Endoscope system

Abstract

This endoscope system comprises: a tablet terminal which has a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge and is provided with a connector receptacle on a lateral surface where the first edge belongs, and in which a connector, which transfers an electric signal and which is included in an endoscope comprising the connector and an insertion part that can be inserted into a living body, is to be connected to the connector receptacle; and a frame having an attachment part to which the tablet terminal is to be attached. The tablet terminal is provided with a first magnet or a first ferromagnetic body at a position closer to the first edge than the second edge. The attachment part of the frame includes a second magnet or a second ferromagnetic body that generates, together with the first magnet or the first ferromagnetic body, an attractive force.

Description

Endoscopy System

[0001] The present invention relates to an endoscope system that enables stable placement of a tablet terminal.

[0002] In recent years, portable information terminals (hereinafter referred to as "tablet terminals"), which are thin, flat-panel computing devices with excellent portability, have become widespread. Tablet terminals have a touch panel that allows intuitive operation using a finger or a stylus pen, and can be carried around and used in various locations. Taking advantage of these characteristics, tablet terminals are also being used as video processors and displays in endoscopic systems. The use of tablet terminals can save space in the operating room. Furthermore, tablet terminals can easily be connected to other monitors, allowing images to be shared with everyone in the operating room, enabling flexible diagnosis and surgical support.

[0003] For example, when using such tablet devices in an operating room, the tablet device may be placed on an endoscope cart or the like. For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004-223153 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1) discloses a stand having an input terminal tray suitable for placing a tablet device. Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-08960 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 2) discloses a holding stand that can move on the floor while holding a tablet. Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-151111 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 3) discloses a technology for inserting a tablet's engagement plug into an engagement socket (ultrasound probe) having a magnet to couple the tablet.

[0004] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004-223153 Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-08960 Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-151111

[0005] However, because tablet devices are lightweight, they can easily move from their installed location with a relatively small force. When connecting a cable from an endoscope to a tablet device, the connector for connecting the cable is often located on the side of the tablet device. In this case, depending on how the cable from the endoscope is routed, it is possible that an external force will be applied to the tablet device from the side. If such a tablet device is placed on the input device tray described in Patent Publication 1, the tablet device may fall off the input device tray depending on the surgeon's movements when using the endoscope. Another drawback is that the tablet device moves when removing the endoscope from the tablet device, making it difficult to remove. The present invention aims to provide an endoscope system that enables stable placement of a tablet device by using a ferromagnetic material to generate an attractive force between the tablet device and the location where the tablet device is placed.

[0006] An endoscopic system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a tablet terminal having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, a connector receptacle provided on a side surface to which the first side belongs, the endoscope having an insertion portion insertable into a living body and a connector for transmitting electrical signals, the connector of which is connected to the connector receptacle; and a frame having a mounting portion to which the tablet terminal is attached, wherein the tablet terminal has a first magnet or a first ferromagnetic material provided at a position closer to the first side than the second side, and the mounting portion of the frame includes a second magnet or a second ferromagnetic material that generates an attractive force with the first magnet or the first ferromagnetic material.

[0007] According to the present invention, by configuring the device to generate an attractive force by a ferromagnetic material between the tablet terminal and the location where the tablet terminal is placed, it is possible to achieve the effect of enabling the tablet terminal to be placed stably.

[0008] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an endoscope system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a second embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a third embodiment. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a fourth embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing another example.

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the drawings are schematic, and the dimensions and proportions of each part are different from those of the actual product. Furthermore, the dimensional relationships and proportions of parts differ between the drawings.

[0010] 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an endoscope system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a magnet or ferromagnetic material is attached to the tablet terminal body near an endoscope connection portion, and a magnet or ferromagnetic material that generates an attractive force between the magnet or ferromagnetic material attached to the tablet terminal and the magnet or ferromagnetic material is provided at the tablet terminal placement position, thereby enabling the tablet terminal to be stably positioned by magnetic force. Note that in this embodiment, an endoscope cart is used as an example of a place to place the tablet terminal, but this is not limited to an endoscope cart; various types of stands, racks, etc. may also be used.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1 , the endoscope system 1 includes a tablet terminal 10 and an endoscope cart 20. The tablet terminal 10 has a main body 11 formed of a thin (flat) housing. The main body 11 houses various electronic components (not shown) that constitute a computer device within the housing, and a touch display 12 is provided on a surface 11a. The touch display 12 is configured by integrating a display such as an LCD (liquid crystal display) with a touch panel disposed across the entire display screen. The touch panel can detect user touches using, for example, a capacitive touch panel and provides a graphical user interface (GUI) that enables intuitive user operation. Note that FIG. 1 shows an icon 13, indicated by a rectangular frame, displayed on the display screen of the touch display 12. An operation button 14 is also provided at the bottom end of the main body 11.

