JPH08126606A - Endoscopic mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide an endoscopic system capable of being selectively changed over to a plane view or stereoscopic vision endoscopic system and having general-purpose properties and possibilities as a system. CONSTITUTION: An endoscopic system is constituted by two or more kinds of optical endoscopes 21, 22, 23, 24 performing observation, the TV camera heads 31, 32, 33 of two or more types connected to those endoscopes 21, 22, 23, 24, the camera control units 7 connected to the TV camera heads 31, 32, 33 and driving the CCDs 6 of the TV camera heads 31, 32, 33 and processing the image signals from the CCDs 6 and monitors 81, 82 displaying the image of a part to be observed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope system having a plurality of types of endoscopes, and more particularly to an endoscope system capable of selectively using a planar view and a stereoscopic view.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, endoscopes have been widely used which are capable of observing an observation target portion and performing various treatments by inserting an elongated insertion portion into a body cavity or the like. In this endoscope, the insertion part is flexible and is inserted through the body cavity bent from the oral cavity etc. to observe the observation target site in the body cavity, and the insertion part is rigid and linear toward the observation target site in the body cavity. There is something to insert and observe.

In an endoscope having a flexible insertion portion, an object image of an observation target portion formed on an image guide which is inserted through the endoscope is transmitted to an eyepiece portion to perform observation with the naked eye. An electronic endoscope in which an endoscope and an image pickup device such as a CCD are provided at the tip of the endoscope insertion portion, and a subject image of an observation target portion formed on the image pickup device is displayed on a monitor screen for observation. There is.

On the other hand, a relay optical system is generally used for an endoscope having a rigid insertion portion, and a subject image of an observation target site is obtained through this relay optical system. There are various types of endoscopes such as a direct-view type, a perspective type, and a side-view type depending on the direction of the visual field.

EP 0019792 also shows a surgical microscope with a small working distance in which a rod-shaped interchangeable objective lens is combined. In this surgical microscope, a stereoscopic view or a planar view can be performed by exchanging and connecting a casing in which two prisms are arranged to a rod-shaped objective lens or an eyepiece constituting an eyepiece through an intermediate member. There is.

Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-59199 discloses a stereoscopic endoscope in which a TV camera having a CCD is arranged on the hand side for stereoscopic observation. In this stereoscopic endoscope, one for performing stereoscopic observation using two CCDs and one for performing stereoscopic observation using one CCD are shown.

[0007]

However, the above-mentioned E
Surgical microscope of P0019792 and JP-A-6-591
In the stereoscopic endoscope disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 99, devices such as a TV camera and its peripheral devices such as a camera control unit and a display device are not considered systematically, and thus an endoscope system for planar view is configured. However, when configured as a stereoscopic endoscope system, the endoscope system can only be used for stereoscopic observation. However, there is a problem that not only the system does not develop, the usability is inconvenient, but also the cost performance is poor.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is possible to selectively switch to a two-dimensional or stereoscopic endoscope system, and the endoscope system has versatility and expandability as a system. Is intended to provide.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An endoscope system according to the present invention comprises a plurality of types of endoscopes, a TV camera head for planar view and a stereoscopic view which can be selectively connected to the proximal side of these endoscopes. TV camera head.

[0010]

According to this structure, it is possible to perform appropriate observation and treatment by selectively utilizing the planar view TV camera head and the stereoscopic TV camera head for a plurality of types of endoscopes according to the situation.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an endoscope system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The endoscope system of this embodiment includes a plurality of types of optical endoscopes for observation (hereinafter referred to as an endoscope),
Multiple types of TV cameras connected to these endoscopes and CCs of camera heads connected to these TV cameras
A camera controller unit (hereinafter abbreviated as CCU) for driving D and processing an image signal picked up by this CCD;
It is composed of a monitor for displaying an image of the observation target region and a light source device (not shown) for supplying illumination light to the observation target region.

