JPH09197294A - Light source device for endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically select and supply required illuminating light by providing a detecting means detecting the kind of a signal processing means connected to a light source device and making a selection means select either white light or surface sequential light, and interposing a converting means converting the white light emitted from the light source to the surface sequential light in the case of outputting the surface sequential light in the optical path of the emitted light. SOLUTION: This device is provided with the detecting means 402 detecting whether a video processor 5 is connected to an electric connector receiver 50 through a rear cable 52A or a camera control unit 6 is connected thereto through a rear cable 52B. In the case of detecting that the video processor 5 is connected, a filter moving means 45 is controlled so that a color changing filter 43 may be inserted in the illuminating optical path. In the case of detecting that the unit 6 is connected and in the case of detecting that neither of them is connected, the filter moving means 45 is controlled so that the filter 43 may be retreated from the illuminating optical path.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a light source device for an endoscope capable of outputting white light and field sequential light.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, by inserting an elongated insertion portion into a body cavity, it is possible to observe internal organs in the body cavity and, if necessary, to perform various therapeutic treatments using a treatment instrument inserted into a treatment instrument channel. Endoscopes (also called scopes or fiberscopes) are widely used.

Various electronic scopes using a solid-state image pickup device such as a charge coupled device (CCD) as an image pickup means have been proposed. This electronic scope has a higher resolution than the fiber scope and is easy to record and reproduce images.
Further, there is an advantage that image processing such as image enlargement and comparison of two images is easy.

In the method of picking up the color image of the electronic scope, for example, as shown in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-82731, illumination light is changed to R (red), G (green), B (blue). ) And the like, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-768.
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 88, there is a simultaneous type in which a filter array in which color filters respectively transmitting color lights of R, G, B and the like are arranged in a mosaic pattern is provided on the front surface of a solid-state image sensor. The frame-sequential method has an advantage that the number of pixels can be reduced as compared with the simultaneous method, while the simultaneous method has an advantage that no color shift occurs.

Further, the electronic scopes are diversified depending on the purpose of use. For example, for upper or lower digestive organs, an insert having an outer diameter of about 10 mm is used. On the other hand, for bronchial use, for example, an outer diameter of about 5 mm or less is usually required. As described above, it is physically and performancely impossible to use the same type of image pickup device and the same type of image pickup method for various electronic scopes having a wide outer diameter of the insertion portion. That is,
For example, in order to realize an electronic scope for bronchus (thin diameter), it is unavoidable to use an image sensor having a small number of pixels.

When the number of pixels is small as described above, in order to prevent a reduction in resolution, a frame sequential method using light of each wavelength of R, G, and B is used rather than a simultaneous imaging method using a color mosaic filter. Illuminate, and sequentially image under the illumination,
A frame-sequential color imaging method in which these are combined and color-displayed is advantageous.

On the other hand, for those having an outer diameter of around 10 mm, it is possible to increase the number of pixels and use the simultaneous imaging method.
This is advantageous for improving image quality.

By the way, the fiber scope or the electronic scope is generally used by being connected to a light source device for supplying illumination light suitable for each scope.

The illumination method is different between the fiber scope, the frame sequential electronic scope, and the simultaneous electronic scope. That is, the electronic scope which is simultaneous with the fiber scope
The white light is required for the optical pickup, and the light that is sequentially switched to R, G, B, etc. is required for the field sequential electronic scope. However, the conventional light source device includes a frame sequential electronic scope,
Only the illuminating light corresponding to either the simultaneous electronic scope or the fiber scope can be output. Therefore, the user prepares different light source devices depending on the type of the scope and operates differently. You have to
Economy and efficiency were poor.

In Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 60-243625, a fiber scope having an optical fiber bundle for image transmission is connected to an electronic scope control apparatus having a surface sequential light source device. Then, there is disclosed a connection system which enables observation on a display screen of a monitor television or the like. However, this system does not allow simultaneous electronic scoping and visual observation using fiber scoping.

Therefore, the present applicant has filed Japanese Patent Application No. 62-21461 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-189122).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-242242, etc., proposes a light source device for an endoscope capable of outputting white light and frame sequential light.

However, in the above-mentioned endoscope light source device, it is necessary to appropriately switch, for example, a selection switch or the like according to the kind of illumination light required, which is troublesome in operation.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an endoscope light source device capable of automatically selecting and supplying required illumination light. The purpose is to do.

[0014]

A light source device for an endoscope according to the present invention is provided with an endoscope which requires white light as illumination light and an image pickup means of a frame-sequential type, and emits light of different wavelength regions as illumination light. A light source device for an endoscope capable of supplying illumination light to an endoscope which requires sequentially switched field-sequential light, wherein the light source emits white light and at least outputs the field-sequential light from the light source. A conversion unit that is interposed in the optical path of the light and that converts white light emitted from the light source into frame-sequential light; a selection unit that selects the type of light to be output from white light and frame-sequential light; The present invention is characterized by further comprising detection means for detecting the type of the signal processing means and causing the selection means to select either white light or field sequential light.

