Patent Application
20090209811
The present invention relates to a processor for an endoscope, which provides a drive signal and supplies power to an image sensor provided in the endoscope, and an endoscope system constituted of an endoscope and this processor for an endoscope.
An endoscope system is constituted of an endoscope (scope) and a processor. The endoscope is used for taking images inside a body cavity. The endoscope is detachably connected to the processor via a connector. The processor performs image processing to image data transmitted from the endoscope, and outputs the image data to a display. The endoscope has an image sensor such as a CCD at a distal tip of an insertion section that is inserted in a body cavity. The endoscope increases in size and weight when a power supply and a drive circuit for the CCD are provided in the endoscope, which makes the endoscope difficult to handle. For this reason, it is preferred to provide the power supply and the drive circuits in the processor so as to supply the power and output the drive signals from the processor to the endoscope.
To remove the endoscope from the processor, it is necessary to stop the CCD and the like in advance, and check that the endoscope is ready for removal. However, since a doctor delegates a task to stop the CCD, and is extremely busy in a medical site, the CCD is often left activated and the endoscope is removed while the CCD is still driven. In such cases, when a line for the power supply is disconnected before a line for the drive signals is disconnected, the drive signal may cause unexpected currents in a circuit of the CCD, and may damage the CCD.
To solve the above problem, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2000-092478, a plug connector is provided with pins shorter than the rest of the pins of the plug connector. Such shorter pins are used for controlling power supply. The power is supplied and control signals are input to the endoscope only when the shorter pins are conducted. When the endoscope is removed, the shorter pins are disconnected first, which stops the power supply and input of the control signals to the endoscope. As a result, the CCD is protected from damage even if the endoscope is removed while the CCD is driven.
However, a plug connector having pins shorter or longer than the rest of the pins is not commercially available. Therefore, in order to adopt the configuration described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2000-092478, it is necessary to customize a plug connector, incurring a substantial amount of cost. In addition, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2000-092478 does not provide a solution to prevent damage of the conventional endoscope with the ordinary plug connector having the pins of the same length.
An object of the present invention is to provide a processor for an endoscope and an endoscope system that prevents damage to a CCD when an endoscope is removed from the processor while the CCD is driven, without modifying a connector.
In order to achieve the above objects and other objects, a processor of the present invention includes a processor connector, a power supply section, a driver, a detecting section, and a controller. The processor connector fits with an endoscope connector provided to the endoscope so as to mechanically and electrically connect the endoscope and the processor. The power supply section supplies power via the processor connector and the endoscope connector to an image sensor. The image sensor is provided in the endoscope. The driver drives the image sensor by providing a drive signal to the image sensor via the processor connector and the endoscope connector. The detecting section detects start of removal of the endoscope connector from the processor connector in a state that at least a pair of contacts for power supply, among a plurality of contacts on the processor connector and the endoscope connector, is kept connected electrically. The controller controls the driver and the power supply section to stop providing the drive signal first and then stop supplying power in response to detection of start of removal of the endoscope connector.
It is preferred that each of the processor connector and the endoscope connector comprises a flat type connector having the contacts linearly aligned in a direction substantially orthogonal to an insertion and removal direction of the endoscope connector. The detecting section is constituted of a first detector and a second detector, and the first detector is provided at a side end portion of the processor connector, and the second detector is provided at the other side end portion of the processor connector.
It is preferred that the first detector is a first contact, and the second detector is a second contact. The first contact is provided at the side end portion of the processor connector and the second contact is provided at the other side end portion of the processor connector. The detection section detects start of removal of the endoscope connector when conduction between at least one of the first and second contacts and corresponding contact of the endoscope connector ceases.
It is preferred that the detection section includes a third detector that detects start of removal of the endoscope connector by sensing a mechanical displacement of the endoscope connector.
It is preferred that the third detector includes an arm, a biasing member, and a sensor. The arm is movable between a first position in which the arm contacts with the processor connector, and a second position in which the arm is pushed away from the first position and comes in contact with the endoscope connector connected to the processor connector. The biasing member pushes the arm against the first position. The sensor senses movement of the arm from the first position.
It is preferred that the third detector is located close to a center portion of the processor connector.
It is preferred that start of removal of the endoscope connector is detected by the third detector before being detected by the first and the second detectors.
