JPS63287813A - Endoscope device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable adjustment of the quantity of illumination light with a simple operation by providing a control means for controlling a means for adjusting the illumination light to the operating part of an endoscope or near the operating part. CONSTITUTION:A switch 17 for adjusting the quantity of light is provided in the operating part 3 and a switch 27 for adjusting the quantity of light is provided on a control device 21. The quantity of the illumination light can be changed stepwise by switching the brightness reference signal of an automatic light control circuit 30. The switch 17 for adjusting the quantity of light is connected via a signal line 18 to a switch state discriminating circuit 28 in the control device 21 and the signal changing the brightness reference signal is outputted to the automatic light control circuit 30, by which the quantity of the illumination light can be changed. The brightness reference signal outputted from a brightness reference signal generating circuit 34 can thus be changed by operating the switch 27 for adjusting the quantity of light and the switch 17 for adjusting the quantity of light provided in the operating part 3. The quantity of the illumination light is thereby adjusted with the simple operation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus equipped with an illumination light amount adjusting means.

[Problems that conventional technology and inventions try to solve] In recent years,
Endoscopes are widely used because they can be used to observe organs within a body cavity by inserting a long and thin insertion section into the body cavity, and to perform various therapeutic procedures as necessary using a treatment instrument inserted into the treatment instrument channel. ing.

The endoscope includes, from an objective lens to an eyepiece lens,
It was common practice to transmit a subject image using an image guide made of a fiber bundle, etc., and observe the subject image with the naked eye.However, in recent years, solid-state image elements such as ``coupling device'' (COD) have been used as imaging means. , a video system in which the subject image is displayed on a monitor (If'1) has been developed and put into practical use.

In such an imaging system, the brightness of the optical image incident on the solid-state image sensor is determined by the brightness (reflectance) of the observation area.
The amount of illumination light from the light source is adjusted depending on the reflectance of the observation site. Usually, a light source is provided separately as a light source device outside the endoscope, and light from this light source device is irradiated into the body via a light guide fiber within the endoscope. and,
The light amount of the light source device is adjusted by a diaphragm.

Furthermore, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-80428@, there is an endoscopic imaging system in which the amount of illumination light is automatically adjusted. That is, for example, an aperture blade is provided in front of the lamp in the light source device, that is, between the lamp and the light guide, and based on the photometric signal obtained from the video signal, the white light circuit and the aperture drive circuit are The amount of illumination is adjusted by driving the aperture. Further, the amount of illumination light can be adjusted by changing the brightness reference signal of the automatic dimming circuit by operating a light amount adjustment switch provided on the light source device.

By the way, the method of obtaining the photometric signal from the video signal is as follows:
The photometric signal is extracted from the entire observation screen and the average photometry method is used.
There are a center photometry method in which a photometric signal is extracted only from the center of the observation image, and a method in which the photometry signal is extracted from any position on the observation screen, as shown in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 80428/1980.

However, with the photometric means, the observation area is at C relative to the observation window.
A vertical and flat surface can fully demonstrate its characteristics, but a non-vertical, uneven surface cannot fully demonstrate its characteristics.

For example, in the case of central photometry, if the observed area is uneven, the four parts will be 18 when aligned with the convex parts, and the convex parts will become too bright as they are matched with the four parts. In addition, in the case of central metering,
It is necessary to capture the target observation area in the center of the observation image, and it is necessary to manipulate the endoscope! 1 may become cumbersome, or depending on the region to be observed, the target region may not be captured at the center of the observed image, and a good image may not be obtained.

In addition, in the case of average photometry, if the observation area is observed from an oblique direction, it may be difficult to see if there are bright and dark areas in the observed image at the same time, such as when the Q4 ratio differs greatly depending on the area. Since the bright portions such as the point side and the dark portions such as the far point side are averaged, the bright portions on the periapsis side will be too bright, and the dark portions such as the far point side will be too dark.

Furthermore, in the method of extracting a photometric signal from an arbitrary position, the photometric position must be specified in accordance with the changing observed image, and the operation of specifying the measurement position is extremely troublesome.

In this way, no matter which photometry method is used, it is difficult to always obtain observation images with appropriate brightness.

Therefore, conventionally, when appropriate brightness cannot be obtained,
By operating a light source device or a light amount adjustment switch of a light source device in a video processor and varying a reference voltage of a photometric means, desired light intensity is adjusted.

However, conventionally, the light intensity adjustment switch is installed in the light source device or video processor, so in order to operate this light adjustment switch, it is necessary to interrupt endoscopic observation. The operation was complicated.

[Object of the Invention 1 The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope apparatus that can adjust the amount of illumination light with a simple operation.

[Means and effects for solving the problems] The endoscope apparatus according to the present invention is provided with a control means for controlling the illumination light adjustment means at or near the operation section of the endoscope, The amount of illumination light can be adjusted by operating A5 near the section.

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

1 and 2 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of an endoscope apparatus, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an automatic light control circuit.

As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope device of this embodiment includes an electronic endoscope 1, a light source device, and a signal processing circuit.
It is comprised of a control device 21 to which the electronic endoscope 1 is connected, and a CRT 1: chive 20 connected to the control device 21.

