JP2001095749A - Observation equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide observation equipment which makes it possible to observe a sample tissue of an organism from the part to be checked by a microscope on the spot, while observing a tissue of an organism of the part to be checked of a patient's body by an endoscope and make a pathological diagnosis instantly. SOLUTION: A communication means 50 is provided to communicate between an endoscope controller 5 which controls the movement of endoscope equipment 2 and a microscope controller 32 which controls the movement of microscope equipment 3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an observation apparatus capable of observing an image observed by an endoscope apparatus and an image observed by a microscope apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, while observing a living tissue in a patient's body with, for example, an endoscope, a treatment tool for removing a sample is inserted into the patient's body to remove a sample of a living tissue at a target site in the body. Things are going on. Here, after the collected biological tissue sample is stored in a sample storage container, a treatment such as microscopic observation of fine cell tissue is performed using, for example, a microscope device.

Further, as a microscope device, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 62
JP-A-36624 and JP-A-9-325278 disclose confocal scanning optical microscopes. In this confocal scanning optical microscope, light from a point light source is incident on an objective lens via a beam splitter, thereby converging illumination light in a point-like manner at a focal position of the objective lens. By arranging the observation sample (specimen) at this in-focus position, the observation sample can be irradiated with illumination light in a point-like manner. Here, the light reflected from the observation sample (reflected light) or the fluorescence generated from the observation sample enters the objective lens from the sample side, and is imaged by the beam splitter into a point on the optical axis separated from the light source side. . Then, a pinhole (confocal stop) is arranged at a position conjugate with the focusing position of the objective lens, and a photodetector is installed behind the pinhole, so that the illumination light is irradiated on the observation sample in a point-like manner. And a confocal optical system that guides light from a sample to a photodetector via a pinhole can be obtained.

An XY scanning mechanism for moving the sample in the direction of the X-axis and Y-axis and mechanically moving the sample in a two-dimensional plane by using the confocal optical system, or changing the optical path of the point light source to the X-axis. And Y
By providing a scanning optical system that performs a scanning operation in the direction of the pongee, distribution information of light and shade in a two-dimensional plane of the sample is obtained. Further, the two-dimensional distribution of the density information of the observation sample is displayed as a distribution of bright spots on a display device such as a CRT display in correspondence with the XY scanning position so that an image can be formed and observed.

[0005]

Conventionally, when preparing a cell tissue specimen for microscopic observation, a slice of a living tissue collected is sliced thinly so that the cell tissue does not overlap in the thickness direction, and then this thin slice specimen is prepared. Requires a process of performing appropriate dyeing. In general hospitals and the like, there is a problem that it usually takes a long time of about two weeks to prepare a cell tissue specimen for microscopic observation. Therefore, while observing the biological tissue of the target site in the patient's body with the endoscope device, the biological tissue of the target site cannot be collected and microscopically observed on the spot, so that a quick pathological diagnosis is performed. There is a problem that cannot be done.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a purpose thereof is to observe a living tissue at a target site in a patient's body with an endoscope apparatus and to obtain a specimen of the living tissue at the target site. It is an object of the present invention to provide an observation device that can perform microscopic observation in a field and perform a quick pathological diagnosis.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an endoscope apparatus, an endoscope controller for controlling the operation of the endoscope apparatus, a microscope apparatus, and controlling the operation of the microscope apparatus. An observation apparatus comprising: a microscope controller; and communication means for performing communication between the endoscope controller and the microscope controller.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the communication between the endoscope controller and the microscope controller is performed by the communication means, whereby the living tissue at the target site in the patient's body is observed by the endoscope apparatus. However, the specimen of the living tissue at the target site can be quickly and microscopically observed on the spot.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the microscope apparatus, a confocal optical system that guides light from the sample to a photodetector via a confocal stop, and two-dimensionally scans a light spot on the sample. 2. The observation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the observation apparatus is a confocal scanning optical microscope including a scanning mechanism.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, while observing a living tissue at a target site in a patient's body by an endoscope apparatus, a specimen of the living tissue at the target site is spotted by a confocal scanning optical microscope. It is one that can be observed with a microscope.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the microscope apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the microscope apparatus includes a means for observing an extirpated specimen with a specimen excision treatment tool observed by the endoscope apparatus. Observation device.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, an extirpated specimen observed by an endoscope apparatus by a specimen excision treatment tool is observed by an observation means of a microscope apparatus.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the endoscope apparatus comprises a display means for displaying an endoscope image and a microscope image from the microscope apparatus on the same monitor. Observation device.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the endoscope image and the microscope image from the microscope device are displayed on the same monitor by the display means of the endoscope device. This makes it possible to make a pathological diagnosis by comparing the image with a microscope image.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an entire system of an observation apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The observation device 1 includes an endoscope device 2 shown in FIG.
And a microscope device 3 shown in FIG.

