Endoscope system having storage part of endoscope-related-data provided in endoscope

• US 6,638,212 B1
• Filed: 07/25/2000
• Issued: 10/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Olympus Optical Company Ltd. (Olympus Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Olympus Optical Corporation Limited (Olympus Corporation)
• Inventors: Oshima, Ryu
• Primary Examiner(s): Leubecker, John P.
• Application Number:
  US09/625,699
• Time in Patent Office: 1,190 Days
• Field of Search: 600/109, 600/110, 600/118, 600/103, 600/100, 600/101, 348/65, 348/72, 348/74, 348/76
• US Class Current: 600/109
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0002 provided with data storages
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00055 for alerting the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00062 provided with means for preventing overuse
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/045 Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0276 Determining malfunction
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/004 by using forward error control H04L1/0618 takes precedence; coding, decoding or code conversion, for error detection or correction H03M13/00

Abstract

A nonvolatile, programmable memory is incorporated in an endoscope. Endoscope-related data closely relevant to the endoscope, such as, an endoscope model name and the number of power feeds are stored in the nonvolatile memory. The endoscope is connected to an external image processing apparatus, and endoscope-related data is read from the nonvolatile memory. Based on the read endoscope-related data, the use situation of the endoscope is grasped or the endoscope is managed. The number of power feeds is varied depending on the use situation of the endoscope, and written in the nonvolatile memory. Thus, the endoscope-related data is used to maintain the endoscope and reduce a load to be incurred by the external image processing apparatus that is a connected apparatus. Consequently, the endoscope can be managed and maintained easily using a small software system.

Claims

1. An endoscope system, comprising:

an endoscope including,

a storage medium for retrievably storing endoscope-related data;

a first input/output terminal for inputting and outputting the endoscope-related data to and from said storage medium;

a first transmission path linking said first input/output terminal and said storage medium for transmitting endoscope-related data to said storage medium from said input/output terminal; and

a second transmission path linking said first input/output terminal and said storage medium for transmitting endoscope-related data from said storage medium to said first input/output terminal; and

a peripheral apparatus including,

a second input/output terminal for inputting and outputting endoscope-related data to or from said storage medium in said endoscope;

an information reading unit for reading the endoscope-related data from said storage medium through said second input/output terminal;

an information output unit for transmitting the endoscope-related data to said storage medium through said second input/output terminal;

an information entry unit operatively connected to said information output unit for manual entry of information by a user to be transmitted and stored in said storage medium; and

a signal transmission line linking said first input/output terminal of said endoscope and said second input/output terminal of said peripheral apparatus.

2. An endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein said storage medium is one of an EEPROM, a flash ROM, an FRAM, and an MRAM.

3. An endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein said endoscope has an imaging device for imaging an object.

4. An endoscope system according to claim 3, wherein a power supply for feeding power to said storage medium is used in common as a power supply for feeding power to said imaging device.

5. An endoscope system according to claim 3, wherein said peripheral apparatus further includes a video processing circuit, which produces a video signal from an output signal of said imaging device.

6. An endoscope system according to claim 5, wherein said display device displays an image of an object produced by said imaging device and endoscope-related data read from said storage medium.

7. An endoscope system according to claim 6, wherein said display device displays endoscope-related data read from said storage medium while superimposing it on part of an image of an object produced by said imaging device.

8. An endoscope system according to claim 3, wherein said endoscope is connected to said peripheral apparatus by a connector cable to which said imaging device is also connected.

9. An endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein said storage medium holds confirmation information for confirming that endoscope-related data has been written correctly, and further comprising a confirmation unit for using the confirmation information to confirm whether endoscope-related data written in said storage medium is correct.

10. An endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein before at least part of the endoscope-related data is written in said storage medium, write enabling must be executed.

11. An endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein the endoscope-related data to be written in said storage medium includes one of an initial examination day and an institution name, and wherein when the initial examination day or institution name is not stored in said storage medium, said peripheral equipment automatically writes one of the initial examination day and institution name in said storage medium.

12. An endoscope system according to claim 11, wherein said peripheral apparatus further includes an alarming unit for providing an alarm to indicate that it is time for an inspection after a predetermined time past an initial examination day.

13. An endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein said storage medium has an area in which a user'"'"'s comment can be retrievably stored, wherein said peripheral apparatus further includes au operation unit for entering the user'"'"'s comment.

14. An endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein the endoscope-related data includes information relevant to cleaning said endoscope.

15. An endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein said peripheral apparatus includes an operation unit for displaying the endoscope-related data on a display device.

16. An endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said endoscope further comprises a supply voltage detector which detects a fluctuation or drop in supply voltage regulated by a regulator and outputs a reset signal.

