JP2009039242A - Endoscope system - Google Patents

Abstract

An endoscope system that can improve the degree of freedom of arrangement and is excellent in usability.
A first scope 1 having a first solid-state imaging device 1x built therein, a first cable 1c having one end coupled to the first scope 1 and a first connector 1d provided at the other end; A first unit 3 having a first scope connection portion 14a to which the connector 1d is detachably connected, and a first process for processing a signal based on the output of the first solid-state imaging device 1x, separately from the first unit 3. The second unit 4 having the circuit 21, the second connector 1 e detachably connected to the first connector 1 d at one end, and the detachable to the first processing circuit 21 of the second unit 4 at the other end. A second cable 1f having a third connector 1h to be connected and transmitting a signal based on the output of the first solid-state imaging device 1x to the first processing circuit 21;
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope system.

  In recent years, as a scope used in an endoscope system, a so-called video scope in which an optical image obtained by an observation optical system is picked up by a solid-state image pickup device such as a CCD and displayed on a monitor has become widespread. In addition, there are various types of videoscopes. For example, in medical applications, there are laparoscopes, thoracoscopes, etc. as belonging to the surgical scope mainly used in the surgical field, and mainly in the medical field. Examples of the medical scope used include a gastric endoscope and a large intestine endoscope represented by a digestive scope.

  An endoscope system using such a video scope is generally configured to include a video scope and an endoscope observation apparatus that connects the video scope. An endoscope observation apparatus includes an image processing circuit that includes a light source unit that supplies illumination light to an illumination optical system of a video scope, and an image processing circuit that performs image processing on an imaging signal from a solid-state imaging device of the video scope and outputs a video signal. A unit (generally referred to as a camera control unit (CCU)) and a monitor that displays an image based on a video signal from the image processing unit. These light source unit, image processing unit, and monitor include: It is mounted on one trolley in a tower shape. Note that the endoscope observation apparatus is also equipped with a recording unit for recording a video signal from the image processing unit, an air / water supply pump, a treatment device, and the like as necessary. In the case of a ceiling-suspended endoscope system, the monitor may be suspended on a monitor arm.

  On the other hand, as a usage mode of a videoscope, in recent years, as seen in the medical field, for example, a technique of simultaneously using two different videoscopes for a single patient or subject is known. For example, during surgery to remove colorectal cancer using a laparoscope, which is a surgical scope, a colonic endoscope, which is a scope for digestive organs, is used to check the internal state of the large intestine, such as the sutured state and bleeding of the cancer removed part. There are techniques to observe.

  Conventionally, in such a procedure using two different types of videoscopes, two independent endoscope systems corresponding to the respective videoscopes are used. For this reason, there is a concern that it becomes difficult to observe each monitor particularly when two endoscope observation apparatuses are arranged apart from each other.

  As an apparatus that can solve such a problem, for example, an endoscope system has been proposed in which a surgical scope and a digestive scope can be switched and connected to one endoscope observation apparatus (for example, a patent) Reference 1).

  According to the endoscope system disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the surgical scope and the digestive scope can be switched and connected to one endoscope observation apparatus, the versatility of the endoscope observation apparatus can be improved. There is an advantage that the running cost can be reduced.

  However, in a procedure in which a surgical scope and, for example, a digestive scope are used at the same time in an operating room, an endoscope observation apparatus is usually used so that an operator who operates the surgical scope can easily observe a monitor. It is safer against infection if the surgical scope and gastrointestinal scope are not switched during surgery because they are placed in close proximity to the surrounding clean area.

  In order to eliminate the need for such scope connection, the endoscope observation apparatus can be configured such that units used in each scope are mounted on one carriage and each scope can be connected independently. Conceivable.

  However, if the endoscope observation apparatus is configured in this way, there is a concern that the entire apparatus is enlarged and the arrangement is limited.

  The above-described restrictions on the arrangement of the endoscope observation apparatus occur similarly in the case of a normal endoscope system using one videoscope. That is, in examinations and operations using an endoscope system, the posture of the subject and the patient is determined according to the scope to be used, and the positions of the operator and the operator with respect to the subject and the patient are also determined. For this reason, depending on the videoscope used, the cable (usually referred to as a universal cord) connecting the videoscope and the endoscope observation device is short, so that the operator or operator can easily observe the monitor. In some cases, the endoscope observation apparatus cannot be installed, and the usability is deteriorated.

  As a method for solving this, for example, it is conceivable that the universal cord can be replaced with one having a long length (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  However, since the universal cord is cleaned by a predetermined cleaning device together with the video scope, its length is limited.

