JP4043791B2 - Video scope of electronic endoscope equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electronic endoscope apparatus that includes an image sensor, and includes a video scope that is inserted into the body and a processor that processes an image signal read from the image sensor. In particular, a shield member is provided as a noise countermeasure. Related to the video scope.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An image sensor such as a CCD is provided at the tip of the video scope. When a subject image of the observation site is formed on the image sensor, an image signal corresponding to the observation site is generated by photoelectric conversion. The image signal is read from the image sensor and sent to the processor via the signal cable. In the processor, a video signal (video signal) is generated based on the transmitted image signal and sent to the monitor. As a result, an image of the observation site is displayed on the monitor.
[0003]
In recent years, a circuit board provided with a drive circuit for driving an image sensor and an initial circuit for processing an image signal read from the image sensor is housed in a connector portion provided at an end portion on the processor side of a videoscope. . This circuit board is also provided with a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which data relating to the characteristics of the videoscope (the number of pixels of the CCD, etc.) is stored in advance. When the videoscope is connected to the processor, the data is read from the ROM. Is read and sent to the processor. In addition, an electrical outlet (signal connection portion) connected to the processor for image signal transmission, an illumination light source provided in the processor, and an optical fiber provided in the video scope are connected to the connector portion of the video scope. A light guide insertion port (light guide connecting portion) for optically connecting the bundle is provided.
[0004]
In the signal cable in the video scope, an image signal read from the image sensor is transmitted to the processor side end, and a drive signal for driving the image sensor is sent from the processor side end to the image sensor. Some video scopes have an insertion length of 4 or 5 meters or more. While image signals and drive signals are transmitted through a long signal cable, noise is emitted by the signal cable or the influence of external noise. As a result, noise is added to the image signal and the drive signal, resulting in signal degradation. Therefore, as a noise countermeasure, a conductive cable shield member is provided in the video scope so as to cover the signal cable.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, if noise is emitted by signal processing such as image signal processing, drive signal output, or ROM data reading on the circuit board, or external noise enters the circuit board, the circuit of the external device will be adversely affected. Or the image signal read from the image sensor is degraded. In particular, when the processor and the video scope are connected, the end of the light guide insertion port of the scope is inserted deep inside the processor, so noise emitted from it adversely affects the image signal etc. of the processor. Will deteriorate.
[0006]
Therefore, according to the present invention, in a video scope with a built-in circuit board, a video of an electronic endoscope apparatus capable of obtaining a sufficient shielding effect so that a bad influence due to noise emission inside the scope and a signal deterioration due to external noise do not occur. The purpose is to obtain a scope.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The video scope of the electronic endoscope apparatus according to the present invention has an image sensor on which a subject image is formed, and is detachably connected to a processor that processes an image signal corresponding to the subject image read from the image sensor. A video scope of an endoscope apparatus, which includes a signal cable, a flexible connecting tube, and a connector portion. The signal cable sends an image signal read from the image sensor provided at the distal end of the videoscope to the processor side end of the videoscope, and sends a drive signal for driving the image sensor to the image sensor. The flexible connecting pipe is a flexible connecting pipe that covers the signal cable, and a conductive cable shield member is provided along the inner wall of the connecting pipe. The connector part is located at the processor side end of the video scope, and is connected to the processor while the flexible connecting tube is integrally connected. The connector section includes a circuit board on which an electric circuit including a signal processing circuit that processes an image signal sent from a signal cable and a drive circuit for driving the imaging device is disposed, and a conductive substrate that covers the circuit board. A light connected to the processor for optically connecting a circuit shielding member, a signal connecting portion connected to the processor for image signal transmission, a light source provided in the processor and an optical fiber bundle provided in the videoscope A guide connecting portion. The signal connection portion and the light guide connection portion constituted by plugs or the like are usually inserted into the connection portion of the processor.
[0008]
In the present invention, the circuit shield member and the light guide connecting portion are insulated. Therefore, heat from the light source in the processor is transmitted to the circuit board of the video scope and does not cause malfunction or deterioration of the board, and analog and digital noise generated in the processor is transmitted to the circuit board of the video scope. Nor. Similarly, noise generated from the circuit board of the video scope is transmitted to the processor through the light guide connection portion, so that signal processing in the processor is not affected. As a result, signal degradation does not occur in the image signal read from the image sensor, and a high-quality subject image can be observed.
