Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US5022383?ie=ISO-8859-1
Timestamp: 2014-03-11 02:52:54
Document Index: 722024452

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 57', 'art 57', 'art 57', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 8', 'art 8', 'art 7', 'art 7', 'art 7', 'art 22', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 471', 'art 473', 'art 2', 'art 520', 'art 555', 'art 520', 'art 555', 'art 506', 'art 555', 'art 701', 'art 1109', 'art 1121', 'art 1122', 'art 1121', 'art 1152', 'art 1153', 'art 1154', 'art 1121', 'art 1156', 'art 1151', 'art 1156']

Patent US5022383 - Winding type endoscope apparatus - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsThis endoscope apparatus is provided with an elongate flexible insertable part; a winding unit with a supporting structure having a winding member connected with the insertable part at the base end and capable of winding up and housing the insertable part; an illuminating device for emitting an illuminating...http://www.google.com/patents/US5022383?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US5022383 - Winding type endoscope apparatusAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS5022383 APublication typeGrantApplication numberUS 07/554,992Publication dateJun 11, 1991Filing dateJul 20, 1990Priority dateJan 20, 1987Fee statusPaidAlso published asUS4989582Publication number07554992, 554992, US 5022383 A, US 5022383A, US-A-5022383, US5022383 A, US5022383AInventorsTeruo Eino, Katsunori Sakiyama, Tomoaki SatoOriginal AssigneeOlympus Optical Co., Ltd.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (1), Referenced by (9), Classifications (25), Legal Events (3) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetWinding type endoscope apparatusUS 5022383 AAbstract This endoscope apparatus is provided with an elongate flexible insertable part; a winding unit with a supporting structure having a winding member connected with the insertable part at the base end and capable of winding up and housing the insertable part; an illuminating device for emitting an illuminating light for the endoscope; and an observing device for producing an image of an object to be observed. An external apparatus forming one or both of the illuminating device and observing device is provided separately from the winding member. A connecting means is extended axially out of the side of the winding member and connected to the external apparatus. The endoscope apparatus also includes a driving circuit for the imaging apparatus and a signal processing circuit for processing a picture image signal output from the imaging apparatus to be a video signal. At least the driving circuit is located in the winding member and rotates with this winding member; and the signal processing circuit may also be located in the winding member.
What is claimed is: 1. A winding type endoscope apparatus comprising:an elongate flexible insertable part having a base end and a tip part and including an observing window in the tip part; a winding member to which said insertable part is fitted at the base end and which is rotatable to wind up and house said insertable part; an image means provided in the tip part of said insertable part for receiving light from an object incident from said observing window and imaging the object image; a driving circuit for feeding said imaging means with driving pulses for driving said imaging means; and a signal processing circuit for processing a picture image signal output from said imaging means to be a video signal, wherein at least said driving circuit is fitted to said winding member and rotates with the winding member. 2. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 1 wherein both of said driving circuit and signal processing circuit are fitted to said winding member and rotate with said winding member.
3. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising a first connecting means for electrically connecting said driving circuit and a current source arranged outside said winding member with each other and a second connecting means for transmitting and receiving signals between said signal processing circuuit and a displaying means arranged outside said winding member.
4. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said first connecting means is a rotary electric contact.
5. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said second connecting means is a rotary electric contact.
6. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said second connecting means transmits and receives the output signal of said signal processing circuit as electric waves.
7. An endoscope apparatus acording to claim 4 wherein said second connecting means is a rotary transformer.
8. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said second connecting means transmits and receives the output signal of said signal processing circuit by using a light.
9. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising a control means for controlling said signal processing circuit.
10. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said control means is fitted to said winding member and rotates with said winding member.
11. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 9 wherein one part of said control means is provided outside said winding member, the other part of said control means is fitted to said winding member and said one part and other part of said control means are electrically connected with each other by a rotary electric contact.
12. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 9 wherein one part of said control means is provided outside said winding member, the other part of said control means is fitted to said winding member and said one part and other part of said control means are connected with each other by a connecting means for transmitting and receiving signals by using a light.
13. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the driving circuit is fitted to said winding member and rotates with the winding member.
14. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said driving circuit and one part of said signal processing circuit are fitted to said winding member and rotate with the winding member, and another part of said signal processing circuit is provided outside said winding member.
15. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 14 further comprising a means of transmitting and receiving a plurality of superimposed signals between said one part and other part of said signal processing circuit.
16. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said plurality of signals are luminance signals, color signals and light adjusting signals.
17. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said imaging means has an image forming optical system provided inside said observing window for forming an image and a solid state imaging device arranged in the image forming position of said image forming optical system.
18. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising an illuminating means for illuminating the object.
19. A winding type endoscope apparatus comprising:an elongate flexible insertable part having a base end and a tip part and including an observing window in the tip part; a winding member to which said insertable part is fitted at the base end and which is rotatable to wind up and house said insertable part; an imaging means provided in the tip part of said insertable part for receiving light from an object incident from said observing window and outputting a picture image signal of the object; a driving circuit for feeding said imaging means with driving pulses for driving said imaging means; and a signal processing circuit for processing the picture image signal output from said imaging means to be a video signal, at least one part of said signal processing circuit being fitted to said winding member and rotating with the winding member. Description
The above mentioned adapter body 51 is formed to be cylindrical on the rear end and is externally fitted at the cylindrical part 57 on the above mentioned tip body 24. An O-ring 58 is interposed between the above mentioned cylindrical part 57 and tip body 24. A female screw thread 59 is formed in the rear end part of the above mentioned cylindrical part 57. On the other hand, a connecting ring 61 is rotatably loosely fitted on the outer peripheral part of the above mentioned cover member 36. A male screw thread 62 screwed with the above mentioned female screw 59 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the front part of the above mentioned connecting ring 61. A plurality of slits 63 are formed in the lengthwise direction in the front part of the connnecting ring 61 on which this male screw thread 62 is formed. An inward projecting projection 64 is formed in the front end part of the connecting ring 61 and is engaged in a recess 65 formed on the outer peripheral part of the above mentioned cover member 36 so that, when the male screw thread 62 of the connecting ring 61 is screwed with the female screw 59 of the above mentioned adapter body 51, the above mentioned tip adapter 50 will be fixed to the tip body 24.
That is to say, a substantially tubular mouthpiece 71 is connected to the rear end part of the flexible pipe 21 of the insertable part 2. This mouthpiece 71 is formed to be large in the diameter on the rear end on the outer peripheral part and has a mouthpiece retainer 72 loosely fitted on the small diameter part on the front end. A male screw thread is formed on the outer peripheral part of this mouthpiece retainer 72. An insertable part holder 73 is externally fitted to the above mentioned mouthpiece 71. A female screw thread to be screwed with the male screw thread of the above mentioned mouthpiece retainer 72 is formed on the front end side of this insertable part holder 73. The above mentioned mouthpiece 71 is held by the mouthpiece retainer 72 and insertable part holder 73. By the way, an O-ring not illustrated is interposed between the above mentioned mouthpiece 71 and insertable part holder 73. A substantially cylindrical buckling preventing member 75 is externally fitted on the insertable part 2 on the front side of the above mentioned insertable part holder 73. A ring-like connecting member 76 is fixed to the rear end part of this buckling preventing member 75. A male screw thread to be screwed with the female screw thread of the above mentioned insertable part holder is formed on the outer peripheral part of this connecting member 76. The above mentioned buckling preventing member 75 is connected and fixed to the above mentioned insertable part holder 73 by screwing the male screw thread with the female screw thread.
As shown in FIG. 7, a slip ring (rotary electric contact) 90 is provided within the above mentioned drum 3 and is provided with a fixed shaft 91 fixed to the bearing part 8, a disc-like fixed plate 92 fixed to this fixed shaft 91, fixed rings 93 provided on this fixed plate 92, a rotor 94 rotating together with the drum 3 with the above mentioned fixed shaft 91 as a center, slip ring brushes 95 in sliding contact with the above mentioned fixed rings 93 and receptacles 96 provided on the side of the above mentioned rotor 94 and connected to the above mentioned slip ring brushes 95. The plugs 83 provided at the base ends of the above mentioned signal lines 33 are connected to the above mentioned receptacles 96. A terminal plate 97 is fitted to the above mentioned fixed shaft 91 and is provided with a signal correcting circuit 98 for shaping the waveform or the like. Signal lines 99 connected to the above mentioned fixed rings 93 are connected to the above mentioned signal correcting circuit 98. A signal line 101 is connected to the above mentioned signal correcting circuit 98, is inserted through the hollow part of the above mentioned fixed shaft 91, is extended out of the side of the drum 3, is inserted through the hollow part of the handle 11 from one bearing part 8 and is led into the other bearing part 7. A signal cable 103 is connected to the side of this bearing part 7. The above mentioned signal line 101 is inserted through this signal cable 103. A connector 106 removably connectable to a connector receptacle 105 of the video processor 15 is provided at the tip of this signal cable 103. The above mentioned signal line 101 is connected to this connector 106.
