JP2004248835A

JP2004248835A - Endoscope

Info

Publication number: JP2004248835A
Application number: JP2003041611A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Takakazu Ishigami; 崇和石神
Original assignee: Olympus Corp
Current assignee: Olympus Corp
Priority date: 2003-02-19
Filing date: 2003-02-19
Publication date: 2004-09-09
Anticipated expiration: 2023-02-19
Also published as: JP4388288B2

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope which can perform a good observation for a long time period by preventing the reduction of the illumination light amount and the generation of image noises from occurring by heat emitted from an LED illumination which is arranged on the distal end of the insertion part. <P>SOLUTION: For this endoscope, an LED illumination part 7 for which an LED chip 6 is arranged and an observation optical unit 10 are provided on the distal end part 3. The distal end part 3 is mainly constituted of an object receiver 11, an LED substrate 12, a lens frame receiver 13, a first connecting tube 14, a second connecting tube 15, a cover glass 16 and a connecting-fixing member 17. The object receiver 11 and the LED substrate 12 are formed of a metal member of which the thermal conductivity is high. In a through hole 11c for arranging a radiation member which is formed around a recess 11b of the object receiver 11, the distal end of a bundled wire member 21 having a high thermal conductivity which radiates heat generated from the LED chip 6 is arranged. The proximal end of the bundled wire member 21 is arranged in a flexible tube 5. The bundled wire member 21 is formed by bundling a plurality of strands 21a of which the strand diameter is 0.1 mm or lower while taking flexibility under consideration. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、照明光学系に発光素子を用いた内視鏡に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来より、内視鏡は医療分野及び工業分野で広く利用されている。この内視鏡では、診断或いは検査対象が生体、プラント等の内部である。このため、観察対象を照明する光源が必要である。
【０００３】
一般的に、内視鏡装置では内視鏡の外部装置として光源装置を用意し、この光源装置で発する照明光を内視鏡に設けたライトガイドに供給し、このライトガイドによって伝送された照明光を内視鏡の挿入部先端に配置した照明窓から出射させて観察部位を照らすようになっていた。
【０００４】
また、観察部位を照明する光源装置、ライトガイドファイバの組合せの代わりに、ＬＥＤ照明を挿入部先端部に設け、このＬＥＤ照明の発する光で直接的に観察部位を照らすようにした内視鏡も提案されている。この内視鏡では、ＬＥＤ照明で照らされた観察部位を固体撮像素子で撮像することにより、細径でかつ簡素な構成で高機能化が実現される。
【０００５】
例えば、特開２００２−５１９７１号公報には挿入部先端部に配置した照明手段であるＬＥＤ照明の照明光量の増加を図った内視鏡が示されている。この内視鏡では先端部本体が放熱性を有するセラミックで成型してあるので、ＬＥＤ照明で発する熱は先端部本体に伝導される。
【０００６】
【特許文献１】特開２００２−５１９７１号公報（頁３、図１及び図２）
【０００７】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、前記特開２００２−５１９７１号公報の内視鏡は小型であるため、先端部本体の体積が小さく、かつ表面積も小さい。したがって、ＬＥＤ照明の発する熱が伝導されて先端部本体が高温になるおそれがある。そして、この先端部本体が高温になってＬＥＤ照明が高温下にさらされた状態になると、ＬＥＤ照明の性能が低下し、多くの電流が流せなくなって明るさの確保が難しくなるとともに長時間の使用が困難になる。また、高温になった先端部本体の熱がＣＣＤに伝導されると、ＣＣＤの温度が上昇して内視鏡画像にノイズを発生させる等の不具合を生じさせるおそれがある。
【０００８】
本発明は上記事情に鑑みてなされたものであり、挿入部先端部に配置したＬＥＤ照明の発する熱によって、照明光量の減少や、画像ノイズの発生を防止して、良好な観察を長時間に渡って行える内視鏡を提供することを目的にしている。
【０００９】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明の内視鏡は、挿入部の先端部に発光素子を備えた内視鏡であって、
細長な放熱部材の一端部を前記発光素子近傍に配置する一方、他端部を前記挿入部後方側の所定位置に配置している。
【００１０】
そして、前記放熱部材は断面積を一定に形成している。
【００１１】
この構成によれば、挿入部先端部に配置した発光素子から発する熱は、放熱部材によって挿入部後方側へ伝導されるので、発光素子が冷却される。
【００１２】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、図面を参照して本発明の実施の形態を説明する。
図１ないし図６は本発明の第１実施形態に係り、図１は挿入部の構成を説明する長手方向断面図、図２はＬＥＤ照明部の構成を説明する図、図３は挿入部の構成を具体的に説明する長手方向に対して直交する方向の説明図、図４は先端部の組み付け工程を説明する図、図５はカバーガラスの他の構成例を説明する図、図６は束線部材の後端側の一体部が接合される前口金の他の構成を説明する図である。
【００１３】
なお、図２（ａ）はＬＥＤチップのＬＥＤ基板への配置例を説明する図、図２（ｂ）は図２（ａ）のＥ−Ｅ線断面図、図３（ａ）は挿入部先端部を正面から見たときの図、図３（ｂ）は図１のＡ−Ａ線断面図、図３（ｃ）は図１のＢ−Ｂ線断面図、図３（ｄ）は図１のＣ−Ｃ線断面図、図３（ｅ）は図１（ａ）のＤ−Ｄ線断面図、図５（ａ）は先端面が凸面のカバーガラスを示す図、図５（ｂ）は先端面が凹面のカバーガラスを示す図、図６（ａ）は束線部材の後端側の一体部が接合される前口金付近の構成を説明する断面図、図６（ｂ）は図６（ａ）のＧ−Ｇ線断面図、図６（ｃ）は図６（ａ）のＨ−Ｈ線断面図である。
【００１４】
図１に示すように本実施形態の内視鏡１は細長な挿入部２を有し、この挿入部２は先端側から順に硬質な先端部３、湾曲駒を連接して例えば上下左右方向に湾曲する構成の湾曲部４、柔軟な管状部材で形成した可撓管部５とを連設して構成されている。前記先端部３には発光素子としての複数のＬＥＤチップ６を配設して構成されるＬＥＤ照明部７及び複数の光学レンズ８ａ及びＣＣＤ９等を配設して構成される観察光学部１０が設けられている。
【００１５】
前記先端部３は、対物光学系受け（以下、対物受けと略記する）１１、ＬＥＤ基板１２、レンズ枠受け１３、第１連結管１４、第２連結管１５、カバーガラス１６、連結固定部材１７とで主に構成されている。
