JP4339625B2 - Endoscope system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an endoscope system that ensures compatibility with an endoscope having an existing connector.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, endoscopes that can observe a subject in a deep part of a body cavity without needing an incision by inserting an elongated insertion part into the body cavity, and can perform a therapeutic treatment using a treatment instrument as necessary are widely used. It is used.
[0003]
Recently, an endoscope system that employs an electronic endoscope that includes an imaging element such as a CCD at the leading end or rear end of the insertion portion and that uses this imaging element to perform imaging observation of a subject in a body cavity can easily record images. It is widely used because
A conventional example of such an endoscope system is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-34912.
[0004]
In this conventional example, a light source device and a processor as an external device that performs signal processing for performing signal processing on an image sensor are separated.
Then, by adopting a connector that allows the electronic endoscope and the optical endoscope mounted with the television camera to be connected to the connector receiver of the light source device, the television camera is installed in the electronic endoscope and the optical endoscope. It can be used with any (equipment equipped with TV camera).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-34912 A
[0006]
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-6-335449
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above conventional example can only deal with an endoscope provided with a connector that can be connected to the light source device. For this reason, there exists a fault which cannot be used, for example in the case of the existing electronic endoscope provided in the direction from which a light source connector and an electrical connector differ from a connector main body.
That is, there is a disadvantage that the endoscope is restricted when the electrical connector is connected to the light source device.
[0008]
In recent years, there is a tendency to increase the number of pixels. When the number of pixels is increased, it is necessary to increase the frequency of the drive signal. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-335449 discloses an endoscope system that performs optimum driving and signal processing on the imaging means of a connected electronic endoscope on the signal processing device side even when the electronic endoscope is different. Disclosure.
[0009]
In this conventional example, waveform correction is performed on the signal processing device side, and the same transmission as when an image sensor with a small number of pixels is connected even when the number of pixels of the image sensor is large and the drive frequency is increased is used. Since the route is used, there is a drawback that an image is likely to deteriorate particularly in the case of a high pixel. In other words, the effect of the transmission path becomes more noticeable in the case of high pixels than in the case of low pixels, and there is a limit to the amount of correction that can be corrected by waveform correction compared to the case of low pixels. It cannot be corrected as much.
[0010]
(Object of invention)
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described points, and an (existing) endoscope in which an imaging element is connected to an external device separate from the light source device is a type that is connected to the light source device. It is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope system capable of ensuring compatibility that can be used with any endoscope.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an endoscope system that can ensure compatibility even when the number of pixels is increased and reduce image degradation.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A light source device including a light source that emits illumination light;
An external device provided separately from the light source device configured to be able to send and receive electrical signals to and from the light source device;
A first endoscope having an image sensor connected to the light source device;
A second endoscope having an image sensor connected to the light source device and the external device;
A first identification circuit provided in the first endoscope having first identification information unique to the first endoscope;
A second identification circuit provided in the second endoscope having second identification information unique to the second endoscope;
A first electric circuit provided in the light source device that transmits and receives an electric signal to and from the first imaging element of the first endoscope connected to the light source device via the light source device. When,
Provided in the external device that transmits and receives electrical signals through the external device between the light source device and the second imaging element of the second endoscope connected to the external device. A second electrical circuit;
In accordance with the first or second identification information included in the endoscope connected to the light source device or the external device, the first or second electric circuit is provided to the imaging element included in the endoscope. A selection control circuit provided in the external device that performs control to selectively connect;
And controlling the selective connection of the first or second electric circuit to the image sensor incorporated in the endoscope based on the identification information by the identification circuit incorporated in the endoscope. To ensure proper use with any endoscope.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
1 to 5 relate to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of the endoscope system of the embodiment, and FIGS. 2A and 2B are a light source device and a processor. FIG. 3 shows a peripheral portion of the connection portion in the case where the first and second endoscopes having connector bodies having different shapes on the connector receiver and the third endoscope are connected to each other. FIG. FIG. 4 shows the configuration related to the connector shape and the number of CCD pixels in the scope ID data, and FIG. 5 shows the control contents related to the drive path and output signal path executed by the CPU based on the scope ID data.
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first connector main body 11A, and includes a first inner body including a high-pixel image sensor and a low-pixel image sensor. A first endoscope 2A having a endoscope 2A, a second endoscope 2B, a second connector main body 11B, and a third endoscope 2C having a built-in low-pixel imaging device, and a connected first endoscope 2A A light source device 3 for supplying illumination light to 2C, a processor 4 that is an external device separate from the light source device 3 and performs signal processing for generating a video signal for displaying an image, and an output from the processor 4 And a monitor 5 for displaying a video signal to be displayed.
