JPH08545A - Cover type endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To ease the pain to be given on a patient by reducing the diameter at the front end of an insertion part including an endoscope cover having a lens cover facing an observation optical system and an illumination optical system. CONSTITUTION:An optical path of illumination light passing a range effective for illumination in the illumination optical system 33 is formed to an irregular shape formed to a straight shape on at least the observation optical system 32 side of the effective illumination region 33b to be set as a region intersected with the lens cover 35. The effective region is formed by effectively utilizing this region which is heretofore a dead space in the conventional constitution where the effective observation region is formed as a circular shape, by which the lens cover of this constitution is formed smaller and the diameter of the cover type endoscope is made smaller.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement of a cover type endoscope in which a cover endoscope having an optical system is inserted into an endoscope cover for use.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, endoscopes have been widely used for medical and industrial purposes. Of these, endoscopes used for medical purposes must be thoroughly washed and disinfected in order to reliably prevent infections and the like through the endoscope. For this reason, it takes time and labor for cleaning and disinfection, and further, in order to continuously inspect a plurality of people, it is necessary to prepare a plurality of endoscopes, which is a burden on the user. .

In view of this, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-179128 proposes a so-called cover-type endoscope which solves the above-mentioned burden on the user.

However, in the cover-type endoscope, the tip-end constituent member provided in the insertion portion of the cover endoscope and the tip-end cover provided in the endoscope cover are detachable at the tip end side thereof. It has a separate structure. Therefore, some clearance is required between both members. Therefore, the cover-type endoscope has a larger (thicker) outer diameter at its distal end than that of a conventional scope that is widely used at present, and it is difficult to reduce the pain given to the patient.

Generally, in a cover type endoscope, a transparent member (hereinafter referred to as a lens) is provided on the endoscope cover so as to face both the observation optical system and the illumination optical system provided at the tip of the endoscope. A cover) is provided. The lens cover for the observation optical system and the lens cover for the illumination optical system are often composed of an integral part in order to reduce the cost and the labor for assembling, but in that case, the illumination light is continuous inside the lens cover. This light reflected and jumped into the observation optical system, causing flare, which hindered endoscopic observation.

Regarding the above-mentioned reflection inside the lens cover, JP-A-3-264036 and JP-A-3-264 are available.
A countermeasure structure is proposed in Japanese Patent No. 037.

However, since the structure has a portion for dimming the reflected light between the observation optical system and the illumination optical system, the tip diameter of the cover-type endoscope is correspondingly increased. , It is not possible to further reduce the pain caused to the patient.

[0008]

However, the conventional cover-type endoscope has a larger tip diameter, and cannot further reduce the pain caused to the patient.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is intended to reduce the diameter of the distal end of the insertion portion, including the endoscope cover having a lens cover facing the observation optical system and the illumination optical system. It is an object of the present invention to provide a cover-type endoscope that can reduce the pain caused to the patient.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a cover endoscope in which an observation optical system for observing a subject and an illumination optical system for irradiating the subject with illumination light are arranged close to each other. A cover-type endoscope in which a cover endoscope is covered, and an endoscope cover having a lens cover facing the observation optical system and the illumination optical system of the cover endoscope is combined with the observation optical system. An observation effective area set as an area where an optical path of light passing through an effective area for observation intersects with the lens cover, or an optical path of illumination light passing through an effective area for illumination in the illumination optical system is on the lens cover. At least one of the illumination effective areas set as the intersecting areas has a non-circular irregular shape.

[0011]

In the structure of the present invention, an effective observation area set as an area where the optical path of light passing through the effective observation area in the observation optical system intersects with the lens cover, or an effective illumination area in the illumination optical system. At least one of the illumination effective regions set as the region where the optical path of the light passing through intersects with the lens cover has a non-circular irregular shape. Therefore, in this configuration, the illumination effective area of the illumination light emitted from the lens cover and the dead space area in the conventional configuration in which the observation effective area that is an effective area for observation is circular are utilized to obtain the effective area. With this, the lens cover can be made small, and the diameter of the cover-type endoscope can be reduced.

In the above structure, for example, when the illumination effective area is formed into a non-circular irregular shape, the dead space is effectively utilized to form the illumination effective area, thereby forming the illumination effective area in the same size as the conventional circular shape. Yes, and the lens cover can be small. This also applies to the observation effective area of this configuration.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 3 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is an overall external view of an endoscope apparatus, and FIG. 2A is a front view showing a tip end surface of a cover type endoscope. , Fig. 2
3B is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 3A, and FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a lens cover facing the optical system.