【００１６】
前記対物受け１１及びＬＥＤ基板１２は銅、アルミ等の熱伝導率の高い金属部材で形成される。一方、前記レンズ枠受け１３及び内視鏡１の外装を構成する、第１連結管１４、第２連結管１５、連結固定部材１７はステンレス等の耐食性に優れ、熱伝導率の低い金属部材で形成されている。
【００１７】
前記観察光学部１０を構成する光学レンズ８ａの一部は前記対物受け１１に固定配置され、他の光学レンズ８ａ及びＣＣＤ９はレンズ枠９ａに固定配置される。このＣＣＤ９から基端側に延出する端子９ｂはＣＣＤ基板９ｃに電気的に接続され、このＣＣＤ基板９ｃには信号ケーブル９ｄ内を挿通する信号線９ｅが所定の位置に電気的に接続されている。
なお、前記レンズ枠９ａはステンレス等の耐食性に優れて、熱伝導率の低い金属部材で形成されている。
【００１８】
図１及び図２（ａ）、（ｂ）に示すように前記ＬＥＤ照明部７はＬＥＤチップ６とＬＥＤ基板１２とで構成されている。このＬＥＤ基板１２は、環状で、中心から所定距離の円周上に所定間隔で例えば８つの座ぐり穴１２ａが設けてある。前記ＬＥＤチップ６は、これら座ぐり穴１２ａ内にそれぞれ配置され、このＬＥＤチップ６の照射方向側は半透明の封止剤６ａによって覆われている。
【００１９】
前記ＬＥＤ基板１２の内周面側には電源を供給する電源用ケーブル２２ａ、２２ｂを配置するための一対の切り欠き部１２ｂが形成されている。なお、図示は省略するがこのＬＥＤ基板１２には前記電源用ケーブル２２ａ、２２ｂ及び前記ＬＥＤチップ６の電気接点（不図示）が電気的に接触する導電パターンが設けられている。
【００２０】
図１及び図３（ｂ）に示すように前記対物受け１１は略筒状で、中央部の先端面側及び基端面側には前記観察光学部１０の光学レンズ８ａをそれぞれ配置する凹部１１ａ、１１ｂが形成されている。この凹部１１ｂの周囲には複数のＬＥＤチップ６から発生する熱を放熱するための放熱部材である束線部材２１が配置される放熱部材配置用透孔１１ｃが例えば前記座ぐり穴１２ａに対応するように所定数、所定間隔で形成されるとともに、前記電源用ケーブル２２ａ、２２ｂが挿通する一対のケーブル用透孔１１ｄが所定位置に形成されている。
【００２１】
前記束線部材２１は、銅線、アルミ線、銀線等の熱伝導率が高く、素線直径が０．１ｍｍ以下の素線２１ａを複数本束ねて、柔軟性を考慮して形成したものであり、本数及び素線２１ａの長さ寸法は熱容量と作業性との両面を考慮して内視鏡の種類に応じて適宜設定される。
【００２２】
前記束線部材２１の先端部及び端部は、作業性を考慮して例えば、半田、ロウ付け、接着剤等によってひとかたまりの一体部２３として構成される。本実施形態においては、先端側に配置される一体部２３は８つであり、それぞれの先端部の先端面を研磨加工等によって平面処理してある。一方、後方側に配置される一体部２３は４つになっている。
なお、前記凹部１１ａと凹部１１ｂとは例えば先端側開口を大径に形成したテーパー孔１１ｅによって連通している。
【００２３】
図１及び図３（ｃ）に示すように前記レンズ枠受け１３は略筒状で、外周面中途部所定位置には前記連結固定部材１７に形成されている後述する雌ネジ部（図中の符号１７ｂ）と螺合する雄ネジ部１３ａが形成されている。また、中央部には前記観察光学部１０を構成する前記レンズ枠９ａが配置されるレンズ枠用貫通孔１３ｂが形成されている。さらに、このレンズ枠用貫通孔１３ｂの周囲には前記束線部材２１が遊嵌状態で挿通配置される放熱部材挿通用透孔１３ｃが前記放熱部材配置用透孔１１ｃに対向して形成されている。
【００２４】
前記第１連結管１４は管状で太径部１４ａと細径部１４ｂとを備え、前記レンズ枠受け１３と前記第２連結管１５とが一体的に配置される。具体的には、この第１連結管１４の太径部１４ａの先端側内周面に前記レンズ受け１３の基端部が配置され、細径部１４ｂの外周面に前記第２連結管１５の先端側内周面が配置される。
【００２５】
前記第２連結管１５は略管状で、前記第１連結管１４と前記湾曲部４とが一体的に配置される。具体的には、この第２連結管１５の先端側内周面に前記第１連結管１４の細径部外周面が配置され、基端部の所定位置に前記湾曲部４を構成する先端湾曲駒４ａ、湾曲ゴム４ｂ、外ブレード４ｃが配置される。前記湾曲ゴム４ｂ及び外ブレード４ｃは糸巻き固定部３１によって前記第２連結管１５に一体的に固定されている。なお、符号４ｄは下方向湾曲ワイヤであり、符号４ｅは左方向湾曲ワイヤ、符号４ｆ（図３（ｄ）参照）は上方向湾曲ワイヤ、符号４ｇ（図３（ｄ）参照）は右方向湾曲ワイヤである。
【００２６】
図１及び図３（ａ）に示すように前記カバーガラス１６は例えば略環状の平板光学部材で形成され、中央部には前記対物受け１１の先端部に対応する貫通孔１６ａが形成されている。
【００２７】
前記連結固定部材１７は略管状で先端部には前記カバーガラス１６の先端面に当接する爪部１７ａが周状に形成され、基端部には前記レンズ枠受け１３に形成されている雄ネジ部１３ａに螺合する雌ネジ部１７ｂが形成されている。なお、図中のＦ−Ｆ線は前記図１の断面位置を表している。
【００２８】
図１及び図３（ｄ）、図３（ｅ）に示すように放熱部材配置用透孔１１ｃ、対物受け１１、第１連結管１４、第２連結管１５を挿通して後方側に延出する８本の束線部材２１は、湾曲部４近傍で隣り合う束線部材２１どうしをひとまとめにして、湾曲方向及び湾曲駒の管内の空間に対応するように４つの束線部材２１にまとめられて湾曲部４内を挿通して可撓管部５内に配置されている。このとき、前記可撓管部５内に挿通配置された４つにまとめられた束線部材２１の長さ寸法がそれぞれ異なる長さ寸法に設定してあるので、一体部２３が可撓管部５内の一箇所に集中することなく配置される。
【００２９】
なお、前記可撓管５は、内周面側に配置された螺旋管５ａと、この螺旋管５ａを被覆する網状管５ｂと、この網状管５ｂを被覆する外皮チューブ５ｃとで構成されており、この可撓管５の先端側には前口金５ｄが配置されている。この前口金５ｄは、湾曲部４の基端部を構成する第３連結管１８の内周面側に配置される。符号２４は前記湾曲ワイヤ４ｄ、４ｅ、４ｆ、４ｇが挿通するコイル部材であり、このコイル部材２４は前記前口金５ｄの内周面所定位置にロウ付け２５によって一体的に接合される。
【００３０】
ここで、図４を参照して先端部３の組み付け工程を説明する。
まず、前記ＬＥＤ照明部７を構成するＬＥＤ基板１２の内周面に熱伝導率の高いシリコングリース１９を塗布し、この状態で光学レンズ８ａを配置した対物受け１１を前記ＬＥＤ基板１２の内周面に配置する。その後、前記対物受け１１に形成されている放熱部材配置用透孔１１ｃ内に所定の本数の素線２１ａを束にした束線部材２１の先端側の一体部２３を前記放熱部材配置用透孔１１ｃ内に配置して一体部の先端面をシリコングリース１９を介してＬＥＤ基板１２の基端面に密着させるとともに、半田によって一体的に接合固定する。また、前記ＬＥＤ基板１２から延出する電源用ケーブル２２ａ、２２ｂを前記切り欠き部１２ｂに配置する。
【００３１】
このことによって、前記ＬＥＤ基板１２と対物受け１１とがシリコングリース１９を介して密着状態になるとともに、前記束線部材２１が半田を介して前記対物受け１１に密着状態で配置される。なお、前記シリコングリース１９以外に熱伝導率の高い充填材或いは、熱伝導シート、熱伝導フィルム等であってもよい。
【００３２】
次に、前記ＬＥＤ基板１２の先端側にカバーガラス１６を配置する一方、前記対物受け１１の基端側の凹部に前記レンズ枠受け１３の先端部を挿入配置する。このとき、前記束線部材２１をそれぞれ対応する放熱部材挿通用透孔１３ｃに挿通させる。
【００３３】
次いで、前記連結固定部材１７を、前記カバーガラス１６、ＬＥＤ基板１２、対物受け１１の順に外周面側に被せていく。すると、前記連結固定部材１７の先端面がレンズ受け１３に形成されている雄ネジ部１３ａ近傍に到達する。ここで、前記雄ネジ部１３ａに前記連結固定部材１７に形成されている雌ネジ部１７ｂを螺合していき、この連結固定部材１７と前記レンズ受け１３とを所定螺合状態で一体固定する。
【００３４】
このことによって、前記カバーガラス１６が封止剤６ａに所定の押圧力による密着状態になるとともに、前記ＬＥＤ基板１２と前記対物受け１１とが所定の押圧力による密着状態になった、いわゆる一体ユニットとして構成される。
【００３５】
この後、この一体ユニットに、ＣＣＤ９等を配置したレンズ枠９ａを接合固定するとともに、前記第１連結管１４、第２連結管１５を介して湾曲部４を一体的に連結固定して内視鏡１を構成する。
【００３６】
上述のように構成した内視鏡１の作用を説明する。
まず、前記電源用ケーブル２２ａ、２２ｂを介してＬＥＤ照明部７に対して電力を供給する。すると、ＬＥＤ基板１２に配置されているＬＥＤチップ６が発光状態になって、観察部位が照明される。このことによって、この照明光に照らされた観察部位の光学像が観察光学部１０の光学レンズ８ａを通過してＣＣＤ９の撮像面に結像されて内視鏡画像を得られる。
【００３７】
