Endoscope processor

• US 8,221,309 B2
• Filed: 10/18/2007
• Issued: 07/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hoya Corporation
• Original Assignee: Hoya Corporation
• Inventors: Iida, Mitsuru
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Philip R
• Application Number:
  US11/874,456
• Publication Number:
  US 20080255415A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,734 Days
• Field of Search: 600/101, 600/109, 600/118, 600/152, 600/159, 600/180
• US Class Current: 600/118
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00042 for mechanical operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/045 Control thereof

Abstract

An endoscope processor comprising a touch-panel input unit, a mechanical switch unit, and a controller, is provided. The endoscope processor controls an endoscope system. The touch-panel input unit comprises a touch-panel monitor. A command to carry out a function of the endoscope system is input via a command-input display displayed on the touch-panel monitor. The mechanical switch unit is manipulated to carry out at least one function among a light-switching function, a pump-switching function, and a white-balance-start switching function. The controller carries out a function corresponding to the command input via the touch-panel input unit or the mechanical switch unit.

Claims

1. An endoscope processor that controls an endoscope system comprising an electronic endoscope and said endoscope processor, the electronic endoscope being configured for observing a subject, the electronic endoscope including a light source, a pump and a white balance adjustment said endoscope processor comprising:

a touch-panel input that comprises a touch-panel monitor, a command to carry out a function of said endoscope system being input via a command-input display displayed on said touch-panel monitor;

a mechanical switch which is configured to be manipulated to carry out at least one function from a light-switching function, a pump-switching function, and a white-balance-start switching function, the light source of the electronic endoscope configured to illuminate the subject being switched on or off by said light-switching function, the pump of the electronic endoscope configured to send a fluid to a peripheral area of the subject being started or stopped by said pump-switching function, and a white-balance adjustment of said the electronic endoscope starting upon activation of said white-balance-start switching function; and

a controller that is configured to carry out a function corresponding to said command input via said touch-panel input or said mechanical switch,

said controller comprising first and second controllers,

said first controller performs said function corresponding to said command input on said mechanical switch,

said second controller drives said touch-panel input and communicates said command input on said touch-panel input to said first controller, and

wherein said first controller performs said function corresponding to said command input on said touch-panel input when said command input on said touch-panel input is communicated to said first controller by the second controller and

said first controller, when said command input on said touch panel input is communicated from the second controller, performs said function corresponding to said command input, and when a command input communicated from the second controller is not received by said first controller, said first controller performs said function corresponding to said command input on said mechanical switch.

2. The endoscope processor according to claim 1, wherein at least one function of said light-switching function, said pump-switching function, and said white-balance-start switching function is carried out by inputting a command to said touch-panel input.