Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/JP6153385B2/en
Timestamp: 2019-10-14 13:22:42
Document Index: 117945613

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 21', 'art 21', 'art 21', 'art 21', 'art, 12', 'art, 13', 'art, 15', 'art, 16', 'art, 17', 'art, 20', 'art, 22', 'art, 22', 'art, 88', 'art, 92', 'art, 229']

JP6153385B2 - Calibration auxiliary device, bending system, and calibration method - Google Patents
Calibration auxiliary device, bending system, and calibration method Download PDF
JP6153385B2
JP6153385B2 JP2013113205A JP2013113205A JP6153385B2 JP 6153385 B2 JP6153385 B2 JP 6153385B2 JP 2013113205 A JP2013113205 A JP 2013113205A JP 2013113205 A JP2013113205 A JP 2013113205A JP 6153385 B2 JP6153385 B2 JP 6153385B2
JP2013113205A
JP2014230658A (en
2013-05-29 Application filed by オリンパス株式会社 filed Critical オリンパス株式会社
2013-05-29 Priority to JP2013113205A priority Critical patent/JP6153385B2/en
2014-12-11 Publication of JP2014230658A publication Critical patent/JP2014230658A/en
2017-06-28 Publication of JP6153385B2 publication Critical patent/JP6153385B2/en
The present invention relates to a calibration auxiliary device that assists in the calibration of a detector that detects the bending amount of an elongated flexible portion, a bending system including the calibration auxiliary device, and a calibration method.
For example, in a bending system having an elongated flexible portion such as an insertion portion of an endoscope, the flexible portion is configured to detect a bending amount in order to estimate the bending shape of the flexible portion. A detection unit may be provided. In order for such a curvature detector to operate accurately, the curvature detector needs to be calibrated.
For example, Patent Document 1 includes, for example, about 5 to 30 bend detection units over the entire length of the insertion portion flexible tube at an interval of, for example, about several centimeters in the axial direction of the insertion portion flexible tube. An electronic endoscope is disclosed. Patent Document 1 discloses that the bending detection unit is calibrated by winding an insertion portion flexible tube along the outer periphery of a cylindrical drum having a known radius R.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-070718
Performing accurate calibration of the bending detection unit is important for accurately detecting the bending amount of the flexible unit. For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, when calibration is performed using a drum, the flexible portion is in a state along the outer periphery of the drum, and is not constrained on the circumferential surface of the drum, for example. . That is, for example, the flexible portion can meander on the circumferential surface of the drum. If there is meandering or the like of the flexible part during calibration, accurate calibration may not be performed.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a calibration auxiliary device, a bending system, and a calibration method for performing accurate calibration.
In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, a calibration assisting device is provided with an elongated flexible portion having flexibility, and detects the amount of bending of the flexible portion provided in the flexible portion. A calibration assisting device for assisting calibration of the detection of the amount of curvature, which is used in a bending system including a curvature detecting unit configured as described above, and is a first device perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the flexible portion. Restraining the deformation and movement of the flexible portion in both directions along one axis and flexing in at least one direction along a second axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the first axis A calibrator configured to restrain deformation and movement of the portion.
In order to achieve the object, according to one aspect of the present invention, a bending system detects a bending amount of the flexible portion provided in the flexible portion and a flexible portion having a flexible shape. Constrains deformation and movement of the bending portion in both directions along a first axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bending detection portion and the flexible portion, and the longitudinal axis and the first axis A calibrator configured to constrain deformation and movement of the flexible portion in at least one direction along a second axis perpendicular to the calibrator, and the flexible portion in a state of being constrained by the calibrator. A calibration calculation unit that calibrates the curvature detection unit based on the output of the curvature detection unit and the shape of the flexible portion in the restrained state.
In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, a calibration method is performed by a calibrator in both directions along a first axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of a flexible elongated portion having flexibility. And restrains deformation and movement of the flexible portion in at least one direction along a second axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the first axis. And obtaining an output of a bending detector configured to detect a bending amount of the flexible portion provided in the flexible portion in a state where the flexible portion is restrained by the calibrator. And calibrating the curvature detection unit based on the shape of the flexible portion and the output in the constrained state.
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, since a flexible part is restrained, the calibration auxiliary | assistance apparatus, bending system, and calibration method which can perform exact calibration can be provided.
The block diagram which shows the structural example of the endoscope system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The figure for demonstrating a fiber sensor. The figure for demonstrating a fiber sensor. The figure for demonstrating a fiber sensor. The figure which shows the outline of the structural example of an insertion part. The figure which shows the outline of the structural example of the 1st calibrator which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the outline of the structural example of the 2nd calibrator which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the outline of the structural example of the 3rd calibrator which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The flowchart which shows an example of the process which concerns on calibration operation | movement. Schematic which shows an example of the relationship between the insertion part when a calibration is performed, and a calibrator. The figure which shows an example of the parameter | index for adjusting the positional relationship of an insertion part and a calibrator. The figure which shows the outline of the structural example of the calibrator which concerns on the 1st modification of 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the outline of the structural example of the calibrator which concerns on the 2nd modification of 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the outline of the structural example of the calibrator which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The figure which shows the outline of the structural example of the calibrator which concerns on the modification of 2nd Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structural example of the endoscope system which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structural example of the endoscope system which concerns on the modification of 3rd Embodiment.