次に、内視鏡画像を観察しながら内視鏡１の挿入部２を目的観察部位に向けて挿通していく。このとき、図示しない湾曲操作手段を適宜操作して湾曲部４を所望する方向に湾曲させる。この際、この湾曲部４内には柔軟性を考慮した束線部材２１が湾曲方向を考慮して分割されて挿通配置されているので、湾曲部４がスムーズに湾曲動作する。
【００３８】
前記ＬＥＤ照明部７に対する電力の供給を継続的に行っていると、ＬＥＤチップ６から発する熱がＬＥＤ基板１２に伝導されて、このＬＥＤ基板１２の温度が徐々に上昇していく。また、このＬＥＤ基板１２に伝導された熱は、ＬＥＤ基板１２の背面にシリコングリース１９を介して密着している束線部材２１に伝導されるとともに、このＬＥＤ基板１２の背面側に配置された対物受け１１に伝導される。
【００３９】
前記対物受け１１に伝導された熱は、この対物受け１１に形成されている放熱部材配置用透孔１１ｃの内周面に半田を介して密着している側面部から束線部材２１に伝導される。そして、この束線部材２１に伝導された熱は、先端側から後方側に伝導されていく。
【００４０】
このように、ＬＥＤチップの発する熱を、ＬＥＤ基板や対物受けを介して細長な束線部材の先端側から後方側に伝導させることによって、ＬＥＤ照明部が高温になることを防止することができるとともに、ＬＥＤチップで発生した熱がＣＣＤに伝導されることを確実に防止することができる。
このことによって、所望する光量で長時間に渡って観察部位を照明して、画像ノイズのない良好な内視鏡画像を得て、内視鏡観察を行える。
【００４１】
なお、本実施形態においてはカバーガラス１６を平板光学部材で形成しているが、カバーガラスはこの形態に限定されるものではなく、例えば図５（ａ）に示すように先端面を凸面に形成したカバーガラス１６Ａや、図５（ｂ）に示すように先端面を凹面に形成したカバーガラス１６Ｂであってもよい。また、前記ＬＥＤ基板１２と前記対物受け１１とを一体に構成したものであってもよい。
【００４２】
また、前記束線部材２１の基端部を可撓管５内に配置させる代わりに、図６（ａ）ないし図６（ｃ）に示すようにこの束線部材２１の後方側の一体部２３を外周面に冷却フィン４１を設けた前口金４０の内周面所定位置にそれぞれ半田４２等の接合部材によって一体的に接合固定するようにしてもよい。このことによって、前記束線部材２１に伝導された熱を前口金４０から外部に効率良く放出させて、束線部材２１の放熱効果を大幅に向上させることができる。
【００４３】
さらに、束線部材２１をより線或いは網状に構成するようにしてもよい。
【００４４】
図７及び図８は本発明の第２実施形態にかかり、図７は先端部の構成を説明する長手方向断面図、図８は先端部の構成を具体的に説明する長手方向に対して直交する方向の説明図である。
なお、図８（ａ）は先端部の正面図、図８（ｂ）は図７のＩ−Ｉ線断面図、図８（ｃ）は図７のＫ−Ｋ線断面図である。
【００４５】
本実施形態においては、前記第１実施形態で銅、アルミ等の熱伝導率の高い金属部材で形成していた対物受け１１を、図７ないし図８（ｃ）に示すように熱伝導率の低い金属部材で形成した対物枠５１と、熱伝導率の高い金属部材で形成したＬＥＤ受け５２とに分割して構成している。また、このＬＥＤ受け５２の基端部にはリング部材５３が配置されるようになっており、このリング部材５３の外周面側にはさらに管状固定部材５４が配置されるようになっている。さらに、本実施形態においてはカバーガラスを設ける代わりにＬＥＤチップ６を覆う封止剤６ａをさらに被覆する被覆部材５５を設けている。なお、前記ＬＥＤ受け５２の外周面側の所定位置には束線部材２１を配置するための４つの切り欠き部５２ａが形成されている。
【００４６】
前記管状固定部材５４の外周面の所定位置には第１雄ネジ部５４ａ及び第２雄ネジ部５４ｂが形成されている。この雄ネジ部５４ａ、５４ｂには略管状の連結固定部材５６の基端部に形成されている雌ネジ部５６ａが螺合するようになっている。この連結固定部材５６の先端部には前記被覆部材５５に当接する爪部５６ｂが設けてある。
【００４７】
ここで、先端部３の組み付け工程を説明する。
まず、前記ＬＥＤ照明部７を構成するＬＥＤ基板１２の基端面に熱伝導率の高いシリコングリースを塗布し、この状態で光学レンズ８ａを配置した対物枠５１及びＬＥＤ受け５２を所定位置に配置する。その後、前記ＬＥＤ受け５２とリング部材５３とで形成される開口を通して４つに分割された束線部材２１を切り欠き部５２ａ内に配置する。そして、この切り欠き部５２ａの切り欠き開口側から半田や接着剤を流しこんで前記束線部材２１をＬＥＤ受け５２に密着固定させる。
【００４８】
このことによって、前記ＬＥＤ基板１２と対物枠５１とがシリコングリースを介して密着状態になるとともに、前記束線部材２１が例えば半田を介して前記ＬＥＤ受け５２に密着状態で配置される。
【００４９】
次に、前記リング部材５３の外周面側に管状固定部材５４を配置し、前記連結固定部材５６を、前記ＬＥＤ基板１２、ＬＥＤ受け５２、リング部材５３の順に外周面側に被せていく。すると、この連結固定部材５６の先端面が管状固定部材５４に形成されている雄ネジ部５４ａ近傍に到達する。ここで、前記連結固定部材５６の先端面が雄ネジ部５４ａに前記連結固定部材５６に形成されている雌ネジ部５６ａを螺合していく。
【００５０】
そして、この雌ネジ部５６ａが前記雄ネジ部５４ａを通過すると、前記連結固定部材５６の先端面が雄ネジ部５４ｂ近傍に到達する。ここで、前記雌ネジ部５６ａを雄ネジ部５４ｂに螺合させていくことによって、雌ネジ部５６ａと雄ネジ部５４ｂとが螺合状態になって、連結固定部材５６と管状固定部材５４とが一体に固定される。
【００５１】
このことによって、前記連結固定部材５６の爪部５６ｂが被覆部材５５に所定の押圧力で密着状態になるとともに、前記ＬＥＤ基板１２、ＬＥＤ受け５２、リング部材５３とが所定の押圧力で密着状態になって、一体ユニットが構成される。
【００５２】
この後、この一体ユニットに、ＣＣＤ９等を配置したレンズ枠９ａを接合固定するとともに、前記第１連結管１４、第２連結管１５を介して湾曲部４を一体的に連結固定して内視鏡１を構成する。
なお、前記レンズ枠９ａは、ＬＥＤ受け５２と対物受け１１を一体にする前に、対物受け１３に接合するようにしてもよい。また、図８（ａ）中のＬ−Ｌ線は前記図７の断面位置を表している。その他の構成及び作用は前記第１実施形態と同様であり、同部材には同符号を付して説明を省略する
このように、切り欠き部を設けたＬＥＤ受けに束線部材を配置し、この状態で切り欠き部の開口側から半田を流し込んで、束線部材をＬＥＤ受けに一体的に接合したことによって、束線部材の先端面を予め平面処理する等の前加工をなくして作業性の向上を図ることができる。また、連結固定部材と管状固定部材とを二重ネジで螺合固定したことによって、連結固定部材と管状固定部材との脱落を確実に防止することかできる。その他の効果は前記第１実施形態と同様である。
【００５３】
なお、前記ＬＥＤ受け５２とＬＥＤ基板１２とを一体に構成するようにしてもよい。
【００５４】
図９及び図１０は本発明の第３実施形態に係り、図９は硬性内視鏡の挿入部の先端部を説明する長手方向断面図、図１０は先端部の構成を具体的に説明する長手方向に対して直交する方向の説明図である。
なお、図１０（ａ）は先端部の正面図、図１０（ｂ）は図９のＭ−Ｍ線断面図、図１０（ｃ）は図９のＮ−Ｎ線断面図である。
【００５５】
図９ないし図１０（ｃ）に示すように本実施形態の内視鏡は先端部に湾曲部４を連設配置する代わりに所定長さ寸法の硬性チューブ６１を配置した硬性内視鏡６０であり、レンズ受け１３、第１連結管１４、第２連結管１５等を配置させることなく、連結固定部材１７の雌ネジ部１７ｂを硬性チューブ６１の先端側に形成されている雄ネジ部６１ａに螺合させる構成になっている。そして、本実施形態においては放熱部材として束線部材２１を配置する代わりに銅或いはアルミ、銀、カーボングラファイトなどの熱伝導率の高い部材で所定断面形状に形作った細長で所定長さ寸法に設定した棒状部材６２を複数、所定位置に配置している。その他の構成は第１実施形態と略同様である。
【００５６】
なお、前記硬性チューブ６１には棒状部材挿通孔６１ｂ及びレンズ枠用貫通孔６１ｃ等が形成されている。また、図１０（ａ）中のＰ−Ｐ線は前記図９の断面位置を表している。
【００５７】
このように、挿入部が硬性な硬性内視鏡においては柔軟性を有する放熱部材を配置する代わりに、硬質な放熱部材を配置することによって、ＬＥＤチップの発する熱を、ＬＥＤ基板や対物受けを介して棒状部材の先端側から後方側に伝導させて、ＬＥＤ照明部が高温になることを防止することができるとともに、ＬＥＤチップで発生した熱をＣＣＤに伝導されることを確実に防止することかできる。
なお、図１１（ａ）ないし図１１（ｃ）の硬性内視鏡の他の構成を説明する図に示すように前記図８に示したと同様な対物枠５１を設けるとともに略筒形状で細長で所定長さ寸法に設定したＬＥＤ受け６３を配置して硬性内視鏡６０Ａを構成するようにしても、上述と同様の作用及び効果を得ることができる。
【００５８】
なお、以上述べた実施形態において、発光素子としてＬＥＤを用いたが、発光素子はレーザーダイオード等であってもよい。
