Patent ID: 8668637
Filing Date: 2014-03-11
Classification: A61B,G02B

Abstract:
1. An endoscopic image pickup device comprising: an insertion section which is configured to be inserted in a body cavity, and which includes a telescope having a first optical axis; a camera head body which includes an image pickup optical system having a second optical axis perpendicular to the first optical axis, and which is coupled to a proximal end portion of the insertion section, the camera head body being rotatable about the first optical axis, relative to the insertion section, and having a center of gravity offset from the first optical axis; a camera cable, one end of which is connected to the camera head, and the other end of which is connected to the camera control unit, the camera control unit being configured to perform image processing based on an image picked up by the image pickup optical system; and a remote control section which is provided between the camera head body and the camera control unit in the camera cable in a state when the camera cable is connected to the camera control unit, and which includes a switch section configured to input an operation of the camera control unit by an operator, the remote control section being configured to function as a balancer to prevent the camera head body from rotating together with the telescope and to keep an attitude of the camera head body so that the camera body is extended from the proximal end portion of the insertion section toward a vertically down direction when the insertion section rotates about the first optical axis with respect to the camera head body, and movement of the remote control section being configured to be absorbed by the camera cable when the operation of the camera control unit is input in the switch section of the remote control section; a video signal line which is extended from the image pick up optical system to the camera control unit through an inside of the camera cable and an inside of the remote control section, and which is configured to transmit a video signal from the image pickup optical system to the camera control unit based on the image picked up by the image pickup optical system; and a switch operation signal line which is extended from the switch section to the camera control unit through the inside of the camera cable, and is configured to transmit an operation final from the switch section to the camera control unit based on the operation input in the switch section of the remote control section.