As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope apparatus 1 has a cover type endoscope 2. The cover-type endoscope 2 includes an endoscope cover 3 provided with conduits such as an air / water supply conduit, a suction conduit, and a treatment instrument channel, and a cover endoscope attached to the endoscope cover 3. And a mirror 4.

The endoscope apparatus 1 includes the cover-type endoscope 2, a cart 5 in which various peripheral devices and the like to which the cover-type endoscope 2 is connected are installed, and the cover-type endoscope 2. And a cover holder 6 for holding.

The cart 5 includes, for example, a light source device 7, a video processor 8, a fluid control device 9, and an endoscope cover extender (hereinafter referred to as an endoscope cover extender used when the endoscope 4 for the cover is attached to the endoscope cover 3). , Abbreviated as dilator) 10 and the like. A video processor 8 is provided on the upper surface of the cart 5.
Monitor 1 that receives the video signal from the computer and displays an endoscopic image
1 is placed.

The cover endoscope 4 includes an operation portion 1 which also serves as a large-diameter grip portion at the proximal end of the elongated endoscope insertion portion 12 on the proximal side.
3 are connected in series, and the universal cord 14 extends from the side of the operation unit 13. A connector 15 is provided at the end of the universal cord 14.

The light source device 7 is detachably connected to the cover endoscope 4 via the connector 15 so as to supply illumination light to the endoscope. The video processor 8 is detachably connected to the cover endoscope 4 via a signal cable 16 extending from the side of the connector 15. Then, the video processor 8 drives the image pickup means built in the cover endoscope 4 and performs signal processing on the signal output from the image pickup means, converts it into a standard video signal, and outputs it to the monitor 11. It has become.

The expander 10 is for connecting an expansion tube 17 and sending air into the endoscope cover 3 through the expansion tube 17 for expansion. By expanding the endoscope cover 3, the cover endoscope 4 can be easily attached or removed. The cover holder 6 is used when the endoscope cover 3 is attached to or detached from the cover endoscope 4. For example, the cover holder 6 holds the proximal end side of the endoscope cover 3 so that the cover endoscope 4 can be inserted or withdrawn.

The endoscope cover 3 is provided with a flexible insertion portion cover portion 18, an operation portion cover portion 19 and a universal cord cover portion 20 which are made of a thin and soft polymer material such as vinyl chloride. It is configured. These cover portions 19, 20, 21 cover the endoscope insertion portion 12, the operation portion 13, and the universal cord 14 of the cover endoscope 4, respectively.

The fluid control device 9 is provided with an air supply control valve 21, a water supply control valve 22, and a suction control valve 23 for supplying air, water,
Suction control is performed by these solenoid valves.
These air supply control valve 21, water supply control valve 22, suction control valve 2
An air supply tube 24, a water supply tube 25, and a suction tube 26 extending from the insertion section cover 18 are connected to each of the three.

The suction control valve 23 has a suction tube 2
7 is also connected, and an aspirator (not shown) connected to the end of the endoscope 7 can suck unwanted body fluid or the like from the distal end of the endoscope. Water supply control valve 22
A water supply tube 28 is also connected to the water supply tube 28, and a water supply tank 29 is connected to the tip portion thereof. Further, the two air supply tubes 30 extending from the fluid control device 9 are connected to the air supply control valve 21 and the water supply tank 29, respectively.

The connector 15 is provided with a water leakage inspection mouthpiece (not shown) for finding a water leakage portion of the endoscope, and air is introduced into the endoscope through the water leakage inspection mouthpiece. It can be sent.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show the structure of the tip of the cover type endoscope. Note that FIG. 2B is a cross section taken along the line AA shown in FIG.

A tip forming member 31 is provided at the tip of the endoscope insertion portion 12 of the cover endoscope 4. An observation optical system 32 and an illumination optical system 33, each of which is composed of a plurality of lenses, are provided on the distal end constituent member 31.

On the other hand, a distal end cover 34 is provided at the distal end portion of the insertion portion cover portion 18 which constitutes the endoscope cover 3. The distal end cover 34 includes the observation optical system 32.
A lens cover 35 made of a transparent member is provided at a position facing the illumination optical system 33.

