WO2017190955A1

WO2017190955A1 - Endoscope system, endoscope, and camera head

Info

Publication number: WO2017190955A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/059316
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thorsten JÜRGENS
Original assignee: Olympus Winter & Ibe Gmbh
Priority date: 2016-05-02
Filing date: 2017-04-19
Publication date: 2017-11-09
Also published as: DE102016108095A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an endoscopy system comprising an endoscope (102), having an objective (112), an eyepiece (118), an optical transmission system (114) for transmitting an image from the objective (112) to the eyepiece (118), and a first coupling device on the eyepiece side for coupling the endoscope (102) to a camera head; and comprising a camera head (103), having an image converter (125) for converting an image supplied by the eyepiece (118) into an electronic signal, and a second coupling device for coupling the camera head (103) to an endoscope, wherein the endoscope comprises at least one electric load (130, 131, 132, 133, 137), and the camera head comprises at least one electric supply unit (139) for supplying the electric load (130, 131, 132, 134, 137). The endoscopy system is developed further by the fact that transmitting means for the wire-free transmission of electrical energy are arranged in the second coupling device, and in that receiving means for the wire-free reception of electrical energy are arranged in the first coupling device. The invention further relates to a camera head and to an endoscope of a corresponding endoscopy system.

Description

Endoscopy system, endoscope and camera head

The invention relates to an endoscopy system having an endoscope, comprising a lens, an eyepiece, an optical transmission system for transmitting an image from the objective to the eyepiece and an eyepiece-side first coupling device for coupling the endoscope to a camera head; and a camera head having an image converter for

Converting an image provided by the eyepiece into an electronic signal and a second coupling device for coupling the camera head to an endoscope; the

Endoscope comprises at least one electrical load and the camera head least an electrical supply unit for supplying the electrical

Includes consumer.

Such endoscopy systems are known in principle. Thus, e.g. US7668450

Endoscopy system with a camera head and an endoscope, which has a plurality of integrated light sources. The supply of these light sources takes place by galvanic or wireless energy transfer from the camera head.

In galvanic energy transfer, various difficulties arise. For example, there is the use of conductive rinse liquids during the

Using the endoscopy system there is a risk that it will cause a short circuit

Energy supply comes and therefore the electrical consumers in the endoscope are no longer supplied. If the consumers are light sources, the user of the system may lose orientation in the surgical field, resulting in a

Patient risk leads. Similarly, when using a sterile disposable cover for the endoscope to reduce the risk of infection, a galvanic

Energy transfer does not take place.

A wireless energy transfer between camera head and endoscope usually has a low efficiency. As a result, either only a small amount of electrical power is available or the camera head and / or endoscope heat up during the wireless transmission, which is undesirable.

It is therefore the object of the invention to provide an endoscopy system, which is arranged with regard to the electrical supply of in the endoscope

electric consumers is improved.

This object is achieved according to the invention by an endoscopy system having an endoscope, comprising an objective, an eyepiece, an optical transmission system for transmitting an image from the objective to the eyepiece and an eyepiece-side first

Coupling device for coupling the endoscope to a camera head; and one

A camera head comprising an imager for converting an image delivered by the eyepiece into an electronic signal and a second coupling device for coupling the camera head to an endoscope; wherein the endoscope at least one electrical

Consumer includes and the camera head least an electrical supply unit for Supplying the electrical load includes; which is further formed by that in the second coupling device transmitting means for wireless transmission of electrical energy are arranged, and that in the first coupling device

Receiving means for wireless recording of electrical energy are arranged.

The arrangement of the transmitting and receiving means for wireless transmission or recording electrical energy in the first and second coupling device of the wireless energy transfer to be bridged distance is significantly reduced, thereby increasing the achievable efficiency of energy transfer significantly. It is thus made possible by the invention to supply an electrical load in an endoscope enough electrical energy without the endoscope or the

Heat camera head appreciably. At the same time, the inventive

Endoscopy system can be used together with a sterile disposable cover for the endoscope, without the energy transfer is disturbed.