It is preferred that the contacts used for the power supply are disposed close to a center portion of each of the endoscope connector and processor connector.
An endoscope system of the present invention includes an endoscope, a processor, a power supply section, a driver, a detecting section, and a controller. The endoscope has an image sensor. The processor outputs image data, transmitted from the endoscope, to a display device. The processor has a processor connector to fit with an endoscope connector provided to the endoscope so as to mechanically and electrically connect the endoscope and the processor. The power supply section supplies power via the processor connector and the endoscope connector to an image sensor. The driver drives the image sensor by providing a drive signal to the image sensor via the processor connector and the endoscope connector. The detecting section detects start of removal of the endoscope connector from the processor connector in a state that at least a pair of contacts for power supply, among a plurality of contacts on the processor connector and the endoscope connector, is kept connected electrically. The controller controls the driver and the power supply section to stop providing the drive signal first and then stop supplying power in response to detection of start of removal of the endoscope connector.
According to the present invention, the output of the drive signals and power supply are stopped in this order in response to detection of the start of removal of the endoscope connector. Thereby, the image sensor is prevented from damage when the endoscope is removed from the processor in a state that the image sensor is driven. In addition, since it is not necessary to modify the existing connectors of the endoscope and the processor, additional cost to develop new connectors for preventing the damage of the image sensor is not necessary. Thus, the CCD of the existing endoscopes is also prevented from damage.
In
As shown in
The fitting tube 34 is a rectangular tube having a trapezoidal cross-section with a side above the fitting plate 33 longer than a side below the fitting plate 33. Since the fitting tube is formed to have such asymmetrical shape, a position of the first control connecter 24 for connection is uniquely defined. Accordingly, improper connection of the first control connector 24 is prevented.
As shown in
The second control connector 40 has a connect section 44 of a rectangular solid shape having an approximately trapezoidal cross-section that fits into the fitting tube 34. A fitting cavity 45 is formed at a position in a connect section 44 where the fitting plate 33 comes into contact when the fitting tube 34 and the connect section 44 are fit. The fitting plate 33 comes into the fitting cavity 45 such that the fitting plate 33 and the fitting cavity 45 are fit. The first and second control connectors 24 and 40 are mechanically connected by the fit between the fitting tube 34 and the connect section 44, and the fit between the fitting plate 33 and the fitting cavity 45.
Upper and lower interior surfaces of the fitting cavity 45 come in contact with the upper and lower surfaces of the fitting plate 33, respectively. Each of the upper and lower interior surfaces of the fitting cavity 45 is provided with 25 contacts 46 aligned at regular intervals. Each contact 46 comes in contact with the corresponding contact 36 when the fitting plate 33 is fit into the fitting cavity 45. The first control connector 24 and the second control connector 40 are electrically connected by contacting the contacts 36 with the contacts 46. The second control connector 40 is a so-called Amphenol-type receptacle connector corresponding to the first control connector 24, and has a flat structure in which the contacts 46 are linearly aligned approximately orthogonal to the direction A.
As shown in
Contacts 46d from No. 27 to No. 49 located on the lower side of the fitting cavity 45 are used for establishing a common ground between the endoscope 10 and the processor 12. A contact 46e (first detector) of No. 26 located at the lower right end and a contact 46f (second detector) of No. 50 located at the lower left end of the fitting cavity 45 are used for detecting the connection of the endoscope 10. It should be noted that function of each contact 36 of the first control connector 24 is the same as that of the corresponding contact 46 of the second control connector 40.
In
The A/D 53 converts analog image signals output from the CDS/PSA 51 into digital image data, and outputs the digital image data to an image processing section 54. The image processing section 54 performs various image processing to the digital image data and outputs the processed image data to a display control section 55. The display control section 55 converts the image data output from the image processing section 54 into video signals (component signals, composite signals, or the like) corresponding to a type (display format) of the monitor 14. The video signals are output to the monitor 14. Thereby, endoscopic images of the body cavity of the patient are displayed on the monitor 14.
The CCD driver 52 for driving the CCD 50 is connected to a timing generator (hereinafter abbreviated as TG) 56. The TG 56 is connected to a CPU (controller) 60 that controls each section of the processor 12. Under the control of the CPU 60, the TG 56 inputs timing signals (clock pulses) to the CCD driver 52. The CCD driver 52 inputs the drive signals to the CCD 50 in response to the input timing signals so as to control timing to read accumulated charges, and a shutter speed of an electronic shutter of the CCD 50.
