JP5089838B2 - Endoscope device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus that communicates via a network after synthesizing a digital image signal obtained from an endoscope and a digital image signal input from outside in a synchronized state.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, endoscopic apparatuses are increasingly communicating medical image information such as endoscopic images obtained by an endoscope via a network.
[0003]
For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-46326 discloses a technique for recording image data at the time of endoscopy to a common image recording server via a network. That is, an image recording / reproducing apparatus, an image recording server, and an image reproducing apparatus connected to an endoscope apparatus are connected to each other via a network, and image data captured by an endoscope constituting the endoscope apparatus is networked. To the image recording server and record it.
[0004]
There is also known a technique for transmitting such medical image information to a remote place in real time via a network and using it for diagnosis and treatment at a remote place.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, when an endoscope apparatus is connected to a network and medical image information is to be transmitted, generally, the endoscope apparatus is often connected to the network individually.
[0006]
However, for example, in laparoscopic surgery using an endoscope, a plurality of images may be acquired simultaneously using a plurality of endoscopes. In such a case, there is a problem that the network connection becomes complicated if image data captured by each endoscope apparatus is individually transmitted via the network.
[0007]
Furthermore, in recent years, there are an increasing number of medical devices other than endoscopes that try to use network communication, and network connection becomes more complicated in one operating room. Etc. are complicated.
[0008]
Also, depending on the medical facility, there may be a disadvantage that a plurality of images cannot be communicated simultaneously.
[0009]
Accordingly, in order to solve these problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope apparatus that can easily realize simultaneous communication of a plurality of images.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an endoscope apparatus according to the present invention comprises a digital image signal generating means for generating a first digital image signal based on an imaging signal obtained by an endoscope, and the first digital image signal. Input from a digital signal input terminal that inputs a second digital image signal different from the first digital image signal generated by the digital image signal generation means, and a first synchronization signal and the digital signal input terminal. A digital image signal for generating a third digital image signal by combining the first digital image signal and the second digital image signal based on the second synchronization signal of the second digital image signal Composing means and communication means for communicating the third digital image signal generated by the digital image signal synthesizing means via a network, the communication means A transmission rate detecting circuit for detecting the transmission rate of the image data of the network by sending a dummy data, and the transmission rate converting circuit for changing the transmission rate of the digital image data based on the transmission rate detected by the transmission rate detection circuit Is provided.
[0011]
In such a configuration, the first and second digital image signals are synthesized in a synchronized state and then output as the third digital signal, so that multiple images can be simultaneously communicated to the network. It becomes.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope system, FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an endoscope apparatus, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an image data transmission routine.
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 1, hospital 1 is provided with hospital facilities such as an endoscope room 2, an endoscope data storage device 3, a maintenance data storage device 4, and a conference room 5.
[0014]
In the endoscope room 2, a first endoscope device 6 and a second endoscope device 7 are installed in the present embodiment. Diagnosis and treatment using a mirror is performed.
[0015]
Further, the endoscope apparatuses 6 and 7 are connected to each other via a signal cable 8, and the endoscope image data obtained by the first endoscope apparatus 6 is transmitted to the second via the signal cable 8. Is transmitted to the endoscope apparatus 7.
[0016]
Further, the second endoscope apparatus 7 is connected to a hospital network 10 such as a LAN via a signal cable 9, and the endoscope image data obtained by the second endoscope apparatus 7 is a signal cable. 9 to the hospital network 10. Further, the conference room 5 is provided with a conference device 5a for making a diagnosis based on images obtained by the endoscope devices 6, 7, etc.
[0017]
On the other hand, the endoscope data storage device 3 stores patient data and endoscope image data used in the endoscope devices 6 and 7, while the maintenance data storage device 4 stores an endoscope. Abnormality occurrence data and the like when an abnormality occurs in the devices 6 and 7 are accumulated.
[0018]
The conference device 5a, the endoscope data storage device 3, and the maintenance data storage device 4 are connected to the in-hospital network 10, respectively.
