JP2007037783A - Endoscope imaging system and endoscope connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope imaging system which has a connecting mechanism between an endoscope and an imaging means which can prevent rattling without unevenness in quality of individual products, and to provide an endoscope connector. <P>SOLUTION: For this device, a connector 3 which is detachably connected with an eyepiece section 6 of the endoscope 2 has a holding section 19a which holds the eyepiece section 6 of the endoscope 2. The connector 3 is equipped with a turning member 19 which is freely turnable relative to an imaging element 11, a first magnet 24 which is integrally provided at the turnable member 19, a second magnet 25 and a third magnet 26 which are arranged so as to hold the first magnet 24 therebetween and suppressing the rattling between the turnable member 19 and the eyepiece section 6 of the endoscope 2 by magnetic repulsion to the first magnet 24, and a stopper ring 23 which can regulate a positional relationship among the first magnet 24, the second magnet 25, and the third magnet 26. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope imaging device and an endoscope coupling device that are detachably coupled to an eyepiece of an endoscope.

  In general, a medical endoscope apparatus that performs a simple therapeutic treatment using a treatment tool as needed while inserting an elongated insertion portion into a body cavity and observing the inside of the body cavity has been widely used in recent years. ing. In addition, an industrial endoscope apparatus that can insert an insertion portion into a tube hole and observe the inside of the tube hole is also in practical use.

  Obviously, the observation using the endoscope apparatus can be performed by a single operator by directly observing the eyepiece of the endoscope with the naked eye. In addition to this, for example, for performing simultaneous observation by a large number of observers or for leaving observation records, an imaging means is attached to the eyepiece of the endoscope, and the image is obtained by this imaging means. A technique for outputting an observation image of an endoscope to a monitor and observing through the monitor is generally performed.

  In particular, a rigid endoscope such as an arthroscope that requires the surgeon to crouch for a long time during observation is often observed via a monitor for the purpose of reducing the surgeon's fatigue. .

  For the connection between the eyepiece part of the endoscope and the photographing means, a connection device is used which is intervened between the two so as to be connectable. As an endoscope imaging apparatus provided with this type of connection device, for example, in Patent Document 1, one end of the connection device is screwed into a fixing screw of the eyepiece that is exposed by removing the eyepiece of the eyepiece. On the other hand, a technique is disclosed in which an endoscope and an imaging unit can be connected by fixing a camera head of an imaging unit to the other end of the connection device.

In this prior art, the connecting device is formed with a threaded portion that is screwed to the fixing screw of the eyepiece, a connecting portion having a protruding portion formed in the middle of the inside, and a rear body that is screwed to the camera head. Have. Furthermore, a distal end side clamping member and a proximal end side clamping member for clamping the protruding portion are provided. The distal side clamping member and the proximal side clamping member are fixed to the rear main body by screws. With this configuration, the connecting portion and the rear main body are rotatably held.
Japanese Patent Publication No. 8-20614

  However, in the conventional configuration, in order to make the connecting portion of the connecting device turnable, a certain gap or more is required between the protruding portion and the distal end side clamping member and the proximal end side clamping member. . Therefore, there is a problem that when the connecting portion is rotated, the endoscope is rattled. If there is a backlash between the endoscope and the imaging means due to the recent increase in the size of monitors and image sensors such as CCDs, even a slight backlash is recognized as a large backlash in the image on the monitor. Will come to be. For this reason, there arises a problem that it is difficult for the surgeon to observe.