As shown in the figure, the endoscope includes, for example, a direct-viewing type rigid endoscope 21 in which a relay lens is disposed in a rigid insertion portion, a perspective-type endoscope 22 in which the insertion portion is flexible, Direct-viewing type plan-viewing type inside of a direct-viewing type having a small-diameter endoscope 23 having an outer diameter smaller than that of the rigid endoscope 21 or the perspective type endoscope 22 and an eyepiece 24a. It has various endoscopes such as the endoscope 24. In addition to these, various endoscopes having the same outer diameter but different viewing directions, different outer diameters, different viewing angles and lengths are provided. ing.

As the TV camera, for example, a stereoscopic TV camera head in which a pair of optical systems 5 and 5 and CCDs 6 and 6 for directly observing the stereoscopically by being directly connected to the end portion of the endoscope on the near side is arranged. 31 and the optical system 5a for observing in plan view and the TV camera head for plane view 32 in which the CCD 6 is arranged, and the adapter 4 connected to the proximal end of the endoscope for direct observation in plan view. It has various TV camera heads such as the TV camera head 33 for planar view in which the CCD 6 is arranged, and is equipped with various TV cameras such as NTSC type, PAL type, single plate type, three plate type or HDTV. There is. By connecting the adapter 4 to an endoscope having no eyepiece, the endoscope image can be observed with the naked eye. Further, the TV camera head 33 for planar view can be directly connected to the direct-view type planar endoscope 24 without the adapter 4.

The various TV camera heads 31, 32, 3
The CCU 7 for driving the CCD 6 arranged in 3 and processing the signals from this CCD 6 is a TV camera head 3 for planar view.
2 or one CCU 7 is used when the TV camera head 33 for planar viewing is used, and the TV camera head 31 for stereoscopic viewing is used when the TV camera head 31 for stereoscopic viewing is used.
CCU7 corresponding to a pair of CCDs 6 and 6 arranged inside
Use two units as a set. The CCUs 7, 7 are connected to a monitor 81 for two-dimensional display and a monitor 82 for three-dimensional display. The monitor 81 and the monitor 82 are selectively used according to the type of TV camera head used and the purpose of observation.

The stereoscopic TV camera head 31 is used.
The present invention is not limited to one having two CCDs, and one CCD as shown in JP-A-6-59199 may be used for stereoscopic viewing. In this case, one CCU is connected.

Although an optical system is provided inside the adapter 4, this optical system may not be provided, and an optical system may be provided inside the TV camera head 33 for planar view. That is, these endoscopes, adapters, T
The V camera has an optical design that enables optimum observation depending on the application.

In the endoscope system 1 configured as described above, as the desired endoscope, for example, the direct-view type planar view endoscope 2 is used.
4 is selected, the insertion portion of the direct-view type planar endoscope 24 is inserted into the observation target site, and illumination light from a light source device (not shown) is applied to the observation target site to obtain an optical image of the observation target site. The camera head 33 connected to the direct view type planar endoscope 24 captures an optical image of the observation target site obtained by the direct view type planar endoscope 24. At this time, an optical image is formed on the CCD 6 built in the camera head 33 and converted into an electric signal, and the electric signal of the subject image is transmitted to the CCU 7 for signal processing and captured by the monitor 81 with an endoscope. The subject image of the observation target portion can be displayed for observation and inspection.

It should be noted that one CCU 7 is connected to the monitor 81 for two-dimensional display, and two CCUs 7, 7 are connected to the monitor 82 for three-dimensional display.

Further, as the monitor 81 for observing in plan view, an ordinary monitor, a projector or the like is used. On the other hand, in the case of stereoscopic observation, the two CCUs 7, 7 are synchronously controlled to drive the pair of left and right CCDs 6, 6 arranged in the stereoscopic TV camera head 31, and the image displayed on the monitor 82. Can be observed with polarizing glasses provided with a liquid crystal shutter panel, an image displayed on the monitor 82 can be observed with glasses with a liquid crystal shutter, and a head mounted display (HMD) having a liquid crystal element arranged in front of the eyes can be observed. , A lenticular lens is arranged in front of the monitor 82 to observe without wearing glasses, and a stereoscopic observation can be performed by using a backlight division method in which the direction of the backlight light is controlled according to the eyes of a person. It has become.