[0012] A receptacle 15 for connecting an endoscope (not shown) is provided on a side surface (not shown) of the main body 11. The receptacle 15 as a connector receiver is disposed on the side surface to which the first side S1 belongs, out of the opposing first side S1 and second side S2 of the surface 11a of the main body 11. In the example of FIG. 1 , the sides S1 and S2 face each other in the longitudinal direction of the main body 11.

[0013] The endoscope has a long, thin insertion section that is inserted into the body, etc., and an imaging device is built into the tip of the insertion section. The imaging device photoelectrically converts an optical image of a subject that is incident from the tip of the insertion section to obtain an imaging signal. A cable with a connector is attached to the endoscope, and by connecting the connector to a receptacle 15, electrical signals such as imaging signals acquired by the endoscope are transmitted to the tablet terminal 10 via the cable. When an endoscope is connected to the tablet terminal 10, it can be used as an endoscope processor and monitor that drives the endoscope and displays endoscopic images.

[0014] In this embodiment, a permanent magnet (hereinafter simply referred to as a magnet) or ferromagnetic body 16, whose planar position is indicated by a dashed line, is disposed relatively close to receptacle 15, i.e., closer to first side S1 than to second side S2. For example, magnet or ferromagnetic body 16 has a plate shape and is fixed to the rear surface of main body 11 or inside main body 11.

[0015] The endoscope cart 20 has a frame side wall 22 fixed to a frame base 21. A plurality of shelves 23 and a top plate 27 are attached to the frame side wall 22. Various medical devices 24, such as light sources and processors, are placed on the shelves 23 of the endoscope cart 20. For example, the endoscope cart 20 can also carry devices such as an electrosurgical unit, an insufflation device, and a video recorder, as well as a gas cylinder filled with carbon dioxide. A monitor stand 25 is attached to the frame side wall 22, and a monitor 26 is attached to the monitor stand 25. An input terminal tray 28, which is slidably supported on the top plate 27 and can be pulled out toward the user, is also provided below the top plate 27.

[0016] In this embodiment, the tablet terminal 10 is placed on, for example, the surface of the input terminal tray 28 or a surface such as the top or front surface of the medical device 24 (hereinafter referred to as the installation surface). For example, the medical device 24 is a processor that transmits image signals between the tablet terminal 10, and the operation panel on the top or front surface of the processor is used as the installation surface. All of these installation surfaces are approximately flat, and this approximately flat surface is supported by a frame. That is, the example in Figure 1 shows an example in which the medical device 24, such as a processor, is used as the frame, and the top or front surface of the medical device 24 is used as the installation surface 30 that serves as a mounting unit.

[0017] In this embodiment, a ferromagnetic material or magnet 31 is attached to the installation surface 30, generating an attractive force between it and the magnet or ferromagnetic material 16 attached to the tablet terminal 10. The ferromagnetic material attached to the tablet terminal 10 and the installation surface 30 may be, for example, iron. The magnet or ferromagnetic material 16 and the ferromagnetic material or magnet 31 are configured to generate an attractive force between them. When the magnet or ferromagnetic material 16 is a magnet, a ferromagnetic material is used as the ferromagnetic material or magnet 31. When the magnet or ferromagnetic material 16 is a ferromagnetic material, a magnet is used as the ferromagnetic material or magnet 31. When both the magnet or ferromagnetic material 16 and the ferromagnetic material or magnet 31 are magnets, their polarity is taken into consideration when arranging them.

[0018] In an embodiment configured in this manner, a connector of a cable connected to an endoscope is connected to the receptacle 15 of the tablet terminal 10. As a result, an image signal obtained by the endoscope is supplied to the tablet terminal 10, and the image is processed by the tablet terminal 10, and an endoscopic image is displayed on the display screen of the touch display 12.

[0019] This tablet terminal 10 is placed on, for example, an installation surface 30 of a medical device 24. A magnet or ferromagnetic material 16 is attached to the rear surface or inside of the main body 11 of the tablet terminal 10, and a ferromagnetic material or magnet 31 that generates an attractive force between the magnet or ferromagnetic material 16 and the installation surface 30 is also attached. By placing the tablet terminal 10 on the installation surface 30, the magnet or ferromagnetic material 16 of the tablet terminal 10 and the ferromagnetic material or magnet 31 on the installation surface 30 attract each other, and the tablet terminal 10 is fixed to the installation surface 30 by the magnetic force.

