KR20170109324A

KR20170109324A - Portable endoscope equipped keeping tray

Info

Publication number: KR20170109324A
Application number: KR1020160033285A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 김병장; 임경순
Original assignee: (주)메가메디칼
Priority date: 2016-03-21
Filing date: 2016-03-21
Publication date: 2017-09-29

Abstract

The present invention relates to a portable endoscope having a keeping tray. The portable endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an endoscope and a keeping tray for keeping the endoscope. At this time, the endoscope has a lens part including a lens for acquiring the optical image of an object and a light source for supplying light to the object, an eyepiece part for visually observing the optical image acquired by the lens by using the light supplied from the light source, and a grip part which is connected to one side of the eyepiece part to be held by a user and has a chargeable battery for supplying power to the light source. The lens part and the eyepiece part can be separated from or combined with the grip part, respectively. Further, the keeping tray includes a charging part for charging a rechargeable battery, and at least one ultraviolet sterilizing part for emitting an ultraviolet ray for sterilizing the lens part. It is possible to keep the endoscope easily.

Description

[0001] PORTABLE ENDOSCOPE EQUIPPED KEEPING TRAY [0002]

The present invention relates to a portable endoscope having a storage tray.

Endoscopes, which are used in various medical fields nowadays, are devices that allow physicians to visually check the patient's condition or to allow the doctor and patient to simultaneously observe the images through the display. These endoscopes can be used to observe the affected part of the patient and make it possible to diagnose it more accurately, thus helping the quick treatment.

Endoscopy is a device designed to insert a machine into organs that can not be directly seen without surgery or autopsy.

Commonly used types include bronchoscopy, esophagus, stomach, duodenal, rectal, cystoscopic, and laparoscopic. Other special types include thoracoscopic, mediastinal, and cardiac.

Among such endoscopes, the flexible endoscope is long and freely adjustable in angle, and the hard endoscope is short and does not bend. An example of a rigid endoscope is an endoscope for observing the inner wall of a patient's ear and nose in an otolaryngology department.

Recently, rigid endoscopes manufactured so as to be easy to carry have been developed. In the case of an endoscope, since the endoscope is inserted into the patient, sterilization and disinfection for infection prevention must be more thoroughly managed. Accordingly, development of a sterilizing device suitable for a portable hard endoscope is required.

Korean Patent No. 10-1567838 (entitled: Folding Endoscope) discloses a lens for obtaining an optical image of a target object; A light source unit for supplying light to the object; An eyepiece for visually observing the optical image acquired by the lens using light supplied from the light source; And a grip portion that is connected to one side of the eyepiece portion and is capable of being held by the user, wherein the foldable endoscope can be folded in a vertical direction with a predetermined angle with reference to one side to reduce the total volume of the foldable endoscope, A signal detector for detecting the signal; A signal processing unit for detecting a peak which is a characteristic point within one period of a voice signal sensed by the signal detecting unit; Calculating a pitch, which is a fundamental frequency of a speech signal, using the detected peak, and determining a light emission period as a drive timing of the light source unit using the calculated pitch; And an imaging section for taking an image of the vocal cords of the subject using light emitted from the light source section in accordance with the determined light emission period.

Korean Patent No. 10-1567838

The present invention provides a portable endoscope having a storage tray capable of storing and disinfecting ultraviolet rays.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are not intended to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It can be understood.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable endoscope including a storage tray for storing an endoscope and an endoscope.

In this case, the endoscope includes a lens unit including a lens for obtaining an optical image of a target object and a light source for supplying light to the target, an eyepiece for visually observing the optical image acquired by the lens using light supplied from the light source, And a grip portion that is connected to one side and is configured to be held by a user and includes a rechargeable battery for supplying power to the light source, and the lens portion and the eyepiece portion can be separated or combined from the handle portion, respectively.

Further, the storage tray includes a charging section for charging the rechargeable battery, and at least one ultraviolet sterilizing section irradiated with ultraviolet light for disinfecting the lens section.