【００５９】
尚、本発明は、以上述べた実施形態のみに限定されるものではなく、発明の要旨を逸脱しない範囲で種々変形実施可能である。
【００６０】
［付記］
以上詳述したような本発明の上記実施形態によれば、以下の如き構成を得ることができる。
【００６１】
（１）挿入部の先端部に発光素子を備えた内視鏡において、
細長な放熱部材の一端部を前記発光素子近傍に配置する一方、他端部を前記挿入部後方側の所定位置に配置した内視鏡。
【００６２】
（２）前記放熱部材は断面積を一定に形成した付記１に記載の内視鏡。
【００６３】
（３）前記放熱部材の長さ寸法は、この放熱部材の材質及び断面積を考慮して設定する付記１に記載の内視鏡。
【００６４】
（４）前記挿入部が軟性で湾曲部を有するとき、
前記放熱部材は、直径が０．１ｍｍ以下の素線を複数束ねて形成した束線部材であり、前記ＬＥＤ照明近傍から基端側に延出する束線部材を少なくとも前記湾曲部内で複数に分割した付記１に記載の内視鏡。
【００６５】
（５）前記挿入部が硬性であるとき、
前記放熱部材は棒状部材である付記１に記載の内視鏡。
【００６６】
（６）前記素線及び前記棒状部材は、熱伝導率の高い部材である付記３又は付記５に記載の内視鏡。
【００６７】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように本発明によれば、挿入部先端部に配置したＬＥＤ照明の発する熱によって、照明光量の減少や、画像ノイズの発生を防止して、良好な観察を長時間に渡って行える内視鏡を提供することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】図１ないし図６は本発明の第１実施形態に係り、図１は挿入部の構成を説明する長手方向断面図
【図２】ＬＥＤ照明部の構成を説明する図
【図３】挿入部の構成を具体的に説明する長手方向に対して直交する方向の説明図
【図４】先端部の組み付け工程を説明する図
【図５】カバーガラスの他の構成例を説明する図
【図６】束線部材の後端側の一体部が接合される前口金の他の構成を説明する図
【図７】図７及び図８は本発明の第２実施形態にかかり、図７は先端部の構成を説明する長手方向断面図
【図８】先端部の構成を具体的に説明する長手方向に対して直交する方向の説明図
【図９】図９及び図１０は本発明の第３実施形態に係り、図９は硬性内視鏡の挿入部の先端部を説明する長手方向断面図
【図１０】先端部の構成を具体的に説明する長手方向に対して直交する方向の説明図
【図１１】硬性内視鏡の他の構成を説明する図
【符号の説明】
１…内視鏡
３…先端部
４…湾曲部
６…ＬＥＤチップ
７…ＬＥＤ照明部
１０…観察光学部
１１…対物受け
１２…ＬＥＤ基板
１７…連結固定部材
２１…束線部材[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an endoscope using a light emitting element for an illumination optical system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, endoscopes have been widely used in the medical field and the industrial field. In this endoscope, an object to be diagnosed or inspected is a living body, a plant, or the like. Therefore, a light source for illuminating the observation target is required.
[0003]
Generally, in an endoscope apparatus, a light source device is prepared as an external device of the endoscope, illumination light emitted from the light source device is supplied to a light guide provided in the endoscope, and illumination transmitted by the light guide is provided. Light is emitted from an illumination window arranged at the distal end of the insertion section of the endoscope to illuminate the observation site.
[0004]
In addition, instead of a light source device for illuminating an observation site, a combination of a light guide fiber, an endoscope in which LED illumination is provided at the distal end portion of the insertion section so that the observation site is directly illuminated with light emitted by the LED illumination is also available. Proposed. In this endoscope, a solid-state imaging device captures an image of the observation site illuminated by the LED illumination, thereby realizing high functionality with a small-diameter and simple configuration.
[0005]
For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-51971 discloses an endoscope in which the illumination light amount of LED illumination, which is illumination means disposed at the distal end portion of an insertion portion, is increased. In this endoscope, since the distal end body is formed of ceramic having heat dissipation, the heat generated by the LED lighting is conducted to the distal end body.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-51971 (Page 3, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2)
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the endoscope disclosed in JP-A-2002-51971 is small, the volume of the distal end body is small and the surface area is also small. Therefore, there is a possibility that the heat generated by the LED lighting is conducted and the tip end body becomes hot. When the tip body becomes high temperature and the LED lighting is exposed to a high temperature, the performance of the LED lighting deteriorates, so that a large amount of current cannot flow and it is difficult to secure the brightness, and it takes a long time. Difficult to use. Further, when the heat of the tip end body, which has become high temperature, is conducted to the CCD, the temperature of the CCD may rise and cause a problem such as generation of noise in the endoscope image.