[0020] Furthermore, the magnet or ferromagnetic material 16 is provided near the receptacle 15, which is the endoscope connection portion. That is, the distance between the area on the installation surface 30 where the tablet terminal 10 is fixed by the magnet or ferromagnetic material 16 and the ferromagnetic material or magnet 31 (hereinafter referred to as the fixing portion) and the receptacle 15 (endoscope connection portion) to which the movement of the endoscope is transmitted via the cable is relatively short. Therefore, the moment generated on the tablet terminal 10 by the cable is relatively small, and even if some force is applied to the tablet terminal 10 via the cable, the tablet terminal 10 remains fixed to the installation surface 30 due to the magnetic force of the magnet or ferromagnetic material 16 and the ferromagnetic material or magnet 31. Therefore, the tablet terminal 10 is prevented from moving during use of the endoscope or when the cable is removed.

[0021] As described above, in this embodiment, the magnet or ferromagnetic body 16 is attached near the endoscope connection portion (receptacle 15) of the tablet terminal 10, i.e., at a position closer to the first side S1 than the second side S2, and an attractive force is generated between this magnet or ferromagnetic body 16 and the ferromagnetic body or magnet 31 attached to the installation surface 30, thereby fixing the tablet terminal 10 to the installation surface 30. The magnetic force between the magnet or ferromagnetic body 16 and the ferromagnetic body or magnet 31 reliably fixes the tablet terminal 10 to the installation surface 30. This prevents the tablet terminal 10 from moving during endoscope use or when the cable is removed from the receptacle 15, preventing the tablet terminal 10 from falling and being damaged, for example.

[0022] Second Embodiment Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a second embodiment. In Fig. 2, the same components as those in Fig. 1 are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0023] The tablet terminal 40 of FIG. 2 has the same configuration as the tablet terminal 10 of FIG. 2, and differs from the tablet terminal 10 only in that magnets 41 and 42 are attached instead of the magnet or ferromagnetic body 16. The magnet 41 is disposed near the receptacle 15, i.e., on the back surface (outer surface) of the main body 11 at a position closer to the first side S1 than the second side S2. In other words, the magnet 41 has the same function as the magnet or ferromagnetic body 16 of FIG. 1. The magnet 42 is disposed at a predetermined distance from the magnet 41. Note that FIG. 2 shows an example in which the magnet 42 is disposed on the back surface of the main body 11 at a position closer to the second side S2 than the first side S1.

[0024] Although two magnets 41 and 42 are shown in FIG. 2, three or more magnets may be provided on the back surface of the main body 11. In this case, the three or more magnets are provided at a predetermined distance from each other. For example, three or more magnets may be provided on the back surface of the main body 11 at intervals of 10 cm. Hereinafter, these three or more magnets will be referred to as magnets 41, 42, etc.

[0025] In this embodiment, the tablet terminal 40 is placed on a top plate 27 attached to the frame side wall 22 of the endoscope cart 20. In the example of FIG. 2 , the top plate 27 serving as the mounting portion is made of a non-ferromagnetic material such as plastic or non-ferrous metal. The top plate 27 is fixed to the frame side wall 22 with screws 51 and 52 formed of a ferromagnetic material such as iron. While FIG. 2 shows two screws 51 and 52 as fastening members, the top plate 27 may be fixed to the frame side wall 22 using three or more screws. Hereinafter, these three or more screws will be referred to as screws 51, 52, etc.

[0026] In this embodiment, when the tablet terminal 40 is placed on the top plate 27, the positions of the screw 51 and the magnet 41 and the screw 52 and the magnet 42 are determined so that the screw 51 and the magnet 41 and the screw 52 and the magnet 42 face each other. In other words, the magnets 41, 42, etc. are provided in positions facing the screws 51, 52, etc.

[0027] In an embodiment configured as described above, the tablet terminal 40 is placed on the top plate 27. A plurality of magnets, such as magnets 41 and 42, are attached to the back surface of the main body 11 of the tablet terminal 40. Meanwhile, the top plate 27 is attached to the frame side wall 22 with a plurality of screws, such as screws 51 and 52. These magnets, such as magnets 41 and 42, and the heads of the screws, such as screws 51 and 52, are positioned so as to face each other. Therefore, when the tablet terminal 40 is placed on the top plate 27, the magnets 41 and 42, etc., arranged on the back surface of the main body 11 of the tablet terminal 40 come into contact with the heads of the screws, such as screws 51 and 52, of the top plate 27, and attract each other by magnetic force, thereby fixing the tablet terminal 40 to the top plate 27.

