Medical observation system and transmission cable

Abstract

Provided is a medical observation system configured such that metal cable shorting can be prevented without increasing the thickness of the braided shield wire. This medical observation system has a transmission cable that includes: an optical cable having one or more optical fiber core wires; multiple metal cables disposed around the optical cable; and a tension member that is made of high-strength fibers and disposed parallel to the direction in which the optical fiber extends.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a medical observation system and a transmission cable. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in the medical field, an endoscope device has been used to observe internal organs of a subject such as a patient. The endoscope device includes, for example, an endoscope (hereinafter referred to as a camera head) including an image sensor, a control device that controls the operation of the camera head and processes image signals captured by the image sensor to display an image of the internal state of the subject on a display device, and a transmission cable that electrically connects the camera head and the control device and transmits various signals.

[0003] In recent years, imaging devices with a high number of pixels that enable more detailed image observation have been developed, and the application of these imaging devices to endoscope devices is being considered. Accordingly, in order to transmit large volumes of signals at high speed between the imaging device and a control device, the adoption of an optical transmission system that transmits signals using laser light is being considered (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-209542 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the transmission cable is configured such that the optical cable and multiple metal cables are covered with a braided shield wire to prevent noise from being mixed into the transmitted signal, and the strength of the braided shield wire reduces the stress burden on the optical cable and metal cables.

[0006] However, as metal cables become thinner, the strength of the braided shield wire alone is not enough to reduce the stress applied to the metal cable, which can lead to cable breakage.Increasing the strength of the braided shield wire, i.e., increasing its thickness, is one way to prevent metal cable breakage, but this increases the outer diameter of the transmission cable, which poses the problem of reducing its flexibility and bendability.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above, and aims to provide a medical observation system and a transmission cable that can prevent breakage of a metal cable without increasing the thickness of the braided shield wire. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objectives, the medical observation system according to the present disclosure comprises a transmission cable having 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 cable. In addition, the transmission cable according to the present disclosure includes 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 cable. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent breakage of a metal cable while maintaining the outer diameter, flexibility, and bendability of the transmission cable. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a medical observation system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the vicinity of the connector of the first transmission cable provided in the medical observation system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the first transmission cable. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating a method for fixing a tension member inside a connector of a first transmission cable. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a method for fixing the tension member inside the connector of the first transmission cable. [Figure 4C] FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating a method for fixing the tension member inside the connector of the first transmission cable. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a first transmission cable according to a first modification of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a first transmission cable according to the second modification of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a first transmission cable according to the third modification of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a medical observation system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a medical observation system according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. Furthermore, each drawing referred to in the following description merely shows a schematic representation of the shape, size, and positional relationship to the extent that the contents of the present disclosure can be understood. In other words, the present disclosure is not limited to only the shape, size, and positional relationship exemplified in each drawing. Furthermore, in the description of the drawings, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0012] (Embodiment 1) Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of a medical observation system 1 according to embodiment 1. The medical observation system 1 shown in Fig. 1 is used in the medical field, is inserted into the living body of a subject, such as a human or animal, and observes the subject by displaying images of the interior. In embodiment 1, a rigid endoscope system using the rigid endoscope (insertion section 2) shown in Fig. 1 will be described as the medical observation system 1, but the system is not limited to this and may also be, for example, a flexible endoscope system.

[0013] The medical observation system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes an insertion section 2, a light source device 3, a light guide 4, a camera head 5 (an 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.

[0014] The insertion section 2 is rigid or at least partially flexible and has an elongated shape. The insertion section 2 is inserted into a subject such as a patient. The insertion section 2 is provided with an optical system configured using one or more lenses inside and combining observation images.

[0015] One end of a light guide 4 is connected to the light source device 3. Under the control of a control device 9, the light source device 3 emits (supplies) white light to one end of the light guide 4 for illuminating the inside of the subject, and excitation light or infrared light to a drug administered or sprayed into the subject. The light source device 3 is configured using a semiconductor laser element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) light source or an LD (Laser Diode). The light source device 3 and the control device 9 may be configured to communicate individually as shown in FIG. 1, or may be configured as an integrated device.

