WO2016098444A1 - Endoscope and endoscope system including endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an endoscope capable of appropriately subjecting the illuminating light emitted in the directions of different lines of sight to a light amount adjustment control, and capable of constantly achieving optimal observation and imaging. To this end, an endoscope is equipped with: an insertion part 11 to be inserted into the interior of a subject to be tested; a first illuminating part 33a for illuminating a first region of the subject to be tested, and provided in the insertion part; a second illuminating part 33b for illuminating a second region of the subject to be tested that differs from the first region, and provided in the insertion part; a first light guide body 25 for guiding externally supplied first illuminating light to the first illuminating part; a second light guide body 24y for guiding second illuminating light supplied from a light source to the second illuminating part, and formed separately from the first light guide body; and image acquisition units 32a, 32b for acquiring return light from an observation target illuminated by the first and second illuminating parts.

Description

Endoscope and endoscope system including the endoscope

The present invention relates to an endoscope capable of observing and capturing a plurality of images having different fields of view, and a technique relating to light amount adjustment of illumination light in an endoscope system including the endoscope.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, endoscopes configured to have elongated insertion portions are widely used, for example, in the medical field and industrial field. Among these, a medical endoscope used in the medical field is a treatment provided in an endoscope by observing an organ in a body cavity by inserting an elongated insertion portion into a body cavity as a subject. It is comprised so that various treatments can be performed using the treatment tool inserted in the tool insertion channel. In addition, an industrial endoscope used in the industrial field is used to observe the state in a subject, for example, scratches and corrosion, by inserting an elongated insertion portion into the subject, for example, a jet engine or factory piping. It is configured so that an inspection can be performed.

In recent years, various proposals have been disclosed regarding structural ideas for facilitating inspections and the like performed using a conventional endoscope. For example, an endoscope system configured to be able to acquire a front field image having an observation field in front of an insertion direction (insertion axis direction) of an endoscope insertion unit, using a single light source device In addition to normal illumination light for irradiating the front field of view, a configuration that can irradiate the side is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 10-165357.

In the endoscope system disclosed by the above Japanese Patent Publication No. 10-165357, etc., by providing a diaphragm device on each optical path of the illumination light to the front visual field and the illumination light to irradiate the side. It is configured to perform light amount adjustment control of each illumination light.

On the other hand, for example, in addition to a configuration capable of acquiring a front visual field image in which the front of the insertion direction (insertion axis direction) of the endoscope insertion portion is an observation visual field, the side of the endoscope insertion portion is also an observation visual field. A so-called wide-angle endoscope configured to be able to observe and acquire a side field image at the same time and to emit illumination light to the front field and the side field respectively is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Publication 2013. Various proposals are made by Japanese Patent No. -544617.

The endoscope system disclosed in the above Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-544617 and the like is configured to perform light amount adjustment control of illumination light by controlling the amount of light emitted from a single light source device. ing.

However, in the conventional endoscope system disclosed by the above Japanese Patent Publication No. 10-165357, the above Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-544617, etc., the endoscope tip portion is changed from a single light source device. When the illumination light is introduced to the head, the light guide is used, and the light guide is branched in the middle so that the illumination light can be emitted forward or sideward. Therefore, for example, the amount of illumination light that can be supplied per field of view tends to be insufficient, and it may be difficult to perform appropriate observation and imaging as a whole.

Further, in the endoscope system disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Publication No. 10-165357, since the light quantity adjustment control of each illumination light is performed by the diaphragm device, halation due to excessive light quantity is performed. In such a case, it is possible to adjust the overall light attenuation, but there is a problem that it is not possible to compensate for the shortage of light.

On the other hand, the endoscope system disclosed in the above Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-544617 and the like is configured to adjust the amount of light emitted from a single light source device. There is a problem that the light amount adjustment control cannot be performed separately for the illumination light in the lateral visual field direction.

Therefore, for example, in an endoscopic image displayed on a display device, in the case where halation or the like due to excessive light amount occurs in a partial area of either the front view image or the side view image, the halation occurrence area When the light amount adjustment control matched to is performed, it is possible to obtain an appropriate image that suppresses halation and the like in the nearby image including the region, but on the other hand, since the light amount as a whole is reduced, An image in an area other than the above area may cause an insufficient light amount and become darker than necessary. Therefore, there may be a problem in performing appropriate observation and imaging on the entire screen.

In contrast to the system disclosed in the above Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-544617, as in the system disclosed in the above Japanese Patent Publication No. 10-165357, an aperture device is provided on each optical path for each field of view. It is also possible to apply means for performing light amount adjustment control. However, even in such a configuration, as in the system described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 10-165357, the problem that it is not possible to deal with a case where the amount of light is insufficient cannot be solved.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described points, and an object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope capable of observing and capturing a plurality of images having different fields of view, and an endoscope including the endoscope In the system, an endoscope capable of appropriately performing light quantity adjustment control of each illumination light emitted with respect to different visual field directions and capable of always performing observation and imaging with an optimal image, and an endoscope including the endoscope An endoscope system is provided.

To achieve the above object, an endoscope according to an aspect of the present invention includes an insertion portion that is inserted into a subject, and a first illumination that is provided in the insertion portion and that illuminates a first region of the subject. Illuminating unit, a second illuminating unit that is provided in the insertion unit and that illuminates a second region of the subject different from the first region, and is supplied from the outside to the first illuminating unit. The first light guide that guides the first illumination light and the second illumination light that is formed separately from the first light guide and is supplied from the light source unit to the second illumination unit A second light guide that guides the light, and an observation unit that observes the subject illuminated by the first illumination unit and the second illumination unit.

Moreover, the endoscope system according to one aspect of the present invention is optically connected to the endoscope and the first light guide in the endoscope, and the first system from outside the endoscope. A light source device that supplies the first illumination light to a light guide, and a control unit that is electrically connected to the image acquisition unit in the endoscope and controls the image acquisition unit from the outside of the endoscope. Have.

According to the present invention, in an endoscope capable of observing and capturing a plurality of images having different fields of view, and in an endoscope system including the endoscope, light amount adjustment control of each illumination light emitted in different field directions Therefore, it is possible to provide an endoscope capable of appropriately performing observation and imaging with an optimal image and an endoscope system including the endoscope.

