JPH10179516A - Video scope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To quickly select an image from a different direction without need of an operator's twisting his/her wrist. or holding a video scope from one hand to the other. SOLUTION: An insertion part 1 as a light receiving part is inserted in the oral cavity and an operator operates a selector switch 13 on a grip 12, thereby making a selection between the first image pickup system made of an objective lens 4 and a CCD 6 positioned near the forward end of the insertion part 1, and the second image pickup system of an objective lens 5 and a CCD 7 on the opposite side. The CCDs 6 and 7 are arranged on each surface of the upper and reverse sides of the same substrate 10. Also, CCD output signals are sent to a CCD output selector circuit 14 via a wire 11, and changed over with the selector switch 13. In addition, the selector switch 13 is connected to a guide selector mechanism 15 as well, and selects a lighting system in interlocking with the image pickup systems.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a medical or industrial videoscope incorporating an image pickup device such as a CCD.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in dentistry and oral surgery, a videoscope using an image pickup device such as a CCD is used for observing teeth in a patient's oral cavity and its surroundings. Hereinafter, a conventional videoscope will be described using a dental videoscope as an example. In the dental videoscope, the shape of the tip and the shape including the grip are designed to be able to observe all over the patient's mouth and to be easy for the operator to work. There are many. As this type of videoscope, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-246347, a light guide rod using an image glass fiber and a glass fiber for illumination are provided at a distal end portion, and an image of an object is arranged on a grip portion. There is one in which the configuration of the tip portion is simplified by leading to the element. Also, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 54-54, a grip portion has a pistol shape so that remote control such as recording and playback can be performed while holding the main body. Further, as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 93002561, there is a device in which an operator can easily photograph a molar or the like in an oral cavity by bending a tip portion and forming a grip portion in a polygonal shape. On the other hand, in the field of general endoscopes, 137
As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3235, a bending portion is provided at the distal end of an insertion portion, and the bending direction can be changed by operating an operation portion.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional dental videoscope, when the operator is taking an image of, for example, the upper teeth in the oral cavity of a patient and then intends to take an image of the lower teeth, As described above, when shifting the shooting to a subject in the opposite direction to the shooting subject, the operator needs to perform an operation such as twisting the wrist holding the video scope or changing the video scope, and There was a problem that it was difficult to switch from the subject to the video in the opposite direction.

Further, by providing a distal end curved structure used in a general medical endoscope field on a dental videoscope, even if an attempt is made to photograph an object in a different direction, the structure becomes complicated. In addition, there is a problem that it is difficult to perform the holding and bending operation with one hand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and is a video camera that is small and lightweight and can quickly switch between images in different directions, such as an image of an upper jaw and an image of a lower jaw, with one hand. The purpose is to provide a scope.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an illumination device for illuminating a subject with illumination light near a distal end of an insertion portion to be inserted into a patient's mouth.
An imaging system having a lens and an imaging device is arranged in two different directions in different directions, and an imaging system switching unit and a selection operation unit are provided in a grip portion held by an operator.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises a light receiving portion for receiving photographing light, and a grip portion for an operator to hold and operate, and is provided near the tip of the light receiving portion. A videoscope provided with an imaging system having a lens and an imaging element, and illumination means for irradiating the object with illumination light, wherein the imaging system is configured to capture a first object, An imaging system configured with a plurality of systems including at least one or more imaging systems for imaging other objects other than the direction of the first object, and switching the outputs of the plurality of imaging systems to output one imaging system A video scope comprising: a system switching unit; and a selection operation unit configured to select and operate any one of the images of the plurality of imaging systems or an output image of the image storage device when an image storage device is connected. , The operator selects By work has twist of the wrist which holds the videoscope, without or replaced has the effect of being able to quickly switch one hand the image of the different directions of the video or image storage device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup device comprising: a plurality of image pickup devices for photographing a plurality of objects in different directions; At least two of the plurality of lenses
2. A lens, comprising: a plurality of lenses arranged so as to face the image sensor; and a plurality of entrance windows provided near the distal end of the light receiving unit, the plurality of lenses respectively facing the plurality of lenses. 2. A video scope according to claim 1,
In addition to the effect of the invention described in (1), the image pickup device can be efficiently arranged near the distal end of the insertion portion, and thus the outer diameter of the light receiving portion can be reduced.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, as a plurality of imaging systems for photographing a plurality of subjects in different directions, a plurality of imaging devices arranged in parallel in the same direction, and each of the plurality of imaging devices face each other. A plurality of lenses disposed so as to be provided, an optical reflecting means provided so as to reflect or direct light in a plurality of different directions, and a plurality of incident windows arranged to face the plurality of incident surfaces of the optical reflecting means, respectively. The videoscope according to claim 1, wherein in addition to the function of the invention described in claim 1, the two image pickup devices can be efficiently arranged near the distal end of the insertion section, so that light reception is possible. It has an effect that the outer diameter of the portion can be reduced.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, as a plurality of imaging systems having a plurality of imaging devices and a plurality of lenses, the imaging systems of the plurality of imaging systems have different imaging magnifications or are each adjustable. 4. The video scope according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the video scope has a different angle of view such as shooting with a wide-angle lens and shooting with a magnifying lens, in addition to the functions of the invention according to claim 1, 2, or 3. It is possible to instantaneously switch the shooting with the camera.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, as a plurality of imaging systems for photographing a plurality of subjects in different directions, one system is provided.
A plurality of image sensors, one lens arranged to face the one image sensor, and optical reflection means arranged to reflect or go straight from a plurality of different directions and enter the one lens, 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an optical reflection selecting unit configured to select one of the plurality of directions, and a plurality of incident windows arranged to face the plurality of incident surfaces of the optical reflecting unit. The video scope described above has an effect that, in addition to the function of the first aspect of the invention, since only one image sensor and one lens are required, the outer diameter of the light receiving unit can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, as the optical reflection selecting means capable of selecting incident light from one direction among the incident lights from a plurality of different directions, the optical reflecting means has an axis perpendicular to the optical axis. The videoscope according to claim 5, further comprising an optical reflector rotating mechanism for mechanically or electrically rotating the videoscope at the center, and has the same operation as that of the invention according to claim 5. .

