JP2007301098A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To raise the examination efficiency of an endoscope by keeping the diameter of its insertion part as thin as possible and irradiating at least the spot for examination (the region to be watched) located just before the bent insertion tip by an appropriate brightness. <P>SOLUTION: The controller 20 comprises a system controller 20a for carrying out process in accordance with the control program stored in a main memory, a bending direction decision part 20b for sensing the operation of a bending direction instruction button that instructs the insertion part to bend up and down, left and right directions and deciding the direction of the insertion part bent, a bending drive controller 20c for controlling a bending driver that bends the insertion part in the bending direction decided by the bending direction decision part 20b, and an LED drive controller 20d for controlling the 1st through 4th LEDs drivers provided at the up, down, left and right ends on the tip surface of the insertion part by setting up their luminances in conjunction with the insertion part bending operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus that inserts an insertion portion into a lumen, illuminates a test site in the lumen, and observes the test site.

  In recent years, a medical endoscope capable of observing organs in a body cavity by inserting an elongated insertion portion into a body cavity, or performing various therapeutic treatments using a treatment instrument inserted into a treatment instrument channel as necessary. Is widely used.

  In addition, industrial endoscopes are used for inspection of corrosion and scratches on industrial pipes and the like.

  By the way, as a means for illuminating a body cavity, a lumen or the like when using an endoscope, illumination light from an external illumination device is transmitted using a light guide disposed in an insertion portion of the endoscope. However, since the illumination device is large, the entire endoscope device is enlarged.

  Therefore, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-15581, there is a technique in which an illumination lamp is disposed at the distal end of the insertion portion to reduce the size of the endoscope apparatus. Light Emitting Diodes).

  LED is low power consumption but weak against overcurrent and easily destroyed. Therefore, it is difficult to use for medical devices that require high reliability. one of.

  In the endoscope apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-155811, an LED is disposed at the distal end of the insertion portion, and the length of the power line of the LED is determined using a current value detection means, a current value comparison means, a current value control means, and the like. Even if various endoscopes having different values are used, a necessary amount of light is always secured.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-225952 discloses an endoscope apparatus in which a plurality of LEDs are arranged at the distal end of an insertion portion, a video signal of an endoscopic image is monitored, and brightness adjustment of a specific LED is instructed according to a monitor result. Disclosure.

Furthermore, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-342010 provides an LED in a sheath separately from an endoscope having an insertion portion with an illumination optical system, and controls the illumination of the LED of the sheath in the endoscope insertion portion. An endoscope apparatus interlocked with bending is disclosed.
JP-A-11-155811 JP-A-11-225952 JP 2005-342010 A

  However, in the endoscope apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-15581, when the illumination area of the illumination light is moved on the inspection object while the distal end of the insertion portion is bent, the direction to be bent (direction to be inspected) ) Is dark and it is difficult to find a target region on the inspection object.

  In the endoscope apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-225952, in order to brighten the bending direction (direction to be inspected), the user must manually indicate the brightness of a specific LED based on the monitor result. There is a problem that the operation becomes complicated.

  Further, in the endoscope apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-342010, the LED illumination control of the sheath is inserted into the endoscope as compared with the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-155811 or Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-225952. Although it is possible to improve the operability such as brightening the direction of bending (direction to be inspected) in terms of interlocking with the bending of the part, a battery, a local CPU, etc. are added to the sheath added to cover the endoscope insertion part Since the additional means is incorporated, there is a problem that the diameter of the entire insertion portion is increased, and the usable environment is restricted.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described points, and maintains the reduced diameter of the insertion portion, and at least illuminates the inspection location (attention site) ahead of the bending direction with appropriate luminance, thereby improving the inspection efficiency. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope apparatus that can be improved.

The endoscope apparatus of the present invention is
An insertion portion inserted into the lumen, having an objective optical system at the distal end portion and having an elongated curved portion, an imaging means for imaging a region to be examined in the lumen into which the insertion portion is inserted; In an endoscope apparatus having signal processing means for performing signal processing of an imaging signal from an imaging means and displaying an image of the examination site on a display means,
Light source means for emitting illumination light for illuminating the test site from the tip of the insertion portion;
A bending instruction means for instructing a bending operation of the bending portion;
Bending control means for bending the bending portion based on a bending instruction from the bending instruction means;
Brightness control means for controlling the brightness of the light source means in conjunction with the curvature control of the curvature control means.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to maintain the narrow diameter of the insertion portion and to illuminate at least the inspection portion (target region) ahead of the bending direction with appropriate luminance, thereby improving inspection efficiency. .

