JP4868870B2 - Endoscope - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope having at least two observation optical systems.

  As is well known, endoscopes are widely used in the medical field and the like. Such endoscopes are, for example, various types of instruments using a treatment instrument inserted into a treatment instrument insertion channel as needed by observing an organ or the like in the body cavity by inserting an elongated insertion portion into the body cavity. It is used for treatment. The insertion portion is provided with a bending portion at the distal end thereof, and the bending portion of the distal end portion is bent and deformed in the vertical and horizontal directions by the operation of the operation portion, thereby changing the observation direction of the observation window at the distal end portion. Is configured to be possible.

  And, since the surface of the observation optical system of this endoscope may be obstructed by observation when it is inserted into a body cavity, it is provided with an air / water supply nozzle for washing, The cleaning liquid and the air are sequentially blown from the air / water supply nozzle for cleaning, so that a clean observation field of view can be secured.

  In addition, the endoscope includes a pipe line (hereinafter referred to as a treatment instrument channel) through which various forceps are inserted and a body fluid and filth in the body cavity are sucked, and a mucous membrane that adheres to an affected area as a test site. In order to wash the water, a pipe line (hereinafter referred to as a forward water supply channel) for spraying the washing liquid toward the affected part is provided. The openings of the treatment instrument channel and the front water supply channel are disposed on the tip surface.

  By the way, in such an endoscope, the air supply / water supply ports are arranged at the same distance with respect to the two CCD cameras, and one forceps port is located at an equal distance from the two CCD cameras. There has also been proposed a configuration in which specifications are diversified so as to diversify specification forms (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  However, the endoscope has a configuration in which an air supply / water supply opening is provided for each of the two CCD cameras, and one forceps opening is provided at an equal distance from the two CCD cameras. Since the number of built-in parts increases, there is a problem that it is difficult to reduce the diameter, which is strongly demanded.

Therefore, a plurality of, for example, two imaging units are provided, and a plurality of, for example, two objective optical lenses as the observation optical system and an opening of the air / water supply nozzle are arranged at the distal end of the insertion portion so as to be aligned on a substantially straight line. An endoscope has also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-154155 JP 2000-262463 A

  However, in the endoscope described above, one air / water supply nozzle is arranged on a straight line with respect to one side of two objective optical lenses arranged side by side, and two objective optics are used by using this one air / water supply nozzle. Since the cleaning liquid or air is sprayed on the lens for cleaning, the air supply force to the objective optical lens on the other side that is far from the air / water supply nozzle is weak, so the cleaning liquid or the like remains on the surface. Have the problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is an endoscope capable of realizing a stable and highly accurate cleaning of an optical system with a simple configuration and satisfying a request for a reduction in diameter. The purpose is to provide.

The present invention includes a first observation optical system having a first center, a first nozzle that ejects fluid toward the first observation optical system, and a fluid ejection trajectory from the first nozzle. A second observation optical system having a second center disposed at a position separated from an arrangement position of the first observation optical system; and a second fluid ejecting fluid toward the second observation optical system. The nozzle and a tip opening portion that communicates with the suction means and has an opening center are provided on the tip surface of the insertion portion that is inserted into the body cavity, and the fluid is ejected toward the first observation optical system. to the distance between the first nozzle first center, the distance between the second nozzle and the second center for ejecting the fluid toward the second observation optical system is long, and The distance between the second center and the opening center is smaller than the distance between the first center and the opening center. Kunar so on, to constitute an endoscope the first and second Nozzle and said first and second observation optical system and the tip opening disposed on the tip surface.

  According to the above configuration, since the air supply force blown to the second observation optical system is weaker than that of the first observation optical system, residual water is likely to be generated in the second observation optical system. Since the tip opening is on the side close to the observation optical system, the residual water is drawn by the suction force. Therefore, the residual water generated in the second observation optical system arranged far from the nozzle means as compared with the first observation optical system is effectively sucked into the tip opening and the first observation optical system. Similarly, reliable cleaning is possible.

  As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided an endoscope that can realize a stable and highly accurate cleaning of an optical system while satisfying a request for a reduction in diameter with a simple configuration. be able to.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an endoscope system 1 to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. For example, an endoscope 2 configured to be capable of fluorescence observation, which is normal light observation and special light observation, is shown. Prepare. The endoscope 2 includes a light source device 3 that is supplied with illumination light, a processor 4 that is a signal processing device for processing the acquired image information to generate a video signal, and a signal generated by the processor 4. A monitor 5 for displaying each endoscopic image for normal observation or fluorescence observation based on a video signal and an air / water supply device 6 for receiving supply of air / water are combined.

  The endoscope 2 includes an elongated insertion portion 11 that can be easily inserted into a body cavity, an operation portion 12 connected to a proximal end of the insertion portion 11, and a universal extending from a side portion of the operation portion 12. Cable 13. A connector 14 provided at the end of the universal cable 13 is detachably connected to the light source device 3.

  Further, the insertion portion 11 of the endoscope 2 has a configuration as an insertion portion for an endoscope, a hard distal end portion 15 formed at the distal end thereof, and a curve formed at the proximal end of the distal end portion 15. And a flexible tube portion 17 having flexibility, which is formed from the base end of the bending portion 16 to the operation portion 12.

  A light guide 21 that transmits illumination light is inserted into the insertion portion 11. The light guide 21 is inserted into the universal cable 13 via the operation unit 12, and the base end portion 22 is connected to a light guide connector (not shown) protruding from the connector 14. The tip portion of the light guide 21 is fixed in the tip portion 15.

