JP2007097719A - Processor for electronic endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a processor for an electronic endoscope capable of locking the electronic endoscope so as not to be detached and making the electronic endoscope usable by less procedures. <P>SOLUTION: The processor for the electronic endoscope is provided with a locking mechanism for locking the electronic endoscope so as not to be detached and a switch means for lighting the light source lamp of a light source in linkage with the locking operation of the locking mechanism locking the electronic endoscope. Also, a projection is formed on the lever of the locking mechanism, and the switch means is provided with a detection lever to be displaced to a prescribed position by the projection when the lever is at a first position. The processor for the electronic endoscope detects whether or not the detection lever is displaced to the prescribed position by the projection and lights the light source lamp of the light source when detecting the displacement. Also, after detecting the displacement of the detection lever by the projection, the communication of the electronic endoscope and the processor for the electronic endoscope is started before lighting the light source lamp of the light source. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a processor for an electronic endoscope that is connected to an electronic endoscope and supplies illumination light to a light guide of the electronic endoscope, and acquires and processes a video signal from the electronic endoscope. About.

  An electronic endoscope that includes an imaging element such as a CCD at the distal end and outputs an image in a body cavity as a digital image is used together with an electronic endoscope processor that processes a video signal from the imaging element. The electronic endoscope processor performs predetermined image processing (color difference correction, etc.) on the image data obtained from the video signal from the image sensor, and further converts the image data into a predetermined video signal such as NTSC / PAL. Is output. The converted video signal is sent to an external monitor. With such a configuration, an image near the tip of the electronic endoscope can be observed on the monitor.

  The electronic endoscope processor also has a function as a light source device that supplies illumination light for irradiating the vicinity of the tip of the electronic endoscope. That is, a high-power lamp such as a xenon lamp is provided inside the electronic endoscope processor, and the light generated by the lamp is condensed and made incident on the light guide incident end of the electronic endoscope.

In recent years, for example, there is a device provided with a lock mechanism that locks an electronic endoscope connected to a processor for electronic endoscope so as not to be detached, such as that described in Patent Document 1. The electronic endoscope processor is provided with a lock lever. When the electronic endoscope is connected to the electronic endoscope processor, the electronic endoscope is moved when the lock lever is moved to a predetermined position. It is designed to be locked to an electronic endoscope processor.
JP 10-151113 A

  Further, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, the lock mechanism includes a switch for connecting / disconnecting each of a plurality of lines (Vcc, GND, video signal line, control signal line) connecting the electronic endoscope and the processor. The switch is turned on in a predetermined order as the lever moves toward a predetermined position. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the possibility of failure of the circuit of the device.

  However, in the above configuration, from when the electronic endoscope is connected to when the endoscope can be observed, (1) the electronic endoscope processor is turned on. (2) the endoscope is operated by the lock lever. Lock (3) It was necessary to take a step of turning on the power of the light source lamp, and it took time until the electronic endoscope became usable.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a processor for an electronic endoscope that can be locked so that the electronic endoscope does not come off and can be used with a few steps. For the purpose.

  In order to achieve the above object, the processor for electronic endoscope of the present invention has switch means for turning on the light source lamp of the light source in conjunction with a lock operation in which the lock mechanism locks the electronic endoscope. With such a configuration, since the lock is performed and the lamp is turned on, the number of steps required until the electronic endoscope can be used is reduced.

  In addition, a protrusion may be formed on the lever of the lock mechanism, and the switch means may include a detection lever that is displaced to a predetermined position by the protrusion when the lever is in the first position. The electronic endoscope processor detects whether or not the detection lever is displaced to a predetermined position by the protrusion, and turns on the light source lamp of the light source when the displacement is detected.

  In addition, after the displacement of the detection lever is detected by the protrusion, communication between the electronic endoscope and the electronic endoscope processor may be started before the light source lamp of the light source is turned on. With such a configuration, the communication between the electronic endoscope and the electronic endoscope processor is not performed unless all the signal lines are securely connected to the processor. Can be prevented.

  As described above, according to the present invention, an electronic endoscope processor that can be locked so that the electronic endoscope does not come off and can be used with a few steps is realized. Is done.

  The configuration of the electronic endoscope processor according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a processor 1 for an electronic endoscope according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, a power switch 12, a connector unit 100, and a front panel 14 are provided on the front face of the case 10 of the electronic endoscope processor 1.