The first coupling device preferably comprises an eyepiece funnel of the endoscope. Particularly preferably, the second coupling device comprises a Okulartrichterfassung the camera head. By this configuration, the components of the

Endoscopy system according to the invention are coupled to each other as well as conventional endoscopy systems in which no electrical energy transfer between the camera head and endoscope is provided. This can be additional

Training effort can be avoided.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the transmitting means and / or the receiving means comprise a coil. By means of a coil, the electrical energy is transmitted inductively, this transfer is particularly effective.

The coil is designed in a possible embodiment of the invention so that all windings of the coil are arranged in a common plane. In one possible embodiment of the invention, the outer diameter of the coil is at least ten times the length of the coil. Under the outer diameter of the coil is in the context of the invention, the double distance of the outermost winding of the coil to

Winding axis of the coil understood. Under the length of the coil is in the sense of

Invention understood the extension of the coil in the direction of the winding axis. By an appropriate design of the coil or the coils, the coils require little space in the direction of the winding axis. When aligning the winding axis in the direction of an optical axis of the endoscopy system, the coils can be integrated into the endoscopy system, without the distance between the eyepiece and image converter is significantly increased. A modification of an optical system of the endoscope can therefore be omitted.

When the coil according to a particular embodiment of the invention a

Outer diameter of at most 50mm, preferably at most 44mm, and having a free inner diameter of at least 10mm, preferably at least 12mm, the Coil can be integrated into the eyepiece funnel of a known endoscope or in the eyepiece of a known camera head, without disturbing the mechanical coupling and the optical path of the endoscopy system.

The inductance of the coil is in an embodiment of the invention at least 5μΗ, preferably at least 6μΗ. This inductance enables efficient energy transfer.

Since a high-frequency energy transmission signal is required for the inductive energy transmission comprises according to an embodiment of the invention, the electric

Supply unit means for converting a low-frequency

Supply voltage signal in a high-frequency energy transmission signal. Under a high-frequency energy transmission signal is in the context of the invention

Energy transfer signal understood with a frequency that is well above the

Alternating frequency of the public power supply network of 50-100Hz is. The frequency of the energy transmission signal may be, for example, 110 to 205 kHz. Under a low-frequency supply voltage signal is in the context of the invention

Supply voltage signal understood, which is a DC voltage or its frequency is not or not significantly above the frequency of the public

Power supply network of 50-100Hz.

For functional reasons, the frequency of the energy reception signal corresponds to an inductive energy transmission of the frequency of the energy transmission signal. However, as common electrical loads require a low frequency consumption voltage signal, the electrical load in one embodiment of the invention comprises means for converting a high frequency power reception signal to a low frequency one

Consumption voltage signal.

In one embodiment of the invention, the electrical load can comprise a light source, in particular a light-emitting diode. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the electrical load, a heating element, in particular a

Objective window heating, include.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the endoscopy system comprises a further endoscope, wherein the further endoscope comprises a third coupling device which has no receiving means, and wherein the second coupling device can be selectively coupled to the first coupling device or to the third coupling device. This allows a particularly flexible use of the endoscopy system according to the invention.

The object is further achieved by an endoscope and / or a camera head of an endoscopy system, which is designed according to the above description. With regard to the achievable advantages, reference is expressly made to the above statements. The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to some examples. Show it:

Fig. 1: An endoscopy system according to the prior art in a schematic representation;

2 shows the structure of an endoscopy system according to the prior art;

Fig. 3: The structure of an endoscopy system according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 4: The basic structure of a wireless electrical supply;

Fig. 5a, 5b: A coil of an endoscopy system according to the invention;

6 shows an endoscopy system according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a conventional endoscopy system 1. The endoscope system 1 comprises an endoscope 2 and a camera head 3. The endoscope 2 serves to guide an image of an anatomical structure 4 on the optical path to the camera head 3, which converts it into a video signal. The video signal is transmitted by means of a line 5 to a camera control unit 6. In the camera control unit 6, the video signal is processed for display on a monitor 7. The anatomical structure 4 is usually located in a body cavity of a patient. In order to provide sufficient light for the observation, a cold light source 8 is provided, the light of which is supplied to the endoscope 2 via a light guide cable 9 and emitted by the endoscope 2 in the direction of the anatomical structure 4.