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and reduces the amount of illumination light and prevents image noise from occurring due to the heat generated by the LED illumination disposed at the distal end portion of the insertion portion, so that good observation can be performed for a long time. It is intended to provide an endoscope that can be crossed.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The endoscope of the present invention is an endoscope provided with a light emitting element at the distal end of the insertion portion,
One end of the elongated heat dissipating member is arranged near the light emitting element, and the other end is arranged at a predetermined position behind the insertion section.
[0010]
The heat dissipating member has a constant cross-sectional area.
[0011]
According to this configuration, since the heat generated from the light emitting element disposed at the distal end of the insertion portion is conducted to the rear side of the insertion portion by the heat radiation member, the light emitting element is cooled.
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 to 6 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a configuration of an insertion unit, FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an LED lighting unit, and FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction specifically explaining the configuration, FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an assembling process of a tip portion, FIG. 5 is a view illustrating another configuration example of the cover glass, and FIG. It is a figure explaining other composition of a front mouthpiece to which an integrated part of the back end side of a bundle member is joined.
[0013]
2 (a) is a view for explaining an example of disposition of LED chips on an LED board, FIG. 2 (b) is a sectional view taken along line EE of FIG. 2 (a), and FIG. FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 1, FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 (e) is a sectional view taken along line DD of FIG. 1 (a), FIG. 5 (a) is a view showing a cover glass having a convex end face, and FIG. FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration near a front die to which an integrated portion on the rear end side of a bundled member is joined, and FIG. FIG. 6A is a sectional view taken along line GG, and FIG. 6C is a sectional view taken along line HH in FIG.
[0014]
As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope 1 according to the present embodiment has an elongated insertion portion 2, and the insertion portion 2 is connected to a rigid distal end portion 3 and a curved piece in order from the distal end side, for example, in the vertical and horizontal directions. A bending portion 4 having a bending configuration and a flexible tube portion 5 formed of a flexible tubular member are connected to each other. An LED illuminator 7 having a plurality of LED chips 6 as light emitting elements and an observation optical unit 10 having a plurality of optical lenses 8a, a CCD 9 and the like are provided at the distal end portion 3. Have been.
[0015]
The distal end portion 3 includes an objective optical system receiver (hereinafter abbreviated as an objective receiver) 11, an LED substrate 12, a lens frame receiver 13, a first connection pipe 14, a second connection pipe 15, a cover glass 16, a connection fixing member 17. It is mainly composed of
[0016]
The objective receiver 11 and the LED substrate 12 are formed of a metal member having high thermal conductivity such as copper or aluminum. On the other hand, the first connection pipe 14, the second connection pipe 15, and the connection fixing member 17 constituting the exterior of the lens frame receiver 13 and the endoscope 1 are made of a metal member having excellent corrosion resistance such as stainless steel and low heat conductivity. Is formed.
