Wireless endoscope, wireless endoscope device, and lighting control method

Abstract

A wireless endoscope device is composed of a wireless endoscope and a sound detection unit. In the wireless endoscope device, the sound detection unit has: a sound detection unit that detects sound; a sound modulation unit that modulates the sound detected by the sound detection unit; and a first wireless transmission unit that wirelessly transmits the modulation result of the sound modulation unit. The wireless endoscope has: a wireless receiving unit that receives the sound wirelessly transmitted from the first wireless transmission unit; a sound processing unit that processes the sound received by the wireless receiving unit; an illumination unit that generates illumination light for illuminating a subject; an imaging unit that photographs the subject; a second wireless transmission unit that wirelessly transmits the imaging result of the imaging unit; and a control unit that provides the processing result of the sound processing unit to the illumination unit to control the light emission.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wireless endoscope suitable for vocal cord observation, a wireless endoscope device and a lighting control method. Background Art

[0002] An endoscope system has been widely used for observing and treating the inspected part by inserting a long and thin endoscope into a body cavity. The endoscope image obtained by the imaging element of the endoscope is transmitted to a video processor for signal processing. The video processor processes the image from the endoscope and supplies it to a monitor for display or to a recording device for recording.

[0003] An endoscope cable is used to transmit an endoscope image from an endoscope to a video processor. However, the endoscope cable may sometimes limit the range of movement of the endoscope or hinder operability. In addition, the endoscope cable may sometimes become entangled with other cables and cause a disconnection or other failure. Therefore, in recent years, a wireless endoscope has been developed that is equipped with a rechargeable battery and transmits an endoscope image to a processor or the like in a wireless manner.

[0004] In addition, an endoscope is sometimes used to observe the vocal cords. Strobe observation is used to observe the vibration of the vocal cords. Strobe observation is an observation that uses the so-called stroboscopic effect to obtain an observation image by flashing a strobe light at a period slightly offset from the period of vocal cord vibration, so that the vocal cords appear to be vibrating slowly.

[0005] In stroboscopic observation using an endoscope, for example, sound analysis is performed based on the sound picked up, and light (stroboscopic light) is emitted at a timing determined based on the result (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-300514). Therefore, in order to perform stroboscopic observation of the vocal cords, a microphone for picking up the patient's voice is required.

[0006] In addition, as an endoscope capable of observing the vocal cords by such stroboscopic observation, a wireless endoscope is considered. However, a wireless endoscope needs to be sterilized and is constructed to be watertight and airtight, so that a metal connector cannot be provided on the surface. There is no proposal that can use a wireless endoscope for stroboscopic observation using a microphone. Summary of the invention

[0007] Solutions for solving problems

[0008] A wireless endoscope according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a wireless receiving unit that receives sound transmitted wirelessly; a sound processing unit that processes the sound received by the wireless receiving unit; an illumination unit that generates illumination light for illuminating a subject; an imaging unit that photographs the subject; a wireless transmitting unit that wirelessly transmits the imaging result of the imaging unit; and a control unit that controls the illumination unit based on the processing result of the sound processing unit.

[0009] A wireless endoscope device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a wireless endoscope and a sound detection unit. In the wireless endoscope device, the sound detection unit comprises: a sound detection unit that detects sound; a sound modulation unit that modulates the sound detected by the sound detection unit; and a first wireless transmission unit that wirelessly transmits the sound modulated by the sound modulation unit. The wireless endoscope comprises: a wireless receiving unit that receives the sound wirelessly transmitted from the first wireless transmission unit; a sound processing unit that processes the sound received by the wireless receiving unit; an illumination unit that generates illumination light for illuminating a subject; an imaging unit that photographs the subject; a second wireless transmission unit that wirelessly transmits the imaging result of the imaging unit; and a control unit that controls the illumination unit based on the processing result of the sound processing unit.

