U.S. patent number RE32,421 [Application Number 06/639,150] was granted by the patent office on 1987-05-19 for data transmission system for an endoscope apparatus.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Shinichiro Hattori.
United States Patent |
RE32,421 |
Hattori |
May 19, 1987 |
Data transmission system for an endoscope apparatus
Abstract
Data transmission/reception devices are provided in endoscope,
photographic attachment and light source unit. The data
transmission/reception devices are connected with one another by
two-way data transmission lines.
Inventors: |
Hattori; Shinichiro (Tokyo,
JP) |
Assignee: |
Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
(Tokyo, JP)
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Family
ID: |
14805989 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/639,150 |
Filed: |
August 9, 1984 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
187538 |
Sep 16, 1980 |
04343300 |
Aug 10, 1982 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Sep 20, 1979 [JP] |
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54-121225 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
600/109; 396/17;
600/117; 600/118 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B
1/00059 (20130101); A61B 1/00006 (20130101); A61B
1/00011 (20130101); A61B 1/00039 (20130101); A61B
1/045 (20130101); A61B 1/00036 (20130101); A61B
1/128 (20130101); A61B 1/00055 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61B
1/00 (20060101); A61B 1/04 (20060101); A61B
001/04 (); A61B 001/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/6,7,8,9
;354/62,63 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Swiatek; Robert P.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A data transmission system for an endoscope apparatus which
performs data-transmission between at least two of an endoscope, a
photographic attachment and a light source unit, comprising:
a first data transmission/reception device provided in the light
source unit and including at least one data generating means and at
least one means responding to a reception data;
a second data transmission/reception device provided in at least
one of the endoscope and the photographic attachment;
two-way data transmission .[.lines.]. .Iadd.line means
.Iaddend.provided in the endoscope to relay data between the first
and second data transmission/reception devices; and
means for connecting the data transmission/reception devices and
the two-way data transmission .[.lines.]. .Iadd.line
means.Iaddend..
2. A data transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the
first data transmission/reception device is connected to the
two-way data transmission .[.lines.]. .Iadd.line means .Iaddend.of
the endoscope by coupling a connector of the endoscope to the light
source unit.
3. A data transmission system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
the second data transmission/reception device is provided in the
endoscope and connected to the two-way data transmission
.[.lines.]. .Iadd.line means.Iaddend..
4. A data transmission system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
the second data transmission/reception device is provided in the
photographic attachment and is connected in the two-way data
transmission .[.lines.]. .Iadd.line means .Iaddend.by mounting the
photographic attachment on the endoscope.
5. A data transmission system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
each of the endoscope and the photographic attachment is provided
with a second data transmission/reception device which is connected
to the two-way data transmission .[.lines.]. .Iadd.line
means.Iaddend..
6. A data transmission system for an endoscope apparatus according
to claim 1 wherein said data transmission/reception device provided
in said photographic attachment includes an input port connected to
release switch, a film type detector for detecting a film type
code, an exposure calculator for calculating an exposure amount of
a film, a counter for counting frames of the film, and a
shutter-full-open detector for detecting a full-open of the
shutter, and an output port connected to an auto-exposure display
and a display for displaying the number of frames of the film.
7. A data transmission system for an endoscope apparatus according
to claim 1 or 6 wherein said data transmission/reception device of
said endoscope includes an output port connected to an air-feed
control valve action indicating means, a suction valve action
indicating means, and a display for displaying at least measured
values.
8. A data transmission system for an endoscope apparatus according
to claim 1 wherein said data transmission/reception device provided
in said endoscope includes an input port connected to an air-feed
switch, a water-feed switch, a suction switch, a feed-gas changing
switch, and a filter insertion switch, an input port connected to a
temperature measuring circuit, a pH measuring circuit, air-pressure
measuring circuit, and a body-pressure measuring circuit; and an
input port connected to an observation light quantity adjusting
signal generator, an air-feed quantity adjusting signal generator
and a feed-water pressure adjusting signal generator.
9. A data transmission system for an endoscope apparatus acording
to claim 1 wherein said data transmission/reception device of said
light source unit includes an input port connected to an air valve
action detector, a suction valve action detector, a charging-over
detector, an automatic exposure detector, and an optical path
switching-over detector.
10. A data transmission system for an endoscope apparatus according
to claim 1 or 9 wherein said data transmission/reception device of
said light source unit includes an output port connected to an
electronic flash, a filter driving circuit, an air-feed valve
device, a water-feed valve device, a suction valve device, an
observation light source circuit and a display. .Iadd.
11. A data transmission system according to claim 1 wherein said
two-way data transmission line means includes a single data
transmission line..Iaddend. .Iadd.12. A data transmission system
according to claim 1 wherein said two-way data transmission line
means includes multi-data transmission lines..Iaddend.
Description
This invention relates to a data transmission system for an
endoscope apparatus capable of data transmission between an
endoscope, a light source unit, and a photographic attachment.
In a prior art endoscope system, operation instructions from the
endoscope, such as instructions for air feed, water feed, suction,
etc., are transmitted to the light source unit, and an operating
member inside the light source unit operates in accordance with
such operation instructions to control the air feed, water feed,
suction, etc. A release signal is supplied from the photographic
attachment to the light source unit, and a light source disposed in
the light source unit is controlled in response to the release
signal. According to such prior art endoscope system, the operation
instructions are transmitted only in one direction from the
endoscope and photographic attachment to the light source unit.