The electronic endoscope 1 includes an elongated, for example, flexible insertion section 2, and a large-diameter operation section 3 is connected to the rear end of the insertion section 2. A flexible universal cord 5 extends laterally from the operating section 3, and this universal reel cord 5
A connector 6 connected to the control device Pi21 is provided at the tip of the
is provided.

An objective lens system 11 is installed at the distal end 7 of the insertion section 2.
A solid-state image sensor 12 such as a COD is disposed at the imaging position of the objective lens system 11. Note that when a simultaneous method is used as the color imaging method, color filters that transmit each color light such as R, G, and B are arranged in a mosaic shape in front of the light receiving surface of the solid-state image sensor 12. A color filter array is set up. A signal line 13 is connected to the solid-state image sensor 12, and this signal line 13 is
It is inserted into the insertion portion 2 and the connector 6 and connected to the connector 6. Further, a light distribution lens 14 is provided at the distal end portion 7, and a light guide fiber 15 is connected to the rear end side of the light distribution lens 14. This light guide head 15 is inserted into the insertion portion 2 and the universal cord 53 and connected to the connector 6.

In this embodiment, the operation section 3 includes light amount adjustment switches f to 1.
A signal line 18 connected to the light amount adjustment switch 17 is inserted into the universal cord 5 and connected to the connector 6.

- On the other hand, a light source lamp 22 is provided in the control device 21, and the illumination light emitted from the light source lamp 22 is
The light beam is a-shaped so as to be incident on the input end of the light guide fiber 15 of the connector 6 of the electronic endoscope 1 connected to the control device 21. On the front side of the light source lamp 22, a diaphragm 23 that is controlled by an diaphragm drive circuit 2/I and extends from, for example, diaphragm blades is disposed, and by controlling the diaphragm 23, the light The amount of light incident on the guide fiber 15 can be adjusted. The illumination light entering the light guide fiber 15 is guided by the light guide fiber 15 to the tip 7, emitted from the output end, and is directed onto the subject through the light distribution lens 14. There is. Return light from the object passes through the objective lens system 11, is received by the solid-state image sensor 12, and is photoelectrically converted. The output signal of the solid carrier imager 12 is inputted via the signal line 13 to a video circuit 26 provided in the control device 21, and the video circuit 26 outputs, for example, R, G, B. Each component signal is to be generated. This R,G,
The signals from the B component screw 1 are input to the CRT monitor 20 as well as to an automatic dimming circuit 30 provided within the control device 21. The automatic light control circuit 30 extracts a photometric signal from each of the R, G, and B component outputs, compares the brightness reference signal with the photometric signal, and outputs a control signal to the aperture drive circuit 24. ing. Further, the control device 21 is provided with a light amount adjustment switch 27, which changes the brightness reference signal of the automatic light control circuit 30 to change the illumination light 61, for example, in steps. It is now possible to do so.

Further, in this embodiment, a switch state determination circuit 28 is provided in the control device 21, and the light amount adjustment switch 17 provided in the operation section 3 is connected to the switch state determination circuit 28 through a light dead line 18. It is connected to the circuit 28. Then, depending on the state of the light amount adjustment switch 17, a signal for changing the brightness reference signal is output from the switch state determination circuit 28 to the automatic dimming circuit 30. It is now possible to change the amount of illumination light.

The automatic light control circuit 30 is configured as shown in FIG. 2, for example.

In other words, the R, G, and Bl component signals from the video circuit 26 enter the adder circuit 31, and the adder circuit 3
1 is input to a low-pass filter 32 consisting of a CR circuit as an integrating means, and the output of this low-pass filter 32 is input to a comparator 33 and compared with the output signal from the brightness level signal generation circuit 34. It looks like this.

The output signal of the comparator 33 is input to the aperture drive circuit 24. The output of the light amount adjustment switch 27 provided in the control device 21 and the output of the switch state determination circuit 28 are input to the brightness reference signal generation path 34, and the output of the light amount adjustment switch 27 and the operation section 3 are inputted. The brightness reference signal output from the brightness reference signal generation circuit 34 can be changed by operating a light amount adjustment switch 17 provided.

In addition, the photometry methods include average photometry method, center side light method,
Alternatively, as shown in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 60-80428, any method may be used, such as a method of extracting a photometric signal from an arbitrary position on the observation screen, a method of extracting a peak photometric signal, and one-peak photometry.

Incidentally, the operations of the light amount adjustment switch 17 and the switch state determination circuit 28 are, for example, as follows.

That is, when the light amount adjustment switch 17 is turned on for a very short period of time, for example, 0.5 seconds or less, the switch state determination circuit 28 determines the switch state and instructs the automatic dimming circuit 30 to adjust the brightness of the illumination light. Outputs a signal that decreases by one step. By repeating the same operation, the amount of illumination light is gradually reduced.

On the other hand, if the light amount adjustment switch 17 continues to be in the un-A state for a certain period of time or more, for example, 0.5 seconds or more, the switch state determination circuit 28 determines this switch state and directs the automatic dimming circuit 30 to turn on the light. Outputs a signal that increases the brightness of the light by one step. By repeating the same operation, the amount of illumination light increases step by step.

