Light source device and system

Abstract

To provide a light source device for an endoscope capable of highly precise control of light emitted by the endoscope.SOLUTION: A controller 11 includes: five light sources 80 generating lights in different color; and an optical member 60 configured to be capable of guiding lights generated by the five light sources 80 into a light guide 41 of an endoscope 10. Of the five light sources 80, an IR light source 85 to be a specific light source excluding four light sources 80 is longer in wavelength of light to generate than the four light sources 80, and is provided with an IR photodetector 75 composed of silicon for detecting a part of the light generated by the IR light source 85 and a light reduction member 90 reducing light incident to the IR photodetector 75.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology of the present disclosure relates to a light source device and a system.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Documents 1-4 describe a light source device for an endoscope.

[0003] Patent Documents 5-7 describe technologies related to the connection between an endoscope and a control device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Patent Document 5

Patent Document 6

Patent Document 7

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the technology of the present disclosure, there is provided a light source device and a system for an endoscope capable of highly precisely controlling the light emitted from the endoscope.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A light source device according to one aspect of the technology disclosed herein includes five or more light sources that generate light of different colors, and an optical member configured to be able to introduce the light generated by the five or more light sources into a light guide of an endoscope. Among the five or more light sources, a specific light source excluding four light sources has a longer wavelength of the generated light than the four light sources. The light source device further includes a first light detection element composed of silicon that detects a part of the light generated by the specific light source, and a light attenuation member that attenuates the light incident on the first light detection element.

[0007] A system according to one aspect of the technology disclosed herein includes the light source device and a processor. The processor controls the light amounts of the light generated by at least two of the five or more light sources.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the technology disclosed herein, it becomes possible to highly accurately control the light emitted from the endoscope.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] FIG. 1 is an external view showing an endoscope apparatus which is one aspect of the technology of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the endoscope apparatus 2 of FIG. 1.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope apparatus 2 includes an endoscope 10, a control device 11, and a monitor 19. The control device 11 comprehensively controls the entire endoscope apparatus 2 according to an operation of an operator input from an input device (such as an operation switch, a keyboard, and a mouse) (not shown).

[0012] The endoscope 10 exemplifies a flexible endoscope and has a flexible insertion portion 13 inserted into a body cavity of a patient, an operation portion 15 provided at a proximal end portion of the insertion portion 13, a universal cord 17 provided at the operation portion 15, and an endoscope connector 18 provided at an end portion of the universal cord 17 and connected to a connector 12 of the control device 11. The endoscope 10 is not limited to a flexible endoscope and may be another type of endoscope such as a rigid endoscope.

[0013] An observation window, an illumination window, and the like are provided on a distal end surface of the insertion portion 13. On a distal end portion 14 constituting the distal end of the insertion portion 13, an objective optical system that forms an optical image of subject light from an observed site taken in through the observation window, and an imaging element that converts the optical image formed by the objective optical system into an image signal, and an imaging unit 30 (see FIG. 2) including the same are provided. The imaging element is, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor, or the like.

[0014] The image signal output from the imaging unit 30 is transmitted to the endoscope connector 18 through a transmission cable inserted and arranged inside the insertion portion 13, the operation portion 15, and the universal cord 17 up to the endoscope connector 18.

[0015] At the distal end 14, a light-emitting portion of a light guide 41 that transmits light for irradiating the observed site from an illumination window is disposed. The light guide 41 is inserted and disposed through the inside of the insertion portion 13, the operation portion 15, and the universal cord 17 up to the endoscope connector 18. A light guide rod 20 connected to the light guide 41 protrudes from the endoscope connector 18.

[0016] The operation portion 15 includes an angle knob for adjusting the orientation of the distal end surface of the insertion portion 13 in the vertical, horizontal, and lateral directions, an air and water supply button for ejecting air and water from the distal end surface of the insertion portion 13, a release button for recording a still image of the captured image, and the like. The orientation of the distal end surface of the insertion portion 13 is adjusted by curving a curved portion provided in the vicinity of the proximal end side of the distal end portion 14.

[0017] The universal cord 17 is covered with an outer wall portion that is tubular, elongated, and flexible. Inside the tube of the outer wall portion, the above-described transmission cable, the light guide 41, and an air and water supply tube inserted and disposed through the hollow portions inside the insertion portion 13 and the operation portion 15 are inserted and disposed.

[0018] The endoscope connector 18 is connected to the connector 12 of the control device 11. The endoscope connector 18 and the connector 12 supply power from the control device 11 to the endoscope 10, transmit an image signal from the endoscope 10 to the control device 11, and transmit and receive control signals between the endoscope 10 and the control device 11 without physical wire connection and in a non-contact manner.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the endoscope 10 includes a power receiving portion 36 provided in the endoscope connector 18. The control device 11 includes a power supply portion 51 provided in the connector 12. The power required to drive the internal circuit of the endoscope 10 is supplied from the control device 11 by non-contact power supply means including the power supply portion 51 of the control device 11 and the power receiving portion 36 of the endoscope 10.