Therefore, the endoscope can transmit only limited data, and cannot
be a multifunction system.
The object of this invention is to provide a data transmission
system for an endoscope apparatus capable of duplex data
transmission between at least two among an endoscope, a light
source unit, and a photographic attachment, thereby diversifying
the function of the endoscope apparatus.
According to this invention, there is provided a data transmission
system for an endoscope apparatus in which data
transmission/reception devices are disposed severally in at least
two of an endoscope, a light source unit, and a photographic
attachment, and are coupled with one another by means of duplex
channels.
This invention can be more fully understood from the following
detailed description when taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a block circuit diagram of a data transmission system for
an endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment of this
invention;
FIG. 2 is a block circuit diagram of a data transmission system for
an endoscope apparatus according to another embodiment using duplex
channels;
FIGS. 3A to 3C are block diagrams of a photographic attachment, an
endoscope, and a light source unit of the data transmission system
of FIG. 2, respectively;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an endoscope system using the data
transmission system of the invention; and
FIGS. 5A to 5C are circuit diagrams of the data transmission
devices shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C, respectively.
As shown in FIG. 1, a photographic attachment 1, an endoscope 2,
and a light source unit 3 are provided with data
transmission/reception devices 6a, 6b and 6c, respectively. A
two-way data transmission line 9a is provided between the
respective data transmission/reception devices 6a and 6c of the
photographic attachment 1 and the light source unit 3. This data
transmission line 9a is a half-duplex channel formed of e.g.
electric wires or optical fibers. Also, a two-way data transmission
line 9b is provided between the endoscope data
transmission/reception device 6b and the light source unit data
transmission/reception device 6c. Moreover, a two-way data
transmission line 9c is provided between the photographic
attachment data transmission/reception device 6a and the endoscope
data transmission/reception device 6b. Like the data channel 9a,
the data channels 9b and 9c are half-duplex channels formed of e.g.
electric wires or optical fibers. The data transmission/reception
devices 6a, 6b and 6c may be composed of one-chip microprocessors
of USART's (universal synchronous-asynchronous
receiver-transmitters).
According to the aforementioned endoscope data transmission system,
operation instructions or measurement data produced at the
photographic attachment 1, endoscope 2 and light source unit 3 are
.[.coverted.]. .Iadd.converted .Iaddend.into signals fit for data
transmission by controllers formed of such elements as one-chip
microprocessors that are incorporated severally in the photographic
attachment, endoscope and light source unit, and are transmitted
through the data transmission-reception device by means of the
two-way data transmission lines between those three units, i.e. the
photographic attachment, endoscope and light source unit. In such
transmission, the data can be transmitted as they are in the
bitparallel form if the number of bus lines in the channels is
large. If the number of the bus lines is limited in relation to the
number of connector pins, however, the data may some times have to
be converted from parallel to serial for bit-serial transmission.
In this case, the parallel-to-serial conversion is performed in
accordance with the program of the microprocessor serving as the
controller, and the resultant data may be delivered from an output
port or a serial output terminal with which the microprocessor may
be provided in some cases. Further, an LSI for data transmission,
which has recently been put to practical use, may be combined with
the microprocessor to simplify the software of the microprocessor.
For such combination, a microprocessor Intel 8049 and a data
transmission LSI Intel 8251 can be used.
The half-duplex channels used in the aforesaid embodiment may be
replaced with full-duplex channels, as shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2,
full-duplex channels 9d, 9e and 9f are provided between a
photographic attachment 1, and endoscope 2, and a light source unit
3. The use of these full-duplex channels enables simultaneous
transmission and reception of data, that is, high-speed data
transmission. Although the photographic attachment 1, endoscope 2
and light source unit 3 are all coupled by means of the duplex data
channels in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2, this invention is not
limited to such configuration. The endoscope system of the
invention can be further diversified in function as compared with
the function of the prior art endoscope system as long as data
transmission/reception devices are provided in at least two of
those three units, and a duplex data channel is provided between
these two units. With the construction as shown in FIG. 1, however,
if the duplex data channel 9a is cut, the data
transmission/reception device 6b in the endoscope 2 will be used as
a relay, and the data to be transmitted originally by means of the
duplex data channel 9a will be detoured via the duplex data channel
9c, endoscope data transmission/reception device 6b, and duplex
data channel 9b. Thus, the influence of the trouble in the duplex
data channel 9a will be minimized to ensure safety. To reduce the
duplex data channels in number, the duplex data channel 9a can be
omitted so that data may be transmitted between the photographic
attachment data transmission/reception device 6a and the light
source unit data transmission/reception device 6c in the aforesaid
manner.
Referring now to the drawings of FIGS. 3a to 3c, there will be
described a specific arrangement of the data transmission system
using the full-duplex channels.
