JPH11225946A - Endoscope system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope system constituted inexpensively. SOLUTION: This system has a first electronic endoscope 2 which moves an optical lens 15 of an objective optical system connected and fixed on a wire 30 by pulling and operating the wire 30 to perform any of change of observation magnification of the objective optical system, focusing, and zooming, a second electronic endoscope 3 which raises and falls down a treatment tool raising base 25 connected with and fixed on the wire 30 by pulling and operating the wire 30 to guide a treatment tool inserted into an insertion part in a predetermined direction by the treatment tool raising base, a photographed image signal processing means which processes a photographed image signal from a photographed image element 14 of the first or second electronic endoscope to convert it into a picture signal, and an image display means which receives a picture signal from the photographed signal processing means to turn it into a picture image. In this case, a wire traction mechanism 31 of the first electronic endoscope 2 and a wire traction mechanism 31 of the second electronic endoscope 3 use at least a part of constituent parts that is the same mutually.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to an endoscope system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in the medical field, a solid-state image pickup device such as a CCD is disposed as an image pickup means in a distal end portion of an insertion portion inserted into a body cavity, and an electronic endoscope which outputs an image in the body cavity as an electric signal. Is widely used. Generally, in such an electronic endoscope, like other fiberscopes,
A treatment instrument insertion channel is provided over substantially the entire length of the insertion portion so that the treatment instrument can be introduced into the body cavity as needed, in addition to observation.

In some electronic endoscopes, the observation magnification of the objective optical system is changed (magnification) so that a more accurate observation image can be obtained.
And there are some that can do focus and zoom. In this case, for example, when the moving lens provided in the objective optical system is moved in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion (the optical axis direction of the objective optical system), the magnification of the image formed on the imaging surface of the CCD is changed. (See Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-56668).

In particular, in a side-view type electronic endoscope, a treatment tool outlet for leading out a treatment tool inserted into an insertion portion through a treatment tool insertion channel is provided with an illumination window or an observation window. It is formed on the side surface of the distal end side portion of the insertion portion together with the window and the like. In this case, the distal end side of the treatment instrument is bent at a predetermined angle and guided toward the treatment instrument outlet, so that the distal end side portion of the insertion portion is located opposite to the end of the treatment instrument insertion channel. The treatment instrument raising table is arranged so as to be able to be raised and lowered. Therefore, when the treatment tool raising table is raised and lowered, the distal end side of the treatment tool protruding from the end of the treatment tool insertion channel is directed in a predetermined direction along the guide surface of the treatment tool raising table, and the treatment tool guide is moved. It is led out from the exit (see Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 4-108507).

In general, various types of electronic endoscopes, such as the above-mentioned side-view type electronic endoscope having a treatment instrument raising stand and a variable-magnification type electronic endoscope capable of changing magnification, are used. Light source device for supplying illumination light to the camera, and a camera control unit (CCU) for processing an image signal picked up by an electronic endoscope
And one monitor together with a monitor that displays an image signal processed by the CCU. In such a system, various endoscopes are connected to a commonly used light source device or CCU and used properly according to the type of operation or treatment. Therefore, when configuring an endoscope system, a light source device, a CCU, or the like is manufactured so as to be commonly used for a plurality of types of electronic endoscopes, or a light source device, a CCU, or the like can be shared. A plurality of types of endoscopes are manufactured.

[0006]

In the above-described side-view type electronic endoscope and the variable-magnification type electronic endoscope, the movement of the movable lens and the raising / lowering operation of the treatment instrument raising base are performed by, for example, a hand-side operation unit. The operation is performed by pushing and pulling the wire accompanying the operation. That is, one end of the operation wire is connected to the moving lens or the treatment tool raising table which is the driving body, and the other end of the operation wire is connected to the wire pulling mechanism. The operation wire is pulled by being transmitted to the operation wire via the operation wire, and the moving lens and the treatment instrument raising table connected thereto are moved or raised and lowered.

