JP2009039249A - Endoscope system - Google Patents

Abstract

An endoscope system that can simultaneously observe images from two different types of videoscopes, can be made compact as a whole, and can improve the operability of each videoscope.
A first scope 1 and a second scope 2 of different types each incorporating a solid-state imaging device 1x, 2x, a display means 8 common to the first scope 1 and the second scope 2, and a first The first image processing circuit 11 that performs image processing on an imaging signal obtained from the solid-state imaging device 1x of the scope 1 via the imaging processing circuit and outputs a video signal, and the imaging processing circuit from the solid-state imaging device 2x of the second scope 2 A second image processing circuit 13 that performs image processing on the image pickup signal obtained through the image processing and outputs a video signal; a video signal that has undergone image processing by the first image processing circuit 11; and a video that has undergone image processing by the second image processing circuit 13 And a video signal processing circuit 12 for generating a video to be displayed on the display unit 8 based on the signal.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope system that can simultaneously use two different types of videoscopes.

  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.

  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, a large diameter scope having a relatively large diameter insertion portion and a thin diameter scope having an insertion portion smaller in diameter than the inner diameter of the forceps channel of the large diameter scope were inserted into the body cavity. Then, by inserting the insertion portion of the thin scope into the forceps channel of the large diameter scope and exposing the tip of the insertion portion from the insertion tip of the large diameter scope, the deepest part of the internal organ is observed. A technique is known in which a biopsy forceps is inserted into a forceps channel of a diameter scope and exposed from an insertion tip portion of a narrow diameter scope, and thereby a predetermined treatment is performed on a deepest lesion.

  Also, a technique is known that uses a surgical scope to observe, for example, a state in which a cancer is removed and a state inside the large intestine, such as bleeding, with a colonoscope during a colorectal cancer extraction operation.

  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 costs for inspection and surgery may increase, and it is necessary to secure a space for installing two endoscope observation apparatuses. In addition, since each endoscope observation apparatus constituting each endoscope system has a monitor, the operator or the operator observes each monitor while moving the line of sight. For this reason, there is a concern that it is difficult to observe each monitor, particularly when the two endoscope observation apparatuses are arranged apart from each other.

  In order to solve such a problem, for example, in an endoscope system using a large-diameter scope and a small-diameter scope inserted into a forceps channel of the large-diameter scope as in the former procedure, one endoscope The operation mode of the observation device can be switched between a master mode in which the other endoscope observation device is remotely operated and a stand-alone mode in which operation is not performed with the other endoscope observation device. A monitor and a recording unit that are provided only in one of the endoscope observation apparatuses have been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  Further, as in the latter procedure, it is possible to cope with a procedure using a surgical scope and a digestive scope such as an endoscope for large intestine. There has been proposed an endoscope system that can be connected by switching a scope (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2003-38432 A JP 2006-55350 A

  However, in the endoscope system disclosed in Patent Document 1, a monitor and a recording unit are simply provided in only one of the two endoscope observation apparatuses, and a large scope and a small scope are provided. The video by either one is displayed and recorded on the monitor and the recording unit, respectively, and the video by the two scopes cannot be displayed and recorded simultaneously. For this reason, while observing an image with a large-diameter scope, you cannot observe an image with a small-diameter scope. Conversely, while observing an image with a small-diameter scope, you cannot observe an image with a large-diameter scope. When it is necessary to observe frequently, it is necessary to frequently perform the switching operation, and there is a concern that the operation becomes troublesome.

  On the other hand, since the endoscope system disclosed in Patent Document 2 can switch and connect a surgical scope and a digestive scope to one endoscope observation apparatus, it can improve the versatility of the endoscope observation apparatus, Running cost can be reduced. However, in a procedure that uses a surgical scope and, for example, a digestive scope 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.

  Therefore, in such a procedure, even if the endoscopic observation apparatus can switch and connect the surgical scope and the digestive scope, in reality, each endoscopic observation corresponding to each videoscope can be performed. Since the surgical endoscope system connected to the apparatus and the endoscopic system for digestive organs are used, there is a concern that preparation becomes troublesome, and the operating room has two endoscope observation apparatuses. There is a concern that it will be narrowed by installation. Also, depending on the arrangement of the two endoscope observation devices, it becomes difficult for an operator who operates the surgical scope or an operator who operates the digestive scope to observe both monitors, and the operability is reduced. There are concerns about affecting the surgery.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention made in view of such circumstances is an endoscope system capable of simultaneously observing images from two different types of video scopes, making the whole compact and improving the operability of each video scope. Is to provide.

The invention of the endoscope system according to claim 1 that achieves the above object is as follows:
Different first and second scopes each incorporating a solid-state image sensor;
A display means common to the first scope and the second scope;
A first image processing circuit that performs image processing on an imaging signal obtained from the solid-state imaging device of the first scope and outputs a video signal;
A second image processing circuit that performs image processing on an imaging signal obtained from the solid-state imaging device of the second scope and outputs a video signal;
A video signal processing circuit for generating a video to be displayed on the display means based on the video signal image-processed by the first image processing circuit and the video signal image-processed by the second image processing circuit;
It is characterized by comprising.

