JPS6345569B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a light source device for an endoscope in which a lamp that has become unusable can be replaced with a new lamp.

A high-intensity lamp such as a halogen lamp or a Canon lamp is generally used as an illumination light source for photographing or observing with an endoscope. However, this type of high-intensity lamp has a relatively short lifespan, and may cause a service interruption line, making observation impossible, which may cause a dangerous situation. Furthermore, if the high-intensity lamp deteriorates and its light intensity decreases, it is likely to cause inconveniences such as the inability to take photographs.

Therefore, some conventional light source devices for endoscopes employ a method in which a pair of lamps is provided and the lamps are switched. There are two known switching methods: one that moves the lamp itself, and one that moves the light guide on the endoscope side. For either method, sufficient space must be provided for the movement. At the same time, a complicated drive mechanism was required to move it. Further, even if the lamp does not break, if the light intensity of the lamp gradually decreases due to deterioration, it is difficult to immediately check whether the lamp is suitable for use.

The present invention has been made focusing on the above circumstances,
The purpose is to provide a light source device for an endoscope that has a relatively simple structure and that can be used continuously by automatically switching the lamp to a new lamp.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

In the figure, 1 is an endoscope, which is provided with an image guide 2 and a light guide 3. An end of the light guide 3 on the incident side is connected to a light source device 4 via a connector (not shown).

A first lamp 5 made of a high-intensity lamp such as a halogen lamp is installed in the light source device 4.
The light of this first lamp 5 is focused by a condenser 6 consisting of, for example, an ellipsoidal mirror. A reflecting mirror 7 is installed in front of the condenser 6, which reflects most of the light and transmits a part of the light. The light reflected by the reflecting mirror 7 is focused on the incident end surface 3a of the light guide 3. Further, the light transmitted through the reflecting mirror 7 passes through the opening 9 of the reflecting mirror support plate 8 and enters the photodetector 10. The photodetector 10 is composed of a photoelectric element, a temperature sensor, or the like, and detects the amount of incident light and converts it into an electrical signal.

Further, the reflecting mirror support plate 8 includes a reflecting mirror driving device,
For example, the drive shaft 12 of the rotary solenoid 11
This rotary solenoid 1
1, the mirror support plate 8 can be rotated and moved out of the optical path from a position in front of the condenser 6. Incidentally, the rotary solenoid 11 serving as the reflector driving device is operated according to instructions from a driving circuit 13.

On the other hand, apart from the first lamp 5, a second lamp 14 is provided as a backup lamp. This second
The lamp 14 is installed on the back side of the reflecting mirror 7, facing the incident end surface 3a of the light guide 3. Further, this second lamp 14 is provided with a condenser 15 made of, for example, an ellipsoidal mirror. This condenser 15 directs the light from the second lamp 14 to the incident end surface 3a of the light guide 3.
It is becoming more and more focused towards.

The first and second lamps 5 and 14 are selectively selected and lit by a lamp lighting circuit 16, respectively.

Further, the output terminal of the photodetector 10 is connected to an amplifier 17.
It is connected to one input terminal of the comparator circuit 18 via. The other input terminal of the comparison circuit 18 is connected to a reference voltage circuit 19. In addition, the comparison circuit 18
The drive circuit 13 and the lamp lighting circuit 16 are connected to the output end side of the , and the alarm display device 20
is connected. The alarm display device 20 is composed of a meter, an LED, a buzzer, and the like.

Next, the operation of the light source device for an endoscope will be explained.