  Further, the size of the gap generally varies depending on the processing accuracy of each member. For this reason, there is a problem that the possibility of variations in the quality of individual products increases.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope imaging apparatus having a connection mechanism between an endoscope and an imaging means that can prevent rattling without variation in quality of individual products. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope connecting device.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an endoscope having a connecting portion that is detachably connected to an eyepiece portion of an endoscope, and an image sensor that picks up an optical image incident from the eyepiece portion of the endoscope. In the imaging apparatus, the connection portion includes a holding portion that holds the eyepiece portion of the endoscope, and a rotation member that is rotatable with respect to the imaging element, and the rotation member. The first magnetic force generation means provided, and the first magnetic force generation means are arranged in a state of being sandwiched from the front and the rear, and are repelled magnetically with the first magnetic force generation means, and the rotating member and the endoscope Second magnetic force generating means for suppressing rattling between the eyepiece and the position adjusting means capable of adjusting the positional relationship between the first magnetic force generating means and the second magnetic force generating means. It is an imaging device for endoscope characterized by these.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, when the endoscope and the endoscope imaging device are connected, the holding portion of the rotating member of the connecting portion is detachably connected to the eyepiece portion of the endoscope. At this time, the second magnetic force generating means is disposed in a state where the first magnetic force generating means provided integrally with the rotating member is sandwiched from the front and rear, and the first magnetic force generating means and the second magnetic force are arranged by the position adjusting means. The positional relationship with the generating means is adjusted. In this state, the second magnetic force generating means is magnetically repelled from the first magnetic force generating means to suppress backlash between the rotating member and the eyepiece of the endoscope.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the endoscope imaging apparatus, an imaging element holding member that holds the imaging element rotatably about its optical axis, and a first permanent fixed to the imaging element holding member. A magnet group, a second permanent magnet group arranged to face the first permanent magnet, and the image sensor holding member along the top-to-bottom direction of an image photographed by the image sensor on the image sensor holding member The endoscope imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a weight disposed at a position below a center of gravity of the member.
In the second aspect of the present invention, the image pickup device is rotatably held around its optical axis by the image pickup device holding member of the endoscope image pickup apparatus. At this time, the image sensor holding member is second due to the repulsive force between the first permanent magnet group fixed to the image sensor holding member and the second permanent magnet group arranged so as to face the first permanent magnet. By maintaining a certain distance or more with respect to the exterior to which the permanent magnet group is attached, the resistance when rotating the image sensor holding member is reduced as much as possible, and the weight of the image sensor holding member is reduced by gravity. By always going downward about the optical axis, the image sensor always maintains the vertical direction correctly.

The invention according to claim 3 is interposed in a connection portion between the eyepiece portion of the endoscope and the endoscope imaging device, and between the eyepiece portion of the endoscope and the endoscope imaging device. In the endoscope connecting device for detachably connecting the endoscope, the connecting device includes a holding member that holds an eyepiece portion of the endoscope, and a rotating member that is rotatable with respect to the imaging element. The first magnetic force generating means provided integrally with the rotating member, and the first magnetic force generating means are arranged in a state of being sandwiched from the front and rear, and are magnetically repelled from the first magnetic force generating means. It is possible to adjust the positional relationship between the second magnetic force generating means that suppresses rattling between the rotating member and the eyepiece of the endoscope, and the first magnetic force generating means and the second magnetic force generating means. And an endoscope position adjusting means.
According to the third aspect of the invention, when the endoscope and the endoscope imaging device are connected, the holding portion of the rotating member on the distal end side of the endoscope connecting device is used as the eyepiece of the endoscope. It connects so that attachment or detachment is possible, and connects between the base end part of the connection apparatus for endoscopes, and the imaging device for endoscopes so that attachment or detachment is possible. At this time, the second magnetic force generating means is disposed in a state where the first magnetic force generating means provided integrally with the rotating member is sandwiched from the front and rear, and the first magnetic force generating means and the second magnetic force are arranged by the position adjusting means. The positional relationship with the generating means is adjusted. In this state, the second magnetic force generating means is magnetically repelled from the first magnetic force generating means to suppress backlash between the rotating member and the eyepiece of the endoscope.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an endoscope imaging device and an endoscope coupling device having a connection mechanism between an endoscope and an imaging unit that can prevent rattling without variation in quality of individual products. .

(First embodiment)
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an endoscope imaging apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The endoscope imaging device 1 includes a connecting device (endoscopic connecting device) 3 as a connecting portion that is detachably connected to the endoscope 2, and an imaging means that is detachable from the connecting device 3. It consists of a TV camera 4.