  A pair of illumination lenses 25a and 25b (see FIG. 2) of an illumination unit, which will be described later, which is an illumination optical system, is disposed at the distal end portion of the distal end portion 15, and illumination light from the light guide 21 through the illumination lenses 25a and 25b. Is emitted. A tip cover 24 is provided on the tip surface of the tip portion 15. The light guide 21 is branched in, for example, the operation unit 12, divided into two at the insertion unit 11, and inserted. The front end surface of each of the light guides 21 divided into two is disposed in the vicinity of the back surfaces of the two illumination lenses 25 a and 25 b provided on the front end cover 24.

  Further, in the insertion portion 11, for example, a treatment is performed as a first conduit that is a conduit that also serves as a suction conduit having an inner circumferential length that allows insertion of a treatment instrument such as forceps as a medical instrument. A tool / suction channel (also referred to as a forceps channel) 19 is provided. The distal end of the treatment instrument / suction channel 19 is communicated with an opening 26 provided on the distal end surface of the distal end cover 24.

  The treatment instrument / suction channel 19 is branched on the proximal end side of the insertion section 11, and one of the treatment instrument / suction channel 19 is inserted to the treatment instrument insertion port 191 provided in the operation section 12. The other end of the treatment instrument / suction channel 19 passes through the insertion portion 11 and the universal cable 13, and the base end thereof is connected to the suction device 7 serving as a suction means via the connector 14. The suction device 7 is driven and controlled in conjunction with, for example, an operation of a suction button (not shown) disposed in the operation unit 12.

  A plurality of, for example, two imaging units 31A and 31B are housed inside the distal end portion 15 (see FIG. 2). Among these, the imaging unit 31A is referred to as a normal light imaging unit and is used for normal light observation. The other imaging unit 31B is called a fluorescence imaging unit and is used for fluorescence observation which is special light observation.

  Here, the special light observation is not limited to fluorescence observation, and for example, night vision observation or infrared observation may be used. Among these, for infrared observation, for example, an infrared wavelength band of 790 to 970 nm is preferable.

  One ends of signal cables 38a and 38b are connected to the imaging unit 31A and the imaging unit 31B, respectively. The other ends of the signal cables 38 a and 38 b are inserted into the operation unit 12 and the universal cable 13, and are connected to a common signal cable 43 in a switchable manner on a relay board 42 provided in the connector 14. The common signal cable 43 is connected to the processor 4 through the scope cable 44 connected to the connector 14.

  In the processor 4, drive circuits 45a and 45b for driving the image pickup devices of the normal light image pickup unit 31A and the fluorescence image pickup unit 31B, respectively, and image signals output from the two image pickup devices via the relay substrate 42, respectively. A signal processing circuit 46 that performs signal processing and a control circuit 47 that controls the operation state of the signal processing circuit 46 and the like are provided.

  The operation unit 12 of the endoscope 2 includes control switches 48a and 48b, an air / water supply button 63, a bending operation knob (not shown), and a switch (not shown) for performing a tele / zoom operation of the normal light imaging unit 31A. Telescopic / zoom buttons) and the above-described treatment instrument insertion port (not shown) are provided.

  These control switches 48a and 48b are connected to the control circuit 47 of the processor 4 through signal lines 49a and 49b, respectively. Among these, for example, the control switch 48a generates a signal instructing switching. The other control switch 48b generates, for example, a freeze instruction signal.

  The relay board 42 is connected to the signal cable 38a, 38b from the state in which one of the signal cables 38a, 38b connected to each image sensor is connected to the common signal cable 43, for example, according to the operation of the control switch 48a. A switching operation is performed so that the other is connected to the signal cable 43.

  Specifically, when the control switch 48 a is operated, a switching signal is output to the relay board 42 via the switching signal line 49 c that is inserted into the scope cable 44 and electrically connected to the control circuit 47. The The relay board 42 to which the switching signal line 49c is connected is normally in an L (LOW) level input terminal of a signal from the control circuit 47. The switching control terminal is pulled down to perform normal light imaging. The signal cable 38a of the unit 31A is connected to the common signal cable 43. In the start-up state, the switching control terminal is set to L level. That is, when the switching instruction operation is not performed, the normal light observation state is set.

  In this state, when the user operates the control switch 48a, a control signal at which the signal from the control circuit 47 becomes H (HIGH) level is applied to the input terminal of the relay substrate 42 via the switching signal line 49c, and switching control is performed. The signal cable 38b of the fluorescence imaging unit 31B is connected to the common signal cable 43 by pulling up the terminal.

  Further, when the control switch 48a is operated, an L level signal is supplied to the switching control terminal, and the signal cable 38a of the normal optical imaging unit 31A is connected to the common signal cable 43.

  Further, in accordance with the operation of the control switch 48 a, the control circuit 47 outputs a control signal to the control circuit 58 in the light source device 3 via the control signal line 49 d in the scope cable 44. Then, the control circuit 58 controls the state to generate normal observation light or excitation light for fluorescence observation in response to the control signal. At the same time, the control circuit 47 controls the operation state of the signal processing circuit 46 so as to perform an operation corresponding to each imaging element of the normal light imaging unit 31A and the fluorescence imaging unit 31B.

  The light source device 3 is disposed in the optical path of the lamp 51 that generates white light including the wavelength of the excitation light, the collimator lens 52 that converts the light from the lamp 51 into a parallel light beam, and is visible, for example, A rotary filter 53 provided in the circumferential direction with RGB filters that pass light in the wavelength bands of R (RED), G (GREEN), and B (BLUE) in the optical wavelength band (380 nm to 780 nm), and the transmission of the rotary filter 53 And a condensing lens 54 that collects the light and emits the light to the base end portion 22 of the light guide 21.