That is, in the endoscope light source device according to the present invention, the detection means for detecting the type of the signal processing means connected to the light source device causes the selection means to select either white light or field sequential light. , At least when the field-sequential light is output, the conversion means for converting the white light emitted from the light source into the field-sequential light,
It is inserted in the optical path of the light emitted from the light source.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, prior to describing the embodiments of the present invention, a light source device for an endoscope, which is a premise of the present invention, will be described.

FIGS. 1 to 17 relate to a light source device for an endoscope which is a premise of the present invention, FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing the whole endoscope system, FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a fiberscope, and FIG. Is an explanatory view showing a frame sequential external television camera, FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a simultaneous external television camera, FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a frame sequential electronic scope, and FIG. 6 is a description showing a simultaneous electronic scope. FIG. 7, FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a video processor, FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a camera control unit, FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a frame sequential process circuit, and FIG. 10 is a simultaneous process circuit. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration, FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a filter moving means of a light source device, FIG. 12 is a front view of a color conversion filter, and FIG. 13 is a lamp current and a scope at the time of outputting white light in a light source device of a comparative example. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the amount of light emitted from the edge, FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the lamp current and the amount of light emitted from the tip of the scope in the sequential light output of the light source device of the comparative example, and FIG. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing the amount of light emitted from the tip of the scope, FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing the lamp current and the amount of light emitted from the tip of the scope when field sequential light is output in this light source device, and FIG. 17 is a timing chart showing the operation of this light source device.

As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope system includes a light source device 1 for an endoscope, and the naked eye observation is performed as an endoscope (hereinafter referred to as a scope) connected to the light source device 1. A possible fiberscope 2E, a frame sequential electronic scope 2A having a frame sequential image pickup means, and a simultaneous electronic scope 2B having a simultaneous image pickup means are provided. Further, as an external television camera which is detachably connected to the eyepiece of the fiberscope 2E and which displays an image on a monitor, a frame sequential external television camera 4A and a simultaneous external television camera 4B are provided. ing. Further, the frame sequential electronic scope 2A or the frame sequential external television camera 4A is connected, and the video processor 5 that performs signal processing for these is connected to the simultaneous electronic scope 2B or the simultaneous external television camera 4B. , A camera control unit 6 that performs signal processing for these
And a television monitor 7 connected to the video processor 5 and the camera control unit 6.

Each of the scopes 2E, 2A, 2B is provided with an elongated and flexible insertion portion 11, for example, and a large diameter operation portion 12 is connected to the rear end of the insertion portion 11.
A flexible universal cord 13 is extended laterally from the operation portion 12, and light source connectors 14E, 14A, 14B are respectively provided at the tips of the universal cord 13.
Is provided. These light source connectors 14E, 14
A and 14B are light source connector receivers 15 of the light source device 1.
Is to be connected to.

In the frame sequential electronic scope 2A and the simultaneous electronic scope 2B, the light source connectors 14A, 14
Electric connector receivers 16A and 16B are provided on the side of B, and one ends of signal cords 17A and 17B are connected to the electric connector receivers 16A and 16B, respectively. The electric connectors 18A and 18B provided at the other ends of the signal cords 17A and 17B are respectively
Electrical connector receptacle 19A of the video processor 5 and electrical connector receptacle 1 of the camera control unit 6
It is designed to be connected to 9B.

The light source device 1, the video processor 5 and the camera control unit 6 are respectively provided with
Corresponding electrical connector receivers 50, 51A, 51B are provided. Then, the electrical connector receivers 50, 51
A cable A is connected between A and a rear cable 52B is connected between the electric connector receivers 50 and 51B.
Is to be connected by Via the rear cables 52A and 52B, between the light source device 1 and the video processor 5, the light source device 1, the camera control unit 6
In between, signals of switches for freeze and release and various timing signals are transmitted and received.

The inside of each of the scopes 2E, 2A and 2B is constructed as shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, respectively.

Each of the scopes 2E, 2A and 2B has an insertion portion 1
An objective lens system 22 and a light distribution lens 23 are arranged at the tip portion 21 of 1. On the rear end side of the light distribution lens 23,
A light guide 24 that transmits illumination light is provided in series, and the light guide 24 is inserted into the insertion portion 11 and the universal cord 13 and the light source connectors 14E and 14E.
A and 14B are respectively connected. Then, by connecting the light source connectors 14E, 14A, 14B to the light source connector receiver 15 of the light source device 1, illumination light suitable for each scope is supplied from the light source device 1 to the incident end of the light guide 24. It is supposed to be done. This illumination light is directed to the tip 21 by the light guide 24.
The light is emitted from the light emitting end of the light guide 24, passes through the light distribution lens 23, and is irradiated onto the subject.