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  1 to 7 relate to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the endoscope apparatus, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the control unit in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a first timing chart illustrating the processing of FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a first explanatory diagram illustrating the processing of FIG. 3, and FIG. 6 is the processing of FIG. FIG. 7 is a second timing chart for explaining the processing of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is inserted into a lumen, and an inspection location (attention) in the lumen via an objective optical system 10 provided on the distal end surface of the distal end portion 4. An image pickup device as an image pickup means for picking up an image of a part), for example, includes an insertion portion 3 having a CCD 7 in its tip, and a signal processing device 2 as a signal processing means for signal processing an image pickup signal picked up by the CCD 7. Note that the image sensor is not limited to a CCD, but may be a CMOS sensor.

  For example, a first (upper) LED 6a, a second (lower) LED 6b, a third (left) LED 6c, and a fourth (right) LED 6d vertically and horizontally on the distal end surface of the distal end portion 4 with the objective optical system 10 as the center. Light source means using the four white LEDs as light emitting elements are arranged and provided.

  The insertion portion 3 is elongated and flexible, and a bending portion 5 including a plurality of bending pieces 8 is formed in the vicinity of the distal end portion 4. By bending the bending portion 5, the distal end portion 4 is formed. Can be bent vertically and horizontally.

  The signal processing device 2 includes an LED driver 11, a bending driver 12, a signal processing unit 13, a display unit 14, a bending upward direction instruction button 15, a bending downward direction instruction button 16, a bending left direction instruction button 17, and a bending right direction instruction button. 18, a main memory 19 and a control unit 20 are provided.

  The LED driver 11 is a driver that lights the first (upper) LED 6a, the second (lower) LED 6b, the third (left) LED 6c, and the fourth (right) LED 6d with brightness based on control described later.

  The bending driver 12 is a driver that bends the bending portion 5 by driving the four bending wires 9 connected to the upper, lower, left, and right of the plurality of bending pieces 8.

  The signal processing unit 13 drives the CCD 7 and also performs signal processing on the image pickup signal from the CCD 7 to display an observation image of the inspection site (target site), for example, a liquid crystal monitor disposed on the front surface of the signal processing device 2. It is displayed on the display unit 14.

  Further, the bending upward direction instruction button 15, the bending downward direction instruction button 16, the bending left direction instruction button 17, and the bending right direction instruction button 18 indicate the bending direction of the bending portion 5 disposed on the front surface of the signal processing device 2, for example. It is a bending instruction | indication input part as a bending instruction | indication means comprised from the mechanical button to instruct | indicate.

  The control unit 20 controls each unit in the apparatus according to a control program stored in the main memory 19. The main memory 19 stores a control program, and the control unit 20 can read / write data necessary for control.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 20 includes a system control unit 20a, a bending direction determination unit 20b, a bending drive control unit 20c as a bending control unit, and an LED drive control unit 20d as a luminance control unit. It is configured.

  The system control unit 20 a is a functional unit that executes processing according to a control program stored in the main memory 19. The bending direction determination unit 20b is a functional unit that detects the operation of the bending upward direction instruction button 15, the bending downward direction instruction button 16, the bending left direction instruction button 17, and the bending right direction instruction button 18 and determines the bending direction.

  Further, the bending drive control unit 20c controls the bending driver 12 to bend the bending unit 5 in the bending direction determined by the bending direction determination unit 20b. The LED drive control unit 20d is linked to the bending operation of the bending unit 5 based on the bending direction determined by the bending direction determination unit 20b, and the first (upper) LED 6a, the second (lower) LED 6b, and the third (left). The brightness of the LED 6c and the fourth (right) LED 6d is set, and the LED driver 11 is controlled.

  The operation of this embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7 using the flowchart of FIG.

  When the inspection of the lumen by the endoscope apparatus 1 is started, the control program is started by the system control unit 20a of the control unit 20, and as shown in FIG. 3, the LED drive control unit 20d of the control unit 20 In step S1, the LED driver 11 is controlled to light the first (upper) LED 6a, the second (lower) LED 6b, the third (left) LED 6c, and the fourth (right) LED 6d at Level 1, which is a predetermined luminance level.

  In step S2, the bending direction determination unit 20b of the control unit 20 determines whether or not the bending upward direction instruction button 15 has been pressed. If it is determined that the curved upward direction instruction button 15 is not pressed, the process proceeds to step S5.

  On the other hand, if the bending direction determination unit 20b determines that the bending up direction instruction button 15 has been pressed, the bending drive control unit 20c of the control unit 20 controls the bending driver 12 in step S3, and the upper portion of the plurality of bending pieces 8 is controlled. By driving the bending wire 9 connected to the bending portion 5, the bending portion 5 is bent upward. Subsequently, in step S4, the LED drive control unit 20d of the control unit 20 sets the luminance level of the first (upper) LED 6a to a luminance level higher than Level 1 (Level 2: Level 2> Level 1) and second (lower). The brightness level of the LED 6b is set to a brightness level lower than Level1 (Level3: Level3 <Level1), the LED driver 11 is controlled, and the process proceeds to Step S5.