[0014]
The first and second endoscopes 2A and 2B differ in the number of pixels of the built-in image sensor. Although not shown in FIG. 1 and the like in the present embodiment, the fourth connector 2D having the second connector main body 11B and incorporating a high-pixel image sensor can be used (see FIG. 1). 4 and the table of FIG. 5).
[0015]
Each of the first endoscope 2A to the third (fourth) endoscope 2I (I = A, B, C (D)) is inserted into a body cavity, and after this insertion section An operation portion provided at the end and a universal cord 8 (see FIG. 2) extending from a side portion of the operation portion, as shown in FIG. The first and second endoscopes are provided with a connector main body 11A, and as shown in FIG. 2B, the third endoscope 2C is provided with a connector main body 11B.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 2A, the first and second endoscopes 2A have a connector body 11A and a light source connector portion 12 and an electrical connector portion 13A adjacent to the front end surface of the connector body 11A. is there.
[0017]
On the other hand, in the third endoscope 2C, as shown in FIG. 2B, the connector main body 11B is provided with the light source connector 12 on the front end surface thereof, and the electric connector 13B on the side thereof. Are adjacent to each other.
In the present embodiment, in order to simply represent the connector bodies 11A and 11B, in the connector body 11A, the light source connector portion 12 and the electrical connector portion 13A are formed adjacent to the front surface. In 11B, the light source connector portion 12 and the electrical connector portion 13A are formed separately (divided) into the front surface and the side surface, so the former is abbreviated as a connector integrated type and the latter is abbreviated as a connector separation type (FIG. 4). See).
The light source connector 12 has the same structure in both the first to third endoscopes 2I, and includes a light guide connector 14 and a fluid connector 15.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 1, the light guide 16 is inserted into each of the first to third endoscopes 2I, and the connector main body 11A or 11B (the light source connector 12) is connected to the light source device 3. Illumination light is supplied from the light source device 3 to the end surface of the light guide 16 of the light guide connector 14, and transmitted from the light guide 15 to the illumination light from the front end surface of the light guide fixed to the illumination window at the end of the insertion portion. The light is emitted to illuminate a subject such as an affected part in the body cavity.
[0019]
An objective lens (not shown) is attached to an observation window provided adjacent to the illumination window, and connects an optical image of the illuminated subject. At this imaging position, solid-state imaging devices, more specifically, for example, charge coupled devices (abbreviated as CCD) 17a to 17c are arranged as electrical components having a predetermined function, and are subjected to photoelectric conversion. In this case, the CCD 17a built in the first endoscope 2A has a high pixel, and the CCDs 17b and 17c built in the second and third endoscopes 2B and 2C have a low pixel.
[0020]
In this embodiment, each endoscope 2I has a ROM that generates identification information unique to the endoscope so that it can be identified which endoscope 2I is connected to the light source device 3 or the processor 4. Scope ID circuits 18i (i = a, b, c, d) configured by
[0021]
The light source device 3 drives a power source circuit 21 that generates a DC power source from a commercial power source, a light source circuit 22 that generates illumination light by the DC power source generated by the power source circuit 21, and the CCD 17a of the first endoscope 2A. In addition, a patient substrate (patient circuit) 23 is built in as a first electric circuit that performs a preprocessing function on the image signal picked up by the CCD 17a.
[0022]
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a light source connector receiver 25 to which the light source connector 12 is detachably connected and an electrical connector receiver 26 to which the electrical connector 13A is detachably connected are provided on the front surface of the light source device 3. It is provided. That is, the connector body receiver 27A to which the connector body 11A of the first endoscope 2A is detachably connected is provided on the front surface of the light source device.
[0023]
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a connector main body 11A of the twenty-first endoscope 2B is also detachably connected to the light source device 3. In this case, the internal CCD 17b is driven by a CCD drive signal from the processor 4 side as will be described later, and a path is selected so that signal processing is also performed on the processor 4 side.
[0024]
The power supply circuit 21 in the light source device 3 has an isolation circuit (abbreviated as “F” in FIG. 1) such as an insulation transformer, and is supplied via a commercial power cable provided with a plug connected to a commercial power source (not shown). A DC power source for a secondary circuit insulated from the commercial power source is supplied to the light source circuit 22.
[0025]
Then, the light source circuit 22 is driven to turn on a lamp 31 such as a xenon lamp. The light from the lamp 31 is condensed by the condenser lens 32 and the illumination light is supplied to the light guide connector 14 attached to the light source connector receiver 27A (the light guide connector receiver) through the aperture 33.
The power supply circuit 21 is a patient circuit board (or patient circuit) that is a DC power supply for a patient circuit generated through an isolation circuit such as an insulation transformer (abbreviated as “F” in FIG. 1) that is insulated from the secondary circuit. 23.