  The endoscope 2 includes, for example, an elongated insertion portion 5 that is inserted into the body and an eyepiece portion 6 that is disposed at a proximal end portion of the insertion portion 5 as main components. The connection device 3 includes a tubular connection device body 7 and a tubular endoscope connecting portion 8 connected to the distal end side of the connection device body 7 as main components. The eyepiece 6 of the endoscope 2 is detachably attached to the endoscope connecting portion 8.

  On the base end side of the connection device body 7, a circular camera connection portion 7a that is detachably connected to the television camera 4 is formed. Here, a male screw portion 4a and a smooth surface-like small-diameter portion 4b disposed on the tip side of the male screw portion 4a are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the tip portion of the TV camera 4.

  Further, a hole 7b into which the tip of the television camera 4 is inserted is formed in the tube of the camera connecting portion 7a. A screw hole 7b1 is formed at the entrance of the hole 7b, and a small-diameter hole 7b2 is formed on the deeper side of the hole than the screw hole 7b1. An O-ring 9 is disposed in the small diameter hole portion 7b2. When the connection device 3 and the television camera 4 are connected, the tip of the television camera 4 is inserted into the hole 7b of the camera connection portion 7a. At this time, the small diameter portion 4b of the TV camera 4 is inserted into the small diameter hole portion 7b2 of the camera connecting portion 7a, and the male screw portion 4a of the TV camera 4 is screwed into the screw hole portion 7b1 of the camera connecting portion 7a. Further, an O-ring 9 is pressed against the small-diameter portion 4b of the TV camera 4 inserted into the small-diameter hole portion 7b2 of the camera connecting portion 7a, and the O-ring 9 makes watertight between the TV camera 4 and the camera connecting portion 7a. It is designed to be sealed.

  The connection device body 7 is provided with an annular focus adjustment ring 10 and an endoscope connection portion 8 on the tip side of the camera connection portion 7a. Further, inside the connection device main body 7, an optical system 12 for forming an observation image of the endoscope 2 on an image pickup device 11 such as a CCD provided in the television camera 4, and the optical system 12. And a holding member 13 which is a lens frame for holding the lens.

  Engagement pins 14 protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the holding member 13. The base end portion of the engagement pin 14 is fixed to the holding member 13 by screwing a screw (not shown) to the outer peripheral surface of the holding member 13 and is integrated with the holding member 13.

  Further, an engagement groove portion 10 a having a key groove shape extending along the optical axis direction of the optical system 12 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the focus adjustment ring 10. An engagement groove 15 that is a cam groove is formed on the inner side of the focus adjustment ring 10 on the outer peripheral surface of the connection device body 7. The engagement groove 15 extends obliquely with respect to the optical axis direction of the optical system 12. The engaging pin 14 of the holding member 13 passes through the engaging groove 15 and is engaged with the engaging groove portion 10 a of the focus adjusting ring 10. Then, by rotating the focus adjustment ring 10, the engagement pin 14 moves along the engagement groove 15. At this time, the engagement pin 14 moves back and forth along the optical axis direction of the optical system 12 integrally with the holding member 13 so that the position (focus) of the optical system 12 can be adjusted to a predetermined position. .

  Further, O-rings 16 are disposed on the inner peripheral surface of the focus adjustment ring 10 at both front and rear ends. The O-ring 16 provides a watertight seal between the focus adjustment ring 10 and the connection device body 7. Further, a distal end side cover glass 17 is adhered to the distal end portion of the connection device main body 7, and a proximal end side cover glass 18 is adhered to the proximal end portion in a watertight manner.

  The endoscope connecting portion 8 is provided with a circular turning member 19 that is rotatably attached to the outer peripheral surface of the connection device body 7. A holding portion 19 a that holds the eyepiece 6 of the endoscope 2 is formed at the distal end portion of the rotating member 19. Further, a ring-shaped receiving portion 19b bent inward is formed at the base end portion of the rotating member 19.