A first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an outline of a configuration example of an endoscope system 1 as a bending system according to the first embodiment. The endoscope system 1 includes a main body 10, an endoscope 20, and a calibrator 30.
The endoscope 20 is configured to observe the inside of a body cavity, for example. The endoscope 20 includes a flexible insertion portion 21 having an elongated shape. At the distal end of the insertion portion 21, an illumination window (not shown) for emitting illumination light, a camera including an image sensor for imaging a subject, and the like are provided. For example, the insertion unit 21 is inserted into a body cavity, images the inside of the body cavity, and transmits image data to the main body 10. An image based on the image data is displayed on the display unit 17 of the main body 10 to be described later, for example.
The insertion unit 21 is provided with a curvature detection unit 22 for detecting the amount of curvature of the insertion unit 21. The curvature detection unit 22 is a sensor group including at least one curvature angle sensor disposed in the insertion unit 21. As shown in FIG. 1, the curvature detector 22 includes, for example, a first detector 22a, a second detector 22b, a third detector 22c, and a fourth detector 22d. For example, the position where each detector in the insertion portion 21 is provided, such as the distance from the tip of the insertion portion 21, is known. Although four detectors are schematically shown in FIG. 1, any number of detectors may be used.
For example, a fiber sensor may be used as the detector included in the curvature detection unit 22. An example of the fiber sensor will be described with reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, and FIG. The fiber sensor includes an optical fiber 222, a light emitting unit 228 that emits light guided by the optical fiber 222, and a light receiving unit 229 that receives light guided by the optical fiber. The light emitting unit 228 and the light receiving unit 229 are provided in the main body 10, for example.
The operation principle of the fiber sensor will be described. The bending detection unit 22 is provided with a detection region 224. In the detection region 224, the cladding of the optical fiber 222 is removed to expose the core, and a light absorbing member is applied to this portion. As a result, the amount of light guided by the optical fiber 222 changes according to the curved state of the optical fiber 222.
For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, when the optical fiber 222 is curved so that the detection region 224 is on the inner side, the light transmission rate by the optical fiber 222 is increased. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2C, when the optical fiber 222 is curved so that the detection region 224 is on the outside, the light transmissibility of the optical fiber 222 is low. As shown in FIG. 2B, when the optical fiber 222 is not curved, the light transmission rate by the optical fiber 222 is lower than that shown in FIG. 2A and higher than that shown in FIG. 2C. Such an optical fiber 222 is inserted through the insertion portion 21. The light emitted from the light emitting unit 228 provided in the main body 10 enters the optical fiber 222, passes through the detection region 224, is guided again to the main body 10, and is detected by the light receiving unit 229. The light receiving unit 229 measures the amount of light guided by the optical fiber 222. Based on the measured amount of received light, the amount of bending of the insertion portion 21 in the region where the detection region 224 is provided is calculated.
As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of optical fibers 222 are bundled and arranged in the insertion portion 21. An optical fiber in which a detection region 224 is provided in one direction (for example, the X-axis direction) in order to detect the amount of bending in two orthogonal directions (for example, the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction) in each part of the insertion unit 21. A pair of optical fibers 222 provided with detection regions 224 in a direction perpendicular to the one direction (for example, the Y-axis direction) is provided in the insertion portion 21. Furthermore, corresponding to the first detector 22a, the second detector 22b, the third detector 22c, the fourth detector 22d, etc., detection regions 224 are located at different positions in the longitudinal axis direction of the insertion portion 21. A plurality of provided optical fibers 222 are provided in the insertion portion 21. In FIG. 3, in addition to the optical fiber 222, an illumination light optical fiber 212 that transmits illumination light emitted from the distal end of the insertion portion 21, and an image sensor wiring 214 provided at the distal end of the insertion portion 21. And are drawn.
In the endoscope system 1 according to the present embodiment, calibration for maintaining the accuracy of detection of the bending amount of the insertion portion 21 by the above-described bending detection portion 22 is easily performed. The configuration and operation for such calibration will be described.
The calibrator 30 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the calibrator 30 is provided with a through hole 32. The inner diameter of the through hole 32 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the insertion portion 21. The through-hole 32 is curved in a circular arc shape having a known radius of curvature or is linear. The insertion part 21 is inserted into the through hole 32. By inserting the insertion portion 21 into the through-hole 32, the insertion portion 21 is constrained in a curved state with a known radius of curvature or linearly. That is, the insertion portion 21 can move in the longitudinal axis direction of the insertion portion 21 and rotate about the longitudinal axis as a rotation axis, but other movements are limited. This state is called a restrained state. The bending detection unit 22 is calibrated in a state where the insertion unit 21 is restrained. The length of the through-hole 32 is shorter than the insertion part 21, and is longer than the distance between each detectors, such as distance between the 1st detector 22a and the 2nd detector 22b. That is, the calibration is performed for each part of the insertion portion 21. The relatively short calibrator 30 is effective in handling the calibrator 30. For example, the user can easily sterilize the calibrator 30. In the calibrator 30, the shape of the through hole 32 is important, and the outer shape of the calibrator 30 is not limited to the illustrated rectangular parallelepiped.
