JPH11318810A - Endoscope fog removing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope fog removing system capable of surely removing fog generated at a distal cover glass of an insertion portion of an endoscope with satisfactory operability without increasing the size such as the diameter of the insertion part of the endoscope and without interrupting medical operation by pulling away the endoscope. SOLUTION: At the time of observing by the endoscope, a frequency analytic circuit 35 and a comparing circuit 36 detect fog generated at a distal cover glass of an insertion portion 3 of an endoscope 2 by using image processing. Then, in accordance with the detected result, a controllor 28 controls a pneumoperitoneum device 8 to replace gas such as carbon dioxide within an abdominal cavity to remove fog at the endoscope 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope defogging system used for performing a medical procedure in an abdominal cavity under endoscopic observation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, medical treatment in the abdominal cavity of a patient has been widely performed under endoscopic observation. Particularly recently, many medical procedures for performing cholecystectomy or the like under an endoscope have been performed.

In such medical treatment, an observation field required for performing work in the abdominal cavity is ensured, and carbon dioxide is injected into the abdominal cavity to be treated in advance by a pneumoperitoneum in order to secure a space for operation of the endoscope. An operation of expanding gas by injecting gas into the abdominal cavity is performed.

[0004] After completion of the operation of expanding the internal space of the abdominal cavity, the affected tissue in the abdominal cavity expanded in the insufflation state is observed under endoscopic observation using a high-frequency ablation device or a cauterization treatment such as a medical laser device. The operation of performing the cauterization procedure is performed.

[0005] As this procedure proceeds, the carbon dioxide gas in the abdominal cavity is warmed by the body temperature, causing a temperature difference with the endoscope. The temperature difference causes the cover glass on the end surface of the endoscope to become cloudy and clear. In some cases, it is impossible to obtain a proper endoscope visual field. When this fogging occurs, in order to obtain a good visual field, the endoscope conventionally inserted into the abdominal cavity is once removed from the patient's body, and the fogging at the distal end of the endoscope is wiped off. I was However, in this method, the endoscope is removed from the patient's body every time the cover glass on the endoscope end surface becomes cloudy, so that the operation is interrupted and the operation time is lengthened each time. is there.

Therefore, as a means for preventing fogging of the cover glass on the end surface of the endoscope, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-53212, the endoscope lens is heated by heating the end of the endoscope. Endoscopes are used to prevent clouding,
It has been practiced to apply anti-fog to cover glass.

In addition, by replacing the carbon dioxide gas in the abdominal cavity by controlling the insufflation device, the temperature difference between the endoscope and the carbon dioxide gas in the abdominal cavity is eliminated to remove the fogging of the cover glass on the distal end surface of the endoscope. Is thought to be.

[0008]

However, in the endoscope disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-53212, a heating element is provided at the distal end of the insertion portion of the endoscope.
Accordingly, there is a problem that the size of the insertion portion of the endoscope becomes large.

[0009] In addition, since the effect of applying the anti-fog technology to the cover glass is low, the endoscope is removed outside the patient's body and the endoscope is removed during surgery even in this case. The operation of wiping the cover glass is still required, and there is a problem that the operation is troublesome.

Further, when the carbon dioxide gas is exchanged in the abdominal cavity by controlling the insufflation device, complicated operation of the insufflation device is necessary, and the operability of medical treatment under an endoscope is increased. There is a problem that gets worse.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to reduce the fogging of the cover glass at the distal end of the insertion portion of the endoscope, such as the outer diameter of the insertion portion of the endoscope. It is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope defogging system capable of surely removing the endoscope with good operability without increasing the size and without interrupting the operation due to removal of the endoscope.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a gas injecting means for injecting gas into a patient's abdominal cavity to expand the abdominal cavity;
Insufflation means having suction means for sucking the gas in the abdominal cavity out of the abdominal cavity, an endoscope inserted into a body cavity of a patient, imaging means for capturing an observation image of the endoscope, and imaging Fogging detecting means for detecting fogging of the endoscope from an image obtained by the means, and driving the insufflation means so as to remove fogging of the endoscope in accordance with a detection result from the fogging detecting means An endoscope defogging system comprising: an endoscope defogging control means for performing control. At the time of endoscopic observation, the fogging detection means detects the fogging generated on the cover glass at the distal end of the insertion portion of the endoscope using image processing, and according to the detection result, the fogging removal control means of the endoscope detects the fogging. By controlling the abdominal device and replacing gas such as carbon dioxide gas in the abdominal cavity to remove the fogging of the endoscope, it is not necessary to provide means for preventing fogging in the endoscope itself, and the endoscope While preventing increasing the outer diameter of the insertion portion, etc., without interrupting the operation by removing the endoscope from the abdominal cavity, and without performing complicated operations of the insufflation device, A good endoscope image is obtained reliably and quickly.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of the entire endoscope fogging removal system of the present embodiment. The endoscope system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a rigid endoscope 2 inserted into the abdominal cavity of a patient, a TV camera (imaging unit) 4 that captures an image of the body captured by the endoscope 2,
CCU (camera control unit) 5 and endoscope 2
Light source device 6 for supplying illumination light to the body, high-frequency ablation device 7 for performing hemostasis at the treatment site or ablating the tissue, supply of insufflation gas for inflating the abdominal cavity to secure a visual field and a treatment region, and abdominal cavity It is mainly constituted by an insufflation device (insufflation means) 8 for discharging smoke generated inside to the outside.