  A ring-shaped distal end side clamping member 21 and a ring-shaped proximal end side clamping member 22 are disposed before and after the receiving portion 19 b of the rotating member 19. The receiving portion 19b is assembled in a state of being sandwiched from the front and rear between the distal end side clamping member 21 and the proximal end side clamping member 22.

  A first magnet (first magnetic force generating means) 24 is fixed to the receiving portion 19b of the rotating member 19 at a portion sandwiched between the distal end side clamping member 21 and the proximal end side clamping member 22 with an adhesive or the like. Provided. Further, the second clamping member 21 magnetically repels the first magnet 24 on the distal end side clamping member 21, and the third magnet 26 magnetically repels the first magnet 24 also on the proximal end side clamping member 22. Are provided. The first magnet 24 and the second magnet 25, and the first magnet 24 and the third magnet 26 are configured to repel each other.

  Further, a stopper ring (position adjusting means) 23 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the connection device body 7. Here, a male screw portion 7 c is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the connection device body 7. On the inner peripheral surface of the stopper ring 23, a female screw portion 23a that can be screwed with the male screw portion 7c of the connection device body 7 is formed. Then, by screwing the female threaded portion 23a of the stopper ring 23 into the male threaded portion 7c of the connecting device body 7, the clearance between the rotating member 19, the distal end side clamping member 21 and the proximal end side clamping member 22 can be adjusted. It has become. Thus, the first magnet 24 is disposed between the second magnet 25 and the third magnet 26 from the front and the rear, and the rotary member 19 and the endoscope are magnetically repelled from the first magnet 24. Second magnetic force generating means for suppressing backlash between the two eyepieces 6 is formed.

  Next, the operation of the endoscope imaging apparatus 1 of the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described. When assembling the endoscope connecting portion 8 of the connecting device 3, first, from the distal end side of the connecting device main body 7, the proximal end side holding member 22, the rotating member 19, and the distal end side holding member 21 of the endoscope connecting portion 8. Are sequentially inserted into the connection device body 7 in such a direction that the magnets integrated with each other repel each other.

  Thereafter, the stopper ring 23 is screwed into the connecting device body 7 against a magnetic repulsive force (repulsive force). At this time, a torque is set such that the rotation member 19 is rotatable and the gap between the rotation member 19 and the distal end side clamping member 21 and the proximal end side clamping member 22 is substantially zero. The stopper ring 23 is screwed with torque.

  In addition, even if the clearance between the rotation member 19 and the distal end side clamping member 21 and the proximal end side clamping member 22 becomes substantially zero, there is a magnetic repulsive force of the magnets integrated with each other, so that the rotation member 19 is in a state of being floated in the air by a magnetic repulsive force, and the rotating member 19 is free from looseness without the rotating member 19 and the distal-side clamping member 21 and the proximal-side clamping member 22 being fixed to each other. Can be rotated.

  After that, the connection device 3 and the TV camera 4 are connected by screwing the screw hole portion 7b1 of the camera connecting portion 7a of the connection device 3 and the male screw portion 4a of the TV camera 4. Subsequently, the turning member 19 of the connection device 3 and the eyepiece 6 of the endoscope 2 are connected. In addition, when the focus adjustment of the optical system 12 of the connection apparatus 3 is required, the focus adjustment ring 10 of the connection apparatus 3 is rotated and adjusted.

  At this time, since there are almost no gaps among the rotating member 19, the distal end side clamping member 21, and the proximal end side clamping member 22 of the endoscope connecting portion 8, rattling is recognized even in the image on the monitor. Not.

  In this state, when the endoscope 2 is rotated in the direction around the axis, the rotation member 19 connected to the endoscope 2 rotates in the direction around the axis with respect to the connection device body 7 of the connection device 3. Move. Also in this case, since there are almost no gaps between the rotating member 19, the distal end side clamping member 21, and the proximal end side clamping member 22 of the endoscope connecting portion 8, even the image on the monitor is rattled. Is not recognized.