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a plurality of incident surfaces of the optical reflecting means, and a plurality of incident surfaces of the optical reflecting means are provided as optical reflection selecting means capable of selecting incident light from one direction among incident lights from different directions. The videoscope according to claim 5, further comprising an optical transmissivity selecting mechanism disposed between the entrance windows, and has a function equivalent to that of the invention according to claim 5.

The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that an imaging system switching means for selecting and switching a plurality of imaging systems and a selection operation means are provided in the grip portion. In addition to the functions of the inventions according to claims 1 to 7, the operation of the operator to select a plurality of imaging systems can be performed only by moving the finger holding the grip portion. This has the effect that the imaging system selection means can be operated without removing the line of sight from the television monitor screen displaying the output video.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video scope according to the eighth aspect, further comprising an illumination selection unit for selecting a plurality of illumination units in conjunction with selection of a plurality of imaging systems. In addition to the functions of the invention according to claim 8, when the operator selects two imaging systems, there is no need to perform an operation of separately selecting lighting means, so that a television monitor screen for displaying an output image is provided. This has the effect that the imaging system selection means can be operated without removing the line of sight from.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, as the light receiving portion for receiving the imaging light, an insertion portion that can be inserted into the oral cavity of a patient is provided and used for dental use. 9. The videoscope according to any one of 9 above,
In addition to the effects of the invention according to claim 1 or 9,
Since the light receiver can be inserted into the patient's mouth, when dental or oral surgeons and the patient themselves observe the teeth in the patient's mouth and its surroundings, different images such as images of upper and lower teeth This has the effect that the image in the direction can be quickly switched with one hand.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 shows a case where a videoscope according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is used for dentistry, (a) is an external view, and (b) is an enlarged cross-sectional view near the tip. It is. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an insertion portion serving as a light receiving portion that can be inserted into a patient's mouth, and 12 denotes a grip portion held by an operator. 13 is a selection switch as selection operation means for selecting an imaging system, 14 is a CCD output switching circuit, 15 is a light guide switching mechanism, 16 is a cable,
Reference numeral 7 denotes a first subject, upper jaw teeth, 18 denotes a second subject, lower jaw teeth, and 20 denotes an entire videoscope.

Inside the distal end of one of the insertion portions, on one side, a first cover glass 2 as a first entrance window, a first objective lens 4, a first CCD 6 as a first image pickup device. ,
And a first light guide 8 are arranged to constitute a first imaging system for mainly projecting the upper teeth 17. A second cover glass 3 as a second entrance window, a second objective lens 5, a second CCD 7 as a second imaging device, and a second light guide are provided on the other side inside the distal end portion. 9 are arranged and constitute a second imaging system for mainly reflecting the lower teeth 18. The imaging magnification of the first imaging system and the second
It is assumed that the imaging magnification of the imaging system is substantially equal.