  Among these, the rotary filter 53 provided with the RGB filter is provided with a filter for excitation light that passes excitation light in a wavelength band shorter than the wavelength band of visible light outside the circumferential direction. The rotary filter 53 is rotationally driven by a motor 55. The motor 55 is attached to a rack 56 and is moved in a direction orthogonal to the illumination optical axis as indicated by an arrow by a geared motor 57 that meshes with the rack 56.

  The geared motor 57 is controlled by the control circuit 58. The control circuit 58 is connected to the control circuit 47 of the processor 4 through the control signal line 49d, and performs a corresponding control operation by operating the control switch 48a.

  Further, at the distal end portion 15, the jet outlet faces the outer surface of each objective lens (hereinafter also referred to as an observation lens) of the normal light imaging unit 31 </ b> A and the fluorescence imaging unit 31 </ b> B disposed on the distal end cover 24. In this manner, the air / water supply nozzle 60 as the nozzle means is arranged on a substantially straight line with respect to the objective lenses of the normal light imaging unit 31A and the fluorescence imaging unit 31B.

  For example, as will be described later, the air / water supply nozzle 60 is connected to an air / water supply pipe 61 that is joined at its distal end side, and the proximal end of the air / water supply pipe 61 is connected to the air / air supply pipe 61a. And branch to the water supply pipe 61b. The air supply pipe 61a and the water supply pipe 61b communicating with the air / water supply nozzle 60 are inserted up to the connector 14 of the universal cable 13, and a pump (not shown) that feeds a fluid containing a gas such as air or a liquid such as a cleaning liquid. It is connected to the built-in air / water supply device 6.

  In addition, the air / water supply line 61b is provided with the above-mentioned air / water supply button 63 in the operation section 12 in the middle thereof, and the air / water supply button 63 is operated, so that the fluid Air supply and water supply are performed. Thereby, the air / water supply nozzle 60 sprays fluid on the outer surface of each objective lens of the normal light imaging unit 31A and the fluorescence imaging unit 31B arranged in the ejection direction, and removes and cleans body fluids, deposits, and the like. , Ensure a clean imaging and observation field of view.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the distal end cover 24 disposed at the distal end portion 15 of the insertion portion 11 includes an observation lens 31a and a fluorescence imaging unit that constitute a first observation optical system of the normal light imaging unit 31A. The observation lens 31b, the two illumination lenses 25a and 25b, and the opening 26 of the treatment instrument / suction channel 19 constituting the second observation optical system 31B are arranged on a substantially straight line as will be described later. ing. In addition, an air / water supply nozzle 60 is arranged on the distal end cover 24 so as to be aligned with the observation lens 31a, with the outlet 60a facing the observation lenses 31a and 31b.

  The tip cover 24 is formed, for example, in a substantially circular shape that is flattened in one direction when the tip portion 15 is viewed from the tip (see FIG. 2), and the air / water supply nozzle 60, the observation lens 31a, the observation in the flat direction. The lenses 31b are arranged on a substantially straight line with a predetermined interval in order. The illumination lenses 25a and 25b are arranged on an axis that intersects the arrangement direction of the observation lenses 31a and 31b and the air / water supply nozzle 60 with the observation lens 31a interposed therebetween. These illumination lenses 25a and 25b are preferably arranged outside the air / water supply area A of the air / water supply nozzle 60 as shown in FIG.

  If the centers of the observation lenses 31a and 31b are O1 and O2, the opening 26 is at an intermediate position with respect to the observation lenses 31a and 31b and the distance to the center O1 of the observation lens 31a ( The distance L1 is disposed on the front surface of the tip cover 24 where L1> L2, which is longer than the distance (distance) L2 to the center O1 of the observation lens 31b. Thereby, when the suction device 7 is driven in conjunction with the operation of the suction button of the operation unit 12, the fluid ejected from the air / water supply nozzle 60 and sprayed onto the observation lenses 31 a and 31 b is supplied with air and water. The observation lens 31b side far from the observation lens 31a side near the nozzle 60a of the nozzle 60 is strongly sucked into the opening 26. As a result, the observation lenses 31 a and 31 b can remove both residual water in the same manner by the fluid ejection force from the air / water feeding nozzle 60 and the suction force from the suction device 7.

  Next, the internal configuration of the distal end portion of the insertion portion 11 of the endoscope 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

  4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line xx of FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a branch portion of the air / water supply conduit of FIG. Is provided with the known curved portion 16. In the bending portion 16, for example, a plurality of annular bending pieces (not shown) provided with four wire guides on the inner peripheral surface are rotatably connected. The plurality of bending pieces are formed by connecting the four wire guides around the insertion axis in a state of being shifted by approximately 90 °, and knitting a thin wire or the like into a cylindrical shape so as to cover the outer periphery thereof. A curved blade (not shown) is covered, and the outer skin 10 is covered on the curved blade 16 so as to keep the water tightness. The outer skin 10 is applied over the distal end portion of the distal end portion 15 and the flexible tube portion 17 together with the curved portion 16, and the outer peripheral portions of both ends thereof are the distal end portion 15 and the flexible tube portion 17. It is fixed by the bobbin adhering portion 10a.

  A bending operation wire (not shown) is inserted into the wire guide of the bending piece of the bending portion 16, and each bending operation wire is inserted into the insertion portion 11. These four bending operation wires are each shifted by approximately 90 ° around the insertion axis by a fixing ring (not shown) provided in the distal end portion 15 so that the insertion axis of the bending portion 16 is substantially straight. The base end portion is provided in the operation unit 12 (see FIG. 1) and is connected to a bending operation mechanism (not shown) connected to a bending operation knob (not shown) so that it can be alternately pulled or relaxed. ing.