4A, 4B, and 4C are diagrams illustrating an example of the outline of various calibrators 30. FIG. FIG. 4A shows an outline of the first calibrator 30a. The first calibrator 30a has a first through hole 32a. The curvature radius of the first through hole 32a is Ra. FIG. 4B shows an outline of the second calibrator 30b. The second calibrator 30b has a second through hole 32b. The radius of curvature of the second through hole 32b is Rb. Here, there is a relationship of Ra <Rb. FIG. 4C shows an outline of the third calibrator 30c. The third calibrator 30c has a third through hole 32c. The third through hole 32c is linear. That is, the radius of curvature Rc of the third through hole 32c is infinite.
Each calibrator 30 displays an index indicating each curvature and bending direction. That is, the curvature and bending direction of the first through-hole 32a, the second through-hole 32b, the third through-hole 32c, etc., depending on the characters, symbols, colors, etc., are the first calibrator 30a and the second calibrator. 30b, the third calibrator 30c, and the like. This index allows the user to easily recognize different calibrators 30.
In other words, the shape of these calibrators 30 is expressed as follows. That is, when the insertion portion 21 is inserted into the through hole 32, the longitudinal axis of the through hole 32 and the longitudinal axis of the insertion portion 21 coincide. An arbitrary first axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the through hole 32 is defined at an arbitrary position of the through hole 32. The through-hole 32 restrains deformation and movement in both directions (for example, both left and right directions) along the first axis of the inserted insertion portion 21. Furthermore, a second axis perpendicular to both the longitudinal axis and the first axis of the through hole 32 is defined. The through-hole 32 restrains deformation and movement in at least one direction (for example, upward or downward) along the second axis of the inserted insertion portion 21.
The main body 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 15, an input unit 16, and a display unit 17 in addition to the light emitting unit 228 and the light receiving unit 229 described above. The control unit 11 performs control and calculation of various parts regarding the calibration operation according to the present embodiment. The control unit 11 is provided with a calibration procedure control unit 12 and a calibration calculation unit 13. The calibration procedure control unit 12 displays, for example, an instruction related to calibration for the user on the display unit 17 described later, or outputs information related to calibration to the calibration calculation unit 13 so that the calibration operation is performed according to a predetermined procedure. Control the procedure of the calibration operation. The calibration calculation unit 13 is based on the curvature of the through hole 32 acquired from the calibration procedure control unit 12, the state of the insertion unit 21, for example, the insertion amount and the rotation amount, and the received light amount acquired from the light receiving unit 229. Calibration data relating to the relationship between the shape of the light and the amount of received light is calculated.
The storage unit 15 stores programs and parameters related to various operations according to the present embodiment. Further, the storage unit 15 stores the calibration data calculated by the calibration calculation unit 13. When the endoscope system 1 is used, the calibration data stored in the storage unit 15 is read, and the bending amount of the insertion unit 21 is corrected. The input unit 16 acquires an instruction from the user. For example, the input unit 16 includes a calibration start button indicating that the user may acquire the data for calibration while fixing the positional relationship between the insertion unit 21 and the calibrator 30 to a predetermined relationship. The input unit 16 may be a button switch, a keyboard, a touch panel, a mouse, or the like. The display unit 17 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display that displays various images.
Next, a calibration operation in the endoscope system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.
In the present embodiment, all the detectors included in the curvature detector 22 are all calibrators prepared such as the first calibrator 30a, the second calibrator 30b, the third calibrator 30c, and the like. 30 shows a case where calibration is performed. For example, the first calibrator 30a is inserted in order from the distal end side of the insertion portion 21, that is, in order from the first detector 22a, and is calibrated in order.
Processing performed in the main body 10 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. In step S <b> 101, the control unit 11 determines whether the endoscope 20 is connected to the main body 10. When it is determined that the connection is not established, the process repeatedly waits for step S101. On the other hand, when it is determined that the endoscope 20 is connected to the main body 10, the process proceeds to step S102.
In step S <b> 102, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 17 to display characters, graphics, and the like that prompt the user to insert the insertion unit 21 into the predetermined calibrator 30. For example, the display unit 17 displays “Please insert the insertion unit into the first calibrator”. The user sees this display and inserts the insertion unit 21 into the calibrator 30 displayed on the display unit 17.
In step S103, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 17 to display characters, graphics, and the like that prompt the user to set the positional relationship between the insertion unit 21 and the calibrator 30 to a predetermined positional relationship. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the insertion unit 21 and the calibrator 30 when calibration is performed, and illustrates the case where the third detector 22c is calibrated using the first calibrator 30a. doing. Here, the positional relationship between the insertion portion 21 and the calibrator 30 is determined by the insertion amount and the rotation amount, as shown in FIG. The insertion amount is an amount that represents the position in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 21 with respect to the through hole 32, that is, the direction in which the insertion portion 21 is inserted. The amount of insertion can be defined by, for example, the length from the distal end of the insertion portion 21 to the central portion of the through hole 32 along the longitudinal axis of the insertion portion 21. The rotation amount is an amount representing a rotation angle when the longitudinal axis of the insertion portion 21 is the rotation axis.
