Endoscope system, image display method for endoscope system, and processor with display

Abstract

This endoscope system comprises: an endoscope having an imaging device; a processor that generates an endoscopic image from a signal acquired by the imaging device; and a display that is included in the processor and displays the endoscopic image. The display has a touch sensor, and the endoscope has a switch for changing graphical user interface settings pertaining to operation using the touch sensor.

Description

Endoscope system, image display method for endoscope system, and processor with display

[0001] The present invention relates to an endoscope system capable of remotely controlling medical devices, an image display method for an endoscope system, and a processor with a display.

[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] The tablet device is equipped with a processor that generates endoscopic images and a display that displays the generated endoscopic images, and is capable of displaying images acquired by the endoscope in real time. By connecting the tablet device to the endoscope with a cable, it is also possible to control endoscopic imaging from the tablet device.

[0004] Regarding control of such endoscopes, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2006-288542 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1) discloses a technology in which a capsule endoscope includes a control device (viewer) and a receiving device, and communication means is provided to enable communication between the control device and the receiving device, and the control device controls activation of the receiving device via the communication means. Also, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2006-223473 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 2) discloses a capsule endoscope that switches from an off state to a power supply state when a magnetic field is applied. Furthermore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2005-080841 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 3) discloses a capsule endoscope having a drive control unit that activates an RF transmitting unit based on data from a humidity sensor.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-288542 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-223473 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-080841

[0006] As described above, tablet devices have the advantage of being more portable than monitors commonly used as display devices for endoscopic images. However, because their generally flat exterior shape allows them to be held at any part, there is a risk of accidentally touching an input icon displayed on the tablet device, resulting in unintended operation. For example, it is conceivable that an endoscopic image displayed during an endoscopic examination may be hidden. Note that all of the above-mentioned patent documents 1 to 3 are technologies for activating devices via an imaging unit or between the imaging unit and a processor, and are unable to prevent malfunctions due to unintended contact with the tablet device. The present invention aims to provide an endoscopic system, an image display method for an endoscopic system, and a processor with a display that can prevent malfunctions due to unintended contact with the tablet device by configuring the tablet device's graphical user interface settings to be changed by an endoscope.

[0007] An endoscopic system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an endoscope having an imaging device, a processor that generates an endoscopic image from a signal acquired by the imaging device, and a display included in the processor that displays the endoscopic image, the display having a touch sensor, and the endoscope having a switch that changes graphical user interface settings for operation using the touch sensor.

[0008] An image display method for an endoscopic system according to one aspect of the present invention transmits a first input signal from a switch provided on an endoscope to a processor having a display and connected to the endoscope, and changes graphical user interface settings for operations using the touch sensor on the display having a touch sensor based on the first input signal received by the processor.

[0009] A processor with a display according to one aspect of the present invention includes a display having a touch sensor and a processor capable of executing a program that changes graphical user interface settings for operations using the touch sensor on the display based on a first input signal transmitted from an endoscope.

[0010] According to the present invention, by configuring the settings of the graphical user interface of the tablet terminal to be changeable using an endoscope, it is possible to prevent malfunctions due to unintentional contact with the tablet terminal.

[0011] It is a schematic configuration diagram showing an endoscope system of the present invention. It is a block diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of the endoscope 10 and the tablet terminal 30 in Figure 1. It is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the first embodiment. It is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the first embodiment. It is a schematic configuration diagram showing a second embodiment. It is a perspective view showing the specific configuration of the camera head in Figure 6.

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0013] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an endoscope system according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the settings (hereinafter referred to as GUI settings) of a tablet device's graphical user interface (hereinafter referred to as GUI) can be changed by operating the endoscope, thereby preventing malfunctions due to unintentional contact with the tablet device. The GUI settings are used to define the behavior of a user's GUI operations (touching the touch display with a finger or the like), and can also be used to disable GUI operations, for example. If GUI operations are disabled by operating the endoscope, it is possible to avoid situations such as the disappearance of an endoscopic image even if the user accidentally touches an operation icon displayed on the tablet device's display.