[0009]
As a configuration for insulating the circuit shield member and the light guide connecting portion, it is desirable to provide an insulating plate between the circuit shield member and the holding member. Providing an insulating plate ensures an insulating state. Further, the light guide connecting portion may be made of an insulating nonmetal such as ceramic.
[0010]
Preferably, the holding connecting portion that is a connecting portion of the connector portion to the flexible connecting tube is provided with a conductive holding member that holds the flexible connecting tube. In this case, it is desirable that the holding member and the cable shield member are electrically connected, and the holding member and the circuit shield member are insulated. In the holding connection portion, the conductive holding member and the cable shield member of the conductive flexible connecting pipe are electrically connected, and the signal connection portion and the circuit shield member are conductive. , Radiated noise from the signal cable is suppressed, and intrusion of external noise is prevented. Further, since the circuit shield member is insulated from the holding member, analog or digital noise radiated from the circuit board by signal processing or the like is not conducted to the distal end of the scope and does not affect the imaging device. In order to further improve the shielding effect, it is desirable that the circuit shielding member and the signal connection portion are electrically connected.
[0011]
In order to improve the operability of the video scope, it is desirable that the flexible connecting tube is rotatably held at the holding connecting portion. In this case, it is desirable to energize the holding member and the cable shield member by connecting the holding member and the cable shield member with a lead wire. For example, the holding connecting portion includes a rotating cylinder connected to the flexible connecting pipe, a receiving cylinder for fitting the rotating cylinder rotatably, and a fixed frame connected to the receiving cylinder, and the fixed frame and the cable shield. Lead wires are connected between the members.
[0012]
In order to perform signal processing by the processor in accordance with the characteristics of the connected videoscope, it is desirable that the circuit board is provided with a nonvolatile memory in which data related to the characteristics of the videoscope is stored in advance. When data is read from the non-volatile memory by videoscope connection, large digital noise is radiated, but since the circuit shield member and the holding member are in an insulated state, the noise is not transmitted to the image sensor or the processor. .
[0013]
For example, the video scope has a bendable bendable portion between the distal end portion of the videoscope and the connector portion, and an operation portion for operating the bendable portion, and the flexible connecting tube is operated with the bendable portion. It consists of an insertion connecting pipe connecting between the parts and a connecting connecting pipe connecting between the operation part and the connector part. In this case, the holding member is electrically connected to the distal end portion through the connection connecting tube, the operation portion, the insertion connecting tube, and the bending portion.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an electronic endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0015]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic endoscope apparatus according to this embodiment.
[0016]
The electronic endoscope apparatus includes a video scope 10 that is inserted into the body and captures an image inside the body, a processor 100 that processes an image signal sent from the video scope, and a video signal sent from the processor. A monitor 120 for displaying an image of the observation site is provided. A monitor 120 is connected to the processor 100, and a video scope 10 is detachably connected.
[0017]
The video scope 10 includes a distal end portion 12 on which a CCD (not shown here) as an image sensor is disposed, a bending portion 14 that can be bent, and a flexible insertion connecting tube 11, a bending portion, and a bending portion. An operation unit 10M provided with a switch for operating the unit 14, a flexible connection connecting pipe 18 that connects the operation unit 10M to the processor 100, and a connector unit 17 that is a connection unit with the processor 100 Composed. In the video scope 10, an optical fiber bundle 115 for transmitting light is provided from the connector portion 17 to the distal end portion 12, for transmitting light with an electrical insertion port 17 </ b> A for transmitting an electrical signal. When the connector part 17 to which the light guide insertion port 17B is attached is inserted into the connection part 110 of the processor 100, the light emitted from the light source lamp 125 in the processor 100 passes through the optical fiber bundle 115 from the tip part 12. Exit. Further, a pressure adjusting valve 60 for adjusting the pressure in the video scope 10 is attached to the connector portion 17.
[0018]
The light emitted from the front end portion 12 is reflected by the subject, whereby a subject image is formed on the CCD 13 and an image signal is generated. An image signal corresponding to the subject image is read from the CCD 13 and sent to the processor 100 via the electrical outlet 17A. In the processor 100, a video signal such as an NTSC signal is generated based on the transmitted image signal and sent to the monitor 120. The monitor 120 displays a subject image based on the video signal.
[0019]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an internal structure related to the shield configuration of the video scope 10.