The first objective lens 4 and the second objective lens 5 are single lenses using aspheric surfaces for aberration correction. A stop is provided between the first cover glass 2 and the first objective lens 4 and between the second cover glass 3 and the second objective lens 5, but is not shown in the figure.

The first CCD 6 and the second CCD 7 are arranged on each of the front and back surfaces of the same substrate 10, and each CCD 6
The output signals 6 and 7 are connected to a cable 16 by a wire 11 via a CCD output switching circuit 14 as an imaging system switching means disposed inside the grip portion 12.

The first light guide 8 is used for the first subject 1
The second light guide 9 is a lighting unit that irradiates the second subject 18 with the illuminating light. The second light guide 9 is a illuminating unit that irradiates the second subject 18 with the illuminating light. Connected to cable 16.

The cable 16 is a composite cable composed of an electric cable for transmitting a power supply, a drive signal, an output signal of the CCD, information for selecting an image pickup system by the selection switch 13, and the like, and a light guide for guiding illumination light. .

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a connection example of peripheral devices according to the present embodiment. The output signal of the video scope 20 is input from the cable 16 to the camera control unit 22 in the controller 21. The camera control unit 22 outputs the video signal to an image filing 24 as an image storage device, and further outputs the video signal to a video monitor 26 via a video printer 25. The illumination light emitted by the light source unit 23 in the controller 21
Then, the light is guided to the light guide switching mechanism 15 and further guided to the first light guide 8 or the second light guide 9.

Selection switch 13 of video scope 20
Are electrically or mechanically connected to the CCD output switching circuit 14 and use the output signal from the CCD output switching circuit 14 as the output signal of the first CCD 6 or the second CCD
7 and is also connected to the light guide switching mechanism 15, and the first CCD 6
Is selected in conjunction with the selection of the imaging system, so that the first light guide 8 is selected when is selected, and the second light guide 9 is selected when the second CCD 7 is selected. Alternatively, it can be selected mechanically.

Further, the selection switch 13 is electrically connected to the image filing 24,
4, the output image of the camera control unit 22, that is, a real-time image of the selected imaging system or a still image already recorded in the image filing 24 can be selected.

With the above configuration, for example, when the operator wants to project the upper teeth 17 of the patient, the selection switch 13
By operating the first light guide 8
And irradiates the teeth 17 of the upper jaw, forming an image of the teeth 17 on the first CCD 6 with the first objective lens 4,
An output signal is output from the CCD output switching circuit 14.

Next, when it is desired to project the lower teeth 18, the selector switch 13 is operated again to emit illumination light from the second light guide 9 and irradiate the lower teeth 18. To the second CC with the second objective lens 5
The output signal is formed on the CCD output switching circuit 14
Output from

At this time, the operation of the operator required to switch the image of the upper teeth 17 to the image of the lower teeth 18 is only an operation of pressing the selection switch 13 and twisting the wrist holding the video scope 20. There is no need to switch.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, images in different directions such as the upper teeth 17 and the lower teeth 18 can be quickly switched with one hand. It is also common to compare the state after treating the patient's teeth with an image photographed before the treatment, but in the above configuration, the real-time image of the selected imaging system and the still image of the image filing 24 are compared. It can be easily realized by switching with the selection switch 13. At this time, the selection information as to whether the real-time video output is to be output from the first CCD 6 or the output from the second CCD 7 and the selection as to which image is to be extracted from the still images stored in the image filing 24. Since it is possible to associate the information with the information, for example, when the maxillary teeth after treatment are displayed in a real-time image, and when a still image taken before treatment is taken from the image filing 24 next, a large number of still images are taken. It is possible to automatically select and output a still image of the upper teeth from the images.

In the first embodiment, the selectable image pickup systems are two image systems that are directed in two directions, but an image pickup system that looks straight ahead in the axial direction of the insertion section 1 and a side image pickup system. It is good also as an imaging system of three or more systems by adding a suitable imaging system. In this case, the switchable shooting scene is not limited to the limited shooting scene such as upper and lower teeth without twisting or holding the wrist, and it is also possible to shoot the gingival part behind the molar, or to bite the molar The present invention can also be applied to the case where the upper and lower relations are correctly photographed from the side, and can cope with various variations of the photographing scene required by the user.

