KR101575953B1 - Endoscope apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a lens unit inserted into a body and capable of capturing an image of a body, an adapter unit connected to the lens unit to input information photographed from the lens unit, And a body to be processed, wherein a sensor is provided in the lens portion, and a terminal for transmitting sensing information from the sensor may be provided in the lens portion and the adapter portion.

Description

ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS [0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus, and more particularly to an endoscope apparatus capable of hybrid sensing by an interface structure between a lens unit and an adapter unit.

In general, an endoscopic examination is to examine and examine the internal organs of a body using an endoscopic apparatus. The endoscopic examination as described above is widely used for diagnosis of diseases in the medical field because the inside of the body can be inspected without procedures such as laparotomy or incision surgery.

The endoscopic device is a medical examination device inserted into the inside of the body to perform an endoscopic examination. Endoscopic devices include bronchoscopy, esophagus, gastroscopy, laparoscopy, and anus, depending on the area to be examined.

In addition, the endoscope apparatus can be classified into viewing by the naked eye according to the method of confirming the examination site, viewing the image transmitted by the glass fiber, taking a photograph, and the like.

However, the conventional endoscope apparatus is configured to provide only the image of the examination region in the body. Therefore, in the conventional endoscope apparatus, a technique for accurately acquiring images with high resolution in order to improve diagnostic performance is a trend.

For example, Korean Patent Laid-Open No. 10-2012-0114895 (entitled "Image acquisition method of endoscope apparatus and endoscope apparatus, date of publication: Oct. 17, 2012) An endoscope apparatus having improved force is disclosed.

On the other hand, some techniques for assisting the diagnosis of diseases during endoscopy are being developed.

For example, Korean Patent No. 10-1118211 (entitled " Method of Diagnosing Diseases by Ultrasonic Endoscopic Image Analysis of Submucosal Tumors, Date: 2012.02.13 "), standardized images acquired by endoscopic ultrasonography, A method for diagnosing a disease by ultrasound endoscopic image analysis of a submucosal tumor for use as a data for diagnosis of a submucosal tumor is disclosed.

An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope apparatus capable of hybrid sensing in the body by an interface structure between a lens unit and an adapter unit.

The object of the embodiment is to provide an endoscope apparatus capable of acquiring not only image information but also various information including temperature, humidity or air flow information in the body.

An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope apparatus capable of being compatible with a lens unit of a conventional endoscope apparatus and capable of recycling a lens unit of an existing endoscope apparatus.

An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope apparatus capable of physically intercepting transmission of sensing information by adjusting an interface between a lens unit and an adapter unit.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an endoscope apparatus including a lens unit inserted into a body and capable of capturing an image of a body, an adapter unit connected to the lens unit and receiving information photographed from the lens unit, And a terminal for transmitting sensing information from the sensor may be provided on the lens unit and the adapter unit.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the lens unit includes an insertion element mounted on one end of the lens unit and inserted into the body to capture an image of the body, and a binocular element mounted on the other end of the lens unit, , The insertion element, the eyepiece element and the adapter portion may be coaxial.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the adapter portion is provided with a mount for engaging with the eyepiece element, and the mount may include a recessed portion corresponding to the shape of the eyepiece element.

According to one aspect of the present invention, an image sensor is provided at the center of the mount so that image information of the body transmitted from the insertion element and the eyepiece element can be obtained.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the terminal includes a first terminal provided in the eyepiece element and a second terminal provided at a position corresponding to the first terminal in the mount, and the connection between the first terminal and the second terminal The information sensed by the sensor can be transmitted to the main body unit.

