JP7025151B2 - Electronic endoscope device and electronic endoscope - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electronic endoscope device and an electronic endoscope that illuminate and image the inside of a body such as a gastrointestinal cavity, a body cavity, and a nasal cavity.

An electronic endoscope device has been put into practical use as a medical device for observing a patient's gastrointestinal cavity, body cavity, nasal cavity and the like. The electronic endoscope device includes an electronic endoscope that illuminates and captures a subject in the body, and an endoscope control device that controls lighting and imaging by the electronic endoscope and outputs the captured image to an external monitor. Be prepared. The electronic endoscope includes an image sensor at the tip of an insertion tube inserted into the cavity. In addition, an electronic endoscope equipped with an LED (Light Emitting Diode) light source at the tip of the intubation tube has also been put into practical use. The electronic endoscope has a feeder line and a signal transmission line from the connector portion connected to the endoscope control device to the tip portion of the insertion tube. The endoscope control device supplies power to the image pickup element and the LED light source by a feeder line, and transmits and receives various signals such as an image pickup signal and a control signal through a signal transmission line.

By the way, the insertion tube, the feeder line and the signal transmission line of the electronic endoscope are designed to have the outer diameter dimension as small as possible in order to reduce the burden on the patient. On the other hand, due to the use of electronic endoscopes, the intubation tube is repeatedly bent and stretched, so that a physical load is applied to the feeder line, which may cause disconnection.

Patent Document 1 discloses an electronic endoscope having two signal transmission lines and provided with an abnormality detecting means for detecting the occurrence of an abnormality in one of the signal transmission lines. Patent Document 2 discloses an electronic endoscope capable of detecting a disconnection and a short circuit of a feeder line. Patent Document 3 discloses an electronic endoscope capable of detecting a disconnection of a ground wire. Patent Document 4 discloses an electronic endoscope capable of easily detecting a disconnection of a core wire extending from a hand-operated portion to a tip portion of an insertion tube.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-26134 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-073346 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-269309 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-029719

However, in the conventional electronic endoscope, since the feeder line and the circuit for detecting the disconnection are electrically connected, there is a problem that the maintainability is poor. For example, even if only a part of the feeder line of the LED light source is deteriorated among the plurality of feeder lines, it is necessary to replace or repair all the electric systems including the circuit for detecting the disconnection.

The object of the present application is to attach / detach a current detection unit for detecting an abnormality in each feeder line to each feed line of a plurality of systems, and an electronic endoscope device having excellent maintainability in the event of an abnormality in the feeder line and inside an electron. It is to provide an endoscope.

The electronic endoscopy device according to this embodiment is an electronic endoscopy device that irradiates light from the tip of an insertion tube inserted into a cavity in the body to image the illuminated inside of the body, and is an electronic endoscopy device of the insertion tube. It has an element provided at the tip for illuminating or imaging the inside of the body, a plurality of feeder lines for supplying power to the element, and an annular magnetic core into which the feed line is detachably inserted. Then, a current detection unit that detects the difference in the current flowing through the feeder line of each system, a determination unit that determines the presence or absence of an abnormality in the feeder line based on the difference detected by the current detection unit, and the determination unit. When the determination unit determines that there is an abnormality, it is provided with a notification processing unit for notifying the abnormality of the feeding line.

The electronic endoscope according to this embodiment is an electronic endoscope that irradiates light from the tip of an insertion tube inserted into a cavity in the body to image the illuminated body, and is the tip of the insertion tube. It has an element for illuminating or imaging the inside of the body, a plurality of feeder lines for feeding the element, and an annular magnetic core through which the feeder line is detachably inserted. It is provided with a current detection unit that detects the difference in the current flowing through the feeder of each system and outputs a signal indicating the detected difference.

According to this aspect, a current detection unit for detecting an abnormality in each feeder can be attached to and detached from each feeder of a plurality of systems, and maintainability at the time of an abnormality in the feeder can be improved.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the electronic endoscope apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structural example of an electronic endoscope. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structural example of the current detection part which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the structural example of the positive side current detection part. It is a schematic diagram which shows the operation of the current detection part. It is a perspective view which shows the operation of the positive side current detection part. It is a figure which shows the abnormality determination method of a feed line. It is a figure which shows the abnormality determination method of a feed line. It is a figure which shows the abnormality determination method of a feed line. It is a flowchart which shows the processing procedure of abnormality determination. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structural example of the feed line which concerns on Embodiment 2, and the 1st positive side current detection part and the 2nd positive side current detection part. It is a figure which shows the abnormality determination method of a feed line. It is a figure which shows the abnormality determination method of a feed line. It is a figure which shows the abnormality determination method of a feed line. It is a figure which shows the abnormality determination method of a feed line. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structural example of the current detection part which concerns on Embodiment 3. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structural example of the electronic endoscope apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 4. It is a flowchart which shows the processing procedure of abnormality determination.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments thereof.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the electronic endoscope device 1 according to the first embodiment. The electronic endoscope device 1 includes an electronic endoscope 10 and an endoscope control device 20 that illuminate and image a subject in the body such as a gastrointestinal cavity, a body cavity, and a nasal cavity.

