Medical observation system and transmission cable

Abstract

A medical observation system is provided which is configured to prevent a metal cable from being broken without increasing the thickness of a braided shield wire. The medical observation system has a transmission cable including an optical cable having one or a plurality of optical fiber cores, a plurality of metal wires arranged around the optical cable, and a tension member composed of a high-strength fiber and arranged in parallel with an extension direction of the optical cable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a medical observation system and a transmission cable. Background Technology

[0002] In the medical field, endoscopic devices are typically used to examine organs within a patient's body. An endoscopic device includes, for example, an endoscope comprising an imaging element (hereinafter referred to as a camera head); a control device that controls the operation of the camera head, processes image signals captured by the imaging element, and enables a display device to display images of the interior of the patient's body; and transmission cables that electrically connect the camera head and the control device and transmit various signals.

[0003] In recent years, imaging elements with a large number of pixels capable of more detailed image observation have been developed, and their application in endoscopic devices has been examined. Therefore, in order to transmit high-capacity signals at high speed between the imaging element and the control device, an optical transmission system using lasers to transmit signals has been studied (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] Reference List

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent document 1: JP 2016-209542 A. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Technical issues

[0008] In the aforementioned Patent Document 1, the outer periphery of the optical cable and multiple metal cables in the transmission cable is covered with a braided shielding wire to prevent noise from entering the signal to be transmitted, and the strength of the braided shielding wire reduces the stress load applied to the optical cable or metal cables.

[0009] However, as the diameter of the metal cable decreases, the stress applied to the metal cable cannot be reduced solely by the strength of the braided shield, and there is a risk of breakage. Meanwhile, to prevent breakage, it is conceivable to increase the strength of the braided shield, i.e., increase its thickness; however, this increases the outer diameter of the transmission cable, which weakens its flexibility and bendability.

[0010] This disclosure was made in view of the above circumstances, and the purpose of this disclosure is to provide a medical observation system and transmission cable that can prevent metal cables from breaking without increasing the thickness of the braided shielding wire.

[0011] Solution to the problem

[0012] To address the aforementioned problems and achieve the objectives, the medical observation system disclosed herein includes a transmission cable comprising: an optical cable including one or more optical fiber cores; a plurality of metal cables disposed around the optical cable; and a tension member made of high-strength fiber disposed parallel to the extension direction of the optical cable.

[0013] Furthermore, the transmission cable according to this disclosure includes: an optical cable including one or more optical fiber cores; a plurality of metal cables arranged around the optical cable; and a tension member made of high-strength fiber and arranged parallel to the direction of extension of the optical cable.

[0014] Advantages of the present invention

[0015] According to this disclosure, it is possible to prevent the metal cable from breaking while maintaining the outer diameter, flexibility, and bendability of the transmission cable. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating the schematic structure of a medical observation system according to the first embodiment.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a side view near the connector of the first transmission cable in the medical observation system according to the first embodiment.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the first transmission cable.

[0019] Figure 4A This is a diagram illustrating a method of securing a tension member inside a connector of a first transmission cable.

[0020] Figure 4B This is a diagram illustrating a method of securing a tension member inside a connector of a first transmission cable.

[0021] Figure 4C This is a diagram illustrating a method of securing a tension member inside a connector of a first transmission cable.

[0022] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the first transmission cable according to a first variation of the first embodiment.

[0023] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the first transmission cable according to a second variation of the first embodiment.

[0024] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the first transmission cable according to the third variation of the first embodiment.

[0025] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating the schematic structure of a medical observation system according to the second embodiment.

[0026] Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating the schematic structure of a medical observation system according to the third embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0027] In the following description, the modes used to implement this disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that this disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. Furthermore, the various drawings mentioned in the following description are only schematic illustrations of shapes, dimensions, and positional relationships to a degree that allows the understanding of this disclosure. That is, this disclosure is not limited to the shapes, dimensions, and positional relationships shown in each drawing. Additionally, in the description of the drawings, the same symbols are used to refer to the same parts.