The invention according to claim 2 is the endoscope system according to claim 1,
The first image processing circuit, the second image processing circuit, and the video signal processing circuit are mounted in one image processing unit.

The invention according to claim 3 is the endoscope system according to claim 1,
The first image processing circuit and the video signal processing circuit are mounted on a main image processing unit,
The second image processing circuit is mounted on a sub image processing unit that is detachably coupled to the main image processing unit.
It is characterized by this.

The invention according to claim 4 is the endoscope system according to claim 3,
The sub image processing unit is configured to be directly connectable to the main image processing unit.

The invention according to claim 5 is the endoscope system according to claim 3 or 4,
The sub image processing unit is configured to be operable by being coupled to the main image processing unit.

The invention according to claim 6 is the endoscope system according to claim 5,
The sub image processing unit is configured to be operable by being supplied with power from the main image processing unit by being coupled to the main image processing unit.

The invention according to claim 7 is the endoscope system according to claim 2,
The first scope and / or the second scope is provided with wireless transmission means for wirelessly transmitting an imaging signal from a built-in solid-state imaging device,
The image processing unit is provided with wireless reception means for receiving an imaging signal wirelessly transmitted from the wireless transmission means provided in the first scope and / or the second scope,
The imaging signal received by the wireless receiving means is configured to perform image processing by the corresponding first image processing circuit and / or second image processing circuit.

The invention according to claim 8 is the endoscope system according to any one of claims 3 to 6,
The first scope and / or the second scope is provided with wireless transmission means for wirelessly transmitting an imaging signal from a built-in solid-state imaging device,
The main image processing unit and / or the sub image processing unit includes wireless reception means for receiving an imaging signal wirelessly transmitted from the wireless transmission means provided in the corresponding first scope and / or second scope. Provided,
The imaging signal received by the wireless receiving means is configured to perform image processing by the corresponding first image processing circuit and / or second image processing circuit.

The invention according to claim 9 is the endoscope system according to claim 1,
The first scope includes the first image processing circuit and first wireless transmission means for wirelessly transmitting a video signal image-processed by the first image processing circuit,
The second scope includes the second image processing circuit and second wireless transmission means for wirelessly transmitting a video signal image-processed by the second image processing circuit,
The video signal processing circuit is connected to a wireless receiving means for receiving a video signal wirelessly transmitted from the first wireless transmitting means and the second wireless transmitting means, and based on the video signal received by the wireless receiving means. Thus, it is configured to generate an image to be displayed on the display means.

The invention according to claim 10 is the endoscope system according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The first scope and / or the second scope is provided with a control switch for controlling generation of a video to be displayed on the display means by the video signal processing circuit.

The invention according to claim 11 is the endoscope system according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
The first scope is a surgical scope;
The second scope is a digestive scope;
It is characterized by this.

  According to the present invention, the video to be displayed on the common display means is generated by the video signal processing circuit based on the video signals from the first scope and the second scope of different types. Since the image by the scope can be observed at the same time and the endoscope observation apparatus can be made one, the whole can be made compact and the operability of each scope can be improved.

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

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a main part of the endoscope system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The endoscope system according to the present embodiment includes a surgical scope 1 as a first scope and a digestive scope 2 as a second scope, each of which includes a video scope having a solid-state imaging device, and these surgical scope 1 and digestive system. It has a common endoscope observation apparatus 3 that can use the scope 2 at the same time.

  The endoscope observation apparatus 3 includes at least a surgical light source unit 4, a digestive organ light source unit 5, a surgical image processing unit 6 that is a main image processing unit, and a digestive organ image processing unit that is a sub-image processing unit. 7 and a monitor 8 which is a common display means for the surgical scope 1 and the digestive scope 2 are mounted in a separable tower shape, and the surgical image processing unit 6 and the digestive image processing unit 7 are mounted. Are connected via a connection cable 9 and the monitor 8 is connected to the surgical image processing unit 6 via a video cable 10. The endoscope observation apparatus 3 may be equipped with a recording unit, an air / water supply pump, a treatment apparatus, etc. as necessary.

  The surgical scope 1 is a known laparoscope, which is a rigid endoscope, for example, and includes a rigid insertion portion 1a, an operation portion 1b located on the proximal end side of the insertion portion 1a, and a universal cord 1c extending from the operation portion 1b. And an endoscope connector 1d provided on the base end side of the universal cord 1c. 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 for outputting a signal transmitted from the solid-state imaging device 1x provided at the distal end of the insertion portion 1a via the cable 1y, for example. It has been.

  In the surgical scope 1, an illumination connector (not shown) provided at the distal end portion of the endoscope connector 1 d is inserted and connected to an illumination connector receiver 4 a provided in front of the surgical light source unit 4. A cable connector 1g provided at one end of the endoscope cable 1f is connected to the cable connector receiver 1e provided at the side of the endoscope connector 1d, and provided at the other end of the endoscope cable 1f. The cable connector 1 h is connected to a cable connector receiver 6 a provided on the front surface of the surgical image processing unit 6.