  As a result, the bending portion 16 is operated to bend in the four directions by pulling and relaxing the four bending operation wires by operating the bending operation knob. These four directions correspond to, for example, four directions of up, down, left, and right of the endoscopic image displayed on the monitor 5 photographed by each of the imaging units 31A and 31B, as will be described later.

  Further, a cylindrical member 15a made of a hard metal and formed with a plurality of, for example, six holes in the distal end portion 15, and an annular reinforcement that externally fits the proximal end side outer peripheral portion of the cylindrical member 15a. An annulus 15b is provided (see FIG. 4). The distal end portion 15 is provided with a reinforcing ring 15b, and the most advanced bending piece of the bending portion 16 is connected to the base end portion of the reinforcing ring 15b.

  Of the six holes formed in the columnar member 15a in the distal end portion 15, one hole portion forms the distal end portion of the treatment instrument / suction channel 19, and the remaining five hole portions include the above-described portions. The normal light imaging unit 31A, the fluorescence imaging unit 31B, the air / water supply nozzle 60, and two illumination lens units 23 and 23, which will be described later, are respectively disposed (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

  Of the six holes of the cylindrical member 15a, one hole is provided with a normal light observation unit 31A including an observation lens 31a fixed by a first observation optical system fixing means such as a screw or an adhesive. Constituting the first observation optical system arrangement means, and the other hole constitutes a second observation optical system fixed by the second observation optical system fixation means such as a screw or an adhesive. The second observation optical system arrangement means in which the fluorescence observation unit 31B including the observation lens 31b to be arranged is arranged. Then, two illumination lens units each including the illumination lenses 25 that are the first and second illumination optical systems are fixedly arranged by first and second illumination optical system fixing means such as screws and adhesives, respectively. One of the other two hole portions is the first illumination optical arrangement means, and the other constitutes the second illumination optical arrangement means.

  Of the six holes, the hole in which the air / water supply means is arranged is an air supply in which the air / water supply nozzle 60 is fixedly arranged by a first air / water supply fixing means such as a screw or an adhesive. The water supply arrangement | positioning means is comprised (refer FIG.2 and FIG.3). Further, of the six holes, the hole where the treatment instrument / suction channel 19 as the first endoscope channel is arranged constitutes a first endoscope channel arrangement means. . The treatment instrument / suction channel 19 is fixedly disposed in one of the six holes of the cylindrical member 15a by, for example, a first endoscope conduit fixing means such as a screw or an adhesive. The

  As described above, the treatment instrument / suction channel 19 is connected to the suction device 7 and is ejected from the air / water supply nozzle 60 toward the observation lenses 31a and 31b by the suction force of the suction device 7. The remaining water is sucked through the opening 26 of the tip cover 24. The air / water supply nozzle 60 is a tubular member bent in a substantially L shape, and the base end portion is at the tip so that the jet port 60a on the tip side faces the outer surface side of each observation lens 31a, 31b. The cylindrical member 15a of the portion 15 is inserted into the hole.

  And the front-end | tip part of the pipe member 62 is inserted by the base end side of the hole of the cylindrical member 15a corresponding to this air / water supply nozzle 60, and an air / water supply pipe is inserted in the base end part of this pipe member 62. A path 61 is connected. The pipe member 62 and the air / water supply pipe 61 are connected and fixed by thread winding.

  As shown in FIG. 5, for example, the air / water supply pipe 61 has a base end portion connected to the branch pipe 50, and the branch ends of the branch pipe 50 are the tips of the air supply pipe 61a and the water supply pipe 61b. Each part is connected. Thereby, the air / water supply pipeline 61 communicates with the air / water supply pipeline 61a and the water supply pipeline 61b. The pipes 61, 61a, 61b and the branch pipe 50 are connected and fixed by thread winding, and an adhesive or the like is applied around the respective connection parts and the entire branch pipe 50 so that each connection part is airtight ( Watertight) is retained.

  In addition, two illumination lens units 23 (23) including illumination lenses 25a (25b) are inserted into two of the six holes formed in the cylindrical member 15a of the distal end portion 15 from the distal end side. And the front-end | tip part of the said light guide 21 is each inserted by the base end part. The light guide 21 is covered with a cylindrical member 21 a at the tip and covered with an outer skin 29 that bundles a plurality of fiber fibers. The base end portion of the cylindrical member 21 a is connected and fixed to a tube 28 whose tip is fixed with a bobbin, and a light guide 21 covered with an outer skin 29 is inserted into the tube 28.

  The normal light imaging unit 31 </ b> A includes a lens unit 32, an imaging device 33 such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) and a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor), and a circuit board 34. Among these, the lens unit 32 includes first to fourth lens groups 32A to 32D and first to fourth lens frames 32a to 32d. Here, the first lens group 32A including four objective lenses including the observation lens 31a is held by the first lens frame 32a, and the second lens 32B including one objective lens is the second lens frame 32b. The third lens group 32C made up of two objective lenses is held in the third lens frame 32c, and the fourth lens group 32D made up of three objective lenses is held in the fourth lens frame 32d.

  The second lens frame 32b that holds the second lens 32B has a moving frame structure that can be moved back and forth with respect to the photographing optical axis direction for zooming. Then, when a zooming operation button (not shown) provided in the operation unit 12 is operated by the user, the second lens frame 32b is provided by a driving means such as a motor (not shown) provided in the normal light imaging unit 31A. It is moved back and forth in the direction of the photographic optical axis. The driving means for moving the second lens frame 32b forward and backward in the photographing optical axis direction is supplied with a drive / stop signal from the processor 4 via a signal line (not shown).