[0020] This contactless power supply means is a means for transmitting and receiving power contactlessly using electromagnetic coupling. When endoscope connector 18 is attached to connector 12, power supply unit 51 and power receiving unit 36 are positioned close enough to be electromagnetically coupled, enabling contactless power transmission from power supply unit 51 to power receiving unit 36. Power supply unit 51 is connected to a commercial power source 100 outside control device 11 via power supply circuit 52. Power supplied from commercial power source 100 and generated by power supply circuit 52 is supplied to power supply unit 51. Power supplied from power supply circuit 52 to power supply unit 51 causes power to be supplied contactlessly from power supply unit 51 to power receiving unit 36. Power receiving unit 36 receives power from power supply unit 51 contactlessly.

[0021] It is preferable that power supply unit 51 is a primary coil connected to power supply circuit 52, and power receiving unit 36 is a secondary coil electromagnetically coupled to the primary coil. The primary coil and secondary coil may have a structure including a flat substrate and a coil wound spirally on the flat substrate.

[0022] The endoscope 10 includes an image signal transmitting unit 35 provided in the endoscope connector 18, a signal transmitting / receiving unit 40 provided in the endoscope connector 18, a power generating unit 31 that generates a power supply voltage to be supplied to each unit of the endoscope 10 from the power received by the power receiving unit 36, an A / D converter (Analog / Digital converter) 32, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) 33, an image signal modulating unit 34, a timing signal generating circuit (TSG: Timing Signal Generator) 37, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 38 that controls each unit of the endoscope 10, and a signal converting unit 39.

[0023] The image signal output from the imaging unit 30 is converted from an analog signal to a digital signal by an A / D converter 32. The image signal output from the A / D converter 32 is transmitted to a DSP 33. The DSP 33 performs necessary processing on the image signal from the A / D converter 32, such as amplification, gamma correction, and white balance processing.

[0024] The image signal modulation unit 34 performs optical modulation based on this image signal to generate an image optical signal in order to transmit the image signal from the DSP 33 to the control device 11 by optical communication.

[0025] The image signal transmission unit 35 irradiates light (light based on the image signal) according to the image optical signal generated by the image signal modulation unit 34 toward the control device 11. The image signal transmission unit 35 may be any light emitting device capable of irradiating light for optical communication, and examples thereof include a laser light emitting element or a light emitting diode. A laser light emitting element refers to an element that irradiates laser light, which is coherent light, and examples thereof include a gas laser, a solid laser, or a semiconductor laser.

[0026] The signal conversion unit 39 performs optical modulation based on the control signal and demodulates the control signal in order to transmit and receive control signals that need to be transmitted and received between the endoscope 10 and the control device 11 by optical communication. This control signal includes a first control signal transmitted from the control device 11 to the endoscope 10 to control the imaging unit 30 and the like, and a second control signal transmitted from the endoscope 10 to the control device 11.

[0027] The signal conversion unit 39 performs optical modulation based on the second control signal output from the CPU 38 to generate a second control optical signal. The signal conversion unit 39 demodulates the electrical signal output from the signal transmission / reception unit 40 to obtain the first control signal.

[0028] The signal transmission / reception unit 40 includes a light emitting device that irradiates light (light based on the second control signal) according to the second control optical signal generated by the signal conversion unit 39 toward the control device 11, and a light receiving device that receives light (light based on the first control signal) according to the first control optical signal modulated based on the first control signal and generated by the control device 11.

[0029] Examples of the light emitting device of the signal transmission / reception unit 40 include a laser light emitting element or a light emitting diode. Examples of the light receiving device of the signal transmission / reception unit 40 include a light receiving element such as a semiconductor device such as a photodiode or a phototransistor.

[0030] The control device 11 includes an image signal receiving unit 53 provided on the connector 12, a signal transmitting and receiving unit 56 provided on the connector 12, an image signal demodulating unit 54, a signal processing circuit 55, a signal conversion unit 57, and a control unit 58.

[0031] The image signal receiving unit 53 is a light receiving device that receives the light irradiated from the image signal transmitting unit 35 and converts it into an electrical signal. Examples of the light receiving element include a light receiving element such as a semiconductor device such as a photodiode or a phototransistor.

[0032] The image signal demodulating unit 54 demodulates the image signal transmitted from the endoscope 10 based on the electrical signal output from the image signal receiving unit 53. This image signal is processed by the signal processing circuit 55 and output to the monitor 19. Further, this image signal is transmitted to the control unit 58 and used to generate a control signal for adjusting the light amount by a so-called AE (AutoExposure) function or the like, or is processed to generate an endoscope image, and this endoscope image is recorded in a memory or the like.