[0026]
The patient board 23 includes a clock generation circuit 41 that generates a reference clock CLK, a timing generation circuit 42 that generates various timing signals based on the clock CLK, and the CCD 17a in synchronization with the timing signals from the timing generation circuit 42. A CCD drive circuit 43 for generating a CCD drive signal for driving the signal, a waveform selection circuit 49 for selecting the waveform of the CCD drive signal and outputting it to the CCD 17a, and a path selection circuit 50 for selecting the path of the imaging signal output from the CCD 17a. A preamplifier 44 that amplifies with low noise via a signal, a correlated double sampling (abbreviated as CDS) circuit 45 that extracts a signal component from the signal amplified by the preamplifier 44 and outputs a baseband signal, and a CDS circuit 45 A / D conversion of baseband converted signal in A An endoscopic image displayed on the monitor 5 by adjusting the opening of the diaphragm 33 and a phase control (PLL) circuit 47 for operating the D conversion circuit 46, the CDS circuit 45 at an appropriate phase. A dimming circuit 48 for generating a dimming signal for automatically dimming the brightness of the light to an appropriate level.
[0027]
The clock generation circuit 41 generates a reference clock CLK by dividing the oscillation output generated by using a crystal oscillator or the like by N (1 / N in FIG. 1), and supplies the reference clock CLK to the timing generation circuit 42. Is also supplied to the light source device 3 via the communication cable 52 connected to the communication cable connection connector 51 on the rear panel via the isolation circuit (also abbreviated as “F” in FIG. 1). In this case, the frequency dividing number N is controlled to be changed between the high pixel CCD 17a and the low pixels 17b and 17c.
[0028]
The timing generation circuit 42 supplies timing signals necessary for its operation to the CCD drive circuit 43, the CDS circuit 45, the A / D conversion circuit 46, and the dimming circuit 48. The CCD drive circuit 43 is connected to the CCD drive signal output terminal T1 of the electrical connector receiver 26, and is connected to the CCD 17a via the CCD drive signal input terminal of the electrical connector 13A of the first endoscope 2A connected to the electrical connector receiver 26. A CCD drive signal is applied.
[0029]
The signal input terminal of the path selection circuit 50 is also connected to the imaging signal input terminal T2 of the electrical connector receiver 26, and the electrical connector 13A of the first and second endoscopes 2A / 2B connected to the electrical connector receiver 26. The imaging signal from the CCD 17a or 17b is input through the imaging signal output terminal.
[0030]
In this case, the path selection circuit 50 is selected by the CPU 59 provided on the processor 4 side in the case of the endoscope 2A incorporating the CCD 17a, and is input to the preamplifier 44. On the other hand, in the case of the endoscope 2B incorporating the CCD 17b, the path d is selected, sent to the processor 4 side via the signal transmission line L2, and input to the preamplifier 44 via the video ON / OFF switch 55.
[0031]
As will be described later, the CPU 59 controls the switching of the waveform selection circuit 49, the path selection circuit 50, etc. according to each endoscope 2I as shown in FIG. 4 based on the scope ID data of the scope ID data circuit 18i.
[0032]
The output signal amplified by the preamplifier 44 on the light source device 3 side is supplied to the PLL circuit 47 in addition to the CDS circuit 45. The PLL circuit 47 extracts a drive signal component in an imaging signal in which a phase shift has actually occurred according to the lengths of the CCD drive signal line and the output signal line from the output signal from the preamplifier 44, and performs sampling in synchronization with the phase. Timing (phase) adjustment is performed so that the signal component extraction operation by the CDS circuit 45 is performed with a pulse.
[0033]
The output signal of the CDS circuit 45 is also supplied to a dimming circuit 48. The dimming circuit 48 integrates a signal for several frames, for example, and compares the error signal with the reference brightness level. The aperture amount of the diaphragm 33 is adjusted as a dimming signal. Then, the brightness of the endoscopic image displayed on the monitor 5 is automatically adjusted to an appropriate level at all times.
[0034]
On the other hand, the processor 4 (as an external device separate from the light source device 3) displays an image on the monitor 5 by a power source circuit 56 that generates a DC power source from a commercial power source and a DC power source generated by the power source circuit 56. The image processing board 57 that performs processing for generating the image signal to be performed and the CCDs 17b and 17c of the second and third endoscopes 2B and 2C are driven, and preprocessing is performed on the image signals captured by the CCDs 17b and 17c. A patient board (or patient circuit) 58 as a second electric circuit and a control board 60 provided with a CPU 59 for performing selection control corresponding to the CCD 17i of the connected endoscope 2I are incorporated.
[0035]
Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, the electrical connector 61b at the other end of the electrical cable 62 is detachably connected to the front surface of the processor 4 as shown in FIG. 2B. An electrical connector receiver 63 is provided.