[0016] 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 section 2. The light guide 4 guides the light emitted from the light source device 3 from one end to the other end and supplies it to the insertion section 2.

[0017] The eyepiece 21 of the insertion section 2 is detachably connected to the camera head 5. Under the control of the control device 9, the camera head 5 generates image data (image capture signals) by capturing an observation image formed by the insertion section 2, and outputs this image data. The camera head 5 also includes an operation ring section 51 that is rotatable in the circumferential direction, and a plurality of input sections 52 that accept input of instruction signals that instruct various operations of the medical observation system 1.

[0018] One end of the first transmission cable 6 is detachably connected to the control device 9 via a first connector 61, and the other end is connected to the camera head 5 via a second connector 62. The first transmission cable 6 transmits image data output from the camera head 5 to the control device 9, and also transmits control signals, synchronization signals, clock signals, power, and the like output from the control device 9 to the camera head 5. The first transmission cable 6 functions as the transmission cable of the present disclosure. The first transmission cable 6 will be described in detail later.

[0019] The display device 7 can be connected to the control device 9 via a second transmission cable 8, and displays an image based on image data processed by the control device 9 under the control of the control device 9.

[0020] 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 a display image based on image data processed in the control device 9 to the display device 7.

[0021] The control device 9 is configured using a processor having hardware such as a memory and a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The control device 9 comprehensively controls the operations of the light source device 3, the camera head 5, and the display device 7 via the first transmission cable 6, the second transmission cable 8, and the third transmission cable 10, respectively, in accordance with a program recorded in the memory. The control device 9 also performs various image processing on 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.

[0022] 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 a control signal from the control device 9 to the light source device 3.

[0023] Next, the first transmission cable 6 will be described. Fig. 2 is a side view of the vicinity of the second connector portion 62 of the first transmission cable 6 provided in the medical observation system 1 according to embodiment 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the first transmission cable 6.

[0024] The first transmission cable 6 comprises an optical cable 100 having one or more optical fiber cores 101, a plurality of metal cables 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 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.

[0025] The optical cable 100 has a structure in which a linearly extending optical fiber core 101 is covered with a sheath 102. The metal cables 110, 112, 114, and 116 have a structure in which thin metal wires are twisted together in a spiral shape, while the metal cables 111, 113, and 115 have a structure in which thick metal wires are twisted together.

[0026] The first transmission cable 6 has metal cables 110 to 116 spirally arranged around an optical cable 100, and the metal cables 110 to 116 are covered with a braided shield wire 130 and an insulating sheath 140. The outer periphery of the sheath 140 is covered with an outer jacket 150.

[0027] The tension member 120 has an outer diameter similar to that of the metal wires constituting the metal cables 110-116 and is formed from a high-strength insulating fiber. Examples of materials include para-aramid fiber, high-molecular-weight polyethylene fiber, high-strength polyarylate fiber, and polyparaphenylene benzobisoxazole fiber. High-strength polyarylate fiber is preferred because it does not absorb water and has excellent dimensional stability. The tension member 120 is disposed between the optical cable 100 and the metal cables 110-116. As shown in FIG. 2 , the tension member 120 extends from the distal end to the proximal end along the axial direction of the first transmission cable 6. Disposing the tension member 120 within the first transmission cable 6 can prevent breakage of the optical fiber core 101 and the metal wires. Furthermore, since the tension member 120 is disposed in the gap between the optical cable 100 and the metal cables 110-116, 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 is sterilized in an autoclave can be reduced. Furthermore, since the tension member 120 is fixed by the metal cables 110-116 arranged spirally around the optical cable 100, manufacturing is also easier.

[0028] The tension member 120 is pulled out at its end from the braided shield wire 130 and the sheath 140 and fixed to components that make up the second connector portion 62. Figures 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating a method for fixing the tension member 120 in the second connector portion 62 of the first transmission cable 6.