The block block diagram which shows the outline of the whole structure of the endoscope system of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram conceptually showing the endoscope system of FIG. 1, and in particular, clearly showing the configuration of the light guide cable in the internal configuration of the distal end portion of the endoscope included in the system. FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram conceptually showing the endoscope system of FIG. 1 and particularly showing an outline of an internal configuration of a connector portion of an endoscope included in the system. The principal part enlarged view which shows notionally the structure in the connection part of the light guide cable in the inside of the connector part shown in FIG. The figure which shows an example of the endoscopic image displayed on the display screen of the display apparatus in the endoscope system of FIG. The figure which shows an example of another display form of the endoscopic image displayed on the display screen of the display apparatus in the endoscope system of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the specific form of the front-end | tip part of the endoscope in the endoscope system of FIG. 1, Comprising: The schematic perspective view which shows the front-end | tip part vicinity of the said endoscope The disassembled perspective view which shows the state which isolate | separated the endoscope part for a front visual field observation which comprises the endoscope of FIG. 6, and the unit for side view. The figure which shows notionally another structural example of the connection part of a light guide cable in the endoscope of the endoscope system of FIG. The figure which shows the 1st display modification from which the endoscope image displayed on the display screen of a display apparatus differs in the endoscope of the endoscope system of FIG. The figure which shows the 2nd display modification from which the endoscope image displayed on the display screen of a display apparatus differs in the endoscope of the endoscope system of FIG. The figure which shows the 3rd display modification from which the endoscope image displayed on the display screen of a display apparatus differs in the endoscope of the endoscope system of FIG. FIG. 9 shows an endoscope system of a first modified example for realizing the first display modified example of FIG. 9, and particularly a block diagram conceptually showing an internal configuration of the distal end portion of the endoscope in the system The block block diagram which shows the outline of the whole structure of an example of the endoscope system containing the endoscope of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The block block diagram which shows the outline of the whole structure of another example of the endoscope system containing the endoscope of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to illustrated embodiments. Each drawing used in the following description is schematically shown. In order to show each component to the extent that it can be recognized on the drawing, the dimensional relationship and scale of each member are shown differently for each component. There may be. Therefore, the present invention is limited to the illustrated embodiments with respect to the number of components, the shape of the components, the size ratio of the components, the relative positional relationship of the components, and the like described in the drawings. It is not something.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram showing an outline of the overall configuration of the endoscope system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 conceptually shows the endoscope system of FIG. 1, and is a configuration diagram that clearly shows the configuration of the light guide cable in the internal configuration of the distal end portion of the endoscope included in the system. FIG. 3 conceptually shows the endoscope system of FIG. 1, and is a block diagram showing an outline of the internal configuration of the connector portion of the endoscope included in the system. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a main part conceptually showing the structure of the connection portion of the light guide cable inside the connector part shown in FIG. FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating an example of an endoscope image displayed on the display screen of the display device in the endoscope system including the endoscope of the present embodiment. Moreover, FIG. 5B is a figure which shows an example of another display form of an endoscopic image similarly.

First, an outline of the overall configuration of the endoscope system of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment is mainly configured by an endoscope 10 of the present embodiment, a controller 20, a connector unit 21, a display device 31, and the like. The endoscope system 1 is configured to include, for example, a keyboard that is an external input device, a gantry for mounting the various structural units, in addition to the structural units described above. However, since these structural units are portions not directly related to the present invention, illustration and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The endoscope 10 includes an insertion unit 11, an operation unit 12, a universal cable 13, and the like. Among these, the insertion part 11 is an elongate tubular structural unit formed by connecting a distal end part 11a, a bending part 11b, and a flexible tube part 11c in order from the distal end side. The proximal end of the insertion portion 11 is connected to the distal end of the operation portion 12. The insertion portion 11 is a component that is inserted into the lumen of the subject, that is, inside the body cavity when the endoscope 10 is used. As will be described in detail later, the endoscope 10 in the endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment is configured to be able to observe and capture a plurality of images having different fields of view of the front field image and the side field image. .

The flexible tube portion 11c of the insertion portion 11 is formed using a flexible and long hollow tubular member, the proximal end side is connected to the distal end of the operation portion 12, and the distal end side is the bending portion 11b. It is connected to the base end. Various signal lines extending from the distal end portion 11a, a light guide cable 25, a treatment instrument channel, and the like are inserted into the flexible tube portion 11c.

The bending portion 11b is a component that can be bent in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction with respect to the insertion axis of the insertion portion 11. As the configuration of the bending portion 11b itself, a configuration in which, for example, a plurality of bending pieces are connected is applied, similar to the configuration applied in a conventional general endoscope. Therefore, the detailed configuration and the internal configuration of the bending portion 11b are not shown. The proximal end side of the bending portion 11b is connected to the distal end of the flexible tube portion 11c, and the distal end side is connected to the proximal end of the distal end portion 11a. The bending portion 11b is configured to be able to bend in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, for example, by operating the bending operation knob 12a of the operation unit 12.

The distal end portion 11a is a constituent unit that is disposed on the most distal side of the insertion portion 11 and is formed of a hard member, and has various constituent members disposed on the outer surface and inside. Inside the distal end portion 11 a, the light is emitted from an imaging portion including a plurality of imaging elements 32 a and 32 b (described later, see FIG. 2), an imaging optical system, and the like, and the distal end of the light guide cable 25. Various components such as a plurality of illumination windows 33a and 33b (to be described later, see FIG. 2) and channel openings of treatment instrument channels (not shown) for emitting illumination light to the outside are arranged.

The operation unit 12 is a component that is supported by the user (user) by hand during use and supports the endoscope 10. A plurality of operation members for performing various operations are disposed on the outer peripheral surface of one end of the operation unit 12. The plurality of operation members are respectively disposed at portions within a range where fingers can reach when a user (user) grips the operation unit 12. Specific examples of the plurality of operation members include various operation members in addition to the air / liquid supply operation button 12b, the suction operation button 12c, the scope switch 12d, the bending operation knob 12a, and the like. Since the operation member is the same as that applied in a conventional general endoscope, its detailed description is omitted.

It should be noted that a treatment instrument insertion port 12e protrudes from the side toward the outside at a portion near the tip of the operation unit 12. The treatment instrument insertion port 12e communicates with a treatment instrument channel (not shown) inserted and arranged inside the operation section 12 and the insertion section 11. This treatment instrument channel is inserted through the inside of the insertion portion 11 from the inside of the operation portion 12, and is a tubular member such as a tube that reaches a channel tip opening (not shown) that opens to the front surface of the tip 11a of the insertion portion 11. Is formed by.

When a user (user) performs a treatment using a treatment tool (not shown) via the endoscope 10 of the endoscope system 1, the user (user) inserts a predetermined treatment tool from the treatment tool insertion port 12e. After the treatment instrument is inserted into the treatment instrument channel, the distal end portion of the treatment instrument is projected forward from the channel distal end opening in the insertion direction. Accordingly, the distal end portion of the treatment tool can be made to reach a desired region to be examined in the body cavity, and thus various treatments such as treatment can be performed. Such a configuration is a configuration applied in a conventional general endoscope.