Further, the endoscope apparatus 2 is provided with an endoscope 4 shown in FIG. 2 and an endoscope controller 5 connected to the endoscope 4. Here, the endoscope controller 5
Is incorporated in a camera control unit (CCU) 5a in which the light source device of the endoscope 4 is built.

The endoscope 4 is provided with a flexible elongated insertion portion 6 to be inserted into a patient's body, and an operation portion 7 on the proximal side connected to the base end of the insertion portion 6. . Further, the insertion section 6 has a long flexible tube section 8, a bending section 9 that can be bent and deformed, and a hard distal end configuration section 1 disposed at the most distal end.
0 is provided. The distal end component 10 includes an illumination optical system (not shown) for irradiating illumination light, an observation optical system (not shown) and an image sensor such as a CCD, and an opening (not shown) of a forceps channel disposed in the insertion section 6. Is provided.

The operating section 7 includes an electric bending operation section 11 in which a bending section driving mechanism 26 (see FIG. 1) by a drive motor (not shown) for electrically bending the bending section 9 is incorporated.
Forceps insertion opening body 12 communicated with the proximal end of forceps channel
And the universal code 13
Are connected at one end. This universal code 1
The other end of 3 is connected to a connector 14 detachably connected to a camera control unit (CCU) 5a in which a light source device is incorporated.

Further, a forceps stopper 15 is attached to a forceps insertion opening of the forceps insertion opening body 12. Then, the biopsy forceps 16 are inserted from the forceps stopper 15 into the forceps insertion opening of the forceps insertion opening body 12.
Such a treatment tool is inserted so that it can be inserted and removed.

The biopsy forceps 16 has an elongated insertion portion 17.
And an operation unit 18 on the near side connected to the base end of the insertion unit 17. Further, at the distal end of the insertion portion 17 of the biopsy forceps 16, two distal cup portions 19a and 19b that can be opened and closed are provided as shown in FIG. An insertion portion 1 is provided between the base ends of the tip cup portions 19a and 19b.
7 is rotatably connected to a tip of the pivot 7 around a pivot pin 20. And these tip cup parts 19a, 19b
Is supported by the link mechanism 21 so as to be openable and closable about the pivot pin 20.

The operating portion 18 of the biopsy forceps 16 is provided with an axial guide member 22 and a slider 23 slidable along the guide member 22 in the axial direction.
One end of an operation wire (not shown) for opening and closing the tip cup portions 19a and 19b is fixed to the slider 23. The other end of the operation wire is connected to the link mechanism 21. The operation wire is pushed and pulled in the axial direction in accordance with the sliding operation of the slider 23, and the operation of the operation wire opens and closes the distal end cup portions 19 a and 19 b via the link mechanism 21.

Further, the forceps switch 2 is
4 are attached. Here, the stopper 25 of the slider 23 is attached to the guide member 22 of the biopsy forceps 16. Then, the distal end cup portion 19a of the biopsy forceps 16,
At the time of opening / closing operation of 19b, the forceps switch 24 is turned on / off in conjunction with the operation of the slider 23 contacting the stopper 25.

As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope controller 5 has a bending section driving mechanism 26 for electrically bending the bending section 9 of the endoscope 4, a monitor 27, a VTR deck, a video disk, and the like. Also, a recording device 28 such as a digital video disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a hard disk, a forceps switch 24, a keyboard 29, and a stage operation unit 30 for operating the microscope device 3 described below are connected to each other. Then, during use of the endoscope device 2, the endoscope 4
Is displayed on the monitor 27 and recorded on the recording device 28 for a desired time.

The microscope device 3 includes an optical microscope (LSM) 31 of a confocal scanning type shown in FIG.
And a microscope controller 32 for controlling the operation of the microscope. Further, the microscope 31 has a point light source 3 such as a laser.
3, a half mirror 34 arranged at an inclination angle of 45 ° on the optical path of the laser light output from the point light source 33,
An objective optical system 35 arranged on the optical path of the reflected light of the laser light reflected by the half mirror 34, and a stage (sample stage) 36 arranged at a focal position (focusing position) of the objective optical system 35; A detection optical system 37 disposed on the opposite side of the stage 36 with respect to the half mirror 34, and a scanning optical system (scanning mechanism) 38 interposed between the half mirror 34 and the objective optical system 35. Have been. here,
The objective optical system 35 has, for example, an objective lens set at 4 to 100 times, preferably 40 times or more. Furthermore, NA
The (numerical aperture) is set to 0.5 to 1.3, preferably 0.8 or more.