As shown in FIG. 2, the fiberscope 2E
At the imaging position of the objective lens system 22, the front end surface of the image guide 26 inserted in the insertion portion 11 is arranged. An eyepiece 28 having an eyepiece lens 27 facing the rear end surface of the image guide 26 is provided at the rear end of the operation unit 12. Then, the objective lens system 22
The subject image formed on the front end surface of the image guide 26 is transmitted to the eyepiece 28 side by the image guide 26, and from the eyepiece 28 to the eyepiece lens 27.
To be observed through.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in the field sequential electronic scope 2A and the simultaneous electronic scope 2B, a solid-state image pickup device as an image pickup means, for example, CCD 31A, is provided at the image forming position of the objective lens system 22. , 31B are provided. A color filter array 32 in which color filters for transmitting red (R), green (G), blue (B), and the like are arranged in a mosaic pattern is provided on the front surface of the CCD 31B of the simultaneous electronic scope 2B. Has been.

A signal line 34 for outputting a signal and a signal line 35 for applying a driving pulse are connected to each of the CCDs 31A and 31B via a preamplifier 33. The signal lines 34 and 35 are connected to the insertion portion 11 and the universal cord 1.
3 and is connected to the electrical connector receivers 16A and 16B.

The frame sequential external television camera 4 is also provided.
A and the simultaneous external TV camera 4B are respectively shown in FIG.
It is configured as shown in FIG.

That is, the television cameras 4A and 4B are extended from the camera bodies 36A and 36B, which are detachably connected to the eyepiece portion 28 (see FIG. 1) of the fiberscope 2E, and the body portions 36A and 36B. Signal code 37A,
37B and electric connectors 38A, 38B provided at the tips of the signal cords 37A, 37B. The electrical connector 38 of the frame sequential external television camera 4A.
A is connected to the electrical connector receiver 19A of the video processor 5 (see FIG. 1), while the electrical connector 38B of the simultaneous external television camera 4B is connected to the electrical connector receiver 19B of the camera control unit 6 (see FIG. 1). It is supposed to be connected. The camera body 36A, 36
An image forming lens 39 for forming an image of the light from the eyepiece portion 28 is provided in each B, and CCDs 31A and 31B are provided at image forming positions of the image forming lens 39, respectively. The CCD3 of the simultaneous external TV camera 4B
On the front surface of 1B, a color filter array 32 is provided in which color filters that transmit R, G, B, etc. color lights are arranged in a mosaic pattern. Each CCD 31A, 3
A signal line 34 for outputting a signal and a signal line 35 for applying a driving pulse are connected to 1B via a preamplifier 33. The signal lines 34 and 35 are connected to the signal code 37.
The electric connectors 38A and 38 are inserted into the electric connectors 38A and 38B.
B.

The eyepiece 2 of the fiberscope 2E
Although not shown, a still camera or a cine camera can also be connected to 8.

When observing with the naked eye using the fiberscope 2E, the eyepiece 28 of the fiberscope 2E is used.
When the simultaneous external television camera 4B, still camera or cine camera is connected to and used, and when the simultaneous electronic scope 2B is used, white light is required as illumination light, while the eyepiece of the fiberscope 2E is used. When the frame-sequential external television camera 4A is connected to the part 28 and when the frame-sequential electronic scope 2A is used, a frame-sequential light which is sequentially switched to three primary colors or a complementary color system is required as illumination light. And The light source device 1 can output both the white light and the frame sequential light.

That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the light source device 1
Is a lamp 41 such as a xenon lamp or a halogen lamp that emits white light, and the light source connector 14E, which collects the light of the lamp 41 and is connected to the light source connector receiver 15,
Lenses 42a and 42b for making light incident on the incident ends of the light guides 24 of 14A and 14B are provided. The lamp 4
In No. 1, lighting and lamp current are controlled by the lighting device 40. In addition, the lenses 42a,
Between 42b, color transmission filters 43R, 43G, of three primary colors of R, G, B (or three colors of complementary colors may be used).
A color conversion filter (also referred to as a rotary filter) 4 having a motor 43B (see FIG. 12) and rotated by a motor 44.
3 is provided in the optical path of the lamp 41 so as to be freely inserted and removed. A light-shielding portion is provided between the color transmission filters 43R, 43G, and 43B in the color conversion filter 43. The rotary filter 43 and the motor 44 are moved by a filter moving means 45.

Further, the R, G, and
In order to obtain the position of each opening of B, the opening position detection mark 4 is provided in the color conversion filter 43 as shown in FIG.
3M is provided, and in the vicinity of the filter 43, as shown in FIG. 1, an encoder 46 including a photo reflector or a photo interrupter for detecting the opening position detection mark 43M is provided. Further, there is provided a timing signal generating means 47 for generating timing signals for the R, G, and B opening periods and the light shielding period from the detection output of the encoder 46. The output signal of the timing signal generating means 47 is applied to one input end 48a of a 2-input 1-output changeover switch 48. The other input end 48 b of the changeover switch 48 is connected to the signal connector receiver 50 of the light source device 1. The output end 48c of the changeover switch 48 is connected to the lighting device 40. Then, through the switch 48, the timing signal from the timing signal generating means 47 and the signal connector receiver 50.
The signal input to the light source device 1 via the light source device 1 can be selectively input to the lighting device 40.