[0036]
The rear panel of the processor 4 is provided with a connector 64 to which the other end of the communication cable 52 connected to the connector 51 of the light source device 3 is connected. The clock CLK and the digital video signal are connected from the light source device 3 side. Analog video signals (imaging signals) and scope ID data are input, and a dimming signal, a drive signal, and a control signal (generated on the processor 4 side) can be sent to the light source device 3 side. .
[0037]
The power supply circuit 56 has an isolation circuit (abbreviated as “F” in FIG. 1) such as an insulation transformer, and is insulated from a commercial power source supplied via a commercial power cable provided with a plug connected to the commercial power source. A DC power supply for the secondary circuit is supplied to the video processing board 57.
[0038]
In addition, the power supply circuit 56 supplies the patient circuit 58 with a DC power supply for the patient circuit generated through an isolation circuit such as an isolation transformer (abbreviated as “F” in FIG. 1) that is insulated from the secondary circuit.
[0039]
The patient board 58 includes the same circuits except for the clock generation circuit 41, the waveform selection circuit 49, and the path selection circuit 50 in the patient board 23 provided in the light source device 3. That is, the patient substrate 58 includes a timing generation circuit 42, a CCD drive circuit 43, a preamplifier 44, a CDS circuit 45, an A / D conversion circuit 46, a PLL circuit 47, and a dimming circuit 48, and further a video ON / OFF. In this configuration, an OFF switch 55 and a drive ON / OFF switch 65 are provided.
[0040]
A clock CLK input from the light source device 3 through the connector 64 connected by the communication cable 52 is input to the timing generation circuit 42 of the patient board 58 via the isolation circuit.
The timing generation circuit 42 supplies timing signals necessary for its operation to the CCD drive circuit 43, the CDS circuit 45, the A / D conversion circuit 46, and the dimming circuit 48.
[0041]
The CCD drive circuit 43 is connected to a drive signal output terminal T1 ′ of the electrical connector receiver 63 via a drive ON / OFF switch 65, and also connected to the light source device 3 via a drive signal line L1 connected to this terminal T1 ′. It is connected to a waveform selection circuit 49, and further connected to a drive signal (drive signal) output terminal T1 via this waveform selection circuit 49.
[0042]
When the third endoscope 2C is connected via the electric cable 62 as shown in FIG. 2B, the CPU 59 uses the scope ID data 18c built in the endoscope 2C to The endoscope 2C is identified, and a CCD drive signal is supplied to the CCD 17c from the CCD drive signal input terminal T1 ′ via the electric cable 62 by a corresponding control signal.
[0043]
The signal input terminal of the preamplifier 44 is also connected to the imaging signal input terminal T2 ′ of the electrical connector receiver 63. Then, the imaging signal from the CCD 17c built in the third endoscope 2C is input to the preamplifier 44 from the imaging signal input terminal T2 ′ via the electric cable 62.
[0044]
In this patient substrate 58, the CCDs 17b and 17c incorporated in the second and third endoscopes 2B and 2C are driven, signal processing is performed on the output signals of the CCDs 17b and 17c, and A / D is performed. A digital video signal is generated through the conversion circuit 46. This digital video signal is input to a video processing circuit 66 that forms a video processing board 57 via an isolation circuit.
[0045]
The video processing circuit 66 is also supplied with a digital video signal generated on the light source device 3 side via the communication cable 52. The video processing circuit 66 performs processing such as color separation, γ correction, and edge enhancement, and then generates various types of video signals by an encoder and outputs them to the monitor 5.
[0046]
The video processing board 57 is provided with a timing generation circuit 67 for generating timing signals for performing various operations in the video processing circuit 66. The timing signal generated by the timing generation circuit 67 (more specifically, Is supplied to the video processing circuit 66.
The timing generation circuit 67 is supplied with the clock CLK generated on the light source device 3 side via the communication cable 52, and the timing generation circuit 67 generates a video processing control signal synchronized with the clock CLK.
[0047]
The drive signal line L1 connected to the drive signal output terminal T1 ′ is equal to the drive signal line L3 in the electric cable 62. Further, the signal transmission line L2 is equal to the signal signal line L4 in the electric cable 62.
[0048]
The length of the drive signal transmission line and the length of the output signal transmission line in the case of the endoscope 2B are the same as the length of the drive signal transmission line and the length of the output signal transmission line in the case of the endoscope 2C. Even in the case where the connector body is different from the length, the same characteristics (performance) as those of the existing endoscope 2C can be obtained.
[0049]
Supplementally, the endoscope 2C provided with the connector-separated connector main body 11B is an existing endoscope, whereas the endoscope 2B provided with the connector-integrated connector main body 11A is a new endoscope. As shown in FIG. 4, the number of pixels of the CCD 17c (of the endoscope 2C) is the same as the number of pixels of the CCD 17b.
[0050]
Therefore, the same characteristics can be achieved by making the drive signal path and the signal processing path for the output signal the same in the case of the endoscope 2B in which the shape of the connector body is simply different from that of the existing endoscope. .