An endoscope 2 and two trocars 9 and 10, which are guide tubes having insertion holes for guiding surgical instruments into the abdominal cavity, are punctured in the abdomen of the patient. here,
One end of an insufflation tube 11 made of vinyl chloride or Teflon is detachably attached to one trocar 9 having an insertion hole 9a through which the endoscope 2 is inserted.

The insertion hole 10 of the other trocar 10
The high-frequency treatment instrument 12 is inserted through a. One end of an inhalation tube 24 made of the same material as the insufflation tube 11 is detachably attached to the high-frequency treatment instrument 12.

The endoscope 2 is provided with an elongated insertion portion 3 to be inserted into a patient's body and an eyepiece 3a connected to a base end of the insertion portion 3. Further, one end of a light guide cable 13 is connected to the base end of the insertion section 3 of the endoscope 2 near the eyepiece 3a. The other end of the light guide cable 13 is connected to the light source device 6.

Further, the light source lamp 1 is provided inside the light source device 6.
4 and a condenser lens 15 are provided. The light emitted from the lamp 14 in the light source device 6 is condensed by the lens 15 on the end face of the light guide cable 13. Further, the illumination light collected on the end face of the light guide cable 13 is transmitted to the distal end of the insertion section 3 of the endoscope 2 via a light guide fiber bundle (not shown) provided in the light guide cable 13. To illuminate the subject.

The illumination light emitted from the distal end of the insertion section 3 of the endoscope 2 is reflected by the subject, and an image of the subject is formed in the endoscope 2. further,
This subject image is supplied to an eyepiece unit 3 via an observation optical system (not shown).
a.

A TV camera 4 is detachably connected to the eyepiece 3a of the endoscope 2. The TV camera 4 has a built-in CCD (solid-state imaging device) not shown. The subject image transmitted to the eyepiece 3a of the endoscope 2 is captured by a CCD in the TV camera 4.

Further, a CCU 5 is connected to the TV camera 4 via a camera cable 16. This CCU5
Is connected to a TV monitor 17. And CCD
From the camera via the camera cable 16
The data is transmitted to U5. At this time, CCU
5 receives the transmitted signal and generates a video signal,
The data is output to the monitor 17. And TV
The monitor 17 displays the captured subject image. Further, the CCU 5 generates and outputs a control signal for controlling the insufflation device 8 based on the generated video signal.

Further, one end of an active cord 18 is connected to the high-frequency treatment instrument 12. The other end of the active cord 18 is connected to the high-frequency ablation device 7. The high-frequency ablation device 7 is provided with an active electrode 19 and a patient electrode 20. The high-frequency treatment device 12 is electrically connected to the active electrode 19 of the high-frequency cautery device 7 via the active cord 18.

One end of a patient cord 22 is connected to the patient electrode 20 of the high-frequency ablation device 7. The other end of the patient cord 22 has flexibility so as to be in close contact with the skin of a human body, and is connected to a patient plate 21 formed in a sheet shape.

Further, an HF output amplifier 23 for generating high-frequency power is provided inside the high-frequency ablation device 7. The active electrode 19 and the patient electrode 20 of the high-frequency ablation device 7 are connected to the HF output amplifier 23, respectively.