According to any one of the above-mentioned means for solving the problems of the present invention, the present invention can be provided with a storage tray to facilitate storage of the endoscope.

In addition, an ultraviolet disinfection function capable of disinfecting the storage tray is added to reduce the risk of infection caused by the endoscope.

It should be understood, however, that the effects obtained by the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs It will be possible.

1 is a view illustrating a portable endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a view showing an endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 shows an endoscope according to another embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a view showing a storage tray according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. In order to clearly illustrate the present invention, parts not related to the description are omitted, and similar parts are denoted by like reference characters throughout the specification.

Throughout the specification, when a part is referred to as being "connected" to another part, it includes not only "directly connected" but also "electrically connected" with another part in between . Also, when an element is referred to as "including" an element, it is to be understood that the element may include other elements as well as other elements, And does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

In this specification, the term " part " includes a unit realized by hardware, a unit realized by software, and a unit realized by using both. Further, one unit may be implemented using two or more hardware, or two or more units may be implemented by one hardware.

In this specification, some of the operations or functions described as being performed by the terminal or the device may be performed in the server connected to the terminal or the device instead. Similarly, some of the operations or functions described as being performed by the server may also be performed on a terminal or device connected to the server.

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a portable endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a portable endoscope 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an endoscope 100 and a storage tray 200.

First, the endoscope 100 is a device that allows a doctor or a patient to observe a patient's condition and the affected part by visual inspection or an image through a display, thereby accurately diagnosing the condition of the affected part.

2, the endoscope 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a lens unit 110, an eyepiece unit 120, and a handle unit 130, The present invention is not limited to the above-described configuration.

First, the lens unit 110 includes a lens for acquiring an optical image of a target object and a light source for supplying light to the target object.

At this time, the lens is for transmitting the object clearly. Therefore, the lens is made up of an object-side arrangement, an intermediate lens arrangement, or a converter-side lens array, and transmits the image of the upper body clearly, Can be selected and used.

On the other hand, the lens can be equipped with a zoom function so that the object can be enlarged or reduced and observed.

The light source serves as a light to illuminate the object so that a clearer image can be obtained when the end portion of the lens portion comes into contact with the object. Accordingly, the light source may be formed to surround the lens included in the endoscope.

On the other hand, the light source may further include a light source member. At this time, the light source member may be formed so as to be connected to the light source at one end and to surround the outside of the lens arranged in the endoscope. Therefore, the light source can emit light at the end of the endoscope to irradiate the object with light.

At this time, the light source member can be implemented in various materials and shapes such as optical fiber, and can be replaced as needed during manufacture.

Meanwhile, the lens unit 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include an imaging unit that converts an analog signal into a digital signal so that an image of the object can be output from a display or a monitor. Therefore, the image data photographed by the image pickup unit can be output through a display or a monitor.

The eyepiece portion 120 is a portion where the user can directly observe an object with his / her eyes closed.

The eyepiece unit 120 may be configured to block light by a rubber, and may be coupled to and separated from the handle unit 130 and the lens unit 110. Further, when the eyepiece portion 120 is detached, the eyepiece portion 120 can be coupled to the display 140.

The endoscope 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can observe a target object without approaching the eye when the display unit 140 is coupled to the lens unit 110 in place of the eyepiece unit 120, It is more convenient.

At this time, the display 140 may include at least one of a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT LCD), and an organic light-emitting diode .

Next, the handle 130 may be a hand held portion when the user uses the endoscope 100, and may include a rechargeable battery for supplying power to the light source.

3 shows an endoscope according to another embodiment of the present invention.

In the portable endoscope 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention, the handle 130 of the endoscope 100 may further include a hinge 132, as shown in FIG. When the handle 130 includes the hinge 132, the handle 130 may be folded in a direction in which the lens 110 is provided. At this time, the handle 130 may include a cable that connects the upper portion of the handle 130 with the lower portion of the handle 130 with respect to the hinge 132.