In the imaging device 33, a cover lens 33a arranged in parallel to the proximal end side of the objective lens at the most proximal end of the fourth lens frame 32d is provided on the light receiving surface side (see FIG. 4), and an optical image is formed on the circuit board 34. The electrical signal corresponding to is output. The circuit board 34 has electrical components and wiring patterns, photoelectrically converts an optical image from the image sensor 33 into an electrical image signal, and outputs the image signal to a signal cable 38a.
The circuit board 34 is connected to a plurality of signal lines of the signal cable 38a by means such as soldering.

  Here, the outer peripheral portions of the cover lens 33a, the image pickup device 33, the circuit board 34, and the signal cable 38a are integrally covered with an insulating sealing resin, and the reinforcing annular portion 35a and the insulating tube. 35b. The signal cable 38a receives the image signal acquired by the imaging device 33 and the circuit board 34 of the normal light imaging unit 31A via the relay board 42 and the signal cable 43 of the connector 14 shown in FIG. The data is transmitted to the processing circuit 46.

  The fluorescent imaging unit 31B includes a lens unit 36, an imaging element 38 such as a CCD or a CMOS, and a circuit board 39, similarly to the normal light imaging unit 31A described above.

  The lens unit 36 includes first and second lens groups 36A and 36B, and first and second lens frames 36a and 36b. The first lens group 36A includes, for example, seven objective lenses including the observation lens 31b, and is held by the first lens frame 36a. The second lens group 36B is held by the second lens frame 36b.

  Further, the image pickup element 38 is provided with a cover lens 40 arranged in parallel to the base end side of the objective lens at the most base end of the second lens frame 36b on the light receiving surface side, and an electric signal of an optical image is transmitted to the circuit board 39. Output. This circuit board 39 has electrical components and wiring patterns as in the circuit board 34 of the normal optical imaging unit 31A, and a plurality of signal lines of the signal cable 38b are connected by means such as soldering, and the imaging element 38 The optical image is photoelectrically converted into an electrical image signal, and the image signal is output to the signal cable 38b. The signal cable 38b is a signal processing circuit 46 of the processor 4 via the relay board 42 and the signal cable 43 of the connector 14 shown in FIG. 1 for the image signal acquired by the imaging device 38 and the circuit board 39 of the fluorescence imaging unit 31B. Transmit to.

  The outer peripheral portions of the cover lens 40, the image sensor 38, the circuit board 39, and the signal cable 38b are integrally covered with an insulating sealing resin or the like, and covered with a reinforcing annular portion 37a and an insulating tube 37b. Has been.

  The normal light imaging unit 31A and the fluorescence imaging unit 31B are respectively inserted into predetermined holes provided in the columnar member 15a of the distal end portion 15, and are firmly fixed with an adhesive or the like together with a fixing member such as a screw. Has been.

  The observation lens 31a at the tip of the normal light imaging unit 31A has a diameter larger than the lens diameter of the observation lens 31b arranged at the tip of the fluorescence imaging unit 31B. have. In the normal and fluorescent imaging units 31A and 31B, the light receiving surfaces of the two imaging elements 33 and 38 are orthogonal to the insertion axis of the insertion portion 11, and the horizontal transfer direction of the two imaging elements 33 and 38 and The installation direction in the distal end portion 15 is determined so that the vertical transfer directions coincide with each other.

  Further, the subject image captured by the normal light and the fluorescence imaging units 31A and 31B is displayed on the monitor 5 (see FIG. 1). The vertical direction of the monitor 5 is the CCD element or CMOS of each of the imaging elements 33 and 38. It coincides with the vertical transfer direction of the element, and the horizontal direction coincides with the horizontal transfer direction of the CCD element or CMOS element of each of the image pickup elements 33 and 38. In other words, the vertical and horizontal directions of the endoscopic images taken by the normal and fluorescent imaging units 31A and 31B coincide with the vertical and horizontal directions of the monitor 5.

  The vertical and horizontal directions of the bending portion 16 of the insertion portion 11 are determined so as to correspond to the vertical and horizontal directions of the endoscopic image displayed on the monitor 5. That is, the four bending operation wires inserted through the bending portion 16 are pulled and loosened by a predetermined operation of the bending operation knob provided in the operation portion 12 as described above, and the bending portion 16 is displayed on the monitor 5. The image can be bent in four directions, up, down, left, and right, corresponding to the up, down, left, and right directions of the image.

  That is, even if the observation with the normal light and the observation of the fluorescence are switched, the imaging units 31A, 31A, 31B In 31B, the installation direction in the distal end portion 15 is determined so that the horizontal transfer direction and the vertical transfer direction of the respective image sensors 33 and 38 coincide with each other. As a result, the bending portion 16 can be obtained without the user feeling uncomfortable in the vertical and horizontal directions of the endoscopic image displayed on the monitor 5 when the endoscopic image is switched between the observation image with normal light and the observation image with fluorescence. Can be bent in the vertical and horizontal directions.

  Here, the normal light imaging unit 31A is disposed in the vicinity of the approximate center of the distal end surface of the distal end portion 15 because the endoscope 2 preferably has a larger amount of light for photographing during normal light observation. Then, for imaging from the observation lens 31a having a lens diameter (outer diameter) larger than the lens diameter (outer diameter) of the observation lens 31b that guides light incident on the fluorescence imaging unit 31B for imaging. Of light is taken in. The normal optical imaging unit 31A needs to be provided with a plurality of lens groups 32A to 32D in order to suppress aberration during tele / zoom, which is an enlargement function. (Diameter which is an outer diameter) is increased.

  When an endoscope that does not have an enlargement function is configured in the imaging unit that performs normal light observation, an imaging unit in which an observation lens having the largest lens diameter (outer diameter) performs special light observation. It may correspond to.

