connector to the light source device. It is necessary to perform the operation with both hands, and the operability is poor.In particular, while holding the operation section that performs the bending operation of the endoscope, the connection of both connectors to the light source device is performed. There is a problem that can not be performed. This problem is the same when both connectors are detached from the light source device.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope which has a plurality of connectors on a base end side and which can be easily attached to and detached from a light source device. .

[0007]

This and other objects are achieved by the present invention which is defined below as (1) to (10).

(1) An endoscope having an image taking-in portion for taking in a subject image at a distal end portion, and a first connector connected to a light source device at a base end side, and a second connector. An endoscope having separation / coupling means for separating / coupling the first connector and the second connector.

(2) An image pickup element for outputting an image signal corresponding to a subject image is provided at the distal end, and a first connector connected to the light source device and a second connector are provided at the base end. An endoscope, comprising: a separation / coalescing unit that enables the first connector and the second connector to be separated / coalesced.

(3) The endoscope according to (2), wherein the first connector is a light source connector, and the second connector is an image signal connector.

(4) A connection cable, and a light guide cable and an image signal cable branched from the connection cable, wherein the light source connector and the image signal connector are respectively the light guide cable and the image signal. The endoscope according to the above (3), which is installed at an end of a cable.

(5) The endoscope according to (3), wherein the image signal connector is installed at an end of an image signal cable extended from the light source connector.

(6) The first connector and the second connector are both light source connectors (1).
An endoscope according to claim 1.

(7) The endoscope according to the above (6), wherein the first connector and the second connector are respectively connected to separate light sources.

(8) The endoscope according to any one of the above (1) to (7), wherein the separating / coalescing means is constituted by an uneven fitting structure.

(9) The separation / coalescing means is provided in the first
(1) through (8), wherein the first connector and the second connector are moved relative to each other in a direction substantially orthogonal to a direction in which the connector is attached to and detached from the light source device. An endoscope according to any one of the above.

(10) The first connector and the second connector are configured to prevent relative movement of the first connector in a mounting / removing direction to the light source device when the first connector and the second connector are combined. ) The endoscope according to any one of (9) to (9).

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an endoscope according to the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which an embodiment of the endoscope of the present invention is connected to a light source device. FIG. 2 shows a structure of a connecting portion of the endoscope shown in FIG. 1 to the light source device. Side view, FIG. 3
Is a diagram (block diagram) schematically showing the internal structure of the endoscope and the light source device shown in FIG. 1, and FIGS.
It is a figure showing an example of the connector connection operation in the endoscope of the present invention.

As shown in these figures, an endoscope 1 is an electronic endoscope, and is an elongated endoscope body 2 having flexibility (flexibility), and an endoscope body 2. , A connection cable (universal cable) 3 connected to the operation unit 20, a light guide cable 31 and an image signal cable 32 branched from the connection cable 3, A light source connector (first connector) 41 installed at the base end of the guide cable 31;
An image signal connector (second connector) 42 is provided at the base end of the image signal cable 32.

The endoscope body 2 is a part to be inserted into a digestive tract such as an esophagus, stomach, duodenum, or large intestine, or another body cavity such as a trachea, bladder, vagina, blood vessel, or bile duct. 21
In addition, an imaging device (CCD) 22 that captures an image of a subject (for example, an inner wall of a digestive tract) at an observation site, and an illumination unit 23 that illuminates the observation site.

An observation system lens (objective lens) 221 is provided on the tip side of the image pickup device 22. The observation system lens 221 constitutes an image capturing unit for capturing a subject image.

A signal line (image signal cable) 24 for transmitting an image signal output from the image sensor 22 and a power supply line for supplying power to the image sensor 22 are wired (connected) to the image sensor 22. ing.

The illuminating section 23 is composed of an illuminating lens 232 disposed on the front surface thereof and an end surface 231 of the light guide 25 composed of an optical fiber bundle.

The signal line 24 passes through the endoscope main body 2, that is, the inside of the tube 26, and further within the operation section 20 and the connection cable 3.
Through the inside and the inside of the image signal cable 32, it is connected to a predetermined terminal of the image signal connector 42.