[0028] (First Implementation)

[0029] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the schematic structure of the medical observation system 1 according to the first embodiment. Figure 1 The medical observation system 1 shown is used in the medical field and observes and displays images of the interior of a subject by inserting it into the living body of a subject, such as a human or animal. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, a method using... Figure 1 The rigid endoscope system shown (insertion part 2) is used as medical observation system 1; however, it is not limited to this, for example, a flexible endoscope system may also be used.

[0030] Figure 1 The medical observation system 1 shown includes an insertion part 2, a light source device 3, a light guide 4, a camera head 5 (endoscopic imaging device), a first transmission cable 6, a display device 7, a second transmission cable 8, a control device 9, and a third transmission cable 10.

[0031] The insertion part 2 is rigid or at least partially flexible and has an elongated shape. The insertion part 2 is inserted into a subject, such as a patient. The insertion part 2 has one or more lenses internally and an optical system for forming an observed image.

[0032] The light source device 3 is connected to one end of the light guide 4. Under the control of the control device 9, the light source device 3 emits (supplyes) white light for illuminating the subject, excitation light for injecting or scattering a drug solution onto the subject, or infrared light to one end of the light guide 4. The light source device 3 has a light-emitting diode (LED) light source or a semiconductor laser element such as a laser diode (LD). The light source device 3 and the control device 9 can be configured as follows: Figure 1 They can communicate individually as shown, or they can be integrated.

[0033] One end of the light guide 4 is detachably connected to the light source device 3, and the other end is detachably connected to the insertion part 2. The light guide 4 guides the light emitted from the light source device 3 from one end to the other end and provides it to the insertion part 2.

[0034] The camera head 5 is detachably connected to the eyepiece unit 21 of the insertion section 2. Under the control of the control device 9, the camera head 5 generates image data (imaging signal) by capturing the observation image formed by the insertion section 2, and outputs the image data. In addition, the camera head 5 includes: an operation ring unit 51, which is rotatably arranged in the circumferential direction; and a plurality of input units 52, which receive inputs of instruction signals for instructing various operations of the medical observation system 1.

[0035] One end of the first transmission cable 6 is detachably connected to the control device 9 via a first connector unit 61, and the other end is connected to the camera head 5 via a second connector unit 62. The first transmission cable 6 transmits image data output from the camera head 5 to the control device 9 and transmits control signals, synchronization signals, clock signals, power, etc., output from the control device 9 to the camera head 5. The first transmission cable 6 serves as the transmission cable of this disclosure. The first transmission cable 6 will be described in detail later.

[0036] The display device 7 can be connected to the control device 9 via the second transmission cable 8 and, under the control of the control device 9, displays an image based on the image data processed by the control device 9.

[0037] One end of the second transmission cable 8 is detachably connected to the display device 7, and the other end is detachably connected to the control device 9. The second transmission cable 8 transmits the display image based on the image data processed by the control device 9 to the display device 7.

[0038] The control device 9 includes a memory and a processor. The processor includes hardware such as a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). Based on a program recorded in the memory, the control device 9 comprehensively controls the operation of the camera head 5, the display device 7, and the light source device 3 via the first transmission cable 6, the second transmission cable 8, and the third transmission cable 10, respectively. Furthermore, the control device 9 performs various types of image processing on the image data input from the camera head 5 via the first transmission cable 6 and outputs the image data to the second transmission cable 8.

[0039] One end of the third transmission cable 10 is detachably connected to the light source device 3, and the other end is detachably connected to the control device 9. The third transmission cable 10 transmits control signals from the control device 9 to the light source device 3.

[0040] Next, the first transmission cable 6 will be described. Figure 2This is a side view near the second connector unit 62 of the first transmission cable 6 in the medical observation system 1 according to the first embodiment. Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the first transmission cable 6.

