JPH06118315A - Focus fixing device of endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the focus fixing device of an endoscope which can adjust the focus of the endoscope with a focus adjusting mechanism using a wire, fix the focus by simple structure, and reduce the external diameter of an insertion part. CONSTITUTION:An endoscope tip part 2 is provided with an objective frame 16 which contains the lens group 16a of an objective optical system 12. The endoscope 1 can have the focus of the objective frame 16 adjusted with the wire 17. Further, this device is provided with a fixing screw 18 which fixes the focus position of the objective optical system 12 and adjusts the focus by the movement of the objective frame 16. The objective frame 16 is fixed with this fixing screw 18 to fix the focus position.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope focus fixing device for fixing the focus position of an objective optical system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a focus adjusting mechanism of an endoscope, an objective lens frame having an objective optical system provided at the tip of an insertion portion is driven by a wire from an operating portion side. However, since the wires are connected to each other, when the bending portion of the endoscope insertion portion bends into various shapes, the wires also move at the same time. For this reason, the objective lens frame may be displaced unintentionally and the focus may be lost.

In order to use a focus-adjustable endoscope as a fixed focus, (1) a displacement piezoelectric element is provided in the vicinity of the objective lens frame, and the displacement piezoelectric element is energized to move the objective lens frame. stop. (2) The F (focus) pipe that guides the focus adjusting wire stops the movement of the wire by sandwiching the wire by means of changing the size of the diameter in the radial direction (for example, slivers and taper members). (3) A friction plate is provided on the objective lens frame, and the movement of the objective lens frame is fixed by operating the friction plate. There is.

These (1) to (3) are known as prior art. As an example of (1), JP-A-62-22
As an example of (2) of Japanese Patent No. 9112, JP-A-62-15
As an example of JP-A No. 0212, (3), JP-A-62-10
There is an apparatus described in Japanese Patent No. 8903.

By the way, the focus adjustment work is performed at the time of assembly. In particular, a configuration without the focus adjustment wire,
In other words, the focus adjustment at the time of assembly is indispensable for the type that cannot be adjusted from the outside.

This is because the objective lens frame to be adjusted is inside the main body and must be adjusted and fixed before the lens frame is sealed. However, this adjustment is very difficult to perform because the objective lens frame is inside the main body, and often goes wrong with repeated use. Further, if it is erroneously or if it is adhered in order to surely fix it, the correction becomes almost impossible.

[0007]

When an endoscope having a wire focus adjusting mechanism is used by switching to a fixed focus, a complicated fixing means is provided as in the above-mentioned conventional example (1), and an operating portion is provided. It was switching from the side. Therefore, the conventional example has a drawback that the structure is complicated and the cost is increased.

Further, in the structure as described in the conventional examples (1), (2) and (3), an electric wire for driving the displacement piezoelectric element or an operating wire for operating the fixing means is operated from the operating portion side. There is room for improvement because the outer diameter of the insertion part becomes large due to the space.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances. In a focus fixing device for an endoscope having a focus adjusting mechanism using a moving means such as a wire, the focus can be adjusted while the focus is easily fixed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a focus fixing device for an endoscope, which can be realized at a low cost with a simple structure and which can reduce the outer diameter of the endoscope insertion portion.

[0010]

According to the present invention, there is provided a moving means for moving at least a part of an objective optical system provided at a distal end portion, and the moving means adjusts the focus of the objective optical system. In a focus fixing device for an endoscope having an adjusting mechanism, the focus adjustment is performed by releasing the fixed state while fixing the focus position of the objective optical system by an operation from the outside of the distal end of the endoscope. The fixing means is provided to enable the focus adjustment by the mechanism.

[0011]

[Operation] According to the present invention, the fixing means fixes the focal position of the objective optical system provided at the distal end portion of the endoscope, while releasing the fixed state, the moving means of the focus adjusting mechanism is used to The focus of the objective optical system can be adjusted.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a distal end portion of an endoscope including a main part of the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope apparatus, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a detailed side view of the interlock spiral tube, and FIG. 4 is a side view of the endoscope with the image pickup device attached.

An endoscope 1 shown in FIG. 2 includes an insertion portion 1a including a hard tip portion 2 incorporating an observation optical system and an illumination optical system, which will be described later, a bendable bending portion 3 and a flexible tube portion 4. An operating section 5 for driving the bending section 3, an eyepiece section 7 connected to the operating section 5 by a semi-flexible interlock spiral tube 6 capable of freely changing its direction, and the illumination optical system. Is connected to the light source device 8 and an LG (light guide) cord 9.

FIG. 3 shows details of the interlock spiral tube 6 and the eyepiece section 7. The interlock spiral tube 6 is formed by spirally winding a flexible member around an image guide, which will be described later, inserted through the operation portion 5. With this interlock spiral tube 6, the position of the eyepiece 7 with respect to the operation unit 5 can be arbitrarily maintained. Therefore, with this configuration, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom of the observation posture of the user at the time of inspection.