[0014] In FIG. 1 , the endoscope system 1 includes an endoscope 10 and a tablet terminal 30 .

[0015] The endoscope 10 is mainly composed of an insertion section 11 and an operation section 20. The insertion section 11 is composed of, from the distal end, a distal end section 12, a bending section 13, and a flexible soft section 14. The distal end section 12 has a built-in imaging device (not shown). The imaging device photoelectrically converts an optical image of a subject incident from the distal end section 12 to obtain an imaging signal.

[0016] The operation unit 20 serving as a handle is composed of a grip portion 21 and a main operation portion 22. The grip portion 21 is formed in a shape suitable for gripping by the surgeon. The main operation portion 22 is provided with a bending operation knob 26 for bending the bending portion 13 of the insertion portion 11 in four directions (up, down, left, and right directions corresponding to the endoscopic image captured by the endoscope 10), operation buttons 27 for performing fluid delivery and suction operations, a tablet activation switch 25 for controlling the on / off power of the tablet terminal 30, and an operation switch 28 for changing GUI settings of the tablet terminal 30. In other words, the operation switch 28 is a switch for changing graphical user interface settings for operations using a touch sensor on the tablet terminal 30.

[0017] 1 shows only one operation switch 28, multiple operation switches may be provided for GUI settings. Furthermore, a multi-function switch that can achieve multiple functions by different operation methods may be used as the operation switch 28. In the example of FIG. 1, the operation switch 28 is provided on the operation unit 20 other than the grip portion 21.

[0018] The bending operation knob 26 is made up of two operation knobs: an up-down bending operation knob 26a for operating the bending section 13 in the up-down direction of the endoscopic image, and a left-right bending operation knob 26b for operating the bending section 13 in the left-right direction of the endoscopic image. Both operation knobs 26a, 26b are formed in a substantially disk shape. These two operation knobs are arranged coaxially stacked on top of each other on the exterior surface of the main operation unit 22 of the operation unit 20 so as to be rotatable.

[0019] The up / down bending operation knob 26a is disposed near the exterior surface of the main operation unit 22, and the left / right bending operation knob 26b is disposed coaxially overlapping it. In other words, by disposing the up / down bending operation knob 26a at a position closer to the main operation unit 22 than the left / right bending operation knob 26b, the up / down bending operation, which is frequently used when performing normal operation of the endoscope 10, can be easily performed.

[0020] The operation buttons 27 arranged on the exterior surface of the main operation unit 22 include an air / water supply button 27a that is operated when supplying air or liquid from the tip 8 of the endoscope 10 into the subject, and a suction button 27b that is operated when aspirating body fluids or the like from the subject through the tip 8 of the endoscope 10. The main operation unit 22 may also be provided with switches (not shown) for operating optical systems related to imaging, illumination, etc.

[0021] 1 is one example. The bending operation knob 26, operation buttons 27, tablet activation switch 25, and operation switch 28 may be located in any position that is easy to operate without affecting the grip of the grip portion 21 of the endoscope 10.

[0022] A universal cord 29, through which an electric cable or the like is inserted, extends from the side of the main operation unit 22. A connector portion (not shown) is provided at the tip of the universal cord 29, and this connector portion can also be connected to a connector (not shown) of the tablet terminal 30 via a wire.

[0023] The tablet terminal 30 has a plate-shaped main body 31. Various electronic circuits that realize processor functions are built into the housing of the main body 31. A touch display 32 is disposed on the surface of the main body 31. The example in FIG. 1 shows a state in which multiple icons 33 are displayed on the touch display 32. In addition, an operation button 34 is also disposed on the bottom end of the main body 31.

[0024] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of the endoscope 10 and the tablet terminal 30 in Fig. 1. Note that Fig. 2 mainly shows only the portion related to changing the GUI settings of the tablet terminal 30.

[0025] The endoscope 10 has a control unit 41. The control unit 41 may be configured with a processor using a CPU (Central Processing Unit), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or the like, may operate according to a program stored in a memory (not shown) to control each unit, or may realize some or all of its functions using hardware electronic circuits. The control unit 41 comprehensively controls each unit of the endoscope 10.