[0019]
Then, data such as an endoscope image generated by diagnosis and treatment using the endoscope performed in the endoscope room 2 is sent to the endoscope data storage device 3 and the conference device 5a via the in-hospital network 10. Is transmitted.
[0020]
The conference device 5a can perform diagnosis and treatment using the endoscope performed in the endoscope room 2 in real time, and retrieves data stored in the endoscope data storage device 3. It is also possible to check patient data and the like. In addition, the maintenance data storage device 4 has a function of temporarily storing information necessary for maintenance related to the abnormal state when an abnormality occurs in the endoscope devices 6 and 7.
[0021]
The in-hospital network 10 is also connected to an out-of-hospital network 11 so that image data can be transmitted to and received from other out-of-hospital facilities. Out-of-hospital facilities include a data management company 12 that manages image data generated in the hospital 1 as data, a maintenance company 13 that performs maintenance of equipment installed in the hospital, and the like via an out-of-hospital network 11. Communication with these facilities takes place. Note that data transmission / reception by the out-of-hospital network 11 is preferably performed by digital signals so as not to be affected by noise.
[0022]
The data management company 12 is provided with a data storage device 14 and a communication terminal 15, and receives data transmitted from the hospital 1 or the like by the communication terminal 15 and stores it in the data storage device 14. As a data storage method, for example, a directory is created based on the identification information of the hospital 1, the identification information of the doctor, and the identification information of the patient, and a data storage area is secured.
[0023]
The maintenance company 13 is provided with a system monitoring device 16. The system monitoring device 16 periodically obtains maintenance information stored in the maintenance data storage device 4 installed in the hospital 1 via the out-of-hospital network 11 and determines the status of each of the endoscope devices 6 and 7. Understand and monitor whether it is operating at its best.
[0024]
As described above, the system monitoring device 16 does not directly acquire the maintenance information of the endoscope devices 6 and 7 from the endoscope devices 6 and 7, but is stored in the maintenance data storage device 4. Since the maintenance information is acquired, the endoscope apparatuses 6 and 7 during diagnosis and treatment are not burdened.
[0025]
Next, the configuration of the first and second endoscope apparatuses 6 and 7 installed in the endoscope chamber 2 will be described. In addition, since the 1st endoscope apparatus 6 and the 2nd endoscope apparatus 7 have the same structure, only the structure of the 2nd endoscope apparatus 7 is demonstrated for convenience. The description of the configuration of the first endoscope device 6 is omitted.
[0026]
The second endoscope apparatus 7 includes an endoscope 17, an eyepiece camera 18, a video processor 19, a monitor 20, and the like. An imaging signal acquired by the eyepiece camera is digitally processed by a video signal processing circuit 21 as a digital image signal generating means to generate image data (hereinafter referred to as “first digital image signal”).
[0027]
Then, the first digital image signal is input to the synchronization signal separation circuit 22 and the switching circuit 23. The switching circuit 23 includes terminals a and b that are respectively connected to an image data generation circuit 29 and an image data synthesis circuit 28 described later, and displays only the endoscopic image captured by the eyepiece camera 18 on the monitor 20 alone. In this case, it is connected to the terminal a, and in the case where it is combined with an image inputted from the digital signal input terminal 24 described later, it is connected to the terminal b.
[0028]
Further, a digital signal input terminal 24 is externally attached to the second endoscope apparatus 7, and digital image data (hereinafter referred to as “hereinafter referred to as“ digital image data ”) from the first endoscope apparatus 6 is connected to the digital signal input terminal 24. "Second digital image signal") can be input.
[0029]
After the second digital image signal input from the first endoscope apparatus is received by the video signal receiving circuit 25 via the digital signal input terminal 24, the synchronization signal separation circuit 26 and the second switching circuit 27 are received. Is output.
[0030]
Similar to the first switching circuit 23, the second switching circuit 27 includes terminals a and b respectively connected to an image data generation circuit 29 and an image data synthesis circuit 28 described later, and displays an image alone. It is possible to selectively switch between the case and the case of synthesis.