  The connector unit 100 includes a signal connector unit 110 used for power supply to the electronic endoscope and communication between the electronic endoscope and the processor 1 for electronic endoscope, and illumination light to the electronic endoscope. And a light guide connector portion 120 for supply.

  The signal connector part 110 has a cylindrical groove 112 into which a cylindrical shield part of the connector of the electronic endoscope is inserted, and a socket part 114 that receives a pin of the signal connector of the electronic endoscope. A plurality of holes 114a corresponding to the pins of the signal connector of the electronic endoscope are formed in the socket portion 114, and conductors that contact the pins of the signal connector are formed in the back thereof. When the signal connector of the electronic endoscope is inserted into the signal connector portion 110, the pin of the signal connector of the electronic endoscope is inserted into the hole 114a of the socket portion 114, and the pin and the conductor come into contact with each other. This conductor is electrically connected to a control unit (described later) of the processor 1 for electronic endoscope. Therefore, by inserting the signal connector of the electronic endoscope into the signal connector unit 110, the electronic endoscope and the electronic endoscope are electrically connected. Communication with the endoscope processor becomes possible.

  A hole 122 for inserting the light guide base end portion of the electronic endoscope is formed in the center portion of the light guide connector portion 120. The electronic endoscope processor 1 includes a light source lamp and an optical system for condensing light from the light source lamp, and the light guide base end of the electronic endoscope is inserted into the hole 122. The light from the light source lamp can be incident on the light guide base end.

  A lock lever 130 for locking the connector of the inserted electronic endoscope with respect to the connector unit 100 is provided so as to surround the signal connector unit 110. The lock lever includes an annular ring portion 132 provided substantially coaxially with the signal connector portion 110, and an arm 134 that extends outward from the outer periphery of the ring portion 132.

  In a state where the connector of the electronic endoscope is not locked to the connector portion 100, the major axis direction of the arm 134 is substantially horizontal as shown in FIG. After inserting the connector of the electronic endoscope into the connector portion 100, the arm 134 is tilted downward (that is, the ring portion 132 is rotated clockwise in the drawing) so that the major axis direction of the arm 134 is the lower right direction. By moving the connector, the connector of the electronic endoscope is locked to the connector unit 100. As a method of locking the connector of the electronic endoscope to the connector portion 100, a method of engaging a groove or hole formed in the connector of the electronic endoscope with a protrusion formed on the inner periphery of the ring portion 132. In addition, a known locking method such as a method using a taper screw may be used.

  As the lock lever 130 moves, the connector pins of the electronic endoscope are guided toward the back of the hole 114 a of the socket portion 114. By moving the lock lever 130 so that the long axis direction of the arm 134 is in the lower right direction with the connector of the electronic endoscope being inserted into the connector portion 100, the pin and the conductor disposed in the hole 114a are securely connected. To come into contact.

  The lock lever 130 is provided with a detection mechanism for determining whether or not the connector of the electronic endoscope is locked with respect to the connector unit 100. Hereinafter, the configuration of the detection mechanism will be described. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the lock lever 130. FIG. 3 is a projection of the lock lever 130 from above. As shown in FIG. 2, a protrusion 136 that protrudes outward in the radial direction is formed on the outer periphery of the ring portion 132. Further, a contact sensor 138 is provided in front of the case of the electronic endoscope processor 1 (see FIG. 3).

  The contact sensor 138 includes a detection lever 138 a that can swing around one end of the contact sensor 138. The detection lever 138a is urged by a torsion spring, and is in a position indicated by a one-dot chain line in the drawing when no force is applied from the outside.

  When the arm 132 of the lock lever 130 is in the unlocked position (position where the long axis direction of the arm is substantially horizontal, the two-dot chain line portion in the figure), the protrusion 136 is above (the two-dot chain line portion in the figure) The protrusion 136 and the detection lever 138a are not in contact with each other. When the lock lever 130 is rotated clockwise from this state to reach the position indicated by the alternate long and short dash line in the figure, the protrusion 136 contacts the detection lever 138a. At this point, all the pins of the connector of the electronic endoscope are in contact with the conductor.

  In this state, the lock lever 130 is further rotated clockwise, and the tip of the detection lever 138a is slightly moved downward against the biasing force (solid line portion in the figure). The mirror lock is complete. At this time, all the pins of the connector of the electronic endoscope and the conductor are surely in contact with each other. The position of the arm 134 at this time is defined as a “lock position”.