[0017]
A part of the optical lens 8a constituting the observation optical unit 10 is fixedly arranged on the objective receiver 11, and the other optical lens 8a and the CCD 9 are fixedly arranged on the lens frame 9a. A terminal 9b extending from the CCD 9 to the proximal end side is electrically connected to a CCD substrate 9c, and a signal line 9e inserted through a signal cable 9d is electrically connected to a predetermined position on the CCD substrate 9c. I have.
The lens frame 9a is made of a metal material having excellent corrosion resistance such as stainless steel and having a low thermal conductivity.
[0018]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A and 2B, the LED lighting section 7 is composed of an LED chip 6 and an LED substrate 12. The LED substrate 12 is annular and has, for example, eight counterbore holes 12a at predetermined intervals on a circumference at a predetermined distance from the center. The LED chips 6 are respectively arranged in these counterbore holes 12a, and the irradiation direction side of the LED chips 6 is covered with a translucent sealing agent 6a.
[0019]
A pair of notches 12b for arranging power cables 22a and 22b for supplying power are formed on the inner peripheral surface side of the LED board 12. Although not shown, the LED substrate 12 is provided with a conductive pattern for electrically contacting the power cables 22a, 22b and the electrical contacts (not shown) of the LED chip 6.
[0020]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3B, the objective receiver 11 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and a concave portion 11a for disposing an optical lens 8a of the observation optical unit 10 on a distal end surface side and a proximal end surface side at a central portion. 11b is formed. Around the concave portion 11b, a heat dissipating member disposing through hole 11c in which a bundle member 21 which is a heat dissipating member for dissipating heat generated from the plurality of LED chips 6 is arranged, for example, corresponding to the counterbore hole 12a. As described above, a predetermined number and a predetermined interval are formed, and a pair of cable through holes 11d through which the power cables 22a and 22b are inserted are formed at predetermined positions.
[0021]
The bundle member 21 is formed by bundling a plurality of wires 21a having a high thermal conductivity such as a copper wire, an aluminum wire, and a silver wire, and having a wire diameter of 0.1 mm or less, and considering flexibility. The number and the length of the wires 21a are appropriately set according to the type of endoscope in consideration of both the heat capacity and the workability.
[0022]
The leading end and the end of the bundled member 21 are formed as a unitary unit 23 by soldering, brazing, adhesive, or the like in consideration of workability. In the present embodiment, the number of the integral portions 23 arranged on the distal end side is eight, and the distal end surfaces of the respective distal end portions are flattened by polishing or the like. On the other hand, there are four integrated portions 23 arranged on the rear side.
The recess 11a and the recess 11b communicate with each other by a tapered hole 11e having a large-diameter opening at the distal end.
[0023]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 (c), the lens frame receiver 13 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and a female screw portion (described later) formed on the connection fixing member 17 at a predetermined position in the middle of the outer peripheral surface. A male screw portion 13a screwed with the reference numeral 17b) is formed. Further, a through hole 13b for a lens frame in which the lens frame 9a constituting the observation optical unit 10 is disposed is formed in a central portion. Further, around the lens frame through-hole 13b, a heat-radiating member insertion through-hole 13c into which the bundled member 21 is inserted in a loosely fitted state is formed so as to face the heat-radiating member-arranging through-hole 11c. I have.
[0024]
The first connecting tube 14 is tubular and has a large diameter portion 14a and a small diameter portion 14b, and the lens frame receiver 13 and the second connecting tube 15 are integrally disposed. Specifically, the base end of the lens receiver 13 is disposed on the inner peripheral surface on the distal end side of the large diameter portion 14a of the first connection tube 14, and the second connection tube 15 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 14b. A tip side inner peripheral surface is arranged.
[0025]
The second connection pipe 15 is substantially tubular, and the first connection pipe 14 and the curved portion 4 are integrally disposed. Specifically, the outer peripheral surface of the small-diameter portion of the first connecting pipe 14 is disposed on the inner peripheral surface on the distal end side of the second connecting pipe 15, and the distal-end curved portion forming the curved portion 4 at a predetermined position at the base end portion. Piece 4a, curved rubber 4b, and outer blade 4c are arranged. The curved rubber 4b and the outer blade 4c are integrally fixed to the second connecting tube 15 by a thread fixing portion 31. Reference numeral 4d is a downward bending wire, reference numeral 4e is a leftward bending wire, reference numeral 4f (see FIG. 3D) is an upward bending wire, and reference numeral 4g (see FIG. 3D) is a rightward bending wire. It is a wire.
[0026]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3A, the cover glass 16 is formed of, for example, a substantially annular flat plate optical member, and a through hole 16a corresponding to the tip of the objective receiver 11 is formed in the center. .
[0027]
The connection fixing member 17 is substantially tubular, and has a claw portion 17a formed in a distal end portion to be in contact with the front end surface of the cover glass 16 in a circumferential shape, and a male screw formed in the lens frame receiver 13 at a base end portion. A female screw portion 17b screwed to the portion 13a is formed. The line FF in the figure represents the cross-sectional position in FIG.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 (d), and FIG. 3 (e), the through hole 11c for radiating the heat dissipating member, the objective receiver 11, the first connecting pipe 14, and the second connecting pipe 15 are inserted to extend rearward. The eight bundle members 21 to be bundled are bundled together in the vicinity of the bending portion 4 and bundled into four bundle members 21 so as to correspond to the bending direction and the space in the tube of the bending piece. It is inserted into the bending portion 4 and is disposed in the flexible tube portion 5. At this time, since the lengths of the four bundled wire members 21 inserted and arranged in the flexible tube portion 5 are set to different lengths, the integral portion 23 is 5 without being concentrated in one place.
[0029]
The flexible tube 5 includes a spiral tube 5a arranged on the inner peripheral surface side, a mesh tube 5b covering the spiral tube 5a, and an outer tube 5c covering the mesh tube 5b. On the distal end side of the flexible tube 5, a front base 5d is arranged. The front base 5 d is arranged on the inner peripheral surface side of the third connecting pipe 18 forming the base end of the curved portion 4. Reference numeral 24 denotes a coil member through which the bending wires 4d, 4e, 4f, and 4g are inserted. The coil member 24 is integrally joined to a predetermined position on the inner peripheral surface of the front die 5d by brazing 25.
[0030]
Here, a process of assembling the distal end portion 3 will be described with reference to FIG.
First, silicon grease 19 having a high thermal conductivity is applied to the inner peripheral surface of the LED substrate 12 constituting the LED lighting section 7, and in this state, the objective receiver 11 on which the optical lens 8 a is disposed is moved to the inner peripheral surface of the LED substrate 12. Place on the surface. After that, a predetermined number of strands 21a are bundled into a through-hole 11c formed in the heat-receiving member 11 formed in the objective receiver 11. 11c, the distal end surface of the integrated portion is brought into close contact with the base end surface of the LED substrate 12 via the silicon grease 19, and is integrally fixed by soldering. In addition, power supply cables 22a and 22b extending from the LED board 12 are arranged in the cutouts 12b.