According to one aspect of the present invention, an eyepiece lens is provided at the center of the eyepiece element, and the first terminal and the second terminal can be disposed outside the eyepiece lens.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a mounting lever is provided on the outer side of the mount, and the second terminal can be moved relative to the first terminal by the rotation of the mounting lever.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the eyepiece element or the mount is provided with a mounting protrusion or a mounting groove, and the first terminal and the second terminal can be connected by the coupling of the mounting protrusion and the mounting groove.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the eyepiece element or the mount is provided with an additional mounting protrusion or an additional mounting groove, and when the mounting protrusion is coupled to the additional mounting groove or the additional mounting protrusion is coupled to the mounting groove, The connection of the second terminal can be disconnected.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is further provided a light source connection element connected perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the insertion element, and light can be transmitted through the light source connection element.

According to one aspect, the sensor may comprise a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a volumetric sensor or an air flow sensor.

The endoscope apparatus according to one embodiment is capable of complex sensing in the body by the interface structure between the lens unit and the adapter unit.

The endoscope apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment may acquire various information including not only image information but also temperature, humidity, or air flow information in the body.

The endoscope apparatus according to one embodiment can be interchangeably connected to the lens unit of the existing endoscope apparatus, and the lens unit of the existing endoscope apparatus can be recycled.

The endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment adjusts the interface between the lens unit and the adapter unit to physically disconnect the sensing information.

1 shows an endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment.
Fig. 2 shows a lens section in an endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment.
3 shows an adapter unit in an endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment.
FIG. 4 shows an endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment in which an adapter unit is provided with an additional mounting groove.

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to or limited by the embodiments. Like reference symbols in the drawings denote like elements.

Fig. 1 shows an endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment, Fig. 2 shows a lens section in an endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment, Fig. 3 shows an adapter section in an endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment, An endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an adapter unit having an additional mounting groove.

1 to 3, an endoscope apparatus 10 according to an embodiment may include a lens unit 100, an adapter unit 200, a body unit 300, and a light source connection unit 400.

The lens unit 100 may include an insertion element 110, a fastening element 120, and a eyepiece element 130.

The insertion element 110 may be inserted into the body to take an image of the body.

For example, the insertion element 110 may be provided in an elongated tunnel shape so as to be inserted into a bronchoscope, an esophagus, a gastroscope, a laparoscope, an anus, or the like.

Also, an insertion lens 112 provided in the form of a rod lens may be disposed in the insertion element 110.

A spacer 114 may be provided between the insertion lenses 112 so that the insertion lens 112 may be spaced apart from the insertion element 110.

The insertion element 110 may be provided with a sensor (not shown).

The sensor may be provided in a plurality of, for example, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a volume sensor or an air flow sensor.

Specifically, the temperature sensor senses the temperature in the body, the humidity sensor senses the humidity in the body, the volume sensor senses the volume in the body, and the air flow sensor can sense the air flow in the body.

For example, the insertion element 110 may be provided with at least one of the sensors described above.

The sensor may be, for example, provided on the outer circumferential surface of the insertion element 110, and the sensor may be provided at various positions of the insertion element 110.

By providing the sensor in the insertion element 110 as described above, it is possible to acquire the temperature, humidity, volume, or air flow in the body as well as images in the body, thereby enabling complex sensing.

The fastening element 120 may be mounted at an end of the insertion element 110.

An opening (not shown) may be provided at one end of the fastening element 120 so that the insertion element 110 can be inserted. In addition, a space in which a part of the insertion element 110 can be inserted may be provided in the fastening element 120.

A light source connection element 122 may be provided on one side of the coupling element 120.

The light source connection element 122 may be disposed in a direction perpendicular to the coaxial axis in which the insertion element 110 and the coupling element 120 are disposed.

Also, the light source connection element 122 may be connected to a light source (not shown) and may transmit light from the light source to the insertion element 110.

When the insertion element 110 is inserted into the body, the insertion lens 112 can take an image of the body by the light from the light source.

The eyelet element 130 may be mounted on the other end of the fastening element 120.

An eyepiece 132 is provided at the center of the eyepiece element 130, and the measurement field can be widened and the focal distance can be varied by adjusting the eyepiece 132.