The universal cable 13 extends outward from the side of the operation unit 12. The universal cable 13 is a cable member in which a plurality of signal lines and a light guide cable 25, an air / liquid feeding tube, a suction tube, and the like are inserted and arranged therein. A connector portion 21 is connected to the distal end of the universal cable 13.

The connector part 21 is a structural member for connecting the endoscope 10 and the controller 20 (details will be described later). An auxiliary light source device 24 that is an auxiliary light source unit is disposed inside the connector unit 21. The auxiliary light source device 24 is a structural unit provided in addition to a light source device 22 (detailed later) including a main light source that emits main illumination light (first illumination light). This is a structural unit that includes and controls an auxiliary light source (described later) provided to compensate for an overall light quantity shortage that may occur when adjustment is performed. That is, the auxiliary light source device 24 is a structural unit that functions as an auxiliary light source unit that supplies auxiliary illumination light (second illumination light) different from the main illumination light (first illumination light). The detailed configuration of the auxiliary light source device 24 will be described later (see FIG. 3 and the like).

The connector portion 21 is formed to include, for example, a fluid pipe connection base (not shown), a light guide base 21a that is an illumination light supply end, an electrical contact portion 21b, and the like. Here, an air / liquid feeding device (not shown) is provided in the fluid pipe connection base, a light guide cable from the light source device 22 in the controller 20 is provided in the light guide base 21a, and a controller 20 is provided in the electrical contact portion 21b. Connection cables 20a and the like from the respective constituent units are detachably connected.

More specifically, the light guide base 21a is a light guide connection part that is a second connector for optically connecting the light source device 22 (an external light source part that emits the first illumination light). The electrical contact portion 21b is an electrical connection portion that is a first connector that is electrically connected to the controller 20 (control portion).

The controller 20 controls each component unit constituting the endoscope system 1 and functions as a control unit that performs overall control of the entire system, and also includes image signals acquired by the endoscope 10 and various types of units. This is a constituent unit that functions as a signal processing unit that processes an instruction signal from the operation member and various control signals.

For example, the controller 20 outputs a control signal for driving an imaging unit or the like (not shown; imaging elements 32a and 32b in FIG. 2) in the distal end portion 11a, and instructions from various operation members of the operation unit 12. A signal is received and a corresponding control signal is output to it. Further, the controller 20 receives an image signal output from, for example, the image pickup unit (the image pickup devices 32a and 32b in FIG. 2), performs predetermined signal processing to generate an image signal for display, image data for recording, and the like. Is generated. For this purpose, the controller 20 receives an image signal processing unit (not shown) that performs predetermined image signal processing on an output signal (image signal) from the imaging unit and an instruction signal from the operation unit 12. A plurality of electronic circuit board units constituting the control unit 30 and the like on which a control circuit for executing various controls is mounted are provided.

In addition, various constituent units such as a light source device 22 and a light amount control device 23 that controls the auxiliary light source device 24 are disposed inside the controller 20.

The light source device 22 is a structural unit that functions as a main light source unit including a main light source 22a that emits main illumination light (first illumination light). The light source device 22 includes a main light source 22a composed of a light source such as a xenon lamp and a halogen lamp, and a main light source 22a, similar to those equipped in an endoscope system having a general configuration. It is a structural unit having a control circuit for performing adjustment control of the amount of illumination light emitted from the main light source 22a. The light source device 22 is connected to a light guide cable 25 that is a first light guide for guiding main illumination light (first illumination light). Here, the light guide cable 25 is a light guide that guides the first illumination light supplied from the light source device 22 in the controller 20, and is, for example, a fiber light guide. The light guide cable 25 extends from the light source device 22 and passes through the inside of the universal cable 13 through the connector portion 21, and then passes through the operation portion 12 and the insertion portion 11 to It extends until it reaches the inside of the distal end portion 11a.

The light source device 22 is a first illumination unit that emits first illumination light and illuminates the first region of the subject. The auxiliary light source device 24 is a second illumination unit that emits second illumination light and illuminates the second region of the subject. Here, the first region of the subject refers to a region including the subject that is an observation object in front of the insertion portion 11 (first direction). In addition, the second region of the subject is a region including the subject that is an observation object in a direction (radial direction) substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis direction of the insertion portion 11, that is, a side (second direction). It is said to mean.

In the present embodiment, the light guide cable 25 is a second light guide that extends from the auxiliary light source device 24 and guides the second illumination light. For example, the light guide cable is a fiber light guide. 24y (refer FIG. 3) is comprised so that it may be bundled and joined inside the connector part 21 or the insertion part 11 (detailed structure mentions later, refer FIG. 4 etc.). That is, the light guide cable 25 (first light guide) is connected to the first illumination window 33a (first illumination unit) described later or the first illumination window 33a (first illumination unit) described later. The first illumination light supplied from the outside (light source device 22) is guided to both of the two illumination windows 33b (second illumination unit). The light guide cable 24y (second light guide) formed separately from the light guide cable 25 (first light guide) is provided with a second illumination window 33b (second light guide) described later. The second illumination light is guided to the illumination unit) or to both the first illumination window 33a (first illumination unit) and the second illumination window 33b (second illumination unit). With such a configuration, each illumination light emitted from the light source device 22 and the auxiliary light source device 24 is configured to be reliably guided to the distal end portion 11a of the insertion portion 11 by the light guide cable 25. .

Here, as shown in FIG. 2, for example, the light guide cable 25 has its distal end branched into a plurality of directions in a predetermined portion inside the insertion portion 11, for example, in the vicinity of or inside the distal end portion 11a. It is configured. And some of them are used as front-view illumination light guides (25w, 25x), and some of them are used as side-view illumination lights guides (25y, 25z). Each tip is arranged toward the head.

Here, the branch configuration of the light guide cable 25 will be briefly described. In the endoscope 10 of the present embodiment, the imaging unit provided inside the distal end portion 11a of the insertion unit 11 includes a plurality of imaging elements (32a, 32b).

Among the plurality of image pickup devices, the first image pickup device 32a is disposed so that the light receiving surface is opposed to the first image pickup device 32a in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis direction of the insertion portion 11 and in a first direction including the front of the insertion portion 11. ing. The second imaging element 32 b has a light receiving surface facing the second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis direction of the insertion portion 11 and includes a radial direction of the insertion portion 11. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality (two) of the second imaging elements 32 b are provided, and the plurality (two) of the second imaging elements 32 b are respectively light receiving surfaces. Are arranged so as to be contrary to each other.