  Therefore, the above configuration has the following effects. That is, in the present embodiment, the gap between the rotating member 19 and the distal end side clamping member 21 and the proximal end side clamping member 22 is substantially zero by screwing the stopper ring 23 and the connection device body 7 together. The first magnet 24, the second magnet 25, and the third magnet integrated with each of the rotating member 19, the distal end side clamping member 21, and the proximal end side clamping member 22. The rotating member 19 can be rotated by the magnetic repulsive force of the magnet 26. Therefore, rattling between the endoscope 2 and the connection device 3 can be prevented without variation, and the endoscope imaging device 1 that does not cause problems during observation can be provided.

  In the present embodiment, the endoscope imaging device 1 in which the connection device 3 and the television camera 4 are separate has been described. However, the endoscope imaging device in which the connection device 3 and the television camera 4 are integrated. It goes without saying that a similar structure may be applied to the device 1.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the configuration of the endoscope connecting portion 8 of the endoscope imaging apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment (see FIG. 1) is changed as follows. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part same as 1st Embodiment, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  That is, in the first embodiment, the second magnet 25 is provided on the distal end side clamping member 21 of the endoscope connecting portion 8 of the connection device 3, and the third magnet 26 is provided on the proximal end side clamping member 22. In the present embodiment, the distal side clamping member 21 and the proximal side clamping member 22 are configured by only the second magnet 25 and the third magnet 26, respectively.

  And also in this embodiment, when assembling the endoscope connecting portion 8 of the connection device 3, first, as in the first embodiment, first, the endoscope connecting portion 8 is connected to the endoscope connecting portion 8 from the distal end side of the connecting device body 7. The second magnet 25, the rotating member 19, and the third magnet 26 are sequentially inserted into the connection device body 7 in a state where they are arranged in this order.

  Thereafter, the stopper ring 23 is screwed into the connecting device body 7 against a magnetic repulsive force (repulsive force). At this time, the torque is such that the rotation member 19 is rotatable and the gap between the first magnet 24 and the second magnet 25 and the third magnet 26 of the rotation member 19 is substantially zero. And the stopper ring 23 is screwed with this torque.

  Note that even if the gap between the first magnet 24 and the second magnet 25 and the third magnet 26 of the rotating member 19 is almost zero, there is a magnetic repulsive force between the magnets. The first magnet 24 of the member 19 floats in the air by magnetic repulsion, and each of the first magnet 24, the second magnet 25, and the third magnet 26 of the rotating member 19 is fixed. Without rotation, the rotation member 19 can freely rotate without play.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained, and particularly in the present embodiment, the structure of the endoscope connecting portion 8 of the connection device 3 as compared with the first embodiment. However, since it is further simplified, there is an effect that the cost is reduced.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a first modification of the endoscope imaging apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. This modification is an application example using magnetic repulsion when a hollow protective sheath 31 is put on the endoscope 2 in order to protect the particularly thin endoscope 2.

  Here, the eyepiece 6 of the endoscope 2 has a fourth magnet 32 on the joint surface with the protective sheath 31, and a fifth magnet 33 and a fourth magnet 32 on the proximal end side of the protective sheath 31. They are integrally provided at opposing positions. The fourth magnet 32 and the fifth magnet 33 are attached in a direction in which a magnetic repulsive force acts on each other.

  By doing so, when the protective sheath 31 is put on the endoscope 2, the fourth magnet 32 and the fifth magnet 32 when the eyepiece 6 of the endoscope 2 and the proximal end side of the protective sheath 31 approach each other. Magnetic repulsion acts between the magnet 33 and the magnet 33. Therefore, the joint surface between the proximal end side of the protective sheath 31 and the eyepiece portion 6 of the endoscope 2 collides strongly, and failure such as breakage can be prevented.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a second modification of the endoscope imaging apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. This modification is an application example using a magnetic coupling force.

  Here, a sixth magnet 41 is integrated with the insertion portion 5 of the endoscope 2, and a plurality of seventh magnets 42 are integrated with the inner peripheral portion of the protective sheath 31 along the center line direction of the sheath 31. Are arranged side by side. The sixth magnet 41 and the seventh magnet 42 are attached in a direction in which a magnetic coupling force acts on each other.