[0010] A lighting control method according to one embodiment of the present invention is used to control the lighting light of a wireless endoscope. In the lighting control method, a sound detection unit detects sound, the sound detection unit modulates the detected sound, the sound detection unit wirelessly transmits the modulated sound, the wireless endoscope receives the wirelessly transmitted sound, the wireless endoscope provides the processing result of the wirelessly received sound to a lighting unit to control the light emission, and the lighting unit generates lighting light for illuminating a subject. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a main portion of a wireless endoscope device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 2 It is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of an endoscope system including a wireless endoscope device.

[0013] Figure 3 This is an explanatory diagram for explaining the installation position of the microphone unit in the wireless endoscope.

[0014] Figure 4 This is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

[0015] Figure 5It is an explanatory diagram for explaining the state of stroboscopic observation in the embodiment.

[0016] Figure 6 It is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 7 This is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0019] (First Embodiment)

[0020] Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a main portion of a wireless endoscope device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of the overall configuration of an endoscope system having a wireless endoscope device. Figure 3 This is an explanatory diagram for explaining the installation position of the microphone unit in the wireless endoscope. In this embodiment, the microphone unit and the wireless endoscope are wirelessly connected, and stroboscopic light emission is controlled by detecting the installation of the microphone unit, thereby enabling stroboscopic observation using the wireless endoscope.

[0021] First, refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 An overview of an endoscope system using the wireless endoscope 1 will be described. Figure 2 The endoscope system includes a wireless endoscope 1, a video processor 5, and a monitor 6. Various medical devices and the monitor 6 are arranged on the cart 7. In addition, the video processor 5 connected to the wireless unit 8 is placed on the cart 7. In addition, as medical equipment, devices such as an electric scalpel device, a pneumoperitoneum device, a video recorder, and a gas cylinder filled with carbon dioxide are also placed on the cart 7.

[0022] The wireless endoscope 1 can perform imaging operations for normal endoscopic observation by installing a battery (not shown), and has a wireless structure that is wirelessly connected to the video processor 5 .

[0023] The wireless endoscope 1 is composed of an endoscope body having an insertion portion 2 at the distal end side and an operation portion 3 at the proximal end side. A not-shown imaging unit is provided at the distal end of the insertion portion 2, and the imaging unit has an imaging element composed of a CCD, a CMOS sensor, or the like. In addition, a not-shown illumination unit is provided at the insertion portion 2 for generating illumination light for illuminating a subject. The illumination unit, which is a light source in the endoscope, irradiates the generated light as illumination light to the subject via a not-shown lens at the distal end of the insertion portion 2.

[0024] The return light from the subject is incident through the observation lens (not shown) at the top of the insertion part 2, and is imaged on the imaging surface of the imaging part. The imaging part obtains a camera image based on the optical image of the subject by photoelectric conversion. The imaging part transmits the camera image to the substrate (not shown) in the operating part 3 via a signal line (not shown) in the insertion part 2. Various circuits including an image processing circuit (not shown) and a communication circuit for signal transmission are mounted on the substrate (not shown) provided in the operating part 3, and the camera image is wirelessly transmitted to the wireless part 8 through these circuits. In addition, a plurality of endoscope switches 3b are provided on the operating surface 3a of the operating part 3, and the operation signal based on the operation of the endoscope switch 3b is also transmitted to the wireless part 8.

[0025] Furthermore, the communication circuit built into the wireless endoscope 1 and the wireless unit 8 can transmit and receive not only captured images but also drive signals for driving the image pickup element and the illumination unit provided in the insertion portion 2 and various setting information.

[0026] In addition, the description is given assuming that the imaging unit and the lighting unit are disposed at the top end of the insertion unit 2, but the imaging unit may be disposed on the side of the operating unit 3 like a camera, and the light source may be disposed on the operating unit 3, etc., and the lighting light may be guided to the top end of the insertion unit 2 by a light guide, etc.

[0027] Furthermore, a battery 18 is built into the wireless endoscope 1 , and power from the battery 18 is supplied to a power supply unit 19 mounted on a substrate in the operation unit 3 .

[0028] like Figure 3 As shown, a locking portion (not shown) for mounting a microphone unit 4 is provided on the operation surface 3a of the operation portion 3. The microphone unit 4 as a sound detection unit can be mounted on the operation surface 3a in a manner that it can be freely mounted and removed from the operation surface 3a. During stroboscopic observation, the microphone unit 4 is mounted on the locking portion. The microphone unit 4 picks up surrounding sounds and sends the picked-up sounds to the wireless endoscope 1.