[0031]
As a result, the LED substrate 12 and the object receiver 11 come into close contact with each other via the silicon grease 19, and the bundle member 21 is placed in close contact with the object receiver 11 via solder. In addition, other than the silicon grease 19, a filler having a high thermal conductivity, a thermal conductive sheet, a thermal conductive film, or the like may be used.
[0032]
Next, the cover glass 16 is disposed on the distal end side of the LED substrate 12, while the distal end of the lens frame receiver 13 is inserted and disposed in a concave portion on the base end side of the objective receiver 11. At this time, the bundle members 21 are inserted into the corresponding heat-radiating-member insertion through holes 13c.
[0033]
Next, the connection fixing member 17 is put on the outer peripheral surface side of the cover glass 16, the LED substrate 12, and the objective receiver 11 in this order. Then, the distal end surface of the connection fixing member 17 reaches the vicinity of the male screw portion 13 a formed in the lens receiver 13. Here, the female screw portion 17b formed on the connection fixing member 17 is screwed into the male screw portion 13a, and the connection fixing member 17 and the lens receiver 13 are integrally fixed in a predetermined screwing state. .
[0034]
As a result, the cover glass 16 is brought into close contact with the sealant 6a by a predetermined pressing force, and the LED substrate 12 and the objective receiver 11 are brought into close contact with a predetermined pressing force. It is constituted as.
[0035]
Thereafter, the lens frame 9a on which the CCD 9 and the like are arranged is fixedly joined to the integrated unit, and the curved portion 4 is integrally connected and fixed via the first connecting pipe 14 and the second connecting pipe 15 to perform an endoscope. The mirror 1 is constituted.
[0036]
The operation of the endoscope 1 configured as described above will be described.
First, power is supplied to the LED lighting unit 7 via the power cables 22a and 22b. Then, the LED chip 6 arranged on the LED substrate 12 becomes a light emitting state, and the observation site is illuminated. As a result, the optical image of the observation site illuminated by the illumination light passes through the optical lens 8a of the observation optical unit 10, is formed on the imaging surface of the CCD 9, and an endoscope image is obtained.
[0037]
Next, the insertion section 2 of the endoscope 1 is inserted toward the target observation site while observing the endoscope image. At this time, the bending section 4 is bent in a desired direction by appropriately operating a bending operation means (not shown). At this time, since the bundle member 21 considering flexibility is divided and inserted into the bending portion 4 in consideration of the bending direction, the bending portion 4 smoothly bends.
[0038]
When power is continuously supplied to the LED lighting unit 7, heat generated from the LED chip 6 is transmitted to the LED board 12, and the temperature of the LED board 12 gradually increases. Further, the heat conducted to the LED board 12 is conducted to the bundle member 21 which is in close contact with the rear face of the LED board 12 via the silicon grease 19, and is disposed on the rear face side of the LED board 12. It is transmitted to the object receiver 11.
[0039]
The heat conducted to the objective receiver 11 is conducted to the bundle member 21 from a side surface of the objective receiver 11 which is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the heat-radiating member disposing through hole 11c via solder. You. Then, the heat conducted to the bundle member 21 is conducted from the front end side to the rear side.
[0040]
As described above, the heat generated by the LED chip is conducted from the front end side of the elongated bundle member to the rear side via the LED board and the object receiver, so that the LED lighting unit can be prevented from becoming hot. In addition, it is possible to reliably prevent the heat generated in the LED chip from being conducted to the CCD.
As a result, the observation site is illuminated with a desired light amount for a long time, a good endoscope image without image noise is obtained, and the endoscope observation can be performed.
[0041]
In the present embodiment, the cover glass 16 is formed of a flat optical member. However, the cover glass is not limited to this form. For example, as shown in FIG. The cover glass 16A may be a cover glass 16A or a cover glass 16B having a concave end surface as shown in FIG. Further, the LED board 12 and the objective receiver 11 may be integrally formed.
[0042]
Also, instead of disposing the base end of the binding member 21 in the flexible tube 5, as shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C, an integrated portion 23 on the rear side of the binding member 21 is provided. May be integrally joined and fixed to a predetermined position on the inner peripheral surface of the front die 40 provided with the cooling fins 41 on the outer peripheral surface by a joining member such as solder 42. Thus, the heat conducted to the binding member 21 can be efficiently released from the front die 40 to the outside, and the heat radiation effect of the binding member 21 can be greatly improved.
[0043]
Further, the bundle member 21 may be formed in a stranded or net-like shape.
[0044]
7 and 8 relate to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating the configuration of the distal end portion, and FIG. 8 is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction specifically illustrating the configuration of the distal end portion. FIG.
8 (a) is a front view of the tip, FIG. 8 (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line II of FIG. 7, and FIG. 8 (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line KK of FIG.
[0045]
In the present embodiment, the objective receiver 11 formed of a metal member having a high thermal conductivity such as copper, aluminum or the like in the first embodiment is replaced with a thermal receiver having a thermal conductivity as shown in FIGS. 7 to 8C. The objective frame 51 is formed of a low metal member, and the LED receiver 52 is formed of a metal member having a high thermal conductivity. A ring member 53 is arranged at the base end of the LED receiver 52, and a tubular fixing member 54 is further arranged on the outer peripheral surface side of the ring member 53. Further, in the present embodiment, instead of providing a cover glass, a covering member 55 that further covers the sealing agent 6a that covers the LED chip 6 is provided. At a predetermined position on the outer peripheral surface side of the LED receiver 52, four cutouts 52a for arranging the bundle member 21 are formed.
[0046]
A first external thread portion 54a and a second external thread portion 54b are formed at predetermined positions on the outer peripheral surface of the tubular fixing member 54. A female screw portion 56a formed at the base end of the substantially tubular connection fixing member 56 is screwed to the male screw portions 54a and 54b. A hook 56b is provided at the distal end of the connecting and fixing member 56 to abut on the covering member 55.
[0047]
Here, a process of assembling the distal end portion 3 will be described.
First, silicon grease having a high thermal conductivity is applied to the base end surface of the LED substrate 12 constituting the LED lighting section 7, and in this state, the object frame 51 in which the optical lens 8a is disposed and the LED receiver 52 are disposed at predetermined positions. . After that, the bundled wire member 21 divided into four through the opening formed by the LED receiver 52 and the ring member 53 is arranged in the cutout portion 52a. Then, solder or an adhesive is poured from the notch opening side of the notch portion 52a to tightly fix the bundled member 21 to the LED receiver 52.
[0048]
As a result, the LED substrate 12 and the object frame 51 are brought into close contact with each other via silicon grease, and the bundle member 21 is disposed in close contact with the LED receiver 52 via, for example, solder.