[0026] The endoscope 10 has an imaging device 42 at the tip of the insertion section 11. The imaging device 42 has an imaging element such as a CMOS sensor, and obtains an imaging signal by photoelectrically converting an optical image of a subject incident on an imaging surface. The control unit 41 transmits the imaging signal obtained by the imaging device 42 via the communication unit 43 to the tablet terminal 30 serving as a processor.

[0027] The communication unit 43 is capable of wireless communication via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (registered trademark), cellular networks (LTE / 5G), etc., and is capable of sending and receiving data between the communication unit 53 of the tablet terminal 30.

[0028] In addition, when the endoscope 10 and the tablet terminal 30 are connected by wire via a universal cord 29, the control unit 41 can also supply an imaging signal to the tablet terminal 30 via the universal cord 29.

[0029] The endoscope 10 is provided with an operation detection circuit 44. The operation detection circuit 44 detects the operation of an operation switch 28 provided on the endoscope 10 and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation of the operation switch 28 by the user to the control unit 41. If the endoscope 10 has only one operation switch 28, the operation detection circuit 44 may generate the same operation signal for each operation of the operation switch 28 and output it to the control unit 41, or may generate operation signals corresponding to different operation methods of the operation switch 28 and output them to the control unit 41. The control unit 41 provides the operation signal from the operation detection circuit 44 to the communication unit 43, causing it to be transmitted to the tablet terminal 30. The control unit 41 can also transmit the operation signal from the operation detection circuit 44 to the tablet terminal 30 via the universal cord 29.

[0030] The control unit 41 may be configured to activate the operation detection circuit 44 to accept operation of the operation switch 28 when the communication units 43, 53 are capable of communicating with each other. Furthermore, in a case where the endoscope 10 and the tablet terminal 30 are connected via a universal cord 29 and an operation signal of the operation switch 28 is supplied to the tablet terminal 30, the control unit 41 may be configured to activate the operation detection circuit 44 to accept operation of the operation switch 28 when the endoscope 10 and the tablet terminal 30 are connected via the universal cord 29. As a result, the operation signal from the operation switch 28 is transmitted when the endoscope 10 and the tablet terminal 30 are capable of wired or wireless communication. In this way, the operation switch 28 operates when the endoscope 10 and the tablet terminal 30 are connected via a wired connection or wireless communication is possible, thereby preventing unnecessary operation signals from being generated.

[0031] When the tablet activation switch 25 is operated, the operation detection circuit 44 is capable of generating a signal (e.g., a magic packet) for remotely activating the tablet terminal 30. This signal is also transmitted from the endoscope 10 to the tablet terminal 30.

[0032] The tablet terminal 30 may be a general processor with a display, which includes a processor and a display. The tablet terminal 30 is provided with a touch display 32 so that the user can intuitively operate the GUI. The tablet terminal 30 is provided with a control unit 51. The control unit 51 may be configured with a processor using a CPU, FPGA, or the like, and may operate according to a program stored in the storage unit 52 to control each unit, or may realize some or all of the functions using hardware electronic circuits. The control unit 51 comprehensively controls each unit of the tablet terminal 30.

[0033] The storage unit 52 includes a main memory used for executing programs and an auxiliary memory as storage for saving various applications and data. The control unit 51 realizes desired functions by executing various applications stored in the storage unit 52. The communication unit 53 is capable of wireless communication via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (registered trademark), cellular networks (LTE / 5G), etc., and is controlled by the control unit 51 to receive imaging signals from the endoscope 10, operation signals based on operation of the operation switches 28, etc.

[0034] The communication units 43 and 53 can communicate with each other by pairing. When one of the communication units 43 and 53 detects the other device, the communication units 43 and 53 enter pairing mode and exchange information for authenticating each other. If authentication is successful through information exchange, secure communication becomes possible, allowing the two units to communicate with each other. Furthermore, when the communication unit 53 receives a signal for remote activation from the endoscope 10, it issues an instruction to a power management unit (not shown) to activate the tablet terminal 30.