The tip optical component 31 includes an observation optical system 3
2 and the first lens 32a of the objective which is the outermost lens of the illumination optical system 33, and the front end surface 31a of the front end forming member which is the same surface as the first illumination lens 33a, and the front end surface 31a is retracted to the operation portion 13 side. As described above, a tip forming member contact surface 31b formed with a step is provided. The tip constituent member contact surface 31b contacts the tip cover contact surface 34a provided in the tip cover 34.

The step (height) h between the tip surface 31a of the tip forming member and the contact surface 31b of the tip forming member, and the tip cover 3
The distance d between the inner side surface 35a of the lens cover 35 and the tip cover abutting surface 31b provided at 4 is d> h.
The distance (d-h) of 5a is preferably about 0.05 mm to 0.3 mm.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the lens cover 35 portion shown in FIG. The lens cover 35 has an observation effective area 3 which is an area in which an objective light beam incident as an observation effective area of the observation optical system 32 intersects the lens cover outer surface 35b.
2b is set. In addition, the illumination light beam emitted as the effective illumination range of the illumination optical system 33 is the outer surface 35 of the lens cover.
A range intersecting with b is set on the lens cover 35 as an effective illumination area 33b. The effective observation range of the observation optical system 32 and the effective illumination range of the illumination optical system 33 are the size and shape of the pupil of each optical system, the size and shape of the lens cover 35, and the tip cover 34 that holds the cover 35.
Corresponds to the aperture stop defined by the positional relationship and the like.

The tip end cover 34 of the cover-type endoscope 4 is provided with an air supply nozzle 36, a water supply nozzle 37, and a treatment instrument channel opening 38.

Illumination First lens 33a (viewed from the front)
The shape is not a circle but an irregular shape, and in this embodiment, at least a portion close to the observation optical system 32 is a linear portion 33e. In the illustrated example,
Both side portions adjacent to the linear shape on the adjacent portion side are also formed into linear shape portions 33f and 33g. In addition, the side facing the linear portion 33e on the side of the adjacent portion is the arc portion 3
It is 3h.

The area of the illumination first lens 33a is the same as the area of the circular illumination first lens D virtually shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG.

The light guide 33c optically connected to the illumination optical system 33 on the hand side has a cross-sectional shape of the illumination first
It has an irregular shape similar to the lens 33a.

The effective illumination area 33b is the first illumination area.
Since it is restricted by the shape of the lens 33a, it becomes a deformed shape of a substantially similar shape. Therefore, the effective illumination area 33b has the same size as the effective illumination area E indicated by the alternate long and two short dashes line defined by the circular illumination first lens D virtually indicated by the alternate long and two short dashes line in FIG. That is, the amount of light emitted from the illumination optical system 33 is almost the same as that when a commonly used circular illumination optical system is arranged.

The lens cover 35 may have a size that includes at least the observation effective area 33a and the illumination effective area 33b.

In this embodiment, the illumination first lens 33a is used.
Has the same area as the circular illumination first lens D virtually shown by the chain double-dashed line D in FIG. 3 and the linear portion in the vicinity of the observation optical system makes the length of the illumination first lens 33a longer. R1
Can be shortened.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the illumination first lens r
By shortening the length of 1, the effective illumination area 33b
The length r2 of is also shortened. And further lens cover 3
The length r3 of 5 can be shortened, the diameter can be made smaller than that of the illumination first lens D having a circular tip diameter, and the light amount can be equivalent.

That is, in this embodiment, the effective illumination area 33 is used.
In the conventional configuration in which at least the observation optical system 32 side is linearly formed in b and the observation effective area is circular, the dead space area is used as the effective area. The lens cover can be made smaller, and the diameter of the cover-type endoscope can be reduced.

The tip of the cover-type endoscope 4 may have a structure shown in each of the following modifications other than the structure shown in FIG. 2 (b).

The lens cover 35 according to the first modification shown in FIG. 4 is provided with a flange 35c on its outer peripheral portion. On the other hand, the lens cover mounting hole of the tip cover 34 is formed in the lens cover mounting hole in FIG.
It is not necessary to provide a lens cover mounting step as shown in (b).

According to this structure, since it is not necessary to provide the lens cover mounting step on the tip cover 34, the moldability and workability of the tip cover member are improved.

The lens cover 35 according to the second modification shown in FIG. 5 is provided with a step 35d on the inner side thereof facing the illumination optical system 33 so as to project toward the illumination optical system 33. ing. That is, the step portion 35d is
The lens cover 35 is formed so that the side near the illumination optical system 33 is thicker than the side facing the observation optical system 32.