  As a result, the illumination light from the surgical light source unit 4 is emitted from the distal end of the surgical scope 1 through the illumination connector receiver 4a, the universal cord 1c, and the light guide 1v extending through the surgical scope 1, and then abdominal cavity. The imaging signal of the intra-abdominal optical image that is imaged and photoelectrically converted by the illumination light irradiation through the imaging optical system 1z through the imaging optical system 1z is converted into the cable 1y, the universal cord 1c, and the internal code. The surgical image processing unit 6 is supplied via the endoscope cable 1f. Operation panels 4b and 6b are provided on the front surfaces of the surgical light source unit 4 and the surgical image processing unit 6, respectively.

  The digestive scope 2 is formed of a known colon endoscope, which is a flexible endoscope, for example, and extends from the flexible insertion portion 2a, the operation portion 2b located on the proximal end side of the insertion portion 2a, and the operation portion 2b. It has a universal cord 2c and an endoscope connector 2d provided on the proximal end side of the universal cord 2c. Similarly to the surgical 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 signal transmitted from the solid-state imaging device 2x provided at the distal end of the insertion portion 2a, for example, via the cable 2y is output to the side portion. For this purpose, a cable connector receiver 2e is provided.

  This digestive scope 2 inserts and connects an illumination connector (not shown) provided at the distal end portion of the endoscope connector 2 d to an illumination connector receiver 5 a provided in front of the digestive light source unit 5. A cable connector 2g provided at one end of the endoscope cable 2f is connected to the cable connector receiver 2e provided at the side of the endoscope connector 2d, and provided at the other end of the endoscope cable 2f. The cable connector 2 h is connected to a cable connector receiver 7 a provided in the digestive organ image processing unit 7.

  As a result, the illumination light from the light source unit 5 for digestive organs passes through the illumination connector receiver 5a, the universal cord 2c and the light guide 2v extending through the digestive scope 2 and the illumination lens 2w, and then from the distal end of the digestive scope 2 For example, the inside of the large intestine is emitted, and the imaging signal of the optical image in the large intestine that is imaged and photoelectrically converted by the illumination light irradiation through the imaging optical system 2z is imaged on the cable 2y. Then, the gas is supplied to the digestive organ image processing unit 7 through the universal cord 2c and the endoscope cable 2f. Operation panels 5b and 7b are provided on the front surfaces of the digestive light source unit 5 and the digestive image processing unit 7, respectively.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal circuit configuration of the surgical image processing unit 6 and the digestive organ image processing unit 7 shown in FIG. The surgical image processing unit 6 includes a surgical image processing circuit 11 that is a first image processing circuit that performs image processing on an imaging signal obtained from the solid-state imaging device 1x of the surgical scope 1 and outputs a video signal, and a monitor 8. A video signal processing circuit 12 for generating a video to be displayed is provided, and a video signal output from the surgical image processing circuit 11 is supplied to the video signal processing circuit 12. Although not shown, an imaging processing circuit that drives the solid-state imaging device 1x and outputs an imaging signal of the solid-state imaging device 1x is a surgical image in the surgical image processing circuit 11 or the surgical image processing unit 6. It is provided in the front stage of the processing circuit 11 or in the surgical scope 1.

  Further, the digestive organ image processing unit 7 is provided with a digestive organ image processing circuit 13 which is a second image processing circuit that performs image processing on an imaging signal obtained from the solid-state imaging device 2x of the digestive scope 2 and outputs a video signal. The video signal output from the digestive organ image processing circuit 13 is supplied to the video signal processing circuit 12 provided in the surgical image processing unit 6 via the connection cable 9. Although not shown, an imaging processing circuit that drives the solid-state imaging device 2x and outputs an imaging signal of the solid-state imaging device 2x is a digestive organ image in the digestive organ image processing circuit 13 or the digestive organ image processing unit 7. It is provided in the front stage of the processing circuit 13 or in the digester scope 2.

  The video signal processing circuit 12 generates a video signal for video to be displayed on the monitor 8 based on the video signal output from the surgical image processing circuit 11 and the video signal output from the digestive organ image processing circuit 13. Then, the video signal is supplied from the video output terminal 6 c provided in the surgical image processing unit 6 to the monitor 8 through the video cable 10.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the remote button 1i provided on the operation unit 1b of the surgical scope 1 is assigned as a control switch for controlling the generation of video by the video signal processing circuit 12, and this remote button 1i is assigned. Is supplied to the video signal processing circuit 12 via the universal cord 1c and the endoscope cable 1f. Similarly, the remote button 2i provided in the operation unit 2b of the digestive scope 2 is assigned as a control switch for controlling the generation of video by the video signal processing circuit 12, and the control signal from the remote button 2i is The video signal processing circuit 12 is supplied via the universal cord 2c, the endoscope cable 2f, and the connection cable 9.

  In this way, in the present embodiment, the generation of the video by the video signal processing circuit 12 is controlled based on the operation of the remote button 1i of the surgical scope 1 or the operation of the remote button 2i of the digestive scope 2. Then, the image by the surgical scope 1 and the image by the digestive scope 2 are simultaneously displayed on the monitor 8 by picture-in-picture, picture-out-picture, picture-side-picture, etc., or only the image by the surgical scope 1 or One screen of only the image by the scope 2 for digestive organs is displayed on the monitor 8.