[0035] The interface (IF) unit 54 exchanges data with the outside. For example, the IF unit 54 may include a terminal for connecting the connector of the universal cord 29, various terminals such as USB and HDMI (registered trademark) standard terminals, a memory slot, etc. If the endoscope 10 is capable of outputting an image signal via the universal cord 29, connecting the universal cord 29 to the IF unit 54 makes it possible to import the image signal and operation signals based on the operation of the operation switch 28. The control unit 51 can detect that the universal cord 29 and the IF unit 54 are connected.

[0036] The audio circuit unit 55 includes a microphone, a speaker, etc., and is capable of receiving and outputting audio signals. The audio circuit unit 55 acquires the voice uttered by the user and outputs the voice signal to the control unit 51. The control unit 51 can also generate commands based on the voice uttered by the user by executing a voice recognition processing program. For example, instead of operating the operation switch 28 for GUI setting, a doctor or the like can also perform GUI setting by voice.

[0037] The control unit 51 executes an image processing program to perform predetermined signal processing on the imaging signal received by the communication unit 53 to generate an endoscopic image. The control unit 51 provides the generated endoscopic image to the graphics control unit 56. The graphics control unit 56 performs various settings for the touch display 32 and provides the endoscopic image provided by the control unit 51 to the touch display 32 for display. Under the control of the control unit 51, the graphics control unit 56 can also display images corresponding to various applications on the display screen of the touch display 32 and display various icons 33 for GUI on the display screen of the touch display 32.

[0038] The touch display 32 is configured by integrating a display such as an LCD (liquid crystal panel) with a touch panel arranged across the entire display screen of the display. The touch panel as a touch sensor can detect a user's touch using, for example, a capacitance method, and generates an operation signal corresponding to the position on the display screen pointed by the user with a finger or the like, and outputs the operation signal to the touch detection unit 57.

[0039] The touch detection unit 57 receives an operation signal from the touch panel and detects an operation performed by the user on the touch panel. For example, the touch detection unit 57 detects a tap operation, a swipe operation, a pinch operation, a drag operation, etc. performed by the user on the touch panel, and outputs the detection result to the control unit 51. The control unit 51 determines the content of the user's operation based on the display on the touch display 32 and the detection result of the touch detection unit 57, and executes various processes according to the content of the user's operation.

[0040] For example, when a user taps on a specific icon 33 displayed on the display screen of the touch display 32, the touch detection unit 57 detects the tap operation at the position of the icon 33, and the control unit 51 determines that a user operation has been performed on the icon 33. As a result, the control unit 51 executes a process specified by the icon 33.

[0041] Note that various operations performed by the user on the touch panel, not limited to tapping on the icon 33, are detected by the touch detection unit 57, and the control unit 51 executes processing according to the display at the detection position and the type of operation detected. As a result, if the user unintentionally touches the display screen of the touch display 32 while an endoscopic image is being displayed, processing unintended by the user may be executed, which may result in, for example, the disappearance of the endoscopic image display.

[0042] Therefore, in this embodiment, a GUI setting unit 58 is provided to prevent malfunctions due to unintended user operations. The GUI setting unit 58 is controlled by the control unit 51 and is capable of changing GUI settings. For example, the GUI setting unit 58 can disable GUI operations on the touch display 32. For example, the GUI setting unit 58 can set a disabled mode that disables tap operations on the icons 33. For example, the GUI setting unit 58 may prohibit touch detection by the touch detection unit 57 in the disabled mode. In this case, even if the user taps the icon 33, this operation will not be detected. Furthermore, when the GUI setting unit 58 sets the disabled mode, the control unit 51 may ignore the operation signal from the touch detection unit 57.

[0043] In addition, in the disabled mode, the control unit 51 may erase the icon 33 on the display screen of the touch display 32 to hide the icon 33. This eliminates the sense of discomfort felt by the user due to no response when touching the icon 33. Furthermore, when returning from the disabled mode to the normal mode, the control unit 51 redisplays the erased icon 33. Regardless of whether the icon 33 is displayed or not, a state in which operation input using the icon 33 is not possible may be said to be an invalid state for the icon, and setting such a state to an invalid state is called disabling the icon. In other words, the GUI setting unit 58 can enable and disable icons.