On the other hand, the tip surface 31 of the tip forming member 31.
At a, a light-shielding protrusion 40 is provided between the observation optical system 32 and the illumination optical system 33 so as to be adjacent to the step portion 35d of the lens cover 35.

According to this structure, a part of the illumination light emitted from the illumination optical system 33 is reflected on the inner surface of the lens cover 35, and the reflected light is reflected again on the front end surface 31a. The light-shielding protrusions 40 prevent the reflected light traveling to the. Therefore, in this modification, an observed image without flare can be obtained.

In the third modification shown in FIG. 6, the lens cover 35 is attached to the tip cover 34 from the inside. For this reason, the tip cover 34 is formed with a hole having the same size as the plate-shaped lens cover 35 from the inside, and is provided with a step portion 34b having a smaller diameter than the hole for positioning and fixing the lens cover 35. . Also,
The tip end cover 34 has a taper portion 34c formed outside the step portion 34, the diameter of which increases toward the outside. As a result, the effective observation range and the effective illumination range are maximized.

According to this structure, even if the lens cover comes off from the distal end cover during the endoscopic examination, it does not drop into the body cavity, and a safer endoscopic examination can be performed.

The fourth modification shown in FIG. 7 has a configuration in which the features of the modifications shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are combined. That is, in the present modified example, an observation image without flare can be obtained, and a safer endoscopic inspection without dropping the lens cover into the body cavity becomes possible.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a lens cover facing the optical system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the illumination first.
The shape of the lens is different. In addition, about the same composition and operation as a 1st example, the same numerals are attached and explanation and a figure are omitted, and only a different point is explained.

As shown in FIG. 8, the illumination first lens 42 which constitutes the illumination optical system 33 of this embodiment includes the objective optical system 32.
Has a curved shape portion 42a formed so as to be curved so as to be substantially parallel to the side of the arc shape. Therefore, the illumination effective area 43 is also a range along the arc shape on the observation effective area 32b side. The effective illumination area 43 is similar to the effective illumination area 33b except for the observation effective area 32b side. The lens cover 35 may have a size that includes at least the observation effective area 33a and the illumination effective area 43 at a minimum. Further, the light guide 33c and the other illumination optical system may have the same shape as the illumination first lens 42.

In the above configuration, the illumination effective area 43
Does not intersect the observation effective area 32b, the illumination light emitted from the illumination optical system 33 is reflected by the lens cover 35, and the reflected light does not directly jump into the observation optical system 32.

In the present embodiment, the illumination first lens 42 shown in this embodiment is better than the illumination first lens 42 shown in the first embodiment.
Can provide a wider emission area. Therefore, the first
The amount of illumination light can be increased while maintaining the same lens cover length r3 as in the embodiment, and a clearer endoscopic observation image can be obtained.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the lens cover facing the optical system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

The third embodiment differs from the first and second embodiments in the shape of the illumination first lens. In addition, about the same composition and operation as a 1st example, the same numerals are attached and explanation and a figure are omitted, and only a different point is explained.

The first illumination lens 44, which constitutes the illumination optical system 33 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 9, has a linear shape on the side close to the objective optical system 32, and of both side portions which are in contact with the straight line, of the tip cover 34. The side opposite to the outer circumference is formed in a straight line.
That is, the illumination first lens 44 has the linear portions 33e and 33g. Also, the illumination first lens 4
4 has an arc-shaped portion 44a along the outer circumference of the tip cover 34 so as to be in contact with the linear portions 33e and 33g. As described above, the illumination first lens 4
4 is formed in a shape close to a triangle including one arc. Therefore, the illumination effective area 45 also has a similar shape.

The light guide 33c and the other illumination optical system can have the same shape as the illumination first lens 44. Further, the lens cover 35 may have a size including the observation effective area 33a and the illumination effective area 45 at a minimum.

In the above configuration, the illumination effective area 33
Since b is set along the outer shape of the tip cover, the area sandwiched by the outer diameter of the lens cover 35 and the outer diameter of the tip cover 34 can be reduced.

In this embodiment, as compared with the first and second embodiments, the outer shape of the lens cover near the illumination optical system and the outer shape of the tip cover are better matched. Therefore, in this embodiment, there is no dead space between the outer shape of the lens cover and the outer shape of the tip cover, and the diameter of the tip cover, that is, the tip diameter of the cover-type endoscope can be further reduced.