In step S103, the control unit 11 displays on the display unit 17, for example, “Please insert OOcm” or “Make the first detector index coincide with the calibrator index”. . Of course, not only the display by characters but also a figure or the like may be used. Moreover, it may be configured to illustrate which detector of the curvature detection unit 22 is calibrated.
For example, an index as shown in FIG. 7 is added to the calibrator 30 and the insertion portion 21. When the user matches the index 33 displayed on the calibrator 30 with the index 23 displayed on the insertion portion 21, the position in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 21 and the amount of rotation in the circumferential direction are adjusted. Is a predetermined relationship. The user uses the index 33 of the calibrator and the index 23 of the insertion unit 21 to set the positional relationship between the insertion unit 21 and the calibrator 30 to a predetermined positional relationship. According to the index 33 of the calibrator and the index 23 of the insertion portion 21, the alignment is easy for the user. FIG. 7 shows an example of these indicators, and the indicator may have any shape, pattern, color, or the like as long as it exhibits a similar function.
For example, it is assumed that processing is performed so that the user presses a calibration start button included in the input unit 16 when the insertion unit 21 is appropriately fixed to the calibrator 30 as displayed on the display unit 17. In step S <b> 104, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the insertion unit 21 is appropriately fixed to the calibrator 30. That is, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the calibration start button has been pressed by the user. When it is determined that the insertion unit 21 is not properly fixed to the calibrator 30, the process repeatedly waits for step S104. On the other hand, when it is determined that the fixing is appropriate, the process proceeds to step S105. That is, when the region including the detector to be calibrated in the insertion unit 21 is fixed to have a curvature with a known radius of curvature, the process proceeds to step S105.
In step S <b> 105, the control unit 11 acquires the output of the detector being calibrated in the curvature detection unit 22. In step S <b> 106, the control unit 11 calculates calibration data related to the calibration of the curvature detection unit 22 such as the relationship between the output of the detector and the radius of curvature of the calibrator 30. The control unit 11 stores the calibration data in the storage unit 15.
In step S107, the control unit 11 determines whether or not calibration of all detectors has been completed. That is, for example, it is determined whether all the detectors have been calibrated in the order of the first detector 22a, the second detector 22b, the third detector 22c, and the fourth detector 22d. When it is determined that calibration of all detectors has not been completed, the process returns to step S103. In step S <b> 103, characters or the like that fix the insertion unit 21 to the calibrator 30 so that the next detector is restrained by the calibrator 30 are displayed on the display unit 17. Thereafter, the same processing as described above is performed. If it is determined in step S107 that calibration of all detectors has been completed, the process proceeds to step S108.
In step S108, the control unit 11 determines whether or not calibration using all the calibrators has been completed. That is, for example, it is determined whether all the calibrators are used in the order of the first calibrator 30a, the second calibrator 30b, and the third calibrator 30c. When it is determined that calibration using all the calibrators has not been completed, the process returns to step S102. In step S <b> 102, characters or the like that prompt the user to insert the insertion unit 21 into the next calibrator 30 are displayed on the display unit 17. If it is determined in step S108 that all the calibrators have been used, the process ends.
According to the present embodiment, each detector included in the curvature detector 22 is fixed in a known curved state by the through-hole 32 of each calibrator 30. Since the outer diameter of the insertion portion 21 and the inner diameter of the through hole 32 are substantially equal, the insertion portion 21 is reliably restrained. In this way, by acquiring the output of the curvature detection unit 22 at a known curvature amount, the calibration of the curvature detection unit 22 can be performed accurately. Such a calibration operation is performed, for example, at the time of shipment or may be performed by a user before use.
Note that at least a part of the calibrator 30 is transparent so that the state of the inserted insertion portion 21 can be visually recognized, and the inside of the through hole 32 can be visually observed from the outside of the calibrator 30. It may be like this. Similarly, a notch that functions as a window may be provided in a part of the calibrator 30. If the user can visually recognize the insertion portion 21 in the calibrator 30, the user can easily fix the insertion portion 21 to the calibrator 30.
In the above-described example, an example in which the insertion portion 21 is sequentially inserted into the through-hole 32 of the calibrator 30 has been described, but calibration may be performed while the insertion portion 21 is sequentially extracted from the calibrator 30. At this time, calibration is performed in order from the proximal end side of the insertion portion 21, that is, in order from the fourth detector 22d. Further, calibration may be performed while both insertion and extraction of the insertion portion 21 with respect to the calibrator 30 are performed. For example, if the amount of rotation is changed depending on whether the insertion portion 21 is inserted or removed from the calibrator 30, calibration data is acquired in different curved states, so that calibration with higher accuracy can be performed. .
Here, the calibration of the curvature detection unit 22 provided in the insertion unit 21 of the endoscope 20 has been described. However, the technology according to the present embodiment is not limited to the endoscope, and is an elongated shape having various flexibility. The present invention can be applied to a curvature detection unit provided in the flexible part. The technique according to the present embodiment can be applied to, for example, a catheter and a treatment tool, and can be applied not only to a medical instrument but also to various manipulators.
