KR200480041Y1 - Endoscope apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment includes a lens unit inserted into a body to capture an image of a body and an adapter unit to which the lens unit is mounted and to which image information photographed by the lens unit is transmitted, And the lens unit can be replaced with respect to the adapter unit by removing the clamp.

Description

ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS [0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus, and more particularly, to an endoscope apparatus having a removable clamp on an adapter unit to facilitate replacement of a lens unit.

In general, an endoscopic examination is to examine and examine the internal organs of a body using an endoscopic apparatus. The endoscopic examination as described above is widely used for diagnosis of diseases in the medical field because the inside of the body can be inspected without procedures such as laparotomy or incision surgery.

The endoscopic device is a medical examination device inserted into the inside of the body to perform an endoscopic examination. Endoscopic devices include bronchoscopy, esophagus, gastroscopy, laparoscopy, and anus, depending on the area to be examined.

In addition, the endoscope apparatus can be classified into viewing by the naked eye according to the method of confirming the examination site, viewing the image transmitted by the glass fiber, taking a photograph, and the like.

However, the conventional endoscope apparatus is configured to provide only the image of the examination region in the body. Therefore, in the conventional endoscope apparatus, a technique for accurately acquiring images with high resolution in order to improve diagnostic performance is a trend.

For example, Korean Patent Laid-Open No. 10-2012-0114895 (entitled "Image acquisition method of endoscope apparatus and endoscope apparatus, date of publication: Oct. 17, 2012) An endoscope apparatus having improved force is disclosed.

On the other hand, some techniques for assisting the diagnosis of diseases during endoscopy are being developed.

For example, in Korean Patent No. 10-1118211 (entitled " Method of Diagnosing Diseases by Ultrasonic Endoscopic Image Analysis of Submucosal Tumors, Date: 2012.02.13 "), standardization of images acquired by endoscopic ultrasonography A method for diagnosing a disease by ultrasound endoscopic image analysis of a submucosal tumor for use as a data for diagnosis of a submucosal tumor is disclosed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope apparatus in which a removable clamp is provided on an adapter unit to facilitate replacement of a lens unit.

An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope apparatus in which a light source connection portion is provided in a lens portion and a light source is provided in an adapter portion to transmit light to a body.

An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope apparatus that can be carried by a battery that can be charged in an adapter unit.

An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope apparatus having a display on an adapter unit and capable of checking an image photographed by the lens unit in real time.

An endoscope apparatus for achieving the above object includes a lens unit inserted into a body to take an image of a body and an adapter unit to which the lens unit is attached and to which image information photographed by the lens unit is transmitted, A clamp is provided, and the clamp can be removed to replace the lens unit with respect to the adapter unit.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the lens unit includes an insertion element provided at one end of the lens unit, which is inserted into the body and captures an image of the inside of the body, and a eyepiece provided at the other end of the lens unit, The insertion element and the eyepiece element being coaxial.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the adapter portion is provided with a seating groove on which the eyepiece element is seated, and the eyepiece element can be slidably inserted into the seating groove.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the clamp is mounted on the seating groove, and the inner surface of the seating groove and the clamp can surround the outer peripheral surface of the eyepiece element.

According to one aspect, the seating groove and the clamp may be hinged and opened or closed relative to the hinged side of the clamp.

According to one aspect, the lens unit further includes a light source connecting element between the insertion element and the eyepiece element, and the light source connecting element may be provided perpendicular to the coaxial axis.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the adapter unit is provided with a light source, and the light source may be connected to the light source connection element of the lens unit.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the display unit may further include a display mounted on the adapter unit and outputting image information transmitted from the lens unit.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the adapter unit may further include a rechargeable battery and a holder capable of recharging the battery.

The endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment may include a removable clamp on the adapter unit to facilitate replacement of the lens unit.

The endoscope apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment may include a light source connection portion in the lens portion and a light source in the adapter portion to transmit light to the body.

The endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a rechargeable battery in the adapter unit and is portable.

The endoscope apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a display on the adapter unit, so that an image captured by the lens unit can be confirmed in real time.

1 shows an endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 shows details of a clamp mounted on the adapter unit in an endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment.
Fig. 3 shows a state in which the clamp is opened with respect to the adapter portion in the endoscope apparatus according to the embodiment.
4 (a) to 4 (d) illustrate a process in which the lens unit is mounted on the adapter unit in the endoscope apparatus according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, configurations and applications according to embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description is one of many aspects of the present invention which is claimed to be utility model registration, and the following description forms part of a detailed description of the present invention.