  Accordingly, the first (upper) LED 6a has a luminance level = Level 2 (> Level 1), the second (lower) LED 6b has a luminance level = Level 3 (<Level 1), the third (left) LED 6c and the fourth (right) LED 6d have luminance levels. = Light 1 is driven to light.

  In step S5, the bending direction determination unit 20b of the control unit 20 determines whether or not the bending downward direction instruction button 16 has been pressed. If it is determined that the curved downward direction instruction button 16 is not pressed, the process proceeds to step S8.

  On the other hand, when the bending direction determination unit 20b determines that the bending down direction instruction button 16 has been pressed, the bending drive control unit 20c of the control unit 20 controls the bending driver 12 in step S6, and the lower portions of the plurality of bending pieces 8 are controlled. By driving the bending wire 9 connected to the bending portion 5, the bending portion 5 is bent downward. Subsequently, in step S7, the LED drive control unit 20d of the control unit 20 sets the luminance level of the second (lower) LED 6b to a luminance level higher than Level 1 (Level 2: Level 2> Level 1) and first (upper). The luminance level of the LED 6a is set to a luminance level lower than Level1 (Level3: Level3 <Level1), the LED driver 11 is controlled, and the process proceeds to Step S8.

  Accordingly, the first (upper) LED 6a has a luminance level = Level3 (<Level1), the second (lower) LED 6b has a luminance level = Level2 (> Level1), the third (left) LED 6c and the fourth (right) LED 6d have luminance levels. = Light 1 is driven to light.

  In step S8, the bending direction determination unit 20b of the control unit 20 determines whether or not the bending left direction instruction button 17 has been pressed. If it is determined that the curved left direction instruction button 17 has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S11.

  On the other hand, if the bending direction determination unit 20b determines that the bending left direction instruction button 17 has been pressed, the bending drive control unit 20c of the control unit 20 controls the bending driver 12 in step S9, and the left of the plurality of bending pieces 8 is left. The bending portion 5 is bent leftward by driving the bending wire 9 connected to the portion. Subsequently, in step S10, the LED drive control unit 20d of the control unit 20 sets the luminance level of the third (left) LED 6c to a luminance level higher than Level 1 (Level 2: Level 2> Level 1) and the fourth (right). The luminance level of the LED 6d is set to a luminance level lower than Level 1 (Level 3: Level 3 <Level 1), the LED driver 11 is controlled, and the process proceeds to step S11.

  Thus, the first (upper) LED 6a and the second (lower) LED 6b have a luminance level = Level1, the third (left) LED 6c has a luminance level = Level2 (> Level1), and the fourth (right) LED 6d has a luminance level = Level3 (< Level 1) is driven to light.

  In step S11, the bending direction determination unit 20b of the control unit 20 determines whether or not the bending right direction instruction button 18 has been pressed. If it is determined that the curved right direction instruction button 18 is not pressed, the process proceeds to step S14.

  On the other hand, if the bending direction determination unit 20b determines that the bending right direction instruction button 18 has been pressed, the bending drive control unit 20c of the control unit 20 controls the bending driver 12 in step S12, and the right of the plurality of bending pieces 8 is controlled. The bending portion 5 is bent in the right direction by driving the bending wire 9 connected to the portion. Subsequently, in step S13, the LED drive control unit 20d of the control unit 20 sets the luminance level of the fourth (right) LED 6d to a luminance level higher than Level 1 (Level 2: Level 2> Level 1) and third (left). The luminance level of the LED 6c is set to a luminance level lower than Level1 (Level3: Level3 <Level1), the LED driver 11 is controlled, and the process proceeds to step S14.

  Thereby, the first (upper) LED 6a and the second (lower) LED 6b have a luminance level = Level1, the third (left) LED 6c has a luminance level = Level3 (<Level1), and the fourth (right) LED 6d has a luminance level = Level2 (>). Level 1) is driven to light.

  In step S14, it is determined whether or not the bending operation has been stopped (the operation of the bending upward direction button 15, the bending downward direction button 16, the bending left direction button 17 and the bending right direction button 18 has been stopped). If it is determined that the bending operation has stopped, the process returns to step S1, and if it is determined that the bending operation has not stopped, the process returns to step S2.

  FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the timing from the start of inspection to the start of lighting driving of the first to fourth LEDs 6a to 6d. FIG. 5 shows the display displayed on the display unit 14 when the first to fourth LEDs 6a to 6d are driven to be lit at the luminance level = Level 1 (predetermined luminance level) at the timing of starting the lighting drive in FIG. 4 (step S1). It is the figure which showed the brightness of the image typically. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the brightest area of the illumination light of the first to fourth LEDs 6a to 6d is mainly the center of the image.