As shown in FIG. 3A, the photographic attachment 1 is provided with
a release switch 10a which is connected with an input port P5 of a
data transmission/reception device 6d. Also, the data
transmission/reception device 6d is connected with a film type
detector 11 to detect film type codes corresponding to film types
marked on film patrones or film cassettes. The film types include a
tungsten-balanced type, daylight type, high-speed type, and popular
type. These film types have their own codes which are applied to
the input of the detector by means of e.g. keys for the
identification of the film types. A light receiving element 12
receives part of incident light split by a half mirror disposed on
the optical path of the film and an objective, and produces a
photoelectric signal for automatic exposure. This photoelectric
signal is amplified by an amplifier 13, and supplied to an
integrator 14. The integrator 14 produces an electric signal
corresponding to the amount of exposure on the film surface, and
the electric signal is supplied to a comparator 15 to be compared
with a reference signal. When the level of an integration signal
reaches a given value, that is, when the amount of exposure on the
film surface reaches a given value, the comparator 15 generates a
pulse signal. The output of the comparator 15 is connected to the
input port P5 of the data transmission/reception device 6d. The
input port P5 is further connected with a camera code generator 16,
a digital frame counter 17, and a shutter full-open detector 94.
The camera code generator 16 produces a camera code corresponding
to the model of the photographic attachment of the endoscope. Since
no code is produced if no photographic attachment or camera is
mounted on the endoscope, the camera code can indicate the setting
of the camera. The digital frame counter 17 produces a BCD or
binary code corresponding to the number of photographed or
unphotographed frames.
An output port P6 of the data transmission/reception device 6d is
coupled with a charging-over indicating LED 19, an automatic
exposure indicating LED (Light Emitting Diode) 21, and a frame
number display 101 through drivers 18, 20 and 100, respectively.
Further, the output port P6 is connected with a shutter controlling
circuit 22 for controlling a shutter 23.
As shown in FIG. 3B, an input port P11 of a data
transmission/reception device 6e of the endoscope 2 is connected
with an air-feed switch 24, a water-feed switch 25, a suction
switch 26, an feed-gas changing switch 27, and a filter insertion
switch 28. Moreover, the input port P11 is connected with a
temperature measuring circuit 33, a pH measuring circuit 34, an
air-pressure measuring circuit 35, a body-pressure measuring
circuit 36, an observation light quantity adjusting signal
generator 40, an air-feed adjusting signal generator 41, and a
feed-water pressure adjusting signal generator 42 through an A-D
converter 44 and an analog signal multiplexer 43. The temperature
measuring circuit 33 is connected with a temperature sensor 29 such
as a thermistor for measuring the temperature inside the body
cavity. The pH measuring circuit 34 is connected with pH sensor 30
which, formed of e.g. subminiature glass electrodes, is attached to
the distal end of the endoscope. The air-pressure measuring circuit
35 is connected with an air-pressure sensor 31 which, formed of
e.g. a semiconductor piezoelectric transducer, is attached to the
distal end of the endoscope. The air-pressure measuring circuit 35
measures the air pressure inside e.g. a stomach which is expanded
by air introduced thereinto. The body-pressure measuring circuit 36
is connected with a body-pressure sensor 32 which is formed of e.g.
a strain gauge or semiconductor piezoelectric transducer and
attached to the distal end of the endoscope. The pressure of the
walls of a stomach is measured by bringing the body-pressure sensor
32 into contact with the walls. The observation light quantity
adjusting signal generator 40, air-feed quantity adjusting signal
generator 41, and feed-water pressure adjusting signal generator 42
are connected with an observation light quantity adjuster 37, an
air-feed quantity adjuster 38, and a feed-water pressure adjuster
39, respectively. The input port P11 is further connected with an
endoscope code generator 45 and a display selector switch 95. The
endoscope code generator 45 produces a code determined in
accordance with the type of the endoscope. An output port P12 of
the data transmission/reception device 6e is connected with an
air-feed control valve action indicating LED 47, a suction valve
action indicating LED 49, and a digital display 51 respectively
through drivers 46, 48 and 50. The digital display 51 indicates
values measured by the temperature, pH air-pressure, and
body-pressure measuring circuits 33 to 36. In such indication, the
value to be indicated is selected by the display selector switch
95. The digital display 51 may be so constructed as to be able to
exhibit the alphabet, katakana (the square form of kana, the
Japanese syllabary), Chinese characters, etc., as well as digits.
Accordingly, in case of trouble in the endoscope 2 or the light
source unit 3, for example, the cause of the trouble or remedy
therefore may be indicated for safety. Moreover, the display 51 can
be formed of an LED or LCD, and an additional display can be
provided at the endoscope control section as well as in the
finder.
In the light source unit 3, as shown in FIG. 3C, an input port P17
is connected with an air valve action detector 52, a suction valve
action detector 54, a charging-over detector 58, an automatic
exposure detector 59, and an optical path switching-over detector
60. Further, the input port 17 is connected with an air-feed
quantity detector 55 and a feed-water pressure detector 56
respectively through an analog signal multiplexer 90 and an A-D
converter 91. The air-and water-feed control valve action detectors
52 and 54, which are to detect the actions of air-and water-feed
control valves 64 and 68 connected with an output port P18
respectively through air-and water-feed control valve driving
circuits 63 and 67, may be formed of circuits to detect current
flowing through a solenoid operated valve or switches to be turned
on in response to the mechanical actions of the valves. The
air-feed quantity and feed-water pressure detectors 55 and 56,
which may be formed e.g. semiconductor piezoelectric transducers,
detect the quantity of airflow and the pressure of water introduced
into the body cavity for each unit time, and produce analog signals
corresponding to the detected air-feed quantity and feed-water
pressure. One of the analog output signals from the detectors 55
and 56 is selected by a signal from the output port P18 of a data
transmission-reception device 6f. The charging-over detector 58,
which may be formed of e.g. a capacitor charging current detector
circuit, detects that the charging of a discharge capacitor is
finished with use of an electronic flash as a light source for
photographing. The automatic exposure detector 59, which is to
detect if the photographing is performed within the operating range
of an automatic exposure circuit, that is, with a proper amount of
exposure, may be formed of a circuit to detect that a commutation
thyristor for turning off a main thyristor in an electronic flash
control circuit 73 in the light source unit 3 is turned on. The
optical path changing over detector 60, which is used where
separate light sources are provided for observation and
photographing, functions to ascertain if the light of an
observation-light lamp 93 is off the optical path before the
shutter 23 of the photographic attachment 1 is released. The
detector 60 is intended to prevent the so-called fog or film
exposure by observation light which will be caused if the shutter
23 is released before the light of the lamp 93 is completely
removed from the optical system.