  According to the present embodiment, different types of surgical scope 1 and digestive scope 2 can be used simultaneously with a single endoscope observation device 3, so that an image by the surgical scope 1 and a digestive scope 2 are used. Since two images can be simultaneously displayed on the common monitor 8, the operability of each videoscope can be improved, and the efficiency of surgery can be improved. In addition, since the whole can be made compact, the operating room is not narrowed, and can be made cheaper than the case where the two endoscope systems for the surgical operation and the digestive organ are configured separately. Furthermore, when only the surgical scope 1 or the digestive scope 2 is used, a unit that is not used can be removed, so that the usability can be improved.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a main part of the endoscope system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, in the endoscope observation apparatus 3 shown in the first embodiment, a slot 6d is formed in a surgical image processing unit 6 which is a main image processing unit, and a sub image processing unit is formed in the slot 6d. A certain digestive image processing unit 7 is detachably coupled, and the surgical image processing unit 6 and the digestive image processing unit 7 are coupled so as to be directly separable.

  In addition, the digestive organ image processing unit 7 shares a power source (not shown) built in the surgical image processing unit 6 and is inserted into and coupled to the slot 6d, so that power is supplied from the surgical image processing unit 6 side. Configured to be operable. Thereby, the video signal output from the digestive organ image processing circuit 13 (see FIG. 2) of the digestive organ image processing unit 7 is sent to the video signal processing circuit 12 (see FIG. 2) built in the surgical image processing unit 6. Supply. Other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  According to the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, by inserting the digestive image processing unit 7 into the slot 6d formed in the surgical image processing unit 6, both of them can be obtained. Since they are coupled, it is possible to reduce the size in the height direction of the endoscope observation apparatus 3 as compared with the endoscope system of the first embodiment, and it is possible to make it more compact. Moreover, since the wiring process by the connection cable 9 becomes unnecessary, there is an advantage that the preparation for using the digestive scope together with the surgical scope can be simplified. Further, the surgical image processing unit 6 can be used alone, and the digestive image processing unit 7 can be used by being inserted into a slot 6d formed in the surgical image processing unit 6. Usability is improved.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a main part of an endoscope system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, in the endoscope system of the first embodiment, a docking connector receiver 6e is provided on the upper surface of the surgical image processing unit 6, and a docking connector receiver is provided on the bottom surface of the digestive organ image processing unit 7. 6e is provided with a docking connector 7c that is detachably coupled, and the digestive image processing unit 7 is stacked on the upper surface of the surgical image processing unit 6, thereby allowing the digestion through the docking connector 7c and the docking connector receiver 6e. The instrumental image processing unit 7 is directly coupled to the surgical image processing unit 6. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the second embodiment.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the wiring process using the connection cable 9 is not necessary. Therefore, preparation for using the digestive scope together with the surgical scope is provided. There is an advantage that can be easier.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 5 is a front view showing a configuration of a main part of an endoscope system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the surgical image processing unit 6 and the digestive system image processing unit 7 are configured as one image processing unit 21 in the endoscope system according to the first embodiment.

  The image processing unit 21 is provided with a power switch 21a and an operation panel 21b on the front, a cable connector receiver 21c for connecting a cable connector 1h of an endoscope cable 1f connected to the surgical scope 1, and a digestive scope 2 And a cable connector receiver 21d for connecting the cable connector 2h of the endoscope cable 2f connected to the cable.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, the image processing unit 21 has a surgical image for image processing of an imaging signal obtained from the solid-state imaging device 1x (see FIG. 1) of the surgical scope 1 input from the cable connector receiver 21c. Processing circuit 11, digestive organ image processing circuit 13 that performs image processing on an imaging signal obtained from solid-state imaging device 2 x (see FIG. 1) of digestive scope 2 input from cable connector receiver 21 d, and these surgical image processing circuits 11 and a video signal processing circuit 12 for generating a video to be displayed on the monitor 8 based on the video signal output from the digestive device image processing circuit 13. The video signal generated by the video signal processing circuit 12 is converted into an image. A video output terminal 21e provided in the processing unit 21 is supplied to the monitor 8 via the video cable 10 and displayed. Other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the surgical image processing circuit 11, the digestive device image processing circuit 13, and the video signal processing circuit can be added to one image processing unit 21. 12 is provided, not only when both the surgical scope 1 and the digestive scope 2 are used, but even when only one of them is used, the connection on the endoscope observation apparatus 3 side is not easily changed. Can deal with.

(Fifth embodiment)
FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a main part of an endoscope system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, in the endoscope system of the fourth embodiment, the power switch 21a and the operation panel 21b of the image processing unit 21 are provided on the side surface instead of the front surface having the cable connector receivers 21c and 21d. is there.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the power switch 21a and the operation panel 21b can be easily operated without entering the clean area by a nurse or the like working in the unclean area in the operating room. Endoscopic procedures can be performed efficiently. That is, in the intraoperative endoscopic technique, the front side of the endoscopic observation device 3 faces the operator with the operating table in between, so the front side of the endoscopic observation device 3 is in the vicinity of the clean area. Will be located. For this reason, when there is an operation panel 21b on the front side, when a nurse or the like working in an unclean area operates, the operator partially enters the clean area and operates in an unnatural posture. If the operation panel 21b is provided on the side surface as in the present embodiment, it is possible to easily operate in a stable posture without entering the front side located near the clean area.