[0031]
The first and second synchronization signals separated by the synchronization signal separation circuits 22 and 26 are input to an image data synthesis circuit 28 as digital image signal synthesis means. When the switching circuits 23 and 27 are connected to the image data synthesizing circuit 28, the respective digital image signals are input to the image data synthesizing circuit 28 and are synchronized by the synchronization signal separating circuits 22 and 26. Synthesized in sync with the signal. The digital image data synthesized by the image data synthesis circuit 28 (hereinafter referred to as “third digital image signal”) is input to the image data generation circuit 29.
[0032]
When the switching circuits 23 and 27 are connected to the image data generation circuit 29, the first and second digital image signals are input to the image data generation circuit 29 as they are.
[0033]
The image data generation circuit 29 outputs in accordance with a display state instructed by an instruction unit (not shown) (display of an acquired image of the eyepiece camera 18, display of an image input from the digital signal input terminal 24, display of a composite image, etc.). The image is switched and output to the monitor 20.
[0034]
By the way, the second endoscope apparatus 7 has a function of transmitting an image signal through the in-hospital network 10 and the out-of-hospital network 11, but when communicating using the networks 10 and 11, each network Depending on the use situation of 10, 11, the signal transmission speed changes extremely.
[0035]
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the transmission rate detection circuit 30 and the transmission rate conversion circuit 31 are provided as communication means, and after confirming the communication state of each network 10, 11, the transmission rate of the image data to be transmitted, It is configured to change the type and the like. That is, the third digital image signal output from the image data generation circuit 29 is input to the transmission rate conversion circuit 31 and is changed to a data transmission rate corresponding to the communication state detected by the transmission rate detection circuit 30.
[0036]
On the other hand, a diagnostic image such as an endoscopic image may be confirmed again after the examination is completed, so if the transmission rate is increased to reduce the loss of image data too much, it will be completely like reversible compression image data. In the case of image data that requires a high level of recoverability, undesirable image data will be transmitted. Therefore, important image data used for such diagnosis is temporarily stored in the reversible data storage memory 32 as reversible compressed data by specifying in advance so that the communication is performed when the communication between the networks 10 and 11 becomes idle. The data is stored and automatically transmitted when the communication state becomes good.
[0037]
Further, the second endoscope apparatus 7 is provided with an abnormality detection circuit 33 to detect an abnormal state of the second endoscope apparatus 7 and periodically send the data to the maintenance data storage apparatus 4. Configured to send.
[0038]
The transmission rate conversion circuit 31, the reversible data storage memory 32, and the abnormality detection circuit 33 are connected to terminals a, b, and c of the selection circuit 34, respectively, and image data to be transmitted to the outside is selected. Further, the output terminal of the selection circuit 34 is connected to a digital signal output terminal 35 externally attached to the video processor 19, and the digital signal output terminal 35 is connected to the hospital network 10 via the signal cable 9. ing.
[0039]
Next, a third digital image signal transmission procedure will be described according to the image data transmission routine shown in FIG.
[0040]
When the system is turned on, first, in step S1, the abnormality detection circuit 33 checks whether an abnormal state of the second endoscope device 7 is detected. If an abnormality is detected, the process proceeds to step S2. Branching is performed, the selection circuit 34 is connected to the abnormality detection circuit 33, data indicating the abnormal state is transmitted to the maintenance data storage device 9 via the hospital network 10, and the process proceeds to step S3. On the other hand, if no abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection circuit 33, the process directly proceeds to step S3.
[0041]
In step S3, it is determined whether image transmission is selected with a selection switch (not shown). If image transmission is selected, the process branches to step S4, and it is determined whether or not transmission of reversible data is designated.
[0042]
If transmission of reversible data is designated, the process proceeds to step S5, where the reversible data is temporarily stored in the reversible data storage memory 32, and when the hospital network 10 is free, the image data is transmitted, Return to step S1.
[0043]
On the other hand, if transmission of reversible data is not specified, the process branches to step S6, where dummy data is transmitted from the transmission rate detection circuit 30, and in step S7, the data transmission rate is set based on the data transmission state. To detect.