However, the form of the traction mechanism for pushing and pulling the operation wire and the form of the operation unit at the hand side differ depending on the type of endoscope, and this is a problem between a plurality of types of endoscopes constituting the same endoscope system. But the same is true. Therefore, components such as a traction mechanism are separately manufactured for each type of endoscope, and components cannot be shared between endoscopes used in the same endoscope system. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the entire endoscope system has been increased. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope system that can be configured at low cost.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an image pickup device and an objective optical system at the distal end side of an insertion portion, and manually pushes and pulls a wire via a pulling mechanism. By moving the optical lens of the objective optical system connected and fixed to the wire, the first electronic endoscope for changing the observation magnification, focusing, or zooming of the objective optical system, and the tip of the insertion section By providing an imaging device and a treatment tool raising table on the side, and manually pushing and pulling the wire via a traction mechanism, the treatment tool raising table connected and fixed to the wire is raised and lowered, and inserted into the insertion portion. A second electronic endoscope that guides the treatment instrument in a predetermined direction by the treatment instrument raising stand, and is electrically connected to the first or second electronic endoscope;
An image signal processing means for processing an image signal from an image sensor of the first or second electronic endoscope and converting the image signal into a video signal; and an image display for receiving the video signal from the image signal processing means and forming an image thereof In the endoscope system having the means, the traction mechanism of the first electronic endoscope and the traction mechanism of the second electronic endoscope are at least partially identical to each other.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a first endoscope 2 capable of changing (magnifying) the observation magnification of an objective optical system and performing focus / zoom, and a treatment instrument. A second electronic endoscope 3 of a side view type having an upper base, a light source device 4 for supplying illumination light to the electronic endoscopes 2 and 3, and an image signal captured by the electronic endoscopes 2 and 3 And a monitor 6 for displaying an image signal-processed by the CCU 5.

As shown in the figure, the first and second electronic endoscopes 2 (3) have an insertion portion 2a (3a) inserted into a body cavity.
And an operation unit 2 connected to the base end of the insertion unit 2a (3a).
b (3b) constitutes the endoscope main body. A universal cord 7 extends from the operation unit 2b (3b), and a connector 8 that is detachably connected to the light source device 4 and the CCU 5 is provided at a tip of the universal cord 7. The connector 8 has two connection terminals 8a and 8b, of which the first connection terminal 8a is detachably connected to the light source device 4, and the second connection terminal 8b is a curl extending from the CCU 5. Code 10
Is detachably connected to the connector 9 at the end of the connector.

Also, the insertion portions 2a, 2b of the electronic endoscopes 2, 3 are provided.
A treatment tool insertion channel (not shown) through which a treatment tool can be inserted is disposed in the inside of 3a over substantially the entire length of the insertion sections 2a and 3a. This treatment instrument insertion channel is provided with a treatment instrument insertion port (not shown) provided on the operation section 2b, 3b side.
And is open at the tip of the insertion portion 2a, 3b. Therefore, by inserting the treatment tool into the treatment tool insertion channel through the treatment tool insertion port, the distal end side of the treatment tool can be protruded from the distal ends of the insertion portions 2a and 3a. The operation units 2b and 3b include the insertion unit 2
A bending operation knob 20 for bending the distal ends of the a and 3a is provided rotatably. Further, the universal code 7 and the insertion portions 2a, 3 of the electronic endoscopes 2, 3 are provided.
A light guide (not shown) for guiding the illumination light from the light source device 4 to the distal ends of the insertion portions 2a and 3a is inserted through a.