  Here, the operation of the endoscope system 1 will be described.

  In use, the user first connects the connector 14 of the endoscope 2 to the light source device 3, further connects one end of the scope cable 44 to the connector 14, and connects the other end of the scope cable 44 to the processor 4. Connecting. Further, the air supply pipe 61 a and the water supply pipe 61 b are connected to the air supply / water supply device 6. Next, the user turns on a power switch of the light source device 3 or the like and sets each to an operating state. Here, the control circuits 47 and 58 of the processor 4 and the light source device 3 are in a state in which control signals and the like can be transmitted and received.

  In the activated state, the relay board 42 is set so that the normal light imaging unit 31A side is selected. Then, the control circuit 47 sends a control signal to the control circuit 58 of the light source device 3 to set the illumination light supply state for normal light observation. At this time, the control circuit 47 controls the CCD drive circuit 45a to be driven and sets the operation state of the signal processing circuit 46 to the normal light observation mode.

  Here, the user inserts the insertion portion 11 of the endoscope 2 into the body cavity and sets so that the affected area or the like to be diagnosed can be observed. At this time, the light source device 3 holds the illumination light supply state for normal light observation as described above. In this state, the rotary filter 53 is rotationally driven by the motor 55 in a state where the RGB filter is disposed in the illumination optical path. As a result, RGB illumination light is supplied to the light guide 21 in a surface sequential manner. In synchronization with this, the CCD drive circuit 45a outputs a CCD drive signal, and illuminates the affected area in the body cavity of the patient via the illumination lenses 25a and 25b.

  An illuminated subject such as an affected part passes through the lens unit 32 of the normal light imaging unit 31A, forms an image on the light receiving surface of the imaging element 33, and is subjected to photoelectric conversion. The image sensor 33 outputs a photoelectrically converted signal by applying a drive signal. This signal is input to the signal processing circuit 46 through the common signal cable 43 selected by the signal cable 38a and the relay board 42.

  The signal input into the signal processing circuit 46 is A / D converted internally and then temporarily stored in the R, G, B memory. Thereafter, the signals stored in the R, G, B memory are simultaneously read and synchronized into R, G, B signals, and further D / A converted into analog R, G, B signals, It is displayed as a color image on the monitor 5.

  The user turns on the control switch 48a when he wants to examine the affected part in more detail by fluorescence observation in addition to normal light observation. Then, the control circuit 47 receives this switching instruction signal, performs switching control of the relay substrate 42, and sets the light source device 3 to a supply state of excitation light for fluorescence observation via the control circuit 58. At the same time, the control circuit 47 controls the drive circuit 45b to the operating state and sets the signal processing circuit 46 to the fluorescence observation processing mode.

  In this case, the control circuit 58 in the light source device 3 moves the rotary filter 53 in the direction orthogonal to the illumination optical path together with the motor 55 by the geared motor 57, and the excitation light filter is arranged in the illumination optical path. Set.

  In this state, the light from the lamp 51 is supplied to the light guide 21 through the light in the wavelength band near 400 to 450 nm, for example, by the excitation light filter. And this excitation light is irradiated to the affected part etc. in a body cavity through illumination lens 25a, 25b.

Affected area such as the excitation light is irradiated, if it is abnormal tissues such as cancer absorbs the excitation light, to emit weak fluorescence than in normal tissue. The intensity of the light emitted from the fluorescent part passes through the lens unit 36 of the fluorescence imaging unit 31B, forms an image on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 38, and is photoelectrically converted.

  Here, the imaging element 38 outputs a photoelectrically converted signal by applying a drive signal from the drive circuit 45b. In this case, the signal is amplified inside the image sensor 38 and output from the image sensor 38. This signal is input to the signal processing circuit 46 through the common signal cable 43 selected by the signal cable 38b and the relay board 42.

  The signal input into the signal processing circuit 46 is A / D converted internally and then stored in, for example, the R, G, B memory simultaneously. The signals stored in the R, G, B memory are simultaneously read out to become synchronized R, G, B signals, and further D / A converted into analog R, G, B signals for monitoring. 5 is displayed in monochrome.

  Further, the level of the signal input into the signal processing circuit 46 may be compared with a plurality of threshold values, and the color to be assigned may be changed in accordance with the comparison result to display the pseudo color.

  In the normal and fluorescence observation states, when the observation lenses 31a and 31b are cleaned, the air / water supply button 63 of the operation unit 12 is operated. Then, the air / water supply device 6 is driven, and the air / water supply device 6 selectively supplies a gas / liquid such as a cleaning liquid or air, which is a fluid, to the air / water supply nozzle 60 via the air / water supply pipe 61, The air supply / water supply nozzle 60 is ejected toward the observation lenses 31a and 31b to remove and wash the sprayed body fluid, deposits and the like. At this time, the suction device 7 is driven, and the suction device 7 sucks the ejected gas and liquid and the residual water of the observation lenses 31 a and 31 b from the opening 26 through the treatment instrument / suction channel 19.

  As described above, the endoscope system 1 can perform normal light observation and also fluorescence observation. Therefore, it is possible to realize an endoscope that is easier to diagnose than an endoscope that performs normal light observation alone. In addition, since the normal and fluorescent imaging units 31A and 31B are provided, the normal light observation image as the first observation image and the special light observation image as the second observation image, that is, the fluorescence observation image are obtained. Can do.

  Here, particularly when performing fluorescence imaging, it is necessary to capture weak light as compared with the case of normal observation, and it is desirable that the S / N is high. Although an image with a low N is likely to be obtained, since a dedicated image sensor 38 suitable for fluorescent imaging is employed, a fluorescent image with good S / N can be obtained.