The light source device 1 is also provided with scope type selection means 49 for switching the output light according to the type of scope. This scope type selection means 4
Reference numeral 9 is, for example, a selection switch, and the motor 44,
The switching of the filter moving means 45 and the changeover switch 48 is controlled. That is, when white light is selected by the scope type selecting means 49, the color converting filter 43 is retracted from the illumination optical path by the filter moving means 45 and the rotation of the motor 44 is stopped. Further, the changeover switch 48 is set so that the input end 48b side is in the connected state. On the other hand, when the frame-sequential light is selected by the scope type selection means 49, the color conversion filter 43 is operated by the filter moving means 45.
Is inserted in the illumination optical path, and the motor 44 is rotated. Further, the changeover switch 48 is set so that the input end 48a side is in the connected state.

In this light source device, when white light is selected by the scope type selecting means 49, the timing signal from the timing signal generating means 47 is not input to the lighting device 40, and the lighting device 40 , A constant current, for example 18 A, is supplied to the lamp 41. Therefore, the amount of light emitted from the lamp 41 is constant. On the other hand, when the frame-sequential light is selected by the scope type selection means 49, the timing signal from the timing signal generation means 47 is input to the lighting device 40, and the lighting device 40 responds to the timing signal. The current supplied to the lamp 41 is increased to, for example, 25 A during the opening period of the color conversion filter 43, and is reduced to, for example, 10 A during the light blocking period. Therefore, the amount of light emitted from the lamp 41 increases during the opening period of the color conversion filter 43 and decreases during the light blocking period.

The filter moving device 45 is constructed, for example, as shown in FIG. That is, the color conversion filter 43 and the motor 44 that rotationally drives the color conversion filter 43.
Is attached to a plate-shaped mounting bracket 306, and a flange portion 307 bent in the horizontal direction is formed in the lower portion of the mounting bracket 306. This flange part 3
Two rails 334, 334 fixed to the housing side of the light source device 1 are provided in parallel on the lower side of 07, and the rails 334, 33 are provided on the bottom of the flange portion 307.
A slide portion 308 having a shape that sandwiches 4 from the left and right is formed. The slide portion 308 is the rail 3
The color conversion filter 43 and the motor 44 can be moved by slidably fitting to 34 and 334.

A rack gear 310 is mounted on the surface of the mounting bracket 306 facing the lamp 41 along the moving direction of the color conversion filter 43. A worm gear 312 rotated by a motor 311 is meshed with the rack gear 310. The motor 311 is fixed to the housing side of the light source device 1 by a bracket 313. And the motor 3
By rotating 11 forward and backward, the worm gear 3
The color conversion filter 43 can be moved via 12 and the rack gear 310. The motor 311 is controlled by the scope type selection means 49.

Further, flat prismatic switch pressing portions 315a and 315b are provided on the upper surfaces of both ends in the moving direction of the flange portion 307 of the mounting bracket 306.
At both ends of the moving range of the color conversion filter 43, the switch pressing portions 315a and 315b are pressed to the switching position detecting microswitches 316a and 316a.
316b is provided. The micro switches 316a and 316b are connected to the switch pressing portion 315.
By being pressed by a and 315b, it is detected that the color conversion filter 43 has reached the end of the moving range, and the rotation of the motor 311 is stopped to restrict the moving range of the color converting filter 43. There is. In the illustrated example, the switch pressing portion 315a is the micro switch 316.
When a is pressed, in this state, the white light from the lamp 41 passes through the color conversion filter 43 and enters the light guide 24 as field-sequential illumination light, while the switch pressing portion 315b causes the micro switch 316b. When is pressed, white light from the lamp 41 enters the light guide 24 without passing through the color conversion filter 43.

Next, the video processor 5 is constructed, for example, as shown in FIG. That is, the video processor 5 includes a frame-sequential process circuit 61A for processing an output signal of the CCD 31A of the frame-sequential electronic scope 2A or the frame-sequential external television camera 4A as a video signal.
A driver 62 for applying a driving pulse to the CCD 31A
A and A, each of which is an electrical connector receptacle 1
9A. The CCD 31A is a driver 6
The output signal of the CCD 31A driven and read by the 2A is amplified by the preamplifier 33 and then input to the frame-sequential process circuit 61A to be imaged under, for example, R, G, B frame-sequential light. The color signal R,
It outputs as G and B. Each of the color signals R, G, B is output as a three-primary-color signal RGB from the three-primary-color output terminal 65A via the driver 64A. The color signals R, G, B are passed through a matrix circuit 66, and a luminance signal Y and a color difference signal RY,
BY is generated, and then NTSC Encoder 67A
Is input to the NTSC system and converted into an NTSC composite video signal, and is output from the NTSC output terminal 68A. The timing of the frame sequential process circuit 61A, the driver 62A and the NTSC encoder 67A is controlled by a timing generator 63A. A timing signal from the timing signal generating means 47 of the light source device 1 is input to the timing generator 63A via the electric connector receiver 51A, and the timing generator 63A is synchronized with the rotation of the color conversion filter 43. It is designed to control.