[0029] Next, refer to Figure 1 A specific configuration example of the wireless endoscope 1 and the microphone unit 4 will be described.

[0030] The microphone unit 4 is provided with a control unit 41, a microphone sensor 42, a sound modulation unit 43, a wireless unit 44, and a battery 45. The control unit 41 may be composed of a processor using a CPU, an FPGA, or the like, or may operate according to a program stored in a memory (not shown) to control each unit, or may realize part or all of the functions by an electronic circuit as hardware.

[0031] As the microphone sensor 42, various microphones such as a condenser microphone and a dynamic microphone can be used. The microphone sensor 42 as a sound detection unit picks up the surrounding sound and outputs the picked up sound to the sound modulation unit 43. As the sound modulation unit 43, a modulation circuit that adopts a digital modulation method such as QAM (quadrature amplitude modulation) or other various modulation methods can be used. The sound modulation unit 43 modulates the sound provided by the microphone sensor 42 and outputs it to the wireless unit 44. The wireless unit 44 as the first wireless transmission unit is composed of a communication circuit that operates in a prescribed wireless manner. For example, as the wireless unit 44, it can be a wireless unit that can perform short-range wireless communication, or it can adopt wireless standards such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) and Bluetooth (registered trademark). The wireless unit 44 is used to wirelessly transmit the sound from the sound modulation unit 43.

[0032] The sound wirelessly transmitted from the wireless unit 44 can be received by the wireless unit 16 of the wireless endoscope 1. The wireless unit 16 as a wireless receiving unit is a communication circuit that operates in accordance with a wireless standard corresponding to the wireless unit 44, receives the sound transmitted from the wireless unit 44, and outputs the received sound to the image processing and control unit 11 via the bus 20.

[0033] The image processing and control unit 11 of the wireless endoscope 1 may be composed of a processor using a CPU, FPGA, etc., or may operate according to a program stored in a memory (not shown) to control each unit, or may realize part or all of the functions by an electronic circuit as hardware. The image processing and control unit 11 is connected to the bus 20 and controls each unit via the bus 20.

[0034] The wireless endoscope 1 is provided with an illumination unit 12. The illumination unit 12 is composed of various light source devices such as LED (light emitting diode) light sources. The illumination unit 12 is controlled by the image processing and control unit 11 to generate illumination light. The illumination light from the illumination unit 12 is irradiated to the subject through an illumination lens (not shown) provided at the distal end of the insertion portion 2.

[0035] The lighting unit 12 is controlled by the image processing and control unit 11 to switch between normal lighting and stroboscopic lighting. The lighting unit 12 is supplied with a lighting control signal by the sound processing unit 15 described later, and controls the lighting cycle of stroboscopic lighting based on the lighting control signal.

[0036] In the wireless endoscope 1, an imaging unit 13 is provided at the distal end of the insertion unit 2. The imaging unit 13 has an imaging element such as a CCD or CMOS sensor (not shown), and the reflected light reflected from the subject is incident on the imaging surface via an observation lens (not shown). The imaging unit 13 performs photoelectric conversion on the optical image of the subject incident on the imaging surface to obtain a captured image. The image processing and control unit 11 drives the imaging unit 13, and is provided with the captured image from the imaging unit 13, and outputs the captured image to the wireless unit 14 after performing a predetermined image signal processing on the captured image.

[0037] The wireless unit 14 as the second wireless transmission unit is composed of a communication circuit using a wireless standard specified by Wi-Fi, etc. The wireless unit 14 modulates the captured image from the image processing and control unit 11 and transmits it wirelessly. The transmission signal from the wireless unit 14 is received by the wireless unit 8 and supplied to the video processor 5. In addition, the wireless unit 14 receives various control signals and the like transmitted from the video processor 5 via the wireless unit 8 and supplies them to the image processing and control unit 11.