  FIG. 6 shows that the first (upper) LED 6a, the second (lower) LED 6b, and the third (left) LED 6c are driven to turn on the luminance level and the fourth (right) LED 6d is turned on when the curved right direction instruction button 18 is pressed. It is a timing chart which shows the timing of. In FIG. 7, the bending portion 5 is bent in the right direction (step S12), and the first (upper) LED 6a and the second (lower) LED 6b in FIG. 6 have luminance levels = Level1, and the third (left) LED 6c has luminance. The brightness of the display image displayed on the display unit 14 when the level = Level3 (<Level1) and the fourth (right) LED 6d are driven to be lit at the luminance level = Level2 (> Level1) (Step S13). FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which the brightest area of the illumination light spreads in the right direction as compared with FIG.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the LED is arranged at the tip of the insertion portion 3 to maintain the diameter of the insertion portion 3, and the luminance levels of the first to fourth LEDs are set according to the bending direction. Since it is increased / decreased, at least the inspection location (attention site) ahead in the bending direction can be illuminated with appropriate luminance, and the inspection efficiency can be improved.

  In setting the luminance levels of the first to fourth LEDs in steps S4, S7, S10, and S13, the LED drive control unit 20d of the control unit 20 keeps the power consumption of the four LEDs as a whole. The brightness setting is controlled so as to keep it. In recent years, there has been a demand for portability of the device, longer life, etc. When the brightness is simply increased, the temperature at the tip of the insertion portion 3 rises due to the increase in heat generation of the LED. In order to prevent the image noise at the image sensor from increasing or the LED or the image sensor from being damaged in some cases. However, if heat generation and power consumption are not a problem, the brightness of all LEDs may be increased according to the bending operation.

  In steps S4, S7, S10, and S13, the luminance level of any one of the first to fourth LEDs is lowered. However, the target LED whose luminance level is to be lowered may be turned off.

  Further, the number of LEDs provided on the distal end surface of the insertion portion 3 is not limited to four, and any number and combination of LEDs may be used as long as they are a plurality of systems. In addition, the plurality of LEDs are provided on the distal end surface of the insertion portion 3. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a plurality of LEDs are provided in the signal processing device 2, and a plurality of optical fibers or the like corresponding to the LEDs are provided in the insertion portion 3. It goes without saying that the same operation and effect as in the present embodiment can be obtained even if the light transmission means is provided and the illumination light for each of the plurality of LEDs is transmitted to the tip of the insertion portion 3.

Further, in this embodiment, for example, a curved upward direction instruction button 15, a curved downward direction instruction button 16, a curved left direction instruction button 17, and a curved right direction instruction button constituted by mechanical buttons arranged on the front surface of the signal processing device 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the bending instruction input unit may be configured by a keyboard, a joystick, a mouse, or a pointing device such as a touch panel provided on the display unit 14. .

  8 to 12 relate to the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the endoscope apparatus, FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the distal end surface disposed on the distal end surface of the insertion portion of FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the side of the distal end of the insertion portion in FIG. 9, FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the control portion in FIG. 8, and FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a modification of the distal end of the insertion portion in FIG.

  Since the second embodiment is almost the same as the first embodiment, only different points will be described, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the endoscope apparatus 1a of the present embodiment includes a first (upper) LED 6a, a second (lower) LED 6b, a third (left) LED 6c, and a fourth provided on the distal end surface of the insertion portion 3. (Right) In addition to the four LEDs 6d, the front end 4 and the side surface of the insertion portion 3 are provided with slope portions of, for example, 45 °, and the first (upper) LED 6a, second (lower) LED 6b, Four additional LEDs are provided on the slope portion adjacent to the third (left) LED 6c and the fourth (right) LED 6d, and the newly provided four LEDs are connected to the LED drive control unit 20d of the control unit 20. It is comprised so that it may drive with the LED driver 11 by control of.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the first (upper) LED 6 a, the second (lower) LED 6 b, and the third (left) LED 6 c provided on the distal end surface of the insertion portion 3 as in the first embodiment. In addition to the fourth (right) LED 6d, the fifth (upper side) LED 6e, the sixth (lower) are provided on the inclined surface 4a formed at an angle of, for example, 45 ° between the distal end surface and the side surface of the insertion portion 3. Side LED 6f, 7th (left side) LED 6g, and 8th (right side) LED 6h are provided, and the LED driver 11 controls the first (upper) LED 6a and the second LED 6h under the control of the LED drive control unit 20d of the control unit 20. (Lower) LED 6b, third (left) LED 6c and fourth (right) LED 6d, as well as fifth (upper side) LED 6e, sixth (lower side) LED 6f, seventh (left side) LED 6g and eighth (right side) Surface) LED6h is lit and driven It has become. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  The operation of this embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the inspection of the lumen by the endoscope apparatus 1 is started, the control program is started by the system control unit 20a of the control unit 20, and the LED drive control unit 20d of the control unit 20 is configured as shown in FIG. In step S1a, the LED driver 11 is controlled, and the first (upper) LED 6a, the second (lower) LED 6b, the third (left) LED 6c, and the fourth (right) LED 6d are turned on at Level 1, which is a predetermined luminance level. The fifth (upper side) LED 6e, the sixth (lower side) LED 6f, the seventh (left side) LED 6g, and the eighth (right side) LED 6h are turned off.