The frame sequential process circuit 61A is constructed, for example, as shown in FIG. That is, the output signal of the CCD 31A input through the preamplifier 33 is
After being sample-holded by the sample-hold circuit 71, it is γ-corrected by the γ-correction circuit 72, and the A / D converter 7
In step 3, it is converted to a digital signal. Then, the signals picked up under the frame sequential light of R, G and B are passed through the multiplexer 74 which is switched by the signal of the timing generator 63A, and the signals which are imaged under the R frame memory 75R, G frame memory 75G and B are recorded. It is written in the frame memory 75B. These frame memories 75R, 75G and 75B are simultaneously read, converted into analog color signals R, G and B by the D / A converter 76 and output.

On the other hand, the camera control unit 6 is
For example, it is configured as shown in FIG. That is, the camera control unit 6 includes the simultaneous electronic scope 2
B or CCD 31B of simultaneous external TV camera 4B
Simultaneous process circuit 61 for processing the output signal of the video signal
B and a driver 62B for applying a drive pulse to the CCD 31B, which are respectively connected to the electric connector receiver 19B. The CCD 31B is driven and read by the driver 62B.
After being amplified by the preamplifier 33, the output signal is input to the simultaneous process circuit 61B, and, for example, the luminance signal Y and the color difference signals RY and BY are output. The luminance signal Y and the color difference signals RY and BY are N
It is input to the TSC encoder 67B, converted into an NTSC composite video signal, and output from the NTSC output terminal 68B. The luminance signal Y and the color difference signals RY and BY are input to the inverse matrix circuit 69, converted into color signals R, G and B, and output from the three primary color output end 65B via the driver 64B. It has become so. Incidentally, the simultaneous process circuit 61B, the driver 6
The timing of the 2B and NTSC encoder 67B is controlled by the timing generator 63B.

The simultaneous process circuit 61B is constructed, for example, as shown in FIG.

That is, C amplified by the preamplifier 33
The output signal of the CD 31B is input to the brightness signal processing circuit 78, and the brightness signal Y is generated by the brightness signal processing circuit 78. The output signal of the CCD 31B is input to the color signal reproducing circuit 79, and the color difference signals RY and BY are generated in time series for each horizontal line. This color difference signal R-
Y and BY are white balance compensated by the white balance circuit 80, and one of them is directly connected to the analog switch 81.
The other one is delayed by one horizontal line by the 1H delay line 82 and input to the analog switch 83. The color difference signal R is output from the analog switches 81 and 83 which are switched by the switching signal of the timing generator 63B.
-Y, BY are obtained.

Next, the operation of the light source device as the premise of the present invention configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 17.

When observing with the naked eye using the fiberscope 2E, when the simultaneous external television camera 4B is connected to the eyepiece portion 28 of the fiberscope 2E, and when the simultaneous electronic scope 2B is used, Scope 2E
Alternatively, the 2B light source connector 14E or 14B is connected to the light source connector receiver 15 of the light source device 1. Further, white light is selected by the scope type selecting means 49 of the light source device 1. Then, the color moving filter 43 is retracted from the illumination optical path by the filter moving means 45, the rotation of the motor 44 is stopped, and the changeover switch 48 is changed to the input end 48.
The side b is connected. The lighting device 40 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5 (a), at the time of lighting, a constant current, for example, 18A is supplied to the lamp 41, and the lamp 41 emits a constant amount of light. This light does not pass through the color conversion filter 43, remains as white light, is condensed by the lenses 42a and 42b, and enters the incident end of the light guide 24 of the scope 2E or 2B. The illumination light is guided to the tip 21 by the light guide 24, passes through the light distribution lens 23, and is applied to the subject. The illumination light emitted from the tip of the scope has a constant light amount level, as shown in FIG. Note that this light amount level is 1.

On the other hand, the eyepiece 28 of the fiberscope 2E
When the frame-sequential external television camera 4A is connected to and used and when the frame-sequential electronic scope 2A is used, the light source connector 14E or 14A of the scope 2E or 2A is connected to the light source connector receiver 15 of the light source device 1. Connect to. Further, the scope type selection means 4 of the light source device 1
At 9, the frame sequential light is selected. Then, the filter moving means 45 inserts the color conversion filter 43 into the illumination optical path, the motor 44 is rotated, and the changeover switch 48 is used.
Is in a connected state on the input end 48a side. Then, as shown in FIG. 16A, the lighting device 40 increases the current supplied to the lamp 41 to, for example, 25 A during the opening period of the color conversion filter 43, and decreases it to, for example, 10 A during the light blocking period. Therefore, the amount of light emitted from the lamp 41 increases during the opening period of the color conversion filter 43 and decreases during the light blocking period. This light passes through the color conversion filter 43 and passes through R,
The light is converted into G and B frame-sequential light, is condensed by the lenses 42a and 42b, and is incident on the incident end of the light guide 24 of the scope 2E or 2A. This illumination light is guided to the tip 21 by the light guide 24, passes through the light distribution lens 23, and is applied to the subject. As shown in FIG. 16B, the illumination light emitted from the tip of the scope becomes intermittent light of a light amount level 1.5 which is about 1.5 times the light amount at the time of outputting white light.