[0041] The first transmission cable 6 includes: an optical cable 100 having one or more optical fiber cores 101; a plurality of metal cables 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115 and 116 arranged around the optical cable 100; and a tension member 120 made of high-strength fiber and arranged parallel to the extension direction of the optical fiber cores 101.

[0042] Optical cable 100 has a structure in which a linearly extending optical fiber core 101 is covered by a sheath 102. Metal cables 110, 112, 114 and 116 include a structure with small-diameter metal wire spiral twist, and metal cables 111, 113 and 115 include a structure with large-diameter metal wire spiral twist.

[0043] In the first transmission cable 6, metal cables 110 to 116 are spirally arranged around optical cable 100, and the outer periphery of metal cables 110 to 116 is covered with braided shielding wire 130 and insulating sheath 140. The outer periphery of sheath 140 is covered with outer covering 150.

[0044] Tension member 120 has an outer diameter similar to that of the metal wiring included in metal cables 110 to 116, and is formed of high-strength insulating fibers. Examples of materials include para-aromatic nylon fibers, high molecular weight polyethylene fibers, high-strength polyaryl ester fibers, and poly(p-benzoxazole) fibers; however, high-strength polyaryl ester fibers that do not absorb water and have excellent dimensional stability are preferred. Tension member 120 is arranged between optical cable 100 and metal cables 110 to 116. Figure 2 As shown, the tension member 120 extends from the distal end to the proximal end along the axial direction of the first transmission cable 6. Arranging the tension member 120 in the first transmission cable 6 prevents the fiber optic core 101 from breaking off from the metal wiring. Furthermore, since the tension member 120 is positioned in the gap between the optical cable 100 and the metal wires 110 to 116, the diameter of the first transmission cable 6 can be reduced, and the impact on the tension member 120 when the first transmission cable 6 undergoes autoclaving can be minimized. Moreover, since the tension member 120 is secured by the metal wires 110 to 116 spirally arranged around the optical cable 100, it is easy to manufacture.

[0045] Tension member 120 is pulled out from one end of braided shielding wire 130 and sheath 140 and secured to the components included in second connector unit 62. Figures 4A to 4C This is a diagram illustrating a method for fixing the tension member 120 in the second connector unit 62 of the first transmission cable 6.

[0046] Tension member 120 is pulled out from braided shielding wire 130 and sheath 140, wrapped around first component 160 included in second connector unit 62, and then clamped and secured by second component 170 arranged on the proximal side of first component 160. By securing tension member 120 to the component included in second connector unit 62, breakage of fiber core 101 and metal wiring at the end is prevented. Note that, also on the first connector unit 61 side, tension member 120 is pulled out from braided shielding wire 130 and sheath 140 and secured to the component included in first connector unit 61.

[0047] Although the first embodiment has been described above, and from the viewpoint of manufacturing and pressure resistance, it is preferred that the tension member 120 is arranged between the optical cable 100 and the metal cables 110 to 116; however, it is not limited thereto. Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the first transmission cable 6A, a first variation of the first embodiment. In the first transmission cable 6A, tension members 120 are arranged around the outer periphery of the metal cables 110 to 116.

[0048] In addition, in the first embodiment, a tension member 120 is arranged in the first transmission cable 6; however, it is not limited thereto. Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the first transmission cable 6B according to the second variation of the first embodiment. Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the first transmission cable 6D according to the third variation of the first embodiment.

[0049] In the first transmission cable 6B according to the second modification, the two tension members 120 face each other, i.e., are arranged rotationally symmetrically about the optical cable 100. Meanwhile, in the first transmission cable 6D according to the third modification, the three tension members 120 are arranged at equal intervals (every 120°), i.e., are rotationally symmetrical about the optical cable 100. By installing multiple tension members 120, breakage of the optical cable 100 or the metal cables 110 to 116 can be effectively prevented.