The microscope 31 is provided with an inverted type lens barrel 39 in which an objective optical system 35 is disposed below a stage 36. Further, a water receiving portion 4 for filling water between the inverted lens barrel 39 and the stage 36 is provided above the inverted type lens barrel 39.
0 is provided. The water receiver 40 is filled with water 41 to form an objective optical system 35 having a water immersion type objective lens.

During operation of the microscope apparatus 3, laser light emitted from a point light source 33 such as a laser is deflected by a half mirror 34, passes through a scanning optical system 38, and enters an objective optical system 35. Thereby, the laser light is condensed by the objective optical system 35, and a minute spot is formed on the stage 36 at the in-focus position.

The detection optical system 37 comprises a pinhole (confocal stop) 42 and a photodetector 43. Here, the pinhole 42 of the detection optical system 37 is
Is located at a position conjugate with the focal position of. As a result, the condensing position of the laser light reflected at the focal position of the objective optical system 35 matches the position of the pinhole 42.

Further, the scanning optical system 38 is configured by combining two light deflecting elements such as a galvanometer scanner, and can deflect laser light in a two-dimensional direction in the same manner as in raster scanning. Therefore, the objective optical system 3
At the in-focus position of 5, the scanning optical system 38 performs two-dimensional scanning with a minute spot. This scanning is performed by a drive signal output from a scanning control circuit (not shown) according to a command from a computer (not shown) in the microscope controller 32.

The reflected light (or fluorescence from the sample 44) from the sample (sample) 44 placed on the stage 36 at the focal position of the objective optical system 35 is transmitted to the objective optical system 35 by the sample 44.
It is re-entered from the side. At this time, the reflected light re-entering the objective optical system 35 from the sample 44 side passes through the scanning optical system 38 and the half mirror 34 and is collected again. Then, the reflected light that has passed through the pinhole 42 at the condensing position is detected by a photodetector 43 behind the pinhole 42 and converted into an electric signal. Thus, a confocal optical system 45 that guides light from the sample 44 to the photodetector 43 via the pinhole 42 is configured.

Further, a detection signal from the detection optical system 37 is supplied to an A / D (not shown) built in the microscope controller 32.
After being converted into digital data by the converter, it is input to an arithmetic circuit (not shown), where it is operated and stored in a memory (not shown). At this time, the memory stores information on each point on the sample 44 (data of the microscope image P2 of the sample 44 on the stage 36 of the microscope 31) in synchronization with the two-dimensional scanning by the scanning optical system 38. .

Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the microscope controller 32 controls the stage 36 of the microscope 31 to move the stage 36 on the mounting surface of the sample 44 in the XY directions and the optical axis direction of the objective optical system 35 in the Z direction.
Stage driving device 46 for moving in each direction, keyboard 47, bar code reader 48, monitor 27
a, a bending operation unit 4 for performing a bending operation on the bending unit 9 of the endoscope 4
9 are connected to each other.

Further, in the observation apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, a communication means 50 for performing communication between the endoscope controller 5 and the microscope controller 32 is provided. The communication means 50 is formed by, for example, a signal transmission cable 51 provided between the endoscope controller 5 and the microscope controller 32. And, during use of the microscope device 3,
Microscope image P of sample 44 on stage 36 of microscope 31
2 is displayed on the monitor 27a and stored in a memory (not shown), and the data of the microscope image P2 stored in this memory is read out by a computer (not shown) and transmitted from the microscope controller 32 via the communication means 50. The data is transmitted to the endoscope controller 5, further displayed on the monitor 27, and recorded on the recording device 28.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the stage 36 of the microscope 31 in the observation apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. The stage 36 includes, for example, a biopsy forceps 1 for an endoscope.
A plurality of, in this embodiment, six sample tables 52a to 52f on which the sample 44 collected in 6 is placed are arranged in parallel. Each of the sample tables 52a to 52f is independently partitioned so as not to be mixed. Each of the sample tables 52a to 52f has a number display 53 provided with an individual number.
And a barcode display unit 54 on which a barcode corresponding to the barcode is printed.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
When using the observation device 1 of the present embodiment, the endoscope device 2 and the microscope device 3 are used, respectively. Here, first, the insertion section 6 of the endoscope 4 is inserted into the body of the patient. At this time, as shown in FIG. 7, an endoscope image P1, which is an image observed by the endoscope 4, is displayed on the monitor 27 in full screen. Then, under observation by the endoscope 4, the distal end component 10 at the distal end of the insertion section 6 is guided to a position near the living tissue H to be observed in the patient's body.