In the first embodiment, the imaging magnification of the first imaging system is substantially equal to the imaging magnification of the second imaging system. However, the imaging magnification may be adjustable to different imaging magnifications. In this case, when it is desired to fix the video scope 20 at a position where the video scope 20 can be easily held, the size of the image of the upper and lower subjects is different, so that the fixed position of the video scope 20 does not have to be moved every time the subject is switched. can get.

The illuminating means is the first light guide 8 or the second light guide 9 guided from the light source unit 23 in the controller 21.
The light source is disposed inside the grip portion 12 of the insertion portion 1 and guided to the light guide, or the light source is directly inserted into the distal end of the insertion portion 1.
The same effect can be obtained by disposing them. In the former case, the light guide inside the cable 16 in the first embodiment becomes unnecessary, and in the latter case, the light guide including the inside of the video scope 20 becomes completely unnecessary, which is more advantageous in terms of cost.

Further, in the above description, examples of use in dental and oral surgery have been described. However, use in magnified observation of an affected part in general medical treatment and use in industrial endoscopes such as inspection of the inner wall of a thin tube into which humans cannot enter. The same advantageous effects can be obtained.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the vicinity of the distal end of a video scope according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The external appearance is the same as that of the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 (a), and the second embodiment will be described as an example in the case where it is used for dentistry.

Referring to FIG. 3, a first cover glass 33 as a first entrance window, a first objective lens 35,
A first CCD 37 as a first image sensor;
Are arranged, and constitute a first imaging system for mainly reflecting the upper teeth 47 as the first subject. On the opposite side, a second cover glass 34 as a second entrance window, a second objective lens 36, a second CCD 38 as a second image sensor, and a second light guide 40 are arranged. Mandibular teeth 48 mainly serving as the second subject
Constitute a second image pickup system for projecting the image. The two imaging systems are arranged in parallel in a tip direction by a T-shaped substrate 41. It is assumed that the imaging magnification of the first imaging system is substantially equal to the imaging magnification of the second imaging system.

The reflecting mirror 32 as the optical reflecting means is
First cover glass 33 and second cover glass 34
Subject 47 and second subject 48 incident from
Are reflected by 90 °, respectively, so as to be incident on the respective imaging systems oriented in the same direction.

The first objective lens 35 and the second objective lens 36 are single lenses using an aspheric surface for aberration correction, and the reflection mirror 32, the first objective lens 35, and the second objective lens 36 are used. There is an aperture between and
It is omitted in the figure.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a connection example of peripheral devices according to the present embodiment. The selection switch 43 provided on the grip of the video scope 50 is electrically or mechanically connected to the CCD output switching circuit 44.
The output signal from the CD output switching circuit 44 is supplied to the first CCD 3
7 or the CCD output signal of the second CCD 38, and is also connected to the light guide switching mechanism 45. When the first CCD 37 is selected, the first light guide 39 is selected and the second C
When the CD 38 is selected, the second light guide 40
Can be selected electrically or mechanically in conjunction with the selection of the imaging system.

Further, the selection switch 43 is electrically connected to the image filing 54,
The output from 4 can be selected from an output image of the camera control unit 52, that is, a real-time image of the selected imaging system or a still image already recorded in the image filing 54.

With the above configuration, the first embodiment of the present invention
It has the same function as, and can quickly switch between images in different directions such as upper and lower teeth with one hand, and also compares the still image of the image filing with the real-time image of the selected imaging system. It can be done easily.

In the second embodiment, the first objective lens 35 and the second objective lens 36 are arranged immediately before the first CCD 37 and the second CCD 38, respectively. The same effect can be obtained by disposing it between the first cover glass 33 and the second cover glass 34.

Further, in the second embodiment, an example has been described in which the reflection mirror 32 is used as the optical reflection means, but the same effect can be obtained by using a reflection prism.

The lighting means is the first embodiment of the present invention.
Similarly to the first embodiment, the first light guide 39 or the second light guide 40 guided from the light source unit 53 is used. However, a light source is arranged inside the grip portion of the video scope 50 and guided to the light guide, or directly. The same effect can be obtained by arranging two light sources inside the distal end of the insertion section 31. In the former case, the light guide is unnecessary inside the cable 46 in the second embodiment, and in the latter case, the light guide is completely unnecessary including the inside of the video scope 50, which is more advantageous in terms of cost.

