JPS6318167B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] This invention provides a light guide for an endoscope that includes a collimation light and a
Or it relates to a light source device for an endoscope that supplies photographing light.

Generally, this type of light source device that sends illuminating light and photographing light includes a illuminant for illumination and a illuminant for photographing within the main body, as well as a movable reflector that selectively switches the optical path of these illuminants. Configured with the necessary features. To send light to the endoscope, insert the endoscope's light guide connector into the connector connection socket provided on the main body, and close (ON) the power switch to turn on the light for collation. Light from the body is sent to the endoscope through the socket, and illumination light used during endoscopic observation is sent to the end of the endoscope. When taking pictures, by operating the shutter button of the photographing device attached to the endoscope, a shutter signal is transmitted to the control unit via the endoscope, which activates the movable reflector and starts taking pictures. Photographing light provided during endoscope photography by causing the light emitter to emit light is sent to the distal end of the endoscope via a movable reflector as necessary.

By the way, the normal handling of a light source device is to turn off the power switch and then remove the light guide connector from the socket. The guide connector may be removed.

However, if the light guide connector is removed while the illuminant for illumination is on, strong illumination light will be emitted from the socket to the outside, and this illumination light may cause glare to patients and doctors. In some cases, this may cause problems that may have an adverse effect on the eyes.

This invention was made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to convert the optical path of the illuminant for collation to a direction other than the socket when the light guide connector is disconnected while the light is on. It is an object of the present invention to provide a light source device for an endoscope that can reduce the amount of illumination light irradiated to the outside, thereby reducing problems such as glare and adverse effects on the eyes.

A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Reference numeral 1 in FIG. 1 is a main body of a light source device for an endoscope, and this main body 1 is provided with a socket 2 to which an endoscope 3 can be connected.

Here, to explain the endoscope 3, 4 in the figure
1 is an operating section equipped with an eyepiece section 5, and this operating section 4 is provided with an insertion section 6 and a universal cord 7 having a connector 8 at its tip. An observation light guide (not shown) is inserted into the insertion section 6 and extends into the operation section 4, thereby optically communicating the eyepiece section 5 and the distal end of the insertion section 6. . That is, the front end of the insertion section 6 can be visually observed from the eyepiece section 5. Furthermore, inside the insertion part 6, there is a universal cord 7 and a connector 8.
A light guide for illumination (not shown) is inserted through the insertion portion 6 to optically communicate the tip of the insertion portion 6 and the connector 8. The end of this illumination light guide on the connector 8 side protrudes from the connector end face, and its peripheral surface is covered with a protruding tube 9, forming an entrance portion 10a on the protruding end face.

The protruding part of the connector 8 of the endoscope 3 configured as described above can be connected to the socket 2 by a plug-in connection method, and the entrance part 10
a is positioned at a light condensing section 11 formed within the main body 1.

On the other hand, a light source device is provided inside the main body 1. This light source device is composed of a light source lamp 12 for collation, which is a light emitter for collation, and a strobe tube 13 for photography, which is a light emitter for photography. A light emitting part is disposed facing the light collecting part 11 at the rear stage of the light collecting part 11 which is the rear stage in the direction of insertion of the connector 8, and a light emitting part is disposed facing the light collecting part 11, and the light emitted from the strobe tube 13 is transmitted through a light collecting lens 14 provided at the front stage. The light can be sent to the input section 10a of the connector 8 through the connector 8. Note that 15a is an optical path. Also light source lap 1
2 is disposed at the midway side of the optical path 15a of the strobe tube 13 so that its emitting section faces the optical path 15a, and the light emitted from the lamp light emitting section 12a is condensed by a condensing mirror 12b. and sends it toward the optical path 15a. Note that 15b is the optical path of the light source lamp 12. And the optical path 15
A mirror 16, which is a movable reflector, is provided at the intersection of a and 15b, and selectively directs the light from the light source lamp 12 or the light from the strobe tube 13 to the entrance portion 10a of the connector 8, as required. I am now able to lead. That is, mirror 16
For example, if the reflective surface 16a is relative to the optical path 15a,
It is connected at an angle of 45 degrees to the drive shaft of the mirror rotation drive body 17, such as a rotary solenoid or a motor, and the reflective surface 16a is normally located on the condensing part side, which is the fixed position, and the optical path 15a The light path 15b is guided to the condensing section 11 due to reflection. When the shutter signal of the photographing device (not shown) is transmitted to the control section (not shown) constituting the operating circuit (not shown), the mirror rotation drive body 1
7 is activated and the optical path 15a is blocked by the mirror 16.
is opened to guide light emitted from the strobe tube 13 to the condenser 11. That is, during endoscopic observation, collimation light for collation can be sent toward the distal end of the insertion section 6 through the socket 2, and photographing light for photographing can be similarly sent during endoscopic imaging. It has a structure.