Corresponding conventional endoscopy systems are widely used. However, they also have some disadvantages. For example, the light guide cable 9 is heavy and unwieldy, so that a user of the endoscopy system 1 can be disturbed in its freedom of movement. It has therefore sometimes been suggested that the cold light source 8 by a in the

Endoscope 2 arranged light source to replace. For this purpose, however, it is necessary to supply the endoscope 2 with electrical energy.

Another disadvantage of the endoscopy system 1 is that the endoscope during

Insertion into a warm and moist body cavity of a patient can fog.

As a result, the view of a user of the endoscopy system 1 is disturbed. It has therefore been proposed to provide an electric heater for a front window of the endoscope 2 in order to prevent its fogging. This in turn requires the supply of electrical energy to the endoscope 2.

In Figure 2, the internal structure of the endoscope 2 and the camera head 3 is shown in principle, as far as it is necessary for the understanding of the invention. The endoscope 2 consists of a main body 10 and a shaft tube 11. At the distal end of the shaft tube 11, an objective 12 is arranged behind a lens window 13. Over the length of the shaft tube 11, an optical image conductor 14 is arranged in the endoscope 2, which is a relay system in the example shown. Alternatively, rigid or flexible fiber-image conductors can also be used here. Lens 12 and image guide 14 are arranged in an inner tube 15 of the endoscope, which is referred to as a fiber tube becomes. Between the fiber tube 15 and the shaft tube 11, optical fibers 16 are arranged, via which illumination light is guided by a light guide neck 17 to the distal end of the shaft tube 11 and emitted there. At the light guide 17, the light guide cable 9, not shown here, can be connected.

The fiber tube 15 protrudes into the main body 10 of the endoscope 2. At the proximal end of the main body 10, an eyepiece 18 is arranged behind an eyepiece window 19. The eyepiece 18 is held by an eyepiece tube 20.

On the main body 10, an eyepiece hopper 21 is further arranged. The ocular funnel 21 may be placed directly on his eye by a user of the endoscope to view a virtual image produced by the eyepiece 18. Usually, however, a camera head 3 is placed on the Okulartrichter 21.

The camera head 3 serves to convert the virtual image generated by the eyepiece 18 into a video image. For this purpose, the camera head 3 has a housing 22, in which a camera lens 24 and an image converter 25 are arranged behind a camera window 23. The video signals generated by the image converter 25 are controlled by an electronic control 26th

preprocessed and transmitted via the line 5 to the camera control unit 6 (not shown in Figure 2).

In order to enable a secure connection between the camera head 3 and the endoscope 2, the camera head 3 has an eyepiece holder 27, which can be detachably coupled to the eyepiece funnel 21 of the endoscope 3. For precise positioning of camera head 3 and endoscope 2, eyepiece holder 27 has an axial stop surface 28 and a radial stop surface 29. For fixing the camera head 3 on the endoscope 2, the Okulartrichterfassung 27, not shown fixing means, which are, for example, a clamping mechanism, a screw or a

Bayonet connection can act. Okulartrichter 21 and Okulartrichterfassung 27 thus form first and second coupling devices for coupling the camera head 3 and endoscope. 2

FIG. 3 shows the internal structure of an endoscopy system 101 according to the invention. The endoscopy system 101 includes an endoscope 102 and a camera head 103.

The endoscope 102 in turn consists of a main body 110 and a shaft tube 111. At the distal end of the shaft tube 111, an objective 112 is arranged behind a lens window 113. Over the length of the shaft tube 111, an optical image conductor 114 is arranged in the endoscope 102, which can be designed in accordance with the image conductor 1 of the endoscope 2 in FIG. Lens 112 and image guide 114 are again in a fiber tube

115 arranged. Between the fiber tube 115 and the shaft tube 111 are optical fibers

116 arranged. Unlike illustrated in FIG. 2, the optical fibers 116 terminate proximally in front of a light emitting diode 130, which replaces an external cold light source 8. The LED is powered and controlled by a lighting controller 131.

At the proximal end of the main body 110, in turn, an eyepiece 118 is disposed behind an eyepiece window 119. The eyepiece 118 is held by an eyepiece tube 120. On the main body 110, in turn, an eyepiece funnel 121 is arranged.