[0033] The signal conversion unit 57 performs optical modulation based on the first control signal output from the control unit 58 to generate a first control optical signal. The signal conversion unit 57 demodulates the electrical signal output from the signal transmitting and receiving unit 56 to obtain a second control signal.

[0034] The signal transmitting and receiving unit 56 includes a light emitting device that irradiates the light (light based on the first control signal) according to the first control optical signal generated by the signal conversion unit 57 toward the light receiving device of the signal transmitting and receiving unit 40 of the endoscope 10, and a light receiving device that receives the light irradiated from the light emitting device of the signal transmitting and receiving unit 40 of the endoscope 10.

[0035] Examples of the light emitting device of the signal transmitting and receiving unit 56 include a laser light emitting element or a light emitting diode. Examples of the light receiving device of the signal transmitting and receiving unit 56 include a light receiving element such as a semiconductor device such as a photodiode or a phototransistor.

[0036] When the endoscope connector 18 is attached to the connector 12 of the control device 11, the image signal transmission unit 35 and the image signal reception unit 53 are arranged close to each other at a distance where optical communication is possible, and non-contact optical communication from the image signal transmission unit 35 to the image signal reception unit 53 is set to a possible state. Also, the signal transmission / reception unit 40 and the signal transmission / reception unit 56 are arranged close to each other at a distance where optical communication is possible, and non-contact optical communication between the signal transmission / reception unit 40 and the signal transmission / reception unit 56 is set to a possible state. Thus, in this embodiment, communication of the image signal and the control signal between the endoscope 10 and the control device 11 is performed by non-contact optical communication means. Note that the optical communication method is not particularly limited, and various methods can be adopted. Instead of optical communication, wireless communication or magnetic communication can also be used.

[0037] The control device 11 includes a light source unit 59. The light source unit 59 has a light source including, for example, a xenon lamp, a semiconductor device such as a laser diode or a light emitting diode. When the endoscope connector 18 is attached to the connector 12 of the control device 11, the light guide rod 20 of the endoscope 10 is connected to the connector 12, and the light emitting portion of the light source unit 59 and the light guide rod 20 are aligned. Thereby, the light from the light source unit 59 is transmitted to the distal end portion 14 via the light guide rod 20 and the light guide 41.

[0038] The control unit 58 is mainly composed of a processor, controls each part of the control device 11, sends a control signal to the CPU 38 etc. constituting the internal circuit of the endoscope 10, and controls the entire endoscope device 2.

[0039] The processor of the control unit 58 is a general-purpose processor that executes software to perform various functions, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a programmable logic device (PLD) such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) which is a processor whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacturing, or a dedicated electric circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) which is a processor having a circuit configuration designed specifically to execute specific processing.

[0040] This processor may be composed of one processor, or may be composed of a combination of two or more processors of the same or different types (for example, a plurality of FPGAs, or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). More specifically, the hardware structure of this processor is an electric circuit (circuitry) that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor elements. In the control unit 58, a processor that controls the light source unit 59 and a processor that controls the control unit composed of each part other than the light source unit 59 may be provided separately.

[0041] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the appearance of the endoscope connector 18. The endoscope connector 18 includes a light guide rod 20 that protrudes from the endoscope connector 18 toward the connector 12 (not shown) and an image signal transmission connector 22.

[0042] The endoscope connector 18 can be composed of, for example, a first connector case 18A, a second connector case 18B, and a third connector case 18C in order from the side connected to the connector 12 of the control device 11.

[0043] From the first connector case 18A having a connection surface with the connector 12, a light guide rod 20 protrudes toward the connector 12. Below the light guide rod 20, an air supply nozzle 21 is provided substantially parallel to the light guide rod 20. The air supply nozzle 21 communicates with an air supply and water supply pipeline disposed in the endoscope 10 for performing air supply and water supply up to the distal end portion 14 of the endoscope 10.

[0044] From the connection surface of the first connector case 18A with the connector 12, an image signal transmission connector 22 protrudes along the insertion direction into the connector 12. The image signal transmission connector 22 is used for alignment between the image signal transmission unit 35 of the endoscope 10 and the image signal reception unit 53 of the control device 11. In particular, the image signal transmission unit 35 is disposed in the extending direction of the central axis of the image signal transmission connector 22. A window 22A is provided at the tip of the image signal transmission connector 22 to allow light to pass through. Through this window 22A, light passes, and light transmission and reception based on the image signal are performed between the image signal transmission unit 35 and the image signal reception unit 53.

[0045] A window 23 is provided at a position corresponding to the signal transmission and reception unit 40 on the connection surface of the first connector case 18A with the connector 12. Through this window 23, light transmission and reception based on the control signal are performed between the signal transmission and reception unit 40 and the signal transmission and reception unit 56.

[0046] Inside the first connector case 18A, a power receiving unit 36 is disposed at a position close to the connection surface of the first connector case 18A with the connector 12. Since the power receiving unit 36 is disposed inside the first connector case 18A, it is not exposed to the outside.