(Sixth embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a main part of an endoscope system according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. The endoscope system according to the present embodiment includes a radiosurgical scope 31 as a first scope and a radioscope 32 as a second scope, each of which includes a video scope having a solid-state imaging device, and these radiosurgical scopes 31. And a common wireless endoscope observation device 33 capable of using the wireless digestive scope 32 at the same time.

  The radiosurgical scope 31 is used as, for example, a laparoscope, which is a rigid endoscope, and includes a rigid insertion portion 31a and an operation portion 31b located on the proximal end side thereof as shown in FIG. The insertion portion 31a is provided with an illumination unit 31c having a light source such as an LED, an imaging optical system 31d, and a solid-state imaging device 31e at the distal end thereof. The operation unit 31b is provided with a battery unit 31f, a power supply circuit 31g, a light source circuit 31h, an imaging processing circuit 31n, a transmission circuit 31i, and a transmission antenna 31j. Supply power. Thereby, the illumination unit 31c is driven by the light source circuit 31h to illuminate the inside of the body cavity, and an optical image in the body cavity is imaged on the solid-state imaging device 31e by the imaging optical system 31d. Further, the solid-state imaging device 31e is driven by the imaging processing circuit 31n, an optical image formed on the solid-state imaging device 31e is photoelectrically converted to obtain an imaging signal, and the imaging signal is transmitted from the transmission circuit 31i via the transmission antenna 31j. Wirelessly transmit. Further, the operation unit 31b is provided with a remote button 31k, and an operation signal from the remote button 31k is similarly used as a control signal for controlling generation of an image by a video signal processing circuit described later from the transmission circuit 31i to the transmission antenna 31j. Via wireless transmission.

  In FIG. 8, a wireless digestive scope 32 is used as, for example, an endoscope for a large intestine, which is a flexible endoscope, and includes a flexible insertion portion 32 a and an operation portion 32 b positioned on the proximal end side. As in the wireless surgical scope 31 shown in FIG. 9, the wireless digestive scope 32 includes an illumination unit having a light source such as an LED, an imaging optical system, and a solid-state imaging device at the distal end of the insertion portion 32a. The operation unit 32b is provided with a battery unit, a power supply circuit, a light source circuit, an imaging processing circuit, a transmission circuit, and a transmission antenna 32j, and an imaging signal obtained from the solid-state imaging device via the imaging processing circuit is transmitted from the transmission circuit. Radio transmission is performed via the transmission antenna 32j. Similarly to the radiosurgical scope 31, the operation unit 32b is provided with a remote button 32k, and the operation signal from the remote button 32k is used as a control signal for controlling generation of an image by a video signal processing circuit described later. Then, wireless transmission is performed from the transmission circuit via the transmission antenna 32j.

  The wireless endoscope observation apparatus 33 is equipped with a single wireless image processing unit 34 and a monitor 30 which is a common display unit for the wireless surgical scope 31 and the wireless digestive scope 32 in a tower shape. . The wireless endoscope observation apparatus 33 may be equipped with a recording unit, an air / water supply pump, a treatment apparatus, or the like as necessary. The wireless image processing unit 34 includes a reception antenna 35, a reception circuit 36, a surgical image processing circuit 37, a video signal processing circuit 38, and a digestive organ image processing circuit 39, and a wireless surgical scope that is received by the reception antenna 35. The radio waves received from the radio 31 are demodulated by the receiving circuit 36 and supplied to the surgical image processing circuit 37 and the control signal to the video signal processing circuit 38, respectively. The received radio wave from 32 is demodulated by the receiving circuit 36, and the image pickup signal is supplied to the digester image processing circuit 39 and the control signal is supplied to the video signal processing circuit 38, respectively.

  In the surgical image processing circuit 37 and the digestive organ image processing circuit 39, the image pickup signal from the receiving circuit 36 is subjected to image processing, and a video signal is supplied to the video signal processing circuit 38. In the video signal processing circuit 38, a surgical image is obtained in accordance with a control signal obtained by operating the remote button 31k of the radiosurgical scope 31 or the remote button 32k of the radiodigestive scope 32 obtained from the receiving circuit 36. A video signal to be displayed on the monitor 30 is generated based on the video signal output from the processing circuit 37 and the video signal output from the digester image processing circuit 39, and the generated video signal is subjected to wireless image processing. A video output terminal 34 a provided in the unit 34 is supplied to the monitor 30 via the video cable 40.

  As a result, as in the first embodiment, the image by the wireless surgical scope 31 and the image by the wireless digestive scope 32 are simultaneously displayed on the monitor 30 by picture-in-picture, picture-out-picture, picture-side-picture, etc. Or only one image of the radio surgical scope 31 or only one image of the radio digestive scope 32 is displayed on the monitor 30.

  According to the present embodiment, the surgical scope and the digestive scope are set as the wireless surgical scope 31 and the wireless digestive scope 32, respectively, and the respective imaging signals are wirelessly transmitted, and these wirelessly transmitted imaging signals are shared. Since the wireless endoscope observation apparatus 33 receives and processes the two images on the monitor 30 simultaneously, the wireless endoscope observation apparatus 33 can be freely installed at a position where the monitor 30 is easy to see. It becomes. Therefore, the operability of each videoscope can be further improved, and the efficiency of surgery can be improved. In addition, since the wireless endoscope observation apparatus 33 does not require a light source unit, the whole can be made more compact.

