ENDOSCOPE

• US 20070167673A1
• Filed: 01/05/2007
• Published: 07/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hoya Corporation
• Original Assignee: Pentax Corporation (Hoya Corporation)
• Inventors: ENOMOTO, Takayuki
• Granted Patent: US 7,440,005 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/101
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00009 of image signals during a use of endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00057 provided with means for testing or calibration
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2484 Arrangements in relation to a camera or imaging device processing or control of video signals generated by an endoscope H04N23/60, H04N23/70

Abstract

In an endoscope, scopes that include a scope-side memory and a connector are selectively and detachably connected to a processor that includes a processor-side memory and a connection member. A parameter stored in the scope-side memory can be written to the processor-side memory. The connector that is connectable to the connection member is used for connecting the scope to the processor. When the connection member that is movable is in the first position, the connector is detachably connectable to the connection member. When the connection member is in the second position, the subject is observable. When the connection member is moved from the first position to the second position, the parameter is written to the processor-side memory. When the connection member is moved from the second position to the first position, the parameter is written to the scope-side memory.

Claims

1. An endoscope in which a plurality of scopes are selectively and detachably connected to a processor, said endoscope comprising:

a scope-side memory provided in each of said scopes, a parameter used for observing a subject being stored in said scope-side memory;

a connector provided in each of said scopes, said connector being used for connecting said scope to said processor;

a processor-side memory provided in said processor; and

a connection member provided in said processor, said connector being connected to said connection member, said connection member being movable between a first position and a second position, said connector being detachably connectable to said connection member when said connection member is in said first position, said subject being observable when said connection member is in said second position, said parameter being written to said processor-side memory when said connection member is moved from said first position to said second position, and said parameter being written to said scope-side memory when said connection member is moved from said second position to said first position.

2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said connection member comprises a rotatable lever.

3. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said connection member is movable further to a third position that is not between said first position and said second position, and said processor and said scope do not operate when said connection member is in said third position.

4. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said processor further comprises a first electric circuit that can be electrically connected to said scope, said first electric circuit does not operate when said connection member is in said first position, and said first electric circuit operates when said connection member is in said second position.

5. The endoscope according to claim 4, wherein said connection member is movable further to a fourth position where the on and off states of said first electric circuit are switched, and to a fifth position where said parameter is written to said scope-side memory or to said processor-side memory, said fourth position and said fifth position being between said first position and said second position.

6. The endoscope according to claim 5, wherein said fifth position is between said second position and said fourth position.

7. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said processor further comprises a second electric circuit in which said processor-side memory is provided, and said second electric circuit operates when said connection member is in said first position or in said second position.

8. The endoscope according to claim 7, wherein said second electric circuit comprises an image processor that processes an image of said subject, said parameter being used for processing said image of said subject.

9. A processor to which one of a plurality of scopes is selectively and detachably connected, each of said scopes comprising a scope-side memory in which a parameter used for observing a subject is stored and a connector that is used for connecting said scope to said processor, said processor comprising:

a processor-side memory; and

a connection member to which said connector is connected;

said connection member being movable between a first position and a second position, said connector being detachably connectable to said connection member when said connection member is in said first position, said subject being observable when said connection member is in said second position, said parameter being written to said processor-side memory when said connection member is moved from said first position to said second position, and said parameter being written to said scope-side memory when said connection member is moved from said second position to said first position.

10. A scope connection mechanism provided in a processor to which one of a plurality of scopes is selectively and detachably connected, each of said scopes comprising a scope-side memory in which a parameter used for observing a subject is stored, and a connector that is used for connecting said scope to said processor, said processor comprising a processor-side memory, said scope connection mechanism comprising:

a connection member to which said connector is connected;

said connection member being movable between a first position and a second position, said connector being detachably connectable to said connection member when said connection member is in said first position, said subject being observable when said connection member is in said second position, said parameter being written to said processor-side memory when said connection member is moved from said first position to said second position, and said parameter being written to said scope-side memory when said connection member is moved from said second position to said first position.

11. A scope that is selectively and detachably connected to a processor comprising a processor-side memory, said scope comprising:

a scope-side memory in which a parameter used for observing a subject is stored;

said parameter being written to said processor-side memory and said subject being observable when said scope is connected to said processor, said parameter being written to said scope-side memory when scope is detached from said processor, so that said parameter written to said processor-side memory lastly is stored in said scope-side memory.

12. The scope according to claim 11, wherein said parameter is used for processing an image of said subject.