  In step S2, the bending direction determination unit 20b of the control unit 20 determines whether or not the bending upward direction instruction button 15 has been pressed. If it is determined that the curved upward direction instruction button 15 is not pressed, the process proceeds to step S5.

  On the other hand, if the bending direction determination unit 20b determines that the bending up direction instruction button 15 has been pressed, the bending drive control unit 20c of the control unit 20 controls the bending driver 12 in step S3, and the upper portion of the plurality of bending pieces 8 is controlled. By driving the bending wire 9 connected to the bending portion 5, the bending portion 5 is bent upward. Subsequently, in step S4a, the LED drive control unit 20d of the control unit 20 sets the luminance level of the fifth (upper side) LED 6e to Level1, and the luminance level of the second (lower) LED 6b is lower than Level 1. It sets to (Level3: Level3 <Level1), controls the LED driver 11, and progresses to step S5.

  Accordingly, the fifth (upper side) LED 6e has a luminance level = Level1, the second (lower) LED 6b has a luminance level = Level3 (<Level1), the first (upper) LED 6a, the third (left) LED 6c, and the fourth (right). The LED 6d is driven to turn on at a luminance level = Level1.

  In step S5, the bending direction determination unit 20b of the control unit 20 determines whether or not the bending downward direction instruction button 16 has been pressed. If it is determined that the curved downward direction instruction button 16 is not pressed, the process proceeds to step S8.

  On the other hand, when the bending direction determination unit 20b determines that the bending down direction instruction button 16 has been pressed, the bending drive control unit 20c of the control unit 20 controls the bending driver 12 in step S6, and the lower portions of the plurality of bending pieces 8 are controlled. By driving the bending wire 9 connected to the bending portion 5, the bending portion 5 is bent downward. Subsequently, in step S7a, the LED drive control unit 20d of the control unit 20 sets the luminance level of the sixth (lower side) LED 6f to Level1, and the luminance level of the first (upper) LED 6a is lower than Level 1. It sets to (Level3: Level3 <Level1), controls the LED driver 11, and progresses to step S8.

  Accordingly, the sixth (lower side) LED 6f has a luminance level = Level1, the first (upper) LED 6a = Level3 (<Level1), the second (lower) LED 6b, the third (left) LED 6c, and the fourth (right) LED 6d have luminance. It is driven to light at level = Level1.

  In step S8, the bending direction determination unit 20b of the control unit 20 determines whether or not the bending left direction instruction button 17 has been pressed. If it is determined that the curved left direction instruction button 17 has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S11.

  On the other hand, if the bending direction determination unit 20b determines that the bending left direction instruction button 17 has been pressed, the bending drive control unit 20c of the control unit 20 controls the bending driver 12 in step S9, and the left of the plurality of bending pieces 8 is left. The bending portion 5 is bent leftward by driving the bending wire 9 connected to the portion. Subsequently, in step S10a, the LED drive control unit 20d of the control unit 20 sets the luminance level of the seventh (left side) LED 6g to Level1, and the luminance level of the fourth (right) LED 6d is lower than Level 1. It sets to (Level3: Level3 <Level1), controls the LED driver 11, and progresses to step S11.

  Accordingly, the first (upper) LED 6a, the second (lower) LED 6b, the third (left) LED 6c, and the seventh (left side) LED 6g have a luminance level = Level1, and the fourth (right) LED 6d has a luminance level = Level3 (<Level1). ) Is driven to light.

  In step S11, the bending direction determination unit 20b of the control unit 20 determines whether or not the bending right direction instruction button 18 has been pressed. If it is determined that the curved right direction instruction button 18 is not pressed, the process proceeds to step S14.

  On the other hand, if the bending direction determination unit 20b determines that the bending right direction instruction button 18 has been pressed, the bending drive control unit 20c of the control unit 20 controls the bending driver 12 in step S12, and the right of the plurality of bending pieces 8 is controlled. The bending portion 5 is bent in the right direction by driving the bending wire 9 connected to the portion. Subsequently, in step S13a, the LED drive control unit 20d of the control unit 20 sets the luminance level of the eighth (right side) LED 6h to Level1, and the luminance level of the third (left) LED 6c is lower than Level 1. It sets to (Level3: Level3 <Level1), controls the LED driver 11, and progresses to step S14.

  Accordingly, the first (upper) LED 6a, the second (lower) LED 6b, the fourth (right) LED 6d, and the eighth (right side) LED 6h have a luminance level = Level1, and the third (left) LED 6c has a luminance level = Level3 (<Level1). ) Is driven to light.