[0051]
Further, in the present embodiment, the CPU 59 of the control board 60 reads the scope ID data of the scope ID circuit 18i built in the endoscope 2I, and uses the read ID data to the CCD 17i built in the endoscope 2I. Perform the corresponding control. Specific examples of the scope ID data in this case are shown in FIGS. FIG. 4 shows data relating to the shape of the connector (main body) and data relating to the number of CCD pixels. FIG. 5 shows the control contents relating to the drive system and signal processing system executed by the CPU 59 based on the scope ID data shown in FIG.
[0052]
In order to perform the above control, the CPU 59 is connected to the scope ID data terminal of the light source device 3 via the scope ID data transmission line of the communication cable 52, and this scope ID data terminal is an isolation circuit provided in the light source device 3. To the terminal of the connector receiver 27A.
[0053]
When the endoscope 2A or 2B provided with the detachable connector main body 11A is connected to the connector receiver 27A, the CPU 59 is electrically connected to the scope ID circuit 18a or 18b built in the endoscope 2A. The scope ID data written in it can be read.
The CPU 59 is connected to a terminal of the connector receiver 63 via an isolation circuit provided in the processor 4.
[0054]
When the endoscope 2C is connected to the connector receiver 63 via an electric cable 62 provided with a detachable electric connector 61b, the CPU 59 is electrically connected to the scope ID circuit 18c built in the endoscope 2C. The scope ID data that is connected and written to it can be read.
[0055]
The CPU 59 is connected to the timing generation circuit 42, the CCD drive circuit 43, and the preamplifier 44 of the patient substrate 58 through an isolation circuit provided in the processor 4. The CPU 59 reads the scope ID read from the scope ID circuit 18c. Timing control or the like when the CCD 17c is driven by data is controlled.
The CPU 59 also performs ON / OFF control of the video ON / OFF switch 55 and the drive ON / OFF switch 65 based on the scope ID data read as shown in FIG.
[0056]
Similarly, the CPU 59 is connected to the light source device 3 via a control signal transmission line of the communication cable 52, and the timing generation circuit 42, the CCD drive circuit 43, and the preamplifier are further connected via an isolation circuit in the light source device 3. 44, and the CPU 59 performs control such as timing control and amplification when the CCD 17a or 17b is driven by the scope ID data read from the scope ID circuit 18a or 18b.
[0057]
The CPU 59 also controls the waveform selection of the waveform selection circuit 49 and the path selection circuit 50, the switching of the path, or the stop (OFF) of the selection based on the scope ID data read as shown in FIG.
The CPU 62 also sends a control signal to the timing generation circuit 67 in the processor 4 and corresponds to the CCD 17i a video processing control signal for video processing by the video processing circuit 66 based on the scope ID data read from the scope ID circuit 18i. To generate the result.
[0058]
FIG. 3 shows a circuit configuration of the video processing circuit 66.
As shown in FIG. 3, the digital video signal output (from the A / D conversion circuit 46 of the patient board 23 or 58) is input to the Y / C separation circuit 70 and separated into the luminance signal Y and the color difference signal CB / CR. After that, the RGB matrix 71a constituting the RGB matrix circuit 71 is converted into an RGB signal.
[0059]
The RGB signals are input to the color matrix circuit 72 and also to a white balance detection circuit (abbreviated as WB detection in FIG. 3) 71b. In order to achieve white balance, the white balance detection circuit 71b detects the luminance level of the RGB signal and outputs the detected signal to the CPU 59.
Then, the CPU 59 adjusts (controls) the white balance so as to adjust the coefficient to be converted into the RGB signal by the RGB matrix 71a based on the detected signal.
[0060]
Further, scope ID data is input to the CPU 59, which corresponds to the actual CCD 17i built in the endoscope 2I that has read out the scope ID data, for example, by this scope ID data. Control the conversion. Further, the timing generation circuit 67 is controlled.
The timing generation circuit 67 supplies an appropriate signal processing timing signal corresponding to the number of pixels of the CCD 17i mounted on the corresponding endoscope 2I to each process of the video processing circuit 66 based on the input scope ID data. .
[0061]
In the color matrix circuit 72, the RGB signal is converted again into the luminance signal Y and the color difference signal CB / CR and output to the γ correction circuit 73. The signal subjected to the γ correction by the γ correction circuit 73 is stored in the frame memory (or field memory) 74 by, for example, signal data for one frame.
[0062]
A signal read from the frame memory 74 at a predetermined timing is input to the enlargement processing circuit 75 and subjected to enlargement processing. In this case, the CPU 59 controls the enlargement process corresponding to the actual CCD 17i based on the scope ID data. That is, even when the number of pixels is different, if the enlargement process is performed at the same enlargement ratio, the display size changes depending on the number of pixels and the like.