[0047] An air supply and water supply connector 24 is provided on the side surface of the first connector case 18A. The air supply and water supply connector 24 is connected to a water supply tank (not shown). By operating the air supply and water supply button of the operation unit 15, air and water can be supplied to the distal end portion 14. Dirt on the lens surface of the distal end portion 14 is removed by the water supplied to the distal end portion 14. Also, the lumen of the patient is widened or water droplets on the lens are removed by the air supplied to the distal end portion 14.

[0048] On the side surface of the second connector case 18B, for example, a balloon connector 25 is provided. By connecting a tube to the balloon connector 25, a balloon (not shown) provided in the insertion portion 13 can be inflated and deflated. In the case of the endoscope 10 in which the balloon is not provided in the insertion portion 13, it is not necessary to provide the balloon connector 25 on the endoscope connector 18.

[0049] On the side surface of the third connector case 18C, a ventilation connector 26 is provided. The ventilation connector 26 enables a leak test for inspecting air leakage in the insertion portion 13. The ventilation connector 26 communicates with the inside of the endoscope connector 18. Since the inside of the endoscope connector 18 communicates with the inside of each of the universal cord 17, the operation unit 15, and the insertion portion 13, the ventilation connector 26 communicates with the inside of the insertion portion 13.

[0050] The universal cord 17 protrudes from the end of the third connector case 18C.

[0051] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the light source unit 59 shown in FIG. 2. The light source unit 59 is an aspect of a light source device, and includes five light sources 80 that generate light of different colors, an optical member 60 configured to introduce the light generated by the five light sources 80 into the light guide 41 of the endoscope 10, five light detection elements 70 configured to detect a part of the light generated by each of the five light sources 80, and a light attenuation member 90. The five light sources 80 are controlled by a control unit 58. The control unit 58 controls the light amount of at least one of the five light sources 80 based on the light detected by the light detection element 70.

[0052] The five light sources 80 generate light in five wavelength bands with different center wavelengths (wavelengths at which the intensity is maximum). The five light sources 80 include, for example, a B light source 84 that generates light in a blue wavelength band (hereinafter referred to as B light), a V light source 83 that generates light in a violet wavelength band (hereinafter referred to as V light), a G light source 82 that generates light in a green wavelength band (hereinafter referred to as G light), an A light source 81 that generates light in an amber (or red) wavelength band (hereinafter referred to as A light), and an IR light source 85 that generates light in a wavelength band (infrared wavelength band; infrared region) having a center wavelength longer than the visible light region obtained by combining these four wavelength bands.

[0053] In FIG. 4, B light is denoted as BL, V light is denoted as VL, G light is denoted as GL, A light is denoted as AL, and IR light is denoted as IRL. Each light source 80 includes a light-emitting element such as a light-emitting diode or a laser diode, and is configured to include a phosphor, an excitation light cut filter, etc. as necessary. In FIG. 4, the passing path of the light generated by each light source 80 and incident on the light guide rod 20 is indicated by a thick dashed line. Among the five light sources 80, the remaining IR light source 85 excluding the four light sources A light source 81, G light source 82, B light source 84, and V light source 83 has a center wavelength of the generated light longer than that of these four light sources 80. The IR light source 85 constitutes a specific light source. Infrared light is used, for example, when observing the submucosal layer of a subject site using a dye such as ICG (indocyanine green) in endoscopy. In infrared light observation (Infra Red Imaging = IRI) performed using ICG, infrared light in wavelength bands around 805 nm and around 940 nm is used in accordance with the absorption characteristics of ICG. The IR light source 85 may be provided with two types, one that generates light in a wavelength band having 805 nm as the center wavelength and one that generates light in a wavelength band having 940 nm as the center wavelength, in order to realize IRI observation.

[0054] The light detection element 70 is configured to include a light receiving element such as a photodiode or a photoreceptor. Among the five light detection elements 70, there are a B light detection element 74 capable of detecting a part of the B light generated by the B light source 84, a V light detection element 73 capable of detecting a part of the V light generated by the V light source 83, a G light detection element 72 capable of detecting a part of the G light generated by the G light source 82, an A light detection element 71 capable of detecting a part of the A light generated by the A light source 81, and an IR light detection element 75 capable of detecting a part of the IR light generated by the IR light source 85. The IR light detection element 75 constitutes the first light detection element. The B light detection element 74, the V light detection element 73, the G light detection element 72, and the A light detection element 71 each constitute the second light detection element.

[0055] Since these five light detection elements 70 are each made of the same semiconductor material, the manufacturing cost of the light source unit 59 can be reduced. The semiconductor material constituting the photoelectric conversion element included in the light detection element 70 is preferably silicon. The IR light detection element 75 for detecting IR light can also be made of a semiconductor material other than silicon, such as InGaAs (indium gallium arsenide). However, InGaAs has high sensitivity in the wavelength band of 950 nm to 1700 nm. In contrast, by using silicon, the sensitivity in the infrared region in the range of 700 nm or more and 950 nm or less, which is required for IRI observation and the like, can also be increased.