Although the imaging magnification of the first imaging system and the imaging magnification of the second imaging system are almost equal, the imaging magnification may be adjustable to different imaging magnifications. In this case, when it is desired to fix the video scope 50 to a position where the video scope 50 can be easily held, the size of the image of the upper and lower subjects is different, so that there is no need to move the fixed position of the video scope 50 every time the subject is switched. can get.

In the above description, examples of uses for dentistry and oral surgery have been described. However, industrial endoscopes for use in magnifying observation of an affected part in general medical care and inspection of the inner wall of a thin tube into which humans cannot enter. Advantageous effects can be obtained in the application as well.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the vicinity of the distal end of a video scope according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. The appearance is the same as that of the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 (a), and the third embodiment will be described by taking as an example a case where the third embodiment is used for dentistry.

In FIG. 5, a reflecting prism 62 as an optical reflecting means is disposed inside the distal end of the insertion portion 61 of the video scope 80, and is electrically or mechanically driven by a prism rotating mechanism 63 as an optical reflector rotating mechanism. The arrangement can be changed between a state drawn by a solid line and a state drawn by a dotted line. By changing the arrangement of the reflecting prism 62 between two states, it becomes possible to select incident light from two different directions.

The arrangement in which the reflection prism 62 is drawn by a solid line indicates a state in which the first subject 75 is imaged.
The first cover glass 64, the reflecting prism 62, the objective lens 66, the CCD 67 as an image sensor, and the first light guide 68 constitute a first image system.

The arrangement in which the reflection prism 62 is drawn by a dotted line is a state in which the second subject 76 is imaged.
Cover glass 65, reflecting prism 62, objective lens 6
6. A second imaging system is configured by the CCD 67 as an imaging element and the second light guide 69.

As described above, the reflection prism 62 is
The light of the first subject 75 and the second subject 76 incident from the cover glass 64 and the second cover glass 65 are reflected by 90 ° and incident on the objective lens 66 and the CCD 67.

As in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, the objective lens 66 is a single lens using an aspheric surface for aberration correction, and a stop is provided between the reflection prism 62 and the objective lens 66. However, it is omitted in the figure.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a connection example of peripheral devices according to the present embodiment. By selecting the imaging system with the selection switch 72 provided on the grip portion of the video scope 80, the selection information of the imaging system is electrically or mechanically transmitted to the prism rotating mechanism 63 and fixed to the prism rotating mechanism 63. The reflection prism 62 is rotated mechanically or electrically. C of the imaging system selected in this way
The CD output signal is input from the cable 74 to the camera control unit 82 in the controller 81. The camera control unit 82 outputs the video signal to an image filing 84 as an image storage device, and further outputs the video signal to a video monitor 86 via a video printer 85.

The light source unit 8 in the controller 81
The illumination light emitted in 3 is guided to the light guide switching mechanism 73 via the cable 74, and guided to the first light guide 68 or the second light guide 69 selected by the selection switch 72 to irradiate the subject. I do.

With the above configuration, the first embodiment of the present invention
It has the same function as, and can quickly switch between images in different directions such as upper and lower teeth with one hand, and also compares the still image of the image filing with the real-time image of the selected imaging system. It can be done easily.

In the third embodiment, an example has been described in which the reflection prism 62 is used as the optical reflection means. However, similar effects can be obtained by using a reflection mirror.

The illumination means is the first light guide 68 or the second light guide 69 guided from the light source unit 83. However, similar to the first embodiment of the present invention, the inside of the grip portion of the video scope 80 is provided. The same effect can be obtained by arranging a light source on the light guide and guiding the light to the light guide, or arranging two light sources directly inside the distal end of the insertion portion 61. In the former case, the light guide is not required inside the cable 74 in the third embodiment, and in the latter case, the light guide is completely unnecessary including the inside of the video scope 80, which is more advantageous in terms of cost.

In the above description, examples of use in dentistry and oral surgery have been described. However, industrial endoscopes for use in magnifying observation of an affected part in general medical treatment and inspection of the inner wall of a thin tube into which humans cannot enter. Advantageous effects can be obtained in the application as well.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of the vicinity of the distal end of a video scope according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. The appearance is the same as that of the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 (a), and the fourth embodiment will be described by taking as an example a case where the present embodiment is used for dentistry.