A first modification of the first embodiment will be described. Here, differences from the first embodiment will be described, and the same portions will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 8, the calibrator 40 according to this modification is provided with a plurality of through holes 42 having different radii of curvature in one calibrator 40. That is, the calibrator 40 is provided with a first through hole 42a, a second through hole 42b, and a third through hole 42c. For example, the radius of curvature of the first through hole 42a is smaller than the radius of curvature of the second through hole 42b, and the radius of curvature of the second through hole 42b is smaller than the radius of curvature of the third through hole 42c. Note that the inner diameter of the through hole 42 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the insertion portion 21. That is, the calibrator 40 of the present modification has the functions of the first calibrator 30a, the second calibrator 30b, and the third calibrator 30c of the first embodiment as a single calibrator 40. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment. The calibrator 40 according to this modification functions in the same manner as the calibrator 30 according to the first embodiment. Thus, the 1st through-hole 42a, the 2nd through-hole 42b, and the 3rd through-hole 42c function as a some restraint part comprised so that the insertion part 21 might be restrained.
In the first embodiment, there are three calibrators 30, whereas in this modification, there is one calibrator 40. For this reason, according to this modification, storage and management of the calibrator 40 are facilitated. In addition, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained by this modification.
In addition, although the above-mentioned example shows the case where the calibrator 40 is provided with a plurality of through-holes 42, any calibrator can be used as long as the calibrator can realize a plurality of through-holes having a known radius of curvature. For example, the calibrator may be configured such that when the dial is turned, the radius of curvature of the through hole changes in conjunction with the dial.
A second modification of the first embodiment will be described. Here, differences from the first modification of the first embodiment will be described, and the same portions will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted. In the first modification of the first embodiment, the first through hole 42a and the like restrain the shape of the insertion portion 21 in the calibrator 40. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, the calibrator 50 according to the present modification is provided with a groove 52 having a semicircular cross section, for example, in order to constrain the shape of the insertion portion 21. . That is, the calibrator 50 is provided with a first groove 52a, a second groove 52b, and a third groove 52c. The diameters of these grooves are substantially equal to the diameter of the insertion portion 21. For example, the radius of curvature of the first groove 52a is smaller than the radius of curvature of the second groove 52b, and the radius of curvature of the second groove 52b is smaller than the radius of curvature of the third groove 52c.
The calibrator 50 according to this modification is arranged so that the bottoms of the first groove 52a, the second groove 52b, and the third groove 52c are on the lower side. At the time of calibration, the insertion portion 21 is disposed along the first groove 52a, the second groove 52b, or the third groove 52c. As a result, the shape of the insertion portion 21 is restricted to a known curved shape. Other configurations are the same as those of the first modification of the first embodiment.
According to this modification, it becomes easier to visually recognize the insertion portion 21 fitted in the calibrator 50, compared to the case of the first modification of the first embodiment. Furthermore, unnecessary substances such as dust attached to the groove 52 of the calibrator 50 can be easily removed. Further, when the insertion portion 21 is arranged in the calibrator 50, even if the insertion portion 21 is not sequentially inserted from the distal end side as in the case of the first modification of the first embodiment, the present modification example is used. Thus, it can be fitted into the groove 52 from the side surface of the insertion portion 21. As a result, the arrangement of the insertion portion 21 on the calibrator 50 is facilitated. In addition, the same effect as that of the first modification of the first embodiment can be obtained by this modification.
Even if the calibrator 50 is provided with a groove as in this modification, the following condition is satisfied. That is, when the insertion portion 21 is fitted in the groove 52, the longitudinal axis of the groove 52 and the longitudinal axis of the insertion portion 21 coincide. The direction from the longitudinal axis toward the bottom of the groove is defined as one direction of the second axis. A first axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the second axis is defined. The groove 52 restrains deformation and movement in both directions (for example, both left and right directions) along the first axis of the inserted insertion portion 21. Furthermore, the groove | channel 52 restrains the deformation | transformation and movement to one direction (for example, downward direction) along the 2nd axis | shaft of the insertion part 21 fitted.
Of course, the calibrator 50 may be disposed at an inclination as long as the insertion portion 21 does not come off the groove 52 due to gravity even if the bottom of the groove 52 is not on the lower side. Further, the cross-sectional shape of the groove may be an arc having a central angle of 180 ° or more. In this case, the installation angle of the calibrator 50 may be any angle. In this case, if the calibrator 50 has elasticity, the insertion portion 21 can be fitted from the side surface of the insertion portion 21 without being inserted along the groove from the tip.
As in the case of the first modification of the first embodiment, the calibrator 50 includes three grooves, a first groove 52a, a second groove 52b, and a third groove 52c, as one calibrator. Is provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and similarly to the first embodiment, a plurality of calibrators each having one of the first groove 52a, the second groove 52b, and the third groove 52c are prepared. Also good.