A footswitch connector 62 is a connector for connecting a release
switch 10b on the panel of the light source unit 3 and a footswitch
10c in parallel with each other so that the shutter may be released
when either of the switches 10b and 10c is depressed. Although the
switches 10b and 10c connected to the input port P17 are connected
in parallel with each other in FIG. 3C, they may be connected
severally to separate terminals of the input port P17 so that they
may be caused to perform substantially the same action as
parallel-connected switches by means of the software for
controlling the data transmission/reception device 6f. A display
selector switch 102, which is intended to select the indicating
information of an LED display 76 connected to the output port P18
through a driver 75, selectively leads output data from the
temperature, pH, air-pressure, and body-pressure measuring circuits
33 to 36 in the endoscope 2 to the display 76. A feed-gas changing
valve driving circuit 69 drives a feed-gas changing valve 70 for
changing the kind of gas to be fed. A filter driving circuit 71,
which may be formed of e.g. a solenoid, is provided for leading or
removing a visibleray cut filter 72 to or from an optical path for
illumination. The electronic flash control circuit 73, which is to
control the light emission of an electronic flash 74, includes a
discharge capacitor, discharge capacitor charging circuit, main
thyristor for control, etc.
The LED display 76 can also indicate the number of photographed or
unphotographed frames, thereby enabling an assistant operator to
record findings of his partner or an endoscope operator with
reference to the frame numbers of photographs. Further, the display
76 may be so designed as to be able to exhibit the alphabet and
other characters, as well as digits, whereby the locations, details
and remedies of an for troubles, if any, will be indicated.
An observation-light lamp control circuit 92 controls the light
quantity of the observation-light lamp 93, and an optical path
changing device 99 switches between the lights of the
observation-light lamp and electronic flash to be led into the
light guide of the endoscope. The optical path changing device 99
is driven and controlled by an optical path changing device driving
circuit 98. A color temperature correcting filter 106 is controlled
by a color temperature correcting filter driving circuit 105 to be
inserted or removed into or from the optical systems for color
temperature correction. The filter driving circuit 105 may be
formed of a solenoid, for example. An air-feed quantity regulator
107 is intended to regulate the air-feed quantity per unit time,
and directly controls the number of revolutions or speed of an
air-feed pump. A feed-water pressure regulator 108 is intended to
regulate the feed-water pressure, and directly controls the speed
of a feed-water pump.
In the photographic attachment 1, endoscope 2, and light source
unit 3, as described above, output ports P2 and P4 of the data
transmission/reception device 6d of the attachment 1 are connected
to an input port P14 of the data transmission/reception device 6f
of the light source unit 3 and an input port P8 of the data
transmission/reception device 6e of the endoscope 2 respectively by
means of channels 78 and 82. Output ports P7 and P10 of the data
transmission/reception device 6e of the endoscope 2 are connected
to an input port P3 of the data transmission/reception device 6d of
the photographic attachment 1 and an input port P16 of the data
transmission/reception device 6f of the light source unit 3
respectively by means of channels 81 and 80. Output ports P13 and
P15 of the data transmission/reception device 6f of the light
source unit 3 are connected to an input port P1 of the data
transmission/reception device 6d of the photographic attachment 1
and an input port P9 of the data transmission/reception device 6e
of the endoscope 2 respectively by means of channels 77 and 79. The
channels 77 to 82 are one-way channels, and parts of the channels
77 and 78, 79 and 80, and 81 and 82 form the duplex channels 9d, 9e
and 9f, respectively.
Now there will be described the operations of the circuits shown in
FIGS. 3A to 3C. In these circuit, the data transmission/reception
devices 6d, 6e and 6f severally perform polling by means of
software programmed in their respective internal ROM's, thereby
monitoring the states of the input ports. When several signals are
received through the input ports, output data corresponding to such
received signals are delivered from the data transmission/reception
devices 6d, 6e and 6f through their respective output ports. An
output data from one data transmission/reception device is applied
to an input port of another data transmission/reception device by
means of a channel. Receiving the data, each data
transmission/reception device performs control of the several
circuits in accordance with its own program. Several operations
will be described below.