  When the protective sheath 31 is put on the endoscope 2, the endoscope 2 may be moved to an arbitrary position with respect to the protective sheath 31 and gripped. Even if the mirror 2 is not gripped by hand, it can be reliably held where the magnetic coupling force is applied.

(Third embodiment)
5 to 7 show a third embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the internal configuration of the television camera 4 of the endoscope imaging apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment (see FIG. 1) is changed as follows.

  That is, a solid-state imaging device 51 is disposed on the center line of the camera 4 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 inside the television camera 4 of the endoscope imaging apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. The solid-state imaging device 51 is held by a cylindrical frame (imaging device holding member) 52 so as to be rotatable about the optical axis in the direction around the axis. A first magnet (first permanent magnet group) 53 is attached to the outer periphery of the frame 52. As a result, the solid-state imaging device 51 rotates together with the frame 52 and the first magnet 53.

  In the casing 54 of the camera 4, a second magnet (second permanent magnet group) 55 is disposed so as to be opposed to each other around the first magnet 53. As shown in FIG. 7, the second magnet 55 is fixed around the second magnet 55 in a state where the magnetic pole is arranged to oppose the first magnet 53.

  Further, a weight 56 is attached to the frame 52. The weight 56 is attached in a state where it is aligned and arranged toward the lower side (the ground side) of the solid-state image sensor 51.

  Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. In the present embodiment, the frame 52 is maintained at a certain distance from the exterior to which the second magnet 55 is attached by the repulsive force of the first magnet 53 and the second magnet 55. Therefore, the resistance when rotating the frame 52 is extremely small.

  On the other hand, a weight 56 is attached to the frame 52, and the position of the center of gravity of the entire frame 52 is shifted from the center of the optical axis. For this reason, the weight 56 always moves downward about the optical axis due to gravity. As a result, the solid-state image sensor 51 is always correctly maintained in the vertical direction.

  Therefore, in the above configuration, when the television camera 4 of the endoscope imaging device 1 is unintentionally rotated or in combination with a perspective rigid mirror, the viewing direction is changed. Therefore, even when the television camera 4 of the endoscope imaging apparatus 1 is rotated, the image displayed on the video monitor has an effect that the top and bottom are always automatically maintained. Therefore, more efficient work can be provided to the surgeon.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Next, other characteristic technical matters of the present application are appended as follows.
Record
(Additional Item 1) In an endoscope imaging apparatus in which an endoscope can be attached and detached, a rotating member that holds the endoscope and is rotatable with respect to the imaging element, and a rotating member are provided integrally. The first magnet, the second and third magnets that are magnetically repelled from the first magnet and sandwich the first magnet, and the first, second, and third magnets An imaging device for an endoscope, comprising: adjusting means capable of adjusting the positional relationship of

  (Additional Item 2) In an imaging device for an external endoscope attached to a rigid endoscope, an imaging device such as a CCD, an imaging device holding member, and a first permanent magnet group disposed on the imaging device holding member A second permanent magnet group disposed so as to face the first permanent magnet, a rotating shaft that rotates the image sensor integrally with the image sensor holding member about the optical axis thereof, and an image sensor holding member. An endoscope imaging device, characterized by comprising a weight.

  (Prior Art of Supplementary Item 2) The prior arts are JP-A-6-269403 and JP-A-2000-227559.