[0063]
The luminance signal in the enlarged signal is subjected to contour enhancement by the contour enhancement circuit 76 and then input to the character superimposing circuit 77, and the color difference signal CB / CR does not pass through the contour emphasizing circuit 76 and is applied to the character superimposing circuit 77. Is input.
When the contour emphasis circuit 76 performs contour emphasis, the CPU 59 controls the amount of contour emphasis corresponding to the actual CCD 17i based on the scope ID data.
[0064]
Character information is superimposed on the video signal corresponding to the endoscopic image of the CCD 17 i by the character superimposing circuit 77. Also in this case, the CPU 59 controls the character ID to be superimposed at an appropriate position corresponding to the actual number of pixels of the CCD 17i, etc., based on the scope ID data.
[0065]
The signal output from the character superimposing circuit 77 is input to the encoder 78, and video signals in various signal forms are generated along with D / A conversion. For example, NTSC, RGB, and Y / C separated video signals are generated and output to the monitor 5 via a 75Ω driver 79.
In the endoscope system 1 having such a configuration, a CCD drive circuit 43 that performs CCD driving, a preamplifier 44 that performs preprocessing for a CCD output signal, a CDS circuit 45, an A / By providing the D conversion circuit 46, any endoscope 2I of the first and second endoscopes 2A and 2B and the third endoscope 2C can be used.
[0066]
In this case, specifically, the endoscope 2B adopting the same low-pixel CCD 17b as the endoscope 2C of the low-pixel CCD 17c can obtain the same characteristics as possible. On the other hand, in the endoscope 2A of the high pixel CCD 17a, the drive signal line and the output signal line (from the CCD 17a) (to the signal processing system) can be obtained so that a high quality image can be obtained when the pixel is increased. The length is set short.
[0067]
Specifically, the patient substrate 23 of the light source device 3 is provided at a position close to the electrical connector receiver 26. More specifically, the length of the patient substrate 23 from the CCD drive circuit 43 to the drive signal output terminal T1 is made as short as possible, and from the imaging signal input terminal T2 to the preamplifier 44, the CDS circuit 45 (and the A / D conversion circuit 46). The length of is also shortened as much as possible.
[0068]
When the third endoscope 2C having the existing connector main body 11B is used, the CCD drive circuit 43 of the patient substrate 58 provided in the processor 4 is connected by connecting as shown in FIG. The CCD 17c built in the third endoscope 2C is driven by the CCD drive signal from.
[0069]
More specifically, in this case, the drive ON / OFF switch 65 is turned ON, and a CCD drive signal is applied from the drive signal output terminal T1 ′ to the CCD 17c of the endoscope 2C via the electric cable 62. The imaging signal output from the CCD 17c is input to the preamplifier 44 of the patient substrate 58 via the imaging signal input terminal T2 ′. In this case, the video ON / OFF switch 55 is turned off by the CPU 59. Further, the waveform selection circuit 49 on the light source device 3 side is turned off, and the path selection circuit 50 is also turned off.
[0070]
Then, the preamplifier 44 to which the imaging signal of the CCD 17c is inputted is amplified, the signal component is extracted by the CDS circuit 45 and converted into a baseband signal, and further converted into a digital video signal by the A / D conversion circuit 46. Thereafter, the signal is output to the video processing circuit 66 through the isolation circuit, converted into a standard video signal by the video processing circuit 66, and then output to the monitor 5.
[0071]
On the other hand, unlike the existing connector main body 11B, in the case of the first endoscope 2A and the second endoscope 2B provided with the connector main body 11A provided with the electrical connector 13A at the same front end as the light source connector 12. Is as follows.
First, in the case of the low-pixel endoscope 2B as in the endoscope 2C, the driving and processing are almost the same as those in the endoscope 2C.
[0072]
In this case, the drive ON / OFF switch 65 is turned ON by the CPU 59, and the waveform selection circuit 49 is further selected on the b side. Accordingly, the drive signal from the processor 4 side is applied from the drive signal output terminal T1 of the light source device 3 to the CCD 17b of the endoscope 2B.
In this case, the CPU 59 controls the route selection circuit 50 so that the d side is selected, and turns on the video ON / OFF switch 55.
[0073]
Therefore, the imaging signal output from the CCD 17b passes through the path selection circuit 50 from the imaging signal input terminal T2, and is input to the preamplifier 44 of the patient board 58 on the processor 4 side via the communication cable 52. The processing after the input to the preamplifier 44 is performed in the same manner as in the case of the CCD 17c.