In describing the present invention, a detailed description of well-known functions or constructions will be omitted for the sake of clarity.

Fig. 1 shows an endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment, Fig. 2 shows a detail of a state in which a clamp is attached to an adapter unit in an endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment, and Fig. 3 shows an endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment, 4 (a) to 4 (d) illustrate a process in which the lens unit is attached to the adapter unit in the endoscope apparatus according to the embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, an endoscope apparatus 10 according to an embodiment may include a lens unit 100 and an adapter unit 200.

The lens unit 100 may include an insertion element 110, a fastening element 120, and a eyepiece element 130.

The insertion element 110 may be inserted into the body to take an image of the body.

For example, the insertion element 110 may be provided in an elongated tunnel shape so as to be inserted into a bronchoscope, an esophagus, a gastroscope, a laparoscope, an anus, or the like.

In addition, an insertion lens 112 may be provided at one end of the insertion element 110.

At this time, the insertion lens 112 may be provided in the form of a rod lens.

Alternatively, when a plurality of insertion lenses 112 are provided, a spacer (not shown) may be provided between the plurality of insertion lenses 112 so that the plurality of insertion lenses 112 are spaced apart from each other in the insertion element 110 .

It should be understood that the insertion lens 110 is provided with the insertion lens 112 and that the insertion lens 112 may be disposed in the insertion element 110. [

The coupling element 120 may be mounted on the other end of the insertion element 110.

An opening (not shown) may be provided at one end of the fastening element 120 so that the insertion element 110 can be inserted. In addition, a space (not shown) in which a part of the insertion element 110 can be inserted may be provided in the fastening element 120.

A light source connection element 130 may be provided on one side of the fastening element 120.

The light source connection element 130 may be disposed in a direction perpendicular to the coaxial axis in which the insertion element 110 and the coupling element 120 are disposed.

The light source connection element 130 may be connected to the light source 230 provided in the adapter unit 200 and may transmit light from the light source 230 to the insertion element 110.

When the insertion element 110 is inserted into the body, the insertion lens can take an image of the body by the light from the light source 230.

The light source 230 will be described in detail below.

2, eyepiece element 140 may be mounted on the other end of fastener element 120. [

An eyepiece (not shown) is provided at the center of the eyepiece element 140, and the measurement field can be widened and the focal distance can be varied by adjusting the eyepiece lens.

In addition, the diameter of the eyepiece lens may be larger than the diameter of the above-described insertion lens 112. [

The diameter of the fastening element 120 on which the eyepiece element 140 is fastened may be greater than the diameter of the fastening element 120 on which the fastening element 110 is fastened.

At this time, the insertion element 110, the fastening element 120, and the eyepiece element 140 may be disposed coaxially. Therefore, the insertion lens 112 of the insertion element 110 and the eyepiece of the eyepiece element 140 can be disposed coaxially.

Therefore, the image information in the body photographed by the insertion lens 112 can be transmitted through the eyepiece lens of the eyepiece element 140. [

The lens unit 100 constructed as described above can be inserted into the adapter unit 200.

For example, the eyepiece element 140 of the lens unit 100 can be mounted on the adapter unit 200.

At this time, the adapter unit 200 may be provided with a seating groove 210 in which the eyepiece element 140 can be seated.

The seating groove 210 is formed to correspond to the outer shape of the eyelid element 140 so that the inner surface of the seating groove 210 and the outer surface of the eyepiece element 140 can contact each other.

Thereby, the eyepiece element 140 can be slidably inserted into the seating groove 210.

When the eyepiece element 140 is seated in the seating recess 210, the eyepiece provided on the eyepiece element 140 can be faced with a camera sensor (not shown) of the adapter unit 200.

The camera sensor may include a camera sensor such as a charge coupled device sensor or a complementary metal-oxide semi-conductor sensor.

Therefore, the seating groove 210 can be formed so that an image photographed from the insertion lens 112 can be transmitted to the adapter unit 200 through the eyedropper 140.

In addition, a removable clamp 220 may be disposed on the seating groove 210.

The clamp 220 may be formed to enclose a part of the eyepiece element 140 that is not in the seating groove 210.