<Structure of electronic endoscope>
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of the electronic endoscope 10. In FIG. 2, the left figure shows the appearance of the electronic endoscope 10, and the right figure shows the internal components of the electronic endoscope 10. In the right figure, the parts surrounded by the broken line indicate that they are provided at the places surrounded by the broken line in the left figure connected by the arrows. The electronic endoscope 10 includes a flexible insertion tube 10a that is inserted into a cavity such as a patient's gastrointestinal cavity, body cavity, or nasal cavity. A tip portion 10b made of a hard resin is provided at one end of the insertion tube 10a, and a hand operation portion 10c is provided at the other end of the insertion tube 10a. The connecting portion between the insertion tube 10a and the tip portion 10b is configured to be bendable by the operation of the hand operation portion 10c. One end of the universal tube 10d is connected to the hand operation unit 10c, and a connector portion 10e for connecting the electronic endoscope 10 and the endoscope device is provided at the other end of the universal tube 10d. There is.

As shown in FIG. 1, the tip portion 10b of the electronic endoscope 10 is provided with an objective lens 11 and an illumination lens 12. The image pickup device 13 and the analog front end 13a are housed inside the tip portion 10b, behind the objective lens 11, and the light emitting element 14 is housed behind the illumination lens 12.

The light emitting element 14 is, for example, an LED, and emits irradiation light including at least a visible light region. The illumination lens 12 collects the illumination light emitted from the light emitting element 14 and emits it to the subject in the body.

The objective lens 11 collects the reflected light reflected from the illuminated subject and forms an image on the image pickup device 13. The image pickup device 13 is a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor), a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), or the like that converts an optical image connected to a light receiving surface into an electric signal and outputs the signal. The analog front end 13a amplifies the electric signal output from the image sensor 13, performs A / D conversion, and outputs an image signal indicating the brightness of each pixel of the image sensor 13.

The connector portion 10e of the electronic endoscope 10 is provided with an endoscope driving portion 15 that drives the image pickup element 13 according to a control command of the endoscope control device 20 and causes the light emitting element 14 to emit light. The endoscope drive unit 15 is connected to the drive control unit 22 of the endoscope control device 20, which will be described later, via the connector unit 10e.
The endoscope drive unit 15 is connected to the image pickup device 13 and the analog front end 13a by a control line and a signal line that pass through the inside of the universal tube 10d and the insertion tube 10a. The endoscope driving unit 15 drives the image pickup device 13 at a timing synchronized with the clock pulse, and outputs an image signal to the endoscope control device 20.

Further, inside the universal tube 10d and the insertion tube 10a of the electronic endoscope 10, a plurality of feeder lines 16 connecting the endoscope driving unit 15 and the light emitting element 14 are wired. The endoscope drive unit 15 supplies electric power to the light emitting element 14 through each feeder line 16 to cause the light emitting element 14 to emit light.

The electronic endoscope 10 deteriorates and deteriorates the feeder line 16 based on the difference between the current detection unit 17 that detects the difference in the current flowing through the feeder line 16 of each system and the current difference detected by the current detection unit 17. A disconnection detection circuit 18 for detecting disconnection is provided. When executing the abnormality detection process of the feeder line 16, the endoscope driving unit 15 applies a pulse voltage to each feeder line 16. The abnormality detection process of the feeder line 16 is performed, for example, when the power of the electronic endoscope device 1 is turned on, or when a predetermined operation is performed by a hand operation unit 10c or an operation panel (not shown) of the endoscope control device 20. However, it is not particularly limited.
The disconnection detection circuit 18 determines whether or not the magnitude of the difference detected by the current detection unit 17 when the pulse voltage is applied to each feeder line 16 is less than the threshold value. It has a determination unit 18a for determining the presence or absence of an abnormality. The determination unit 18a is composed of, for example, a comparator. The threshold value is a value for determining whether or not there is a difference in the electric resistance values of the conductors La1 and La2 or the electric resistance values of the conductors Lb1 and Lb2 (see FIG. 3) due to the deterioration of the feeder line 16. be. Further, the determination unit 18a identifies an abnormal portion of the feeder line 16 based on the determination result and the positive / negative of the difference. The disconnection detection circuit 18 outputs information indicating the presence / absence of an abnormality in the feeder line 16, an abnormal portion, and the like to the endoscope control device 20.

<Configuration of endoscope control device>
The endoscope control device 20 includes a system controller 21 that controls the operation of each component of the electronic endoscope 10. A drive control unit 22 and a signal processing circuit 23 are connected to the system controller 21. Further, the endoscope control device 20 includes a power supply circuit 24 for supplying electric power to each component of the own device and the electronic endoscope 10.

The system controller 21 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a microcomputer having a RAM (Random Access Memory), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or the like. The system controller 21 controls the operation of each unit by outputting control commands to the drive control unit 22 and the signal processing circuit 23. In particular, the system controller 21 according to the first embodiment includes a notification processing unit 21a that executes a process of notifying the presence / absence of an abnormality in the feeder line 16 and the abnormal location of the feeder line 16.

