JPS63275332A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent an endoscope from being drawn toward a magnetic field, by providing a magnetic sensor for detecting the intensity of a magnetic field and detecting the approach to the magnetic field. CONSTITUTION:A Hall element is mounted in the operating part of an endoscope 1 and a magnetic detector 60 is provided therein. An examinee 16 is placed on a bed 15 and, after a static magnetic field is applied to the examinee 16 by a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) apparatus 17, the insert part 2 of the endoscope 1 is inserted in the examinee 16 from the oral cavity and illumination light is supplied to the light guide fiber of the endoscope 1 to observe the epithelial layer of the walls of the stomach. Since the endoscope is used in the vicinity of the NMR apparatus 17 having a magnet generating static magnetic field, the endoscope is drawn near to the NMR apparatus 17 when excessively approaches to generate possibility bringing about difficulty in operation and the magnetic detector 60 allows a light emitting diode (LED) 65 to emit light when the operating part 3 of the endoscope 1 is placed in a magnetic field having predetermined intensity or more to emit an alarm. Therefore, it can be detected that the endoscope 1 excessively approaches the NMR apparatus 17 beforehand.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an endoscope used in or near a magnetic field, such as an endoscope used for NMR measurement.

[Problems to be solved by conventional techniques and inventions] Conventionally,
In detecting and diagnosing epidermal cancers that occur on the inner surface of the human digestive tract, particularly in the upper layers of the stomach wall, the site of occurrence is detected using an endoscope or X-ray imaging, and living tissue from that site is collected to determine if it is malignant. The common method was to diagnose whether or not the disease occurred. However, in such conventional methods, the sample collection site is relatively wide, so it is not possible to leave the clinic at the time of sampling, the labor required to collect biological tissue is large, and there is a risk of injury to the human body. There was a problem with this.

On the other hand, in recent years, a non-invasive method for diagnosing the human body that utilizes the phenomenon of nuclear magnetic resonance (hereinafter referred to as NMR) has been developed. For example, NMR using the above-mentioned NMR phenomenon
In an imaging device, a human body is placed in a magnetic field, a high frequency (m field) of a predetermined frequency is applied, and nuclei with spin in the human body are excited, and NMF of a predetermined frequency is emitted from the excited nuclei.
(A tomographic image is obtained by detecting the signal and processing it with a computer. The tomographic image obtained by this NMR imaging device is extremely useful for diagnosis of cancer etc. It is known that the relaxation times of i cells and normal cells are different from each other, and by measuring these relaxation times, it is possible to diagnose whether cancer is present or not. become.

However, the NMR imaging device has I! F
In order to obtain an i-layer image, a huge amount of NMR signals must be processed (this requires a high-speed human computer, the overall size of the equipment increases, and Become.

In addition, conventionally, when an abnormality is visually discovered during endoscopic tA observation, there has been a desire to determine to some extent whether or not the abnormality is, for example, malignant. In response to these demands, the NMR imaging apparatus is monovalent and large in size, and furthermore, there is a problem in that it is difficult to associate visually abnormal locations with tomographic images.

To deal with this, for example, as shown in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 59-88140, an NMR device is equipped with a high-frequency coil that generates a high-frequency magnetic field and detects the NMfl signal at the distal end of the endoscope insertion section. A speculum is suggested. This N
According to the MR endoscope, by pressing the high-frequency coil against an abnormal area and detecting the NMR(g@) of the abnormal area, it is possible to detect and diagnose whether the abnormal area has a raw egg-like change, for example, cancer. becomes possible.

By the way, the endoscope used for such NMR measurements uses, for example, a ring-shaped magnet arranged to surround the subject in order to generate a static magnetic field. Therefore, if the device is used near the magnet, the device may be attracted to the magnet, making operation difficult.

[Object of the invention] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is
It is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope that can detect proximity to a magnetic field formed by a magnet or the like that generates a static magnetic field for R measurement, and can prevent being attracted to the magnetic field.

[Means and operations for solving the problems] The endoscope according to the present invention is equipped with a magnetic sensor that detects the strength of a magnetic field, and is capable of detecting proximity to the magnetic field.