As described above, a plurality of types of endoscopes and a plurality of types of TVs that can be connected to the plurality of types of endoscopes.
CC equipped with a camera and compatible with this TV camera
By providing at least one U to configure the endoscope system, it is possible to perform a probable examination / treatment without being limited to the limited examination using one limited endoscope. .

Since the change from the stereoscopic observation to the stereoscopic observation and vice versa can be selectively performed, the endoscope system can be used for the stereoscopic observation or the stereoscopic observation. Since it is not limited to either one for stereoscopic observation, workability and cost performance are improved.

Furthermore, a plurality of endoscopes and a plurality of TVs
By preparing an adapter that can be connected to a camera, it becomes possible to inexpensively construct endoscope systems of various specifications.

By the way, in the pupil division type stereoscopic endoscope, since it is necessary to position the distance between the relay lens facing the lens cover of the insertion portion and the split prism with high accuracy, the relay lens and the split prism are the same. The relay lens assembly was formed by fixing it to the support member. For this reason, when checking the accuracy of the relay lens incorporated in the support member, the assembly accuracy is checked by looking through the relay lens shown in the reflecting mirror through the two openings on the reflecting mirror side facing the reflecting surface of the split prism. It was Therefore,
During this check, if a relay lens installation defect was found, the split prism had to be removed to adjust the relay lens installation defect. For this reason,
There has been a demand for a stereoscopic endoscope that is easy to check the assembling accuracy of the relay lens and is easy to assemble.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the accuracy of assembling the relay lens 101 to the support member 103 on the end face of the support member 103 supporting the relay lens 101 and the split prism 102 on the side of the split prism. A check opening 103a for checking is provided. That is,
After incorporating the relay lens 101 into the support member 103,
Looking through the relay lens 101 through the check opening 103a, the accuracy of assembling the relay lens 101 to the support member 103 is checked. If the assembly accuracy of the relay lens 101 is acceptable, the split prism 102 is fixed to the support member, and if the assembly accuracy is not acceptable, the relay lens 10
Adjust the defective part of 1.

As described above, since the check opening for confirming the assembly accuracy of the relay lens is provided in the support member for disposing the relay lens, the relay lens can be seen by one operation through the check opening. Since it is possible to check the assembling accuracy of the supporting member, the assembly workability is significantly improved.

Further, if there is a problem in the accuracy of assembly of the relay lens to the support member, the defective part can be directly adjusted without performing work such as removing the split prism.

In the figure, reference numeral 104 designates a relief hole for arranging a positioning bolt 106 for positioning and fixing the support member 103 to the grip portion 105, and the relief hole 104 cancels an assembly error when the relay lens is assembled. Then, the tip surface of the relay lens 101 and the grip portion 10
The lens cover arranged at the proximal end portion of the insertion portion 107 fixed to 5 is prevented from coming into contact with the lens cover.
Reference numeral 111 denotes a mirror tilt angle adjusting screw for adjusting the optical axis of the mirror 112, which is rotatable by a flange 113 and can be raised and lowered by a double nut 114. Reference numeral 115 denotes a support member retainer, and the support member 10
3 is pressed and fixed to the main body member 116. At this time, A-A
As shown in the cross-sectional view, the connecting portion 117 between the support member 103 and the main body member 116 has a flat surface portion 11 to prevent rotational shake.
8 is provided.