At the distal end of the fiber tube 115, a heating device 132 is arranged, which heats the lens 112 and in particular the lens window 113 and thus prevents disturbing condensation on the lens window 113. The heater 132, which may, for example, be a self-regulating resistance heater, is connected via a line 133 routed along the fiber tube 115 to a heater controller 134, from which it is supplied and controlled.

The Okulartrichter 121 has proximally an annular planar contact surface 135. Close to the contact surface 135, a coil 136 is arranged in the Okulartrichter. The coil 136 is connected to a first transducer 137, which in turn with the

Lighting control 131 and the heating control 134 is connected.

The camera head 103 in turn has a housing 122 in which behind a

Camera window 123 a camera lens 124 is arranged. Behind the camera lens, an image converter 125 with associated control electronics 126 is arranged, which can be connected by means of a line 105 with a camera control unit, not shown here.

The camera head 103 furthermore has an eyepiece holder socket 127 with an axial contact surface 128 and a radial contact surface 129. In the Okulartrichterfassung 127 a coil 138 is disposed near the axial abutment surface 128, which is connected to a second transducer 139. The second converter is connected to the line 105.

In the example shown here, the endoscope 102 has two electrical consumers. Within the scope of the invention, the endoscope can also have only one or even more than two electrical consumers. It may also be other consumers than the illustrated light source 130 or heater 132. Come here

For example, additional sensors such as temperature or acceleration sensors or therapeutic devices such as lithotripters, lasers or similar devices into consideration.

In Figure 4, the basic circuit structure of the electrical supply in one

Endoscopy system according to the invention shown. It comprises the first converter 137 and the second converter 139. The second converter 139 is supplied with a supply voltage via a line 201. For this purpose, for example, the supply voltage for the control electronics 126 of the image converter 125 can be used. The

Supply voltage is stabilized in a first voltage control 202 and possibly on regulated the required voltage value such as 5V. For example, a MAX17502 device from Maxim Integrated Products combined with a TLV70033 device from Texas Instruments can be used as the voltage controller. The stabilized supply voltage is then provided to a signal generator 203, which generates a high frequency energy transfer signal which is then fed to the coil 138. The energy transfer signal can be a simple

sinusoidal voltage waveform having a frequency of 110 to 205 kHz or comprise more complicated waveforms, e.g. defined in the Qj standard of the Wireless Power Consortium. Using the Qj standard, the signal generator 203 may include, for example, a BQ500212 Texas Instruments device and a

Signal amplifier include.

The coil 138 generates an electromagnetic alternating field, which is collected by the coil 136 and converted into a high-frequency voltage signal and transmitted to the first converter 137. The converter 137 in turn comprises a signal receiver 204, which converts the high-frequency voltage signal into a DC voltage. The signal receiver 204 may include a rectifier. Using the Qj standard, the signal receiver may include a BQ51013B Texas Instruments device. The DC voltage provided by the signal receiver 204 is in a second

Voltage control 205 in turn stabilized and, if necessary, regulated to a required by connected loads 131, 134 voltage value, for example, 20V. A TPS61170DRV device from Texas Instruments can be used for this purpose.

The energy transfer between the coils 136 and 138 may be resonant. For this purpose, the coils 136 and 138 are each incorporated in resonant circuits which have the same natural frequency. In this mode of operation, a particularly high energy transfer efficiency can be achieved.

FIGS. 5a and 5b show the coil 136. Figure 5a shows the coil in a view perpendicular to its winding axis. In the center of the coil 136, this has a free inner diameter 301 of at least 10 mm, and preferably at least 12 mm. Through this free inner diameter of the image beam path of the endoscopy system 101 can pass undisturbed. The windings of the coil wire 302 close to the inner diameter 301 close to each other. The coil 136 has an outer diameter 303 of at most 50 mm, preferably at most 44 mm and thus fits into the contact surface 135 of the Okulartrichters 121. The inductance of the coil is about 6.3μΗ.

In Figure 5b, the coil 136 is shown in a view transverse to its winding axis. It can be seen that all windings of the coil 136 lie in one plane. Through this single-layer winding of the coil 136, this is very flat and thus requires little overall length. Of the

Outer diameter 303 of the coil 136 is preferably at least ten times its length. The coil 138 corresponds in its structure to the coil 136 and is therefore not shown separately.