[Example] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1 to 4 relate to one embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an endoscope, FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a magnetic detection device, and FIG. 3 is a state in which the coil is protruded. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the distal end of the insertion section, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the state in which the endoscope of this embodiment is used.

As shown in FIG. 1, the inner pocket [1] of this embodiment includes an elongated, for example, flexible insertion section 2, and a large-diameter operating section 3 is connected to the rear end of this insertion section 2. There is.

An eyepiece section 4 is connected to the rear end of the operation section 3, and
A flexible universal cord 5 extends laterally from the rear end of the operating section 3, and as shown in FIG. 4, a connector 6 is connected to the tip of the universal cord 5. . This endoscope 1 is connected to a light source device 7 via the connector 6.

The insertion section 2 has a flexible section 11 installed on the operating section 3 side.
, a bendable curved portion 12 connected to the tip of this flexible portion 11 , and a tip portion 1 connected to the tip of this curved portion 12 .
It is composed of 3. The curved section 12 can be bent vertically/horizontally by rotating a bending operation knob 8 provided on the operating section 3. Further, the operating section 3 is provided with an insertion port 14 that communicates with a door channel provided in the insertion section 2.

Furthermore, during NMRKi measurement, the endoscope 1 is used to monitor the subject 16 placed on the bed 15, as shown in FIG.
It is designed to be used in combination with an NMR device 17 that is arranged so as to surround the area. This NMR [iJl 7 is
It is equipped with a means for generating a static magnetic field, such as a permanent magnet, a normal conducting magnet, or a superconducting magnet.

The tip portion 13 is constructed as shown in FIG.

In addition, an observation window 22 , for example, two illumination windows 23 , 23 , a channel through hole 24 , an air supply nozzle 25 and a water supply nozzle 26 that open toward the observation window 22 are provided on the distal end surface of the distal end portion 13 . It is being The observation 122 is equipped with an objective lens system 27 as an observation optical system, and the distal end surface of an image guide fiber (not shown) inserted into the insertion section 2 is arranged at the imaging position of the objective lens system 27. ing. Then, the object image focused by the objective lens system 27 is transmitted through the image guide fiber.
It is guided to the eyepiece section 4, and can be observed from this a) eye section 4. The optical axis of the objective lens system 27 is substantially parallel to the axial direction of the insertion section 2, and is of a direct viewing type.

Further, a light distribution lens 28 is attached to the illumination window 23, and a guide fiber is disposed at the rear end side of the light distribution lens 28 to a light (not shown).

This light guide fiber is inserted into the insertion section 2 and the universal cord 5, and is connected to the connector 6. By connecting this connector 6 to the light source device 7, illumination light can be supplied to one end of the light guide fiber. Also,
At the rear end side of the channel through hole 24, there is a chi1! A channel cove (not shown) forming a channel 30 is connected thereto.

This channel tube is inserted into the insertion section 2 and connected to the insertion port 14. Further, an air channel tube and a water channel tube (not shown) are connected to the air nozzle 25 and the water nozzle 26, respectively, and the air channel tube and the water channel tube are connected to the insertion section 2 and the universal cord. 5 and is connected to the connector 6.

By the way, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, an l for NMR measurement is provided in the channel 30.
'The JMR probe 41 is inserted.

As shown in FIG. 4, this NMR probe 41
A coil (antenna) for NMR measurement is installed at the tip of a signal cable 42 such as a coaxial cable that is inserted into the tunnel 30.
45 is connected. The coil 45 is formed, for example, from a conductive wire with a circular cross section into a one-turn loop shape whose outer diameter is approximately equal to or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the distal end FI 113, and the central axis of the coil is the central axis of the insertion portion 2. and is substantially parallel to the optical axis of the objective lens system 27. Both ends of the coil 45 are bent from the outer circumferential side of the channel 17 toward the inner circumferential side and toward the radially V tunnel 30, and then bent backward from the front position 1 of the channel 30, Signal cable 4 inserted into 30
Connected to 2. The signal cable 42 is covered with a covered duplex 43, and the base side is
It is led out from the insertion port 14, and is connected to a high frequency generation section 51 and an NMR detection section 52, as shown in FIG. By moving the moe distribution signal cable 42 in the axial direction, the coil 45 is made to protrude from the tip end 13 as shown in FIG.
It is now possible to pull it up to a state where five clothes are worn.