The light guide 25 is provided on the endoscope main body 2.
It is connected to the light source connector 41 through the inside, that is, inside the tube 26, and further through the inside of the operation unit 20, the inside of the connection cable 3, and the inside of the light guide cable 31.

Connection cable 3, light guide cable 3
Both 1 and the image signal cable 32 have flexibility (flexibility) and can be bent in any direction.

When a handle (not shown) provided on the operation unit 20 is operated, a wire (not shown) provided in the endoscope main body 2 is pulled, and the distal end 21 is moved in two or four directions. And the direction of the observation field of view can be changed.

The endoscope 1 has a light source device 6 to be described later, a light source connector 41 and a socket 63a of the light source device 6, and an image signal connector 42, and a socket 63b of the light source device 6. Connected by a bond.

The light source connector 41 and the image signal connector 42 have a separating / combining means 5 for enabling them to be separated / combined. The separating / coalescing means 5 in the present embodiment is constituted by an uneven fitting structure.

That is, the light source connector 41 is formed with a concave portion (ant groove) 51 having a trapezoidal cross section, while the image signal connector 42 has a convex portion having substantially the same shape that can be fitted into the concave portion 51. 52 are formed. In this case, the recess 51
The projection 52 and the projection 52 respectively extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the light source connector 41 and the image signal connector 42 are attached to and detached from the light source device 6 (hereinafter referred to as “connector attaching / detaching direction”). ), And by relatively moving the light source connector 41 and the image signal connector 42 in the direction, the two connectors 41 and 42 can be separated and combined.

The concave portion 51 is opened only to the front surface and the upper surface in FIG. 2 of the light source connector 41, and the convex portion 52 is inserted from the near side to the rear side in FIG. After being inserted, the protrusion 52 comes into contact with the end face of the protrusion 52, and the further movement to the back side is restricted.

A state in which the concave portion 51 and the convex portion 52 are fitted,
That is, in the combined state of the light source connector 41 and the image signal connector 42, the light source connector 41 and the image signal connector 42 do not move in a direction in which one of them is separated from the other (the vertical direction in FIG. 2), and Is prevented from moving in the connector attaching / detaching direction with respect to the other. This prevents, for example, when the light source connector 41 is attached to and detached from the socket 63a, the combined state of the light source connector 41 and the image signal connector 42 is released or displaced.

A circuit board 43 is provided in the connector 42. The circuit board 43 includes a power supply circuit (drive circuit for driving the image sensor 22) that supplies power to the image sensor 22 and an image signal processing unit of the light source device 6 that corrects parameters of image characteristics of the endoscope 1. 64 has a correction circuit (signal processing circuit for processing a signal from the image sensor 22) for outputting an appropriate image signal. Therefore, even if various endoscopes 1 having different uses and characteristics are connected to the same light source device 6, the best image state of each endoscope 1 can be obtained by the circuit board 43.

The base end of the signal line 24 is connected to a predetermined terminal on the circuit board 43. The output side of the circuit board 43 is connected to a predetermined contact terminal of the connector 42.

The light source device 6 includes a main body case 61, an operation panel 62 installed on the front of the main body case 61, sockets (connection portions) 63 a and 63 b provided on the front side of the main body case 61, Stored in the case 61,
An image signal processing unit 64 that performs image signal processing and the like, and a light source unit 65 that supplies illumination light for illuminating an observation site via the light guide 25 and the illumination unit 23 are configured.

The image signal processing section 64 includes an A / D converter 64
a, a memory 64b, a D / A converter 64c, a timing generator 64d, and an image processing circuit 64e. The input side of the image signal processing unit 64 is connected to the socket 6
3a.

The light source section 65 includes a lamp power supply 65a,
It has a lamp (light source) 65b and a lamp aperture 65c. An optical path 65d of illumination light is formed between the lamp power supply 65a and the socket 63b, and a lamp stop 65c is provided in the optical path 65d.