Photographic Operation
When the release switch 10a of the photographic attachment 1 is
closed, a release instruction is applied to the data
transmission/reception device 6d through the input port P5. In
response to this release instruction, the data
transmission/reception device 6d transmits a release signal through
its output port P2 to the input port P14 of the data
transmission/reception device 6f of the light source unit 3 by
means of the channel 78. In response to the release signal, the
optical path changing device driving circuit 98 operates to drive
the optical path changing device 99. The optical path changing
device 99 switches the optical path from the observation light
system to the photographing light system or the optical system of
the electronic flash 74. When this switching operation is
completed, a detection signal is delivered from the optical path
changing over detector 60, and applied to the input port P17. This
detection signal is transmitted from the output port P13 to the
input port P1 of the data transmission/reception device 6d of the
photographic attachment 1 by means of the channel 77. In response
to the detection signal, the data transmission/reception device 6d
actuates the shutter control circuit 22 to release the shutter 23.
At this time, an integration start signal is transmitted from the
output port P6 of the data transmission/reception device 6d to the
integrator 14. In response to this, the integrator 14 starts
integration. When the shutter 23 opens to its full width, a shutter
full-open detection signal is transmitted from the shutter
full-open detector 94 through the output port P2 to the data
transmission/reception device 6f by means of the channel 78. In
response to this full-open detection signal, the electronic flash
control circuit 73 operates to flash the electronic flash 74. The
flash light reaches the distal end portion of the endoscope 2
through the light guide of the endoscope to illuminate a subject.
Reflected light from the subject is formed into an image by the
objective attached to the distal end of the endoscope, transmitted
to the eyepiece section of the endoscope through the image guide
for image transmission, and led into the photographic attachment or
camera 1 through the eyepiece section. The light introduced into
the camera is split by a half mirror; most of the light reaches the
film surface to expose the film, and the remaining light falls on
the light receiving element 12. The output of the light receiving
element 12 is converted into a voltage signal by a current-voltage
converter circuit, and applied to the integrator 14. When the
output of the integrator 14, i.e. a signal proportional to the
amount of exposure on the film, takes a reference voltage value,
that is, when the amount of exposure reaches a proper level, a
pulse signal is delivered from the comparator 15, and applied to
the data transmission/reception device 6d through the input port
P5. This pulse signal is transmitted through the output port P2 to
the input port P14 of the data transmission/reception device 6f of
the light source unit 3 by means of the channel 78. In response to
the pulse signal, the data transmission/reception device 6f
actuates the electronic flash control circuit 73 to stop the
flashing. In this case, high-speed control, as well as an
improvement of exposure accuracy, can be achieved by stopping the
light emission of the electronic flash 74 through interruption by
means of an interruption input terminal (not shown) of the data
transmission/reception device 6f without using the input port P14
of the device 6f. At the moment the light emission is stopped, the
optical path changing device 99 and the shutter 23 are restored to
the initial state through the output ports P6 and P18.
While the photographing has been described as being performed by
operating the release switch 10a of the photographic attachment 1,
there will now be described a case where the photographing is
executed by means of the release switch 10b on the panel of the
light source unit 3 or the footswitch 10c. In this case, the data
transmission/reception device 6f notices that the switch 10b or 10c
is turned on, and transmits a release signal to the data
transmission/reception device 6d of the camera 1 by way of the
channel 77. Receiving the release signal, the camera 1 performs
photographing according to the same operating processes as
described before. Thus, the use of the release switch 10b or
footswitch 10c of the light source unit 3 enables the endoscope
operator to carry out photographing without employing his hand by
ordering his assistant to release the shutter or by stamping the
footswitch 10c himself. Accordingly, the operator will be able to
perform the photographic operation with ease even if he is engaged
in angle control for changing the direction of the distal end of
the endoscope or in forceps insertion where he would have his hands
full.
In taking a photograph by using the endoscope 2 and the
photographic attachment 1, there will be presented the following
problems, unlike the case of conventional photographing.
An image guide, which is contained in the endoscope 2 and formed of
such material as optical fibers having a function to transmit an
image formed at the distal end of the endoscope to the eyepiece
section thereof, varies greatly in its area with the model of the
endoscope 2. The photographic attachment 1 photographs the image
transmitted to the end of the image guide via the eyepiece section
of the endoscope 2, so that other portions than the image guide
will come out dark.
Accordingly, if the light receiving element 12 contained in the
photographic attachment 1 is used in the mean-photometric manner as
it is called so that the automatic-exposure photographing may be
performed in accordance with the output signal of the element 12,
then proper exposure will not possibly be done due to the
difference in the area of the image guide. Namely, if the amplifier
13, integrator 14, comparator 15, etc. are adjusted so that the
proper exposure may be obtained when the area of the image guide is
small, use of a large-area image guide will cause the comparator 15
to deliver a pulse signal before the proper exposure is obtained,
thereby rendering an image on the film underexposed.
This invention will provide an effective measure to counter such
problems provided the following is observed. An endoscope code
delivered from an endoscope code generator and applied to the data
transmission/reception device 6e through the input port P11 is
applied through the output port P7 to the input port P3 of the data
transmission/reception device 6d of the photographic attachment 1
by means of the channel 81. The data transmission/reception device
6d decodes the input endoscope code, and supplies the comparator 15
with a comparison voltage corresponding to the area of the image
guide of the endoscope.
In consequence, the comparison voltage can be increased with the
increase of the area of the image guide, and a pulse signal is
delivered from the comparator 15 with proper exposure without
regard to the area of the image guide, thereby enabling you
constantly to take a proper-exposure endoscopic photograph.