FIG. 17 shows a lamp 41, which is used when a frame sequential light is output.
The operation timings of the color conversion filter 43, the field sequential CCD 31A, etc. are shown. As shown in FIG. 17A, the color conversion filter 43 alternately repeats light blocking and exposure, and the transmission wavelength region at the time of exposure is sequentially switched to R, G, and B. From the timing signal generating means 47, FIG.
As shown in (b), a timing signal indicating the start timing of each of the R, G, and B exposure periods is output.
It is input to the lighting device 40. In accordance with the timing signal, as shown in FIG. 17C, the current supplied from the lighting device 40 to the lamp 41 increases to 25 A during the exposure period of the color conversion filter 43 and 10 A during the light blocking period. Is reduced to. In response to this change in current, as shown in FIG. 17D, the amount of light emitted from the tip of the scope increases to level 1.5 during the exposure period of the color conversion filter 43, and during the light blocking period. Level 0. As shown in FIG. 17E, the exposure period and the light-shielding period of the color conversion filter 43 are equal to the exposure period and the signal charge transfer period of the CCD 31A of the frame sequential electronic scope 2A or the frame sequential external television camera 4A. Are in sync. Therefore, during the exposure period of the CCD 31A, the amount of illumination light is at level 1.5, and the CCD 3
The amount of illumination light becomes level 0 during the 1A light-shielding period.

For comparison, FIGS. 13 and 14 show a case where the light quantity of the lamp 41 is constant during both white light output and frame sequential light output. As shown in FIG. 13, the output of white light in this case is the same as the output of white light in this light source device. On the other hand, at the time of frame-sequential light output, as shown in FIG. 14A, the current supplied to the lamp 41 is constant at 18 A, which is the same as at the time of white light output, and therefore, as shown in FIG. The illumination light emitted from the tip of the scope becomes intermittent light of a light amount level 1 which is equal to the light amount at the time of outputting white light.
Therefore, the total amount of light is reduced as compared to when white light is output, and the amount of light during observation becomes insufficient.

On the other hand, in this light source device, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the field sequential light is an intermittent light of a light quantity level of 1.5, so that the light quantity does not become insufficient. Moreover, during the light shielding period of the color conversion filter 43, that is, the CCD
Since the lamp current is reduced to 10 A during the charge transfer period of 31 A, the amount of light can be increased with almost no change in the total power consumption of the lamp 41 as compared with the case of outputting white light.

Further, since the light quantity of the lamp 41 is reduced during the light-shielding period of the color conversion filter 43, the light emitted from the lamp 41 can be effectively used even when the frame sequential light is output.

Further, the life of the lamp 41 can be extended.

The operation of the light source device 1 at the time of outputting the frame-sequential light is performed by the frame-sequential electronic scope 2A having the frame-sequential CCD 31A or the frame-sequential external television camera 4A.
However, the present invention can be applied not only to a simultaneous electronic scope using a line transfer CCD having a charge transfer period but also to a simultaneous external television camera as shown in FIG. That is, in this case, the light amount of the lamp 41 may be increased during the exposure period of the CCD, and the light amount of the lamp 41 may be decreased during the charge transfer. As a result, almost the same as when using a frame-sequential electronic scope or a frame-sequential external TV camera, there is almost no change in total power consumption,
The amount of light can be increased.

Further, one lamp 41 can deal with white light and field sequential light, the structure is simple, and the light source device can be downsized. The above is the configuration and operation of the light source device 1 for an endoscope, which is the premise of the present invention.

By the way, in the above-mentioned endoscope light source device 1,
In order to obtain an appropriate output light according to the type of scope or external TV camera, the scope type selection switch 49
Had to be switched appropriately.

This switching operation is very troublesome and troublesome. Therefore, if the type of the scope or the external television camera attached to the endoscope light source device is detected and the white light and the field sequential light in the endoscope light source device are switched, the switching operation is performed. The annoyance of can be eliminated. FIG. 18 shows an endoscope light source device 101 in which the light emitted from the light source is automatically switched between white light and frame sequential light depending on the type of the attached scope.

The light source connector receiver 15 of the endoscope light source device 101 is provided with terminals 111a and 111b. The power supply voltage Vc is applied to one terminal 111a via a resistor 120, and is connected to the detection circuit 131. The detection output of the detection circuit 131 is input to the control circuit 132. The control circuit 132 controls the motor 44, the filter moving means 45, and the changeover switch 48.

On the other hand, on the light source connector 14E of the fiberscope 2E, the terminal 111 of the light source connector receiver 15 is provided.
Terminals 112a and 112b connected to a and 111b are provided. Further, the eyepiece 28 has a signal line 113a.
114a connected to the terminal 112a via
And a terminal 114b connected to the terminal 112b via a signal line 113b.

Further, in the frame sequential external television camera 4A, the terminals 114a, 114 provided on the eyepiece 28 are provided.
Terminals 116a and 116b connected to the terminal b are provided, and the terminals 116a and 116b are connected via a resistor 121A. In addition, simultaneous external TV camera 4B
The terminals 114a, 11 provided on the eyepiece 28.
4b is provided with terminals 117a and 117b,
The terminals 117a and 117b are connected via a resistor 121B.

When the resistance values of the resistors 120, 121A and 121B are R120, R121A and R121B, respectively,
These resistance values are set to, for example, R120 = R121A << R121B.