FIG. 6 schematically shows another endoscopy system 401. This

Endoscopy system 401 comprises a camera head 103, as described above with reference to FIG. 3. Similarly, the endoscopy system 401 includes endoscopes 102 and 102 ', which are also described with reference to FIG. 3. The endoscopes 102, 102 'may have different optical properties, e.g. different viewing directions, as indicated by the arrows 402, 403.

The endoscopy system 401 further includes endoscopes 2 and 2 ', which are constructed according to the description of Figure 2, so have no electrical consumers. The endoscopes 2, 2 'may also have different viewing directions, as indicated by arrows 404, 405.

The endoscopy system 401 is designed such that both the endoscopes 102, 102 'and the endoscopes 2, 2' can be connected to the camera head 103. For this purpose, the ocular funnels of the endoscopes have the same dimensions.

When endoscope 2 or 2 'is coupled to the camera head 103, the first transducer 139 in the camera head 103 recognizes, using the Qj standard, that there is no second transducer 136 and disables the energy transfer. The endoscopy system 401 may then be used as a conventional endoscopy system. However, if an endoscope 102 or 102 'is connected, this is likewise detected by the transducer 139 and the energy transmission is activated.

The user of the endoscopy system 401 can thus use different endoscopes 2, 2 ', 102, 102' with the camera head 103. The endoscopy system 401 is therefore particularly flexible and can also be used together with conventional endoscopes 2, 2 '. When switching from a conventional endoscopy system to an endoscopy system 401, the user can therefore continue to use existing endoscopes.

Claims

1. Endoscopy system with

an endoscope (102), comprising an objective (112), an eyepiece (118), an optical transmission system (114) for transmitting an image from the objective (112) to the eyepiece (118) and an eyepoint-side first coupling device for coupling the endoscope (102 ) to a camera head; and

a camera head (103) comprising an imager (125) for converting an image provided by the eyepiece (118) to an electronic signal and a second coupling device for coupling the camera head (103) to an endoscope;

wherein the endoscope at least one electrical consumer

(130,131,132,134,137) and the camera heads at least one electric

Supply unit (139) for supplying the electrical load

(130,131,132,134,137); characterized in that

in the second coupling device transmitting means for wireless transmission of electrical energy are arranged, and that

in the first coupling device receiving means for wireless recording of electrical energy are arranged.

2. Endoscopy system according to claim 1, characterized in that the first

Coupling device is or includes an ocular funnel (121).

3. Endoscopy system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first coupling device is a Okulartrichterfassung (127) or comprises.

4. Endoscopy system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

in that the transmitting means and / or the receiving means comprise a coil

(136,138).

5. Endoscopy system according to claim 4, characterized in that all windings of the coil (136,138) are arranged in a common plane.

6. Endoscopy system according to claim 5, characterized in that the

Outer diameter of the coil (136,138) at least ten times the length of the coil corresponds. 7. Endoscopy system according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the coil (136,138) has an outer diameter of at most 50mm, preferably at most 44mm, and a free inner diameter of at least 10mm, preferably at least 12mm.

Endoscopy system according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that d the inductance of the coil (136,138) at least 5μΗ, preferably at least 6μΗ is.

9. Endoscopy system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the electrical supply unit (139) comprises means (203) for converting a low-frequency supply voltage signal into a

high-frequency energy transmission signal includes.

10. Endoscopy system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the electrical load (137) comprises means (204) for converting a high-frequency energy reception signal into a low-frequency energy signal

Consumption voltage signal includes.

11. Endoscopy system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

in that the electrical load comprises a light source, in particular a light-emitting diode (130).

12. Endoscopy system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

in that the electrical load comprises a heating element (132), in particular an objective window heater.

13. Endoscopy system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

in that the endoscopy system comprises a further endoscope (2, 2 '), wherein the further endoscope (2, 2') comprises a third coupling device, which has no receiving means, and wherein the second coupling device is selectively connected to the first coupling device or to the third coupling device

Coupling device can be coupled.

14. Endoscope of an endoscopy system according to one of claims 1 to 12.

15. Camera head of an endoscopy system according to one of claims 1 to 13.