US 12,251,082 B2
Endoscope and method for operating endoscope
Nobuyoshi Asaoka, Tokyo (JP)
Assigned to OLYMPUS CORPORATION, Tokyo (JP)
Filed by OLYMPUS CORPORATION, Hachioji (JP)
Filed on Sep. 12, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/942,568.
Application 17/942,568 is a continuation of application No. PCT/JP2020/010869, filed on Mar. 12, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0000332 A1, Jan. 5, 2023
Int. Cl. A61B 1/06 (2006.01); A61B 1/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 1/06 (2013.01) [A61B 1/00009 (2013.01); A61B 1/0655 (2022.02)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An endoscope comprising:
an eddy current sensor that is configured to detect a conductive member by detecting eddy induced currents generated in the conductive member, the eddy current sensor including (i) a sensor coil having a coil diameter that is larger than an internal diameter of a forceps port that opens at a leading end of an insertion part of the endoscope and being configured to generate an alternating current magnetic flux, and (ii) a sensor circuit configured to supply a current with a frequency to the sensor coil, detect a change in impedance in the sensor coil, and output a signal based on the change in impedance; and
a processor configured to switch between a normal operation mode and an energy-saving operation mode in which power consumption is smaller than power consumption in the normal operation mode, based on the signal output by the sensor circuit.