That is to say, in the case of using a synchronous type color imaging system, the above mentioned video processor 15 is provided with a processing circuit 161 for processing the output signal of the solid state imaging device 30 to be a video signal and a driver 162 for applying driving pulses to the above mentioned solid state imaging device 30 both of which are connected to the connector receptacle 105. The output signal of the solid state imaging device 30 driven and read out by the above mentioned driver 162 is amplified by a pre-amplifier and is then input into the above mentioned processing circuit 161 and, for example, a luminance signal Y and color difference signals R-Y and B-Y are output. The above mentioned luminance signal Y and color difference signals R-Y and B-Y are input into an NTSC encoder 167, are converted to an NTSC system composite video signal which is output out of sn NTSC output terminal 168. Also, the above mentioned luminance signal Y and color difference signals R-Y and B-Y are input into an inverse matrix circuit 169 and are converted to color signals R, G and B which are output out of a three-primary color output terminal 165 through drivers 164. By the way, the above mentioned processing circuit 161, driver 162 and NTSC encoder 167 are controlled in timing by a timing generator 163. By the way, as shown in FIG. 5, a color filter array 171 in which color filters transmitting respectively such color lights as of red (R). green (G) and blue (B) are arranged in the form of a mosaic or the like is provided on the front surface of the above mentioned solid state imaging device 30.
Thr operatiion of this embodiment shall be explained in the following.
According to this embodiment, as the drum 3, light source apparatus 16 and video processor 15 are separately provided, each of the drum 3, light source apparatus 16 and video processor 15 will be small and light and the ability to carry and position it will be improved. Also, as the light source apparatus 16 and video processor 15 can be set in any place, the operatability of the light source apparatus 16 and video processor will be improved.
In using the apparatus, as shown in FIG. 1, the light source apparatus 16 and video processor 15 can be arranged, for example, as overlapped on one side of the drum 3 and the operatability is improved.
According to this embodiment, as the connecting cable 113 is not exposed, the rotation will be smooth without being obstructed.
A current source cord 205 for feeding electric power to the above mentioned video processor 201 is extended out of the bearing part 7 of the above mentioned drum 3 and is provided in the end part with a plug 207 removably connectable to the current souce 206.
In this embodiment, the same as in the first to seventh embodiments, the light source apparatus 16 is provided separately from the drum 3 and the processing circuit 221 for precessing the output signal of the solid state imaging device 30 so as to be a video signal is provided within the drum 3. By the way, in this embodiment, a synchronous system is used for the color imaging system. A color filter array in which color filters transmitting respectively red (R). green (G) and blue (B) colored lights are arranged in the form of a mosaic or the like is provided in front of the above mentioned solid state imaging device.
As shown in FIG. 27, the output signal of the above mentioned solid state imaging device 30 is input into the above mentioned processing circuit 221 through the signal line 33 and the slip ring 90 within the drum 3. A video signal is produced by this processing circuit 221, is converted to such high frequency wave as in the VHF band by an RF modulator 222 provided within the drum 3 and is emitted as an electric wave from an antenna 223 fitted to the drum 3 as shown in FIG. 26. This elecric wave is received by an antenna 226, for example, of an ordinary television receiver 225 and is demodulated by this television receiver 225 and an observed image is displayed in this television receiver 225.
That is to say, the output signal of the above mentioned solid state imaging device 30 is input into a γ-correcting signal 231. The signal γ-corrected by this γ-correcting circuit 231 is input into a low-pass filter (LPF) 232 to obtain a luminance signal Y.sub.H of a side band, is input into a low-pass filter 233 to obtain a luminance signal Y.sub.L of a narrow band and is input into a color separating circuit 234 to separate a color difference signal component (or color signal component). The color difference signal (or color signal component) separated by the above mentioned color separating circuit 234 is converted to two color difference signals (or color signals) by a synchronizing circuit 235 and is adjusted in white balance in response to the level of the luminance signal Y.sub.L of the above mentioned narrow band by the white balance circuit. The luminance signal Y.sub.H of the above mentioned wide band and the color difference signal through the above mentioned white balance circuit 236 are input and mixed in an encoder 237 to produce a so-called composite video signal including such synchronous signal as, for example, of an NTSC system. This video signal is input into the above mentioned RF modulator 222.