Further, within the main body 1, a collation light optical path changing mechanism 18 is provided. This optical path conversion mechanism 18 includes a connector detection switch 19 that detects the insertion/removal state of the connector 8, and a mirror rotation drive body 17 based on the detection signal of this connector detection switch 19.
It is composed of a drive section 20 that operates the
The specific structure is as follows.

That is, the connector detection switch 19 is constructed by providing a movable contact 21 that can be protruded and retracted at a portion where it abuts against the connector 8 near the socket 2, with its protrusion and retraction portion protruding from the abutting surface. When the connector 8 is connected, the movable contact 21 is pressed and retracted by the connector 8, and the connector detection switch 19 is opened (OFF). When the connector 8 is removed from the socket 2, the movable contact 21 protrudes from the mating surface and the connector detection switch 19 is closed (ON).
The presence or absence of connection of the connector 8 is detected.

On the other hand, the drive section 20 is composed of an electric circuit including a power source 22, and the connector detection switch 19 and the mirror rotation drive body 17 are electrically connected via this electric circuit. When the connector detection switch 19 detects that the connector 8 is disconnected from the socket 2, power is supplied to the mirror rotation drive body 17, and the mirror 16 in the collation light supply state is shown in FIG. It is designed to be rotated so as to retreat from the entire area of the optical path 15b. In other words, the light source lamp 12
The collimation light is irradiated onto parts other than the socket 2.

When transmitting light to the endoscope 3 using the endoscope light source device configured as described above, the connector 8 is first inserted into the socket 2 to a predetermined position and connected. As a result, the movable contact 21
is recessed to open the connector detection switch 19, and the incident section 10a is positioned at the light condensing section 11. Next, by closing (ON) the power switch (not shown) of the main body 1, an operation circuit (not shown) is activated and the light source lamp 12 is turned on, and a predetermined collation light from the light source lamp 12 is directed to the reflective surface. The light is guided to the light condensing section 11 via the light beam 16a. Then, the collimation light is guided in the order of the entrance part 10a and the illumination lightride, and is irradiated from the distal end part 6a of the insertion part 6, so that observation with the endoscope 3 is achieved.

When taking pictures using an endoscopic imaging device (not shown) during this endoscopic observation,
A photographing device is attached to the eyepiece section 5. Thereby, the shutter signal output terminal of the photographing device is connected to a transmission path (not shown) formed from the operating section 4 to the connector 8, and the photographing device and the operating circuit are electrically connected. And when shooting,
By operating a shutter button (not shown), the shutter signal is transmitted to the operating circuit via the transmission path, and the mirror rotation drive body 17 is operated to change the optical path. Immediately after this optical path conversion, the strobe tube 13 emits light, and the photographing light is irradiated toward the condensing section 11. This allows the imaging light to be applied to the distal end of the insertion section 6 in the same manner as the above-mentioned supply of the collation light.
It is irradiated from a, and photographing is achieved, for example, by film exposure.

Note that after the photographing is completed, the mirror 16 returns to its original state.

Afterwards, after the observation using the endoscope 3 is completed, if the connector 8 is removed from the socket 2 by mistake without turning off the power switch, the movable contact 21 will automatically return from the abutting surface. Protrudingly, the connector detection switch 19 is closed,
Electric power will be supplied to the mirror rotation drive body 17.

Therefore, the mirror 16 is retracted from the entire optical path 15b based on the detection signal, and the second
As shown in the figure, the collimation light emitted from the light source lamp 12 has its optical path changed and is emitted in a direction other than the socket 2.

Therefore, the illumination light from the light source lamp 12 is not radiated outward from the socket 2, and the patient, doctor, etc. will not feel glare or have any adverse effects on the eyes.

In the first embodiment described above, all of the collimation light was directed in directions other than the socket 2, but as shown in FIGS. Even if the irradiation toward the socket 2, the so-called collimation light, is reduced, the amount of light emitted from the outside is extremely small, so it does not cause glare to patients, doctors, etc., as in the above-mentioned embodiment. It does not cause any irritation or harm to the eyes.