Further, the diameter of the eyepiece lens 132 may be larger than the diameter of the insertion lens 112.

The diameter of the fastening element 120 on which the eyepiece element 130 is fastened may be greater than the diameter of the fastening element 120 on which the fastening element 110 is fastened.

At this time, the insertion element 110, the fastening element 120, and the eyepiece element 130 may be disposed coaxially. Therefore, the insertion lens 112 of the insertion element 110 and the eyepiece 132 of the eyepiece element 130 can be arranged coaxially.

Therefore, image information in the body photographed by the insertion lens 112 through the eyepiece 132 of the eyepiece element 130 can be transmitted.

In addition, the eyepiece element 130 may be provided with a first terminal 134.

The first terminal 134 may be disposed on the eyepiece 132 outside the eyepiece element 130.

When a plurality of the first terminals 134 are provided, the first terminals 134 may be arranged radially outside the eyepiece lens 132.

Although the figure shows that two first terminals 134 are provided on the eyelet element 130, the number of the first terminals 134 is not limited to this and corresponds to the number of sensors provided on the inserting element 110 .

The first terminal 134 may transmit a signal sensed by the sensor to the adapter unit 200.

Further, a mounting protrusion 136 may be provided on the outer side of the eyepiece element 130.

The mounting protrusion 136 is for coupling the eyepiece element 130 and the adapter unit 200.

The mounting protrusion 136 may be coupled to the mounting groove 216 formed in the adapter 200 and the mounting protrusion 136 and the mounting groove 216 may be formed to correspond to each other.

In addition, although the mounting protrusions 136 are shown in a trapezoidal shape, the mounting protrusions 136 may be formed in various shapes such as a triangle, a square, and the like.

The opening of the mounting projection 136 may also be provided in various numbers.

When a plurality of mounting protrusions 136 are provided on the eyepiece element 130, a plurality of mounting grooves 216 may be provided on the adapter unit 200.

As a result, the fastening force between the eyepiece element 130 and the adapter unit 200 is increased, and therefore, the rotation of the insertion lens 112 or the eyepiece lens 132 causes the position of the first terminal 134 or the second terminal 214 Can be prevented.

Further, the eyepiece element 130 may be connected to the adapter unit 200.

At this time, the adapter unit 200 may also be disposed coaxially with the insertion element 110, the fastening element 120, and the eyepiece element 130.

The eyepiece element 130 may be mounted in the adapter unit 200.

The adapter unit 200 may be provided with a mount 210 for coupling with the eyepiece element 130.

The mount 210 may be recessed to correspond to the shape of the eyepiece element 130 so that the eyepiece element 130 can be mounted.

Therefore, the mount 210 may have a relatively protruding portion A and a relatively recessed portion B.

The image sensor 212 may be disposed at a position in contact with the eyepiece 132 at the center of the mount 210.

At this time, the image sensor 212 may be located in the recessed portion B in the mount 210. [

The image sensor 212 may be a CCD sensor, and may receive an image captured by the lens unit 100.

Thus, the image sensor 212 may be coaxially positioned with the eyepiece 132 and the interposing lens 112.

Thus, the image sensor 212 can acquire image information in the body transmitted through the insertion lens 112 and the eyepiece 132. [

In addition, a second terminal 214 may be provided on the outer side of the image sensor 212 on the mount 210.

At this time, the second terminal 214 may be located at the recessed portion B in the mount 210. [

The second terminal 214 is connected to the first terminal 134 of the eyepiece element 130 and may be disposed at a position corresponding to the position of the first terminal 134.

The number of the second terminals 214 is also set to correspond to the number of the first terminals 134 so that the second terminals 214 and the first terminals 134 can be paired.

For example, the second terminal 214 may be disposed radially outside the image sensor 212 at the mount 210.

The second terminal 214 configured as described above can serve to transmit the sensing information transmitted by the first terminal 134 to the main body unit 300.