In FIG. 7, the first end of the insertion portion 91 of the video scope 110 has a first entrance window as a first entrance window.
Cover glass 95, a first liquid crystal shutter 93 as a first optical transmittance selection mechanism, a half mirror 92 as an optical reflection means, an objective lens 97, and a CC as an image sensor.
D98 and a first light guide 99 are arranged, and these constitute a first imaging system. Also, a second cover glass 96 as a second entrance window, a second liquid crystal shutter 94 as a second optical transmittance selection mechanism, a half mirror 92, an objective lens 97, and a CCD as an image sensor
98 and the second light guide 100 constitute a second imaging system.

The half mirror 92 is used for the first object 106
The light transmitted through the first liquid crystal shutter 93 is reflected by 90 ° to enter the objective lens 97, and the light transmitted from the second subject 107 through the second liquid crystal shutter 94 is made to travel straight to the objective lens 97. Make it incident.

The first liquid crystal shutter 93 and the second liquid crystal shutter 94 can change the transmittance by inputting an electric signal.
Is maximized and the transmittance of the second liquid crystal shutter 94 is set to 0, only the light of the first subject 106 can be incident on the objective lens 97. Further, the transmittance of the first liquid crystal shutter 93 is set to 0, and the second liquid crystal shutter 9 is turned off.
By maximizing the transmittance of 4, only the light of the second subject 107 can enter the objective lens 97. By utilizing the characteristics of the liquid crystal shutter, it is possible to select incident light from two different directions.

As in the first embodiment of the present invention, the objective lens 97 is a single lens using an aspheric surface for aberration correction, and a stop is provided between the half mirror 92 and the objective lens 97. However, it is omitted in the figure.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a connection example of peripheral devices according to the embodiment of the present invention. By selecting the imaging system with the selection switch 103 provided on the grip of the video scope 110, the selection information of the imaging system is electrically or mechanically transmitted to the first liquid crystal shutter 93 and the second liquid crystal shutter 94. Accordingly, the liquid crystal shutter of the selected imaging system has transparency, and the transmittance of the liquid crystal shutter of the non-selected imaging system becomes zero. The CCD output signal of the imaging system selected in this way is input to the camera control unit 102 in the controller 101 via the cable 105. The camera control unit 102 outputs the video signal to an image filing 114 as an image storage device, and further outputs the video signal to a video monitor 116 via a video printer 115.

The illumination light emitted by the light source unit 113 in the controller 111 is guided to the light guide switching mechanism 104 via the cable 105,
The light is guided by the first light guide 99 or the second light guide 100 selected in step 3 to irradiate the subject.

With the above configuration, the first embodiment of the present invention
It has the same function as, and can quickly switch between images in different directions such as upper and lower teeth with one hand, and also compares the still image of the image filing with the real-time image of the selected imaging system. It can be done easily.

The illuminating means is the first light guide 99 or the second light guide 100 guided from the light source unit 113, but similar to the first embodiment of the present invention.
A light source is disposed inside the handle of the video scope 110 and guided to the light guide, or the light source is directly inserted into the insertion portion 91.
The same effect can be obtained by arranging two of them inside the front end.
In the former case, no light guide is required inside the cable 105 in the fourth embodiment, and in the latter case, the light guide is completely unnecessary including the inside of the video scope 110, which is more advantageous in terms of cost.

In the above description, examples of use in dentistry and oral surgery have been described. However, industrial endoscopes for use in magnifying observation of an affected part in general medical treatment and inspection of the inner wall of a thin tube in which humans cannot enter are used. Advantageous effects can be obtained in the application as well.

[0068]