[0020]
In the video scope 10, the signal cable 15 extends from the CCD 13 at the distal end portion 12 to the connector portion 17. When an image signal is read from the CCD 13 provided at the distal end portion 12, the signal cable 15 extends to the connector portion 17 via the signal cable 15. Sent. A drive signal for driving the CCD 13 is also sent from the connector portion 17 to the CCD 13 via the signal cable 15.
[0021]
A plurality of conductive metal node rings 14 </ b> A are rotatably connected in the curved portion 14 connected to the distal end portion 12. The plurality of node rings 14 are covered with a mesh tube 14C formed by combining conductive metal wires, and the mesh tube 14C is covered with an insulating rubber tube 14B. The node ring 14A and the mesh tube 14C are electrically connected to the distal end portion 12.
[0022]
In the flexible insertion connecting tube 11 connected to the bending portion 14, a spiral tube formed by spirally winding a band-shaped metal material with a constant diameter, and a conductive metal thin wire mesh tube covering the periphery thereof, A metal spiral tube 11A (cable shield member) made of is covered with the signal cable 15, and an outer side of the outer sheath 11B made of an electrically insulating synthetic resin (for example, polyurethane) is covered. That is, the metal spiral tube 11 </ b> A is formed along the inner wall of the insertion connecting tube 11. The metallic spiral tube 11 </ b> A is provided to obtain a shielding effect, and is electrically connected to the node ring 14 </ b> A in the bending portion 14.
[0023]
A conductive insertion cap 20 at one end of the insertion coupling tube 11 and in contact with the metal spiral tube 11A is connected to a conductive operation unit connection tube 22 provided in the operation unit 10M. A conductive metal frame 25 is provided inside the portion 10 </ b> M, and the operation portion connecting pipe 22 is connected to the metal frame 25. A conductive processor side connection pipe 24 provided on the processor side of the operation unit 10M and connected to the metal frame 25 is connected to a conductive connection base 26 provided at one end of the flexible connection connection pipe 18. The The surface 10K of the operation unit 10M is covered with an insulating synthetic resin.
[0024]
Similar to the insertion connecting tube 11, the connecting connecting tube 18 is a metal spiral tube, which is a metal spiral tube (cable shield member) 18A surrounding the signal cable 15 as a shield member, and a synthetic resin sheath covering the outer periphery thereof. 18B. One end of the connection connecting pipe 18 on the processor side is held by a holding connecting part 40 provided at one end of the connector part 17, whereby the connection connecting pipe 18 is integrally connected to the connector part 17.
[0025]
One end of the connection connecting pipe 18 on the processor side is provided with a conductive connecting base 27 that comes into contact with the metal spiral pipe 18 </ b> A, and is connected to the rotating cylinder 32 of the holding connecting portion 40. As will be described later, the holding connecting portion 40 includes a rotating cylinder 32 and a conductive holding member 38 that holds the rotating cylinder 32, and the rotating cylinder 32 is rotatable with respect to the holding member 38. A lead wire 28 is connected between the holding member 38 and the connection cap 27 of the connection connection pipe 18.
[0026]
The outer surface 17K of the connector portion 17 is formed of an insulating resin, and a conductive plate-like shield plate (circuit shield member) 19 is formed along the inner surface. In the shield plate 19, a signal processing circuit (not shown here) for processing an image signal sent from the CCD 13 via the signal cable 15 and a drive signal via the signal cable 15 for driving the CCD 13 are provided. A circuit board 30 on which a CCD drive circuit (not shown here) to be sent to the CCD 13 and the like is disposed is accommodated. The shield plate 19 serves as a shield member for the circuit board 30. An insulating plate 42 is provided between the shield plate 19 and the holding member 38, and an insulating plate (not shown here) is also provided between the light guide connecting portion 17 </ b> B and the shield plate 19. It has been.
[0027]
As described above, in the video scope 10, the network tube 14 </ b> C (node ring 14 </ b> A) of the curved portion 14 is connected from the distal end portion 12 in order to prevent noise from entering from the outside and to suppress noise emission from the signal cable 15. Metal spiral tube 11A and insertion tube cap 20 of the insertion connecting tube 11, operation part connection tube 22, metal frame 25, processor side connection tube 24, connection cap 26, metal spiral tube 18A of the connection connecting tube 18, connection cap 27 The lead wire 28 is electrically connected to the holding member 38 of the connector portion 17 through the lead wire 28.
[0028]
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a connecting portion between the connecting connecting pipe 18 and the holding connecting portion 40 of the connector portion 17.