[0044] Furthermore, instead of a normal mode in which a user's operation on the touch panel is detected in the normal manner, the GUI setting unit 58 may set a special mode in which a user operation is detected based on a special user operation. For example, the GUI setting unit 58 may control the touch detection unit 57 so that, in the special mode, when the user performs a triple tap, the touch detection unit 57 detects it as a normal tap operation. For example, the GUI setting unit 58 may control the touch detection unit 57 so that, in the special mode, when a plurality of operations, such as a tap operation and a drag operation, are performed in combination, the combination is detected as a normal tap operation. For example, the GUI setting unit 58 may change the touch sensitivity of the touch detection unit 57 in the special mode. For example, in the special mode, the touch detection unit 57 may detect an operation when the user presses the touch panel harder than a predetermined pressure or when the user touches the touch panel for a longer period of time than a predetermined time.

[0045] In the special mode, the control unit 51 may change the display mode of the icons 33 on the display screen of the touch display 32 to a display mode different from that in the normal mode.

[0046] Furthermore, the control unit 51 may store information on the current GUI setting in the storage unit 52. The control unit 51 may determine the content of the operation based on the received operation signal, and instruct the GUI setting unit 58 to perform GUI setting based on the determined content and the information on the current GUI setting stored in the storage unit 52.

[0047] For example, when the control unit 51 receives an operation signal indicating operation of the operation switch 28 of the endoscope 10 in the normal mode, it instructs the GUI setting unit 58 to switch from the normal mode to the disabled mode or the special mode. Also, when the control unit 51 receives an operation signal indicating operation of the operation switch 28 of the endoscope 10 in the disabled mode or the special mode, it instructs the GUI setting unit 58 to switch from the disabled mode or the special mode to the normal mode. That is, in this case, the operation switch 28 serves both as a switch for disabling (or switching to the special mode) and a switch for enabling (or switching to the normal mode) GUI operation.

[0048] It is also possible to generate operation signals for individually specifying the normal mode, the disabled mode, and the special mode by different operations on a plurality of switches for GUI setting provided on the endoscope 10 or the operation switch 28. In this case, the control unit 51 instructs the GUI setting unit 58 to specify the GUI setting (mode) specified by the operation signal.

[0049] Furthermore, the GUI setting unit 58 may be configured to set a disabled mode or a special mode for a specific area on the touch panel, for example, an area on a specific icon 33. In this case, for example, only the specific icon among the icons 33 displayed on the display screen of the touch display 32 is disabled.

[0050] When the control unit 51 receives an operation signal for the invalid mode by operating the operation switch 28 while an endoscopic image is being displayed on the display screen of the touch display 32, the control unit 51 will not perform any control thereafter, even if a finger touches the display screen of the touch display 32. This makes it possible to prevent processing on the tablet terminal 30 that is not intended by the user from being executed.

[0051] Next, the operation of the embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 5. Figures 3 to 5 are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the first embodiment. In Figures 3 to 5, the same steps are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted. Figure 3 shows an example of a wired connection, Figure 4 shows an example of a wireless connection, and Figure 5 shows an example in which multiple switches for GUI setting are provided on the endoscope 10. Note that Figures 3 to 5 show examples in which the enabling or disabling of icons is controlled.

[0052] 3, the control unit 51 of the tablet terminal 30 determines whether the endoscope 10 and the tablet terminal 30 are connected. When the universal cord 29 is connected to the IF unit 54 (YES in S1), the control unit 51 determines whether the operation switch 28 of the endoscope 10 has been operated (S2). The control unit 51 can determine that the operation switch 28 has been operated by receiving an operation signal based on the operation of the operation switch 28 from the endoscope 10. When the control unit 51 detects the operation of the operation switch 28, it determines whether the current icon is valid or invalid (S3). The control unit 51 reads the current GUI setting from the storage unit 52 and determines whether the icon is valid or invalid.