The insufflation device 8 is provided with a valve unit (gas injection means) 27, a control unit (endoscope defogging control means) 28, and a suction pump (suction means) 32. . Here, one end of a high-pressure gas supply gas tube 25 is connected to the valve unit 27 of the insufflation device 8. The other end of the high-pressure gas supply tube 25 is connected to a gas supply gas cylinder 26 filled with liquefied carbon dioxide.

Further, the other end of the insufflation tube 11 is detachably connected to an air supply cap (not shown) of the insufflation device 8. This air supply base has a valve unit 2
7 is connected. The liquid carbon dioxide filled in the gas supply gas cylinder 26 is vaporized and reduced to a predetermined pressure through the valve unit 27 in the insufflation device 8, and then the trocar 9 is inserted from the insufflation tube 11. Hole 9
a into the abdominal cavity.

Further, a valve unit 27 and a suction pump 32 are electrically connected to a control unit 28 in the insufflation device 8. Then, the valve unit 27 controls the control unit 2.
8 to control the temperature and flow rate of the carbon dioxide gas supplied into the abdominal cavity.

FIG. 2 shows the distal end of the high-frequency treatment instrument 12.
As shown in FIG. Further, a suction hole 31 is formed inside the high-frequency treatment instrument 12. At the base end side of the suction hole 31, a suction base 3 is provided.
0 is formed.

One end of the suction tube 24 is detachably connected to the suction base 30. The other end of the suction tube 24 is connected to a suction pump 32 via a suction cap (not shown) of the insufflation device 8. The operation of the suction pump 32 is controlled by the control unit 28. By the operation of the suction pump 32, the air present in the abdominal cavity is discharged to the outside of the abdominal cavity through the suction hole 31 and the suction tube 24.

As shown in FIG. 3, the CCU 5 is provided with a video signal generation circuit 33, an image memory 34, a frequency analysis circuit (fogging detecting means) 35, and a comparing circuit 36 (fogging detecting means). ing. Here, an output signal from a CCD in the TV camera 4 is input to the video signal generation circuit 33. And CC of TV camera 4
The output signal from D is supplied to the video signal generation circuit 33 by NTS.
The video signal is converted into a video signal such as C. further,
The video signal generated here is output to the TV monitor 17 and is A / D converted by the image memory 34 and stored.

The image memory 34 is connected to a frequency analysis circuit 35. The image stored in the image memory 34 is read out by the frequency analysis circuit 35, and the spatial frequency of the image is measured by performing a fast Fourier transform (FFT).

Further, an output signal of the frequency analysis circuit 35 is input to a comparison circuit 36. And
If the low frequency component of the spatial frequency measured by the frequency analysis circuit 35 is larger than a predetermined value, the comparison circuit 3
6 generates a control signal for controlling the insufflation device 8.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
When using the endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment, the endoscope 2
In order to perform treatment in the abdominal cavity under the observation of, the insufflation device 8 injects carbon dioxide gas into the abdominal cavity in advance via the trocar 9 to expand the abdominal cavity.

At this time, the operation of the valve unit 27 is controlled by the control unit 28, so that the temperature, flow rate, etc. of the carbon dioxide gas supplied from the gas supply gas cylinder 26 are adjusted. Then, with the pressure in the abdominal cavity reaching a predetermined value, the endoscope 2 and the high-frequency treatment instrument 12 are inserted into the abdominal cavity via the trocars 9 and 10.

Further, in this state, by turning on a foot switch (not shown) for turning on the output of the high-frequency ablation device 7 or a hand switch (not shown) provided on the high-frequency treatment device 12, the cauterizing electrode of the high-frequency treatment device 12 is turned on. A high-frequency current flows through 29 and the affected tissue in contact with the cautery electrode 29 is cauterized.

In this procedure, if the temperature of the distal end of the insertion section 3 of the endoscope 2 is lower than the temperature of the air in the abdominal cavity,
The cover glass at the tip of the insertion section 3 of the endoscope 2 becomes cloudy. At this time, the endoscope image in which the end of the insertion section 3 of the endoscope 2 is cloudy is captured by the TV camera 4.

That is, the TV camera 4 transmits this image pickup signal to the CCU 5, and the CCU 5
To generate a video signal. At this time, the video signal output from the video signal generation circuit 33 is supplied to the TV monitor 17, and the video signal is also input to the image memory 34, where it is A / D converted and stored.

