Patent ID: 6432041
Filing Date: 2002-08-13
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An endoscope shape detecting apparatus, comprising:an endoscope for observing a subject image by inserting an insertion portion into the body of a subject, such as a body cavity; a magnetic field generating means for generating a magnetic field by supplying driving signals; a magnetic field detecting means for detecting the magnetic field generated by said magnetic field generating means; and a control means comprising: a driving means for generating said driving signals; a computing means for computing a shape of the inserted portion of said endoscope, from relative positional information between said magnetic field generating means and said magnetic field detecting means, based on detection signals detected by said magnetic field detecting means with one or the other of said magnetic field generating means and said magnetic field detecting means a display control means for displaying the endoscope shape obtained from computation results from said computing means on a display means; and a connection state detecting means for detecting a connection state of said magnetic field generating means; wherein said control means controls at least one of said driving means, said computing means, and said display control means, based on said connection state.