Subsequently, a sampling operation of the living tissue H at the target site by the biopsy forceps 16 is performed. At the time of sampling, a treatment tool such as a biopsy forceps 16 is inserted into the forceps channel from the forceps insertion port of the forceps insertion port body 12 of the endoscope 4. The biopsy forceps 16 protrudes outward from the distal end opening of the forceps channel in the distal end component 10 of the endoscope 4. Then, under observation by the endoscope 4, the tip cup portions 19a and 19b of the biopsy forceps 16 are guided to a target sampling site of the living tissue H.

Thereafter, the slider 23 of the operating portion 18 of the biopsy forceps 16 is slid in the axial direction along the guide member 22, and the tip cup portions 19a, 19b are opened and closed in conjunction with the operation of the slider 23. . Here, the tip cup portions 19a and 19b are brought into contact with the target living tissue H in a state where they are opened as shown in FIGS. In this state, by closing the tip cup portions 19a and 19b, the living tissue H sandwiched between the two tip cup portions 19a and 19b is cut by the peripheral portions of the tip cup portions 19a and 19b. Here, the cut portion is accommodated between the two closed end cup portions 19a and 19b, and is collected as a sample 44 of the living tissue H.

After the sample 44 of the living tissue H is collected, the biopsy forceps 16 is taken out through the forceps channel of the endoscope 4 to the outside. Then, the sample 44 of the living tissue H collected by the biopsy forceps 16 is placed on the stage 3 of the microscope 31.
6 is placed on the first sample stage 52a of the six sample stages 52a to 52f. Thereby, the first sample stage 5
The operation of collecting the sample 44 on 2a is completed.

Subsequently, the sample 4 on the second sample stage 52b
The sampling operation of No. 4 is performed in a similar procedure. Further, the sampling operations of the samples 44 on the third and subsequent sample stages 52c to 52f are similarly performed sequentially, and the same sampling operation is repeated until a required number of samples 44 are sampled.

When the microscope apparatus 3 is used, a laser beam emitted from a point light source 33 such as a laser is deflected by a half mirror 34, passes through a scanning optical system 38, and is incident on an objective optical system 35. The laser light is condensed by the optical system 35 and a minute spot is formed on the stage 36 at the in-focus position. At this time, a minute spot of the laser beam condensed at the focus position of the objective optical system 35 is
Is scanned two-dimensionally.

Further, the reflected light (or the fluorescence from the sample 44) reflected from the sample (sample) 44 placed on the stage 36 at the focus position of the objective optical system 35 is used for the objective optical system 35.
Again from the sample 44 side. At this time, the reflected light re-entering the objective optical system 35 from the sample 44 side is reflected by the scanning optical system 3.
8. The light passes through the half mirror 34 and is collected again. Here, the laser light passing through the pinhole 42 at the condensing position is detected by a photodetector 43 behind the pinhole 42 and converted into an electric signal.

The detection signal from the photodetector 43 is converted into digital data by an A / D converter (not shown) built in the microscope controller 32, and then input to an arithmetic circuit (not shown), where the arithmetic operation is performed to execute the calculation. Not stored in memory. At this time, information of each point on the sample 44 (data of the microscope image P2 of the sample 44 on the stage 36 of the microscope 31) is stored in the memory in synchronization with the two-dimensional scanning by the scanning optical system 38.

Further, the data of the microscope image P2 stored in the memory is read out by a computer (not shown) and transmitted from the microscope controller 32 to the communication unit 50.
Is transmitted to the endoscope controller 5 via the. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, for example, the data of the microscope image P2 such as the cell tissue of the sample 44 is displayed on the monitor 27 in full screen and recorded on the recording device 28.

FIG. 10 shows an observation apparatus 1 according to this embodiment.
5 is a flowchart showing an example of control of the endoscope controller 5 at the time of a pathological examination of a living tissue H in a patient's body according to FIG. Here, first, in step S1, the endoscope device 2
It is determined whether or not the examination date and the patient data have been input from the keyboard 29. When it is determined that these data have been input from the keyboard 29, the process proceeds to the next step S2.