[0038] The wireless endoscope 1 is provided with a battery 18. The battery 18 generates predetermined power and supplies the power to a power supply unit 19. The power supply unit 19 can be composed of a power supply circuit that generates a power supply voltage used in each unit of the wireless endoscope 1 using the power from the battery 18. The power supply unit 19 is controlled by the image processing and control unit 11 and supplies the generated power supply voltage to each unit (not shown) of the wireless endoscope 1.

[0039] In the present embodiment, the image processing and control unit 11 controls the illumination unit 12 to perform stroboscopic lighting only when the detachable microphone unit 4 is attached to the operation surface 3 a or when a sound of a predetermined level or higher is supplied from the microphone unit 4 .

[0040] For example, the image processing and control unit 11 may determine that the microphone unit 4 is attached to the operation surface 3a based on the establishment of wireless communication between the wireless unit 16 and the wireless unit 44, and control the lighting unit 12 to start strobing the lighting unit 12. In addition, the image processing and control unit 11 may compare the reception level of the sound received by the wireless unit 16 with a predetermined threshold value, and when there is a sound reception level exceeding the threshold value, determine that a sufficient level of sound is output from the microphone unit 4, and control the lighting unit 12 to start strobing the lighting unit 12.

[0041] The sound received by the wireless unit 16 is also supplied to the sound processing processor unit 15. The sound processing processor unit 15 as a sound processing unit can be composed of a processor using a CPU, FPGA, etc., or can operate according to a program stored in a memory not shown to control each unit, or can realize part or all of the functions by an electronic circuit as hardware. The sound processing processor unit 15 analyzes the input sound to obtain the sound frequency, generates a light control signal based on the obtained sound frequency, and outputs it to the lighting unit 12. The lighting unit 12 performs strobing light at a period based on the light control signal.

[0042] The sound processing processor section 15 is a circuit section required for stroboscopic observation. Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to reduce power consumption, the image processing and control section 11 can set the period during which wireless communication is established between the wireless section 16 and the wireless section 44, or the period during which the sound reception level exceeds the threshold in the wireless section as the stroboscopic observation period, and control the sound processing processor section 15 to supply power supply voltage only during this period.

[0043] Next, refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 The operation of the embodiment configured as above will be described. Figure 4 It is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment. Figure 5 It is an explanatory diagram for explaining the state of stroboscopic observation in the embodiment.

[0044] like Figure 5 As shown, in vocal cord observation, first, the insertion portion 2 of the wireless endoscope 1 is inserted from the mouth 25a of the subject 25 to a position where the vocal cord can be observed at the tip of the insertion portion 2. During the insertion, normal light observation using normal light is performed so that the state during insertion can be observed ( Figure 4 That is, the image processing and control unit 11 controls the lighting unit 12 to cause the lighting unit 12 to emit normal light (step S2).

[0045] The imaging unit 13 performs photoelectric conversion on the return light from the subject 25 illuminated by the illumination unit 12, and outputs the captured image to the image processing and control unit 11. The image processing and control unit 11 performs a predetermined image signal processing on the captured image, and then transmits the image to the video processor 5 via the wireless unit 14. The video processor 5 generates an image based on the captured image and outputs the image to the monitor 6. In this way, the captured image at the time of insertion is displayed on the display screen of the monitor 6.

[0046] When the surgeon inserts the insertion portion 2 to a position where the vocal cords can be observed, the surgeon attaches the microphone unit 4 to the operation surface 3a. Figure 5, the position where the microphone unit 4 is installed is indicated by a dotted line. In step S3, the image processing and control unit 11 determines whether the microphone unit 4 is installed. When the microphone unit 4 is installed, wireless communication is established between the wireless unit 44 and the wireless unit 16. Information indicating that wireless communication has been established is provided to the image processing and control unit 11. As a result, the image processing and control unit 11 determines that the microphone unit 4 is installed on the operation surface 3a, and transfers the processing from step S3 to step S4. Steps S4 to S8 represent the processing during the stroboscopic observation, and the image processing and control unit 11 causes the power supply unit 19 to start supplying power supply voltage to the sound processing processor unit 15 to start the sound processing processor unit 15 (step S4). The control unit 11 causes the lighting unit 12 to start stroboscopic light (step S5).