JP 2006-55350 A JP 2003-38429 A

  Therefore, the objective of this invention made | formed in view of this situation is to provide the endoscope system which can improve the freedom degree of arrangement | positioning and was excellent in usability.

The invention of the endoscope system according to claim 1 that achieves the above object is as follows:
A first scope incorporating a first solid-state imaging device;
A first cable having one end coupled to the first scope and the other end provided with a first connector;
A first unit having a first scope connection part to which the first connector is detachably connected;
A second unit having a first processing circuit that processes a signal based on an output of the first solid-state imaging device separately from the first unit;
A second connector detachably connected to the first connector at one end, and a third connector detachably connected to the first processing circuit of the second unit at the other end; A second cable for transmitting a signal based on the output of the first solid-state imaging device to the first processing circuit;
It is characterized by comprising.

The invention according to claim 2 is the endoscope system according to claim 1,
The second cable is longer than the first cable.

The invention according to claim 3 is the endoscope system according to claim 1 or 2,
A second scope of a different type from the first scope incorporating the second solid-state imaging device;
A third cable having one end coupled to the second scope and a fourth connector at the other end;
The second connector has a fifth connector that is detachably connected to the fourth connector at one end, and a sixth connector that is detachably connected to the second unit at the other end. A fourth cable for transmitting a signal based on the output;
A second scope connecting portion provided in the second unit, to which the fourth connector is detachably connected;
A second processing circuit provided in the second unit, wherein the sixth connector is detachably connectable, and processes a signal based on an output of the second solid-state imaging device;
Is further provided.

The invention according to claim 4 is the endoscope system according to claim 3,
The second unit includes display means for displaying an image based on the output of the first processing circuit and the output of the second processing circuit.

The invention according to claim 5 is the endoscope system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The first unit includes a first light source device that supplies illumination light to the first scope via the first scope connection unit and the first cable.

The invention according to claim 6 is the endoscope system according to claim 3 or 4,
The second unit includes a second light source device that supplies illumination light to the second scope via the second scope connection portion and the third cable.

  According to the present invention, the first scope is connected to the first unit via the first cable and the first connector, and a signal based on the output of the first solid-state imaging device of the first scope is transmitted from the first connector to the second unit. Since the first unit is transmitted to the second unit separately from the first unit for processing via the cable, the first unit can be made compact and can be moved easily. Therefore, by appropriately changing the length of the second cable, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom of arrangement of the first unit and the second unit, and it is possible to realize an endoscope system with excellent usability.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic view schematically showing a configuration of a main part of an endoscope system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The endoscope system according to the present embodiment includes a first scope 1 and a second scope 2 each including a video scope having a solid-state imaging device, a first unit 3 for the first scope, and a first scope and a second scope. Second unit 4 for use.

  The first scope 1 includes a known colonoscope that is a scope for digestive organs, for example, and includes a flexible insertion portion 1a, an operation portion 1b located on the proximal end side of the insertion portion 1a, and an extension from the operation portion 1b. A universal cord 1c that is a first cable, and an endoscope connector 1d that is a first connector provided on the base end side of the universal cord 1c. Here, the length of the universal cord 1c is assumed to be about 1.5 m, for example.

  The endoscope connector 1d is connected to an illumination connector (not shown) having a light guide 1v provided extending from the distal end of the insertion portion 1a to the operation portion 1b and the universal cord 1c. ) And a cable connector receiver 1e to which a cable 1y of a solid-state imaging device (first solid-state imaging device) 1x provided at the distal end of the insertion portion 1a is connected. Yes.

  The second scope 2 is a known laparoscope, which is a surgical scope, for example, and includes a rigid insertion portion 2a, an operation portion 2b located on the proximal end side of the insertion portion 2a, and a third extending from the operation portion 2b. It has a universal cord 2c that is a cable, and an endoscope connector 2d that is a fourth connector provided on the base end side of the universal cord 2c. Here, the length of the universal cord 2c is, for example, about 3 m as usual.

  Similarly to the first scope 1, the endoscope connector 2d is coupled with a light guide 2v that extends from the distal end of the insertion portion 2a to the operation portion 2b and the universal cord 2c. A lighting connector (not shown) is provided, and a cable 2y of a solid-state imaging device (second solid-state imaging device) 2x provided at, for example, a distal end portion of the insertion portion 2a is connected to the side portion. A cable connector receiver 2e is provided.

On the other hand, in the first unit 3, the treatment device 11, the suction pump 12, the air / water supply pump 13, the first light source device 14 and the scope tray 15 used in the first scope 1 are arranged in an appropriate order on the carriage. While mounting in a tower shape, a carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) cylinder 16 and a scope hanger 17 are also mounted on the carriage.