Mounting grooves 216 may be formed in the mount 210.

Specifically, the mounting groove 216 may be formed toward the outside of the mount 210 at the boundary between the projected portion A and the recessed portion B of the mount 210.

The mounting groove 216 may be engaged with the mounting projection 136 of the eyepiece element 130 described above.

Specifically, the mounting groove 216 may be provided so as to correspond to the mounting projection 136.

For example, the mounting groove 216 may be formed in a variety of shapes, such as a triangular shape, a square shape, or a trapezoid shape, similar to the mounting protrusions 136, and may be provided in a plurality of shapes.

As a result, the fastening force between the mounting groove 216 and the mounting protrusion 136 is increased, and the rotation of the insertion lens 112 or the eyepiece lens 132 causes the position of the first terminal 134 or the second terminal 214 Can be prevented.

The first terminal 134 provided on the eyepiece element 130 and the second terminal 214 provided on the mount 210 can be easily aligned with each other and the first terminal 134 and the second terminal The sensing information can be transmitted smoothly.

However, although it is shown in the drawing that the eyelet element 130 is provided with the mounting protrusion 136 and the mount 210 has the mounting groove 216, if necessary, the eyelet element 130 is provided with a mounting groove, It is a matter of course that a mounting projection may be provided on the base 210.

However, when the mount 210 is provided with the mounting groove 216 as shown in the drawing, it is advantageous in that it can be coupled without protrusion or misalignment even if a conventional lens unit is used. Thereby, the lens unit of the existing endoscope apparatus can be recycled, and a new endoscope apparatus can be constructed.

Further, a mounting lever 218 may be provided on the outer side of the mount 210.

Although two mounting levers 218 are shown on the top of the mount 210, the number and positions of the mount levers 218 may be variously provided.

The mounting lever 218 may serve to relatively rotate the adapter unit 200 with respect to the eyepiece element 130.

For example, when the mounting lever 218 is rotated in a predetermined direction, the second terminal 214 mounted on the mount 210 and the mounting groove 216 may also be rotated in a predetermined direction.

The second terminal 214 is rotated relative to the first terminal 134 while the second terminal 214 is not connected to the first terminal 134 and the mounting groove 216 is connected to the mounting projection 136 ). ≪ / RTI >

Thus, the connection between the first terminal 134 and the second terminal 214 can be disconnected by a physical method.

Therefore, the sensing information transmitted from the sensor 112 may not be transmitted to the main body unit 300 through the adapter unit 200. [

For example, if the connection between the first terminal 134 and the second terminal 214 is cut off, only the image information can be obtained through the endoscope apparatus 10 according to the embodiment.

In particular, with reference to FIG. 4, the mounting 210 may be provided with additional mounting grooves 2162.

The additional mounting groove 2162 may be formed in the same shape as the mounting groove 216 and the mounting protrusion 136 of the eyelet element 130 may be coupled to the additional mounting groove 2162.

For example, when the mount 210 is rotated by the mounting lever 218, the mounting protrusion 136 can be fastened to the mounting groove 216 or the additional mounting groove 2162.

When the mounting projection 136 is fastened to the mounting groove 216, the first terminal 134 and the second terminal 214 are engaged with each other, so that sensing information can be transmitted.

On the other hand, when the mounting projection 136 is fastened to the additional mounting groove 2162, the connection between the first terminal 134 and the second terminal 214 can be disconnected. Accordingly, the function of transmitting the sensing information of the first terminal 134 and the second terminal 214 can be deactivated.

Although not specifically shown in the drawings, the eyelet element 130 may be provided with additional mounting protrusions.

The additional mounting protrusion may be provided in the same shape as the mounting protrusion 136 and an additional mounting protrusion may be coupled to the mounting groove 216 of the mount 210. [

For example, when the mount 210 is rotated by the mounting lever 218, the mounting protrusion 136 or an additional mounting protrusion may be coupled to the mounting groove 216 of the mount 210.