[0056] The optical member 60 includes, for example, dichroic mirrors 65, 64, 63, 62, and 61 arranged in order from the side of the light guide rod 20 along the above-described passage path, and a condenser lens 66 arranged between the dichroic mirror 65 and the light guide rod 20.

[0057] The B light generated by the B light source 84 is incident on the dichroic mirror 61. The B light that has entered the dichroic mirror 61 is transmitted through it and enters the dichroic mirror 62, and a portion of it is reflected and enters the B light detection element 74. The B light that has entered the dichroic mirror 62 is transmitted through the dichroic mirror 62, reflected by the dichroic mirror 63 and enters the dichroic mirror 64, reflected by the dichroic mirror 64 and enters the dichroic mirror 65, transmitted through the dichroic mirror 65, and reaches the light guide rod 20 via the condenser lens 66.

[0058] The IR light generated by the IR light source 85 is incident on the dichroic mirror 62. The IR light that has entered the dichroic mirror 62 is reflected there and enters the dichroic mirror 63, and a portion of the IR light is transmitted and enters the IR light detection element 75. The IR light that has entered the dichroic mirror 63 is reflected there and enters the dichroic mirror 64, reflected by the dichroic mirror 64 and enters the dichroic mirror 65, transmitted through the dichroic mirror 65, and reaches the light guide rod 20 via the condenser lens 66.

[0059] The A light generated by the A light source 81 is incident on the dichroic mirror 63. The A light that has entered the dichroic mirror 63 is transmitted through the dichroic mirror 63, and a portion of it is reflected and enters the A light detection element 71. The A light that has passed through the dichroic mirror 63 is incident on the dichroic mirror 64, where it is reflected and enters the dichroic mirror 65. It then passes through the dichroic mirror 65 and reaches the light guide rod 20 via the condenser lens 66.

[0060] The V light generated by the V light source 83 is incident on the dichroic mirror 64. The V light incident on the dichroic mirror 64 is transmitted through the dichroic mirror 64, and a portion of the V light is reflected and incident on the V light detection element 73. The V light transmitted through the dichroic mirror 64 is incident on the dichroic mirror 65, transmitted through the dichroic mirror 65, and reaches the light guide rod 20 via the condenser lens 66.

[0061] The G light generated by the G light source 82 is incident on the dichroic mirror 65. The G light incident on the dichroic mirror 65 is reflected by the dichroic mirror 65 and reaches the light guide rod 20 through the condenser lens 66, and a part of it passes through the dichroic mirror 65 and is incident on the G light detection element 72.

[0062] Note that the positions of the respective light sources 80 are not limited to those shown in FIG. 4 and can be arbitrarily determined. Also, the configuration of the optical member 60 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 4. The optical member 60 can adopt other configurations as long as it is configured to be able to introduce A light into the light guide 41, introduce B light into the light guide 41, introduce V light into the light guide 41, introduce G light into the light guide 41, and introduce IR light into the light guide 41.

[0063] Also, the light detection element 70 is provided at a position where the light reflected by the dichroic mirror constituting the optical member 60 or the light transmitted through the dichroic mirror is incident, but is not limited thereto. For example, the light detection element 70 may be provided at a position where another dichroic mirror is provided between the light source 80 and the dichroic mirror constituting the optical member 60 and the light reflected by this dichroic mirror is detected.

[0064] The light attenuation member 90 can reduce the amount of light incident thereon and is constituted by, for example, an ND (Neutral Density) filter. The light attenuation member 90 is provided between the IR light detection element 75 and the dichroic mirror 62. Therefore, the IR light generated by the IR light source 85 and transmitted through the dichroic mirror 62 has its light amount reduced in the light attenuation member 90 and is incident on the IR light detection element 75.

[0065] When the photoelectric conversion element included in the IR light detection element 75 is made of silicon, the light reception sensitivity of the IR light detection element 75 with respect to the wavelength range of the IR light becomes high. In this embodiment, a part of the IR light is incident on the IR light detection element 75 after the light amount is reduced by the light attenuation member 90. Therefore, in the IR light detection element 75 with high light reception sensitivity to the IR light, it is possible to prevent its output from saturating. As a result, the light amount of the light generated from the IR light source 85 can be accurately detected.

[0066] The light source unit 59 can operate in a plurality of modes in which the number of lights introduced into the light guide 41 of the endoscope 10 is different. The plurality of modes are selected according to the purpose in the endoscopy. For example, a first mode in which A light, B light, G light, and V light are combined and introduced into the light guide 41, a second mode in which only IR light is introduced into the light guide 41, a third mode in which G light and V light are combined and introduced into the light guide 41, and the like are included.