The drive control unit 22 operates according to the control of the system controller 21 to control the light emission of the light emitting element 14 and the image pickup by the image pickup element 13. Further, the drive control unit 22 receives information indicating whether or not there is an abnormality in the feeder line 16 and an abnormal portion of the feeder line 16 transmitted from the disconnection detection circuit 18, and outputs the information to the system controller 21. The system controller 21 acquires information indicating the presence / absence of an abnormality in the feeder line 16, and the notification processing unit 21a executes a process of notifying the presence / absence of an abnormality in the feeder line 16 and the abnormality location. For example, the notification processing unit 21a controls the operation of the signal processing circuit 23, and executes processing such as superimposing an image or characters indicating the presence / absence of an abnormality on the feeder line 16 and an abnormal portion on an image to be output to the external monitor M. do.
Further, the drive control unit 22 includes a timing controller (not shown), and the timing controller outputs a clock pulse for adjusting the processing timing of various signals such as an image signal to the endoscope drive unit 15 of the electronic endoscope 10.

The signal processing circuit 23 is, for example, a DSP, and an image signal output from the electronic endoscope 10 is input through the drive control unit 22. The signal processing circuit 23 executes various image processing such as gamma correction and interpolation processing on the input image signal, superimposition processing of various characters and images, and converts the input image signal into a video signal conforming to a predetermined standard for an external monitor. Output to M. In particular, when an abnormality in the feeder line 16 is detected, the signal processing circuit 23 executes superimposition processing of an image or a character indicating the abnormality and the abnormal portion of the feeder line 16 under the control of the system controller 21, and after the superimposition processing. The video signal is output to the external monitor M. The external monitor M displays information such as that there is an abnormality in the feeder line 16 and an abnormality location of the feeder line 16. The external monitor M is a liquid crystal monitor, an organic EL display monitor, a plasma display monitor, a CRT monitor, or the like that displays an image captured by the electronic endoscope 10 based on a video signal output from the endoscope control device 20. be.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of the current detection unit 17 according to the first embodiment. The feeder line 16 according to the first embodiment has two systems, and the feeder line 16 includes a lead wire La1 and a lead wire La2 on the positive electrode side, and a lead wire Lb1 and a lead wire Lb2 on the negative electrode side. One end of the conductor La1 and the conductor La2 is connected to the positive electrode terminal of the endoscope drive unit 15, and the other end is connected to the anode of the light emitting element 14. The electric resistance values of the conductor La1 and the conductor La2 are equal. Further, one end of the conductor Lb1 and the conductor Lb2 is connected to the negative electrode terminal of the endoscope drive unit 15, and the other end is connected to the cathode of the light emitting element 14. The electric resistance values of the conductor Lb1 and the conductor Lb2 are equal.

The current detection unit 17 detects the difference between the current flowing through the conductor La1 and the conductor La2 on the positive electrode side, the positive side current detection unit 17a, and the negative side current detection unit 17a, which detects the difference between the currents flowing through the conductor Lb1 and the conductor Lb2 on the negative electrode side. A portion 17b is provided.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the positive side current detection unit 17a. The positive side current detection unit 17a has an annular magnetic core A11 through which the conductor La1 is removably inserted, and an annular magnetic core A12 into which the conductor La2 is removably inserted. Secondary coils W1 and W2 are wound around the magnetic core A11 and the magnetic core A12, respectively, and one end of the secondary coil W1 and one end of the secondary coil W2 are connected by a connection line W3. Has been done. The other ends of the secondary coils W1 and W2 are connected to the disconnection detection circuit 18. That is, the secondary coils W1 and W2 are connected in series. The winding direction of the secondary coils W1 and W2 is opposite, and when a current in the same direction flows through the conductor La1 and the conductor La2, the secondary coils W1 and W2 are guided in the opposite direction according to the magnitude of the current. It is configured to generate a voltage. The number of turns of the secondary coils W1 and W2 is the same, and when a current of the same magnitude flows through the conductor La1 and the conductor La2, the induced voltage becomes substantially zero. The positive side current detection unit 17a configured in this way outputs a detection current corresponding to the difference between the currents flowing through the conductor La1 and the conductor La2 to the disconnection detection circuit 18.

Similarly, the negative current detection unit 17b has an annular magnetic core B11 through which the conductor Lb1 is removably inserted, and an annular magnetic core B12 through which the conductor Lb2 is removably inserted. A secondary coil is wound around each of the magnetic core B11 and the magnetic core B12, one end of the secondary coil is connected to each other, and the other end is connected to the disconnection detection circuit 18. When a current in the same direction flows through the conductor Lb1 and the conductor Lb2, a reverse induced voltage is generated in the secondary coils of the magnetic cores B11 and B12 according to the magnitude of the current, and the induced voltage is generated in the conductor Lb1 and the conductor Lb2. The detection current corresponding to the difference in the flowing current is output from the negative side current detection unit 17b to the disconnection detection circuit 18.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the operation of the current detection unit 17, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the operation of the positive side current detection unit 17a. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the primary currents IA1 and IA2 flow through the conductors La1 and La2, an induced voltage is generated in each of the secondary coils W1 and W2 of the positive side current detection unit 17a. Due to the induced voltage generated in each of the secondary coils W1 and W2, the secondary currents Ia1 and the currents Ia2 tend to flow in the secondary coils W1 and W2, respectively. However, since the secondary coils W1 and W2 are wound in opposite directions so that the induced voltages cancel each other out, as a result, the detected current ΔIa corresponding to the difference between the primary current IA1 and the primary current IA2 is generated. It will flow. The disconnection detection circuit 18 detects the detection current ΔIa or the induced voltage generated in the positive side current detection unit 17a. In the first embodiment, the detected current ΔIa is a current value (ΔIa = Ia1 + Ia2) obtained by adding the secondary current Ia1 and the current Ia2. When the primary current IA1 is smaller than the primary current IA2, the detected current ΔIa is positive, and when the primary current IA1 is larger than the primary current IA2, the detected current ΔIa is negative (see FIG. 8).