In this step S2, it is determined whether or not the tip cup portions 19a, 19b are closed in accordance with the on / off operation of the forceps switch 24 of the operation portion 18 of the biopsy forceps 16. Here, when the tip cup portions 19a and 19b are closed, the sample 44 of the living tissue H is collected and accommodated between the two tip cup portions 19a and 19b of the biopsy forceps 16.

In step S2, the tip cup 19
If it is determined that a and 19b have been closed, the biopsy endoscope image at the time when the sample 44 was collected as shown in FIG. P1, the biopsy number, the examination date, and the patient data (name, date of birth, chart number, etc.) are simultaneously recorded in the recording device 28 in association with each other.

FIG. 12 shows an observation apparatus 1 according to this embodiment.
Microscope controller 3 when using microscope device 3 in
6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of FIG. That is, when the sample 44 is set on the stage 36 of the microscope 31, first, the barcode reader 48 of the microscope device 3 is applied to the barcode of the barcode display unit 54 of the stage 36 of the microscope 31 in the first step S11 to perform the biopsy. No. Is determined. Here, the biopsy No. is detected by the barcode reader 48. If it is determined that the biopsy No. has been read, the biopsy No. is determined in the next step S12. Is stored in a memory (not shown) of the microscope controller 32.

Thereafter, in the next step S13, it is determined whether or not a predetermined image storage key on the keyboard 47 of the microscope device 3 has been pressed. Here, if it is determined that the predetermined key for image storage has been pressed, the sample 44 on the stage 36 is scanned by the microscope 31 in the next step S14, and the microscope image P2 of the sample 44 is stored in the microscope controller. 32 are stored in a memory (not shown).

Subsequently, in the next step S15, the transmission signal from the microscope controller 32 and the biopsy No. , The biopsy microscope image P2, the examination date, and the patient data are transmitted to the endoscope controller 5.

Thereafter, in the next step S16, it is determined whether or not a reception signal has been received from the endoscope controller 5. Here, if it is not determined that the reception signal has been received from the endoscope controller 5, the process returns to step S15. Then, in step S16, when it is determined that the reception signal has been received from the endoscope controller 5, a series of control operations at the time of the microscope observation is ended.

FIG. 13 shows an observation apparatus 1 according to this embodiment.
Biopsy microscope image P by endoscope controller 5 at
6 is a flowchart for explaining a recording operation of No. 2;
Here, in the first step S21, the microscope device 3
It is determined whether or not a transmission signal has been sent from. Here, when it is determined that the transmission signal has been sent from the microscope device 3, the biopsy No. sent from the microscope device 3 in the next step S22. The biopsy microscope image P2, the examination date, and the patient data are recorded in the recording device 28.

FIG. 14 shows an observation apparatus 1 according to this embodiment.
Biopsy endoscopic image P by endoscope controller 5 at
6 is a flowchart for explaining a monitor display operation of No. 1; Here, first, in the first step S31, it is determined whether or not the biopsy endoscope image display switch of the keyboard 29 of the endoscope apparatus 2 has been turned ON. Here, when it is determined that the biopsy endoscope image display switch of the keyboard 29 is turned on, the patient data and the biopsy No. from the keyboard 29 of the endoscope apparatus 2 are determined in the next step S32. It is further determined whether has been specified.

Then, in step S32, the patient data and biopsy No. Is determined to have been designated, the predetermined biopsy No. designated in the next step S33. And the corresponding biopsy endoscope image P1 are called from the recording device 28 and displayed on the monitor 27. Then, the next step S
At 34, the endoscopic image under observation is displayed on the monitor 27 in a small screen.

FIG. 15 shows an observation apparatus 1 according to this embodiment.
Biopsy microscope image P by endoscope controller 5 at
6 is a flowchart for explaining a monitor display operation of No. 2; Here, in the first step S41, it is determined whether or not the biopsy microscope image display switch of the keyboard 29 of the endoscope device 2 is turned on. If it is determined that the biopsy microscope image display switch of the keyboard 29 has been turned ON, the patient data and the biopsy No. are further input from the keyboard 29 of the endoscope apparatus 2 in the next step S42. It is further determined whether has been specified.

Then, in step S42, the patient data and biopsy No. Is determined to have been designated, the biopsy No. designated in the next step S43. And the corresponding biopsy microscope image P2 are called from the recording device 28 and displayed on the monitor 27.

FIG. 16 shows an observation apparatus 1 according to this embodiment.
6 is a flowchart for explaining the stage moving operation of the microscope 31 by the endoscope controller 5 in FIG.
Here, in the first step S51, it is determined whether or not the stage operation unit 30 of the microscope 31 has been operated. Here, when it is determined that the stage operation unit 30 of the microscope 31 has been operated, the transmission signal of the stage moving operation and each of the X operation amount, the Y operation amount, and the Z operation amount of the stage driving device 46 are determined in the next step S52. The data is transmitted to the microscope controller 32.