10 and 11 relate to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 (a) is a front view showing the tip end face of the cover type endoscope, and FIG. 10 (b) is the same view (a). 11 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 11 and FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a lens cover facing the optical system.

The fourth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that an opaque member is arranged between the effective observation area and the effective illumination area of the lens cover. Other configurations and operations similar to those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

In the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the lens cover 35 provided on the tip cover 34 is provided with an elongated light shielding wall 39 made of an opaque member. The light blocking wall 39 is arranged in a state of blocking a part of the effective illumination area 46 near the observation optical system 32. The light shielding wall 39 may be provided as a protrusion at the tip of the tip cover 34 that fits into a gap provided in a part of the lens cover 35.

The illumination first lens 47 forming the illumination optical system 33 has a circular shape, but the effective illumination area 46 has a circular shape because a part of the original illumination effective area is missing due to the light shielding wall 39. It has an irregular shape with a part of it missing.

With the above structure, the illumination light emitted from the illumination optical system 33 enters the lens cover 35. Most of the light goes out from the lens cover outer surface 35b, but a part of the light is reflected by the lens cover outer surface 35b and passes through the lens cover 35 toward the lens cover inner surface 35a. Then, a part thereof is reflected again on the inner surface 35a of the lens cover. By repeating this reflection, the reflected light also travels in the direction of the observation optical system 32. However, when reaching the light blocking wall 39, the traveling of the reflected light is blocked, and the reflected light is reflected by the observation optical system 32.
Does not reach.

According to the structure of this embodiment, when there is no light shielding wall, the effective illumination area and the effective observation area intersect with each other, which adversely affects the observed image such as flare. Since the progress of the reflected light is restricted by the light-shielding wall, the observation image is not adversely affected, and thus the illumination optical system and the observation optical system can be arranged closer to each other. That is, it is possible to reduce the diameter of the cover-type endoscope.

Further, the propagation of the reflected light inside the lens cover is also blocked by the light blocking wall, the reflected light does not jump into the observation optical system, and an observation image without flare is obtained.

In addition, the first illumination lens has a circular shape, which facilitates lens processing and reduces lens cost.
As a result, the cost of the cover endoscope can be reduced.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the lens cover facing the optical system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

The present embodiment differs from the fourth embodiment in that the observation optical system is provided with a mask as a light blocking means except for the light blocking wall 39. Other configurations and operations similar to those of the fourth embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In the observation optical system 32 including the first objective lens 32a 'shown in FIG. 12, a mask 41 having a substantially quadrangular shape and four corners chamfered to define an effective area of an observation image.
Is provided. The first objective lens 32a 'has a linear shape on the side of the first illumination lens 47 so as to follow the outer shape of the mask 41. Since the observation effective area 32b 'also has a similar shape to the objective first lens 32a', the illumination optical system 3
The third side has a shape that follows the outer shapes of the mask 41 and the first objective lens 32a '.

In the above structure, the first objective lens 32
By matching a part of a'to the outer shape of the mask 41, the observation effective area also has a different shape, and the lens cover length r3 becomes shorter than that in the case where the first objective lens 32a 'has a circular shape.

In this embodiment, the length of the lens cover can be shortened and the entire lens cover can be made small, so that the tip diameter of the cover type endoscope insertion portion can be reduced.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the lens cover facing the optical system according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, in the configuration of the first embodiment having an irregularly shaped illumination optical system, the observation optical system also has a fifth shape.
Similar to the embodiment, the mask is formed into an irregular shape according to the mask. Other configurations and operations similar to those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, description thereof will be omitted, and only different points will be described.

In the present embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the first objective
The lens 32a 'has an irregular shape as in the fifth embodiment, and the illumination first lens 33a has an irregular shape as in the first embodiment. That is, both the objective optical system and the illumination optical system are not circular but irregularly shaped.
For this reason, both the effective observation area and the effective illumination area have irregular shapes similar to those of the optical systems.

The shape of the illumination first lens may be a modified shape similar to that of the second or third embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the lens cover length r3 can be shortened and the lens cover can be made smaller than in the first to third and fifth embodiments, so that the tip of the cover-type endoscope insertion portion can be reduced. It is possible to make the diameter even smaller.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the lens cover facing the optical system according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

The present embodiment is different from the fifth embodiment in that the observation optical system has a circular shape in addition to the illumination optical system, and the light shielding restricts a part of both the effective observation area and the effective illumination area. A wall 49 is provided. Other configurations and operations similar to those of the fifth embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The light shielding wall 49 of this embodiment is the mask 41.
Are arranged so as to follow the outer shape of the illumination optical system side, and are arranged so as to limit a part of both the observation effective area 50 and the illumination effective area 46. Therefore, the observation effective area 5
Both 0 and the effective illumination area 46 have irregular shapes.

