JP2007202927A - Endoscope apparatus for magnified observation - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope apparatus for magnified observations to enable magnified observations in a condition to acquire the most excellent resolution by accurately confirming a distance between an observation window for magnified observations and a mucosal surface. <P>SOLUTION: A ranging rod 4 protruding in a direction of the observation from the neighborhood of the observation window 15 for magnified observations is placed to move back and forth axially and to be biased in the protruding direction. A protruded length detecting means 18 for detecting the protruded length of the ranging rod 4 from the outer surface of the observation window 15. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus for magnification observation in which an observation window for magnification observation for capturing a microscopic magnified observation image of a subject that is in close proximity to or in contact with an outer surface is provided at the distal end of an insertion portion.

  A technique for inspecting the presence or absence of a lesion by visually observing the inside of a luminal organ in the body with an endoscope is widely performed. However, even if a lesion is found by such endoscopy, it is often difficult to make a definitive diagnosis such as whether the lesion is cancer or not.

  Therefore, tissues that are considered suspicious by endoscopy are collected using biopsy forceps and the like. It damages the mucous membrane of the lumen wall and causes bleeding.

Therefore, in recent years, an endoscopic apparatus for magnifying observation that can obtain a microscopic magnified image in a range of less than 1 mm, such as a confocal endoscope, has been developed. It has become possible to make a definitive diagnosis of whether or not the cancer is just by direct observation with an endoscope (for example, Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3).
JP 2004-344201 A JP-A-2005-80769 JP-A-2005-640

When a microscopic magnified observation image is captured with the above-described endoscopic apparatus for magnification observation, it is necessary to place the observation window for magnification observation in close proximity to or in contact with the mucosal surface of the body that is the subject. .
However, since the endoscope observation image cannot accurately determine how close or close the magnifying observation window is to the mucosal surface, the magnifying observation window and the mucosal surface In some cases, the magnified observation may be performed in a state where the distance is not suitable and the magnified observation function of the folding angle is not fully exhibited in terms of resolving power.

  Therefore, the present invention provides an internal view for magnifying observation in which magnifying observation can be performed in a state where the best resolution can be obtained so that the distance between the observing window for magnifying observation and the mucosal surface can be accurately confirmed. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, the endoscope apparatus for magnifying observation of the present invention is provided with a magnifying observation observation window for capturing a magnified observation image of a subject close to or in contact with the outer surface at the distal end of the insertion portion. In the endoscope apparatus for magnifying observation, the distance measuring rod that protrudes from the vicinity of the observing window for magnifying observation toward the observation direction is arranged so as to be movable back and forth in the axial direction and urged toward the protruding direction, and is enlarged. A protrusion length detecting means for detecting the protrusion length of the distance measuring rod from the outer surface of the observation window for observation is provided.

  The protrusion length detection means may be a pressure sensor that senses the urging force acting on the distance measuring rod, or a distance sensor that measures the distance from the rear to the rear end surface of the distance measuring rod. Also good. The compression coil spring may give the urging force to the distance measuring rod.

  In addition, an observation window for normal observation for capturing the normal observation image of the subject from a position at a distance from the subject may be provided, and a monitor for displaying the normal observation image and an enlarged observation image are displayed. The projection length of the distance measuring rod from the outer surface of the observation window for magnification observation may be displayed on at least one of the monitors for doing so.

  According to the present invention, the distance measuring rod that protrudes in the observation direction from the vicinity of the observation window for magnification observation is arranged so as to be movable back and forth in the axial direction and urged toward the projection direction, and the observation window for magnification observation The distance between the observation window for magnification observation and the mucosal surface is accurately confirmed from the protrusion length of the distance measuring rod by providing the protrusion length detection means for detecting the distance from the outer surface of the distance measuring rod. Therefore, magnified observation can be performed in a state where the best resolution can be obtained.