[0053] If the icon is valid (valid in S3), the control unit 51 instructs the GUI setting unit 58 to disable the icon. The GUI setting unit 58 disables the icon, for example, by disabling detection by the touch detection unit 57 (S4). This prevents processing corresponding to the operation of the icon from being performed even if the user touches the surface of the touch display 32. Since the icon 33 on the tablet terminal 30 can be disabled (and further enabled) using the operation switch 28 provided on the endoscope 10, the endoscope operator can control whether or not input to the tablet terminal 30 is permitted, and it is possible to avoid a situation in which the endoscopic image display is accidentally lost even if someone other than the endoscope operator touches the tablet terminal 30.

[0054] Furthermore, if the control unit 51 determines in S3 that the current icon is invalid, it instructs the GUI setting unit 58 to enable the icon. The GUI setting unit 58 enables the icon, for example, by enabling detection by the touch detection unit 57 (S5).

[0055] 4 is adopted when the endoscope 10 and the tablet terminal 30 are connected via the communication units 43, 53. When the control unit 51 indicates that the endoscope 10 and the tablet terminal 30 are not connected (NO in S1), it instructs the communication unit 53 to execute pairing and determines whether or not the pairing is successful (S11). That is, the endoscope 10 and the tablet terminal 30 are paired before the icon is disabled. When the pairing is successful, the control unit 51 returns the process to S1. When the pairing is unsuccessful, the control unit 51 displays an error message on the display screen of the touch display 32 indicating that the pairing has failed.

[0056] Other operations are the same as those in the example of FIG.

[0057] When the endoscope 10 is provided with multiple switches for GUI setting, for example, when a switch for enabling an icon and a switch for disabling an icon are provided, the flow shown in Fig. 5 is adopted. Although Fig. 5 is a flow corresponding to Fig. 4, a flow corresponding to Fig. 3 may also be adopted. When the control unit 51 detects a switch operation in S2, it determines the content of the operation based on the operation signal received from the endoscope 10 (S21). The control unit 51 determines whether the determined content of the operation indicates an operation for enabling an icon or an operation for disabling an icon (S22). If the content of the operation indicates an operation for disabling an icon, the control unit 51 controls the GUI setting unit 58 to disable the icon (S4). If the content of the operation indicates an operation for enabling an icon, the control unit 51 controls the GUI setting unit 58 to enable the icon (S5).

[0058] For example, the endoscope 10 is provided with a first switch for GUI setting, and a first input signal is input from the endoscope 10 to the tablet terminal 30 by operating the first switch. The control unit 51 executes a program for disabling an icon displayed on the display screen of the touch display 32 in response to the first input signal. In this case, upon receiving the first input signal, the control unit 51 disables the icon based on the first input signal. Also, for example, the endoscope 10 is provided with a second switch for GUI setting, and a second input signal is input from the endoscope 10 to the tablet terminal 30 by operating the second switch. The control unit 51 executes a program for enabling an icon displayed on the display screen of the touch display 32 in response to the second input signal. In this case, upon receiving the second input signal, the control unit 51 enables the icon based on the second input signal.

[0059] Other operations are the same as those in the example of FIG.

[0060] In this way, the GUI setting switch provided on the endoscope 10 may be a single switch or multiple switches corresponding to the operation content. When a single switch is used, the GUI setting may be changed for each switch operation. In this case, it is not necessary to refer to the current GUI setting, and it is not necessary to retain the current GUI setting.

[0061] In this embodiment, the GUI settings of the tablet terminal can be changed using a switch provided on the endoscope, allowing the endoscope operator to easily disable or enable icons on the tablet terminal, and reliably preventing malfunctions caused by accidentally touching the surface of the tablet terminal.

[0062] (Second embodiment) Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a second embodiment. This embodiment shows an example in which a switch for changing GUI settings is detachable from an endoscope. Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a specific configuration of the camera head in Fig. 6.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 6, the endoscopic system 61 includes an endoscope 62, a camera head 63 which is an endoscopic imaging device connectable to the endoscope 62 and has a switch unit 270 (see FIG. 7) described later, a light source device 64 which supplies illumination light to the endoscope 62, and a camera control unit (CCU) 65.