Operation Based on Film Type Code
When the film type detector 11 delivers a film type code, the code
signal is applied to the data transmission/reception device 6d of
the photographic attachment 1, and transmitted to the data
transmission/reception device 6f of the light source unit 3 by
means of the channel 78. In the data transmission/reception device
6f, the film type code is identified, and a suitable color
temperature conversion filter (not shown) corresponding to the film
type is put into the optical path of the electronic flash 74.
Operation Based on Camera Code
A camera code generator 16 delivers a signal in accordance with the
model of the camera. The camera code signal is applied to the data
transmission/reception device 6d, where it is transmitted to the
data transmission/reception device 6f of the light source unit 3 by
means of the channel 78. When the camera code signal is received by
the data transmission/reception device 6f, the photographing
sequence is changed so that the optimum sequence for the camera
model may be executed. For example, if it is revealed by the camera
code signal that a camera without the shutter full-open detector 94
is connected to the endoscope, the photographing sequence is
switched to timer-control sequence to enable operation which
requires no shutter full-open detection. When it is detected that
no camera is coupled with the endoscope, the photographing sequence
will not be operated if the release switch 10b and footswitch 10c
are depressed. Thus, waste of power consumption such as wasteful
flashing of the electronic flash 74 will be prevented.
Operation of Digital Frame Number Counter
The digital frame number counter 17 digitally counts the number of
releases, frequency of film winding, etc., and a count value is
applied to the data transmission/reception device 6d through the
input port P5. The data transmission/reception device 6d supplies
the count data to the frame number display 101 via the output port
P6 and the driver 100 to cause the display 101 to indicate the
frame number. At the same time, the count data is transmitted to
the data transmission/reception device 6f of the light source unit
3 via the output port P2, channel 78, and input port P14. At this
time, the display selector switch 102 is so set as to cause the
display 76 to indicate the frame number. Thus, whereas the prior
art system allows only the chief operator to watch the frame
number, the system of this invention allows also the assistant
operator to watch the display of the light source unit to know the
frame number. Accordingly, the assistant operator can enter in
clinical charts findings or regions specified by the chief operator
in response to the frame number or keep a recording corresponding
to the frame number while watching a lecture-scope.
Operations for Air Feed, Water Feed, and Suction
The operating state of the air-feed switch 24 is identified by the
data transmission/reception device 6e through the input port P11,
and a state signal is transmitted to the data
transmission/reception device 6f of the light source unit through
the output port P10, channel 80, and input port 16. The
transmission/reception device 6f drives the driving circuit 63 in
accordance with the operating state of th air-feed switch 24,
thereby opening or closing the air-feed control valve 64. Likewise,
the water-feed control valve driving circuit 67 and a suction valve
driving circuit (not shown) are operated in accordance with the
operating states of the water-feed switch 25 and the suction switch
26. In response to the actions of the driving circuit 67 and the
suction valve driving circuit, the water-feed control valve 68 and
a suction valve (not shown) are operated or controlled,
respectively. In such valve control, fine adjustments of air feed,
water feed and suction can be performed to facilitate endoscopy by
transmitting digital signals corresponding to the strokes at which
the switches are depressed so that the opening of each valve may be
set in stages, as well as simple on-off operations of the switches.
Feed-gas Changing Operation
Data for the operating state of the feed-gas changing switch 27 is
transmitted to the data transmission/reception device 6f of the
light source unit 3 in the same manner as the state of the air-feed
switch 24. Receiving the state data, the data
transmission/reception device 6f drives the feed-gas changing valve
driving circuit 29 to control the feed-gas changing valve 70 for
the change of feed-gas. For the feed-gas, there may be used gas
mixtures of air and carbonic acid gas, air and laughing gas, etc.,
or a combination of three or more gases. In this case, the feed-gas
changing switch 27 need have an output terminal of two bits or
more. A cylinder of carbonic acid gas or laughing gas may be
disposed in-or outside the light source unit 3.
Filter Insertion
Data for the operating state of the filter insertion switch 28 is
transmitted to the data transmission/reception device 6f in the
same manner as the state of the air-feed switch 24. In response to
the transmitted data, the transmission/reception device 6f drives
the filter driving circuit 71 including a solenoid to set the
visible-ray cut filter 72 in the optical path of the illumination
light. The filter used in this case is a filter which may be used
for fluorescent observation of the stomach combining fluorescent
dyes with ultraviolet rays. Namely, when using a light source lamp
such as a mercury lamp that emits both visible rays and ultraviolet
rays, the ultraviolet rays only are passed through the filter to
allow only the fluorescent dyes to be observed. When the filter
insertion switch 28 is not depressed, the visible-ray cut filter 72
is removed from the optical path, and observation is conducted with
use of common visible rays.