In addition, the handle 130 may include a switch 134 for folding the handle 130. The switch 134 serves as a trigger when the knob 130 is folded. For example, the handle 130 may be configured not to be folded unless the switch 134 is pressed while the handle 130 is being extended. In this case, the switch 134 must be depressed in order for the handle 130 to be folded. Further, when the folded knob part 130 is unfolded again, the knob part 130 is fixed again, and similarly, if the switch 134 is not pressed, it is not folded.

A user input unit 136 may be mounted on the handle 130. The user input unit 136 is for adjusting the intensity of the light source or using the zoom function. Accordingly, the user input unit 136 may include a direction key, a jog wheel, a jog switch, or the like.

Although not shown, the handle 130 may be provided with a wired connection 138 for connection to an external monitor, and the wired connection 138 may be located below the handle 130. The terminal of the wire connection unit 138 may be HDMI for high quality image or mini USB type for general purpose. The mini USB type can be connected to an external power source for charging a battery supplying power to the endoscope, and can transmit photographed information on the optical microscope.

Although not shown, a control unit, a user input unit, a communication module, and the like capable of controlling the endoscope can be mounted inside the handle 130.

At this time, the control unit controls the output of the light source so that the intensity of the light source is adjusted, or controls the lens so that the object can be enlarged or reduced and observed. The control means may include a signal detection module and a signal processing module so as to detect a video signal of a target object transmitted from the imaging device, convert the detected video signal into an electrical signal, and output the video signal through a display. Further, the signal processing module can output image data more precisely and clearly. Meanwhile, the signal detection module according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a microphone electroglottograph (EGG) 1020 and a stethoscope type vibration detector.

At this time, the microphone plays a role of detecting the voice signal of the examinee and is not attached to the neck or the like of the subject unlike the prior art.

The voice signal output from the microphone passes through the high-pass filter and the low-pass filter. Here, the high-pass filter is a filter for passing only a signal of a high frequency band among voice signals, and may be a voice signal of 80 Hz or more, for example.

The peak point of the speech signal is irregularly distributed within the 120 Hz to 600 Hz band for men and irregularly distributed within the band of about 250 Hz to 900 Hz for women. In other words, voice peaks of most men and women are distributed irregularly within the integrated 120 Hz to 900 Hz band. Since the frequency points of the peak points change at a high speed, a low frequency band A pass filter is used.

Therefore, the low-pass filter is a filter that passes only a low-frequency signal of a voice signal. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a signal of 350 Hz or less can be transmitted.

On the other hand, an electrographic waveform analyzer (EGG) 1020 is a typical device capable of graphically displaying the change of the width of a written gate over time. The electrocardiogram waveform checker (EGG) measures the change in resistance between two electrodes by placing two electrodes on both sides of the subject's neck (laryngeal area). When the vocal cords are opened, the resistance is maximized because the current does not pass, and the resistance decreases as the vocal cords close. This change in resistance determines the periodicity and regularity of the vocal fold vibration.

Also, the stethoscope type vibration detector is a device in which a vibration detector and a stethoscope are mixed as a pitch detection method. A stethoscope-type vibration detector connects a microphone to a stethoscope and attaches it to the lower part of the glottis to detect the pitch, and at the same time detects the voice signal of the subject by vibration and detects the pitch. When the vibration of the vocal cords and the pressure of the airway are measured using a sensor for vibration measurement, the pitch of the fundamental frequency corresponding to the vocal fold vibration can be extracted more directly, unlike the voice passing through the voiced part of various high frequencies have. Particularly, it is desirable to emphasize a component of 10 to 200 Hz in order to efficiently detect a human voice signal, and to suppress a higher frequency component.

The signal processing module appropriately processes the voice signal input to the signal detecting unit so that the control unit can use the voice signal as a signal for controlling the light source or the shutter time of the camera.

Accordingly, the signal processing module may include an amplification unit, a gain adjustment unit, and a peak detection unit.

First, the amplifying unit amplifies the voice signal collected by the signal detecting unit to facilitate peak detection.