Similarly, when the primary current IB1 and the primary current IB2 flow through the conductor Lb1 and the conductor Lb2, an induced voltage is generated in each secondary coil of the negative current detection unit 17b. Due to the induced voltage generated in each secondary coil, the secondary current Ib1 and the current Ib2 tend to flow in each secondary coil. However, since each secondary coil is wound in the opposite direction so that the induced voltages cancel each other out, as a result, a detection current ΔIb corresponding to the difference between the primary current IB1 and the primary current IB2 flows. Become. The disconnection detection circuit 18 detects the detection current ΔIb or the induced voltage generated in the negative side current detection unit 17b. In the first embodiment, the detected current ΔIb is a current value (ΔIb = Ib1 + Ib2) obtained by adding the secondary current Ib1 and the secondary current Ib2. When the primary current IB1 is smaller than the primary current IB2, the detected current ΔIb is negative, and when the primary current IB1 is larger than the primary current IB2, the detected current ΔIb is negative (see FIG. 9).

<Abnormality judgment method>
Next, a method of determining the presence or absence of an abnormality in the feeder line 16 using the current detection unit 17 and a method of determining an abnormality location will be described. 7 to 9 are charts showing an abnormality determination method for the feeder line 16. In the chart, RLa1, RLa2, RLb1, and RLb2 represent the electric resistance values of the conductors La1, La2, Lb1, and Lb2, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the electric resistance values of the conductors La1 and La2 are substantially equal, that is, when the conductors La1 and La2 are normal, the primary currents IA1 and IA2 of the positive side current detection unit 17a are equal and detected. The current ΔIa is substantially zero. That is, the detected current ΔIa is less than the threshold value. Similarly, when the conductors Lb1 and Lb2 are normal, the primary currents IB1 and IB2 of the negative current detection unit 17b are equal, and the detection current ΔIb is substantially zero level. That is, the detected current ΔIb is less than the threshold value.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, when the conductor La1 is deteriorated and the electric resistance value of the conductor La1 becomes larger than the electric resistance value of the conductor La2, there is a difference between the primary currents IA1 and IA2 of the positive side current detection unit 17a. Is generated, and the magnitude of the detected current ΔIa becomes a value equal to or larger than the threshold value. The detected current ΔIa is positive.
When the conductor La2 deteriorates and the electric resistance value of the conductor La2 becomes larger than the electric resistance value of the conductor La1, a difference occurs in the primary currents IA1 and IA2 of the positive side current detection unit 17a, and the magnitude of the detected current ΔIa. Is a value equal to or greater than the threshold value. The detected current ΔIa is negative.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, when the conductor Lb1 is deteriorated and the electric resistance value of the conductor Lb1 becomes larger than the electric resistance value of the conductor Lb2, there is a difference between the primary currents IB1 and IB2 of the negative current detection unit 17b. Is generated, and the magnitude of the detected current ΔIb becomes a value equal to or larger than the threshold value. The detected current ΔIb is negative.
When the conducting wire Lb2 deteriorates and the electric resistance value of the conducting wire Lb2 becomes larger than the electric resistance value of the conducting wire Lb1, a difference occurs in the primary currents IB1 and Ib2 of the negative current detection unit 17b, and the magnitude of the detected current ΔIb. Is a value equal to or greater than the threshold value. The detected current ΔIb is positive.

As described above, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the abnormalities of the respective conductors La1, La2, Lb1 and Lb2 are determined by determining whether or not the detected currents ΔIa and ΔIb are less than the threshold value and whether the detected currents ΔIa and ΔIb are positive or negative. It is possible to identify the conductors La1, La2, Lb1 and Lb2 whose electric resistance value has increased due to an abnormality such as presence or absence of electric current and deterioration. The disconnection detection circuit 18 transmits information indicating the presence / absence of an abnormality in the feeder line 16 and an abnormality location to the endoscope control device 20. The information is, for example, a comparison result indicating whether or not the detected currents ΔIa and ΔIb are less than the threshold value, and information indicating whether the detected currents ΔIa and ΔIb are positive and negative. Then, the endoscope control device 20 notifies the user of the abnormality and the abnormal portion of the feeding line 16 based on the information transmitted from the electronic endoscope 10.

According to the electronic endoscope device 1 and the electronic endoscope 10 according to the first embodiment configured in this way, the respective feeders La1, La2, Lb1 and Lb2 constituting the feeder lines 16 of the plurality of systems are supplied. The magnetic cores A11, A12, B11, and B12 of the positive side current detecting unit 17a and the negative side current detecting unit 17b for detecting the abnormality of the electric wire 16 are detachably attached. Therefore, when replacing all or part of the deteriorated feeder line 16, the magnetic cores A11, A12, B11, and B12 can be removed from the conductors La1, La2, Lb1, and Lb2, and only the parts of the feeder system can be replaced. Therefore, it is possible to improve the maintainability of the feeder line 16 when an abnormality occurs.

In addition, it is possible to detect abnormalities such as deterioration and disconnection of the feeder line 16 of any one of the plurality of feeders, and supply before the feeder lines 16 of all the systems are disconnected and blackout occurs. The user can be notified of the abnormality of the electric wire 16.