Illumination light from the light source device 22 and the auxiliary light source device 24 guided by the light guide cable 25 is directed to each observation target at each predetermined portion in the vicinity of each of the imaging elements (32a, 32b). A plurality of illumination units (33a, 33b) for emitting light are arranged. In the vicinity of the plurality of illumination portions (33a, 33b), the respective distal ends of the light guide cable 25 after branching are disposed.

The first illumination window 33a among the plurality of illumination units (33a, 33b) is a distal end portion of the insertion unit 11 for illuminating the observation object (subject) in the first region including the first direction. It is the 1st illumination part provided in the front end surface of 11a. In the present embodiment, two first illumination windows 33 are disposed with the first image sensor 32a interposed therebetween.

The second illumination window 33b among the plurality of illumination units (33a, 33b) illuminates the observation target (subject) in the second region including the second direction different from the first direction. In order to do this, it is the 2nd illumination part provided in the both sides | surfaces of the front-end | tip part 11a of the insertion part 11. FIG. In the present embodiment, the second illumination windows 33b are arranged one by one (two in total) in the vicinity of the two second imaging elements 32b.

Therefore, with this configuration, the imaging unit including the plurality of imaging elements (32a, 32b) is illuminated by the first illumination window 33a (first illumination unit) and the second illumination window 33b (second illumination unit). It functions as an image acquisition unit that acquires return light (reflected light) from the observed object (subject). The acquired light (return light (reflected light) from the observation object) is photoelectrically converted by the image sensor and output as image data.

Here, the return light (reflected light) from the observation object (subject) is from a first region that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis direction of the insertion portion 11 and includes the front of the insertion portion 11. Return light (reflected light) and a return light (reflected) from a second region that intersects the longitudinal axis direction of the insertion portion 11 at an angle such as a right angle and includes the radial direction (side) of the insertion portion 11. Light).

The first imaging element 32a among the plurality of imaging elements (32a, 32b) included in the imaging unit serving as the image acquisition unit returns light (reflected light) from the first region including the front of the insertion unit 11. Is a first image acquisition unit that performs photoelectric conversion and is a first imaging unit. The second image sensor 32b is a second image acquisition unit that acquires the return light (reflected light) from the second region including the radial direction of the insertion unit 11 and performs photoelectric conversion, and is a second imaging unit. .

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the light guide 25 in the present embodiment branches near or inside the tip portion 11 a, and each tip is disposed at each predetermined portion. Specifically, the two front field illumination light guides connected to the two first illumination windows 33a and the two side field illumination light guides connected to the two second illumination windows 33b. It is branched to. With such a configuration, the illumination light guided from the light source device 22 and the auxiliary light source device 24 to the light guides 25w and 25x for front view illumination is emitted from the first illumination window 33a to illuminate the front view. To do. The illumination light guided from the light source device 22 and the auxiliary light source device 24 to the side-view illumination light guides 25y and 25z is emitted from the second illumination window 33b to illuminate the side view.

Further, the light amount control device 23 is provided inside the controller 20, and controls the auxiliary light source device 24 under the control of the control unit 30 to adjust the light amount of the second illumination light emitted from the auxiliary light source device 24. It functions as a light source control unit that performs control and the like.

The controller 20 receives an image signal for display based on the image data acquired by the endoscope 10 and subjected to predetermined signal processing in the controller 20, and is displayed on the display screen. A display device 31 (see FIG. 1) for displaying an endoscopic image or displaying a display screen when performing various settings by displaying various setting items or the like is connected.

The display device 31 is a constituent unit for receiving the display image signal generated by the controller 20 and continuously displaying the endoscopic image on the display screen. Examples of the display device 31 include a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, an organic electroluminescence (organic EL) display device, and a CRT (cathode ray tube (cathode tube); cathode ray tube). A general display device using the above is applied.

An example of an endoscopic image displayed on the display screen of the display device 31 using the endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment is shown in FIG. 5A. In the endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment, the endoscopic image displayed on the display screen 31a is, for example, as shown in FIG. 5A, a front view image acquired by the first image sensor 32a in a substantially central region 51. Is displayed, and side field images acquired by the two second imaging elements 32b are displayed in adjacent portions (for example, both sides) 52 and 53. Here, in the region 52 of the adjacent portions (for example, both sides) 52 and 53, for example, one of the two second imaging elements 32 b (for example, the proximal end side to the distal end side with respect to the insertion axis of the insertion portion 11). An image based on the image data acquired by the second image sensor 32b on the left side when viewing is displayed. Similarly, in the region 53, for example, the second image pickup element 32b on the other of the two second image pickup elements 32b (for example, the right side when viewing the distal end side from the proximal end side with respect to the insertion axis of the insertion portion 11). An image based on the acquired image data is displayed.

In this case, the area 51 is irradiated with illumination light from the first illumination window 33a. Further, the region 52 is mainly irradiated with illumination light from one of the two second illumination windows 33b (for example, the left side from the proximal end side toward the distal end side). The region 53 is mainly irradiated with illumination light from the other second illumination window 33b (for example, the right side from the proximal end side toward the distal end side) of the two second illumination windows 33b.

Note that the endoscope image has a form as shown in FIG. 5A, that is, a plurality of display areas are provided in the display screen of the single display screen 31a, and a front view image and a plurality (two) of the front-view images for each display area. The present invention is not limited to a form in which side view images are displayed side by side. In addition to such a form, for example, a display form as shown in FIG. 5B may be adopted. That is, in the form shown in FIG. 5B, for example, three independent monitor devices 51A, 52A, and 53A each configured separately are arranged side by side, and a plurality of displays based on image data acquired by a plurality of image sensors. The image 31a is displayed separately on each of the three monitor devices 51A, 52A, and 53A.

With such a configuration, a front visual field image by the first image sensor 32a is displayed at substantially the center (region) 51, 51A in FIGS. 5A and 5B, and two side regions 52, 52A, 53, 53A have two The side view images acquired by the second image sensor 32b are displayed on each.

In this case, the illumination light from the main light source 22a mainly irradiates the front area 51 using the light guide cable 25, and a part of the amount of light branched from the main light source 22a is changed to the both side areas 52, 52A, The light quantity is guided to 53 and 53A, and the light quantity control is performed together with the illumination light from the auxiliary light source.

The schematic configuration of the endoscope system 1 including the endoscope 10 of the present embodiment is as described above. The configuration omitted in the above description is assumed to have substantially the same configuration as an endoscope system that has been generally put into practice.

Next, the configuration of the auxiliary light source device 24 provided in the connector portion 21 in the endoscope 10 of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.