As shown in FIG. 3, the coil 45 enters the field of view 50 of the objective lens system 27 in its protruding state.

Further, when the coil 45 is retracted, the tip portion 13
It is arranged on the outer peripheral side of each component so as not to overlap with each component (?l! observation window 22, illumination window 23, air supply nozzle 25, water supply nozzle 26) provided on the tip surface of the It has become. Further, at this time, the coil 45 is arranged smoothly along the outer surface of the distal end portion 13 so that the coil 45 does not protrude too much from the distal end surface.

Further, for this purpose, the coil 45 may be formed into a flat shape in which the cross section of the conducting wire is wide in the radial direction.

The NMR measuring means including the coil 45 is, for example, a fourth
It is configured as shown in the figure.

That is, a high frequency wave corresponding to the nuclide to be measured is output from the high frequency generating section 51, this high frequency wave is sent to the coil 45 via the signal cable 42, and a high frequency magnetic field is sent from this coil 45 to the living body. It looks like this. In this embodiment, the direction of the high-frequency magnetic field, that is, the detection direction, substantially coincides with the central axis direction of the coil 45 and is parallel to the optical axis direction of the objective lens system 27.

Note that a matching circuit may be provided between the coil/I5 and the signal cable 42 to perform impedance matching between the coil 45 side and the high frequency generation section 51 side.

In this embodiment, the coil 45 serves both as a transmitter and a receiver, and an NMR signal from a living body is received by the coil 45, and this NMR signal is input to the NMR signal detector 52. It has become so. and,
In this NMR signal detection section 52, the relaxation time (T 1. T
2) and other information (NMR parameters) can be obtained.

By the way, in this embodiment, a magnetic detection device 60 is provided within the operation section 3 of the endoscope 1, as shown in J in FIG. This magnetic detection device 60 is as shown in FIG.
A Hall element 61 as a magnetic Zen υ is used. This Hall element 61 is a semiconductor that generates an electromotive force in a direction perpendicular to both current and magnetic field. This Hall element 6
The output voltage of 1 is amplified by an amplifier 62 and inputted to an inverting input terminal of a comparator 63.

The non-inverting input terminal of this comparator 63 has a power supply voltage V
A predetermined reference voltage determined by the voltage between a fixed resistor R1 and a variable resistor R2 connected in series with cc is applied. Note that a power supply voltage ycc is applied to the ball element 61, amplifier 62, and comparator 63, respectively. The output terminal of the comparator 63 and the power supply voltage VCC
A light emitting diode (hereinafter referred to as LED) 65 as an alarm means is connected between the terminal and the resistor R3. This LED 65 is provided on the outer side of the operating section 3, as shown in FIG. Therefore, when the voltage obtained by amplifying the output voltage of the Hall element 61 with the amplifier 62 is equal to or higher than the 1tJP- voltage of the comparator 63,
That is, when the endoscope 111 (the operating section 3 thereof) is placed in a magnetic field of a predetermined strength or higher, the LED 65 emits light to issue a warning. In addition, the variable resistor R2
By changing the resistance value of , it is possible to change the strength of the boundary magnetic field that is alerted by this magnetic detection device 60 . Furthermore, the comparator 63 is
A Schmitt trigger with hysteresis may also be used.

Next, the operation of this embodiment configured as above will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 4, the subject 16 is placed on the bed 15,
A static magnetic field is applied to the subject 16 by NMR [117].

In addition, an NMR probe 41 is connected to the channel 30 of the endoscope 1.
Insert the coil 45 at the tip of this NMR probe 41.
The insertion section 2 of the endoscope 1 is inserted through the oral cavity of the subject 16 while the endoscope 1 is in close contact with the distal end surface of the distal end section 13, and illumination light is supplied to the light guide fiber of the endoscope 1. and objective lens system 27. Image guide fiber.