In the detection circuit 131, the voltage V0 at the terminal 111a is applied to the non-inverting input terminal of a comparator (not shown), and the reference voltage VREF is applied to the inverting input terminal. This reference voltage VREF is Vc and 1 / 2V
During c, it is set to 2/3 Vc, for example. The comparison output v0 of the comparator is the control circuit 13
2 is input.

When the output v0 of the comparator is the H signal, the control circuit 132 retracts the color conversion filter 43 from the illumination optical path and stops the rotation of the motor 44, as shown by the solid line in FIG. , Changeover switch 48
So that the input terminal 48b side is in the connected state. on the other hand,
When the output v0 is an L signal, the control circuit 1
18, the color conversion filter 43 inserts the color conversion filter 43 into the illumination optical path, rotates the motor 44, and controls the means 45. Changeover switch 48
So that the input end 48a side is in the connected state.

The light source connector 14A of the frame sequential electronic scope 2A is provided with the terminal 1 of the light source connector receiver 15.
Terminals 141a and 141b connected to 11a and 111b
Is provided, and the terminals 141a and 141b are connected via a resistor 121A having a resistance value R121A. Similarly, in the light source connector 14B of the simultaneous electronic scope 2B, the terminals 111a and 111 of the light source connector receiver 15 are provided.
The terminals 142a and 142b connected to the terminal b are provided, and a resistor 1 having a resistance value R121B is provided between the terminals 142a and 142b.
It is connected via 21B.

In the light source device 101, the two lenses 4
One condenser lens 42 is provided instead of 2a and 42b. Other configurations are substantially the same as those of the endoscope light source device 1 which is the premise of the present invention.

In this light source device 101, the frame sequential external television camera 4 is attached to the eyepiece 28 of the fiberscope 2E.
When A is connected and the light source connector 14 of the fiberscope 2E is connected to the light source connector receiver 15 of the light source device 101, the terminals 111a and 111b of the light source connector receiver 15 are connected.
And the terminals 112a and 112b of the light source connector 14 are connected, and the terminals 114a and 114b of the eyepiece unit 28 are connected to the terminals 116a and 116b of the frame sequential external television camera 4A. Therefore, the detection circuit 131 of the light source device 101
V0 = Vc.multidot.R121A / (R120 + R121A) = 1 / 2Vc (R120 = R121A) is applied to. This voltage V0 is compared with a reference voltage VREF by a comparator, and V0 = 1 / 2Vc <2 / 3Vc
Therefore, the output v0 of this comparator becomes the L signal.
Therefore, the color conversion filter 43 is inserted in the illumination optical path, and the light source device 101 outputs the frame sequential light. In this case, the lamp 41 increases the light during the exposure period of the color conversion filter 43 and decreases the light during the light-shielding period, as in the endoscope light source device 1 according to the present invention.

On the other hand, when the simultaneous external television camera 4B is connected to the eyepiece 28 of the fiberscope 2E and the light source connector 14E of the fiberscope 2E is connected to the light source connector receiver 15 of the light source device 101, the light source connector The terminals 111a and 111b of the receiver 15 and the terminals 112a and 112b of the light source connector 14E are connected, and the eyepiece 2
8 terminals 114a and 114b and terminals 117a and 117b of the simultaneous external television camera 4B are connected. Therefore, V0 = Vc.R121B / (R120 + R121B) .apprxeq.Vc (R120 << R121B) is applied to the detection circuit 131 of the light source device 3. This voltage V0 is compared with the reference voltage VREF by the comparator, and V0≈Vc> 2 / 3Vc
The output v0 of this comparator becomes the H signal. Therefore, the color conversion filter 43 is retracted from the illumination optical path, and white light is output from the light source device 101. In this case, the light amount of the lamp 41 is constant as in the endoscope light source device 1 which is the premise of the present invention.

Further, the light source connector 14 of the fiberscope 2E is connected to the light source device 101 without connecting the television cameras 4A and 4B to the eyepiece portion 28 of the fiberscope 2E.
When connected to the light source connector receiver 15, the terminals 111a and 111b of the light source connector receiver 15 are opened, and V0 = Vc is applied to the detection circuit 131 of the light source device 101. This voltage V0 is a reference voltage V
Since it is compared with REF and V0 = Vc> 2 / 3Vc, the output v0 of this comparator becomes the H signal. Therefore, the color conversion filter 43 is retracted from the illumination optical path, and the light source device 10
From 1, white light is output.

When the light source connector 14A of the frame sequential electronic scope 2A is connected to the light source connector receiver 15 of the light source device 101, the operation is similar to that of the frame sequential external television camera 4A. Type electronic scope 2
When the B light source connector 14B is connected to the light source connector receiver 15 of the light source device 101, the operation is the same as that of the simultaneous external television camera 4B.

As described above, in the light source device 101, the type of the scope connected to the light source device 101 and the type of the external television camera in the case of the fiberscope 2E are detected, and the connected scope or the external television is detected. The illumination light suitable for the camera can be automatically supplied.