[0064] The CCU 65 is a tablet terminal that is a processor with a display, and performs signal processing on the image pickup signal from the camera head 63 .

[0065] The endoscope 62 is mainly composed of a long and slender insertion section 67, a grip section 68 that is provided on the proximal end side of the insertion section 67 and has a larger diameter than the insertion section 67, and an eyepiece 69 that is provided on the proximal end of the grip section 68. As will be described later, a part of the camera head 63 also functions as the grip section.

[0066] Furthermore, one end of a light guide cable 70 is detachably connected to the light source device 64 via a connector 71, and the other end of the light guide cable 70 is connectable to a base provided on the side of the grip portion 68 of the endoscope 62. As a result, light emitted from a lamp (not shown) in the light source device 64 is supplied to the endoscope 62 via the light guide cable 70 and is irradiated into the subject's body through an illumination window (not shown) provided at the tip of the insertion portion 67.

[0067] An optical image of the inside of the subject illuminated by the illumination light is formed on an objective optical system (not shown) provided at the tip of the insertion part 67, and the formed optical image is incident on a lens provided in the eyepiece 69 via a relay lens (not shown) or the like provided in the insertion part 67. This allows the operator to observe the optical image through the eyepiece 69.

[0068] As described above, the camera head 63 can be freely connected to the eyepiece 69 of the endoscope 62. A camera cable 72 extends from the camera head 63, and the extending end of the camera cable 72 is detachably connected to the CCU 65 via a connector 73 provided at the extending end.

[0069] The configuration of the CCU 65 is the same as that of the tablet terminal 30 in Fig. 2, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. The CCU 65 generates an image signal based on an imaging signal transmitted from the camera head 63 via the camera cable 72, and displays an image of the inside of the subject as an endoscopic image on the touch display 32 (see Fig. 2).

[0070] Next, a specific configuration of the above-mentioned camera head 63 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0071] 7, the camera head 63 is mainly composed of a coupler section 75 and an exterior member 77 whose tip is fixed to the coupler section 75. An exterior cover 90 is attached to the base end side of the exterior member 77, and the camera cable 72, whose outer surface is covered with a break stopper 91 that prevents the camera cable 12 from being suddenly bent, is attached to the base end side of the exterior cover 90. On the outer periphery of the tip side of the exterior cover 90, between the tip of the exterior cover 90 and the base end of the exterior member 77, a known gold ring 92 is provided as an indicator that allows the operator to visually recognize the functions of the camera head, etc.

[0072] The coupler unit 75 is a component to which the eyepiece 69 of the endoscope 62 is connected and is fixed to the outer periphery of the distal end of the exterior member 77. The exterior member 77 also serves as an airtight case, and an imaging device and a control unit (not shown) are provided inside the exterior member 77. A switch unit 270 including various switches is fixed to the upper side of the exterior member 77 in FIG. 7 along the longitudinal direction N of the camera head 63. An operation detection circuit that generates operation signals based on operation of each switch of the switch unit 270 is also provided inside the exterior member 77. That is, in this embodiment, the circuit configuration of the camera head 63 is the same as that of the endoscope 10 in FIG. 2, and differs only in that the communication unit 43 performs wired communication via the camera cable 72. That is, in the example of FIG. 7, operation signals based on operation of each switch of the switch unit 270 are supplied from the control unit to the CCU 65, which is a tablet terminal, via the camera cable 72.

[0073] The switch unit 270 includes a plurality of switch buttons 81 to 85. The switch button 81 is a focus adjustment button that moves a portion of the lens back and forth to adjust the focus and that combines a near button and a far button. The switch button 82 is a zoom button that moves a portion of the lens back and forth to adjust the focus magnification and that combines a wide button and a tele button.