In this embodiment formed as in the above, when the light source connector 310 provided at the end of the connecting cable 113 is connected to the connector receptacle 302 of the video analyzer 301 and the lamp 16a of the light source apparatus 16 within this video analyzer 301 is lighted, the illuminating light from this lamp 16a will be incident upon the entrance end of the light guide 45. This illuminating light is led to the tip part 22 by the light guide 45 inserted through the connecting cable 113 and insertable part 2, is emitted from the exit end of the above mentioned light guide 45 and is radiated onto an object through the light distributing lens.
According to the is embodiment, the drum 3 and video analyzer 301 can be connected with each other through one connecting cable 113 and the operability of the system is improved.
That is to say, the output signal of the solid state imaging device 30 input through the pre-amplifier 349 is sample-held by the sample holding circuit 361, is then γ-corrected by the γ-correcting circuit 362 and is converted to a digital signal by an A/D converter 363. Through a multiplexer 364 switched by the signal of the above mentioned control circuit 335, the signals imaged under the field sequential lights of R, G and B are written respectively into an R frame memory 365R, G frame memory 365G and B frame memory 365B. These respective frame memories 365R, 365G and 365B are simultaneously read out, are converted respectively to analogue color signals R, G and B by D/A converters 366 and are output.
FIG. 44 shows the vicinity of the roller 13 fitted to the handle 11. As shown in this drawing, a shaft 462 is provided in a position opposed to the outer peripheral part of the drum 3 between both sides of the above mentioned handle 11 and is fitted rotatably with the rolller 13. Male screw threads are formed on both end parts of the above mentioned shaft 462, pass through both side parats of the above mentioned handle 11 and are fixed to the handle 11 with nuts 465. Collars 464 are interposed between both end parts of the above mentioned roller 13 and the above mentioned handle so as to limit the axial movement of the roller 13. By the way, though not illustrated, in the same manner, the roller 13 fitted to the frame 9 is also rotatably fitted through bearings 463 to the shaft provided between both side parts of the frame 9. By the way, the bearings 463 are not always required and the roller 13 and shaft 462 may be in direct sliding contact with each other.
As shown in FIG. 43, the above mentioned frame 9 and handle 11 are fitted respectively with cable housing hooks 461 for winding and housing the connecting cable 113 through which the light guide 45 is inserted and the signal cable in the end parts of the above mentioned conecting cable and signal cable.
By the way, in this embodiment, the roller 13 is used as a preventing member for preventing the expansiion of the insertable part 2 but the preventing member for preventing the insertable part 2 from expanding in the outer peripheral direction may be not only the roller 13 but also a non-rotatable rod or the like.
Two pressing rods 472 are fixed as directed toward the drum 3 inside the straight part 471 of the carryiing handle 11 opposed to the outer periphery of the drum 3. Pressing cylinders 473 are slidably externally fitted respectively to the end parts on the drum 3 side of the pressing rods 472. A spring 474 urging the pressing cylinder 473 toward the drum 3 is contained within the hollow part 473a of this pressing cylinder 473. A shaft 475 is provided between the end parts on the drum 3 side of the above mentioned pressing cylinders 473 and is fitted rotatably with a roller 476 so that the flexible insertable part 2 may be held between the above mentioned roller 476 and the outer periphery of the drum 3 and wound up on the drum 3.
The structure pressing the roller 476 toward the drum 3 may be not only the one shown in FIG. 45 but also the roller 476 fitted between pressing rods energized by the pressing cylinders or a roller fitted through plate springs between both side parts of the hanndle 11.
By the way, the present invention is not limited to the above mentioned respective embodiments. For example, a small light light source apparatus may be contained within the drum 3 and such signal processing means as a video processor may be separate from the drum 3.
As explained above, according to the first to fitteenth embodiments, in an endoscope apparatus wherein the insertable part can be wound up and housed on a drum, there are effects that the drum can be made light and small and the portability, workability and operatability can be improved.
That is to say, the signal circuit part 520 comprises a signal processing circuit 601 and a driving circuit 602. The driving circuit 602 is provided with a pulse generating circuit 604 for generating driving pulses required to operate the imaging means 513 and a direct current source circuit 605 for generating a direct current voltage required to also operate the imaging means 513. By the way, as explained by using FIG. 71, the above mentioned driving pulses are φH.sub.1, φH.sub.2, etc. and are output through amplifiers 607. The above mentioned pulse generating circuit 604 generates also pulses for operating a samaple holding circuit 611 and color separating circuit 615 within the signal processing circuit 601 and also generates a horizontal synchronizing signal HSYNC and vertical synchronizing signal VSYNC which are compounded by a mixer 606 to be output as a synchronizing signal SYNC.