The auxiliary light source device 24 supplies auxiliary light (second illumination light) different from the main illumination light (first illumination light) to the light guide cable 24y (second light guide). It is a structural unit that functions as a light source unit. The auxiliary light source device 24 includes a plurality of light emitters, a plurality of auxiliary light sources (24a, 24b, 24c, 24d) that are light source bodies, an auxiliary light control unit 24x, and the like. In the present embodiment, as the plurality of auxiliary light sources (24a, 24b, 24c, 24d), for example, light emitters and light source bodies such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) are applied. In the present embodiment, an example in which a total of four auxiliary light sources (24a, 24b, 24c, 24d) are provided is shown.

The auxiliary light control unit 24x includes a control circuit that controls the plurality of auxiliary light sources (24a to 24d), and as a power supply unit for external driving of the plurality of auxiliary light sources (24a to 24d), for example, A battery such as a battery is included. The auxiliary light control unit 24 x is connected to the light amount control device 23 in the controller 20 when the connector unit 21 is connected to the controller 20. The auxiliary light control unit 24x increases or decreases the light amount of the second illumination light independently of the light amount adjustment control of the first illumination light by the light source device 22 under the control of the light amount control device 23. It is configured to perform adjustment control.

Therefore, the auxiliary light control unit 24x does not necessarily include the above-described external driving power source unit (battery such as a storage battery), and the driving power of the plurality of auxiliary light source devices 24 is supplied from the controller 20 side. The power supply may be configured to be supplied via the electric contact portion 21b or may be separately supplied with power via a connection cable. Further, the auxiliary light source device 24 may be configured to be connected to a power supply device (not shown) installed outside via a connection cable to supply power, or may be configured to perform wireless power supply.

As described above, in the endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment, the light guide cable 25 extended from the light source device 22 is inserted through the universal cable 13 via the connector part 21, and the operation part 12 and the insertion part 11. Is inserted into the distal end portion 11 a of the insertion portion 11.

Further, inside the connector portion 21, the light guide cable 24 y extended from each of the auxiliary light sources 24 a to 24 d of the auxiliary light source device 24 is configured to join the light guide cable 25.

This configuration will be described in more detail as shown in FIG. FIG. 4 conceptually shows the configuration of the connection portion 26 of the light guide cable inside the connector portion 21.

That is, the light guide cable 25 (first light guide) extended from the light source device 22 joins the light guide cable 24y (second light guide) from the auxiliary light source device 24 inside the connector portion 21. In order to achieve this, the number of branches is the same as that of the auxiliary light sources 24a to 24d (four in this embodiment). Here, each light guide cable branched from the light guide cable 25 is denoted by reference numerals 25a to 25d, and these are referred to as main cables.

On the other hand, light guide cables 24y (second light guides) extending from the auxiliary light source device 24 extend by the number corresponding to the auxiliary light sources 24a to 24d. Here, the light guide cable 24y is denoted by reference numerals 24ya to 24yd, and these are referred to as sub cables.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the connection portion 26 inside the connector portion 21, the main cables 25a to 25d are bundled to form a pair with the sub cables 24ya to 24yd. The cables 25w, 25x, 25y, and 25z are configured. Further, these four cables 25w, 25x, 25y, and 25z are bundled to reach the distal end portion 11a through the universal cable 13, the operation portion 12, and the insertion portion 11 as one light guide cable 25. And as mentioned above, it branches in the vicinity or the inside of the front-end | tip part 11a, and becomes the cables 25w, 25x, 25y, and 25z again, and is connected to each predetermined illumination window.

With such a configuration, the first illumination window 33a (first illumination unit) and the second illumination window 33b (second illumination unit) are connected to the first light guide cable 25 (first light guide). The illumination light and the second illumination light from the light guide cable 24y (second light guide) can be emitted.

6 and 7 are diagrams showing an example of a specific form of the distal end portion 11a in the endoscope 10 of the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing the vicinity of the distal end portion of the endoscope 10. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which the front-view observation endoscope unit 27 constituting the endoscope 10 and the side-viewing unit 28 configured to be attached thereto are separated.

In this example, the side field of view is compared with the front field observation endoscope unit 27 having a configuration according to a normal endoscope configured to include an imaging unit including an imaging element 32a capable of observing the front field. An endoscope 10 that can observe and capture a plurality of images with different fields of view in the front and side fields by integrally attaching a side viewing unit 28 including an imaging unit including an imaging element 32b that can observe the image. It constitutes.

Of course, in the endoscope system including the endoscope 10, the configuration of other constituent units such as a controller corresponding to the above configuration is used. However, the form that appears outside is usually the same as that in a general endoscope system, and only the internal configuration, particularly the electrical configuration, is different. Accordingly, in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, illustration of the constituent units other than the endoscope 10 (the distal end portion 11a thereof) is omitted, and the functional configuration thereof is the same as that described in the above-described embodiment. Since it is substantially the same as that in the endoscope system, its detailed description is also omitted.

In such a configuration, the side-viewing unit 28 having an imaging unit including an imaging element 32b capable of observing the side field of view, with respect to the normal-type front-field observing endoscope unit 27 capable of observing the front field of view. For example, when only the front visual field observation is required, if only the front visual field observation endoscope unit 27 is used and in addition to performing the side visual field observation at the same time, If the side-view unit 28 is assembled and used, it can be used by switching the form as appropriate according to the desired use of the user (user).

The operation of the endoscope system 1 including the endoscope 10 of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described below.

When performing endoscopic observation of a subject using the endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment, for example, endoscopic images as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B can be obtained. The user (user) observes the body cavity by performing a predetermined operation on the endoscope 10 while viewing the endoscope image displayed on the display screen 31 a of the display device 31.

In the normal case, in the endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment, both the front field illumination and the side field illumination are controlled so that they are always supplied from the main light source 22a (xenon lamp, halogen lamp, etc.) of the light source device 22. Has been. Further, at normal times, it is assumed that all the auxiliary light sources 24a to 24d of the auxiliary light source device 24 are in an off state, or that all the auxiliary light sources 24a to 24d are always controlled to be lit with a constant light amount.

In this case, of the endoscopic image being displayed on the display screen 31a of the display device 31, for example, a halation (out-of-white image) in which a part of the region 51 in FIG. 5A becomes extremely bright and the captured image is broken. Phenomenon). At this time, the control unit 30 of the controller 20 controls the light source device 22 to execute the light amount adjustment control of the main light source 22a. In response to this, the light source device 22 executes control for adjusting the amount of light emitted from the main light source according to the image data of the endoscopic image being displayed. The light amount adjustment control may be automatically performed based on image data acquired by the imaging unit, or may be performed by a user (user) manual adjustment operation. Good.