Further, it is possible to identify the abnormal conductors La1, La2, Lb1 and Lb2 and notify the user or the trader.

Furthermore, since the electric resistance values of the conductors La1 and La2 are substantially equal, a simple process for determining whether or not the difference between the primary currents IA1 and IA2 flowing through the conductors La1 and La2 is substantially zero. Therefore, it is possible to detect an abnormality in the conductor La1 and the conductor La2. The electrical resistance values of the conductor Lb1 and the conductor Lb1 on the negative electrode side are also substantially equal, and the abnormality of each conductor Lb1 and the conductor Lb2 can be detected in the same manner.

Furthermore, since the electronic endoscope device 1 is configured to apply a pulse voltage to the feeder line 16 when detecting an abnormality in the feeder line 16, it detects whether or not the detection currents ΔIa and ΔIb are less than the threshold value. It is possible to detect the positive and negative of the currents ΔIa and ΔIb a plurality of times and more accurately determine the presence or absence of an abnormality in the feeder line 16.

Furthermore, the endoscope drive unit 15 and the disconnection detection circuit 18 can be configured as electrically separate circuits. Since it is not necessary to mount a circuit dedicated to disconnection detection on the circuit board provided with the endoscope drive unit 15, it is possible to suppress the increase in size of the circuit board and save space.
The mounting position of the current detection unit 17 with respect to the feeder line 16 can be arbitrarily changed, the degree of freedom in arranging the current detection unit 17 and the disconnection detection circuit 18 is high, and space saving of various circuits can be achieved.

(Variation example of Embodiment 1)
The abnormality determination process according to the first embodiment may be performed by hardware using a comparator or the like, or may be performed by software. Hereinafter, the processing procedure when the software is used will be described.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for determining an abnormality. The disconnection detection circuit 18 acquires the difference between the primary currents output from the positive side current detection unit 17a and the negative side current detection unit 17b, that is, the detection currents Ia and Ib (step S11). Next, the disconnection detection circuit 18 determines whether or not the difference between the primary currents IA1 and IA2 output from the positive side current detection unit 17a is less than the threshold value (step S12). When it is determined that the difference is equal to or greater than the threshold value (step S12: NO), the disconnection detection circuit 18 determines whether or not the difference is positive (step S13). When it is determined that the difference is positive (step S13: YES), the disconnection detection circuit 18 determines that the conductor La1 has an abnormality (step S14). When it is determined that the difference is negative (step S13: NO), the disconnection detection circuit 18 determines that the conductor La2 has an abnormality (step S15).

When it is determined that the difference between the currents output from the positive side current detection unit 17a is less than the threshold value (step S12: YES), or when the processing of step S14 or step S15 is completed, the disconnection detection circuit 18 is on the negative side. It is determined whether or not the difference between the primary currents IB1 and IB2 output from the current detection unit 17b is less than the threshold value (step S16). When it is determined that the difference is equal to or greater than the threshold value (step S16: NO), the disconnection detection circuit 18 determines whether or not the difference is negative (step S17). When it is determined that the difference is negative (step S17: YES), the disconnection detection circuit 18 determines that the conductor Lb1 has an abnormality (step S18). When it is determined that the difference is positive (step S17: NO), the disconnection detection circuit 18 determines that the conductor Lb2 has an abnormality (step S19). When it is determined that the difference between the currents output from the negative current detection unit 17b is less than the threshold value (step S16: YES), or when the processing of step S18 or step S19 is completed, the disconnection detection circuit 18 uses the feeder line. Information indicating the abnormality determination result of 16 is transmitted to the endoscope control device 20 (step S20), and the process is completed.

By the above processing, the disconnection detection circuit 18 can determine the abnormality of the feeder line 16 and transmit the information indicating the presence / absence of the abnormality of the feeder line 16 and the abnormality location to the endoscope control device 20.