FIG. 9 shows a state in which a photographing device 31 is combined with the endoscope operation section 5. The photographing device 3
1 can be attached to the operation unit 5 via an adapter 32. The eyepiece 7 is configured so that the interlock spiral tube 6 can be bent to face an objective lens (not shown) of the photographing device 31. With this configuration, it is possible to improve the weight balance when the imaging device is combined with the endoscope.

A focus ring 10 for adjusting the focus of the observation optical system is provided near the rear end of the operation section 5.
Is provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, the tip portion 2 includes a tip body frame 11 made of metal, an objective lens 12a constituting an objective optical system 12, an IG (image guide) 13, an illumination lens 14 and a light guide. An illumination optical system consisting of 15 is built in. The observation optical system is the objective optical system 12, I
G13 and an eyepiece lens (not shown) of the eyepiece unit 7. The objective lens 12a and the illumination lens 14 are arranged on the tip surface of the tip portion 2.

Further, the objective lens frame 16 arranged between the objective lens 12a and the IG 13 has an objective lens group 16a made up of a plurality of lenses built therein.
a also constitutes the objective optical system 12.

The other end of the wire 17 as a moving means, one end of which is connected to the focus ring 10 of the operating portion 5, is inserted into the hole of the convex portion 16b protruding in the middle of the objective lens frame 16. It is fixed. Wire 17
Moves back and forth according to the rotation of the focus ring 10, and the objective lens frame 16 also moves back and forth according to this movement. In this way, the focus of the objective optical system, that is, the observation optical system is adjusted.

As the moving means, the wire 17 is used.
Besides, for example, a flexible pipe or the like may be used.

Further, the tip body frame 11 is formed with a hole 11a from the outer periphery in the vicinity of the tip portion toward the side portion of the incorporated objective lens frame 16. A fixing screw 18 as a fixing means capable of externally tightening and fixing the objective lens frame 16 is screwed into the hole 11a.
The head of the fixing screw 18 has an O-ring 19 on its side.
Are fitted. Further, the head portion of the fixing screw 18 has a driver groove formed on the upper surface thereof and is exposed on the outer peripheral surface of the tip body frame 11. The fixing screw 18
When is tightened by a tool such as a screwdriver, is brought into contact with and fixed to the objective lens frame 16.

In the present embodiment, in an endoscopic examination or the like, when a subject needs to be examined at various observation distances, the fixing state of the fixing screw 18 is released and the focus ring 10 is used while adjusting the focus. be able to. Further, when the best focus is obtained, the fixing screw 18 can be tightened at that position to fix the objective lens frame 16 to achieve the fixed focus.

Further, when the distance to be observed such as a pipe is fixed (fixed), the focus ring 10 can be used to focus on the distance and the fixing screw 18 can be tightened before the observation. .

The O-ring 19 has a role of waterproofing, and also has a function of preventing the fixing screw 18 from loosening or falling off due to a frictional force by being in contact with the hole 11a. That is, the O-ring 19 also has a role of a fixing means for preventing the focus once fixed from being displaced.

In this embodiment, as described above, the focus can be fixed easily, and the cost can be reduced. Further, in this embodiment, the outer diameter of the endoscope can be reduced.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the endoscope distal end portion including the main portion of the second embodiment.

The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in that the fixing screw 18 is provided at a position where the wire 17 is tightened. Also, the wire 17
Is inserted through a guide pipe 26 that protects this wire.

In addition, in the second embodiment, the same components and operations as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

If the objective lens frame 16 is tightened too much, the built-in objective lens group 16a may be cracked,
Although peeling may occur, the focus is fixed by fixing the movement of the wire 17 in the second embodiment. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the damage can be prevented.

However, in the first embodiment, the holes 11
By adjusting the depth of a, the damage can be prevented, and fixing the objective lens group 16a in the frame 16 via a rubber or the like for pressure absorption is one countermeasure.

In the second embodiment, the other constructions and effects are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 6 is a top view and a sectional view of a main part according to the third embodiment.

In the third embodiment, the fixing screw 18 is formed of a transparent member, and the O-ring 19 is interposed between the bottom of the screw head and the hole 11a of the tip body frame 11. ing. When the fixing screw 18 is not tightened as shown in FIG. 6B, the lower surface 18a of the fixing screw 18 is
And the O-ring 19 are in contact with each other. At this time,
The portion of the O-ring 19 that is in contact with the lower surface 18a is shown in FIG.
It can be seen from the outside as a fine ring-shaped line 20 as shown in (a).

Next, the fixing screw 18 is used to tighten for fixing the focus. The object of tightening may be the objective lens frame 16 as in the first embodiment, or
The wire 17 may be fixed as in the second embodiment. In any case, by tightening, the fixing screw 1
Since the O-ring 19 is pressed on the lower surface 18a of
As shown in FIG. 6C, the ring 19 appears as a ring-shaped thick line 21. The sectional view at that time is shown in FIG.
Is.

In this embodiment, it can be determined whether or not the O-ring 19 is fixed, and the state can be visually recognized from the outside to judge whether or not the O-ring 19 is fixed. Therefore,
You can eliminate mistakes when using. If the above confirmation can be made, when the focus is fixed, without knowing the wire 1
It is possible to prevent the wire 17 and the like from being damaged without forcibly pulling the wire 7.