A second embodiment will be described. Here, differences from the first embodiment will be described, and the same portions will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 10, the calibrator 60 according to this embodiment includes a through hole 62. The through hole 62 includes a first region 62a, a second region 62b, and a third region 62c having different radii of curvature. For example, the radius of curvature of the first region 62a is Rb, the radius of curvature of the second region 62b is infinite, and the radius of curvature of the third region 62c is Ra. That is, the calibrator 60 according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which the second calibrator 30b, the third calibrator 30c, and the first calibrator 30a according to the first embodiment are connected in series. Have When the insertion portion 21 is inserted into the calibrator 60 according to the present embodiment and the insertion portion 21 moves in the longitudinal direction, the insertion portion 21 is curved with different curvature radii. Thus, the first region 62a, the second region 62b, and the third region 62c function as a plurality of restraining portions configured to restrain the insertion portion 21.
The length of the through hole 62 according to the present embodiment is shorter than, for example, the interval between the curvature detection units 22 provided in the insertion unit 21. That is, only one or less curvature detectors 22 are arranged in the calibrator 60. In the calibration operation, the curvature detection unit 22 sequentially moves the first region 62a, the second region 62b, and the third region 62c. Calibration is performed in a state where the curvature radius is constrained by Rb when the curvature detection unit 22 is in the first region 62a, and the curvature radius is constrained to infinity when the curvature detection unit 22 is in the second region 62b. The calibration is performed in a state where the curvature radius is constrained to Ra when the curvature detection unit 22 is in the third region 62c.
According to the calibrator 60 according to the present embodiment, calibration in a plurality of curved states can be performed by one calibrator 60 even if the calibrator is not used while being changed in the calibration operation. According to the present embodiment, the calibration operation can be performed efficiently.
In the above description, it has been described that the length of the through hole 62 is shorter than the interval between the curvature detection units 22. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and when the calibration operations of the plurality of curvature detection units 22 can be performed at the same time, the length of the through hole 62 may be equal to or greater than the interval between the curvature detection units 22. For example, the interval between the first region 62a and the second region 62b and the interval between the second region 62b and the third region 62c may be the same as the interval between the detectors of the curvature detection unit 22. At this time, for example, the first detector 22a is located in the third region 62c, and at the same time, the second detector 22b is located in the second region 62b, and the third detector 22c is located in the first region 62a. Will be located. As a result, calibration of a plurality of detectors included in the curvature detection unit 22 can be performed simultaneously. That is, according to the present embodiment, the calibration operation can be performed with high efficiency.
A modification of the second embodiment will be described. Here, differences from the second embodiment will be described, and the same portions will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted. In the second embodiment, the calibrator 60 is provided with through holes 62 having different radii of curvature for each region. However, in this modification, the calibrator 70 has different radii of curvature for each region as shown in FIG. A groove 72 is provided. The relationship between the second embodiment and its modification corresponds to the relationship between the first modification and the second modification of the first embodiment. The configuration except that the through hole is changed to a groove is the same as that of the second embodiment. That is, the groove 72 according to this modification includes, for example, a first region 72a whose radius of curvature is Rb, a second region 72b whose radius of curvature is infinite, and a third region 72c whose radius of curvature is Ra. Including.
This modification also functions in the same manner as the second embodiment, and the same effect can be obtained. Further, the same effect as that of the second modification of the first embodiment can be obtained.
A third embodiment will be described. Here, differences from the first embodiment will be described, and the same portions will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 12 shows an outline of a configuration example of the endoscope system 1 according to this embodiment. In the endoscope system 1 according to the present embodiment, a linear encoder 82 as a distance sensor for detecting the insertion amount is provided in the vicinity of the through hole 32 of the calibrator 30. The linear encoder 82 outputs a signal related to the amount of insertion of the insertion portion 21 into the through hole 32.
The linear encoder 82 is connected to the main body 10. The main body 10 is provided with an insertion amount calculation unit 86 as a position calculation unit. The insertion amount calculation unit 86 calculates the insertion amount based on the signal output from the linear encoder 82. The insertion amount calculation unit 86 outputs the insertion amount to the calibration procedure control unit 12.
In the endoscope system 1 according to the present embodiment, the endoscope 20 is provided with an acceleration sensor 84 for detecting the rotation amount. The acceleration sensor 84 detects a gravitational acceleration and outputs a signal related to the amount of rotation of the insertion unit 21.
The main body 10 is provided with a rotation amount calculation unit 88. The rotation amount calculation unit 88 calculates the rotation amount based on the signal output from the acceleration sensor 84. The rotation amount calculation unit 88 outputs the rotation amount to the calibration procedure control unit 12. In order to acquire the rotation amount, for example, a rotary encoder provided in the calibrator 30 may be used instead of the acceleration sensor as described above.
The calibration procedure control unit 12 controls the calibration procedure based on the insertion amount input from the insertion amount calculation unit 86 and the rotation amount input from the rotation amount calculation unit 88. That is, for example, in the determination of the positional relationship between the calibrator 30 and the insertion unit 21 in step S104 of the process described with reference to FIG. 5, the insertion amount and the rotation amount are used. When the predetermined positional relationship is reached, the user may be notified of this, or when the predetermined positional relationship is reached, the process may proceed to step S105. .
In addition, when the change in the positional relationship between the calibrator 30 and the insertion unit 21 is fast, the calibration may not be performed correctly. In such a case, the process may be configured not to proceed to step S105.