  The contact sensor 138 is a sensor that detects whether or not the detection lever 138a is pushed down. The detection result is transmitted as an electrical signal to the control unit of the electronic endoscope processor 1.

  The operation of the control unit of the electronic endoscope processor 1 will be described below. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the processor 1 for an electronic endoscope according to this embodiment. A light source unit 30, a control unit 22, a signal processing circuit 23, and a system power source 21 are provided in the case (housing) 10 of the electronic endoscope processor 1.

  The light source unit 30 is a light source lamp 32 that generates illumination light supplied to the electronic endoscope 300, and an optical for converging the light from the lamp and sending it to the incident end 312 of the light guide 310 of the electronic endoscope. And a system 34. The signal processing circuit 23 sends a drive signal to the image pickup device of the electronic endoscope 300 and processes an image signal output from the image pickup device to generate a video signal in a predetermined format (NTSC, PAL, etc.). To do. This video signal is transmitted to the monitor 200. Thus, the user of the electronic endoscope processor 1 can observe an image around the distal end portion of the electronic endoscope 300 on the monitor 200.

  The controller 22 controls the turning on / off of the light source lamp 32, the light amount adjustment, and the signal processing by the signal processing circuit 23. The control unit 22 is connected to the front panel 14, and the control unit controls the light source lamp 32 and the signal processing circuit 23 based on an operation signal that is output when the user operates the front panel 14.

  The system power supply 21 converts an AC voltage from an external AC power supply into a DC voltage and supplies the DC voltage to the control unit 22 and the signal processing circuit 23. The light source unit 30 is directly connected to an external AC power source, and the light source lamp 32 is lit by an AC current from the AC power source.

  The power switch 12 is connected to the control unit 22, and a predetermined signal is sent to the control unit 22 when the user presses the power switch 12. When the control unit 22 receives a predetermined signal from the power switch 12, the control unit 22 can alternately switch between an activation state in which the signal processing circuit 23 and the light source unit 30 can be controlled and a standby state in which other devices are not controlled. it can. In other words, the power switch 12 is a switch for turning on / off the operation of the electronic endoscope processor 1 itself.

  Further, the contact sensor 138 is connected to the control unit 22. Thereby, the control unit 22 can determine whether or not the detection lever 138a is pushed down, that is, whether or not the arm 134 is in the “lock position”.

  The control unit 22 switches on / off of the light source lamp 32 of the light source unit 30 based on the detection result of the contact sensor 138. FIG. 5 is a flow executed by the control unit 22 of the electronic endoscope processor 1 according to the present embodiment. This flow is executed when the power switch 12 is pressed while the electronic endoscope processor 1 is in a standby state.

  When this flow starts, step S1 is executed. In step S1, the control unit 22 itself and the signal processing circuit 23 are initialized. Next, the process proceeds to step S2.

  In step S2, it is determined whether the power switch 12 has been pressed. If the power switch 12 is pressed (S2: YES), it is regarded as the end of the endoscopic observation, the operation of the signal processing circuit 23 and the like is stopped in step S10, and then this flow is ended. If the power switch 12 is not pressed (S2: NO), the process proceeds to step S3.

  In step S3, the control unit 22 detects whether the detection lever 138a is pushed down. When the detection lever 138a is pushed down, that is, when the arm 134 is positioned at the “lock position” (S3: YES), the process proceeds to step S4. If the arm 134 is located at a place other than the “lock position” (S3: NO), the process returns to step S2.

  In step S4, it is detected whether or not the electronic endoscope is connected to the connector unit 100. As a means for detecting the connection of the electronic endoscope, for example, the signal processing circuit 23 transmits a predetermined signal to the electronic endoscope and detects whether the signal returns from the electronic endoscope. Conceivable. If connection between the connector unit 100 and the electronic endoscope is detected (S4: YES), the process proceeds to step S5. On the other hand, if the connection between the connector unit 100 and the electronic endoscope is not detected (S4: NO), the process returns to step S2. That is, steps S <b> 2 to S <b> 4 are a routine for waiting until the arm 134 moves to the “lock position” and the electronic endoscope is connected to the connector unit 100. If the power switch 12 is pressed during standby, the electronic endoscope 1 enters a standby state.