[0074]
As described above, since the drive signal lines L3 and L1 of the electric cable 62 are equal in length and the signal transmission lines L4 and L2 are also equal in length, the endoscope can be used even in the case of the endoscope 2B. The same image quality as in 2C can be obtained. In this case, the length of the signal line inside the endoscope 2C is assumed to be equal to the length of the signal line of the endoscope 2B. If they are different, the lengths of the drive signal line L1 and the signal transmission line L2 are accordingly changed. The length from the CCD drive circuit 43 to the CCD 17b and the length from the CCD 17b to the preamplifier 44 may be changed.
[0075]
On the other hand, when the endoscope 2A is connected, the CPU 59 selects the waveform selection circuit 49 to the a side based on the scope ID data (the drive ON / OFF switch 65 is OFF).
[0076]
Therefore, the drive signal from the CCD drive circuit 43 on the light source device 3 side is applied to the CCD 17a of the endoscope 2A from the drive signal output terminal T1.
In this case, the CPU 59 selects the c side of the route selection circuit 50 (note that the video ON / OFF switch 55 is OFF).
[0077]
Therefore, the imaging signal output from the CCD 17a passes through the path selection circuit 50 from the imaging signal input terminal T2 and is input to the preamplifier 44 of the patient substrate 23 of the light source device 3. The signal input to the preamplifier 44 is converted into a digital video signal via the CDS circuit 45 and the A / D conversion circuit 46, and is input to the video processing circuit 66 of the processor 4 via the communication cable 52, where processing such as color separation is performed. Are converted into standard video signals and output to the monitor 5.
[0078]
The CCD 17a has higher pixels than the CCDs 17b and 17c, but the CCD 17a can be driven by a short drive signal line by a drive signal from the CCD drive circuit 43 provided in the light source device 3, and a signal component can be extracted by a short output signal line. Is done. That is, the image signal output from the CCD 17 a is also amplified by the preamplifier 44 provided in the light source device 3, and then the signal component is extracted by the CDS circuit 45.
[0079]
Then, it is converted into a digital video signal by the A / D conversion circuit 46 and transmitted to the processor 4 side by a digital signal that is not greatly affected by the length of the signal line.
For this reason, driving and signal processing suitable for the case of the high-pixel CCD 17a can be performed, and an endoscopic image with good image quality can be obtained.
[0080]
Thus, according to the present embodiment, even in the case of the endoscope 2C including the existing connector main body 11B, the endoscopes 2A and 2B including the connector main body 11A different from the existing connector main body 11B are similarly used. An endoscope system capable of performing endoscopy and diagnosis can be realized.
[0081]
Therefore, the endoscopes 2A and 2B having the new connector main body 11A having a shape different from that of the existing connector main body 11B can be ensured in compatibility with the existing endoscope 2C, which can be used effectively for subsequent endoscopy. However, a system that can be used effectively for endoscopy can be realized.
[0082]
Further, in the endoscope 2A provided with a high-pixel CCD 17a that does not require compatibility, the drive signal line and the output signal line leading to the processing circuit are shortened in the case of the high pixel. Even if the frequency is increased, waveform deterioration and S / N reduction in the drive signal and output signal in that case can be reduced, and an image with good image quality can be obtained.
[0083]
Further, since the drive signal path and the output signal path are selected, it is not necessary to prepare CCD drive means and output signal processing means for each type of endoscope in the light source device 3, so that the circuit configuration Can be simplified.
[0084]
4 and 5, even in the case of an endoscope 2D having a connector main body 11B and having a high pixel, the CPU 59 has unique identification information built in the endoscope 2D, that is, a scope ID. The scope ID data of the circuit 18d is read, and the CCD 17d built in the endoscope 2D is driven by the drive signal from the CCD drive circuit 43 on the processor 4 side, and the output signal from the CCD 17d is sent to the processor 4 side. Signal processing can be performed by the preamplifier 44 or the like.
[0085]
In this case, since the high pixel CCD is driven, it is desirable to reduce the deterioration of the transmission waveform by shortening the length of the electric cable 62 as much as possible.
That is, even when the number of pixels of the CCD having the existing connector shape is increased, the required compatibility can be ensured and used for endoscopy and diagnosis.
[0086]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, an endoscope having an image pickup device in which a connector is connected to an external device separate from the light source device, and an endoscope having an image pickup device in which the connector is connected to the light source device. Even in a mirror, an electrical circuit corresponding to an image sensor incorporated in the endoscope is selectively connected based on identification information by an identification circuit incorporated in the endoscope, and any endoscope can be used appropriately.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a peripheral portion of a connection portion when a connector main body having a different shape is connected to a connector receiver of a light source device and a processor.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a video processing circuit.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a connector shape and the number of CCD pixels in scope ID data.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the control content related to a drive path and an output signal path executed by a CPU 59 based on scope ID data.