[0047] On the other hand, the microphone unit 4 picks up the voice of the subject 25 through the microphone sensor 42 (step S6). The sound from the microphone sensor 42 is modulated by the sound modulation unit 43 and supplied to the wireless unit 44. The wireless unit 44 transmits the sound wirelessly. The wireless unit 16 of the wireless endoscope 1 receives the sound transmitted from the wireless unit 44 and supplies the sound to the sound processing processor unit 15 via the bus 20. The sound processing processor unit 15 obtains the sound frequency based on the input sound. Based on the obtained sound frequency, the sound processing processor unit 15 generates a light control signal for strobing at a frequency near the sound frequency and supplies it to the lighting unit 12 (step S7). The lighting unit 12 performs strobing at a light frequency based on the light control signal (step S8).

[0048] In this way, the vocal cords are illuminated by stroboscopic lighting. The camera unit 13 performs photoelectric conversion on the return light of the stroboscopic light returning from the vocal cords, and outputs the camera image to the image processing and control unit 11. The image processing and control unit 11 transmits the camera image to the video processor 5 via the wireless unit 14 after performing a prescribed image signal processing. The video processor 5 generates an image based on the camera image and outputs it to the monitor 6. In this way, an image of the vocal cords slowly vibrating is displayed on the display screen of the monitor 6, so that stroboscopic observation can be performed. The processing of steps S6 to S8 is repeated until it is detected in step S9 that the microphone unit 4 is removed.

[0049] The surgeon removes the microphone unit 4 to end the stroboscopic observation. The image processing and control unit 11 determines in step S9 whether a microphone is installed. The wireless communication between the wireless unit 44 and the wireless unit 16 is canceled by increasing the distance between the two. The image processing and control unit 11 detects that the wireless communication is canceled, that is, the microphone unit 4 is removed, based on the output of the wireless unit 16. In this case, the image processing and control unit 11 controls the lighting unit 12 to perform normal light control to end the stroboscopic observation period (step S10). In step S11, the image processing and control unit 11 stops the power supply to the sound processing processor unit 15 to stop the operation of the sound processing processor unit 15. In this way, normal light observation is restored.

[0050] In addition, Figure 4 In the process of , the establishment or release of wireless communication is determined based on the installation or removal of the microphone unit 4, thereby switching between the stroboscopic observation period and the normal light observation period, but the stroboscopic observation period and the normal light observation period may be switched with the microphone unit 4 installed. For example, the image processing and control unit 11 may start stroboscopic light emission when the sound level supplied from the microphone unit 4 to the wireless endoscope 1 exceeds a predetermined threshold value, and return to normal light observation when the sound level is less than the predetermined threshold value.

[0051] (Second Embodiment)

[0052] Figure 6 FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 In, with Figure 1 The same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description is omitted. In the present embodiment, when a microphone unit without a battery is used, it is possible to perform power management of the microphone unit.

[0053] The microphone unit 40 and Figure 1 The microphone unit 4 of the wireless endoscope 10 is different from the wireless endoscope 10 in that it has a power receiving unit 46 instead of the battery 45. Figure 1 The difference of the wireless endoscope 1 is that a power transmission unit 21 is added. The power transmission unit 21 is controlled by the image processing and control unit 11, and transmits power from the power supply unit 19 to the microphone unit 40. The power receiving unit 46 receives the power transmitted from the power transmission unit 21. For example, the power transmission unit 21 and the power receiving unit 46 are formed by coils, and power can be transmitted by electromagnetically coupling the power transmission unit 21 and the power receiving unit 46. The power receiving unit 46 can receive power supply from the power transmission unit 21 by approaching the power transmission unit 21. The power receiving unit 46 generates a power supply voltage used in each unit in the microphone unit 40 by the received power.