[0067] The control unit 58 controls the light amounts of the lights generated by at least two of the five or more light sources 80 based on the light detected by the light detection element 70. For example, in the first mode, the control unit 58 controls the light amounts of A light, B light, G light, and V light to reach the target values. Further, the control unit 58 controls the light amount ratio of G light and V light in the third mode and the light amount ratio of G light and V light in the first mode to be different based on the light detected by the G light detection element 72 and the V light detection element 73.

[0068] In the example of FIG. 4, a light detection element 70 for detecting a part of the light generated by the light source 80 is provided corresponding to each of the five light sources 80. However, the number of the light detection elements 70 may be less than the number of the light sources 80. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the light detection element 70 is provided only for the light source 80 that requires variable control of the light amount. For example, when the A light is always controlled to a constant light amount, the A light detection element 71 may be omitted. Thus, depending on the control pattern of the light source 80, at least one of the B light detection element 74, the V light detection element 73, the G light detection element 72, and the A light detection element 71 can be omitted.

[0069] Although the light source unit 59 includes five light sources 80, it may also include six or more light sources 80 that generate light of different colors. In this case, the six or more light sources 80 in the light source unit 59 may include four light sources 80 that generate light in the visible light range and two or more light sources 80 that generate light in the infrared range, which is longer than the visible light range (for example, the above-mentioned light source that generates light having a center wavelength of 805 nm and a light source that generates light having a center wavelength of 940 nm). This enables imaging using infrared light of different wavelength bands. When two or more light sources 80 that generate light in the infrared range are provided, it is preferable to provide a photodetector 70 (a photoelectric conversion element made of silicon) that detects a portion of the light generated by each of the two or more light sources 80, and to provide a light-reducing member 90 on the light incident side of the photodetector 70.

[0070] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a first modified example of light source unit 59. Light source unit 59 shown in Fig. 5 is the same as light source unit 59 shown in Fig. 4 except that a limiting member 91 that limits the range of light incident on IR light detection element 75 is provided between IR light detection element 75 and dimming member 90.

[0071] The limiting member 91 is configured with a slit, an aperture, or the like. By providing the limiting member 91, the amount of light incident on the IR light detection element 75 is further reduced, making it possible to further prevent saturation of the output of the IR light detection element 75. The presence of the light-reducing member 90 eliminates the need to make the size of the slit or aperture that makes up the limiting member 91 very small. This reduces the manufacturing cost of the light source unit 59. Note that the limiting member 91 may also be provided on the light incident side of light detection elements 70 other than the IR light detection element 75 in a similar manner.

[0072] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a second modified example of the light source unit 59. The light source unit 59 shown in Fig. 6 is the same as the light source unit 59 shown in Fig. 4 except that the dichroic mirror 61 and the B light detection element 74 are omitted, the dichroic mirror 62 is replaced with a dichroic mirror 67, the IR light detection element 75 is replaced with a two-color light detection element 76, and a spectral filter 92 is added.

[0073] The dichroic mirror 67 reflects a portion of the B light generated by the B light source 84 to reach the two-color light detection element 76, and transmits the remainder of the B light to reach the dichroic mirror 63. The dichroic mirror 67 transmits a portion of the IR light generated by the IR light source 85 to reach the two-color light detection element 76, and reflects the remainder of the IR light to reach the dichroic mirror 63.

[0074] The two-color light detecting element 76 has a light receiving area divided into multiple parts, and each light receiving area outputs an electrical signal according to the amount of light received. For example, a segmented silicon photodiode manufactured by Hamamatsu Photonics KK is used as the two-color light detecting element 76.

[0075] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the spectral filter 92 and two-color light detection element 76 of the light source unit 59 shown in Fig. 6. The two-color light detection element 76 has a first light-receiving region 76A made of silicon and a second light-receiving region 76B made of silicon, each of which can detect light individually. The spectral filter 92 has a first filter 92A provided on the light incident side of the first light-receiving region 76A and a second filter 92B provided on the light incident side of the second light-receiving region 76B.

[0076] The first filter 92A transmits the IR light generated by the IR light source 85 and absorbs or reflects the B light generated by the B light source 84. Therefore, of the IR light and B light that pass through the light-reducing member 90, only the IR light can be incident on the first light-receiving area 76A.

[0077] The second filter 92B transmits the B light generated by the B light source 84 and absorbs or reflects the IR light generated by the IR light source 85. Therefore, only the B light among the IR light and the B light that passes through the light attenuation member 90 can be incident on the second light receiving region 76B.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 6, by using the light detection element 70 with the light receiving region divided, it becomes possible to miniaturize and reduce the cost of the light source unit 59. Other light detection elements 70 other than the two-color light detection element 76 can also be configured with a divided light receiving device including a plurality of light receiving regions. Further, the divided light receiving device is not limited to the one in which the light receiving region is divided into two, and it is also possible to adopt the one in which the light receiving region is divided into three or more. In the modification example shown in FIG. 6, it is also possible to provide the limiting member 91 shown in FIG. 5 between the spectroscopic filter 92 and the light attenuation member 90.