(Embodiment 2)
The electronic endoscope device according to the second embodiment has three feeding lines, a first positive side current detection unit and a second positive side current detection unit corresponding to the three systems, a first negative side current detection unit, and a first unit. 2 Since the point that the negative side current detection unit is provided is different from the first embodiment, the difference will be mainly described below. Since other configurations and actions and effects are the same as those in the first embodiment, the corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Further, since the three conductors on the negative electrode side, the configuration of the first and second negative current detection units (not shown), and the abnormality determination method are the same as those on the positive electrode side, the configuration on the positive electrode side will be described, and the details on the negative electrode side will be described. Explanation is omitted.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of the feeder line 216 and the first positive side current detection unit 171a and the second positive side current detection unit 172a according to the second embodiment. The feeder line 216 according to the second embodiment has three systems, and includes a lead wire La1, a lead wire La2, and a lead wire La3 on the positive electrode side, and three lead wires on the negative electrode side (not shown).
The first positive side current detection unit 171a includes a magnetic core A11 and a magnetic core A12 for detecting the difference between the primary currents IA1 and IA2 flowing through the conductor La1 and the conductor La2. A secondary coil is wound in the opposite direction to the magnetic core A11 and the magnetic core A12, and when the primary currents IA1 and IA2 in the same direction flow through the conductor La1 and the conductor La2, the induced voltages cancel each other out. It is configured in. The number of turns of the secondary coil is the same, and when the primary currents IA1 and IA2 of the same magnitude flow through the conductor La1 and the conductor La2, the induced voltage becomes substantially zero. The first positive side current detection unit 171a configured in this way outputs the detection current ΔIa1 related to the difference between the primary currents IA1 and IA2 flowing through the conductor La1 and the conductor La2 to the disconnection detection circuit 18. The detected current ΔIa1 is a current value (ΔIa1 = Ia11 + Ia12) obtained by adding the secondary currents Ia11 and the secondary currents Ia12 induced by the primary currents LA1 and LA2.
Similarly, the second positive side current detection unit 172a includes a magnetic core A21 and a magnetic core A22 for detecting the difference between the primary currents IA2 and IA3 flowing through the conductor La2 and the conductor La3. A secondary coil is wound in the opposite direction to the magnetic core A21 and the magnetic core A22, and when the primary currents IA2 and IA3 in the same direction flow through the conductor La2 and the conductor La3, the induced voltages cancel each other out. It is configured in. The number of turns of the secondary coil is the same, and when the primary currents IA2 and IA3 of the same magnitude flow through the conductor La2 and the conductor La3, the induced voltage becomes substantially zero. The second positive side current detection unit 172a configured in this way outputs the detection current ΔIa2 related to the difference between the primary currents IA2 and IA3 flowing through the conductor La2 and the conductor La3 to the disconnection detection circuit 18. The detected current ΔIa2 is a current value (ΔIa2 = Ia21 + Ia22) obtained by adding the secondary currents Ia21 and the secondary currents Ia22 induced by the primary currents LA2 and LA3.

12 to 15 are charts showing an abnormality determination method for the feeder line 216. In the chart, RLa1, RLa2, and RLa3 represent the electric resistance values of the conductors La1, La2, and La3, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 12, when the electric resistance values of the conductors La1 and La2 are substantially equal, that is, when the conductors La1 and La2 are normal, the primary currents IA1 and IA2 of the first positive side current detection unit 171a are equal. , The detected current ΔIa1 is substantially zero. On the other hand, when the conductor La2 and the conductor La3 are normal, the primary currents IA2 and IA3 of the positive side current detection unit 172b are equal, and the detection current ΔIa2 is substantially zero. When all of the detected currents ΔIa1 and ΔIa2 are less than the threshold value, it is determined that the conductors La1, La2, and La3 on the positive electrode side are normal.

As shown in FIG. 13, when the conductor La1 is deteriorated and the electric resistance value of the conductor La1 becomes larger than the electric resistance value of the conductor La2, there is a difference between the primary currents IA1 and IA2 of the first positive side current detection unit 171a. , And the magnitude of the detected current ΔIa1 becomes a value equal to or larger than the threshold value. The detected current ΔIa1 is positive. On the other hand, when the conductor La2 and the conductor La3 are normal, the detection current ΔIa2 becomes substantially zero as described above. In such a case, it is determined that the conductor La1 has an abnormality.
Although not shown, when the conductor La1 and the conductor La2 are normal and the conductor La3 is deteriorated, the detection current ΔIa1 is substantially zero, and the magnitude of the detection current ΔIa2 is a negative value equal to or larger than the threshold value.
Further, when the conductors La1 and La3 are normal and the conductors La2 are abnormal, the magnitude of the detected current ΔIa1 is a negative value equal to or greater than the threshold value, and the magnitude of the detected current ΔIa2 is a positive value equal to or greater than the threshold value.

As shown in FIG. 14, when both the conductor La1 and the conductor La2 are deteriorated and the conductor La3 is normal, the detected current ΔIa1 is substantially zero, and the detected current ΔIa2 is a positive value equal to or greater than the threshold value.
Further, although not shown, when the conductor La1 is normal and both the conductor La2 and the conductor La3 are deteriorated, the detection current ΔIa1 is a negative value equal to or more than the threshold value, and the detection current ΔIa2 becomes substantially zero.

As shown in FIG. 15, when both the conductor La1 and the conductor La3 are deteriorated and the conductor La2 is normal, the detected current ΔIa1 becomes a positive value equal to or higher than the threshold value, and the detected current ΔIa2 becomes a negative value equal to or higher than the threshold value. ..

As described above, according to the electronic endoscope device 1 and the electronic endoscope 10 according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 12 to 15, whether or not the detection currents ΔIa1 and ΔIa2 are less than the threshold value and the detection current ΔIa By determining the positive / negative of ΔIb, the conductors La1, La2, and La3 whose electric resistance value has increased due to the presence / absence of abnormality of each conductor La1, La2, La3, deterioration, etc. are identified, and the abnormality of the feeder line 216 and the abnormality of the feeder line 216 and It is possible to notify the abnormal part.

Further, with respect to the conductors La1, La2, and La3 constituting the three feeder lines 216, the magnetic material of the first positive side current detection unit 171a and the second positive side current detection unit 172a for detecting the abnormality of each feeder line 216. The cores A11, A12, A21, and A22 can be attached and detached, and the maintainability of the feeder line 216 in the event of an abnormality can be improved.