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

In a normal endoscopy, the amount of illumination light is first set by the observer using the light amount adjustment switch 27 provided in the control device 21. If you want to lower the amount of illumination light during observation, turn on the light amount adjustment switch 17 provided on the operation unit 3 of the electronic endoscope 1 for a very short period of time, for example, 0.5 seconds or less, to reduce the brightness of the illumination light. is reduced by one step,
By repeating the same operation, the amount of illumination light is gradually reduced. On the other hand, if you want to increase the amount of illumination light during observation, press the light amount adjustment switch 17 for a certain period of time or more, for example 0.5
By continuing the on state for more than a second, the brightness of the illumination light is increased by one step, and by repeating the same operation, the amount of illumination light increases step by step.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the illumination light amount can be changed easily and quickly using the light amount adjustment switch 17 provided on the operation unit 3, so that an appropriate illumination light amount can always be obtained, and Observation operations when using a scope become easier.

Note that the switch for switching average photometry, center photometry, peak photometry, photometry at any position, etc.
It may be set in In this case, the automatic light adjustment circuit 30 is switched according to each photometry method and controls the aperture drive circuit 24.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

This embodiment has the same configuration as the first embodiment shown in FIG.
The operations of the light amount adjustment switch 17 and the switch state determination circuit 28 are changed.

That is, the light intensity adjustment switch 17 is turned on for a short period of time, for example, at 0.
Once turned on and covered for less than 5 seconds, the brightness of the illumination light will change.
The set value, for example, will be halved. When the light intensity adjustment switch 17 is turned on again for a short time, the light intensity returns to the previous level. on the other hand,
When the light amount adjustment switch 17 is kept in the on state, the illumination light amount changes from the minimum to the maximum and then to the minimum again.
When the light amount adjustment switch 17 is set to A-off, the amount of illumination light is fixed at that time. When the light amount adjustment switch 17 is turned on again for 0.5 seconds or less, the illumination light amount returns to the value before the change.

In the case of average photometry, the light intensity will be excessive at the near point in one screen, but according to this embodiment, when you want to observe the near point, you can observe the near point with approximately appropriate brightness with a single switch operation. can.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the brightness changes steplessly from the minimum to the maximum, a state of appropriate brightness is always obtained.

These operations are performed during endoscopy using the operation section 3 and the insertion section 2.
However, in this embodiment, since the light a adjustment switch 17 is provided in the operation section 3, this light amount adjustment operation can be easily and quickly performed. .

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

This embodiment shows an example in which an external television camera 51 is attached to the eyepiece section 42 of a fiber scope 41 that allows observation with the naked eye.

An image guide fiber 43 is inserted into the insertion section 2 of the fiberscope 41, and the distal end surface of the image guide 43 is arranged at the imaging position of the objective lens system 11. The object image formed by the objective lens system 11 is transmitted to the operating section 3 side by the image guide fiber 43, and can be observed at the eyepiece section 42 provided at the rear end of the operating section 3. ing. Further, a television camera 51 can be connected to this eyepiece section 42. This television camera 51 can be connected to the control device 21 via a cable 58. The television camera 51 includes a solid-state imaging device 52 as an imaging means, and an imaging lens 53 that forms a subject image on the solid-state imaging device 52. The solid-state image sensor 52
is the signal cable 54 inserted into the cable 58
It is connected to the video circuit 26 in the control device 21 via. Further, the television camera 51 includes:
A light amount adjustment switch 55 is provided, and this light amount adjustment switch 55 connects a signal line 56 inserted into the cable 58.
It is connected to the switch state determination circuit 28 in the control device 21 via the control device 21 .

The other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment.

15- According to this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, during an endoscopy, the tip adjustment switch 55, which is located near the operating section 3, i.e., the television camera 51, is set to J: Since the amount of illumination light can be changed easily and quickly, an appropriate amount of illumination light can always be obtained, and observation operations when using an endoscope are simplified.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and the control means for controlling the illumination light adjustment means is not limited to a switch.
It may be a type that performs continuous control, such as a sliding type or a rotary type resistance.

Further, the illumination light adjusting means is not limited to the aperture, and may be, for example, a means for adjusting the amount of light emitted from the light source lamp 22.

[Effect of the Invention 1] As explained above, according to the present invention, the control means for controlling the illumination light adjustment hair stage is provided at or near the operation part of the endoscope, so that the amount of illumination light can be adjusted with a simple operation. This has the effect of making it possible to make adjustments.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 and 2 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of an endoscope device, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an automatic light control circuit, and FIG. The figure is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 1...Electronic endoscope 3...Operation unit 17...
Light amount adjustment switch 21...Control device 22...Light source lamp 23
...Aperture 26...Video circuit 28...
Switch state determination circuit 30... automatic dimming circuit

Claims (1)

[Claims] An endoscope apparatus comprising an illumination light amount adjustment means, characterized in that a control means for controlling the illumination light adjustment means is provided at or near an operation section of the endoscope.