  In step S14, it is determined whether or not the bending operation has been stopped (the operation of the bending upward direction button 15, the bending downward direction button 16, the bending left direction button 17 and the bending right direction button 18 has been stopped). If it is determined that the bending operation has stopped, the process returns to step S1a, and if it is determined that the bending operation has not stopped, the process returns to step S2.

  In setting the luminance levels of the first to eighth LEDs in steps S4a, S7a, S10a, and S13a, the LED drive control unit 20d of the control unit 20 has the same reason as described in the first embodiment. The brightness setting is controlled so as to keep the power consumption of all the eight LEDs constant.

  Thus, also in the present embodiment, the same operations and effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

  In the present embodiment, the LEDs are provided on the distal end surface of the insertion portion 5 and the inclined surface of the distal end side portion. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. Four LEDs, LED 6a, second (lower) LED 6b, third (left) LED 6c, and fourth (right) LED 6d, are provided on the slope of the distal end side portion of adapter 70 that can be attached to and removed from distal end portion 4 of insertion portion 5. 5 (upper side) LED 6e, sixth (lower side) LED 6f, seventh (left side) LED 6g, and eighth (right side) LED 6h may be provided.

  13 to 17 relate to the third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the endoscope apparatus, FIG. 14 is a diagram showing table data stored in the table memory of FIG. 13, and FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the control unit in FIG. 13, FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a process flow of the control unit in FIG. 15, and FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a process flow of the LED luminance control process in FIG.

  Since the third embodiment is almost the same as the first embodiment, only different points will be described, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the endoscope apparatus 1b of the present embodiment is an illuminance sensor that detects the illuminance of the examination location (target region) adjacent to the first (upper) LED 6a, for example, on the distal end surface of the insertion portion 3. 52 and a temperature sensor 51 for detecting the temperature in the vicinity of the CCD 7 inside the tip 4.

  In addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, the signal processing device 2 includes an A / D converter 53 that converts a detection signal from the temperature sensor 51 into temperature data of a digital signal and outputs it to the control unit 20, and an illuminance sensor 52. An A / D converter 54 that converts the detected signal into illuminance data of a digital signal and outputs it to the control unit 20 is provided.

  Further, the signal processing device 2 detects bending data (length data of the pulled four bending wires 9) from the bending driver 12, and controls the bending state data such as the bending direction and the bending amount of the bending portion 5 as a control unit. 20 has a curvature detection unit 55 that outputs to 20.

  Further, the signal processing device 2 has four LEDs, that is, a first (upper) LED 6a, a second (lower) LED 6b, a third (left) LED 6c, based on the temperature data, illuminance data, and bending state data. It has a table memory 56 that stores the luminance data of the fourth (right) LED 6d as table data as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the control unit 20 includes an A / D converter 53 in addition to the system control unit 20a, the bending direction determination unit 20b, the bending drive control unit 20c, and the LED drive control unit 20d described in the first embodiment. A temperature data detection unit 20e as temperature detection means for detecting temperature data from the illuminance data detection unit 20f as illuminance detection means for detecting illuminance data from the A / D converter 54, and a curvature detection unit 55 Based on the temperature data, the illuminance data, and the bending state data from the table memory 56, the bending state detection unit 20g as a bending detection means for detecting the bending state data of the bending portion 5, and the table data stored in the table memory 56 Table that extracts luminance data of 1 (upper) LED 6a, second (lower) LED 6b, third (left) LED 6c, and fourth (right) LED 6d It is configured by further comprising a data extraction unit 20h. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  The operation of this embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  When the inspection of the lumen by the endoscope apparatus 1 is started, the control program is started by the system control unit 20a of the control unit 20, and as shown in FIG. 16, the LED drive control unit 20d of the control unit 20 In step S1, the LED driver 11 is controlled to light the first (upper) LED 6a, the second (lower) LED 6b, the third (left) LED 6c, and the fourth (right) LED 6d at Level 1, which is a predetermined luminance level.

  In step S2, the bending direction determination unit 20b of the control unit 20 determines whether or not the bending upward direction instruction button 15 has been pressed. If it is determined that the curved upward direction instruction button 15 is not pressed, the process proceeds to step S5.

  On the other hand, if the bending direction determination unit 20b determines that the bending up direction instruction button 15 has been pressed, the bending drive control unit 20c of the control unit 20 controls the bending driver 12 in step S3, and the upper portion of the plurality of bending pieces 8 is controlled. By driving the bending wire 9 connected to the bending portion 5, the bending portion 5 is bent upward.