Particularly when the additional mounting protrusion is fastened to the mounting groove 216, the connection between the first terminal 134 and the second terminal 214, as in the case where the mounting protrusion 136 is fastened to the additional mounting groove 2162, It can be disconnected.

As described above, the compound sensing in the body can be selectively performed by the coupling structure or the interface structure of the lens unit 100 and the adapter unit 200.

The adapter unit 200 may be connected to the body unit 300 to store and process image, temperature, humidity, or air flow information transmitted to the body unit 300.

Information in the body stored and processed by the body part 300 can be displayed for easy identification by the user of the endoscope device 10 according to one embodiment.

The main body 300 is provided with a plurality of buttons 302 to control the operation of the endoscope device 10 according to an embodiment.

The endoscope apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention can perform complex sensing in the body by the interface structure between the lens unit and the adapter unit, and can acquire various information including not only image information but also temperature, humidity, And can be coupled to the lens unit of the conventional endoscope apparatus in a compatible manner, so that the lens unit of the conventional endoscope apparatus can be recycled. In addition, the interface between the lens unit and the adapter unit can be adjusted to physically disconnect the sensing information transmission.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, And various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the spirit of the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described, and all of the equivalents or equivalents of the claims, as well as the following claims, belong to the scope of the present invention .

10: endoscope apparatus
100:
110: Insert element
112: Insert lens
114: spacer
120: fastening element
122: Light source connection element
130:
132: eyepiece
134: first terminal
136: Mounting projection
200: Adapter section
210: Mount
212: image sensor
214: second terminal
216: Mounting groove
2162: Additional mounting groove
218: Mounting lever
300:
302: Button

Claims (11)

A lens unit inserted into the body and capable of capturing an image of the body;
An adapter unit connected to the lens unit and receiving information photographed from the lens unit; And
A main body storing and processing information input to the adapter unit;
Lt; / RTI >
A sensor is provided in the lens unit,
The lens unit and the adapter unit are provided with terminals for transmitting sensing information from the sensor,
Wherein the adapter unit is provided with a mount for coupling with the lens unit,
The terminal includes:
A first terminal provided on the lens unit; And
A second terminal provided at a position corresponding to the first terminal in the mount;
Lt; / RTI >
Information sensed by the sensor is transmitted to the main body part by connection of the first terminal and the second terminal,
And a mounting lever is provided on the outer side of the mount so that the second terminal can be relatively moved with respect to the first terminal by rotation of the mounting lever.
The method according to claim 1,
The lens unit includes:
An insertion element mounted on one end of the lens unit and inserted into the body to capture an image of the body; And
A eyepiece element mounted on the other end of the lens part and mountable in the adapter part;
Lt; / RTI >
Wherein the insertion element, the eyepiece element, and the adapter portion are coaxial.
3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the mount is associated with the eyepiece element and the mount includes a recessed portion corresponding to the shape of the eyepiece element.
3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein an image sensor is provided at the center of the mount to acquire image information in the body transmitted from the insertion element and the eyepiece element.
delete 3. The method of claim 2,
An eyepiece lens is provided at the center of the eyepiece element, and the first terminal and the second terminal are disposed outside the eyepiece lens.
delete 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the eyepiece element or the mount is provided with a mounting projection or a mounting groove and the first terminal and the second terminal are connected by the coupling of the mounting projection and the mounting groove.
9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein the eyelet element or the mount is provided with an additional mounting protrusion or an additional mounting groove, and when the mounting protrusion is engaged in the additional mounting groove or the additional mounting protrusion is engaged in the mounting groove, the first terminal and the second terminal And the connection is disconnected.
3. The method of claim 2,
Further comprising a light source connection element connected to the insertion element so as to be perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the insertion element, and light is transmitted into the body through the light source connection element.
The method according to claim 1,
The sensor may comprise a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a volumetric sensor or an air flow sensor.

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