  In step S5, communication between the electronic endoscope and the signal processing circuit 23 is started. Next, the process proceeds to step S6. In step S6, the control unit 22 controls the light source unit 30 to turn on the light source lamp. Next, the process proceeds to step S7. In step S <b> 7, the control unit 22 performs normal processing such as performing various processing in accordance with input from the front panel 14. Next, the process proceeds to step S8.

  In step S8, the control unit 22 detects whether or not the detection lever 138a is pushed down. When the detection lever 138a is pushed down, that is, when the arm 134 is positioned at the “lock position” (S8: YES), the process proceeds to step S9. When the arm 134 is located at a place other than the “lock position” (S8: NO), the process proceeds to step S13, the light source lamp 32 of the light source unit 30 is turned off, and then the process proceeds to step S14. In step S14, the control unit 22 controls the signal processing circuit 23 so that communication between the signal processing circuit 23 and the electronic endoscope is not performed. Next, the process returns to step S2. Through steps S8, S13, and S14, when the electronic endoscope is removed by forcibly moving the lock lever 130 to the unlocked position during observation with the electronic endoscope, the lamp is turned off and the communication end process is performed. Done.

  In step S9, it is determined whether or not the power switch button 12 has been pressed. If the power switch button 12 has been pressed (S9: YES), it is regarded as the end of the endoscopic observation, the light source lamp 32 is turned off in step S10, the communication end process is performed in step S11, and then in step S12. The operation of the signal processing circuit 23 and the like is stopped, and then this flow is ended. If the power switch button 12 has not been pressed (S9: NO), the process returns to step S7.

  As described above, in steps S7 to S9, normal processing is performed unless the power switch button 12 is pressed or the electronic endoscope is unlocked by the lock lever 130.

  According to the flow as described above, the electronic endoscope is connected to the connector unit 100, and the arm 134 of the lever 130 is moved to the “lock position”, whereby communication between the electronic endoscope and the signal processing circuit 23 is performed. Then, the light source lamp 32 is automatically turned on.

It is a front view of the processor for electronic endoscopes of this embodiment. It is an enlarged view of the lock lever in the processor for electronic endoscopes of this embodiment. In the electronic endoscope processor of the present embodiment, the lock lever is projected from the upper side. It is a block diagram of the processor for electronic endoscopes of this embodiment. It is a flow which the control part of the processor for electronic endoscopes of this embodiment implements.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Processor for electronic endoscopes 22 Control part 30 Light source part 32 Light source lamp 100 Connector part 110 Signal connector part 120 Light guide connector part 130 Lock lever 132 Ring part 134 Arm 136 Protrusion 138 Contact sensor 138a Detection lever

Claims (6)

A connector for connecting to an electronic endoscope;
Securely connecting the signal input / output terminal of the connector and the signal input / output terminal of the endoscope, and locking the electronic endoscope to the connector so that the electronic endoscope is not detached from the connector; A locking mechanism;
A light source for generating illumination light sent to the light guide of the electronic endoscope;
Switch means for turning on the light source lamp of the light source in conjunction with a locking operation in which the locking mechanism locks the electronic endoscope;
A processor for an electronic endoscope. The lock mechanism has a lever, and the electronic endoscope is locked to the connector by moving the lever to the first position, and the electronic endoscope is moved by moving the lever to the second position. The lock on the connector of the mirror is released,
The lever has a protrusion,
The switch means has a detection lever that is displaced to a predetermined position by the protrusion when the lever is in the first position;
The electronic endoscope processor detects whether or not the detection lever is displaced to a predetermined position by the protrusion, and turns on the light source lamp of the light source when the displacement is detected;
The processor for electronic endoscopes according to claim 1 characterized by things.   The electronic endoscope processor starts communication between the electronic endoscope and the electronic endoscope processor after the displacement is detected and before the light source lamp of the light source is turned on. The processor for electronic endoscopes according to claim 2.   4. The electronic endoscope processor according to claim 2, wherein the lever is a lever that swings around a predetermined axis between the first position and the second position. .   The processor for electronic endoscope according to claim 4, wherein the lever swings around the connector. The lever includes a ring rotatable around the connector;
An arm extending outward from the outer periphery of the ring;
Have
The protrusion protrudes radially outward from the outer periphery of the ring;
The processor for electronic endoscopes according to claim 5 characterized by things.

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