Thereafter, in the next step S53, it is determined whether or not a reception signal of the stage moving operation has been input from the microscope controller 32. Here, when it is determined that the reception signal of the stage moving operation has not been input from the microscope controller 32, the process returns to step S52,
When it is determined that the reception signal of the stage moving operation has been input from the microscope controller 32, the control of the stage moving operation of the microscope 31 by the endoscope controller 5 ends.

FIG. 17 shows an observation apparatus 1 according to this embodiment.
6 is a flowchart for explaining the stage moving operation of the microscope 31 by the microscope controller 32 in FIG. Here, in the first step S61, it is determined whether or not the transmission signal of the stage moving operation has been transmitted from the endoscope controller 5. Here, when it is determined that the transmission signal of the stage moving operation is transmitted from the endoscope controller 5, the X operation amount, the Y operation amount, and the Z operation amount of the stage driving device 46 transmitted in the next step S62 are transmitted. The stage 36 of the microscope 31 is moved in the XYZ directions according to each data. Thereafter, in the next step S63, a reception signal is transmitted to the endoscope controller 5.

FIG. 18 shows an observation apparatus 1 according to this embodiment.
6 is a flowchart for explaining a bending control operation of the endoscope 4 by the microscope controller 32 in FIG. Here, in the first step S71, it is determined whether or not the bending operation section for endoscope 49 has been operated. If it is determined that the bending operation section 49 for the endoscope has been operated, the transmission signal and the bending section 9 of the endoscope 4 are determined in the next step S72.
Each of the data of the vertical bending amount and the horizontal bending amount for performing the bending operation of is transmitted to the endoscope controller 5 side.

Thereafter, in the next step S73, it is determined whether or not a reception signal has been input from the endoscope controller 5. Here, when it is determined that the reception signal has not been input, the process returns to step S72, and when it is determined that the reception signal has been input in step S73, the bending control operation of the endoscope 4 by the microscope controller 32. Ends.

FIG. 19 shows an observation apparatus 1 according to this embodiment.
5 is a flowchart for explaining a bending control operation of the endoscope 4 by the endoscope controller 5 in FIG. Here, in the first step S81, it is determined whether or not the transmission signal of the bending control operation has been transmitted from the microscope controller 32 side. Here, when it is determined that the transmission signal of the bending control operation has been transmitted from the microscope controller 32 side, in the next step S82, the bending amount in the vertical direction for bending the bending portion 9 of the endoscope 4 and the horizontal bending amount The bending motor of the bending portion driving mechanism 26 of the endoscope 4 is rotated according to each data of the bending amount. Thus, the bending section 9 of the endoscope 4 is operated to bend. Thereafter, in the next step S83, the received signal is transmitted to the microscope controller 32.

In this embodiment, while the observation device 1 is in use, the monitor 27 of the endoscope device 2 is connected to the endoscope 4 shown in FIG.
In addition to displaying the endoscope image P1 which is the observation image of the sample 44, the data of the microscope image P2 such as the cell tissue of the sample 44 is displayed on the full screen as shown in FIG. further,
As shown in FIG. 9A, an endoscope image P1 and a microscope image P2 are displayed side by side and simultaneously on the monitor 27, or as shown in FIG. 9B. The endoscope image P1 is displayed on the small screen.

Therefore, the above configuration has the following effects. That is, in the observation apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, since the communication means 50 for performing communication between the endoscope controller 5 and the microscope controller 32 is provided, the communication means 50 allows the endoscope controller 5 and the microscope controller 32 to communicate with each other. By performing the communication between the two, the biological tissue at the target site in the patient's body can be observed with the endoscope apparatus 2 while the specimen of the biological tissue at the target site can be rapidly microscopically observed on the spot. At this time, the monitor 2 of the endoscope device 2
7 displays an endoscope image P1 indicating a state in which a sampling operation of the living tissue H at the target site is performed by the biopsy forceps 16, and a microscope of a cell tissue of the sample 44 collected here. Since the data of the image P2 can be displayed side by side at the same time, a quick pathological diagnosis can be performed.