(Seventh embodiment)
In the seventh embodiment of the present invention, in the endoscope system of the sixth embodiment, a part or all of the surgical image processing circuit 37 provided in the wireless endoscope observation apparatus 33 is partly connected to the wireless surgical scope 31. And a part or all of the digestive organ image processing circuit 39 is built in the wireless digestive scope 32. For example, as shown in the schematic configuration of the radiosurgical scope 31 in FIG. 10, an image processing circuit 31m is provided in the operation unit 31b, and an image obtained by the image processing circuit 31m from the solid-state imaging device 31e via the imaging processing circuit 31n. The signal is subjected to image processing, and a video signal is wirelessly transmitted from the transmission circuit 31i via the transmission antenna 31j. The radio digestive scope 32 is similarly configured.

  In addition, the wireless image processing unit 34 of the wireless endoscope observation apparatus 33 is provided with a receiving antenna 35, a receiving circuit 36, and a video signal processing circuit 38, as schematically shown in FIG. The received radio waves from the radiosurgical scope 31 and the radio digestive scope 32 are demodulated by the receiving circuit 36 and supplied to the video signal processing circuit 38, respectively.

  In this manner, in the same manner as in the sixth embodiment, the radiosurgical scope 31 is operated in accordance with the operation of the remote button 31k of the radiosurgical scope 31 or the control signal by the operation of the remote button 32k of the radiodigestive scope 32. The video by the scope 31 and the video by the radio digester scope 32 are simultaneously displayed on the monitor 30 by picture-in-picture, picture-out-picture, picture-side-picture, etc., only the video by the radiosurgical scope 31 or by radio digestion For example, one screen of only video by the dexterous scope 32 is displayed on the monitor 30.

  According to the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the sixth embodiment can be obtained, and the wireless surgical scope 31 and the wireless digestive scope 32 can incorporate part or all of the respective image processing circuits. Therefore, the wireless endoscope observation apparatus 33 can be made more compact.

(Eighth embodiment)
In the eighth embodiment of the present invention, in the endoscope system according to the sixth embodiment, the wireless image processing unit 34 of the wireless endoscope observation apparatus 33 is arranged as shown in a schematic perspective view of FIG. A wireless surgical image processing unit 41 that is an image processing unit and a wireless digestive device image processing unit 42 that is a sub-image processing unit are separated, and the wireless digestive image processing unit is the same as in the second embodiment. 42 is configured to be detachably coupled directly to a slot 41c formed in the front of the radiosurgical image processing unit 41.

  In addition to the surgical image processing circuit 37 and the video signal processing circuit 38 shown in FIG. 8, the wireless surgical image processing unit 41 includes a receiving antenna 45 and a receiving circuit (see FIG. (Not shown), the received radio wave from the radiosurgical scope 31 received by the receiving antenna 45 is demodulated by the receiving circuit, and the imaging signal is image-processed by the surgical image processing circuit 37 to the video signal processing circuit 38. The control signal is supplied to the video signal processing circuit 38.

  In addition, the wireless digestive image processing unit 42 includes a receiving antenna 46 and a receiving circuit (not shown) that receive transmission radio waves from the wireless digestive scope 32 in addition to the digestive image processing circuit 39 shown in FIG. The received radio wave from the radio digestive scope 32 received by the receiving antenna 46 is demodulated by the receiving circuit, and the imaging signal is image-processed by the digester image processing circuit 39 and supplied to the video signal processing circuit 38 for control. The signal is supplied to the video signal processing circuit 38.

  In this way, as in the case of the sixth embodiment, the image by the wireless surgical scope 31 and the image by the wireless digestive scope 32 are simultaneously displayed on the monitor 30 (see FIG. 8) on two screens, One screen of only the image by the radiosurgical scope 31 or only the image by the radiodigestive scope 32 is displayed on the monitor 30.

  Also in this embodiment, as in the case of the second embodiment, the wireless digestive image processing unit 42 shares a power supply unit (not shown) built in the wireless surgical image processing unit 41. Then, by inserting and coupling to the slot 41c, it is configured to be operable by receiving a power supply from the wireless surgical image processing unit 41 side.

  According to the present embodiment, the same effects as in the sixth embodiment can be obtained, and the wireless surgical image processing unit 41 can be used alone, and the wireless digestive image processing unit 42 can be used wirelessly. Since it can be used by being inserted into a slot 41c formed in front of the surgical image processing unit 41, the usability can be improved as in the case of the second embodiment.

(Ninth embodiment)
In the ninth embodiment of the present invention, in the endoscope system of the eighth embodiment, the wireless digestive image processing unit 42 can be coupled to each other by being stacked on the upper surface of the wireless surgical image processing unit 41. Configure. For this reason, as shown in a schematic perspective view of FIG. 13, a docking connector receiver 41d is provided on the upper surface of the wireless surgical image processing unit 41, and the docking connector receiver 41d is provided on the bottom surface of the wireless digestive device image processing unit 42. A docking connector 42c that is detachably coupled is provided, and the wireless digestive image processing unit 42 is stacked on the upper surface of the wireless surgical image processing unit 41, so that the wireless communication is performed via the docking connector 42c and the docking connector receiver 41d. The digestive image processing unit 42 is directly coupled to the wireless surgical image processing unit 41. Other configurations and operations are the same as those in the eighth embodiment.