  In addition, by providing a switching relay board 42 so that only one of the two imaging units 31A and 31B is connected to the processor 4, the two imaging units 31A and 31B are always driven and driven. A compact configuration can be realized as compared with the case where signal processing is required.

  Furthermore, according to this, as a clean configuration, a single air / water supply nozzle 60 can set a clean state by spraying fluid onto the outer surfaces of both observation lenses 31a and 31b, thereby ensuring a good observation field of view. As a result, the diameter of the insertion portion 11 can be reduced, the pain given to the patient during insertion can be reduced, and the applicable range of insertion can be expanded.

  In this cleaning configuration, as described above, the treatment instrument / suction channel 19 is positioned farther from the air / water supply nozzle 60, with the interval L1 relative to the observation lens 31a positioned close to the air / water supply nozzle 60 being L1. The distance L2 is closer to the observation lens 31b than L1. As a result, the suction force on the observation lens 31b side is stronger than that on the observation lens 31a side, so that the remaining water of both the observation lenses 31a and 31b is similarly applied by the cooperative action with the injection force from the air / water supply nozzle 60. It is possible to reliably suck into the treatment instrument / suction channel 19 from the opening 26, and high-precision cleaning without residual water can be easily performed.

  The endoscope 2 includes only an imaging unit for normal light observation via a scope cable 44 by configuring the same appearance structure as an existing endoscope including only an imaging unit for normal light observation. Further, by being configured to be connectable to a processor (not shown) that performs driving and signal processing for the existing endoscope, it can also be used as an endoscope for normal light observation in the same manner as the existing endoscope. That is, the endoscope 2 can be used by being connected to an existing processor while maintaining the same compatibility as an existing endoscope having only an imaging unit for normal light observation.

  Further, the endoscope has the observation lenses 31a and 31b arranged in order on the ejection trajectory of the fluid from the air / water feeding nozzle 60 to the distal end cover 24 of the distal end portion 15, and the treatment instrument / suction channel 19 is disposed in the endoscope. When the distance from the center O3 of the opening 26 to the center O1 of the observation lens 31a is L1, and the distance from the center O3 to the center O3 of the observation lens 31b is L2, the opening 26 is arranged at a position of L1> L2. Is configured.

  According to this, when a liquid, which is a fluid, is sprayed from the air / water supply nozzle 60 onto the surface of the observation lens 31a, 31b, the observation lens 31b is on the side far from the air / water supply nozzle 60, and therefore the observation lens 31a In contrast, the spray force sprayed on the observation lens 31b is weak, and residual water is likely to be generated in the observation lens 31b. At this time, the generated residual water is applied to the observation lens 31a by suction from the opening 26. Residual water is sucked into the opening 26 by the suction force from the opening 26 that is present in the vicinity. As a result, the diameter of the insertion portion 11, particularly the distal end portion 15 and the bending portion 16, is ensured, and the observation lens 31b arranged farther from the air / water supply nozzle 60 than the observation lens 31a is also opened. It is effectively sucked by the portion 26 and can be reliably cleaned as in the case of the observation lens 31a, so that a good observation field can be secured.

  In addition, the injection of fluid or air from the air / water supply nozzle 60 is set in the region excluding the illumination lenses 25a and 25b with the observation lenses 31a and 31b as the center, so that the illumination lenses 25a and 25b at the time of cleaning are set. It is possible to prevent fluctuations and brightness reduction due to residual water, and to secure illumination suitable for observation.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the fluorescence observation is arranged as the special light observation has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the magnification of the histological observation level including cells and glandular structures is described. You may comprise so that the magnification observation by the magnification optical system which has (desirably the magnification of 100 times or more level) may be performed.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, for example, the center O3 of the opening 26 of the tip cover 24 and the distances L1, L2 to the centers O1, O2 are L1 <Two observation lenses 31a and 31b arranged with L2 can be configured to be cleaned by using two nozzles of the first and second air / water supply nozzles 601 and 602, and substantially the same. The effect is expected. However, in FIG. 6, the same parts as those in FIGS. 1 to 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

That is, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the first air / water supply nozzle 601 is arranged toward the observation lens 31a. The second gas-feeding and water-feeding nozzle 60 2 is arranged directed its spout 602a on the tip surface of the tip cover 24 to the other observation lens 31 b.

  In the second air / water supply nozzle 602, for example, the distance to the observation lens 31b is arranged distal to the distance between the first air / water supply nozzle 601 and the first observation lens 31a. As a result, the arrangement of the second air / water supply nozzle 602 can utilize the empty space on the distal end surface of the distal end cover 24, and can satisfy the request for reducing the diameter of the insertion portion 11. Thereby, the observation lenses 31a and 31b are cleaned by the liquid and gas, which are fluids, jetted by the first and second air / water supply nozzles 601 and 602, respectively, and each residual water generated by the cleaning is Similar to the above-described embodiment, a suction force from one opening 26 attracts the opening 26 and secures a good visual field.

  At this time, the injection force becomes weaker than the first air / water supply nozzle 601 because the second air / water supply nozzle 602 is located distally, but the opening 26 is closer to the observation lens 31a. Therefore, the residual water of the observation lens 31b can be sucked and removed rather than the observation lens 31a.

  The first and second air / water supply nozzles 601 and 602 are connected to the air / water supply apparatus 6 via the air / water supply pipe 61a and the water / air supply pipe 61b, which are the air / water supply pipes 61, and are described above. In this way, liquid and gas are selectively supplied via the air / water supply device 6 and sprayed toward the observation lenses 31a and 31b.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the observation optical system different from the normal light observation and the fluorescence observation is described has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of the same observation optical systems may be arranged. Is also possible.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the endoscope structure which is not provided with the forward water supply function was demonstrated, it is applicable not only to this structure but the structure provided with the forward water supply function, and the same effect is anticipated. .

  Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention at the stage of implementation. Further, the above embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements.

  For example, even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiment, the problems described in the column of problems to be solved by the invention can be solved, and the effects described in the effects of the invention can be obtained. In some cases, a configuration from which this configuration requirement is deleted can be extracted as an invention.

  In addition, according to the above-described embodiment, the present invention can also obtain the following configuration.

(Appendix 1)
A nozzle provided on the outer surface of the distal end of the insertion portion and capable of ejecting fluid;
A first objective lens provided on the fluid ejection trajectory and disposed at a first distance from the nozzle;
A second objective lens provided on the ejection track of the fluid and spaced apart from the nozzle by a second distance longer than the first distance;
Position provided on the outer surface of the distal end portion of the insertion portion, where L1 is the distance from the first objective lens and L2 is the distance from the second objective lens. A suction line having an opening disposed in
An endoscope comprising:

(Appendix 2)
The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle ejects fluid to both the first and second objective lenses.

(Appendix 3)
The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle ejects fluid to both the first and second objective lenses.

(Appendix 4)
The endoscope according to any one of appendices 1 to 3, wherein at least one of the first and second objective lenses is used for special light observation.

(Appendix 5)
The endoscope according to appendix 4, wherein the special light observation is fluorescence observation.

It is a block diagram shown in order to demonstrate schematic structure of the endoscope system with which the endoscope which concerns on one embodiment of this invention is applied. It is the top view which showed the state which looked at the front-end | tip front surface of the front-end | tip part of the endoscope of FIG. 1 from the front. It is the top view shown in order to demonstrate the positional relationship of the air / water supply area | region of the air / water supply nozzle of the front-end | tip front surface of the front-end | tip part of the endoscope of FIG. 1, and an observation lens and an illumination lens. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line AA in FIG. 2. It is sectional drawing shown in order to demonstrate the detail of the branch part of the air / water pipe of the endoscope of FIG. It is the top view which took up and showed the principal part of the endoscope which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope system, 2 ... Endoscope, 3 ... Light source device, 4 ... Processor, 5 ... Monitor, 6 ... Air supply / water supply device, 7 ... Suction device, 10 ... Outer skin, 10a ... Adhesion part, 11 ... Insertion , 12 ... operation part, 13 ... universal cable, 14 ... connector, 15 ... tip part, 15a ... cylindrical member, 15b ... reinforcing ring, 16 ... bending part, 17 ... flexible pipe part, 18a ... fixing part, 18 ... Fixed ring, 19 ... treatment tool / suction channel, 191 ... treatment tool insertion port, 21 ... light guide, 21a ... cylindrical member, 22 ... base end, 23a ... holding frame, 23 ... illumination lens unit, 24 ... tip cover 25a, 25b ... illumination lens, 26 ... opening, 28 ... tube, 29 ... outer skin, 30 ... curved blade, 31a, 31b ... observation lens, 31A ... imaging unit for normal light observation, 31B ... imaging unit for fluorescence observation, 3 B ... Objective lens, 32 ... Lens unit, 32a-32d ... Lens frame, 32A-32D ... Lens group, 33a ... Cover lens, 33, 38 ... Imaging element, 34 ... Circuit board, 35b ... Insulating tube, 35a ... For reinforcement Annular part, 40 ... cover lens, 36 ... lens unit, 36a, 36b ... lens frame, 36A, 36B ... lens group, 36 ... lens unit, 38a ... cover lens, 38a, 38b ... signal cable, 38c ... signal line, 38 ... Image sensor, 39 ... Circuit board, 42 ... Relay board, 43 ... Signal cable, 44 ... Scope cable, 45a, 45b ... Drive circuit, 46 ... Signal processing circuit, 47, 58 ... Control circuit, 48a, 48b ... Control Switch 49a ... Signal line 49c ... Switching signal line 49d ... Control signal line 50 ... Branch tube 51 ... Lamp 52 ... Remeter lens, 53 ... Rotating filter, 54 ... Condensing lens, 55, 57 ... Motor, 56 ... Rack, 58 ... Control circuit, 60a ... Jet port, 60 ... Air supply / water supply nozzle, 61a ... Air supply line, 61 ... Sending Pneumatic water supply pipe, 61b ... Water supply pipe, 62 ... Pipe member, 63 ... Air / water supply button, A ... Air / water supply area, 601 ... First air / water supply nozzle, 601a ... Jet port, 602 ... Second Air / water supply nozzle, 602a.

Claims (4)

A first observation optical system having a first center;
A first nozzle that ejects a fluid toward the first observation optical system;
A second observation optical system having a second center disposed at a position spaced apart from an arrangement position of the first observation optical system on an ejection trajectory of the fluid from the first nozzle ;
A second nozzle that ejects fluid toward the second observation optical system;
A tip opening that communicates with the suction means and has an opening center;
On the distal end surface of the insertion portion to be inserted into the body cavity,
To the distance between the first Nozzle and the first center for ejecting the fluid toward the first observation optical system, the second for ejecting the fluid toward the second observation optical system distance between the second centering nozzle is long, and with respect to the distance between the aperture center and the first center, so that the distance between the aperture center and the second center is shortened, the first an endoscope 1 and a second nozzle and the first and second observation optical system and said distal opening, characterized in that disposed on the distal surface. On the tip surface, the endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the illumination optical system is provided outside the injection range of the fluid in the first and second Nozzle The second observation optical system, an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the Rukoto Kyosu the observation special light. The special light observation, endoscope according to claim 3, wherein the fluorescence observation der Rukoto.

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