As shown in FIG. 2A, an observation window 13, an objective optical system 12, and a CCD 14 as a solid-state image sensor are provided at the distal end of the insertion section 2a of the first endoscope 2. It is arranged. The objective optical system 12 has a movable lens 15 that can move along the longitudinal direction of the insertion section 2a (the optical axis direction of the objective optical system 12). Therefore, the moving lens 15
Is moved along the optical axis direction of the objective optical system 12 by a driving mechanism described later, the magnification of an image formed on the imaging surface of the CCD 14 changes. That is, it is possible to change the observation magnification of the objective optical system (magnification change) and to perform focus and zoom.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the second endoscope 3 has a treatment instrument guide for guiding the treatment instrument inserted into the insertion portion 3a through the treatment instrument insertion channel to the outside. An outlet 28 is provided. The treatment instrument outlet 28 is formed on the side surface of the distal end portion of the insertion portion 3a together with the illumination window, the observation window, and the like. In order to guide the treatment instrument toward the treatment instrument outlet 28 by curving the distal end side at a predetermined angle, a treatment instrument raising table 25 is provided in the distal end portion of the insertion section 3a. The treatment instrument raising table 25 is positioned to face the terminal end 27 of the treatment instrument insertion channel, and is rotatable (up and down) about a support shaft 26. Therefore, when the treatment tool raising table 25 is raised and lowered by a driving mechanism described later, the distal end side of the treatment tool protruding from the terminal end 27 of the treatment tool insertion channel is positioned along the guide surface 25 a of the treatment tool raising table 25. Is drawn out from the treatment instrument outlet 28 to the outside. An observation window, an objective optical system, and a CCD as a solid-state imaging device are disposed at the distal end of the insertion section 3a of the second endoscope 3, similarly to the first endoscope 2. I have. As the form of the second endoscope 3, an example in which a treatment tool raising mechanism is provided in a side-view type endoscope has been described. However, a treatment tool raising mechanism is provided in a perspective endoscope or a direct-view type endoscope. May be provided.

The operation units 2b, 3b of the endoscopes 2, 3
Has a freeze switch 21 for instructing a freeze of the image.
And VTR start switch (on / off switch) 2
2 and a release switch 23 are provided.

In the endoscope system 1 having the above configuration,
Each of the electronic endoscopes 2 and 3 is connected to the light source device 4 and the CCU 5 that are commonly used and used properly according to the type of operation or treatment. That is, when the first endoscope 2 is used, the connector 8 of the universal cord 7 of the first endoscope 2 is connected to the light source device 4 and the CCU 5 (more precisely, the connector 9). You. On the other hand, when the second endoscope 3 is used, instead of the first endoscope 2, the second endoscope 2 is used.
The connector 8 of the universal cord 7 of the endoscope 3 is connected to the light source device 4 and the CCU 5 (more precisely, the connector 9).

When the first or second endoscope 2 (3) is connected to the light source device 4 and the CCU 5, light from the light source device 4 passes through the connector 8 from the universal cord 7 to the insertion portion 2 a. The light is guided by a light guide disposed over (3a), and is illuminated on an observation site through an illumination window provided at a distal end of the insertion portion 2a (3a). In addition, the reflected light of the light applied to the observation site is reflected by the observation window 13 and the objective optical system 1.
2, an image is formed on the imaging surface of the CCD 14, and is converted into an electric signal by the CCD 14, and is inserted into the insertion section 2a (3
a) through a connector (8, 9) through a signal cable (not shown)
It is transmitted to CU5. CCD1 transmitted to CCU5
The electrical signal (imaging signal) from 4 is subjected to predetermined signal processing by the CCU 5, converted into a normal video signal, for example, an NTSC signal, and displayed on the monitor 6 as an image of the observation site.

The moving lens 15 and the elevator 25 provided on each of the endoscopes 2 and 3 are driven by a driving mechanism. This drive mechanism includes a wire 30 connected to the moving lens 15 or the elevator 25, and a pulling mechanism 31 for pushing and pulling the wire 30, and is shared by the endoscopes 2 and 3. That is, all components of the drive mechanism for driving the movable lens 15 or the elevator 25 are the same between the electronic endoscopes 2 and 3. Therefore, only the drive mechanism of the first endoscope 2 will be described below,
The same reference numerals are given to the second endoscope 3 and the description is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the moving lens 1
The drive mechanism for moving the wire 5 includes a wire 30 having one end connected to the moving lens 15 and a pulling mechanism 31 for pushing and pulling the wire 30.

The wire 30 is inserted into a wire insertion channel 29 disposed over substantially the entire length of the insertion portion 2a. As shown in FIG. 4, the wire insertion channel 29 is formed of, for example, a coil sheath formed by closely winding a metal wire, and is fixed to a casing 32 of a traction mechanism 31 described later by soldering. ing.