The peak detecting unit detects one peak within one period of the voice waveform to obtain a fundamental frequency, i.e., a pitch, of the voice signal and the vibration signal.

On the other hand, analyzing the waveform of the human voice signal collected by the signal detection unit shows that there is at least one distinguishable peak within one period, and it is easy to distinguish the treble from the treble. However, such a voice signal peak detection unit may not guarantee a perfect operation by itself.

For example, when the voice of the examinee is too small and the output signal of the amplification unit is weak, a portion where the peak detection unit misses the peak detection may occur. Conversely, when the voice of the examinee is too large and the output signal of the amplification part is saturated, several peaks can be detected within one period. In this case, there may be a problem that the voice signal and the light source are not properly synchronized.

To solve this problem, an embodiment of the present invention further includes a circuit for keeping the output of the amplifying part constant. Therefore, a gain control unit (Automatic Gain Control) that automatically adjusts the gain of the amplification unit can be added between the amplification unit and the peak detection unit. That is, the gain control unit maintains the output level of the amplifying unit constant.

Next, the signal processed in the signal processing module is transmitted to the control means. Therefore, the control means can calculate the pitch of the vocal fold vibration using the signal input from the signal processing portion, control the light source, or cause the subject's larynx to be photographed by the camera. Accordingly, the light source may be configured to be repeatedly turned on and off (intermittent) in synchronization with the frequency of the voice signal of the subject.

At this time, the control unit can control the light source in various modes. That is, the laryngoscopic scope according to the present invention can be used for a laryngoscope in which a slow mode for observing the movement of the vocal cords in a slow image, a fast mode for a little faster than the slow mode, It can have a fixed mode.

For example, in low-speed mode, we can observe vocal movements with a slow image of 2 seconds, and in fast mode, vocal movements can be observed with a fast 0.5 second cycle. In fixed mode, we can observe the state of stationary vocal cords.

Referring to FIG. 1 again, the portable endoscope 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a storage tray 200 having a charging and ultraviolet disinfecting function. 4, a storage tray 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail.

4 is a view showing a storage tray according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4, a storage tray according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a body 240, a charging unit 210, and at least one ultraviolet disinfecting unit 220A to 220D and 220. [

The charging unit 210 may be formed to be recessed in the first area of the body 240 so that the handle of the endoscope described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 can be inserted.

At this time, the recessed shape is not limited to the hole or the cylindrical shape, but may be formed in various shapes such as a rectangular parallelepiped depending on the shape of the handle 130 coupled thereto. Also, depending on the depth of the recess, the handle 130 can be deeply inserted into the body 240 of the storage tray 200.

Although not shown, the charging unit 210 includes a power terminal capable of charging a portable battery formed on a lower side or a side of the handle 130 at a depressed inner wall or a lower end thereof.

Like the charger 210, the ultraviolet disinfecting unit 220 may be formed to be recessed in the second region of the body 240, and the shape to be recessed is not limited. Also, depending on the depth of the recessed portion, the lens portion 110 can be deeply inserted into the interior of the body 240.

However, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, depending on the type of the lens unit 110, the length of the lens unit 110 may be longer than the height of the body of the storage tray 200 or the depth of the ultraviolet sterilizing unit The support tube 250 may be coupled to the upper portion of the ultraviolet sterilizing unit 210 so as to stably support the lens unit 110. [ At this time, the support pipe 250 may be formed of a material having a high heat resistance so as not to be deformed by heat.

In addition, an ultraviolet lamp may be included on the inner circumferential surface of the ultraviolet disinfecting unit 220 which is embedded in the body 240. The ultraviolet lamp is capable of irradiating ultraviolet rays to the inside of the ultraviolet disinfecting unit 220 and sterilizing microorganisms or organic substances existing in the lens unit 110. Accordingly, the ultraviolet lamp can irradiate ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of about 250 nm to 260 nm.