  In the magnifying observation endoscope apparatus in which the magnifying observation observation window for capturing the magnifying observation image of the subject close to or in contact with the outer surface is provided at the distal end of the insertion portion, the observation direction from the vicinity of the magnifying observation observation window A distance measuring rod that protrudes toward the rear is arranged so as to be movable back and forth in the axial direction and biased toward the protrusion direction, and for detecting the protrusion length of the distance measuring rod from the outer surface of the observation window for magnification observation Protrusion length detection means is provided.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 3 schematically shows the entire system of the endoscope apparatus for magnification observation according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and an observation window or A distal end main body 2 on which an illumination window or the like is arranged is connected, and an operation portion 3 on which various operation members are arranged is connected to a proximal end of the insertion portion 1. Reference numeral 4 denotes a distance measuring rod that protrudes forward from the tip body 2.

  A first connector 7 and a second connector 8 which are connected to a video processor 5 and a confocal image processor 6 which are arranged outside the endoscope are connected to the tip of a cord extending from the operation unit 3. Is provided.

  9 is a main monitor for displaying a normal observation image by a video signal output from the video processor 5, and 10 is an enlargement for displaying a microscopic enlarged observation image by a video signal output from the confocal image processor 6. It is an image monitor.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the most distal end portion of the insertion portion 1, and an illumination window 11 for emitting illumination light to the distal end surface of the distal end portion body 2 and illumination with illumination light emitted from the illumination window 11. A normal observation observation window 12 for taking a normal observation image of the subject that has been taken from a position at a distance from the subject is arranged side by side in a forward direction. Reference numeral 13 denotes an outlet opening of the treatment instrument insertion channel.

  Reference numeral 15 denotes an observation window for enlargement observation that is brought into contact with or in close proximity to the outer surface of the subject and captures a microscopic enlarged observation image of the subject, and a protruding portion 2a that protrudes forward from the distal end surface of the distal end portion main body 2. It is arrange | positioned toward the front of the front.

  The distance measuring rod 4 protrudes forward from the front end surface of the front end portion body 2 along with the protruding portion 2 a, and the front end 4 a of the distance measuring rod 4 is an enlargement provided on the protruding portion 2 a of the front end portion main body 2. It protrudes to a position ahead of the observation window 15 for observation.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the system configuration of the magnifying observation endoscope apparatus. In the normal observation observation window 12, an objective optical system 21 for obtaining a wide viewing angle (for example, about 100 ° to 140 °) is provided. The imaging surface of the solid-state imaging device 22 is arranged at the projection position of the subject by the objective optical system 21. Reference numeral 23 denotes a signal cable for transmitting an imaging signal obtained by the solid-state imaging device 22.

  A confocal optical system 25 is disposed in the observation window for magnification observation 15, and the position of the distal end surface 26 a of the optical single fiber 26 (single mode fiber) disposed in the back thereof and the outside of the observation window for magnification observation 15. It is set so that the position slightly in front of the surface position is confocal. The confocal position may be adjusted by an operation from the operation unit 3 side.

  The tip surface 26 a of the optical single fiber 26 is scanned two-dimensionally on a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the confocal optical system 25 by a scanning mechanism 27 using, for example, electromagnetic force, and the inside of the optical single fiber 26 is scanned. When the laser beam transmitted and emitted from the distal end surface 26a is focused on the mucosa contacting the outer surface of the observation window 15 for magnified observation and reflected from there, the reflected light is reflected from the distal end of the optical single fiber 26. Focus on surface 26a. When a fluorescent dye is dispersed on the mucosal surface of the body, the fluorescence excited by the laser beam becomes the subject.

  Therefore, the reflected light returned to the base end side through the optical single fiber 26 is displayed at a position corresponding to the scanning movement of the distal end face 26a, thereby 1 mm of the subject at the outer surface position of the observation window 15 for magnification observation. A clear microscopic magnified observation image of the following region (for example, a region of 0.5 mm) can be obtained.