The traction mechanism 31 includes a casing 32 fixedly supported in the operation section 2b, and a wire 30 connected to the other end of the wire 30 and guided along a guide groove 32a formed in the casing 32. A sliding member 33 slidable in the axial direction; a link member 35 disposed in the operating portion 2b and one end of which is rotatably connected to the sliding member 33 via a support shaft 34; The bending operation knob 20 is disposed and one end thereof is rotatably attached to the other end of the link member 35 via a support shaft 36.
And an operation lever 37 that is rotatable around a rotary shaft 38. The other end of the operation lever 37 protrudes outside from the operation unit 2b, and a finger contact member 40 is attached to the protruding end.

As shown in FIG. 3, the casing 32 comprises a substantially box-shaped main body 41 and a lid 42 for closing the upper opening of the main body 41, and a watertight space S (communicating with the wire insertion channel 29). 2 (a) of FIG. 2).
The lid 42 is fixed to the main body 41 by screws 43. Further, a guide groove 32a is formed in the main body 41 along its longitudinal direction (axial direction of the wire 30) to accommodate and guide the slide member 33 so as to be slidable.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the casing 32 is provided with a washing water supply passage 32b communicating with the watertight space S. The passage 32b protrudes outside the operation unit 2b and is open. In addition, in order to ensure the watertightness of the space S in the casing 32, a cap 39 is detachably attached to the open end of the passage 32b protruding outside the operation unit 2a.

Therefore, in such a configuration, when the operation lever 37 is rotated around the rotation shaft 38 by touching the finger against the finger contact member 40, the slide member 33 is guided by the link member 35 to the guide of the casing 32. The wire 30 slides along the groove 32a, and the wire 30 connected to the slide member 35 is pushed and pulled. Thereby, the moving lens 15 connected to the wire 30 is moved along the optical axis direction of the objective optical system 12, and the observation magnification of the objective optical system 12 is changed (magnification).
Also, focus and zoom are performed.

Also, in the second endoscope 3, the driving mechanism for raising and lowering the raising table 25 is exactly the same as that of the first endoscope 2, so that the operation is performed by touching the finger holding member 40 with a finger. When the lever 37 is rotated about the rotation shaft 38, the slide member 33 is moved via the link member 35 to the casing 32.
Slide along the guide groove 32a of the
The wire 30 connected to 5 is pushed and pulled. As a result, the elevator 25 connected to the wire 30 is
6 around the end of the treatment instrument insertion channel 2
The distal end side of the treatment tool protruding from 7 is directed in a predetermined direction along the guide surface 25a of the treatment tool raising table 25, and is led out of the treatment tool outlet 28.

On the other hand, when cleaning the second electronic endoscope 3 after use, the cap 39 attached to the opening end of the cleaning water supply passage 32b is removed (the state shown in FIG. 2B). ), Washing water supply means such as a syringe is attached to the open end of the passage 32b, and washing water flows from the syringe or the like to the watertight space S of the casing 32 and the wire insertion channel 29 through the passage 32b. As a result, the space S, the wire insertion channel 29, and the wire 30 and the elevator 25 are cleaned with the cleaning water.

As described above, in the endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment, the driving mechanism for driving the moving lens 15 and the elevator 25 includes the first electronic endoscope 2 and the second electronic endoscope. It is shared with the endoscope 3. That is, all components of the drive mechanism for driving the movable lens 15 or the elevator 25 are the same between the electronic endoscopes 2 and 3 (a plurality of types of endoscopes constituting the same endoscope system). The components of the drive mechanism are all the same between each other). Therefore, the components of the drive mechanism do not have to be separately manufactured for each type of endoscope, and the components can be shared between endoscopes used in the same endoscope system. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the entire endoscope system can be significantly reduced.

Note that the endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment
It has two electronic endoscopes 2 and 3, and the drive mechanism is shared between these endoscopes 2 and 3.
One or more electronic endoscopes may be provided, and a drive mechanism may be shared between at least two or more electronic endoscopes. Also,
In the present embodiment, the second electronic endoscope 3 is
The distal end side of the insertion portion 3a in which the device 5 is disposed is a treatment instrument outlet 28.
Since the first electronic endoscope 2 is not exposed to the outside, the first electronic endoscope 2 is not exposed to the outside because it is exposed to the outside through the passage 32b. No need for washing with washing water via. Therefore, in the first electronic endoscope 2, the passage 32
b may be completely closed. Alternatively, passage 32
b may not be provided (the casing 32 may not have the passage 32b).