Meanwhile, the power connector 230 may be formed on one side of the body 230. The power connector 230 connects the body 240 to an external power source and supplies power to the portable battery of the handle 130 coupled to the ultraviolet lamp and the charging unit 210 included in the ultraviolet disinfecting unit 220 .

Also, the end of the power connector 230 may be provided with the same USB port as the commercialized standard. Therefore, the storage tray can be charged anywhere by using the USB port.

The control means according to the embodiment of the present invention means a hardware component such as software or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), and performs predetermined roles. However, 'component' is not meant to be limited to software or hardware, and each component may be configured to be in an addressable storage medium and configured to play back one or more processors.

Thus, by way of example, an element may comprise components such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components and task components, processes, functions, attributes, procedures, Routines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuitry, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables.

In addition, the components and functions provided within the components may be combined into a smaller number of components or further separated into additional components.

The traffic volume calculation method according to an embodiment of the present invention can also be implemented in the form of a recording medium including instructions executable by a computer such as a program module executed by a computer. Computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a computer and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. In addition, the computer-readable medium may include both computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes both volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data.

For example, it may be a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, a flash memory, an optical data storage device, or the like. In addition, the computer-readable recording medium may be distributed and executed in a computer system connected to a computer network, and may be stored and executed as a code readable in a distributed manner.

Communication media typically includes any information delivery media, including computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave, or other transport mechanism.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing description of the present invention is for illustrative purposes only and that those of ordinary skill in the art can readily understand that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the present invention. will be. It is therefore to be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive. For example, each component described as a single entity may be distributed and implemented, and components described as being distributed may also be implemented in a combined form.

The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the detailed description and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalents are to be construed as being included within the scope of the present invention do.

10: Portable endoscope
100: Endoscope
110:
120: eyepiece
130: Handle portion
140: Display
200: Storage tray
210:
220, 220A to 220D: ultraviolet disinfection unit
230: Power connector
240: Body
250: support tube

Claims

An endoscope comprising an endoscope and a storage tray for storing the endoscope,
The endoscope
A lens unit including a lens for obtaining an optical image of a target object and a light source for supplying light to the target object,
An eyepiece for visually observing the optical image acquired by the lens using the light supplied from the light source, and
And a grip portion connected to one side of the eyepiece portion and configured to be held by a user and having a charging battery for supplying power to the light source,
The lens portion and the eyepiece portion may be separated or combined from the handle portion, respectively,
The storage tray
A charging unit for charging the rechargeable battery, and
And at least one ultraviolet sterilizing unit irradiated with ultraviolet rays for disinfecting the lens unit.

The handle
Including a hinge on one side,
Wherein the hinge allows folding in a vertical direction according to a predetermined angle.

The method according to claim 1,
The handle
And control means for adjusting the intensity of light supplied from the light source unit to adjust the lens so as to magnify or observe the object,
Portable endoscope.

The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the lens unit further comprises an imaging unit for converting an analog signal acquired by collecting light reflected from a light source irradiated to the object into a digital signal.
Portable endoscope.

The method according to claim 1,
When the eyepiece portion is detached,
Wherein the display is coupled to the disengaged position of the eyepiece.
Portable endoscope.

The method according to claim 1,
The storage tray
Including a body,
Wherein the charging unit and at least one ultraviolet disinfecting unit are formed in a hole shape recessed toward the body of the storage tray.

6. The method of claim 5,
The storage tray
And a support tube projecting outwardly of the body and coupled to the upper side of the ultraviolet sterilizing unit.

6. The method of claim 5,
And a power connector for connecting the storage tray to an external power source on one side of the body.

The method according to claim 1,
The ultraviolet sterilizer
And an ultraviolet lamp for irradiating an inner surface of the ultraviolet sterilizing unit with ultraviolet light having a wavelength band of 250 nm to 260 nm.

The method according to claim 1,
The charging unit
And a power terminal that can charge a portable battery formed on a lower portion or a side portion of the handle portion on an inner wall or a lower end portion of the charging portion.
Portable endoscope.