[0029]
The holding connecting portion 40 is configured by a rotating cylinder 32 and a holding member 38 that is conductive, and the holding member 38 includes a fixed frame 38A and a receiving cylinder 38B. A connection base 27 at one end of the connection connection pipe 18 is connected to a cylindrical rotary cylinder 32, and the rotary cylinder 32 is fixed to the connection base 27 by a screw 31. The rotary cylinder 32 is rotatably fitted in the receiving cylinder 33, and the connection connecting pipe 18 is held rotatably around the axis of the rotary cylinder 32 by the holding connecting portion 40. Thus, even if the operator operates the videoscope 10 so as to twist the connection connecting pipe 18 in a state where the connector portion 17 is connected to the connection portion 110 of the processor 100, the operation of the videoscope 10 can be performed by the rotation of the rotary cylinder 32. I can't interfere. The lead wire 28 electrically connects the connection cap 27 and the fixed frame 38A.
[0030]
It should be noted that, at the connecting portion between the rotating cylinder 32 and the connecting base 27, a retaining nut 34 for preventing the fitted rotating cylinder 32 from coming off, and a rotation range limiting stopper for limiting the rotation range of the rotating cylinder 32. 35 is attached, and the outer periphery of the receiving tube 33 of the connection connecting pipe 18 and the holding connecting portion 40 is covered with a bend preventing rubber 36.
[0031]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of the connector unit 17.
[0032]
The circuit board 30 housed in the shield plate 19 is sent by a signal cable 15 (see FIG. 2) inserted through a fixing frame 38A, an insulating plate 42, and a through hole (not shown) penetrating the shield plate 19. Circuits such as an initial circuit 44 for processing incoming image signals, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 45 in which data relating to the characteristics of the video scope 10 are stored, and a CCD drive circuit 49 for sending drive signals to the CCD 13 are arranged. In the initial circuit 44, predetermined image processing such as amplification processing is performed on the image signal sent from the CCD 13, and the processed image signal is sent to the processor 100. In the CCD drive circuit 49, a drive signal for driving the CCD 13 is output and sent to the CCD 13 via the signal cable 15. In the ROM 45, data related to the characteristics of the video scope 10 is read out as needed based on a control signal sent from a system control circuit (not shown) provided on the circuit board 30. The initial circuit 44 and the CCD drive circuit 49 are also controlled by the system control circuit.
[0033]
The electrical outlet 17 </ b> A is attached to the shield plate 19 by a conductive fixing nut 62. On the other hand, an insulating plate 42 formed of an insulating resin is disposed between the shield plate 19 and the fixed frame 38A. The shield plate 19 and the fixed frame 38A, that is, the metal spiral tube 18A of the connection connecting pipe 18 is disposed. Is not electrically conductive. Further, an insulating resin insulating plate 64 is also disposed between the light guide insertion port 17B and the shield plate 19, and the shield plate 19 and the light guide insertion port 17B are not electrically connected.
[0034]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the video scope 10, the holding member 38 is electrically connected from the fixed frame 38 </ b> A to the distal end portion 12, and a shielding effect for the signal cable 15 is obtained. Further, the shielding effect is enhanced by connecting the shield plate 19 and the electrical insertion port 17 </ b> A by the fixing nut 62. Further, an insulating plate 42 is provided between the shield plate 19 that houses the circuit board 30 and the fixed frame 38, and an insulating plate 64 is provided between the light guide insertion port 17 </ b> B and the shield plate 19. . Due to the insulating plate 42, noise generated by signal processing in the initial circuit 44 and the drive circuit 45, as well as digital noise generated when data is read from the ROM 45, are connected to the connection connecting pipe 18, the operation unit 10M, the insertion connecting pipe 11, Conduction to the tip portion 12 through the curved portion 14 is prevented, and noise generated in the circuit board 30 does not affect the CCD 13. In addition, noise generated from the circuit board 30 is not transmitted to the processor 100 via the light guide insertion port 17B, but noise from the processor 100 or heat from the light source is transmitted to the circuit board 30. Nor.
[0035]
In this embodiment, the insulating plate 64 is provided to insulate between the light guide insertion port 17B and the shield plate 19, but instead, the insulating surface is insulated from the contact surface between the light guide insertion port 17B and the shield plate 19. You may perform the process which coats a property coating film. Or you may make it the structure which provides a space between the light guide insertion port 17B and the shield board 19 so that it may not contact. The same applies to the insulating plate 42. Furthermore, the light guide insertion port 17B may be made of an insulating nonmetal. In order to electrically connect the electrical insertion port 17A and the shield plate 19, the electrical insertion may be performed by a conductive member other than the fixing nut 62.