  (Problem to be solved by Supplementary Item 2) When performing endoscopic surgery using this type of endoscope, if the insertion portion is rotated around the optical axis during operation of the endoscope, the image on the TV monitor is displayed. Rotate and tilt or the top and bottom are reversed. In particular, in the case of a perspective type endoscope, the direction of observation is greatly changed, so that it is not easy to grasp the orientation and it is difficult to perform a manipulation operation. In order to solve this problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-269403 discloses an endoscope apparatus capable of maintaining the vertical (top and bottom) direction. In the present invention, various endoscopes for detecting the top and bottom of an imaging apparatus are disclosed. It is necessary to provide a sensor, a means for determining the amount of rotation based on information from the sensor, an optical member such as an image rotator, and a rotation drive device for rotating the optical member. These are expensive and complicated, and there are many things to prepare for surgery besides the imaging device itself, which tends to be complicated. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-227559 discloses an image pickup apparatus that can easily adjust the direction of an endoscopic image of a TV monitor to a desired direction. It is troublesome because the person himself has to perform adjustment work whenever necessary.

  (Purpose of Supplementary Item 2) In the present application, there is provided an imaging device that does not require complicated members and devices and can always maintain the image on the TV monitor in the vertical direction without performing additional operations. Objective.

  The present invention relates to a technical field using an endoscope imaging device and an endoscope coupling device that are detachably connected to an eyepiece of an endoscope, and the endoscope imaging device and endoscope This is effective in the technical field of manufacturing a coupling device.

The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the principal part which shows the internal structure of the connection apparatus of the imaging device for endoscopes of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the principal part which shows the internal structure of the connection apparatus of the imaging device for endoscopes of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The schematic block diagram which shows the 1st modification of the imaging device for endoscopes of 1st Embodiment. The schematic block diagram which shows the 2nd modification of the imaging device for endoscopes of 1st Embodiment. The schematic block diagram which shows the use condition of the imaging device for endoscopes of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. IV-IV sectional view taken on the line of FIG. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the effect | action of the magnetic repulsion of the imaging device for endoscopes of 3rd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

    DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope imaging device, 2 ... Endoscope, 3 ... Connection apparatus (endoscopic connection apparatus), 6 ... Eyepiece part, 11 ... Imaging element, 19a ... Holding part, 19 ... Turning member, 23 ... Stopper ring (position adjusting means), 24 ... First magnet (first magnetic force generating means), 25 ... Second magnet (second magnetic force generating means), 26 ... Third magnet (second magnet) Magnetic force generating means).

Claims (3)

In an endoscope imaging apparatus, comprising: a coupling unit that is detachably coupled to an eyepiece unit of an endoscope; and an imaging element that captures an optical image incident from the eyepiece unit of the endoscope.
The connecting portion has a holding portion that holds an eyepiece portion of the endoscope, and a rotating member that is rotatable with respect to the imaging element;
First magnetic force generating means provided integrally with the rotating member;
The first magnetic force generating means is disposed in a state of being sandwiched from the front and rear, and is magnetically repelled from the first magnetic force generating means to suppress backlash between the rotating member and the eyepiece of the endoscope. A second magnetic force generating means;
An endoscope imaging apparatus, comprising: a position adjusting unit capable of adjusting a positional relationship between the first magnetic force generating unit and the second magnetic force generating unit. The endoscope imaging device is:
An image sensor holding member that rotatably holds the image sensor around its optical axis;
A first permanent magnet group fixed to the imaging element holding member;
A second permanent magnet group disposed so as to face the first permanent magnet;
A weight disposed on the image sensor holding member at a position below the center of gravity of the image sensor holding member along the top-and-bottom direction of the image photographed by the image sensor;
The endoscope imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: An inner portion that is interposed in a connection portion between the eyepiece portion of the endoscope and the endoscope imaging device and that removably connects the eyepiece portion of the endoscope and the endoscope imaging device. In the endoscope connecting device,
The coupling device has a holding part that holds an eyepiece part of the endoscope, and a rotating member that is rotatable with respect to the imaging element;
First magnetic force generating means provided integrally with the rotating member;
The first magnetic force generating means is disposed in a state of being sandwiched from the front and rear, and is magnetically repelled from the first magnetic force generating means to suppress backlash between the rotating member and the eyepiece of the endoscope. A second magnetic force generating means;
An endoscope connecting apparatus comprising: a position adjusting means capable of adjusting a positional relationship between the first magnetic force generating means and the second magnetic force generating means.

Images