According to this embodiment, the user manually adjusts the positional relationship between the insertion portion 21 and the calibrator 30 and does not input an instruction to the main body 10 based on the outputs of the linear encoder 82 and the acceleration sensor 84. Calibration operation is performed. As a result, a user's operation is saved and a simple calibration operation is realized.
A modification of the third embodiment will be described. Here, differences from the third embodiment will be described, and the same portions will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 13 shows an outline of a configuration example of the endoscope system 1 according to this modification. In the third embodiment, a linear encoder 82 and an acceleration sensor 84 are used to detect the insertion amount and the rotation amount. On the other hand, in this modification, for example, a magnetic direction and position detection system is used. That is, the insertion portion 21 is provided with, for example, a position marker 92 and a direction marker 94. Further, the endoscope system 1 is provided with a position detector 93 and a direction detector 95. The position detector 93 and the direction detector 95 are each connected to the main body 10. The main body 10 is provided with an insertion amount calculation unit 96 and a rotation amount calculation unit 98.
The position marker 92 and the direction marker 94 include, for example, a magnetic coil. The position detector 93 detects the magnetic field generated by the position marker 92 and outputs the detection result to the insertion amount calculation unit 96. The direction detector 95 detects the magnetic field generated by the direction marker 94 and outputs the detection result to the rotation amount calculation unit 98. The insertion amount calculation unit 96 calculates the insertion amount based on the signal acquired by the position detector 93. The rotation amount calculation unit 98 calculates the rotation amount based on the signal acquired by the direction detector 95. The position marker 92 and the direction marker 94 are not limited to those using magnetism. Various methods for specifying the position and direction can be used in this modification.
Other configurations are the same as those of the third embodiment. Also by this modification, the same effect as that of the third embodiment can be obtained.
In the third embodiment and its modification, the combination of the instrument used for detecting the insertion amount and the instrument used for detecting the rotation amount is free. Further, either the insertion amount or the rotation amount may be manually adjusted by the user as in the first embodiment, for example. In addition, the calibrator 30 used in the third embodiment and its modifications may use any aspect of the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and their modifications.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscopy system, 10 ... Main body, 11 ... Control part, 12 ... Calibration procedure control part, 13 ... Calibration operation part, 15 ... Memory | storage part, 16 ... Input part, 17 ... Display part, 20 ... Endoscope, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 ... Insertion part, 22 ... Curve detection part, 22a ... 1st detector, 22b ... 2nd detector, 22c ... 3rd detector, 22d ... 4th detector, 23 ... Index | index, 30 ... Calibration 30a ... first calibrator, 30b ... second calibrator, 30c ... third calibrator, 32 ... through hole, 32a ... first through hole, 32b ... second through hole, 32c ... first 3 through-holes, 33 ... index, 40 ... calibrator, 42 ... through-hole, 42a ... first through-hole, 42b ... second through-hole, 42c ... third through-hole, 50 ... calibrator, 52 ... Groove, 52a ... first groove, 52b ... second groove, 52c ... third groove, 60 ... calibrator, 62 ... through hole, 62a ... first region, 2b ... 2nd area | region, 62c ... 3rd area | region, 70 ... Calibrator, 72 ... Groove, 82 ... Linear encoder, 84 ... Acceleration sensor, 86 ... Insertion amount calculation part, 88 ... Rotation amount calculation part, 92 ... Position Marker, 93 ... Position detector, 94 ... Direction marker, 95 ... Direction detector, 96 ... Insertion amount calculation unit, 98 ... Rotation amount calculation unit, 212 ... Optical fiber for illumination light, 214 ... Wiring, 222 ... Optical fiber, 224 ... detection region, 228 ... light emitting part, 229 ... light receiving part.
The bend used in a bend system comprising an elongate flexible portion having flexibility and a bend detector provided in the bend and configured to detect the bend amount of the bend. A calibration auxiliary device for assisting calibration of the detection unit,
A second portion that restrains deformation and movement of the flexible portion in both directions along a first axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the flexible portion, and that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the first axis; A calibration auxiliary device comprising a calibrator configured to constrain deformation and movement of the flexible portion in at least one direction along the axis.
The calibration auxiliary device according to claim 1, further comprising a position specifying member for specifying a position of the curvature detection unit with respect to the calibrator.
The calibration auxiliary device according to claim 2, wherein the position specifying member includes an index indicating a position of the curvature detection unit with respect to the calibrator.
The position specifying member is:
A distance sensor for detecting a distance from a predetermined reference position of the flexible portion;
The calibration auxiliary device according to claim 2, further comprising: a position calculation unit that calculates a position of the curvature detection unit with respect to the calibrator based on an output of the distance sensor.
A position marker embedded in the flexible part;
A position detector for detecting the position of the position marker;
The calibration auxiliary device according to claim 2, further comprising: a position calculation unit that calculates a position of the curvature detection unit with respect to the calibrator based on an output of the position detector.
The calibration auxiliary device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a rotation specifying member for specifying a rotation amount of the curvature detection unit with respect to the calibrator.
The calibration auxiliary device according to claim 6, wherein the rotation specifying member includes an index indicating a rotation amount of the curvature detection unit with respect to the calibrator.