In the present embodiment, the wire 30 is the same between the endoscopes 2 and 3, and the same in this case means that the material, length and thickness of the wire 30 are all the same. Means that. Of course, at least one of them may be different. Further, in the present embodiment, the drive mechanism is the same between the endoscopes 2 and 3, but the wire 30 may be different between the endoscopes 2 and 3 and only the traction mechanism 31 may be shared. Of course, a part of the traction mechanism 31 may be different between the endoscopes 2 and 3. A preferred example in which a part of the traction mechanism 31 is different is shown in FIG. FIG. 5 shows a finger contact member which forms a part of the traction mechanism 31, and FIG.
5A shows a finger contact member 40a of the first electronic endoscope 2, and FIG. 5B shows a finger contact member 40b of the second electronic endoscope 3. As described above, when the shape of the finger contact member 40 (40a, 40b) is made different between the endoscopes 2, 3, even if the first and second endoscopes 2, 3 are identical in appearance, Can be easily distinguished, and misuse can be prevented.

According to the technical contents described above, the following various configurations can be obtained. 1. A first endoscope that provides an imaging element and an optical lens at the distal end, moves the optical lens by a push-pull wire, and performs magnification, focus, or zoom;
A second endoscope that provides an image pickup device and a treatment instrument raising base at the distal end portion, guides the treatment tool by tilting the treatment tool raising base with a pushable / pullable wire, and an imaging element of the first endoscope. In an endoscope system having a camera control unit electrically connectable to an image sensor of the second endoscope and a monitor for displaying an image of the camera control unit, a wire of the first endoscope is pulled. An endoscope system, wherein at least some of the components of the traction mechanism for pulling the wires of the traction mechanism and the second endoscope are the same.

2. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein at least a pulling lever portion of the pulling mechanisms of the first and second endoscopes is the same. 3. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein the traction mechanisms of the first and second endoscopes are exactly the same.

4. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein a wire and a traction mechanism of the first and second endoscopes are the same. 5. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein the first and second endoscopes have different shapes of finger pads of a traction mechanism.

6. The traction mechanism includes a rotatable traction lever having a finger contact portion, a link member rotatably connected to the traction lever, and one end rotatably connected to the link member and the other end wired. 2. The endoscope system according to claim 1, further comprising a slider connected to the endoscope and slidable along the axial direction of the wire.

[0033]

As described above, according to the endoscope system of the present invention, the manufacturing cost of the entire endoscope system can be greatly reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an endoscope system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a side view of a traction mechanism of a first endoscope constituting the endoscope system, and FIG. 2B is a side view of a traction mechanism of a second endoscope constituting the endoscope system. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a connection state between a casing and a wire insertion channel.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a finger pad as a component of the traction mechanism.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope system 2 ... 1st electronic endoscope 2a ... Insertion part 3 ... 2nd electronic endoscope 3a ... Insertion part 5 ... CCU (imaging signal processing means) 6 ... Monitor (image display means) 12 ... Objective optical system 14 ... CCD (imaging element) 15 ... Movable lens (optical lens) 25 ... Equipment raising table 30 ... Wire 31 ... Traction mechanism

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup device and an objective optical system are provided on the distal end side of an insertion section, and an optical lens of the objective optical system connected and fixed to the wire is manually operated by pushing and pulling a wire via a pulling mechanism. A first electronic endoscope that is moved to change, focus, or zoom the observation magnification of the objective optical system; an imaging element and a treatment tool raising table at the distal end side of the insertion section; A second operation for manually pushing and pulling the wire through the second step to raise and lower the treatment instrument raising base connected and fixed to the wire and to guide the treatment tool inserted into the insertion portion in a predetermined direction by the treatment instrument raising base. And an electronic endoscope electrically connected to the first or second electronic endoscope;
Or an image signal processing means for processing an image signal from an image sensor of the second electronic endoscope and converting the image signal into a video signal; and an image display means for receiving the video signal from the image signal processing means and forming an image thereof Wherein the traction mechanism of the first electronic endoscope and the traction mechanism of the second electronic endoscope have at least some of their components identical to each other. Endoscope system.