Temperature, pH, Air-pressure, and Body-pressure Detection
A temperature signal corresponding to a temperature detected by the
temperature sensor 29 is delivered from the temperature measuring
circuit 33. Likewise, pH, air-pressure and body-pressure detected
by the pH sensor 30, air-pressure sensor 31, and body-pressure
sensor 32 delivered as pH, air-pressure, and body-pressure signals
from the pH measuring circuit 34, air-pressure measuring circuit
35, and body-pressure measuring circuit 36, respectively. These
signals, together with the output signals of the observation light
quantity adjusting signal generator 40, air-feed quantity adjusting
signal generator 41, and feed-water pressure adjusting signal
generator 42, are applied to the analog signal multiplexer 43. The
multiplexer 43 applies to the A-D converter an analog signal
designated by an input designating digital signal from the data
transmission/reception device 6e. The A-D converter 44 converts its
input signal into a digital signal, and applies it to the data
transmission/reception device 6e. This digital signal is indicated
on the digital display 51, and also is transmitted to the data
transmission/reception device 6f of the light source unit 3 by
means of the channel 80 and indicated on the display 76. The data
to be indicated can be designated by the display selector switches
95 and 102.
Also, the digital signal applied to the data transmission/reception
device 6e can be transmitted to the transmission/reception device
6d of the photographic attachment 1 by means of the channel 81 so
as to be indicated on the frame number display 101. In this case,
the display selector switch 95 may be used for the selection of the
data to be indicated. The use of the switch 95 for this purpose,
however, is not very advisable because it is remote from the
release switch 10a. In order to eliminate such awkwardness, it is
necessary only that a switch (not shown) having the same function
with the display selector switch 95 be provided in the photographic
attachment 1 and connected to the input port P5 of the data
transmission/reception device 6d so that a selection signal may be
transmitted to the data transmission/reception device 6e of the
endoscope 2 by means of the channel 82. The use of the two display
selector switches will present no problems if the signal from the
display selector switch 95 is prohibited from being received by the
data transmission/reception device 6e. It may be possible,
moreover, to provide data superimposing means (not shown) in the
photographic attachment 1 to superimpose those data including the
temperature, pH, air-pressure, and body-pressure over the film in
photographing the subject.
Observation Light Quantity Regulation, Air-feed Quantity
Regulation, and Feed-water Pressure Regulation
Electric signals corresponding to the regulation values of the
observation light quantity adjuster 37, air-feed quantity adjuster
38, and feed-water pressure adjuster 39 are delivered respectively
from the observation light quantity adjusting signal generator 40,
air-feed quantity adjusting signal generator 41, and feed-water
pressure adjusting signal generator 42, and applied to the analog
signal multiplexer 43. The multiplexer 43 is supplied with the
input designating digital signal from the data
transmission/reception device 6e, and one of the output signals
from the measuring circuits 33 to 36 and the adjusting signal
generators 40 to 42 is selected. The output signal from the
multiplexer 43 is applied to the A-D converter 44 to be converted
into a digital signal, and transmitted by the data
transmission/reception device 6e to the data transmission/reception
device 6f of the light source unit by means of the channel 80.
Receiving the data, the data transmission/reception device 6f
drives the observation-light lamp control circuit 92, air-feed
quantity regulator 107, and feed-water pressure regulator 108 in
accordance with the data, thereby controlling the observation light
quantity and the air-feed quantity and feed-water pressure per unit
time.
Operation Based on Endoscope Code
The endoscope code generator 45 produces codes corresponding to the
types of endoscope. For example, a fiberscope for stomach
examination is represented by a code 01; coeloscope by 10 and
fiberscope for colon examination by 11. The use of the endoscope
codes is particularly effective where the spectral properties of
the optical systems of the several endoscopes vary greatly. If the
spectral properties of the optical systems are different, the
observed colors or picture colors will vary with the types of the
endoscopes although with use of the same light-source lamp, and it
will be very hard to improve the color reproducibility for all
these endoscopes. In such case, when the code signal from the
endoscope code generator 45 is transmitted to the data
transmission/reception device 6f of the light source unit 3 by
means of the channel 80, the color temperature correcting filter
106 is set in the optical path in response to the endoscope code so
that observation and photographing may be performed in accordance
with the spectral property of the endoscope used to provide the
optimum color reproduction at all times.
Detection of Actions of Air-feed Control Valve and Suction
Valve
The air-feed control valve action detector 52 detects the action of
the air-feed control valve 64. A detection signal from the detector
52 is transmitted to the data transmission/reception device 6e of
the endoscope 2 by means of the channel 79. In the endoscope 2, the
air-feed control valve action indicating LED 47 glows to indicate
the action of the air-feed control valve 64 in response to the
detection signal. This indication can be recognized within the
finder of the endoscope 2. Capable of ascertaining if the air-feed
control valve 64 in the light source unit 3 operates securely when
the air-feed switch 24 is operated while looking in the finder, the
endoscope operator may immediately notice any trouble that the air
feed cannot be stopped due to a failure of the air-feed control
valve 64, thereby quickly taking necessary measures for the safety
of his patient, such as removal of the endoscope from the patient
body and depression of the suction switch 26 for aspiration. For
the suction valve action detector 54, the suction valve action
indicating LED 49 glows for the indication of the action of the
suction valve in just the same manner as aforesaid.
Detection of Air-feed Quantity and Feed-water Pressure
The air-feed quantity detector 55 produces an output signal
corresponding to the air-feed quantity per unit time, which is
applied to the analog signal multiplexer 90. The feed-water
pressure detector 56 delivers an electric signal corresponding to
the feed-water pressure, which is also applied to the analog signal
multiplexer 90. The multiplexer 90 is supplied with an input
designation signal from the data transmission/reception device 6f,
and either the air-feed quantity signal or the feed-water pressure
signal is selected by the designation signal. The signal
transmitted through the multiplexer 90 is converted into a digital
signal by the A-D converter 91 and indicated on the display 76, and
further transmitted to the data transmission/reception device 6e of
the endoscope 2 by means of the channel 79. In the endoscope 2, the
received air-feed quantity or feed-water pressure data is indicated
on the digital display 51. The display information is selected by
the display selector switches 102 and 95.