[0074] At least one of the switch buttons 83 to 85 is a switch for operating to change the GUI settings of the touch display 32 that constitutes the CCU 65. For example, the switch buttons 83 and 84 may be switch buttons for setting icon disabling or enabling, respectively, and any one of the switch buttons 83 to 85 may be a switch button for GUI setting. Furthermore, any one of the switch buttons 83 to 85 may be a switch button for starting up the CCU 65.

[0075] The side surfaces of the exterior member 77 other than the side surface on which the switch unit 270 is configured and the side surfaces of the exterior cover 90 function as a grip portion with which the user grips the camera head 63. The entire camera head 63 forms a handle for user operation, and the portion of the operation portion excluding the switch unit 270 forms the grip portion. That is, in this embodiment as well, the switches for setting the GUI of the tablet terminal are configured in the area of ​​the handle other than the grip portion.

[0076] As described above, in this embodiment, the configuration regarding GUI settings is the same as that of the first embodiment, except that the switch for GUI settings is detachable from the endoscope, and the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0077] Of the technologies described in the specification, the controls mainly described in the flowcharts can often be set by programs, and may be stored on a recording medium or a recording unit. The recording medium or recording unit may be recorded at the time of product shipment, may use a distributed recording medium, or may be downloaded via the Internet.

[0078] Furthermore, the steps in the flowcharts may be executed in a different order, may be executed multiple times simultaneously, or may be executed in a different order each time, provided that this does not contradict the nature of the steps.

[0079] In the embodiments, the parts described as "units" may be configured by combining dedicated circuits or multiple general-purpose circuits, and, if necessary, may be configured by combining a processor such as a microcomputer or CPU that operates according to pre-programmed software, or a sequencer such as an FPGA.

[0080] 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: an endoscope having an imaging device; a processor that generates an endoscopic image from a signal acquired by the imaging device; and a display included in the processor that displays the endoscopic image, wherein the display has a touch sensor, and the endoscope has a switch that changes graphical user interface settings for operations using the touch sensor.

2. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein the switch allows a change in a graphical user interface setting to disable the operation.

3. The endoscope system according to claim 2, wherein the switch allows a change of a graphical user interface setting for enabling the operation.

4. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein the switch is located on the handle of the endoscope.

5. The endoscope system according to claim 4, wherein the switch is disposed in a portion of the handle other than the grip portion.

6. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein the switch is activated when the endoscope is enabled to wirelessly communicate with the processor.

7. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein the switch is activated when the endoscope is wired to the processor.

8. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein the touch sensor of the display is capable of displaying an icon for accepting the operation, and the processor disables the icon on the display when the operation is disabled by the switch.

9. The endoscopic viewing system of claim 8, wherein the processor erases the icon on the display.

10. The endoscope system according to claim 9, wherein the processor displays the icon on the display when the operation is enabled by the switch.

11. The endoscope system according to claim 3, wherein the switch is detachable from the endoscope.

12. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured as a tablet terminal.

13. An image display method for an endoscope system, comprising: transmitting a first input signal from a switch provided on an endoscope to a processor having a display and connected to said endoscope; and changing graphical user interface settings for operations using the touch sensor on said display having a touch sensor based on the first input signal received by said processor.

14. The image display method for an endoscope system according to claim 13, further comprising changing the graphical user interface settings based on a second input signal from the switch.

15. An image display method for an endoscopic system as described in claim 14, wherein the graphical user interface setting based on the first input signal disables icons displayed on the display, and the graphical user interface setting based on the second input signal enables icons displayed on the display.

16. An image display method for an endoscope system according to claim 15, wherein, when the endoscope and the processor are wirelessly connected, pairing between the endoscope and the processor is performed before disabling the icon.

17. A processor with a display, comprising: a display having a touch sensor; and a processor capable of executing a program that changes graphical user interface settings for operations using the touch sensor on the display based on a first input signal transmitted from an endoscope.

18. A processor with a display according to claim 17, wherein the processor is capable of executing a program that disables an icon displayed on the display based on the first input signal, and that enables the icon displayed on the display based on a second input signal transmitted from the endoscope.

19. The processor with a display according to claim 18, wherein the processor is capable of executing a program that performs pairing with the endoscope before disabling the icon.

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