Thus, when the light amount adjustment control on the main light source 22a side is performed, the occurrence of halation or the like can be suppressed, and an image with an optimum exposure amount can be obtained in the region. On the other hand, if the light amount adjustment control (that is, the adjustment of the overall dimming direction) for suppressing the occurrence of halation or the like is performed using only the main light source, the images in other areas will also become dark. Therefore, in the endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment, when such a situation occurs, the control unit 30 of the controller 20 simultaneously performs the light amount adjustment control of the main light source 22a via the light source device 22. Then, the auxiliary light sources 24a to 24d of the auxiliary light source device 24 are turned on and the light amount is controlled via the light amount control device 23, and the auxiliary light irradiation or the like is performed on the region where the light amount is insufficient in the endoscopic image. Thus, the light amount adjustment control of the auxiliary light source is appropriately executed so that appropriate brightness is maintained.

In the above-described example, it is assumed that the main light source 22a (xenon lamp or the like) is always supplied, and the auxiliary light sources 24a to 24d are all in the off state or controlled to be constantly lit with a constant light amount. Here, specific examples of the adjustment of the main light source 22a and the auxiliary light source are listed briefly.

First, a method in which the main light source 22a of the light source device 22 is always driven and controlled in a full light emission state, while a desired light amount adjustment is performed by fine adjustment control of each auxiliary light source (24a to 24d) of the auxiliary light source device 24,
Second, the main light source 22a of the light source device 22 performs normal light amount adjustment control, while the light amount adjustment control of each auxiliary light source (24a to 24d) of the auxiliary light source device 24 is performed only for the region where the light amount is insufficient. How to do the
Third, the main light source 22a of the light source device 22 is always turned on with a predetermined light amount that is not in a full light emission state, while the light amount adjustment control of each auxiliary light source (24a to 24d) of the auxiliary light source device 24 is mainly performed
Various light quantity adjustment control methods are conceivable.

Furthermore, the distribution of the amount of light of the front illumination light and the side illumination light may be set by the ratio of the brightness of the side view image to the brightness of the front view image. The brightness ratio in this case may be configured so that desired setting can be performed by an arbitrary setting operation by the user (user) in addition to a configuration in which the brightness ratio is automatically set to a predetermined numerical value. The setting operation at this time may be performed by various operation members provided on the controller 20 side, for example, or configured to be performed using operation members provided on the operation unit 12 of the endoscope 10. As the brightness ratio of each visual field image, for example, when the brightness of the front visual field image is 1, various numerical values can be set such that the brightness of the side visual field image is 1.2. .

In the above-described embodiment, as an example of the configuration of the imaging unit provided in the distal end portion 11a of the insertion unit 11 of the endoscope 10, an imaging unit including a plurality of imaging elements (32a, 32b) is illustrated. However, the endoscope and the endoscope system to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to this form.

For example, the present invention is also applied to an endoscope that includes an optical system configured to form a front-field image and a side-field image and can capture a plurality of images with different fields formed by the optical system. It is possible to apply. In this case, the return light (reflected light) from the first direction acquired by the first image acquisition unit (in this case, the optical system that forms the front visual field image), and the second image acquisition unit An imaging unit (single imaging in this case) that photoelectrically converts the return light (reflected light) from the second direction acquired by the optical system (in this case, an optical system that forms a side field image) on the same plane. Element). Since various types of endoscopes and endoscope systems have been proposed in the past, they will be referred to and will not be described in detail.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the endoscope 10 that can observe and capture a plurality of images having different fields of view and the endoscope system 1 including the endoscope 10 are normally provided. In addition to the light source device 22, an auxiliary light source device 24 is provided separately. In addition to the illumination light guided from the main light source 22a of the light source device 22, the illumination light from the auxiliary light sources (24a to 24d) of the auxiliary light source device 24 is in each visual field direction. The light guide cable 25 is configured to lead to

With this configuration, when the light amount adjustment control of the main light source 22a is executed based on the image data acquired by the imaging unit, the light amounts of the auxiliary light sources (24a to 24d) of the auxiliary light source device 24 via the light amount control device 23 are simultaneously used. Execute adjustment control. Therefore, the endoscopic image that can be observed with the display device 31 using the endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment can always display a bright and easy-to-see image on the entire screen while suppressing the occurrence of halation or the like. it can.

In addition to the control unit 30 that performs light amount adjustment control of the main light source 22a of the light source device 22, a light amount control device 23 that performs light amount adjustment control of the auxiliary light sources (24a to 24d) of the auxiliary light source device 24 is provided. Since the light intensity adjustment control for the illumination light for the front and side fields and the auxiliary light source (auxiliary illumination light for the side field) is adjusted separately, control of the auxiliary light source that assists in insufficient light intensity Therefore, it is possible to easily adjust the light amount of the entire screen appropriately.

Further, the auxiliary light control unit 24x constituting the auxiliary light source device 24 and the plurality of auxiliary light sources 24a to 24d (light emitters, light source bodies) are configured separately, and the auxiliary light sources 24a to 24d (light emitters, light source bodies) are A configuration in which the endoscope 10 is disposed inside the distal end portion 11a of the insertion portion 11 of the endoscope 10 may be employed. In this case, the auxiliary light control unit 24x may be arranged inside the connector unit 21 in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above, or may be housed in a separate casing as described above. It is good also as a structure which arrange | positions in the vicinity of the connector part 21. FIG. The auxiliary light control unit 24x and each of the auxiliary light sources 24a to 24d may be connected by an electric cable instead of the light guide cable of the first embodiment. Then, a configuration may be adopted in which the illumination light of the auxiliary light sources 24a to 24d is joined to the light guide cable 25 on the main light source 22a side inside the distal end portion 11a.

In the first embodiment, an example in which a plurality of auxiliary light sources 24a to 24d are provided in total is shown. However, the number of auxiliary light sources 24a to 24d is not limited to this example. What is necessary is just to change suitably according to a use.

In the first embodiment, an example in which a light emitting diode (LED) or the like is applied as the plurality of auxiliary light sources 24a to 24d is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the same as the main light source 22a. A xenon lamp, a halogen lamp, or a semiconductor laser may be applied. In addition to the example in which the xenon lamp or the like is applied as the main light source 22a, for example, a light emitting diode (LED) or the like can be applied as the main light source 22a.

In the first embodiment described above, the main light source 22a and the auxiliary light source are both configured to emit normal illumination light, and are configured to be able to acquire and observe a normal endoscopic image. Although an example as a system is shown, the present invention is not limited to this example, and an endoscope system that performs special observation is configured by configuring the main light source 22a and the auxiliary light source with different types of light sources, respectively. Is also possible. For example, normal illumination light such as a xenon lamp is applied as the main light source 22a, while illumination light through a special filter for narrowband light observation (NBI) is used as the auxiliary light source, or special light (short) Narrowband laser light (Blue LASER Imaging; BLI, etc.) may be emitted. Further, an excitation light LED that emits excitation light may be applied to the auxiliary light source so that fluorescence observation can be performed. That is, a light source that emits light having a wavelength band different from that of the first illumination light may be applied as the second illumination light.