[0049]
Next, the tubular fixing member 54 is arranged on the outer peripheral surface side of the ring member 53, and the connection fixing member 56 is sequentially covered on the outer peripheral surface side of the LED board 12, the LED receiver 52, and the ring member 53. Then, the distal end surface of the connection fixing member 56 reaches the vicinity of the male screw portion 54 a formed on the tubular fixing member 54. Here, the distal end surface of the connection fixing member 56 is screwed into the female screw portion 56a formed on the connection fixing member 56 with the male screw portion 54a.
[0050]
When the female screw portion 56a passes through the male screw portion 54a, the distal end surface of the connection fixing member 56 reaches near the male screw portion 54b. Here, by screwing the female screw portion 56a into the male screw portion 54b, the female screw portion 56a and the male screw portion 54b are screwed, and the connection fixing member 56 and the tubular fixing member 54 Are fixed together.
[0051]
As a result, the claw portion 56b of the connection fixing member 56 comes into close contact with the covering member 55 with a predetermined pressing force, and the LED substrate 12, the LED receiver 52, and the ring member 53 come into close contact with the predetermined pressing force. To form an integrated unit.
[0052]
Thereafter, the lens frame 9a on which the CCD 9 and the like are arranged is fixedly joined to the integrated unit, and the curved portion 4 is integrally connected and fixed via the first connecting pipe 14 and the second connecting pipe 15 to perform an endoscope. The mirror 1 is constituted.
The lens frame 9a may be joined to the objective receiver 13 before the LED receiver 52 and the objective receiver 11 are integrated. The line LL in FIG. 8A indicates the cross-sectional position in FIG. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.
In this way, by arranging the bundled member in the LED receiver provided with the notch portion, in this state, by flowing the solder from the opening side of the notch portion, and integrally joining the bundled member to the LED receiver, Workability can be improved by eliminating pre-processing such as pre-planarizing the distal end surface of the bundled member. Further, since the connection fixing member and the tubular fixing member are screwed and fixed with the double screw, it is possible to reliably prevent the connection fixing member and the tubular fixing member from falling off. Other effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.
[0053]
Note that the LED receiver 52 and the LED substrate 12 may be integrally formed.
[0054]
9 and 10 relate to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a distal end portion of an insertion portion of a rigid endoscope, and FIG. 10 specifically illustrates a configuration of the distal end portion. It is explanatory drawing of the direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction.
10A is a front view of the distal end portion, FIG. 10B is a sectional view taken along line MM of FIG. 9, and FIG. 10C is a sectional view taken along line NN of FIG.
[0055]
As shown in FIGS. 9 to 10C, the endoscope according to the present embodiment is a rigid endoscope 60 in which a rigid tube 61 having a predetermined length is arranged instead of arranging the curved portion 4 at the distal end. The female screw part 17b of the connection fixing member 17 is connected to the male screw part 61a formed on the distal end side of the rigid tube 61 without disposing the lens receiver 13, the first connection pipe 14, the second connection pipe 15, and the like. It is configured to be screwed. In the present embodiment, instead of arranging the bundle member 21 as a heat radiating member, it is set to a predetermined length in an elongated shape formed into a predetermined cross-sectional shape with a member having high thermal conductivity such as copper, aluminum, silver, or carbon graphite. A plurality of rod-shaped members 62 are arranged at predetermined positions. Other configurations are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment.
[0056]
The rigid tube 61 has a rod-shaped member insertion hole 61b, a lens frame through-hole 61c, and the like. The line PP in FIG. 10A indicates the cross-sectional position in FIG.
[0057]
Thus, instead of disposing a flexible heat dissipating member in a rigid endoscope having a hard insertion portion, by disposing a hard heat dissipating member, the heat generated by the LED chip can be transmitted to the LED board and the object receiver. To prevent the LED illuminating part from becoming high temperature by conducting from the tip side to the rear side of the rod-shaped member, and to surely prevent the heat generated by the LED chip from being conducted to the CCD. I can do it.
11 (a) to 11 (c), an objective frame 51 similar to that shown in FIG. 8 is provided as shown in FIG. 11 for explaining another configuration of the rigid endoscope. Even when the rigid endoscope 60A is configured by disposing the LED receiver 63 set to a predetermined length, the same operation and effect as described above can be obtained.
[0058]
In the embodiment described above, the LED is used as the light emitting element, but the light emitting element may be a laser diode or the like.
[0059]
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to only the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.
[0060]
[Appendix]
According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention as described in detail above, the following configuration can be obtained.
[0061]
(1) In an endoscope provided with a light emitting element at a distal end portion of an insertion portion,
An endoscope in which one end of an elongated heat dissipating member is arranged near the light emitting element, and the other end is arranged at a predetermined position behind the insertion section.
[0062]
(2) The endoscope according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the heat dissipation member has a constant cross-sectional area.
[0063]
(3) The endoscope according to supplementary note 1, wherein a length dimension of the heat radiation member is set in consideration of a material and a cross-sectional area of the heat radiation member.
[0064]
(4) When the insertion portion is flexible and has a curved portion,
The heat dissipating member is a bundle member formed by bundling a plurality of strands having a diameter of 0.1 mm or less, and a bundle member extending from the vicinity of the LED lighting to the base end is divided into a plurality at least in the curved portion. The endoscope according to supplementary note 1.
[0065]
(5) When the insertion portion is hard,
2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the heat radiating member is a rod-shaped member.
[0066]
(6) The endoscope according to Supplementary Note 3 or 5, wherein the strand and the rod-shaped member are members having high thermal conductivity.
[0067]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a reduction in the amount of illumination light and the occurrence of image noise can be prevented by the heat generated by the LED illumination disposed at the distal end portion of the insertion portion, and good observation can be performed for a long time. An endoscope can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIGS. 1 to 6 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a configuration of an insertion portion.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an LED lighting unit.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory view in a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction specifically explaining a configuration of an insertion portion;
FIG. 4 is a view for explaining a process of assembling a tip portion;
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating another configuration example of the cover glass.
FIG. 6 is a view for explaining another configuration of the front die to which the integral portion on the rear end side of the bundled member is joined.
FIGS. 7 and 8 are views according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a configuration of a distal end portion.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory view in a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction for specifically describing a configuration of a distal end portion;
9 and 10 relate to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a distal end portion of an insertion portion of the rigid endoscope.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory view in a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction for specifically describing a configuration of a distal end portion;
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating another configuration of the rigid endoscope.
[Explanation of symbols]
1. Endoscope
3 ... tip
4: Bending part
6 LED chip
7 LED lighting section
10. Observation optical unit
11 ... Object receiver
12 LED board
17: Connection fixing member
21 ... Bundling member

Claims

In an endoscope provided with a light emitting element at the tip of the insertion portion,
An endoscope wherein one end of an elongated heat radiating member is arranged near the light emitting element, and the other end is arranged at a predetermined position on the rear side of the insertion section.

The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the heat radiating member has a constant cross-sectional area.