In the above structure, the length of the lens cover can be shortened without adversely affecting the observed image such as vignetting.

In the present embodiment, since the first objective lens and the first illumination lens are circular, the lens itself becomes inexpensive, which in turn makes it possible to reduce the cost of the cover endoscope.

Furthermore, the lens cover can be made smaller than in the fourth embodiment, and the diameter of the tip of the cover-type endoscope insertion portion can be reduced.

FIG. 15A is an enlarged view of the lens cover facing the optical system according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

In addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, this embodiment
A light blocking wall 39 is arranged on a part of the lens cover 35.
As shown in FIG. 15A, the light shielding wall 39 is a part of the observation effective region 32b near the illumination optical system 33a, and includes a part of the part where the first objective lens 32a faces.
It is arranged so as to block the illumination optical system.
The effective illumination area 33b and the first illumination lens 33a are
Similar to the first embodiment, the observation optical system side is formed in a linear deformed shape. The rest of the configuration, functions and effects are the same as those of the first and fourth embodiments, and their explanations are omitted.

FIG. 15B is an enlarged view of the lens cover facing the optical system according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, in addition to the structure of the fifth embodiment,
A light blocking wall 39 is arranged on a part of the lens cover 35.
As shown in FIG. 15B, the light shielding wall 39 is a part of the effective illumination area 33b near the observation optical system 32a ', and a part of a portion facing the first illumination lens 33a. The observation optical system 32a 'and the observation optical system 32a' are arranged so as to be blocked from each other. The rest of the configuration, functions and effects are the same as those of the first and fourth embodiments, and their explanations are omitted.

[Supplementary Note 1] The observation effective area has a deformed shape which is a linear shape on at least one of the vicinity of the illumination optical system and the illumination effective area on the side of the observation optical system. The cover-type endoscope according to 1.

[Supplementary Note 2] The cover type according to claim 1, wherein the illumination effective region has a deformed shape on the side near the observation optical system along the outer shape of the observation effective region set in the lens cover. Endoscope.

[Supplementary Note 3] A part of the illumination effective area is
The cover-type endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the cover-type endoscope has a deformed shape that follows the outer shape of the tip of the cover-type endoscope. Appendix 1 to Appendix 3
In the above configuration, the lens cover is reduced in size by making the dead space in the conventional configuration in which the illumination effective area and the observation effective area of the illumination lens cover are circular, the illumination effective area or the observation effective area. .

[Supplementary Note 4] By arranging an opaque member on a part of the lens cover facing at least a part of at least one of the observation effective region or the illumination effective region, the effective region is not a circular irregular shape. The cover-type endoscope according to claim 1.

[Supplementary Note 5] A cover endoscope in which an observation optical system for observing a subject and an illumination optical system for irradiating the subject with illumination light are arranged close to each other, and the cover endoscope are A cover-type endoscope in which an endoscope cover having a lens cover facing the observation optical system and the illumination optical system of the covered endoscope is combined and arranged so as to face the subject and the observation is performed. At least one of the outermost lens of the most advanced observation optical system constituting the optical system or the most outermost lens of the illumination optical system that is arranged so as to face the subject and constitutes the illumination optical system is circular. A cover-type endoscope characterized by having an irregular shape.

[Supplementary Note 6] The outermost lens of the observation optical system has a linear shape on the side near the illumination optical system or the outermost lens of the illumination optical system on the side near the observation optical system on at least one side thereof. The cover-type endoscope according to claim 6, which has a deformed shape.

[Supplementary Note 7] The cover type internal view according to claim 6, wherein the outermost lens of the illumination optical system is formed in a deformed shape along the outer shape of the outermost lens of the observation optical system on the side near the observation optical system. mirror.

[Supplementary Note 8] A part of the outermost lens of the illumination optical system is formed in a deformed shape that follows the outer shape of the cover-type endoscope in which the outermost lens of the illumination optical system is arranged. The cover-type endoscope described. In the configurations described in Supplementary Note 5 to Supplementary Note 8, at least one of the outermost lens of the illumination optical system and the outermost lens of the observation optical system is formed into a deformed shape, which causes a dead space in the conventional configuration in which the outermost lens is circular. The outermost lens can be effectively utilized by taking advantage of the existing area, so that the diameter of the cover endoscope can be reduced, and the lens cover can be reduced in size, so that the endoscope cover can be reduced in diameter.