17. An endoscope system, comprising:

an endoscope including,

a storage medium for retrievably storing endoscope-related data;

a first input/output terminal for inputting and outputting the endoscope-related data to and from said storage medium;

a first transmission path linking said first input/output terminal and said storage medium for transmitting endoscope-related data to said storage medium from said input/output terminal; and

a second transmission path linking said first input/output terminal and said storage medium for transmitting endoscope-related data from said storage medium to said first input/output terminal; and

a peripheral apparatus including, a second input/output terminal for inputting and outputting endoscope-related data to or from said storage medium in said endoscope;

an information reading unit for reading the endoscope-related data from said storage medium through said second input/output terminal; and

an information output unit for transmitting the endoscope-related data to said storage medium through said second input/output terminal; and

a signal transmission line linking said first input/output terminal of said endoscope and said second input/output terminal of said peripheral apparatus, wherein backup data of the endoscope-related data is stored in said storage medium.

18. An endoscope according to claim 17, wherein said endoscope further comprises a supply voltage detector which detects a fluctuation or drop in supply voltage regulated by a regulator and outputs a reset signal.

19. An endoscope system, comprising:

an endoscope including,

a storage medium for retrievably storing endoscope-related data;

a first input/output terminal for inputting and outputting the endoscope-related data to and from said storage medium;

a first transmission path linking said first input/output terminal and said storage medium for transmitting endoscope-related data to said storage medium from said input/output terminal; and

a second transmission path linking said first input/output terminal and said storage medium for transmitting endoscope-related data from said storage medium to said first input/output terminal; and

a peripheral apparatus including, a second input/output terminal for inputting and outputting endoscope-related data to or from said storage medium in said endoscope;

an information reading unit for reading the endoscope-related data from said storage medium through said second input/output terminal; and

an information output unit for transmitting the endoscope-related data to said storage medium through said second input/output terminal; and

a signal transmission line linking said first input/output terminal of said endoscope and said second input/output terminal of said peripheral apparatus, wherein the endoscope-related data includes count data indicating a number of power feeds by which power is fed to said endoscope, wherein said endoscope further includes a counting device for counting the number of power feeds and an identifying device for identifying peripheral equipment, and the number of power feeds is counted based on the results of identification performed by said identifying device.

20. An endoscope system according to claim 19, wherein an alarm is sounded when the number of power feeds exceeds a predetermined value.

21. An endoscope system, comprising:

an endoscope including,

an imaging device used for imaging incorporated in a distal part of an insertion unit insertable into a subject;

a storage medium for retrievably storing endoscope-related data relevant to an endoscope;

a first input/output terminal for inputting and outputting endoscope-related data to and from said storage medium;

a first transmission path linking said first input/output terminal and said storage medium for transmitting the endoscope-related data from said input/output terminal to said storage medium; and

a second transmission path linking said first input/output terminal and said storage medium for transmitting the endoscope-related data from said storage medium to said first input/output terminal;

an image processing apparatus, connected to said endoscope, for producing a video signal from an output signal of said imaging device;

a display device for displaying an image of an object according to a video signal to be input; and

a peripheral apparatus including,

a second input/output terminal for inputting and outputting the endoscope-related data to and from said storage medium;

an information reading unit for reading the endoscope-related data from said storage medium through said second input/output terminal;

an information output unit for transmitting the endoscope-related data to be stored in said storage medium through said second input/output terminal; and

an information entry unit operatively connected to said information output unit for manual entry of information by a user to be transmitted and stored in said storage medium.

22. An endoscope system according to claim 21, wherein said storage medium is one of an EEPROM, a flash ROM, an FRAM, and an MRAM.

23. An endoscope system according to claim 21, wherein the endoscope-related data contains a number of power feeds and a number of inspections, and wherein when the number of power feeds become equal to or greater than the number of inspections, said display device indicates that it is time for an inspection.

24. An endoscope system according to claim 23, wherein when the number of power feeds becomes equal to or greater than the number of inspections, it is indicated in a display space that it is time for an inspection.

25. An endoscope system according to claim 21, wherein the endoscope-related data includes an endoscope model name, a serial number, and a user'"'"'s comment, and the endoscope model name, serial number, and user'"'"'s comment are read prior to the other endoscope-related data and displayed on said display device.

26. An endoscope system according to claim 21, wherein the endoscope-related data contains white balance data used to attain a white balance.

27. An endoscope system according to claim 26, wherein said image processing apparatus extends white balance control using the white balance data, and said display device is-used to indicate that white balance control has terminated.

28. An endoscope system according to claim 21, wherein said display device displays endoscope-related data read from said storage medium while superimposing it on part of an image of an object produced by said imaging device.

29. An endoscope system according claim 28, wherein the endoscope-related data includes at least one of an endoscope model name, a serial number, a user'"'"'s comment, and an inspection time.