On the other hand, the above mentioned signal processing circuit 601 is provided with the above mentioned sample holding circuit 611 which inputs a video signal V.sub.OUT output from the imaging means 513, removes pulse components from it and makes it a continuous video signal. The outut of this sample holding circuit 611 is input into an AGC circuit 612 which varies the amplitude in response to the brightness of the object to always keep the output substantially constant. The output of this AGC circuit 612 is input into a low-pass filter (LPF) 613 and color separating circuit 615. The above mentioned low-pass filter 613 removes a high band component which is a color signal component in the input signal and leaves only a luminance signal. The luminance signal output from this low-pass filter 613 is input into a gamma correcting circuit 614 and is gamma-corrected. On the other hand, the above mentioned color separating circuit 615 takes out only a color signal which is a high band component in the input signal. The color signal output from this color separating circuit 615 is input into a gamma correcting circuit 616 and is gamma-corrected. The luminance signal and color signal γ-corrected in the above mentioned gamma correcting circuits 614 and 616 are input into a composite video signal producing circuit 617 into which the above mentioned SYNC is also input. By using these signals, the above mentioned composite video signal producing circuit 617 outputs, for example, an NTSC system video signal.
By the way, in FIG. 49, the slip ring 521 is of a three-pole structure. However, as shown in FIG. 53, if the signal V is modulated on a high frequency carrier signal and is transmitted through a rotary tranformer 630, the slip ring 521 will be able to be of a two-pole structure of only the signals P and G. As shown in FIGS. 54 and 55, the above mentioned rotary transformer 630 has a cylindrical outside core 631 and a cylindrical inside core 632 arranged rotatably inside this outside core 631. The above mentioned outside core 631 is wound with an outside winding 633 connected to an outside terminal 634. Also, the above mentioned inside core 632 is wound with an inside winding 635 connected to an inside terminal 636. The high frequency signal carrying the above mentioned signal V is applied to the outside winding 633 through the outside terminal 634 and creates a magnetic field by this outside winding 633 to excite the inside winding 635 through the outside core 631 and inside core 632. Therefore, the same high frequency signal as is applied to the outside terminal 634 will be generated in the inside winding 635 to be taken out of the inside terminal 636. The outside core 631 and inside core 632 can be freely rotated with each other. Therefore, the electric circuit connected to the outside terminal 634 and the electric circuit connected to the inside terminal 636 in case they rotate with each other can be utilized to transmit the high frequency signal. In the slip ring 521 in FIG. 49, the signal V transmitting part can be replaced with the rotary transformer 630.
A transmitting part 555 is provided within the above mentioned drum 503 and is connected with the electric lines V, G and P. The NTSC video signal output from the signal circuit part 520 enters the transmitting part 555 through the signal line V, is converted to such electric wave as of the UHF band of the television and is transmitted from an antenna 557 provided on the end surface of the rotary axis part 506 of the drum 503. This electric wave is enough with a feeble wave recognized in the Electric Wave Law. In this embodiment, an antenna 559 is used instead of the monitor television 528 of the eighteenth and nineteenth embodiments and a monitor television 558 having a built-in tuner for receiving the general televisiion broadcast is used. If the transmitting frequency of the transmitting part 555 is set in advance at a frequency not used in the television broadcast and the receiving frequency of the monitor television 558 is conformed to it, the video image imaged by the endoscope apparatus of this embodiment will be displayed in the monitor television 558.
In this embodiment, only the driving circuit is made integral with the drum.
In the winding type endoscope apparatus 700 in this embodiment, the signal circuit part 701 fixed to the drum 503 as shown in FIG. 58 includes only the driving circuit 702 as shown in FIG. 59. This driving circuit 702 is the same as the driving circuit 602 in the eighteenth embodiment except that the pulse generating circuit 604 does not generate the pulses for operating the sample holding circuit and color separating circuit. By the way, the horizontal synchronizing signal HSYNC and vertical synchronizing signal VSYNC from the pulse generating circuit 604 are compounded by the mixer 606 and are output as a synchronizing signal SYNC from the signal line S. The video signal V.sub.OUT output from the imaging means 513 is output as it is to the electric line V.