  Subsequently, in step S4b, the control unit 20 determines the first (upper) LED 6a, the second (lower) LED 6b, and the second from the table data stored in the table memory 56 based on the temperature data, the illuminance data, and the bending state data. The brightness | luminance data of 3 (left) LED6c and 4th (right) LED6d are extracted, the LED brightness control process mentioned later which controls the LED driver 11 is performed, and it progresses to step S5.

  In step S5, the bending direction determination unit 20b of the control unit 20 determines whether or not the bending downward direction instruction button 16 has been pressed. If it is determined that the curved downward direction instruction button 16 is not pressed, the process proceeds to step S8.

  On the other hand, when the bending direction determination unit 20b determines that the bending down direction instruction button 16 has been pressed, the bending drive control unit 20c of the control unit 20 controls the bending driver 12 in step S6, and the lower portions of the plurality of bending pieces 8 are controlled. By driving the bending wire 9 connected to the bending portion 5, the bending portion 5 is bent downward. Subsequently, in step S7b, similarly to step S4b, based on the temperature data, illuminance data, and curve state data, the first (upper) LED 6a, the second (lower) LED 6b, The brightness | luminance data of 3rd (left) LED6c and 4th (right) LED6d are extracted, the LED brightness control process mentioned later which controls the LED driver 11 is performed, and it progresses to step S8.

  In step S8, the bending direction determination unit 20b of the control unit 20 determines whether or not the bending left direction instruction button 17 has been pressed. If it is determined that the curved left direction instruction button 17 has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S11.

  On the other hand, if the bending direction determination unit 20b determines that the bending left direction instruction button 17 has been pressed, the bending drive control unit 20c of the control unit 20 controls the bending driver 12 in step S9, and the left of the plurality of bending pieces 8 is left. The bending portion 5 is bent leftward by driving the bending wire 9 connected to the portion. Subsequently, in step S10b, similarly to step S4b, based on the temperature data, illuminance data, and bending state data, the first (upper) LED 6a, the second (lower) LED 6b, The brightness | luminance data of 3rd (left) LED6c and 4th (right) LED6d are extracted, the LED brightness control process mentioned later which controls the LED driver 11 is performed, and it progresses to step S11.

  In step S11, the bending direction determination unit 20b of the control unit 20 determines whether or not the bending right direction instruction button 18 has been pressed. If it is determined that the curved right direction instruction button 18 is not pressed, the process proceeds to step S14.

  On the other hand, if the bending direction determination unit 20b determines that the bending right direction instruction button 18 has been pressed, the bending drive control unit 20c of the control unit 20 controls the bending driver 12 in step S12, and the right of the plurality of bending pieces 8 is controlled. The bending portion 5 is bent in the right direction by driving the bending wire 9 connected to the portion. Subsequently, in step S13b, similarly to step S4b, based on the temperature data, illuminance data, and bending state data, the first (upper) LED 6a, the second (lower) LED 6b, The brightness | luminance data of 3rd (left) LED6c and 4th (right) LED6d are extracted, the LED brightness control process mentioned later which controls the LED driver 11 is performed, and it progresses to step S14.

  In step S14, it is determined whether or not the bending operation has been stopped (the operation of the bending upward direction button 15, the bending downward direction button 16, the bending left direction button 17 and the bending right direction button 18 has been stopped). If it is determined that the bending operation has stopped, the process returns to step S1, and if it is determined that the bending operation has not stopped, the process returns to step S2.

  Next, the LED brightness control process based on the temperature data, the illuminance data, and the bending state data in step S4b, step S7b, step S10b, and step S13b will be described.

  In this LED luminance control process, as shown in FIG. 17, the control unit 20 detects temperature data inside the distal end of the insertion unit 3 by the temperature data detection unit 20e in step S21, and detects illuminance data in step S22. The illuminance at the inspection location (target region) is detected by the unit 20f. Furthermore, the control part 20 detects the bending state data of the bending part 5 by the bending state detection part 20g in step S23. And the control part 20 is 1st from the table data shown in FIG. 14 stored in the table memory 56 based on the temperature data, illumination intensity data, and curvature state data which were detected by the table data extraction part 20h in step S24. The luminance data of the (upper) LED 6a, the second (lower) LED 6b, the third (left) LED 6c, and the fourth (right) LED 6d is extracted, and the first (upper) LED 6a, second is extracted from the luminance data extracted in step S25. (Lower) The LED driver 11 is controlled so that the LED 6b, the third (left) LED 6c, and the fourth (right) LED 6d emit light, and the LED is driven to light.

  As described above, in this embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the first (upper) LED 6a, the second (lower) LED 6b, the third (left) LED 6c, and the first are based on the temperature data, the illuminance data, and the bending state data. Since the brightness of the 4 (right) LED 6d is set, more appropriate brightness control is possible. In the present embodiment, since the bending state of the bending portion 5 is detected, the bending upward direction button 15, the bending downward direction button 16, the bending left direction button 17, and the bending right direction button 18 are pressed. Thus, when the bending driver 12 is bending the bending portion 5, for example, when the distal end portion 4 comes into contact with the inner wall of the body cavity and the bending operation is stopped, as shown in FIG. 14, the first (upper) LED 6 a , The second (lower) LED 6b, the third (left) LED 6c, and the fourth (right) LED 6d emit light with the same luminance, so that the center of the image can be illuminated as the brightest area.