[0029] The tension member 120 is pulled out from the braided shield wire 130 and the sheath 140 and wound around the first part 160 that constitutes the second connector unit 62, and then sandwiched and fixed by the second part 170 that is arranged on the proximal end side of the first part 160. Fixing the tension member 120 to the part that constitutes the second connector unit 62 makes it possible to prevent breakage of the optical fiber core wire 101 and the metal wire at the end. Note that on the first connector unit 61 side, the tension member 120 is also pulled out from the braided shield wire 130 and the sheath 140 and fixed to the part that constitutes the first connector unit 61.

[0030] The first embodiment has been described above, and from the viewpoints of manufacturing and autoclave resistance, it is preferable that the tension member 120 be disposed between the optical cable 100 and the metal cables 110 to 116, but this is not limitative. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a first transmission cable 6A according to a first modification of the first embodiment. In the first transmission cable 6A, the tension member 120 is disposed on the outer periphery of the metal cables 110 to 116.

[0031] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, one tension member 120 is arranged in the first transmission cable 6, but this is not limiting. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a first transmission cable 6B according to a second modification of the first embodiment, and Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a first transmission cable 6D according to a third modification of the first embodiment.

[0032] In the first transmission cable 6B according to the second modification, two tension members 120 are arranged facing each other, i.e., rotationally symmetrically around the optical cable 100. In addition, in the first transmission cable 6D according to the third modification, three tension members 120 are arranged at equal intervals (every 120°), i.e., rotationally symmetrically around the optical cable 100. By installing multiple tension members 120, it is possible to effectively prevent the optical cable 100 and the metal cables 110-116 from being cut.

[0033] (Embodiment 2) Next, a description will be given of embodiment 2. In the above-described embodiment 1, a case where the present invention is applied to a rigid endoscope system using a rigid endoscope is described, but in embodiment 2, a case where the present invention is applied to a flexible endoscope system using a flexible endoscope is described. Note that the same components as those in the endoscope system 1 according to the above-described embodiment 1 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0034] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a medical observation system 200 according to embodiment 2. The medical observation system 200 shown in Fig. 8 includes an endoscope 201 that captures in-vivo images of an observation site by inserting an insertion section 202 into a subject to generate image data, 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 image signal acquired by the endoscope 201 and comprehensively controls the operation of the entire medical observation system 200, and a display device 230 that displays the in-vivo images that have been image-processed by the control device 220.

[0035] 8, the endoscope 201 includes an insertion section 202 having a flexible, elongated shape, an operation section 203 connected to the base end side of the insertion section 202 and receiving input of various operation signals, and a universal cord 204 extending from the operation section 203 in a direction different from the direction in which the insertion section 202 extends and connecting to the light source device 210 and the control device 220. The universal cord 204 functions as the transmission cable of the present disclosure.

[0036] The insertion section 202 includes a tip section 202a incorporating an imaging section (not shown) that captures images inside the living body and generates image signals, a bending section 202b that can be bent freely and is composed of multiple bending pieces, and a long flexible tube section 202c that is connected to the base end side of the bending section 202b and has flexibility.

[0037] The universal cord 204 includes the same configuration as the first transmission cable 6 described above in the first embodiment. A plurality of transmission image signals (optical signals) processed (generated) inside the operation unit 203 are output to the control device 220 via the universal cord 204.

[0038] Even when the medical observation system 200 is used as in the second embodiment described above, the same effects as those in the first embodiment described above can be achieved.

[0039] (Embodiment 3) Next, a third embodiment will be described. While the first and second embodiments described above are medical observation systems, in the third embodiment the present invention is applied to a surgical microscope that magnifies and captures a predetermined field of view inside a subject (inside a living organism) or on the surface of a subject (surface of a living organism). Note that the same components as those in the medical observation system 1 according to the first embodiment described above are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0040] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of a medical observation system 300 according to embodiment 3 of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 9, the medical observation system 300 according to embodiment 3 comprises a surgical microscope 310 that captures an image for observing a subject to generate an image signal and generates a plurality of transmission image signals from the image signal, a control device 315 (the control device explained in embodiment 1 or 2 above) that receives as input the plurality of transmission image signals generated by the surgical microscope 310 and processes the plurality of transmission image signals, and a display device 311 that displays an image based on the video signal processed by the control device 315.