[Supplementary Note 9] A cover endoscope in which an observation optical system for observing a subject and an illumination optical system for irradiating the subject with illumination light are arranged in close proximity to each other, and the cover endoscope are In a cover-type endoscope, which is a cover-type endoscope that covers and covers an observation optical system and an illumination optical system of the cover endoscope, the cover-type endoscope is arranged so as to face the subject, and Part of the outermost lens of the state-of-the-art observation optical system that constitutes the observation optical system, or part of the outermost lens of the state-of-the-art illumination optical system that is arranged so as to face the subject and constitutes the illumination optical system. Among them, a cover type characterized by arranging an opaque member at a position of the lens cover facing at least a part of one of the outermost lenses to have a non-circular irregular shape. Endoscope.

With the structure described in appendix 9, by disposing an opaque member on a part of the lens cover facing a part of the outermost lens, the illumination light emitting region also has a deformed shape, and the observation optical system and the illumination optical system are separated from each other. It is possible to prevent flare and to reduce the diameter of the cover-type endoscope even when the two are brought closer to each other than the conventional configuration in which they are provided separately.

[Supplementary Note 10] A position facing a region other than the observation effective region set as a region where the optical path of light passing through the effective region for observation in the observation optical system intersects with the lens cover, The cover-type endoscope according to claim 10, wherein the opaque member is arranged on the lens cover.

[Supplementary Note 11] A cover endoscope in which an observation optical system for observing a subject and an illumination optical system for irradiating the subject with illumination light are arranged close to each other, and the cover endoscope are In a cover-type endoscope in which a cover and an endoscope cover having a lens cover facing the observation optical system and the illumination optical system of the cover endoscope are combined,
In the illumination optical system, an illumination effective area set as an area where an optical path of light passing through an effective area for illumination intersects with the lens cover, and the observation optical system are arranged so as to face the subject. State-of-the-art observation optical system A cover-type endoscope in which the outermost lens has a non-circular shape.

[Supplementary Note 12] A cover endoscope in which an observation optical system for observing a subject and an illumination optical system for irradiating the subject with illumination light are arranged in close proximity, and the cover endoscope are In a cover-type endoscope in which a cover and an endoscope cover having a lens cover facing the observation optical system and the illumination optical system of the cover endoscope are combined,
In the illumination optical system, the illumination effective area, which is set as an area in which the optical path of light passing through an effective area for illumination intersects with the lens cover, has a non-circular irregular shape, and the state of the art that constitutes the observation optical system. A cover-type endoscope in which an opaque member is arranged in a part of the lens cover facing a part of the outermost lens of the observation optical system.

The configuration described in appendix 12 has the same operational effect as in appendix 9.

[Supplementary Note 13] A cover endoscope in which an observation optical system for observing a subject and an illumination optical system for irradiating the subject with illumination light are arranged in close proximity, and the cover endoscope are In a cover-type endoscope in which a cover and an endoscope cover having a lens cover facing the observation optical system and the illumination optical system of the cover endoscope are combined,
A cutting-edge illumination optical system outermost lens constituting the illumination optical system, and an observation effective area set as an area where an optical path of light passing through an effective range for observation in the observation optical system intersects with the lens cover. A cover-type endoscope with a non-circular shape.

[Supplementary Note 14] A cover endoscope in which an observation optical system for observing a subject and an illumination optical system for irradiating the subject with illumination light are arranged close to each other, and the cover endoscope are provided. In a cover-type endoscope in which a cover and an endoscope cover having a lens cover facing the observation optical system and the illumination optical system of the cover endoscope are combined,
A cutting-edge illumination optical system outermost lens that constitutes the illumination optical system has a non-circular irregular shape, and the lens cover that faces a part of the latest observation optical system outermost lens that constitutes the observation optical system A cover-type endoscope with an opaque member placed in part.

The configuration described in appendix 14 has the same operational effect as in appendix 9.