The upper layer of the stomach wall and the like are observed using an observation optical system consisting of the eyepiece section 4. For example, if an abnormal site is found in the stomach wall soil layer, the signal cable 42 of the NMR probe 41 is moved forward, the coil 45 is protruded, and the abnormal site 56 is detected as shown in FIG. Press against it. In this state, the high-frequency generator 51 sends out a high-frequency wave to the coil 45, and the coil 45 sends out a high-frequency magnetic field to the abnormal region 56. Note that the direction of this high-frequency magnetic field is preferably perpendicular to the direction of the static magnetic field. Then, the coil 45 receives the NtVIR signal from the abnormal region 56,
By measuring with the NMR signal detection unit 52, it becomes possible to detect physiological changes in the abnormal region 56, for example, whether it is cancerous or not.

In this way, the endoscope 1 is silent! Since it is used near the NMR device 17 that has a magnet that generates a field, if the inner gift 111 gets too close to the NMR device 17,
There is a possibility that it will be attracted to this NMR device 17 and cause difficulty in operation.

In this embodiment, a magnetic detection device 60 is installed in the operation section 3 of the family gift 111. This magnetic detection 1! Place 60
When the output voltage of the Hall probe 61 is above a predetermined value, that is, when the endoscope IA1 (the operating section 3 thereof) is placed in a magnetic field having a predetermined strength or above, the LED 65 emits light to issue a warning. Therefore, the intensity of the Ia field at the boundary where the LED 65 emits light is set to be lower than the intensity of the Ia field to which the congratulations lt1 is attracted. can be detected in advance, and the endoscopy v11 is prevented from being attracted by the magnetic field of the NMR device 17.

Note that the Hall element 61 is limited in the direction of the magnetic field it detects, but if necessary, a plurality of Hall elements may be arranged so that the detection directions are different. The directionality can be resolved and reversed by, for example,

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and for example, the magnetic sensor is not limited to a Hall element, but may be a magnetic resistance element, a reed switch, or the like.

Furthermore, the magnetic sensor is not limited to the operating section 3, but may be provided anywhere on the endoscope 1, such as the distal end 13 of the insertion section 2.

Note that the alarm means may be a buzzer or the like. Also, instead of issuing an alarm when a predetermined magnetic field strength is reached,
By changing the emission intensity of the lamp and changing the intensity and n-low of the buzzer sound according to the strength of the magnetic field,
A warning of the approach of the endoscope 1 may be provided.

Also, inside? The JAvt is not limited to one in which the NMRil measurement coil 45 is detachable, but may be one in which the coil is built into the tip. In addition, optical observation means include those equipped with an imaging means consisting of a solid-state image sensor at the tip, and those equipped with a television camera in the eyepiece of an endoscope that allows naked-eye observation such as a fiberscope. It may be.

The present invention is not limited to endoscopes for NMR measurement, but can be widely applied to endoscopes used in or close to magnetic fields, such as industrial endoscopes used for observing the inside of large motors, etc. .

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, since a magnetic sensor is provided to detect the intensity of FaJJ2, the approach of the endoscope to the magnetic field is detected, and the endoscope is attracted to the magnetic field. This has the effect of preventing you from getting caught.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figures 1 to 4 relate to an embodiment of the present invention, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of an endoscope, Figure 2 is a circuit diagram of a magnetic detection device, and Figure 3 is a state in which the coil is protruded. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the distal end of the insertion portion, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of the endoscope in use. 1... Endoscope 2... Insertion section 3... Operation section 17... NMR device 41... NM
R probe 60... Magnetic detection device 61... Hall element 65
...LED Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) An endoscope used in or close to a magnetic field, characterized in that it is equipped with a magnetic sensor that detects the strength of the magnetic field. (2) The endoscope according to claim 1, further comprising an alarm means for issuing an alarm when a magnetic field of a predetermined strength or higher is detected by the magnetic sensor. (3) The endoscope according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the magnetic sensor is a Hall element. (4) The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the alarm means is a light emitting diode.