[0028] In this manner, in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the tablet device can be stably fixed to the tabletop. Furthermore, in this embodiment, magnets are attached to multiple positions spaced a predetermined distance apart, so the tablet device can be fixed even more stably.

[0029] (Modification) Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a modification. In Fig. 3, the same components as those in Fig. 2 are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0030] 3 shows a top plate 27A having countersunk holes 53 and 54 instead of the top plate 27. Although two countersunk holes 53 and 54 are shown in FIG. 3, the countersunk holes are provided corresponding to the positions of the screws 51 and 52, etc. Hereinafter, the countersunk holes corresponding to the screws 51 and 52, etc. will be referred to as the countersunk holes 53, 54, etc.

[0031] 3, the concave countersunk holes 53, 54, etc. provided on the surface of the top plate 27A are formed slightly larger than the convex magnets 41, 42. Therefore, the heads of the screws 51, 52, etc. are embedded in the countersunk holes 53, 54, etc., and the magnets 41, 42, etc. are also partially embedded in the countersunk holes 53, 54, etc. As a result, when the tablet terminal 40 is placed on the top plate 27, the magnets 41, 42, etc. arranged on the back surface of the main body 11 of the tablet terminal 40 come into contact with the screws 51, 52, etc. of the top plate 27, respectively, and not only is the tablet terminal 40 fixed to the top plate 27 by magnetic force, but the magnets 41, 42, etc. are prevented from moving in a direction parallel to the surface of the top plate 27A by the countersunk holes 53, 54, etc., so that the tablet terminal 40 can be more securely fixed to the top plate 27.

[0032] In the examples of FIGS. 2 and 3, the screws are arranged on the back side of the tablet terminal 40, but the screws may be arranged on the side of the tablet terminal 40.

[0033] (Third embodiment) Figures 4 and 5 are explanatory views for explaining a third embodiment. In Figures 4 and 5, the same components as in Figure 1 are given the same reference numerals and their explanations will be omitted. Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional shape, and Figure 5 shows a perspective shape.

[0034] The tablet terminal 45 in Figures 4 and 5 has a configuration similar to that of the tablet terminal 10 in Figure 1, and differs from the tablet terminal 10 only in that iron pieces 47, 48 are attached instead of the magnet or ferromagnetic material 16. The iron piece 47 is fixedly arranged near the receptacle 15 provided on the side surface of the main body 11 to which the first edge S1 belongs (hereinafter referred to as the first side surface), inside the side surface of the main body 11 that contacts the first side surface (hereinafter referred to as the third side surface). The iron piece 48 is fixedly arranged on the bottom surface of the main body 11 near the side surface of the main body 11 to which the second edge S2 opposite the first edge S1 belongs (hereinafter referred to as the second side surface). Meanwhile, a frame 56 corresponding to the top plate 27 is attached to a support member 55 corresponding to the frame side wall 22 of the endoscope cart 20.

[0035] In this embodiment, the tablet terminal 45 is placed on the frame 56. A magnet 58 is attached to the area on the top surface of the frame 56 where the tablet terminal 45 is placed, facing the iron 48. The magnet 58 may be provided only in the area facing the iron 48. Furthermore, a magnet 57 is attached to the support member 55 in the area facing the iron 47 inside the tablet terminal 45.

[0036] In an embodiment configured in this manner, the tablet terminal 45 is placed on the frame 56. An iron piece 48 is attached to the bottom side of the tablet terminal 45 near the second side surface inside the main body 11, and an iron piece 48 is attached near the third side surface. Meanwhile, a magnet 57 is attached to the surface of the frame 56 in a position facing the iron piece 47, and a magnet 58 is attached to the side surface of the support member 55 in a position facing the iron piece 48. The iron piece 47 and the magnet 57 attract each other, and the iron piece 48 and the magnet 58 attract each other, resulting in the tablet terminal 45 being fixed to the surface of the frame 56 by magnetic force.

[0037] As in the first embodiment, the present embodiment also allows the tablet device to be stably fixed to the mounting portion of the frame. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the tablet device is fixed to the bottom and side surfaces of the main body, making it possible to fix the tablet device even more stably. For example, this has the advantage that the tablet device will not move even if the plug of the endoscope is tilted from any direction.