In the present embodiment, the monitor 27 of the endoscope apparatus 2 displays an endoscopic image P1 of a sample collection site of the living tissue H by the biopsy forceps 16 and a sample 44 collected by the biopsy forceps 16. Can be simultaneously displayed with the data of the microscopic image P2 of the cell tissue, etc., by performing sampling of the living tissue H at a plurality of locations under observation by the endoscope 4, for example, cancer in the living tissue of a patient. For example, it is possible to quickly and reliably perform an operation of identifying a boundary portion between a lesion site and normal tissue and confirming a spread range of the lesion site.

Further, in this embodiment, since the confocal scanning optical microscope 31 is used as the microscope device 3,
Without subjecting the sample 44 placed on the stage 36 to a special staining process, for example, 10 to 1000 μm from the surface of the sample 44.
a microscopic image P of the cell tissue of the sample 44 having a depth of about m
2 can be displayed on the monitor 27. Therefore, a more rapid pathological diagnosis can be performed as compared with the case where a conventional cell tissue specimen for microscopic observation is used.

In addition, when the biopsy forceps 16 collects a sample of the living tissue H at the target site, the distal end cup portion 1 of the forceps 16 is used.
The biopsy endoscope image P1 at the time when the sample 44 is collected as the biopsy data of the sample 44 by opening and closing 9a and 19b or operating the keyboard 29 as shown in FIG.
, The biopsy number, the examination date, and the patient data (name, date of birth, chart number, etc.) are simultaneously associated with each other in the recording device 2
8, the management of the biopsy data of the sample 44 can be facilitated. At this time, if the microscope image P2 of the sample 44 is taken and numbered, it is recorded in correspondence with the endoscope image P1, so that the sample 4
4 can further facilitate the management of the biopsy data.

Since the biopsy operation can be spot-displayed on the monitor 27 of the endoscope apparatus 2 in the endoscopic image P1 on the child screen, the living tissue of the target site by the biopsy forceps 16 can be displayed. The sampling operation of H can be performed more easily.

Further, in the present embodiment, the microscope 3 is operated by the keyboard 29 of the endoscope device 2 or the stage operation unit 30.
1 and a desired microscope image P2 by controlling the focus depth (Z) and the XY position on the monitor 2 of the endoscope apparatus 2.
7, the workability of pathological diagnosis can be further improved. It should be noted that the objective lenses of the microscope 31 having different magnifications may be switched from the endoscope apparatus 2 side.

Further, since the bending operation of the endoscope 4 can be electrically controlled from the microscope apparatus 3 side by the bending section operation section 49 connected to the microscope controller 32, the usability of the observation apparatus 1 is further enhanced. it can.

Further, in this embodiment, the endoscope device 2
For example, the functions of the light source and the like are shared by the microscope device 3 and can be put in the same cart, and voice can be exchanged. Therefore, the configuration of the entire system of the observation device 1 can be simplified, and the cost can be reduced.

FIG. 20A shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the configuration of the monitor 27 of the endoscope device 2 in the observation device 1 of the first embodiment (see FIGS. 1 to 19) is changed as follows.

That is, in the present embodiment, when sampling the living tissue H at a plurality of locations under observation by the endoscope 4, the living tissue H is displayed on the screen of the monitor 27 of the endoscope apparatus 2.
The number display 61 indicating the location and the order of sample collection can be written into the endoscope image P1 by key input from the keyboard 29.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the operation of identifying the boundary portion between a lesion site such as cancer in a patient's living tissue and normal tissue and confirming the spread range of the lesion site is further performed.
It can be done quickly and reliably.

FIG. 20B shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the configuration of the monitor 27 of the endoscope device 2 in the observation device 1 of the first embodiment (see FIGS. 1 to 19) is changed as follows.