A monitor device (CRT) 7 is connected to such a light source device 6 via a monitor cable 71. With the monitor device 7, an image of the endoscope 1 can be viewed as an electronic image.

The light source device 6 and the monitor device 7
Each is loaded and mounted on a carrier rack (cart) R.

Next, the operation of the endoscope 1 and the light source device 6 will be described. [1] The endoscope 1 is usually in a state where the light source connector 41 and the image signal connector 42 are united (when not in use, such as during storage or transportation) (see FIG. 4).

[2] When using the endoscope 1,
While maintaining the combined state of the two connectors 41 and 42, one connector, for example, the light source connector 41 is gripped with one hand and connected (optically connected) to the socket 63b corresponding to the connector 41 (see FIG. 5). . At this time, since the connectors 41 and 42 are prevented from moving in the connector attaching / detaching direction by the separating / coalescing means 5, the image signal connector 42 does not come off or deviate from the light source connector 41.

[3] Next, the hand holding the light source connector 41 is replaced with the image signal connector 42, and the image signal connector 42 is moved to the near side in FIG.
1 and the convex portion 52 are released, and both connectors 41 and 42 are released.
Are separated (see FIG. 6). At this time, since the moving direction of the image signal connector 42 with respect to the light source connector 41 is a direction orthogonal to the connector attaching / detaching direction, the force in the connector attaching / detaching direction is applied to the light source connector 41 during this moving operation (connector separating operation). Does not work and the light source connector 41
Is prevented from accidentally falling out of the socket 63b.

[4] Next, the image signal connector 42 separated from the light source connector 41 is directly connected (electrically connected) to the socket 63a (see FIG. 7).

The series of operations [2] to [4] (connector connection operation) can be performed with one hand. Thus, the other hand is free to use during this operation.
For example, the above-mentioned [2]-
The operation of [4] can be performed.

[5] When detaching the endoscope 1 from the light source device 6, first, the image signal connector 42 is gripped with one hand and pulled out from the socket 63a.

[6] Next, the image signal connector 42 extracted from the socket 63a is moved to the far side in FIG. 2 with respect to the light source connector 41, and the concave portion 51 and the convex portion 52 are fitted to each other. 41 and 42 are united. At this time, the moving direction of the image signal connector 42 with respect to the light source connector 41 is a direction orthogonal to the connector attaching / detaching direction.
In this movement operation (connecting operation of the connector), no force is applied to the light source connector 41 in the connector attaching / detaching direction, thereby preventing the light source connector 41 from accidentally falling out of the socket 63b before the connection.

[7] Next, the hand holding the image signal connector 42 is replaced with the light source connector 41, and the connector 41 is removed from the socket 63b. At this time,
Since the connectors 41 and 42 are prevented from moving in the connector attaching / detaching direction by the separating / coalescing means 5, the image signal connector 42 does not come off or shift with respect to the light source connector 41. , 42
Is removed from the light source device 6 while maintaining the united state.

The series of operations [5] to [7] (connector removal operation) can also be performed with one hand. Thus, the other hand is free to use during this operation. For example, while holding the operation unit 20, the above [5]
To [7] can be performed.

Next, observation of the observation site by the endoscope 1 will be described. According to a conventional method, the endoscope main body 2 of the endoscope 1 is inserted into a body cavity such as a digestive tract. Prior to this insertion operation,
The following illumination and observation are performed.

With the light source connector 41 and the image signal connector 42 connected to the light source device 6, the operation panel 6
The lamp power supply 65a of the light source unit 65 is operated by operating the switch 2
Is turned on, power is supplied to the lamp 65b, and the lamp 65b is turned on (driven).

The light emitted from the lamp 65b is adjusted to a predetermined light amount by the opening degree of the lamp stop 65c.
That is, the aperture value of the lamp aperture 65c is set to a predetermined aperture value in accordance with the type of the endoscope (the part to be used and the like).

For example, in an endoscope used in the stomach,
Because the observation distance may be used at a distance, the light amount is relatively large, and in the endoscope used in the large intestine, the observation distance is almost always used close,
Reduce the amount of light relatively.