The rotation specific member is
A rotation marker embedded in the flexible part;
A rotation detector for detecting an angle of the rotation marker;
The calibration auxiliary device according to claim 6, further comprising: a rotation amount calculation unit that calculates a rotation amount of the curvature detection unit with respect to the calibrator based on an output of the rotation detector.
9. The calibration assisting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the calibrator has a through hole configured to allow the flexible portion to be inserted therethrough.
The calibration auxiliary device according to claim 9, wherein the calibrator is provided with a transparent portion or a notch portion provided so that at least a part of the through hole can be visually recognized.
The calibration auxiliary device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the calibrator has a groove configured to allow the flexible portion to be inserted therethrough.
The calibration auxiliary device according to claim 1, further comprising an index representing a curvature and / or a bending direction of the through hole.
The calibration auxiliary device according to claim 1, wherein the calibrator includes a plurality of restraining portions configured to restrain the flexible portion in different shapes.
The calibration assisting device according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of restraining portions are arranged in series.
The curvature detection unit includes a plurality of detectors provided along the longitudinal axis direction of the flexible part,
The total length of the plurality of restraining portions provided in series is shorter than the interval between the detectors,
The calibration auxiliary device according to claim 14.
The overall length of the plurality of restraining portions provided in series is equal to or greater than the interval between the detectors.
An elongated flexible portion having flexibility;
A bending detection unit provided in the flexible unit for detecting the bending amount of the flexible unit;
A second portion that restrains deformation and movement of the flexible portion in both directions along a first axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the flexible portion, and that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the first axis; A calibrator configured to constrain deformation and movement of the flexible portion in at least one direction along the axis of
A calibration calculation unit for calibrating the bending detection unit based on an output of the bending detection unit in a state where the flexible unit is restrained by the calibrator and a shape of the flexible unit in the restrained state; A bending system comprising.
The calibrator constrains the deformation and movement of the flexible portion in both directions along the first axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the flexible elongated portion, and the longitudinal axis And constraining deformation and movement of the flexible portion in at least one direction along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis;
Obtaining an output of a curvature detection unit configured to detect an amount of curvature of the flexible part provided in the flexible part in a state where the flexible part is restrained by the calibrator;
A calibration method including: calibrating the curvature detection unit based on the shape of the flexible portion and the output in the constrained state.
JP2013113205A 2013-05-29 2013-05-29 Calibration auxiliary device, bending system, and calibration method Active JP6153385B2 (en)
JP2013113205A JP6153385B2 (en) 2013-05-29 2013-05-29 Calibration auxiliary device, bending system, and calibration method
PCT/JP2014/062957 WO2014192553A1 (en) 2013-05-29 2014-05-15 Calibration assisting device, bending system and calibration method
CN201480030509.9A CN105283115B (en) 2013-05-29 2014-05-15 Auxiliary correction means and correction of the bending system
EP14804701.2A EP3005931A4 (en) 2013-05-29 2014-05-15 Calibration assisting device, bending system and calibration method
US14/953,057 US20160073858A1 (en) 2013-05-29 2015-11-27 Calibration assist apparatus, curving system, and calibration method
JP2014230658A JP2014230658A (en) 2014-12-11
JP6153385B2 true JP6153385B2 (en) 2017-06-28
ID=51988588
JP2013113205A Active JP6153385B2 (en) 2013-05-29 2013-05-29 Calibration auxiliary device, bending system, and calibration method
US (1) US20160073858A1 (en)
EP (1) EP3005931A4 (en)
JP (1) JP6153385B2 (en)
CN (1) CN105283115B (en)
WO (1) WO2014192553A1 (en)
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EP2667773A1 (en) * 2011-01-27 2013-12-04 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Templates for optical shape sensing calibration during clinical use
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2013-05-29 JP JP2013113205A patent/JP6153385B2/en active Active
2014-05-15 WO PCT/JP2014/062957 patent/WO2014192553A1/en active Application Filing
2014-05-15 CN CN201480030509.9A patent/CN105283115B/en active IP Right Grant
2014-05-15 EP EP14804701.2A patent/EP3005931A4/en not_active Withdrawn
2015-11-27 US US14/953,057 patent/US20160073858A1/en not_active Abandoned
EP3005931A1 (en) 2016-04-13
CN105283115B (en) 2018-09-18
CN105283115A (en) 2016-01-27
WO2014192553A1 (en) 2014-12-04
EP3005931A4 (en) 2017-01-25
JP2014230658A (en) 2014-12-11
US20160073858A1 (en) 2016-03-17
EP2570890A1 (en) 2013-03-20 Operation input device and manipulator system
EP1632168B1 (en) 2011-10-12 Device for detecting shape of endoscope
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WO2007113815A2 (en) 2007-10-11 System and method for optical position measurement and guidance of a rigid or semi flexible tool to a target
JP3981364B2 (en) 2007-09-26 Double-balloon endoscope system
EP1902662B1 (en) 2018-01-24 Endoscope apparatus
JP2018183626A (en) 2018-11-22 Endoscope with pannable camera
JP5107065B2 (en) 2012-12-26 Inner diameter measuring tool
CN102405010B (en) 2014-07-16 Subject internal examination system
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