(Embodiment 3)
Since the electronic endoscope device according to the third embodiment has a different configuration of the current detection unit and a method for determining an abnormality from the first embodiment, the differences will be mainly described below. Since other configurations and actions and effects are the same as those in the first embodiment, the corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of the current detection unit 317 according to the third embodiment. The electronic endoscope 10 according to the third embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, and includes two feeding lines 16. The current detection unit 317 has an annular magnetic core AB1 into which the conductor La1 and the conductor Lb1 are removably inserted, and an annular magnetic core AB2 in which the conductor La2 and the conductor Lb2 are removably inserted. A secondary coil is wound around each of the magnetic core AB1 and the magnetic core AB2, and both ends of each secondary coil are connected to a disconnection detection circuit 18.

According to the electronic endoscope device 1 and the electronic endoscope 10 configured in this way, the lead wire La1 and the lead wire La2 on the positive electrode side are deteriorated to the same extent, and the electric resistance value is also lowered in the same manner. Also, deterioration and disconnection of the conductor La1 and the conductor La2 can be detected, and the deterioration and disconnection can be notified.
Similarly, even when the conductor Lb1 and the conductor Lb2 on the negative electrode side are deteriorated to the same extent and the electric resistance value is similarly lowered, the deterioration and the disconnection of the conductor Lb1 and the conductor Lb2 are detected, and the deterioration and the disconnection are detected. You can be notified.

The current detection unit 317 of the third embodiment may be combined with the positive side current detection unit 17a and the negative side current detection unit 17b of the first embodiment. In this case, even when any two conductors La1, conductor La2, conductor Lb1 and conductor Lb2 are deteriorated to the same extent, the deteriorated or broken conductors La1, La2, Lb1 and Lb2 can be detected.

(Embodiment 4)
Since the electronic endoscope device according to the fourth embodiment has a different configuration for detecting a current and a method for determining an abnormality from the first embodiment, the differences will be mainly described below. Since other configurations and actions and effects are the same as those in the first embodiment, the corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of the electronic endoscope device 401 according to the fourth embodiment. The electronic endoscope device 401 according to the fourth embodiment includes the same components as those in the first embodiment, and further includes a total current detection unit 19 for detecting the total current flowing through the feeder line 16 of each system. The total current detection unit 19 includes a magnetic core through which the feeder lines 16 of the entire system are inserted, and a secondary coil wound around the magnetic core. For example, the total current detection unit 19 has a magnetic core that is inserted through the conductor La1 and the conductor La2 on the positive electrode side. A voltage corresponding to the sum of the primary currents IA1 and IA2 flowing through the conductor La1 and the conductor La2 is induced in the secondary coil of the magnetic core, and the voltage induced in the secondary coil is input to the disconnection detection circuit 418. .. The total current detection unit 19 may be provided on the conductors Lb1 and Lb2 on the negative electrode side.

The disconnection detection circuit 418 includes a comparison unit 18b that compares the total current detected by the total current detection unit 19 with a predetermined value. The determination unit 18a of the disconnection detection circuit 418 is based on the difference and positive / negative of the current detected by the positive side current detection unit 17a and the negative side current detection unit 17b and the comparison result by the comparison unit 18b, and each feeder line 16 Judge the presence or absence of an abnormality.
Specifically, in the disconnection detection circuit 418, whether or not the difference between the currents detected by the positive side current detection unit 17a and the negative side current detection unit 17b is less than the threshold value, and the detection currents ΔIa and ΔIb are positive. Deterioration and disconnection of each of the conductors La1, La2, Lb1 and Lb2 are detected based on the determination result such as whether or not.
Further, in the above determination method, when the conductor La1 and the conductor La2 are deteriorated to the same extent, or when the conductor Lb1 and the conductor Lb2 are deteriorated to the same extent, the abnormality of the feeder line 16 cannot be detected. Therefore, the disconnection detection circuit 418 has an abnormality in the conductors La1 and La2 when the total current detected by the total current detection unit 19 is less than a predetermined value and is deteriorated to the same extent. , Or the abnormality of the conductor Lb1 and the conductor Lb2 is detected.

According to the electronic endoscope device 1 and the electronic endoscope 10 configured in this way, when the conducting wire La1 and the conducting wire La2 on the positive electrode side are deteriorated to the same extent and the electric resistance value is similarly lowered, the difference is Although it is less than the threshold value, the value of the total current is less than the predetermined value, so that the disconnection detection circuit 418 can determine the deterioration of the conductor La1 and the conductor La2 and the presence or absence of the disconnection.
Similarly, when the conductor Lb1 and the conductor Lb2 on the negative electrode side are deteriorated to the same extent and the electric resistance value is similarly lowered, the difference is less than the threshold value, but the total current value is less than the predetermined value, so that the wire is broken. The detection circuit 418 can determine the presence or absence of deterioration and disconnection of the conductor Lb1 and the conductor Lb2.

(Modified Example of Embodiment 4)
The abnormality determination process according to the first embodiment may be performed by hardware using a comparator or the like, or may be performed by software. Hereinafter, the processing procedure when the software is used will be described.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for determining an abnormality. The disconnection detection circuit 418 acquires the difference between the currents output from the positive side current detection unit 17a and the negative side current detection unit 17b, that is, the detection currents Ia and Ib (step S411). Further, the disconnection detection circuit 418 acquires the total current flowing through the conductor La1 and the conductor La2 and the total current flowing through the conductor Lb1 and the conductor Lb2 from the total current detection unit 19 (step S412).

Hereinafter, the same processing as in steps S12 to S19 described in the modified example of the first embodiment, that is, the processing for determining the abnormality in the conductors La1, La2, Lb1 and Lb2 is executed in steps S413 to S420.