[0038] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which ferromagnetic material iron 47, 48 is provided on the tablet terminal 45 side, and magnets 57 and 58 are provided on the frame 56 and support member 55 side, but it is clear that it is also possible to provide magnets on the tablet terminal 45 side and ferromagnetic material such as iron on the frames 56 and 56 side.

[0039] (Fourth embodiment) Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a fourth embodiment. In Fig. 6, the same components as those in Fig. 1 are given the same reference numerals and their explanations will be omitted. In this embodiment, a tablet terminal is fixed onto the mounting portion of the frame using a tablet cover.

[0040] The tablet terminal 60 in FIG. 6 has a configuration similar to that of the tablet terminal 10 in FIG. 1 , and differs from the tablet terminal 10 only in that the magnet or ferromagnetic material 16 is omitted. A tablet cover 62 that covers the tablet terminal 60 can be attached to the tablet terminal 60. The tablet cover 62 houses and holds the main body 11 of the tablet terminal 60 and functions to protect the main body 11. The tablet cover 62 has an opening / closing portion on the surface 11a of the main body 11, for example, for opening and closing the tablet cover 62. This opening / closing portion allows the user to view the display on the touch display 12 while the tablet cover 62 is attached to the main body 11. The tablet terminal 60 can also be detached from the tablet cover 62.

[0041] In this embodiment, the tablet cover 62 employs iron 63, a ferromagnetic material, as a bottom plate of the tablet cover 62 that faces the back surface of the tablet terminal 60. The iron 63 is disposed at least on the first side surface to which the first edge S1 of the main body 11 belongs, up to the vicinity of the side surface on which the receptacle 15 is provided. In the example of Fig. 6, the iron 63 extends to the vicinity of the second side surface of the main body 11 to which the second edge S2 opposite to the first edge S1 belongs. Meanwhile, a frame 71 corresponding to the top plate 27 is attached to the support member 55 that corresponds to the frame side wall 22 of the endoscope cart 20.

[0042] In this embodiment, the tablet terminal 60 is placed on a frame 71. Magnets 72 and 73 are attached to the area on the top surface of the frame 71 where the tablet cover 62 is located, facing the iron 63. Although two magnets 72 and 73 are shown in FIG. 6 , three or more magnets may be placed on the frame 71 in positions facing the iron 63, or magnets may be placed over the entire area facing the iron 63.

[0043] In an embodiment configured in this manner, the tablet terminal 60 is placed on the frame 71 with the tablet cover 62 attached. Iron 63 is attached as the bottom plate of the tablet cover 62, including at least the vicinity of the receptacle 15 of the tablet terminal 60, and magnets 72, 73 are attached to the surface of the frame 71 in positions facing the iron 63. The iron 63 and the magnets 72, 73 attract each other, and as a result, the tablet cover 62 is fixed to the surface of the frame 71 by magnetic force. Because the tablet terminal 60 is held by the tablet cover 62, the tablet terminal 60 is fixed to the surface of the frame 71.

[0044] As in the first embodiment, this embodiment also allows the tablet device to be stably secured to the mounting portion of the frame. That is, the tablet cover can be secured to the frame, and the tablet cover absorbs any movement of the tablet device, preventing the main body from moving while the tablet device is in use. Furthermore, because the tablet device itself is not secured by magnetic force, the tablet device can be easily removed from the tablet cover after use.

[0045] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which a ferromagnetic material, iron 63, is provided on the tablet terminal 60 side and magnets 72 and 73 are provided on the frame 71 side, but it is clear that it is also possible to provide a magnet on the tablet terminal 60 side and a ferromagnetic material, such as iron, on the frame 71 side.

[0046] 6 shows an example in which iron 63 is used as the component constituting the bottom plate of the tablet cover 62, but a ferromagnetic material such as iron may be provided on the inside or outside of the bottom plate of the tablet cover 62, or a ferromagnetic material such as iron may be provided within the bottom plate. (Another Example) FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining another example of the fixed position of the tablet terminal. The example of FIG. 7 makes it possible to change the monitor mode depending on the fixed position of the tablet terminal.