[0054] In the present embodiment, the power transmission unit 21 can detect whether power is being supplied to the power receiving unit 46. For example, when the power transmission unit 21 detects that power is being supplied to the power receiving unit 46, it outputs a detection signal to the image processing and control unit 11. The image processing and control unit 11 sets the stroboscopic observation period based on the detection signal from the power transmission unit 21. In addition, the image processing and control unit 11 can also set the stroboscopic observation period when the power consumption of the power transmission unit 21 exceeds a predetermined reference value. For example, it is also possible to detect that the microphone unit 40 increases its power consumption due to sending a sound above a predetermined level, and the stroboscopic observation period can be set.

[0055] Furthermore, the image processing and control section 11 may set the stroboscopic observation period by monitoring the power consumption of the power transmission section 21 based on the information from the power supply section 19 .

[0056] Next, refer to Figure 7 The operation of the embodiment configured as above will be described. Figure 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment. Figure 7 In, with Figure 4 The same procedures are denoted by the same symbols and description thereof is omitted.

[0057] In this embodiment, Figure 7 In step S3, the installation of the microphone unit 40 is detected by determining whether the power transmission unit 21 and the power reception unit 46 are electromagnetically coupled. When the image processing and control unit 11 detects the electromagnetic coupling between the power transmission unit 21 and the power reception unit 46, it determines that the microphone unit 40 is installed on the operation surface 3a, and transfers the processing from step S3 to step S4.

[0058] The image processing and control unit 11 causes the power supply unit 19 to start supplying power supply voltage to the sound processing processor unit 15 to start the sound processing processor unit 15. In step S5, the image processing and control unit 11 starts stroboscopic light emission. Furthermore, the image processing and control unit 11 causes the power transmission unit 21 to start supplying power to the microphone unit 40 to start the microphone unit 40 (step S21). The microphone unit 40 becomes operable by receiving power from the power receiving unit 46, and the microphone sensor 42 is controlled by the control unit 41 to pick up the sound of the subject (step S6). In this way, stroboscopic observation can also be performed in this embodiment.

[0059] In this embodiment, Figure 7In step S9, the image processing and control unit 11 detects that the microphone unit 40 has been removed by determining that the electromagnetic coupling between the power transmission unit 21 and the power reception unit 46 has been eliminated. When the image processing and control unit 11 detects that the microphone unit 40 has been removed, it performs normal light emission control in step S10, and then stops the power transmission to the microphone unit 40 in step S22. In addition, the power transmission may be automatically stopped by separating the power reception unit 46 from the power transmission unit 21. In step S11, the image processing and control unit 11 stops the power supply to the sound processing processor unit 15 to stop the operation of the sound processing processor unit 15.

[0060] Thus, in this embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, in this embodiment, when power is supplied from the endoscope processor to the microphone unit, power is supplied to the microphone unit only when the microphone unit is used, thereby suppressing an increase in power consumption.

[0061] In the above embodiment, an example is described in which the stroboscopic observation period is set by monitoring the power supply from the power transmission unit to the microphone unit. However, the stroboscopic observation period may be set based on receiving a sound louder than a predetermined level after the microphone unit receives power and starts operating.

[0062] Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, the stroboscopic observation period, the period during which the illumination unit is stroboscopically illuminated, the period during which the sound processing processor is activated, and the period during which power is supplied to the microphone unit are not necessarily consistent.

[0063] In addition, most of the controls described in the specification and mainly described by the flowchart can be set by a program, and sometimes recorded in a recording medium or a recording unit. The recording method of the recording medium or recording unit can be recording when the product is shipped, using a distributed recording medium, or downloading via the Internet.

[0064] In addition, the execution order of each step in the flowchart may be changed, a plurality of steps may be executed simultaneously, or the steps may be executed in a different order each time, as long as the nature of the steps is not violated.

[0065] In addition, in the implementation mode, the part recorded as "unit" can be composed of a dedicated circuit or a combination of multiple general-purpose circuits, and can also be composed of a combination of a microcomputer, a processor such as a CPU, or a sequence generator such as an FPGA that operates according to pre-programmed software as needed.

[0066] The present invention is not directly limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. In the implementation stage, the constituent elements can be deformed and specifically implemented within the scope of the purpose. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriate combinations of multiple constituent elements disclosed in the above-mentioned embodiments. For example, several constituent elements of all constituent elements shown in the embodiments can be deleted. In addition, constituent elements in different embodiments can also be appropriately combined.