Charging Over Detection
The charging over detector 58 detects the charging state of a main
charging capacitor for electric charges to flash the electronic
flash 74. A detection signal from the detector 58 is transmitted to
the data transmission/reception device 6d of the photographic
attachment 1 by means of the channel 77. In the photographic
attachment 1, the charging over indicating LED 19 glows to indicate
"charging over" in response to the charging over detection signal.
Thus, the endoscope operator may ascertain if the flash
photographing is possible.
Automatic Exposure Detection
The automatic exposure detector 59 is intended to detect if the
so-called auto-flash photographing is performed properly. When the
detector 59 detects an automatic exposure action, a detection
signal from the detector 59 is transmitted to the data
transmission/reception device 6d of the photographic attachment 1
by means of the channel 77. In the photographic attachment 1, the
automatic exposure indicating LED 21 glows to indicate "proper
automatic-exposure photographing" in response to the detection
signal.
FIG. 4 shows an endoscope system using the data transmission system
of this invention. In FIG. 4, the photographic attachment 1 can be
attached and detached to and from the eyepiece section of the
endoscope 2. Instruction signals are transmitted to the light
source unit 3 by depressing the air-feed switch 24, water-feed
switch 25, suction switch 26, feed-gas changing switch 27, and
filter insertion switch 28, and the valves and solenoids go into
action in response to the several instructions. The observation
light quantity, air-feed quantity, and feed-water pressure can be
adjusted by means of the adjusters 37, 38 and 39, respectively. The
temperature, pH, air-pressure, and body-pressure sensors are
incorporated in a sensor section 103. The sensor section 103 may
incorporate all or some of these sensors. Alternatively, the sensor
section 103 may be so designed that necessary sensors can be
removably attached to the sensor section 103 by means of a socket
structure.
The photographic attachment or camera can be remotely released by
depressing the release switch 10b or the footswitch 10c. The
footswitch 10c is connected to the light source unit 3 by means of
the connector 62. An angle control knob 83 is provided for changing
the direction of a distal end portion 104 of the endoscope 2. The
endoscope 2 is connected to the light source unit 3 by means of a
scope connector 85. A suction valve unit 86 contains therein the
suction valve to be operated by the suction switch 26, and is so
designed as to be able to be attached to and detached from the
light source unit 3 for the ease of cleaning and disinfection. The
suction valve unit 86 is coupled with an external aspirator by
means of a suction tube 88.
The light source unit 3 is connected to power supply by turning on
a main power switch 87. The display 76 indicates the number of
photographed or unphotographed frames, temperature, pH,
air-pressure, body-pressure, etc. The display information of the
display 76 is selected by means of display selector switches 89. A
feed-water bottle 96 contains distilled water for feed water. The
distilled water in the feed-water bottle 96 is led to the scope
connector 85 by means of a water-feed tube 97, and transferred to
the distal end portion 104 of the endoscope. Like the display 76 of
the light source unit, the digital display 51 of the endoscope
indicates the number of frames, temperature, pH, air-pressure,
body-pressure, etc. The display information is selected by means of
display selector switches 95. The display selector switches 95 can
select the information independently of the display selector
switches 89 of the light source unit.
According to the data transmission system of this invention as
described above, data transmission/reception devices are disposed
severally in a photographic attachment, an endoscope, and a light
source unit, and duplex data channels are provided between the data
transmission/reception devices, so that the data amount can be
increased to diversify the function of an endoscope system used
therewith. For example, any other person than an endoscope operator
may release the photographic attachment or enter the operator's
findings in clinical charts with reference to the number of frames,
so that the operator will be able to be released from the
troublesome recording work and devoted entirely to diagnosis.
Moreover, since the temperature, humidity, pH, etc. can be measured
by various sensors at the distal end of the endoscope, and the
measured values are indicated within the finder and at the control
section of the endoscope, as well as on the panel of the light
source unit, so various physiological measurements on a living
body, as well as endoscopic morphological observation, can be made
to increase the information for diagnosis.
The data transmission/reception devices 6d, 6e and 6f are
constructed as shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, respectively. As shown in
FIG. 5A, the data transmission/reception device 6d is composed of a
microcomputer (e.g., Intel 8049) 110, a universal
synchronous-asynchronous transmitter-receiver (USART) (e.g., Intel
8251), 111, a controller (e.g., Intel 8155) 112 and a logic circuit
(SN74LS126A) 113. Likewise, as shown in FIG. 5B, the data
transmission/reception device 6e is composed of a microcomputer
(e.g., Intel 8049) 114, controllers (e.g., Intel 8155) 115, 116, a
USART (e.g., Intel 8251) 117, and a logic circuit (SN74LS126A) 118.
As shown in FIG. 5C, moreover, the data transmission/reception
device 6f is composed of a microcomputer (e.g., Intel 8049) 119, a
USART (e.g., Intel 8251) 120, controllers (e.g., Intel 8155) 121,
122, and a logic circuit (SN74LS126A) 123.
* * * * *