[0050] (Second Implementation)

[0051] Next, the second embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment described above, a rigid endoscope system using a rigid endoscope was described; however, in the second embodiment, a flexible endoscope system using a flexible endoscope is described. Note that components identical to those in the endoscope system 1 according to the first embodiment described above are labeled with the same reference numerals, and their detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0052] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing the schematic structure of the medical observation system 200 according to the second embodiment. Figure 8 The medical observation system 200 shown includes: an endoscope 201 that generates image data by taking in vivo images of the observation site while the insertion part 202 is inserted into the body of the patient; a light source device 210 that supplies white light or infrared light to the endoscope 201; a control device 220 that performs predetermined image processing on the imaging signals acquired by the endoscope 201 and comprehensively controls the overall operation of the medical observation system 200; and a display device 230 that displays the in vivo images processed by the control device 220.

[0053] like Figure 8 As shown, the endoscope 201 includes: an insertion portion 202, which is flexible and elongated; an operation portion 203 connected to the proximal side of the insertion portion 202 and receiving input of various operation signals; and a universal cable 204 extending in directions different from the direction in which the insertion portion 202 extends from the operation portion 203, the universal cable 204 being connected to the light source device 210 and the control device 220. The universal cable 204 serves as the transmission cable of this disclosure.

[0054] The insertion part 202 includes: a distal end 202a, which has an imaging unit (not shown) built in for taking pictures of living organisms and generating image signals; a bending part 202b, which has multiple bending blocks and can be bent freely; and a flexible tube part 202c that is flexible and elongated in shape and connected to the proximal side of the bending part 202b.

[0055] The universal cable 204 has the same structure as the first transmission cable 6 described in the first embodiment. Multiple transmitted image signals (optical signals) processed (generated) in the operation unit 203 are output to the control device 220 via the universal cable 204.

[0056] Even when using the medical observation system 200 of the second embodiment described above, the same effect as the first embodiment described above can be achieved.

[0057] (Third Implementation)

[0058] Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the first and second embodiments described above, the invention is applied to a medical observation system; however, in the third embodiment, the invention is applied to a surgical microscope that magnifies and images a predetermined field of view in a subject (living object) or the surface of a subject (the surface of a living object). Note that structures identical to those in the medical observation system 1 according to the first embodiment described above are labeled with the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0059] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a medical observation system 300 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9As shown, the medical observation system 300 according to the third embodiment includes: a surgical microscope 310 that captures images for observing a subject to generate image signals and generates a plurality of transmitted image signals from the image signals; a control device 315 (the control device described in the first or second embodiment) that receives and processes the plurality of transmitted image signals generated by the surgical microscope 310; and a display device 311 that displays images based on video signals processed by the control device 315.

[0060] The surgical microscope 310 includes: a microscope unit 312 that magnifies and captures minute portions of the subject, generates image signals, and generates multiple transmitted image signals based on the image signals; a support unit 313 connected to the proximal end of the microscope unit 312 and including an arm that rotatably supports the microscope unit 312; and a base unit 314 that rotatably holds the proximal end of the support unit 313 and is movable on a floor surface. A control device 315 is mounted in the base unit 314. Note that the base unit 314 may be fixed to a ceiling, wall, etc., to support the support unit 313, rather than being movably mounted on a floor surface. Furthermore, the base unit 314 may include a light source device 316 that generates illumination light emitted from the surgical microscope 310 onto the subject.

[0061] Although not specifically shown, the microscope unit 312 includes an imaging unit for capturing images of the interior or surface of a living organism and generating image signals, a transmission signal processing unit, and an E / O converter. The image signals generated by the imaging unit are processed by the transmission signal processing unit. Then, the multiple transmission image signals (optical signals) processed (generated) by the microscope unit 312 (transmission signal processing unit and electro-optic converter) are output to the control device 315 via a transmission cable 317 disposed inside the support unit 313 along the support unit 313.