As described above, according to the present invention, the videoscope is provided with a plurality of imaging systems and a plurality of illumination systems and imaging system switching means oriented in different directions. It is possible to quickly switch images in different directions with one hand without twisting or switching, to observe the teeth in the oral cavity of the patient and its surroundings in dentistry and oral surgery, and to enlarge the affected area in general medical care In addition to observation, advantageous effects can be obtained for industrial endoscope applications such as inspection of the inner wall of a thin tube into which humans cannot enter.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is an external view of a video scope according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a connection example of peripheral devices of a video scope according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view near a distal end of a videoscope according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a connection example of peripheral devices of a video scope according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view near the distal end of a video scope according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a connection example of peripheral devices of a video scope according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of the vicinity of a distal end of a video scope according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a connection example of peripheral devices of a video scope according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 31, 61, 91 Insertion section 2, 33, 64, 95 First cover glass 3, 34, 65, 96 Second cover glass 4, 35 First objective lens 5, 36 Second objective lens 6 , 37 First CCD 7, 38 Second CCD 8, 39, 68, 99 First light guide 9, 40, 69, 100 Second light guide 10, 41, 70, 101 Substrate 11, 42, 71 , 102 Wire rod 12 Gripping part 13, 43, 72, 103 Selection switch 14, 44 CCD output switching circuit 15, 45, 73, 104 Light guide switching mechanism 16, 46, 74, 105 Cable 17, 47, 75, 106 First Of the subject 18, 48, 76, 107 Second subject 20, 50, 80, 110 Videoscope 21, 51, 81, 111 Controller 22, 52, 82, 1 12 Camera control unit 23, 53, 83, 113 Light source unit 24, 54, 84, 114 Image filing 25, 55, 85, 115 Video printer 26, 56, 86, 116 Video monitor 32 Reflecting mirror 62 Reflecting prism 63 Prism rotating mechanism 66, 97 Objective lens 67, 98 CCD 92 Half mirror 93 First liquid crystal shutter 94 Second liquid crystal shutter

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup system comprising: a light receiving unit for receiving photographing light; and a grip unit for an operator to hold and operate, and an imaging system having a lens and an image sensor near a tip of the light receiving unit; A videoscope having illumination means for irradiating light, wherein the imaging system captures a first imaging system for capturing a first subject, and captures another subject located in a direction other than the direction of the first subject. An imaging system switching unit configured with a plurality of systems including at least one or more imaging systems, and configured to switch the outputs of the plurality of imaging systems to output a single imaging system; and any of the plurality of imaging systems Selecting operation means for selecting an image of the image storage device or an output image of the image storage device when the image storage device is connected. 2. An imaging system comprising a plurality of imaging systems for photographing a plurality of subjects in different directions, wherein at least two of the plurality of imaging devices are arranged on the front and back of a substrate, and at least two of a plurality of lenses are provided. 2. A lens, comprising: two lenses arranged to face the image sensor; and a plurality of entrance windows each facing the plurality of lenses and provided near a tip of a light receiving unit. Video scope as described. 3. A plurality of imaging systems for photographing a plurality of subjects in different directions, a plurality of imaging devices arranged in parallel in the same direction, and a plurality of lenses arranged facing the plurality of imaging devices, respectively. And an optical reflecting means provided so as to reflect or direct light in a plurality of different directions, and a plurality of incident windows arranged to face the plurality of incident surfaces of the optical reflecting means, respectively. Item 1
Video scope as described. 4. A plurality of imaging systems having a plurality of imaging devices and a plurality of lenses, wherein the plurality of imaging systems are imaging systems in which imaging magnifications are different or each can be adjusted. Item 4. The videoscope according to item 1, 2 or 3. 5. An image pickup system of a plurality of systems for photographing a plurality of objects in different directions, wherein one image sensor and one image sensor are provided.
One lens arranged to face the image pickup element, an optical reflecting means arranged to reflect or go straight from a plurality of different directions and enter the one lens, and one of the plurality of directions 2. The videoscope according to claim 1, further comprising: a selectable optical reflection selecting unit; and a plurality of entrance windows arranged to face the plurality of entrance surfaces of the optical reflection unit, respectively. 6. An optical reflection selecting means capable of selecting incident light from one direction among incident lights from a plurality of different directions, wherein the optical reflecting means is mechanically or electrically driven around an axis perpendicular to the optical axis. 6. The videoscope according to claim 5, further comprising an optical reflector rotating mechanism for rotating the optical reflector. 7. An optical reflection selecting means that can select incident light from one direction among incident lights from different directions, disposed between a plurality of incident surfaces of the optical reflecting means and a plurality of incident windows. 6. The videoscope according to claim 5, further comprising an optical transparency selecting mechanism. 8. The videoscope according to claim 1, wherein an image pickup system switching means for selecting and switching a plurality of image pickup systems and a selection operation means are provided on the grip portion. 9. The videoscope according to claim 8, further comprising an illumination selection unit that selects a plurality of illumination units in conjunction with a selection of a plurality of imaging systems. 10. The dental imaging device according to claim 1, wherein an insertion portion that can be inserted into an oral cavity of a patient is provided as a light receiving portion for receiving the imaging light and is used for dentistry. Video scope.