For example, the lower half of the eyepiece element 140 may be in contact with the inner surface of the seating groove 210, and the upper half of the eyepiece element 140 may be in contact with the inner surface of the clamp 220.

Therefore, when the clamp 220 is mounted after the eyelet element 140 is placed on the mount groove 210, the mount groove 210 and the clamp 220 can cover the outer circumference of the eyepiece element 140.

Referring to FIG. 3, the seating groove 210 and the clamp 220 can be hingedly connected.

Specifically, the clamp 220 may be hinged (not shown) at one side of the seating groove 210.

Thus, the clamp 220 can be opened with respect to the side where the hinge is connected to the seating groove 210.

When the clamp 220 is released from the mounting groove 210, one side of the eyepiece element 140 which is in contact with the inner surface of the clamp 220 is exposed to the outside and the lens unit 100 is separated from the adapter 200 Can be in a state that can be.

At this time, the lens unit 100 may be detached from the adapter unit 200, and then another type of lens unit 100 may be mounted on the adapter unit 200.

For example, another type of lens unit 100 may be equipped with another type of insertion lens 112 or another type of eyepiece.

The clamp 220 is moved in the direction opposite to the direction in which the clamp 220 opens from the seating groove 210 with respect to the side connected to the seating groove 210 Lt; / RTI >

Thereby, the clamp 220 can be positioned on the lens unit 100 of the other kind so that the lens unit 100 of the other kind can be inserted into the adapter unit 200.

The lens unit 100 can be easily replaced with respect to the adapter unit 200 through the opening or closing of the clamp 220 with respect to the seating groove 210 of the adapter unit 200.

4 (a) to 4 (d), the lens unit 100 can be mounted on the adapter unit 200 as follows.

First, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), the adapter unit 200 may be in a state in which the lens unit 100 is not assembled.

At this time, the space between the seating groove 210 of the adapter unit 200 and the clamp 220 is empty. The clamp 220 may be mounted on the seating groove 210 so that the seating groove 210 may not be exposed to the outside.

A space for mounting the eyepiece element 140 of the lens unit 100 may be provided between the seating groove 210 of the adapter unit 200 and the clamp 220.

Thereafter, as shown in Fig. 4 (b), the clamp 220 can be detached from the adapter unit 200. Fig.

At this time, the seating groove 210 is exposed to the outside.

4 (b) shows that the clamp 220 is completely separated from the adapter portion 200, but when the clamp 220 is connected to the adapter portion 200 by the hinge, the clamp 220 is connected to the adapter portion 200 ). ≪ / RTI >

In this state, the lens unit 100 can be mounted on the adapter unit 200, as shown in Fig. 4 (c).

Specifically, the lens unit 100 can be slidably inserted into the seating groove 210 of the adapter unit 200.

At this time, the eyelet 140 may be seated in the seating groove 210 of the adapter unit 200.

Thus, the eyepiece lens of the eyepiece element 140 faces the camera sensor of the adapter unit 200, and the image information transmitted from the lens unit 100 can be transmitted to the adapter unit 200.

Finally, as shown in Fig. 4 (d), the clamp 220 can be mounted on the adapter part 200 again.

The clamp 220 is fastened to the seating groove 210 and positioned on the upper portion of the lens unit 100 so that the lens unit 100 can be fixed to the adapter unit 200.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent the lens unit 100 from being detached from the adapter unit 200.

As described above, the lens portion 100 can be separated or fastened from the adapter portion 200 by a relatively simple method.

Also, the adapter unit 200 may be provided with a light source 230 connected to the light source connection element 130 of the lens unit 100 described above.

The light source 230 may be, for example, a high brightness light emitting diode (LED) or a high brightness organic light emitting diode (OLED).

Since the light source connection element 130 is vertically positioned at one side of the coupling element 120 of the lens unit 100, the position of the light source 230 is adjusted by the positioning groove 210 of the adapter unit 200 and the clamp 200 and the insertion element 110 of the lens unit 100, as shown in FIG.

To this end, the adapter unit 200 may be provided with a connecting member 240 extending from the seating groove 210.

The connection member 240 may be formed with a hole H through which the light source connection element 130 is mounted.

The connecting member 240 may be provided parallel to the coaxial axis formed by the insertion element 110, the fastening element 120, and the eyepiece element 140.