In addition, for example, the color of illumination light has been conventionally changed by interposing various color filters or the like on the emission surface of the light source. However, when such a color filter or the like is used, the light is emitted. The illumination light will be dimmed. Therefore, for example, when a light-emitting diode is applied as an auxiliary light source, various illumination colors can be changed depending on the type of light source, so a configuration for emitting illumination light of a desired color without reducing the amount of light is realized. obtain.

By the way, in the above-described first embodiment, the configuration of the connection portion 26 of the light guide cable inside the connector portion 21 is the configuration example shown in FIG. In the following, other configuration examples are shown. FIG. 8 is a diagram conceptually illustrating another configuration example of the connection portion of the light guide cable in the endoscope of the present embodiment.

In this other configuration example, the light guide cable 25 extending from the light source device 22 extends as it is in the connection portion 26 of the connector portion 21, and is inserted through the universal cable 13, the operation portion 12, and the insertion portion 11. It has reached part 11a. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, after branching in four directions in the vicinity or inside of the distal end portion 11a, it is connected to each illumination window (33a, 33b).

On the other hand, the light guide cables 24y extended from the auxiliary light source device 24 are extended by the number corresponding to the auxiliary light sources 24a to 24d (sub cables 24ya to 24yd). As shown in FIG. 8, the plurality of sub cables 24ya to 24yd are bundled together with the light guide cable 25 and inserted as a single light guide cable through the universal cable 13, the operation section 12, and the insertion section 11, and the distal ends thereof. It has reached part 11a. And it branches in the vicinity or the inside of the front-end | tip part 11a, and becomes a cable 24ya, 24yb, 24yc, 24yd again, and is connected to each predetermined illumination window (33a, 33b).

With such a configuration, the first illumination window 33a (first illumination unit) causes the first illumination light from the light guide cable 25 (first light guide) and the light guide cable 24y (second light guide). The second illumination light from the body) emits at least the first illumination light, and the second illumination window 33b (second illumination unit) is emitted from the light guide cable 25 (first light guide). At least second illumination light can be emitted from the first illumination light and the second illumination light from the light guide cable 24y (second light guide).

The light guide cable having such a configuration can obtain the same operations and effects as those of the first embodiment described above. Further, if the light guide cable having this configuration is used, a simpler configuration can be achieved, which can contribute to a reduction in manufacturing cost and the like.

Further, in the above-described first embodiment, the display example shown in FIG. 5A is given as an example of the endoscopic image displayed on the display screen 31a of the display device 31. The following are other display examples. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating different display examples of endoscopic images displayed on the display screen of the display device in the endoscope of the present embodiment. When performing the display example shown by each figure of FIG. 9, it is necessary to change the arrangement | positioning etc. of the auxiliary light source corresponding to it. In the following description, reference will also be made to changes in configuration corresponding to each display example.

The display screen 31a of the first display modification shown in FIG. 9 is assumed to be realized by the endoscope 10 having a form as shown in FIG. Here, the endoscope of the first modified example in which the internal configuration of the distal end portion 11a of the insertion portion 11 of the endoscope 10 shown in FIG. 12 is slightly different from that of the above-described first embodiment (see FIG. 2) is applied. The That is, FIG. 12 shows an endoscope system of a first modified example for realizing the first display modified example of FIG. 9, and particularly a configuration conceptually showing the internal configuration of the distal end portion of the endoscope in the system. FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, the endoscope in the endoscope system of the first modified example is different from the endoscope of the first embodiment described above in the following points.

In the endoscope system according to the first embodiment described above, an imaging unit including a plurality of imaging elements (32a, 32b) is configured as an image acquisition unit. On the other hand, in the endoscope system of the first modified example, a plurality of observation optical systems (132a, 132b) functioning as an image acquisition unit, an imaging optical system 132c that forms an image, and image data are generated. It has an image pickup unit constituted by one image pickup element 132d.

Here, among the plurality of observation optical systems (132a, 132b) functioning as the image acquisition unit, the first observation optical system 132a is an image acquisition unit that acquires return light from the subject in the front region. One first observation optical system 132a is provided toward the front surface of the distal end portion. The second observation optical system 132b is an image acquisition unit that acquires return light from the subject in the lateral region. The second observation optical system 132b is provided, for example, inside the distal end portion, and is formed to have, for example, an annular light incident surface directed in the circumferential direction that is the side of the distal end portion. It is an optical member formed in a columnar shape combining a cylinder or a cone. In the endoscope, the second observation optical system 132b is arranged behind the first observation optical system 132a. Therefore, with this configuration, the return light from the subject in the front area acquired by the first observation optical system 132a is collected by the second observation optical system 132b disposed rearward and emitted backward. Further, the second observation optical system 132b simultaneously acquires the return light from the subject in the lateral region, that is, the circumferential direction of the insertion portion 11. In this case, the second observation optical system 132b receives the return light from the acquired subject in the lateral region from the circumferential direction, and bends the optical path inside thereof by, for example, approximately 90 degrees, or once or twice. It is configured to be refracted by being reflected or to be emitted backward. The imaging optical system 132c is disposed behind the second observation optical system 132b. The imaging optical system 132c is an optical system which is formed by, for example, a plurality of optical lenses and forms an optical image of the subject by making the emitted light from the plurality of observation optical systems (132a, 132b) incident. One imaging element 132d is disposed behind the imaging optical system 132c with its light receiving surface facing forward.

In the first display modification shown in FIG. 9, the front view image acquired by the first observation optical system (image acquisition unit) 132a shown in FIG. FIG. 55 shows an example in which the side field image acquired by the second observation optical system (image acquisition unit) 132b) shown in FIG. 12 is displayed.

In such a configuration, the first observation optical system (image acquisition unit) 132a acquires return light from the subject in the front area. The return light from the subject in the front area acquired by the first observation optical system (image acquisition unit) 132a is collected by the second observation optical system (image acquisition unit) 132b and directed toward the rear imaging optical system 132c. And exit. On the other hand, the second observation optical system (image acquisition unit) 132b acquires return light from the subject in the lateral region. The return light from the subject in the lateral region acquired by the second observation optical system (image acquisition unit) 132a is bent and refracted inside the second observation optical system (image acquisition unit) 132b. Then, the light is emitted toward the rear imaging optical system 132c. In this way, the return light from the subject in the front area and the return light from the subject in the side area from the second observation optical system (image acquisition unit) 132a are incident on the imaging optical system 132c. Is done. Therefore, an image formed by the imaging optical system 132c is formed on the light receiving surface of the one image sensor 132d. Here, the imaging optical system 132c forms an image having the form shown in FIG. That is, the image formed by the imaging optical system 132c is an image in which the front visual field image is disposed in the substantially central region 51 and the side visual field images are disposed in the peripheral regions 52 to 55. An image of this form (image shown in FIG. 9) is formed on the light receiving surface of the one image sensor 132d. In response, the one image sensor 132d photoelectrically converts the image of the above form and outputs it as image data.