[0041] The surgical microscope 310 includes a microscope unit 312 that magnifies and captures an image of a minute portion of a subject, generates an image signal, and generates a plurality of transmission image signals from the image signal; a support unit 313 that is connected to the base end of the microscope unit 312 and includes an arm that rotatably supports the microscope unit 312; and a base unit 314 that rotatably holds the base end of the support unit 313 and is movable on the floor. The control device 315 is installed on the base unit 314. The base unit 314 may be configured to support the support unit 313 by being fixed to a ceiling, a wall, or the like, rather than being provided so as to be movable on the floor. The base unit 314 may also include a light source unit that generates illumination light to be irradiated from the surgical microscope 310 onto the subject.

[0042] Although not specifically shown, the microscope unit 312 incorporates an imaging unit that captures images of the inside or surface of a living body and generates image signals, a transmission signal processing unit, and an E / O conversion unit, and the image signals generated by the imaging unit are processed by the transmission signal processing unit. A plurality of transmission image signals (optical signals) processed (generated) by the microscope unit 312 (transmission signal processing unit and electro-optic conversion unit) are output to the control device 315 via a transmission cable 317 wired inside the support unit 313 along the support unit 313.

[0043] Even when the surgical microscope 310 is used as in the third embodiment described above, the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be achieved.

[0044] Although some of the embodiments of the present application have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples, and the present invention can be implemented in other forms that have undergone various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, including the aspects described in the disclosure of the present invention.

[0045] The present disclosure can also be configured as follows. (1) A medical observation system comprising a transmission cable having an optical cable with 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. (2) The medical observation system described in (1) above, wherein the metal cable is arranged to form a spiral structure around the optical cable, and the tension member is arranged between the optical cable and the metal cable. (3) The medical observation system according to (1) or (2), wherein the optical cable, the metal cable, and the tension member are covered with a braided shield wire. (4) The medical observation system according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the tension members are arranged in rotational symmetry around the optical cable. (5) A medical observation system according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein a connector portion is provided at the end of the transmission cable, and the end of the tension member is fixed to a component constituting the connector portion. (6) The medical observation system according to (5), wherein the components constituting the connector section include a first component and a second component, and the tension bar is wrapped around the first component and sandwiched and fixed between the second component. (7) A transmission cable having 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. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1, 200, 300 Medical Observation System 2, 202 Insertion part 3, 210, 316 Light source device 4 Light Guide 5 Camera Head 6. First Transmission Cable 7, 230, 311 Display device 8 Second Transmission Cable 9, 220, 315 Control device 10 Third Transmission Cable 21 Eyepiece 61 First connector part 62 Second connector part 201 Endoscope 203 Operation section 204 Universal Code 310 Surgical Microscope 312 Microscope Department 313 Support part 314 Base 317 Transmission Cable

Claims

1. an optical cable having one or more optical fiber cores; three or more metal cables arranged around the optical cable; a tension member made of high-strength fiber and arranged parallel to the extending direction of the optical cable; a transmission cable having A medical observation system in which only one tension member is disposed between two of the three or more metal cables and the optical cable.

2. 2. The medical observation system according to claim 1, wherein the tension member is made of an insulating resin.

3. 2. The medical observation system according to claim 1, wherein the optical cable, the metal cable, and the tension member are covered with a braided shield wire.

4. 2. The medical observation system according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the tension members are arranged rotationally symmetrically around the optical cable.

5. a connector portion is provided at an end of the transmission cable; 2. The medical observation system according to claim 1, wherein an end of the tension member is fixed to a component that constitutes the connector portion.

6. The components constituting the connector portion include a first component and a second component, 6. The medical observation system according to claim 5, wherein the tension member is wound around the first component and sandwiched and fixed between the second component.

7. an optical cable having one or more optical fiber cores; three or more metal cables arranged around the optical cable; a tension member made of high-strength fiber and arranged parallel to the extending direction of the optical cable; and The tension member is a transmission cable, and is disposed between two of the three or more metal cables and the optical cable.

8. 8. The transmission cable according to claim 7, wherein the tension member is made of insulating resin.

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