A signal (information) indicating a parameter unique to the endoscope 1 is input from the circuit board 43 to the light source device 6, and the aperture value of the lamp aperture 65c is appropriately determined and executed based on the information and the like.

The light that has passed through the lamp aperture 65c is transmitted to the socket 63b, the light source connector 41, and the light guide 25.
Through the illumination system lens 232. In this case, the light emitted from the end surface 231 of the light guide 25 is
The illumination system lens 232 adjusts the light so as to irradiate a predetermined irradiation range, thereby irradiating and illuminating an area including the observation site.

The reflected light (subject image) from the observation site illuminated by the illumination light is reflected by the observation system lens 221.
The light is guided to form an image on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 22, and the subject image is captured by the image sensor 22.

The image sensor 22 outputs an image signal corresponding to the captured image of the subject.
4 is input to a correction circuit (signal processing circuit) of the circuit board 43.

The correction circuit of the circuit board 43 performs a predetermined correction (signal processing) on the image signal. That is,
The image characteristic parameters are corrected so that an image signal suitable for image processing in the light source device 6 is obtained.

The corrected image signal is input to the A / D converter 64a in the light source device 6 via the image signal connector 42 and the socket 63a, and is converted from an analog signal to a digital signal. This digital image signal (image data) is temporarily stored in the memory 64b.

This digital image signal is read from the memory 64b based on the synchronization signal output from the timing generator 64d so as to synchronize with a predetermined display timing of the monitor device 7, and is read by the D / A converter 64c. It is converted from a digital signal to an analog signal.

This analog image signal is supplied to the image processing circuit 6
In 4e, for example, image processing such as correction of the gain (amplification rate) of the image signal to make the luminance of the output image signal constant and image enhancement such as edge enhancement are performed.
The data is input to the monitor device 7.

The monitor device 7 displays an image (electronic image) picked up by the image pickup device 22, that is, an endoscope monitor image of a moving image.

The endoscope monitor image can be a still image by repeatedly reading and outputting the same digital image signal of the same image stored in the memory 64b according to the synchronization signal output from the timing generator 64d. It is possible.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing another embodiment of the endoscope of the present invention. Hereinafter, differences between the endoscope 1 shown in FIG. 8 and the above-described endoscope 1 will be described.

In the endoscope 1 shown in FIG. 8, the operation unit 20 and the light source connector 41 are connected by the connection cable 3.
Further, the image signal cable 3 is provided from the light source connector 41.
2 is extended, and its end is connected to the image signal connector 42.

The signal line 24 is connected to the endoscope main body 2 (tube 26
Inside), through the operation unit 20, the connection cable 3, the image signal connector 42, and the image signal cable 32, are connected to predetermined terminals of the image signal connector 42.

The light guide 25 is connected to the endoscope main body 2.
The light source is connected to the light source connector 41 through the inside (in the tube 26), the operation unit 20, and the connection cable 3.

In this endoscope 1, both connectors 4
The configuration, operation, and the like of the separating / coalescing means 5 provided in the first and second units 42 are the same as those described above.

Each of the embodiments described above is an electronic endoscope (video scope). However, the present invention is not limited to this. As another embodiment, a light guide (light guide optical fiber bundle) may be provided on the endoscope body. ) And an image guide (optical fiber bundle for image guide), and may be an endoscope (fiberscope) for optically guiding a subject image.

In this case, the first and second connectors are:
Both are light source connectors. That is, in order to increase the amount of illumination light or the like, two light sources (lamps) are provided, and light from each light source is supplied to the endoscope via the first connector and the second connector, respectively. be able to. Also in this embodiment, the same separating and merging means as described above is provided.

In this embodiment, even if one of the light sources cannot be turned on due to the lamp being cut out or the like, the observation can be continued by turning on the other light source. In this case, the light emission amount of the light source is １ ／ of the normal light amount, but a necessary light amount can be secured by increasing the aperture of the stop or the like.
Further, this endoscope can sufficiently cope with replacement with an alternative endoscope while the visual field observation is possible.