The rest of the configuration, operation and effect are the same as those of the first or second embodiment, and the explanation thereof is omitted.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the distal end portion of the endoscope according to the fourth embodiment.

In this embodiment, not the focus adjustment by the wire 17, but the objective lens frame 16 on the tip side of the endoscope.
The focus is adjusted by moving (that is, the objective lens group 16a). The objective lens frame 16 has a recess 11b formed in the front surface of the tip body frame 11. The focus adjusting screw 22, which is exposed in the recess 11b and serves as a moving unit and a fixing unit, is rotatably held in the axial direction. The focus adjusting screw 22 has a driver groove formed on its tip end surface, and an O-ring 19a abutting against the hole 11a of the body frame 11 is externally fitted to the side portion near the tip end portion thereof. Also, this focus adjustment screw 22
Is screwed into the hole of the convex portion 16b protruding to the side of the objective lens frame 16 in the middle thereof, and the frame 16 is movable back and forth in the axial direction.

In this embodiment, the objective lens frame 16 which is watertightly sealed in the tip body frame 11 is buried in the surface of the frame body,
Further, it is constructed so as to be operated from the outside of the main body frame 11 by the waterproof fine adjustment screw 22. Therefore, in this embodiment, by rotating the focus adjusting screw 22 from the outside, it is possible to freely adjust and correct the focus, and it is also possible to correct erroneous adjustment. Further, in this embodiment, the objective lens frame 16
Is screwed into the focus adjusting screw 22, and it is difficult to move in the axial direction unless the focus adjusting screw 22 is turned, and stable positioning is achieved. In addition, the O-ring 19
Also has a role of preventing rotation as well as a waterproof function. That is, the focus adjusting screw 22 screwed into the hole of the convex portion 16b of the objective lens frame 16 and the O-ring 19 constitute a fixing means. Other configurations and operations similar to those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. Figure 8
[Fig. 8] is a sectional view of a distal end portion of an endoscope in a fifth example.

In the fifth embodiment, instead of the objective lens frame 16 of the third embodiment, there is an objective lens frame 16A in which the convex portion 16b is removed from the side portion. The objective lens group 16a is fixed inside the frame 16A. Also, this fifth
In the embodiment, the focus adjusting screw 23 as a moving means and a fixing means exposed on the side surface of the tip body frame 11 is embedded. The screw portion formed at the tip of the focus adjusting screw 23 is adapted to be screwed into a pinion gear 24 whose shaft is connected to the frame body of the objective lens frame 16. The focus adjusting screw 23 has the O exposed on the side surface of the head.
The ring 19 is fitted on the outside.

In the above construction, by turning the focus adjusting screw 23, the objective lens frame 16 moves in the axial direction and the focus is adjusted. Other configurations and operational effects are the fourth.
The description is omitted because it is similar to the embodiment.

Next, a sixth embodiment will be described. Figure 9
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a distal end portion of an endoscope and a focus adjusting mechanism according to a sixth embodiment.

In this embodiment, instead of the objective lens frame 16A of the fifth embodiment, an objective lens frame 16B having a cam groove 27 on its side portion is provided. The objective lens group 16a is incorporated and fixed inside the frame 16B. Also,
In this embodiment, instead of the focus adjusting screw 23 of the fifth embodiment, the focus adjusting screw 25 is inserted into the hole 11a of the tip body frame 11.
It is designed to be embedded through. Focus adjustment screw 25
Has a cam 25a at its tip, and the O-ring 19 constituting the fixing means is externally fitted in the middle thereof.
Other than that, regarding the same configuration and operation as the fifth embodiment,
The same reference numerals are given and the description is omitted.

In the above structure, the focus can be adjusted by turning the focus adjusting screw 25.

[0046]

According to the focus fixing device for an endoscope of the present invention, in an endoscope having a focus adjusting mechanism by the moving means, the focus can be adjusted by the moving means while the focus is fixed. It has an effect that it can be realized at a low cost with a simple structure and that the outer diameter of the endoscope insertion portion can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a distal end portion of an endoscope including a main portion of this embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope device.

FIG. 3 is a detailed side view of an interlock spiral pipe.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the endoscope with an imaging device attached.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a distal end portion of an endoscope including a main portion of the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a top view and a cross-sectional view of a main part according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the distal end portion of the endoscope according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a distal end portion of an endoscope according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration in which an imaging device is combined with an endoscope operation unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope 2 ... Tip part 11 ... Tip body frame 12 ... Objective optical system 12a ... Objective lens 13 ... Image guide (IG) 16 ... Objective lens frame 16 ... Objective lens group 17 ... Wire 18 ... Fixing screw 19 ... O ring

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An endoscope having a moving means for moving at least a part of an objective optical system provided at a tip portion thereof, and a focus adjusting mechanism for adjusting the focus of the objective optical system by the moving means. In the focus fixing device, the focus position of the objective optical system is fixed by an operation from the outside of the endoscope distal end, while the fixed state is released so that the focus adjustment mechanism can perform focus adjustment. A focus fixing device for an endoscope, which is provided with a fixing means.