That is, in the present embodiment, when sampling the living tissue H at a plurality of locations under observation by the endoscope 4, the living tissue H is displayed on the screen of the monitor 27 of the endoscope apparatus 2.
In this embodiment, the biopsy endoscopic image P1 from which the sample is collected and the microscope images P2a to P2c of the sample 44 at a plurality of locations, in this embodiment, at three locations, can be simultaneously displayed. Note that any one of the plurality of biopsy endoscope images P1 and microscope images P2a to P2c can be selectively displayed by switching to the full screen display on the screen of the monitor 27.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, for example, a boundary portion between a lesion site such as a cancer in a living tissue of a patient and a normal tissue is specified, and an operation of confirming a spread range of the lesion site is further performed.
It can be done quickly and reliably. Further, the same display as the monitor 27 on the endoscope 4 side may be displayed on the monitor 27a on the microscope apparatus 3 side.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the confocal scanning optical microscope 31 of the microscope apparatus 3 may be provided with an upright type lens barrel in which the objective optical system 35 is disposed above the stage 36. Further, it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0077]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an endoscope controller for controlling the operation of the endoscope apparatus and a communication means for performing communication between the microscope controller for controlling the operation of the microscope apparatus. Therefore, while observing the living tissue at the target site in the patient's body with the endoscope apparatus, a specimen of the living tissue at the target site can be microscopically observed on the spot, and rapid pathological diagnosis can be performed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, while observing the living tissue at the target site in the patient's body by the endoscope apparatus,
A specimen of the living tissue at the target site can be microscopically observed on the spot by a confocal scanning optical microscope.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, an extirpated specimen observed by the endoscope can be observed by the observation means of the microscope apparatus.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the endoscope image and the microscope image from the microscope device are displayed on the same monitor by the display means of the endoscope device.
A pathological diagnosis can be made by comparing the image with a microscope image from a microscope device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an entire observation apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an endoscope device in the observation device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a tip cup portion of a biopsy forceps in the observation device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a sampling operation of a biological tissue by a distal end cup portion of a biopsy forceps in the observation device according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an example of a sample mounting table in the observation device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a confocal scanning optical microscope in the observation device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary front view showing a state in which an endoscope image is displayed on a monitor in the observation device according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 8 is an exemplary front view showing a state in which a microscope image is displayed on a monitor of the observation device according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 9A is a front view showing a state in which an endoscope image and a microscope image are displayed side by side on a monitor of the observation device of the first embodiment, and FIG. 9B is a view of the first embodiment; FIG. 6 is a front view showing a state in which an endoscope image is displayed in a small screen within a microscope image of a monitor in the observation device.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the endoscope controller in the observation device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing biopsy data in the observation device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the microscope controller in the observation device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a recording operation of a biopsy microscope image by the endoscope controller in the observation device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a monitor display operation of a biopsy endoscope image by the endoscope controller in the observation device according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining a monitor display operation of a biopsy microscope image by the endoscope controller in the observation device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining the stage movement operation of the microscope by the endoscope controller in the observation device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining the stage movement operation of the microscope by the microscope controller in the observation apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining the bending control operation of the endoscope by the microscope controller in the observation device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining the bending control operation of the endoscope by the endoscope controller in the observation device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 20A is a front view showing a display state of an endoscope image displayed on a monitor according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 20B is a monitor according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a front view showing a display state of an endoscope image and a biopsy microscope image displayed in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Endoscope apparatus 3 Microscope apparatus 4 Endoscope 5 Endoscope controller 32 Microscope controller 38 Scanning optical system (scanning mechanism) 42 Pinhole (confocal stop) 44 Sample (sample) 45 Confocal optical system 50 Communication means

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] December 1, 1999 (1999.12.
1)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0040

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

Further, the reflected light (or the fluorescence from the sample 44) reflected from the sample (sample) 44 placed on the stage 36 at the focus position of the objective optical system 35 is used for the objective optical system 35.
Again from the sample 44 side. At this time, the reflected light re-entering the objective optical system 35 from the sample 44 side is reflected by the scanning optical system 3.
8. The light passes through the half mirror 34 and is collected again. Here, the reflected light that has passed through the pinhole 42 at the condensing position is detected by a photodetector 43 behind this pinhole 42 and converted into an electric signal.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroki Hibino 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takayuki Suzuki 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Yoshihiro Shimada, Inventor 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Makoto Mobara, 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Within Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yasunori Magara 2-343-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2H040 BA21 DA00 DA43 DA56 GA10 GA11 2H052 AA08 AB02 AC04 AC15 AC34 AD03 AD20 AF14 AF22 4C061 AA00 BB01 CC00 DD03 JJ19 NN05 UU08 WW03 WW10 WW15 XX02

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An endoscope apparatus, an endoscope controller for controlling operation of the endoscope apparatus, a microscope apparatus, a microscope controller for controlling operation of the microscope apparatus, the endoscope controller, and the An observation apparatus comprising: communication means for communicating with a microscope controller. 2. The microscope apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a confocal optical system for guiding light from the specimen to a photodetector via a confocal stop; and a scanning mechanism for two-dimensionally scanning a light spot on the specimen. 2. A confocal scanning optical microscope according to claim 1, wherein
2. The observation device according to 1. 3. The observation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the microscope apparatus includes a unit for observing an extirpated specimen by a specimen excision treatment tool observed by the endoscope apparatus. 4. The observation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the endoscope apparatus includes a display unit that displays an endoscope image and a microscope image from the microscope apparatus on the same monitor.