By the way, in the conventional stereoscopic rigid endoscope system, when an impact is applied to the endoscope or the stereoscopic TV camera head, an image displayed on the stereoscopic display device may be blurred. is there. For this reason, this stereoscopic display device is provided with a blur adjusting means for adjusting the blur by moving the image for the left eye or the image for the right eye of the index imaged by the stereoscopic TV camera in the vertical and horizontal directions. However, in order to perform this blur adjustment, it is necessary to place an index at a fixed distance from the tip of the endoscope and image the index to match the left and right images. Since it was necessary to set the endoscope on a large jig such as an examination table and then perform the adjustment work, it was not possible to easily perform it in the hospital because the setting and the like were troublesome. For this reason, there has been a demand for a system that can easily adjust the blurring of the left and right images.

Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the distal end surface 123 of the insertion portion cover 122 disposed at the insertion portion distal end portion 121 of the endoscope 120 is positioned at a position facing the objective optical system of the endoscope. A cross mark 124 is provided as an index for blur adjustment. A positioning step 125 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the insertion section cover so that the cross mark 124 is located at a predetermined distance from the optical system of the endoscope 120. Therefore, in FIG.
As shown in, the image of the cross mark 124 provided on the insertion section cover 122 is displayed on the stereoscopic display device 130,
When the images 124a and 124b of the cross mark 124 are misaligned, the image 12 of the cross mark 124 is operated by operating the misalignment adjusting means (not shown) provided in the stereoscopic display device 130.
If 4a and 124b are matched, the blurring of the left and right images is adjusted.

By thus providing the insertion portion cover with the cross mark, the blurring of the left and right images can be easily adjusted as needed.

[Additional Notes] 1. An endoscope system comprising a plurality of types of endoscopes, and a planar view TV camera head and a stereoscopic TV camera head that can be selectively connected to the proximal side of these endoscopes.

2. The endoscope system according to appendix 1, comprising at least one CCU to which the TV camera head for planar view or the TV camera head for stereoscopic view can be selectively connected.

3. The stereoscopic TV camera head has two
The endoscope system according to appendix 1, which is connected to the CCU of the table.

4. The flat-screen TV camera head has one
The endoscope system according to appendix 1, which is connected to the CCU of the table.

5. The endoscope system according to attachment 3, wherein either or both of the two CCUs can be connected to a TV camera head for planar view.

6. The endoscope system according to appendix 1, wherein a planar-view endoscope having an eyepiece unit integrally and a planar-view endoscope having no eyepiece unit can be selected as the various endoscopes.

7. 2. The appendix 1 having a TV camera head connected to a planar endoscope that integrally includes the eyepiece and an adapter that connects the same TV camera to a planar endoscope that does not have an eyepiece. Endoscope system.

8. The various endoscopes include direct-view type, perspective type,
The endoscope system according to Appendix 1, which includes endoscopes having different viewing angles such as a small-diameter type, and these endoscopes can be selected.

9. 9. The endoscope system according to appendices 7 and 8, wherein the TV camera head for planar view and the stereoscopic camera head can be connected to all endoscopes.

10. In a pupil-splitting stereoscopic endoscope that splits an optical image transmitted through a relay lens into left and right images with a split prism, and in a pupil-splitting stereoscopic endoscope, a relay on the split prism side end surface of a support member on which the relay lens and the split prism are arranged. A stereoscopic endoscope having a check-through hole near the optical axis of the lens to check the assembly accuracy of the relay lens.

11. A stereoscopic endoscope having a stereoscopic display device for displaying left and right images picked up through an endoscope and having a shake adjusting unit for adjusting the shake of the left and right images. A stereoscopic endoscope device having an index for blurring adjustment on the surface of the insertion section cover facing the objective optical system of the endoscope.

[0043]

As described above, according to the present invention, an endoscope system that can be selectively switched to a two-dimensional or stereoscopic endoscope system and has versatility and expandability as a system is provided. Can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an endoscope system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a pupil division type stereoscopic endoscope.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an insertion portion cover of a stereoscopic endoscope.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an image of an index displayed on a stereoscopic display device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... Endoscope system

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of types of endoscopes, and a planar-view T that can be selectively connected to the proximal side of these endoscopes.
An endoscope system comprising: a V camera head and a stereoscopic TV camera head.