  The second unit 4 includes a first signal processing device 21 including a first processing circuit used in the first scope 1, a treatment device / pump 22 used in the second scope 2, a second light source device 23, The second signal processing device 24 including the second processing circuit, and the video recording device 25 and the monitor 26 that are commonly used in the first scope 1 and the second scope 2 are mounted in a tower shape on the carriage in an appropriate order. .

  The first scope 1 is an unillustrated illumination connector provided at the distal end of the endoscope connector 1 d of the universal cord 1 c and is a first scope connection part provided in the first light source device 14 of the first unit 3. The illumination light connector receiver 14a is detachably inserted and connected. Further, the cable connector receiver 1e provided on the side portion of the endoscope connector 1d is connected to the cable connector 1g that is the second connector provided at one end of the endoscope cable 1f that is the second cable, A cable connector 1 h that is a third connector provided at the other end of the endoscope cable 1 f is connected to a cable connector receiver 21 a provided in the first signal processing device 21 of the second unit 4.

  As a result, the illumination light from the first light source device 14 passes through the illumination light connector receiver 14a, the universal cord 1c, the light guide 1v extending through the first scope 1, and the illumination lens 1w, and then the tip of the first scope 1 From the first scope 1, for example, an imaging signal of an optical image in the large intestine that is irradiated into the large intestine and imaged on the solid-state imaging device 1 x via the imaging optical system 1 z and photoelectrically converted by irradiation of the illumination light. And it supplies to the 1st signal processing apparatus 21 via the cable 1y extended through the universal cord 1c, and the endoscope cable 1f.

  Further, the second scope 2 has an illumination connector (not shown) provided at the distal end portion of the endoscope connector 2d of the universal cord 2c and a second scope connection portion provided in the second light source device 23 of the second unit 4. The illumination light connector receiver 23a is detachably inserted and connected. Further, the cable connector receiver 2e provided on the side portion of the endoscope connector 2d is connected to the cable connector 2g that is the fifth connector provided at one end portion of the endoscope cable 2f that is the fourth cable, A cable connector 2h, which is a sixth connector provided at the other end of the endoscope cable 2f, is connected to a cable connector receiver 24a provided in the second signal processing device 24 of the second unit 4.

  Thereby, the illumination light from the second light source device 23 passes through the light guide 2v extending through the illumination light connector receiver 23a, the universal cord 2c and the second scope 2, and from the distal end of the second scope 2, for example, the abdominal cavity The imaging signal of the intra-abdominal optical image that is imaged and photoelectrically converted to the solid-state imaging device 2x via the imaging optical system 2z by irradiation of the illumination light is converted into the second scope 2 and the universal code 2c. The signal is supplied to the second signal processing device 24 through the cable 2y extended through the endoscope cable 2f.

  In the second unit 4, the first signal processing device 21 performs image processing on the imaging signal from the first scope 1 to generate a video signal, and the second signal processing device 24 outputs the video signal from the second scope 2. The imaging signal is subjected to image processing to generate a video signal. The video signal from the first scope 1 and the video signal from the second scope 2 are processed by the video signal processing circuit provided in the first signal processing device 21 or the second signal processing device 24, or provided in the monitor 26. Processed by the video signal processing circuit to display two screens simultaneously on the monitor 6 using picture-in-picture, picture-out-picture, picture-side-picture, etc., or only the video by the first scope 1 or only the video by the second scope 2 The screen is displayed on the monitor 26 and recorded in the video recording device 25.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the first signal processing device 21 used in the first scope 1 is mounted on the second unit 4 for the second scope and the video recording device is mounted on the second unit 4. Since 25 is shared by the first scope 1 and the second scope 2, the first unit 3 on which the first light source device 14 of the first scope 1 is mounted can be made compact and can be moved easily.

  Therefore, even if the universal cord 1c of the first scope 1 has a normal length that does not hinder disinfection, the endoscope connector 1d connected to the first light source device 14 of the first unit 3 and the second unit 4 As the endoscope cable 1f for connecting the mounted first signal processing device 21, a cable having an appropriate length according to the procedure using the first scope 1 and the second scope 2 can be used. The degree of freedom of arrangement of the unit 3 and the second unit 4 can be improved, and usability can be improved.