Then, the frequency analysis circuit 35 measures the spatial frequency of the image stored in the image memory 34 by performing a fast Fourier transform, and the comparison circuit 36 compares the value of the low frequency component with a predetermined value, so that the endoscope is used. Fogging of the cover glass at the tip of the insertion portion 3 of the mirror 2 is detected. This makes use of the fact that the observation target site becomes a blurred image due to the fogging of the cover glass, that is, the low frequency component of the spatial frequency of the entire image increases.

Further, as a result of the comparison by the comparison circuit 36, if the input low frequency component of the spatial frequency is larger than a predetermined value, it is determined that the cover glass at the tip of the insertion section 3 of the endoscope 2 is fogged. Judgment is made and a signal for controlling the valve unit 27 and the suction pump 32 is output to the control unit 28 of the insufflation device 8.

Subsequently, the control unit 28 of the insufflation device 8 receives this signal and controls the valve unit 27 and the suction pump 32 so as to replace the carbon dioxide gas in the abdominal cavity.
At this time, the control unit 28 adjusts the air supply amount of the valve unit 27 and the suction pump 3 so that the intraperitoneal pressure maintains the set value.
2 is controlled. Thereby, it is possible to eliminate the temperature difference between the temperature of the carbon dioxide gas in the abdominal cavity and the distal end of the insertion section of the endoscope 2, and remove the fogging of the cover glass.

Since it takes time to measure the spatial frequency over the entire image, the measurement area may be limited to the center of the image displayed on the screen of the TV monitor 17 where the observation target is located when performing the treatment. .

Therefore, the above configuration has the following effects. That is, when the endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment is used, the occurrence of fogging of the cover glass at the tip of the insertion section 3 of the endoscope 2 is detected by measuring the spatial frequency of the image captured by the CCD of the TV camera 4. Then, based on the information, the insufflation device 8 is automatically controlled to replace the carbon dioxide gas in the abdominal cavity to remove the fogging. Therefore, the user does not need to operate the insufflation device 8 to remove the fogging of the cover glass at the distal end of the insertion section 3 of the endoscope 2, and the operation can be reliably performed with good operability.

Further, since it is not necessary to particularly incorporate a fogging removing device such as a heating element at the tip of the insertion section 3 of the endoscope 2, the size of the insertion section 3 of the endoscope 2 such as the outer diameter is increased. It is not necessary to carry out, and the burden on the patient can be prevented from increasing.

Further, during the treatment in the abdominal cavity under the observation of the endoscope 2, the endoscope 2 is removed from the patient in order to remove the fogging generated on the cover glass at the tip of the insertion portion 3 of the endoscope 2. Since it is not necessary to remove the patient outside the body, there is no risk of interrupting the operation, and the operation can be performed smoothly.

In addition, instead of the high-frequency ablation device 7 used in the present embodiment having the above-mentioned configuration, a medical laser device using YAG, CO 2, a semiconductor or the like as a laser light source is used, and Probes may be used.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a function of cleaning the cover glass at the tip of the insertion section 3 of the endoscope 2 is added to the endoscope system 1 of the first embodiment (see FIGS. 1 to 3).

That is, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a cleaning sheath 41 for inserting the insertion portion 3 of the endoscope 2 is provided. When the insertion section 3 of the endoscope 2 is inserted into the sheath 41, the cleaning liquid is applied between the sheath 41 and the insertion section 3 of the endoscope 2 from the hand side of the endoscope 2 to the tip side. A water supply channel 42 for guiding is formed.

At the distal end of the sheath 41, a nozzle 43 for spraying a cleaning liquid onto the cover glass 3b disposed at the distal end of the insertion section 3 of the endoscope 2 is formed. Further, a base 44 for water supply protrudes from a base end of the sheath 41.

The inner end of the water supply base 44 is connected to the water supply channel 42. In addition, this water transmission base 44
An opening / closing valve 45 is interposed in the middle part. Further, one end of a water supply tube 46 is detachably connected to the outer end of the water supply base 44. This water supply tube 46
Is connected to the cleaning device 47 at the other end. This cleaning device 47 is connected to the CCU 5.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
In the present embodiment, the endoscope 2 is used when the endoscope system 1 is used.
When performing treatment in the abdominal cavity under observation of the endoscope 2
When the fogging of the cover glass 3b at the tip of the insertion section 3 is detected, the signal for controlling the insufflation device 8 and the cleaning device 47 are transmitted from the comparison circuit 36 of the CCU 5 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. And a control signal.