Moreover, since the amount of light in this case is extremely small, connect the light source lamp 12 before connecting the connector 8.
It is possible to check whether the light source lamp 12 is lit, and to know in advance if the light source lamp 12 is broken.

In addition, when irradiating a part of the collimation light toward the socket 2 through the mirror 16 in this way, the mirror rotation driver 17 moves the mirror 16 so that a part of the optical path 15b is directed toward the socket 2. Of course, you can set the operation so that it stops at the guided position, but
When using a rotary solenoid,
A stopping means such as a push-pull solenoid is required to stop the mirror 16 at a predetermined position, and when this stopping means is used, the stopping operation may be performed in synchronization with the operation of the mirror 16.

In addition, in FIGS. 4 and 5, the same components as those in the above-mentioned embodiment are given the same numbers and their explanations are omitted.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but may be implemented as a second embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

That is, in the second embodiment, a light source lamp 12 is arranged at the rear stage in the insertion direction of the connector 8, a strobe tube 13 is arranged at the front stage of the light source lamp 12, and the optical path 15b is always set based on the operation of the mirror 16. During photographing, a mirror 16 blocks the optical path 15b, and photographing light from the strobe tube 13 is guided to the condenser 11 via a reflective surface 16a. The collation light optical path conversion mechanism 18 includes a connector detection switch 19.
When the mirror rotation drive body 1 is closed, the power supply 22
7, the mirror 16 blocks the optical path 15b over the entire area and guides the illuminating light from the light source lamp 12 in a direction other than the socket 2 via the mirror 16. This is what I did. Note that the function of the mirror 16 in this case is to block the optical path 15b, and it goes without saying that the function of the mirror 16 can be achieved even if the side surface of the mirror 16 facing the light source lamp is not a reflective surface.

Even in this case, as in the above-described embodiment, there is no collimation light emitted from the socket 2 to the outside, so that the patient, doctor, etc. will not feel dazzled, and will not have any adverse effect on the eyes.

As a modification of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. Make sure to irradiate towards the
Even if the amount of collimation light irradiated from the socket 2 to the outside is reduced (attenuated), the same effect as in the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

In FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, the same components as those in the embodiment described above are given the same numbers, and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

In addition, in any of the above-described embodiments, the collation light optical path conversion mechanism detects the connected or disconnected state of the connector using a connector detection switch, and the mirror Although the mirror is configured to be operated electrically, the mirror may be operated mechanically. For example, the mirror is provided with a mirror rotation interlocking member that engages with a protruding tube of a connector, and the mirror rotation interlocking member is activated by inserting and removing the connector. Alternatively, the optical path may be changed by mechanically operating a mirror via the mirror.

As explained above, according to the present invention, when the light guide connector of the endoscope is removed from the socket, the movable reflector is moved to change the optical path of the illuminant for illumination, and at least part of the illumination light is Since we have provided a collimation light optical path conversion mechanism that directs the light guide connector in a direction other than the socket, if the light guide connector is disconnected, there will be no collimation light emitted from the socket to the outside, or the collation light with a small amount of light will be emitted to the outside. It will be irradiated. Therefore, it does not cause patients, doctors, etc. to feel glare or have any adverse effects on their eyes, and the effect is great.

In addition, in the case of dimming the collimation light, it is possible to check whether the collation illuminant is lit before connecting the connector, and it is possible to check for disconnected wires in advance. .

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a state diagram showing the state in which the connector is disconnected, and Fig. 3 is a state diagram showing the operating state of the movable reflector when changing the optical path. , FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a modification of the first embodiment, FIG. 5 is a state diagram showing the operating state of the movable reflector when the connector is disconnected, and FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a state diagram showing the operating state of the movable reflector when the connector is disconnected, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a modification of the second embodiment. 2... Socket, 8... Connector (light guide connector), 12... Light source lamp (illuminant for collation), 13... Strobe tube (light emitter for photographing),
16... Mirror (movable reflector), 18... Collation light optical path conversion mechanism.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A socket to which the light guide connector of the endoscope is detachably connected is provided, and a collimation illuminant and a photographic illuminant for transmitting collimation light and photographing light are provided on the side of this socket, and the optical path of each of these illuminants is The light guide connector of the endoscope is configured to switch based on the operation of the movable reflector and selectively send the collimation light or photographing light to the endoscope through the socket part. A collimation light optical path changing mechanism is provided which moves the movable reflector when removed from the socket to change the optical path of the collation light emitter and directs at least a part of the collation light in a direction other than the socket. Characteristic light source device for endoscopes.