[0047] The tablet terminal 80 of FIG. 7 has a configuration similar to that of the tablet terminal 10 of FIG. 1 , but differs from the tablet terminal 10 in that magnets 82 and 83 are used instead of the magnet or ferromagnetic material 16. The tablet terminal 80 has a main body 81 made of a thin (plate-shaped) housing. The main body 81 houses various electronic components (not shown) that constitute a computer device within the housing, and a touch display (not shown) is provided on the surface 81a. The touch display is configured by integrating a display (such as an LCD) with a touch panel that is disposed across the entire display screen of the display. Images based on applications executed by the tablet terminal 80 as well as endoscopic images captured by an endoscope are displayed on the display screen of the touch display.

[0048] The endoscope has a long, thin insertion section that is inserted into the body or the like, and has a built-in imaging device at the tip of the insertion section. The imaging device photoelectrically converts an optical image of a subject incident from the tip of the insertion section to obtain an imaging signal. A cable with a connector is attached to the endoscope, and by connecting the connector to a receptacle (not shown) on the tablet terminal 80, electrical signals such as imaging signals acquired by the endoscope are transmitted to the tablet terminal 80 via the cable. When the endoscope is connected to the tablet terminal 80, it can be used as an endoscope processor and monitor that drives the endoscope and displays endoscopic images.

[0049] The tablet terminal 80 has magnets 82 and 83 fixed to both ends of the short side at one longitudinal end of the bottom plate of the main body 81. Meanwhile, a frame 86 is attached to a support member 85, and both the support member 85 and the frame 86 are made of a ferromagnetic material such as iron.

[0050] 7 shows an example in which the tablet terminal 80 is placed upright on the frame 86 in the upper column, and an example in which the tablet terminal 80 is placed flat on the frame 86 in the lower column. When placed upright, the tablet terminal 80 is fixed to the frame 86 by the magnetic force between the magnets 82 and 83 and the support member 85 while supported by the frame 86. When placed horizontally, the tablet terminal 80 is fixed to the frame 86 by the magnetic force between the magnets 82 and 83 and the frame 86 while supported by the frame 86.

[0051] 7, the tablet terminal 80 is in an endoscope monitor mode when placed upright, and displays on the display screen of the touch display an endoscopic image captured by an endoscope connected to the tablet terminal 80. When placed horizontally, the tablet terminal 80 is in a mode that realizes the functions of a normal tablet.

[0052] As a result, in the example of FIG. 7, an endoscopic image can be displayed by simply placing the tablet terminal 80 upright, without requiring any special operation.

[0053] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the components can be modified and embodied in practice without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining multiple components disclosed in the above-described embodiments. For example, some of the components shown in the embodiments may be omitted. Furthermore, components from different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

Claims

1. An endoscope system comprising: a tablet terminal having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, a connector receptacle provided on the side to which the first side belongs, the endoscope having an insertion section insertable into a living body and a connector for transmitting electrical signals, the connector of which is connected to the connector receptacle; and a frame having a mounting section to which the tablet terminal is attached, wherein the tablet terminal has a first magnet or a first ferromagnetic material provided in a position closer to the first side than the second side, and the mounting section of the frame includes a second magnet or a second ferromagnetic material that generates an attractive force with the first magnet or the first ferromagnetic material.

2. The endoscope system of claim 1, wherein the first magnet or the first ferromagnetic material is disposed inside the tablet terminal.

3. The endoscope system of claim 1, wherein the first magnet or the first ferromagnetic material is disposed on the outer surface of the tablet terminal.

4. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein the frame is provided on a cart on which the endoscope can be mounted.

5. The endoscope system of claim 1, wherein the frame is provided in a processor that transmits image signals to and from the tablet terminal.

6. The endoscope system according to claim 5, wherein the frame is provided on an upper surface of the processor.

7. The endoscope system according to claim 5, wherein the frame is provided on an operation panel of the processor.

8. An endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein the mounting portion has a fastening member that fixes the mounting portion to the frame, and the fastening member is the second ferromagnetic material.

9. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein the first magnet or the first ferromagnetic body has a convex shape, and the mounting portion has a concave shape that receives the convex shape.

10. An endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the first magnets or the first ferromagnetic bodies are arranged.

11. An endoscope system according to claim 10, wherein at least one of the first magnets or the first ferromagnetic bodies is arranged on the rear surface of the tablet terminal, and at least one of the first magnets or the first ferromagnetic bodies is arranged on the side surface of the tablet terminal.

12. The endoscope system of claim 1, wherein the tablet terminal has a tablet terminal body and a cover that covers the tablet terminal body, and the first magnet or the first ferromagnetic material is disposed in the cover.

Images