30. An endoscope system according to claim 29, wherein when the number of power feeds becomes equal to or greater than the number of inspections, an inspection time is indicated instead of a user'"'"'s comment.

31. An endoscope according to claim 21, wherein said endoscope further comprises a supply voltage detector which detects a fluctuation or drop in supply voltage regulated by a regulator and outputs a reset signal.

32. An endoscope, comprising:

an imaging device incorporated in the distal part of an insertion unit thereof to be inserted into a subject, and used for imaging;

a storage medium for retrievably storing endoscope-related data relevant to an endoscope;

a first input/output terminal for inputting and outputting endoscope-related data to and from said storage medium;

a first transmission path linking said first input/output terminal and said storage medium for transmitting the endoscope-related data to said storage medium; and

a second transmission path linking said first input/output terminal and said storage medium for transmitting the endoscope-related data from said storage medium to said first input/output terminal; and

an information entry unit in communication with said storage medium for manual entry of information by a user to be transmitted and stored in said storage medium.

33. An endoscope according to claim 32, wherein said storage medium is one of an EEPROM, a flash ROM, an FRAM, or an MRAM.

34. An endoscope according to claim 32, wherein said information entry unit is a keyboard.

35. An endoscope according to claim 32, wherein said endoscope further comprises a supply voltage detector which detects a fluctuation or drop in supply voltage regulated by a regulator and outputs a reset signal.

36. An endoscope system, comprising:

an endoscope having an imaging device incorporated in the distal part of an insertion unit thereof to be inserted into a subject to permit endoscopic examination,

an image processing apparatus, connected to said endoscope, for producing a video signal from an output of said imaging device;

a display device for displaying an image of an object according to the video signal;

a programmable storage medium incorporated in said endoscope and used to store endoscope-related data relevant to said endoscope;

a communication unit to enable writing or reading of the endoscope-related data in or from said storage medium and allowing the data to be communicated to or from said image processing apparatus;

an information entry unit operatively connected to said communication unit for manual entry of information by a user to be transmitted and stored in said storage medium; and

a control unit for displaying the endoscope-related data on said display device at any time.

37. An endoscope system according to claim 36, wherein said communication unit includes a serial interface enabling serial data transmission.

38. An endoscope system according to claim 37, wherein a sole signal line to be coupled to said serial interface is used in common for transmission and reception.

39. An endoscope system according to claim 36, wherein said storage medium is one of an EEPROM, a flash ROM, an FRAM, and an MRAM.

40. An endoscope system according to claim 36, wherein the endoscope-related data contains the number of power feeds and the number of inspections, and wherein when the number of power feeds becomes equal to or greater than the number of inspections, said display device indicates that it is an inspection time.

41. An endoscope system according to claim 40, wherein when the number of power feeds becomes equal to or greater than the number of inspections, an indication of inspection time is indicated in a display space where user'"'"'s comment is indicated.

42. An endoscope system according to claim 40, wherein when the number of power feeds becomes equal to or greater than the number of inspections, an indication of inspection time is indicated instead of the user'"'"'s comment.

43. An endoscope system according to claim 36, wherein the endoscope-related data contains an endoscope model name, a serial number, and a user'"'"'s comment, and the endoscope model name, serial number, and user'"'"'s comment are read prior to the other endoscope-related data and displayed on said display device.

44. An endoscope system according to claim 36, wherein the endoscope-related data contains white balance data used to attain a white balance.

45. An endoscope system according to claim 44, wherein said image processing apparatus extends white balance control using the white balance data, and said display device is used to indicate that white balance control has terminated.

46. An endoscope system according to claim 36, wherein said display device displays endoscope-related data read from said storage medium while superimposing it on part of an image of an object produced by said imaging device.

47. An endoscope system according to claim 46, wherein the endoscope-related data contains an endoscope model name, a serial number, a user'"'"'s comment or an inspection time.

48. An endoscope system according to claim 36, wherein said information entry unit is a keyboard.

49. An endoscope system according to claim 48, wherein when said display device displays a data display form, which is filled in for displaying data, on its screen, data can be entered at said keyboard.

50. An endoscope system according to claim 49, wherein when said data display form is displayed on the screen, data items that can be entered and data items that cannot be entered can be distinguished from each other.

51. An endoscope system according to claim 36, wherein a plurality of different data display forms having data items that are different from each other is available.

52. An endoscope system according to claim 49, wherein when said data display form is displayed on the screen, the endoscope-related data entered at said keyboard is stored in said storage medium.

53. An endoscope according to claim 36, wherein said endoscope further comprises a supply voltage detector which detects a fluctuation or drop in supply voltage regulated by a regulator and outputs a reset signal.