The brightness of both light sources may be the same or different. In the latter case, for example, the two light sources can be composed of a commonly used high-output main light source and a small-output emergency light source used in an emergency. In this configuration, when the main light source is turned off, the emergency light source is turned on automatically.

The endoscope according to the present invention has been described based on the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and the configuration of each part may be any configuration having the same function. Can be replaced by

The endoscope of the present invention comprises a first connector and a second connector.
May be provided with a lock mechanism for maintaining the combined state of the connectors.

The separating / coalescing means in the present invention is not limited to the concavo-convex fitting structure shown in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, but may be, for example, a magnet, or an adhesive tape or a magic tape. It may be united.

The number of connectors may be three or more, as long as at least two of them can be separated and combined by the separating and combining means as described above. The use of each connector is not limited to those described in the above embodiments.

[0077]

As described above, according to the endoscope of the present invention, since the connectors can be separated and combined with each other, they can be easily attached to and detached from the light source device. , You can do it with one hand,
You can use the other hand freely.

Further, by devising the operation direction of the separating / coalescing means, the union of the connectors is released at the time of the attachment / detachment operation of the connectors, or the connectors come off from the socket at the time of the operation of the connectors. Inconvenience does not occur.

Further, when the endoscope is stored, transported, or the like, the connectors can be united and integrated.
It is convenient.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which an embodiment of an endoscope of the present invention is connected to a light source device.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a configuration of a connecting portion of the endoscope shown in FIG.

3 is a diagram (block diagram) schematically showing the internal structure of the endoscope shown in FIG. 1 and a light source device connecting the endoscope.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a connector connection operation in the endoscope of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a connector connection operation in the endoscope of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a connector connection operation in the endoscope of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a connector connection operation in the endoscope of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing another embodiment of the endoscope of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Endoscope 2 Endoscope main body 20 Operation part 21 Tip part 22 Image sensor 221 Observation system lens 23 Illumination part 231 End surface 232 Illumination system lens 24 Signal line 25 Light guide 26 Tube 3 Connection cable 31 Light guide cable 32 Image signal cable 41 Connector for Light Source 42 Connector for Image Signal 5 Separation / Coalescing Means 51 Concave 52 Convex 6 Light Source 61 Body Case 62 Operation Panel 63a, 63b Socket 64 Image Signal Processor 64a A / D Converter 64b Memory 64c D / A Conversion Device 64d timing generator 64e image processing circuit 65 light source unit 65a lamp power supply 65b lamp 65c lamp stop 65d optical path 7 monitor 71 monitor cable R carrier rack

Claims (10)

[Claims] An endoscope having a first connector connected to a light source device on a base end side, and an endoscope having an image capturing section for capturing a subject image at a distal end portion, An endoscope, comprising: a separation / coupling means for separating / coupling the first connector and the second connector. 2. An endoscope having an image pickup element for outputting an image signal corresponding to a subject image at a distal end, and a first connector connected to a light source device on a base end side, and a second connector. An endoscope, comprising: a separating / coalescing means for separating / coalescing the first connector and the second connector. 3. The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the first connector is a light source connector, and the second connector is an image signal connector. 4. A connection cable, a light guide cable and an image signal cable branched from the connection cable, wherein the light source connector and the image signal connector are respectively the light guide cable and the image signal cable. The endoscope according to claim 3, which is installed at an end of the endoscope. 5. The endoscope according to claim 3, wherein the image signal connector is provided at an end of an image signal cable extended from the light source connector. 6. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein both the first connector and the second connector are light source connectors. 7. The endoscope according to claim 6, wherein the first connector and the second connector are respectively connected to separate light sources. 8. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said separating / coalescing means is constituted by an uneven fitting structure. 9. The separating / coalescing unit relatively moves the first connector and the second connector in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction in which the first connector is attached to and detached from the light source device. Claim 1 which separates and unites
An endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 8. 10. The first connector and the second connector are configured to prevent relative movement of the first connector in a mounting / detaching direction with respect to a light source device when the first connector and the second connector are combined. 10. The endoscope according to any one of 9 above.