In the first embodiment, two of the four auxiliary light sources 24a to 24d (24a, 24b) irradiate the front visual field, and the remaining two (24c, 24d) irradiate the bilateral visual field. I was doing. In contrast, in the endoscope system of FIG. 12 that realizes the first display modification of FIG. 9, all of the four auxiliary light sources (24a to 24d) are configured to irradiate the side field of view, and The auxiliary light sources 24a to 24d are arranged so as to illuminate the peripheral areas 52 to 55, respectively. In the first display modification example, only the main light source 22a is used as the illumination light for the front visual field.

Further, as a different form, in the case of the method of displaying a plurality of field images as in the first embodiment, for example, as shown in FIGS. Irradiation is performed only with illumination light from the main light source 22a such as a xenon lamp having a normal configuration, and the both side regions 57 and 58 are mainly irradiated with main light such as a xenon lamp as shown in the second display modification shown in FIG. Irradiation with illumination light (auxiliary lamp) may be performed from the auxiliary light source in addition to the illumination light from the light source 22a. Apart from this, as in the third display modification shown in FIG. 11, the front area 51 is similarly irradiated with illumination light from the main light source 22a, and the both side areas 57, 58 are irradiated. May be configured to irradiate only the illumination light (auxiliary lamp) from the auxiliary light source.

That is, the first illumination window 33a (first illumination unit) emits only the first illumination light from the light guide cable 25 (first light guide), and the second illumination window 33b (second illumination). Part) emits the second illumination light from the light guide cable 24y (second light guide) in addition to the first illumination light from the light guide cable 25 (first light guide). The second illumination window 33b (second illumination unit) may be configured to emit only the second illumination light from the light guide cable 24y (second light guide).

In addition, in this embodiment, although the auxiliary light source device 24 has shown the example arrange | positioned inside the connector part 21, the arrangement | positioning location of the auxiliary light source device 24 is not restricted to this example. For example, the following configuration is also conceivable as an example of the second embodiment of the present invention. That is, as shown in FIG. 13, the auxiliary light source device 24 may be a separate housing from the connector portion 21, and a cable may be extended from the housing and connected inside the connector portion 21. Further, the auxiliary light source device 24 may be disposed in the middle of the universal cable 13. Furthermore, as another example, as shown in FIG. 14, it can be arranged inside the operation unit 12.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various modifications and applications can be implemented without departing from the spirit of the invention. Further, the above embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if several constituent requirements are deleted from all the constituent requirements shown in the above-described embodiment, if the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved and the effect of the invention can be obtained, this constituent requirement is deleted. The configured structure can be extracted as an invention. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined. The invention is not limited by the specific embodiments thereof, except as limited by the appended claims.

This application is filed on the basis of a priority claim based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-255318 filed in Japan on December 17, 2014.

The contents disclosed by the above basic application are cited in the specification, claims and drawings of the present application.

The present invention can be applied not only to an endoscope control device in the medical field but also to an endoscope control device in the industrial field.

Claims (14)

1. An insertion portion to be inserted into the subject;
   A first illumination unit that is provided in the insertion unit and illuminates a first region of the subject;
   A second illumination unit that is provided in the insertion unit and illuminates a second region of the subject that is different from the first region;
   A first light guide for guiding first illumination light supplied from the outside to the first illumination unit;
   A second light guide that is formed separately from the first light guide and guides the second illumination light supplied from the light source unit to the second illumination unit;
   An observation unit for observing the subject illuminated by the first illumination unit and the second illumination unit;
   An endoscope characterized by comprising:
2. The first illumination light is illumination light guided from an external illumination light generation source,
   The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the light source unit that supplies the second illumination light is provided inside the endoscope.
3. At least one of a first connector that is electrically connected to a control unit that controls the observation unit, and a second connector that is optically connected to the light source unit that emits the second illumination light. Further including
   The said light source part which supplies the said 2nd illumination light is arrange | positioned in at least one of the inside of the said 1st connector or the inside of the said 2nd connector, The Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. Endoscope.
4. The light source unit that supplies the second illumination light includes one or more light emitters, and a light source control unit that controls the light emitters and adjusts the amount of the second illumination light. The endoscope according to claim 1.
5. The endoscope according to claim 4, wherein the light emitter is provided inside the second illumination unit provided in the insertion unit.
6. The first light guide guides the first illumination light to the first illumination unit or both the first illumination unit and the second illumination unit,
   The second light guide guides the second illumination light to the second illumination unit or to both the first illumination unit and the second illumination unit. 1. The endoscope according to 1.
7. 2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the first light guide and the second light guide are fiber light guides that are partially bundled together in the insertion portion. .
8. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the first illumination light and the second illumination light are light having different wavelength bands.
9. The observation unit includes a first image acquisition unit that acquires return light from the first region of the subject including the front of the insertion unit;
   2. A second image acquisition unit that acquires return light from the second region of the subject including a side of the insertion unit that intersects with the longitudinal axis of the insertion unit. The endoscope according to 1.
10. The first image acquisition unit includes a first imaging unit that photoelectrically converts return light from the first region,
    The said 2nd image acquisition part is provided with the 2nd imaging part different from the said 1st imaging part which photoelectrically converts the return light from the said 2nd area | region, The Claim 9 characterized by the above-mentioned. Endoscope.
11. The return light from the first region acquired by the first image acquisition unit and the return light from the second region acquired by the second image acquisition unit are photoelectrically converted on the same surface. The endoscope according to claim 9, further comprising an imaging unit.
12. An endoscope according to claim 1;
    A light source device that is optically connected to the first light guide in the endoscope and supplies the first illumination light to the first light guide from outside the endoscope;
    A control unit that is electrically connected to the observation unit in the endoscope and controls the observation unit from the outside of the endoscope;
    An endoscope system comprising:
13. 13. The endoscope system according to claim 12, further comprising a power supply unit that supplies electric power used to emit the second illumination light to the light source unit in the endoscope.
14. The endoscope according to claim 12, wherein the light source unit in the endoscope increases or decreases the amount of light of the second illumination light independently of the first illumination light from the light source device. Mirror system.

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