The synchronizing signal SYNC input from the signal line S' is separated into a vertical synchronizing signal VSYNC and horizontal synchronizing signal HSYNC by the synchronizing separating circuit 711 and the separated signals VSYNC and HSYNC are input into the pulse generating circuit 712. The above mentioned horizontal synchronizing signal HSYNC is input also into the PLL oscillating circuiut 713 which outputs a clock signal CLK synchronized with the horizontal synchronizing signal HSYNC. This clock signal CLK is input into the above mentioned pulse generating circuit 712 which can produce all the pulses required to operate the signal processing apparatus 710 by the respective signals of VSYNC, HSINC and CLK.
The other elements of this signal processing apparatus 710 are the same as of the signal processing circuit 601 in the first embodiment. That is to say, the video signal input from the signal line V' has the pulse component removed by the sample holding circuit 611, becomes a continued video signal and is adjusted by the AGC circuit 612 so as to be always of a substantially constant output. The output of this AGC circuit 612 is input into the low-pass filter 613 and color separating circuit 615. A luminance signal is extracted in the above mentioned low pass filter 613 and is gamma-corrected in the gamma correcting circuit. On the other hand, only color signals are taken out in the above mentioned color separating circuit 615 and are gamma-corrected in the gamma correcting circuit 616. The luminance signal and color signals γ-corrected in the above mentioned gamma correcting circuits 614 and 616 are input into the composite video signal producing circuit 617 into which the synchronizing signal SYNC' output from the above mentioned pulse generating circuit 712 is also input. By using these signals, a video signal, for example, of an NTSC system is output from the above mentioned composite video signal producing circuit 617. By the way, the above mentioned pulse generating circuit 712 generates pulses for operating the above mentioned sample holding circuit 611 and color separating circuit 615.
The above mentioned driving circuit 723 is the same as the driving circuit 602 in the eighteenth embodiment. That is to say, the driving circuit 723 is provided with a pulse generating circuit 604 generating driving pulses required to operate the imaging means 513 and a direct current source circuit 605 for generating a direct current voltage required to operate the same imaging means 513. The driving pulses φH.sub.1, φH.sub.2, etc. from the above mentioned pulse generating circuit 604 are output through the amplifiers 607. The above mentioned pulse generating circuit 604 generates pulses for operating the sample holding 611 circuit and color separating circuit 615 within the signal processing circuit 722. The above mentioned pulse generating circuit 604 generates a horizontal synchronizing signal HSYNC and vertical synchronizing signal VSYNC which are compounded by the mixer 606 to be output as a synchronizing signal SYNC.
On the other hand, the above mentioned signal processing circuit 722 is provided with the above mentioned sample holding circuit 611 which inputs the video signal V.sub.OUT output from the imaging means 13 and has the pulse component removed to make a continued video signal. The output of this sample holding circuit 611 is input into the AGC circuit 612 which varies the amplitude in response to the brightness of the object so that the output may be always substantially constant. The output of this AGC circuit 612 is input into the low-pass filter (LPF) 613 and color separating circuit 615. The above mentioned low-pass filter 613 removes the high band component which is the color signal component in the input signal to leave only the luminance signal. The luminance signal output from this low-pass filter 613 is input into the gamma correcting circuit 614 and is gamma-corrected. The output of the above mentioned gamma correcting circuit 614 is input into a first modulating circuit (which shall be mentioned as MOD(1) hereinafter) 731 which modulates a carrier which is the output of the first oscillating circuit (which shall be mentioned as OSC(1) hereinafter) 732 by a luminance signal.
The above mentioed picture image processing apparatus 725 is formed as shown in FIG. 64.
The composite signal input from the above mentioned electric line V' is input into a band pass filter (mentioned as BPF hereinafter)(1) 741, BPF(2) 742 and synchronizing separating circuit 743. The above mentioned BPF(1) 741 takes only the carrier modulated by the luminance component out of the composite signal and the output of this BFF(1) 741 is input into a first demodulating circuit (mentioned as DEMOD(1) hereinafter) 744 to demodulate the luminance signal. In the same manner, the color signals are demodulated by the BPF(2) 742 and second dumodulating circuit (mentioned as DEMOD(2) hereinafter) 746. Also, the vertical synchronizing signal VSYNC and horizontal synchronizing signal HSYNC are separated and output by the synchronizing separating circuit 743.