Upon receiving this signal, the insufflation device 8 operates as described in the first embodiment. At this time, cleaning water is supplied from the cleaning device 47 at the same time. This washing water is guided from the water supply tube 46 to the distal end side of the endoscope 2 through the water supply channel 42 between the sheath 41 and the insertion portion 3 of the endoscope 2, and is transmitted from the nozzle 43 to the endoscope. It is sprayed on the cover glass 3b at the tip of the second insertion portion 3. In this embodiment, the operation of the insufflation device 8 and the operation of spraying the washing water from the nozzle 43 are performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Of the cover glass 3b can be removed.

Therefore, in this embodiment, when the endoscope system 1 is used, the occurrence of fogging of the cover glass at the tip of the insertion section 3 of the endoscope 2 is determined by the spatial frequency of the image picked up by the CCD of the TV camera 4. By detecting by measurement and controlling the insufflation device 8 and the cleaning device 47 based on the information, the fogging of the cover glass 3b at the distal end of the insertion section 3 of the endoscope 2 can be more reliably and quickly removed. .

FIG. 6 shows a modification of the endoscope system 1 of the first embodiment (see FIGS. 1 to 3). In this modified example, as shown in FIG. 6, in the first embodiment, the middle part of the insufflation tube 11 that sends the carbon dioxide insufflation gas into the abdominal cavity from the insufflation device 8 is heated into the light source device 6. A part 11a is provided. The heating section 11 a of the insufflation tube 11 is arranged close to a lamp cooling body (not shown) provided inside the light source device 6.
By heating the heating portion 11a of the insufflation tube 11 using the heat generated by the lamp 14, the carbon dioxide gas supply gas inside the insufflation tube 11 is heated. Note that the CCU 5 is provided with only the video signal generation circuit 33 according to the first embodiment.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
Generally, when the temperature of the carbon dioxide gas sent into the abdominal cavity to dilate the patient's abdominal cavity is low, the patient's body temperature decreases,
Causes a shivering condition called shivering. Therefore, the insufflation device 8 is provided with a heating unit that controls the operation of the valve unit 27 by the control unit 28 to heat the carbon dioxide gas to be supplied. In the present modification, the middle part of the insufflation tube 11 for sending the insufflation gas from the insufflation device 8 into the abdominal cavity is drawn into the light source device 6, is arranged close to the lamp cooling body, and emits the lamp 14. The heat is used to heat the carbon dioxide gas.

Therefore, in the above configuration, in addition to the heating means provided in the insufflation device 8, the heat of the lamp 14 generated by the light source device 6 is used as a heating means, whereby the insufflation device 8 is used. The amount of heating on the side can be reduced, so the insufflation device 8
There is an effect that the configuration can be reduced in size.

Furthermore, since the insufflation device 8 is conventionally provided with a heating means, the room temperature of the operating room and the insufflation tube 11
Although it was difficult to control the temperature of the carbon dioxide gas at the time of reaching the abdominal cavity to the set temperature in response to the temperature drop that fluctuates due to the surrounding environment such as the arrangement of Since the heating section 11a of the insufflation tube 11 is provided near the gas reaching the abdominal cavity, the above-described influence can be reduced, and the insufflation gas can be introduced into the abdominal cavity at the set temperature.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Next, other characteristic technical matters of the present application will be additionally described as follows. (Appendix 1) Insufflation means having means for injecting gas into the abdominal cavity to expand the inside of the abdominal cavity, means for suctioning gas inside the abdominal cavity to the outside of the abdominal cavity, and a device inserted into the body cavity of the patient An endoscope, imaging means for imaging an observation image of the endoscope, and fogging detection means for detecting fogging from an image obtained by the imaging means and controlling the insufflation means in accordance with the detection result An endoscope fogging removal system, characterized in that:

(Additional Item 2) In the additional item 1, the fogging detecting means includes a circuit for measuring a spatial frequency of the endoscope image obtained by the imaging means, and an insufflation means in accordance with the value of the low frequency component. And a circuit for outputting a control signal for the endoscope.

(Additional Item 3) In the additional item 2, the endoscope is provided with a cleaning means for cleaning the distal end of the endoscope, and the fogging detecting means controls the insufflation means and the cleaning means. Removal system.