[Explanation of symbols]
1. Endoscope system
2A-2D ... Endoscope
3. Light source device
4 ... Processor
5 ... Monitor
8 ... Universal code
11A ... Connector body
11B ... Connector body
12 ... Light source connector
13A ... Electric connector
13B ... Electric connector
14 ... Light guide connector
15 ... Fluid connector
16. Light guide
17a ... High pixel CCD
17b, 17c: Low pixel CCD
18a to 18c: Scope ID generation circuit
21 ... Power supply circuit
22 ... Light source circuit
23 ... Patient board
25 ... Connector receiver for light source
26 ... Electric connector receptacle
27A ... Connector body support
31 ... Ramp
41. Clock generation circuit
42. Timing generation circuit
43 ... CCD drive circuit
44 ... Preamplifier
48. Light control circuit
49. Waveform selection circuit
50. Path selection circuit
52 ... Communication cable
55 ... Video ON / OFF switch
56 ... Power supply circuit
57 ... Image processing board
58 ... Patient board
62 ... Electric cable
63 ... Electric connector receptacle
65 ... Drive ON / OFF switch
66. Video processing circuit
67. Timing generation circuit

Claims (7)

A light source device including a light source that emits illumination light;
An external device provided separately from the light source device configured to be able to send and receive electrical signals to and from the light source device;
A first endoscope having an image sensor connected to the light source device;
A second endoscope having an image sensor connected to the light source device and the external device;
A first identification circuit provided in the first endoscope having first identification information unique to the first endoscope;
A second identification circuit provided in the second endoscope having second identification information unique to the second endoscope;
A first electric circuit provided in the light source device that transmits and receives an electric signal to and from the first imaging element of the first endoscope connected to the light source device via the light source device. When,
Provided in the external device that transmits and receives electrical signals through the external device between the light source device and the second imaging element of the second endoscope connected to the external device. A second electrical circuit;
In accordance with the first or second identification information included in the endoscope connected to the light source device or the external device, the first or second electric circuit is provided to the imaging element included in the endoscope. A selection control circuit provided in the external device that performs control to selectively connect;
An endoscope system comprising: The selection control circuit includes a length of an electric signal transmission path from the second image sensor to the second electric circuit when the second endoscope is connected to the external device, and the first control circuit. When the endoscope is connected to the light source device, the length of the electric signal transmission path from the first imaging element to the second electric circuit of the external device through the light source device is substantially the same. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein control for selecting a route is performed. A light source device including a light source that emits illumination light;
An external device provided separately from the light source device configured to be able to send and receive electrical signals to and from the light source device;
A first endoscope having a first imaging element having a predetermined number of pixels and connected to the light source device;
A first endoscope having a second image sensor having a smaller number of pixels than the first image sensor and connected to the light source device;
A third endoscope having the first imaging element and connected to the light source device and the external device;
A fourth endoscope having the second imaging element and connected to the light source device and the external device;
A first identification circuit provided in the first endoscope having first identification information unique to the first endoscope;
A second identification circuit provided in the second endoscope having second identification information unique to the second endoscope;
A third identification circuit provided in the second endoscope having third identification information unique to the third endoscope;
A fourth identification circuit provided in the second endoscope having fourth identification information unique to the fourth endoscope;
A first electric circuit provided in the light source device that transmits and receives an electric signal to and from the imaging element included in the first or second endoscope connected to the light source device; ,
A first unit provided in the external device for transmitting and receiving an electrical signal via the external device between the light source device and an imaging element included in the third or fourth endoscope connected to the external device; Two electrical circuits;
Depending on the first, second, third, or fourth identification information of the endoscope connected to the light source device and the external device, the first or the second of the imaging element of the endoscope A selection control circuit provided in the external device that performs control to selectively connect two electrical circuits;
An endoscope system comprising: The selection control circuit includes a length of an electric signal transmission path from the second imaging element to the second electric circuit when the fourth endoscope is connected to the external device, and the second control circuit. When the endoscope is connected to the light source device, the length of the transmission path of the electric signal from the second image sensor to the second electric circuit of the external device through the light source device is substantially the same. The endoscope system according to claim 3, wherein control is performed to select a route so as to become. The first and second electric circuits include first and second drive circuits that generate drive signals capable of driving the first and second imaging elements, respectively.
The selection control circuit sends the drive signal to the image pickup device of the endoscope according to the identification information of the endoscope connected to the light source device or the external device. The endoscope system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein two drive circuits and a transmission path for transmitting a drive signal sent from the drive circuit are selectively controlled. An image processing circuit for performing predetermined signal processing for displaying the output signals output from the first and second imaging elements as images;
The selection control circuit selectively selects a transmission path for transmitting an output signal from an imaging element of the endoscope according to the identification information of the endoscope connected to the light source device or the external device. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein the endoscope system is controlled. The selection control circuit preliminarily stores transmission path information related to the transmission path to be selected according to the identification information of an endoscope connected to the light source device or the external device. The endoscope system according to any one of the endoscopes 6 to 6.

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