As described above, the vertical and horizontal synchronizing signals are varied in the amplitude by the light adjusting signal. That is to say, the composite signal input into the picture image processing circuit 747 will be small in the amplitude of the vertical and horizontal synchronizing signals as shown in FIG. 63(a) in case the level of the light adjusting signal is small but will be large in the amplitude of the vertical and horizontal synchronizing signals as shown in FIG. 63(b) in case the level of the light adjusting signal is large. In this embodiment, a light adjusting signal reproducing circuit 748 is provided within the above mentioned picture image processing apparatus 725 and reproduces a light adjusting signal from its amplitude by using the horizontal synchronizing signal HSYNC. This light adjusting signal is delivered to a light source apparatus not illustrated to control the light amount and to make the brightness of the object optimum.
As explained above, according to the sixteenth to twenty-second embodiments, there are effects that a large expensive detrimental slip ring of many poles need not be used, insertable part tip can be made small and a favorable video image high in the resolution is obtained.
In this embodiment, a pre-amplifier 800 is fitted to the rotary part of the drum 3 and only the video signal output line V.sub.OUT from the solid state imaging device 30 of the signal line 33 is connected to the clip ring 90 through the above mentioned pre-amplifier 800. The other elelments are the same as in the third embodiment.
According to this embodiment, as the V.sub.OUT signal is amplified by the pre-amplifier 800, the sensitivity of the endoscope apparatus can be increased without amplifying the noise mixed in by the slip ring 90. Thus, by the increase of the sensitivity, the light amount for the illlumination of the object can be reduced and the light source apparatus 16 can be made small.
FIG. 19 is an explanatory view showing an endoscope apparatus of the fifth embodiment of the present innvention.
FIGS. 20 to 22 relate to the sixth embodiment of the present invnention.
FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing an entire endoscoope apparatus.
FIGS. 26 and 27 relate to the eighth embodiment of the present invention. endoscope.
FIG. 27 is an explanatory view showing schematicallly the structure of an endoscope.
FIGS. 38 to 40 relate to the eleventh embodiment of the present inventiion.
An illuminating apparatus provided with a fiber bundle windable on a drum is disclosed in the publication of a Japanese utility model application laid open No.9307/1987. However, in this illuminating apparatus, too, the light source is housed within the drum.
Also, in the conventional drum, as the insertable is wound up on the outer periphery of the drum, if an insertable part having little flexibility is wound up on a drum of a small diameter, the bending rigidity will be so high that the wound insertable part will expand to have a large diameter. Generally, a long endoscope is used to inspect a pipe or the like and is inserted by pushing in the insertable part. The longer the insertable part, the farther the inserting operating point from the tip of the insertable Part. Due to the friction resistance of the tip, the insertable part will buckle and will become difficult to insert. Therefore, the longer the insertable part the more rigid the insertable part must be made.
The apparatus of this second example has a cable 1111 as an elongate insertable part and a drum on which the cable 1111 can be wound up and a television camera 1112 is provided in the tip part of the above mentioned cable 1111. The above mentioned cable 1111 is led into the drum 1102 and is then extended out of the side of the drum 1102 This cable 1111 contains a current source line 1113 for feeding a current source for operating the above mentioned television camera 1112 and a signal line 1115 for delivering a video signal which is an output of the television camera 1112. The above mentioned current source line 1113 is connected to a current source unit 1114 outside the drum 1102 and the signal line 1115 is connected to a monitor television 1106 outside the drum 1102. The above mentioned television camera 1112 is formed as shown in FIG. 68. That is to say, the television camera 1112 has an objective lens 1107, a (solid state) imaging device 1108 arranged in the image forming position of this objective lens 1107 and a signal circuit part 1109 for operating this imaging device 1108 and outputting a video signal.
The third example is shown in the publication of a Japanes patent application laid open No.75315/1986. As shown in FIG. 69, this apparatus is provided with an elongate insertable part 1121 and a tip part 1122 containing only an objective lens, imaging device and supersmall electric parts is provided at the tip of this insertable part 1121. A camera controlling part 1152, light source part 1153 and monitor part 1154 are contained in a unit body 1151 which is not rotated of a drum unit. By the way, the insertable part 1121 is to be wound up on a rotatable rotary part 1156 provided on the outer peripheral part of the above mentioned unit body 1151.
In this apparatus, as the unit body 1151 is a part which is not rotated, a signal must be transmitted between the rotary part 1151 and unit body 1151. In the specification of the Japanese patent application laid open No.75315/1986, as shown in FIG. 70, an electric signal is to be transmitted between the rotary part 1156 and unit body 1151 through a curled cord 1159. However, there is a problem that the durability of the curled cord is low. A slip ring must be used.