(Conventional Techniques of Supplementary Items 1 to 3) Conventionally, medical treatment in the abdominal cavity under endoscopic observation has been widely performed. Particularly recently, many medical procedures for performing cholecystectomy or the like under an endoscope have been performed. In such a medical procedure, a pneumo-abdominal device injects carbon dioxide gas into the abdominal cavity to be treated in order to secure an observation field of view necessary for performing work in the abdominal cavity and to secure space for operation of the endoscope. The interior space of the abdominal cavity is enlarged.
Further, under endoscopic observation, the affected tissue in the abdominal cavity expanded in the insufflation state is cauterized using a cauterization device such as a high-frequency cautery device or a medical laser device.

As this procedure proceeds, the carbon dioxide gas in the abdominal cavity is warmed by the body temperature, causing a temperature difference from the endoscope. The temperature difference causes the cover glass on the end surface of the endoscope to become cloudy and clear. In some cases, it is not possible to obtain a proper visual field.
When this fogging occurs, in order to obtain a good visual field, the endoscope conventionally inserted into the abdominal cavity was removed, and the fogging at the tip was wiped off. In this method, the operation is interrupted because the endoscope is removed each time clouding occurs, and the operation time is lengthened.

On the other hand, an endoscope disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-53212 for heating the end of the endoscope to prevent the lens from fogging or applying an antifogging agent to the cover glass is used. Things are going on. Further, it is conceivable to replace the carbon dioxide gas in the abdominal cavity with an insufflation device to eliminate the temperature difference between the endoscope and the carbon dioxide gas in the abdominal cavity to remove the fogging.

(Problems to be Solved by Additional Items 1 to 3)
The endoscope disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-53212 is provided with a heating element at the distal end, so that its size is increased accordingly. In addition, since the effect of the anti-fog does not last long, the operation of removing the endoscope and wiping the cover glass at the tip is still necessary. Furthermore, replacement of the carbon dioxide gas in the abdominal cavity by the insufflation device requires operation of the insufflation device, which is complicated.

(Purpose of Supplementary Items 1 to 3) The fogging generated on the cover glass at the end of the endoscope causes interruption of the operation without increasing the size of the endoscope and removing the endoscope. Provided is an endoscope defogging system that can be reliably removed without operability.

(Effects of Additional Items 1 to 3) Fogging generated on the cover glass at the end of the endoscope is detected by using image processing.
The insufflation device is controlled according to the detection result, and the carbon dioxide gas in the abdominal cavity is replaced to remove the fogging. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a means for preventing fogging in the endoscope itself. A good endoscopic image can be obtained reliably and quickly without interrupting the operation due to removal from the inside and without operating the insufflation device.

[0065]

According to the present invention, the fogging generated in the endoscope is detected using image processing, the insufflation device is controlled in accordance with the detection result, and the carbon dioxide gas in the abdominal cavity is replaced to remove the fogging. Since the endoscope is removed, the fogging generated on the cover glass at the tip of the insertion section of the endoscope can be removed without increasing the outer diameter of the insertion section of the endoscope. Therefore, the operation can be reliably removed without interrupting the operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an entire endoscope fogging removal system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a main part configuration inside the high-frequency treatment tool in the endoscope fogging removal system of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main part showing an internal configuration of a CCU in the endoscope fogging removal system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of an entire endoscope fogging removal system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which a sheath of a cleaning device is attached to an endoscope in the endoscope fogging removal system according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of an entire endoscope fogging removal system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 2 rigid endoscope 4 TV camera (imaging means) 8 insufflation device (insufflation means) 27 valve unit (gas injection means) 28 control section (endoscope fogging removal control means) 32 suction pump (suction means) 35 Frequency analysis circuit (fogging detection means) 36 Comparison circuit (fogging detecting means)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Takahashi 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hidetoshi Saito 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yoshitaka Honda 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Yoshinao Daimei 2-43-2, Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Within Olympus Optical Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takeaki Nakamura 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo In Olympus Optical Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Shinji Hatta 2-43-2, Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo No. Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] An insufflation means having gas injecting means for injecting gas into the abdominal cavity of a patient to expand the abdominal cavity, suction means for aspirating the gas in the abdominal cavity out of the abdominal cavity, An endoscope inserted into the endoscope; imaging means for capturing an observation image of the endoscope; fogging detection means for detecting fogging of the endoscope from an image obtained by the imaging means; and fogging detection means Endoscope fogging control means for controlling driving of the insufflation means so as to remove fogging of the endoscope in accordance with a detection result from the endoscope. system.