[0062] Even when using the surgical microscope 310 as described in the third embodiment above, similar effects as those of the first embodiment above are achieved.

[0063] Although some embodiments of this application have been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, these embodiments are merely examples, and the invention can be implemented in other ways with various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, in addition to the aspects described in the disclosure of the invention.

[0064] Note that this disclosure may also have the following configurations.

[0065] (1) A medical observation system, comprising a transmission cable, the transmission cable including: an optical cable having one or more optical fiber cores; a plurality of metal cables arranged around the optical cable; and a tension member made of high-strength fiber and arranged parallel to the extension direction of the optical cable.

[0066] (2) According to the medical observation system of (1), the metal cable is configured in such a way that a spiral structure is formed around the optical cable, and the tension member is arranged between the optical cable and the metal cable.

[0067] (3) According to (1) or (2) the medical observation system, wherein the outer periphery of the optical cable, metal cable and tension member is covered with braided shielding wire.

[0068] (4) A medical observation system according to any one of (1)-(3), wherein multiple tension members are arranged symmetrically around the optical cable.

[0069] (5) A medical observation system according to any one of (1)-(4), wherein a connector unit is arranged at the end of the transmission cable and the end of the tension member is fixed to a component contained within the connector unit.

[0070] (6) The medical observation system according to (5), wherein the connector unit comprises a first component and a second component, and the tension member is wrapped around the first component and clamped and fixed by the second component.

[0071] (7) A transmission cable comprising: an optical cable including one or more optical fiber cores; a plurality of metal cables arranged around the optical cable; and a tension member made of high-strength fiber and arranged parallel to the extension direction of the optical cable.

[0072] Reference number list

[0073] 1, 200, 300 Medical Observation System

[0074] 2. Insertion section 202

[0075] 3, 210, 316 Light Source Device

[0076] 4. Optical guide

[0077] 5 camera lenses

[0078] 6 First transmission cable

[0079] 7, 230, 311 display devices

[0080] 8 Second transmission cable

[0081] 9, 220, 315 Control devices

[0082] 10 Third transmission cable

[0083] 21 eyepiece units

[0084] 61 First Connector Unit

[0085] 62 Second Connector Unit

[0086] 201 Endoscope

[0087] 203 Operation Unit

[0088] 204 General Purpose Cable

[0089] 310 Surgical Microscope

[0090] 312 Microscope Units

[0091] 313 Support Unit

[0092] 314 Base Unit

[0093] 317 Transmission cable.

Claims

1. A medical observation system comprising: a transmission cable including: an optical cable including one or more optical fiber cores; a plurality of metal cables arranged around the optical cable; and a tension member made of an insulating fiber and arranged in parallel with an extension direction of the optical cable, and arranged in a first gap between the optical cable and the metal cables, or in a second gap between the metal cables and an outer periphery of the transmission cable.

2. The medical observation system according to claim 1, wherein the metal cables are arranged to form a spiral structure around the optical cable.

3. The medical observation system according to claim 1, wherein an outer periphery of the optical cable, the metal cables, and the tension member is covered by a braided shield wire.

4. The medical observation system according to claim 1, wherein the tension member is arranged in a plurality in a rotationally symmetrical manner around the optical cable.

5. The medical observation system according to claim 1, wherein a connector unit is arranged at an end portion of the transmission cable, and an end portion of the tension member is fixed to an assembly included in the connector unit.

6. The medical observation system according to claim 5, wherein the assembly included in the connector unit includes a first assembly and a second assembly, and the tension member is fixed by being wound around the first assembly and clamped by the second assembly.

7. A transmission cable comprising: an optical cable including one or more optical fiber cores; a plurality of metal cables arranged around the optical cable; and a tension member made of an insulating fiber and arranged in parallel with an extension direction of the optical cable, and arranged in a first gap between the optical cable and the metal cables, or in a second gap between the metal cables and an outer periphery of the transmission cable. ​

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