  In the setting of the luminance levels of the first to fourth LEDs by the LED luminance control processing in steps S4b, S7b, S10b and S13b, the control unit 20 has the same reason as described in the first embodiment. The brightness setting is controlled so that the power consumption of the four LEDs as a whole is kept constant.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The block diagram which shows the function structure of the control part of FIG. The flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the control part of FIG. First timing chart for explaining the processing of FIG. 1st explanatory drawing explaining the process of FIG. Second timing chart for explaining the processing of FIG. 2nd explanatory drawing explaining the process of FIG. Configuration diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The figure which shows the front end surface arrange | positioned at the front end surface of the insertion part of FIG. The figure which shows the front end side of the insertion part of FIG. The flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the control part of FIG. The figure which shows the modification of the insertion part front-end | tip of FIG. Configuration diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. The figure which shows the table data stored in the table memory of FIG. The block diagram which shows the function structure of the control part of FIG. The flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the control part of FIG. The flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the LED brightness control process of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope apparatus 2 ... Signal processing apparatus 3 ... Insertion part 4 ... Tip part 5 ... Bending part 6a ... 1st (upper) LED
6b ... Second (lower) LED
6c ... 3rd (left) LED
6d ... 4th (right) LED
7 ... CCD
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 8 ... Curve top 9 ... Curve wire 10 ... Objective optical system 11 ... LED driver 12 ... Curve driver 13 ... Signal processing part 14 ... Display part 15 ... Curve up direction instruction button 16 ... Curve down direction instruction button 17 ... Curve left direction instruction Button 18 ... Bending right direction instruction button 19 ... Main memory 20 ... Control unit 20a ... System control unit 20b ... Bending direction determination unit 20c ... Bending drive control unit 20d ... LED drive control unit

Claims (9)

An insertion portion inserted into the lumen, having an objective optical system at the distal end portion and having an elongated curved portion, an imaging means for imaging a region to be examined in the lumen into which the insertion portion is inserted; In an endoscope apparatus having signal processing means for performing signal processing of an imaging signal from an imaging means and displaying an image of the examination site on a display means,
Light source means for emitting illumination light for illuminating the test site from the tip of the insertion portion;
A bending instruction means for instructing a bending operation of the bending portion;
Bending control means for bending the bending portion based on a bending instruction from the bending instruction means;
An endoscope apparatus comprising: brightness control means for controlling the brightness of the light source means in conjunction with the curvature control of the curvature control means. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging unit is provided in a distal end of the insertion unit in which an imaging surface is disposed at an imaging position of the objective optical system. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light source unit includes a plurality of light emitting elements that are arranged on a distal end surface of the insertion portion and illuminate a front end of the insertion portion. The endoscope according to claim 3, wherein the light source means further includes a plurality of light emitting elements that are disposed at a distal end portion of the insertion portion and illuminate a front side of the distal end of the insertion portion. apparatus. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of light emitting elements that illuminate obliquely forward of the distal end of the insertion portion are detachably disposed at a distal end of the insertion portion. Further comprising a temperature detection means for detecting the temperature in the distal end of the insertion portion;
The brightness control means controls the brightness of the light source means in conjunction with the curve control of the curve control means based on the temperature data detected by the temperature detection means. The endoscope apparatus according to 4 or 5. Illuminance detection means for detecting the illuminance of the test site illuminated by the illumination light of the light source means,
The brightness control means controls the brightness of the light source means in conjunction with the curve control of the curve control means based on the illuminance data detected by the illuminance detection means. The endoscope apparatus according to 4, 5 or 6. A bending detection means for detecting a bending state of the bending portion bent by the bending control means;
The brightness control means controls the brightness of the light source means in conjunction with the bending control of the bending control means based on the bending state data detected by the bending detection means. The endoscope apparatus according to 4, 5, 6, or 7. Temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature in the distal end of the insertion portion;
Illuminance detection means for detecting the illuminance of the test site illuminated by the illumination light of the light source means;
Bend detection means for detecting the bending state of the bending portion bent by the bending control means;
A luminance data storage unit storing luminance data of the light source unit based on temperature data detected by the temperature detection unit, illuminance data detected by the illuminance detection unit, and bending state data detected by the bending detection unit; Have
The brightness control means controls the brightness of the light source means in conjunction with the curve control of the curve control means based on the brightness data stored in the brightness data storage unit. The endoscope apparatus according to 3, 4, or 5.

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