[0044]
Then, the process proceeds to step S8, the data transmission rate of the transmission rate conversion circuit 31 is changed to an appropriate data transmission rate, the process proceeds to step S9, the third digital image signal is transmitted, and the process returns to step S1.
[0045]
In this case, the data transmission rate detection circuit 30 constantly detects the transmission rate of the image data to be transmitted, and appropriately changes the transmission rate of the transmission rate conversion circuit 31.
[0046]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the video processor 19 is provided with the digital signal input terminal 24 capable of inputting the digital image data output from the video processor provided in another endoscope apparatus. The digital image data input from the input terminal 24 and the image data input from the endoscope 17 connected to the video processor 19 and digitally processed are synthesized in a synchronized state in the video processor 19. Since the output is performed later, a plurality of images can be simultaneously communicated. Further, even when a plurality of endoscope apparatuses are provided, it is not necessary to connect each endoscope apparatus individually to the in-hospital network 10 or the out-of-hospital network 11, and the network connection can be simplified. it can.
[0047]
If the present invention is applied, even if three or more endoscope apparatuses are provided, the video network provided in each endoscope apparatus can be connected to each other to connect the hospital network 10. On the other hand, it is sufficient to connect only one video processor, and the network connection is not complicated.
[0048]
Therefore, even in a medical facility that could not communicate multiple images at the same time, adopting the present invention enables simultaneous communication of multiple images.
[0049]
[Appendix] As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the following configuration can be obtained.
[0050]
(Additional item 1)
Digital image signal generation means for generating a first digital image signal based on an imaging signal obtained by an endoscope;
A digital signal input terminal for inputting a second digital image signal different from the first digital image signal;
Based on the first synchronization signal in the first digital image signal generated by the digital image signal generation means and the second synchronization signal of the second digital image signal input from the digital signal input terminal, Digital image signal synthesizing means for synthesizing the first digital image signal and the second digital image signal to generate a third digital image signal;
Communication means for communicating the third digital image signal generated by the digital image signal synthesizing means via a network;
An endoscope apparatus characterized by comprising:
[0051]
(Appendix 2)
In Appendix 1,
In the communication means,
A transmission rate detection circuit for detecting a transmission rate of the image data of the network;
A transmission rate conversion circuit that changes the transmission rate of the digital image data based on the transmission rate detected by the transmission rate detection circuit;
An endoscope apparatus comprising:
[0052]
【Effect of the invention】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to input an image signal from the outside, separate the synchronization signal, synthesize the input image signal and the obtained image signal, and output to the network Since it did in this way, when communicating via a network, network connection is simplified and it becomes possible to implement | achieve simultaneous communication of several images easily.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope system. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an endoscope apparatus. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an image data transmission routine.
10 In-hospital network 11 Out-of-hospital network 17 Endoscope 21 Video signal processing circuit (digital image signal generating means)
24 Digital signal input terminals 22 and 26 Sync signal separation circuit 28 Image data synthesis circuit (digital image signal synthesis means)
30 Transmission Rate Detection Circuit 31 Transmission Rate Conversion Circuit

Claims (1)

Digital image signal generation means for generating a first digital image signal based on an imaging signal obtained by an endoscope;
A digital signal input terminal for inputting a second digital image signal different from the first digital image signal;
Based on the first synchronization signal in the first digital image signal generated by the digital image signal generation means and the second synchronization signal of the second digital image signal input from the digital signal input terminal, Digital image signal synthesizing means for synthesizing the first digital image signal and the second digital image signal to generate a third digital image signal;
Communication means for communicating the third digital image signal generated by the digital image signal synthesizing means via a network;
Have
In the communication means,
A transmission rate detection circuit that transmits dummy data to detect the transmission rate of the image data of the network;
A transmission rate conversion circuit that changes the transmission rate of the digital image data based on the transmission rate detected by the transmission rate detection circuit;
An endoscope apparatus comprising:

Images