  However, the optical system in the observation window 15 for magnification observation does not use the confocal optical system 25 in which the tip surface 26a of the optical single fiber 26 is used as a substitute for a pinhole. It does not matter if it can be observed.

  On the back side of the concave lens provided in the illumination window 11, the exit end face of the illumination light guide fiber bundle 28 inserted in the space from the insertion portion 1 to the first connector 7 is arranged.

  The distance measuring rod 4 is formed of a rigid body such as a stainless steel rod or a hard plastic material, for example, as shown in FIG. 2 illustrating the specific configuration thereof, and can be moved forward and backward in the axial direction. Is attached. Reference numeral 16 denotes an O-ring for sealing.

  The distance measuring rod 4 is urged from the rear by the compression coil spring 17 toward the front in the projecting direction, and the pressure sensor 18 (projection length detecting means) that receives the rear end of the compression coil spring 17 senses the urging force. A signal having a magnitude corresponding to the urging force is transmitted from the pressure sensor 18 to the signal transmission line 19.

  Accordingly, when the distance measuring rod 4 is pushed from the front and its protruding length is shortened, the compression coil spring 17 is compressed and the urging force sensed by the pressure sensor 18 is increased. By making the output signal value from the sensor 18 correspond in advance, the projection length of the distance measuring rod 4 (here, the projection length from the outer surface of the observation window 15 for magnification observation) is determined by the output signal value from the pressure sensor 18. )

  Referring back to FIG. 5, a light source lamp 51 for generating illumination light for normal observation is arranged in the video processor 5 that also serves as a light source device, and the illumination light emitted from the light source lamp 51 is condensed. It is guided to the lens 52 and enters the incident end of the illumination light guide fiber bundle 28.

  Further, a video signal processing circuit 53 for processing an endoscope observation image (normal observation image) imaged by the solid-state imaging device 22 and outputting a video signal to the main monitor 9, and a signal transmission line 19 from the pressure sensor 18. The signal sent through the input is converted into the projection length of the distance measuring rod 4 from the outer surface of the observation window 15 for magnified observation, and the value of the projection length is converted into the main monitor 9 or the magnified image monitor. A conversion / display circuit 54 for outputting a signal to be displayed on the display 10 is provided.

  A confocal laser light source 61 for emitting laser light is disposed in the confocal image processor 6, and the laser light source 61 and the light receiving element 62 are attached to the rear end surface 26 b of the optical single fiber 26 by the optical coupler 63. Connected in parallel.

  Therefore, not only laser light is incident on the optical single fiber 26 from the laser light source 61, but also laser light emitted from the rear end surface 26 b of the optical single fiber 26 is incident on the light receiving element 62.

  Laser light incident on the optical single fiber 26 from the laser light source 61 via the optical coupler 63 is emitted from the distal end surface 26a of the optical single fiber 26 and strikes the subject at a focal position near the outer surface of the observation window 15 for magnification observation. The reflected light is reflected and enters the distal end surface 26 a of the optical single fiber 26 with a focal point, and enters the light receiving element 62 through the optical single fiber 26.

  The operation control of the scanning mechanism 27 that scans the distal end surface 26a of the optical single fiber 26 is performed by a synchronization control circuit 65, and the output signal from the light receiving element 62 is synchronized with the movement of the distal end surface 26a of the optical single fiber 26. Then, the image signal is imaged by the video signal processing circuit 64 and the video signal is output to the magnified image monitor 10, and a magnified image of a microscopic magnified observation image of an area of about 1 mm or less of the subject near the outer surface of the magnified observation observation window 15. It is displayed on the monitor 10.

  In order to obtain a clear image that is in focus at the time of magnification observation in the endoscope apparatus for magnification observation configured as described above, the subject mucous membrane is brought into close proximity or contact with the outer surface of the magnification observation window 15. There is a need.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, when the observation window 15 for magnified observation is brought closer to the subject mucosa, the distal end 4a of the distance measuring rod 4 comes into contact with the subject mucous membrane and the distance measuring rod 4 is moved toward the distal end portion main body 2 side. The projection length of the distance measuring rod 4 from the outer surface of the observation window 15 for magnification observation (that is, from the outer surface of the observation window 15 for magnification observation to the mucous membrane of the subject) by the output signal value from the pressure sensor 18 that is pushed in and changed accordingly. Is displayed on the monitor 9 (or 10).