  Therefore, also in this embodiment, the same effect as in the eighth embodiment can be obtained.

  In addition, this invention is not limited only to the said embodiment, Many deformation | transformation or a change is possible.

  For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the image processing is performed by the surgical image processing circuit in addition to the video output terminal that outputs the video signal processed by the video signal processing circuit to the unit incorporating the video signal processing circuit. It is also possible to provide a surgical video output terminal for outputting the video signal and a digestive video output terminal for outputting the video signal image-processed by the digestive image processing circuit. Thus, if a surgical video output terminal and a digestive organ video output terminal are provided, a surgical video and a digestive organ video can be observed on another monitor.

  If both a surgical video output terminal and a digestive organ video output terminal are provided, a 3D scope can be dealt with. That is, as schematically shown in FIG. 14, the 3D scope 51 includes an imaging optical system 52R and a solid-state imaging device 53R for the right eye, and an imaging optical system 52L and a solid-state imaging device 53L for the left eye. Therefore, the image signal from the right-eye solid-state image sensor 53R is sent via the right-eye endoscope cable 54R and the cable connector 55R, for example, to the cable connector receiver 21c of the image processing unit 21 having the configuration shown in FIG. The imaging signal from the left-eye solid-state imaging device 53L is connected to the cable connector receiver 21d of the image processing unit 21 via the left-eye endoscope cable 54L and the cable connector 55L.

  In addition to the surgical image processing circuit 11, the video signal processing circuit 12, the digestive organ image processing circuit 13 and the video output terminal 21e shown in FIG. 6, the surgical image processing circuit 11 performs image processing on the image processing unit 21. The surgical video output terminal 21f that directly outputs the processed video signal and the digestive organ video output terminal 21g that directly outputs the video signal processed by the digestive image processing circuit 13 are provided. The right-eye video signal and the left-eye video signal output from the device video output terminal 21g are supplied to the 3D video processing circuit 57 via the video cables 56R and 56L.

  In this way, the left and right imaging signals obtained from the 3D scope 51 are processed by the image processing unit 21 and the 3D video processing circuit 57, respectively, and displayed on a known 3D display device (not shown), such as a liquid crystal shutter. Observe with shutter glasses or polarized glasses. The 3D scope 51 may be a wireless 3D scope that wirelessly transmits left and right imaging signals. In this case, a wireless endoscope observation apparatus provided with both a surgical video output terminal and a digestive organ video output terminal in the unit incorporating the video signal processing circuit shown in the sixth to ninth embodiments is used. be able to.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the digestive organ image processing unit 7 is operable by being supplied with power from the surgical image processing unit 6 by being connected to the surgical image processing unit 6 via the connection cable 9. It can also be configured. Note that in a configuration in which the main image processing unit and the sub image processing unit can be separated, the sub image processing unit does not necessarily need to be operable by being connected to the main image processing unit, and has a built-in power supply circuit. It can also be configured to be operable independently. In such a configuration in which the main image processing unit and the sub image processing unit can be separated, the display on the monitor is automatically switched to the two-screen display by coupling the sub image processing unit to the main image processing unit. It can also be configured as follows.

  In each of the above embodiments, the remote buttons of both the surgical scope and the digestive scope are assigned to the control switch for controlling the generation of the video to be displayed on the monitor by the video signal processing circuit. Only the buttons, preferably only the remote buttons of the surgical scope operated by the operator, can be assigned to the control switch. Also, the control switch can be provided on the endoscope observation apparatus side or the wireless endoscope observation apparatus side, or can be omitted at all.

  Furthermore, in the sixth to ninth embodiments, both the surgical scope and the digestive scope are wireless scopes. However, preferably, only the surgical scope that does not require air supply / water supply is a wireless scope. You can also In the case of a wireless scope, for example, in FIG. 9, an illumination unit 31c is provided in the operation unit 31b, and the illumination light is radiated from the distal end of the insertion unit 31a via an optical transmission means such as a light guide fiber. It can also be configured to. Alternatively, the battery unit 31f may be removed, and a necessary power supply may be supplied to the power supply circuit 31g by an AC adapter method. As described above, even if the AC adapter method is adopted, the external cable connected to the power supply circuit 31g can be thinned, so that the cable handling and the operability of the radio scope are not adversely affected.

  In addition, the operation panel of the unit provided on the endoscope observation device side or the wireless endoscope observation device side can be provided not only on the front and side surfaces of the unit, but also on the back surface, so that nurses working in unclean areas Thus, it is possible to operate more safely without entering the clean area.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the first scope is a surgical scope and the second scope is a digestive scope. However, if the first scope and the second scope are different, a combination of the surgical scope and the surgical scope is used. Or a combination of an internal medical scope and an internal medical scope, and the main first scope can be set according to the procedure. Further, the present invention can be applied not only to a medical endoscope system but also to an industrial endoscope system.