  For example, in a procedure such as a colon cancer excision surgery using a colonoscope as the first scope 1 and a laparoscope as the second scope 2, the length of the endoscope cable 1 f is set to the universal scope of the first scope 1. If it is longer than the cord 1c, for example, 3 to 5 m, as shown in FIG. 2, the endoscope operator I and the operator S can easily observe the monitor 26 mounted on the second unit 4. The second unit 4 for connecting the second scope 2 can be arranged near the side of the operating table 31, and the first unit 3 for connecting the first scope 1 can be arranged near the rear of the operating table 31. Therefore, usability can be improved and the efficiency of surgery can be improved.

  In addition, this invention is not limited only to the said embodiment, Many deformation | transformation or a change is possible. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the first signal processing device 21 having the first processing circuit that processes the imaging signal from the first scope 1 and the second processing circuit that processes the imaging signal from the second scope 2 are provided. Although the second signal processing device 24 is provided separately, the first processing circuit and the second processing circuit may be provided in one signal processing device by integrating them. Further, a part of the first processing circuit or the second processing circuit can be built in the corresponding scope side, and a video signal can be output from the scope. Further, the second unit 4 is provided with a monitor for the first scope and a monitor for the second scope independently, and displays the video by the first scope 1 and the video by the second scope 2 independently. It can also be done.

  Furthermore, the first scope 1 and the second scope 2 are not limited to the digestive scope and the surgical scope, respectively. If the first scope 1 and the second scope 2 are different, a combination of the surgical scope and the surgical scope is used. Or a combination of a medical scope and a medical scope. In addition, the first scope 1 and / or the second scope 2 receive, as the second unit 4 side, the imaging signal and the video signal that are wirelessly transmitted from the wireless scope as a wireless scope that wirelessly transmits the imaging signal and the video signal. It can also be configured as follows.

  Also, only the first scope is used, the second unit is provided with a signal processing circuit of the first scope and a monitor for displaying the output, or the monitor is arranged separately from the second unit, An endoscope system can also be configured. Furthermore, the present invention can be applied not only to a medical endoscope system but also to an industrial endoscope system.

It is a schematic diagram showing typically the composition of the important section of the endoscope system concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the usage condition of the endoscope system shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 1st scope 1c Universal cord 1d Endoscope connector 1e Cable connector receptacle 1f Endoscope cable 1f
1g Cable connector 1h Cable connector 1v Light guide 1x Solid-state image sensor 2 Second scope 2c Universal cord 2d Endoscope connector 2e Cable connector receptacle 2f Endoscope cable 2g Cable connector 2h Cable connector 2v Light guide 2x Solid-state image sensor 3 First Unit 4 Second unit 11 Treatment device 12 Suction pump 13 Air / water supply pump 14 Light source device 14a Illumination light connector receiver 15 Scope tray 16 Carbon dioxide cylinder 17 Scope hanger 21 First signal processing device 21a Cable connector receptacle 22 Treatment device / Pump 23 Second light source device 23a Illumination light connector receiver 24 Second signal processing device 24a Cable connector receiver 25 Video recording device 26 Monitor 31 Operating table

Claims (6)

A first scope incorporating a first solid-state imaging device;
A first cable having one end coupled to the first scope and the other end provided with a first connector;
A first unit having a first scope connection part to which the first connector is detachably connected;
A second unit having a first processing circuit that processes a signal based on an output of the first solid-state imaging device separately from the first unit;
A second connector detachably connected to the first connector at one end, and a third connector detachably connected to the first processing circuit of the second unit at the other end; A second cable for transmitting a signal based on the output of the first solid-state imaging device to the first processing circuit;
An endoscope system comprising:   The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein the second cable is longer than the first cable. A second scope of a different type from the first scope incorporating the second solid-state imaging device;
A third cable having one end coupled to the second scope and a fourth connector at the other end;
The second connector has a fifth connector that is detachably connected to the fourth connector at one end, and a sixth connector that is detachably connected to the second unit at the other end. A fourth cable for transmitting a signal based on the output;
A second scope connecting portion provided in the second unit, to which the fourth connector is detachably connected;
A second processing circuit provided in the second unit, wherein the sixth connector is detachably connectable, and processes a signal based on an output of the second solid-state imaging device;
The endoscope system according to claim 1, further comprising:   The endoscope system according to claim 3, wherein the second unit includes display means for displaying an image based on an output of the first processing circuit and an output of the second processing circuit.   The said 1st unit comprises the 1st light source device which supplies illumination light to the said 1st scope via the said 1st scope connection part and the said 1st cable, The any one of Claims 1-4 characterized by the above-mentioned. The endoscope system according to one item.   The said 2nd unit comprises the 2nd light source device which supplies illumination light to the said 2nd scope via the said 2nd scope connection part and the said 3rd cable, The Claim 3 or 4 characterized by the above-mentioned. Endoscope system.

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