  Therefore, when magnifying observation is performed through the magnifying observation window 15, the distance from the outer surface of the magnifying observation window 15 to the mucous membrane of the subject is constantly monitored so that the best resolution can be obtained. Magnified observation can be performed while adjusting the position of the distal end body 2.

  FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, in which a distance measuring sensor 118 capable of measuring the distance to the back surface of the distance measuring rod 4 is used instead of the pressure sensor 18 of the first embodiment. It was.

  As the distance measuring sensor 118, an ultrasonic sensor, a magnetic field sensor or the like can be used, and the projection length of the distance measuring rod 4 from the outer surface of the observation window 15 for magnified observation is converted and measured and displayed. The same effect as the example can be obtained.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, the projection length of the distance measuring rod 4 may be displayed on a display means other than the monitors 9 and 10. The present invention may be applied to an endoscope dedicated to magnification observation in which only the observation window for observation 15 is provided but the observation window for normal observation 11 is not provided.

  If the present invention is applied to an endoscope configured so that the position of the subject most suitable for magnified observation (that is, the best focus position for magnified observation) can be adjusted from the operation unit 3 side, the distance measuring rod 4 The best focus position for magnified observation can be smoothly adjusted to the optimum state in accordance with the distance measurement result obtained by.

It is side surface sectional drawing of the ranging state of the endoscope apparatus for magnification observation of 1st Example of this invention. It is side surface sectional drawing of the ranging part of the endoscope apparatus for magnification observation of 1st Example of this invention. 1 is a schematic view of an entire system of an endoscope apparatus for magnification observation according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the most advanced part of the insertion part of the endoscope apparatus for magnification observation of the 1st example of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the system configuration | structure of the endoscope apparatus for magnification observation of 1st Example of this invention. It is side surface sectional drawing of the ranging part of the endoscope apparatus for magnification observation of 2nd Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Insertion part 4 Distance measuring rod 9 Main monitor 10 Magnified image monitor 12 Observation window for normal observation 15 Observation window for magnification observation 17 Compression coil spring 18 Pressure sensor (projection length detection means)
25 confocal optical system 26 optical single fiber 26a tip surface 27 scanning mechanism 54 conversion / display circuit 118 distance measuring sensor (projection length detecting means)

Claims (6)

In an endoscope apparatus for magnification observation in which an observation window for magnification observation for capturing a magnified observation image of a subject that is close to or in contact with the outer surface is provided at the distal end of the insertion portion.
A distance measuring rod that protrudes in the observation direction from the vicinity of the observation window for magnification observation is disposed so as to be movable forward and backward in the axial direction and biased toward the projection direction, and from the outer surface of the observation window for magnification observation. An endoscope apparatus for magnifying observation, characterized in that a protrusion length detecting means for detecting the protrusion length of the distance measuring rod is provided.   The endoscope apparatus for magnifying observation according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion length detecting means is a pressure sensor that senses an urging force acting on the distance measuring rod.   The endoscope apparatus for magnifying observation according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion length detecting means is a distance measuring sensor for measuring a distance from the rear to the rear end face of the distance measuring rod.   4. The magnifying observation endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a compression coil spring applies an urging force to the distance measuring rod.   5. The magnification observation endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a normal observation observation window for capturing a normal observation image of a subject from a position at a distance from the subject.   The projection length of the distance measuring rod from the outer surface of the observation window for magnification observation is displayed on at least one of the monitor for displaying the normal observation image and the monitor for displaying the magnification observation image. 5. An endoscope apparatus for magnification observation according to 5.

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