When it is determined that the difference between the currents output from the negative current detection unit 17b is less than the threshold value (step S417: YES), or when the processing of step S419 or step S420 is completed, the disconnection detection circuit 418 performs the total current. Is less than a predetermined value (step S421). When it is determined that the total current is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (step S421: NO), the disconnection detection circuit 418 determines that the feeder line 16 has an abnormality (step S422).

When it is determined that the total current is less than a predetermined value (step S421: YES), or when the process of step S422 is completed, the disconnection detection circuit 418 controls the information indicating the abnormality determination result of the feeder line 16 with the endoscope. It is transmitted to the apparatus 20 (step S423), and the process is completed.

By the above processing, the disconnection detection circuit 418 can determine the abnormality of the feeder line 16 and transmit the information indicating the presence / absence of the abnormality of the feeder line 16 and the abnormality location to the endoscope control device 20. Further, the disconnection detection circuit 418 can detect an abnormality in the feeder line 16 even when the conductor La1 and the conductor La2 are deteriorated to the same extent, or the conductor Lb1 and the conductor Lb2 are deteriorated to the same extent.

Although the current detection unit 17 for detecting an abnormality in the feeder line 16 that feeds the light emitting element 14 is described in the above embodiments 1 to 4 and the modified example, a plurality of feeder lines that feed the image pickup element 13 are provided. It may be configured to detect and notify an abnormality of each feeder line.

Further, although the feeding lines of 2 systems and 3 systems have been described, it goes without saying that the feeding lines may be configured to detect an abnormality of 4 or more systems.

The embodiments disclosed this time should be considered to be exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the scope of claims, not the above-mentioned meaning, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

1 Electronic endoscope device 10 Electronic endoscope 10a Insertion tube 10b Tip part 10c Hand operation part 10d Universal tube 10e Connector part 11 Objective lens 12 Illumination lens 13 Imaging element 13a Analog front end 14 Light emitting element 15 Endoscope drive part 16 Feed line 17 Current detection unit 18 Disconnection detection circuit 18a Judgment unit 18b Comparison unit 19 Total current detection unit 20 Endoscope control device 21 System controller 21a Notification processing unit 22 Drive control unit 23 Signal processing circuit 24 Power supply circuit M External monitor

Claims (8)

An electronic endoscopy device that irradiates light from the tip of an insertion tube that is inserted into a cavity inside the body and images the illuminated body.
A light emitting element for irradiating the light that illuminates the inside of the body,
With an image sensor for imaging the illuminated body
Equipped with
At least one of the light emitting element and the image pickup element is provided at the tip portion thereof.
A plurality of feeder lines for supplying power to the light emitting element provided at the tip portion or the image pickup element provided at the tip portion .
A current detection unit having an annular magnetic core into which the feeder line is inserted and detachable, and detecting a difference in current flowing through the feeder line of each system, and a current detection unit.
A determination unit for determining the presence or absence of an abnormality in the feeder line based on the difference detected by the current detection unit, and a determination unit.
An electronic endoscope device including a notification processing unit for notifying an abnormality of the feeder line when the determination unit determines that there is an abnormality. The electric resistance values of the feeders of each system are almost equal,
The determination unit
The electronic endoscope device according to claim 1, wherein when the magnitude of the difference detected by the current detection unit is equal to or larger than the threshold value, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the feeder line. The determination unit
Claim 2 for identifying the feeder line having an abnormality based on the magnitude of the difference detected by the current detection unit and the comparison result of the threshold value and the positive / negative of the difference detected by the current detection unit. The electronic endoscopy device described in. The plurality of feeders include at least two conductors on the positive electrode side and two conductors on the negative electrode side.
The current detection unit
The electronic endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which detects the difference between the current flowing through the two conductors on the positive electrode side and the difference between the currents flowing through the two conductors on the negative electrode side. Device. The plurality of feeders include at least two conductors on the positive electrode side and two conductors on the negative electrode side.
The current detection unit
The electronic endoscope device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the difference between the current flowing through the conductor on the positive electrode side and the current flowing through the conductor on the negative electrode side is detected. A total current detection unit that detects the total current flowing through the plurality of feeder lines, and
A comparison unit for comparing the total current detected by the total current detection unit and a predetermined value is provided.
The determination unit corresponds to any one of claims 1 to 5 for determining the presence or absence of an abnormality in the feeder line based on the difference detected by the current detection unit and the comparison result of the comparison unit. The electronic endoscopy device described. A pulse voltage is applied to each feeder, and the current detection unit detects the difference in the current flowing through the feeder of each system to which the pulse voltage is applied, whichever is one of claims 1 to 6 . The electronic endoscopy device described in. An electronic endoscope that irradiates light from the tip of an insertion tube that is inserted into a cavity inside the body and images the illuminated body.
A light emitting element for irradiating the light that illuminates the inside of the body,
With an image sensor for imaging the illuminated body
Equipped with
At least one of the light emitting element and the image pickup element is provided at the tip portion thereof.
A plurality of feeder lines for supplying power to the light emitting element provided at the tip portion or the image pickup element provided at the tip portion .
A current detector having an annular magnetic core into which the feeder line is inserted and detachable, detecting the difference in the current flowing through the feeder line of each system, and outputting a signal indicating the detected difference. Equipped with an electronic endoscope.

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