[0079] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of hardware for the endoscope 10 and the control device 11 to communicate. The endoscope 10 and the control device 11 are provided with an optical path 93 through which the light used for communication passes. The optical path 93 may be provided separately for the optical path used for the communication of the image signal and the optical path used for the communication of the control signal. However, in the example of FIG. 8, the two optical paths with different uses are unified into one configuration. That is, the optical path 93 serves as both the optical path of the light based on the image signal and the optical path of the light based on the control signal (the first control signal and the second control signal).

[0080] A dichroic mirror 94 and a dichroic mirror 95 are provided in the optical path 93 provided in the endoscope 10. A dichroic mirror 96 and a dichroic mirror 97 are provided in the optical path 93 provided in the control device 11.

[0081] The signal transceiver unit 40 of the endoscope 10 includes a light emitting device 40A and a light receiving device 40B. The light IL based on the image signal emitted from the image signal transmitter 35 enters the dichroic mirror 94, passes through the dichroic mirror 94 and enters the dichroic mirror 95, and passes through the dichroic mirror 95 and proceeds to the control device 11.

[0082] The light CL2 based on the second control signal emitted from the light emitting device 40A enters the dichroic mirror 94, is reflected here and enters the dichroic mirror 95, and passes through the dichroic mirror 95 and proceeds to the control device 11.

[0083] The signal transceiver unit 56 of the control device 11 includes a light emitting device 56B and a light receiving device 56A. The light IL based on the image signal that has passed through the dichroic mirror 95 of the endoscope 10 enters the dichroic mirror 96 and passes through here, enters the dichroic mirror 97, and passes through the dichroic mirror 97 and enters the image signal receiver 53.

[0084] The light CL2 based on the second control signal that has passed through the dichroic mirror 95 of the endoscope 10 enters the dichroic mirror 96, is reflected here and enters the light receiving device 56A.

[0085] The light CL1 based on the first control signal emitted from the light emitting device 56B enters the dichroic mirror 97, is reflected here and enters the dichroic mirror 96, and passes through the dichroic mirror 96 and enters the dichroic mirror 95 of the endoscope 10. The light CL1 based on the first control signal that has entered the dichroic mirror 95 is reflected here and enters the light receiving device 40B.

[0086] An optical path 93, a dichroic mirror 94, a dichroic mirror 95, a light emitting device 40A, a light receiving device 40B, an image signal transmitting unit 35, an image signal modulating unit 34, a signal conversion unit 39, a dichroic mirror 96, a dichroic mirror 97, a light receiving device 56A, a light emitting device 56B, an image signal receiving unit 53, an image signal demodulating unit 54, and a signal conversion unit 57 constitute a communication unit that performs optical communication of an image signal and a control signal between the endoscope 10 and the control device 11.

[0087] The image signal has a large data amount compared to the control signal, and a transfer speed is also required. Therefore, the communication frequency (modulation frequency) of the image signal is set higher than the communication frequencies (modulation frequencies) of the first control signal and the second control signal. Considering such a difference in communication frequencies, it is preferable that the light emitting device of the image signal transmitting unit 35 used for communication of the image signal and the light emitting devices 40A and 56B used for communication of the control signal are of different types.

[0088] For example, by using a laser diode, which is an example of a light emitting element of the first type, as the light emitting device included in the image signal transmitting unit 35, high-speed data transfer becomes easy. Also, by using a light emitting diode, which is an example of a light emitting element of the second type, as the light emitting devices 40A and 56B, reduction of manufacturing costs becomes possible. By being able to transfer the image signal at high speed, the responsiveness of the AE function based on the high-speed transferred image signal can be improved. As a result, more accurate light amount control becomes possible by the light amount control of the light source 80 and the AE function based on the output of the light detection element 70.

[0089] In this embodiment, the endoscope apparatus 2 is an aspect of a system including the endoscope 10 and a control device 11 including a light source device. Also, the control device 11 is an aspect of a system including a light source unit 59 and a processor (control unit 58).

[0090] As described above, at least the following matters are described in this specification. Hereinafter, the components corresponding to the above embodiments are shown in parentheses, but it is not limited thereto.

[0091] (1) Five or more light sources that generate light of different colors, An optical member configured to be able to introduce the light generated by the five or more light sources into an endoscope light guide, comprising: Among the five or more light sources, specific light sources excluding four light sources have a longer wavelength of the generated light than the four light sources, A first light detection element composed of silicon that detects a part of the light generated by the specific light source, A light attenuation member that attenuates the light incident on the first light detection element, a light source device.