An example of the structure of the above mentioned slip ring is shown in FIG. 71. In this slip ring 1133, a plurality of concentric circular electrodes 1143 are arranged on a plate 1142 not rotated together with a fixed shaft 1141 and electric wires U.sub.1, U.sub.2. . . U.sub.18 are connected to the respective electrodes 1143 and are connected to the unit body 1151. On the other hand, brush-like electrodes 1146 are provided to rotate and move together with a rotating cover 1145 and are in contact respectively with the above mentioned electrodes 1143. The respective brush-like electrodes 1143 are contacted with the imaging device. As illustrated, the above mentioned electrodes 1143 and 1146 are made, for example, 18 pairs respectively corresponding to signals t.sub.1 to t.sub.18. The details of these signals t.sub.1 to t.sub.2 are as illustrated. Among them, φR, φH.sub.4, φH.sub.3, φH.sub.2, φH.sub.1, φV.sub.4, φV.sub.3, φV.sub.2 and φV.sub.1 are driving pulses required to operate the imaging device and PT, V.sub.sub and V.sub.DD are direct current voltages required to also operate the imaging device. V.sub.OUT and D.sub.MY are video signals output from the imaging device and delivered to a camera controlling unit 1152. G.sub.1 and G.sub.2 are earthing lines. The total of these necessary signal lines will be 16 poles even if options to be used for future expansion are excepted.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an encoscope wherein the insertable part can be housed as wound up on a winding member, the winding member can be made light and small and the portability, workability and operability can be increased.
Another further object of the Present invention is to provide an endoscope apparatus wherein the insertable part can be wound up and housed, it is not necessary to use a multipole slip ring which is large, expensive and detrimental, the insertable part can be made small at tip and a favorable video image high in the resolution can be obtained.
Also, the endoscope apparatus comprises an insertable part having an observing window in the tip part, a winding member capable of winding up and housing the above mentioned insertable part, an imaging means provided in the tip part of the above mentioned insertable part for receiving the light from an object incident from the observing window and imaging the object image, and a video processor including a driving circuit for feeding driving pulses to the above mentioned imaging means and a signal processing circuit for processing the picture image signal output from the above mentioned imaging means to be a video signal. At least the driving circuit may be fitted to the winding member so as to rotate together with this winding member and/or the above mentioned signal processing circuit may be fitted at least in part to the winding member.
The other features and advantages of the present innvnnention will become apparent enough with the following explanation.
This is a division of application Ser. No. 369,589, filed June 21, 1989, pending which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Pat. Application Ser. No. 146,982 filed on Jan. 20, 1988, now abandoned.
Patent CitationsCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleJPS6175315A * Title not available* Cited by examinerReferenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS5411020 *Aug 30, 1993May 2, 1995Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaStructure of the distal end portion of an endoscopeUS5696553 *Feb 23, 1995Dec 9, 1997Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.Remote imager video camera cable compensation circuitryUS6100920 *Jan 11, 1999Aug 8, 2000Circon CorporationVideo signal compensator for compensating differential picture brightness of an optical image due to uneven illumination and methodUS6371907 *Aug 13, 1998Apr 16, 2002Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.Endoscope apparatus driving manipulation wires with drive motor in drum portionUS7453490Jan 8, 2003Nov 18, 2008Gyrus Acmi, Inc.Correction of image signals characteristic of non-uniform images in an endoscopic imaging systemUS7573502 *Jan 22, 2007Aug 11, 2009Hitachi Kokusai Electric, Inc.Camera apparatusUS7621867 *Nov 14, 2006Nov 24, 2009Olympus CorporationInsertion deviceUS8241205 *Aug 7, 2007Aug 14, 2012Olympus CorporationElectronic endoscope apparatus and electronic endoscope systemUS8378771Dec 20, 2007Feb 19, 2013Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Rotary transformer* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification600/109, 348/E05.29, 348/E05.25, 348/65International ClassificationG02B23/24, G02B6/44, H04N5/225, G02B6/36, A61B1/04, G02B6/42Cooperative ClassificationG02B6/4298, G02B23/2469, G02B6/4457, A61B1/042, H04N2005/2255, H04N5/2251, H04N5/2256, G02B6/3604European ClassificationG02B6/36B, G02B6/42L, G02B6/44C8B, H04N5/225C, G02B23/24B5F, H04N5/225L, A61B1/04DLegal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionNov 15, 2002FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 12Nov 30, 1998FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 8Nov 22, 1994FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google