Claims

1. A wireless endoscope, characterized in that: have: A wireless receiving unit that receives the sound wirelessly transmitted by the sound detection unit; a sound processing unit, which processes the sound received by the wireless receiving unit; an illumination unit that generates illumination light for illuminating the subject; A camera unit for photographing the subject; A wireless transmission unit, which wirelessly transmits the image pickup result of the image pickup unit; as well as a control unit that controls the lighting unit based on the processing result of the sound processing unit, Here, when the control unit detects, based on the reception result of the wireless receiving unit, that the sound detection unit is attached to the wireless endoscope, the control unit causes the sound processing unit to enter an operating state.

2. The wireless endoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control unit provides the processing result of the sound processing unit to the lighting unit to control light emission.

3. A wireless endoscope device, comprising a wireless endoscope and a sound detection unit, wherein the wireless endoscope device is characterized in that: The sound detection unit has: a sound detection unit that detects sound; a sound modulation unit that modulates the sound detected by the sound detection unit; and a first wireless transmitting unit for wirelessly transmitting the sound modulated by the sound modulating unit; The wireless endoscope has: a wireless receiving unit configured to receive the sound wirelessly transmitted from the first wireless transmitting unit; a sound processing unit, which processes the sound received by the wireless receiving unit; an illumination unit that generates illumination light for illuminating the subject; A camera unit for photographing the subject; a second wireless transmitting unit, which wirelessly transmits the image pickup result of the image pickup unit; as well as a control unit that controls the lighting unit based on the processing result of the sound processing unit, Here, when the control unit detects, based on the reception result of the wireless receiving unit, that the sound detection unit is attached to the wireless endoscope, the control unit causes the sound processing unit to enter an operating state.

4. The wireless endoscope device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The control unit provides the processing result of the sound processing unit to the lighting unit to control light emission.

5. The wireless endoscope device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The sound detection unit is provided to be freely attachable to and detachable from the wireless endoscope.

6. The wireless endoscope device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The sound detection unit includes a battery.

7. The wireless endoscope device according to claim 5, characterized in that: When the control unit detects, based on the reception result of the wireless reception unit, that the sound detection unit is detached from the wireless endoscope, the control unit causes the sound processing unit to enter a non-operating state.

8. The wireless endoscope device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The wireless endoscope includes a power transmission unit. The sound detection unit includes a power receiving unit that receives power from the power transmitting unit.

9. The wireless endoscope device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The sound detection unit is provided to be freely attachable to and detachable from the wireless endoscope.

10. The wireless endoscope device according to claim 9, characterized in that: When the control unit detects that the sound detection unit is attached to the wireless endoscope based on the power transmission result of the power transmission unit, the control unit causes the sound processing unit to enter an operating state.

11. The wireless endoscope device according to claim 9, characterized in that: When the control unit detects that the sound detection unit is detached from the wireless endoscope based on the power transmission result of the power transmission unit, the control unit causes the sound processing unit to enter a non-operating state.

12. The wireless endoscope device according to claim 9, characterized in that: When the control unit detects that the sound detection unit is attached to the wireless endoscope based on the power transmission result of the power transmission unit, the control unit causes the sound detection unit to enter an operating state.

13. The wireless endoscope device according to claim 9, characterized in that: When the control unit detects that the sound detection unit is detached from the wireless endoscope based on the power transmission result of the power transmission unit, the control unit causes the sound detection unit to enter a non-operating state.

14. A lighting control method for controlling the lighting light of a wireless endoscope, wherein: The sound detection unit detects the sound, The sound detection unit modulates the detected sound, The sound detection unit wirelessly sends out the modulated sound. The wireless endoscope receives the sound transmitted wirelessly. The wireless endoscope provides the processing result of the wirelessly received sound to the illumination unit to control the light emission, and the illumination unit generates illumination light for illuminating the subject. in, When it is detected based on the result of receiving the sound that the sound detection unit is attached to the wireless endoscope, the sound is processed.

Images