On the other hand, focusing on the image processing signal means connected to the light source device, when the frame sequential electronic scope 2A and the frame sequential external television camera 4A are mounted on the light source device 1 as shown in FIG. The video processor 5 is used for the above, and the camera control unit is used when the simultaneous electronic scope 2B and the simultaneous external television camera 4B are attached to the light source device. Therefore, by utilizing the mounting operation of the image processing signal means to the light source device, the switching operation between the white light and the field sequential light can be automated.

The present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.
The endoscope light source device 401 of the present embodiment detects whether the video processor 5 is connected to the electrical connector receiver 50 via the rear cable 52A or the camera control unit 6 is connected via the rear cable 52B. A detection unit 402 is provided. The rear cables 52A and 52B are provided between the light source device 401 and the video processor 5 and between the light source device 401 and the camera control unit 6 such as signals of a foot switch (not shown) for freeze and release and rotation of the color conversion filter 43. It is for transmitting and receiving signals and the like for performing control. The configuration of the connection detecting means 402 is the same as that of the connection detecting means shown in FIG. 18, for example. Alternatively, the connection detecting means 4
02 may detect whether or not a signal is transmitted via the rear cables 52A and 52B to detect which of the video processor 5 and the camera control unit 6 is connected.

The detecting means 402 controls the filter moving means 45 based on the detection result. That is, when the detection unit 402 detects that the video processor 5 is connected to the light source device 401, the detection unit 402 controls the filter moving unit 45 so that the color conversion filter 43 is inserted in the illumination optical path, and the light source device 401. When it is detected that the camera control unit 6 is connected to the light source device 401 and when it is detected that neither the video processor 5 nor the camera control unit 6 is connected to the light source device 401, the color conversion filter 43 causes the color conversion filter 43 to illuminate the optical path. The filter moving means 45 is controlled so as to be retracted from the.

Although not shown, this light source device 401
Also based on the detection result of the detection means 402,
When the lighting device 40 is controlled and the video processor 5 is connected, the lamp 41 intermittently increases the amount of light in synchronization with the operation of the frame-sequential imaging means, and the camera control unit 6
When connected, the lamp 41 continuously emits light.

In FIG. 19, reference numeral 2 represents each of the scopes 2E, 2A and 2B, and 14 represents each of the light source connectors 14E, 14A and 14B.
In addition, other configurations are the same as the configurations of the light source device for an endoscope, which is the premise of the present invention described above.

Therefore, when the video processor 5 is connected to the light source device 401, frame sequential light is output, and when the camera control unit 6 is connected to the light source device 401, and when the video processor 5 and the camera control unit 6 are connected. If neither of these is connected, white light is output.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is detected that the video processor 5 or the camera control unit 6 is connected to the light source device, and the frame sequential light and the white light are automatically switched. .

[0075]

As described above, the endoscope light source device according to the present invention can automatically supply the illumination light suitable for the scope used.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 to 17 relate to a light source device for an endoscope, which is a premise of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overall configuration of an endoscope system,

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a fiberscope,

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a frame sequential external television camera,

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a simultaneous external television camera,

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a frame sequential electronic scope,

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a simultaneous electronic scope,

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a video processor,

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a camera control unit,

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a frame sequential process circuit;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a simultaneous process circuit;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an example of a filter moving means of the light source device,

FIG. 12 is a front view of a color conversion filter,

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a lamp current and a light quantity emitted from the scope tip at the time of outputting white light in the light source device of the comparative example.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a lamp current and an amount of light emitted from the tip of the scope when a frame sequential light is output in the light source device of the comparative example.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory view showing a lamp current and a light quantity emitted from the scope tip at the time of outputting white light in the light source device which is the premise of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is an explanatory view showing a lamp current and an amount of light emitted from the tip of the scope when a frame-sequential light is output in the light source device which is the premise of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a timing chart showing the operation of the light source device which is the premise of the present invention,

FIG. 18 is a schematic configuration diagram of a light source device for an endoscope showing an example in which the light emitted from the light source is automatically switched between white light and frame sequential light depending on the type of the attached scope.

FIG. 19 is a schematic configuration diagram of a light source device for an endoscope showing an embodiment of the present invention,

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 ... Scope 2A ... Frame sequential electronic scope 2B ... Simultaneous electronic scope 2E ... Fiberscope 5 ... Video processor 6 ... Camera control unit 40 ... Lighting device 41 ... Lamp 43 ... Color conversion filter 45 ... Filter moving means 50 ... Electrical connector Receiver 52A ... Rear cable 52B ... Rear cable 402 ... Detecting means

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An endoscope that includes an endoscope that requires white light as illumination light and a field-sequential imaging means that illuminates an endoscope that requires field-sequential light that is sequentially switched to light in different wavelength regions as illumination light. A light source device for an endoscope capable of supplying light, comprising: a light source that emits white light; and a light source that is interposed in the optical path of the light emitted from the light source and emits light from the light source when at least field sequential light is output. Converting means for converting white light into plane-sequential light, selecting means for selecting the type of output light from white light and field-sequential light, and type of image signal processing means, and selecting means On the other hand, a light source device for an endoscope, comprising: a detection unit that selects either white light or frame sequential light.