It is a schematic perspective view which shows typically the structure of the principal part of the endoscope system which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure inside the surgical image processing unit and digestive organ image processing unit which are shown in FIG. It is a schematic perspective view which shows typically the structure of the principal part of the endoscope system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic perspective view which shows typically the structure of the principal part of the endoscope system which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows the structure of the principal part of the endoscope system which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an internal circuit configuration of the image processing unit shown in FIG. 5. It is a schematic perspective view which shows typically the structure of the principal part of the endoscope system which concerns on 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the principal part of the endoscope system which concerns on 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows schematic structure inside the radiosurgical scope shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows schematic structure inside the radio surgical scope in the endoscope system which concerns on 7th Embodiment of this invention. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the structure of the radio | wireless image processing unit in 7th Embodiment. It is a schematic perspective view which shows typically the structure of the principal part of the endoscope system which concerns on 8th Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic perspective view which shows typically the structure of the principal part of the endoscope system which concerns on 9th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the modification of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Surgical scope 1i Remote button 1x Solid-state image sensor 2 Digestive scope 2i Remote button 2x Solid-state image sensor 3 Endoscope observation device 4 Surgical light source unit 5 Digestive light source unit 6 Surgical image processing unit 6d Slot 6e Docking connector Receiving unit 7 Gastrointestinal image processing unit 7c Docking connector 8 Monitor 9 Connection cable 10 Video cable 11 Surgical image processing circuit 12 Video signal processing circuit 13 Gastrointestinal image processing circuit 21 Image processing unit 30 Monitor 31 Wireless surgical scope 31e Solid imaging Element 31i Transmission circuit 31j Transmission antenna 31k Remote button 31m Image processing circuit 31n Imaging processing circuit 32 Scope for wireless digestive system 32j Transmission antenna 32k Remote button 33 Wireless endoscope observation device 34 Wireless image processing unit Knit 35 Receiving antenna 36 Receiving circuit 37 Surgical image processing circuit 38 Video signal processing circuit 39 Digestive device image processing circuit 40 Video cable 41 Wireless surgical image processing unit 41c Slot 41d Docking connector receiver 42 Wireless digestive device image processing unit 42c Docking Connector 45 Receiving antenna 46 Receiving antenna

Claims (11)

Different first and second scopes each incorporating a solid-state image sensor;
A display means common to the first scope and the second scope;
A first image processing circuit that performs image processing on an imaging signal obtained from the solid-state imaging device of the first scope and outputs a video signal;
A second image processing circuit that performs image processing on an imaging signal obtained from the solid-state imaging device of the second scope and outputs a video signal;
A video signal processing circuit for generating a video to be displayed on the display means based on the video signal image-processed by the first image processing circuit and the video signal image-processed by the second image processing circuit;
An endoscope system comprising:   The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein the first image processing circuit, the second image processing circuit, and the video signal processing circuit are mounted in one image processing unit. The first image processing circuit and the video signal processing circuit are mounted on a main image processing unit,
The second image processing circuit is mounted on a sub image processing unit that is detachably coupled to the main image processing unit.
The endoscope system according to claim 1.   The endoscope system according to claim 3, wherein the sub image processing unit is configured to be directly connectable to the main image processing unit.   The endoscope system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the sub image processing unit is configured to be operable by being coupled to the main image processing unit.   The endoscope according to claim 5, wherein the sub image processing unit is configured to be operable by being supplied with power from the main image processing unit by being coupled to the main image processing unit. system. The first scope and / or the second scope is provided with wireless transmission means for wirelessly transmitting an imaging signal from a built-in solid-state imaging device,
The image processing unit is provided with wireless reception means for receiving an imaging signal wirelessly transmitted from the wireless transmission means provided in the first scope and / or the second scope,
The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the imaging signal received by the wireless receiving unit is configured to perform image processing by the corresponding first image processing circuit and / or the second image processing circuit. system. The first scope and / or the second scope is provided with wireless transmission means for wirelessly transmitting an imaging signal from a built-in solid-state imaging device,
The main image processing unit and / or the sub image processing unit includes wireless reception means for receiving an imaging signal wirelessly transmitted from the wireless transmission means provided in the corresponding first scope and / or second scope. Provided,
The image pickup signal received by the wireless receiving means is configured to perform image processing by the corresponding first image processing circuit and / or the second image processing circuit. The endoscope system according to item. The first scope includes the first image processing circuit and first wireless transmission means for wirelessly transmitting a video signal image-processed by the first image processing circuit,
The second scope includes the second image processing circuit and second wireless transmission means for wirelessly transmitting a video signal image-processed by the second image processing circuit,
The video signal processing circuit is connected to a wireless receiving means for receiving a video signal wirelessly transmitted from the first wireless transmitting means and the second wireless transmitting means, and based on the video signal received by the wireless receiving means. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein the endoscope system is configured to generate an image to be displayed on the display unit.   The control switch for controlling the production | generation of the image | video displayed on the said display means by the said video signal processing circuit in the said 1st scope and / or the said 2nd scope was provided. The endoscope system according to any one of the above. The first scope is a surgical scope;
The second scope is a digestive scope;
The endoscope system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein:

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