[0092] (2) The light source device according to (1), wherein the specific light source generates light in an infrared wavelength band. A light source device.

[0093] (3) The light source device according to (2), wherein the light attenuation member is a Neutral Density filter. A light source device.

[0094] (4) The light source device according to any one of (1) to (3), further comprising a limiting member provided between the light attenuation member and the first light detection element to limit the light incident range on the first light detection element. A light source device.

[0095] (5) The light source device according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the first light detection element has a light receiving area divided into a plurality of parts. A light source device.

[0096] (6) The light source device according to any one of (1) to (5), further comprising a second light detection element that detects a part of the light generated by at least one of the four light sources. A light source device.

[0097] (7) A control device including the light source device according to any one of (1) to (6), an endoscope connected to the control device, and a communication unit provided in the endoscope and the control device for performing optical communication of an image signal and a control signal between the control device and the endoscope. The communication unit has an optical path through which light used for communication passes, the optical path is shared by an optical path of light based on an image signal and an optical path of light based on a control signal, and a system in which a communication frequency of the image signal is higher than a communication frequency of the control signal.

[0098] (8) The system according to (7), wherein the communication unit performs communication of the image signal using light generated by a first type of light emitting element, and performs communication of the control signal using light generated by a second type of light emitting element different from the first type.

[0099] (9) The system according to (8), wherein the first type of light emitting element is a laser diode, and the second type of light emitting element is a light emitting diode.

[0100] (10) A light source device according to any one of (1) to (6), and a processor, wherein the processor controls a light amount of light generated by at least two of the five or more light sources.

Explanation of Signs

[0101] IL, CL1, CL2 Light 2 Endoscope Device 10 Endoscope 11 Control Device 12 Connector 13 Insertion Portion 14 Tip Portion 15 Operation unit 17 Universal code 18 Endoscope connector 18A First connector case 18B Second connector case 18C Third connector case 19 Monitor 20 Light guide rod 21 Air supply nozzle 22 Connector for image signal transmission 22A, 23 Window 24 Air supply / water supply connector 25 Balloon connector 26 Ventilation connector 30 Imaging unit 31 Power generation unit 32 A / D converter 33 DSP 34 Image signal modulation unit 35 Image signal transmission unit 36 Power receiving unit 37 Timing signal generation circuit 38 CPU 39, 57 Signal conversion unit 40, 56 Signal transmission / reception unit 40A, 56B Light emitting device 40B, 56A Light receiving device 41 Light guide 51 Power supply unit 52 Power circuit 53 Image signal receiving unit 54 Image signal demodulation unit 55 Signal processing circuit 58 Control unit 59 Light source unit 60 Optical member 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 67, 94, 95, 96, 97 Dichroic mirror 66 Condensing lens 70 Photodetector element 71 A light photodetector element 72 G light photodetector element 73 V light photodetector element 74 B light photodetector element 75 IR light detection element 76 Color light detection element 76A First light receiving region 76B Second light receiving region 80 Light source 81 A light source 82 G light source 83 V light source 84 B light source 85 IR light source 90 Light attenuation member 91 Limiting member 92 Spectral filter 92A First filter 92B Second filter 93 Optical path 100 Power supply

Claims

1. Five or more light sources that generate light of different colors, and an optical member configured to be able to introduce the light generated by the five or more light sources into a light guide of an endoscope, comprising: Among the five or more light sources, a specific light source excluding four light sources has a longer wavelength of the generated light than the four light sources, a first light detection element composed of silicon that detects a part of the light generated by the specific light source, a light attenuation member that attenuates the light incident on the first light detection element, a light source device.

2. The light source device according to claim 1, wherein the specific light source generates light in an infrared wavelength band, a light source device.

3. The light source device according to claim 2, wherein the light attenuation member is a Neutral Density filter, a light source device.

4. The light source device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a limiting member provided between the light attenuation member and the first light detection element to limit the incident range of light on the first light detection element, a light source device.

5. The light source device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first light detection element has a light receiving area divided into a plurality of parts, a light source device.

6. The light source device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a second light detection element that detects a part of the light generated by at least one of the four light sources, a light source device.

7. A control device including the light source device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, an endoscope connected to the control device, a communication unit provided in the endoscope and the control device for performing optical communication of an image signal and a control signal between the control device and the endoscope, comprising: the communication unit has an optical path through which the light used for communication passes, the optical path is shared by the optical path of the light based on the image signal and the optical path of the light based on the control signal, a system in which the communication frequency of the image signal is higher than the communication frequency of the control signal.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the communication unit performs communication of the image signal using the light generated by a first type of light emitting element and performs communication of the control signal using the light generated by a second type of light emitting element different from the first type, a system.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the first type of light emitting element is a laser diode, and the second type of light emitting element is a light emitting diode, a system.

10. A light source device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and a processor, comprising: The processor is a system that controls the amount of light generated by at least two of the five or more light sources.

Images