A ROM 61 and a power supply section 62 are connected to the CPU 60. Various programs necessary for controlling the processor 12 are stored in the ROM 61. The power supply section 62 supplies power to the CCD 50. The CPU 60 controls each section of the processor 12 by reading various programs stored in the ROM 61 and sequentially executing the read program. The power supply section 62 is connected to the CCD 50 via the contacts 46b used for supplying the power, and supplies the power to the CCD 50 according to an instruction from the CPU 60.
The contact 46e used for detecting the connection is connected to the CPU 60 and a resistor 64 in parallel. In the same manner, the contact 46f used for detecting the connection is connected to the CPU 60 and a resistor 65 in parallel. A power supply voltage is applied to each of the resistors 64 and 65. The contacts 46e and 46f are connected to ground on the endoscope 10 side when the first and second control connectors 24 and 40 are connected, and the contacts 46e and 46f conduct with the corresponding contacts 36 of the first control connector 24, respectively. The contacts 46e and 46f are connected to ports (not shown) of the CPU 60, respectively. Voltages at these ports of the CPU 60 become high (Hi) when the first control connector 24 and the second control connector 40 are not connected to the ports, and become low (Lo) when the first control connector 24 and the second control connector 40 are connected to the ports.
The CPU 60 detects the connection of the connectors 24 and 40 by monitoring the voltages at the ports to which the contacts 46e and 46f are connected. The CPU 60 detects the connection between the first control connector 24 and the second control connector 40 when the voltages at the both ports become low. The CPU 60 detects start of removal of the first control connector 24 from the second control connector 40 when at least one of the voltages at the ports becomes high.
It is rare that the flat-shaped first control connector 24 is straightly pulled out from the second control connector 40 in a direction parallel to the direction A. Usually, the first control connector 24 is slightly tilted and then pulled out as shown in
Next, an operation of the endoscope system 2 with the above configuration is described with referring to a flowchart in
Upon detecting the connection of the endoscope 10, the CPU 60 instructs the power supply section 62 to supply the power to the CCD 50. The power supply section 62 supplies the power to the CCD 50 accordingly. Thereafter, the CPU 60 starts controlling of the TO 56. Under the control of the CPU 60, the TG 56 inputs the timing signals to the CCD driver 52. Based on the input timing signals, the CCD driver 52 outputs the drive signals to the CCD 50. Thereby, the image signals are output from the CCD 50 and the endoscopic images are displayed on the monitor 14.
When the voltage at one of the ports to which the contacts 46e and 46f are connected becomes high and the CPU 60 detects the start of the removal of the first control connector 24, the CPU 60 stops the drive signals transmitted from the CCD driver 52 to the CCD 50. Thereafter, the CPU 60 instructs the power supply section 62 to stop supplying power to the CCD 50, and the power supply section 62 stops supplying power to the CCD 50 accordingly. Thus, in response to the detection of the start of the removal of the first control connector 24, the drive signals are stopped and the power to the CCD 50 is stopped in this order. As a result, the CCD 50 is prevented from damage caused by disconnecting the endoscope 10 while the CCD 50 is driven.
Since it is not necessary to make changes to the first control connector 24 and the second control connector 40, and commercially available products can be used, no additional costs are necessary to prevent damage of the CCD 50. In addition, since it is not necessary to make changes to the first control connector 24, the CCD of the existing endoscope is prevented from damage.
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention is described. A component similar to that of the first embodiment in function or in configuration is designated by the same numeral as the first embodiment, and a description thereof is omitted. As shown in
As shown in
The arm 81 has a crank-like shape with a long flat plate-like body 81a, a first projection 81b, and a second projection 81c. The first projection 81b extends approximately vertical from an end of the body 81a. The second projection 81c extends approximately vertical from the other end of the body 81a in an opposite direction to the first projection 81b. A shaft 85 is attached to the body 81a. The arm 81 is swingably supported by the holder 84 via the shaft 85.