Since the light source 230 is provided in the adapter unit 200, it is possible to implement a portable endoscope apparatus without requiring a separate light source.

4 (a), before the lens unit 100 is inserted into the adapter unit 200, the hole H of the connecting member 240 is also connected to the light source connecting element 130 of the lens unit 100 It is empty because it is not mounted.

4 (c), when the lens unit 100 is inserted into the adapter unit 200, the light source connecting element (not shown) of the lens unit 100 is inserted into the hole H of the connecting member 240 130 can be mounted.

In this way, the light source connection element 130 and the light source 230 are connected to each other, so that light necessary for photographing can be transmitted to the body.

In addition, the adapter unit 200 may be provided with a display 250.

The display 250 may include a video display such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display, or a plasma display.

Therefore, the image captured through the lens unit 100 through the display 250 can be confirmed in real time.

Further, the adapter unit 200 is provided with a plurality of buttons B, so that a user interface can be realized.

For example, when the user presses the button B provided on the display 250, the user can capture or record the screen while checking the photographed image.

Further, the image captured and recorded in the adapter unit 200 can be stored in the adapter unit 200, and the captured and recorded image can be recalled if necessary.

In addition, the power button B provided in the adapter unit 200 can perform a function of turning the adapter unit 200 on and off.

In this manner, the user can freely control the operation of the endoscope apparatus 10 according to the embodiment by depressing the button B.

In addition, a battery (not shown) may be provided in the adapter unit 200.

The battery may supply power for operation of the adapter unit 200. Thereby, it is not necessary to supply power to the adapter unit 200 by wire.

In addition, a cradle S may be provided for charging the battery.

A groove may be formed on the upper surface of the cradle S so that the adapter unit 200 can be mounted. When the adapter unit 200 is mounted in the groove, the battery in the adapter unit 200 can be charged.

Therefore, the charging of the battery in the adapter unit 200 can be facilitated.

The endoscope apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention has a removable clamp on the adapter unit to facilitate replacement of the lens unit, a light source connection unit to the lens unit, and a light source to the adapter unit, The adapter portion is portable with a rechargeable battery, and a display is provided on the adapter portion so that an image photographed by the lens portion can be checked in real time

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, such modifications or variations should fall within the scope of claims for utility model registration of the present invention.

10: endoscope apparatus
100:
110: Insert element
112: Insert lens
120: fastening element
130: Light source connection element
140:
200: Adapter section
210: seat groove
220: Clamp
230: Light source
240: connecting member
250: Display
H: hole
B: Button
S: Cradle

Claims (9)

A lens unit inserted into the body and capturing an image of the body; And
An adapter unit to which the lens unit is mounted and to which image information photographed by the lens unit is transmitted;
Lt; / RTI >
The adapter portion is provided with a removable clamp,
The clamp can be removed to replace the lens unit with respect to the adapter unit,
Wherein the adapter portion is provided with a seating groove in which an end portion of the lens portion is slidably inserted and seated, the seating groove being openable or closable by the clamp,
The adapter unit is provided with a connection member for side connection of the lens unit,
A hole is formed at one end of the connecting member to insert the lens portion,
And the connecting member extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lens portion from the hole toward the seating groove. The method according to claim 1,
The lens unit includes:
An insertion element provided at one end of the lens unit and inserted into the body to capture an image of the body; And
A eyepiece provided at the other end of the lens unit and capable of being mounted in the adapter unit;
Lt; / RTI >
Wherein the insertion element and the eyepiece element are coaxial. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the adapter unit is provided with a seating groove on which the eyepiece element is seated, and the eyepiece element is slidably inserted in the seating recess. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the clamp is mounted to the seating groove so that the seating groove and the inner surface of the clamp enclose the outer peripheral surface of the eyepiece element. The method of claim 3,
And the clamping groove and the clamp can be hinged and opened or closed with respect to the hinged side of the clamp. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the lens unit further comprises a light source connection element between the insertion element and the eyepiece element, and the light source connection element is vertically provided with respect to the coaxial element and can be inserted into the hole. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the adapter unit is provided with a light source, and the light source is connected to a light source connection element of the lens unit. The method according to claim 1,
And a display mounted on the adapter unit and outputting image information transmitted from the lens unit. The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising a holder capable of being charged in the adapter unit and capable of charging the battery.

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