Normally, a reflecting mirror 7 is located on the optical path in front of the first lamp 5, and only the first lamp 5 is lit while the second lamp 14 remains off. Thus, the light from the first lamp 5 is focused by the condenser 6, and most of the light is reflected by the reflecting mirror 7 and enters the incident end surface 3a of the light guide 3. Further, a part of the light transmitted through the reflecting mirror 7 enters the photodetector 10 and is detected. The output signal of this photodetector 10 is amplified by an amplifier 17 and compared with a reference voltage of a reference voltage circuit 19 set in advance in a comparator circuit 18. If the amount of light received by the photodetector 10 is greater than a certain value, no drive output is produced. Therefore, the rotary solenoid 11, lamp lighting circuit 16, and alarm display device 20 do not operate, so the first lamp 5 remains lit and the second lamp 5 remains lit.
The lamp 14 remains off. Furthermore, the reflecting mirror 7 remains as it is.

Therefore, if the first lamp 5 is disconnected and the amount of light falls below a certain value, the drive circuit 1
3. Lamp lighting circuit 16 and alarm display device 20
Activate each. First, the rotary solenoid 11 is actuated by the drive circuit 13 to rotate the reflector support plate 8 to retract the reflector 7 from the optical path of the first lamp 5 and the second lamp 14. Further, the first lamp 5 is turned off by the lamp lighting circuit 16, and the second lamp 14 is turned on. Thus, the light from the second lamp 14 enters the incident end surface 3a of the light guide 3. In other words, since the first lamp 5 and the second lamp 14 are automatically switched and lit, the light source device 4
You can continue to use it. Further, since this condition is displayed as an alarm by the alarm display device 20, it can be easily confirmed. Furthermore, the used first lamp 5 is replaced with a new lamp at an appropriate time,
You can return it to its normal, good condition and continue using it.

In the above embodiment, the photodetector 10 was installed at a fixed position on the back side of the reflecting mirror 7, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. Concentrator 6 on the front side
It may be installed on the optical path immediately in front of. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, it may be installed at a position that receives part of the light reflected by the reflecting mirror 7. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the reflecting mirror 7 can be constituted by a total reflecting mirror. Also,
The photodetector 10 of the present invention may be attached to a reflecting mirror 7 as shown in FIG.

Furthermore, the reflecting mirror 7 of the present invention may be configured by, for example, a cold filter or a cold mirror. Alternatively, each lamp may be used as a laser light source.

In addition, the first lamp 5 and the second lamp shown in FIG.
In addition to replacing the installation location of the lamp 14,
Normally, the configuration may be such that the reflecting mirror 7 is retracted.

As explained above, the present invention is applicable to the normally used first
In addition to the above lamp, prepare a second lamp as a spare.
When the light intensity of the first lamp decreases due to disconnection or deterioration, this is detected by a photodetector, and the second lamp is automatically turned on and used. Therefore, even when the endoscope is in use, it is not necessary to manually replace the lamp, and the lamp can be immediately replaced with a new one, and there is no need to stop using the endoscope. Furthermore, dangerous situations caused by the inability to observe the device can be reliably prevented, and safety in use can be ensured.

In addition, when the amount of light from the first lamp received by the photodetector falls below a certain value, the reflector driving device and lamp lighting circuit are activated and switched, which simplifies and downsizes the configuration. be able to. Furthermore, since the lamp's light intensity decreases due to deterioration, by setting the detected light intensity value appropriately, it is possible to know the lifespan of the lamp and replace it before the lamp breaks.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 to 4 are schematic diagrams showing other different embodiments. 3...Light guide, 5...First lamp, 3
a...Incidence end surface, 7...Reflector, 10...Photodetector, 11...Rotary solenoid, 13...Drive circuit, 14...Second lamp, 16...Lamp lighting circuit, 18...Comparison circuit.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A light source device for an endoscope that focuses light from a lamp on an incident end surface of a light guide of an endoscope, including a first lamp that focuses light on the incident end surface of the light guide, and a first lamp that focuses light on the incident end surface of the light guide. a photodetector that receives a portion of the light, a reflector drive device and a lamp lighting circuit that operate when the amount of light received by the photodetector falls below a certain value, and a second lamp that is lit by the lamp lighting circuit. and a reflector that moves to a position where light from the second lamp is incident on the incident end surface of the light guide when driven by the reflector driving device. light source device.