The shaft 85 is inserted through the torsion spring 82. An end of the shaft 85 is connected to the arm 81 while the other end is connected to the holder 84. The torsion spring 82 biases the arm 81 so as to press the arm 81 against the second control connector 40. Thereby, the arm 81 is kept in a normal position (see
The photointerruptor 83 is formed with a detection groove 83a. A light emitting element 83b and a light receiving element 83c face each other across the detection groove 83a. The photointerruptor 83 is a transmission optical sensor that detects interruption of detection light, emitted from the light emitting element 83b, with the use of the light receiving element 83c. The photointerruptor 83 is attached to the holder 84 such that the second projection 81c is inside the detection groove 83a when the arm 81 is in the normal position. The photointerruptor 83 is connected to the CPU 60. When the detection light is detected by the light receiving element 83c, the photointerruptor 83 inputs a high signal (Hi signal) to the CPU 60. When the detection light is not detected by the light receiving element 83c, the photointerruptor 83 inputs a low signal (Lo signal) to the CPU 60.
As shown in
As shown in
In the above first embodiment, the contacts 46e and 46f located at ends of the lower side of the fitting cavity 45 are used for detecting the start of the removal of the first control connector 24. Therefore, when the first control connector 24 is pulled straight in the direction A, the conduction between the contact 46e and the corresponding contact 36, and the conduction between the contact 46f and the corresponding contact 36 may cease at the same time. As a result, there may be no time to stop the drive signal and the power.
In this embodiment, on the other hand, the detection mechanism 80 disposed close to the center of the second control connector 40 detects the start of the removal of the first control connector 24. Therefore, the drive signal and the power are securely stopped in this order no matter how the first control connector 24 is removed.
It should be noted that the first embodiment and the second embodiment may be performed at the same time. The output of the drive signal and the power supply may be stopped in response to the start of the removal of the first control connector 24 detected by at least one of the detection mechanism 80 and the contacts 46e or 46f. As described above, the detection mechanism 80 is configured in a way that the arm 81 returns from the connection detecting position to the normal position before the contacts 36 are completely disconnected from the contacts 46. As a result, when the first control connector 24 is pulled out straight, the detection mechanism 80 detects the start of the removal of the first control connector 24 before the conduction between the contacts 46e and the corresponding contact 36, and between the contact 46f and the corresponding contact 36 ceases. On the other hand, when the first control connector 24 is tilted and pulled out, one of the contacts 46e and 46f detects the start of the removal of the first control connector 24 before the detection mechanism 80 detects the removal depending on the degree of the tilt of the first control connector 24. Therefore, with the use of the contacts 46e and 46f and the detection mechanism 80, the start of the removal is more securely detected and a superior level of safety is provided.
In the above embodiments, the contacts 46e, 46f, and the detection mechanism 80 are described as a detecting section. However, the detecting section is not limited to the above. For example, a microswitch, a reflection-type photointerruptor, or any other type of detecting section may be used as long as the start of the removal of the first control connector 24 is detected. In the above embodiments, the detecting section is provided on the processor 12 side. However, the detecting section may be provided on the endoscope 10 side. In the above embodiments, the processor 12 controls to stop the output of the drive signal and the power supply. However, it is not limited to the processor 12. The endoscope 10 may control to stop the output of the drive signal and the power supply.
In the above embodiments, the CCD 50 is used as the image sensor. However, the image sensor is not limited to the above. For example, a CMOS image sensor may be used. In the above embodiments, fiat-shaped first and second control connectors 24 and 40 are described However, the shapes of the first and second control connectors 24 and 40 are not limited to the above. For example, round-shaped connectors may be used. In the above embodiments, the first control connector 24 has 50 contacts 36, and the second control connector 40 has 50 contacts 46. However, the number of the connectors provided to each of the first and the second connectors 24 and 40 is not limited the above.
In the above embodiments, the electronic endoscope 10 is described as an example of the endoscope. However, the endoscope is not limited to the above. The present invention is applicable to, for example, an ultrasonic endoscope. In the above embodiments, the medical endoscope used for inspecting a patient is described. However, the endoscope is not limited to the above. The present invention is applicable to, for example, an industrial endoscope used for inspecting piping or the like. In the above embodiments, the processor 12 integrated with the light source is described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above. The present invention is applicable to a processor with a separate light source.
Various changes and modifications are possible in the present invention and may he understood to be within the present invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-032729 | Feb 2008 | JP | national |