[Appendix 15] A cover endoscope in which an observation optical system for observing a subject and an illumination optical system for irradiating the subject with illumination light are arranged close to each other, and the cover endoscope are provided. In a cover-type endoscope in which a cover and an endoscope cover having a lens cover facing the observation optical system and the illumination optical system of the cover endoscope are combined,
An opaque member is arranged in a part of the lens cover facing a part of the outermost lens of the most advanced illumination optical system that constitutes the illumination optical system, and the light passing through an effective range for observation in the observation optical system A cover-type endoscope in which an observation effective area, which is set as an area where an optical path intersects with the lens cover, has a non-circular irregular shape.

The configuration described in appendix 15 has the same operation and effect as in appendix 9.

[Supplementary Note 16] A cover endoscope in which an observation optical system for observing a subject and an illumination optical system for irradiating the subject with illumination light are arranged close to each other, and the cover endoscope are provided. In a cover-type endoscope in which a cover and an endoscope cover having a lens cover facing the observation optical system and the illumination optical system of the cover endoscope are combined,
By arranging an opaque member on a part of the lens cover facing a part of the outermost lens of the most advanced illumination optical system that constitutes the illumination optical system, light passing through an effective range for illumination in the illumination optical system. In the cover type in which the illumination effective region set as the region where the optical path of the observation lens intersects with the lens cover is deformed, and the outermost lens of the most advanced observation optical system that constitutes the observation optical system is not circular Endoscope.

[Supplementary Note 17] A cover endoscope in which an observation optical system for observing a subject and an illumination optical system for irradiating the subject with illumination light are arranged close to each other, and the cover endoscope are provided. In a cover-type endoscope in which a cover and an endoscope cover having a lens cover facing the observation optical system and the illumination optical system of the cover endoscope are combined,
By arranging an opaque member on a part of the lens cover facing a part of the outermost lens of the most advanced illumination optical system that constitutes the illumination optical system, light passing through an effective range for illumination in the illumination optical system. The illumination effective area set as an area where the optical path intersects with the lens cover has a non-circular irregular shape, and faces a part of the outermost lens of the most advanced observation optical system that constitutes the observation optical system. By disposing an opaque member in a part of the lens cover, the observation effective area set as an area where the optical path of light passing through an effective area for observation in the observation optical system intersects with the lens cover has a non-circular irregular shape. Covered endoscope.

The configuration described in appendix 17 has the same operation and effect as in appendix 9.

[0109]

According to the present invention, by providing at least one of the illumination effective area and the observation effective area with a deformed shape, it is possible to reduce the diameter of the distal end portion of the cover type endoscope. is there.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 relate to a first embodiment, and FIG. 1 is an overall external view of an endoscope apparatus.

FIG. 2A is a front view showing a tip end surface of a distal end portion of a cover-type endoscope, and FIG. 2B is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a lens cover facing the optical system.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the tip of a cover-type endoscope according to a first modification.

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the tip of a cover-type endoscope according to a second modification.

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the tip of a cover-type endoscope according to a third modification.

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the tip of a cover-type endoscope according to a fourth modification.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a lens cover facing the optical system according to the second example.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a lens cover facing the optical system according to the third example.

10 and 11 relate to a fourth embodiment, and FIG.
0 (a) is a front view showing the tip surface of the tip of the cover-type endoscope, and FIG. 10 (b) is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 10 (a).

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a lens cover facing the optical system.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a lens cover facing the optical system according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a lens cover facing the optical system according to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of a lens cover facing the optical system according to the seventh embodiment.

15A is an enlarged view of a lens cover facing an optical system according to an eighth example, and FIG. 15B is an enlarged view of a lens cover facing an optical system according to a ninth example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 ... Cover-type endoscope 3 ... Endoscope cover 4 ... Cover endoscope 31 ... Tip component member 32 ... Observation optical system 32a ... Objective first lens 32b ... Observation effective range 33 ... Illumination optical system 33a ... Illumination first 1 lens 33b ... effective illumination range 34 ... tip cover 35 ... lens cover

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An endoscope for a cover in which an observation optical system for observing a subject and an illumination optical system for irradiating the subject with illumination light are arranged in close proximity, and the endoscope for a cover is covered. An endoscope cover having a lens cover facing the observation optical system and the illumination optical system of the cover endoscope,
In a cover-type endoscope that combines the above, in the observation optical system, an observation effective area set as an area in which an optical path of light passing through an effective area for observation intersects with the lens cover, or effective in illumination in the illumination optical system. A cover-type endoscope characterized in that at least one of the illumination effective areas set as an area where the optical path of light passing through such a range intersects with the lens cover has a non-circular irregular shape.