[0036]
In the present embodiment, the connection connecting pipe 18 is rotatably connected to the holding connecting portion 40, but may be configured to be fixed without rotating. Further, the circuit board 30 of the video scope 10 may not be provided with a system control circuit, and the initial circuit 44, the drive circuit 49, and the ROM 45 may be controlled by the system control circuit in the processor 100.
[0037]
【The invention's effect】
Thus, according to the present invention, in a video scope with a built-in circuit board, signal deterioration due to noise emission inside the scope and noise from outside does not occur, and a sufficient shielding effect can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an internal structure related to a shield configuration of a video scope.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a connecting portion between a connecting connecting pipe and a holding connecting portion in a connector portion.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a connector portion.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Videoscope 10M Operation Unit 11 Insertion Connection Tube (Flexible Connection Tube)
11A Metal spiral tube (cable shield member)
12 tip 13 CCD (imaging device)
14 bending portion 15 signal cable 17 connector portion 17A electrical outlet (signal connection portion)
17B Light guide socket (light guide connection)
18 Connection connection pipe (flexible connection pipe)
18A metal spiral tube (shield member for cable)
19 Shield plate (Shield member for circuit)
28 Lead wire 30 Circuit board 32 Rotating cylinder 38 Holding member 38A Fixed frame 38B Receiving cylinder 40 Holding connecting part 42 Insulating plate 44 Initial circuit (signal processing circuit)
45 ROM (nonvolatile memory)
49 CCD drive circuit (drive circuit)
62 Nut 64 Insulating plate 100 Processor 115 Optical fiber bundle 125 Light source

Claims (7)

A video scope of an electronic endoscope apparatus having an imaging device on which a subject image is formed and detachably connected to a processor that processes an image signal corresponding to the subject image read from the imaging device,
A signal cable for sending the image signal read from the image sensor provided at the distal end of the video scope to the processor side end of the video scope and sending a drive signal for driving the image sensor to the image sensor When,
A flexible connecting pipe covering the signal cable, the flexible connecting pipe having a conductive cable shield member provided along an inner wall of the connecting pipe;
It is at the processor side end of the video scope, and includes a connector part that is connected to the flexible connecting pipe as a unit and is a connection part to the processor,
The connector part is
A circuit board on which an electric circuit including a signal processing circuit for processing the image signal sent from the signal cable and a driving circuit for driving the imaging device is disposed;
A conductive circuit shielding member covering the circuit board;
A signal connection unit connected to the processor for transmitting the image signal;
A light guide connection portion connected to the processor for optically connecting a light source provided in the processor and an optical fiber bundle provided in the videoscope;
The circuit shield member and the light guide connecting portion are insulated ,
The connector part is a connection part with the flexible connection pipe, and further includes a holding connection part provided with a conductive holding member for holding the flexible connection pipe, the holding member and the cable A videoscope for an electronic endoscope apparatus , wherein the shield member for electrical use is electrically connected, and the holding member and the shield member for circuit are insulated .   The videoscope of the electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an insulating plate is provided between the light guide connecting portion and the circuit shield member.   The videoscope of the electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the circuit shield member and the signal connection portion are electrically connected to each other. Claim 1, wherein the flexible connection tube is held in the holding connection portion rotatably, wherein the lead wire is tied for energizing between the shield member for the said holding member cable A video scope of the electronic endoscope apparatus according to 1. The holding connecting portion has a rotating cylinder connected to the flexible connecting pipe, a receiving cylinder that rotatably fits the rotating cylinder, and a fixed frame connected to the receiving cylinder,
The video scope of the electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the lead wire is connected between the fixed frame and the cable shield member.   The video scope of the electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a nonvolatile memory in which data related to characteristics of the videoscope is stored in advance is disposed on the circuit board. The videoscope has a bending portion that can be freely bent between a distal end portion of the videoscope and the connector portion, and an operation portion that operates the bending portion,
The flexible connection tube is composed of an insertion connection tube connecting the bending portion and the operation portion, and a connection connection tube connecting the operation portion and the connector portion,
Said connection connecting pipe from the holding member, the operation unit, to said distal portion via the insertion connection tube and curved portion of an electronic endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that electrically conductive Video scope.

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